Hit the Floor Running
Rated: M, to be on the safe side
Pairings:SasuSaku, SasuHina
Disclaimer: Naruto (c) Masashi Kishimoto

Note: "speaking" - speaking in Italian

Hit 14:

Naruto ran a towel through his wet blond hair and stopped as he looked over at Sakura's sleeping form, which was still on the bed. Carefully, Naruto padded across the carpet to the bed and gently hopped on the bed and crawled over to Sakura.

Hesitantly, he gave Sakura a poke. She gave a loud snore in response, but otherwise did not move. Naruto clutched his heart and gave a sigh of relief. Just as carefully as before, Naruto got off the bed and retrieved Sakura's purse before tip toeing off to the bathroom and closing the door.

Sitting on the floor, Naruto clasped his hands together and eagerly dug through Sakura's purse. He frowned when he didn't see the necklace in there. Frustrated, Naruto dumped the contents of Sakura's purse of on the ground.

Cell phone, wallet, lipstick, scrap paper and recietes and all sort of other junk, but there was definantly no billion dollar necklace.

Naruto angrily kicked Sakura's purse away and put his head in his hands.

Well...to put it lightly...

He was fucked big time.

Sakura stood at the balcony inside her hotel room and closed her eyes as she felt the sun hit her face. Just standing there like that made her head ache just a little bit less.

Sakura had woken up just a few hours ago, still in her clothes from the night before and with a splitting head ache. Sakura could only assume that she passed out, but she wasn't sure because she could hardly remember anything from the night before. Sakura normally didn't drink at all, so she found her situation extremely odd.

When she had woken, Naruto was gone, but there was a steaming cup of coffee waiting for her. Naruto couldn't imagine how grateful Sakura was as she downed the coffee and felt much better than before. That paired with a steaming shower did wonders. Naruto even had her clothes from yesterday washed so she was in a clean tank top and jeans. She really needed to go shopping.

Now, she stood here on her balcony, wondering where Naruto went. She hoped that she hadn't done anything yesterday in her drunken state that would surely embarrass her if she witnessed it now.

Suddenly, she heard the door click and she whirled around to see Naruto enter in a sweaty T-shirt and sweatpants.

"Hey! You're up!" Naruto greeted cheerfully.

Hmm, maybe she hadn't done anything.

"Where'd you go?" Questioned Sakura, walking away from the balcony as Naruto went to freshen up.

"I went for a jog" Replied Naruto. "How do you feel?"

Naruto emerged from the bathroom. "Sorry to break it to you, but you were pretty wasted last night"

Sakura felt her face turn red. She rolled her eyes. "You must be some sort of disease. I meet you and I get drunk twice in a matter of weeks"

Naruto laughed. "You up for going out? I wanted to show you something"

Sakura's eyes lit up. A possible shopping experience?

"I'm ready!"

"C'mon Sakura!"

"Just a second!" Sakura called.

She let out a long shuddery sigh and pulled on her tan jacket as she took one last look at the dazzling item sitting on the bed. She shook her head and tried to dispel the cold feeling that was coming over her.

The necklace sure was beautiful. It had to be from somewhere like Tiffany's and it was probably the most expensive item there. The white and yellow diamonds were just dazzling.

Sakura quickly grabbed the necklace and stashed it back in the safe and headed out the door. She didn't see Naruto, so she assumed he was already outside.

As Sakura walked down the hallway, she contemplated what the necklace meant. What Sakura was worried about was what it was doing in her purse. She found it after going through her purse the other day, after she made a fool of herself. She felt so nervous when she saw it that she hid it in the room's safe when Naruto wasn't looking. She didn't want anyone to find it.

What sickened her the most was the idea that Naruto had put it there. There couldn't have been any other person who had gotten this close to her purse, except for that friend of Naruto's, Sai. But Sakura knew it wasn't him. Obviously if he had anything that expensive, he wouldn't be living in such a shit hole.

But why did Naruto put it there? Did he steal it? Why did he steal it? Was he...a thief? A criminal? What was she doing with him?

Sakura's hands started to sweat. She was practically living with Naruto right now. What if he wanted his necklace back? What if he was willing to kill her for it? Sakura gulped.

But Naruto hadn't killed her and he certainly had plenty of time to do it didn't he? Sakura was so vulnerable around Naruto, yet, he didn't take advantage of it, he instead decided to help her. And, Sakura couldn't deny the feeling of safety that she had when bein around him. Over the past couple of weeks that Sakura had spent with Naruto, she started to think of him as a...friend. Not that she would ever admit that to him!

"Gosh! Florence is amazing!" Sakura marveled as she stared up into the beautifully decorated buildings surrounding her.

"I knew you would like it" Grinned Naruto. "It really gets your mind off the Sasuke incident, right?"

Sakura turned to Naruto and nodded her head, grateful. She almost felt bad for all of her previous thoughts towards Naruto.

"The Piazza della Signoria" Said Naruto, gesturing to their surroundings as they entered a large plaza. In the middle, there was a spectacular fountain.

"The art museum!" Said Sakura excitedly. "The Florence art museum! It's around here somewhere, right? Can we look?"

"The Uffizi?" Questioned Naruto reluctantly. Naruto's fingers almost itched at the prospect of being around all that expensive art. What could he say, it was habit now.

Sakura gauged Naruto's expression. After she had she wanted to see it, she remembered the possibility that Naruto could be a thief. Would he try something with her there? The thought both excited and scared her.

Naruto shrugged his shoulders. "Well...let's go"

They started to make their way across the plaza when Naruto suddenly stopped. Sakura kept walking until she realized she wasn't beside her any longer. She turned to see that Naruto had roughly grasped the hand of another man. Sakura felt the blood drain from her face.

The man looked at Naruto until a half smirk spread across his face. "Naruto?"

Naruto's face dropped and he lost all pretenses of anger. "Shikamaru!"

Naruto dropped 'Shikamaru's' wrist as they half hugged. Sakura felt her heart start beating again.

"Borsegiatore buono a nulla!hai cercato di tagliarmi in due!" Naruto cried as Shikamaru smirked again before taking out a cigarette and lighting it.

"Yea?" Offered Shikamaru holding out the pack of cigarettes.

Naruto paused before looking back at Sakura who was watching the exchange with interest. "No" He finally said. Then he walked stepped over to Sakura.

"Shika, this is Sakura Haruno. Sakura, this is my friend Shikamaru" Said Naruto with a smile on his face.

"Nice to meet you" Said Shikamaru, extending his hand towards Sakura.

Sakura studied his face. She couldn't tell whether or not she liked Shikamaru. He seemed fairly nice, but why had Naruro grabbed his wrist before? Did Shikamaru know that Naruto was a thief? Maybe she was being way too paranoid about things she didn't even understand.

Sakura put a smile on her face and shook his hand. "A pleasure"

Naruto and Shikamaru started to continue to walk through the plaza and Sakura jogged to catch up with them.

"We were just going to the Uffizi," Said Naruto. "Maybe you would like to join us?" Asked Naruto casually, looking at Shikamaru out of the corner of his eye.

"The Uffizi?" Said Shikamaru. "Why the hell would I ever show my face there again?"

Sakura narrowed her eyes. Did Shikamaru just sound a little suspicious right then? Naruto however, mearly laughed to whatever Shikamaru said.

God! She needed to stop being so paranoid! But maybe...she should invest some money into buying an Italian to English dictionary...

"It was like...years ago when you decided to rip off the British Prime Minister's wallet. Although, being as smart as you are, who knows why the hell you thought that would work..." Naruto laughed. "Anyways...its not like they caught you"

"You're right" Said Shikamaru taking another drag of his cigarette. Sakura jumped at his sudden switch to English. She tried to make off as if she wasn't trying her hardest to understand what they were saying with her limited Italian knowledge.

Shikamaru looked at Sakura. "I would be honored to accompany you to the Uffizi"

"So, don't tell me you got a girlfriend" Said Shikamaru as he took another drag and leaned against the wall.

Naruto crossed his arms and looked at Sakura who was a little ways down the hall, engrossed in looking at a painting. "She's not my girlfriend"

"No?" Said Shikamaru, surprised. "Well who is she then?"

"She's just some girl I met on the plane..." Naruto glanced around before dropping his voice. "She helped me smuggle in the...goods"

Shikamaru raised his eyesbrows and moved with Naruto as he continued to walk. "Oh yea, I heard about it on the news. So why haven't you ditched the fastidisosi cagna yet?"

Naruto stopped and whirled on Shikamaru who took a step back. "She's not a troublesome bitch! Don't call her that..." Naruto muttered.

Shikamaru smirked at Naruto's troubled reaction and they continued to walk. "You're a little protective over someone who's just 'some girl'" Quoted Shikamaru.

"I can't drop her yet because I don't know where it is. I put it in her purse and now its not there" Said Naruto feeling stressed.

Shikamaru's eyes widened. "What do you mean its not there? Did she find it?"

"Do you think she would be with me right now if she did find it?" Asked Naruto.

Shikamaru considered this then shrugged. "Well basically...your screwed"

"I'm fucked" Corrected Naruto. "Anyways, don't pull any of your thief shit, she doesn't know who I am"

"Hey guys! Come look at this!" Said Sakura waving them over.

Naruto put his smile back on his face and walked over. "What is it?"

Shikamaru sighed and then smiled. "Ah, il mio amico,you are certainly in deep" He said, before walking over.

"I dunno..." Sakura was saying. "I just find this painting really amusing. I mean, look at their faces!"

Shikamaru looked at the painting. "This is actually a famous painting" He said. "Its of the Duke Federico da Montefeltro and the Duchess Battista Sforza of Urbino"

Sakura looked at Shikamaru. "I'm impressed. You don't look like the art history major"

"I'm not" Drawled Shikamaru. "I'm Italian, I know my history"

Sakura sighed and clasped her hands together. "I wish I was a duchess...of course I could have been one if Sasuke..."

"Ah Sasuke" Said Shikamaru. "A boyfriend who dumped you perhaps?"

Naruto hit Shikamaru in the arm. Sakura nodded angrily. "My fiancee actually, Sasuke Uchiha"

Shikamaru, who had been taking drag suddenly choked on the smoke he was inhaling.

"See, its why people shouldn't smoke" Retorted Sakura.

"Sasuke Uchiha?" Shikamaru rasped, looking at Naruto. Naruto nodded, his lips tight.

Sakura looked at Shikamaru questioningly. "I know Sasuke is from Italy...did you know him by any chance? Because Naruto had the same reaction you did just now"

Shikamaru regained his composure. "No, I didn't know him. But Sasuke happens to be famous around here..."

"Well..." Said Naruto as they walked out of the Uffizi. "Shall we get going?" Naruto asked, turning to Sakura.

"I'm really in no rush" Said Sakura. "Actually, I was really hoping I could get some shopping done here..." She said on a lighter tone.

"Shopping?" Said Naruto with a disgusted look on his face. "I really don't...shit"

Sakura looked at Naruto confused to see he was staring straight ahead. Shikamaru looked to what he was staring at. "Shit"

"What's going on?" Asked Sakura, not seeing anything remotely dangerous approaching.

"Does she looked pissed?" Asked Shikamaru.

"Can't tell from here" Muttered Naruto.

"Shika!"

Sakura jumped as suddenly, a blond woman appeared and latched her arm onto Shikamaru's. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" She yelled.

The woman was beautiful, she really was. She had sandy colored hair that was oddly pulled up into four pigtails and her body was both long and curvy. Of course, the high heels, red mini skirt and black V-neck helped accentuate this all. Sakura sighed. She was always inferior.

"Get off me troublesome woman!" Said Shikamaru in an aggravated tone. "I told you I was going to be in the Piazza della Signoria!"

The woman suddenly snatched the cigarette out of Shikamaru's mouth and stomped on it with her high heel. "What did I tell you about smoking!?"

Sakura, who was taken back by the whole situation suddenly smiled. "Finally someone who agrees with me!"

The woman turned, surprised to see others besides Shikamaru. "Naruto!" She exclaimed, breaking from Shikamaru to give him a hug. Shikamaru sighed in relief.

"Its so great to see you again!" The woman cried. Then she turned on Shikamaru. "Why didn't you tell me he was here!?"

"You can see can't you?" Retorted Shikamaru lowly.

Then the woman turned to Sakura. "Hi, I'm Temari" She said, thrusted her hand out. "You must be Naruto's girlfriend"

Then she turned to Naruto before Sakura could reply. "She's pretty" She said with approval.

Sakura gave a forced chuckle before grasping Temari's hand. "Actually I'm just a friend. I'm Sakura"

"Oh" Temari pouted. "Well its nice meeting you anyway. So what are you all doing in Florence?"

"Actually, I really wanted to do some shopping" Admitted Sakura. "I lost all my luggage upon arriving in Europe"

"Oh you poor thing!" Exclaimed Temari. Then she grasped Sakura's hand and turned to Naruto and Shikamaru. "I am taking Sakura shopping, don't call...we'll meet up later for dinner...say 7?" Asked Temari as she started to pull Sakura away.

"Like we would call..." Muttered Shikamaru.

"Great" Said Naruto. "Wait! Take this!" He jogged up to Sakura and thrust some money out.

"I have money you know" Growled Sakura.

"Never refused money from a man" Said Temari taking it from Naruto. "It is his job to give it to you. You have much to learn" And with that, she dragged Sakura off.

"So basically, you've been wearing only one outfit for two weeks?" Cried Temari incredulously.

Both her and Sakura were walking down a sunny street, while Temari was looking for a suitable store to shop in.

"Basically" Sighed Sakura sadly. She was excited at the prospect of getting new clothes, but was slightly scared Temari. She seemed very domineering.

Temari pulled Sakura into a store and Sakura started to browse through the racks. "So what's going on with you and Naruto?"

Sakura froze at Temari's words but then continued looking through clothes as if she never stopped. "Me and Naruto?" She questioned slowly. "Nothing...we met a few weeks ago and now were friends" She explained, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

Temari snorted as she pulled a sequined halter top off the rack. "Sorry, but Naruto doesn't have girls that are friends"

Sakura blushed at that thought before shaking her head at Temari's clothing suggestion. That shirt required a chest capacity that she just did not have.

"So you are telling me that you aren't with him...at all?" Asked Temari incredulously as she put the top away.

"I'm not" Said Sakura as she pulled a pair of shorts and a shirt into her arms. "In fact, I have a fiancee already...do you like these?" Sakura asked, holding up her findings.

Temari nodded her head. "A fiancee, wow! Good for you" Appraised Temari. "I've been trying to get Shika to tie the knot for years"

Sakura glanced back at Temari surprised. "You and Shikamaru?" Suddenly Sakura felt very stupid. It should have been obvious by the way Temari was acting. "Sorry," She quickly amended. "I guess I just didn't realize"

"Its alright" Temari smiled. "Shikamaru is such an annoying ass sometimes its a wonder anyone is friends with him"

Sakura giggled as her and Temari moved farther into the store. "Well," Temari finally sighed. "I sure hope that fiancee of yours has a fine set of abs, because Naruto sure does"

Sakura blushed again as Temari pushed some clothes into her arms. "He does" Sakura mumbled.

Then Sakura frowned. What was it about Naruto that everyone liked? "You know.." Said Sakura hotly, as she tried to dispel the redness in her cheeks. "Naruto isn't much of a ladies man"

Temari frowned. "Nope, guess he isn't" Admitted Temari. "Doesn't know a thing about women except how to have sex. He doesn't even believe in love...wonder what made him that way..."

Sakura nodded her head absentmindedly. She had noticed that. She sighed. There was still so much about Naruto she didn't know.

Temari pulled another outfit from a rack. "But that doesn't mean you can't make him drool a little tonight, make him know what he's missing" Said Temari holding up the outfit that made Sakura even blush more.

"Fifty-fifty" Said Naruto grinning as he handed Shikamaru his share of the money.

"I always knew we made a good team, my brains and your bluffing skills" Said Shikamaru taking the money Naruto handed him and shoving it in the back pocket of his jeans.

"Basically, they never knew what was coming" Said Naruto.

They were standing back in the Piazza della Signoria as the sun was staring to set. The midday crowd had winded down and they were waiting in front of a small restaurant waiting for Sakura and Temari's return.

Shikamaru checked his watch. "Feh..." He muttered. "Its already 10 minutes past 7. Women are never on time"

Naruto grinned at his friends impatientness. "We can get a table" Naruto offered.

After being seated at a table near the back, Temari and Sakura finally arrived, many shopping bags in tow.

Yet, as they approached, Naruto's eyes immediately traveled to Sakura and no one else. In the dim lighting, Sakura still looked radiant. She had on a pair of wedged heels which seemed to make Sakura's slender legs go on forever-a feat seemingly impossible because Sakura was at least a head shorter than Naruto. She had on a brightly patterned silk dress (that was very short indeed) that had a halter neckline and was paired with a simple brown belt.

Once Naruto snapped his eyes away from Sakura, he noticed that they had another couple in tow with them-obviously American.

"Hello boys" Greeted Temari as she took a seat next to Shikamaru and Sakura hesitantly took a seat next to Naruto. "This is Lucy and Ted. They're from Texas. We meet them on our way here" Said Temari smiling.

"They looked lost, so we asked if they would like to join us" Said Sakura.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes and muttered his annoyances in Italian under his breath as the couple pulled up some seats and expressed their thanks as Naruto introduced everyone.

"Doesn't Sakura look amazing?" Asked Temari after their meal for the night.

"That outfit looks just adorable on you" Complemented Lucy, her acent a bit hard to understand.

"So what brings you to Italy?" Asked Shikamaru, hiding his irritation under a smirk.

Lucy and Ted smiled at each other before clasping hands. "We just got married. We're here on our honeymoon" Replied Ted.

"Ted is a very busy man in Texas, so it was hard to find time to get married, but we finally did" Said Lucy.

"How sweet!" Exclaimed Temari.

"So what do y'all do?" Asked Ted, looking at Shikamaru and Naruto.

Sakura leaned in, interested in finding out what they did for a living. All she knew was that Naruto had an abundance of money. Of course, if he was a thief, guess it wouldn't matter to have a job...Sakura cursed at herself for thinking of that again.

"Me?" Asked Shikamaru lighting a cigarette and ignoring Temari's glare. "Well..." He glanced around the restaurant before dropping his voice and leaning forward. "I'm a drug dealer" He replied, blowing a puff of smoke into their paling faces. "Makes quite the living" He grinned as he tapped his cigarette and leaned back.

Temari was angrily grinding her teeth as Lucy and Ted shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

For a second, Sakura almost believed Shikamaru till she realized that if Italy was anything like the U.S, you didn't tell that information to anyone, and certainly not strangers.

"I run a brothel" Replied Naruto, making Ted and Lucy jump. "So...if you guys are interested..." He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

Sakura scowled at Naruto's blantent lie.

For the rest of dinner, both Lucy and Ted were obviously uncomfortable and Naruto and Shikamaru smirked through the whole thing. When Shikamaru signaled for the check, Lucy and Ted exchanged glances.

"How much do we owe?" Asked Ted hesitantly as Shikamaru looked the check over.

Ted went to pull his wallet out when he realized he didn't have it.

"Something wrong?" Asked Sakura.

"Hon, you have my wallet?" Asked Ted.

"No you never gave it to me" Said Lucy.

"No worries" Said Shikamaru. They both glanced up at him. "I've got this" He said with a smile.

"Oh wow, thanks" Said Ted, obvious relief spreading across his face.

Sakura's face looked confused, but hopeful. She never expected Shikamaru to do such a kind thing. However, Naruto was staring at Shikamaru with obvious shock and some betrayal and Temari looked very irked.

But Shikamaru did nothing bad...right?

Ugh, I'm both tired of this chapter, yet satisfied with some parts. Sorry if it sucks