Alphabet Bits

Chapter: A is for Allergies (1)

Rating: K+

Genre: Romance/Friendship

Pairing: Naruto/Sakura

Setting: Naruto Shippuuden

Disclaimer: I don't own nothin'. I don't even own my house for Pete's sake! D;

A/N: Welcome, thanks for stopping by. c: This is the start of a 26 drabbles/story collection, all revolving around the shipping Naru/Saku while following the alphabet; each chapter representing a letter. Always had this little idea in the back of my head after reading one about some other anime, finally got to start it (And since Naru/Saku is my favorite pairing, I thought I might as well do them. o .o'') Well, enjoy!

Alphabet Bits

A is for Allergies

Chrysanthemums.

Ever since Naruto could remember holding the tiny flower in his hands, he always knew of his body's automatic reaction to it. The red rashes, the itchy dry skin that was once perfectly normal before the touch. And not to mention his nose that completed his look to transform him to something of Rudolph the Reindeer's reincarnation. It was never the sight to see Naruto go into his allergic reaction at the smell and touch of them.

However, lately he couldn't help himself.

The way she held the flower in her hand as she caressed the soft petals with her delicate pale hands. The way her emerald eyes outlined the flower, observing it as those eyes soon would sparkle from being engulfed by it's mere beauty. And, Naruto's favorite, the way her lips tugged to form a genuine smile and she would put it in a vase, placing it right in her apartment so everyone who entered could see. They could all see Naruto's gift for her. More importantly, they could witness the love he had for his friend. Even the thought of seeing Sakura like that made Naruto's heart feel light and carefree. Anything to make her happy was what he always lived by.

After chatting with Ino at the flower shop, he carefully picked up the bouquet of chrysanthemums and placed it in his arms. He was happy Ino had come to the rescue for him, making sure she wrapped the bouquet well so that no part of the plants would ever touch Naruto. Ino was always there for Naruto when it came to Sakura. Now he just needed to make sure he didn't breathe in their scent - actually, not even breathing that much. He didn't want Sakura to know of his allergies; he thought it would ruin his chances of ever being with her. To say he was allergic to her favorite flowers - no, no. It would not happen. She could never find that out. Naruto grinned. And he'd make sure she never would! He now took confident strides over to Sakura's house, puffing out his chest from his inflated ego that went to him at that moment.

Naruto stopped his walk as he faced Sakura's door. If the flowers he held weren't inches away from him, he would have taken a deep breath to calm himself. But since that was out of the picture, he shook himself and knocked on the door loudly.

"Hold on, I'm coming, I'm coming," yelled a muffled voice inside. After a few hustles and bumps from the apartment, Sakura managed to open the door. Naruto straightened up and noticed her hair wet, possibly from just coming out of the shower. Her eyes held shock.

"Naruto, what are you - oh!" she gasped and dropped her sentence as she saw the chrysanthemums in her friend's arms. Her face automatically turned into merriment, as she graciously took the flowers, which Naruto willingly gave her. He did a mental sigh happily in his mind. She beckoned him into her apartment.

"Why did you bring me more chrysanthemums?" she asked, but then she blushed a bit in embarrassment. "I mean, not that I'm complaining, for I do appreciate it and all." She held the flowers in her arms tightly. Naruto grinned as he took a seat on her couch in her living room. "Eh, I had to replace the old ones that I gave you; they looked dead." Sakura raised her eyebrows at her comrade.

"Oh? Naruto, have you been watching me in my apartment? I don't remember me ever inviting you to my apartment recently," she pointed out accusingly, as Naruto laughed innocently. "No no Sakura-chan, I would never!" Sakura rolled her eyes, not bothering to push the subject. Same old Naruto. But the poor man gave her free flowers, she hardly would be the one to complain. "Stupid," she laughed under her breath at him as she looked down at her upper torso where she held her precious flowers in her arms. Naruto's eyes softened and his heart fluttered in midair as she did routine with her flowers, and she lightly breathed in and out.

"Naruto, this batch of chrysanthemums are especially sweet. Here, smell!" she ran over to him and, despite Naruto's pleas with his hands over his face, placed the flowers right against his nose, touching his skin. He silently exploded on the inside, already feeling the tingling sensation under his skin, and he started to sneeze constantly. Sakura quickly took the bouquet of flowers back. "Naruto, are you alright?"

Naruto nodded as he continued to sneeze, placing his hands over his face and tried to make her not see his rashes that were crawling up against his arms. "Y-yeah, I have to go to the bathroom!" His opportunity came as he pushed past Sakura hurriedly and found her bathroom, slamming the door shut. He went over to the sink, splashing himself with the cold water before appearing at himself in the mirror. His nose was bright red as his eyes were almost bloodshot. Naruto looked at his arms, seeing the red blotches all over him. He groaned and mentally cursed himself. How was he going to get out of this one? He heard footsteps come from the door. Faint knocking. "Naruto? What's wrong?"

"Uh, nothing Sakura-chan, just reliving myself!" Naruto tried his best to make whissing noises with his mouth to try and indicate to his friend he was indeed going to the bathroom, but Sakura wasn't convinced. He cringed. Was she ever?

"Naruto," she shouted and Naruto winced at the intensity, "open up this door or I will personally kick it right into your face." Naruto shuddered, always seeming to forget Sakura's possession of incredible strength and unwillingly opened the door. Upon seeing Naruto in his condition, Sakura quirked her eyebrows up and poked his nose in a motherly like fashion. "What's this?" Naruto looked at the ground and sighed.

"Well, I guess my cover's blown. You see, I'm allergic to your favorite flowers; chrysanthemums. I get like this," he gestured towards his face and arms. He didn't dare look at Sakura straight in the eye and tried to look everywhere else. "I'm sorry." He looked at the ground, ashamed. The girl he loved just realized he couldn't be near the thing she desired. It broke Naruto up inside.

"Naruto, you don't have to feel sorry for doing something that you can't control." Sakura rolled her eyes at her friend. "But, if you're allergic, why would you go all the trouble to buy me them then?" Again, Naruto sighed, his heart racing as the truth was coming out to her so fast.

"Have you ever seen yourself when you receive them? It's a wonderful sight to see. They make you happy. So you know," he spoke the rest but then muttered the words, "it makes me happy." Sakura turned scarlet for a moment. "Really?" Naruto nodded bashfully. She looked deep into thoughts for a few moment before Sakura suddenly burst out into giggle fits, even gripping the wall for support. Everything about the situation was purely hilarious to her. Naruto frowned as she looked at him once more, the giggling turning into full blown out laughs.

"Sakura-chaaaaan," he whined, "it's not funny." Yet again he gestured to his skin and how it probably wasn't going to turn to it's normal state for awhile. Sakura wiped away a tear from her eye, silencing the laughter. Quickly but surely, the medic nin gave him a quick punch in his stomach. She rolled her eyes as he doubled over in pain. "Idiot, it's not the only thing that makes me happy." Her words were scolding, but as Naruto was clutching his stomach, he swore he could see Sakura's eyes gilsten in delight at him.

The next day, Sakura would tell everyone that chrysanthemums were no longer her favorite flower.

Fin

A/N: Hope you enjoyed, stay tuned for next chapter! c: