LATE-BLOOMING LOVE
((Author's Note: This story changes back and forth between Naruto and Sakura's viewpoints, so don't get freaked out, hehe!))
One day, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke each woke up in their homes to find a note plastered on their doors which read:
MEET AT LEIKO LAKE FOR IMPORTANT MISSION AS SOON AS AWAKE. NARUTO, I DON'T CARE IF YOU HAVEN'T EATEN YET. COME NOW.
-Kakashi-Sensei
Naruto eagerly read the note, then groaned as he finished it. "Aww...I haven't eaten! AND I haven't made myself presentable for Sakura..." he scrambled frantically to get dressed, comb his hair and eat two bowls of ramen at once all in the course of ten minutes.
He finally stumbled out of the house, slightly disgruntled, but ready for a nice day with Sakura. He didn't like to admit it, but now as he was getting older he realized that his love for Sakura was growing. It embarrassed him, true, but it simply inspired him to better with his training.
After walking in deep thought for about 30 minutes, Naruto realized his mistake: He had passed Leiko Lake about fifteen times. He pinched himself to get his thoughts back to the real world, but as he walked back to Leiko Lake, he found a few thoughts straying to the subject of Sakura..her lovely long hair trailing behind her in the wind...the way her eyes glittered when she accomplished something....Naruto shook his head and snapped out of it. Whatever this strange mission was, he would complete it for Sakura.
Moments later, Naruto arrived to find Sasuke, Kakashi, and Sakura glaring at him. "NARUTO!!!! YOU BAKA*!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?? YOU'VE HELD US UP, YOU IDIOT!!"
Bellowed Sakura, secretly beaming inside at yelling at a boy. How she loved to order him around!
"I...I'm..really sorry, Sakura-Chan.." Naruto piped as he rubbed the back of his head in embarassment and blushed. Wait....WAS he blushing?? He was! Inner Sakura was also blushing, because though Naruto had been a lifetime pest to her. she found him growing cuter, herself admiring him. No. She MUSTN'T think like that. If this were to develop into love...well, it would get into the way..She wouldn't let it happen...she just wouldn't.
"Anyway, BACK TO BUSINESS!!" yelled Kakashi and Sasuke simultaneously with glares at Naruto and Sakura, who were now both blushing.
"Now, students, our task for today is to catch as many fish as possible. At one time, something will happen to one of us, which will be a test of love. Here are your fishing rods, the bait is there...I will return in two hours exactly. Now GET STARTED!" Kakashi said half calmly, half annoyed.
With that, Kakashi-Sensei walked off, hands in pockets as usual. Sasuke instantly cast his rod into the peacefully trickling lake. Naruto and Sakura started arguing about how everything was each other's faults. But then..no...he must be imagining things...but he wasn't! Naruto caught a look of embarassment and apology in Sakura's lovely eyes...no. He shouldn't get his hopes up. But if he wasn't mistaken...could it be that his love for Sakura..was finally being returned to him??