Author's Notes: Hi everyone! This is my second NaruSaku fanfic. However, this one takes place after my first one The Exchange. It's okay if you don't read it, but there are some references to it. I wanted to continue to write an alternative path from the original story, so I present to you this fanfic. However, I don't own Naruto. I hope you all enjoy. Please rate and reviews, as I appreciate any feed back I receive :) Happy reading!
Gazing up towards the night sky, Naruto admired the stars with his blue shimmering eyes. The cool breezy air brushed along his skin, sending shivers of excitement down his spine. In his hand, he gripped his loved one's hand tighter and turned to give her a cheeky smile. Sakura snickered and looked back towards the Konoha gate behind them.
"Well, this is it. Let's slip away while we have the chance!" Whispering into his ear, she playfully tugged on him.
"Right!" He snickered in response as they made their way down the path before them.
"You did leave the note like I asked, right?" in a hushed voice, she quickly asked.
A slight frown settled on his face, pouting at Sakura's faith in him."Of course, I don't want them to send ANBU after us." He mumbled.
The frown was short lived as he perked up at the thought they were reaching farther into the path. Spring had arrived and Naruto had been dating Sakura since their Christmas Eve date. Lately, the both of them have been getting a meager amount of missions, which caused them to feel confined in the village. Naruto had finished his physical therapy sessions within a year and a half; it was an amazing feat. This didn't stop Naruto from seeing Sakura like he had feared. To his surprise, Sakura was even willing to slip away on a vacation trip with him. Chuckling, he wiped his nose as he replayed their convo from this morning back in his mind.
"Sakura-chan!"
"How many times do I have to tell you? Don't jump in here through the window!"
"Ah right sorry… Well Sakura-chan, let's go on a trip. I'm tired of being stuck here in the village. Kakashi said there aren't any missions for me."
"Sure! Though I need to finish up here for today, but then I'll come with you. I've been feeling cramped here at the hospital myself. Tsunade and Shizune should be fine without me for a while."
"Really? Sweet! Looks like you're starting to think like me!"
"Baka! I-I-I'm just feeling cramped… that's all. Now, go gather supplies. I'll meet you at your place tonight."
"Okay, sweet!"
Even though Sakura wouldn't admit it, she was starting to come around. He loved making her smile and ever since Christmas, she had started being more cheerful. Even though he fell in love with her smile and attitude at a young age, he had never seen this side of her. It made him want to see more.
Fidgeting with the straps on his bags, he thought up different ideas to break the silence. Turning his eyes towards her pink illuminating hair, he drifted his gaze slowly to her face.
"Sakura, what are you thinking?" In a soft tone, he leaned and whispered in her ear.
Slightly laughing, Sakura returned his gaze and replied "Oh nothing, why so curious?"
She smiled and her eyes teased him playfully. Naruto's face turned slightly red and he returned her facial with a cheeky smile. "I was curious. You had such a serious, yet charming face."
Shaking her head, she cocked a brow and huffed out. "Right. Well, if you must know…I was just admiring the stars. It's nice out here. I never get to go out unless it's for a mission or work."
Looking back up to the stars, Naruto's smile grew as he listened to her voice. Even though his speech wasn't nearly as complex as hers, he felt a connection to her words and her feelings. While her hand was in his, he stroked it softly with his thumb and leaned in close to her. "Well, I promise you it'll be a blast!"
Feeling flushed in the face, Sakura nudged him. "Thanks. You know, you have a strange thing with promises" muttering out, she looked back towards the road.
"Of course! My nindo is never going back on my words, remember?" He cheered out.
Taking her free hand, she brought it to his lips and shushed him. "Yes, I know. You remind me of it often." She explained in a firm voice.
Letting out an awkward laugh, he scratched the back of his head with his bandaged hand. "I guess I do." He couldn't deny, after all he did boast about it a lot lately.
Sighing out, he focused his attention back on the road. They had left the gates far behind them and neither of them had a real plan on what they would do. Back at his house they decided to just wander for a few weeks and do whatever they felt like. It would be more adventurous like that.
"Hey, I was thinking we could find a nice area to camp at for the night. It would be awesome to cuddle and watch the stars." With a voice full of wonder, he stared up at the stars once more.
Liking the idea, she let go of his hand and stretched. "Sure, but we might want to add some more distance first." And without waiting for a reply, she dashed off.
"No fair!" calling out after her, Naruto pumped chakra throughout his body and added "No way are you gonna get ahead of me!" He dashed forward, creating a streak of golden light and then caught her before she could get a head start.
A yelp escaped from her as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She then turned her head up at him in frustration. "Really? You are seriously going to use your power?"
Naruto gripped on to his girlfriend as she squirmed, making sure she couldn't get away. Chuckling, he swept her off her feet and dashed off. "Heck yeah! You started it. I'll use what I've got!" he teased her as the yellow chakra emitted off him.
"Naruto, I don't appreciate you using our power this way."
"Aw, I know. But come on, she started it. Besides, I rarely ever use it."
"I know that brat. However, the war still took a toll on the both of us. It was only recently I awoke back up. It was nice to learn that you weren't so pitiful after all when it comes to women, but don't use me as a way to win them over."
"Aw come on, let me have some fun. Please, buddy?"
"Hpmh, brat."
"Thanks Kurama!"
Snapping back into focus, he looked back down at Sakura's face. She held a scowl and her arms were folded. Giving up on squirming, she decided that she would get him back later. "I'll just have to think of something funny" still miffed that he cheated, she mused to herself.
Noticing he had a smirk on his face, she huffed out "What's so funny?"
"Ah nothing, just had a talk with Kurama." He replied with an awkward smile.
She cocked an eyebrow, and hummed out. " I see, he's been talking to you more. What did he have to say?"
"Uhhh, nothing worth mentioning"
Not buying it, Sakura pouted her lips and said "Right. Okay."
Wanting to change the subject, Naruto laughed out a little and looked upwards. "I'm gonna take us up a little higher, hold on!"
"Wait!"
Ignoring her protest, he picked up speed and darted towards the top of the trees. Practically flying, the air tugged at them and view of the forest opened up to them. Sakura stopped protesting and awed in wonder. "How beautiful."
Gazing down towards his girlfriend, his eyes trailed along her smooth skin. He realized how much smaller she was than him, and it made him want to hold her even tighter. Her bright green eyes captivated him, as they sparkled with wonder.
"It's beautiful, alright." He softly whispered in her ear.
Sakura hadn't noticed that he was actually staring at her. Her eyes were focused on the way the moon illuminated everything it could reach. The river that was a good distance ahead, looked as if ran sapphires through its current. "It is."
"Nothing could be more beautiful. Sakura, I love-"
Before he could finish his sentence, his foot got caught by a branch sticking upwards. The sudden jerk of his leg caused him to trip and then Sakura jerked out of his arms from the loosened grip.
"NA-RU-TO!"
"Ah crap! I'm coming!" he yelled out as he dived.
Quickly catching her, he landed onto a tree and set her down. Seeing fumes shooting out of her ears, he quickly stepped back and released the chakra. "N-n-now, Sakura-chan….that was an accident." Trying to save himself, he failed as he was punched in the gut. The impact sent him flying to crash into a nearby tree.
"Ow…" he muttered, as he rubbed his stomach.
"Oops! I didn't mean to hit you that hard! Are you okay?" Quickly leaping over to his side, Sakura checked to see if he was injured.
"Eh heh, yeah…I'm ok" Huffing, Naruto regained his composure and shook it off.
"That's why you shouldn't abuse my chakra, kid."
"Awww, not now Kurama…"
"Hmph!"
Ignoring Kurama's smug laughter echoing through his mind, he focused on his girlfriend. Even though she packs a punch, he knew he deserved the one he just got. But, it made him feel a lot better seeing her get flustered over what had just happened.
"It's honestly okay, Sakura. I should have paid more attention instead of staring at you." Placing his hands on her shoulders, he reassured her.
A smile broke out on her face, when she saw that he was completely fine. Then her face began to match the color of her hair when she noticed the look in his eyes. "Right, well see that you do next time. Or it might be more than just a punch." Crossing her arms, she darted her eyes in the direction of the river. "Let's go camp over by the river somewhere. That would be a perfect stop, but this time no cheating!"
A confident grin broke out on his face. "I don't need to cheat to win. I have an advantage, remember?"
Placing her hands on her hips, she heaved out a heavy sigh. "And what would that be, besides that chakra you have? That still counts as cheating."
Taking his bandaged hand, he pointed down towards his legs. "I've got longer legs." He jokingly replied.
Sakura burrowed her face into her hand and rolled her eyes. "Of course you do."
"Yup!" and then Naruto leapt off.
"Hey!"
Naruto couldn't help but laugh when Sakura sounded frustrated. "I wonder how many more expressions she'll show me?" he wondered. Each jump he made from branch to branch was carefully calculated. He still wanted to win, however he didn't want to get too far ahead.
Once they made it to the river, he skidded to a stop and then turned around to wrap his arms around his girlfriend. A defeated moan escaped from her throat and Naruto couldn't help but chuckle. "So where did you want to set up camp?" bending his head down, he brushed his lips against her ear. Her sweet scent drifted into his nose as he waited for a reply.
"Over there looks like a good spot. It's not too dense, close by the river and a nice view of the sky." With a cheerful voice, Sakura lifted her arm to point over towards a small clearing.
Instead of letting her go, he again lifted her up. She didn't protest this time and instead huddled up against him. Warmth spread throughout his body, as he made his way over to where she had pointed out. He darted his head side to side, deciding on where he wanted to sit down with her. An oak tree with wide spread roots, looked comfortable. Adjusting his hold on her, Naruto leaned up against the tree and lifted her up as he slid down. Once he was comfortable with his sitting position, he lowered her back down on top of him.
"Wow, look at the sky." She murmured as she nestled up against him.
His blue eyes shifted upwards to share her view. The dark blue sky, shimmered with stars that filled it's distance. "Yeah, it's pretty alright. But your eyes shine even brighter than any star up there, that's for sure!"
At his comment, Sakura became flushed in the face and she burrowed her face into his chest in embarrassment. "I can't believe you just said that!" she said, with her voice muffled.
"Of course! It's true though. Look at me." With a gentle voice, he took his bandaged hand and placed her hand in his.
Complying with his request, she lifted her head up to meet his. Once more their eyes met, and she felt herself swimming in emotions, lost in the blue depths. "This is a whole new side of him. He's not just the cheeky brat that I grew up with. Lately, he's been showing how mature he's becoming." She thought to herself in awe.
Minutes passed as they admired each other. Naruto's heart beat inside his chest, pumping faster and faster. His fingers stroked her hands, teasing her fingers playfully. Not wanting to wait any longer, he slid his hands up her arm and pulled her closer into him. Then he lowered his head, matching her level before leaning in to steal her lips. She gripped his jacket in response, locking his lower lip in between hers. His heart wanted to burst from his chest, as he struggled to control his desires.
Taking his hand, he brought it up to her face and carefully brushed her cheek as he slowly eased away. Her skin felt warm and soft to the touch. He wanted this moment to last forever, as he felt the love pour out from her eyes.
Leaning his head forward, he brought his forehead up against hers. "Sakura, I love you." In a low voice, he said while giving her a loving look.
"I love you too, Naruto," she responded and then nuzzled him.
A soft chuckle passed his lips. "I'm the luckiest guy ever!" he thought to himself in triumph. Sakura then lowered herself back down and leaned her head against his chest. His heart was still beating fast, but her's matched it. However the sound was reassuring to her ears, and beat began to calm hers. Her eyes began to droop as fatigue began to take over. Naruto noticed this, but instead chose to remain quiet. Once she was fast asleep, he held her tightly to keep her warm.
"This will be an amazing trip."