Jiraiya looks to Sakura and asks, "How old are you?"

She responds, "I turned 12 in March!", to which Jiraiya replies, "Talk to me in 6 years."

I yell, "What the Hell are you doing here, Pervy Sage?!"

Jiraiya reiterates, "I wanna take you on a mission, kid.". He looks back at Sakura and says, "If you're a shinobi, you can come too."

I ask, "What's the mission?"

Jiraiya tells us, "It's a mission to gather information on Orochimaru. I'll be taking you to the Land of Rice Fields in the Hidden Sound Village."

I ask him, "Why do you need me for this mission?"

He replies, "If you come with me, I can get some of my research done along the way!"

Sakura asks me, "Wait, is he Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin?". I tell her "Yes", and she suggests that his research must be important. I sigh, then I whisper to Sakura about what Jiraiya's 'research' is.

Sakura yells at Jiraiya, "You pervert!", and kicks him in the balls.

Jiraiya doubles over and wheezes out, "You're quite fiesty... That's just how I like 'em!"

I end up having to restrain Sakura from giving Jiraiya any permanent injuries.

I calm Sakura down, then scowl and scold Jiraiya, "I told you already, I'm not gonna waste any more time helping you with your research. I'm trying to become a better shinobi, and peeping on women isn't gonna help that!"

Jiraiya looks at me and appears to be shocked at what I've just said. Then, he smiles, stands back up, and tells us, "Alright. If you join me on this mission, I won't waste your time with my research. If you wanna come, meet me at the village gates at noon tomorrow."

Sakura and I look at each other and nod, confirming that we'll take the mission.

Sakura says, "Alright, I'll go home and get ready. See you tomorrow!". She gives me a peck on the cheek again and runs home.

Jiraiya gives me one of his perverted looks and asks, "You got a girlfriend, now?"

I tell him, "I- I don't know. I'm pretty sure she hated me a week ago, but after I landed myself in the hospital, she's been being really nice to me..."

Jiraiya puts a hand on my shoulder and says, "Listen, kid. You ever think that maybe she didn't hate you, and just didn't know how she really felt about you? I know what happened between you and Sasuke, so maybe that opened her eyes and showed her that she likes you. Just ask her about it."

Maybe he's right? It is possible that Sakura didn't hate me... Although I wouldn't blame her, since I really was - and still am - an idiot.

Oh my God, Jiraiya just imparted some actual wisdom!

I look up at him and thank him, then go into my apartment and watch some T.V. before going to sleep.

It's 11:45 A.M., and Sakura and I manage to arrive at the gates at the same time. Jiraiya's not here yet, so I figure this is my chance to heed his advice and talk to her.

I ask Sakura, "When did you start liking me?"

Sakura begins explaining, "I used to hate you..." - So I was right - "But I did kinda like your antics. When we were assigned to Team 7 and you set up a chalk to fall on Kakashi-sensei's head," she giggles, "I said it was dumb but I was hoping it would work."

I wish she'd said something then...

She continues. "Aslo, when you asked me for advice on tree-climbing, I thought that was pretty humble of you, even though you wanted to keep it a secret from Sasuke. When you fought Orochimaru, I began to understand that you're not just an idiot... There's more to you than I know. It was when Sasuke told me that it was really you who saved me from Gaara that cemented that idea. I started wondering if maybe I really do like you. Then, when you fought Sasuke to stop him from leaving and you saved my life again, I realized that you really are an amazing guy... "

Wow. I had no idea she would even think about me...

"Sakura," I look down, "when you said that I don't have to be lonely anymore, did you really mean it?"

Sakura tilts her head and looks at me as if I've said something odd.

She lifts my head up, looks me straight in the eyes and says, "I meant every word, Naruto."

I look back down at the ground and smile. "Thanks, Sakura.", I say.

She walks in my direction and envelopes me in yet another hug - not that I'm complaining. Hugs are nice. I tell Sakura again, "Thank you.", and return the hug. She eventually breaks off the hug, pushes my hair back, and rubs my cheek. She remarks, "These whisker marks are so cute!"

I hold my cheeks and admit to her, "I've always hated them. People could take one look at them and they'd know to treat me like a monster..."

Sakura grasps my hands, gently removes them from my face, and gives me a kiss on each cheek. She says, "Well, I like them."

A few minutes pass by and Jiraiya finally shows up. "You kids ready?", he asks.

Sakura and I nod, and the three of us begin our journey to the Land of Rice Fields.

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