Chapter 19: The First Time
- On route Land of Hot Water -
Naruto and Sakura looked up at the stars that stretched their light through the clouds as the sun set,
she leaned against him, his arm held her tightly,
though capable of taking care of herself, she felt protected from all danger with him, there was even a small desire of hers that wished herself to be a bit helpless, just so she could be held even more.
Sakura's eyes began to feel heavy, Naruto slowly moved his fingers through her hair,
"Do you remember when Obito came to the village...and sent us to that weird alternate world?" she asked, Naruto looked at her strangely,
"Yea I remember, but, why bring it up?" he asked, his blue eyes stared at her with a blooming intensity,
Sakura's green eyes stared the abyss of glistening stars,
"I don't know...I just thought about how everyone was so different, do you think, something like that is real?"
Naruto looked up to the stars,
"Hmmm, What do you mean?"
"Well, what if it was...real, in a way, just different roads" Sakura said,
she looked down at the warm brown blanket that covered them from the clothed,
"Like...different lives? Or something?" Naruto asked, he was a bit confused at the idea,
"Yea..imagine if there was another Naruto out there, that...didn't like ramen?" Sakura asked,
"No ramen!? What kind of Naruto would he be without ramen!" he said,
Sakura chuckled,
"Hehe yea, Naruto wouldn't exist without a bowl of noodles" she said,
she yawned,
"Get some sleep" Naruto said, he was feeling tired as well, but he'd be dammed if he fell asleep before her,
"My eyes just feel a bit heavy, that's all" she said, the way her words came out were quite lazy, almost as if she was falling asleep already.
"The sky looks nice tonight" Naruto said as he looked up at the moon, he looked down as Sakura didn't reply,
he saw her eyes closed, he smirked,
That's it...I'll... tell I love her...
Naruto began feeling sleeping, he saw a lever next to him on the ledge of the carriage, he pulled it, a cover slowly raised from the other side,
"Ah, good night to you both" the driver said with a smile,
"Goodnight old man" Naruto said.
Sakura felt something run down her forehead, it was, warm, a liquid substance, her eyes slowly opened,
she ran her finger across the spot where she felt this foreign object, it was...sticky somewhat, her green eyes squinted at her finger tips,
Is that...
Naruto suddenly snored for a moment,
Sakura's face stretched,
HE DROOLED ON ME!?...
Sakura got up quickly, she shook her finger and then began using her sweater as a cloth to wipe of the drool,
Naruto fell over, still sleeping,
she felt a shiver go down her spine, she grabbed Naruto and shook him until he woke,
"I MAY LIKE KISSING YOU BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I WANT YOUR DROOL ON MY FACE AS A WAKE UP CALL YOU IDIOT!" she whispered loudly, Naruto's blue eyes slowly opened, he saw a cranky woman who had been awakened before she had wished to be,
"...beautiful..." Naruto said, half asleep,
Sakura's eyes widened, she always became flustered whenever he complimented her looks,
she smiled and let him rest a bit more,
"Beautiful...ramen..." he said as he drifted into sleep,
Sakura face quickly changed, she grabbed both of his ears and tugged on them,
Naruto groaned in pain,
"Ow - ow hey, Sakura!? What gives" he said as he quickly got up,
"We're here" the driver said,
they both turned, Naruto pushed the lever, the top slowly came down.
The carriage pulled up in front of a stone path that lead to a modernized village, the buildings were made out of metal, steam emitted from many of these buildings, Sakura's eyes bloomed as she saw the city like village,
"It's so beautiful here!" she said as she looked around, there was a particular building made out of wood, it had a sign that read: 'Hot Springs Bathing'
there was a moderate line of people waiting at the 'Walk-Ins' entrance, another line that seemed nearly empty read: 'Reservations'
Naruto stood behind Sakura, he held a pink duffel bag over his shoulder, another in his right hand, one hung from his neck, meanwhile, he held his own red suitcase by the extended handle,
"So what's this big surprise, Naruto?" she asked as she turned around,
Naruto looked at her,
"It's..over there at that building" he said, there was no mention of the name,
"Come on Naruto!" Sakura said with a happy go attitude,
"Coming Sakura" he said with a defeatist tone,
Sakura and Naruto entered the bathhouse,
the floors were neatly cleaned,
there was couple in front of them that had signed in, and were led by an attendee to the rooms,
the woman behind the counter was wrapped in a white kimono dress, her eyes were brown, and her long hair color was blonde.
"Hi! Welcome to the Hot Springs Escape, please state your full name" the woman behind the counter asked,
Sakura's eyes widened,
Hot Spring...?
Naruto stepped forward with all the luggage,
"Naruto Uzumaki" he said,
"Ah Mister and Misses Uzumaki we have you down, please, follow me" she said,
Sakura and Naruto's face turned red,
Misses Uzumaki?
Sakura took the lead, her eyes were aimed at the floor,
I don't mind...being a Misses Uzumaki...but...awe I'm so nervous...this feels like it's happening to fast.
Naruto became energetic,
Misses Uzumaki? I really like the sound of that, but, calm down Naruto, it's too fast for marriage, right?
The woman in the kimono dress opened the door to their room,
Sakura's eyes brightened, she saw the large room, there was a beautiful black walnut desk with an oval mirror, there was a large walk in closet, and...a single bed.
Sakura went into a state of comedic shock,
A single bed...? FOR...US TO SHARE!?
Naruto stared at the bed as well, his nose bled without her noticing,
I...get to sleep with Sakura in the same bed? No way...then..tonight could be the night.
Sakura gulped, Inner Sakura was squirming uncontrollably,
I - I mean it's the same thing as the carriage except, except, it's a bed, a nice...comfortable bed, it seems new...like it wouldn't make..too much...noise...Sh...sh..a...n...ro...
The attendee then moved herself to the front of a wall door, as she pulled on the handle, she presented the two a hot spring, elusively,
"Each couple's retreat receives their very own exclusive hot spring, you can ring for food services, and since this is a premium, you are entitled to complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner for the rest of your stay, please enjoy your stay" she said as she bowed,
the kimono dressed worker walked passed the two flustered guests.
Naruto slowly walked to the closet, Sakura didn't move, but her eyes watched his robotic like behavior as he placed the luggage in the closet, Naruto gulped,
"So..uhh...Sakura, are you gonna get in the hot spring?" he asked,
Sakura flinched, she tried to play it off,
"What, of course I am, ahahahah" she said as she shrugged,
Naruto looked at her, he obviously called bullshit,
"Well what's keeping you?" he asked,
Sakura chuckled nervously,
"Shouldn't we eat first?" she asked,
Naruto snickered, but his stomach rumbled,
"aw man, I...could use something" he said,
Sakura grinned,
"Then let's eat! Shanaro!" she said,
Naruto stared at the plate in front of him, it was very...ramen less, he slouched,
A morning without ramen, my life...is incomplete...
"Well, what are ya waiting for Naruto? Let's eat" Sakura said as she held her chopsticks,
Naruto comically glared at her,
"What am I waiting for? A bowl of ramen, not...this...who eats squid in the morning" he said as he stare the meal,
Sakura looked down at her meal,
Ughh...He's right, this is such a strong meal, must be free because they're actually left overs...
"Naruto...let's...go get a bowl?" Sakura asked as she looked to the side, Naruto almost jumped for joy,
"Really!?" he said,
now, Sakura doesn't mind occasional ramen dates, she enjoys them, and surprisingly - Naruto doesn't really pop the question often, this lead Sakura to believe that he has been sacrificing his favorite dish for her as often as his will would allow him, she wouldn't have been up for it however, if the meal wasn't so strong, she would've stayed.
Naruto stared at the menu with a sweat breaking,
These prices are insane, there's no way Sa-
"I'll have Anmitsu and a bowl Shio with Narutomaki please" Sakura told the chef,
Naruto's mouth dropped as he looked at Sakura who held her head high, excited to chow down,
THOSE ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE THINGS!
"and what'll you have?" the old man asked,
"Oh just, uh make it a Miso" Naruto said as he turned to the chef,
"Great, that'll be..."
Naruto looked at his froggy wallet, there was enough for a few more meals, if they weren't ordering from an expensive place such as this,
Sakura ate her food with much satisfaction,
the aroma filled her lungs up with desire as she took each bite,
Naruto ate his food with much happiness as well,
as the two finished, they thanked the chef and began heading back,
Sakura then stopped,
"Naruto..." she said quietly,
Naruto turned to her, curious as to what she was going to say,
"We should go to the hot spring when the sun sets"
"That's a great idea, Sakura...but what should we do until than?" Naruto asked,
"Festival games, duhh! Naruto!" Sakura said as she winked at him.
Naruto and Sakura commenced playing games at the festival,
A turtle race caught their attention,
they picked different competing shell runners, even placing bets on them,
"AND THEY'RE OFF!" an announcer shouted,
Naruto stared at Sakura as she yelled at the turtle she chose,
It's starting to look like she picked up a little bit...of Granny Tsunade's habit...
Sakura pumped her fist,
"YEA! COME ON BLUE - LET'S GO! SHOW EM' WHAT'CHA GOT! SHAAAA!" she shouted, everyone was shouting, but Sakura's voice was on another level,
Naruto voted on turtle who's shell was painted red, the game was called 'Go TorTuga Go!'
people pick the turtles they wish to win by placing bets, they run or...steadily walk in a straight line to the finish, the game was quite popular in The Land of Hot Water,
Naruto's red turtle and Sakura's blue turtle were neck and neck, Naruto's eyes widened as his turtle caught the lead, he jumped up,
"YES!" he shouted,
Sakura grabbed his ear,
"WHAT THE HELL - HE WON THE LAST ROUND WHY IS HE LOSING NOW HUH!?" she shouted,
"I don't know, but!" Naruto said, he crossed his arms with a victorious posture, though his ear was still held,
"BUT I'M GONNA WIN"
Suddenly the blue turtle shot forward, both of Sakura's fists pumped,
"GO GO GO!" she yelled, Naruto shouted at his turtle,
"COME ON - DATTEBAYO!
"WAIT WHAT'S THIS!?" the announcer shouted,
The blue turtle suddenly stopped right before the finish line,
"IS BLUE TAKING A NAP!?" the announcer yelled,
Naruto's red turtle was catching up,
"Looks like Red is catching up!" the announcer said with much intensity,
"C-COME ON BLUE!" Sakura pleaded.
"GO RED!" Naruto shouted,
the red turtle than stopped next to the blue,
Naruto's eyes almost exploded,
"WHAAAT!?"
the two turtles stopped at the finish line, they turned to one another and began staring at each other,
"DON'T TALK TO YOUR ENEMY!" Sakura shouted with disapproval, Naruto's eyes lowered as he looked at Sakura,
"Kinda taking it too far aren't you?" Naruto asked,
Sakura laughed nervously.
"WHAT'S THIS!? YELLOW IS ABOUT TO PASS UP UHHH...EHHHH!?" the announcer shouted in disbelief,
the entire audience dropped their mouths, parents covered their children's eyes,
"IT LOOKS LIKE THE TURTLES...HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE!?"
The two turtles began nudging their heads against each other, then, the blue one turned around, the red one...mounted the other,
Naruto and Sakura both screamed in total astonishment,
"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BLUE AND RED HAVE FINALLY FALLEN IN LOVE! AFTER MANY RACES AGAINST EACH OTHER, ALWAYS BEING NECK AND NECK! - THEY JUST COULDN'T RESIST EACH OTHER ANY MORE! SHIELD YOUR CHILDREN'S EYES PARENTS, FOR THIS THE LOVE HOUR!"
The yellow turtle suddenly passed the red and blue turtle,
"ANNNNDDD IT LOOKS LIKE WE DON'T HAVE JUST ONE WINNER TONIGHT FOLKS, PLEASE ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR NIGHT!"
Sakura and Naruto looked at each other with red faces, Naruto saw her lips, they began moving...
"Naru..to" she said quietly,
Naruto gulped,
Sakura grabbed him by the collar,
"WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR TURTLE'S PROBLEM - TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MY TURTLE HUH!?" she shouted,
"My turtle!? Your turtle invited him!" he said,
"W-well, maybe if your turtle wasn't so good looking, nothing like this would've happened!" Sakura said.
The turtle's moderators were waiting for the two small creatures to finish up, but they couldn't help but glance at the couple arguing,
"That almost looks like a comedy routine" one said,
"That's young love for you" an old said,
"How do you know they're a couple?" the younger one said,
"Watch" the old man said as he pointed,
Naruto grabbed her hands, she blushed,
"Well, maybe if your turtle hadn't seduced him with her perfection, he wouldn't have been so in love with her!" he shouted,
Sakura's eyes widened,
"What...did you say?..." she asked,
Naruto's mouth hung a bit, his eyes widened, then looked away as they lowered in embarrassment,
"That...if she wasn't perfect...he wouldn't be...in love with her?" he asked aloud.
Sakura stared at his blue eyes,
"Perfect?" she asked,
"Y-yea" Naruto said softly,
"and...in love?" she said as she looked away, Naruto gulped,
"Y...yyyyea" he said,
her head was tilted, her eyes stared up at the starry sky, the snowfall began to fall a bit more,
"Well...The snowfall is getting a bit heavy isn't it, we should...head back" Sakura said,
Naruto stared at he for a moment, he was..honestly a bit lost,
"Yea..let's go...dattebayo" he said, she began to walk, without letting go of Naruto's hand.
Naruto and Sakura entered their rented room,
she went to her travel bag and took it to the bathroom, Naruto stared at the door as it was closed,
he gulped,
I gotta tell her when she comes out that door...I just gotta
Sakura stared at the mirror, her fists were tightened, she was breathing slow and heavy,
DID HE SAY HE LOVED ME!? WHY DIDN'T I SAY ANYTHING OHH! SAKURA YOU DENSE IDIOT! I MEAN, DO I LOVE NARUTO? MY FEELINGS FOR HIM ARE REALLY STRONG...BUT LOVE? THAT'S ...A STEP UP, THAT'S...I MEAN...
Sakura sighed as she leaned over the sink and looked at the hole,
Who are you kidding, of course you love him...you're just trying to act tough as usual...
Sakura looked up at her reflection and then to the bag,
Right! Let's do this!
The door opened, Naruto's eyes widened,
Sakura's body was wrapped in a towel, she bit her lip as she looked away,
Naruto kept staring at her ever so, her legs were clearly visible, and though she wore shorts in the non winter season, they seemed
"Well, are you...gonna keep staring or join me?" she asked,
Sakura slowly walked towards the sliding door, as her hand held the handle, she slightly turned turned,
Naruto saw her green eyes looking back at him, they held a very illustrious, viper like gaze,
"Don't you know...It's rude to keep a lady waiting" she said.
Sakura opened the door and walked to the hot spring,
Naruto's face went red, he felt an overwhelming amount of nervousness and excitement, the feelings battled for the high ground,
I get to see Sakura naked...without peeping...oh man...I don't know...if I'll be able to handle it
Naruto quickly undressed himself, he tripped over his boxers and fell on he bed, he got up and grabbed a towel from his bag, after neatly wrapping his lower body, he ran to the door, stopped himself and took a few deep breaths,
Okay Naruto, just keep calm...
Naruto walked outside, he saw Sakura, already in the hot spring, no town, the water went up to her neck,
she faced the other side of the spring, there was a fog of steam, Naruto's hand slowly un-clipped the towel, he slowly walked in the water, Sakura turned around, the water was up to her neck, she blushed as she saw Naruto lowering himself, the water then went up to his neck, he leaned back and sighed with much please,
"Now that's more like it...it feels so good" he said,
Sakura stared at him,
I'm..I'm gonna go to him..
The warmth of the hot spring was a grand relief from wearing layers of clothing all winter, they stared at each other from a distance, Naruto gulped as he saw Sakura's glistening luminous eyes locking on his, she slowly moved forward across the spring, she was merely a foot or two away from him,
"S-Sakura, wait" Naruto said as he scratched his cheek,
Sakura looked at him with wide eyes,
"I uhh...been wanting to tell you" he said, she looked at him curiously, his blue eyes lowered and then looked deep into hers, he went closer...and closer.
Naruto's lips were centimeters away from hers, their eyes were fairly close, their body heat and scent filled each other's senses,
"I love you" Naruto said quietly,
"Naruto.." Sakura said as her eyes widened.
"I love you" Sakura simply said,
she leaned in to kiss him, their eyes closed, Naruto just happened to open his eyes for quick moment,
he notice Sakura beginning to stand up a little, his eyes widened as he saw a line of a bikini emerged from where her breasts ought to be,
OH NO, SHE'S CLOTHED...WAIT...I THOUGHT, OH NO...I'M SCREWED!
Sakura put her hands on his chest, she began to get on top of him,
but she suddenly felt a prick on her leg.
Naruto saw her eyes pop open, she suddenly jumped back,
"YOU'RE N-N-N- !?" she began to shout,
Naruto grabbed the towel on the floor next to him and quickly wrapped it around him while still underwater,
"I'M S-SORRY - I THOUGHT..."
Naruto ran out with a flustered expression,
Sakura reached out for him, almost as if she was trying to grab his shoulder from across the hot spring,
"Naruto! Wait!" she said,
but he was already inside, she ran out of the hot spring,
Sakura ran into the room,
her eyes looked down to see droplets of water that lead to a closed bathroom,
she quickly walked up to it and could hear the shower,
Naruto sat in the bathtub with warm water from a shower head hitting his back,
he looked ashamed of his own existence,
Sakura bit her lip, she knocked on the door,
"Naruto?" she asked,
there was no response,
she knocked again,
"Hey, Naruto, come on, I didn't mean...it like that" she said,
Sakura's back went against the door,
It just..it took me by surprise...I'm sorry...
Naruto looked at the bathroom door,
"How else would you mean it by that reaction? I shouldn't have...assumed, anything" he said,
Sakura's fist tightened,
I came off so wrong, and if this isn't fixed...it's gonna be weird...
The door was suddenly kicked down, Naruto jumped, his back leaning against the wall,
he pulled the shower curtain in front of him,
"W-what!?" he said,
Sakura walked in, she walked to the tub as she looked to the side,
"If you think, you're not gonna finish what we started, then...well then you're wrong. So come on!"
Sakura grabbed his hand, she turned around and pulled him out,
Naruto was utterly confused,
What's happening?
Sakura threw him back in the hot spring,
Naruto emerged, he had no clue how to react to any of this, he saw Sakura slowly walking into the hot spring, her arms were moving around for a minute, suddenly, her face looked red as she brought her bikini wear out of the water and threw them to cement floor,
she looked red as she walked over to him,
Naruto couldn't believe it,
but then, he could,
An indescribable feeling of love erupted between the two,
Naruto and Sakura felt their souls bind themselves as one, in this moment, their minds understood one another perfectly,
a plethora of overwhelming emotions wrapped the two as they became lost in one another.
- End -
NOTES: I apologize if you thought there was going to be super sexual stuff in this, I'm tryna keep it clean, plus writing sexual stuff is kind of weird for me hahah, anyhoo,
there's one more chapter left in this story, but don't worry! I'll write another one, hopefully it'll be better because I do really feel as though some parts could've been much better! Thank you for making it this far, you are amazing and I will try my best to make the last chapter great! Though I feel like it might honestly fall a bit short when compared to this one! We'll see, stay tuned!