Rico: Meh, I think I should post this before I forget the idea.
Sakura: So you finally decided to add me in one of your stories huh?
Rico: You're just lucky I started liking your fandom
Hinata: Oh... is Naruto in t-this fic?
Rico: It only makes sense for the main character of the series to be in here somewhere, I mean come on Hinata.
Hinata: Oh.. I'm just wondering...
Rico: On with the disclaimer!
Sakura and Hinata: Rico does not own Naruto, he does however own Kasumi.
Rico: Enjoy :DD
Chapter 1: Beginnings
Sakura stepped into Tsunade's office, where Kakashi, Naruto, Sai, and another girl with blue hair that she didn't recognize were already impatiently waiting for her. She did have a reasonable excuse for being late. She had been harassed by Lee and his burning desire for her love or some crap. There's no getting past that guy when he wants something, that's for sure.
"Look who decided to show," Kakashi said, closing the "Make-out Tactics" book he was reading. Sakura frowned.
"Oh whatever Kakashi-sensei. You're always late. You have no room to talk!" Sakura said, pointing a finger at the copy ninja. Kakashi simply shrugged.
"I have prior engagements," Kakashi said, smiling under his mask. Sakura huffed. 'What a liar," she thought.
"Ah-hem..." Tsunade coughed, interrupting the small argument between student and sensei. They immediately turned their attention to Tsunade, before she got upset. No one enjoyed Tsunade's wrath, and those who had never experienced it considered themselves lucky.
"This is only a simple mission, I need you to escort Kasumi here to the Hidden Rain Village," Tsunade explained, motioning to the blue haired girl who waved at Team 7.
"Oh come on! That's it? I DEMAND SOMETHING MORE INTERESTING THAN THIS!" Naruto began protesting, causing his teammates to bury their faces in their hands, and Tsunade to become visibly irritated while Kasumi only looked on confused. To have saved the Hidden Leaf from Pain, Naruto was still a little brat. Sakura quickly dragged him out of the office.
"Thank you Lady Tsunade, and please excuse Naruto," Kakashi said.
"You get used to it," Tsunade said, dismissing them with a wave of her hand. Team 7 left the building with Kasumi, Sakura still man-handling Naruto. Kakashi tried to explain to Kasumi how Naruto and Sakura's friendship worked, while Sai only walked along remaining indifferent. He was never really the most talkative person in the first place. They left the village immediately, heading for the Rain Village. Ever since Konan pledged allegiance to Naruto and The Hidden Leaf, ninja of the Hidden Leaf were allowed inside the village and they were on very good terms with each other.
"I'm sorry if I'm imposing on anything, I just don't feel safe going alone," Kasumi offered sincerely, as she watched Sakura continue to strangle Naruto.
"It's our job, no worries. I'm glad we can be of assistance," Kakashi said, smiling under his mask.
"Yeah, I really appreciate it. I'm a medic ninja, and the rest of my team died on my last mission, even though our mission was a success," Kasumi explained, a bit of sadness in her eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Kakashi said sincerely, but Kasumi shrugged.
"It is what it is, I suppose. I'll see them again one day," Kasumi said, smiling. Kakashi was surprised by her down-to-earth look on death, but he returned her smile. Nightfall came soon, and they knew they had to be close, since the Rain Village is less than a day's travel away. As they expected, the Rain Village's gates soon came into view.
"Well Kasumi, looks like you're about home," Sakura began.
"Yeah. Thanks for escorting me guys, I was a bit paranoid since I lost my team," Kasumi said, smiling at her. Sakura returned her smile.
"I guess I can get back to Hinata after this boring mission is completed..." Naruto complained, causing Sakura to hit him in the back of the head. Kasumi giggled, while Sai just shook his head.
They continued into the village, as guards gave no problems upon seeing Kasumi's Rain headband. Kasumi led them to her apartment, where she decided there was no further need for them to escort her. She could escort herself to the restroom at least.
Team 7 waved her goodbye, but Naruto held in his desire to remark again how boring the mission was. He had enough knots and bruises from Sakura already. Team 7 began walking back towards the village gates, when suddenly Sakura spotted two familiar faces walking on the other side of the road. Sakura instantly recognized them as Deidara and Sasori.
Sasori, Deidara, and the entire Akatsuki for that matter, were alive due to the fact that Kabuto lost control of them when he resurrected them. Kabuto ultimately was killed by the people he had revived when he tried in vain to control them, effectively ending the Fourth Shinobi World War before it even began. Because of Pain's declaration of peace with the Hidden Leaf, and the discontinuation of the Jinchuriki hunt, The Rain Village became a great ally, and Sakura got to know all the Akatsuki members personally.
Sakura at first could not stand to be in Sasori's presence. For one thing, she was scared that he wanted to kill her, and she wasn't sure if he was still a puppet. You never know in this insane world... However, once Sakura really got to know him, she found he was actually not so bad of a person. He had a very down-to-earth outlook on life, and was relatively friendly. Sakura had developed a small crush on the S Rank Ninja, who she had decided was hot, especially since he was now in his original, young body. What? She couldn't help that she found his always half-closed eyes adorable.
"Sasori! Deidara! Over here!" Sakura called to them, gaining their attention. Sasori and Deidara walked over to them, having spotted Team 7's familiar faces.
"Oh hey Sakura. Guys," Sasori said, his expression slightly changing to a small smile. Sakura had to stop herself from squealing at how cute she thought his smile was. It wasn't often that Sasori actually smiled. Sasori was rather happy to see Sakura, and barely noticed his teammates. 'My goodness, she is so gorgeous...' he thought to himself.
"Oh look, it's Kakashi and his three little goons, hm!" Deidara said, teasing, and holding one of his hands up which stuck its tongue out at them.
"Oh really now? I didn't know you were in the Rain Village Ino! What are you doing here?" Naruto teased back. Deidara frowned, even though Naruto frequently teased him about resembling the girl.
"Ahhhh screw you, hm," Deidara said, causing Naruto to laugh.
"Well what brings you guys all the way out here?" Sasori asked curiously.
"An escort mission, we were just about to head back," Sakura said, happy that she was talking to Sasori.
"Ohhh, ok then. Sasori and I were just on our way back to the mansion, everyone wants to hear "Tha Carter IV", hm." Deidara said, now flashing the CD he had just bought.
"Oh, I need to get that when we get back! I heard from Yamato-sensei it was pretty good!" Naruto said, in his usual loud manner.
"Yeah we've been looking forward to this. Well we're going to get back now, I truly don't want to keep them waiting, and plus I'm not in the mood for Hidan anyway," Sasori said, urging Deidara on. Sakura was visibly disappointed upon hearing that, which Naruto noticed and Sasori. Sasori turned and began walking away, and Deidara followed him after waving to Team 7. Sasori was testing to see how Sakura would react to him abruptly leaving after such a short conversation.
"Wait!" Sakura said, reaching her hand out toward him. Sasori, and Deidara turned to face her. "Why don't you guys come to the New Year's Carnival tomorrow night?" Sasori raised a brow at her. Sakura's face turned slightly pink. 'Ughhhh, he's just TOO CUTE!' she thought.
"Will your friend Ino be there, hmmm?" Deidara asked, giving Sakura now his full attention.
"Umm.. Yeah I'm going there with her," Sakura responded, a bit weirded out by Deidara's excited reaction. Sasori was about to speak, but Deidara spoke first.
"We'll be there!" Deidara said, grinning. Deidara then dragged Sasori off back towards Akatsuki Manor, who then waved awkwardly, and said, "See you there..." Once they were to a safe distance, Sasori and Deidara began talking.
"So when are you going to tell her how you feel, hmmm?" Deidara asked.
"When the perfect moment presents itself, and I'm sure that will be very soon," Sasori said, smiling to himself. Deidara nodded.
"Well we both might be in luck tomorrow night, yeah?" Deidara said, grinning at his superior.
Meanwhile, Team 7 was making its way back to the Hidden Leaf.
"Did you invite Sasori, just so you could have some time with him?" Naruto asked Sakura, smirking when she looked at him with surprised eyes.
"I swear if you say anything you're dead!" Sakura warned. Naruto only laughed, and smiled in satisfaction that he was right.
"I have a feeling things will go pretty well for you tomorrow night," Naruto offered, still smiling. Sakura smiled back.
"That's what I'm hoping for," she replied.
The next day, Sakura was waiting for Ino to come over. She had dressed in a green kimono for the evening, and had let her now long hair down for the evening. Sakura was rather excited that she'd be seeing Sasori tonight. If things went as she hoped, she'd be able to get Sasori to come home with her. Just as her thoughts began drifting, Sakura heard a knock at her door. She went and answered the door to find Ino standing behind it.
"It's about time Forehead," Ino said, stepping inside.
"Whatever pig..." Sakura said, rolling her eyes.
"Are you ready?" Ino asked.
"Yeah, let's head to the festival," Sakura said.
With that, Sakura and Ino left the former's apartment, and headed down towards Konoha Square, where the carnival was being held.
"So that guy you've been talking about is going to be there?" Ino said, curious. Sakura had been telling her about Sasori for the past month, but Sakura never got a chance to really try and talk to him. Whenever Sasori actually came to the Leaf it was brief and as quickly as he came, he was gone.
"Yeah, Sasori will be there. With Deidara I think," Sakura said, smirking at Ino. Sakura knew Ino had a crush on Deidara just as he had on her.
"Oh really? Now's both our chances! We need to treat this as a double date!" Ino said, getting excited. The two continued talking on their way, until they arrived at the carnival, in the heart of Konoha Square. The carnival was packed, just as it was every year. Sakura and Ino looked around for Sasori and Deidara, but could not spot them anywhere in the crowd. Seeing as though the crowd was so big, it was almost impossible to pick 2 certain people out. As she looked harder, Sakura grew worried, thinking that maybe Sasori had refused to come since Deidara actually answered for him.
"Looking for someone?" Sakura heard a voice behind her. Sakura turned and her emerald eyes met with the brown eyes of Sasori. Sakura lit up upon seeing Sasori. He and Deidara were dressed in similar but dark colored robes for the event.
"Hey Sasori, you're here!" she said, hugging him. Sasori returned her hug.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Sasori said, smiling slightly.
"I was beginning to think you were going to stand me up," Sakura said, sticking her tongue out. Sasori gasped.
"Really now? Sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we get to it then?" Sasori said, bowing to her apologetically. Sakura rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Sure," she said. Sakura turned and began to say something to Ino, but she and Deidara had disappeared. Sasori shrugged. ' I could have SWORN she wanted to double date. But hey, fine with me, now I can be alone with Sasori! Figuratively anyway,' Sakura thought, smiling.
Sasori and Sakura went around the carnival together, stopping to play games and get snacks. They didn't really need Deidara and Ino's company to enjoy the evening, much less did they want them there. Sakura was delighted when Sasori won her a prize playing yo-yo fishing. People that noticed them could have sworn they were a couple. Sasori found himself enjoying Sakura's company alot, since he rarely saw her. Sasori had a special liking for Sakura, even though he had a weird way - if at all- of showing it. Sakura felt as though she was getting closer with Sasori as the evening went by, because he actually seemed to have a good time being with her. After they rode the ferris wheel, and went into the amateur horror house, Sasori and Sakura walked around for a bit.
"I'm really having a good time tonight, Sasori," Sakura said, biting on a syrup covered anko dumpling.
"Yeah so am I, I've never been to a carnival before, I had no idea what I was missing out on," Sasori said. Sakura was surprised to hear this.
"You've never been to a carnival? Not even as a child?" Sakura asked, not really believing him. Sasori shook his head.
"As a child, I was pretty anti, I never went to any of the Hidden Sand's events," Sasori said, shrugging.
"You need to live a little Sasori, you're coming to every other carnival and festival we have here!" Sakura declared, finishing what was left of her dumpling. Sasori raised an eyebrow at her.
"Okay then, I guess I am then, Madame," Sasori said, taunting her. Sakura was about to respond, but she was interrupted by Naruto and Hinata, who came walking up to them.
"Hey Sakura, Sasori!" Naruto said, in his loud manner, while Hinata simply waved at the two.
"Hey Naruto, and Hinata! You guys enjoying the carnival?" Sakura asked, grinning at the couple. Naruto and Hinata had gotten together shortly after Pain's Invasion.
"Yeah! Now we're waiting for the fireworks to start. How bout you and your new boyfriend Sakura?" Naruto asked, getting a blush from Sakura and an amused look from Sasori.
"He's not my boyfriend Naruto," Sakura said, looking away from Sasori so he couldn't see her blush. "We're going to go now, see you around Naruto!" Sakura grabbed Sasori's hand and quickly led him away. Naruto smirked and put an arm around Hinata's shoulder as they continued through the carnival. He knew what he was doing.
Sakura led Sasori away from the carnival towards the forest. They went to a cliff overlooking the landscape. She felt so embarrassed, she could not really face him.
"That was such a crazy idea huh? You being my boyfriend and what not..." Sakura said, trying to ease her embarrassment and make conversation.
"Not really..." Sasori said, surprising Sakura. Sakura looked up at him with wide eyes.
"W-what?" Sakura asked, not really sure if she had heard him right.
"It's not a crazy idea. I like you and I know you like me, so it's a great idea. Let's be together, Sakura," Sasori said, smiling. Sakura could not believe that Sasori was returning her feelings, and she was speechless. She could have fainted right then and there from sheer happiness.
"Oh Sasori! Yes of course!" Sakura said, grinning wide and hugging him tightly. Sasori pulled back, and kissed her. It was only going to be that one, but as soon as they parted, she would go back for more. She had waited a long time for this moment, and now that it was finally here, she was going to make it count. As they finally pulled back for the final time, the firework show began. Sasori held Sakura around her waist from behind and they both watched the New Year's fireworks. Sasori teased Sakura by singing Katy Perry's "Firework" in her ear, gaining a laugh from the girl.
As much as they wished it would never end, the fireworks finally ended, and with their arms around each other, Sakura and Sasori headed back into the village.
"Where are you staying tonight?" Sakura asked, hoping he would say a hotel or something.
"Deidara and I were going to head back to the Rain Village tonight," Sasori began, and Sakura was disappointed. One night with her new boyfriend and he was already going to leave. "But since he's nowhere to be found, I guess I'll go with you back to your place, if that's okay."
"Oh no please, I insist that you come home with me!" Sakura said, excited that Sasori would be coming home with her just as she had hoped.
Sasori and Sakura soon arrived at her apartment, which wasn't far from the carnival. Sakura quickly unlocked her door, went in and turned on some lights, Sasori right behind her. Sasori immediately took in his surroundings. The apartment was painted with purple walls, with several pictures on it. The floors were a beige carpet, except for the tile of the kitchen. The kitchen was on the immediate right after entering the apartment, and contained a wooden table with 4 chairs spread around it. The living room was covered with a large pink carpet, a couch with an end table and matching chairs, and a TV and small bookshelf resting adjacent to it. The shelf was aligned with several books, a few framed photos, and a few knick knacks. Sasori noticed a picture of Sakura and Tsunade, as well as a picture of Sakura, Naruto, Kakashi, and another boy with black hair that he didn't quite recognize.
Sakura went to her room to change out of her kimono into her pajamas, so Sasori occupied himself by lying out on her couch and watching Family Guy on TV. Family Guy could occupy anyone with its random antics, especially since it was late and Sasori was tired. Sakura soon returned from her room, turned off the lights and looked at Sasori spread all over her couch.
"Um, excuse me, room for one more?" she asked teasing, her hands on her hips.
"Sureeeee," Sasori said, sitting up. Sakura sat down next to him, and Sasori then rested his head on her lap. Sakura began playing in his hair.
"Comfortable?" Sakura said, amused.
"Very much so," Sasori said, smiling up at her. The two of them watched Adult Swim for a few hours, until Sasori finally gave in to his heavy eyes and fell asleep on Sakura's lap. Sakura continued to play in his hair, while her mind replayed the events of the evening over and over.
'This night could not have been anymore perfect, and to think this is only the beginning,' she thought, smiling as she remembered Sasori kissing her. Sakura kissed the sleeping Sasori on the forehead, and slowly got up so she wouldn't wake him. She went to her room, returning with a spread which she covered him with. She then went and climbed in her own bed, and drifted off to sleep.
Well that's it for this chapter! I decided to start this while the idea for it was in my head! I got the idea for this when I saw a picture of Sasori and Sakura together. It is actually the picture I have as my avatar right now. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed! Read and Review please!