Title: Returning

Chapter 3: in search of…

Genre: Romance

Rating: T

Paring: NaruSaku

Disclaimer: things are not going how I planed … Kishi won't give in :(

Warnings: shortest chapter yet….sorry. I cut it short

because I really felt the need to update.

A/N: well, it's not for this chapter… just in general…

I have updates and the latest news posted up in

my bio, so don't forget to always check that out

By: Ruru-chan

Continue to enjoy…

.: Chapter 3: in search of… :.

It had been weeks… no, probably a couple of moths, since Sasuke had killed Orichimaru. Now he was on the roads, investigating, in search of any clues that would lead him to the whereabouts of his wretched brother and in all honesty he was getting tired. His brother had been spotted almost everywhere anywhere and nowhere. It was as if he had embarked on a wild goose chase. His deepest wish was to find him soon just to get everything over with and he knew his team mates secretly wished that as well. They would only take so much before they began complaining.

The team stood in front of a town's entrance, patiently waiting for their leader to decide if they would enter. This would be the seventh town they had stopped at in hopes of finding some useful information that would lead them to Itachi but lady luck seemed to be frowning at them lately. Once again it seemed nothing useful would come out of this town, just like all the others, but they had been searching non stop for the last three days. Sasuke knew his team mates were tired even if they didn't admit it. He decided it was about time to take a break. They would take refuge in this town. Something good could come out of it, he thought, but it wasn't likely. Sasuke frowned before he turned around to face the awaiting trio.

"We'll rest here for the next few days," Sasuke announced "keep your guard up and your ears open. Even the smallest information can be useful."

The trio nodded in unison understanding their duty before they fallowed Sasuke into town.

-

Back in Konaha…

Sakura and Naruto had been enjoying a good rest under the willow tree. It hadn't taken long for them to get back in the mood after Hinata and Neji had left, but now it was getting late and Naruto had noticed.

"I think it's about time I walked you home…" Naruto yawned, stretching in the process. Sakura nodded and Naruto helped her up.

Naruto began to walk in the general direction to her apartment, never letting go of her hand. She observed their clasped hands for a moment and somewhere in the pit of her stomach guilt began to stir. What she was doing was wrong… was she simply using her friend? The feelings he had toward her were raw and real and she, toward him… just earlier… wasn't she only build false hope for Naruto? She couldn't stand it! At this pace she would end up hurting Naruto and she didn't want that. After all he'd done for her... She wanted to pull away and end anything they had started, before it got out of hand.

"It's ok," Naruto squeezed her hand gently; he had felt her tense up and could imagine what could be going through her mind. "Sakura. As long as Sakura-chan is by my side…" his voiced was soft and Sakura couldn't understand. Why was he always so kind? Even if she ended up hurting him he acted like it wouldn't matter. Like he understood that he was being used but was allowing her to use him. "As long as you are by my side, I don't care…whether you love me or not, allow me to hold you."

Sakura couldn't hold it in much longer and allowed her tears to spill. She buried her face on his back. "I'm sorry" she whispered. Naruto didn't hesitate to pull her in front of him and hold her tightly in his arms.

"Don't cry Sakura-chan. This is something I decided. Sakura-chan shouldn't worry about hurting me because I already know…" he told her as he pulled away from her a little to look into her eyes.

"Naruto…I" Naruto didn't allow her to finished and cleaned away her tears not once braking their eye contact. Slowly, he leaned in to kiss her. He didn't care if she loved him or not but he would try his best and show her how much he lover her.

Sakura's mind ran blank. It was all too confusing and she just couldn't understand how much Naruto's kisses could affect her this way. Her every reaction was unexpected and surprised her. She couldn't understand why she seemed to enjoy his kisses more every time and how for a flat second she wished he would never stop. She didn't understand her sudden urge to respond to his every move. She painfully knew her heart still belonged to Sasuke and yet it seemed to beat faster for Naruto.

Naruto kissed her harder and the momentum of the kiss pushed them both against the tree, trapping Sakura in between. Naruto vigorously bit at her bottom lip, wishing for access and she allowed him. She threw her arms around his neck wanting to bring him closer. Slowly, her hands traveled up his neck so she could tangle her fingers in his soft blond locks of hair. She didn't care any more, if she still loved Sasuke, if she didn't, if she was beginning to fall in love with Naruto or not. She only wanted to enjoy Naruto's intoxicating kisses and feel his caring arms around her. She began to respond to his kisses with equal force and attempted to make them deeper.

"Stop..." Naruto suddenly whispered stopping his kisses all together. He leaning his forehead against hers and she could hear their heavy breathing.

"We should get going." Naruto said after sighting and took hold of her hand again. This time they really made their way to her apartment.

The whole time they made their way to her apartment Naruto had been quiet. He wasn't acting like his usual self and seemed more focused. Sakura was confused and wondered if she had upset him by suddenly responding to his kisses so boldly; he had suddenly stopped after that, right? He had wanted her to respond right? So why had he stopped? She didn't understand… but she had wanted him to keep going, his kisses, his kisses… his kisses.

Sakura leaned on his arm because at the moment it felt natural but she felt him tense up and he squeezed her hand lightly.

"Please don't do that Sakura-chan…" Naruto stopped to beg and swallowed lightly. This caught her by surprise and only confused her further. Had she done something wrong? Hadn't he said himself that he wanted this? She waited for Naruto to explain but he didn't say anything further and only tugged at her hand hauling her forward.

"We're here" Naruto announced once they were outside her apartment. "Bye Sakura-chan." he said before letting go of her hand and turning around but Sakura stopped him before he could leave. "Wait!" she said, taking a hold of his sleeve. "Don't you want to come in?" she asked rather troubled.

"I can't" Naruto said.

"Why?" Sakura asked.

Naruto only took hold of her hands and gave her a rather hot and steamy kiss. "It's for your own good." was the last thing he said before he disappeared with a teleportation jutsu.

Sakura just stood in front of her door trying to understand what Naruto had meant by that.

sorry once again about this late update and for its shortness. hope you like where this is going....

review please :)