Second Chances
-The Next Mission-
Sakura woke up the next morning beside Naruto in their queen sized bed. His warm body was pressed against hers. His arms were wrapped around her lithe form as he slept on. Sakura let out a content sigh. All her frustrations and hatred from the night before had disappeared. Naruto had taken her mind off everything but them and she couldn't have been happier.
She turned her head to look and see what time it was. When she saw that it was already nine thirty she tried to scramble out of bed. She was late for work by an hour. She pulled and tugged at Naruto's tanned arms but he just wouldn't budge
"Naruto get off of me! I'm late for work!" she yelled. He murmured something as he pulled her closer, their bodies molding closer together. "Babe I'm serious get off of me, now!"
"Why this is so much better," he said as he kissed the crook of her neck. He trailed kisses down her bare shoulder with a smile.
"I admit that this is way better than going to work but if I don't go I'll get in trouble," said Sakura as she squirmed in his arms.
Naruto groaned as she continued to move. "Saku you should stop that before I pin you down and take you again," said Naruto with a throaty moan.
"Well then get off of me," she whined as she turned around and looked into his eyes. They were still hazy with sleep and Sakura could feel herself drowning. She shook her head and frowned. "Please babe I want to get up."
"You don't have to get up Saku I called last night while you were taking a shower and told them that you wouldn't be able to make it in because of an unexpected family emergency," said Naruto. Sakura's eyes found his and she just frowned at him.
"And why did you go and do something like that?" she asked the anger clearly showing in her face.
"Because I want to spend the day with you and I told mom that I'd come over and she said I had to bring you along too," said Naruto with a smile as he kissed the tip of her nose. She wrinkled her nose and then let out a sigh.
"So I guess I can stay in bed for a bit longer?" she asked as she rested her head on his shoulder. Naruto grinned.
"I guess you can," he said as he snuggled closer. "How about we wake up around twelve? Then we'll head out," said Naruto with a suggestive smile.
"I think that sounds perfect," said Sakura with a smile as she looked up into his eyes and pressed her lips to his. Letting out a sigh Naruto pulled the blankets over them and continued to kiss her into oblivion.
-x-
At twelve thirty Sakura and Naruto both came out of the washroom showered and dressed. Sakura was wearing a white long sleeve and a pair of hip hugger jeans. She pulled on her favourite red belt and had her hair tied up in a messy bun. She looked sexy, stylish and thoroughly content with being rumpled.
Naruto was wearing an orange sweatshirt and a light blue washed jeans. His hair was still damp from the shower he shared with Sakura. It was his day off, he spent the better half of the morning in bed with his girlfriend and now he was on his way to his parents' house to get pampered what else could a guy ask for.
"Okay let's go your mom must be wondering why you haven't called her yet," said Sakura as she looked over her shoulder at Naruto as he pulled on an orange and white cap over his damp hair. She raised a brow at him. "You know your hair is going to stay wet if you put your hat on."
"It's all good. I'll just let the roof down on the 350 on the way there. My hair will dry in seconds," said Naruto.
"Well then my hair will be ruined," said Sakura with a frown.
"No it won't cause you can wear my hat until we get there, okay," said Naruto as he walked over to her and started shoving her out of their room.
"Oh what ever just don't forget to call your mom before we leave," said Sakura as she grabbed her purse and went into the kitchen to grab a protein shake.
"Yeah, yeah," said Naruto as he sat on the side of his bed and pulled on his socks. Once he was done getting dressed he pulled out his phone and called his mother.
Sakura could hear Naruto on the phone in the other room. Her mind wandered to the thoughts of the night before. It had been so long since they had spent a night together at home. Just the two of them lazing on the couch and spending the better part of the night together in bed. It made her feel so cherished and loved.
Her day had started off perfectly. Something she hadn't been able to imagine for a long time now. Naruto barely ever got days off and with his quick thinking they were able to get a whole day together with his family.
She thought of the Uzumaki's. She considered them as her parents more so than her real parents. The Uzumaki's were more her family than her blood family. She only had her biological mother left. Her father had died when she was just a child so she didn't remember him all that much. Her mother had tried to make it work, for a long time but after Sakura graduated from high school her mother started to give up on life. She became a hermit not going anywhere except to work. So when Sakura met Naruto a year before she graduated from high school they had become fast friends.
She had met him at her part time job. He was a regular customer at the cafe that she worked at. He would always come there on the week days after school. She would usually bump into him on the way in or on the way there. They had exchanged names and would soon tell each other about their newest tales since the last time they met. They both went to different high schools but when they graduated Sakura had told him that she was going to Konoha University; their city's university. Naruto had grinned at her and told her that he had gotten accepted there too. He wasn't sure what he was going to do there but his parents wanted him to go to school.
They had stayed friends for most of their years in university. Just until the last year did Naruto see Sakura as anything more than a friend.
It was when she had been dumped by a guy she was seeing for a few weeks, he had told her that she was too uptight. Sakura had given up all hopes that Naruto would notice her and so decided to start dating someone else. That guy had torn her self-confidence and she knew that wouldn't be able to be with anyone other than Naruto. So when he found her crying on campus one day she just started crying more saying that she wasn't good for anyone.
He had gathered her in his arms and let her cry all the while murmuring sweet things to her. When she had finally stopped crying Sakura had looked up into Naruto's deep blue eyes and became trapped. Naruto had been just as mesmerized by her emerald green eyes and before he could stop himself he brought his mouth to hers. After that soft tender kiss Naruto's mind had been filled of only thoughts of Sakura. Soon after he had asked her out and they have been together since.
It's been two years now and she still felt that attraction that she had when they had first met. Smiling at where her thoughts had led Sakura just shook her head and turned to see Naruto watching her. His mouth was quirked up the telltale signs that Naruto was about to smile.
"What are you smiling about?" he asked.
"I was just thinking about how we met and all the years between then and now," she said with a smile.
"Oh yeah those were some memorable times huh?" he said with a grin as he walked over to her and tugged her off the couch.
"Yeah some really good times," said Sakura with a laugh thinking about how much she suffered seeing him with other girls while she quietly waited on the side.
"Well come on mom wants us to come over right away," said Naruto as he pulled her towards the front door. They left the apartment and headed down to the parking lot. He opened the door for her and then got in himself.
He started the car and drove out of the lot. Once they were on the road Sakura turned her attention back to him. "So what are we going to do?" she asked.
"I'm not sure, all I know is that mom is making us lunch which is gonna be awesome!" he said with a grin.
"Oh what are you saying my cooking isn't good?" asked Sakura.
"It's good but it's not mom's home cooking," said Naruto with a grin.
"Yeah I guess you're right. Kushina's food is pretty good," said Sakura.
"Yup and then maybe we can go out somewhere do some site seeing or go down to the beach," said Naruto. Sakura grinned as she looked at him and he turned his attention back to the road.
-x-
Naruto pulled into his parents' house fifteen minutes later. They still lived in the same house that he grew up in. Everything always looked the same.
A rush of contentment spread through Naruto as he got out his car. Sakura looked over at him and smiled. He was looking at his childhood home with such love. She wished she could feel the same when she went to her house.
"Come on Naruto let's go see what they're doing," said Sakura as she walked over to him and took his hand in hers.
"Oh yeah let's go," said Naruto with a grin.
When they rang the doorbell they heard a loud bang and an annoyed Minato yelling at something. Naruto and Sakura were looking at each other and both twisted their faces in amusement.
When the door opened Minato was standing there with a wry look on his face. "What's wrong old man?" asked Naruto trying not to laugh at his father's frustrated expression.
"Your cousin dumped his brat here for an hour. He said he had some errands to run and needed a babysitter. Your mother decided sure why not and well now he's running around breaking anything he can lay his hands on," said Minato with exasperation.
"Where is mom?" asked Naruto.
"She left me here all alone with a little devil. Said she had to go get something from the grocery store," said Minato. He stepped aside and let the two in. "You think you can find Shou and keep him busy while I clean up the mess he made?"
"Sure thing Minato-san," said Sakura with a smile as she walked into the house. She had met Shou a few times before and they had always been able to become fast friends.
Shou was only four years old and already he took after the Uzumaki family traits. His hair was a bit darker than Naruto and Minato's bright blond hair and his blue eyes had an entrancing mix of grey around the pupil of his eyes. He was a bundle of energy that just never died out. Shou was already becoming a handsome prospect for future girls and women alike.
"Shou-kun where are you!" asked Sakura raising her voice so that it would resonate throughout the house.
Two seconds later the boy barrelled down the stairs and launched himself into Sakura's outstretched arms. "Saku-nee-chan! I was waiting for you!" said Shou and a toothy grin. He had a gap in his smile.
"Well, look at you. You've gotten bigger Shou-kun and you lost a tooth, when did that happen?" asked Sakura with a smile as she looked at the little boy in her arms.
"I did get bigger! Daddy said I was going to be taller than him soon! And I lost my tooff (tooth said like a four year old) a bit ago! I got money from the tooff fairy!" he said with a grin.
"Well aren't you a lucky boy," said Sakura.
"Yup!" said Shou with a smile. He looked up at Naruto and his eyes went wide with excitement. "Naru-nii-chan! I missed you!" He jumped out of Sakura's arms and went to Naruto. He clung to his leg wanting to be picked up.
Obligingly Naruto bent down and picked up the little boy. "Hey there squirt," said Naruto with a grin. They all looked like one big family, all with the same blond hair in different hues and blue eyes with different mixtures to it.
"Naru-nii-chan! Come play with me! I wanna show you the toy Mama got me!" said Shou.
"Okay where is this toy?" asked Naruto as he walked where Shou wanted him to go.
Sakura stood there looking at Minato who was the only father figure in her life. He looked frazzled and really deflated. She let out a smile as she walked right up to him and took him into a hug. "You look like you need a hug," she said with a smile.
"Yeah I really did, thanks Sakura," said Minato with a grin.
"No problem, now let's go clean up that mess," said Sakura as she looked up at him and grinned.
"No you go hang out with the two boys I'll get this cleaned," said Minato as he tried to shove her towards the same direction that Naruto went.
"No thanks I can already tell that Shou wants to be with Naruto right now. So it's better if I don't get involved, besides I'd rather help you out since you look like you want to go sleep," said Sakura.
"Yeah I guess this is what old age does to a man," said Minato.
"Oh please, you're not even that old. Besides what are you going to do when Naruto has kids? How are you supposed to keep up with them?" she asked. Minato looked at Sakura then and smiled.
"Why do you bring that up Saku-chan? Have you two decided to finally tie the knot?" he asked.
"W-what? Where did you get an idea like that?" she asked blushing all over.
"Well I thought maybe you guys were expecting or something. Too bad," said Minato as he slung his arm over her shoulders.
"We are not expecting, and I'm too young to get married," said Sakura hoping that her blush wasn't too noticeable.
"Well I guess you're right but it would be nice to see you two settled soon," said Minato.
"Minato-san please can we drop the subject?" asked Sakura with a sigh.
Just two years ago she just hoped that Naruto would see her as more than just a friend. So she was just happy to be with him right now. So to move into something like marriage so fast would be ludicrous wouldn't it? She just wanted to live as she was right now, happy and content living together with Naruto.
"Okay let's go clean up that mess then," said Minato as he turned around pulled Sakura along with him.
-x-
After their late lunch Naruto's cousin came to pick up his son. Sakura hadn't seen Kouji Uzumaki in such a long time. When he came in the house and saw her he had a huge grin on his face as he walked over to her and took her in a tight hug.
"Daddy let go of Saku-nee-chan!" said Shou as he tugged on his father's pant leg. Kouji looked down at his four year old and ruffled his hair.
"What trouble have you been up to while I was gone?" asked Kouji as he let go of Sakura and picked up his son.
"I didn't do anyfing daddy! I show Naru-nii-chan my toy! Then obaa-chan feed me lots of food!" he said with a grin showing off his gap.
"Well you had a good time I can tell," said Kouji as he tickled Shou. The little boy giggled and just held on to his father.
Sakura smiled as she looked at the father son duo. Kouji was a lot taller than herself almost a head taller and she considered herself quite tall. He had that unmistakable Uzumaki trait of those deep blue eyes. His hair was a darker blond just like his son's. He had a sharp angular face but it was offset by his charming personality and lively facial expression. Standing in the room with the four Uzumaki men, Sakura realized what a beautiful family they were.
"So Saku-chan, how is my idiot cousin treating you?" asked Kouji as he took a seat beside her. He had let Shou go run around some more.
"We're doing good," said Sakura with a smile.
"Oi who are you calling an idiot you baka!" yelled Naruto as he glared at his older cousin. Naruto and Kouji had grown up more like brothers than cousins, because Minato and Naoki—Kouji's father—were really close, the kids would always be at each other's house. And since they were both the only child in their house they used whatever excuse they had to go hang out with each other.
Kouji just grinned at his younger cousin and slung his arm around Sakura's shoulder and pulled her against him. Naruto just glared daggers as he watched Kouji. Sakura saw what was going on and couldn't help the laughter that bubbled out of her.
"Stop provoking him Kouji," she said trying to control her laughter.
"I can't help myself it's just too fun," said Kouji as he let go of her, not wanting to get the poor man too aggravated. He looked at the occupants in the room and then at his son. "Okay kiddo let's get going," said Kouji.
Shou looked at his father and frowned. "But Daddy! I don' wanna go yet! I wanna play wif Naru-nii-chan!" whined Shou. Kouji looked at his son and shook his head. His hair was messy all over his shirt had stains from lunch.
"Look at you Shou, you got all messy. I need to clean you up before mommy see's you," said Kouji.
"But Daddy!" said Shou with nothing else to say.
Kouji just laughed as he got up and scooped up his son. The boy struggled in his father's arms but soon gave up when he realized that he wouldn't be able to get out of his arms. He went limp in his arms and pouted.
"Oh my baby looks so cute," said Kushina as she got up and patted his cheeks.
"Oba-chan can I stay here?" asked Shou looking at her as his last resort.
"Sorry baby you have to go home. I know Mommy will want you to be home when she gets there," said Kushina as she pushed Shou's hair back.
Letting out a sigh Shou looked at her father. "Okay fine Daddy les go home," said Shou.
"That's my boy, I promise after your bath we'll have a fun game okay whatever you want to do," said Kouji.
"Okay Daddy!" said Shou with a smile.
"Okay well we'll see you guys later!" said Kouji as he headed to the door.
"Bye Kouji it was nice seeing you again," said Sakura with a smile.
"Yeah you too," said Kouji over his shoulder. Naruto just gave him a wave and then sat down beside Sakura and pulled her close to him. Kushina saw her son's act and smiled. She was happy to see them so sweet with each other.
"Okay I'm going to go clean up so you guys think of something to do," said Kushina.
"I'll come help Kushina-san," said Sakura as she got up and went with her.
"Well how about we go be like men and watch some TV?" asked Minato.
"Sounds good old man," said Naruto as he got up and headed to the den. Minato followed soon after.
-x-
Sakura let out a yawn as she got into the 350z. It was way past ten already and they were finally heading home.
It was a humid night and so Naruto put the roof down. He pulled out of the drive and waved once more to his parents who were standing at the doorway. Sakura stretched as she looked at Naruto.
"I'm so tired, I can't wait to go pass out in bed," said Sakura with a smile.
"Yeah, well how about we leave off where we did this morning?" asked Naruto.
Sakura looked at him and gave his a wry smile. "You just never give up huh?" asked Sakura as she leaned over and pecked him on the cheek.
"Of course not, but you do look tired," said Naruto as he looked at her from the corner of his eye.
"Yeah I feel tired," said Sakura.
"Yeah? What time do you have work tomorrow?" asked Naruto.
"Night shift," said Sakura with a sigh. Whenever she got a night shift it would stretch on for more than the eight hours that she was to work. As much as she loved the job sometimes she just couldn't take it.
"So we can sleep in tomorrow?" asked Naruto with a grin.
"We won't be sleeping in, because you have to get to work early tomorrow from what I remember," said Sakura.
"Aw I totally forgot. We're supposed to start on our new case with Sasuke-kun," said Naruto with a sigh.
"Why are you sighing? I thought you wanted to work with him and see just how good he is," said Sakura.
"I do but now that I know you're not going to work until I get home I think I'd rather just stay home," said Naruto with a frown.
"It's okay I'll be doing the afternoon on Tuesday so we'll have Tuesday night to hang out," said Sakura with a smiled as she patted his cheek.
"Okay I guess," said Naruto as he pulled into the parking lot. When the car came to a stop Naruto got out and pulled open the door for Sakura as she grabbed her purse and jacket.
"So tired," said Sakura in between her yawn.
"Yeah yeah I know. Come on let's get you upstairs," said Naruto as he wrapped an arm around her waist and led her towards their apartment.
-x-
Naruto had a frown on his face as he drove to work the next morning. He had watched Sakura sleep and he just wanted to snuggle back in bed with her. But she had woken up and started pushing him into the washroom to get ready. He was practically shoved out of their apartment.
"I wish it was still the weekend," said Naruto to himself as he drove into the police station. He headed into the building and waved to people as he went. His section for the ANBU black ops were at the far corner of the building and only authorized personnel were allowed to go back there.
As he entered the area he saw his captain heading into the conference room.
"Morning Kakashi-taichou," said Naruto. Kakashi turned around and looked at Naruto.
"Morning Naruto. Hurry up and get in the conference we're going to be briefed about the case," said Kakashi with a nod of his head as he walked into the conference room.
Naruto ran to his locker and shoved his things in there before running into the conference room. Being the youngest member of the dispatch unit Naruto had the younger brother label. Everyone always picked on him so when he walked in the older men just started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" asked Naruto with a frown as he took his seat beside the last empty one.
"We all were wondering how you'd come in. We were going to do a bet but everyone bet that you'd run in here all ruffled which is what always happens," said a man who was five years his senior.
"Oh shut it Motoharu I didn't want to be the last person here! And look I wasn't!" said Naruto with a grin.
"Yeah well that's cause the chief is talking to the last member of the meeting so in that technicality you are the last one to arrive," said Motoharu.
They always badger away at each other. It's been something of a routine with them now over the past year.
As Naruto was about to retort the chief and the last member of the meeting walked into the room.
Tsunade has been the chief of the ANBU department for just a few years now but everyone knows that if ever they fall out of line she would take them out for it.
The guy that came in with her was Sasuke-kun. He wasn't a part of the dispatch unit so what was he doing there? He was a strategist wasn't he? Naruto looked at him with curiosity.
"Okay men settle down," said Tsunade as she took her seat.
"Yes Ma'am," said the men and they all waited for her to start the conference.
"Okay so we've just been able to find out the location of the largest drug distributer in Konoha. It has been looked over by many of our strategists in ANBU and we've come up with an infiltration and so we're going to go over it now," said Tsunade.
"Eh, Tsunade-baa-chan are we all going on the infiltration then?" asked Naruto. He had called her that since he started working with them. He had known her since he was a child because his father used to be on the ANBU team.
"Yes but only a select few will be doing the infiltration the others will be back up, so now listen well men..." said Tsunade as she started up what the other strategists came up with.
Naruto listened well as she explained the roles that were being played. When she finally finished Naruto turned to Motoharu and nudged him. "I bet I'll be the one going in," he said with a grin.
"Oh and why is that?" asked Motoharu.
"Didn't you hear Tsunade-baa-chan? She said that we need someone who can handle any situation and someone with a good track record for coming out of a mission without being harmed. She was definitely describing me," he said with pride.
"Sure thing Kid, you keep telling yourself that," said Motoharu.
"Okay so now that you've all absorbed the information I have one last thing to say. This is an unorthodox thing for me to do but since this is a high risk case we will be taking a strategist along on the day of infiltration," said Tsunade.
"But don't we always have a group of them on the case?" asked one of the older men.
"Yes we do... let me clarify we will be having a strategist on field with the dispatch unit you got that?" asked Tsunade.
"Yes Ma'am," said the men as they all saluted her.
"We need him there in case there is any change on scene and if the plan get's changed he'll analyze and make that change. Now I know many of you have met him already over this weekend but I'll formerly introduce him, this is Sasuke Uchiha he will be going on this mission with you men. Uzumaki!" Tsunade looked at Naruto and he immediately straightened up in his chair.
"Yes?" he asked with a stiff spine.
"You'll be in charge of him, since you're both the same age I'm hoping you'll be able to make him more comfortable with the rest of the unit members," said Tsunade.
"Yes Ma'am, so does this mean I'll be on the infiltration team?" he asked with a grin.
"Yes and Kakashi I'll tell you who else will be on the infiltration with Naruto and yourself."
Kakashi nodded and waited for her to continue."Now you men are dismissed. The mission will be in a week's time so I want you all to prepare alright?" said Tsunade.
"Yes Ma'am!"
"Well then you're dismissed!" said Tsunade as she got up and left the conference room first.
Naruto turned to Sasuke who was sitting beside him and grinned. "Well we'll be working together so let's get along," he said as he held out his hand to Sasuke. Sasuke looked down at the hand and took it, but there was no friendly smile.
"Yeah, let's get along Naruto-kun," said Sasuke he shook his hand and then got up to leave following everyone else. Naruto watched him go and furrowed his brow.
"I don't care if he is the boss' brother that guy gives me a weird vibe," said Naruto to Motoharu who was still sitting beside him.
"I know what you mean kid, but try not to get on his bad side we don't want you dead on the case cause he didn't like you and led you astray on the mission," said Motoharu with a laugh as he patted him on the shoulder and then got up to leave as well.
"Well then I guess I should go show him around," said Naruto to no one in particular as he left the room to find Sasuke.
-x-
A/N: So I took a while to write this cause I've just been so busy with my job and my sister's wedding, plus I'm taking driving lessons and all those thing in life that we have to do! Takes up too much of my time but I finally got this chapter up! I hope you liked it! You got to know a little bit more about Naruto and Sakura's past! Tell me what you thought and if there are any improvements other than grammar let me know! Thanks for taking the time out to read!
