Chapter 10: The Uzumaki Shrine

When the sun had passed its high point, the couple put their clothes back on and packed up their picnic. Sakura wanted to show Naruto the Uzumaki Shrine. She was surprised that he had never been there before. Then she remembered that it was part of the mountain that was already safe.

"What is it about this area that you don't need to protect?"

"It's hard to explain. It's one of those places that the spirits told me was hallowed. They said that even if I were to fail and the mountain were destroyed, this area would remain. It's a sanctuary."

"Wow. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that the Uzumaki's protected this area for generations. Perhaps they were also working to protect the mountain, but they could only reach this area."

"Possibly. I think the two-tails told me that she used to have a shrine dedicated to her. I don't know if the shrine still stands or if it protects her land like the one here. I wish I knew."

"I've been meaning to ask you, how do you communicate with the other nature spirits?"

Naruto scratched his head and thought of the best way to put it into words. "We have our physical bodies and then we have our spiritual bodies. What we do is our spiritual bodies all get together somewhere and we talk. It's sort of like when you talk to someone on their phone. That's how we communicate. We can also feel each other at any given time. That's how we found out when we were dying off."

"So you can tell that Gaara and Bee are still around?"

"Yep, they're right here," Naruto said, pointing to his chest.

"Those are some strong bonds."

"We're like brothers."

They came to a bend in the trail and could see a wooden building. It looked like it was hundreds of years old. It was built by hand and was meant for more than just housing a small family. The wooden pillars and walls were decorated in intricate designs and pictures. Their was a distinguished marksmanship and quality in the wood carvings that a modern-day carpenter would be humbled by.

"Wow, this is amazing!" Naruto said staring in awe.

His fingers traced the outlines of tiny foxes engraved into the wooden pillars. Swirls and spirals ran up and down the walls. Naruto smiled when he stepped onto the first step. The wood groaned and creaked under his weight. The ancient shrine felt like a second home to him. His mind and heart were at peace on these grounds.

"This is a great place, isn't it?" Sakura asked, pleased with his reaction.

"Sakura, this place is the best! Thanks for showing it to me. It's so awesome!"

She smiled wistfully and watched Naruto run his hands along the wooden walls. He admired each individually engraved pillar taking the time to study the details. He was like a child opening a present. Everything was fantastic and new. No words could describe the expression on his face. She saw that Naruto was admiring the carving of a mother fox tending to her kits.

"That one is my favorite," Sakura said, pointing to the engraving. "I think it really shows the beauty of the foxes and why they were sacred. When you see this, you can understand why this shrine was dedicated to the fox spirits."

Naruto smiled and grabbed her hand. "Yeah, you can. I like this one too."

The couple sat in amicable silence holding hands. She was comfortable here with him and lay her head on his shoulder. Beauty had been immortalized in this area and with it came serenity. There was nothing more for the pair to do but enjoy nature's gift. Sakura closed her eyes for a moment and could almost picture them sitting on the porch to their house with children running around in the front yard. It brought a smile to her face.

Naruto squeezed her hand. "This feels like home."

"For you or for us?" Sakura asked brazenly. She didn't even realize the words came out of her mouth until she saw the look Naruto was giving her. "What?"

Naruto didn't respond. He simply looked at her, studying her expression. It was unnervingly sweet. Only Naruto could make her feel like the most important woman in the world as well as a piece of meat waiting to be eaten. His gaze never faltered even when she pushed him gently.

"What?" Sakura asked again.

Naruto crept closer to her face until their noses were touching. "You're falling for me."

Sakura bit her lip to keep from smiling before she pushed him off the stairs they were sitting on. He landed in a heap of limbs. "Now who's the one falling?"

He shook off the fall and turned to her with a mischievous look on his face. Sakura didn't have any time to react. With lightning fast speed, he grabbed her and held her over his shoulders, playfully smacking her on her ass. "Admit it, you're falling for me."

Sakura shrieked with laughter. "Never!"

"If you don't admit it, I'm going to tickle you."

"No!" Sakura squealed. "Don't you dare!"

"Admit it," Naruto crept his fingers along her sides.

"No!"

Through their laughter and horseplay, they never heard the family walking up the trail towards them. The Namikazes were used to seeing people visiting the shrine. They never minded since the Uzumaki family opened it up to the public. However, they never expected to see a couple playing and teasing each other in a way that was getting dangerously close to a different kind of adult play.

By the time Sakura and Naruto noticed the Namikazes, the family had already reached the steps of the shrine. Sakura was still slung over Naruto's shoulder with her hands on his belt buckle. Embarrassed, Naruto gently set Sakura down. His eyes immediately locked on Naruko who looked back at him in a mixture of horror and morbid curiosity. He returned the look.

Sakura straightened out her clothes and hair before greeting the family. "Mr. and Mrs. Namikaze, it's good to see you. Hey Naruko. What brings you all out here?"

"Just out to visit the family shrine. We always come up here to visit our son on his birthday," Kushina answered.

"Your son?" Sakura asked, despite already knowing the answer. She didn't want to give the woman the impression she had pried into her private life, even if Kushina may deserve it. Sakura didn't know if she could ever forgive her for her role in perpetuating Sasuke's infidelity. Sakura would be cordial, but it would be a while before she could respect the woman ever again.

At least Kushina had the heart to look slightly apologetic when she spoke to Sakura. "Yes. You probably don't know, but before Naruko was born I had a son. He died at birth. We named him Naruto."

Naruto's ears perked up when he heard his name, but Sakura gave him a look that kept his mouth shut. "I'm sorry to hear about that."

"It's alright. That happened a long time ago. He probably would have been around your age if he survived," Kushina said, pointedly giving Sakura a look.

Sakura didn't like that look. The woman was plotting and the last time Kushina plotted, she and Mikoto sent their children to a deserted island. Sakura needed a distraction before she got mixed-up in whatever plan Kushina was trying to hatch.

"Oh, I almost forgot to introduce you to my boyfriend, Naruto." Sakura cringed at the curious looks the elder Namikazes gave him once they heard his name. "Naruto, this is Minato and Kushina Namikaze. Mr. Namikaze is the Mayor of Konoha. You've already met Naruko. Mr. and Mrs. Namikaze, this is Naruto."

Minato and Kushina looked slightly startled and shocked. But they graciously shook hands and studied Naruto's face. There was no mistaking the family resemblance. The only difference was the whisker marks on his cheek. They were cute, but also a huge red flag. They drew attention to his resemblance to the man portrayed on the cover art of Jiraya's book. Meeting the Namikazes was probably the absolute worst thing for Naruto to do.

Sakura quickly grabbed Naruto and started to slowly walk away from the shrine. "It was nice seeing you, but we should probably get going so you can tend to your private affairs. Naruto and I will just head on our way."

"It's perfectly alright, we don't mind the company," Minato stated, trying to subtly urge them to stay.

"On no! We really shouldn't. We actually have plans somewhere else and should head on home." Sakura continued retreating, grabbing the picnic basket on their way out.

Kushina waved back with a sad smile. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Naruto. I hope that we can meet again someday."

Naruto returned the wave. "Same here."

Naruko opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, but then pursed her lips and shook her head. Sakura supposed that whatever it was, it probably involved Sasuke. The look in her eyes said it all. But that conversation would have to wait. They walked away from the Uzumaki Shrine hyper aware of the three set of eyes staring at their retreating backs. She knew it looked rude to leave as abruptly as they did, but she didn't want to have to divulge any personal information about Naruto. She already made the mistake of telling them his name.

Once they were far enough away from the family, Sakura felt relieved. "That was a close one."

Naruto remained silent and stared at the trail that lead to the Uzumake Shrine. "Who were they?"

"The Namikazes? Did you forget their names already?"

"No, that's not what I meant," Naruto sighed. "I just feel like I know them."

"Maybe you saw them once when they were walking through the woods. They're regular visitors to this part of the mountain."

Naruto shook his head. "It's not that. I know I've never seen them before. I would have remembered. But I can't help feeling like I have a connection with them."

Sakura's expression softened. "If it makes you feel any better, I think they felt it too. Maybe it's the resemblance or maybe it's something more. Do you think it has anything to do with the fact that Kushina used to be the Uzumaki shrine maiden?"

"Maybe. I don't know. But I like them. They're nice."

"They are, but that doesn't mean you can go off to talk to them yet. I don't know how to explain things like where you came from or what you do? And I'm not about to tell them that you're a nature spirit."

"You're right. It's probably best if we keep my real identity a secret for now. I don't think I could tell an outright lie if someone asked me anyway," Naruto said embarrassed.

Sakura smiled. "You're cute, you know that?"

"Of course I do, but you're beautiful."

"Flatterer. Come on, let's get back home. It's a long hike back."

A/N: Next chapter we get to see Sasuke again. He gets motivated.