Whew, this was a long chapter to write for some unknown reason... But I have a question... WAS THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER THAT BAD?! I mean I get 10 reviews for the first chappie and then one for the second one... Did something happen? Was it really, really bad that no-one felt like reviewing?

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any reference to Romeo and Juliet

Love Story

-AU- "Runaway with me Sakura," Naruto whispered. She nodded, smiling lovingly , "Yes." Two opposite people, two opposite worlds that weren't meant to collide. Yet it's a Romeo and Juliet, a love story, and opposites are meant to attract. -NaruSaku-

Chapter 2 – Racing Heart

"So that's one nice hunk of metal you got there," Sakura commented while gracefully sliding onto the black Honda. She and Hinata had arrived moments prior and she'd instantaneously been drawn to the blonde haired racer. She'd found him in an isolated area with his bike. He seemed to be prepping himself for the up-coming race but he welcomed her company.

"It better be," Naruto responded, "Paid a fortune for the thing," he stated and leaned against the handlebars. He immediately caught her gaze and their eyes locked – just like they had the day they'd met.

Sakura sighed and observed the machine, "I don't know much about bikes, well actually I know nothing, but from what I can tell this looks like a pretty mean piece of metal." She trailed a finger down the side and felt the smooth raven-black paint that coated the bike.

"Well you've got a good eye then," Naruto replied and caught her finger, "Because this is one of the best pieces of metal out there." He sensually removed her hand from the bike's side and placed it on one of the handlebars. "I'll give you a ride sometime."

Sakura blushed lightly and swiftly turned her head, "I'll remember that Naruto," she responded. The name rolled off her tongue naturally – as if she was supposed to say it. "How long until the race starts?" she queried, eager to begin a conversation.

Naruto checked his watch, "About another fifteen minutes or so," he paused and glimpsed at her side profile, "Why?"

"Um, just wondering…" Sakura mumbled and hesitantly climbed off the Honda. She dusted the dirt from her jeans before facing him. "I'm sure Hinata will begin wondering where I am and so."

The blonde haired biker nodded, "I should probably go and say hello to her."

"Shall we go then?" Sakura asked, finding any silence between them to be unbearable.

He nodded and they began walking, idly chatting.

"How old are you Naruto?" Sakura softly questioned while they walked. She wanted to know about him, she wanted to learn about him for a reason unknown to herself. These budding feelings, these building emotions, she couldn't suppress it. She wasn't sure if she wanted to suppress them either.

"I'm 20," he replied and sighed, "And yes, I'm a high-school dropout," he noted that she had no reaction. Usually people would frown in disgust or glare but Sakura remained passive and that confused him. "How old are you Sakura?"

"I'm turning 18 in a few days," she answered and smiled gently. "I can't wait to finally be considered an adult." With adulthood came freedom – and freedom she longed for. She was a noble, she was caged within society and she wanted out.

Naruto chuckled and grinned, "I said that exact same thing," he stated and the grin was replaced with a fond smile. "It was one of the best birthday parties I ever had."

Noise soon began filling the air as they approached the heavily crowded entrance.

"We should probably try to find Hinata in this mess," Sakura said and frowned. It would be near impossible to locate the dark haired girl in this situation. She stood on her tiptoes in an attempt to see more but it was in vain.

Then suddenly, she was effortlessly pulled from the group and placed onto Naruto's shoulders in one lightning fast movement. She hadn't realized the blonde was this strong. She then blushed at the thought of sitting on top of him and a blush claimed her cheeks. Luckily Naruto couldn't see this one.

"Can you see her from up there?" Naruto called as he gripped her clothed legs gently in order to balance the pinkette. He inwardly marveled at the slimness of her seemingly toned legs.

Sakura leaned forward and scanned the crowd, squinting to try and catch a glimpse of the dark haired Hyuuga. "I don't see anything that resembles Hinata in this crowd," she said before wistfully sighing. Hinata wasn't the most streetwise girl around and Sakura constantly worried about the girl's safety.

"We'll have to look later," Naruto informed as he began backtracking in the direction of his bike. "I'm going to be late for the race if I don't get on now." He made no attempt to remove Sakura from his shoulders.

The pinkette gulped when she realized he was putting her down until they reached his Honda. People would see them in this position and gain the wrong idea. Yet strangely, she didn't voice her opinion to Naruto. She actually found his muscled shoulders quite comfortable.

When they reached his bike he gently placed her onto the ground and then motioned toward his bike, "Get on, I'll take you to the starting lineup. Hinata-chan might be there." He then slid onto the seat and moved forward, creating space for the rosette haired girl.

Sakura complied and swiftly climbed behind the biker. She hesitantly draped her arms around his waist and pushed her chest into his back. She felt her body temperature increase but she paid it no mind as the bike roared to life.

The engine purred in satisfaction before Naruto pushed down the pedal and it elegantly moved into action.

People scattered out of the bike's path and watched animatedly as he drove past. They all knew his symbol and they all admired him. Yet, they envied the pink haired girl that clung to him – well the female population anyway.

Sakura slowly released the breath of air she'd held in. This feeling, this freedom was bliss. This was something she longed for, this feeling of being carefree and just free from the entire world. She wanted more and she didn't want this feeling to go away anytime soon.

She'd ask Naruto to teach her to ride his bike. To be free like this was worth breaking a few bones in learning to ride. She'd have to ask him when they got off, not that she wanted to get off anyway. Maybe because she was his fiancée's friend he would teach her without much hesitation. She was a quick and eager student so he would have no problems.

Soon she felt the bike begin to slow and a wave of disappointment shot throughout her veins. She didn't want this to stop.

"We're here," Naruto called as the bike's engine dulled to a stop. He waited for the pinkette to dismount and was pleasantly surprised when she hesitated. He then effortlessly swung himself from the black Honda and stood to face her, slightly towering above her petite stature.

"Thanks," she replied as she caught his gaze and smiled sincerely. "Do you think you could ever teach me to ride like that?" she whispered, knowing her words were only audible to him. She prayed he'd say yes, she needed him to say yes.

Naruto paused for a moment as he scanned Sakura's wind-blown appearance. Her eyes held unbelievable hope, a hope that he would say yes. He sighed and nodded, "Yeah, we'll make dates when we can meet and I'll teach you."

Her face lit up and she swiftly embraced the blonde before realizing her actions, "Thank you so much!"

An expression of shock graced Naruto's face but he nevertheless returned the hug and used to moment to explore Sakura's body. He could feel her breath against his chest and how it increased as his hands pulled around her body. He could smell the shampoo she used on her pink locks – as well as the perfume she'd sprayed on. It was heavenly as it intoxicated every inch of his mind.

He wouldn't forget her smell anytime soon.

She released the hug and sighed softly as his warmth lingered on her creamy skin. She closed her eyes briefly and imagined he was still hugging her, still enveloping her in his warmth before wistfully opening her emerald eyes.

She wouldn't forget his warmth anytime soon.

"Well you'd better get to the stands before the race starts," Naruto mumbled as he desperately hid the blush that stained his cheeks. It seemed as if Sakura's body just molded onto his own. As if she fit perfectly into his own like a puzzle.

He didn't like it. Not at all

"Thanks again Naruto," Sakura said as she began walking toward the crowded stands. "And I'll come find you after the race to discuss training times and dates," she called and picked up a run.

He watched her fade into the crowd of people and a soft smile tugged at his lips. That girl that elicited feelings these feelings inside him, she was different to the millions he'd met. And he didn't like it whatsoever.

But he knew, deep down, that he loved it.

-----

"There you are Sakura-san!" Hinata called and gleefully ran to her friend. "I've been looking for you all over the place," she said with a tint of worry in her voice. "I was so scared that you'd gotten raped or something!"

Sakura blushed at Hinata's assumptions. She'd never let herself get into a compromising situation like that but it was nice to know that Hinata cared. "I'm sorry Hinata-chan. I just got a little bit caught up." It wasn't a lie. She'd been caught up with Naruto.

Hinata relaxed and she smiled at her best friend, "Well the race is about to start so we should go and find some seats," she then motioned toward the stands where her father sat – looking quite out of place.

Sakura nodded and followed the dark haired girl to her father. She frowned in slight disgust at the cleanliness of the stands but she sat down nevertheless and gave no second thought about the filth beneath her Guess jeans. They were only Guess after all and she had much more expensive jeans at home anyway.

The pinkette then idly scanned the surrounding area and noted that several loudspeakers were set up before them. They were probably used to announce the proceedings of the race since a lot of the course couldn't be seen from where the stands were positioned. She then saw that there was a table not too far away where a chubby man sat with a microphone in hand. 'Maybe he's announcer?' she asked herself and watched as he pulled a walkie-talkie to his lips.

Then he nodded to himself and placed to microphone inches away from his lips, "Ladies and gentlemen the race is about to start – will you all please clear the track."

Millions of people began moving away from the dirt track, kicking up tufts of dust as they did, and moved to the already full stands. Many people stood behind the boundary line that separated them from the track. Sakura was glad Hinata had reserved seats for them.

Suddenly there was a loud bang in the air and the sound of roaring engines then replaced the bang. It was almost deafening.

"And in the lead we have Kiba Inuzuka of Konoha Racing Club and hot on his heels is Kankurou Sabaku from Suna! Then in third place is Temari Sabaku…"

Sakura's face fell as she learnt that Naruto was only in sixth place at this current moment and from what she gathered – there wasn't much of the race left. She bit her bottom lip in sheer anxiety. She wanted Naruto to win this race, not someone else from his club.

"Don't worry Sakura-san," Hinata said, bringing the pinkette from her thoughts, "Naruto-kun will soon be in the lead." She smiled reassuringly and turned her attention back to the race.

Sakura followed suit and joy erupted in her stomach when she heard that he was quickly moving into third place and it didn't seem as if he was going to stop anytime soon. There was still a good chance that he would catch up to the leader if he kept up the pace.

Then the noise of the racing motorcycle's engines became louder as they approached Sakura's seat in the stands – the finishing line and Naruto was in second place.

This brought Sakura to her feet as she cheered wildly for the blonde haired racer and soon Hinata joined her. She could see the dust in the far left of the track and the faint glimmer of Naruto's Honda's paintjob. He was neck-to-neck with that Temari girl from Suna and it seemed neither was willing to give up.

Then as if he'd been holding back this entire time, Naruto effortlessly passed Temari and her purple and red Honda CBR1100XX and easily took a five second lead. His lead then went to a full seven seconds when he flashed by the finish line.

Sakura leaped down the stands before racing to where Naruto slowed down his bike and Hinata followed in hot pursuit. She dodged the many milling people where never allowing her gaze to waver from Naruto and his bike. Many other people began crowding toward him but she didn't care – she'd get there soon enough.

She reached him and he immediately noticed her. He smiled gently as he ruffled his sweat-soaked hair, "What did you think of that?" he asked with slightly labored breathing. His chest heaved in and out subtlety beneath his leather jacket and sweat showed through the white shirt he wore underneath the jacket.

"That was great," Sakura replied and smiled in return, "But for a moment I thought you were lagging at the back and that you'd lose," she teased him and stuck out her tongue.

He pretended to be offended as he pouted, "I'm sorry Sakura I'd never want to disappoint you." He then dragged his gaze to the floor in defeat – pretending to be absolutely devastated by her announcement. "I feel as if I am a complete and utter failure."

Sakura giggled at his actions and crossed her arms against her chest, "It's okay, and I forgive you. Just as long as you never do it again," she said mischievously and his face brightened. "I'll always win from now on," he said before noticing Hinata behind Sakura. "Hinata-chan," he called and readily embraced the girl. He had to at least show that he wanted to be engaged, even though he didn't really want to, to prove to Hiashi that he was serious.

Hinata stiffened and blushed profusely before she tentatively returned the gesture, sighing softly as she breathed in his scent. He still smelt like the same old Naruto and for that she was grateful. She'd missed his smell around the house and it was like a breath of fresh air now. He all-too-soon released her and sent her his characteristic grin, "I'm glad you were able to come and watch Hinata-chan." He then saw an incoming figure and detected it to be Hiashi. His pose became rigid as the man came closer.

"Hiashi-san thank you for being able to make it," he said calming and shook the elder Hyuuga's hand. He'd have to watch his step around the man from now on. Just because he was engaged to Hinata didn't mean the man couldn't call it off at any given moment. "It was an experience to see what you've been doing for the past four years Naruto-san," Hiashi responded as he took in Naruto's messy appearance. "You'll have to have a shower when you reach the manner."

Naruto nodded and glimpsed at his watch. He frowned when he realized that there was another wedding meeting later on today. He mentally punched himself at his lack of time management. This wasn't putting on a very good impression. "Don't worry. I'll leave right now and then get to the manner."

Hiashi curtly nodded and backed away from the crowd. He then spun on his foot and turned to leave the crowded park, mumbling inaudible curses as he went.

Naruto gulped, this day wasn't going to end well. But he was soon distracted from his thoughts as Sakura tapped his shoulder lightly. He turned to her and saw that she was quite comfortably seated atop his Honda and she was smirking. "You still have to teach me," she said and titled her head to the side.

Hinata frowned at Sakura's words, "What do you mean Sakura-san?" she questioned softly. "Oh Naruto just promised to teach me how to ride his bike," she replied while smiling widely, "That's all Hinata-chan." Hinata relaxed and a smile crept onto her lips, "I'm going to go with my dad so I'll see you two later," and with that she hastily followed her father.

Sakura sighed, "Do you think you can give me a lift to Hinata's house?" she questioned, unwilling to get off the bike. She could just call a limo or something but she wanted to feel freedom again and this was the only way she could.

Naruto raised an eyebrow in response, "Okay I guess that'll be fine." Truth is, he didn't want Sakura leaning against like she had earlier. She hadn't been able to see the way his body had heated at her touch. But he found himself unable to say no to her.

She grinned and made space for him on the bike. He gulped and mounted the bike, his breath hitching when she encircled her arms around his waist. He breathed in deeply and started the Honda.

It would be a long ride.

Hopefully the engine roar would drown out the nose of the rapid beating of his heart.

Well there it is with plenty of NaruSaku moments... So it's moving slightly fast but that doesn't matter. It's Romeo and Juliet... Things have to move quickly in a sense...

Till the next time...

Loreylock