A/N: Hey guys! So as promised, I'm back with a new story for you all. While this isn't the sequel to my story, The Bench Where it all Began, this one shot does take place within the same universe. Anyway, to give you guys some quick background context on what the plan for this drabble series is, I decided that any stories which were not going in chronological order should be posted separately from the sequel itself to avoid confusing anyone. This first story takes place about 3-4 months after the war has ended and the point at which Naruto & Sakura confessed their feelings for one another. It was based on a funny idea that came to mind recently in which I envisioned Sakura getting a haircut and Naruto was a bit shocked at first. It's a bit all over the place, but I do hope you guys enjoy nonetheless! So without further ado, I present to you, Of Hair Trims and Buzz Cuts.
It was a relatively mild winter day in the land of fire. The streets of Konoha we're bustling with activity. Villagers and Shinobi were out shopping and purchasing gifts for their special someone on Valentine's Day
At Ichirakus ramen, it was unusually quiet. Aside from the owner Teuchi and his daughter Ayame, who were both busy in the kitchen, there was only one other occupant seated at the counter. This wasn't just any ordinary individual, however.
The person sitting at the counter was Naruto Uzumaki, hero of the fourth great ninja war. He was sporting a white shirt with an orange sweater that was partially zipped up. In addition to that, he was wearing a black pair of sweatpants and typical black sandals.
Naruto was waiting to meet up with his girlfriend, Sakura Haruno, for their Valentine's Day date. In fact, Sakura had told him to meet her here around five pm, stating that she had some important things to take care of first.
And so, here he was, completely oblivious to everything else going on around him whilst chowing down on his fifth bowl of ramen. Suddenly, Naruto felt a soft pair of hands cover his eyes and a female voice said, "Guess who?"
Naruto already knew who it was. He could tell just by the familiar scent of strawberry shampoo wafting in the air. With a grin creeping up on the corners of his mouth, Naruto decided he would humor the person behind him and play along with their little game a smidge.
"I have no idea who it could be." Naruto sarcastically replied. "Wait a minute. Are those strawberries I smell? There's only one person I know who uses scented shampoo like that. Is it you, Sakura-chan?"
"You're as perceptive as always Naruto." Sakura chuckled.
Naruto knew her all too well. The pink haired kunoichi wasn't surprised by this though after everything they'd been through over the years.
Sakura just hoped that Naruto would like her new makeover. She had gone to a lot of trouble to make herself look pretty, especially with this being their first Valentine's Day together as a couple.
"When I uncover your eyes, turn around slowly." Sakura instructed.
Naruto did as Sakura requested. As he spun around on the stool, Naruto took a moment to examine his girlfriend's new look.
Sakura was wearing a long sleeve green button down shirt with a pair of khakis and pink sandals. She also had a necklace with a purple diamond pendant around her neck. To complete her look, Sakura had a crimson hairband in her hair.
Naruto wasn't going to lie. His girlfriend looked amazing. Sakura always looked beautiful to him, but this new outfit and hair style suited her. It made her look like she was a strong, mature and independent young woman.
As their eyes met, Naruto could tell that Sakura had this longing look embedded within her emerald irises, eagerly waiting to hear what he had to say.
A light pink hue started to appear on either cheek. Sakura was quick to turn her head to the side and look away to conceal her nervousness.
"Wow… All I can say is wow. You look beautiful, Sakura-chan." Naruto said.
"Thank you, Naruto." Sakura smiled warmly. "I was getting a bit nervous for a minute there when you didn't say anything. It almost made me think that you didn't like my makeover."
"Are you kidding? How could I not like it, Sakura-chan? I just said you looked beautiful and I meant every word. You've always been the prettiest girl in my eyes and that's never going to change." Naruto said.
Her smile not once faltering, Sakura closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her lips against his.
As the two separated, Naruto was the first to break the silence, "I love the smell of strawberries," Naruto randomly blurted out.
Sakura giggled at her boyfriend's goofy remark.
"I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted. The two of us just had a romantic moment and the first thing that comes out of your mouth is another comment about my strawberry scented shampoo. Sometimes I don't know about you, Naruto." Sakura playfully smacked her boyfriend on the head.
"Ow… that hurt." Naruto whined. "So what made you decide to get a haircut? I thought you looked really pretty with long hair again."
"Aw, you're sweet. But as much as I liked growing out my hair again, I honestly got sick of having to take care of it. So I went to the hair stylist this morning and got it chopped off. Plus short hair is a lot easier to maintain." Sakura explained.
"That's true. Now that you mention it, I've been thinking about getting a haircut too recently. Maybe something like a buzz cut?"
"Oh no you don't!" Sakura scolded the blonde.
"Eh?" Naruto asked, confused by his girlfriend's sudden outburst.
Placing her hands on either hip, Sakura looked at the blonde knucklehead with a hint of annoyance clearly evident on her face. It was clear to Naruto that whatever he just said must have ticked her off.
Sakura wasted little time in making her point, "As long as we are dating, no boyfriend of mine is going to get a buzz cut. I like your hairstyle exactly as it is right now. Plus I think it makes you look very handsome, just like your father."
Naruto gulped nervously. Even though Sakura had just given him a compliment, she had done so only after making it plainly clear to him that she didn't want him getting a short haircut. Whenever Sakura used a stern tone like that, it usually meant that she was serious about something. And upsetting his girlfriend on Valentine's day was the last thing he wanted to do, especially when she had clearly gone to great lengths to make herself look pretty for their special day out together.
Taking that to heart, Naruto thought carefully about what he was going to say next. 'If Sakura-chan likes me with my spiky hair and a bit untamed, then I oughta keep it as is for now. I'd rather make her happy than be on her bad side.' Naruto reasoned with himself.
"Seeing you like my hair at its current length, I'll keep my hair like that for now. The last thing I want to do is make you get angry, especially when today is Valentine's Day." Naruto conceded.
Satisfied with his reply, Sakura proceeded to sit down beside her boyfriend on an empty stool. Noticing that Naruto was giving her a confused look, she then asked, "What?"
"Uh nothing… I'm just a bit confused about why you sat down when we had plans to go eat elsewhere?" Naruto asked.
"Well plans can change silly. Plus it just so happens that I have a craving for some vegetable ramen. Is that okay with you?" Sakura said.
"Of course! Just spending the day with my special girl is all that matters to me." Naruto chirped happily, turning his attention back to his other love, a piping hot bowl of ramen that Ayame had just carried out from the back.
Watching as her boyfriend started digging into his ramen once more, Sakura couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as she said, "Some things never change."
As she too started to eat some of her own vegetable ramen, Sakura smiled contently. She had accepted a long time ago that ramen would always hold a special place in his heart. It was one of those things during his youth that he could take comfort and share in good company with Teuchi, Ayame, and Iruka-sensei.
Even though she once joked that ramen would always be his first love, Sakura knew that her favorite blonde doofus' heart belonged to her and her alone. And that is something she would never take for granted, because with Naruto by her side, life was an adventure. Sakura wouldn't change that for the world.
A/N: Alright guys. Like I said, this was short and all over the place, but I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading it. The sequel to The Bench Where it all Began is in the works, but if I have other random ideas come to mind like this one, I'll just post them here. In any case, feel free to drop a like or leave a review to let me know what you think. I also have a nanrusaku discord server. If you'd be interested in joining, feel free to drop me a message. Until next time, this is Nate signing off.
