Chapter 1: Unchained

Author's Notes: Revised as of 2/18/10. Expect revisions to come in later chapters as well. Some general notes for new readers: I didn't rate this story "M" for shits and giggles.


On a back country dirt road, deep in the hinterland of the Country of Fire, there sat a small way station. It was a cozy little Inn snuggled in the warm embrace of the vast forests of the country, and offered all the amenities a weary traveler could ever dream of. It had a small general shop, as well as a pleasant restaurant, comfortable and spacious rooms, and a large bath fed from a natural hot spring.

Indeed, its warm glow was even more welcoming on this chilly night in early spring. The full moon bathed the area in a pale, ethereal glow; it was clear that magic was in the air, in more ways than one. Today was Sakura's eighteenth birthday, and the rest of Team Kakashi was throwing her an ad hoc birthday celebration at the restaurant. It wasn't a grand celebration, but considering the importance of their mission, the fact that they had even remembered to celebrate her birthday was a testament to her friend's care, respect, and admiration of her.

Kakashi, Sai, Naruto, and the birthday girl Sakura had just sat down in a corner booth, out of the way of the buzz of the restaurant. They had all bought gifts before they had left on the trip, and had waited for this moment to give them to her. To Sakura, it was a little excessive; just being able to enjoy the company of her friends the greatest gift anyone could give her right now.

The celebration was a little out of place, as well. They were on an S-rank mission, the toughest and most demanding mission that would likely ever be on in their lives: a complex operation to rescue Sasuke from Orochimaru. This would also be their last chance at this, for if they failed now, not only would they likely die, but also time was completely against them. They had a short window of time to secretly meet a Suna mole planted in Orochimaru's organization. The mole would give them the detailed information that they'd need to pinpoint Sasuke, and retrieve him by force. The window for this part of the operation would be even shorter, but luckily they'd have help for this part. They'd rendezvous with Team Guy, Team Ten, and the three Suna siblings: Kankuro, Temari, and the Kazekage himself, Gaara. Tsunsade had pulled out all the stops on this one.

The details were fuzzy still, but those would be decided after the rendezvous with the Suna spy. Right now, this was all in the back of everyone's mind. Today was Sakura's day, her first step into full adult hood. Over the past three years, her growth as a kunoichi had been nothing short of spectacular. Already a master medic-nin three years before, three more years of close study under Tsunade and Kakashi had brought her to the cusp of surpassing even the great Tsunade. Her strength and reflexes had only continued to build, and her talent with the use of Genjutsu had grown and flourished with the help of Kakashi. A snap of her fingers, and even the most experienced shinobi would soon find themselves doubting which way was up or down, or even their own purpose in fighting. No one was prouder of her accomplishments then her constant companion, Naruto.

After they settled into the booth, and ordered their drinks, Kakashi stood, holding his glass of sake on high. A small tear was forming in the corner of his eye as he said, "A toast to the birthday girl, our dear friend Haruno Sakura: she has been loyal and a devoted friend for many years. She has grown into a magnificent kunoichi, and a magnificent woman. It has been the greatest honor of my life to teach you, and to finally see you take your first step to adulthood." A single manly tear of joy ran down his cheek.

Naruto stood up next, raising his glass in honor. He was as confident as ever, and practically overflowing with joy. "Sakura-chan, you've been my best friend for these three, long, hard years of searching for Sasuke. Together, we've seen tremendous hardships. You've saved my skin dozens of times now. I'm glad to have been with you through it all. Cheers!"

Now it was Sai's turn. He'd practiced his smile especially for this moment, to make it appear as genuine and affectionate as possible. This time it worked. "Sakura, I can't thank you enough for all that you've done for me. You've taught me what friendship means, and all the other joys of being human. Thank you for it all."

Sakura stood, and raised her glass to accept the toast. "Aww guys," she said, her voice filled with warmth and affection, "You've been great friends to me, all of you. All this praise…I really don't know what to say. This is the happiest day of my life. I've been privileged to be able to spend it with you three." She clinked her glass up against theirs one by one. As they slowly sipped at their drinks, tears starting steaming down from her eyes. She tried to blink them away as she said, "Thank you so much, guys."

As they sat down upon finishing the toast, the appetizers arrived. Naruto, in typical fashion, started gobbling some down. Sai imitated him; their silly contests reminded Sakura of simpler days, when Sasuke-kun was still with them, and he would compete with Naruto over everything. Even if Sasuke had left, shattering her and Naruto's life, some things would never. Naruto would always find a compulsion to compete at trivial, silly things. Back then, it was serious, but now he did it just for fun. It was part of what was endearing to her. Naruto's boyish incorruptibility reminded her of simpler times, and even if the very world started crumbling into dust, he would be standing beside her until the very end. In short, he made her feel safe in this mad world.

As she nibbled at a spring roll appetizer, Kakashi handed her a scroll marked with the official seal of the Hokage herself. "What's this?" she inquired.

"Something that Tsunade-sama handed to me just before we left Konoha. I've been waiting for this moment to give to you on her behalf," Kakashi smiled under his mask.

Sakura quickly broke the wax seal binding the scroll, and unrolled it. She read it quickly, and then dropped it in shock.

"What is it, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked.

Sakura was speechless, so Sai picked up the scroll, and read it out loud, "Dear Miss Haruno Sakura, It is my great honor to inform you that having completed the alternate requirements for Jounin selection, rendered service above and beyond the call of duty, and having been given a unanimous recommendation by the Elder Council, you are hereby awarded the rank of Jounin, and all the rights privileges inherent. Congratulations, Tsunade." He paused for a second, and then cried, "Hey, you're a Jounin now!"

"A Jounin! That's awesome, Sakura-chan!" Naruto cried. He wrapped his arms around her in a great big bear hug. "I'm so happy for you," he whispered in her ear.

Sakura instinctively hugged him back. Naruto hugs were always unsolicited, but never unwelcome. "Idiot," she whispered back, "I couldn't have done it without you." She playfully bonked him on the head, and he retreated from his bear hug.

"Congratulations, Sakura," Kakashi said, "Consider this my gift to you."

Sobs of joy were overflowing Sakura now. "S-sorry guys, I just need to regain a little composure." She paused to wipe her eyes with a little white handkerchief. She took a deep breath, and cried, "This is really the happiest day of my life, guys. Thank you all."

"What do you mean, Sakura-chan?" Naruto laughed. "Sai and I still have gifts to give you now."

"Gifts?" she replied, "Guys, you really shouldn't have. I'm happy just with your company."

"Nonsense!" Sai half-scolded, "The book I read said that it is important to give gifts to someone on their birthday." Sai rummaged through his pack, and pulled out a piece of paper. "Here, I drew this for you," he said as he handed it to her.

I was a beautiful picture; an exquisite portrait of Sakura framed by a field of blossoming cherry trees. "Wow, Sai!" she cried, "This is really pretty, and really flattering too. I'm not that pretty in real life." She was slightly blushing now.

"No drawing, no matter how masterful, could ever completely capture your beauty, Sakura," replied Sai. Now she really started to blush. Her cheeks were a deep red color, as red as her dress.

"Thank you so much, Sai," was all she could manage to say.

"Oh, so I said it right. That is what you're supposed to say when you want to compliment someone's appearance, right?"

"Eh, something like that. Anyway, my turn!" cried Naruto. He pulled the pendant that Tsunade had gave him six years before off his neck, and held it out to her. "This is the only thing of value I have, and is the only thing that can show how much I appreciate our friendship."

Naruto had grown up in so many ways. No longer the boisterous, obnoxious ninja he was before, he was a thoughtful adult now, filled with a deep respect and admiration for his friend. "I-I can't accept this, Naruto…" Sakura stammered. She knew exactly what it was. She wondered, "Has his childhood crush for me blossomed into real love?" She could only guess, only the gods and Naruto knew the answer.

"It's always been close to my heart, just like my friends. Go ahead, take it. Something to remember me by..."

Why did the goofball have to be so unintentionally romantic? She reached out, and slowly made to take the pendant from his hand. As she did, he clasped his hand to hers, and his cobalt blue eyes met her green eyes. As she stared into his eyes, she could see the warmth of feeling and affection he had for her. "So the poor guy really does love me…" she thought. She clasped his hand tightly, almost afraid to let go and lose this moment. "Thank you, Naruto." As he beamed, she couldn't help but wonder "How could I have been so blind! He's been here with me all along, and I never gave him a chance!" He was her best friend in the whole world; would romantic attachment be that much of a change? These were uncomfortable thoughts, and Sakura only now had the courage to answer these questions.

Amidst all the laughter, joviality and general merriment, Sakura wondered, "Have I lived in the shadow of loving Sasuke-kun made me this blind to the world around me? Can I love two men at the same time? Do I?" If she answered this question, there could be no going back. "Yes," she decided, "admitting my feelings for Naruto doesn't betray Sasuke-kun or my feelings towards him. And damn it, don't I--no, don't we both deserve to be happy?" No matter, she decided. She would make things right to night. She'd give Naruto the attention he deserved. She never gave Sasuke any commitments. It was none of his business what she did while he was off.


Slowly, the little dinner party died down. After a couple hours, both Kakashi and Sai excused themselves, and went back towards their rooms in the Inn. Naruto was about ready to say his goodnight when Sakura stopped him. She grabbed his arm as he started to walk off, and said, "Hey, Naruto, could you sit and talk with me for a while."

This time, he didn't miss the endearing title she added to his name. He nodded in agreement, and sat down across from her, gazing into her beautiful green eyes. "What do you want to talk about, Sakura-chan?"

"Us, Naruto. Our friendship. It really does mean a lot to me."

"It means a lot to me too, Sakura-chan." He wondered for a moment where this was going. They were so close to bringing Sasuke back now, and he had not forgotten his promise to her, nor her cries at his desertion. A pang of insecurity welled up inside: Sakura's dream would come true. She'd have her love back, which would mean no more room in her life for him. He was used to disappointment by now. It wouldn't be much of a change for him to fade away into the background while she tried to heal his loneliness and anguish with her love.

Sakura noticed. "You're upset, aren't you?"

"How could I be upset...I mean, we're going to bring Sasuke back, aren't we? We've fought for so long for this chance, and here it is."

"Melancholy then. You're afraid that when Sasuke-kun's back, our friendship will whither, aren't you?"

"Hey, don't worry, I know how much you love him. I won't get in your way, you deserve to be happy, right?"

Poor kid tipped his hand. "I'm afraid it's a bit too late for that."

"I don't know how I got in the way, but I'm sorry, Sakura. I know how much you want him, I'll stay out of your way, don't worry." He smiled awkwardly.

He wasn't quite taking the hint. Looks like she'd have to spell it out to him. "Who ever said I wanted you to get out of the way? I want you too, Naruto."

"Well, still, I won't stop you...wait, what did you say?"

"I know that you care about me, Naruto. And I'm glad that you do. I also know you're devoted to Sasuke, and even with that I know what a terrible burden I've put on you by asking you to bring him back."

"You loved him Sakura-chan. I can't blame you for that. After a while, I just resigned myself to being your friend, and trying to make you happy. Bringing Sasuke back has as much to do with wanting you to be happy as it does with my own desire to have my friend back." He paused for a moment, trying to summon up enough courage to continue. This fearless warrior was utterly at awe with her, she was the most wonderful and most intimidating person he'd ever met. Finally, he worked up the nerve to continue, "What I mean to say, Sakura-chan, is…is that I love you. I always have, and I always will. I know that it's wrong of me to say this, now that we're so close to bringing Sasuke back, but If I don't say it now, I'll never have the chance." He nodded his head in resignation, fully expecting retribution for overstepping his bounds.

Sakura beamed, her smile filled with warmth and affection. She leaned over the table, and reached her hand out, gently cupping his chin. She lifted his chin, and his sad eyes met hers. "And I think I've fallen for you as well, Naruto" With that, she brought her lips to his, and gave him a gentle kiss. When her pillowy-soft lips met his, he instantly turned into putty in her hands. She brought him closer, and deepened the kiss, pleasant smack sounds rewarding her ears.

Naruto was still putty in her hands. Sakura gently probed forward with her tongue, running it along his lips to politely ask for entrance. He instinctively complied. As she started to explore his mouth with tongue, she grabbed him by the shoulder with one hand, and by the nape of the neck with the other, and brought his body closer to hers. He slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, and hugged her close as the passionate kiss continued. Soon, they broke the kiss, their lungs protesting for air. They stood panting in each other's arms.

Finally, Naruto caught his breath, and whispered, "What about Sasuke? I thought—"

She quickly cut him off with another passionate kiss, this time much shorter. "Naruto, you never abandoned me, never left me, no matter how bad things got. Sasuke-kun ran away. As much as I love him, he's hurt me too much. I can't let his specter rule my life, especially when I have you to care about."

Sakura's bottom lip trembled. It was her turn to go out on a limb. She worked up her courage, and asked, "Hey, would you like to come back to my room with me?"

Naruto swallowed, and replied, "Are you sure you want this, Sakura-chan? I don't want to impose myself on you."

She chuckled a bit, and whispered in his ear seductively, "Yes I'm sure. I've never been more sure in my life." That was a dirty, shamefaced lie. As terrified as she was, she still wanted to feel his embrace.

He nodded in agreement, and she started leading him towards her room in the Inn.