I know i took awfully long to update, but lots of things happened.
Someone died in myy family and my mom was a mess and i know you don't actually care for those matters, but it really was tough month... sorry.
Overly late here and i have to work tomorrow and this chapter is double in length just so you know how sorry i am for the delay...
Enjoy and leave me a review if you liked it! :)
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34
Her absence
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"This weather doesn't fit you at all, Sakura…" Temari said as she stared at her friend while she fanned her face; she was red and sweating.
"I know! I hate it here!" she complained loudly in a whiny voice.
"I was expecting you'd like your accommodations, Haruno-san." The soft deep voice made her flinch as she turned to look at the Kazekage that had entered the room.
"I do! I just can't tolerate this heat, Kazekage-sama…" she explained with a deep blush; Gaara merely stared at her with a disbelieving look, after all he seemed so fresh and fine.
"It seems to be getting worst though; it's been two months already…" Temari pointed out as she placed her hand on Sakura's forehead. "You're the doctor here; you'd tell us if this gets really bad, right?" she asked with narrowed eyes and Sakura nodded back.
"Yeah, I'll get used to this…" she said not really caring about it; she was fine.
What was bothering her was the missing inner Sakura, but she could actually tell that there was something weird about her disappearances; anytime she spent long periods of time with Naruto her nasty attitude would banish.
In the past she had talked to Tsunade and Ino about the irking matter of the other persona living inside her mind and both of them had said it was a good thing; not anyone could say they had one and that she should feel good.
When she explained that the inner Sakura was self-destructive at times and that she was bitter and angry most part of the time, both women thought about running some tests including Ino going inside Sakura's mind to see the matter up-close; they had finally concluded that as real as the inner could be; it was a psychological issue much like a double personality; at least the way it formed; since Sakura had a tendency to avoid certain thoughts and feelings and these couldn't be quite erased; the inner was the one to suck them up inside…
So technically the inner was the part of her mind that held all the things she didn't want to feel, to think, to see… to deal with.
Tsunade thought that it'd banish as soon as she'd face all that stuff accumulated in there; Sakura would know it because of the difficulty from making out her own wishes and fears from the ones the inner had.
Sure she had been experiencing that issue lately and mostly when Naruto was involved; on another side, Ino had thought that it would take a big incident, something that could pull together the inner and Sakura to become one again, but her theory was not as well-based as Tsunade's.
"I called you here today because I received a letter from Konoha." Gaara said and Sakura snapped her head up to see his calm face; she hoped Naruto was not coming over; she felt like a mess.
In the past two months she had avoided sending letters to him and trying her best not to feel guilty over her last night in Konoha; she had promised him she wouldn't ever do anything to sabotage his relationship with Hinata and she did the most horrible thing she could've done.
She took a deep breath and decided to pay attention to what Gaara was saying just in case she needed to object…
"Naruto thinks Suna could help with the rogues since we are closer to the point the ANBU has been searching." Gaara said and Sakura frowned deeply at his words.
"We are calling them rogues now?" she asked and Gaara looked at her for a long while before he replied.
"Naruto asked the same. We don't know for sure what is what they're doing…" he explained and Sakura stood from her chair with the same deep frown.
"I was sent on a mission with Naruto not so long ago… Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei too. Even if we were attacked by them I don't think calling them rogues will solve anything." She said and Gaara sat down; she did the same out of courtesy.
"Naruto is coming in 2 days' time to discuss this matter and other arrangements regarding the market trade." He said and watched her face get pale like a paper. "He'll stay 4 days; I certainly hope this won't matter much to you, Haruno-san?" he said and narrowed his cerulean eyes to her wide green ones.
"Not at all, Kazekage-sama!" she said in a high voice as she stood from her chair ready to leave his quarters. She excused herself and bowed deeply before sprinting out of the office; Gaara and Temari staring at the swinging door.
"I don't want anyone from Konoha missing while being here, Temari." He said and the blonde stood with a heavy sigh.
"Yeah; she won't get far though… her fever is truly getting worst."
…
A loud sigh escaped Moegi's lips as she tried not to think too much about the absence of her mentor; she missed Sakura's ways and all the advices the pink haired doctor tried to give when the time was right.
Her black orbs looked back to where her sensei and Hokage was talking along with Udon about some technique; her eyes looking out of the corner of her eye towards Konohamaru that was currently resting next to her; with his head resting on his arms.
"It must be nice, isn't it?" he asked with his eyes closed and his chest heaving from his breathing; Moegi frowned and turned to fully look at him.
"What is?" she asked and blushed when he opened his eyes to look at her with his boyish grin.
"Not having Sakura-san around nagging you…?" he said and watched as her brows furrowed even more.
"She doesn't nag me… She's my mentor just like Naruto-sensei is yours!" she argued back with a huff as she stood from her sitting position.
Konohamaru flinched at her tone and felt bad for even suggesting it; he knew Moegi cherished Sakura's presence more than just a friend would; they were almost like sisters and with the pink haired doctor gone; Moegi was struggling to know what to do with her free time.
He stood with a loud sigh and dusted his pants; she turned and started to walk away but he prevented her from going any further with a hand on her shoulder; she shrugged it off, but stopped.
"I am sorry; I shouldn't have said it like that." He said scratching the back of his head; he saw her shoulders slump and then when she turned he felt something twisting when her sad eyes remained on the ground.
"I just feel lonely; it's been two months already, but I just can't get used to it…" she mumbled and he nodded, both of them turned their heads to see their sensei standing to a side while Udon displayed the technique.
"He misses her as well." Konohamaru muttered and Moegi nodded.
Both had been witnesses of the changing mood her sensei had ever since Sakura had left for Suna; he was clearly pissed about her not writing at all to him, after all; Ino, her parents and even Moegi had received one letter so it was painfully obvious she was avoiding any kind of contact with him…
"Do you want to go out someday?" her head snapped up to meet Konohamaru's face that suddenly flushed in red as he flailed his arms in front of him. "I am just saying this because you said you were lonely!" he explained and Moegi quirked an eyebrow in confusion.
In any case; it was not Konohamaru's style to do nice things to cheer her up; she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed and hopeful about his words.
"Only if you promise to remember it this time…" she mumbled softly not meeting his eyes, but she had to in the end because of the long sigh that escaped his lips.
"I won't; it is not like Hanabi-san was after me anyway…" he said with a grimace. "Girls are so hard to figure!" he complained watching as his sensei and friend returned to them; Moegi scoffed at his words and turned fully to him.
"Girls are complicated?!" she asked rather loud; Naruto and Udon stopped a few meters away from them watching the exchanged; Konohamaru flinched and looked down at her with wide eyes. "Are you kidding me?! You are the ones that don't pay attention! You don't like to listen! Not even when we speak the true and care so deeply about you! You think I'd be fooling myself if I said I like you Konohamaru?!" she asked with her fists balled at her sides.
Konohamaru's face turned a deep shade of red and he dared a quick glance at Udon and Naruto; both of them seemed equally surprised by her outburst, but none of them was at the end of her rage and he couldn't understand her anger.
"Mo-Moegi-chan… what… what are you saying?" he tried to smile but it came out more like a grimace. "Is this because of Hanabi-san?" Konohamaru asked and watched as her face contorted in pure rage.
"I like you!" she yelled and he flinched. "This has nothing to do with your liking Hanabi-san!" she yelled once again.
Naruto stared at the two with confusion, but even more there was another feeling building up inside as he stared at her pleading eyes; she was not crying, but he could see this was really hard for her and it only seemed to trigger his own memories.
Konohamaru was staring intently at her black orbs and ever so slowly a soft glare took over his features; Naruto frowned at the action and so did Moegi…
"You're just saying that because you don't think Hanabi-san can like me and I don't need your pity!" he said and turned swiftly to leave; she stared at his back for less than a minute before she turned as well and left the training grounds.
Oh, yes… Now I remember…
He had felt the very same way the time Sakura had confessed to him in such a chaotic moment of his life; played and pitied by her.
There was something more now that he was staring at the empty place where both teenagers had been yelling at each other; something stirring in his chest as he recalled the memory…
So many years wanting her to look his way, to acknowledge his presence and when she finally did, he could not believe a word she said… She had been sure about her words… and he had just denied himself of what he had wanted most part of his life.
He widened his eyes and felt superbly bad at that moment when her face came to mind; the very same face she pulled when she confessed; he had been an idiot…
…
"Hokage-sama, you've got mail from Suna." Shizune said with a nervous smile as she trudged in with an envelope in her hand.
Naruto looked up from the desk; he had not been doing anything, but thinking about the new founded information; that would explain everything… he took Shizune's letter and watched as she left the office with the same nervous smile.
Thanks to Konohamaru's and Moegi's argument he had been able to decipher most part of what had happened ever since Sasuke's return… ever since she confessed.
She had confessed; she had been so depressed after that and probably angry as well that she had asked of him to forget about the promise he had made; and then again he had forced her feelings on Sasuke one more time.
He had brought Sasuke and delivered on the promise even before stopping to think if she truly wanted it done. She had healed Sasuke for him… not for her own desires and he had seen it in the way she distanced in the oncoming years.
She avoided not only the man in question but him as well, because he had been eager to have her with Sasuke just to know that it was true and to be sure that he had never had a chance with her.
She got sick of his jokes and his words and thus she separated from him, tired of hearing him speaking about Sasuke and not flirting ever again with her, because that was what she was used to when it came to him… because that was what he was used to when it came to her.
He ran a hand down his face and gritted his teeth together; it felt like a crucial moment and he needed to fully understand what had happened with their relationship.
That would explain her wish to become stronger, the stupid necessity she had to prove herself worthy of his time, of his presence and life, but he didn't need another rival, he needed a lover and when she realized she couldn't be the latter decided for the first even if she'd hurt them both in the process.
"Sakura-chan…" he muttered feeling like he had finally run out of time. "What have I done…?" It felt like the aftermath of their actions throughout life; all they lived through, all the felt, everything they had done, said and seen got them here. "What have we done?"
A loud and deep sigh raked his body and with a pained look in his face he opened the envelope Shizune had brought with her; he recognized Gaara's handwriting and wished it was Sakura's chicken scratch instead.
The letter was short and concise; only expressing the Kazekage's wish to have him at Suna to discuss farther on the rogue's subject; amongst other themes.
Gaara took the time and bother to write about Sakura's health troubles because of Suna's weather; he frowned a bit at that because in the past she had never experienced anything of the sort, but then again they had never spend so much time in the dessert like she had now…
He'd be ready to leave soon; he not only needed to talk with the Kazekage, but he needed to finally make the right choice… It was, after all, what he was used to do when it came to her.
"I'll be there, Sakura-chan…"
…
"It says here that she's sick; with high temperatures, body ache and nausea!" Aki said pointing at the letter with wide eyes and thoroughly worried; her husband merely sipped at his tea.
Haruto sat in peace in the backyard with his feet dangling from the porch; it was a lovely night and he felt at peace, but somehow a stirring sensation in his gut managed to make him worry and somehow it didn't have to do with what his wife was telling.
"Aren't you going to say something, Haruto?" Aki's voice yelled from the kitchen; she was going through a heat wave from menopause and her yelling was worse.
"I've told you before, woman. She's a kunoichi and the best one at that…" he mumbled absently, not in the mood to amuse her imagination of what could happen to Sakura in a foreign country. "She's just getting accustomed to the heat."
Aki rose from her seat and was about to start another yelling when they both heard the front door being knocked; she huffed angrily and walked away to tend the late visitor.
Haruto had been particularly silent ever since his daughter left the house; deep inside he knew this was like a test for him; Sakura would be back in 8 months and he needed to be ready for her arrival; he knew she'd want to leave home for good once she got here from her experience of living alone.
Saying bye to his only daughter was something he would not ever be prepared for, but ever since he remembered and from the very same moment she was placed in that mad man's team, also known as Hatake Kakashi, he knew that she could die the very next second.
She had a particular thing to attract men with troubles and difficult people; or maybe they just acted that way when around her… he wasn't so sure, but he knew that when she asked if she could leave the house he'd have to say yes and nothing else.
He heard voices and by the way his wife sounded so happy he knew that it was probably the Hokage; he stood and made his way inside the house only to have his hunch proven; Naruto Uzumaki was greeting his wife with his usual cheeriness.
"Did you already have dinner, Uzumaki-kun?" Aki asked with a wide smile; the boy gave her a nervous smile.
"I already had… I was hoping I could talk with your husband in private, Aki-san…" he straightened his back and from afar, Haruto frowned at his words; the scene seemed fairly familiar.
"Oh…" Aki quieted and her brown orbs stared straight into his blue ones; she stepped back and Haruto came to stand next to her; Naruto bowed and then directed a deep look to the man of the house.
"Let's go for a walk…" Haruto said, handing the cup to his wife and closing the door behind him.
"Thank you for receiving me at such a late hour, Haruno-san; it is just that I am heading for Suna tomorrow morning and I really wanted to have a talk with you." He said in a tone that he scarcely used when not in battle; he was serious.
"You are going there to meet the Kazekage?" Haruto narrowed his green eyes and Naruto took a deep breath.
"Yes. I am going to discuss the market trade and other affairs in which Gaara thinks I can help." He lowered his eyes as they walked under the moon until they reached a small bridge and stopped to look at their reflections in the water.
Haruto waited patiently for the boy to continue since he seemed to be struggling with words and it was obvious he wanted to talk about Sakura; if not they wouldn't be here tonight.
"I am hoping I'll have a chance to finally sort things with Sakura-chan." Naruto said and the old man closed his eyes, his fists tightening on the reel as he tried to stay calm. "No one is as oblivious to what I feel for her as she is…" he added and Haruto sighed.
"You might be right." Naruto felt very nervous, but he also knew that it was a matter of time before he'd have to do this; he stared at Haruto's profile while the old man stared at the water. "She loves you just as much, Uzumaki-kun…" Naruto frowned deeply at his words, but composed himself; he had been thinking about it for a long while now and he knew the man was right.
"I know I should feel happy about it, Haruno-san and I know that at some point I will, though right now I am so upset that it got to this limit…" he tightened his fists at each side and gritted his teeth. "We both need to agree on something for the first time in a long time. I just felt I owed you this much for last time; it wasn't my intention to be rude." Naruto lowered his eyes and bowed deeply.
"Uzumaki-kun… there's nothing to be sorry about." Naruto snapped his head up and was met with a kind smile. "Only a few minutes ago when you greeted Aki at the door I knew what you came to say…" The young hokage paled and widened his eyes.
"How could you…?" he mumbled softly.
"You know… when I was younger I kept provoking my father; he was a brave shinobi with a very difficult temper, very much like Sakura…" He smiled and Naruto did the same, both of them leaning over the reel. "Since I couldn't become a shinobi because of my weak body he was coping with the fact that the Haruno legacy would die with him because his family came from a long line of only children." He explained and Naruto nodded in thought.
"How did you meet Aki-san?" Naruto asked and Haruto sighed.
"She was daughter of bakers, nothing amazing, but my father loved their pastries, mostly sweet things…" he said and Naruto brightened at that.
"Very much like Sakura-chan!" he pointed and Haruto nodded with a smile.
"I always did errands for my father and most of them included going to the bakery and buying his favorite stuff." He said.
"So you fell in love at first sight?" Naruto asked with a wide grin.
"No." His short reply made him cringe. "Aki hated me and I hated her just as much. We couldn't get along because we were both very stubborn; she was too proud to admit she liked me and I was the same." He took a deep breath and continued. "Even when I turned 17 and finally decided to grow a backbone and tell her; she rejected me." Naruto widened his eyes. "Aki was sure that there was someone better expecting her somewhere, then her mother died and soon after her father became sick… While my father tried to get me to marry with anyone else because I always tended to badmouth Akiko in front of him; he told me that if I kept talking about her he'd talk to her father and would get me married with her…" he gave Naruto a smirk.
"I see… But I bet she was really angered…" he added and Haruto nodded with a faraway look in his face.
"She stopped talking to me and one night I decided that even if she seemed to hate me, she'd answer to my love and I went to her house…" he took another breath and turned to Naruto with a smile. "I asked her father for advice and I explained how much I loved her…" he said and Naruto stared in awe at his words. "Just like he told me that time, I'll tell you his very same words, Uzumaki Naruto…" Haruto placed both of his hands on Naruto's shoulders and stared straight into his eyes. "She's nuts; good luck." Naruto took a minute to let his words sink and then gaped.
Haruto laughed at his expression and tried to recover; he remembered those same words on his father-in-law's mouth and that same expression on himself.
"Well, I must say she's not your average girl, is she?" he pondered and Naruto grimaced a bit. "But she's loving and passionate; you might not have to understand her pink head, you only need to be there for her and accept her words for what they are; mostly fear of losing herself in someone else… in you." He smiled. "She still needs to understand that it is okay to be immersed on someone else; you need to take everything she throws your way and still come out unscathed… Do you understand?" he asked in the end and Naruto frowned.
What had he been doing if not that his whole life? It was not because he was tired already; in fact he loved it, to see all her faces and emotions running wild in her face… Almost immediately an image invaded his mind, one that should not be imagined at this moment… very inappropriate, but her face the night before she left was something that would forever be burned in his memory.
He blushed madly and tugged at the neckline of his black sweater; he couldn't look Haruto in the eyes and still keep his cool about this conversation.
Haruto narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest while he stared at the young hokage; he knew the boy was not telling him everything, but once again he found himself fighting over the fact that Sakura was not a little girl anymore.
"I think you understand. Just go and make sure that girl is okay, she sent a letter saying she's been sick for a while now… Akiko is going nuts!" he complained and Naruto thanked his change of topic; he had to wonder if the man knew something…
"I take it that it is okay with you if I…" Naruto dragged on not really knowing how to call it; he wasn't sure himself what he was going to do once he reached Suna.
"Court my daughter?" Haruto finished and crossed his arms over his chest succeeding in intimidating Naruto once again even if he was much shorter. "No, that will never be okay with me, but I have no right to stop you or anyone else for that matter, from courting Sakura…" he took a deep breath and stared up at the hokage. "I think I can't ask for someone better than you to do it, though…" he said with a small smile and Naruto returned it.
"Thank you, Haruno-san…"
His words truly touched him and it made him feel like there actually was hope left; so many years going on automatic finally reached a point in which he knew there was something supposed to happen…
Maybe just this night he could actually return to his flat and sleep there even if she was not there to welcome him, even if there was still a blur in his mind…
Just maybe he'd sit on his bed trying to relive all that night all over again to let the feelings wash over his pained mind and even let the fox relax upon knowing she had been his even if only for that fateful night.
It was more obvious now than ever before that his inner demon actually thought of her as something that belonged to him and no one else; and who was Naruto to deny something like that to the beast if he himself was feeling like she was his and he was hers.
It had been like a howl of pain running through his body every night he spent in the Hokage quarters away from memories of her and everything she meant to him; aside from the fury he felt knowing she had left after everything that happened, the fox's howl was one of pain… pure and raw pain.
Maybe it was that both of them felt the same; there was no much difference from what he felt from that the fox felt, just the intensity and the ability to control those feelings; the fox reached out to her every time she was around as if he wanted to hold her very soul, her mind and spirit… there was something inside her that soothed the raging anger and frustration and somehow he knew he soothed something inside her as well…
When he had kissed her that night he had been sure that after he did something like that the creature would take over his body and probably harm her, but no… the truth was that it had been as if he had finally reached serenity inside his vessel, no anger or pain, no more chaos; only a sense of tranquility and belonging that turned the howling beast into a whiny puppy…
It was weird to acknowledge all these things, but with each truth admitted he could somehow clear his mind and relax until all the memories from that night finally made its way inside his troubled mind and everything seemed so clear as if it was happening at that very moment.
…
It felt right on every level; to feel her cool skin under his big hands… to feel her soft white skin, the small scars grazing her body and know she was not only the most beautiful girl in his eyes, but the strongest woman he had the pleasure to know…
It felt right the way she was grasping a handful of his short, blonde locks in her fist while her other hand tightened on his shoulder; to kiss her soft lips and feel the rush of adrenaline running thought his veins in a rampage.
She abandoned his lips and pulled him closer feeling his breath hot against her neck while she kissed his jaw, his cheek and his neck… things only a lover would feel comfortable to do.
He felt her trembling hands reaching and tugging at the hem of his black sweater; her lips found their way back to his and they kissed before she spoke with a hoarse voice.
"Take this off…" she mumbled against his lips; he merely stared down at her hands and then returned the look to her green and dazed eyes; a slight hint of fear and nervousness in them.
It was not rushed, it was something that was bound to happen and this was the perfect moment and scenario; she was his Sakura-chan, his friend and first love and the only one he had ever wanted to share this moment with.
Not taking his blue gaze off her green orbs, he pulled at the hem of her white shirt and felt her gasp and then watched as she swallowed thickly with a slight crease on her forehead.
"No… let's take this off first…" he didn't give her time to think and simply pushed her backwards until the back of her legs hit the bed and she fell on the soft mattress with a huff and wide eyes.
He stared down at her for a moment; because he knew she was scared and so should've been him, but it felt so right… so perfect; he waited only a second to see if she made a move to leave or stop what was happening, but none came… she simply remained there looking up at him from the bed.
Her hands at each side of her head; her hair sprawled around her head; her headband loose making her look just in perfect disarray… like in so many of his dreams of her…
He exhaled a long sigh taking in the way her chest rose and fell with each breath she took, he could barely see a bit of her skin between the hem of her shirt and the hem of her blue skirt; her knees bent over the edge of the bed and her boots not reaching the floor.
He stood tall between her legs for another moment before leaning over her body and taking the hem of her shirt in his hands and he helped her taking it off; she lifted her arms over her head and he stared at her in this new light.
"Sakura-chan…" he felt a blush taking over his face and he really hoped he wouldn't get a nosebleed for staring at his wildest fantasy ever; having her like this.
He roamed his eyes and traced his fingertips from her cheek down her neck, grazing her collarbone, lightly over one covered breast, felt her shiver and heard her gasp, down to her ribs and over her navel that was contracting spasmodically with nervousness.
He hooked his fingers on her skirt's hem and pulled a bit amused that he pulled her whole body along for a few inches before she raised her hips and helped him with the task; she seemed helpless and she probably was seeing how she couldn't even speak anymore.
He marveled at the skin of her thighs and followed his hands down to her boots; he discarded the skirt on the floor and then unzipped her boots easily until she was left in only her underwear and blushing furiously under his gaze.
He stood from the bed once again and quickly disposed of his black sweater and unbuckled his pants while he stared at her anxious eyes; she was terrified it seemed, she pushed her body up and leaned on her elbows as she tried to take on a more imposing position, but he finished quickly with his pants and pulled them down along with his underwear; he saw her eyes widen and then trail back up to his face.
He leaned over her until he forced her body back down on the bed and his hands grabbed a hold of her pink hair and kissed her deeply again, trying to accommodate his own hips between her legs; he quickly removed her panties and her top.
He heard her gasp loudly when he touched her breast and he took that moment to insert his tongue inside her mouth a long grunt leaving his throat at the feeling, she moaned and her hands went to his hair pulling in desperation.
"Naruto…" she said in a breathy voice making him tighten his hold on her hair; she moaned loudly and he went down to her neck kissing and sucking at the supple skin; his right hand went down to her hip and pushed her down against the bed only then noticing she was the one causing so much pressure on his lower region with her own moving hips. "Please…" she whispered and he stared at her eyes.
He moved his hand down from her hipbone to her thigh until he curled his fingers on the underside of her knee and bent her leg around his hip; she instinctively did the same with the other and watched as he closed his eyes tightly.
He rode his hand back up her body stopping over her left breast and placed his hand flat against the left side of her chest feeling her nipple hardening against his palm, but also feeling the wild tempo her heart was beating against his hand; he took a moment to cherish this very moment as he literally felt her heart throbbing in his hand for the very same reason his own was beating at the moment.
He felt her fist pulling softly at his hair on his nape and his eyes returned to her face to see her pleading eyes; he lightly kissed her lips once before supporting his upper body with his elbows on each side of her head and sliding himself inside her pliant body.
She tensed, but he guessed it was normal; she whimpered and pulled at his hair harder this time; he was fascinated with her and he had to feel it again; his right hand positioned flat over her chest and he didn't know if it was because of his heightened senses that it was so easily to feel her heart under his palm.
He buried himself deep within her keeping his dark blue eyes on his hand while she accustomed to the foreign sensation… He heard and felt her ragged breathing before his eyes were pulled back to her own and saw her nod once.
He started to move with a tentative movement of his hips and smiled at the sensation; none of his dreams had ever felt this way; so true, so raw and real… she arched her back as he continued… moving faster and reaching deeper with each thrust.
He kissed her between gasps and moans, groans and growls, feeling her hands pulling at his hair, her nails grazing his back and shoulders, feeling her all the way to the inside, learning of every part of her body… taking note of every single thing he did and made her gasp for air and moan.
He didn't remember for how long it lasted, but it was the right amount of time before her hair was all tousled and he was covered in sweat, it was the right amount of time before she called out his name so loud he knew Sasame-san had probably heard her from across the street, it was the right amount of time before he released with a grunt and kissed her deeply.
She returned the kiss, both of them relaxed and comfortable with each other's presence; he separated from her lips and stared down at her before letting his forehead rest on hers and stayed there like that for a moment; his hands returning to her chest and feeling the slow beating as if relieve washed over her…
Like they could finally calm and rest… He smiled with his eyes closed and heard her soft words in a low and tired murmur.
"What's so funny?" she asked as she ran her fingertips over his nose and lips.
"Nothing… and everything I guess…" he mumbled in his deep voice, he was feeling tired as well for the first time in his life; drained like never before fights made him feel. "I love you, Sakura-chan…" he said and hard her humming.
He opened his eyes and saw her half closed ones as she touched his face with a faraway look. She seemed so calm and relaxed… He pecked her lips and exited her body hearing her long sigh as he did so.
He rearranged their bodies on the bed and pulled her over to lie next to him with her head on his chest and his hands tracing circles on her shoulder; she was breathing evenly now and he cherished the moment with an irking feeling growing in his gut; like the calm before the storm, but it didn't last for long because her words made him at ease again…
"I love you too, Naruto…" she muttered against his chest and then he fell in deep slumbers.
…
Naruto woke up with such clarity and serenity in his mind that he couldn't help the smile on his face; he wasted no time and quickly made his way around his flat preparing everything he needed to part for Suna in an hour.
He prepared the right amount of clones to leave here just in case something happened and then grabbed his stuff and with the same good feeling he made his way over to the gates.
Sasuke was already there waiting patiently under a tree; when he spotted Naruto approaching them he signaled to the gate's post with a gesture of his head; the young hokage turned with a questioning look in his eyes until he spotted the proud leader of the Hyuga clan.
Immediately he found a scowl replacing his good mood; he really hoped it had nothing to do with Hinata, but he knew it was probably that and he couldn't simply ignore the head of such an important clan; he swiftly walked over and was glad when Sasuke walked over as well.
Hiashi watched as both approached the post and frowned deeply at the Uchiha; Sasuke smirked and walked past him to sign his departure papers while Izumo and Kotetsu exchanged worried looks seeing the Hokage with a deep frown.
"Hiashi-san…" Naruto greeted with a little nod as he waited for his turn to sign and he made it obvious to Hiashi that he didn't have time to waste.
"Hokage-sama… I would like to talk to you about this useless trip you're about to do." He explained and Sasuke straightened from his bending position over the counter to stare amusedly at the Hyuga.
Naruto gritted his teeth together and willed his mind to simply listen to what he had to say about it, he was pleased it didn't have to do with Hinata though…
"I know the Haruno's girl is in Suna as well." Naruto took a deep breath and handed the papers back to Izumo who took them with a nervous smile. "Whilst I don't really know if this is a social visit or not, I'd like to invite you over to dinner maybe in two days when you're back." Hiashi said and Sasuke snorted so loud the man directed a glare towards him, Naruto glared at Sasuke as well.
"Stop it, jerk…" he said and Sasuke huffed. "Look, Hiashi-san… This is not a social visit as I have to discuss the market trade with the Kazekage along with other matters… but even if I was going there for the mere purpose of seeing Sakura-chan again it shouldn't matter to you." He said in his most proper tone. "I'll be most honored to have dinner at your place when I come back in a week or two; I don't really know when I'll be back." He said and watched as the man's frown intensified. "I'd have to ask you to refrain from speaking about marriage issues if I were to attend your dinner; seeing how I don't really have an obligation, but even if I did I want you to understand once and for all that I won't marry Hinata-chan…" he said and watched at the man's eyes widened.
Sasuke smirked; he liked when Naruto was not pliant with everyone's wishes and he was worried it might take a toll on the man now that he was the hokage; he felt pressured to grant everybody's wish.
"Hinata might be the best choice for the matter; she's gorgeous and smart and strong, but I don't love her… and if you cared enough for her happiness you'd know that she doesn't love me either." He explained with a strong tone of voice.
"If this about the nonsense with the Inuzuka boy…" his was cut short when Naruto raised his hand to stop him.
"Either if is Kiba or whoever she loves… It doesn't matter because the one I love is Sakura-chan… and if I ever had an obligation to marriage then I'd probably chose her even if she rejects me over and over again; there's only her…" he said and Hiashi closed his mouth in defeat.
There was silence for a good minute while Naruto held his gaze and then took a deep breath.
"Have a good day, Hiashi-san. I must leave now…" he said, and with that he was gone out the gates of Konoha followed by a smirking Sasuke…
"That was pretty good even for Naruto…" He said aloud making the young Hokage grunt and glare at him over his shoulder…
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Thanks for all the reviews and i am really sory i cannot answer them but i am really tired; i need to sleep... and hopefully i'll update next sunday... HOPEFULLY...
See ya, weasel! :)