Well guys, this was perhaps the most painful chapter to write, and the further I got into it the more I said to myself "Hell, I should have just ended this thing at chapter IX". But alas I promised everyone else and myself that I would finish this thing, so I did. Now I know you won't listen to me, and I know that because I'm saying this you will probably do exactly as I tell you NOT to do, but I'm saying it anyways.

Don't read this chapter. It was forced, it was closed up far too quickly, and it's essentially totally unnecessary for this story and it will probably ruin the whole thing for you. So if you enjoyed the fic thus far, I encourage you to NOT read this chapter and skip to the Epilogue I'll be posting soon after.

Oh, and I'll address my reviewer's comments and questions in the epilogue as well.

Chapter X

Heaven and Earth

Most people who come into this world live their lives as they come and then eventually die. But for some, they begin to realize that living is not the same as just being alive and that realization changes them forever. Sometimes we forget that we're all on this planet together, and that even though it may be hard and it may be painful, we still have to live with each other. It's those connections, those bonds we share with each other that truly define what our life means and gives us some proof of existence in exchange. Sometimes these connections run even deeper, where that level of trust stems to something more primal, more intimate. When this happens, those two people desperately hold onto each other, thirsty for that sense of connection. This is what we call 'Love'. Throughout history, people have struggled for a way to express this powerful emotion. Sometimes it comes in the form of words, sometimes in lovers' embraces; other times just a smile and a fleeting kiss. But perhaps the strongest way to express this feeling is through silence, a silent understanding, and silent voices that sing out above all others.

Sakura didn't even need to open her eyes to feel the weight of Naruto's arms wrapped around her body, hands entwined in her hair. She basked in the memories of last night, letting the sensations roll across her body yet again, a smile blossoming across her face. She pressed her pink lips against the skin on his arm, letting the aroma, the taste pass her lips. Intoxicating. The salty taste of his skin sent shivers through her body as she pulled herself against his ever warm body. Sakura's quivers of joy seemed to rouse Naruto as she felt his hand start to stroke the back of her head. His strong hand rand its finger through Sakura's pink hair letting it fall gently back to the side of her face. His eyes finally struggled open as he looked down and the beauty in his arms. She looked up at him, looked into those sapphire eyes glowing with so much life and love. She figured he would say something like "It's ok Sakura, I understand if you thought it was a mistake." Or "We can pretend like it never happened if you want." On the contrary, everything felt more than perfect for Sakura as she looked back into his eyes, struggling to find the first words she would say to him. "Naruto…"

He just smiled in understanding, "It's alright, I know…"

Sakura nodded in happiness, nuzzling her nose and face into the soft skin of his chest. His hands slowly traced the contours of her back, letting his fingertips memorize every curve and groove. Sakura purred from Naruto's touch, letting her lips find the skin of his chest and her tongue toy with the soft flesh. Naruto jerked, stifling his laughter; Sakura giggled, "You're ticklish there too?"

Naruto looked around nervously, "Maaaaybe" he toyed.

Sakura smirked, "smartass" and let her tongue run up the middle of his chest, though this time Naruto let out more of a moan than anything else. Sakura bit her lip seductively, "Hmm do you like that?" Naruto was about to respond with something clever when his stomach beat him to it, letting out a low growl. "Hungry?" she asked.

"Starving." He smirked, pulling her lips to meet his own.

---

"Please Kiba, lets do it again!" begged Hinata resting on Kiba's chest.

"Good god woman! That's the 12th time already, gimme a five minute break!"

Hinata sighed, "Well if you can't keep up…I just always thought you said you were an animal," as she closed her teeth on Kiba's neck, her fingers digging into his back.

Kiba shuddered in pleasure as his overused manhood started to rise again. "God you are too cruel…"

Hinata hummed, "You love it" and grasped his member victoriously.

---

Ino's head was throbbing from the hangover that was ravaging her brain. She knocked lightly on Choji's apartment door, silently rehearsing what she planned to say to him. Suddenly the door opened and Choji appeared in the threshold. Ino looked up at young man who somehow encompassed the entire threshold of the door. She felt a burning sensation between her legs, her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she passed out, collapsing to the ground.

---

"Happy Birthday Sakura," Naruto whispered into Sakura's ear, his arms wrapping around her stomach, pulling her against his chest as she flipped pancakes.

"Hmmm thank you," she hummed happily snuggling against him. Naruto's cooking abilities extended to making buttered toast but Sakura still didn't mind helping out with the rest. At the very least he provided some warmth, though Sakura hadn't made much attempt to clothe herself either. She hadn't felt like putting on her dress from the night before and instead was sporting a half-buttoned up shirt she had randomly found in Naruto's closet. Her new necklace hung neatly on her partially exposed chest and the feel of the cool stone ring reminded her of what happened in the past couple months. With that thought, Naruto let go of her waist and moved to the nearby toaster to pull out the now slightly blackened bread. Sakura just shook her head and Naruto hastily pulled the hot toast out, burning his fingers in the process. "Seriously I need to teach you how to cook, you can't survive on toast and ramen all the time you know!"

"I would like that very much Sakura-chan." He replied. Sakura just nodded approvingly. She knew he was looking right at her on purpose but she wasn't going to look over at him. She knew as well as he that if she did, he would capture her with those eyes of his and lose control, throwing herself into his arms and kiss him…repeatedly. No, she wouldn't let him have the satisfaction of winning…then again she would also be denying herself the satisfaction of losing. Her eyes slowly wandered towards Naruto's, and not a moment after their eyes met, she felt herself leaping into his arms and letting her lips dance with his. Damn, she had given in and let him win…she would have to get him back later for it…

"Alright Sakura, go get back in bed now." He said with conviction as they separated.

"Uh…excuse me?" she scowled.

"Well it wouldn't be right if you served yourself your birthday breakfast in bed now would it?"

"So let me get this straight," she said mockingly, "I got out of bed, to make breakfast, so I could get back in bed, and you could carry it in for me to eat in bed?"

"Well…" Naruto looked around nervously, preparing for the much expected beating, "I figured we could do it that way, or I could just ruin the whole thing due to my….lacking abilities in the kitchen."

It was….cute in a way. It made sense that he wouldn't want to ruin it, though his methods to get around it were a bit unorthodox…then again that's what made it cute, it was just…Naruto. Simply Naruto…and she loved it.

"Alright, I'll let it slide this once." She laughed as she strolled off back towards the bedroom, "Don't take too long, I don't want our breakfast to get cold alright?" Naruto didn't return for longer than she had hoped, but when he wobbled through the bedroom door, breakfast trays teetering on one hand. Of all the times Naruto used his shadow replications for useless things in everyday life, he seemed to forget the technique in a situation where it would actually help. "Something wrong with your other hand?" she asked.

"Well," he set the trays on the bed, "I needed the other hand for these…" he offered pulling his right hand from behind his back to revile a bouquet of flowers the rivaled the beauty of Ino's shop. It was sickeningly romantic, and Sakura loved every bit of it. It was straight out of a fairy tale and it was so sickeningly sweet and romantic that she let it roll over her sense in drowning intoxication. Never had she imagined anyone would bring her flowers and breakfast in bed on her birthday; that was only fantasies that she dreamed about and never expected to actually happen. "Someone like you should always wake up to flowers in the morning." He said softly, putting the tray in front of her and putting the flowers in some water next to her.

"Oh?" she asked, "And what do you mean by that?"

"Well…" he blushed, "You are very precious to me Sakura…even on my coldest, loneliest days I would just need to see you smile once, and that would make my day. To me, you are…I don't even know how to say it…"

"Then don't" she smiled, "Though with all those flowers, it would probably just be easier if I stayed here all the time with you."

Naruto's eyes glistened with the slight wetness that was forming in them, "I would like that very much Sakura-chan."

---

Neji shot up in bed, sweat poring down his face. His fingers pressed into his eyes as he tried to forget the dream he had just suffered. Filled with so many improper thoughts; thoughts a young Hyuuga should not be having and certainly not be dreaming about. He shuddered at the idea of doing such unholy things, and with Tenten nonetheless. He could still feel the warm, wet sensation on his neck as she ran her tongue down the back of his neck. "Good morning sleepyhead" Tenten moaned in Neji's ear, his eyes widening in horror as the realization of last night's events washed over him. It was no dream.

A pale arm wrapped around Neji, a tongue circling the inside of his ear slowly. A gasp escaped his lips, "Tenten…this…no…we can't…it's not right…"

The young girl behind him just laughed, "Your complaints didn't last long last night," she smirked as her second hand plunged under the covers. Neji's complaints did indeed cease as a cool hand wrapped itself around Neji already straightening manhood. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and his body grew limper the harder his erection became. "That's a good boy, you know you like it…" she whispered into his ear, smirking from her victory over his reservations yet again. With this reborn confidence, Tenten was soon kneeling above Neji who was now flat on his back. Without a moments hesitation you took his sex and presented it lovingly to the now dripping opening that was between her legs. Before lowering herself onto her lover, she gently too his hands and cupped them around her petite breasts which he, to her everlasting pleasure, rolled them gently in his soft hands. Passion overtook you female nin, making her legs give out and dropping her body onto his own. They both gasped as the sensation of his sex parting her own and sliding into Tenten's petite frame. With the sudden influx of sensation, Tenten fell forward, supporting her self with her arms planted on either side of Neji's head. His hands squeezed her breasts tightly but the dull pain that followed only added to Tenten's moans of pleasure. They two waited there for a moment, his glassy white eyes looking into her rich pools of chocolate which looked back with the same sense of trust and passion. Neji nodded ever so slightly much to the joy of the beautiful girl on top who replied by lifting her hips and plunging them down up upon the Hyuuga for the first of many, many times.

---

Ino cooed at the soft sensation that was gracing her head. It was the sort of feeling of a parent running their hands through their child's hair as they softly slept in the early hours of the morning. "Hmmm" she moaned, "That feels so good…" her eyes cracking open. Choji sat on a stool next to the couch, running a warm washcloth across Ino's face while his other hand gently brushed away a few stray hairs that were stuck her to sweaty visage. After the several seconds of blinking, vision clearing, and realization that Choji was in such close proximity, Ino leapt off the couch and sprang to her feet. Unfortunately this movement was a bit too much for the girl and she fell back to the couch, overcome by her hangover and dizziness. "What the hell happened?" she groaned, fingers pushing into her bloodshot eyes.

"Well" the portly man started, "You just collapsed in the doorway. Fortunately, I caught you before you hit the ground and then I carried you in here and put you on the couch. I you must have been having some sort of horrible dream because you kept moaning, thrashing around and saying 'Oh god!' over and over. Are you alright?"

Ino groaned again; it had been a horrible dream…Choji had been in it and Ino had been tied up to a bedpost wearing some ridiculous outfit. And then Choji took off his clothes letting his portly rolls sag around his frame before the monstrosity that was hidden beneath keg of a belly began to expand. She remembered him saying something about Partial-Multisize Jutsu and then his manhood…oh god…Ino shuddered…. it had felt so good….so horribly, horribly good.

"Choji," she choked, he throat suddenly dry, "About what happened last night…I was drunk and…we shouldn't have…it was a mistake and…we can't do it…again…" she struggled.

Choji's eyes just softened, "I understand…it's ok." he said softly, but the lie in his voice rang out much louder.

Ino struggled to her feet again, careful not to lose her balance, and tried to stomach the guilt and desire that were already ravaging her heart. With Choji? No, it wouldn't be possible. With all of her efforts to stay thin, ending up with Choji would make all of that seem meaningless. Then again the idea of not having to be so worried about her figure seemed very appealing. But what would people think? What would they say? But still…she wanted it…she wanted every last pound of it.

"Ino are you ok? You're spacing out again," came a concerned Choji. Ino grabbed him by the shirt collar and threw him to the floor, taking up a position on top of the pile of flesh. "But I thought you just said…" he questioned frantically.

"Shut up and take your shirt off" she commanded, Choji eagerly ripped the shirt from his bulky frame and accepted the petite girl that had mounted him.

---

Naruto yawned as he popped the last bit of slightly blackened toast into Sakura's mouth with a resounding crunch. Her lips gladly accepted his fingers, licking the remaining crumbs from his digits before cleaning her lips as well. With a pop, Naruto pulled his fingers fro Sakura's wet mouth and picked up the trays, setting them on the floor beside the bed and then accepting a generous kiss from the woman beside him.

"Oh god.." moaned Sakura, a pale hand threading through her hair.

Naruto cocked an eyebrow, "What's wrong Sakura-chan?"

"We had sex on the roof last night…"

"I know. Are you complaining?"

Sakura shook her head laughing, "No, quite the opposite. It just amazes me on how much has changed…"

"I suppose people change…it's part of growing older," he replied.

"No, I think it's just seeing what's been in front of you the whole time. I was too busy trying to see what I wanted to see in Sasuke…I didn't see that you were what I was looking for the whole time," A soft smile ebbing from her face.

"Well," smirked Naruto, placing his hands behind his head, "I knew you'd come to your senses eventually…" he smirked.

"Oh you act so confident!" she jested, probing her fingers into Naruto's side. The boy thrashed and twisted, laughing uncontrollably. Suddenly he grabbed onto Sakura's wrists and held them down with one of his powerful hands while he leaped on top of her, his other hand ravaging her side. Sakura lost control and burst out laughing as well, begging Naruto to stop.

"Oh so how does it feel to receiving end of the Tickle jutsu?"

Sakura struggled through gasps of laughter, "Tickle jutsu? That has to the be…the lamest names ever…oh please stop! I can't take it!"

"Stop? After you insult my amazing naming abilities?" he shot back, kicking his tickle torture up a notch. Finally Sakura lurched forward, her lips meeting with Naruto's, who immediately gave into the sensation and releasing Sakura. Her hands snaked around his rippled side and pulled at his back. His hands slide down her cool pale biceps, across her chest, up her neck, and cupped her head in his hands, letting her pink hair fall neatly between his fingers.

Their kiss was much like many kisses lovers share of the morning after. It was slow, but passionate. Both lovers wanting more… wanting that hot, frantic sensation… the body begging for as much contact as possible. But this kiss was slow and passionate, both afraid to push too much and ruin that moment. Letting their tongues glide across one another like water on a sandy beach, ebbing and flowing with each sweet breath.

Naruto and Sakura's lips parted and both mirrored each others smile. Sakura's gaze faltered from Naruto's eyes as she looked out the window to see the sun was already high in the sky. Realizing the time, Sakura looked back and Naruto, "It's getting close to noon already sleepyhead! I'm going to go take a shower alright?" Naruto just nodded in understanding as Sakura slid out from beneath the sheets. Naruto grinned, watching her half naked form as she passed through the door. Suddenly he felt the need to shower too.

---

The hot water ran through Sakura's pink hair, making it clump together and hang in her face. She scolded her hair, the water dripping from the tips brining back memories of the nights on the rooftop with Naruto and the memories were making her annoyingly giddy. IN fact she was so preoccupied with her memories that she didn't hear the bathroom door open, or even see the movement of the curtain as someone slipped into the shower behind her. It wasn't until she heard her name being called that she spin around, cursing herself for letter herself be snuck up on and gasping at the sight that was before her.

Nonetheless his naked member was standing fully erect as the hot water ran down its length. Sakura's eyes shot back up to meet his, a primal lust burned in those blue eyes and Sakura had a good idea about what was going to happen next.

Suddenly Sakura's body was sandwiched between the shower wall and Naruto's chest. His lips found hers and feverishly ravaged them, tongue lashing, bating, tugging. His hands were instantly everywhere, as if the only thing he know how to do was touch her body. She had never seen Naruto be so aggressive with her, and yet, she liked it. Grabbing his shoulders she rolled against the wall, switching places with the blond and shoving his against the wall instead. Yes, they had both wanted more than that kiss.

Naruto growled, losing the battle to dominate in this encounter. He snaked his head around, attacking her exposed neck, nipping at the soft skin. He smiled inwardly as Sakura moaned going weak at the knees. He immediately regained control and push her against the wall, his lips retreating before attacking her bosom. And then she felt it. Naruto's hand traced down her belly and sunk its way into the pink fur between her legs. Naruto was inexperienced but he got the generally idea, slipping his wet fingers into her sex and caressing her insides. Sakura sputtered, gasped, and moaned as she had the sinking feeling that she was about to lose their fight for dominance and simply submit to the pleasure. In a final rush of will she reached down with her free hand, feeling the slick surface of Naruto's groin before taking his engorged member in her hand. She jerked with about as much experience as Naruto was pleasuring her, but that wasn't saying much. Still the wet sensation of her hand on him manhood sent Naruto reeling back, almost doubled over from the electric shock of the sex. Sakura seized her opportunity and pressed Naruto against the opposing wall.

That's when he felt it. Her hand had moved the tip of his member to the opening of her womanhood and he felt the wet opening putting pressure on his tip. The two looked into each others eyes and saw the primal desire in each others' souls and silently understood. Sakura pulled Naruto into her velvet escape, moaning loudly as his member slid into place, fitting perfectly inside her. This time would not be like the rooftop, oh no. Naruto and Sakura were locked in hot carnal passion, and this time would be an inferno of ecstasy to match.

---

Tsunade peeled her face away from her desk, the dried pool of drool tugged at her cheek as she pulled away. He head pounded from the hangover that was now ravaging her mind as foggy memories bubbled in from last night. Vague memories of Sakura's party, being dragged home by Shizune, and Tsunade insisting she needed to do tax records at 1AM. Shizune had tried to drag the old woman away but was physically rejected as Tsunade backhanded her, roaring something about interfering with Hokage business. A knock came at the door and Tsunade groaned, hoping that the last memory was just a dream. Much to her dismay, a black eye sporting Shizune timidly looked around the corner.

"It's alright you can in Shizune..." the Hokage groaned, palms pressing into her eye sockets. "I'm sorry about last night, I don't know what came over me…I just…" she said gazing into a desktop mirror, the gray hairs were becoming harder and harder to conceal every day. "Shizune," she sighed, "I think it's time."

Looking away, "I had a feeling. Do you mean…?" the attendant said softly.

"No…not that, not yet at least." She ran her hand through the graying strands of hair, "I had hoped it wouldn't come to this but I don't seem to have a choice at this point… please go get Kakashi."

Shizune nodded, "Of course Hokage-sama"

---

Sakura left the shower first, Naruto left on the floor, still moaning from the sensation that lingered in every vessel of his body. Yes indeed, Naruto had been bested in a trail of endurance though he didn't plan to let it happen next time. Next time, he liked the sound of that. Kyuubi grunted in agreement but was quickly hushed by the blond, slowly dragging himself to his feet even though the legs below him were still like gelatin.

Sakura was already back in the bedroom pondering on what she would do for clothing. It was already late in the day and walking home in a half wrinkled dress would be all to obvious to what had happened last night. Then again, sporting various items from the mismatched mess that was Naruto's wardrobe would look even more conspicuous. Nonetheless the dress went back on with prayers that no one she knew would spot her on her way home for a change of clothes.

The Smell aroused her nose. She had started calling it The Smell, the intoxicating aroma that seem to flow from every pour of Naruto's body. Maybe it was the smell of sex, or just teenage boy, it didn't really matter at this point. The Smell had taken her and that jovial grin tugged at the corners of her mouth yet again. Warm arms wrapped around her waist and a pair of lips danced across the arc of her ear. God how she loved when he did that.

"You know you could have just borrowed some of my stuff so you wouldn't have to wear that dress again." He cooed in her hear.

She laughed, "What's the matter? I thought you liked this dress!"

"Oh I love it, I love it even more when you take it off." He laughed.

Sakura blushed, "Oh you pervert, what has Jirayra done to you?" Rolling her eyes, Naruto had been such an innocent boy when they were younger, though now he had his fair share of perversions. Then again Sakura deep down feared that their relationship had begun to turn both of them into perverts. Of course, that could be a good thing. "I need to go back to my house to get some new clothes, care to join me?"

"Do you really need to ask?"

"I suppose not" she smiled, "Now get some clothes on."

---

They picked the least crowded streets to make their "escape" back to Sakura's house, dodging glances from curious villagers. It was surprisingly difficult for the two ninjas to avoid the commoners, and even more difficult to avoid other trained ninjas. Unfortunately for Naruto and Sakura, other ninjas were also taking the lesser crowded paths that morning, other ninjas such as Hinata and Kiba. Both pairs froze in their tracks, Kiba's eyes tracing across Sakura's wrinkled dress from the night before, Naruto's looking over the Hinata's ruffled hair, laced with twigs and blades of grass. Congratulatory grins formed on each other's faces, unknown to the two girls. Stifled, horrified looks arose on their red faces and they both stammered greetings, both trying to cover themselves. They prayed that the other didn't notice the obvious signs of what had really happened. Hurried, 'Nice to see you!' and 'must be going now!'s were exchanged and the two couples quickly parted with faces still gleaming red.

---

It wasn't until the door shut behind Sakura that her heart finally seemed to slow down. Stripping down into nothing more than her underwear almost right away, she noticed that Naruto was sitting not 5 feet away, a very pleased grin on his face from the show he was receiving, and she didn't even care. Before such moments would have been embarrassing, hurried motions to cover her exposed body, but not this time. It seemed very…comfortable, and relaxed. In fact, Sakura hadn't felt this comfortable with her body ever before in her life, and she loved the feeling.

Looking over at her lover, she involuntarily smiled. Oh those sapphire eyes; how she knew that no other pair of eyes would be able to look at her, see her, appreciate her, or love her like those sapphire eyes did.

Hardly aware that she had subconsciously pulled her new clothes back on while she had been daydreaming. A warm hand graced her own, "Come on, lets go back to a memory," the blond whispered into her ear. A warm sigh. A smile. Memories. Yeah, this is how it is supposed to feel.

---

The sun was setting, casting a long shadow of the tree the two frequented on warm evenings. Silhouetted against the sun, arms around her waist, his cheek beside her own, a picture perfect ending as the wind whipped through their hair. It was peculiar to see ones life change to quickly, something so simple. Maybe it was that odd thing called "Love" or maybe just allowing old scars to fade, but in the end all was well, Sakura and Naruto standing in that perfect ending to any epic romance.

Lee stood on a building off in the distance, admiring the perfect view of two young lovers, caught in their own whirlwind of happiness. He sighed with a reluctant smile, "Ah Naruto and Sakura, how your youthful love blossoms with such beautifully. How I envy you Naruto, for I too wish to be able to show a woman the same devotion as you do."

Neji and Shino stepped forward next to The Green Beast. "Indeed" started Neji.

"Too bad you're gay" chuckled Shino.

Lee looked down, defeated, "GAI SENSEI!"