Sakura was on the train again, but this time just too many blondes were sitting around her. Ino and Naruto made her sit between them, while they argued, and Tsunade was sitting in front of her, and, like an overbearing mother, telling her every little thing she already knows.
"Are you sure, the apartment is new? I read somewhere that the Raikage doesn't like the new architecture style." said her shishuo with a magazine in hand.
"Shī already checked, the building is in the Kumo style, but still new" she replied for a millionth time already.
"I still can't believe you are movin'. And with a sketchy guy like that." snorted Naruto from her right, and she just sighted.
He was not a big fan of Shī, based minimally on their age gap and his home country, Naruto still had trouble accepting her refusal of Sasuke, and the fact that Shī called him a Konoha dog one time did not help. Sakura of course knew that he was not serious, since they started dating, he visited Konohagakure many times, and even managed to become friends with some people, including Ino, Naruto was just too easy to tease.
When she returned from her first visit, Ino, just by looking at her, could tell that something big happened, and demanded a full story next to a wine on her couch. Sakura told the basics of it, not going into details on some parts since she wanted to keep those just between her and Shī. But Sakura did tell Ino that they are dating, to which the blonde started to jump in excitement. Naruto in contrary was not too happy about it.
Sakura looked around again, thinking about Shī, and how he fit with her blonde circle.
She joked one time with Ino, that it seemed like every important person in her life had to be a blonde, she was just surprised her mom was not on the train, although Tsunade made up for it a little too much.
"You listenin'" she heard Naruto ask
"Sorry" she said, holding up her palms in defense, hearing Ino's snarky laugh behind her
"Naruto, leave Sakura to daydream, probably Shī is on her mind"
"I was actually..." she tried, but knew that Ino caught her.
"Please Sakura-chan, I don't want to know" Naruto put his hands, to cover his ears, dramatically reenacting the time he accidentally walked in on them, while Shī and her were on the table. Of course she kicked him out, with a lecture that his spare key was not for him to waltz into her apartment whenever he wants.
When they decided to move together, only Ino supported them, everyone else around her said it was too soon, they were only dating for 4 months at that point, which were totally fine by her and Shī, but it seemed, everyone recommended for them to wait a little longer. Now at almost 10 months, she felt it was enough wait.
Naruto was moving the fastest than anyone else in relationship around them, yet he dared to comment. He was basically living with Hinata by month 3, made it official at month 5, and now for their recent one year anniversary, he proposed. The loud blond was a big hypocrite in her opinion, and even dared to say, that Sakura spend to much time with Shī, while he himself was glued by the hip to Hinata, the only reason that the Hyuga girl wasn't on the train had more to do with her mission. And Sakura was living in a long distance relationship, how on earth could she spend too much time with Shī?
She sighted, and tried to engage in the conversation again. Tsunade seemed to pick up her interest, and immediately shoot another question at her, that she definitely didn't ask already 6 times, no no.
"What about the furniture?"
"Ohh yeah, will it be empty?" inserted Naruto
"No, we already bought some basics, and will slowly buy the rest" she said, trying to look out at the sunset behind the clouds, they were getting closer
"Basics? Like what?" asked Naruto again
"Bed" answered Ino with a big smirk, and Sakura facepalmed in wait of more teasing. Ino also caught them one time in the kitchen, and she needed to tell her the spare key rules too, the same what she told Naruto.
"Do they even need bed?" came Naruto's sarcastic remark, and she just wanted to punch him, but being in a moving electronic train, she opted for flaking his forehead and not saying anything.
"Hush hush, a lady here doesn't want to hear it" waved her hand Tsunade.
"But seriously Tsunade-baa-chan, don't you think he is too old?" whined Naruto again, using the same argument he said when first hearing about them.
"If you want to be technical, you are older than Hinata by one month" replied back Tsunade with a grin
"One month and 8 years are different!" shouted back the blonde, and Sakura just waved it off. At this point she gave up on ever expecting him to understand. Yeah, 8 years are a lot for many people, but she didn't know how else to tell him, that Kumogakure's training was a little more laid back, letting people enjoy their youth more, while in Konoha she was basically running a hospital at 16. That would never happen in Kumo, so because of this, she felt closer in age to Shī, sharing similar values and opinions on many key things.
When they arrived it was already dark, and Sakura felt a breeze around her legs while getting down from the train, summer was right around the corner, but the nights were still chilly. Before she could turn, to help get down the big suitcase, warm arms wrapped around her
"Hey" Shī whispered into her ear, and she almost trembled by his voice. Sakura turned with a big smile
"Shī" was her first word, before pressing herself tightly to him, and kissing his cold lips. She missed him so much, they couldn't see each other for almost 2 months, Sakura was always sent on last minute missions, since she planned to move to a different village.
"Guh-um" fake coughed Naruto still from the train "Can you stop it?" he asked, wrinkling his nose in disgust. Sakura, to annoy him more, pressed her lips again onto Shī's for a short time, before letting him go. He kept his hand on her shoulder, while helping her with the big bag.
When everyone was down, Sakura found herself yet again, amazed by the amount of blondes around her. They are gonna stick out on the street so much. Sakura and Shī already stick out in Kumogakure, since many citizens had darker skin, but now, it'll be even worse.
"Tsunade-sama" Shī bowed before the lady. He had great respect for her, and Tsunade, no matter how many times denied it, Sakura knew that she liked Shī. He was also a medic, so he valued her knowledge a lot, the blonde sannin just kept up a hard exterior.
"Raikage-sama is already waiting for the poker game you promised to him last time" said Shī, and Sakura giggled at it, while Tsunade only nodded. He turned to the other two blondes "Raikage-sama also prepared rooms for you, at the Hokage building, next to lady Tsuande's room" he said, and Sakura found great joy in Naruto's confused expression
"Wait, I want to see the apartment!" he said, gesturing in the air with his hands
"Tomorrow you are invited for lunch" replied Shī, and wanted to turn, but Naruto's next words made him stop
"You just wanna keep Sakura-chan for yourself tonight, huh?" he half shouted, pointing at him, with shaky finger.
In response Shī pulled Sakura closer to him
"That's right, she is mine" he said, and grabbing the handle of the rolling suitcase, he turned with her, not answering to anymore of Naruto's insistences. Sakura just laughed, Shī really liked to annoy Naruto.
Sakura was almost the same height as him, which she knew many girls didn't like, but she thought it was perfect for them, in high heels she was the same height as him, but in normal shoes, he was still taller than her, and in her humble opinion, their intimate activities were also more enjoyable, being closer to each other.
Tsunade and Ino started following them, with a reluctant Naruto behind.
She snuggled close to him, breathing in his scent, that she still couldn't pinpoint to one something, it was still only Shī.
Tsunade and Ino were looking at a village map behind them, while Naruto was complaining in the back.
"Are you hungry?" asked Shī, and she just shook her head
"Naruto packed a lot of snacks for the ride, so I'm actually full, you?" she asked, and he gave her a small smile
"Actually, I was at an official dinner until now, with the other bodyguards." he said, and she almost stopped
"Wait, you left the dinner? What if it's important?" she asked
"They are just getting drunk, I have better things to do." he said, smirking at her, and she blushed a bit. Shī really made her more comfortable in her own skin, but he could still make her blush occasionally.
"Still, I would've understood" she replied, braking her gaze from him to the road.
"I know, but I've missed you" he whispered only for her ear, and she felt warmness spreading in her chest.
"I've missed you too" she said, while stopping to look into his eyes again, he just smiled before taking her lips, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Get a room" shouted Ino behind them, and she broke the kiss, feeling embarrassed. Even though Ino saw them one time during sex, it was still weird for her.
"Just, let's go to the Kage tower" she murmured, and started dragging Shī.
When they reached the building, Tsunade went straight up on the stairs, clearly knowing which room will the Raikage and his poker friends be. Shī went to the reception to ask for Naruto and Ino's room and keys.
Ino came next to Sakura, and whispered
"Just remember, that we are coming over tomorrow, so nothing can happen on the table" she said, and Sakura just rolled her eyes.
"Hai, hai" she replied back with an annoyed tone, folding her arms together, and Ino just smiled mischievously. It was a wonder for Sakura how Sai put up with her sometimes. It was also a wonder how all three of them were in the village at the same time, to come with her while moving, probably Kakashi had a hand in it too.
"I just now how you two are" whispered her blonde friend
"Here are the keys" came back Shī, and gave one to Ino, the other to Naruto "It'll be on the second floor, 8th and 9th rooms." he said, and with that, he walked to Sakura, put his arm around her, and started to walk out, pulling the baggage behind.
"Hey, you are not even gonna show us?" asked Naruto
"You are smart, will figure it out" he replied, and held up his hand a bit from her shoulder for a lazy wave "Good night" he said, and continued walking. Sakura turned a bit to wave and wish good night too. Giggling a bit at Naruto's expression, which was annoyance at best.
Sakura couldn't help but be excited, she actually couldn't be there, when they chose to buy this apartment, but Shī described and even tried to draw it for her a few times.
The building was round, like the other traditional Kumo buildings, surrounded by clouds which never fazed to amaze her. Until they reached the entrance, they kept up a conversation, mainly about their kages, but after stepping in, they fell silent, in anticipation.
When they finally reached the door of their apartment, Shī already had the key in his hand, opening it fast, pulling Sakura in first, then him.
It was dark, the only source of light was from the stairways, but he closed that door too. Before Sakura could ask where is the light switch, He picked her up, and put her on top of her suitcase, devouring her lips in the meantime.
Some time later, before pulling away he kissed her again, now with less passion, and more sweetness.
"So, where's the light switch" she asked, but he already turned it on, and she tried to look for her discharged clothing, but couldn't see it anywhere on the floor "Um, Shī, where did you throw my underwear?" she asked looking back at him, while he cleaned his cock with a tissue, and offered one for her.
"I don't think you'll need it today" he said with a smirk, and started to usher her into the living room, she just pulled down her skirt, and started to look around.
It was a medium sized apartment, with a round living room, that also connected to the dinning room, the kitchen was a door away, the bathroom had a small bath tub, and shower room, while two of the three bedrooms still didn't had much furniture in them. The biggest room had a queen sized bed, nightstands and closets, and Sakura was happy that they chose the main colors of the place to be a mint green and pastel blue combination, since she found those colors soothing.
Sakura realized she walked in her boots, and rushed out to take them off, and change into slippers, Shī followed her, to get slippers too.
"Do you like it?" he asked, and Sakura only smiled and stepped further to hug him lovingly.
"Yeah, it's perfect" she said, and could feel his body relax, while pulling her closer to him
"Come, I want to show you something" he said, pulling her back to the living room, to the window, and Sakura realized that, behind the clouds, she could make out the city lights "On clearer nights it looks better" he said, and she smiled brightly at him.
Going back to the room, hand in hand, and finally, without jackets, she started to unpack, and organize her clothes, while she was telling him her terrible train ride with the three blondes. Shī just laughed in some instances, saying that Naruto will hopefully become more accepting overtime of them.
He also told her, about Karui's elopement with Choji, and how only him, and a few other guys were invited. Sakura would have enjoyed to go to nice wedding, but she could understand why Karui felt the need of an elopement, after learning about all the clan traditions in the Akimichi family, Sakura found herself lucky, that neither her or Shī were from clans They were not discussing marriage yet, but buying a home together signaled into that direction.
" I will make our bath" he said, already walking to the direction of the bathroom, Sakura following shortly, taking out her bath stuff, while he was making bubbles in the water.
After a surprisingly cute and sexless bath, she just felt tired, and wanted to curl up in the bed, preferable cuddling Shī
They were under the blanket, and she almost asked him, to turn off the light when he said
"Can I see it again?" he asked, and Sakura without a word pulled off her sleeping shirt, revealing the scar at her chest. It didn't look bad, not since Shī started working on it, now it was just a white line, but he wanted to heal it completely, which took a lot of time. He touched the sensitive skin there, and she almost thought he wanted to do something again, but she saw the medic in that moment in his eyes, so just relaxed her hands, that were covering her breasts. After a few more moments of inspection, Shī helped her put back the shirt, and cuddled closely with her. Sakura fell a sleep, with his scent in her nose.
When the morning came, she slowly opened her eyes, and saw Shī was still sleeping. He was probably tired yesterday, when he picked her up, and became even more tired after their 'exercises'.
She kissed him softly on his cheek, and another idea came to her mind...
The time Naurto, Ino and Tsunade arrived for lunch, they already ventilated the rooms, and ordered take out, since both Sakura and Shī were just beginning to learn how to cook.
"Ohh, this is a nice place" said Ino, looking around the living room
"It's just okay" snarked back Naruto with folded arms, while Shī was bringing beverages and Sakura opened the boxed foods.
"Looks good, you both did a good job at it, but I need to go, I promised a rematch" with that, the older woman was already out, and the four sat down to eat.
"So, how is Uchiha Sasuke?" Shī asked, and the venom in his voice was clear
"Teme is fine, he's rebuilding the Uchiha compound" replied Naruto between bites of rice
"For Matsuri, right?" asked Sakura, while holding Shī's hand under the table
"I think it's mainly for his weird team" said Naruto "I don't think it's that serious with Matsuri" he said, giving a pointed look at Sakura, which Shī didn't like
"To be honest, I'm surprised he isn't together with his redheaded teammate" said Ino, as a try to resolve some tension in the room.
"Uzumaki Karin, right?" asked Shī
"Yeah, she is a distant relative of Naruto" said Sakura while squeezing his hand
"Maybe not distant enough for the Uchiha" said Shī with a small smirk, looking at Naruto
"Yeah, I wouldn't want that either" said back the blonde with fox whiskers
"Ahh Shī, how does your mom like Sakura?" asked Ino, and the said man just looked at his pink haired girlfriend
"At first it was rough, me being from Konoha, but I think she grew to like me" smiled Sakura sweetly
"What about your parents, Sakura-chan?" asked Naruto
"Her father told me how happy he is, that I'm not the one who made her cry every night for a year" said Shī, before taking in another bite, and Naruto threw his utensils, preparing for a scream his head off.
Unluckily, Sakura grabbed his earlobe first, and dragged him to one of the unfurnished rooms.
"Ahh, this hurts Sakura-chan" he said, and she let him go, after closing the door.
"What is your problem?" she asked, anger in her voice with folded arms
"What's my problem, he is provoking me!"
"No, he is just stating facts, while you are acting like a delegate for "Sasuke and Sakura stay together company" she replied
"But-"
"No but, I made my choice, and I'm happy with it" she said, fisting together her palms
"You loved Sasuke for so long, and then give up 5 inches from the goal"
"He scares me!" she said
"But in the war..."
Sakura zipped down her shirt a bit, just enough to show the white scar "I haven't told you this... but he hurt me during war" she said, pointing at her chest "And if Shī wouldn't have been there, I would've died" she said, zipping up after seeing Naruto's open mouth
"Did Teme really...?" he said in a small voice
"I know you had a fixation on us, since I refused you for him, but things changed... I've changed and you've changed, just let it go" she said, before leaving the room.
After that the lunch went quietly, mainly Ino was talking about how she arranged her house with Sai, and when they left, Sakura felt like a huge burden was lifted from her shoulders
"Is everything alright?" asked Shī, while holding her arm reassuringly
"Yeah...I told Naruto about this" she said, pointing at her chest, his eyes widened, for so long Sakura hid this information from Naruto, not wanting to damage their friendship "I think he will accept everything soon" she said, taking the used tissues to the trash.
Shī was not sure, how it would change, but later when they were saying bye to them at the train station, Naruto did something unexpected
"Hey, Shī, free yourself in around12 months, you'll need to come with Sakura-chan to my wedding" he said with a big grin and held out a hand for shake. Shī took it, and saw from the corner of his eye, that Sakura smiled softly at this.
"You should come to Kumo for your honeymoon, we could be your guides" he said, pointing at Sakura and himself
"Thanks, but I think Hinata likes warmer weather" he said with a cheeky grin hopping on the train.
"I fully expect you two for my birthday, don't forget it" said Ino, while hugging Sakura, and waving at Shī
Tsunade hopped on the train without a word, until Sakura spoke after her
"Shishuo?" she asked, with a confused look
"I'll be back in one week to get my money back" said the older woman with a wave, and Sakura waved back with a big grin "Ohh, and I expect you helping Sakura with her research" said Tsunade, looking at Shī, to which he nodded, before bowing at the woman.
When the train was gone, they held each other's hand, and started to walk home, probably going into some furniture stores on the way.