Chapter 8: The View On Top


(Konoha: Sakura's Apartment)

Sakura's apartment was a one bedroom apartment. It was on the third floor of a building that faced towards the Hokage Monument. She didn't need much to get by, her place only consisted of one bathroom, one bedroom, a small living room and a kitchen.

She had a balcony that was catered with all sorts of different flowers that she had planted herself. She liked her little garden especially when she had Ino help her out with the various types of flora.

Naruto walked into the living room and to his surprise her place was some-what parallel to his. The only difference was that Sakura's was well kept and pristine. He quickly glanced around with his eyes to see his surroundings.

"Have a seat, make yourself comfortable." she offered.

Just as she said, Naruto did without any second of hesitation in his movements. There were two couches separated by a coffee table. One of them was longer and had a seating capacity of two, while the other was a single chaise longue.

He chose the chaise longue as he was quick to react from his body being stiff. The hero was nervous and he hoped to Kami that she didn't notice. Little did the blonde know, she was feeling the same way he did.

"Sakura-chan? do you like the roses I got you?" he asked.

The pink-haired beauty was in her kitchen when she heard his voice from the living room. She blushed at the thought of him actually giving her a bouquet of roses which was now In her arms. She caressed them while staring at the mirror.

"Who knew he could be this sweet." she thought.

Naruto was looking at a picture frame of her family. He also happened to catch the reflection directing to the kitchen, which was hidden from his vantage point. He saw how she was clutching the bouquet close to her chest while smelling them in front of the mirror.

He decided to get the night started. Bravely he took a deep breath and hope for the best as he wisely chose the right words to say.

"Ano..Sakura-chan they say that Red Roses are the most beautiful. One could argue if that's true or not but, I think Cherry Blossoms are better. Either way, in front of you are the twelve most beautiful things in the world." he said while blushing heavily at the realization of his words.

She smiled after hearing his slick words. The old Sakura never really paid much attention to how much the blonde cared for her before, but this time was different. Now that they have both grown up and matured she took everything he said to heart.

After hearing him tell her that in front of her were the twelve most beautiful things in the world she couldn't help but count.

She counted bud for bud and realized that there were only eleven. She thought maybe he counted wrong.

"Naruto I think you mean eleven." she responded.

"No, no Sakura-chan, you counted wrong. I did say that roses are beautiful but I also think cherry blossoms are gorgeous and stunning." he corrected.

"Aww, crap when the hell did I become so bold, That just rolled out of my tongue like nothing." Naruto thought.

Sakura really had to think about that last comment he made. She was staring at the mirror very closely just in case she missed something.

"Eleven...roses...hmm...cherry bloss-"

She couldn't finish as her face became a solid blush of red. He meant her as in Sakura meaning 'Cherry Blossom'.

Sakura's heart skipped a beat at the feeling of surprise on how quickly things were transpiring this evening. Her face burning red of embarrassment reflected in the mirror. She saw her red face in her reflection and quickly focused on getting the roses into a vase.

Naruto heard a slight giggle come from the kitchen area. He smiled after confirming the truth of what he was told by Sasuke.

She walked into the living room with the roses now placed in a glass vase and set it on top of her coffee table and sat on the longer couch.

"Thank you, Naruto, they're beautiful." she cheerfully said.

By now the curry she had cooked was ready to eat and Naruto was hungry. His stomach growled and he gave her an embarrassing smile. The two had only begun their conversation, plus she barely sat down and it was going so well. She didn't want it to end just yet, but she knew that they had the rest of the evening to talk.

"I'm sorry I totally forgot that we were having dinner please follow me to the kitchen." she lied.

She was just as nervous as he was. She didn't exactly know how to properly go on a date as she had never really been on one, let alone a date in her apartment with the man she was in love with.

Naruto gave her a cheerful nod and followed her lead. However, as the two were walking he couldn't help but glance at her ass. He followed like a puppy following its master. What really drove him crazy though was the fragrance of her cherry shampoo. The smell he had come to love his whole life knowing her.

Sakura was on her way to pull a chair out for Naruto but the blonde quickly saw what she was about to do and acted to it before she can. Due to his reflexes being attentive and flawlessly honed over the years he was just as agile and sneaky fast like his father, Namikaze Minato.

He gracefully dashed behind her catching her off guard and whispered into her ear while pulling a chair out for her to sit.

"Please...have a seat."

His voice sent shivers down her very core vibrating her spine making her face feel a bit warm. She didn't know it but yet again Uzumaki Naruto had given her another reason to blush.

As instructed, Sakura took a seat on the chair pulled out for her. She was going along with it even if she was really embarrassed this was all happening.

She made a vow that tonight would be the night where she would really let the Uzumaki know that she loves him.

Ironically both had the same thing planned out with strong resolution. The stars would align tonight and these two were shining bright.

Naruto took a seat across from her. Two flames emitting from two separate candles lit up the table for romantic effect. Naruto's eyes fidgeted around at first then finally settled upon her emerald green eyes and gave her a cheeky smile. He scratched his head and asked.

"What's for the dinner tonight Sakura-chan? Smells really good ttebayo."

She smiled and replied with pride and happiness in her voice.

"Special Haruno Home-Made Curry please let me help you."

She grabbed him a bowl of rice and poured some curry in it. She gestured he try it giving him a cheerful nod.

Naruto figured this would be the first test. He hoped that she could cook, all he knew in his life was ramen. Although he loved his ramen he remembered something imprinted into his brain. This gut feeling since birth he knew he was to find someone like his mother who can cook to keep him healthy.

He took a bite of curry with some rice.

"Mmm..." he tasted while slowly chewing his food. After his taste buds gave him pure delight he looked at her and was nearly in tears.

He quickly took another bite and before he knew it he was demolishing the first bowl. Small streams of tears started to fall from the blondes cheeks.

He was happy, so happy in fact he had started crying tears of joy.

"Mom, she can cook! This is the best curry I've ever had ttebayo!" he thought to himself.

Sakura was observing his reaction to the food test and couldn't help but be happy that he liked it, this was one of the many dishes she knows how to cook.

She took his tears of joy as the highest compliment on her food. It really made her happy to know that Naruto loved her cooking, she knew the quickest way to a man's heart was through his stomach. Luckily for her he was looking for a cook in his life.

"Thank you Naruto, you don't know how happy this makes me to know you enjoy my cooking." she smiled.

Quickly he snapped out of it and stared at her. He quickly sniffed his nose and wiped the tears away.

"That was the first time somebody else had prepared a dinner this wonderful for me, it makes me happy ttebayo. From the bottom of my heart, truly, and deeply thank you Sakura-chan."

She gave him a sparkly smile and truly made the blonde feel at home.

"Although I was kind of scared that your home cooking would be kind of similar to the taste of your soldier pills, or as Sai used to say 'Mud Balls'. I remember you made them when I was learning to manipulate my first change in chakra nature." he unintentionally joked.

"Baka.." Kurama said while opening one eye from his sleep.

Sakura's facial expression went from a sparkly smile to a ticked off monster. Naruto once again being oblivious to the situation in the room looked on in fear. He knew he had messed up when he had mentioned the 'Mud Balls'.

"Mud-what?! You didn't like them?" she asked very unsympathetic.

He gulped in fear, as the conversation and atmosphere did a complete 180 degree turn for the worst.

"Well...you see.."

"Hahaha" she started to giggle.

Naruto looked on in confusion as he stared at the Medical-nin. What was it that was so funny he figured he had ruined the date by slipping up just a second ago. Yet she just stared at him with an innocent look on her face.

"You're not mad?" he asked curiously.

"No, are you kidding me? Sai told me the truth about those pills, after you defeated Kakuzu I tried one for myself. I have to say they were disgusting." she replied.

"WHAT!?" he shouted.

"Sakura-chan, I ate a whole basket of those because of you ttebayo"

"You really shouldn't have, I was barely testing the waters at that age, I've mastered the perfect ratio of medicine in them now. Plus those were soldier pills, what we have in front of us is 'Special Haruno Home-Made Curry'." she confessed.

The two continued to eat dinner at the table enjoying their meals. Sakura's cooking sure knew how to fill the blonde's stomach. Much to her surprise Naruto finished about 5 bowls to himself and still looked lean and physically fit.

Throughout the years of being around him, she figured it must be due to him being a Jinchuriki. She came to the conclusion the tailed beast allowed him to have a bigger appetite than others and burn a lot more calories to the tailed-beast's existence.

The dinner slowly proceeded as the two finally finished eating. Naruto insisted he put away the dishes and put them in the sink. It's the least he could do for her cooking such an amazing meal. After he put the dishes away he made his way back to the table smiling at his date with his hands behind his back. He had remembered to reverse mark a teleportation seal on his palm prior to arriving at Sakura's doorstep.

"Sakura-chan? are you thirsty?" he asked while raising an eyebrow.

She looked up at the suspiciously sly fox and tilted her head in response.

"Depends what are we having?"

Naruto's smiling went from a grin to a cheeky cheese. He released the chakra on his seal and a bottle of Mount Myoboku's finest sake appeared. He pulled the bottle from behind his back and presented it to his date. Sakura looked at him and jerked her head in the direction of the cabinet that housed all her drinking glasses.

"Alright, roses...dinner...sake, we are totally doing this ttebayo." thought Naruto who was blatantly skipping his way towards the cabinet.

He didn't realize he was skipping as he was enjoying the moment. Sakura on the other hand couldn't help but smile at the childish demeanor her date was displaying. Things were going great, the mood was perfect the candlelight dinner was perfect.

She was where she wanted to be, with whom she wanted to be with. Naruto and Sakura's first date in full effect taking place in her home. The thought of it and actually proceeding to a special dinner with a special someone made her close her eyes and smile.

As Naruto made his way back to the table he sat down and poured her a glass. He did the same for himself and continued with the momentum. They spoke about things they normally wouldn't talk to each other about. He was getting to know a little more about her as she was learning more about him. The longer the conversation went on, the more sake he poured.

One hour and thirty minutes later both were seated next to each other. Naruto sitting to Sakura's right, both extremely close to one another. They were both intoxicated by now so being this close to didn't really sink into their minds and make them over think the situation.

They were boldly flirting at close proximities. It was a guilty pleasure for both as they made it this far with the juice of courage. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders with her leaning her head on his chest.

He smelled the strong scent of Sakura's shampoo point blank due to the distance his nose was to the crown of her head. It simply put him at ecstasy and Sakura could hear Naruto's heart beating in a normal rate, then suddenly his heart rate gradually picked up the pace.

She lifted her head off of his chest and looked up to his face to see what was wrong. What she saw made her heart begin to beat at a faster pace too. Naruto's lips were in her sights and his nostrils were breathing gently as if they were in pure bliss.

She looked into his sapphire blue eyes on his chiseled face and he was staring straight back at hers. For a split second they both seemed to be entwined into their own little realm.

The moment was perfect until Sakura started to laugh which of course made Naruto laugh as well.

"What are you looking at ttebayo! haha" said Sakura.

Naruto who was amused with her choice of her words thought she sounded cute using his own personal verbal quirk. He decided to play this game and dish one back at her.

"Shannaro! ttebayo" he winked.

"Ohh stop it please haha." she replied before digging her head back into his chest.

They were laughing, joking around and reminiscing until Naruto brought up his conversation with Sasuke.

"So Sakura-chan, I heard some interesting news about 'Teme'."

Hearing the word 'interesting news' caught her attention and was very curious. She loved to hear interesting gossip, she could thank Ino for that because that's all that the two did through the Yamanaka Clan's "Shindenshin no Jutsu" (Mind Transmission Jutsu).

She snapped out of flirt mode and was fully attentive although she was still under the influence of Mount Myoboku's finest sake .

"So..will you be so kind to share this information with me Naruto-kun.." she asked in a very cute voice.

"Well.." he began.


(Konoha: Newly rebuilt Uchiha Compound, Sasuke's Apartment)

Sasuke and Hinata were both kissing when suddenly Sasuke quickly pulled away and sneezed to his side.

"Sorry" he calmly apologized.

"It's okay don't worr...ahhchoo!" Hinata sneezed.

She smiled at him and tilted her head to acknowledge the weird coincidence.

"I guess were both even" he said.

"Weird huh? I feel like someone is talking about us." she curiously stated.

"I'll Kill them." said the Uchiha.

"Ohh, stop it." she replied before grabbing him closer.

The two began to laugh a little before resuming their make out session.


(Konoha: Sakura's Apartment)

"So that's why Hinata's personally has changed. She's less timid and more affirmative with herself" Sakura concluded.

"Isn't it weird? How a girl like Hinata managed to end up with someone like teme? Their personalities are totally different." the blonde stated.

"Yeah, but it is true that opposites attract." Sakura responded.

"I suppose they do."

She got up from her seat on the table and went to open the door to her balcony. She needed a breath of fresh air as the sake was making things very warm in her kitchen. The night sky was a beautiful sight as the stars glistened behind the Hokage Monument.

"Ano Sakura-chan? Have you ever been up there?" said the Uzumaki as he stood up from the dinner table.

Sakura looked up towards the top of The Yondaime's Head.

"No I haven't." she replied.

She always wanted to go up their but never had the chance maybe Naruto would take her someday.

Naruto walked up next to her and asked for her hand if she didn't mind. Of course she didn't as she was quick to provide hers to him.


(Konoha: Hokage Monument)

In that instant Naruto and Sakura were closer to the stars. They were standing on top of Minato's head on the Monument. Sakura was a little bit surprised to the change in scenery. The only time she has ever experienced dimensional travel was with Obito during the battle with Kaguya.

"Hiraishin no Jutsu." she thought.

"Isn't it beautiful Sakura-chan?" said Naruto who was looking up at the stars in a much closer view.

Sakura noticed her small hands were still being tenderly burrowed into his big hands. She smiled and hoped he wouldn't let go. Naruto of course realized they were holding hands and her small little mitts made him feel warm.

"Ano...Sakura-chan? I always wondered what happens when you mix pink and yellow together? I figured if pink is a lighter shade of red, wouldn't the mixture come out as light-orange?" he asked.

Sakura was a bit thrown off by the question figured there was more meaning to it.

"Yes, that's correct Naruto glad to know you know how color's are mixed." she joked.

Now she was baiting him trying to see if he was going to say something.

"What does pink and yellow being mixed have to do with anything?" she lied.

Sakura just wanted to know if he had something completely stupid to say or if he was finally going to say something.

"My parents, I'm sure you remember when we were sent to that alternate dimension because of Obito." he explained.

Sakura nodded and signaled him to continue.

"You see, My Dad was known as Konoha's Yellow Flash right? My mom had a fierce nickname too, she was called Konoha's Red-Hot Habanero, haha" he chuckled after citing his mother's nickname.

Sakura looked on to see Naruto smiling like a child. It made her heart feel warm just being this close to him. As the two continued to look at the starlight a strong breeze managed to push through making the pink-haired Kunoichi lose her balance. She stumbled onto Naruto's facing him.

Naruto who was suddenly embracing Sakura in his arms started to blush.

"Thanks for the push mom." he thought. Now it was up to him to follow through with his original plans. He took a deep breath and gave her his all.

"Hey Sakura-chan, It's been 6 years since the war and umm..I wanted to know if you have anyone you like ttebayo." the nervous blonde asked.

She looked up to meet his eyes once again and smiled. He did his part now what would her answer be.

"This is it, You can do it! SHANNARO!" she thought.

"Naruto..yes there is someone that I like, actually I don't like this person. I'm actually in love with him. He's strong, he's goofy and he's a baka most of the time but if there's one thing that I love about this person it's that he's been there for me when I needed him the most. He's stayed with me since we were 12 years old." she explained.

Naruto smiled, after hearing how loyal this person could be. He gave her a very foxy grin, while she explained the details. Obviously he knew who she was referring to. The next step was to wait for the right moment to go for it.

"So, this person? do I know him?" he curiously asked while playing his game.

"Yes, you do actually? He's so handsome and generous." she continued.

"Well, I hope he doesn't get mad or jealous for what im about to do because their is someone I'm also in love with. She's beautiful, smart, strong, warm and kind. She's a wonderful cook, a doctor and most of all a great friend. She also happens to be wrapped in my arms." he finally confessed.

Sakura who was finally a full blush of red was now in paradise. He confessed his feelings to her and she was ready to accept them this time. She was about to say something in response but before she could Naruto put his thumb under her chin to tilt up upwards.

She looked up to meet his eyes her heart was pounding and she was breathless, she couldn't move. She could only anticipate what was coming next.

"I was wondering...if you would do me the honor and being my girlfriend Sakura-chan?"

She nodded yes unconsciously as her love had finally come true, no words could explain her happiness. She was trembling with joy as she felt weak in the knees.

Naruto went in for a kiss, he lead to his left as she tilted her head to the right and in the moment his lips met hers. Sakura's right foot slowly popped up.

It lasted for a second as Naruto pulled away leaving Sakura yearning for me. She opened her eyes and was back to reality after realizing what had happened. Tears started to stroll down her cheeks, she was happy it finally happened. This moment will be her most cherished for the time being. Under the stars Uzumaki Naruto stole her first real kiss.

"Baka...what took you so long?" she asked.

She pulled his collar closer to get another kiss. The two locked lips as Naruto put one hand behind her head and the other was grabbing her ass. Sakura cupped his cheeks and started to put her hands on his ears and neck. The two went on for about another minute or so until they needed to stop for air."

"Light-orange... thats what you get when you mix pink and yellow." she mumbled.

Naruto looked at her and smiled. He put his arms around her waist to hold her in his arms closer.

"Konoha's Yellow Sage, and Pink Cherry Blossom." he smiled.

"I like that, that's so cute." she replied.

"Ano Sakura-chan? has anyone other than me ever asked you out, I mean you're a real beauty ttebayo." asked her newly appointed boyfriend.

"Actually, I've received plenty of love letters from many people, but they were all scared to approach me." she answered.

Naruto raised an eyebrow on hearing his girlfriend's words.

"They all must've been scared of you or Sasuke." she figured.

"Hahaha. Teme is more intimidating than I am if you think about it, I tend to be friendly and get along well with others." he assumed.

"Trust me... I don't think anyone in their right minds would pick a fight with you. Naruto-kun.." she timidly suggested.

The two looked down at the village as Naruto held Sakura from behind with his hands cradling her stomach.

"The view from up here is amazing." she mentioned.

"I know...I come here every morning to recollect my thoughts and get away from the noise down there."

"Now that I have someone to share it with makes me feel warm and cozy." he said before giving her a peck on the cheek.

Sakura loved the idea of coming up here with Naruto when things got to hectic down there. She turned her head up to look back at him.

"I love you Naruto-kun.. Thank you for showing me this view up top."

The blonde smiled before kissing her again this time on the forehead.

"I love you too, Sakura-chan..."

It was getting chilly and Sakura suggested they head back to her apartment. She motion for them to return by tugging on his hand but Naruto didn't budge. Instead he looked at her and just basked in the glory of his girlfriend.

Under the stars the diamond on her forehead was gleaming. Her emerald-green eyes putting him under a Genjutsu. He was purely hypnotized by love and he didn't shy away from expressing his feelings towards her.

"I could look into your eyes until the sun comes up" he stated.

She dug her face into his chest and hugged him tight. The night was coming to an end and it was time to head back to her apartment.

"Apartment...HOLY SHIT that's right!" he thought.

Naruto had a very perverted look on his face that Sakura couldn't see, he quickly teleported them back to her apartment in hopes for some additional couple activities.