(I'm new to fanfiction... This is my first one, so please be kind.)

Progression to Love

Chpt. 1

Sakura

Sakura Haruno was full of excitement. Today Sakura and Sasuke were officially dating, and tonight they were going on their first date. After all these years Sakura was going to be with the man she wanted and for once it wasn't one sided. After all Sakura didnt have to make the first move, because Sasuke finally asked her out. This made the date more special. Sakura had already told half of the village as she ran her errands, preparing things for her date. She couldn't believe that Sasuke was finally seeing her as woman and not just as a teammate and friend. Just thinking about her date filled her heart with joy. Sakura rushed home to get ready for her date.

Sasuke

Sasuke Uchiha wasn't a flashy kind of guy,but he was excited about his date with Sakura. Sakura was suddenly more mature, more dedicated, and more beautiful as the years have gone by. It was also Sakura who made his transition back in the village easier. He would often find home cooked meals waiting for him when he returned from missions; there wouldn't be any notes attached, but he knew who they came from.

Sasuke realized how important Sakura was becoming. She had always stood by him through thick and thin. He was aware that ge had feelings for Sakura, however he just never allowed them to surface, until now. Sasuke had decieded that now was the time to do something about it. He asked Sakura out the next day. He was pleasantly surprised when she said yes.

Letting his mind come back to reality, Sasuke rushed out of his apartment. Sasuke was meeting Naruto for lunch. Naruto was already seated at the Ramen shop when Sasuke arrived. He sat down next to him. Without looking at him, Naruto laughed and said, " I heard you got a hot date with Sakura-chan."

" Hmm...I guess the whole village knows by now," Sasuke responded with a smile.

Naruto laughed, " I guess you really have changed."

"Not really," Sasuke said, " you and Sakura seem to be the only people I let my guard down for."

Naruto looked at Sasuke; he was suddenly serious. Sasuke watched intensity, while he waited for his friend's words to flow out.

"Make sure to go all out," Naruto said in his serious tone, "Sakura has waited a long time for this. Doing something small is just not going to cut it. Plus if you piss her off.. Let's just say Sakura may be sweet , but she's a nightmare when she's mad ."

Naruto ended it with a laugh. Sasuke joined him. Sasuke definitely didn't want to get on her bad side. After all he didn't want to be with anyone else .

Sakura

It was 8 p.m., according to Sakura's digital clock, it was finally time for the date. Sakura was dressed to impress. She wore a beautiful red cocktail dress. It hugged her curves and highlighted her beautiful neck and small waist. She took a final look in the mirror, when a knock suddenly interrupted her focus. She brushed off her dress and went to answer.

Instead of being Sasuke, there was an envelope lying on the floor; it had Ino's seal on it. Picking it up immediately, Sakura read the urgent message. In a few minutes later, Sakura was dressed in her gear and out the door.

The message urged Sakura to go to the village hidden in the rain; the leaf village's top shinobis had already exterminated the problem, however the battle had left an enormous amount of people injured. In result, they called upon their best medical ninjas. Sakura being the best was called in. And although she was looking forward to her date with Sasuke, she knew her duty to protect and help others came first.

It took Sakura two hours to get everyone settled and comfortable. She was so tierd and ready to collapse. Instead of going back to Konoha immediately, she decided to find a place to stay for the night.

There was only one inn near the make shift infirmary, so Sakura gathered her things and went to the inn. She was greeted by an older woman. Sakura smiled and said, "Hi I would like to book a room."

"Name please"

"Sakura Haruno"

"Ah... Your room has already been booked and paid for," the inn keeper announced.

"Uh..really?! Did you happen to know who took care of this?" Sakura asked.

It could be him, but that's a stretch, Sakura thought.

"The gentleman didn't leave a name," the inn keeper stated, " he was handsome and had such intense eyes . If only I was younger." The inn keeper sighed as the blush appeared all over her face. With the description from the inn keeper , Sakura knew exactly who dropped by.

Sakura said goodnight to the inn keeper. She took the keys and went up to her room. As she drifted out of consciousness, the last words she uttered was,

"Sasuke."