One shot # 1: Written for Narusau 2014 February themes on Tumblr

The day he Fell in Love

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

It was Friday, APRIL 3.

Sakura looked at the clock as she stretched her arms. It was 30 minutes before 4pm. Her shift was almost over and all her tasks were done. She walked towards the only window of her office and stopped just in front it. She loved this spot. There was a beautiful garden below and she found it relaxing to look at the flowers after a tiring day. She focused her attention on the view but soon, her mind drifted to other things.

"Even I could tell that he really loves you," Sai's voice rang in Sakura's ears. The potency of the words amazed her. He told her this a year ago and yet it still affected her the same way as it did back then. Maybe even more.

She shook her head. Lately, the blond had been in her mind more often than she liked. She thought about him every morning, during lunch and even in the evenings. It was like a habit and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop. Heck, she couldn't even remember when and how this all started. No matter how hard she tried, she really couldn't pinpoint that exact moment where Naruto's smiles and gestures suddenly started stirring something in her heart.

She sighed. If only everything was that simple. The more that realization slowly dawned on her, the more she felt trapped-. In the end, all she wanted was to protect what they have now. She was happy and so was he-that was all that mattered to her.

But then, for how long will she be contented in staying like this?

Apparently, she was too deep in her thoughts she didn't even hear the sound of the door opening. The pleasant view of the flowers-she wasn't able to revel in-was replaced by darkness. It took her a moment to realize that someone had snuck in behind her and covered her eyes.

"Naruto, I know it's you,"

The said blond laughed as he removed his hands from her eyes. She turned to face him. Exactly four months after the war, he had been consistent in showing up at the hospital every Friday to treat her to dinner. It went on until it become a routine for both of them-a hard habit to break.

"You took too long so I came to get you," Naruto's eyes beamed with happiness as he looked at her.

She looked away as she felt the heat rise up to her cheeks. Damn Naruto. All he did was smile and yet it was enough to make her heart beat faster.

"Sakura-chan, are you all right?" he bent down, their noses almost touching. "Your face is red. Do you have fever?" he asked, a mixture of worry and disappointment in his voice.

Shifting her gaze back to him, she suddenly realized how close their faces were. The proximity caused her to focus on his blue eyes which to her, seemed more beautiful especially when they shone with worry for her. She took a step back, widening the distance between them. Why was she thinking about these things again?

"I'm all right. You don't have to worry. Let's go." She said awkwardly as she went out of the room. He quickened his steps to keep up with her. As soon as they were out of the hospital's main door, she turned left.

"Wait Sakura-chan? We're supposed to go in this direction" He pointed at the opposite way.

"But Ichiraku Ramen is this way. Isn't it?"

Naruto grinned. "But we always go there. I actually…prepared something…special for today you know,"

"Eh? why?" She was surprised. She tried to think of things that could possibly make this day special.

April 3

She couldn't recall anyone among their close friends who has a birthday on that day nor could she remember any events important events worth celebrating.

"Um…Well, You See Sakura-chan…um…it's because…" he struggled for the right words to say. This is it! This was his chance. He rehearsed his confession at home. Now all he need to do is to tell her how he honestly feels.

He was not even sure how she would react. They had been friends far too long and she might still have lingering feelings for Sasuke. But then again, when did these doubts ever stop him from loving her? That was something even he has no control over.

His heart pounded in nervousness. He prepared himself for the worst. He was ready.

"Come on, just tell me," she said, her impatience getting the better of her.

He opened his mouth to speak, his heartbeat steadily growing faster by the second.

"Yo! Naruto, Sakura," Kakashi suddenly appeared between the two of them, interrupting the moment.

"S…Sensei!" the two said in unison.

"I was just passing by. I see you're both on your usual date,"

Both gave him embarrassed looks. He smiled knowingly. It was amusing to note that the two of them neither confirmed nor denied what he just said.

He remembered teasing them about their usual Friday dinner months ago. The reaction was different. What he got was an embarrassed grin from Naruto and a denial from Sakura, saying that they weren't on a date at all and that they were 'just friends.'

"Wait…Don't tell me…" he faked a gasp. "You've hooked up behind my back"

"N…no that's not it," Sakura said in such a weak voice Kakashi almost couldn't hear. He laughed.

"Oh well, enjoy yourselves and Naruto…" Kakashi put his arm around Naruto's shoulder and whispered, "You could always borrow some of my Icha-Icha books if you need 'tips' you know,"

Sakura gave them a puzzled look for she couldn't hear the conversation and therefore has no idea what they were talking about.

Kakashi soon removed his arm from Naruto's shoulder. "Goodbye lovebirds," He said in a playful tone as he went into the hospital. It was fun teasing them especially Naruto. His expressions were always priceless.

"Naruto, what what did Kakahi-sense tell you?"

"uummm…let's go Sakura-chan," he pretended not to hear her as he immediately walked towards the opposite direction, all the while avoiding eye contact. Kakashi's 'suggestion' made him think of inappropriate thoughts and he was sure his face was flushed. He didn't want her to know that.

Realizing she wouldn't get answers anytime soon, she finally gave up and just let him lead the way.

A few minutes passed and they finally reached a familiar place-his new apartment. This one was bigger than his old one. He opened the door for her. She went inside but not before leaving her slippers at the entrance way. She noticed the hooks attached to the wall. She removed her jounin vest and hang it onto one of them. This way, she would feel more comfortable.

Different thoughts plagued her mind. There were only the two of them and they were in his house. What was he planning? Did he forget his wallet at home? Was he going to change his clothes so they could finally go to dinner? An image of a shirtless Naruto flashed in her mind and she violently shook her head, angry at herself for thinking such inappropriate thoughts. She had seen a shirtless Naruto countless of times before so why was she reacting this way now?

"Sakura-chan, stay here" he brought her to the living room and gestured her towards one of the chairs He asked to wait as he disappeared to another part of the house.

She examined the place. This was so much better than the one he had before and surprisingly, everything was neat and organized. There were four chairs placed on each side of the square table.

Aside from that there was another smaller table of the same shape at the corner of the living room. On it was a picture of team seven they took years ago. A newer version taken last month was beside it. This time, aside from the original team seven, Yamato and Sai were with them. She laughed when she remembered how it took a lot for them just to convince Sasuke to be a part of it.

And then there was something else

A small table calendar was placed next to the second picture. From afar, she could see that there was a day which was encircled with a red marker. Aside from that, there were also doodles she could not make out due to the distance from the said object.

Curious, she stood up, walked over to the table and got the calendar. Her gaze fell on the encircled date. It was April 3.

It was not the only thing that sparked her interest. Around the date was a doodle of faces-one of a boy with a spiky hair and a girl with short hair. Between then was a heart. Her mind worked quickly until she was finally able to put two and two together. The conclusion brought a surge of warm feelings into her Could it be?

"Sakura-chan, let's eat dinner,"

She quickly put down the calendar the moment he heard his voice.

"Yes, I'm coming," she went to the dining room and was amazed by the sight that greeted her.

On the table was an assortment of at least five different foods-all of which were her favorite. A vase of flowers was also placed on one side-an attempt to make the dinner set-up even better.

Naruto observed her reaction and was pleased with himself. All the trouble he went through just to prepare this was worth it after all.

"I did a little research you know and I found out that you love all these so I prepared them," He said as he hurriedly pulled a chair for her. Sakura sat down,

As soon as she's comfortable, he sat on the opposite side so he was facing her. He waited for her to start eating.

But Sakura didn't. She just sat there, staring at him. It made him feel uneasy. Did she not like his surprise?

On the other hand, Sakura felt the exact opposite. A man just went to great lengths to make her feel so important and so loved. And to think that he just went back from his latest mission yesterday… it must have taken a lot of his time and effort to prepare this all.

"Thank you…just thank you for all the things you did for me," Now that she had gotten used to their daily routine and his sweet gestures, she honestly couldn't imagine a life without him by his side anymore.

Indeed, Uzumaki Naruto had become a necessity to her. He was her teammate, her best friend, her brother, her confidante, her source of comfort and support. He was her everything.

"Eh? I should be the one thanking you Sakura-chan," He didn't say it just to make her feel better. It was the truth. Just by simply existing, she had made him so happy. He wanted to thank her for always being there for him.

"So, shall we eat?"

"Wait." She looked down. Should she bring up what she just saw in the living room? Perhaps she shouldn't. But then again, she wanted to.

"April 3 must be a very special day for you to prepare this much."

"Well…yes," he said, unsure how to answer.

"I saw the calendar,"

Naruto almost choked on his food. "You saw WHAT!?"

"I said I saw the calendar."

His eyes widened. He was too excited that he forgot to hide it before he went out of the house. That calendar was a dead giveaway of his feelings and knowing Sakura, she might have already figured it out.

His reaction gave her the confidence to probe further. If he would not tell her his true feelings then she had no choice but to coax it out of him.

"Do you really look forward to this day to the point that you had to encircle them on your calendar?"

He fell silent as he recalled some memories from years ago.

He remembered seeing an eight years old Sakura smiled at a certain Uchiha as she observed him from afar. It was the kind of smile that reached the eyes and radiated so much happiness. It fascinated him for as a child, he never really had people smiled at him like that.

After that, he started to watch her from afar as she tried all sorts of things just to get the Uchiha to notice him. His young heart was drawn by her very strong devotion and before he knew it, that small spark of interest grew into something more.

"Sorry Naruto. I shouldn't have asked," his lack of response made her uncomfortable.

He took a deep breath and gave her an intense look. This is it! It's now or never. He knew he was risking their friendship.

But then again, not confessing is an even greater risk.

Her heart jolted at the sight. This expression was familiar. It was the kind of expression he makes whenever he is determined to get something he wants.

"April 3…that's the day I fell in love with a little girl years ago and since then, my feelings never wavered." He paused to take a breath. The intensity of the emotions he kept bottled up within for the past years resurfaced at that exact moment.

"Haruno Sakura. I LOVE YOU," It was uttered with so much conviction as his eyes shone with so much love for her.

Sakura stared, unable to believe what she just heard. But then, realization slowly started to sink in and she couldn't help the tears of happiness that started falling from her eyes. Finally! after waiting for a long time, he finally said the words she wanted to hear. This moment was just…perfect.

Naruto panicked when he saw her crying. "Eh? Sakura-chan, are you all right? Did I do something wrong?" He ran to his room, got a handkerchief and went back to the table in a matter of seconds.

"Here. Take it, Sakura-chan" He handed her the handkerchief.

What he didn't expect was for her to stand up and pull him towards her at the same time. The handkerchief was completely forgotten as it soundlessly fell on the floor because of the abruptness of her actions.

She wrapped her hands around him and buried her head into his chest. I…love you too you idiot!"

Everything was lost in the background as his senses became too preoccupied with the woman in his arms. Was he hearing things? No. It was as clear as daylight. Haruno Sakura, the woman he had been in love with since he was eight, finally retuned his feelings. He raised his shaky hands and returned the tight hug. He wanted this moment to last forever.

Disappointment settled in when she pulled back.

But then she looked at him straight in the eyes.

This time she was smiling. And it was the kind of smile that he longed to receive from her years ago-a smile that reached the eyes and radiated so much happiness.

And at that moment, Naruto knew he was the happiest man in Konoha.