Chapter 4: Into the Office!

Naruto and Sakura just walked into Tsunade's office and were greeted by the fifth herself…

"So what's our mission today?" asked Naruto figuring it would be another stupid C or D class mission he'd be bored doing even with Sakura there.

"It's not for you, Naruto." Said Tsunade with an odd smile she had never used before. "It's for Sakura only!" she finished looking slightly embarrassed about something.

"What do you mean?" asked Sakura.

"I mean that it's a mission that's ONLY for Sakura and myself." She repeated.

"WHAT! Why can't I go?" asked Naruto.

"Because where we're going, you won't want to follow." Said Tsunade.

"Where…" started Naruto.

"To the mall of course!" said Tsunade emphatically. "For some girl time together."

"What…you and me… girl time?" sputtered Sakura.

"From what Kakashi you two have been seen together a lot!" said Tsunade.

Naruto and Sakura turn a shade of crimson at the thought of being together so much.

"I knew he wasn't buying milk!" thought Naruto.

"Sakura, you have a great sense of style but you are still missing a few things that are important." said Tsunade.

"I think she looks great the way she is now!" declared Naruto.

Sakura blushes, "Wow, he really can be nice… when he stops acting perverted for more than 5 seconds." She laughs thinking in her head.

In walks Kakashi, Naruto and Sakura turn and see that he is the person they were most excited to see.

"Oh Kakashi-sensei, we would like to have a little talk with you!" said Sakura.

"Crap! You beat me here! I thought I could grab my book on the way home and still make it out before you guys if I hurried." Kakashi said. "Damn, caught again I guess."

"I knew you weren't buying milk!" said Sakura.

"I knew you weren't buying milk." declared Naruto.

"Idiot child" thought Kakashi and Tsunade. "Who would believe that lie?" thought Sakura.

"I can't believe you would talk about and spy on us like that." said Naruto

"Hey let's focus here people." Said Tsunade regaining control of the room. "I'll let you guys beat him in a minute. Just let me finish my instructions then I'll let you go." She finished.

"Fine!" said the two teens together giving their teacher a dirty look.

"Umm, not fine…" said Kakashi looking a wee bit nervous.

"Anyway… I want to meet you at the mall at 9:30 tommorow. Don't be late, I got a lot of work I still have to finish here, OK?"

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow at 9:30 sharp." said Sakura. " Goodnight."

"Now that we've caught our little spy, what do you think we should do with him?" asked Naruto smiling.

"Well I can see that you two are busy and I gotta go check my uh… underwear in the dryer, yeah that's right, so I'll see you guys later." Stuttered Kakashi disappearing in a cloud of smoke before thy could capture him.

"We'll have to figure out what to do with him later." Sakura said. "I'm going to catch an early night so I'll see you tomorrow, ok."

"Do you want me to walk you home?" asked Naruto.

"Sure, if it's not much trouble." She replied.

"Not really. Your house is on the way home." Naruto said.

"No it's not, it's in the completey opposite direction." Sakura said laughing at his weak attempt to walk her home.

"We'll then I'll just be taking the long way."

"Well alright, but don't try anything perverted." She laughed.

"Ok, I promise!" he said.

They leave Tsunade's office and head off in the direction of Sakura's house. When they get there, they walk to the front porch and say goodnight.

"Thanks for making sure I got home alright." said Sakura.

"No big deal." said Naruto, scratching the back of his head.

"Earlier…it was nice of you to…stick up for me." She said noticing Naruto's expression change slightly.

"What's the matter?"

"Well… oh nothing" she said opening the door to go inside. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah sure, how about lunch after you're done with Tsunade."

"Fine, but don't laugh if I look weird tomorrow." She said.

"I won't, I promise." He said looking serious. "We'll goodnight Sakura-Chan."

"Goodnight"

As she walks inside and Naruto turns to leave, he feels someone rush up to him and give him a hug. But as he turns to look there is no one in sight and the light on Sakura's porch is out. As he walks off for his long trek home, he thinks maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to walk her home after all.

In her room, Sakura lies down on her pillow and thinks about what happened today and whether her feelings will change for Sasuke and Naruto. She also thinks about what the "mission" for tomorrow is going to be like. As she talks herself through all this, and pulls up her covers, she thinks about her life and how it IS changing for better or worse.

(End Chapter 4)

Is Sakura falling for Naruto?"

Will Naruto follow Sakura tomorrow and try to find out Tsunade's real motives?

Will he get caught?

All this and more in chapter 5

Please review and let me know what you think. Starting next chapter I'm gonna try to post replies to reviews with the chapters. No promises though and sorry for the 4 ½ month drop off. I've been MASSIVELY busy…

Till next chapter…