Well, would you look at that? I did it: I got off my lazy ass and got to writing. Not sure how well it's going to end up but any constructive criticism is welcomed and nice. Flames aren't really welcomed… But I need warmth for the winter so if you try, give it your best shot. This is my first FanFic and the first anything I'm making public that has any significance.

Warning: The story starts on the first episode of Shipuuden, but I'm going to have things from later episodes already put in. Also, the story might (most likely will) seem completely unrealistic and/or horrible, but please, atleast finish the first chapter. It will be a lot more realistic towards the end, trust me.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru, or any other Naruto character, building or anything of the works. But if someone would be kind enough to buy Naruto, his friends, and whatnots, for me I'd owe you big time. That'd be awesome. Anyway, enough of my blabber, time for the story! Hope you enjoy it.

"Italics" inner conversation

Prologue

Naruto ran from his two travel partners to the middle of the village. It had been two and a half years since he was last inside Konoha, and he wanted a good view of everything.

On her way to the main gates of the village to drop off some papers to the guards, Sakura somehow got three genin following her. It's not like she minded, because really, she didn't, she just wished they'd be a little less noisy.

"We could make them a lot less noisy if we wanted to!" Her inner self offered immediately.

"Why would we do that? They're nice enough. Aside from Konohamaru turning into a little pervert! OK, so maybe we do want to make them shut up, but I'd rather not get questioned about why there is a dead genin when he wasn't on a mission or we were attacked later." Sakura responded. She heard her inner mumbling something but no coherent words, so she decided to just ignore it.

"Good morning, Sakura!" Greeted Genma, one of the guards on post. "Have you seen Naruto yet?"

As she finally reached the shack she asked, "What do you mean? He isn't supposed to be back until next week."

"That's what we thought, too. But he and two others walked through that gate and he took off running down the road." Genma offered after shifting positions in his chair and nodding at the gate. "I'd say about twenty minutes ago."

Sakura almost fell over. He was finally back! She couldn't believe it! After putting the papers down on the table and saying her "goodbyes" Sakura took off down the street after the most surprising ninja in Konoha. Or who used to be anyway, she didn't know if the trip changed his personality at all. She really hoped that it didn't because she had something important to tell him.

"You know," Genma added looking to his almost asleep partner, "she might have been interested in the third person of the group. I wonder what could make her lose focus like that."

"I don't really care, I'm tired. If it's that important, then ask her yourself." His partner said, dozing off.

"GET UP! You know you shouldn't sleep on the job," Genma warned his partner, "What would the Hokage think if she found you sleeping?"

In the blink of an eye, his partner was up straight and looking all around. Relaxing when found no sight of her, he shot Genma a murderous look before leaning back a bit more and saying, "I don't know. I'd probably go flying to the other end of the village."

Genma smirked.

From his position, Naruto could make out a lot of the village. It hadn't really changed much from what he remembered. A few new buildings here, an addition there, nothing too drastic, but what he didn't see was the blur of pink and red that was flying down the street.

"NARUTO!" Sakura called out, panting a little and trying to get said blonde's attention. He was crouched on a tall post, scanning the village. "Well," she mused to herself, "if he won't come down when I call him," she crouched down low to the ground and began gathering chakra in her legs, "looks like I'll just have to get him down myself."

Naruto let out a quick sigh before turning to hop back down to the ground. It was time for him to look for his beloved Sakura-chan. After all this time he couldn't get over the feelings he had for her. If anything, they only deepened. "I don't mind much, but it wouldn't hurt if she felt close to the same about me." He spoke inwardly.

"Well then why not just ask her out when you see her and find out for yourself if you really want to know." The Kyuubi said to his jailer. Naruto was glad he had come to terms with the demon, he was a lot more manageable that way.

"Well first things first, we need to find her. Can't really ask someone out if you aren't talking to them, right?"

"Good point. Now turn around and jump down NOW!" The Kyuubi roared. Naruto did just that, and what happened next left him utterly shocked.

Just as Sakura was about to jump, Naruto was on the ground in front of her, face right in between her breasts. Looking at the stunned Naruto while she herself was frozen, it took a wolf whistle coming from down the street and a bark following it to wake them both up. Naruto stood straight up and scratched the back of his head. So what if they had furious blushes and Naruto was sure he was going to get beaten? That didn't stop him from enjoying the moment.

After five seconds and no head rattling, knee-buckling, back-breaking punches going straight at him, Naruto cracked one eye open to see Sakura staring at him with her cheeks pinker than her hair. "H-hey, Sakura-chan. Long-time-no-see, huh?" He said, trying to break the tension.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, it has been, Naruto-kun. I actually need to talk to you abo-" She was cut off by Kiba who ran up to them and looked at Naruto with a ridiculous grin on his face.

"Wow, Naruto! Not even back for an hour and you're already getting action! Way to go buddy!" As he slapped Naruto's back, Naruto's blush deepened and Sakura let out, between clenched teeth, "What. Do. You. Mean. 'Action.' Kiba?" stressing each word for emphasis.

Kiba visibly sweat-dropped. "Oh, uhh, um, nothing. I didn't mean anything. Welcome back, come by my house, later, Naruto!" And with that, Kiba ran off down the street, not wanting to go through any walls.

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck nervously, and spoke in a little bit of a shaky voice, "So, Sakura-chan, how've you been?" He asked. The 'Kun' honorific completely unnoticed.

Sighing deeply, she ignored the urge to go after Kiba. "Until we see him later, that is." Her inner said with a mischievous grin. "I've been good. Busy, but good. How about you?"

Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Should I tell her the truth?" He asked himself, assuming Kyuubi would answer him. "Yes, kid. Tell her the truth. But don't mention anything about being in love with her. It's bad enough I'm caged inside of a pansy, I don't need the rest of the world knowing it." Naruto would have made an agitated retort if he didn't remember having Sakura right next to him.

"I've been fine." He settled with, not exactly sure how to put it.

"Oh, well that's good. Say, Naruto-kun, can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course you can Saku-" He said before being interrupted.

"NARUTO! YOU'RE BACK!" Yelled Ten-Ten merrily as the ever-stoic Neji Hyuuga walked along side her. "Naruto-kun? Is it really you? YOSH! The wonders of youth brought you back to this village for all to see again!" Lee hollered as he ran towards them all, tears gushing like waterfalls from his eyes.

"Hi guys. What's up?" Naruto said as he scratched the back of his neck a little awkwardly again.

"We were just heading to the Hokage tower to turn in our mission report." Ten-Ten said with a smile. "It's been, what?" she asked, "Almost three years since we last saw you? How have you been? Oh, and 'Hey.' Sakura."

"Hi Ten-Ten. Neji." She nodded in acknowledgement. In all honesty she was getting annoyed with all of the interruptions, but she plastered a smile onto her face all the same.

"I've been fine. The trip felt like forever but it's good to be back. I missed you guys." He said with a bright smile on his face.

"Ten-Ten, we should hurry. The Hokage wanted the report by noon, remember?" After receiving a sigh and a nod from her, the Hyuuga turned to Naruto and Sakura as they all said their "goodbyes".

"Well then, I have something important to tell you. If you don't mind that is, which I really don't thi-" He was cut off once more, but this time it was by Sakura so he didn't mind as much. "Hey, Kyuubi, how should I word what I'm going to tell her?" "Say it like…"

"I don't mind, Naruto-kun."

Following the words of the Kyuubi he said, "I brought your love back and he won't leave you again as long as I have anything to say about it." He continues, his own thoughts now, "Of course, missions have to be an exception bu- mmmph" Naruto didn't have time to finish as Sakura moved closer to him and covered his lips with hers. In his haze, he noted how soft her lips were and how at peace he felt, before she leaned back.

Sakura's body acted on impulse as she moved closer to Naruto and kissed him. She liked his speech but was a little concerned as to why he was talking in the third person. After what felt like forever, but in reality was only a few seconds, she broke away from Naruto, and the first kiss she ever had, and confessed, "I love you, Naruto-kun."

He couldn't do anything but blink in confusion. "Well if that's my reward for bringing Sasuke back I might just let him leave again so I can do the same thing." He laughed, almost afraid of what Sakura's comment would be.

Now it was her turn to be confused. She thought he found out about her feelings for him, by her being too obvious or something, but he didn't. She immediately blushed in embarrassment and found the ground to be very appealing. "Oh- Well where is he?" She asked.

Naruto had noticed a slight hint of disappointment in her voice but passed it off. "He's either with Ero-Sennin and Tsunade-Baachan, or on his way to look for you." He said after thinking for a moment. "He wanted to talk to you by the way. Said it was going to be the first thing he did when we got back before Ero-Sennin told him otherwise."

"He said that? Did he tell you why?"

"No, he didn't. But you should go find him and ask."

She let out a deep sigh and smiled slightly. "Ok Naruto-kun. I guess I'll see you later."

"Wait," he said, grabbing her arm lightly. "I want to tell you something else first."

"What is it?"

He sighed deeply and mentally kicked himself for doing that. He knew she wouldn't just leave if he said to forget it. "She probably only said she loved me because I brought the Teme back." "I love you, Sakura-chan." And before he could get a response he released her arm and left faster than she had ever seen anyone move.

"Did he really mean that?" Sakura's inner questioned dumbly. Sakura couldn't answer. She was in too much shock. Luckily her feet starting moving on their own and she walked to the Hokage Tower, because otherwise she would just be standing in the middle of the street with her mouth slightly agape.

"Sasuke, I will inform the council of your return and set up the hearing. It may take a few days so you're probably going to have to move in with Naruto until we get you back in the compound. I most certainly can get you reinstated but you will be on parole for at least a year, guaranteed. Is that understood?" Tsunade spoke to the young Uchiha. Jiraiya was leaning against the wall waiting for Sasuke to be dismissed so he could get the debriefing over with.

"Hai, Hokage-sama. Thank you for your time and help." Sasuke said as he stood and bowed.

"Very well. Dismissed." Sasuke nodded and disappeared. "Now, Jiraiya, would you care to explain?"

Jiraiya leaned away from the wall and moved to the seat previously occupied by the ex-traitor with a sigh. "About two months ago Naruto and I were travelling through the Land of Lightning, along the border. We set up camp near a waterfall and lake when Naruto went to set up the traps. About an hour after he left I was awoken to explosions off in the distance. I ran towards the source to find those two fighting. Naruto had a few minor injuries, a giant gash down his torso, and was exhausted. Sasuke, on the other hand, looked like he hadn't been fazed at all. That is, until he started sweating and fell to his knees. I saw a gash down his right arm and a burn mark on his back as he started to activate his Chidori Eiso and it sped towards Naruto. Just as it was about to hit Naruto, he and one of his clones came up from behind Sasuke with an Odama-Rasengan and hit the ground right below Sasuke, causing the earth to shatter and launch at Sasuke. He admitted defeat after being nearly buried alive and right before going unconscious."

Tsunade opened her eyes and let out a deep sigh. "None of you know medical jutsu, that I know of, so where did you get them healed?"

"A small village about three miles from where we set up our camp. They did it for no charge and taught Naruto minor healing jutsu. They had a few ninja that would probably be high Genin or low Chuunin compared to us."

"I see. Where was Orochimaru during all of this?"

"He was in Sound. Sasuke was sent up to one of the bases in Lightning for something or another, he couldn't remember. But he does remember where many of Orochimaru's hidden bases are, along with some information on other ninja that follow under him, such as Kabuto."

"That might be very helpful in securing his worth to the council. Thank you, Jiraiya. Unless you have further information you are dismissed."

"I have one final thing to say. Naruto and the Kyuubi are on-Better terms. And Naruto can control four tails of its chakra. But if he maintains four tails for too long he begins to transform. His skin peels and he gets surrounded in solid dark red chakra, looking more Kyuubi than human. He doesn't understand the significance of ally or enemy in this state and the only way I have managed to bring him back is by cutting off all chakra flow throughout his body."

Tsunade nodded. "Understood. Dismissed."

Sakura was almost at Tsunade's office when she saw Sasuke. He had just left the building and was walking down the street that lead to Naruto's apartment. "Sasuke!" She shouted, trying to get his attention. When he walked down the street Sakura jumped onto the roof of the building blocking her view and dropped down next to him. "Hey, Sasuke." She said as he stopped and turned towards her.

"Hey, Sakura. It's been awhile." He replied.

"Yeah, it has been. Naruto-kun told me there was something you wanted to talk to me about, is that right?"

"I do want to talk to you about something, but can we go somewhere a little more private please? I don't think these people are all that excited to see me here." He said as he casually looked around and noticed the hateful glares and got hit in the back by a rock.

"Sure. Let's head over to my apartment. It's not too far from here." She said as she grabbed his wrist and started pulling him in the other direction. "You'll be the first boy I've had on the inside now that I think about it."

"It'll be an honor." Sasuke said with a smile.

"What's up with you? You've already spoken more than you used to in a month, you're smiling, and you're not flinching away from physical contact." Sakura questioned worriedly.

"I guess it's because I finally got over the loss of my family and clan, thanks to you and Naruto. My family is with you two, now." Sasuke answered as his smile widened.

Sakura released Sasuke's hand and unlocked her door ushering him inside. "So, in other words, Naruto beat some sense into you?"

Sasuke let out a true laugh, something Sakura had never heard from him before, and she couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, I guess the Dobe did."

They walked down the hallway into a medium sized room with a slightly darker than sky blue love-seat couch against the wall underneath a large window with matching curtains. The walls were covered in white wallpaper that had sakura leaves scattered about it. There was a television hidden in a light brown, wooden cabinet with a few movies underneath it. Below the crystal chandelier, that had a pink trim instead of the usual gold, sat two reclining chairs with an average sized coffee table in-between and a plant in the middle of it. A breakfast bar, with two stools on the living room side, was the only barrier between the living room and the kitchen which had a fridge to the immediate right of the doorway, some counter space and a sink traveling from the left of the fridge and rapping around, and finally ending with a stove/oven, before a door lead to the porch that hung off the back of the apartment. A microwave oven was hanging on the wall before the start of the rest of the cabinets in the kitchen, along with the ones under the counter. A window sat above the sink.

"Take a seat and I'll make us some tea." Sakura said as she walked into the kitchen.

"This place is nice. It looks a little big for one person though. Do you share with someone?" Sasuke asked as he looked around after taking his seat.

"No. I live here by myself. I get it for cheap though and it's nice. I've only been here for a few weeks, a month tops. Believe it or not the walls came like that." Sakura replied.

"Interesting. Anyway, what I needed to talk to you about was the day I left."

Sakura didn't seem to be too phased at the topic, unlike what Sasuke had predicted. "There's no need to bring it up, Sasuke. It's all in the past and I've moved on."

"Even so, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. You weren't, and still aren't, annoying, either, it was kind of nice. I was just arrogant and didn't pay attention where I should have. So thank you. Now it's clear I've lost my chance though." He muttered the last part to himself knowing full well where Sakura's heart truly resided.

She didn't seem to pick up the last sentence as she brought over the tea and took a seat. "So, Sasuke, if you don't mind me asking, what was it like to be with that snake bastard so much?"

"I think that should be run by the council first, before I'm allowed to tell you, Sakura. I don't want to chance anything, I'm sorry." He said with more than a hint of remorse.

"Don't be sorry. You have every right to not want to piss off the council." Sakura replied with a small grin.

"Thanks for understanding. So, anything you can fill me in on since I left?"

Naruto arrived at his apartment to find the lights on and two people inside. He looked at the name plate that had "Uzumaki" carved in it for eleven years to see it now said "Murahashi" "Oh well," he sighed. "I guess I shouldn't have expected the owner to save it for me. He always hated me anyway."

Naruto headed away from the apartment complex and started wandering aimlessly down the road. He thought about reporting to Tsunade, but then figured she knew he would want to see his friends first, or at least put his stuff in his apartment. Instead, he decided to visit Kiba. Who knows, maybe he could catch up with him.

"It was a pleasure having you over, Sasuke. I hope you come by again soon." Sakura said as she opened her door for Sasuke to leave.

"Thank you, it was an honor being here."

"Where will you be staying, by the way?" Sakura asked out of curiosity and caring.

"Tsunade-sama told me to room with Naruto until she can hopefully put me back in the compound." Sasuke replied nonchalantly.

"That reminds me! I need to find him and talk to him. The landlord rented out his apartment. The day after Naruto left he took the name plate and burned it, laughing the entire time." Sakura said as she finished putting their dishes away.

Sasuke's eyes flashed red for a second before he settled down again. With a pissed of look he said, "That ungrateful asshole. I bet Naruto was paying ten times what that shithole was worth and he just throws him out like that? Wait until I ge-"

"Sasuke, calm down. There's nothing we can do about it and I'm sure Naruto would be upset if the first thing you did since being back was murdered someone."

Sasuke took a deep breath and flexed his fist until his hand bled a little and his knuckles turned white. "You're right. It's just that, being lost in it myself, I hate people who are consumed by ignorance and assholeness. It irks me to no end." Sasuke replied as he jumped onto Sakura's roof and activated his Sharingan to locate Naruto. "I found him!" He shouted as he pointed to the Inuzuka Compound.

"Of course he's going there. Oh, well, time for me to beat the hell out of Kiba! Shanaaro!" Sakura yelled as she took off into a dead sprint.

Sasuke stared in disbelief that she was already halfway across the village in less than three seconds. In was then he noticed how powerful her chakra was and how condensed it seemed. "Looks like I'm the weak one now. I'll fix that soon enough."

Once Sakura made it to the gates she saw Kiba and Naruto talking and heading in. She didn't slow done or anything, and before anyone knew it Kiba was flying extremely fast into the center of the road. "You knew better than to say what you did!" Sakura yelled at his slumped figure.

"I am REALLY glad I'm not the one who pissed you off this time. Wait… I didn't piss you off, did I?" Naruto said as he backed away waving his hands in front of his face.

"No, Naruto, you did no such thing. But I came to tell you about your apartment."

"Yeah, I already know it was rented out. I saw it earlier before I decided to come here. It's no big deal, I'll find another apartment somewhere." Naruto said. Just then Sasuke jumped down from a nearby roof. "Hi Sasuke."

"Hi, Naruto. Sakura, since Naruto no longer has an apartment, why don't you let him stay with you for a while until he can find his own?" Sasuke offered.

Sakura looked away with a blush on her face while Naruto nervously scratched his head with a slight pain in his heart. "Sasuke, that really isn't necessary. I'll find anot-"

"You can stay with me Naruto. I really won't mind. Sasuke, the offer stands for you as well. It is a rather large apartment, as you know."

"It would be an honor." Sasuke said, bowing.

"I… If you're sure, Sakura. I mean, I don't want to be a burden or anything." Naruto said, still a little pained that she was probably only doing it because Sasuke brought it up.

"Naruto, I want you to stay with me. It's the least I can do to repay you for how many times you've helped me and the village. Although, my guest room kind of had a flood incident the other day that has yet to be finished taking care of, and I don't trust you two alone in the same room, knowing how you used to be." Both Naruto and Sasuke looked away in embarrassment. They knew she was referring to the constant fights they got in to.

"You know, we do have a giant compound right behind you with plenty of extra space." Kiba tried saying before Sakura punched him back into the street.

"I'm not done with you! Just sit tight until I finish talking!" She shouted to the, yet again, unconscious man.

"Sakura, please remind me not to piss you off. Like, ever." Naruto said in wide eyed shock staring at Kiba.

"I'll do my best. Now, since I can't give either of you the guest room I'll just have Sasuke sleep in the living room and Naruto sleep with me in my room. Now, Sasuke, you go with Naruto while he talks to the Hokage and show him where my apartment is after and I'll go set the place up." Sakura announced as she healed Kiba and headed to her home. Neither Naruto nor Sasuke even had enough time to respond before she was too far away.

"She loves you, Dobe. Don't fuck it up. Not like I did." Sasuke told Naruto as he started walking away. "I'm stopping by the Uchiha Compound and then I'll be at the Hokage tower. Meet you there." He said as he leapt on to the roofs.

Naruto couldn't process what just happened. In one day he got a kiss from the love of his life, invited to sleep in her home, in her room non-the-less, got told she loves him by both herself and his best friend, and it wasn't even half over yet. "Fox, be honest with me now, am I dreaming? Or did you put me in some dream like state while the real you is trying to take over my body or something?"

"You're not dreaming, Kit, and I wouldn't do something like that. I realize now that it would just be a waste of my time because it would end up killing us both." The demon within Naruto responded.

"Can this day get any better?" Naruto shouted as he started running towards the Hokage tower. One visit with Grandma Tsunade and he could spend the rest of the day with Sakura and Sasuke. "This has got to be the best day, EVER!" he shouted.

Sakura got home as quick as she could. Once she had her shoes off and the door locked, she got to work. Her first goal was to wash the dishes, which were easiest. After that was done she went to clean up her room. It's not that it was particularly messy, but she did have a few stray cloths here and there. She changed over the sheets on her bed, put sheets and a pillow in the living room, and locked the door to the guest bedroom. The final thing she had to do was what she hated most. "I really wish they had self cleaning bathrooms. It would save me a lot of time." She whispered to herself.

Naruto made it to the Hokage Tower as fast as he could. When he arrived, Tsunade had a cup of her favorite sake in hand while she signed off another paper. "Wow, Baa-chan. You've actually made a dent in those!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly. The normal ten-foot-high stack of papers was low, only about two-feet.

"Well, Naruto, when you don't have a hyperactive, blonde brat pestering you all day every day, you'd be surprised at what you can accomplish." Tsunade replied with a smug smirk on her face.

"Hey! I gave you a compliment. Is that anyway to treat someone you haven't seen in over two years?" Naruto whined.

"Yes." Was her simple answer. She noted how Naruto muttered something about "Disrespect" and "Old hag" under his breathe but left it alone. "It's good to see you, Naruto. I've already seen Jiraiya and Sasuke though, so do you care to tell me why you didn't report in when you returned?"

Naruto stopped his complaining and took a seat in the comfortable chair in front of the Hokage's desk. "I wanted to see the village and put my stuff in my apartment. I at least got to do one of things." He said, holding up all of his gear. "My apartment got rented out so I had to carry it around with me. I know you planned to have Sasuke stay with me, but seeing as how that's impossible, Sakura has allowed us to both stay with her until we can get a new apartment or you get him back the compound." Naruto explained.

"Wait a minute. You mean to tell me that you, Naruto Uzumaki, have things planned out for once? Are you sure it was Jiraiya with you on that trip? I can't see him teaching you any of that." Tsunade said in utter shock.

Just then Shizune walked into the office. "Lady Hokage, I have more paperwork for you." She wheeled it over and put it with the rest on her desk. It went from the almost complete two feet to a now thirteen foot high stack of papers.

"Just what I need. Thank you for jinxing me, Naruto-Baka!" Tsunade said in annoyance.

"Lady Tsunade, what are you talking about? Naruto and Jiraiya aren't supposed to be back for another week." Shizune said as she turned to leave, spotting Naruto in the chair. "Naruto-kun! You're back! It's great to see you!" She exclaimed merrily, bending over and hugging him tight. "I missed you!"

Naruto was struggling for breath. "I miss- you, too, Shi-" Naruto coughed hard. "Shizune, but you are crushing m-"

"Sorry, Naruto-kun, I was just excited." She explained, releasing him.

"Well, Naruto, it's time for the debriefing. And the sooner we get it over with, the sooner I can start doing some of this paperwork." Tsunade said, growing annoyed from eyeing the tower.

"Right."

"Hey, Sasuke. Right on time, I see." Naruto said as he exited the Hokage Tower and saw Sasuke walking up.

"I actually left and came back. You took so long in there I thought I'd get something to eat." Sasuke helped up and container of take-out ramen from Ichiraku's. "I figured you'd be hungry as well so I brought you back some."

"Wow! Thanks, Teme, this is awesome! I was just about to say we should go get some food." Naruto exclaimed happily as he went to grab the ramen.

Sasuke pulled back. "Not so fast, there. I said I brought you some, not that it was free. If you want this you have to race me to Sakura's. If you win you get it, if not you have to sit and watch me eat it." Sasuke said with a devious smile on his face.

"That's no fair! I don't even know where she lives!" Naruto said, waving his arms around.

Sasuke explained where she lived and got in a race stance. "Come on, Dobe. I want to prove I'm still far superior to you." Sasuke said with a playful, yet intimidating smirk on his face.

"Fine." Naruto said getting is his race stance. "We go on three. One."

"Two."

"Three!" They both said in unison. Sasuke, focused on his route, couldn't see his blonde opponent, so he figured he was winning. Once he got to Sakura's apartment he noticed Naruto, leaning against the wall next to the door.

"It's about time you got here. If I had known you were that slow I would have walked here, sheesh." Naruto said, smiling.

"When did you learn how to move so fast? You couldn't do it during our travel."

"I never needed the speed. As it was now, I only moved at about one tenth of my actual speed." Naruto said, grabbing for his ramen yet again.

"Fine, take it. I really shouldn't have left. Both you and Sakura are better than me now, as much as it pains me to say." Sasuke said, begrudgingly.

"At least you learned something useful. If you ever try to leave again, though, I won't hesitate to totally decimate you." Naruto said, both seriously and jokingly.

"You wish, Dobe." Sasuke knocked on the door for Sakura to open up.

"One minute!" Came Sakura's response. When she opened the door she looked between Naruto and Sasuke before saying "You got ramen and you didn't bring me any?"

Naruto stopped in mid-bite. He finished slurping and said "I didn't know you actually

liked ramen. Besides, Teme got it while I was in the meeting with Baa-chan."

Sakura gave Sasuke a death stare. "I invite you in and you can't even bring me food? How rude." She turned around and jokingly stormed back into her house, leaving the door open for the two. "You can come in, you know!" She shouted, with a laugh, from out of sight.

Once in the living room, Naruto looked around. "Wow!" he said. "This place is amazing! I wish my apartment was like this place." Naruto looked like he was about to explode in excitement.

"Naruto, calm down. You don't need to freak out over it. Do you even know how to be quiet?" Sasuke said, annoyed.

Naruto looked at him. "Yes, when I want to be, or when someone who can kick my ass, namely Sakura, tells me to."

Sasuke just scoffed. Sakura walked out of her room with a blanket. "Here you go, Sasuke. That couch is the most comfy, under the window."

After Sasuke set up his makeshift bed, Sakura came out of the kitchen with some tea and they all started catching up. Four hours had gone by and they were all pretty tired, so they said their "Goodnight"s, and went to where they would be sleeping.

Sakura's room, right across the hall from the moderately sized bathroom with both a tub and shower, was fairly large. She had a bed with pink bed sheets and a red comforter, which she received from her mom as a housewarming gift, and about ten pillows. Above the bed was a medium sized, one pane window, a nightstand with two drawers to the right, a wardrobe to the left, and a closet in the wall on the far right of her room. The only thing that wasn't a shade of red or brown was her "personal beauty area", which Ino made her call it as her housewarming gift, that was black with a gold trim and the words "Sakura. The second best looking Kunoichi in Konoha" engraved in the top of the piece.

Naruto went to change into his pajamas in the bathroom while Sakura did so in her room. Once back, Naruto grabbed a sleeping bag out of his bag, hopped in it, and used the bag as a pillow.

"Naruto-kun," Sakura said, "even if I intended for you to be sleeping on the floor I would have given you a pillow and some blankets, so put that stuff away and get up here."

Naruto stared at her dumbfounded for a minute. "W-wait a mi-minute. You want me to s-s-sleep, up there, w-wi-with you?" He stuttered out. "Are you sure?" A little more clearly this time.

"Of course, Naruto. I wouldn't have told you to if I wasn't serious." Sakura responded with a small blush. Naruto dazedly put his stuff away and stood at the side of the bed. When Sakura laid down on the other side and patted the spot he was to sleep on he shook his head clear and cautiously laid down.

"I have a feeling I'm dreaming." Naruto said, pulling the covers up. It was the time of year for the cold to be setting in, anyway.

Sakura turned on to her side so she was staring at Naruto. "What would make you think that?" she asked.

"Well the biggest reason is that I am currently lying in you b-" He was cut off as Sakura started kissing him. After a minute of him not kissing her back she released him. When she looked back at him she realized he was unconscious. She used her healing jutsu and he awoke with a start. "Well, that was definitely a weird dream. Wait a minute, why is it so comfortab-" He saw Sakura staring at him and knew he wasn't just woken up from dream.

"Naruto-kun, I meant it when I said I love you. I was just hoping you still had some of the f-" This time it was Naruto who cut in. After about five minutes of kissing Sakura re-adjusted herself to be on top of Naruto. She reached down and pulled his shirt over his head and he was doing the same thing to her when he felt a sharp pain in his ribs.

"Naruto! Wake up already! It's time to move out. Three more weeks and we start heading for Konoha."

Naruto looked around. He was still in the forest with Jiraiya and Sasuke. Once he came to his senses he shouted, "DAMNIT!" extremely loud. Jiraiya and Sasuke looked concerned for a moment before Sasuke lost interest. Jiraiya asked his student many questions about what was wrong. His excuse was that his dream was about him being Hokage and it seemed like a long time so he was upset, when in actuality it was the dream with the realistic, but out of character, Sakura, and what would have been the best night of his life.

Sakura shot up in her bed. She had been having strange dreams for the past year, and tonight only had a few differences. This time it seemed like someone took the completely real Naruto and put him in her dream. It felt more real than usual, and she was upset that she was woken up. "Naruto-kun, please hurry back home." She said to herself before starting the day.

Well, there you have it, folks. The first chapter to the first story I have ever written. I want to thank Katie (Her account name is Elizabeth Cartwright) for beta-ing this for me. If you have any questions just shoot me a review or a pm and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Until next time. Bye.

The King- has left- the building.