AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey, guys! Thanks for all the support you've given. I'm trying really hard to not disappoint with this story. Anyway, Chapter 9 is here and hopefully, if I keep getting sudden bursts of inspiration, Chapter 10 would follow soon after. Keep sending your comments, whether good or bad, and suggestions if possible. Although, it won't be a sure thing if I can satisfy each and every one of them, I give you my word that I will try. In the meantime, enjoy reading!

_NARUSAKU_

Chapter 9

(Naruto's POV)

I was glaring at the back of Sakura's head the entire walk going to the mall, having left the Ducati at a nearby gas station when we changed into our 'disguises'. And, so far, no one seemed to recognize the two of us. We passed people by without so much a glance from them.

But, damn! Next time I decide to formulate an escape plan, I'm never going to put Sakura and Ino in charge of the wardrobe. I refuse to wear anything like the hoodie I folded grudgingly back inside the bag I still had slung over one shoulder. Did they expect me to just wear the damn thing and walk around in pink? Pink?

I actually didn't complain about the rest of the things in my ensemble: a white V-neck shirt that I wore under my school uniform, dark jeans, a brown-striped fedora and sunglasses.

Sakura would probably have a smug expression right now as she strutted ahead of me. I'm pretty sure it's not only in my imagination. Her smugness was palpable! It's practically rolling off her in waves. The little... She was acting all innocent earlier when I pulled the garment out of the bag, saying she wasn't able to look at the things they had grabbed at the lost and found section of the gym. But, looking at what she was wearing, I highly doubt that. She was able to find faded skinny jeans and a white shirt that fit her perfectly. Her pink hair was still tucked securely in the white baseball cap. And to complete the 'disguise', she wore glasses.

"Hey!" I was brought out of my stupor by my fiancé's voice, still feigning innocence and sweetness, as she fell back to match my languid pace. I regarded her at my side with a frown and under my sunglasses, I narrowed my eyes. "Oh, c'mon! It's not like you're wearing it right now. You refused, remember? Why do you detest it so much anyway?" Her green eyes blazed with mischief. "If you ask me, you look good in pink."

I groaned. "I don't detest it, okay? It's just- It's a girl's color."

She laughed then. "Na- I mean, love," She rolled her eyes when I smirked. Before we left the gas station, we both decided not to call each other by our real names since it would surely break our cover. She suggested coming up with pretend names like Rose and Jack, and I outright disagreed with the notion. Not only are the names absurd but it would only confuse us. So, I told her we could just go with something like 'love'. It's generic and simple. But then we broke out into an argument again, our second one after the pink hoodie issue, because she apparently doesn't like the word 'love'. Or just associating me with it. After a few minutes, I eventually won. "Just let it go, please?"

I sighed. "Fine."

"Good," Sakura smiled and I found myself returning a smile of my own. "Now, come on!"

I objected half-heartedly to Sakura who eagerly dragged me the rest of the way to Konohagakure Mall. Once we entered the huge establishment, my body had tensed because the place was absolutely packed with people. Someone would be bound to recognize us in this crowd. The tug on my arm made me move again and seeing Sakura be this excited made me relax completely. She didn't even pause to consider what I had worried about the moment we entered.

"What's our first stop?"

"Bookstore." Sakura stated with a huge smile, pulling me along with her to the direction of the escalator going up.

An hour later, we have been to virtually all the stores that sell Sakura's favorite clothing lines. When she announced that our next stop would be at a boutique, I was expecting to carry ten bags or more of clothes. But, no. To my surprise, we only had two bags. Just one contained a red tank top which Sakura had bought at our third store. The other bag had the novel, journal and manga we had bought at the bookstore.

"Any other store to go to?" I asked, looking down at Sakura at my side, still holding on to my hand. Although this simple gesture started out as an act in front of the public eye, I noticed that recently I had taken a liking to it. I don't know why per say. I just know that Sakura's small hand would fit perfectly in my much bigger one whenever they'd intertwine, and I would find myself feeling strangely... contented.

Sakura shook her head, her smile still intact after all this time. "No, I think I've seen enough clothes for the day. Although I still want to buy you that bottom-down shirt." She added with a teasing tone.

I groaned. "For the last time, I won't wear anything pink anytime soon, okay?"

Her melodious laughter cut through the noise in the main square of the mall, earning us several glances from the people making small talk as we rounded the large indoor fountain. One thirty-something woman took a bit too long at staring that I thought she'd somehow recognized us. But before I could study her any further, she looked away with the same nonchalant expression, not the I-just-saw-Uzumaki-Naruto-and-Haruno-Sakura reaction that I can't help but expect up until now from anyone we come across.

Just to be safe, it's best if we keep moving. "How about we get something to eat?" I asked, pulling Sakura along with me towards the multiple restaurants and fast food chains that lined the sides.

"Sure. I'm starving." And as if to prove that point, Sakura's stomach grumbled. "Do not say whatever you're about to say." She muttered upon seeing me grin, a blush adorning her face.

"What?" I laughed. "I'm just going to ask you if you have anything particular you'd like to eat."

She elbowed me playfully while trying to maintain a stern expression. "As a matter of fact, I'd like to have a bowl of noodles."

"Right this way then, love," I offered Sakura my arm. She looped her own through it, giggling at my show of an eighteenth century gentleman. "Let's get something in that stomach of yours before it can growl again."

"What have you done with the hyperactive knucklehead that I know, Naruto?" I looked around for any sign that someone had heard the slip. The waiter that brought our drinks over was far away enough that I think he wasn't able to pick up on our conversation. The only other customer in the small restaurant was three tables away. I returned my accusing gaze back to Sakura. She sighed heavily in response. "Love," I nodded in approval. "I thought you would order miso ramen. Seriously, ever since we were old enough to eat anything other than baby food and milk, you would demand bowl after bowl of ramen."

I shrugged. "Miso ramen isn't the same if it's not from Teuchi's."

"That shop closed down two years ago, right?"

I nodded, staring at the droplets of water sliding down on the surface of my ice-cold glass of soda. "Yeah..." I forced my attention back to the girl seated across from me. "I heard they opened up again somewhere. I'm trying to find it but I'm having no luck."

"Maybe they've change the name or something."

"Maybe."

Just then, the waiter came back with our orders: spicy rice cake for me while Sakura had a bowl of soybean noodle soup. I scoffed as I took a bite of my rice cake when the guy grinned from ear to ear like an idiot when Sakura gave him a smile and a 'thanks'. After he left, I pointed this out to Sakura who in turn told me that the guy was just happy because he was being appreciated at his work.

"Tell me that when he isn't glancing this way every ten seconds," I smirked when she caught the waiter's eyes. She smiled sweetly again before returning to her food. "And if you don't stop smiling like that, I'm betting that the he'd be coming to our table in a minute or two ask if you'd like anything else." I added, putting emphasis on the you part.

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows. "That's mandatory for them," She took a sip of her iced tea. "And what do you mean 'smiling like that'?"

Before I could answer her question, the waiter came up to our table, just like what I said. "Would you like anything else, ma'am?" He didn't even pretend to be speaking to the two of us. His whole body was positioned so that he was facing Sakura alone. The bastard...

"Uh- No, thank you." Sakura smiled again, this time a bit more hesitant. "How about you, love?"

The guy turned towards me then, his stupid grin replaced by a frown. "Sir?"

I popped another piece of my rice cake inside my mouth and took a few sips of my cola before I regarded him with a smirk. "I'm good." He left us alone once again. "Told you so." I stated in a singsong tone.

"You're impossible."

We finished our food in relative peace. The waiter only came back when I asked for the chit. I paid the amount due and left. Well... Not without leaving a tip because of an insistent Sakura.

"Where are we going?" Sakura asked a few minutes into our walking.

"The arcade," I said distractedly, trying to recall the way to the place. "Since we still have a few more hours before last period ends, I figure we could play a few games while we wait."

At the corner of my eye, I saw Sakura brighten. "That's a great idea! It's been a while since I've last been there."

Thirty minutes later, we were at our third round in shooting some hoops, so close to beating the ultimate high score of the machine. A growing number of people were forming a semi-circle around us as they become an audience to this once-thought-as-impossible feat. I was pass from caring at this point. I've even let my sunglasses droop a few centimetres away from my cerulean eyes just so I could see better. All I know is that I was having the most fun I've had in years.

Ten more seconds on the timer, we still have two more shots to go. The basket was now moving rapidly from side to side that I could hardly make a ball go through the ring anymore. I catapulted a ball, it went in. I picked up another one and released it, this time it missed. Two seconds...

Sakura made her shot. Score.

The machine buzzed as the game ended, its high score finally beaten.

My fiancé squealed while jumping up and down in glee. "We won! We won!" Before I could think about what I was doing, I grabbed Sakura by the waist in a tight hug, lifting her up from the floor. Her arms automatically braced themselves on my shoulders as I spun both of us around. The tickets that we had won in the game continuously came out of the slot and our audience congratulated us with loud cheers. But nothing else seemed to matter but the girl in my arms. I didn't even notice when my fedora came off.

Sakura seems to be in a similar state as she laughed delightedly, looking down at me. "Naruto! Put me down!"

I was finally brought out of my excitement when I heard several gasps. I looked around, noticing the people's shocked expressions: wide open eyes and mouths which were slightly ajar. Oh no. These were the reactions I was dreading to see all afternoon. The we-just-saw-Uzumaki-Naruto-and-Haruno-Sakura reaction.

"Shit." I muttered quietly as I put Sakura back down. She was also tense at the realization that we just blew our cover.

One skinny girl at the back of the crowd yelled. "It's them! It's Naruto and Sakura!" And as if it's the magic word, many things happened all at once. Her friends squealed, more people came rushing towards us, I quickly grabbed Sakura's hand and my discarded bag on the floor, and we made a mad dash for it. I pushed pass unsuspecting strangers who were just arriving. They had bewildered expressions when they took in the crazy mob coming after us.

Sakura berated herself as we stepped on the escalator, rushing down the moving steps. "This is all my fault!"

"Let's just get out of here." I looked over my shoulder once we reached the exit. The people chasing after us kept on growing. There were now paparazzi among them, their cameras flashing. Great. Just great.

The busy streets of Konoha were disturbed as we came out of the mall, running to the direction of the gas station where we left the Ducati. "We have to lose them!" The pursuing crowd were visibly gaining on us. I changed course, leading Sakura through a dark alley and out the other end to another block. We crossed the street, avoiding the speeding vehicles which honked angrily.

I turned my head to look at a distraught Sakura who was close to tears. She was fighting to catch her breath, but I could see that she wouldn't be able to handle any more running soon. She met my gaze. "Do something, Naruto. Please."

I nodded my head as we rounded a corner. Judging by the clicks of the cameras and the heavy footfalls, our pursuers were about a few meters behind us. It won't take long before we were in their line of vision again. As I pulled Sakura to another alleyway, I released her hand to dig through the backpack, feeling through the things inside. Once I had the item that could possibly save us in my hand, I zipped it to a close and handed it to the girl still keeping up behind me. We crossed a street again, making the cars screech to a sudden stop. Our aim: the park.

Sakura followed me as I took a particular path inside the maze-like Konoha Park. There were thick shrubberies everywhere and the trees had trunks wide enough that it would be hard for anyone to detect any particular movement. Even without glancing back, I know that those people were still running after us, hoping to take pictures and ask questions we weren't ready to answer yet, just by the noise they were making. The serenity of the place was disbursed as they arrived, making no effort in being subtle.

I pushed my arms through the long sleeves of the jacket and then pulled the hoodie over my head, covering my dishevelled blond hair effectively. I didn't even care that I just ate my words earlier about not wearing pink. All I'm thinking and hoping about is that we were going to where I wanted to go. If we can't outrun them, we're just gonna have to fool them. I almost pumped my hand up in the air in triumph when I saw the first couple shamelessly making out on a park bench, and then another and another and another. Perfect.

I stepped behind a tree, yanking Sakura by the waist before she could run pass where I was standing. She yelped and struggled with the little strength she had left. "Sssshhh. It's just me," I whispered, soothing her with gentle caresses on her flushed cheek. "You're going to be okay." I could feel her hot breath on my sweat-drenched face as I closed the distance between us, pushing her up against the trunk and trapping her there with my body. My ears were perking up at the increasing sounds made by a large group of approaching people.

Here goes nothing. "Just play along, Sakura."

It was the last thing that came out of my mouth before I crushed my lips on my fiancé's, swallowing whatever protest that she may have had. I could feel her hands weakly shove me against my chest, but it only served to make me deepen the kiss even more, coaxing her to respond. I grasped her petite hands in mine and held them above her head.

I heard several people zoom pass us, speaking to one another in rushed tones. "I swear I saw them go this way."

"Maybe they're just up ahead."

"Keep going!"

Another series of footfalls. "Yeah! This could be our chance to interview them."

The heavy thuds on the ground grew distant as the last of the people chasing us went away. I knew they were long gone by now but I couldn't seem to pull away from the girl beneath me who now responded with a surprising amount of fervour to every move my lips make. She tasted and smelled like strawberries with a hint of mint. An addicting combination.

Stop now, Uzumaki.

I released her hands from my hold, attempting to obey the order inside my mind which was quickly fogging up. But Sakura made it even harder for me when she put her arms around my neck, refusing to let go. The hands which were supposed to push the girl away rested themselves instead on her hips, pulling her closer still. I could feel myself spiralling out of control. And when Sakura let out a soft mewl, it nearly made me snap as a growl rumbled inside me. But it was like the pail of cold water that I needed to make me resurface and to finally pull my head away.

My eyes darted wildly from one point to another as I forced my mind to reorient itself to the real world. Sakura, on the other hand, retracted her arms from their place around my neck like I was suddenly a live wire and she was electrocuted. She looked like a woman who was thoroughly kissed. Her lips were swollen and red because of my bruising kiss.

I took a step back, heaving quick breaths. "You might want to consider becoming an actress, Sakura-chan."

She laughed awkwardly at my attempt to a joke, adjusting the straps of my bag on her shoulders just to have something to do to avoid looking at me. "I don't know about that. I'm just glad we lost them."

"C'mon then," I moved to grab her hand but decided against it at the last second. "We better get out of here before those guys come back."

She nodded silently, brushing tendrils of her pink hair that fell out of her baseball cap. I stepped around the tree to trek back the path where we came from, Sakura close at my heel, but I stopped when I saw a figure standing a few feet in front of me. My body instantly froze as I slowly recognize the guy in his stance that say 'keep away 'coz I'm better than you'. His features changed, matured, since the last time I saw him. But there was no mistaking, it was definitely him.

"That was quite the show you put there, dobe." His voice got deeper but it was the same arrogant drawl I was used to hearing from him several years ago.

His name was at the tip of my tongue, but it was out of another pair of lips in a breathless whisper. Sakura stepped from behind me, her green eyes wide in surprise. "Sasuke-kun."

Uchiha Sasuke, staring at us with his sharp obsidian eyes, smirked.