It has been nearly four weeks since I came back from that damned mission, four weeks since Sakura had her little 'transformation' as Ino calls it, and four weeks since my self appointed job of protecting her got a whole hell of a lot more difficult…
It was a bit annoying when I started catching guys stealing glances at her. It started getting me angry when random guys started hitting on her, but now, this is the last straw! I can't take it anymore! My friends… are impossible damn it!
I wish this weren't so difficult! You see, it all started earlier…
"Hey man!" I heard from behind me. I turned around and who did I see?
"Hey, Kiba! Hey Akamaru!" I grinned and walked over to them. Kiba and I fist-bumped. "What's up?"
"Eh, not much. You?" he replied.
"Eh, nothing really." Just trying to keep myself from beating the shit out of every creep who goes near Sakura-chan, I grumbled to myself
"Well, me and a few of the guys were about to hang out, wanna come with?" He asked.
"Sure, ain't got anything better to do anyway!" I said, grinning.
He started to walk away from me, Akamaru at his side. I turned to the direction he was going and caught up with him. He socked me in the shoulder before grinning and saying, "You never have anything better to do, asshole!"
"Ah, shut up, I do to! I have my missions!" I said, glaring at him.
"Besides your missions, dumb ass!" He said, his grin growing with my annoyance.
"I do… What I do outside of my missions is none of your business, you ass sniffer!"
"Hey, I'm just concerned about you, you ass wipe!"
And so the rest of the walk was pretty much the same. Kiba and I arguing, insulting each other, cussing each other out. You know, the usual. Things didn't start to take a wrong turn until after we got there, which is why I'm jumping ahead a bit.
"…and that is how I single-handedly kicked his ass and saved the extr-"
"Now that is a load of bull shit and you know it, Kiba!" I shouted, cutting him off. It's a good thing there were no children at the park on this particular day, otherwise they'd have a few new words to add to their vocabulary.
"But why would Kiba-kun lie about such a youthful battle Naruto-kun?!"
"Well Lee, you see, Kiba is full of bull shit and has an ego so huge that I'm surprised he has the ability to stand up without losing his balance and falling over."
"Oh, shut up, you Namikaze brat! You're just jealous that I kick ass while you fall flat on your ugly-ass face!" Kiba snarled at me angrily.
"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered from beside me.
"Ha! You? Kick more ass than me? I don't think that's even possible!" I argued.
"Well I have a bunch of girls who throw them selves at me!" he growled back.
"Who would want to sleep with an ugly mutt like you?! Your ugly face is enough to make babies cry!" I taunted.
"Naruto-kun! Kiba-kun! Stop! This arguing is un-youthful!" Lee intervened.
"Fine, I'll stop when the mutt does!" I said, grinning.
"Fine…" Kiba agreed, begrudgingly.
"So, where are the rest of the guys?" I asked
"Missions, or otherwise occupied." Shikamaru said before taking a drag from his cigarette.
I sighed. "Why is everyone always on damn missions?" I asked, leaning back in the swing I was sitting in.
Kiba scoffed. "Everyone's not always on missions, dumb ass, you are!"
"And you're missing out on a lot of youthful things!" Lee shouted.
"Do you always have to be so damn loud, Lee?" Shikamaru asked in his usual bored tone, taking another drag from his cigarette.
"Wait, what have I missed?" I asked in confusion, before Lee could answer and change the subject.
"A lot, dude. Lets see… Hanabi went on a date with Shino! Which was a complete and total disaster, by the way…" Kiba said, sounding creeped out.
"What the hell, Hanabi and SHINO?!" I shouted, shocked. "Since when does Shino date, let alone have hormones?!"
"That's what the rest of us thought, man!" Kiba exclaimed, still creeped out.
"Anyway, Temari—troublesome woman—is here for a visit. Before you ask, I don't know for how long." Shikamaru spoke up.
"I knew that, I said hi to her when I found out she got here. Sakura-chan's really happy that she's here, but was also mad at her for a little while for some strange reason. She wouldn't tell me why…" I said, scratching my head in confusion.
"So then you've seen Sakura's new look, I take it." Kiba stated, but before I could answer…
"Sakura's youthful new look is very appealing!" Lee interrupted. "She is finally blossoming into a beautiful flower of youth!" I just stared.
"For once I agree with you Lee, Sakura is smokin' hot now." Kiba butted in.
"I actually have to agree with both of you, even if she is a banshee." Shikamaru said. I was starting to see red.
"What the hell?!" I shouted. "You idiots pay no attention to her at all, then suddenly she changes a few things and now you're drooling over her?!"
"Well, yeah Naruto, I had no idea she looked like that!" Kiba started to say, completely oblivious to the killer intent that I was giving off. "If I had known sooner, then I would've been all over her-"
I growled shot up from my seat, glared down at him and said; "Shut the fuck up, Kiba. If I ever catch you near her, ever find out your grimy hands touched her, I will beat the shit out of you, understand? Sakura is a wonderful person, she deserves someone who respects her and makes her happy, someone who knows just how wonderful she is and that treasures her, someone good enough for her, someone way better than scum like you." And with that, I turned and left, leaving a speechless Kiba behind me.
"You asshole, you shouldn't have done that! You know how he feels about her!" I heard Shikamaru say.
Lee's voice was the last thing I heard. "Naruto-kun likes Sakura-san?"
Damned Kiba! And if that weren't bad enough…
"Hey, Dobe, what the hell is wrong with you?" I straightened up from my hunched position over the uneaten ramen that sat in front of me and turned to see look at the person who had addressed me.
"Eh, it's nothin' Teme." I replied, turning back to my ramen.
I heard him sit down on the creaky old barstool that was next to mine. "Doesn't look like nothing to me, normally by this time you have a stack of at least five empty bowls of ramen sitting on the bar and are inhaling your sixth." My best friend/rival said from beside me. "Now there's got to be something really bothering you if you're not inhaling that stuff."
I turned to him and glared. "What if I'm just not hungry right now, huh Teme?!" I growled at him.
"You're never not hungry, you baka. But if you don't want to talk about what the hell is wrong with you, then fine." He said, unaffected by my temper.
"Sorry, Teme. I just, don't really feel like talkin' 'bout it, y'no?" I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. My best friend may be an arrogant prick, but he doesn't deserve to have my problems taken out on him, he has enough on his plate already.
"Yeah, but just know that if you want to talk about it I'm here for you, right dobe?" He asked.
I smirked. "Yeah, I know that teme, and know that that goes for you too, right?" He nodded. "So, how goes it with the council, they still baggin' on ya?"
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course and Itachi is no better."
"Damn, you an' me're in the same boat, Teme! My mom's been gettin' on my case 'bout findin' a girl, too." I said exasperatedly.
"What's also annoying is that Itachi isn't with anyone, either, but they're only getting on my case! It's getting to where irritating doesn't even come close to describing it, damn it!" He growled and slammed his fist on the bar.
"It's just because Itachi's in ANBU, so I guess they think he wont be able to handle it all." I said shrugging. "Besides Teme, why don't you just tell them that you're courting one of you're fan girls?" I asked.
"And why don't you?" he retorted.
"…Never mind…" I said and shuttered. Our fan girls were insane!
"Uh-huh. And besides, I already have someone in mind." He said, which caught me off guard.
"Huh?! What the hell, Teme?! Why didn't you tell me?!" I shouted, causing many people to turn and stare. I stood up from my seat, glared, and shouted: "What?! Haven't you ever seen two people having a conversation? Keep walkin'!"
"Well, Dobe, I didn't quite know how you'd react." He said, confusing me.
I sat back down on the stool and turned to look at him. "Wha'd'ya mean, Teme? You found yourself a girl! Why would I have a bad reaction? Must be some girl."
He sighed. "Naruto," Uh oh, bad sign. "I've want to tell you first, before anyone else. I'm just not quite sure how."
He paused and I took the opportunity to cut in. "Well just spit it out, Teme!" I said, both worried and impatient.
"Namikaze Naruto, when I came here, I came to tell you that I have developed both an interest in and the intent to court Haruno Sakura."
"W-what?" I stuttered out, incredibly confused. "What the hell do you mean you want to court Sakura-chan?!" I asked incredulously.
"You heard me, Naruto." He said, his face and tone of voice showing only seriousness. "I plan to court and marry Sakura."
"B-bu-but, but you can't do that!" I exclaimed, disbelief clear in my voice.
"And why not?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
"Because, you know how I feel about her, Sasuke!" I whispered-yelled. Sasuke was one of the few people I had actually told how I felt about Sakura. He was actually one of the first people I told, in fact.
"But what have you done about it?" He asked, confusing me.
"Huh?" was my smart response.
"You've done nothing about it, Naruto. Nothing at all. You've stood there, day after day, and watched her be hit on by all those men. You've done nothing to show her how you feel. Absolutely nothing and you've had plenty of time to do so." He said, now glaring at me.
"You know exactly why I haven't told her, shown her! Why now all of a sudden are you interested in her?!" I said through clenched teeth.
"I've hung back these past few years for your sake, because I thought that you would have made a move by now, but you have done nothing. Nothing at all." he paused for a second before continuing, "You see, Naruto, I have come to realize over the years that there is definitely more to Sakura than meets the eye. Underneath the facade she puts on there exists a very charming, caring young woman. She is not at all like my fan girls, is very well respected, a promising ninja, and Tsunade's top apprentice. Not only that, but she is a very attractive woman, a woman that I plan on courting and marrying. A woman I plan on having bear my children soon after."
"Wha- but what the hell makes you think for a second that she'd marry you, or even date you for that matter, Uchiha?" I hissed. I was pissed, my best friend had betrayed me.
"Why wouldn't she?" he asked, rhetorically. "I'm an accomplished shinobi from a powerful clan. I have power and wealth, I could give her anything she wants. Not to mention I'm not at all bad looking, if my fan girls are any indication."
"You-" he cut me off.
"There is also the fact that I'll treat her right. Isn't that what you want?" he asked.
"Well, yes, but-" he cut me off once again.
"But only if you're the one doing it, right, Namikaze? But you won't actually go after her. You wont let yourself be with her, but you wont let anyone else have her, either. Isn't that a little unfair to her, don't you think she deserves to be with someone, to have the choice that you're inadvertently denying her? I, on the other hand, am willing to do that. I can take care of her. I can make her feel like a woman." My eyes widened in shock and disgust. I couldn't stand the thought of anyone, especially him of all people, touching, let alone violating her that way. "Unlike you. You, who sit there and treat the woman you love like she's your friend or your baby sister. You may be my best friend, Namikaze, but for that reason, you disgust me." he continued. "So I am going to try to win her over." he stated before standing up and starting to walk off.
"Uchiha." I growled, standing up too. " You better not go after her."
He turned his head to look back at me. "And why not?" he asked me over his shoulder.
"Because vile scum like you, who willingly betray the people they care about to get the things they want, don't in anyway deserve her. You don't deserve my Sakura." I growled at him before turning and walking away.
So here I am. I spent the last hour wondering around aimlessly. I figured I'd go over to the market. I guess it was a good idea, because what did I see? Sakura getting hit on by some asshole. I figured I'd have to beat him shitless later, but at that moment she looked extremely uncomfortable—although you'd have to be as close to her as I am to tell—and that trumped kicking any loser's ass.
I walked through the market, heading for my favorite restaurant. A quaint little Chinese restaurant, they had the best Orange Chicken! I could live off of that stuff, it's so good!
"Hello, Sakura-san, you get more and more beautiful each time I see you." Someone's 'smooth' voice whispered in my ear. I jumped.
"Ah, Tonbo-san, don't sneak up on me like that!" I said, startled. Tonbo was one of my coworkers at the hospital, one who's favorite pastime had recently become trying to get into my pants.
"So sorry, Sakura-san. I haven't seen you around the hospital lately, where have you been?" he asked, flashing me what I guess was supposed to be a seductive grin. Too bad for him, the only grin I wanted to see was still off on a mission and probably wouldn't be back until later today, if not tomorrow.
'Oh, you know, hiding from you and the rest of those perverts! Thank you for trying to peek up my skirt, by the way, you ass! And once Tsunade-shishou caught wind of what was going on, she put me on yet another extended leave! Only this time I'm glad, because I don't have to deal with you pervs! There is only one man I will ever allow to look there! Unfortunately, he doesn't want to, and fortunately, he's not you!' I thought to myself, but in the real world I plastered a polite smile on my face and said: "Oh! Tsunade-shishou put me on another leave of absence, she thought I was pushing myself too hard. I don't agree with her decision, though!"
"Oh, well that's too bad. Say, how about I treat you to lunch?" he asked me. I wasn't going to go anywhere with him though.
"Oh, no thank you, Tonbo-san, but I do appreciate the offer." I said, trying and nearly failing to keep the smile plastered to my face.
"Oh, but Sakura-san, I insist! My apartment is just a few minutes walk from here! I could make you a good home cooked meal, what do you say?" I was loosing whatever patience I had with this creep!
"Sakura-chan!" I heard from behind me before I felt an arm snake around my waist.
"Naruto!" I said happily. But wait, wasn't he supposed to be on a mission? I could see Tonbo's smile falter.
"Excuse me, Namikaze-san, but we were a bit busy…" the bastard said with forced politeness
"Ah, well, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to steal Sakura-chan away. We have plans, you see." I said, glaring at him with my eyes, but putting a smile on my face and using a polite tone, that way Sakura-chan hopefully couldn't tell.
I could see he was getting uncomfortable. "Oh, I-I see, I'll just be on my way then!" he said, before scurrying off.
As soon as he left, Sakura had thrown her arms around me, burying her head into my shoulder. "Thank you, Naruto!" Her thanks were muffled a bit by my shirt. I laughed and wrapped my arms around her, returning the hug.
"It's no problem, Sakura-chan! I wasn't about to let that creep bother you!" I said to her, grinning down at her. "So, where to?" I asked.
"Huh? Oh! Do you even have to ask?" She said, looking up at me.
"Okay then! And extra Orange Chicken for Sakura-chan!" I said, laughing and dragging her towards her favorite restaurant.
"You don't have to do that Naruto! You don't even have to come with me!" She told me.
'Ah, Sakura, you have no idea how much I'd love to do that with you… Feeling you underneath me as you cry out in- Wait! No, Namikaze, you perv! Bad thoughts! Not the right time!' I thought to myself as I continued to pull her along with me, before quickly saying: "No, Sakura-chan, it's fine, I insist! 'Sides, I just got paid and you eat with me at Ichiraku's all the time and don't complain!"
"Are you sure?" She asked hesitantly, causing me to laugh. I loved being with her, she makes everything else in existence disappear for a while and all I can see is her.
We had finally reached the restaurant. "Of course I'm sure, Sakura-chan! Besides, it's been forever since I've seen you! I've missed hanging out just the two of us!" I said and then opened the door for her.
As she walked passed me I heard her say: "Me too, Naruto." I thought for a second I saw her blush, but it was probably just my imagination.
We were seated at our table where our waitress quickly came over and asked us what we'd like. "I'll take a double serving of the Sweet and Sour Pork with chow mein as a side. Oh, and some tea." I said and before Sakura could open her mouth to order I continued with: "She'll also have some tea and seven servings of the Orange Chicken." to which Sakura's jaw dropped.
"Naruto!" she exclaimed as the waitress raised her eyebrow.
"What, I know how you love the stuff, you eat it as if you're never gonna get to eat it again! You and Orange Chicken is like me and Ramen, we both go crazy over it." I grinned. "Besides, this way if you don't eat it all, then you'll have some for later." She was about to protest again when I said: "Sakura-chan, it's my treat, just enjoy it! I insist, I won't take no for an answer! You can even think of it as an early part of your gift!"
"Fine." she grumbled, but I knew that on the inside she was dancing in joy at the thought of seven servings of her favorite dish.
"Will that be all, sir?" our waitress asked.
"Yes, thank you." I said dismissively. Rude old crone!
We sat in silence as we waited for our food, Sakura no doubt enjoying the atmosphere of the place and I just enjoying her presence. As soon as the waiter giving us our food left, we both started eating. I watched as Sakura-chan dug into her chicken. 'Ah, my carnivorous cherry blossom.' I chuckled at the thought. Apparently she heard because she looked up at me. She chewed what was in her mouth and swallowed before she asked, "What? What's so funny?"
I was incredibly embarrassed, why was he laughing at me? "Nothing, you've just got a bit of orange sauce on your face." he explained. I could feel my cheeks getting a bit warm and I knew I was blushing a little. I hastily grabbed a napkin from off of the table and vainly tried to wipe the sauce off. He chuckled again and took the napkin from me. "Here." he said before softly stroking where the sauce was on my face, cleaning it off with the napkin. I could feel my face heat up even more, so I looked down, trying to hide my all to obvious blush.
He either didn't notice the blush or ignored it. "So, Sakura-chan, you want your fortune cookie now?" he asked and I nodded. We both cracked our fortune cookies at the same time. I peered at mine and it read: Notice what is right in front of you and happiness is guaranteed!
'Great…' I thought. 'I knew these things were bogus, but come on! Notice what is right in front of you and happiness is guaranteed! BAH! What the hell does that mean anyway?!'
"So what does yours say, Sakura-chan?" Naruto inquired.
"Notice what is right in front of you and happiness is guaranteed! What does yours say?" I questioned him, curious.
"Eh, nothin', it's dumb anyway!" he said quickly. I didn't understand, what could be so bad about a fortune from a cookie? Yes, mine was bad, but the chances of his being as bad as mind were small.
"Ah, come on, Naru-Naru-chan!"
"Don't call me that." he grumbled and blushed a bit, like he usually did when I called him the old nickname I had used when we were kids.
"I'll call you that if I wanna! And come on, I told you mine! Remember, the cookie knows all!" I whined, then laughed at the end. Only Naruto could make me act this childish!
"Fine," he grumbled before quoting the cookie, "'The truth sets the soul free.' Dumb, if you ask me."
I laughed, "Okaaaaaay, whateeeeeeeeeeever you say, Naru-Naru-chan!"
His eye twitched, "Don't call me that!"
Amazingly enough, Sakura finished all of her chicken. Who'd've thought such a small girl could put away that much food?
"So Naru-Naru-chan, I thought you were out on a mission?" Sakura-chan asked, using the childhood nickname that she thought I hated. In truth, I was glad when she called me that, as it brought back my most cherished childhood memories of her and myself. She was the only one I ever allowed to call me that. I nearly beat the shit out of Kiba when he found out about it and used it. "Naruto?" she asked, making me realize I'd spaced out.
"Sorry, Sakura-chan! The mission didn't last as long as was anticipated, so we got back this morning." I said, grinning at her.
"Ah, I see. Why do you take so many missions nowadays, Naruto?" She asked, stopping to lean her back against one of the many Sakura trees that were in full bloom here in the park, which reminded me that her birthday was just around the corner. Which meant that all of those perverted idiots would stop holding back in their advances because she would no longer be considered a minor. She would be twenty, the age all citizens of Konoha are officially considered adults. I turned to her, and stared for a moment, looking at how the orange light of sunset cast a glow on her pink hair.
"I have my reasons." I stated.
She sighed and looked away. "That's alright, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." she said sadly.
I sighed and stepped closer to her. "It's not that, I just…" I paused and ran a hand through my hair, trying to find the right words. Why was it that every time Sakura and I were having a good time it always turned awkward?
She turned toward me and said, "It's fine Naruto, you really don't have to tell me."
I continued to try to find the right words while running a hand through my hair, which was becoming increasingly disheveled. "I really do wish that I could tell you why."
I hadn't realized it, but I had unconsciously been getting closer to her, and now there was hardly any space at all between us. I wasn't sure how I had managed not to notice it before, but I was now sure that Sakura had me constantly locked in her own gravitational pull. "It's fine, honestly Naruto! You are entitled to your secrets after all, as am I." She said, her green eyes looking into mine, compelling me to move even closer to her, my face now only inches from hers. I grabbed a piece of hair that had fallen onto her face and pushed back, my fingers staying behind her ear.
"What secrets would those be?" I breathed, my face slowly closing in on hers. By now we were so close, I could feel her breath on my face. I moved my hand to where it rested on the back of her neck.
"Na-Naruto?" she breathed, her big green eyes staring into mine. I could feel her mouth forming the words.
My brain finally registered what I was doing, what I was about to do. I instantly shot backwards. "Shit!" I exclaimed. 'What the hell are you thinking, Namikaze?! She probably is wondering if there's something wrong with you, you ass. You just practically forced yourself on her! You're supposed to protect her, not come onto her! Shit!' I berated myself. "I-I'm sorry, Sakura! I-I don't- I have to go!" I managed to stutter out, before fleeing, still berating myself for being stupid and for lacking the ability to control myself around her.
Finally a bit of romance. Next chapter will be edited shortly!
~Kassy