How long five minutes is depends on the context.

Five minutes of sleep is not long, but five minutes of sparring definitely is. But both Naruto and Boruto were holding out fine since they've been doing this on a weekly basis.

And as the timer they had set was about to ring, Boruto saw an opening to let loose a roundhouse kick to Naruto's head.

Naruto was able to raise his left arm in time to shield his face from the oncoming kick, but he didn't expect the concentrated chakra that came along with it.

His eyes widened before he was hurled to the side, then he used the momentum to cartwheel, push himself off the ground using his palms and, finally, land one knee kneeling while the other was outstretched.

And the timer began ringing.

Huffing and puffing Naruto shouted, "Hey! I told Sakura-chan never to teach you that!"

Boruto, huffing and puffing as well, grinned and scratched under his nose, "She didn't… Sarada did."

Naruto chuckled as he shook his head, "A menace, just like her mother."

The ringing timer was shut off by Hinata before she called out to the two men to get the cold water that she had brought out for them.

Naruto gave out a satisfied sigh as he finished a glass, "Thank you!"

Hinata smiled at him, "You're welcome. Are you going to stay for breakfast?"

Naruto was wiping his face with a towel as he shook his head no, "I'm going to make the bento I promised Sakura-chan for operating on Royu. And Himawari requested a heavy breakfast for her exams too."

"Thank Sakura-san for me again for taking Royu in as her patient at the last minute. And oh, wait…" Hinata stood and went inside the house.

When she came back she was holding a medicine bottle and a pink silk with cherry blossom details on it's hem. "The vitamins are for Himawari. And I found this at the marketplace yesterday. You can use it to wrap Sakura-san's bentos."

Naruto smiled at the silk, "This is beautiful, thank you Hinata!"

Boruto, who just finished wiping his face, asked, "Can I have breakfast at your place too?"

"Of course!"

"Okay, just give me a sec to get ready." And he ran inside the house.

Hinata and Naruto sat on the terrace to wait for Boruto. They were joined by the early morning chirping of the birds and the soft clinking of the wind chimes.

As Naruto was about to drink another glass of cold water again Hinata said, "Naruto-kun, I've been meaning to ask you…" Naruto hummed inquisitively. "Why haven't you asked Sakura-san to be your girlfriend?"

Naruto began coughing on his water and Hinata patted his back as she looked on apologetically. Naruto inhaled deeply before he asked her, "What… Why did you ask that?"

"It's just that… we've been separated for years, she and Sasuke-kun for much longer. And I was afraid…" She looked at the ground and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I was just afraid that the reason why you didn't pursue her is because of what my father said when we informed him that we were filing for divorce."

Naruto's eyes widened and he waved his hands, "No! No, that's not the reason!" He chuckled, "Though I was scared by your father's threat for a moment, I realized that you wouldn't let him direct your whole clan to hurt the next person I marry."

Hinata nodded, relieved.

Then she looked at him again, "So… what's the reason then?"

Naruto looked down at his feet, a sad smile on his face, "The last time I tried to make a move to make our relationship into something more, it blew on my face and it ended with us not acknowledging each other for years." He looked up at the sky, "I'd settle to have her as my best friend…"

Hinata looked at the vast backyard of the Hyuga compound, "Have I ever told you when I finally accepted that our separation was inevitable?"

Naruto shook his head.

"It was when I finally realized that the reason you suddenly became a better father and husband, and even a better Hokage, was because of Sakura-san. It all happened after you became friends again." They both looked at each other before Hinata looked away again.

"You and Sakura-san… you both have this very deep and intense relationship that only the both of you could understand. You know each other so well like no one else could, and you always bring out the best in each other and… we never had that."

Before Naruto was about to speak, to probably say something in their defense, but Hinata stopped him, "I know nothing happened between the two of you, it's very obvious actually. To be honest, during the first months we separated, I almost wished something did happen so I could hate the two of you but… You were really just meant to be with each other, as simple as that." Hinata smiled at him.

"But I did love you, Hinata." Naruto said.

"I know that. You gave me two children and I'll forever be grateful. But our story is over and I'm happier than ever. I've finally found the love that you and I never had with Kiba-kun. Found my Sakura-san in him. And I wish you the same, I wish you would pursue your happiness too."

They were silent for a moment before Naruto said, "What we have right now is close enough I guess..."

"Naruto-kun, yours and Sakura-chan's love should be celebrated, close enough isn't good enough." Hinata said to him with a smile.

Naruto's eyes widened for a moment before he sighed, "But what about Boruto and Himawari?"

"What about us?" Boruto, who was behind them eavesdropping, suddenly asked, which surprised both Hinata and Naruto.

"Hey! How many times do I have to tell you it's bad to eavesdrop!" Naruto scolded him.

But Boruto just plopped himself in the middle of Hinata and Naruto. "I've always known you loved Sakura-san, dad. I'm not a kid anymore. And Himawari's probably going to be excited to pull out a "I'm your step-daughter" card to get some personal tutoring time with her too." He grinned at Naruto and Hinata chuckled at the thought.

"And dad... we know that no matter what happens, you're not going to love us any less."

Naruto sniffed and he turned teary eyed as he shouted, "My boy's all grown up!" And he enveloped Boruto in a hug while he cried.

Boruto let him have his moment before shouting "Okay dad, you can let go now… Let me go, dad!" when the hug was getting too long and Naruto laughed.

Hinata laughed as well before the clock inside the house caught her eyes, "Oh! Naruto-kun, it's already six thirty, you better get home if you're preparing food for Himawari and Sakura-san."

"Oh! Right, let's go now Boruto." Naruto and Boruto both stood up, the latter giving Hinata a kiss goodbye on the cheeks before they began walking towards the door.

Before Naruto reached the door, he turned around and called out to Hinata, "I just want to remind you Himawari's staying with you when we go on a hike tomorrow!"

Hinata nodded, "Say happy birthday to Sasuke-kun for me!"

Himawari inhaled the smell of the food Naruto placed in front of her before she let out a satisfied sigh, "Food for my brain! Thanks, dad!"

Naruto, who was wearing a 'best dad' apron, grinned at her while placing food in front of Boruto, himself and on the empty chair next to his.

"Yeah, you definitely need it." Boruto teased which made Himawari point her fork at him threateningly while she chewed.

As Naruto removed his apron, they heard Sakura enter the house, "I'm sorry I'm late! Taka arrived later than expected!"

Naruto pulled out Sakura's chair before he sat down to his, "Don't worry, you're right on time."

Both Boruto and Himawari greeted Sakura a good morning, and she greeted them as well. She thanked Naruto for the food and began eating.

"Oh! Himawari, are you ready for your exams today?" Sakura asked.

Himawari pouted at her and she wailed, "Yes but Sakura-san, Ayame sensei made the exam! I'm dead!"

Sakura smiled at her, "You're smarter than you think, Himawari. Just remember to always choose the best answer."

"I know that, but I doubt my answer sometimes…"

"Always go for your first answer." Both Boruto and Sakura said at the same time and they grinned at one another before Naruto said, "Yeah, what they said."

They all laughed at Naruto's nonchalance at anything exam related before Sakura's phone rang.

She opened it and her eyes widened, "Oh no! I have an emergency c-section! And right before Royu's operation too!"

Sakura lifted her plate to her mouth and began shoving as much as she could, fast. And when she was done, she downed her lukewarm coffee too. "I'm really sorry but I have to go." She stood up, "Himawari, trust yourself okay? You're smart and you've studied enough." she grabbed her things, "Bye, you guys!"

Boruto bid her goodbye with a mouth full of food.

"See you at lunch!" Naruto shouted.

"See you!" Sakura shouted back.

And all three of them, already used to Sakura's crazy schedule, went back to eating.

Later, as Himawari was washing the dishes while Naruto was wiping them with dry cloth, Naruto's thoughts were brought back to Hinata's words.

Naruto-kun, yours and Sakura-chan's love should be celebrated.

"Himawari…" Naruto began.

"Yes, dad?"

"What would you feel if I got married again?"

Himawari shut the faucet off and she looked at her father seriously, "I didn't see any ring on Sakura-san's finger… if it isn't Sakura-san I would be so mad, dad."

Naruto blinked several times, "Wait… so, if it's Sakura-chan, you'll approve?"

Himawari looked at him, confused, "Of course. She's already been like a mother to me for years and I know you love her."

"Oh…"

Himawari turned the faucet on again to continue washing the plates, and then she smiled. "I can already imagine her tutoring me one-on-one because I'm officially her step-daughter."

Both Naruto and Boruto, who was peeling oranges on the table, laughed out loud.

"What?" Himawari asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Your brother predicted that you would say that." Naruto explained.

Himawari shot her brother an annoyed look before returning her attention to the plates.

Naruto scooted closer to her and he leaned his head on hers. "You know nothing's going to change right? That I love both you and your brother just the same?"

Himawari smiled, "Of course, dad. We love you too. And… we both want your happiness too."

Naruto looked at them both and he smiled, thankful to have been so lucky to have such wonderful kids.

After both of his children left and he was all alone in his room getting ready to go to work himself, Naruto opened his closet and he reached over to the farthest corner of it.

He retrieved a small box that hasn't deteriorated over the years - probably because it wasn't cheap - and he opened it.

"I think it's time to give you away buddy." Naruto smiled.

Sarada smiled, delighted, "Thank you, dad… these are pretty!"

Sasuke smiled at her as Sarada placed the mismatched stud earrings on herself.

One of the earrings was a rounded pink diamond, while the other one was a similarly rounded ruby.

"Your dad fought an old lady for those y'know." Suigetsu said with a grin.

Sarada looked at Sasuke in disbelief, "Dad!"

Sasuke sent a death glare towards Suigetsu, who turned the other way.

Karin and Jugo chuckled but it was Karin who said, "That old lady was rude, Sarada. Sasuke-kun was ready to pay and she took it directly out of his hand."

Sasuke tucked Sarada's hair behind her ear, "And even if she wasn't rude, I wouldn't have given her this. It's obviously made for you."

Sarada hugged Sasuke, "Thanks, dad. You're the one who's celebrating your birthday but I'm the one getting gifts."

Sasuke smiled as he pats her head. "I've been celebrating forty five of these, don't worry about it."

The rest of Taka smiled at them.

Then all five of them went out to eat while they were sharing stories of their travels to a wide-eyed Sarada.

"I wish I was there! That would've been the most beautiful falls!" Sarada sighed.

They were all seated, waiting for the food to arrive.

Karin reached over the Sarada with both her hands, "Then come with us! I'm sure your mother would say yes!" She said excitedly.

Sarada's eyes widened in joy for a moment before she sighed, "I can't leave Boruto alone in missions though. He's going to mess up big time or blow up something."

Sasuke turned his head to smile at Sarada and he said, "What is it with you and your mom's urge to take care of those idiots?"

Sarada blushed, "I don't… it's not like that."

"Well, then come with us!" Suigetsu chimes.

"Even for just one place, and then we'll bring you back here." Jugo said to Sarada with a smile.

"Hmm, if it's just one place… I guess I can do that." Sarad nodded.

"I'll talk to Naruto about giving you some time off." Sasuke decided. "How is Naruto and your mom?"

Sarada rolled her eyes as their food arrived and she said, while they were moving plates and utensils around, "Nothing's changed. They're both together every day and only separates when they go back home but they still haven't made anything official."

She took a bite of her food and chewed before saying, "Boruto said that he's probably worried about their reaction." Sasuke hummed for her to continue so she did, "I think Naruto-san's afraid Boruto and Himawari would get mad."

"Would they be?" Karin asked.

"No, they love mom. We actually talked about it in great lengths so I'm sure."

"It seems that everyone has moved forward except the two of them." Sasuke said, "It's not like we're getting any younger."

"Well, you're going to hike tomorrow with them, maybe you can talk to Naruto-san or something." Sarada said.

Sasuke nodded deep in thought, and then slowly he smiled.

Karin, Suigetsu and Jugo knew to be cautious of that smile but neither one of them were paying attention.

Sakura patted her full belly, an action of hers that Naruto always found endearing, "Everything was delicious as usual." She grinned at him. "Thank you, Naruto."

Naruto grinned at her, "Of course, only the best for my Sakura-chan!"

Sakura faked a cough to hide her blushing cheeks and she stood up to go to her fridge, "Uh, what juice would you like?"

"Do you still have the apple ones?" Naruto asked and Sakura nodded. She took two and returned to her seat while giving the other box to Naruto.

As she sipped her juice with one hand, Sakura began pounding the point between her neck and shoulder with her other hand.

"Does it hurt?" Naruto asked, worried.

"No… it's just strain from doing two surgeries consecutively."

Sakura was confused when Naruto stood up and sat beside her. "What-"

Naruto placed both his hands behind her shoulders, and before she could protest, he began kneading them.

"Oh…" Sakura said blushing profusely.

"You've been taking care of others so much, Sakura-chan. Let me take care of you." Naruto said.

Sakura, still blushing, let Naruto continue what he was doing.

When Sakura gave out a satisfied moan a few moments later, Naruto could feel himself hardening and he immediately worked hard to remember why he was here to will it away.

The necklace… he repeated to himself like a prayer.

And it was like a light bulb was switched on in his brain because their position right now was the perfect time for him to give it to her.

"Oh, uh… Sakura-ch-"

"What are you doing?"

Both Sakura and Naruto screamed and jumped in surprise at Sasuke who they didn't notice entering the room.

"Don't you know how to knock?!" Naruto screamed while Sakura said, "Nothing sexual!"

Sasuke and Naruto stared at Sakura which made her face red like a tomato.

She stomped towards her chair and snatched her doctor's gown off of it before she screamed, "I'm going back to work!"

But before she went out the door she turned and said to Naruto, "Don't forget to pack all your things for the hike, Naruto!" and then she slammed the door closed.

Naruto turned and yelled at Sasuke, "You have the worst timing ever!"

Sasuke smirked at him, "Why? Were you getting somewhere?"

Naruto blushed, "No, not like that!" He pulled out the velvet box out of his pocket, "I was about to give her this!"

Sasuke raised a brow, "Really? Inside her office?"

Naruto crossed his arms, "As if you could think of anything better."

Sasuke rolled his eyes at him, "We're going on a hike tomorrow, you didn't think that would be a much better place?"

"Oh… right." Naruto said and then he sighed. "Why are you here anyway?"

"I was going to ask Sakura where Sai lives." Sasuke pulled out a paint brush. "I wanted to give him this."

Naruto was surprised. Despite the yearly trip the four of them took together, Sasuke still seemed indifferent towards Sai. This was a great sign so he offered, "I can take you there."

But Sasuke shook his head no, "Just give me directions and I can go by myself."

Naruto's brows furrowed but he didn't question Sasuke. He just gave him the directions and Sasuke left him inside Sakura's office with a reminder that they'll meet up tomorrow at the gates.

Sakura placed her hands on her hips as she looked over her neatly laid out things. She took one last look at her checklist before nodding and proceeding to pack them all inside her bag.

They were only going on a hike for one night but it's better to be prepared.

Especially when you have a forgetful Naruto on your team.

Sakura blushed as she remembered Naruto's hands on her shoulders earlier today.

Ever since they've become friends again, they limit their touches when only necessary. It felt like they had an unspoken agreement that they didn't want to give anyone any reason to suspect they were doing something unbecoming of married people.

But even after each of their divorces, they just continued to do it because they were afraid a touch would break their relationship like fine china.

And here was Sakura, sitting on the floor blushing, a perfect sample of how a simple touch could potentially burn them.

She sighed and as she placed a hand over where Naruto's were earlier.

Then a knock came from her door and sensing it was Sasuke, she let him in.

"I just wanted to ask if you had any painkillers? Suigetsu's stomach is hurting."

Sakura nodded and they went to the kitchen where she stored her medicines.

Once she gave them to Sasuke, he closed his hands on the medicine and he looked at Sakura. "Sakura, you love Naruto don't you?"

"I do." Sakura said automatically but then her eyes widened at the speed of her answer and her cheeks reddened. She started to say, "I… I do love you all! Every single one of you!"

Sasuke chuckled and said, "Right… I was just confirming."

Sasuke turned and began walking away, leaving a thoroughly confused, and blushing, Sakura behind.

"Sasukeeee! Happy birthday!" Naruto was shouting from the village gate as Sasuke and Sakura were a good distance away.

"I'm going to kill him." Sasuke said as Sakura laughed before she said. "Silence wasn't really Naruto's strongest suite."

"Are you planning on waking up the whole village with your screaming?" Sasuke said to Naruto as they reached him.

Naruto pouted, "I just wanted to greet you a happy birthday." which made Sasuke roll his eyes.

"And a good morning to you Sakura-chan." Naruto turned to grin at Sakura who smiled at him. "Let me carry your bag, it might be heavy…"

Before Naruto could even get close to her, Sakura swung her fist towards him, thankfully not making contact, and Naruto froze. "I'm strong enough to carry my own bag!"

Sasuke pursed his lips to keep from laughing.

Naruto chuckled and apologized. He needed to remind himself that typical flirting wouldn't work on Sakura.

After a few moments, they saw Sai from a distance. Sai who was using crutches… and Ino?

Sakura gasped and she ran to meet them halfway.

Naruto and Sasuke followed too, the latter making a great effort to keep his face impassive.

"What happened?!" Sakura asked.

"I fell down the stairs last night. But I still wanted to come by and greet Sasuke a happy birthday before you go." Sai said with a smile.

"I can heal it for you..." Sakura began to say but was met by a loud and firm, "NO!" from both Ino and Sai which made Sakura take a step back, confused.

"I… uh…" Ino scratched the back of her head. "I read somewhere that sprains… letting sprains heal on their own will make your joints stronger." And she began to laugh, "Right, right! We're not getting any younger so I want to make sure Sai keeps his joints strong." Sai nodded and said words of agreement.

"I… I don't think that's true Ino." Sakura said. But before she could do or say anything else Ino said, "And I want to spend time with Sai too!"

Sakura's brows furrowed but she seemed to buy this reason more. "Okaaaay… but we'll miss you Sai."

"Yeah, this is the first hike you're not with us." Naruto chimes. "Are you sure Sakura-chan couldn't-offff!" Sasuke stepped on his foot, hard.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Sasuke said nonchalantly.

"Watch where you put that foot down, idiot!" Naruto shouted at him.

"Sasuke-kun!"

Everyone turned and saw Karin running towards the group. "Sasuke-kun, can you stay? Suigetsu's head is still hurting and I don't know how to take care of him!" She dramatically draped herself in front of Sasuke and he caught her.

"Oh, no." Sasuke said monotonously. "Sure."

"Wait! What?" Sakura asked, confused as to how chaotic their morning is turning out.

Sasuke grabbed Sakura by her backpack's strap and did the same to Naruto and began dragging them towards the village gate while saying, "So it's only going to be the two of you. You have your things packed already and it will be such a waste for the both of you to not go. And it's also a waste of your time-off."

Naruto's eyes were widening, understanding what was happening and he looked at Sasuke who gave him a slight nod of his head.

Meanwhile Sakura was thrashing about shouting, "We're going to go for a hike for you! Because it's your birthday! And I can heal Suigetsu too!"

"No, he must heal naturally."

"Naturally my ass, I-" Sasuke flicked Sakura's forehead as he let them both go. "Hey! That hurt!" she complained.

"My birthday wish for this year is for the both of you to take your time off." Sasuke said to her.

Sakura was still glaring at him while holding her forehead, and was still confused when she turned to look at Naruto, "Naruto! Can you talk some sense to this man?!"

Naruto shrugged his shoulders and he flicked a glance towards Sasuke, "Why not… take this opportunity to have a break from work, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura's jaw dropped in disbelief, still confused about what was happening, "What?!"

"But it's fine if you don't want to spend your time alone with me…" Naruto finished his statement looking down and digging his foot on the ground.

"No, that's not what I meant…" Sakura said immediately wanting to comfort Naruto.

"Then that's settled then, you'll be going. See you tomorrow!" Sasuke said in an uncharacteristically loud voice as he pushed both his best friends onward onto the path away from the village.

When both Sakura and Naruto were surely too far away for them to change their minds, Sasuke turned around and walked back to the trio still waiting for him

Sai, who had both of his feet planted on the ground now and was twirling his crutches, toying with it, said, "I'm impressed, I didn't think it would work."

Sasuke smirked at him, "Naruto surprisingly picked it up immediately."

Ino laughed, "I just hope he doesn't mess this up."

All of them agreed before Karin, scratching her chin in thought, said, "Do you think Sakura would figure out I messed up and said Suigetsu's head hurts instead of his stomach?"

"I swear, something is not right. I know Suigetsu's stomach was aching last night and not his head."

They were already at the foot of the hiking trail but Sakura was still rattling on about what happened earlier. So before they got any further, Naruto stopped and turned to Sakura.

"Sakura-chan, let's just forget about everything back home for now, okay?" Naruto grinned at her, "Let's savor this free time."

Sakura, realizing that she was so fixated on what happened, took a deep breath and sighed. What good will it do since they were already here? She nodded. "Fine."

"Promise?" Naruto raised his pinky towards Sakura. Sakura rolled her eyes and then she smiled and wrapped her pinky around Naruto's, "Fine, I promise."

Sasuke began asking them to go out on a hike as a team on his fortieth birthday.

He stumbled upon a good camping spot not far from Konoha, that had the best view of the stars at night and the most scenic view of the sunrise in the mornings.

They had always traveled at a languid pace, and even though they were missing two men, that didn't stop Naruto and Sakura from traveling languidly too.

They didn't use their chakras to jump over rocks, which led to Sakura slipping backwards and Naruto catching her by the back of her hips. They stared at each other before Sakura shot upwards to stand, red in the cheeks, and proceeded to walk away.

They picked fruits and berries that they came across too. They fed each other berries by throwing it at each other as they tried to catch it with their mouths. Sakura's stomach ached so much from laughing when a berry went directly to the back of Naruto's throat and he had to hack it out.

They even went fishing in a river, which wasn't really needed because of the amount of food Naruto brought, but Sakura insisted a grilled fish was better for the sake that she had brought for tonight.

And then they ate Naruto's packed lunch under the shade of a tree before they proceeded to walk the trail again.

And finally, they reached their destination late in the afternoon.

They set up camp and now the sun was setting and Sakura was watching Naruto grill the fish they had caught earlier.

Sakura felt so light and happy, like they were in their own world. Naruto, feeling Sakura's eyes on him, looked up and he grinned at her.

Later that night, after all the food had been eaten, and the one sake bottle Sakura brought finished, Naruto and Sakura lay in their sleeping bags while watching the shimmering stars in the dark sky.

Naruto thought he was just being dramatic but, he really thinks the stars were brighter now than all the years they've been here.

Sakura sighed. She was a little drunk and drowsy. She raised a hand out towards the sky and said, "They're so beautiful."

Naruto slightly turned his head to look at Sakura before he said, "So beautiful."

"I wish we could just stay here, away from all our responsibilities. And just be..." Sakura's hand dropped to her side.

"Just be?" Naruto asked but when he looked at Sakura again she was already asleep.

Naruto smiled before he sat up, removed his jacket and carefully draped it over Sakura's body.

Naruto turned to the side to watch Sakura sleep, before he let himself fall asleep too.

Sakura was roused by the chirping birds.

As she was opening her eyes, she felt that her right cheek was nestled on something warm. Her eyes snapped open and she froze as she realized she was using Naruto's palm as her pillow.

Sakura slowly checked to see if she drooled on his hand, which she thankfully didn't.

Slowly, she pushed herself up and as she did so, Naruto's jacket fell to her lap. Always touched by his small gestures, she looked at Naruto and smiled at him before she shrugged his jacket on since the weather was still chilly.

Sakura waited for the earliest ray of the sun to peek through the horizon, coloring the sky in different shades of orange, before she gently shook Naruto awake.

"Naruto… wake up, the sun's about to rise." Sakura said in a hushed tone.

Naruto slowly opened his eyes and he smiled at her, "I don't need to see that, I'm already looking at the most beautiful view ever."

Sakura froze before her brows furrowed, "Stop… stop doing that!" Sakura stood up, and she walked towards the edge of a cliff where they usually watch the sun rise.

Sakura's answer and the tone of her voice woke Naruto entirely. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes before he stood and ran towards Sakura.

"Sakura-chan…" Naruto began to say.

"Don't toy with me, Naruto! I'm not… I can't play this flirting game with you!" Sakura shouted at him.

"Sakura-chan, I'm not toying with you!" Naruto said, brows furrowed. "You know how I feel about you… you know I lo-"

Sakura pointed at Naruto before she screamed "Don't!" And a tear slid down her face. "If you're not going to push through it just don't give me hope, Naruto…"

And that was when it hit Naruto. All this time… Sakura was waiting for him to make a move.

How many times had they spent together alone, after they had both been separated from their spouses. How many of those did she hope was the day Naruto would ask her to be his?

Naruto ran a hand through his hair, frustrated that he just couldn't get it right with Sakura. Then he pulled out the velvet box, the box that held the necklace he had bought for Sakura all those years ago. He opened it and showed it to Sakura.

Sakura looked at the dainty diamond necklace with confusion first and then with wide eyes.

"I have never loved anyone as much as I love you, Sakura-chan. I've loved you since we were twelve." Naruto took the necklace off the box and he moved closer to Sakura. Since she didn't move away, he proceeded to put the necklace on her.

As he was trying to fasten the lock, face close to Sakura's, he said. "In everything I had experienced in my life, there were only two things that I was sure of: you are my best friend, and… I love you."

Naruto moved his hand to cup both of Sakura's cheeks. He used both his thumb to wipe away her tears, but unexpectedly, he began to cry too. "I know I said maybe in another life, Sakura-chan but…" He sniffed, "Can we not wait until then?"

Sakura let out a teary laugh, "I was just waiting for you to ask!"

Naruto laughed as well, "I'm sorry, I'm so dumb."

Sakura shook her head and she cupped Naruto's cheeks as well to wipe his tears away, "It doesn't matter anymore. What matters is I love you too and we're together."

The sun shone over them as Naruto slowly closed the gap between them. He rubbed his nose on Sakura's, which made her smile and close her eyes before Naruto planted his lips on Sakura.

The kiss was warm, soft, and reassuring, the kind that seals the fate of two souls that were meant to be together.

Naruto pulled back, placed a hand on Sakura's back and he pulled her body close to him, before he placed his forehead on Sakura's.

They stared at each other's eyes, both smiling.

"I love you, Sakura-chan."

"I love you too, Naruto."

"Let's get married?"

Sakura's laugh was music to Naruto's ears, and so was her "Yes".

Their trip back home was filled with stolen kisses and touches like they were making up for lost time. Like they were teens again, just flirting and loving without a care in the world. They were on cloud nine.

They only paused once the village gates were already in sight.

They stood there, both having internal thoughts of their own before Sakura looked over at Naruto and she took his hand in his.

Naruto looked at their entwined hands, then to Sakura's smiling face.

"You ready?" Sakura asked with a smile.

Naruto raised his other hand, placed it on her cheek and he kissed Sakura's forehead. "As long as I'm with you." Naruto smiled at her.

Hand in hand, they entered the village gates together.

Before their trip back home, they had already decided Sasuke was the first one they would tell about them, so they went straight ahead to Sakura's house.

"Ugh! Finally! We're hungry!" Suigetsu wailed as soon as the couple entered the house. "Where have you been! Sasuke wouldn't let us touch the food unless you were here!"

Naruto and Sakura's jaws dropped.

There was a wonderful spread of food on the dining table, complete with the nicer utensils Sakura had.

But Taka and Sarada were still sitting in the living room.

"Sasuke! Did you starve Sarada?!" Sakura shouted immediately.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, "As if. Suigetsu's stomach is just an endless pit."

Sarada and Karin chuckled.

"It's true mom, the food just arrived." Sarada said while she walked towards Sakura and hugged her. "I'm glad about this." Sarada said pertaining to Naruto and Sakura's twined hands.

Naruto smiled at Sarada in thanks while Sakura let his hand go and she hugged her daughter.

Suigetsu was still complaining and wailing about being hungry when Karin threw a pillow at him. "Shut up!"

Naruto chuckled, "You didn't have to wait for us, y'know."

Sasuke's brows furrowed, annoyed. "Of course we did. This is my birthday celebration."

Naruto and Sakura looked at Sasuke sweetly, "What?" Sasuke asked.

"We're just touched you love us so much." Naruto grinned at him.

Sasuke blushed but pretended to make a disgusted face. "Whatever. Let's eat."

Suigetsu pumped his fists in the air.

As they were eating the delicious food - superbly delicious - Sakura picked up a strip of meat to give Naruto.

But out of habit, Sasuke also stretched out his hand that was holding the rice bowl.

Sakura paused, and Sasuke immediately pulled back his hand out of embarrassment.

Sakura just laughed it off and she slightly stood from her seat to place the meat on top of Sasuke's rice, "It's your birthday celebration, after all." And she picked up another strip to give to Naruto.

Karin, being cheeky as always, replicated what Sakura did. She took a strip of meat and placed it on Sasuke's rice bowl not expecting him to react.

So she was utterly stunned when Sasuke picked up a strip of meat and placed it on top of her rice bowl with a hint of a smile on his lips.

Karin wasn't the only one who was surprised because everyone stared at the two of them, stunned.

"What?" Sasuke said to them all before he went back to eating while Karin was still frozen, trying to process what it meant.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then." Naruto said before he kissed Sakura.

Sasuke made a disgusted face, "Ugh. This is the worst part about getting you two together."

Naruto and Sakura laughed.

"Belated happy birthday again, Sasuke. I owe you one." Naruto grinned at him and he raised a fist up towards Sasuke.

Sasuke placed his fist on Naruto's and he smiled, "You don't."

Naruto smiled in understanding before he turned and jumped up to the roofs to go home.

As Sakura closed the gate and they were about to head inside, Sakura blurted out, "Sasuke-kun, thank you for doing what you did yesterday."

Sasuke turned to look at her, "I should've done that a long time ago."

Sakura shook her head, "We wouldn't have been ready. And what matters most is that we're together now right?"

Sasuke nodded and they went inside.

Sakura couldn't sleep. She's had a warm bath and she also drank her tea but she just misses Naruto so much.

She got up from her bed and she decided maybe another cup would do the trick, so she went downstairs to boil another pot of water.

"Another one?" Sasuke asked as he came into the kitchen to get himself milk. He just got out of the shower based on his wet hair.

Sakura tapped her fingers on the counter as she said, "I can't sleep… I mi…" she ended in a mumble and blush.

Sasuke's brows furrowed, "What?"

Sakura's blush intensified, "I miss Naruto..."

Sasuke made a disgusted sound, "Just go. We aren't kids anymore and you don't have a curfew."

"But… the people…" Sakura's brows furrowed.

Sasuke flicked her forehead again, "Ouch! That hurt!" He was getting too comfortable flicking her forehead nowadays it seems.

"We've all moved on, Sakura. We're all just waiting for the two of you to get it together." Sasuke raised a brow and he smirked at Sakura, "And since when did you let other people dictate you?"

She smiled at Sasuke and said, "You're the smartest, you know that?" Before she walked out of the kitchen and out the door.

Sasuke turned off the stove before heading back to his room.

Sakura jumped through the cold, dark, night smiling at the thought of sneaking into Naruto's bed to surprise him.

But that plan literally went out the window because at the exact moment Sakura landed on Naruto's balcony, he slid open the door, apparently off to somewhere too.

They stared at each other for a moment before Sakura straightened and asked, "Naruto! Where are you going?!"

"I was going to you!" Naruto laughed, then he launched himself towards Sakura and he hugged her tightly. "I was missing you so bad."

Sakura laughed and hugged him tightly too, "I guess I was missing you more."

Naruto pulled back and they stared at each other, smiling. Sakura looked at Naruto's lips before she closed the gap between them.

This time, their kiss was anything but gentle. It was years of pent up yearning and wanting, finally coming out, finally being let out.

Naruto picked Sakura up and she wrapped her legs around Naruto's hips.

He took them both inside and they let themselves be consumed by all their love and want for each other until the sun peeked out of the horizon.

The sun had risen and Naruto was still in bed while Sakura's head lay on his chest, fast asleep.

Her limb and arm was draped over Naruto's body and he smiled at how much of a cuddler Sakura was when asleep, and how much he wanted to sleep and be woken up tangled in her arms.

Twirling Sakura's pink hair on his finger over and over and admiring how vibrant it is like her personality, Naruto's thoughts went to how lucky Sasuke was to have been able to spend years with Sakura like this.

Naruto knew he shouldn't feel jealous at all. He knew he was Sakura's first true love. But he longed for the time they could've spent together.

They lost so much time but Naruto knew he should be thankful to the gods that, at the very least, they ended up together in the end.

Naruto couldn't Imagine a world where he and Sakura didn't end up together.

It would've been a very bleak world.

Naruto's brows furrowed and then he realized there was no time to spare. No time to waste.

He silently summoned clones and gave them instructions in hushed tones and they each went on their way.

Naruto looked down at Sakura again and he smiled before kissing her on the top of her head.

When Sakura slowly opened her eyes, she knew it was already late in the morning because of how the light entered the room.

But she couldn't care less, because all Sakura could think about is the sweet, sweet soreness that she was feeling and the reason behind it.

She moved her head to look up and she was met by Naruto's smiling face.

"Good morning…" Sakura greeted before she moved to kiss Naruto. He met her halfway and he greeted her a good morning as well before Sakura settled herself on Naruto's chest again.

What a great way to start the week… Sakura froze. The week! She gasped before shooting up the bed, "It's Monday! I have to-"

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto had his hands on her shoulders, "I already told Shizune and Ayame you'll be needing a longer time off. And they actually agreed." Naruto said it with such a proud look on his face.

"Oh… wait, how did you...? Did you leave?"

Naruto shook his head while he gently pulled Sakura to move back to settle beside him, which she did, "No, it was a clone." He wrapped an arm around her.

"Right, that makes sense… but let me prepare breakfast." But before Sakura could move away, Naruto kissed her again in that way that made her insides melt.

Naruto melted too, but he had a full day ahead of them so he stopped himself. He pressed his forehead to Sakura's instead, "Let me take care of you, remember?"

And then the door opened, and entered another Naruto who was grinning and holding up a tray of breakfast for the two of them.

Sakura's jaw dropped and she looked at Naruto in disbelief, "Do you do this to your clones all the time?"

Naruto - the original - scoffed, "As if I can make them if they didn't want to."

The clone Naruto laughed as he placed the tray at the foot of the bed, "But we do love taking care of you, Sakura-chan."

Sakura smiled at the clone and said thank you. He gave an over enthusiastic salute before he puffed into smoke.

They fed each other breakfast while still in bed. Who knew Naruto could be so romantic?

Sakura dreamt about it once in a while before, but experiencing it first hand is quite different, it was a hundred times better.

After eating all the food, Sakura sat cross legged, holding a cup of coffee, surrounded by Naruto's outstretched legs. She was leaning back on his chest when Naruto placed his chin on her right shoulder, "Sakura-chan, let's get married."

Sakura smiled and kissed Naruto's nose, "I already said yes, didn't I?"

"Okay." Naruto removed himself away from Sakura, much to her disappointment, and he stood up. He gave a hand to help Sakura stand up as well, but she just looked at it, confused. "Let's go then."

"Right now?" Sakura's eyes widened, but Naruto could feel she was enthusiastic.

Naruto kneeled beside the bed and he took both of Sakura's hands,

"Well… I didn't want to lose any more time with you, Sakura-chan. We've lost a lot already." Naruto began to look teary eyed. "So I thought, let's skip all of the little details and just… go." He looked up at her and smiled.

Sakura's heart grew warm, of course she understood, and of course she felt the same way. "But Naruto, I don't even have anything to wear." She grinned at him, albeit a little teary.

"How many clones do you think I can produce?" Naruto cheekily asked.

Sakura shook her head but she was smiling, "The shrine? The priest? The ring?"

"They're all waiting for us… even Sasuke and your dad." Naruto grinned before Sakura launched herself and hugged him tightly.

Sakura pulled back, and looked at Naruto, and she said, "What're you waiting for? Let's get married!"

Naruto laughed and he picked Sakura up, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, before they went out the balcony window and jumped.

Sakura squinted her eyes. "Is that… Ino?!"

Naruto took one last jump before they landed at the shrine's compound.

"Naruto! Finally!" Clone number two wailed. "I got the flowers but Ino got me to confess too."

"You!" Ino pointed at Naruto.

"Ino! I can explain!" Sakura raised both her hands, thinking Ino was pissed she wasn't informed.

"You were going to let Sakura be married to you without even letting me fix her hair?!" Ino grabbed Sakura's hand and she looked at her. "Let's go, I talked to the people at the shrine, there's a room we can use, I already have my things there."

"And you!" Ino pointed to the one clone holding the dress garments. "Give me that! I wouldn't want you seeing Sakura ready and relaying the image to Naruto."

Clone number one immediately ran to give her Sakura's dress garment and ran back to Naruto.

Sakura looked back apologetically to Naruto, but he only smiled before sending her a flying kiss which she caught with her hand.

"I am so glad you grew your hair out. I love your hair either way, but there's only so much I can do on short hair." Ino sniffed. "And…" she sniffed again. "Flowers are hard to attach when…"

Sakura didn't dare to turn her head since Ino was already placing finishing touches so she said, "Ino… Ino, are you crying?"

"If I say I am, will you cry too? Because your make up is already done, and…" she sniffed again.

Sakura chuckled, "For the first time in my life all I can feel is happiness, Ino. I… it's like my body…" she flailed her hand in the direction of her body, "...is telling me that it doesn't need any tears right now, y'know. I just feel… content."

The way Sakura said it with so much peace in her voice made Ino break down and start crying. "I'm just so happy for you! For the both of you! I've seen you go through it all, and just seeing you happy now…"

Sakura stood up and went to hug Ino. "Thank you, Ino. For every single thing."

Ino nodded and she took a step back, "Let's not ruin your beautiful kimono." She finally got a hold of herself and dabbed her face with tissue before she readjusted Sakura's floral headpiece for the last time.

"Go get your happy ending." Ino said and they grinned at each other like they were kids again.

Naruto agrees with Ino now, as Sakura walked towards him with Kizashi by her side, how dare he… how dare he not let Sakura's full beauty come into light.

The whole ceremony was a pleasant blur to Naruto. All he could focus on was Sakura, her smile, his vows to her, her hand as he slips the ring on her finger, and as she does the same.

And as everyone in attendance drank their sake, Naruto kissed Sakura on the lips with a whispered promise of, "I love you forever…"

"...and in all the next lives we'll have." Sakura finished his sentence with another kiss.

Naruto only planned a dinner reception in a restaurant that he knew Sakura liked for their immediate families, but Ino had other plans.

They should've expected that once Ino knew about the ad hoc wedding, there was no going back.

So here they were, in a well decorated and vast garden space that even Naruto only had a chance to go to during special events, joined by all their friends, sensei and every single important person in their lives.

Naruto made a mental note to send a thank you gift to Ino.

"Who did you have to terrorize to make this happen?" Sakura asked as Ino fixed her newly bought and much more extravagant burnt orange kimono.

"Just Sai… and Shikamaru aaaand, Chouji." Ino grinned. "There. You're done. Go back to Naruto."

Sakura laughed out loud.

There was no program or formalities, it was just their most precious people in their lives gathered in one place, eating delicious food, laughing at stories, dancing to music, and wishing both Naruto and Sakura a blessed married life.

"Congratulations to the both of you." Hinata and Kiba greeted them both.

"Hinata, I apologize, I..." Sakura began to say, completely forgetting about her and her possible reaction to their wedding.

Hinata held both of her hands, "There's nothing to apologize for. I'm glad for both of you and I've always been happy that my children have a great woman in their lives, and now you're their mom too."

Sakura nodded with a smile and she invited her to sit down on a vacant chair beside her and they talked about being mothers, Hinata's work as the Hyuga head, Sakura's work as head of the medical department and Naruto's annoying habits.

Later, Temari and Shikamaru approached the couple and gave them a gift wrapped in silk, "Gaara and Hakuto send their apologies since this was all too sudden and they couldn't make it in time."

"Oh, it's no problem at all. Maybe Sakura-chan and I can visit them instead, to thank them for the gift." Naruto said smiling.

"Oh, that's not from Gaara, it's from Kankuro." Temari said with a smirk.

Sakura laughed as Naruto pushed the gift away towards Sakura with slitted eyes.

Naruto and Sakura didn't exactly have to "adjust to married life" since nothing really changed that much.

Their lives just became better.

Sakura no longer rushes to get up and get ready in the morning to stop by Naruto's house for breakfast. She could stay longer in bed and be woken up by Naruto's kisses once he had food prepared downstairs. Or she could hug him from behind while he's cooking, much to the chagrin of Boruto, Sarada and Himawari and anyone who joins them for breakfast.

Naruto, who still occasionally gets swamped in paperwork, no longer comes home alone once done. Most of the time, Sakura joins him in the Hokage tower to accompany him. Sometimes they end up cuddling on the sofa and sleeping there. And sometimes - his most favorite sometimes - Sakura would tease him enough to get him to pick her up and run back home.

They would take each other out on dates almost all the time. And they even took up new hobbies to share with each other.

Life was perfect... or so they thought.

The moment they realized their life was finally perfect was when Naruto called Sakura to the Hokage tower to meet an eleven year old boy whose parents were just recently killed by a group of robbers Naruto personally took down.

Sakura knelt in front of the boy, upon hearing what had happened and said, "Oh my… And what's your name?" Worry plastered on her face.

She gasped softly when the boy looked up at her and she was met by eyes as green as hers, and hair as blond as Naruto's. "My name's Shinachiku..."

Sakura's head snapped to look at Naruto who's eyes were tearing up, a dream in front of him, and Sakura knew they were thinking the same thing.

She looked back to the boy, to Shinachiku and said, "Would you… would you like to live with us from now on, Shinachiku?"

Shinachiku's eyes widened, "Like… like you're my parents now?"

Naruto walked to them and placed his hand on Sakura's shoulder and they smiled at him, "If you'll have us. We would like that…"

Shinachiku's eyes welled up with tears as he shook his head yes and both Sakura and Naruto enveloped him in a hug.

"What do I do…? What do we do?!" Sakura's voice was getting higher by the second.

How could she have not realized it earlier? Or did she realize it but she just denied it?

The swollen breasts, the fatigue, the frequent urination, the missed period she thought was just her going to menopausal stage.

Sakura kept denying it all because she was already forty-six and it was impossible. She was naive to think her kunoichi body and build would age the same way as normal people do.

But when the nausea and vomiting in the mornings came, Sakura couldn't deny it anymore.

So together with Naruto, she made the seals and hovered her hand in her stomach… and it turned pink.

The confirmation that she was indeed pregnant… at forty-six.

"Naruto!" Sakura shook Naruto who was just staring at her, mouth open. "What do we do!"

Naruto's hands cupped Sakura's cheeks and he kissed her so thoroughly Sakura almost forgot what was happening. Then she felt Naruto's tears on her face and she realized he was happy…

Realized everything will be okay.

Naruto pulled away from her and he enveloped her in a hug. "Together, Sakura-chan. We'll do it together."

A/N: If you made it this far and finished this, just know you have a special place in my heart LOL! And this story also have a very special place in my heart since I have been thinking about how I would get NaruSaku together if ever I become a gazillionare and be able to buy the rights LOL. I hope you love this!

Thank you for reading and as always, reviews are greatly appreciated!(✿◠‿◠)