A/N: Thanks for your reviews. I really do appreciate them! And this chapter really explains why it's mature. So kiddies be warned.
*Disclaimer*: I do not own Naruto
"Ne, Sakura-chan! Look over here!" Naruto waved happily about 20 feet ahead of her, pointing wildly to a log on the ground. Sakura inwardly rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that grew on her face. There was an obvious change in the three shinobi once they left the village. They were all anxious to leave and go somewhere outside of Konoha. Even Sasuke had a slightly happier disposition- his eyes not so cynical every time they met another human being.
The sun had already made its way across the sky and was about to nestle behind the mountains that lied ahead of the travelers. The day's journey was by no means tiring, but they knew that they wouldn't be able to guide the oxen driven cart for too longer. The animals were going to need their rest.
"What is it, Naruto?" Sakura kept her pace with the wagon. This might be a simple mission, but it was a mission nonetheless. They were to protect Tama and her cargo, and Sakura would give it one hundred and fifty percent.
The Uzumaki ran over, his hand clutching something Sakura couldn't make out. As soon as he reached her, he held out his hand and opened it to reveal a black and orange snake that sinuously wrapped around the shinobi's fingers, its forked tongue flickering towards Sakura.
"We match, right?"
All of the air in Sakura's lungs shot of her mouth in one blow and her face paled to an astonishing white. Sakura wasn't scared of much, but snakes proudly took the top 5.
"GET THAT AWAY FROM ME, BAKA!!!" surprisingly she didn't hit Naruto, but she jumped clear across and over the wagon in one fluid jump. Her back arched as her body grazed the top of the wagon. She landed on her feet with a soft thud and her breath returned slowly yet surely. Snakes gave her the creeps ever since Orochimaru-
Suddenly the scene around her changed and her mind's eye rippled in a blur of colors. This felt wrong and all too familiar simultaneously.
Sakura stood shaking. Her chakra was depleting rapidly. She wasn't going to last- not even for a minute more. Her green eyes scanned the empty meadow, but she couldn't see him-
Then the kunai came; pelting her every limb, covering her body in unbelievable pain. Her blood rained down onto the ground, softening the soil to a muddy mess below her.
"Sakura" His voice called out of the open air.
"Sakura…..Sakura!....Sakura!!"
"SAKURA!"
The kunoichi stumbled and fell to her knees, her hands running vigorously over her body. What the hell was that? A nightmare? But she wasn't asleep- it was still day-time!
"Sakura, what's wrong with you?" Sasuke stood in front of her, his eyes scrutinizing her like she was slacking during this simple minded mission.
She stood straight to compose herself and looked to Sasuke. "Nothing. I'm fine. It was just…a snake Naruto showed me. I…don't like snakes." Sakura figured Sasuke could relate to something like that, considering his past. She herself didn't understand what was wrong with her and there was no reason to involve anyone else in something as childish as a nightmare. At least she hoped not.
The Uchiha said nothing more, but his eyes stayed on Sakura for longer than she would've liked. He slowed down, regaining his pace once he was behind the carriage. Sakura picked up her pace and walked beside their charge, Tama, who sat leading the oxen that hauled her cargo. The gypsy's eyes were set upon the pink haired woman, a curious look about them.
"What's wrong, Tama?"
There was a thoughtful pause before she spoke her next words. "How long have you been having your nightmares, Sakura?"
The kunoichi was taken aback. "I'm sorry?"
The woman took a deep breath and looked ahead. "We need to rest up ahead. There's a stream and a small clearing." she turned back to Sakura. 'I would like to speak with you more."
Sakura didn't know how to reply.
Naruto and Sasuke took off to gather water from the stream that ran smoothly near their campsite, leaving Sakura at the will of the gypsy's inquiries.
"Sit there." Tama pulled a satchel from her wagon and pointed to the blanket laid out before the fire they built not long ago.
"Tama, this isn't appropriate-"
"You've been having these nightmares for…three months, yes?" the woman's cymbal belt chimed rhythmically as she led Sakura to the blanket and urged her to sit. All of a sudden, Sakura felt like the patient instead of the medic-nin. Tama opened the satchel and pulled out a dark violet silk drawstring bag and placed it in front of her, along with a jar of foreign looking powder.
"How did you know that?" Sakura's eyes were mesmerized as the gypsy's hands mellifluously moved about, opening the small violet bag and pouring its contents into her hands: stones.
"It's what I do. Just as you know how to gain the strength of 100 men, I too can gain certain abilities." Sakura's eyes widened with Tama's insightful words. "These are holy stones," she held out the smooth, dark pebbles to view. "They have been passed down through my family for centuries. They will help me see clearly how to guide you."
"You know how to get rid of my nightmares?"
She nodded. "A sprig of Thyme below your sleeping head and maybe a small stone of amethyst- but first you must see why you are having these dreams. Then and only then will you be able to extinguish the negative energy that's surrounding you." Sakura watched the woman take a deep breath and she tossed the rocks lightly into the air. Her eyes opened and at the same moment when the rocks connected with the ground, Tama scattered a pinch of the powder from the jar into the fire. The flames sparked into a brilliant white. The gypsy's eyes looked upon the stones and then to Sakura.
"There is a change of path in your life-something you've seen, but never ventured. Do not be afraid- this will be your pillar of strength." Her eyes darkened suddenly, "However, something evil is searching for you. Protect what is close to you at all costs-or all is lost." Tama closed her eyes and Sakura looked at the stones; how did she get all that from they way the rocks were laid out?
"That is all I can tell you. The dreams should stop in due time, but to quell your fears take these sprigs of Thyme and this amulet of amethyst. They will help ward off the nightmares and negative energies surrounding your dreams." Sakura took the dried flowers and the small pinkish rock from the woman and looked incredulously at her.
"Is that all?'
"The rest is up to you." the woman looked at the slightly disheveled pink haired girl and smiled lightly. "Here." she reached into her satchel and pulled out a small peach colored fruit. "Eat this. It will help you."
"How? With my dreams?"
"No…" her eyes sparkled. "…with the other situation."
"What other situation?-"
"SAKURA-CHAN!!! Is the food done yet?" Naruto ran up to two women and Sakura hastily put the objects into her pouch, praying he didn't see what happened. Sasuke followed behind and noted the stones that were laid out between them.
"Doing a reading?" He looked to their charge.
"I was rather inclined to do a reading for her." Sakura sighed inwardly. Tama wasn't going to say a word about what happened. Silently she thanked her, their eyes meeting knowingly.
"Hn."
"Here, Sakura-chan." Naruto handed Sakura a small cup of water and the kunoichi gratefully took it, consuming its contents quickly. She promptly got up and moved to serve the fish they caught from the stream.
"Dobe, there's only three cups. Go get another."
"Eh? But-" the blonde looked around to see that Sasuke didn't have a cup to drink from.
"I should have some cups in the back of my wagon if you wish me to get one." Tama made a move to get up, but Sakura stopped her.
"No, I'll get it. It's right in the back?" the woman nodded in response and Sakura made her way to the carriage. She pulled the partition back and reached into the dark wagon, feeling around for a cup. There were so many things back here, how did Tama find anything? Finally her fingers found a simple short brown mug and she pulled it out.
"Ne, hurry up, Sakura! Sasuke's getting cranky! You know how he gets when he's thirsty."
"Well maybe if teme here didn't forget how to count to four-"
"What did you say, bastard?" Naruto took a large bite out of his fish.
"Shut up! The both of you-hey, where did Tama go?" Sakura handed Sasuke his cup and looked around for the gypsy. Naruto looked the pink haired ninja, his mouth full of food. "Fee hent roo ta fring."
Strangely Sakura understood what he said. Tama probably went to wash. That sounded like a good idea.
"I'm going to go to the spring to bathe." she whipped her head to the two of them, her eyes sharpening. "If I even smell one of you near the two of us, you'll lose a limb." Sasuke nodded, his eyes rolling as he took a drink from the mug Sakura got while Naruto's cheeks reddened. "Sakura-chan I wouldn't dare-" Sakura's glare intensified, stopping his protest.
"Okay, Sakura-chan."
"It's nice to be clean once in a while, am I right?" Tama rinsed her hair in the cool water. Sakura nodded, dunking her entire body into the water and opening her eyes to see some fish swim by. The river was so clean and fresh!
Sakura heard Tama's voice from above the surface and she stood to look at her.
"I'm sorry?" She inquired.
"Were you able to find the cup?" Tama stood at the edge of the water wrapped in her robe, running her fingers through her hair.
"Oh, yes. I got him some brown mug." Sakura got out from the river, drying herself off before she wrapped her thin, but well absorbing travel towel around her.
"Brown?" Sakura looked up to see Tama's dark eyes widened in shock.
"What, what's wrong?"
"Sakura, that mug wasn't-"
A loud rumble thundered through the small clearing, cutting off the older woman's voice.
"SAAAAAKUUUUUURAAAAA-CHAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!" Naruto raced through the trees towards the two girls, his eyes teary and his face pale. "SAKURA-CHAN! SAKURA-CHAN! SAAAAKUUUURAAAA-CHAAAAAAN!" Naruto's jacket was torn open, flying wildly about him.
Instantly Sakura grabbed her kunai and stood in front of Tama. If something was able to terrify Naruto to tears, it was going to be a serious danger to them both. She wanted to be ready-even if she was only in a towel she could at least put up one hell of a fight.
In one shocking move the Uzumaki pounced and wrapped his arms around Sakura in a vice-like grip, his head rubbing furiously into her chest. "Sakura-chan, make him stop!"
What? And suddenly there he was. Sasuke was running full speed towards the three, his eyes focused clearly upon the orange clad shinobi.
"Naruto what did you do?" Sakura tried to push Naruto away but he was not letting her go. He moved his body though, so that he was standing behind her- making her a makeshift shield. Sasuke stopped a mere three feet from them, his eyes looking past Sakura and to his fearful friend. There was something different about the dark haired man. He was breathless, his chest sporadically rising and falling. And there was a different air about him.
"Na..ru..to…" his voice was husky and deeper than usual.
"Look, Sasuke, I don't know what Naruto did, but this isn't the time to fight."
"Um. They-hmph!- aren't fighting." Sakura looked to see Tama covering her mouth in a fit of laughter.
"What? What's going on?" the kunoichi was confused to no end.
"Sasuke-bastard all of sudden started tearing at my clothes and…and-!" Naruto's face went pale. "And he…I don't feel so good…"
"I tried to tell you, Sakura. That wasn't a mug- it was a motor for mixing. It seems to be…" Tama approached Sasuke in a few light steps and looked him in the eye. "…that Sasuke has drunk the love potion."
"Naruto, there's no need to do this. Sasuke already drank the antidote." Sakura pulled the blanket over her body, relishing in the warmth, but her comfort was soon lost as the Uzumaki plopped inches from her, pulling his own blanket over him.
"I don't want to take any chances, Sakura-chan!"
Sakura rolled her eyes, but inside she was grateful for the warmth from his body during this cold winter night. Sasuke already went to sleep, opting for outside the tent they had built, whereas Sakura and Naruto stayed inside the small shelter. Sakura rolled to her side and closed her eyes, trying to focus on anything but the warm body next to her, but now the only thing running through her head was how close he was. She tried to keep reminding herself that this was Naruto for kami's sake, but she couldn't help the race of her blood and the quickening of her heart. She yelled at herself silently for being affected by something as insignificant as this. She had slept next to these guys before but… something was different. Her mind was just so preoccupied with sex. She covered her face in shame that she was thinking about Naruto that way. She thought back to that moment Ino brought up her teammate as a possible lover.
"Billboard brow, you don't even realize how your body reacts when he's around."
"What do you mean, Ino-pig?" Sakura knew damn well what she was talking about. For the past several months, her mind had been drifting to not so innocent thoughts about the Uzumaki, doing things with him she never dreamed that she would do. Sometimes she would have trouble with just a simple touch of a hand; her heart would pound, her skin would tingle, and the lower half of her body would feel as if it were on fire.
"You're just lucky that he's so oblivious to everything. I swear, half the town is just waiting for you two to fuck already."
"INO! I…I don't…" Sakura didn't know how she felt about the Uzumaki anymore. Sometimes she thought she really could fall in love with him. But then there were those times when she thought she couldn't love anyone. Those were moments where she didn't even love herself.
She felt Naruto press his body closer to hers and she sat up in a snap. "Naruto! You don't need to get so damn close to me."
"I'm sorry Sakura-chan. But you seemed cold… and so was I. So I thought that-"
"Well, there's no need, baka. I'm perfectly fine with my blanket alone." Sakura lied back down and grabbed her pouch, quickly placing the sprigs of Thyme under her pillow. She hoped that these things would work. If she woke up screaming with Naruto in the same vicinity, she was screwed.
"All right, Sakura-chan…" there was an obvious sense of dejection in his voice, but he complied and scooted away from her. The cold and empty feeling was painfully obvious to Sakura, but she shoved the feeling down and away. She just didn't want to be so preoccupied with a man's body right now. She needed a dreamless sleep for once.
Sakura woke up hours later, silencing her scream. This time, it was senbon torture. She sat up, breathing deep. The stupid flowers didn't work. Nothing would.
What about this evil that was searching for Sakura? Was that what the nightmares were forewarning?
The kunoichi felt her stomach growl in emptiness and she sighed. She wouldn't be able to get out of the tent without waking the Uchiha outside. She didn't want anyone to know about her dreams. Then she remembered the fruit Tama gave her. It would have to do for now- and didn't she say something about the food helping her somehow? Maybe it would do what the flowers couldn't. Sakura reached into her pouch and pulled out the light pink fruit, taking in its sweet scent. She bit into its flesh, the syrupy yet tart juice filling her senses. A sweet shiver ran down her spine and a warm feeling encompassed her entire body. Sakura took a deep breath as she lied down and closed her eyes once more. She already felt calm.
Sakura sat up, looking around, and found Naruto snoring next to her. Suddenly a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach surged through her, and her mind had only one thought in it. She pushed her blanket back and pressed her body close to Naruto's, leaning her lips close to his ear. Her breath blew softly next to him, stirring the man awake. His blue eyes blinked slowly open.
"Sakura-chan? Is it time to go already?" he sat up slowly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Naruto." Sakura's voice was low, and in some tone she never heard herself speak before-pure lust. Her body felt so warm and bubbly. She reached her hand up to Naruto's face and traced her finger gently across his jaw line. She could see him shiver and turn to her, his eyes wide.
"Sakura?" she didn't reply. She didn't know what had come over her, but it seemed as if she was possessed. Sakura's eyes didn't even remain locked with Naruto's, for her green orbs dropped down take in his tight white shirt- his jacket was tossed aside while he was sleeping. She dropped her hand down onto his chest and pressed her palm into him, feeling his warm skin beneath the thin cloth. His pulse quickened beneath her and she suddenly felt a rush of confidence emerge. She eased her hand down his torso to lift his shirt off, and the man's breath hitched. A devilish grin covered Sakura's face and she tossed the shirt aside. Her hand pressed once more against Naruto's bare chest and she drank in the sight of his well toned body. The years of training gave him lean muscles and a golden tan. Sakura pushed away the remaining blankets from the both of them and lifted one of her legs over Naruto's body, straddling him.
"Sakura…"he said warily, "Are you sure-" he lost his chance to speak once again as Sakura locked her lips hungrily onto the Uzumaki's. She nipped his lower lip gently with her teeth and he opened his mouth in a gasp. She took the chance and slipped her tongue over his lips, tasting his mouth thoroughly. His scent was ravaging her nostrils; a smoky masculine aroma with the slightest hint of ramen. It was absolutely delicious. And in one fluid moment she broke their kiss, tore away her shirt and threw it aside, revealing a lacy black bra that left little to the imagination. She looked to Naruto to see his eyes darken in what could only be described as lust.
"What's wrong, Naruto?" she teased, tracing his muscles along his abdomen and made her way down the waistband of his pants. Her heartbeat thrummed and as she dipped one of her hands below his pants, she heard a satisfied breath escape from Naruto's mouth in a hiss. She paused and lowered her head, kissing lightly all across his face; along his jaw line down to his collarbone, to his chest then his navel. And simultaneously, as she pulled down and away his pants, she bumped a rather hard and warm attachment along the way. Sakura could feel in the pit of her stomach a fire growing.
"Oh, shit… Sakura" Naruto took her by the waist, flipping them so that he pinned her on the bottom. Sakura's heart picked up it's jagged beat, liking the way he was taking charge. Naruto dipped his head and took her in a kiss so sexual and primal that Sakura thought that he would swallow her whole. She arched her back trying to push her body even closer to his. Both of their bodies burned in their heat. She had never felt this good before.
Naruto broke their kiss and Sakura moaned in desire. A toothy grin crossed the shinobi's face and he lightly kissed her lips once more before his hands dropped down to her black shorts, pulling them off quickly. A satisfied growl escaped from his lips once he saw that she had the very same pair of black lacy underwear with red roses on the trim.
"Na-Naruto…" Sakura called out, her voice pleading for something. But she herself didn't know what was to come next. Apparently Naruto did. He ran his calloused hands up her smooth abdomen and dipped under the lining of her bra. Sakura gasped as he took hold of her left breast and began to knead it. Oh, kami, it felt like Sakura's body was on fire. He must've learned a thing or two from that Jiraiya during his training.
She pulled the rest of her bra off and Naruto took the opportunity to clamp his mouth over her unoccupied nipple. A small moan escaped from Sakura's mouth and in response Naruto nipped the bud of her nipple, sweeping his tongue over the areola. Sakura's back arched as she felt Naruto's other hand leave her breast and trail fire down her abdomen to run over her panties.
"Ah, Naruto…" she moaned his name and Naruto lifted his mouth away from her breast- and locked it onto hers. He swallowed her loud moan as he began to rub her mound through the thin lace. She didn't know what to do to make him get closer. One of her legs slipped between his thighs and lifted up, rubbing against him furtively. He was hard. Sakura could feel his warm member stiffen even more through the fabric. An idea sparked in her head, and she snaked one of her hands down between their bodies. Naruto's eyes opened right when she reached under his boxers. Sakura hesitated for only a moment before she wrapped her hand around his shaft and began to slowly pump him.
"Ah!" he moaned loudly, breaking their kiss and pulling his hand away from her lower body as Sakura's hand felt him.
"Please, Naruto…" her voice was raspy, but it was audible all the same. She felt much more in control, asking him for what she wanted now. With the shinobi's face twisted in pleasure she felt powerful, and quite the seductress.
"Wh-what do… you want me to do, S-sakura?" Naruto's own voice was husky, trying to find his words through his cloudy mind.
"You know what I want." her grip tightened and she ran her thumb over the head of his cock where it was slick with pre-cum. A low growl rumbled deep in Naruto's throat in approval. He instantly hooked his fingers under her panties and pulled them down. Sakura pulled her hand away and gasped as he sat up on his knees. His hands were quick as he dropped his boxers down and pulled them away.
Sakura's face darkened deeply with a blush. Naruto was gorgeous; every inch of his body was pure liquid gold and the kunoichi wanted nothing but to eat him up.
Naruto leaned down over Sakura, placing each of his hands on either side of her for support before he would go any closer. He looked to her so as to make sure this was all right and she nodded, the ball of fire in her stomach intensifying as she felt his cock brushing against her inner thighs. She moaned and he rubbed her gently at her entrance.
"Oh kami…Sakura, you're so wet." his breath warmed her skin and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Naruto teased her slowly, the head of his member rubbing her entrance. Sakura arched her back, her mouth opening in a cry for need. She pressed close to his cock to the point where the tip had pushed through the folds. She moaned softly, digging her nails into Naruto's back. Finally, the Uzumaki plunged in and his mouth clamped over Sakura, swallowing her screams.
It hurt only for a moment. As soon as the pain came it left. And in its place came the most intense pleasure of the kunoichi's life. The walls past her mound wrapped around him tightly- bringing them both to near insanity. Sakura bit Naruto's lower lip and sucked on it. Their lower bodies stood still for a moment while Naruto adjusted to the fit. And slowly…slowly he pulled out of Sakura, almost all the way out. She moaned in protest, but in the midst of her cries he plunged into her once more, making her gasp as he began to thrust harder… and faster. Sakura brought her legs up and hooked them over Naruto's lower back, bringing them even closer with each of his thrusts. She could feel that ball of fire growing… tightening in the pit of her stomach.
Naruto's breath was becoming jagged, but he wasn't slowing down. He wrapped his arms around Sakura, lifting her up so that she was sitting right on him as he plunged into her. Sakura wrapped her arms around him and bucked her hips, intensifying the collision. Naruto growled in pleasure and the pink haired woman smiled into the crook of his neck. Then he lowered his head and took one of Sakura's breasts into his mouth and sucked on her nipple wildly. Sakura kissed his neck and suckled on his skin, nipping him all along his collarbone as they made love.
Suddenly Naruto thrust into her so far, he touched something that sent Sakura's mind spinning.
"Right there" she breathed into his ear. "Oh kami, do it again."
Her lover nibbled her ear in response and thrust himself repeatedly against that spot. Sakura felt her muscles tightening, a sweet shiver racing down her spine. All of a sudden she felt that tight ball of fire in the pit of her stomach explode into a million points of light and she was pushed over the edge. Her head tilted back and her fingers gripped his golden locks as she cried out.
"NARUTO!"
Naruto felt the walls in Sakura tighten around his cock as she reached her orgasm and he too was sent over the edge. He clutched onto Sakura, thrusting roughly into her as he realeased his seed. He held onto her tightly, crying out her name. Slowly they both came down from their high and their eyes met once more.
"Sakura-chan…I…"
Sakura leaned in to kiss Naruto lightly. Then she pulled back to sit down as he pulled out of her; her body could feel him missing. But she kept her arms wrapped around him as if in a compromise with herself. Naruto smiled sweetly to her and they collapsed onto their blankets in content and exhaustion, sleep capturing the both of them immediately.
Sakura woke up in complete warmth, having one of the best dreams of her life. She forgot about how great dreams could be ever since her nightmares took over. She looked outside to see the sun was barely rising. The kunoichi sat up and stretched her rather sore muscles and suddenly felt a chill across her body. She looked down and gasped.
She was naked.
Sakura took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. It was perfectly reasonable. In her dreams she sometimes kicked off her clothes…it happened…
Sakura grabbed her clothes and got dressed, not once looking to Naruto. She was terrified of what she would see. But finally, as she pulled on her last item of clothing, there was no other choice. The pink haired woman turned her head and held her breath as she looked to her teammate. Inside she already knew the answer.
Naruto lied on his side, the back of his naked body glistening with a golden sheen of sweat. He snored loudly and turned over, revealing the lower half of his body. Sakura could feel all of the blood in her rush to her cheeks. There was a lazy smile on the Uzumaki's face as his arm stretched out in his sleep. Sakura could feel that familiar warmth in the pit of her stomach come to life.
"Oh shit."
"Sakura-chan, why won't you look at me?" Naruto walked beside her as the team guided the wagon towards the port. It had been four days since that night, and Sakura felt like someone had dealt an infinite amount of blows to her stomach. The main reason was because- he didn't remember.
"Sakura-chan, please! Look at me! What did I do?!" he clasped his hands together in a pleading motion, his blue eyes near tears.
What didn't you do? Sakura pushed her perverted thoughts away and turned her face away from the blonde. "Naruto… I don't feel like talking, okay?"
"But…but…." he looked distraught and it left Sakura torn. But she was livid, absolutely livid that he couldn't remember something like that. And yet at the same time she was miserable. Because she finally lost her virginity and she was the only one who could remember it.
And the fact that it was with Naruto just…baffled her.
She talked with Tama that morning asking her what kind of fruit that she was given, knowing that was the cause of her heated passion.
"It is merely a fruit from my old country that surfaces the feelings that one is suppressing. Why? Did something happen last night?" a spark flickered in the gypsy's knowing eyes and Sakura immediately blushed.
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
That night just confused her relationship with Naruto. What did she think of him? Was it love? Or was she just really fond of him? It was all just too confusing to think of right now.
"Just leave her alone, dobe. She obviously doesn't want to talk to you." Sasuke walked alongside them, his dark eyes switching between the blonde haired and pink haired shinobi.
Sakura sighed. She could smell the sea air as they approached the port and a slight anxiousness was present in her. They would be spending time together again. At least the awkwardness from Sasuke's fiasco was forgotten between the team after a few beatings (mainly between Naruto and Sasuke). But Sakura (and Tama?) was the only one who knew what happened between her and Naruto. This "day-cation" they were planning on taking was going to be interesting to say the least.
Tama pulled her cart to a slow stop. "This is where we part, my new friends."
Sakura nodded, a small smile reaching her face. "It was nice meeting you, Tama-chan."
The gypsy jumped down from her wagon perch and walked to the back of the carriage. "Follow me, please."
Naruto looked to Sasuke and sneaked a look at Sakura; his eyes saddened every time he would look at her. Sasuke took the first steps forward and the other two followed.
"I would like to give you gifts, as a thank you for escorting me all the way to this port." she pulled away the partition and ruffled through the packages in the back.
"I don't want any of your love potions." Sasuke's face turned slightly paler which Sakura could only guess was in thought of what happened not one week ago.
"No," the gypsy laughed. "That would cost you 20,000 ryo." before the ninja's jaws dropped to the ground, Tama pulled out 3 objects; a necklace, a dagger and a small coin. "These objects will come of use to you in the future." she handed them their gifts. Sakura received the green amulet, Naruto the dagger, and Sasuke the bronze coin. "All of these gifts are meant to do one thing: protect. Use them well." she closed the partition and climbed her wagon once more. "I hope we can meet again, my friends. And I hope it will be in good humor."
"Bye Tama-chan!" Naruto waved happily. He was excited about the aspect of a vacation, it was obvious. As the wagon blended into the crowded street, he turned to Sakura and Sasuke, his grin widening, "Vacation time!"
Sakura strained a small smile; she hoped this would all pass over for her soon. Maybe she could even forget about what happened four nights ago.
It was the next day the team decided to go to the local beach to spend their day-cation and afterward leave for Konoha. The weather was brilliant even for this winter season they were in. The sun was shining, the waves were rolling and the sand was warm. It was all too perfect.
"Sakura-chan, it's nice out, huh?" Naruto stood tall in only a pair of orange and black trimmed board shorts, his pelvic bone well defined with the low dip of the trunks. Sakura pulled her sweater over her, despite the blazing sun. It was winter, shouldn't it be cold?! Sakura was wearing her red swim suit-the one she bought with Ino last year. It was a little small, but it was the only one she had. The one piece was snug on her chest, the V-neck dipping suggestively low, and the strap was a halter style. Normally she would be tanning away, swimming and playing in the water; but she just didn't feel like showing off her body right now. Naruto caught wind of her mood.
"Ne, Sakura-chan," he plopped down beside her in the sand. "What's going on?"
Sakura looked to the open sea and said nothing to him. What was she supposed to say? We made love five nights ago and only I remember that fantastic night? The kunoichi inwardly rolled her eyes and stood up, peeling her sweater off of her sweaty skin. Maybe she could do with some swimming. She turned around and found her blonde friend's eyes glued to her body, his pupils dilated to inhuman circumferences.
"Ehem." Sakura coughed, catching Naruto off guard.
He lightly laughed, "S-sorry Sakura-chan. You look… hot." Sakura instantly smacked Naruto upside the head.
"Pervert!"
"OW!OW!OW!OW! I'm sorry Sakura-chan! I was just being a guy." he rubbed the back of his head, laughing. Kami, Sakura wanted to kill him so much.
"Feel better?" he stood up next to her, his toothy grin spreading wide across his face.
"What?"
"Well you haven't hit me in a long time, so I thought you were really mad at me. I didn't know what I did to make you mad. But what whatever it was I'm sorry." he was sincere, but for some reason, it did not make Sakura feel better at all. The two sat there looking out to the sea, lost in a moment of silence.
"Hey, dobe? How about some volleyball?"
And in an instant Naruto ran off. "I'm gonna kick your ass!"
Sakura rolled her eyes and rested her head onto her drawn up knees. So much for the vacation.
"Sakura! Get your ass out of that bathroom. I'm not going to be late to my own bachelorette party!" Ino slammed on the bathroom door, but Sakura ignored the blonde's angry protests. It had been two weeks since her mission had ended and three weeks since that night with Naruto. She hadn't told a soul about what had happened, not even Ino-which surprised her. They shared everything.
"Sakura, I will break this fucking door down if you don't get your ass out of that bathroom! I want to spend my last few moments as a single girl drunk off my ass. And you being my best friend, I want you there alongside me getting wasted!"
Sakura sighed, looking at herself in the mirror; she pulled her pink tresses back into a small ponytail, and applied black eyeliner and lip gloss. That should be enough. Sakura wasn't a big make-up girl like Ino was with her foundation, eye shadow, mascara, and whatever else the drawers in her bathroom were crammed with. Sakura pulled the top of her strapless short black dress up so that her cleavage wasn't flamboyantly showing. The lace trim on her dress gave her a "flirty look" (Ino had told her that when they bought their dresses). Sakura disagreed, she felt so…ugly. And fat. But no matter what, she was going to Ino's bachelorette party. Her best friend was getting married in a month-the kunoichi could hardly believe it. And soon, Sakura knew without a doubt, within days after the ceremony, she would be talking about a baby on the way. Another one of her friends was blooming, while she was still a bud.
"I'm coming." Sakura stepped out of the bathroom, her black high heeled sandals clicking. She wanted to get this over with as fast as humanly possible.
"Finally!" Ino grabbed Sakura's hand and pulled her out of her apartment and towards the local bar where the bachelorette party was just starting.
"CHEERS TO INO!" voices shouted throughout the pub, ringing in Sakura's ears. She clanged her glass of Shirley Temple to others' glasses, her smile half sincere. She was happy for Ino, really she was. But she just didn't feel like drinking. She wasn't that big of a drinker anyway-and thankfully with Hinata pregnant, she wasn't alone on the sober train.
"It should be a show, watching them slowly get drunk." Hinata giggled in her seat next to Sakura's.
"Slowly? I personally think they're racing to a blackout." Sakura laughed, taking a small sip from her drink. She really wasn't kidding. Ino, Ten-Ten, Kurenai, and Anko were shooting sake like their lives depended on it. Sakura would have to keep a close eye on her friend. The pub wasn't entirely rented out, to Ino's request. She wanted to scope out as many men as she possibly could. And to Sakura's horror, it seemed even with the high amount of females attending the party- men seemed to outnumber them in the local bar.
"S-Sakura-kun?" Hinata's voice caught her attention.
"Yes, Hinata?"
"Is something wrong? You seem different." her pale eyes scanned Sakura as if trying to find what was "different" about her.
"D-different?" Sakura pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "…Not that I know of."
"Alright, ladies." suddenly a man in a jounin outfit appeared in front of the girls group, and twirled a kunai around his finger. "Which one of you is the bachelorette?"
"I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I a-a-a-a-am!!!" Ino was already drunk. Kami, Sakura thought; she would have to be on-duty early on in the night.
"Well then, you've been naughty. It looks like this shinobi needs to teach you a lesson-!" and in one smooth move, the man took the kunai and slit his clothes off; leaving on a dark blue g-string with the Hidden Leaf village symbol on his crotch. Whistles rang throughout the room and Ino waved her drink around happily.
"Aw, you guys! You shouldn't have!" Ino giggled as the stripper gyrated in front of her, that g-string holding on for dear life.
"Are you kidding? You would've killed us if we didn't get you a stripper!" Ten-Ten giggled, her drink spilling slightly onto her chest.
Sakura whirled back around in her chair to face the bar. "I really don't want to see this."
"I know how you f-feel." Hinata's face was a dark red. "Would you like a peanut, Sakura?" she held a bowl out to the kunoichi. "I just can't get enough of them."
Sakura looked down at the bowl and the smell of the peanuts hit her nostrils. "Ugh. Are those rotten?" she covered her nose and felt her stomach quiver. What the hell was Hinata thinking eating those rank peanuts? Even with her cravings, there has to be a limit. Like edibility.
"Hm? Th-they seem perfectly f-fine to me. Here, try one." she held the bowl out to Sakura and the smell was just over powering her senses; Sakura could feel her stomach lurch in protest.
"Ugh, I think I'm going to be sick-" Sakura jumped up and ran to the girls bathroom, slamming the stall door open and sending her Shirley Temples and the dinner right back out of her mouth and into the toilet.
What was going on? She never hated peanuts that much. And the only smell that had ever made her throw up was the smell of a corpse when she was training with Tsunade a few years back. But she was desensitized to it now.
She sat down on the bathroom floor, her breath shaky. She wiped her mouth and coughed; her thoughts were flying everywhere-what had she eaten in the past few hours that would give her this kind of reaction? She ate some pork ramen-maybe the meat was bad? No, the shop owner would never allow bad meat to go into his ramen. Besides, the symptoms of food poisoning were different to what she had. And all she could think that triggered her sickness were those peanuts…
What was going-
No…
Sakura gasped and jumped up. It had only been three weeks, but surely it wouldn't-? It made sense… but then all of this would depend upon what the date was. Damn it, for the life of her, Sakura couldn't remember the date!
She stood up and rushed out of the bathroom and to the bar, "Hinata!"
"S-sakura, what's wrong?"
"What's the date today?" her heart was racing. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening.
"What? Ehm…I believe it's the…5th."
The 5th…the 5th…..the 5th……….
All the blood drained from Sakura's face. Her breath hitched and her knees buckled. Then everything went black.
"S-sakura-chan?! Sakura-chan!!!"
"I can't believe you passed out during my party billboard brow."
Sakura could hear Ino's voice, but everything was still dark. She felt something cool and wet press against her forehead and felt her pounding headache slowly subside. She slowly began to open her eyes to a blur of colors.
"Sakura? Sakura! Oh billboard brow!" she was in a tight embrace that forced the air out of her lungs.
"I-Ino! Can't breathe!"
"Oh! Sorry!" she let Sakura go, and gradually the pink haired woman's sight came back. She was in her own apartment- it was still night.
"You gave everyone quite a scare, billboard." Ino helped Sakura sit up, propping the pillow behind her. "What happened to you? Hinata said that you ran to the bathroom and came back asking about the date…"
Suddenly the night's events rushed back into Sakura's mind. Shit… Tears began to stream down her face and she tried to wipe them away, but they were coming too fast. This was all wrong. This couldn't be happening to her. But...
"Sakura, what's wrong?" Ino wrapped her arms around Sakura, rubbing her hand across her back. "You can tell me. I'm your friend."
Sakura sobbed into Ino's shoulder, scared of what was going to happen. She didn't know what to do, how to say it. But one thing was for sure, she needed a friend right now more than anything.
"Ino…" she sat up straight and looked into Ino's pale blue eyes. "What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room."
"Billboard brow…"
"Promise me." She said.
"Sakura, I-"
"Just promise me, okay?!"
The blonde's eyes widened, but she nodded in agreement. Sakura took a deep breath, knowing no matter what happened- there was no going back now.
"Ino…I'm pregnant."