The place they had walked into was certainly nice enough, though the manner of its clientele was somewhat odd. Though the high ceiling with small, fire-lit oil lamps on the walls, along with warm beige paint, had projected a warm and welcome feel, something in the place just felt off.
Upon further inspection the two, well Sakura really as Naruto was too caught up in the experience to notice, realized what was off. It was completely filled with Konoha forehead protectors. All around the room there was a small, murmuring dull noise along with reflections of light that shone on the ceiling and walls.
However, all of the peaceful chattering had stopped when the two walked into the restaurant. For a moment Sakura felt the eyes of numerous people scrutinizing her, but they all fell away as quickly as they had appeared.
Naruto apparently had not noticed the stares he was getting from people as he looked around calmly for an open table that could seat the two of them. After almost two minutes of constant searching he saw, in the far corner of the room, a group of three get up and leave. His hands and eyes immediately found Sakura, and with a careful courage he wrapped his arm around her waist. Had she been in the right state of mind Sakura would have moved away, but she was currently dominated by the fragile warmth that eclipsed her.
It took them almost a minute to reach the table, but eventually they did so. Had they been paying attention they would have realized they had numerous eyes on them. A few of said eyes were pure white and pupil-less, one of which had tears. The others were less distinct and similar to one another. And it was in the tender silence that the two had formed that they sat down across from each other.
Somehow during their journey the table had been cleaned and reset, but neither had noticed. Both had cheeks stained a light pink as they stared into their respective hands. Even when someone had come to get their drinks their eyes did not move as they said "water" in unison. So it was a surprise when a certain Chuunin with a scarred nose came to them undetected.
"Sakura, would you mind if I stole Naruto away for a minute?" he said, smiling as they both blushed infinite shades of red and snapped their necks to face him. She stammered out a "no" and Iruka wondered how she could talk with all her blood in her cheeks. It was like that the blond was separated from his date.
For some reason it took a lot less time to leave the restaurant than to enter and within fifteen seconds Naruto had found himself back in the fresh air. It seemed odd that his world could take on such a different perspective in less than a minute but it had. Iruka's intervention had broken the spells they had cast over one another, allowing them both to think clearly for the first time in a long while.
"Naruto, you need help." the Chuunin said in his most matter-of-factly tone. In truth it wasn't his strongest, but the happiness he got from seeing Naruto and Sakura hampered his ability significantly. "Do you want some?"
"Anything, Iruka-sensei." Naruto responded almost immediately. Now that he could think back on it he realized just how awkward the two had been before Iruka came up. He knew that just wouldn't do and he desperately wished for anything that could keep that from repeating.
"Okay, now listen carefully, Naruto. You and Sakura are friends first and significant others second, remember that. Because if you try to flip it around and fail then you'll lose her. Understand?" he asked, getting ready to explain himself. Luckily for him though Naruto seemed to get it and he nodded solemnly. "Okay, good. Now listen up. Small talk won't work so don't even try it.
"First thing you should do is ask her about her training with Tsunade while you were away. It's a broad subject and should last a while before it runs dry. Remember to pay attention to everything she says and don't let your mind wander. Also, loosen up a bit; you're about as hard as a kunai. Another thing, it would be a good idea if you don't brag. She'll hit you for that."
And with that, well after going over it a little bit, Iruka left. Little did the blond know that Sakura went through a very similar, albeit shorter, conversation courtesy of Kakashi. So, once he saw Iruka turn the corner he went back to Sakura. The whole mood had shifted to a somewhat more relaxed demeanor and the two found it easier to talk than before.
(Time jump)
Some time had passed since the intervention of the two teachers and, surprisingly, they had taken what was said to heart. The whole situation had been changed, almost to the atmosphere they had when they had finished a particularly grueling session with Kakashi. However there was an extra air, an extra layer of tension added that they both enjoyed and were intimidated by. It was intimacy.
Neither had really been in a situation like this before. Oh, they had dreamt of such an occasion, but really were scared of it now that their fantasies had come to fruition. It was like they were afraid that it would end like it always did, with them bolting up in bed, sweating, and regretting that it wasn't real. Both were unsure and anxious, and those feeling were only intensified when something happened.
Sakura had reached for her glass of water when it had happened. Her left arm flinched, sending some pain from a new wound coursing through her. She couldn't explain how it happened or why it happened, but in a flash Naruto responded. He was at her side, on one knee as he examined her arm. She motioned him away briefly, her other hand rising and numbing the nerves that had previously been inflamed. However her mind went blank when she saw his face.
Terror and worry and fear and countless other emotions were plainly expressed, his eyes already beginning to water in sorrow. Sakura saw his reaction and immediately she cupped his cheeks in both hands, mumbling things along the lines of "it wasn't you" and "it's not your fault". She leaned closer, half-closing her eyes in the most comforting expression she could muster. Neither noticed how their faces had moved within inches of each other.
They did realize, however, when they pressed together and their lips met softly. Burning electricity wracked their bodies as they sighed into one another. Her hands dropped as they stood while his moved around her waist and met behind her. She didn't complain when he pulled her against him.
