Chapter Eleven: Honour


Naruto had never had much patience for speeches.

Whether they be from politicians promising things they couldn't actually deliver on, parents trying to pass on legitimate wisdom he'd been too young or arrogant to listen to, or even priests giving heartfelt and very meaningful sermons at your childhood friend's wedding.

He had a tendency to switch off and not pay attention. It all became endless droning that he really could find infinitely more useful and interesting things to fill his time with.

When the wedding speeches had started shortly after the meal, Deer Cottage's catering staff had put on for those invited to the wedding ceremony, he'd learned Sakura agreed with him.

She hadn't said anything, but he could take a pretty solid guess given the hints she'd been dropping ever since Rasa had stood up to give a painfully cringey and unearned father of the bride speech.

Honestly, you'd think the stupid man would be able to read the room. He was only here because Temari loved her mother and didn't want to cause issues by only inviting her. Rasa Subaku was a spectacular example of someone being a father, not a dad.

That Kankuro had walked her down the aisle not him proved that point rather brilliantly if you asked Naruto.

So him trying to wax lyrical about how proud he was or whatever he was trying to say had to be pure cringe. Naruto wasn't sure what he was actually saying though, Sakura was distracting him quite wonderfully, but going by the covered grimaces of the gathered guests and furtive looks ranging from derision to outright anger depending on where you looked … well, Naruto didn't need to be a detective to figure out how bad the speech was.

But as he said, he was being distracted, so he didn't actually have to worry about drinking away this particular memory.

He might actually be the only person managing a genuine smile as Rasa droned on. It was kinda hard not to smile when your girlfriend was playing footsie with your shin from across the table and acting all innocent.

Naruto had never considered Sakura to be this blatantly playful about stuff like this. He knew she had a playful streak, it was part of why they'd become friends in the first place, but he guessed he'd just never put two and two together and realised that the mischief they'd gotten up to as friends would only persist now they were a couple.

And that the mischief would undoubtedly turn sexual. Lucky him.

She'd started subtly at first, just touching her foot against his and tapping his toes with hers idly as the starters had been brought out and the first glasses of wine were poured.

It'd had been funny and he'd tried to be equally subtle about asking if she was having a good time. She'd simply smiled and nodded at him, while tapping on his toes lightly some more so he had to cover a snort.

It was funny. And way more attractive than he'd have ever expected it to be.

Not because he'd never played footsie before, Naruto had plenty of experience there, but there was just something about the way Sakura did it, that was just endlessly endearing and alluring at the same time.

He could put it down to the high of a new relationship where everything your new partner did was one thousand percent sexier than you could ever imagine. Or it could be because they'd literally spent all of last night and most of this morning having sex, slamming his brain with all the endorphins.

Hey, he listened to Sakura when she talked sciencey stuff. And he really had read Ino's paper about how good sex made you happier in every aspect of your life. And all the subsequent papers she'd produced purely so she could spend years of her life talking about sex behind the protection of psychological study. He knew the jargon.

But honestly, as Sakura's shoes had slipped off, hitting his feet as she nudged them aside, and she started stroking higher up to his shins somewhere before desert, and after two more rounds of wine, Naruto actively stopped wondering why Sakura had decided to be playful right now and just enjoyed it.

Wasn't like his brain hadn't been telling him what he could do with a playful Sakura since just before the main course had started.

They may be sneaking off from the reception even sooner than expected …

Then the speeches had started, Rasa going first of course, and as if to remind him just how flexible she was, Sakura's toes were edging up to his knee.

God, had he mentioned he loved playful Sakura? Cus he loved playful Sakura.

Just how far up his leg Sakura could get her foot anyway? He hoped he got to find out.

As if reading his mind, her toes stroked around his knee, beginning to approach higher but pulled back as people started clapping while Rasa took his seat. Sakura's foot trailed teasingly back down to his ankle and staying there, stroking him with her toes idly.

'Fuck me that was painful,' Kiba muttered in the seat next to Naruto. 'Did you see Yoshino's face? She looked like she wanted to knock the smug prick out. Did you hear that jab he made about Shikamaru's parents both working?'

No.

'Hm,' Naruto said simply, taking a sip from his beer.

Sakura's foot was sliding back up his shin. The sip of beer was just to cover his smile.

'Well at least no matter what Chouji has to say, it won't be anywhere near as awkward,' Tenten said as she shook her head ruefully. 'I feel so sorry for Temari's mom, imagine being married to someone that fucking oblivious.'

Sakura tapped her foot against his shin and covered a smirk as she caught Naruto's eyes. Good to know Sakura wasn't the only person aware neither of them could say shit about obliviousness.

'It is insane,' Neji sighed as he passed his glass to the approaching waitress who smiled gratefully at him. 'I'd be more worried that Director Nara won't be inclined to stop Mrs Nara from killing him. You remember the time we had to get in between the Director and Mr Subaku during Shikamaru and Temari's engagement party? What did he say again Naruto?'

'He said something about Shika not making enough money or … um,' Naruto started but cut off and swallowed deeply. Sakura's foot had started stroking up and down his shin again, lifting as high as his knee so effortlessly.

God, if her foot went much higher she'd be stroking along his inner thigh. How the hell was she even this flexible? He'd seen her bend in wonderful ways recently but this?

He shot a glance at the woman watching him innocently and cleared his throat, her toes still stroking at his knee. 'You okay Naruto? Maybe you should drink some more beer, help with your throat.'

And her foot was going higher. How the hell was she even doing that? Her foot was tickling up his inner thigh!

She twiddled her foot against his leg, he could feel the soft fabric of her long dress over his leg. It was so gentle it almost tickled and all Naruto could think about as Sakura continued to show off her flexibility was how the dress would feel as he pulled it up from her …

He swallowed thickly as Sakura slid her toes further up his thigh until her socked feet were rubbing at … well, him.

His face burned as he stared openly at her, the look of pure innocence on his girlfriend's face masking the mischief that sparkled knowingly in her eyes. Was this what she'd meant about being his naughty little girl?

She kept rubbing at him, making him get harder and harder with each teasing stroke, the desperately surprising niceness of it almost as hot as if she was doing it with her fingers. He had to bite on the inside of his cheek as she somehow kept stroking along his shaft. Thank God he was sat down.

Sakura just kept watching him, the only crack in the pure innocence as she rubbed him harder and harder, a slight upturn of her lips.

'Naruto, you look red, maybe you should drink some water,' Hinata said with a slight frown as she proceeded to pour him a glass of water from the jug on the table. 'Are you okay?'

Sakura's foot lowered, as if she was letting him talk, because how the fuck was he meant to talk to Hinata with Sakura's foot rubbing at his dick? And managed a weak smile.

'Thanks Hinata, I guess I'm just getting a bit hot in this stupid suit,' he said lamely, one eye on Sakura as she smothered a smile in her hand.

'Might just be the heat of Shikamaru's parents and Temari's brothers' glares,' Kiba snickered as he gestured at the head table. 'I'm half expecting the room to set on fire at this rate.'

Naruto forced a laugh as Sakura's foot teased back up to his thigh, either not seeing or caring about the warning look he gave her.

How the fuck was he meant to carry on a conversation while she was rubbing him off with her foot? Was she trying to get them rumbled?

It was really hot though …

Sakura caught his light glare but merely smiled at him as her foot continued to tease. 'Drink some water Naruto,' she said sweetly. 'It'll help.'

Oh, that's how it was gonna be huh? Okay, he could play like that too.

'Yeah,' he said, forcing a couple more coughs for show, before taking a big pull on the water and smiling at a still concerned looking Hinata. 'Ah, better. Anyway, I think Neji's right, we should probably watch out for Shikaku decking Rasa rather than Yoshino. Yoshino wouldn't do anything that public.'

The six of them, even Hinata, laughed quietly and they fell into comfortable conversation as more drinks were poured but Sakura's foot remained solidly pressed against his manhood.

She was lucky the tablecloth was one of those long kinds that covered your lap. Otherwise there'd be no way Kiba would miss what she was doing.

He could barely move in his seat though, if he so much as shifted his weight from one side to the other Sakura's whole sole would rub along him and he'd have to swallow a little groan at how good it felt.

There were only so many times he could pretend to be enjoying his beer that much.

But the longer her foot stayed there the more he could actually come back to Earth, it actually started to get funny as well as sexy. And the funniness of it somehow leant back into the sexiness. Because if she was willing to do this kind of thing, which to be real, it was perfectly possible they'd get caught if they weren't careful … what other naughtiness would Sakura be up for?

How kinky was his new girlfriend exactly? And how soon was she gonna let him find out?

Sakura interrupted his wondering by stroking at him again, like she'd known, but when he looked up she was staring pointedly at Chouji as he stood up to give the best man's speech.

Which he was sure was gonna be a really good speech, full of funny and uplifting anecdotes. Naruto was almost certain they'd be hearing about the impromptu road trip Shikamaru, Chouji, Naruto, Kiba and Neji had taken just after they graduated. That trip was full of stories that would make for great best man speeches.

But Sakura had waited exactly long enough for everyone at their table to be paying attention to Chouji before her foot started moving again, stroking up and down his shaft slowly, teasingly and he grimaced to cover his enjoyment.

Fucking sexy, flexible, naughty girlfriend. She was more than earning the spanking she'd teased about wanting later.

Unfortunately for his 'naughty little girl' she'd overplayed her hand … well foot, heh … and he was slowly getting used to her ministrations. As nice as it felt, Sakura wasn't that dextrous with her foot.

And she'd also forgotten if her foot was in his lap, bare but for her socks … well, it was very, very close to his hands. And Sakura had ticklish feet.

Very, very ticklish feet.

So he let her rub at him, enjoying the sensation and enjoying the smug smirk spreading across her unsuspecting face all the more, until his hands glided unseen below the cloth as everyone, including Sakura, was watching Chouji.

'So,' Chouji began, only to break off as Shikamaru groaned loudly making everyone laugh. 'Quiet Shika, you knew this was coming. Obviously we're all well fed and most of us are already a little tipsy …'

He gestured to the gathered guests with his own wine glass to the sound of cheers and laughs, Sakura included, as Naruto's hands wrapped around her ankle and foot and moved it so she couldn't rub at him anymore.

The pinkette glanced out of the corner of her eye at him, a slight frown pulling her beautiful mouth down but he didn't let that dissuade him.

She'd had her fun, it was his turn now.

He pulled her foot up so it was easier for him to reach and pressed his fingers against her sole. He felt her tense and try to wriggle loose but he held firm and with a glance across the table, he saw his girlfriend begin to blush and try to mouth surreptitiously at him.

That all stopped though when he started to run his finger up and down the sole of her foot, just fast enough that it would tickle but not so fast that Sakura wouldn't be able to hold in her laughter.

He wasn't a dick after all. Besides, if he made her laugh too much she'd give them away and he wanted to make this little game last as long as possible.

Sakura fell still and while he could feel the glare burning into the side of his head occasionally, she'd stopped trying to pull away.

'And I think we're all in the mood for some embarrassing stories about Shikamaru!' Chouji carried on, with a beaming grin as Shikamaru face fell into his hand, which only led to laughter and more cheers from the guests.

Temari rubbed her new husband's shoulder supportively and muttered something in his ear that at least tugged a smile out of him.

'Don't worry Shika,' Chouji said good-naturedly. 'The parents are present so we'll keep it PG-13.'

Chouji made a show of winking conspiratorially and earned himself more laughter. Especially from Sakura.

Well, who could blame her for laughing that hard? Chouji made a very funny joke! It had totally nothing to do with his finger speeding up its tickling.

Not a thing.

He grinned as he made Sakura laugh just a bit harder than necessary and winked at her when he caught her glaring.

The glare wasn't too stern though, he knew what a stern glare from Sakura was like. He still got fell into a cold sweat over a decade later when he got that kind of glare.

But this glare, as he continued to lightly tickle her foot and Chouji powered on none the wiser, promised all sorts of payback that he was more than happy to take. As soon as she liked.

He tickled her toes just a little quicker, enough so that Sakura had to cover her mouth to keep in the giggles and her chest swelled with repressed laughter, and swallowed the smirk that wanted to spread over his face.

Because now he knew why she'd fought so hard against when he'd tickle her as a joke over the years. And that he hadn't been imagining things that time he'd been tickling her on the sofa because she'd teased him about something or the other and the look in her eyes back then had screamed that she'd wanted to jump his bones.

Because that look was exactly the one he was getting now, and the one he'd been on the receiving end of for what felt like most of the weekend.

Sakura got turned on by tickling. And it wasn't something she didn't like, oh no, on the contrary, she was getting more turned on with each tease of his fingers.

He'd always had a suspicion she had a bit of an enjoyment about being tickled. He'd never pressed because well … if he'd pressed that would have meant him admitting to himself and her that he wanted to know how to turn her on.

Which he had, especially when he was younger and he'd spent more than a couple of private moments in his room wondering what turning her on could lead to. He'd never actually acted on figuring out if he was right in his guesses though … that had felt a bit too much like his grandpa's 'research'.

But if he'd wondered, and Sakura had had a thing for him too, she must have wondered too.

And thinking back, she'd actually asked him once or twice what he liked in a woman. Under the guise of 'what boys like?', and he'd happily answered, anything to be helpful.

Was that why she'd regrown her hair after school? Part of the reason at least? Because she knew he liked women with long hair? And why she'd taken to wearing more cleavagey clothing around him? He'd never been shy about being a boob guy, and he definitely was, but well at the time he'd just been trying to make her feel more confident about her truly astonishing figure. He'd never have gone into such detail on why he liked boobs so much otherwise.

He had some tact.

But to make Sakura feel better about the size of her breasts? He'd happily go on and on about how all breasts were amazing. And how any man worth showing her breasts to wouldn't care how big they were.

Personally the only complaint about Sakura's breasts he'd had was that he couldn't touch them.

At least, couldn't. Cus he could now, as much as he pleased. Which he was gonna. A lot. Yay.

But he was getting away from himself and he was missing when Chouji was making jokes and his chances to tickle her more.

All he needed to know now was he had her foot trapped and at his mercy and she was loving every single second of it.

'And of course,' Chouji said, clearly building to the big punchline, and his best chance to tickle Sakura's foot mercilessly. 'We all knew Shikamaru and Temari were meant for each other when on their first date …'

Naruto pressed all his fingers into Sakura's suddenly tensing foot, her eyes glued to him, her cheeks flushed and her chest swelling in anticipation.

'Temari had to save him from that busker who was gonna kick his ass with a flute …'

The little giggles spread around the tables, Shikamaru's face hit wood and Naruto's fingers started to move up and down Sakura's sole gently, eking out giggles that Sakura tried to cover with her hand.

'I guess you could say,' Chouji continued, nudging Shikamaru gently as his best friend glowered at him. 'She really blew you away huh Shika?'

The room burst into laughter and Sakura's eyes glistened with arousal as Naruto attacked her foot, digging into the folds between her toes and all the way down her sole, making her laugh so hard even her hand couldn't cover it and her leg bounced against his, her other leg coming to press against his, trying and failing to make him stop, but he was determined to make her laugh as long as everyone else.

He wasn't going to give up his game until he absolutely had to.

Not when it was clearly turning Sakura on more and more the longer he did it.

He didn't let up until she kicked him, whether on purpose or accidentally, and the shock made him lose grip on her ankle.

Sakura's knee jerked up and slammed into the underside of the table with an almighty bang.

'Fuck,' she hissed and Hinata and Neji's heads whipped around to catch as Sakura drew her leg back from Naruto and rubbed at her knee underneath the table, hissing lightly as she did.

He felt a little bad as she massaged her knee and winced ever so slightly. He hadn't meant for her to hurt herself, he'd apologise later, she'd understand.

'Are you okay Sakura?' Hinata asked immediately, motherly instincts jumping into action immediately. 'What happened?'

It was too perfect, even with his guilty conscience.

'Yeah Sakura,' Naruto said with his own innocent smile to match Sakura's from before. 'Are you okay? Did you bang your knee or something?'

The glare was so palpable that if he couldn't see the sheer need bubbling in his girlfriend's eyes he'd probably have run away. But he could see it, and if he didn't know any better, his parroting back her own words from earlier only seemed to be turning her on more.

Which thankfully removed all of the growing guilt he was feeling quite nicely.

'Yeah,' Sakura said with a smile to Hinata. 'I'm okay, I just had an involuntary spasm and smacked my knee, you know how your nerves can just go off for no reason sometimes?'

The rest of the table hissed in sympathy and Tenten leant over Hinata to whisper. 'If you want Sakura, I'm sure you can skip the rest of the speeches? Go rest your knee for a bit maybe?'

Speaking of perfect … that could be the out Sakura could use so they could slink off. No one would come looking either, not if they knew she was resting her knee.

'I think that's a good idea,' Naruto chipped in, trying not to blush at the knowing look Sakura was giving him. She wasn't saying no at least. 'Maybe I should help you back to our room? Don't wanna miss the dancing later because you didn't rest your knee.'

'Won't it be rude if we disappear in the middle of the speeches though?' Sakura countered, frowning while still rubbing at her knee. Really pointedly rubbing at her knee.

'We'll make excuses,' Kiba said. A worried frown out of place on his face. 'Knee injuries can really fuck you up, remember how I had to skip a whole semester of gym cos I fell weird? Go, Shikamaru and Temari will understand.'

Sakura smiled gratefully, though what she was grateful for the others couldn't possibly really know, and nodded. 'Okay, if they ask tell them we'll be back down before they cut the cake or have the first dance.'

Naruto stood and made his way round to Sakura's side of the table. She'd slipped her shoes back on without him noticing and let him wrap her arm around her as support.

'We'll see you guys in a little bit,' Naruto said with a smile. 'C'mon Sakura, let's go get you off your feet.'

And on your back.


Sakura kept the limp up to the point he was about to suggest carrying her to their room. He hadn't thought she'd hurt herself for real, that was until she leant against the nearby wall and groaned softly.

Then, as he stepped closer to check on her, she shoved him against the wall and yanked his head down for a fierce, hungry and possessive kiss.

When she relented, her whole body pressed into him sensuously, knocking him dizzy just as much as the kiss, she poked him in the chest. Hard.

'Tickling my foot in the middle of the best man's speech?!' She hissed at him, her fingers curling around his lapels as she shook him lightly. 'They could have caught us! They nearly did! I didn't bang my knee on purpose, my God. What the fuck were you thinking Naruto?'

Naruto blinked a couple times, Sakura mercifully not continuing to jab him as he came back to Earth, and snorted.

'Says the woman who decided the father of the bride's speech was the perfect time to make footsie X rated! How are you even that flexible?!'

She scoffed, but it was ruined by her smug grin. She yanked him away from the wall by the hand and led him further into the bowels of the hotel. 'That's different, no one was going to rumble me.'

'And if you'd made me cum while I was sat there?' Naruto fired back.

Where the hell was she taking them? The elevators were back towards the front desk.

Sakura cast a shy look back over her shoulder at him and squeezed his hand. 'It felt that good?'

She came to a stop and he closed the distance between them, his hand wrapping around her waist to rest on her stomach, taking her hand with him.

'It's you, it felt amazing,' he murmured, in her ear. He glanced around as the sound of movement nearby. 'And I will happily show you how good it felt back in our room. You bought us more than enough time for a quickie.'

He pressed a convincing kiss against her temple and felt himself throb as she leant into him.

'Or,' Sakura whispered back, reaching her other hand round to massage his dick through his trousers, the flush across her cheeks as enticing as her touch. 'We could find somewhere closer?'

Naruto groaned as her fingers wrapped around his shaft and stroked up and down it teasingly. 'I don't have a condom Sakura-chan.'

Sakura leant her head back and kissed his cheek. 'I packed one in my purse. Just in case.'

Fuck.

'You're so hot,' Naruto groaned into her ear. 'Where were you thinking then? The spa is the other side of the hotel …'

Sakura raised an eyebrow at him and gave him a playful squeeze. 'The spa huh?'

He chuckled and pinched her ass, earning a little gasp of approval. 'You don't want to fuck in a place where we're meant to be wet and naked?'

She blushed a little darker and gave him another lovely squeeze.

'We'll come back to that, but I was thinking somewhere closer …' She gestured at a nearby door, with 'staff only' sign on it. Her fingers keeping up their stroking until she moved away and she tugged on his hand to get her to follow him.

What was even in there?

Taking his silence as agreement, Sakura pushed open the mercifully unlocked door and pulled him into the little room that turned out to be a storage cupboard.

She wanted to fuck in a storage cupboard?

Why did that sound so hot?!

He was given much time to think about that though, the second the door had shut Sakura was pushing him back against it.

Which was really hot, like, really hot. He'd always liked his lovers to be upfront and a little rough … he wasn't into pain or anything but the look in Sakura's eyes as she pushed him back against the door, her fingers trailing up to his collar as she sank against him … Damn.

'How long do you think we have?' She whispered against his lips, the taste of wine on her tongue and the scent of her perfume filling his nose as her hands ran over his chest and up to wrap around his neck, pulling him down to meet her parted lips.

She broke the kiss and the intensity in her eyes pinned him to the door even as he wrapped around her, hands going to her lower back and ass as they shared more hungry kisses, each press of her body into his driving him harder against the door.

But Naruto wasn't just gonna stand there and not give as good as he got.

'Long enough,' he whispered into her ear before kissing her neck, sucking on her pulse and making her moan gently.

He got his hands between them and broke Sakura's hold firmly, before he pressed her up against the clear spot of wall next to the door, grinding his hips between hers as she rebounded and groaned into his next kiss. Arousal sparkled in her eyes as her lids dropped and her hands delved to his belt.

'Naruto,' she sighed in a needy tone. 'The door …'

He turned his head to the door, his girlfriend already wrapping around him and pulling him against her sinfully delicious body demanding his attention.

The door didn't have a lock on this side.

She leant up, breasts smushed against his chest as she nibbled along his jaw and her fingers scraped through his hair. 'Do we risk it?' She whispered against his cheek.

He throbbed against her, the fabric of his trousers and her dress nowhere near thick enough to hide how much he'd liked that question. She purred ever so slightly before she returned to kissing his face and playing with his hair.

'Find something to block it,' he growled out, savouring the shiver it sent through her, running his thumb over her lips, her subconsciously tasting the pad with little kisses. 'We don't want to be interrupted.'

'Mmm,' Sakura hummed, as he disentangled from her to search around the small cupboard.

It really was a tiny room, they could barely move around it without rubbing against each other. Which was distracting in the best possible way.

Sakura's cheeky smile as she searched her bag for the 'just in case' condom telling him he wasn't the only one enjoying the distraction either.

He found a chair though and jammed it under the door handle, successfully blocking the door and ensuring their privacy.

When he turned round though, fully ready to lift Sakura up, as well as her dress, and take her against the wall, he saw something that made him freeze in dread.

She was frowning and desperately rummaging through her purse, swearing under her breath.

'Come on, fuck,' she muttered, the jangling of make-up and what sounded like coins in her purse becoming more hurried and frantic the longer Sakura searched. 'I know I put one in here!'

'Uhh, Sakura-chan?' Naruto asked slowly, kissing her on her cheek. Somehow avoiding the elbow to the face she nearly gave him while rummaging. 'You sure you put one in there?'

'Yes!' Sakura hissed, her cheeks getting redder with each frantic search. 'I put one in while you were in the shower, and it was definitely this bag, it matches my dress!'

Naruto rubbed his thumbs over her hips as he eased against her. 'Could it have fallen out when you went to the bathroom when we got back or something?'

Sakura's cheeks were bright red, frustration rather than embarrassment and huffed petulantly against him before throwing her back on the ground and crossing her arms over her chest. 'Stupid condom, it must have. God, as if I'm being cock-blocked by a fucking condom! That is literally the opposite of what condoms are meant to do!'

He briefly wondered if it would be wise to point out that technically condoms did kind of cock block, but he doubted that would go down well.

Besides, they could still just go back to the suite.

They had plenty of condoms up there after all.

He pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead, earning a flicker of a smile over her cute pouting face and wrapped her up in a hug. 'So do you want to go back to the suite after all? As long as we don't take too long I'm sure we can slip back into the reception before anyone's noticed. The meal was meant to go on for at least another half hour. Hell, the reception doesn't even start until six.'

He rubbed circles into her back with his thumbs, a soft sigh dancing over his chest as she nestled into him, her hands coming up to splay fingers just under his shoulders. 'Yeah, I suppose,' she said, a little deflated as she lifted her forehead for more kisses and stroked over the muscles in his back.

Good thing he'd made it so the chair would come away quickly then. He started to move to unblock the door but Sakura held him in place by taking a handful of his shirt firmly.

'But …' Sakura interrupted uncertainly.

When he looked back, the intensity in her eyes was back, only with a little vulnerability this time. Which somehow made her look even hotter.

Look, he didn't get it either okay? It was hot, deal with it.

'I am on the pill?' She said with a nervous smile that only made her hotter as she pulled him back to her for more kisses. Bringing her with him until she was against the wall. 'And you can always pull out before right?'

Yes, yes he could. He could certainly do that. He'd done it before.

Plus no condoms always felt way better. Safe sex was drastically important and definitely to be encouraged at every opportunity.

But it did feel better without …

'Sure,' he muttered against her lips, her fingers dragging his jacket off his back as he melted and rolled against her, her soft moans of approval telling him he was in the right area. 'It's what people did before condoms and stuff anyway right?'

'Right, mmm,' Sakura moaned. Leaning into the roll of his hips against her and panting lightly as he sped up just a touch at her hiss. 'And again, even if you know, you can't … pill.'

'Uh huh,' he muttered, her nimble fingers undoing his shirt quickly, her warm fingers scrabbling over his chest and abs, his own hands sliding down her sides to cup her ass and pull her further against him.

She moaned into more kisses, their tongues dancing together as they ground against the wall, his shirt and jacket forgotten somewhere in the tiny cupboard as they melded to each other.

Naruto was vaguely aware of her fingers weaving through his hair as his lips dipped to her neck, sucking on her pulse hard as Sakura moaned his name into his ear happily, his hands trailing up her back to find the zip that was holding her dress up and pulling it down. All the while Sakura's lips were ghosting over his hair and temple, breathing out his name with each idle squeeze of her ass or hip until the dress loosened enough that he was able to kiss her bare shoulders.

'No bra?' he murmured absently into her shoulder, licking a small circle into the heated skin before trailing his lips down to kiss over her still sadly covered breast.

'Strapless,' Sakura murmured into his hair as his lips travelled over the outline of the underwear. 'I'd considered no bra but well … what if it was cold and I got, well, pointy?' He felt Sakura blush as she kissed his hair, he licked another little circle over where he thought her nipple was.

'I'd have approved,' Naruto teased, bringing a hand up to stroke along the curve of her breast.

'Duh,' Sakura said, a slight tug on his hair, even as her back pressed into the wall, her chest pushed closer to his mouth and hand. 'Enough teasing though okay? You can do that later.'

He lifted his head to catch his blushing girlfriend frowning cutely at him. The need in her eyes overwhelming, her fingers playing with his hair even as their eyes met endearing and loving and God … he couldn't deny her anything right now. He couldn't even bring himself to tease her.

'Yes ma'am,' he purred, taking her lips tenderly, her arms wrapping around his neck as he lifted her and she only slightly gasped as he used the momentum to pin her to the wall by their crotches, his hands supporting her thighs.

'Mmm, God,' she moaned as their grinding began again in earnest. 'I don't think I'm ever going to get over how big you are.' She wrapped her legs around him as well, locking at the ankles and panted into his ear with each thrust of his hips, each thrust more eager than the last.

Because he was never gonna get over her saying shit like that about him. He swore to God.

She pulled him against her with her thighs, their bodies rubbing as the kisses became more hurried, his lips glancing over her neck and bare shoulders as Sakura's hips rolled into him eagerly, a frantic rhythm building as his hands dragged the hem of her dress up and up until her writhing was rustling the dress against his stomach.

'Sakura-chan,' he groaned as she squeezed him closer with her thighs, biting her lip as he rubbed against her covered sex, the dampness of her panties probably staining his trousers but he honestly couldn't give a fuck.

The way she was panting into his skin and hair, the throb of her heat rubbing against his crotch and the way her breasts pressed into him when they came together to kiss. He needed to be in her, to feel her welcoming heat engulf him as he thrust into her so hard and fast the wall would shudder.

He'd been blown away by just having her at all. Being Sakura's boyfriend and making love to her all night long in a hotel room? He'd dreamt of that for years, wanted it for years. And he'd had that, and he'd have it again tonight and whenever they went to hotels in the future.

But he'd also dreamt of things like this. Of taking a horny and willing Sakura into the closest private place and fucking her however he damn pleased. To use her heavenly body for his pleasure and make her love every single moment of it.

The number of places he'd imagined fucking or making love to Sakura was astronomical. Basically, if there was an open spot of wall, or a slightly hidden nook or cranny to be found somewhere … he'd imagined him and Sakura going at it there.

Some of them were obvious and he had no doubt would be in their future. Showers, bathtubs and hot tubs obviously. Fooling around on the back row in a cinema, in a changing room at a clothes shop maybe? Hell, changing rooms at a water park where he'd strip Sakura out of a bikini and tease her nipples while she tried to hold in her moans …

'Baby,' she moaned, her gyrating speeding up to match his thrusting hips. Her fingers splaying over his head and pulling it away so their eyes could meet. The need and lust in his girlfriend's green eyes humbling in its intensity. She guided his lips to hers, her palm wrapping around the back of his head as she moaned against his mouth. 'Stop teasing.'

'Uh huh,' he grunted into her mouth, slowing his hips down even as his hands roved up her body to her breasts. Sakura's eyes flickering closed for a moment as his thumb rubbed over the exposed top of her breast. The bra pushing the fullness up and begging him to ravish her skin.

He tried to fit his hand into the deeper cleavage now her dress was loose but he couldn't and even as he stroked his thumb over the heated flesh of her breast, he couldn't get the damn bra off.

She grabbed his chin and kissed him poignantly. 'Naruto, I know you love my breasts, but for the love of God …' She pulled his head back by his hair not ungently. Her free hand struggling at his belt, succeeding in unlooping the leather even without looking. 'Stop trying to get my bra off and fuck me already!'

There was a beat as Sakura glared at him, the sliver of genuine irritation bringing Naruto back to Earth enough that his hand slipped down to hers and helped her undo his belt with ease.

He chuckled lowly and pecked her lips tenderly. 'Yes dear, sorry dear, right away dear.'

She rolled her eyes at him but the irritation faded into fondness and was overtaken by desire again as between the two of them Naruto's belt was unfastened and with a bit of a fumble that made Sakura's fingers graze his aching tip, his trousers fell to his ankles, his boxers needing a further tug down.

Naruto didn't dally this time, lifting the smooth folds of Sakura's dress up along with her legs, he rubbed his glistening tip over her already soaked panties and savoured the moan and pleasure that warbled out of Sakura's mouth. Robbing the power of her grumbling his name in admonishment before he reached between them, pulled Sakura's panties aside and without any further hesitation, thrust into her eager sex.

'Ohhhhh,' Sakura moaned as he pressed into her, her ankles locking at the small of his back as she leant back into the wall, her open lips closing around his as he took them in a deep, languid kiss.

'Mmmmmm,' she moaned again as he waited just seconds before continuing, Sakura matching the slow, testing pace of his thrusts. Her hands, which had been splayed up in the air, coming back down to his hair and gripping tufts of it as he buried himself deeper and deeper into her with each roll of his hips.

The rub of wet fabric against his shaft enhanced the pleasure as they settled into the steady pattern of rolling and grinding they'd had before, their swallowed moans only more ardent with the complete lack of barriers between them.

It felt so good, the way her legs tensed and squeezed around his hips as he took her, the power in her thighs and the utter delight in her kisses urging him ever further into losing himself in the moment.

God, what a moment. His dick was already starting to quiver within her, his grip on her ass slipping making him squeeze it so he could stop Sakura slipping down the wall.

The squeezing only eking out more moans from his girlfriend though as with each necessary squeeze, she rocked her hips a little faster and the kisses were broken with gasps and sighs that were getting more and more excited each time it happened. But as she sped up she kept slipping back down the wall. If he didn't do something they were gonna wind up on the floor.

'Oh God,' Sakura moaned after he reflexively squeezed her ass again, harder this time. 'More!'

She trembled around him and he groaned as the traitorous tickle of pressure started to build at his base, the dull ache of his release already threatening to end their fun way too early.

But Sakura didn't seem to notice or care, her moaning only getting louder as he kept up the pace needed to keep her against the wall, his thrusting getting faster and more frantic even as Sakura's grip on his waist slackened and her legs started to droop. She buried her face into his shoulder and moaned openly as her nails dug into his back almost hard enough to scratch.

'Gonna cum,' she breathed into his shoulder, the giddiness in her voice rocking his body with arousal and making his dick throb deep inside her. 'Mmmm, Naruto.'

Sakura had completely stopped pressing back into the wall, the only part of her body still against it the middle of her back as their hips met in the empty space between them. If he didn't do something to push her further into the wall his legs were gonna give.

Not to mention with how fucking good it felt and just how hot this entire thing was … he could already feel his release coming, and just like when they'd been in bed, Naruto couldn't even hope to think of anything to stave off the inevitable.

Because he wasn't just making love to Sakura, which was overwhelming and glorious enough as it was, he was fucking her against a wall in a storage cupboard because she couldn't wait to get him in her.

This sort of shit only happened in porn for fuck's sake. It was a miracle he hadn't finished already.

His dick throbbed within his moaning lover, as if him just thinking about cumming reminded it how close he actually was. He wasn't gonna be able to hold it off, hell, at this point, he didn't want to anymore, the relief would feel almost as good as the sex itself.

'Gonna,' Sakura panted again, her hips growing more frantic in their movements, her grip on his skin tightening as she moaned into his ear, open mouthed kisses sloppily pressed into any part of him she could reach. 'Wanna.'

Fuck it. If he was gonna finish, he was gonna make it as good as he could.

Naruto groaned heavily as he hooked his elbows under Sakura's knees and lifted her whole body up before slamming her right into the wall, burying himself to his base in her heat.

Sakura's pussy fluttered and she kissed a long, sensuous moan into his neck as he felt her cum over his tip and before his own release could rush to meet it, he started moving again.

'Oh! Fuck, fuck, fuck!' Sakura panted out quickly as he pounded into her so fast her ass smacked against the wall in fleshy slaps, the sound of his dick pummelling her pussy wetly the only sound louder. 'Ohmigodyes!'

Her breath was hot against his neck, coming in fast and shallow pants, her upper body pressed into him, urging his ever quickening release, his dick twitching just as he pounded into her and Sakura's second orgasm rocked through her, her body tensing as she fluttered around him and Naruto gasped desperately.

'Sakura-chan,' he groaned. 'I'm gonna-'

'In me,' she hissed back, their hips still moving on instinct, mounting the mind-boggling pleasure to new heights with every slap of skin on skin on wall.

'But …' he managed to say even as his whole body throbbed ecstatically.

'Pill,' she breathed out, gripping his shoulders tightly and pulling her head back to look him in the eye. The sheer deepness of the lust staring back at him almost enough to finish him off then and there. 'In. Me.'

Fuck she was hot, she was so fucking hot. He didn't have words to describe how hot she was. And she was his. Fuuuuuuck.

Her lips crashed into his, her hips matched the speed of the kisses and Naruto spent himself into her, groaning the entire way as Sakura rode him out, hips rolling and grinding through every pulse and jut of his hips until he was done.

They panted together, their chests heaving as sweaty forehead met sweaty forehead and they giggled when their eyes met.

He kissed her lightly, the merest incline of his head about all he could manage, and Sakura returned it happily.

'So …' she whispered as she held him close. He'd had to lean fully against her or he'd have dropped to the floor. 'That was fun.'

'Fuck yeah it was,' he chuckled back breathily. 'Definitely makes me think I should tickle you more if this is what's gonna come after.'

Sakura blushed lightly and poked him in the rib. 'Don't act like I was the only one who was bonkers horny all day. Who's been eye-fucking me since the temple huh?'

'Guilty,' Naruto laughed, kissing Sakura's little smirk while his breathing slowly went back to normal. 'And I fully admit to not wanting to wait to get to the room … but I think we should before we head back.'

Sakura peered down at them to follow Naruto's gaze and made an acknowledging noise. To the very clear … marks on her dress. 'Yeah, might be able to pass those off as water to nearly everyone but Pig?'

Ino would know on sight. Yeah, Naruto had just been thinking that. He also doubted he was unstained even with his clothes on the floor. The dust alone would bring questions.

'So, back to the room, shower and change of clothes and then we head down for the reception at six?' Sakura suggested as Naruto lowered down her legs until she was stood on the floor again, already unfolding her dress and sighing lightly at the clear marks of where his fingers had grabbed and ruffled it. 'What time is it anyway?'

'Uhhh,' he muttered, pulling his phone out of his pocket as he hurried to dress himself. 'Call it four? Ish? Gives us plenty of time to get back to the room, take showers and get back down in time.'

Sakura smiled prettily and reached up for a kiss on her toes. 'And we could always share a shower to save time?'

There was a beat and Naruto snorted and rolled his eyes as he buttoned up his recovered shirt. 'Are you serious?'

'What?' Sakura asked all innocent and light. 'It was just a suggestion.'

'Uh huh,' Naruto said disbelievingly, leaning down to kiss her quickly. 'Suuuure. You're just trying to save time, totally nothing to do with wanting to see me wet and naked.'

Sakura blushed a little and winked at him. 'No comment Officer.'

He laughed again and stepped around her to pull the chair loose. 'I love you so damn much.'

'Love you too,' Sakura beamed and squeezed his hand when she took it. 'Now come on, the meal will be over soon and then someone might see us you know … not in the suite and looking thoroughly …'

'Sexed?' Naruto offered playfully.

'Yes,' Sakura blushed some more but it didn't dim the breathtakingly pleased smile on her face. 'That. Now hurry up!'

Without another word, Naruto let Sakura pull him back out of the cupboard and all but drag him by the hand to their suite.

With a determination that made him wonder if they'd actually be attending the reception on time after all.

Oh well, not like anyone would really care how late they were as long as they were back in time for the cutting of the cake and the first dance.

Besides … he really did need a shower.


Sakura was going to be sore tomorrow.

But given how long it had been since she'd been that kind of sore …

She'd live.

And, most importantly, she could at last think straight for the first time since Thursday.

Sure, looking at Naruto still made her tummy flutter in the best ways, but after the quickie in the cupboard and then the inevitable, much gentler and slower shower sex, getting him into bed wasn't an all-consuming need anymore.

Because, yes, of course they'd had sex in the shower. Duh. They had so much time to make up on. Any opportunity she got, she was going to screw his brains out.

Frankly, if they didn't have to show their faces at the reception, they wouldn't have surfaced until they were thrown out of the hotel.

She was already planning to call off work for the next week as it was. Naruto might have to make up excuses about working on cases at home but he'd do it if she asked.

Though knowing the blond, she probably wouldn't need to.

The sweetheart had actually flat out told work he wasn't coming in once because … well, she blushed to remember it but … because it was her birthday and he'd had something special planned for them.

Crime would have to wait, Sakura's birthday came first.

It got him no end of shit in the precinct but he never budged and given how she also made sure she was always off for his birthday …

God, how had neither of them realised they were in love with each other? No wonder their friends and family were so aggravated with them about it.

'Hey Sakura-chan?' Naruto muttered as they got closer to the reception. Music wafting out through the open doors before them.

'Yeah?' She asked quietly, peering into the room proper to see just how full it was. It was very full it turned out.

She hadn't expected that, their absence was going to be far more obvious than she'd planned.

Oh well. Who cared?

'You sure about telling people?' He frowned, staring into the room. 'Like, I'm sure most people are just gonna make fun of us a little and move past it but well, Mom's gonna be insufferable and if she has enough to drink she's gonna get loud and-'

Sakura tugged on his sleeve and kissed his cheek quickly, a brief glance around ensuring they were alone before she did it, and stroked his other cheek as Naruto gave her one of those involuntary smiles she'd caught him doing all day.

He was so cute. She wanted to put him in her pocket and keep him there forever.

She was worried about how loud Kushina was going to be too though. Of all their family, Kushina Uzumaki was their most vocal 'shipper'.

Her parents would be happy and while Mebuki and Kizashi Haruno would definitely tease them for years, they'd wait until after the reception. That and Naruto was the only boy both of her parents had ever approved of. It would get her some slack.

Her dad had been less than subtle about his disapproval of Sasuke and more than happy to ban him from the house. And there had been reasons aside from her feelings for Naruto that none of her previous boyfriends lasted long enough to meet the parents.

The idea of watching her parents rip apart any prospective boyfriend over what was meant to be a nice meal had always filled her with dread. Her dad seemed to take special pleasure in the knowledge that he'd scared off all potential suitors without ever meeting them.

The way he was with Naruto … well both of her parents really, but especially her dad, yeah, her parents were going to be happy and leave it at that.

Minato would also be equally calm and approving, he'd jokingly referred to Sakura as his daughter-in-law once or twice and it had always felt very genuine. And out of all of their parents, he was the only one who'd never pushed or interfered in anyway.

Even her mother had been more interfering than Minato. And that only went as far as Mebuki buying her and Naruto joint gifts that were clearly meant to be for a couple the last few years. The elder woman always had a legitimate and thought out reason for the gifts too.

Kushina though … Kushina was the definition of 'shipper on deck'. She was only better than Ino because unlike the blonde, Kushina had never suggested Sakura just throw herself at Naruto.

No, she had more restraint. Plus, Naruto was her son and anything like that would be beyond creepy.

She was going to be beside herself when they told her though.

She'd been calling it since her and Naruto were kids. Even before Naruto and Sakura were in high school and was apparently pulling her hair out that she still couldn't officially call Sakura her daughter-in-law.

Which was sweet, and honestly, she thought it might be part of why she wasn't afraid to tell their parents they were a couple now. Because despite the teasing they were undoubtedly going to get, and had definitely earned to be fair, when it was over, everyone was going to be overjoyed.

And that weird little gap she felt between herself and Naruto's family would be gone, because while she didn't want to get ahead of herself … Naruto was who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. His family were going to be her family.

They just had to get this bit out of the way, manage the reactions so they weren't distracting from the couple of the hour and then she and Naruto could fold into each other's families like they already had. Only this time the jokes about them being a couple wouldn't be jokes anymore.

Which made her so ecstatically happy she felt like singing. And dancing. Like, for hours. Days even.

Honestly the only reason she wasn't already doing that was because while she didn't care who knew they were a couple, she'd gladly tell anyone who asked, but it wasn't just Kushina who was going to be excitable.

Some of their friends were going to be insufferable, and by some she meant Ino.

Not to mention, after all the alcohol that had been drunk today … well, she couldn't rely on Ino not to go ham and make a very big, very attention grabbing fuss about it.

So yeah, letting people know quietly and privately was the new plan, and keeping certain people in the dark as long as possible, avoiding them entirely if they must. Ino was definitely on the avoid list.

'We've just got to remind her who's wedding it is babe. We'll find them after Shika and Temari, before she's had too much to drink, so she'll actually listen.' Sakura looped her arm around his and rested her head against his shoulder. 'Your dad will keep your mom from going overboard.'

'Yeah,' Naruto said quietly, refusing to look at her, his cheeks going bright pink as he kept smiling. 'Sure thing Sakura-chan.'

'What?' she asked, a curious frown running over her face as she poked him in the ribs playfully. 'What's with the smile?'

'It's nothing. Come on, let's go tell our parents,' Naruto said, his cheeks only getting pinker. He went to walk into the function room proper but Sakura held him in place. 'Sakura-chan …'

But he was blushing harder now and Sakura grinned so wide she was surprised her head didn't split in half. Because there was nothing cuter than Naruto getting more and more flustered by just the simplest of things.

'C'mon Naruto,' she teased, squeezing his fingers and swinging their hands back and forth. 'What's got you smiling and blushing?'

He sighed heavily and glanced down at her, face pinker than her hair, and she knew that she'd got him.

Poor man, if she could get him to do what she wanted just by pestering him like this … God only knew what she could convince him to do by flashing him.

She was never going to wash a dish again.

'You called me babe,' Naruto muttered, still not looking her in the eyes and his cheeks somehow burning even brighter. 'It was nice.'

Oh God. He was so fucking cute. Like, there had never been anyone cuter than Naruto in this exact moment. He won, he'd taken the prize for cutest person ever, no contest.

If she didn't think they'd get distracted, she would kiss his damn cute, blushing face off right here, right now.

'You're so cute,' she said, rubbing her hand up and down his arm. 'You know that?'

'Bite me,' he fired back without any malice, a slight chuckle and a sigh hissing past his lips as he rolled his shoulders and took in a deep breath. 'Okay, ready?'

Had she mentioned how cute he was?

Without waiting for an answer Naruto moved, holding her hand as he strode into the party.


As planned, Naruto and Sakura did try to find bride and groom first.

But when they'd caught sight of the newlyweds, they were very busy.

Shikamaru's mother had decided to latch onto him, hugging him so tightly he looked like he was struggling to breathe, and crying in a rare show of overwhelming joy. The normally grumpy man wasn't even trying to squirm away from Yoshino. He seemed unable to stop smiling as well. It was too cute to interrupt.

Temari was equally occupied. Her friend from home, Matsuri, was dragging her over to what looked like one of those party photo booths, the two of them having a very animated, very happy conversation.

Matsuri had clearly made up for her lateness to the party though, she seemed to be clinging onto Temari even while dragging her away from the crowd. The larger sandy haired woman doing her best to not fall over the staggering brunette all the way to the booth.

There were going to be so many funny pictures showing up on social media in the next few weeks, Sakura couldn't wait to see them.

She'd have to remember to find a moment to drag Naruto over there to take a few silly photos as well. They could add them to the endless collection of photos they had together.

But with the wedding couple busy, it really would be best to find their parents. Best to pull that band aid off quickest.

Ino would probably be pissed she wasn't first but well, Ino had earned a bit of disappointment with her shenanigans over the years. She was still a bit grumpy about the whole 'changing their reservation' thing, even if it had worked out wonderfully.

'Sakura! Naruto!' Kushina shouted, waving at her from the table where both sets parents were sat, along with Naruto's grandpa, Jiraiya and …

'Grandma,' Naruto whispered, the dread in his voice only matching the sinking feeling in her stomach. 'Oh, ohhhhhh, we're fucked Sakura-chan,' he muttered to her as they continued to walk forward. 'I'd forgot she'd be here too, she's gonna give us so much shit.'

She was a little worried he'd let go of her hand but in a move that only caused her heart to swell three times larger, his grip got tighter and if anything, his gait got more determined.

God she could kiss him. You know … more than she already had.

Look, it was reassuring to have him not shrink away from his legitimately intimidating grandmother and actually walk into what was undoubtedly going to be a whole mess of teasing.

Tsunade's eyes met Sakura's and she smiled and waved, the whole group of them did actually, as they approached and then, one by one, their eyes dropped to where Naruto and Sakura's hands were. Eyebrows raising until they threatened to disappear into hairlines.

And then Tsunade smiled, slowly, smugly and with acute realisation.

Sakura had spent more than enough time around some very old male doctors who thought they knew everything about everything. The kings of overinflated impressions of their intelligence. The sort of men who thought being a doctor made them better than you just by breathing.

But the look of sheer satisfaction on Tsunade's face could've beaten back all of the smug old men in the world with half its potency. It was so intimidating in its smugness that Sakura momentarily considered turning on the spot and dragging Naruto all the way back to their room and hiding in the bathroom.

But Naruto was still striding forward and so she had to as well. Damn him and his warm and comforting grip.

Didn't he know his grandma was terrifying her with her happiness? Insensitive jerk.

He's lucky he's hot.

And cute.

And a good kisser.

And funny.

And that he has a big –

OKAY!

Okay, she'd take it, she could take it.

Her brain was so mean.

Besides, she'd known these people since she was a girl, they wouldn't tease her that bad. Even Tsunade would eventually get sick of teasing them. You know, eventually. It wasn't like she was still teasing people at the hospital for things they'd done decades ago right?

Right?

Oh God, Tsunade was going to crucify them.

Well if she was going to do that … there was no point in prolonging the inevitable.

'Babe?' Sakura said after they'd come to a stop in front of the table, waiting until all six sets of eyes were back on their faces, before she turned to meet Naruto's surprised stare as his head whipped around.

Ignoring the excited gasps from the table, she lifted up on her toes to kiss Naruto delicately, leaning into him just enough to remove any doubt and did her best not to linger too long.

They were still in front of their family after all.

Naruto's face was bright red as she pulled away, but he was smiling so wide it made her toes wiggle involuntarily.

That's a thing and you know it.

Shut up.

She stared at the table en masse and held her breath, fingers still entwined with Naruto's, doing her best not to blink as the imperious gaze of her parents, her boyfriend's parents and his grandparents drilled holes into them both. Daring her to crack first.

Thankfully, for her pride if nothing else, Kushina was the first who broke the silence.

'Finally!' she hissed, pushing Minato hard as her excitement overflowed, her smile growing almost too big for her face, all the while bouncing in her chair. 'You finally got together. Oh thank God, I can stop going crazy! Thank fuck for that!'

'Mom,' Naruto sighed, smiling despite himself when Sakura leant into his arm. She'd hoped it was as reassuring as she'd meant it to be. The way his fingers squeezed hers certainly helped her. 'C'mon.'

'You're using protection right?' the redheaded woman asked bluntly, staring accusatorily at them. 'Sakura's on the pill at least right?

'MOM!' Naruto choked as Sakura's face went so pink she was worried it'd never go back to normal again.

'No,' Kushina pointed a reprimanding finger at her son, her frown sharp. 'Tell me you used protection, Naruto Uzumaki, I am not old enough to be a grandma yet. We agreed, no grandchildren until I'm at least fifty-seven.'

Why fifty-seven?

'Darling,' Minato tried lamely, but was too busy holding in his own laughter. 'Company.'

Kushina whipped around on the man, her eyes going wide before she turned back to Sakura's parents with an apologetic smile. 'Not that I'm not beyond happy that Sakura's gonna be the mother of my grandchildren, of course Mebuki, Kizashi. I just have so many questions and that one was the most important, you understand.'

Sakura felt a chill run down her spine as the redheaded woman's eyes raked over both her and Naruto like they were a particularly interesting museum exhibition. One she'd ask some poor member of staff thousands of seriously bizarre and precise questions about. For hours.

She'd seen that look too many times not to know it when it was aimed at her.

'So many questions,' she repeated, clapping her hands together and beaming at her and Naruto.

It would be endearing if her first question hadn't been so tellingly personal.

How the fuck were they even meant to answer that one?!

No answer was going to take away from the fact that it meant they had to tell their parents they were fucking.

Everyone obviously knew, of course, they weren't children for heaven's sake. But there was knowing and there was knowing.

She needed wine.

Lots of it.

'We got you Kush,' Kizashi said with a laugh, shooting a playful wink at Sakura and Naruto while Mebuki's smile filled her face. 'We're happy they finally pulled their heads out of their asses too. But maybe we should save the inquisition for later?'

'Mm,' Tsunade said, smirking lightly as she rolled her eyes at her daughter-in-law. 'We are at someone else's wedding dear. Besides, the teasing they deserve for not figuring this out sooner,' she pointed at the two of them with a finger each. 'Will take far longer than the reception will allow.'

'Dr Senj-' Sakura started reflexively.

She wished she hadn't.

'You call me Dr Senju one more time girl,' Tsunade warned without looking up from the glass of wine she was pouring for herself. 'Not only will I change my mind on giving you the next two weeks off to spend canoodling with my grandson, I will put you on every night shift going for a month. Am I clear?'

Naruto groaned lowly into his free hand, Minato reaching over to rub his son's side comfortingly. He was still grinning really widely though.

'Yes ma'am,' Sakura said quickly. Trying to hide the blush and smile that involuntarily flickered across her face when her eyes met Naruto's.

Her mother had told her to never look a gift horse in the mouth after all. Especially when that gift horse was basically giving you a two week vacation. Even if said horse did make you suffer through innuendos about how you'd spend every moment of it with your boyfriend hip deep in you.

She should probably stop the gift horse analogy now though. She was starting to feel silly.

The fact that her brain was so overwhelmed right now that is was making whinnying noises didn't help with that.

She really needed wine.

'Good,' Tsunade said, blissfully unaware of Sakura's little breakdown, raised her glass. 'Now go socialise, before Kushina ignores us and asks you detailed questions you really don't want to answer.'

'I wasn't gonna get weird about it …' Kushina pouted, crossing her arms and falling back into Minato with a truly petulant frown that belonged on a teenager not a fifty something woman.

'Sure,' Jiraiya piped up. He raised his eyebrows at them, disbelief coating the word. 'And I've not had to run all of my erotic scenes by you for the last twenty years.'

'You asked me the first time!' Kushina objected and stuck her tongue out at the old man. 'Besides, I keep you from getting really pervy and it's made you so much more money!'

'Uh huh,' Jiraiya said with mock-scorn. His eyes screaming RUN at Sakura and Naruto.

She didn't need telling twice.

So while Kushina was distracted, Sakura pulled Naruto away and they didn't stop moving until they couldn't hear Kushina's voice above the music anymore.

'Went about as well as can be expected,' Naruto said lamely as they finally came to a stop at a free table. Naruto leant against it and laughed. 'You okay Sakura-chan?'

'Yeah.' Sakura wafted air on her face to fight the persistent blush. It didn't do anything unfortunately. 'I need a drink though.'

The blond smiled before pulling her in, pressing a slow kiss against her forehead. 'Me too, let's go the bar.'

She laughed lightly and leant into him as his arm wrapped around her, the music picking up around them as they made a beeline to the thoroughly stocked and well-manned open bar. 'Would you think less of me if I got absolutely wasted after that?'

'No, but –' Naruto started, but the music swelling cut him off as lights from a DJ station started to move over the uncovered dancefloor in roving patterns.

The white circles of light intertwined with soft shades of purple and cream, stag and fan insignias forming out of the multiple beams. It was desperately pretty.

She'd have to ask Sai how that worked later, he'd probably know how to do stuff like that.

'Ladies and gentlemen,' the DJ said, his voice carrying all the way to the back of the room. 'I've been told we're ready for the newlyweds' first dance. If you would please make your way to the edge of the dancefloor?'

Sakura beamed up at Naruto, who grinned back and without having to be told – because had she mentioned he was perfect? – pulled her forward before the throng of people could ruin their view.

Wine could wait. There was no way in hell she was missing seeing Shikamaru and Temari's first dance as husband and wife.

Naruto led her to the very front of the gathering crowd. She took no small amount of delight in how, when they came to a stop, he made sure to position her in front of him, his arms enveloping her in a wonderfully warm hug without a word.

She ran her hands over his arms until her palm was over his fingers and just as Naruto's fingers entwined with hers again, Shikamaru, smiling from ear to ear, appeared from a break in the crowd to the left of the dancefloor.

He held out his hand for Temari, who appeared under the soft light of cream and gentle purple tones merged their families' old clan symbols over one another.

Sakura leant into Naruto, doing her best not to actually go 'awwwww' as Temari was led out onto the dancefloor, the light following them until they were in the very middle, her and Shikamaru transfixed on each other's beaming faces.

Why was everyone being so cute today? It was going to make her cry.

'Now,' the DJ said, the smile in his voice infectious. Sakura's cheeks were already starting to hurt. 'Everyone, please join me in welcoming the new Mr and Mrs Nara to their first dance as husband and wife.'

The guests clapped and cheered, someone, who she was almost certain was Kiba, whooped but as the DJ turned down the lights to a single spotlight, everything fell silent so the only sound was a soft guitar starting to play.

The couple immediately fell into a gentle waltz, though as the song played on, the gentleness of the music only matched by how Shikamaru held his wife, like she was made of the most precious thing in the whole world.

The slow melody plucked along, Temari span as Shika lifted his arm, coming to rest in her husband's arms, her body folding back into his chest as he wrapped around her, his face pressed into the side of her face, burying the biggest smile Sakura had ever seen on her old friend's face, into his wife's sandy hair.

'Have you ever seen Shikamaru look so happy?' Sakura whispered, tilting her head back so she could see Naruto. 'I think he's actually crying.'

Naruto hugged her tighter and smiled lightly. 'No, I've never seen him smile like that. I think the only time he's come close to looking that happy was when he beat Asuma at shogi for the first time.'

Sakura giggled and nudged the guffawing Naruto in the ribs with her elbow, hard enough to accidentally make him break his hold on her. 'You're so mean!' she hissed, pointedly ignoring the scandalised look from one of the people nearest them.

'Shh, focus on the dancing,' Naruto whispered, kissing the top of her head pointedly.

She rested her head back against his shoulder as Naruto's arms wrapped around her again, his chest pressed right into her so she could feel his soothing heartbeat against her back.

It wasn't hard to refocus on the newlyweds, because if Shikamaru looked happier than she'd ever seen him … Temari looked radiant as the sun and her joy just pulled Sakura in.

The smile on her face could be seen from space and as the song came to a crescendo, the singer's voice hitting the notes with such passion, Shikamaru wasn't the only person in the room getting misty eyed.

Temari's hand came up to brush along Shikamaru's stubble, nuzzling into his neck as they swayed together, her other hand holding his against her stomach. Her eyes closed and her lips in a permanent smile, she looked like she was in the most perfect daydream.

Her eyes opened and she met Sakura's gaze just as the song came to the last verse.

Her eyes ran over them taking in what Sakura realised they were mirroring the bride and groom.

Whoops?

Temari's smile grew an extra couple centimetres and she followed the woman's eyes to Naruto. He smiled before wrapping his arms around Sakura just a little tighter, Sakura feeling him nod against her head, the slightest blush heating up both of their faces as Temari's eyes shot back to Sakura with barely restrained glee.

Temari tapped Shikamaru's arm until his own eyes opened, subtly thankfully, if you didn't know what she was doing you wouldn't be any the wiser, and Sakura could just make out her whispering in his ear as the dark haired man's head snapped up to stare directly at her and Naruto.

His eyes did the same dancing over them as his wife's and then he smiled before Temari pulled them both out into a twirl.

'Guess Temari's won the bet huh, Sakura-chan?' he murmured into her hair.

Sakura just laughed softly and lifted his fingers to her lips as the song came to an end.

'Yeah, I suppose so,' she whispered back.

She'd ask how he knew about the bet later, she had a feeling it would be a story best saved for alcohol. She knew she always wanted more wine whenever anyone reminded her of the running pool on when she and Naruto would get together.

A pool that Temari had won now she thought about it. She wondered idly what the new Mrs Nara was going to be awarded with but then Naruto placed a gentle kiss against her temple and she lost herself in the moment once again.

That too, could wait until she had alcohol.

The dance came to a slow end, leaving the bride and groom holding each other delicately until the spotlight faded along with the music and left them all in the dark for a couple moments.

The lights came back up and the guests burst into more cheers and clapping. Naruto and her doing one of each respectively, possibly a little over the top so they caught Temari's attention so she zeroed in on them and she laughed, Shikamaru quickly joining in.

Then Shikamaru turned towards the DJ in his booth and gave him a quick thumbs up, the man grinning back and music immediately starting to play out of the large speakers around the room.

'Ladies and gentlemen, Mr and Mrs Nara would now like to invite you to join them on the dancefloor! Let's get this party started!'

Before Naruto had fully registered what was going on, Sakura pulled him laughing onto the dancefloor, just as couples and groups from every side started to take to the floor and start dancing to the up tempo song that had followed the sweet one of the first dance.

They danced together, playfully and sweetly, Naruto making a point of spinning her whenever he felt like it and she laughed the whole way, her grin stretching out to rival Naruto's own foxy one.

At least two or three song had been played, the dancefloor heaving with people, when Temari and Shikamaru managed to break free from all the people who'd swarmed them after the dance.

The sandy haired woman threw her arms around the two of them and screamed with joy as she dragged them to the nearest table.

'Yes?' she asked quickly, her smile as infectious as the DJ's from before, before perching on a chair so she was sat between the two of them. 'You're together now right?'

They barely had time to nod before Temari shrieked and wrapped an arm around both her and Naruto's necks. Her giddiness making it hard to be too angry with her for basically cutting off her airway. She loved the woman but she forgot her own strength sometimes.

'Guys! I'm so happy for you!' Temari hissed. 'Tell me everything!'

'Temari,' Shikamaru said, amusement trickling over his tone. 'You'll have to stop crushing their windpipes if you want that.'

'Oh,' Temari blushed prettily and released them. 'Sorry, I'm just so excited!'

Sakura laughed, her hand searching out Naruto's instinctively, which she loved that she'd already started doing by the way. Especially when she found him doing the same thing.

Being Naruto's girlfriend was as sweet as she ever imagined it would be. Because he was as sweet as he'd always been.

And cute.

Really cute.

'Happy you won the pool huh Temari?' Naruto teased the sandy haired woman.

'I don't care about that!' Temari admonished him, reaching out to throw her arms around Naruto and pulling him into a crushing hug. 'I'm just so happy you two finally admitted how you felt about each other! Honestly, it's been killing me all day not asking how last night went!'

Sakura's head snapped to Shikamaru, glare already in place. She could feel Naruto doing the same thing, because what the hell? Shikamaru was meant to be the one who didn't talk!

'Don't look at me like that,' Shikamaru said with a smug grin. 'I didn't say a damn thing, your dumb ass just didn't see Ino watching when you went to go tell him how you felt.' Shikamaru pointed at Naruto and shook his head. 'Honestly Sakura, did you really think both of you could disappear in the middle of the festivities last night, when you'd both been visibly awkward the entire meal, and no one would come looking unless Ino stopped them?'

Shit.

She knew Pig had been too quiet about her absence from last night. And if she'd stayed quiet all day … she had to be up to something.

That couldn't be good.

Especially now that she thought about it, she hadn't seen Ino since the dancing had started.

'And then you show up at my suite looking fit to explode with joy.' Temari shook her head fondly, seemingly unaware of the millions of questions firing dizzily through Sakura's frantic brain. 'Seriously Sakura, you have no idea how much we all wanted to interrogate you.'

So much for her thinking she'd been subtle about it. Damn it.

'Does that mean … everyone knows?' Sakura asked, sharing a perturbed glance with Naruto who thankfully gave her a sympathetic frown. 'Like … everyone?'

'Babe,' Temari sighed exasperatedly. 'In the last twenty-four hours the two of you have disappeared for over an hour, twice. If we didn't notice last night, which we did don't fool yourself, we definitely noticed when you went to your room to 'rest your knee' in the middle of the speeches.'

Temari winked, making Sakura's cheek go such a dark shade of pink it almost matched the colour of her dad's hair.

'Um,' Sakura faltered, looking over to Naruto for some kind of salvation only to find him uselessly blushing and laughing awkwardly. Ugh, she couldn't even blame him. 'Sorry?'

Shikamaru snorted and reached down to rest his hand over Temari's shoulder, her hand coming up to grip his lightly.

'Oh don't be,' Temari chuckled. 'Honestly, Ino wasn't convinced you'd remember you had a wedding to attend today. The girls were taking bets on whether you'd even be able to keep a straight face if we asked how last night went when you came in. If you came in.'

Well at least she hadn't caved when they had. That was a small victory she supposed.

That and you know, Naruto being her boyfriend now. It was surprisingly easy to take the light teasing when she could reach out to hold Naruto's hand for support without making the teasing worse when he ran his thumb over her fingers in support.

Had she mentioned how much she loved being Naruto's girlfriend? She felt like she hadn't mentioned it enough.

'Don't disappear tonight until at least after we do though okay?' Shikamaru chimed in with a little chuckle, taking the light smack Temari gave him. Completely perfunctory obviously, Temari's sultry grin way too telling to fool anyone.

'Suppose we could do that,' Naruto said, laughter in his voice.

'Naruto!' Sakura hissed, her cheeks going even redder somehow.

'Sakura-chan,' the blonde said with a rueful smile. 'C'mon, cat's out of the bag now.'

She wanted to tell him off. To remind him that that was not the point!

Her sharing sexy exploit stories with the girls when everyone was sharing was one thing. You didn't tell the bride and groom that they weren't the first couple who snuck off to fuck on their own wedding day!

But honestly? She couldn't muster the anger. Not when he was looking at her like that, all relief and joy and it just made her want to laugh too.

Besides, it was Shikamaru and Temari, they weren't going to tease them too much about how they'd clearly been taking every opportunity to get into each other's pants.

They had tact, unlike …

'Oh there you two are,' a sugary-sweet tone sashayed closer to them as Ino appeared before the gathered foursome, her long blonde hair loose and falling in waves over her shoulders. 'Please tell me you made it back in time for the first dance?'

Sakura's stomach fell down to her toes again and if she thought Ino wouldn't tackle her, she'd be sprinting for the exit already.

She didn't want to even think what the blonde had in store for them.

If Ino had been holding in her teasing all day, she was going to be insufferable now they were at the reception. And she was probably more than a little peeved that it had been Shikamaru who finally gave her the convincing shove to go after Naruto last night.

Maybe if she threw something at her, Ino would be too preoccupied trying to dodge it and she and Naruto could make a break for it?

'Well now you're here,' Ino said, moving to block any hope of exit that wouldn't literally involve going through her bodily, like she'd been able to read Sakura's intentions on her face.

Which she probably had. Damn psychotherapist.

'I have a little surprise for you both, if you're not too sore from your so-not-a-quickie earlier that is.' Ino purred. The smile that eased onto her face as she glanced from Naruto to her and then back again. 'Honestly Naruto, make a girl jealous with how long you two were gone for why don't you?'

Ino reached out to run her hand down over Naruto's arm, Sakura's man going stock still and his face falling into a definitely disapproving frown, the reassuring look he shot at her the only reason Sakura hadn't actually pounced on her bitch best friend.

Sakura did growl possessively though, it just come out instinctively.

Even though she knew it was just to get a rise out of her, she couldn't help the animal reaction of wanting to kick the ever loving the shit out of her smug best friend for her audacity.

The fact that Ino would never actually flirt with Naruto was irrelevant. Right now Ino was lucky Naruto was holding her hand, otherwise she'd be getting decked.

'Oh simmer down Forehead,' Ino said dismissively, her hand coming away from Naruto so quickly it was like she'd never reached out. 'Now come on, I have a special song coming up just for you two.'

'What are you up to Pig?' Sakura hissed, decidedly not budging.

Ino smirked and leaned down so her lips were by Sakura's ear, so only she could possibly hear her.

'Make you a deal Sakura-chan,' Ino whispered sweetly. 'You indulge me on this and I will give you a week of immunity from me making fun of you for finally fucking your man. Like I've been begging you to since school.'

Sakura blushed but set her jaw as Ino pulled back far enough to look her in the eye.

'A month,' Sakura growled.

The blonde's eyes sparkled with mirth, even as they rolled. Her hand coming up from her side to rest between their faces. 'Two weeks and I don't ask you if the reason you two were gone so long was because you had to go back to your room. Because, you know, this fell out of your purse before we left for the temple.'

Sakura's cheeks blazed as Ino flashed what was unmistakably the exact condom Sakura had put in her purse this morning. Ino's smirk only got more vulpine the redder Sakura's face went.

She snatched the condom out of Ino's fingers with a muttered, 'Fine.'

'Goodie,' Ino said happily, rearing back, pulling Sakura and Naruto up by their hands and not waiting to lead them away from the grinning Shikamaru and Temari. 'Now come with me, the DJ is meant to be playing your song any minute now.'

Sakura didn't dare ask, she was too busy shaking her head to Naruto's inquisitive look anyway.

'Later,' she muttered when he started to open his mouth. 'Trust me, later.'

His jaw snapped shut and he peered after Ino with a displeased frown.

But if Ino could feel Naruto's cop glare piercing the back of her head she didn't let on. She led them out to an empty spot on the dancefloor, ignoring the shouts and greetings from their friends as they passed.

Sakura and Naruto's faces went redder though with every knowing look they met from Neji and Tenten, Kiba and Hinata and even Gaara and Matsuri who Sakura noticed were dancing suspiciously closely.

'Okay,' Ino said with a beaming smile, demanding their attention like a toddler. 'You two just wait here for a second, the song should be the next one up.'

Naruto raised an eyebrow at her, the puzzled look on his face more than fit to match her own.

What the hell was Ino playing at?

Though she supposed, as the current song came to an end, she was about to find out.

Naruto was less patient though.

'What's a song got to do with whatever you have planned Ino?' Naruto asked suspiciously. 'What's the game?'

Ino just continued to smile as the opening bars of the upbeat song that had haunted Sakura most desperate memories and fantasies borne from her biggest what if about her and Naruto started to play.

She wondered if Naruto would recognise it too.

They'd never talked about that night, never, and she'd always wondered why but she'd never been brave enough to actually ask.

Even now she was a little scared to ask. Even if the worst answer he'd actually give couldn't hurt her but well … she was allowed to be a little irrational given what they'd nearly done the last time they'd been on a dancefloor and this song was playing.

'Let's just say Naruto babe,' Ino said with a knowing, soft smile as his head twitched around to the DJ booth, his entire body going still. 'That I'm giving the two of you the chance to right a wrong … so to speak.'

Do you hear me? I'm talking to you … Across the water, across the deep blue ocean, under the open sky oh my … and baby I'm trying …

Naruto's head snapped back around to Ino, he looked like he'd seen a ghost as the beautifully perfect song wavered from the speakers.

Boy, I hear you, in my dreams … I feel your whisper across the sea … I keep you with mein my heart … You make it easier when life gets hard …

Sakura bit her lip as Naruto's deep, questioning eyes widened and he stared at her. All the answers she'd ever needed were in that stare. And as Ino slinked away, the proudest of smiles flickering across her face before she disappeared into the crowd … Sakura wasn't afraid to ask anymore.

Because she didn't need to. She knew.

Lucky to have been where I have been, lucky to be coming home again …

'Sakura-chan?' he asked so quietly she could barely hear him over the gloriously scary song.

She wasn't the only person who remembered his twenty-second birthday after all. And regretted not acting on the feelings that had clearly been there for years.

Well then.

She would have to remember to buy Ino all the chocolate her credit card could afford.

'Dance with me,' Sakura said, feeling a whole lot more wobbly than she wanted to, but damn it, she wasn't messing this up a second time. 'Yeah?'

He smiled at her and her heart melted at the relief there. The absolute joy and peace in that smile would leave her a puddle almost as much as the warmth that met her when she stepped into his waiting arms.

They don't know how long it takes … waiting for a love like this …

She fell into the easy sway he started, circling on the spot as they held each other's gaze more than dancing in any meaningful way. But it was somehow better for the closeness. Perfect even.

Every time we say goodbye, I wish we had one more kiss …

'Sakura-chan …' he murmured, his forehead coming to rest against hers. 'This song …'

'Shhh,' Sakura whispered, burying her face into his chest as they swayed. 'Just dance with me. Please.'

'Okay,' he sighed happily, wrapping his arms around her as they turned some more. 'Yeah, okay.'

I'll wait for you, I promise you, I will …

God this song was even more fitting five years later. It was absurd and wonderful and frustrating and amazing.

Like being in love with Naruto was. It was scary and exciting in the same breath and she couldn't wait to see what was going to come next for them.

Would they move into a new apartment together or would she just officially move into his and make it theirs? Would they get married? How many children would they have?

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend …

'Look at me?' He whispered into her hair. 'Please?'

He smiled at her as she looked up, the understanding and love he was exuding intoxicating and soothing somehow and well … perfectly Naruto.

The questions about their future could wait.

Lucky to have been where I have been …

They'd had so many years of wondering and agonising over what could be.

Now? Now was the time to enjoy the moment and let whatever the future had in store for them come.

She could take it all and then some. As long as she had him, Sakura Haruno could rule the goddamn world.

Lucky to be coming home again …

'I love you Sakura-chan,' he murmured, his hand coming up to cradle her cheek.

'I love you too,' Sakura whispered into his palm, pressing a soft kiss into it. 'So much Naruto, oh so much.'

Lucky we're in love in every way … Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed … Lucky to be coming home someday …

'Can I kiss you now please?' He asked with a cheeky grin. 'You know? Like I should have done back then?'

Sakura laughed, it was watery and giddy and she couldn't stop it even as Naruto's fingers pulled her chin up so his lips were centimetres away from hers.

'I'll take that as a yes,' he teased, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. 'Better late than never huh?'

'Oh shut up and kiss me already,' Sakura gasped, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling his laughing mouth down to crash into hers.

Their bodies melding together in the middle of the dancefloor, the song still playing as the sound of cheering filled her ears.

But it didn't matter, Naruto was still kissing her and the song was still playing. Everything that wasn't Naruto and this song could go away.

Lucky we're in love in every way …

Yes.

Yes they were.

God, they were so damn lucky.

And as long as they had each other …

They always would be.