The coffee was good. Cream, sugar was how she liked it. It had been a few months sense they had started dating, and she never looked back. She was setting in his apartment on the floor elbows leaning on his table, reading a medical book. Always studying was pretty much the life she choose. Naruto was across the room making lunch for them. They had spent the morning training. Then they came back to his apartment for lunch. Today was one of those rare days that they had off, so they took advantage of it. Of course the relationship hadn't all wine and roses. There was a problem that had worked itself out. That problem was Hinata Hyuga. She had been in love with Naruto for along time. Sakura knew this and it had escaped her oblivious lover, that was creating a food that smelled amazing. She had confronted Hinata about where the boundary lines where. She didn't mind them being friends, anything else was out of the question. It finally took Naruto talking to her about Sakura and him being together to settle things. Their friendship was on a cool down period. Also Kiba, Hinata's teammate had a bit of a beef with Naruto about hurting Hinata's feelings. That dust up had to be broken up by their senseis. It took one ex-anbu, an active anbu and a genjutsu mistress to calm things down. Of course after things settle down Hinata and Naruto talked and things worked out for the best..
A plate was set in front of her. "Here you go." She looks up to see a smile that she has grown to love. He gets rewarded with one in return.
"Hope you don't mind chicken fried rice and dumplings. Had them left over from the last ramen run."
She looked at the plate. "You kidding? I have been smelling it this whole time. Couldn't even get any reading done."
One of the many things that she learned about Naruto was that he could cook, and was good at it. They spent most of their meals together. Unless she had to work at the hospital or they where on separate missions. Of course the time apart was hard. Neither of them liked it, but it was part of their lives. She did have something planned for later, She would send him off to get stuff for dinner then she would set things up. Of course there had been the fun of explaining her relationship with Naruto to Ino. Ever the gossip, she had heard that they had been spending a lot of time together. She just had know everything. So after what seemed like hours of basically an interrogation, she left and Ino got her gossip. She still didn't understand what the big deal was. At any rate she would take advantage of their day off.
Later that evening.
Naruto was heading back from getting food to make for dinner. He was happy despite the hateful stares he was getting from those he past. Frankly he no longer cared what they thought of him, he had more important things to worry about. Like the fact that he had a group of S rank missing Nin after him for what he held, getting stronger to protect those he cared about, and a girl that he never thought in a million years he would be in a relationship with. He still couldn't believe his luck. He walked up the stairs of his apartment building, bags in both hands. Setting them down he took out his key and unlocked the door. Picking up the bags again he headed inside."Sakura I am back." Raising his voice so see would hear him. He made his way over to the kitchen area and started putting things away. He had gotten some fresh fish and veggies. He had rice already and then there was the cake with strawberries that he knew Sakura would love. He finished putting stuff in the fridge, he turned around to something that made his brain short circuit. His girlfriend was standing there, wearing a black silk robe that stopped just after her hips and not much else. She smiled at the reaction she was getting.
"Like what you see?" He just nodded his head. She started walking slowly towards him.
"So if you got that stuff taken care of why don't you go clean up and meet me over there." She pointed at the now full sized pulled his head down and gave him a kiss that could be considered lethal. His brain kicked in and he returned the feelings she was giving. She broke the kiss for the need of oxygen.
"Go get cleaned up and we can have some more fun after." He gave her a smile and did as told.
2 Hours later.
Sakura was still straddling him, looking down at him, a delicate hand moving over his bare chest. Tracing the contours of his muscles. Naruto was built. Not bulky, but sleek and strong. One of the things she liked was touching him, the feel of his skin, the warmth he gave off.
"Like what you see?" A pair of blue eyes looked up at her.
"Of course." She smiles down at him. "I should be worn out after that."
"I aim to please." He told her with a small smile and a little laugh. And he did. She still had the robe on. It was undone and falling off one shoulder. Her hand moved closer to the center of his chest. She stopped at a scar, about the size of a fist. It dawned on her what had caused that and she seemed to sadden. Tears started to form in her eyes. He noticed this and touched her it he looked at her. "What's wrong?" She still looked sad.
"This is my fault. I sent you after him, and you almost died." He reached up and touching her cheek and wiping away the tears with his thumb. She leaned in to his hand.
"I would do it again. Your happiness, even then was all that mattered." She started to cry more now. She leaned down kissing him. He felt the tears on his cheeks, she was holding on to him as if he would disappear. And he let her. He returned the kiss with equal passion and love. Cause her happiness was all that mattered, and it always would.
The next morning.
After waking, a quick breakfast and it was off to the Tower for a mission. They walked down the street hand in hand. "So what do you think Ganny will have for us this time?" He asked.
"Not sure." She answered. She was checking over her gear. Naruto had learned to seal away what he wouldn't need right away.
"I am sure whatever it is we will do it with the usual Team seven professionalism." Kakashi had caught up to them reading his usual orange book.
Sakura smiled. "So basically Naruto will charge in and we will have to pull his butt out of the fire?" He looked over at him.
"Haha. Very funny." The pout was only half hearted. Kakashi just smiled at the antics.
"Good to see that our relationship has been good for the both of you." He told them. And it had. Naruto was more focused and they were both a lot happier. Returning Sasuke to the village was still a goal, but more of putting their team back together was generally focused, but her being happier with Naruto was a plus. They walked in to the tower and up to Tsunade's office.
The mission that they were given was to help a couple villages on the border with the Land of Earth. A man named Chin set himself up as a would be warlord, by taking over these two village and was planning on craving out his own kingdom. The problem was all the intel that they had on him pointed to him being an academy drop out, He had managed to get some low level thieves and bandits under him and started making a general nuance of himself. This would be at least a C-rank maybe low B-rank. They would have to travel two days to get to where they needed to be. So they gathered their supplies and headed out.
So here they were about a few hours outside of one of the villages that Chin had made his headquarters. Shadow clone scouts had told them that he had started building around village and set himself up in the local inn. Of course he had guards posted, but for the most part, the battle would be over quickly. So after some dinner, Naruto lay on his back looking up at the stars with Sakura snuggled into him. She enjoyed the warmth he gave off. "What are you thinking about?" He looked down to see two green eyes staring up at him. He smiled.
"Not much really. Just thinking about how my life has turned out so far."
"Anything more pacific?" Still smiling, he looked back up at the stars.
"Beside you and me. Mostly about traveling with Jiraiya. We used to sleep under the stars a lot, mostly because the old pervert was too cheap to pay for an inn." He let out a small chuckle. "But it was still good times. When learning how to control the Fox's power didn't work out, he taught me other things. Elemental jutsu, Seals, even worked on my taijutsu. It was like being with my father expect he wasn't. Just my godfather and me bonding." Sakura was glad that Naruto had found someone that would take him under their wing, and help him in his career.
"I hope those were the only things the old pervert taught you." She looked back down silently cursing anything else that he might have taught Naruto. He laughed a little more.
"No. Wasn't from a lack of trying though. You are the only one I am interested in that way. So don't worry." He tells her.
"Good." She said. And with that they went to sleep.
Chin was proud of what he had accomplished. He had, in his mind, Built an army, was craving out his own kingdom. He would show the world that he was not what everyone thought of him back in Iwa. He knew that Konoha would send a team to deal with him. He would defeat this team and make their Hokage realize they had no choice but to bow to his demands. As he was patting himself on the back, there was a commotion at the front gate or what was left of it.
"Sir! There is a team of Konoha ninja attacking the front gate!" One of his men reported to him.
"Finally!" He grabbed his weapon and ran to the gate. He would defeat them and bask in the glory of his men. When he arrived ready for battle, his men had been pretty much beaten and caged. There was about a hundred identical blondes beating what was left of his men. Along with a pink hair girl, a pale faced male and what appeared to be two jonin. One of which was masked. This could only be Team seven.
"Come Konoha nin face the mighty Chin!"
One of the blonde ninjas said to the pink haired girl "Ladies first." She took off like a shot headed for her target. When she was in range he threw out the weighted end of his kasuri kama, aiming to catch her feet taking her to the ground where he could finish her with the sycle end of his weapon. She easily dodged his attack, flipping into the air spinning to deliver a heel kick to his head. Just before the blow landed, the last thing to go through his mind was "Did she just wink at me." And then darkness.
A short while later.
"I think you killed him Ugly." He heard someone say.
"No way. That love tap was nothing compared to the hits I have taken from her." Someone else said.
"Well you are more hard headed than most." a female voice said. His eyes fluttered open to see his men tied up. He was also tied up as well.
"Don't worry. Some Iwa nin are here to take you back home. You might not like your new living arrangement, but it beats being dead." The masked nin told him. He stood up and started giving out orders.
"Naruto you and Tenzo help with any repairs needed. Sakura check for wounded, heal anyone who needs it. Sai you need to scout from the air to make sure reinforcements don't come from the other village." They all nodded a went to do their duties.
After everything was fixed and secured for the night. Naruto and Sakura were setting in the top loft of one of the storage barns. It was filled with straw and hay for livestock. "How did the repairs go?' She asked.
"Not bad. Having a guy that make wood helps." He told her with a bit of a chuckle. "Wish pale face would buzz off though." Naruto and Sai didn't get along all that well. He would be civil to him during missions, it made Kakashi's life easier. But after the last time they worked together, they were all a bit cautious of him. Considering who Sai worked for caution was best.
"Ya, but we are stuck with him." She told him resting her head on his shoulder. His hand moved to her leg, she held his hand figures intertwined. This is about as much intimate contact these two had while on a mission. They would stay this way until dinner, then it was guard duty for him and checking on what little wounded there was for her. All in all the mission was a success. After the defeat of Chin, most of his men had cut and ran. Leaving the other village pretty much intact.
Back in the Leaf.
They had just arrived and reported to Tsunade. She figured the mission wouldn't be too difficult for them. Sakura gave him a quick kiss and headed to her parents house to say hi, then she would meet Naruto later on that night. So he headed home to check the mail and water the plants. He would also clean up and make something for dinner. On the way there he ran into Team Eight. Hinata seemed more standoffish then normal. She stuck close to Kiba and only said hi to him and asked how he was doing. The coverasion was light and they each went on their way. He did notice that Hinata was holding hands with Kiba, It was great that she was moving on. He wished them well. He undid the barrier seals that protected the door and the apartment. With what he was and how the village viewed him, it paid to be carefull. Unlocking the door, bent over to pick up the mail. It was the usual, bills, a letter from old man Tazuna and his family. There was one from Koyuki the leader of the Land of Snow/Spring. Priestess Shion didn't write much. When she did she still asked if he would help with the next generation of Temple Priestess, now that was out of the question. Sakura would kill him if he even thought about it.
Naruto had just gotten out of the shower. He put on regular clothes, T-shirt, a pair of shorts. His apartment was kept clean for the most part. There were touches of Sakura here and there, medical books added to his shelf, her clothes in his closet and dresser. Bathroom had the biggest signs of her. She was becoming a big part of his life. Which given his profession could be he would have to prepare for. His enemies could use her against him. He walked from the room to the kitchen area to see what he had to make for dinner. His attention was drawn to his front door. Someone was knocking.
"Hang on." He hollered and opened the door. "Oh hey. Shika. What up?" He asked his long time friend. Moving out of the way to let him in.
"Hey, Naruto. Just came by to talk about something and see how things are going. Nothing too troublesome." Shutting the door behind him, he walked into the main part of the apartment. Naruto went back to the kitchen area to work on dinner.
"Really? Things are great. Just got back from a mission, going to spend some time with Sakura, maybe get some training in tomorrow."
Shikamaru sighed. "Ya. About Sakura. You ever talk about what will happen if Sasuke comes back? She has had a thing for him since we were kids. Don't want to see ya get hurt or anything." He hated that he had to bring this up, but it needed to be addressed.
Naruto just smirked. "Ya we have talked about it. Not to worried about the Teme stealing her away. She told me she chose me over him." Naruto was a little worried about it. Hell he figured she would wise up and dump him because of what he was.
"And she is cool with…" Shikamaru added. Naruto knew what he was talking about.
"Ya, she is. Figure Ino told you about us?" Naruto knew Sakura would talk to Ino about their relationship, being best friends and all.
"Ya, she did. Look there are a few things to worry about. You have some powerful people after you for what you hold. Add in Sasuke doing whatever he is doing and you trying to bring him back home. What if something happens? Our life isn't safe by any means." His friend added.
"Look Shika, I know you mean well, but I have no attention of letting anything happen. We will bring Sasuke back, I will beat the odds stacked against me."
"And with me around he has a better chance of doing that." Sakura added.
Turning his head a bit, seeing her in the doorway. "Stuff can still happen and you won't always be on the same missions all the time." He added.
"Ya, I know. And if you are worried about me dropping him when Sasuke comes back, don't. I am done waiting for something that will never happen. I have my moment in the sun and I intend to keep it that way." Sakura was not happy that people question things that happened between her and Naruto. " I also know about what he holds and the odds stacked against him." She added.
"That is good. Look, Naruto is a friend. I just want to make sure he isn't hurt is all. I assume that you guys have talked to Hinata about?" Shikamaru said.
"Ya. Took both of us to get the point across. Kiba wasn't thrilled to say the least." Naruto rubbed his chin at the memory of the punch the dog handler had landed.
They talked for a bit more, then Shikamaru left. Naruto had been quite while Sakura was watching him make dinner. She walked up to him. "You know you have nothing to worry about. I want to be with you, no one else." He stopped what he was doing his shoulders sagged as he sighed. "Ya, I do." She turned him around facing her. She could see the doubt in his eyes. Two delicate hand touched both of his cheeks and pulled him in for a kiss. She poured her love for him into it. She felt it returned and warm tears coming from his eyes. His lip quivered. A weak "I'm sorry." made it to her ears before his arms encircled her , pulling her to him. He was hanging on to her for dear life. "I love you." was said over and over. Her heart broke at the pain he was feeling. He was worried that she may leave him. She wouldn't. He had become the most important thing in her world and she would do anything to keep him and fix whatever this village and world had done to him.
A few hours later. They were setting on his futon feeding each other from a shared plate in between them. He had managed to finish making dinner. Of course that was after they had done other things. She had on a red silk robe that stopped just after her hips. He had on a pair of black boxers. They were just both enjoying each others company.
"So. I was thinking maybe we could get some training in tomorrow and see how things go from there." She told him.
"Sounds good. You aren't needed at the hospital?" He asked.
"Nope. Got the day off." She smiled seeing the gears turn in his mind. One of the things that most didn't see, Naruto was actually pretty smart. He wasn't at the level of say Shikamaru. His mind was more quick and in the moment. He had honed his mind pulling pranks as a child. She often laughed at the thought of some of them. Yes she would heal the damage done to him a day at a time. She would love him, and help him become what she saw him to be. The future leader of their village.