Rain or Shine

Chapter 2

Nine years earlier

Naruto walked out of the Men's public bath, hot, tired and feeling a bit contrary. A few years ago that would have been a prime time for playing some prank, but now he thought maybe getting a few shocked glances would be amusement enough. He put his jacket on but left it open, so anyone passing by would get a good look at his abs, might even get a few appreciative stares from girls his age. Be nice if one of those stares was from Sakura, but she'd probably just yell at him. Naruto smirked, no harm in putting that to the test though.

He almost laughed out loud when he heard the comments of passers by.

"Has he no shame?" An older village woman muttered.

"Wow, Naruto is kind of sexy." Tenten said. She'd caught a glimpse of him while shopping for an outfit she hoped would get Neiji to notice her as more than a teammate.

"Yeah he is, amazing." Ino replied. Intent on finding an outfit that would drive Sai crazy with lust, she had been shopping with Tenten. Pausing for a moment, she considered Naruto in this new light. Might be worth giving it a go with him. Then she dismissed it, sexy or not, he was too childish for her taste. However, she knew someone he'd be just perfect for - Sakura. Ino found it amusing that Sakura thought she was keeping it a big secret that she found Naruto sexy now. Naruto was probably the only one in the village that didn't know that! And with the way he looked right now, Ino knew Sakura would be turned on.

When Hinata caught sight of Naruto she fainted. Luckily, Kiba had been right behind her and caught her in his arms. Kiba gently kissed the crown of her head , hoping that someday Hinata would like him as more than a friend, more like how she felt about Naruto. Well, minus the fainting.

Temari snorted with amusement as Naruto passed by. "That kid's out to impress somebody" She was waiting for Shikamaru to get ready for the first date after their engagement announcement. Temari was amazed she'd finally wrestled a commitment out of that lazy ass. He claimed it was because she was the only person he'd met that had challenged his ability to strategize. Her mind worked along similar pathways, and he wouldn't mind spending a lot of time with her from now on. They'd be married as soon as he turned 18.

As Naruto neared Sakura's family home he began to feel a bit shy, suddenly filled with self-doubt. He reached for his jacket closures-

"Hi Naruto." Sakura's expression was neutral, as if she hadn't noticed. Naruto felt deflated.

Sakura had noticed, but she wasn't going to let him win at this new game. She was going to surprise him with a move of her own. A move he'd definitely like. She couldn't hold back the mischievous smile.

Naruto suddenly felt hopeful yet worried; she was smiling at him. But it was a smile that said 'I'm planning something'.

Sakura came right up to him, yanked off his jacket and kissed him full on the lips. Naruto froze – stunned and confused but overjoyed! Sakura ended the kiss and stepped back . She eyed him up and down, investigating thoroughly.

"Definitely better than Sexy no Jutsu. I like it, a lot." Then she giggled, she'd actually done it, thrown Naruto for a loop.

"Sakura chan, I… you…" He was utterly confused.

Sakura moved closer, pressing her breasts against Naruto's chest, slid her arms around his back and looked up at him. This time her gaze was serious, but gentle, with a hint of something else Naruto wasn't sure of. It was a lot like the way she had looked at him when they were 12, when he'd used Shadow Clone Jutsu to take Sasuke's form. This time though, it was really directed at him. His heart rate sped up, mind whirring - does this mean, does she, could she… He embraced her tightly.

Sakura laid her head on Naruto's chest. Now she was even closer to him in their embrace. It felt so right, so warm and good and exciting. She wanted this for a lifetime; just at this moment she realized this. She not only loved him, but loved him enough that she couldn't imagine wanting to be with anyone else anymore. Certainly not Sasuke.

Sasuke had never wanted or loved her anyway. She was so stupid to keep chasing a person who didn't love her. Inside she'd known that even before he left, but had been in denial. A denial bordering on a nervous breakdown when Sasuke left. When Naruto returned, gravely injured by Sasuke, she felt deep guilt and shame.

She would never ask Naruto to do anything like that again. She knew his own brother bond would push him to again go after Sasuke, but she vowed with all her heart that whenever Naruto did, she'd be by his side. She'd make herself strong too, so he would never be hurt again for her sake. She hadn't realized then, but she was already falling in love with Naruto.

When Naruto returned after his two and half years of training he looked so grown up and handsome. Even the annoying parts of his personality had been tempered. She had hoped he would notice how much more like a woman she looked now. He hadn't realized that she was flirting with him and naively gave an answer that had been an unintended insult. She knew he didn't realize what she was doing. He loved her for herself, not her looks.

Sakura sighed and relaxed her body in Naruto's embrace. She still had her big forehead, although she had grown into it somewhat. All the other girls had breasts larger than her tiny ones, they were barely larger than her hands cupped over them. They'd easily fit inside Naruto's hands. She blushed at the sudden sexual image, and hid her face in Naruto's chest so he wouldn't see her blush. She had filled out at the bottom though, and looked much more like a woman because of that.

Last year Tsunade had noticed grown men were starting to stare appreciatively at Sakura as she walked past. Sakura had filled out at the bottom and looked much more like a woman because of that. Tsunade had taken her shopping for a new uniform that would flatter but minimize Sakura's nearly adult shape. Tsunade was concerned that Sakura might not be ready for that kind of attention just yet. Tsunade had told her outright what men were starting to do. Sakura didn't like adult men, that she suspected of being perverts, to be looking at her as a woman. Sakura readily adopted the new uniform. She had become so used to it that she had forgotten how it hid her figure when Naruto returned.

After that embarrassment she found an alternate uniform. This uniform was something she might wear when she and Naruto were in Konoha. Unlike her standard uniform, the top was slightly fitted and showed that yes, she did have breasts, and the bottom was a close fitting miniskirt. It was so fitted that she could only wear thin panties under it. Naruto had never made a move on her since he returned from the training, but the first time he had seen her in this uniform she'd caught him doing a quick appreciative "once over". She had pretended not to notice, but inside she felt a thrill of excitement that he had noticed.

It had felt so wonderful just standing in his arms and just letting her thoughts drift, she had forgotten that he didn't truly know how she felt about him, that she loved him very much. Now she felt like she was ready for almost anything with Naruto. His voice finally sunk in to her pleasurable drifting.

"Sakura chan?"

"Yes, Naruto."

"What does this mean?"

"What do you think it means?" She couldn't help a bit of teasing.

"I don't know!"

She looked up and saw the confused but hopeful look on his face.

"Kiss me and find out."

"You want me to kiss you?"

"Yep!" Sakura closed her eyes and parted her lips.

Naruto's mouth abruptly closed down hers. The kiss was intense and overwhelming. His tongue pushed inside her mouth. She moaned and pressed her lower body closer against his. His hands moved to clamp her hips tight against his. She moaned and arched her back. Naruto broke off the kiss to gasp out, "I love you Sakura chan!"

Sakura knew it was time for Naruto to know, "I love you too Naruto."

Naruto's joyful smile reflected her own.