November 19….the day I will never forget. It was three weeks since I passed the new improved "test" for Team 7, so I guess it was like five weeks since I came home from training with Jiraiya, or as I called him, "the Pervy Sage. "Boy do I have knack for good nicknames…So, uh, yeah, thinking back to the test I passed on that day thee weeks prior, I bumped into Sakura.
"Hey Sakura, you OK?"
She just lay there, embarassed and did I see a small blush on her cheeks?
Sighing she said, "Yeah, I'm fine, Naruto. will ya please watch where you go? I'm late for work." Then she rushed off, then stopped dead cold, turning around slowly like someone had dowsed her with cold water."Uh, Naruto-kun, let's catch up. it's been forever. Where have you been?"Nervously, I scratched the back of my head.
Shrugging, I flatly stated, "Just getting used to having a warm bed and all, ya know I'm not good with change…"
Looking down for a sec and covering her mouth, I didn't know what was going on in her head…This is not like Sakura, what's going on?
So I touch her forehead to check if she has a fever, and she doesn't…then I see her steaming…mad. I flinch and get ready for something and it never comes.
"It is just that you have not talked to me since we past the Team 7 thing-y. Are we still friends?"
Blinking, I don't know what to say (she's always had a bad temper) and choke up. "UH…..uh…yeah , Sakura we're still friends. But…ta, what's goin?"
"I thought we'd have a late lunch at my house since I am not coming to your place and we are gonna talk about you and your adventures with Lord Jiraiya, got it?" Giving me a thumb-up, I stare at my thumb like an idiot and give my best thumbs up." Feebly smiling, I say, "are you sure you are OK, you are sure actin' weird."
Waving me off in that feminine way, she retorts, "I am FINE, Naruto-kun, I just missed you is all. Can't I miss you? I haven't seen you in two years….darn it! I promise I won't hit you and you will have fun, OK?"
The part where she took my hand took the cake. I haven't thought of her in THAT WAY for two years and now…OH BOY.
"Thing is, I can't tonight, sorry…Working til late, but tomorrow, tomorrow at five, K? It'll be fun. I really am looking forward to it. See you soon, Naruto-kun! "
"Okay, Sakura! I'll be there! Bye! Have fun at work today!"
Waving goodbye, she walked off…then I realized several things all at once, hitting me like a ton of bricks.
1. Sakura was treating me like she treated Sasuke not too long ago.
2.I had been her house only once, the time she had gotten her uniform soaked during training, and…OH NO…not again! I'd have to make sure I know where to go. Luckily, I'd kept a school directory and she had not moved since then..or I'd hope not.
was a date? Was it? Am I dreaming that?
IT IS, I better get some flowers. Just in case...
Shaking out all those distracting thoughts, I just focused on one thing: my tactic worked! Ignoring her proved to be effective; I had no real need to see her beyond the training we did that day, so I did random things: training, visiting all remaining friends (which had taken almost all the time inbetween) and hanging out with Iruka and Shika and even Kiba, for a a change. Smirking, I thought: I knew all she needed is time. But I don't know if I can forgive her yet…we'll see. What if….we did get together? What if we did kiss? What if she actually likes me? NO NO, I can't get this distracted, she is my FREND FIRST. Yeah, that's it…she said it herself …she wants to hear of my adventures. OK OK she doesn't like "like" me, but I can handle that. But what can I tell her beyond, " I trained a lot, by myself. In the woods, in he desert, in the lakes and waters. Ugh…I've gotta come up with something that's not gonna make her wanna wretch. Half the time I was 'wrapped up in the Pervy Sage's "research', sometimes literally"; so much things I shouldn't have had to see, but did, uhhh.
Grabbing my head and slightly pounding it with my palms to forget all the smut and craziness, I shut my eyes tight and remembered the nature sage meditation focusing on Sakura's pure good nature…After that, I walked off towards better times and ramen, my favorite thing in the world!
After a good night of training in Training Ground 14, which was always abandoned, and bumping into Shika for a second, though I said nothing, he just waved, gave me a knowing look, then walked off. Does he hae psychic powers or something? Geez! Chuckling to myself, I walked home barely making it back from the soreness, and fell asleep, hunger be damned.
In the morning I woke up startled, remembering the day. Even though I was sore from head to toe, I still got up and made myself soba noodles and cranberries. The old man had a taught me a few things after all. By 10 am, which was ridiculously late for me, I pounded on my third eye and said, Hey you, demon! Heal me up, darn it…I have a date today. I can't be sluggish like this!
Hey Kit, WHAT DO YOU THINK I spent ALL NIGHT DOING?! You humans and your dates…In my time I would have just grabbed a cute one, charm her til shed be purring and put…
Oh no! I don't have to put up with your smut too….Come on...
Suit yourself….Next time don't push yourself THAT way or I"m gonna let you suffer! Capiche?
Yeah, yeah…thanks.
With a huff he was gone. I hobbled through the village, eventually finding a wagon from a far away village, and before the guy on top could see me properly I jumped off. Sure my arms were sore, but I could at lest save face around town.
Ringing the bell on the door, I thought of Shika's smile last night. I shivered.
"Welcome to the Yamanka Flower Shop, Where you will find only the sunniest sunflowers and the never forget me nots…."
Waving on the speaker, she continued…"how may I HELP YOU today, Naruto?!"
Backing off a little, I said, "Nice to see you too." I really wanted to say, This is why I don't come in here. but I bit my tongue…I knew she was testy. Shikamaru taught me well and so had our years of 'friendship,' if you can call it that.
"Uh, yeah, hi Ino, I'm looking for a dozen PINK roses for Sakura…I want to show her that I care."
Impressed, but still giving me the cold shoulder, she said, "Not many men know the meaning of those, those grow all the way in bushes by the sea. Impressive, Uzumaki. Give me five minutes."
"Sure." I just started walking down each aisle as I waited, watching the yellow sunlight stream in through the front window. Coming closer to my next lap around the front, I gazed up and saw a massive bluish cloud above. Nodding, I started down the aisle for the fourth time (I wasn't about to go near those freezer thingys they use for fresh cut flowers), I asked, "Ino, ya think it'll rain today?"
Clearly irritated, "No, Naruto, I don't. Dad said it'd be cloudy. Nothing more. Leave it at that."
"OK, but it does look like it."
"Appearances can be deceiving, idiot." Then she spoke as fast as a motor. "Here, take it and GOOO! Don't need you botherin me today. No sir'yee." Slowing down, she said the following bitterly: "Tell that billboard brow that she better find me today. She knows why." Leaving, she slammed the swivel door behind her. How does someone do that, seriously? Glad for that pushy know-it-all to be gone and out of my golden locks, I sighed.
Shrugging off her bad mood, I hummed happily. "Thank you. See ya later, you pain in the ass."—in the direction my "friend" left. I found that bit of truth funny so I left with a bounce in my step. I jutsu-ed my way over the Tower and found there was only one freelance job today: Dogwalking a mother and her litter of four. Little Gama was a bit parched himself, I saw so I headed toward the address. Two hours later, I finished walking all five of them. The paper said one hour, but I had time to kill, so I gave them all a scenic tour, showing them all my favorite places to hide and prank people, four being so new and all. Coming back, the old lady came out, huffing at me with her little round glasses and grey sweater and dress…scooping up the pups and glared back at me then went inside. Laughing at her antics, I put my hands in my pockets. After making myself instant ramen at home, I went for the money about 3 pm. Still having more than enough time, I looked up Sakura's address and headed out after a little nap and taking out the flowers from the small glass vase I bought today. I even got to wear a new white t-shirt. You can never look too good on a date!
Sakura opened the door at her door at 4:59 pm. "Hi…Naruto. Right on time! Thanks for coming…Let me see if I.." Sh walked off trying to find something. "Ah! there you are, you little devil… You couldn't hide from me forever!" She came out with a llarge pink department store bag with black stripes on it. Blinking , I thought she wants me to hold this for her? That's weird. Seeing my face, she laughed, still holding the bag. "I know the bag looks like a department store bag…it is, but please look inside." I took the bag hesitantly but hey this was Sakura right? She wouldn't pull a prank on me after four years of not seeing me. I peered inside, and saw two stacked wrapped packages. "No way! You couldn't have…!" I opened the bag fully to reveal four awesomely wrapped, though sparkly, packages, and by the giddy look on her face, it must be important…Birthday presents, yeah! Setting the bag down, I opened the smallest one to reveal a set of brand-new ninja kunai. "You DID!" Before I knew what was happening, i spun her around once setting her down gently. "Oh thanks Sakura!"I hugged kinda hard, then backed off because I knew I was stronger than most boys my age.
"How did you…When did you…?"
"Every year you were away I treated it like a normal birthday and got you presents. I hope you like them, Naruto-kun!"
I got shivers I was so happy…I had to run in place to get them all out. Laughing,
"You OK, Naruto?
"Never better! Never been this happy before."
With a smirk and hooking my chin gently with her forefinger, she said, "By the end of the night, you will know what that really means, my dear."
Electricity. Nothing short of it.
"Whoa"
"Sorry the kunai are a little…plain, I had to get them with my parents that year, but the rest…perfection."
"Like you…" With that, she blushed, almost busting out laughing but instead gave me a coy smile.
"Oh you…flattery will get you far."
My jaw slacked and my eyes bugged out a bit.
Am I dreaming?
Taking a deep breath, stopping my minor hyperventilation, I said,
"This all real, Sak?" With a happy grin, something I had never seen do before,
"Oh yeah…believe it!" Facepalming, we both laughed til our guts hurt...
"Um….where are your parents? Its almost 6 and I don't know much, but isn't your mom supposed to be here?"
Arching her eyebrows quickly,
"That's the beauty of it. They are on a date night, so I thought I'd give us one too. What so you say?"
"I say HELL YEAH!"
"Love the enthusiasm," plugging her ears, but then chuckling lightly " but I'd like to enjoy tonight too, OK?"
Clamping my mouth shut both hands, I whispered, "Sorry."
She hugged me, around my clamped up arms then walked off straight ahead into a big room.
"Naruto, I've got to show what I made for you. It's not Ichiraku's, but I think you'll like it."
Taking off my shoes and walking in, I see a huge kitchen area, all white, with a more modest dining room right of it.
Whistling, I remark, "How do your folks afford this?"
Shrugging, she retorts, " My mom is a huge cooking buff. She's got everything. But…she'll never know I borrowed her 'sanctuary', OK?"
Listing off a few amazing features, she could see I was getting bored.
"Am I boring you…"
On the defense, I said, "No, no, OF COURSE NOT but what's THAT?" Slyly,
"Oh nothing, just the meal we're gonna have."
My jaw dropped. No, crashed to the floor…what was in front of me on the jet black dining set was a feast an all-you-can-eat buffet would be jealous of. It had every kind of food imaginable.
Feeling bad, I said, "I couldn't finish even half of this, dearest Sakura. Are you sure I can eat this? Did you really make this?"
"Yes, Naruto. All this is for you. For all of those "dates" we never went on. I want to show you how much you mean to me."
I started tearing up and sniffling. We shared our second hug of the day.
"I know you went through hell. Master Kakashi explained it to me. That's why thing will be different from now on."
With a hesitant smile, she brought my face up my hands and onto her beautiful green orbs.
Chuckling, I questioned her, "How are we going to eat all this?"
"We won't have to. I bought some special refrigerating container tags so you can take back whatever you want."
"Wow, Sakura. You really thought of everything."
"I know. Dig in"
Giving my beautiful companion a side glance and a smirk, as got that reference of Sasuke, I started to think what could eat here that I normally don't eat AT ALL.
Let me see, I eat bananas, ramen and apple juice at home.
I have ramen and soda at Ichi's.
I order Rock-style [Korean-style] pork BBQ when I am with Shika and/or Chouji, not to mentiont he awesome black cherry-blackberry soda.
I've had wine all kinds with Pervy Sage, seafood and oysters, though I got sick last time, and broke my tooth.
With that inventory, I settled on my first dish, the sweet smelling swordfish with the brown gooey stuff. Since Sakura made it, and apparently with love, when she was missing me, Boy I never thought I'd see the day, but I'm thrilled so it must be good to eat, right? I was right. Everything was done he way I liked my food. I asked her how and she told me she went to all her and our friends for what she should give me, and oh, what a meal that was. I must have eaten two days worth of food that night.
We spent the meal and the next few hours reminiscing and telling what we missed since I left four years ago…I'm surprised I took so long to hang out with her. I was comfortable, full and she was entertaining…giving the news about Shika and Temari I never dreamed of, plus the gossip Ino was always flooding the village with. I never laughed so hard up until then in my life. She told me about her apprenticeship with Tsunade, the lady I brought back five years ago to be Hokage. Yep, I'm still impressed with that. Sue me. She told me about her immense strength and the healing justus. She said she was looking forward to healing me, with a naughty look on her face. I shyly looked away without actually doing it…this was going so well I didn't want to mess up. Then 11 pm hit. She looked at the grandfather clock behind us…I saw her eyes widen like saucer plates. Her chakra flared in many directions, not knowing where to go. With a heavy sigh, she said,
"I wish you didn't have to go, Naruto. I'll just get you a doggy bag." Holding my face she kissed it, thing is I didn't know, so like the goof I am, I turned towards her and after the quick peck on the cheek, we kissed. Her eyes widened even further. I was already putting my right arm in defense, when she shrugged then leaned into me hard, putting all her weight squishing me into the back of the sofa. It wasn't comfy, but damn, we were kissing and she asked for permission with her tongue. I didn't know what was going on, but I relented. Two minutes of French kissing enjoyment later, she leaned out to grab a big breath and a sigh, with some spit still on her left lip, I don;t know whose. She caught it, then stood up, then gave me a truly adoring look I only ever saw mothers give her little kids. I peoplewatch, what can I do?
Anyway, she slowly stood up, but even though she had to step over me to get to the kitchen she lingered there, just looking at me for a second before stepping over me gingerly, looking at my feet.
Coming back with half of the food she made in a VERY large dark brown paper, like from a takeout place, she looked forlorned at me.
"Everything OK, Sakura? You look happy, but stressed? What about, beautiful?"
Blushing, she replied in a sad but rushed voice.
"I don't know if you know, but my parents are coming home any second. So….I don't what to say…I don't want you to go, but they can't find you here. I'm sorry!"
"Whaa—I can't go…I feel like a stuffed teddy bear right now!
The doorknob started jostling…I was nervous as all heck.
