I'll Always Be By Your Side Part 7 The Date & The Rescue Mission

A/N: Hey Everyone it's been awhile since I updated this but here it is, I hope you like it, now I want to make this perfectly clear to everyone this story is NaruSaku not NaruHina, now I'm trying not to bash Hinata but Ino and Ayame are against her in regards to her and Naruto because they both want Sakura to end up with him now she's returning his feelings so sorry to the NaruHina fans but NaruHina will not be happening.

Kyuubi (Kurama) Talking/Jutsu's

'Inner Thoughts'

'Naruto Talking to Kyuubi/Sakura Talking To Inner Self'

Sakura's Inner Self

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or it would have ended NaruSaku

After Naruto and Sakura successful passed the test with Kakashi they split up, Sakura wanted to spend more time with Naruto but she needed to have a shower plus he said he needed to get some rest but they did decide to catch up later instead of sparing.

Tsunade gave her the rest of the day off which is good she can continue thinking of what she will do with Naruto later that is after she has a shower and cleans up. She's thinking of what they will do maybe she can ask him to go eat with her a date of sorts she blushes at the thought.

Before she heads home she wonders if she should eat but then remembers what she just thought about eating with Naruto later so passes on that thought and continues walking. She finally reaches her house and heads inside she immediately runs upstairs and grabs a towel before heading into the shower.

After 20 minutes she gets out and changes into fresh clothes before leaving the house and decides to walk around and think. She's missed Naruto so much since he left it was two and a half years but it felt like decades to her. She missed Naruto a lot she asked Tsunade about the Akatsuki and what she heard made her worried and hoped nothing happened to him.

She was happy when Tsunade told her that they wouldn't try anything with Jiraiya there but it didn't stop her from worrying. Luckily nothing did as he told her that earlier. She ends up walking past the Yamanaka flower shop she thought about heading in and seeing Ino but decided against it and carries on walking.

She's been walking for about five minutes when she hears someone calling her name and she knows it's Ino, maybe she saw her earlier so she stops to wait for her to catch up with her when she sees Ino she smirks then is shocked when she sees Ayame with her 'I never knew they were friends, oh well.'

After a minute Ino and Ayame stop beside her and Ino grins "We finally found you."

Where we're you?

Sakura looks at them both "Me and Naruto-Kun, had to challenge Kakashi-Sensei to that damn bell test again" She grins "We won totally tricked him it worked like clockwork so what's up."

Ino grins "Naruto-Kun, aye you say that a lot don't you, anyways we got problems and when I mean we I mean you and Naruto but mainly you."

Sakura looks at them both "Is it the Akatsuki."

Ayame doesn't know who they are but smirks "Worse ….. it's Hinata, after you split up with Naruto after you ate she tried to worm her way into Naruto pretty much asked Naruto-Kun out, she asked him out to eat but you just ate then she wanted to go for a walk with him but then an ANBU came down and told him the Hokage wanted him must have been what you said about the challenge, so it seems you have competition."

Sakura just nods but inside she's annoyed and so is her Inner Self 'Crap I forgot about her, what should I do.' Her Inner Self then shouts in her head Cha, Pound that girl into the ground she's trying to steal our man Naruto-Kun, is ours she had her chance. Sakura nods 'Yes, She's trying to take my Naruto-Kun, from me I won't let that happen, not now.'

Sakura then looks at Ino "So why are you telling me this Ino, isn't she your friend also."

Ino looks at her then Ayame "Yes it's true Hinata is a friend but you're my best friend and.. well you like Naruto and even though she's liked him longer then you have Naruto's always liked you also so now you return his feelings well let's just say I'd rather you get Naruto then her."

Ayame nods "I agree with Ino, Naruto-Kun's like my little brother and I know he always liked you even when you didn't like him and now you do well let's just say it's just perfect and like Ino said I'd prefer he gets with you over Hinata not taking anything from her she seems a nice girl and all what I don't like about her is her stalking of him, she's done it for years."

Ino nods "Yea, I agree stalking what's up with that, if she wanted to talk to him then just do it but she didn't."

Sakura just looks at them both taking in all they both said she agreed that stalking him was wrong but she kind of did it to Sasuke but now thinking about Sasuke makes her skin crawl. "OK, so what should I do, although I'm not that close to Hinata I guess she is my friend also but I want to be with Naruto-Kun, she had her chance to get with him and she did nothing?"

Ino smirked "Well, Sakura, you have several advantages over her, he's your teammate not hers, you've spent more time with him then she ever has, plus Naruto likes you."

Ayame chuckles "I love Naruto like a brother but he's kind of dense he always liked you and he probably never even paid much attention to her so that's going against her."

Sakura smiles at them inwardly happy that her Naruto-Kun is so dense to not notice her she admits Hinata's more prettier than her but she doesn't care she won't lose Naruto to her "Well me and Naruto-Kun, are meeting up later, maybe can go out to eat as well ."

Ino giggles "Going on a date with Naruto-Kun, damn girl didn't you eat with him earlier make him think of nothing except you, go girl."

Sakura blushes but nods "A date well we said we'd meet up but where do we go."

Ayame rubs her chin "Anywhere but Ichiraku's it's a date after all."

Ino then grins "How about taking him to that new Sushi bar that just opened, you love Sushi so it's perfect and also means you can get him to eat something other than Ramen no offense Ayame."

Ayame just rolls her eyes but chuckles "None taken, I actually agree with you all he ate was Ramen that's why he was always so short before he left."

Sakura smiles "OK, I'll take him to there, but what do we do about Hinata I can't be around him all the time."

Ino chuckles she looked at Ayame and had evil grin on her face "Leave that to us, we will keep her away as much as we can."

Ayame nods then grins "I have an idea about tonight let's take her out shopping she'd never expect it and it will give the two lovebirds some quality time together without her trying to ruin the date."

Ino chuckles "That's a good idea, can always do with new clothes."

After what Ayame said Sakura hasn't stopped blushing and her Inner Self has been laughing Yes, some alone time with Naruto-Kun, after the date we should take him back home and have some fun if you know what I mean fun all night long.

Sakura blushes even harder if that was possible and Ino notices and chuckles 'I can see the pervertedness of her mind taking over.'

The three of them keep talking for a while then they split up and go their own ways but not before wishing Sakura luck tonight.

A few hours after that we find Naruto just waking up he's going to meet up with Sakura not that he knows what they're going to do, he'd ask her out on a date but after witnessing her super strength he'd rather not be in hospital right now. He's sitting on his couch thinking when there's a knock at the door at first he's confused, not many people actually knock at his door not that many people knows where he lives. He just shrugs and heads to the front door as he might as well find out who it is.

When he opens the door he's shocked to see its Sakura he didn't even know if she knew where he even lived "Sakura-Chan, what brings you here, I didn't even know you knew where I even lived."

She smiles "I guess that you forgot that I brought you home once before you left for your training trip remember lady Tsunade told me to bring you home when you refused to stay at the hospital."

He scratches his head "Oh yea, I was poisoned by that Teme Orochimaru, plus Hospital is really hell I hate staying there, it's all lies you know they're not making people better there trying to kill them by feeding them hospital food."

She giggles at that then frowns "Hey, I work at the hospital anyways are we going out we can call it a date if you want."

Naruto looks her in shock 'Did I just hear her right did she just say she wants it to be a date, can this be real am I still asleep I must be dreaming.' "A date Sakura-Chan, am I dreaming."

She blushes and grabs Naruto's arm and loops her arm through it before pinching him "There you're not dreaming now let's go to this new Sushi bar that just opened let's go."

Naruto is confused but just shrugs he's not dreaming after all so just shrugs it off as he grabs his jacket and they leave the apartment. The whole way to the Sushi Bar she has her arm through his it feels nice to her. To Naruto he doesn't care that much still, it's still confusing him is the girl he's always had a crush on finally wanting to be with him, if that's true then this is just awesome, she has been close to him since he returned.

They don't actually head straight to the Sushi Bar they just walk around talking for a little while but after 30 minutes of just walking around and looking through shop windows Sakura leads him to the restaurant hopefully Hinata's not in the area. They arrive at the restaurant and sit down and start looking through the Menu, they order drinks first and then when the drinks arrive they order their food then continue talking.

Both of them are happy this is finally happening yes they ate at Ichiraku's earlier but this is a real date for Naruto he's liked Sakura for years but she only had eyes for Sasuke he thought all this whilst in hospital and after leaving with Jiraiya he hoped that Sakura would change and it seems that's exactly what happened and he couldn't be happier this is perfect, a dream come true, he just hopes he doesn't mess it up.

As for Sakura she's happy that Naruto is back she admits to herself she used to like Sasuke she thought he was the guy she'd end up with but when he betrayed the leaf to join up with Orochimaru her feelings changed, especially after what happened with Naruto.

When Naruto returned injured Sakura couldn't believe that Sasuke tried to kill Naruto, she was worried for him he almost died plus he fought against Orochimaru again and got badly poisoned. She was sad that Sasuke died also but Sitting in the chair watching Naruto injured made her go back and think of what Naruto actually meant to her he saved her many times, she wanted to spend time with him as her feelings grew but then he left on his training trip.

When he left she felt so alone like something was missing from her life, she tried to forget about it by working hard under Lady Tsunade but she just couldn't forget Naruto she missed him too much, she dreamt of him often not that she'd even tell anyone as some of the dreams were kind of perverted like the one in the hospital, not to mention the one that ended up with them both doing it on Tsunade's desk whilst she was in a council meeting how that happened is anyone's guess.

When he did return she knew it was time, time to make a move she admits she wasn't sure if she loved him but after the second wet dream about him that pretty much answered that question for her. While she was working at the hospital she ended up finding Naruto's hospital records a huge file almost triple the size of anyone in the village it was more like a book than anything else, as she read through the file she would cry it made her mad just how they could do this to Naruto.

Just seeing Naruto makes her think back to the file and it would make her sad but now it's different now she's having so much fun being with the man she wants to be with and Hinata won't step in her way, maybe Hinata did like Naruto first but she had plenty of time to make a move whilst she wasted her time on Sasuke but she did nothing. Now it's her turn and she won't mess up she won't miss her chance.

After they'd eaten they both leave the restaurant they end up going for a walk, again she surprised Naruto by taking a hold on his hand and when Naruto looked at her she just blushed and was about to take her hand away when Naruto held her hand tighter and smiled at her so she just blushed again and smiled so they kept on walking.

They end up walking to the Hokage monument Sakura remembers this place from where she found Naruto before Tsunade told her to take Naruto home. There still holding hands when they arrive. They sit down next to each other admiring the view. Sakura's so close to Naruto her leg keeps touching Naruto's and every time it brings her out in Goosebumps not that holding hands didn't do that also.

She's trying to ignore her inner self that keeps telling her to just climb on top of Naruto and have sex right there, not that she hasn't thought about it herself but she's not ready just yet but soon. After an hour of just sitting there where Naruto ended up putting his arm over her shoulder and she moved closer if that was even possible they finally stood up to leave as it was getting dark.

Naruto takes her hand again and she gladly lets him do it and they walk back Naruto takes her to her house like a true gentleman should. When they arrive at her house he lets go of her hand and immediately she misses the warmth of his hand at first they just stand there not knowing what to do next. Naruto scratched his head like he does a lot when he doesn't know what to do.

Sakura is thinking around the same thing she decides to be bold and steps up to Naruto and as he's taller than her now she has to go on tiptoes and just plants a kiss on Naruto's unsuspecting lips. Naruto stares at her in shock as she pulls back not that he didn't love the feeling of her lips on his because he'd be lying if he said he didn't. His face turned bright red if that didn't indicate what he was feeling then what else would.

Their faces are both bright red as they both just stare at each other Naruto inwardly smirked 'Did that just happen did we just kiss, wow it felt nice.' Sakura looks at Naruto 'Wow, did I just kiss Naruto-Kun that was amazing; I can't wait to do that again.' She blushes again "I-I'll see you tomorrow Naruto-Kun."

Naruto to shocked to do anything or say anything just nods until he finally says something "OK, Sakura-Chan, I'll see you tomorrow."

Sakura quickly heads inside and closes her door and slides down to the floor with a big smile on her face "I just kissed Naruto-Kun." Whilst that is happening Naruto walks home in shock but he has to admit this was amazing. When they both end up in bed the last thoughts of both of them is 'Best night ever.'

The next day we see Team Kakashi at training ground 7, Naruto and Sakura arrived first and when Kakashi arrived he found Naruto and Sakura sitting beside each other and they were holding hands again he smirks when he sees this 'So she made her move. Took her long enough I'm sure Naruto's happy and it seems she is to.' He smiles "Yo, team let's start with a spar between the two of you that is if you can separate yourselves from each other."

The two of them blushed at that but Naruto stood up and helped Sakura up and they start having a spar. They've been sparring for over 10 minutes when Kakashi sees a bird entering Konoha he wonders what's going on but if it's urgent he'll be notified. Another 10 minutes later Yūgao arrives "Kakashi-Senpai, lady Hokage has requested that you and your team meet her in her office immediately."

Kakashi just nods and she vanishes via Shunshin Kakashi then walks up to his team and stops the spar and takes them to the Hokage's office.

When they arrive Tsunade looks up "Oh good you're here, you have a mission, the Kazekage Gaara has been kidnapped by the Akatsuki, your mission is to go to Suna and help retrieve him as you have been given permission to work with them."

Naruto is shocked not only has Gaara become the Kazekage that's cool in his eyes but that he's been kidnapped also that is what has pissed him off "They took Gaara, dammit, when do we leave."

Tsunade looks at Naruto 'He's taking this badly as expected' "Within the hour."

Kakashi looks at his team "OK team pack and meet me at the gate as soon as you can." Naruto and Sakura quickly nod to him and Tsunade then quickly leave the room and rush to their homes. Kakashi then turns back to Tsunade "So was it Itachi?"

She shakes her head "From all reports no it was a blond guy who used clay bombs the other one we don't know much about him other then he uses poisons."

About 45 minutes later we find Team Kakashi, rushing through the trees, As there travelling Naruto spots Temari walking back to Suna she obviously hasn't heard so they quickly approach her Kakashi informs her of what's happened and she's frozen in shock, he then tells her that he and his team are on their way to Suna and she's welcome to join them she just nods to shocked to say anything so they four of them then continue their journey, Temari is quiet on the trip which is understandable.

With Temari with them the trip goes easier as she knows the best ways and they make up quick time because she knows how to avoid the sandstorms. Sakura looks at Naruto who's been quiet since hearing about Gaara she just wants to hug him and tell him everything will be OK but she doesn't she then looks at Temari and can only imagine what she's going through Gaara's her little brother after all.

They do have to rest though as they're all exhausted well 3 out of four of them are plus an unexpected sandstorm appears so they have to find shelter so they find a cave to rest in, they have a quick meal before they get some rest. Kakashi starts reading his new book that Naruto gave him, Temari has already fallen asleep, leaving Naruto and Sakura sitting beside each other.

Sakura wants to comfort Naruto so she reaches out and takes his hand and Naruto at first does nothing then he looks at her "Sakura-Chan, what's up."

She just squeezes his hand "Are you OK."

He looks down in sadness "We have to save Gaara, he's just like me."

She nods "We will Naruto, we will find him and beat the Akatsuki."

He looks up at her in shock "Thank you, Sakura-Chan, it won't be easy though there S-Ranked ninja."

She nods "No need to thank me Naruto-Kun, I'm not weak anymore I'll be right beside you."

He smiles at her "Yes, I know Sakura-Chan."

Kakashi doesn't look up from his book "You should get some sleep you two."

They both nod and Naruto lies down and is surprised at the boldness of Sakura when Sakura pretty much cuddles up with Naruto with resting her back against Naruto's chest causing both of them to blush like crazy but they both quickly fall asleep. Kakashi actually raised an eyebrow at Sakura's boldness but he just shakes his head and chuckles and goes back to his book 'Young Love.'

The next morning Temari wakes up thanks to the smell of breakfast she looks up and sees it's Kakashi making the breakfast she then looks at Naruto and Sakura and is surprised that Sakura is now facing Naruto and there cuddling while there asleep. 'So there a couple now are they, Shikamaru did say that she's waited ages for Naruto to return and now he has and it seems she made a move I think it's cute, I guess I'll have to tease them about this new relationship.'

When Naruto wakes up a few minutes later he sees Pink hair and smirked 'You mean that was real also.' He then looks up and sees Temari and she smiles at him and then he looks at Kakashi who gives him a thumbs up, Naruto just shakes his head. Then Sakura wakes up and she yawns and looks at Naruto and smiles "Morning Naruto-Kun, did you sleep well."

Naruto blushes at her "Oh yea, what about you."

She blushes also at her boldness last night "Yes, I did best sleep I've ever had."

Kakashi smirked "Breakfast is ready lovebirds."

Temari just chuckles at them both and they blush ever worse than before, they then eat their breakfasts with Temari constantly smirking at the two of them which causes them to blush constantly throughout breakfast. After that uncomfortable breakfast they get back on the road so to speak, they moved quickly and made Suna by midday.

When they arrived they were informed that Kankurō went after the Akatsuki and ended up getting himself badly beaten and poisoned. With Sakura being Tsunade's apprentice she quickly switched to Medic Nin mode and got to work healing Kankurō.

Naruto watched Sakura in amazement 'Wow, Sakura-Chan's so cool, I can't believe how much she's changed, I first saw it during our fight with Kakashi but now she's showing me another side of her she's so cool.'

He's then distracted when an old lady attacks Kakashi-Sensei but when an old man says something she stops and bursts out laughing which is weird so Naruto just shakes his head and continues watching Sakura his friend and lover.

After two hours where Sakura was able to extract all the poison from inside Kankurō's body he was told to rest by Sakura then Team Kakashi started to prepare to go after the Akatsuki, Temari wasn't allowed to go with them but that weird old lady who attacked Kakashi earlier who turns out to be one of the Suna elders goes with them her name is Lady Chiyo, when they're ready they all set off to bring back Gaara.