An AU in where Naruto is the same age as the next generation of ninja (Sarada, Bolt, etc), but all the other characters from his original timeline have grown older. Should I keep it this way, or change the male lead to Bolt?
As was usual, the clumsy blonde, 16 years of age, rushed into class at the very last minute. This was always the case, especially after weekends. As was his rushing around asking anyone if they can 'lend him' the homework answers. Naruto Uzumaki was far from studious, and everyone knew it. And yet, he still made an effort to get to class. Well, first period class to be specific, and not because it was the first class of the day. Because of the teacher, Sensei Haruno (Sakura Haruno). Nearly everyone in the classroom knew he had his eyes set on their voluptuous teacher...except one.
One Sarada, who also happened to be Sakura's daughter. And perhaps the reason she didn't recognize Naruto's obvious obsession over her mother was because she herself had been falling for the boy. Even if he did have the whiskers (that was usually a turn-off for her, but Naruto somehow made it work). Adjusting her red-rimmed glasses and brushing a strand of dark hair from her face, Sarada glanced at Naruto sitting down next to her and blushed. They didn't talk often, but when they did, it was usually about homework. Now she hoped to change that.
"So, um, Naruto," Sarada stammered, "How is, uh...y'know, how is...well, uh..."
Naruto just looked at her for a second before Sarada looked back away.
"Um, never mind," she said.
Before Naruto could get too curious, none other than Sakura Haruno came rushing in. Her usually long hair had been placed in a bun today. This immediately brought his attention to her and only her.
"Sorry I'm late, class," Sakura said, "I had a bit of a late night."
Most of the class bought it, but Sarada knew better. Sakura had often drank herself stupid from time to time, especially on weekends. She had been doing so ever since her father left doing who knows what. She knew Sakura still loved him, but couldn't stand that she seemed so alone. Naruto couldn't see that, though. In his mind, she may as well have been dressing up in costume and saving the world. It's not like she wouldn't look sexy in a superhero outfit.
The thought had Naruto giggling like a child in a candy store. Sarada grumbled at Naruto's obliviousness.
"So, for this week's project, I will be pairing everyone up in teams of two," Sakura said, "And these will be chosen randomly, so no switching partners."
Everyone wrote their names down on a piece of paper and put it in the hat Sakura had brought out. One at a time, she pulled two names out and assigned partners based on that. And as fate would have it.
"Sarada Haruno...and Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto didn't say much as usual, but Sarada, on the inside, was beyond excited. The new project might get her closer to Naruto. It took great strength to not get out of her seat and jump up and down in joy.
As classes were dismissed for the day, Naruto had been on his way out with his friends when Sarada approached him.
"H-Hi, Naruto," said Sarada, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Uh, sure," Naruto said, "Catch up with you guys later."
The two unnamed friends ran off looking for more trouble to cause.
"So what's up?" asked Naruto.
"Well, um, we're...we're, uh, partners for this project," Sarada stammered, "So I thought we should meet up after school. Y-You know, at my place."
"That's, uh, gonna be tricky," Naruto said, "I usually have ball practice after school with the guys."
"And I...understand that, b-but we need to do this project together," Sarada said, her heart beating rapidly as she mentioned the last word, "Besides, my mom will be home later, so she'll know if..."
Naruto had immediately shot up at the mention of this little tidbit. Sakura Haruno would be home? In casual? Naruto couldn't miss this chance for the world.
"Y'know what?" asked Naruto, "I could probably take some time off from ball practice to study...at your house."
"Yes!" Sarada squealed enthusiastically.
Naruto gave her a questioning look before Sarada went back to her usual reserved self.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat, "So how soon can we start this...arrangement?"
"Right now!"
Naruto had also been too enthusiastic, but for very different reasons.
"...o-okay," Sarada said, "I'll show you where it is. It's actually just a couple blocks away."
Naruto spent the walk daydreaming about seeing Sakura at home. He envisioned her wearing nothing but an apron, getting a chance to see what her body looked like. Especially her ass, the way it teased him during class, trying to free themselves from the business pants or leather skirt Sakura would wear (it varied by day).
Sarada, on the other hand, daydreamed about having Naruto alone with her in her room doing a bit more than studying. She had often seen him shirtless during sports activities, and imagined him with no shirt on top of her, mindlessly kissing her anywhere she wanted him to...which was almost anywhere.
Both were so lost in their daydreams until they saw Sakura sitting on the front porch. What got Sarada out of her thoughts was the fact that she was home so early. She usually didn't leave work until dinner time, and Sarada wanted to use that as an advantage towards Naruto. What got Naruto out of his daydream was the fact that Sakura was not only not in her professional attire, but also wearing a long t-shirt with very small shorts, exposing the pink-haired sensei's thich thighs. While Naruto had become entranced by the exposed flesh, Sarada nervously prodded her mom for answers.
"H-How come you're home so early?" asked Sarada.
"Well, our ever-so 'reliable' headmaster never bothered to arrange a faculty meeting today," Sakura replied, "He's probably bar-hopping instead. So no one had anything to do but go home early."
"Well, that's...somewhat believable," Sarada said, knowing fully well the rumors that spread about the headmaster's outside activities, "But anyway, Naruto and I are going upstairs to study."
"Oh, I almost didn't even recognize you without your uniform on," Sakura said, "Good to see you, Naruto."
"A-And you as well, Sensei Haruno," Naruto stuttered.
"Oh please, 'Sensei Haruno makes me feel old,'" Sakura said, "As long as we're outside the classroom, just call me Sakura, okay?"
"O-okay, sense...uh, Sakura," Naruto said.
"Anyway," Sarada interrupted, grabbing Naruto by the arm and starting to drag him inside, "We're gonna go work now."
"Play nice, you two," Sakura said lovingly.
It could have been Naruto's imagination, but he could have sworn Sakura had winked at him as they departed. Between that and suddenly having less formality with her, this would prove to be interesting.