Maybe there was a reason Naruto invited Sakura to his apartment. Maybe there was a reason she said yes. But whatever reasons were not spoken as to why he asked or why she consented, all was made clear as the night progressed. But, I'm starting to get ahead of myself. I'll explain what happened and let you come up with the reasons.
It was hard to believe that the same goofy kid who had made his reputation as Konoha's Number One Hyperactive Knucklehead Ninja had grown and matured so much in nearly three years away from home. Sakura was relieved that he had outgrown the childish pranks he used to pull, but at the same time she missed the old Naruto who used to drive her crazy. Naruto looked up at her from where he sat on his bed. "Sakura, you look like you're about to say something." She smiled and blushed slightly, "Oh, it's nothing." But even as she said that, she knew it wasn't true. She'd have to say it sometime. So, now was a good a time as ever, she thought.
"Naruto," she said softly, "Thank you . . . for everything you've done for me. You've been more than helpful." Naruto's heart began to beat in a way it hadn't beat in years as Sakura sat next to him. She gave him a look that was almost pleading as she slowly moved closer. "I just wish there was something I could do to thank you." she whispered. By now, Naruto's heart was beating so loudly, he could hardly hear himself say, "You don't need to thank me. All I've ever wanted is for you to be happy." Sakura closed her eyes halfway and looked up at him through her eyelashes, which gave her a look of pure and angelic innocence. "You've done so much more than that," she said, this time slightly quieter than her previous whisper. At that moment, they both felt the same undeniable urge and leaned closer until their lips met in a way that could only be described as pure ecstasy. Naruto had been waiting for this moment ever since he first laid eyes on Sakura, but now that it had finally happened, he could hardly believe it. Sakura had never been more in love in her life. For even though she claimed she loved Sasuke, she had never once kissed him like she was kissing Naruto. Or at all, for that matter.
For both of them, this was a kiss of true love that seemed to have always been there between them, lying dormant for so many years. Without much thought as to what he was doing or even wanted to do, Naruto leaned back on the bed and Sakura leaned with him. It was love that powered their movements and it was love that clouded their minds, leaving room for nothing but thoughts of their new found love for each other. And this love now drove them to actions that words like "erotic" or "sensual" couldn't even begin to describe. Naruto felt his jacket slide off his shoulders and almost the second it fell to the floor, he wrapped his arms around Sakura like he had wanted to for years. The feeling of his skin against hers was so warm and comforting and certainly felt like it had been worth waiting for. No further words were spoken between them that night for there was nothing more to say.
The next morning, Naruto woke up slowly, the feelings of last night still fresh in his mind. As he opened his eyes, he looked at Sakura, still asleep on his shoulder, her skin gleaming beautifully in the early morning sunlight. Her breathing was slow and even and Naruto could feel her breath against his chest, tickling him like butterfly wings. She woke up as slowly as he had, rubbing her eyes and propping herself up one elbow. As she opened her eyes for the first time that day, she smiled as she looked down at him. "Good morning," she murmured as she kissed him lightly on the nose. "I had a great time last night," she said with a slight mischievous smile. That made Naruto laugh a little and say, "So did I. But to be honest, that's not why I invited you over. I didn't even expect you to stay." Sakura reached up and stroked his cheek. "Yeah? Well, I'm glad I did." She sat up, keeping the sheet wrapped tightly around her. "I can't believe I never gave you a chance when we were kids." Naruto sat up, too. "Who knows?" he said, "Maybe you knew there was something worth waiting for." She smiled and gave him a warm, good morning kiss.
