Hey everyone. Akiro Knight is back. Sorry for taking forever to update. University is absolutely killer. I just got a free minute so I now can update. I'll try to get 3 chapters up this weekend. As for the questions I asked, the verdict is that there will be lemons and they will be Naruto/Sakura, and MAYBE a Sasuke/Tenten or two. Well, here we go.
"Talking…"
'Thinking.../ flashbacks'
"Kyuubi/Inner Sakura talking…"
'Kyuubi/Inner Sakura thinking…/ Jutsu'
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO… but I do own Naruto's pet fox Silver and Hikaru, heh.
Chapter 2
Naruto awoke from the best sleep that he had had in a long time to the smell of eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit.
Clad in only a pair of boxers and a small fox atop his blond hair, he walked into the kitchen to find his girlfriend of one year, Tenten, clad in his shirt and shorts. It had been one whole year since they had started going out and she still wore his clothes, despite having her own in her room. When he asked why, all she said was that she felt comfortable in them.
Walking up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek.
"Morning sexy." He whispered in her ear.
"Morning handsome." She replied.
As breakfast continued in silence, Naruto's mind began to wander to the only person that he loved more than Tenten, Sakura.
"You're thinking about her again, aren't you?" Tenten asked.
"Huh?"
"You've fingering your left hand like you have a wedding ring on again." She said.
He then noticed and stopped; a sheepish look appearing on his face.
"Sorry sweetie."
"It's alright." She said, getting up and walking to the sink.
"No, it isn't." He said, wrapping his arms around her once more. "You're my girlfriend Tenten, not Sakura. It isn't helping if my mind is wandering back to an old flame. I love you Tenten, and I'm going to try my hardest to give you all you deserve and more."
Tenten smiled. Naruto really knew what to say to make someone feel better.
Naruto kissed her neck and began again.
"You know, we both have the day off, so why don't we spend all day together? It's been a while since we've had a day to ourselves."
"That sounds nice."
Meanwhile...
Sasuke and Sakura were at the bridge awaiting Naruto, who, at least to Sakura, seemed to be distant from them, her more than Sasuke.
Even though she was happy with Sasuke, she missed the blond-haired, pocketful of sunshine that was Naruto. He had stopped calling her Sakura-chan, a name that had grown on her over the years, and the date requests had stopped too. She missed his goofy, fox-like smile. She missed him.
Sasuke, on the other hand, had someone else on his mind. Sure he missed having Naruto around, but his thoughts were being clouded by a chocolate haired and eyed goddess, the only girl that he had ever loved, but figured untouchable. Besides, he had decided to give Sakura the first chance; after all she did love him for all that time. He loved Sakura too... as a sister. Despite this, he had made a promise to Naruto the day he asked her out; a promise to never, ever make her cry. Because of that, and the constant love and affection that Sakura showered him with, he wouldn't break that vow.
A poof in the air snapped the couple from their thoughts.
"Okay, you two. Tsunade-sama has given us the day off because we have a mission with Gai's team tomorrow, and before you ask, Naruto already knows." Kakashi said, turning away.
"Kakashi-sensei, where is Naruto? I mean, we haven't seen or heard much of him in a year. Is he okay?" Sakura asked softly.
'Oh, so now you care, after you shattered his heart into a million pieces. Too bad he's trying to move on Sakura.' Kakashi thought.
"He's fine Sakura. I'll tell him you asked about him and ask him to meet you here. Later." Kakashi replied, a slight edge to his voice.
"Well... that was interesting." Sasuke said. He also was curious as to how his blond brother was fairing.
"It was. I wonder what made his mood change. Come to think of it, they both started to act strangely ever since we got together. I wonder..." Sakura trailed off.
Sasuke just smacked his head in frustration. For the smartest girl in Rookie 9, Sakura was really stupid at times. He had long figured out the problem and had since spoken to Naruto. Still, he couldn't help feeling a little guilty about taking the love of his brother's life, but Naruto had said that it was bound to happen.
Sakura looked at him strangely.
"What?"
"If you really want to know, then you can ask him when he gets here." He began. "In the meantime, we need to talk."
That caught her attention, as Sasuke's face was deathly serious.
"What about, Sasuke?"
"Us."
Meanwhile...
Tenten and Naruto were in the village market. Naruto wanted to make up for his wandering mind, so he took her on a little shopping spree.
As they entered another clothing store, a poof distracted them.
"Yo."
"Hello Kakashi-san. How are you?" Tenten asked.
"I'm fine Tenten. And how are you doing Naruto?"
"I'm getting better and better every day. Between the support of baa-sama, ero-sennin, Iruka-sensei, Tenten, you, and the training, I'm getting there."
Sensing the need for the men to talk alone, Tenten decided to leave them for a while.
"I'll let you guys talk for a minute. I'll meet you at the bridge Naruto-kun." She said, giving him a little fox lick on his nose.
"Alright." He replied, returning the gesture.
As she left, Kakashi noticed Naruto's eyes dim ever so slightly.
"Let's go for a stroll Naruto. It's been a while since we've had a talk." He said, putting his book away.
Naruto nodded.
Later...
The men reached their talking spot, a quiet stream that separated the forests of Konoha from the bustling village centre.
Sitting on his boulder, Kakashi asked again.
"How have you really been, Naruto? Truthfully now, it's just us."
Naruto heaved a sigh.
"Not good Kakashi-sensei. Tenten caught me daydreaming about Sakura again. I just don't get it. It's been a year since Tenten and I got together. I thought that I'd be over her by now, but every time I think I've moved on, something happens and BAM; I'm back at square one."
"I don't know what to tell you Naruto, and I really wish I did. I can only suggest that you use the mission tomorrow to figure out who you really want. I know that you care for Tenten, but I also know that you love Sakura. Even if you succeed in moving on, do you ever think that you'll be truly happy for yourself, not for Sakura?"
Naruto thought about this for a minute.
"I guess not. But I don't want to hurt Tenten. She's done so much for me, and I can't bear to make her cry like she was that day."
"Again, I don't know what to tell you Naruto. I just hope that you can find happiness and peace, with whoever it may be."
Naruto smiled genuinely.
"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei."
A comfortable silence settled around the two.
"You know, she asked about you today at the bridge." Kakashi said.
"She did? Ha! AFTER she broke my heart, she cares. After all of that, it took me avoiding her to notice me." Naruto ground out angrily.
"That's what I thought too. But better late than never, right? Maybe you should talk to her, like you did with Sasuke, and don't lapse back into the old Naruto. Actually show her your feelings. Tell her how you felt that day. Maybe she'll get it."
Kyuubi, who had been listening with keen interest up until this point, couldn't help but add his own two cents.
"He's right kit. Holding all of this in isn't going to help either one of you. You need to tell her what she did to you that day. Be straight forward; don't hide or dance around anything. You owe it to yourself at least."
Naruto thought about the advice he'd just been given. It sounded like a good idea, and it would be a good idea to get all of the built up tension in him off of his chest.
"I think I'll try that."
"Good. I want to hear what happens. By the way, I like the new look Naruto."
"Thanks Kakashi-sensei. Tenten bought these for me. She said the orange jumpsuit had to go. I'm glad she did. I like these."
"Again, the woman did the impossible and got you out of that hideous thing! She's a genius! But I still say that she should have blown it up with those tags of hers." Kyuubi began ranting again.
Naruto gave a small mental chuckle.
"I'm glad. You'll be taken more seriously as a ninja. And with all the training you've done, you could probably complete this mission all by yourself."
Naruto had indeed given up the hideous jump suit for a simple, black shinobi shozoko with a weighted, navy blue, shirt that stopped just above his abdomen underneath. His headband was now around his right arm, allowing his hair to cascade down his face.
After a few hours with Kakashi, the two walked to the bridge to find Tenten, Sasuke, and Sakura waiting for them.
Naruto greeted Tenten with a kiss on the cheek, for he had reserved her lips for a special occasion. He then nodded to a jealous Sasuke and a confused Sakura.
"So, I hear that you've been asking for me, ne, Sakura?" He said, breaking them both out of their stupor.
"Yeah I did. Can I talk to you alone for a minute Naruto?"
'Oh great, exactly what I need now.' He thought.
"Relax kit. She probably wants to catch up. Remember, she hasn't seen much of you in a year. Just remember what the jonin said." Kyuubi advised.
'Fine then, I will.'
"Alright Sakura, we can talk at the Hokage Monument later tonight. Right now, I have to get back to the day I promised my girlfriend, right Tenten?"
"TENTEN!" Sasuke and Sakura screamed.
FINALLY! I have finished chapter two in the little spare time I've had. Sorry for the wait. I will do my best to get chapters 3-5 up on Saturday. Please review and until then, see ya. Akiro Knight out.
