Whoa. . . I'm sorry this took so long guys! AH! Really I am! I didn't think it would have taken me so long. . . GAH! No excuses! Just hope you enjoy this chapter as the plot thickens! Whoo! BTW: THANKS FOR THE AMAZING REVIEWS!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto!

Chapter 10

Sweet Dreams

"Naruto!" Jiraiya yelled, "Come and help this man with his ride!"

Naruto appeared, mumbling while frowning, "I was just around the corner you know," he retorted, eyebrow raised while wiping his brow. "You didn't need to yell." He seemed tired, somewhat irritated and bored.

"Sakura not giving you any?" Jiraiya questioned, enquiring Naruto's attitude. "I have some great tips that'll have her dropping-

"Shut up Ero-Sennin!" Naruto interrupted, sea-blue eye twitching. "I don't have any problems with Sakura!" he finished, sighing dismally. 'I'm just tired damnit. There's nothing wrong with Sakura and what she does for me. We haven't even had sex! We haven't even mentioned having it! And I love her enough to wait,' he thought, relaxing somewhat.

"Um," a voice spoke, "Am I interrupting?"

Naruto and Jiraiya tilted their heads sideways, greeting the voice. Jiraiya's eyes widened; he'd forgotten the customer. "AH!" he exclaimed, "No, no, no! We were just bickering as usual!" he wrapped an arm round Naruto's shoulders, forcing the boy closer. "Just like we always do!" he chuckled awkwardly, subconsciously squishing Naruto.

"Ero-Sennin," Naruto growled, suffocating, "Lemme go," he choked, "LEMME GO!" he screeched, gaining the white-haired man's attention. He released the sun-kissed blonde, grinning anxiously. 'Great, I guess we've just lost another customer…'he thought in disappointment.

The customer sweat-dropped, unable to believe the situation, "Well I just need my motorcycle looked at…" he motioned toward the dirtied bike. Naruto's eyes widened his mouth agape as he slouched. It was a custom-bike, the custom-bike of White Fang – a legendary street racer.

He glimpsed the customer, greeted by premature grey hair, a cloth-covered eye and mouth. He knew the figure. Hatake Kakashi – famously known as White Fang, legendary street racer trained by Yellow Flash, unarguably the best racer in the world.

Kakashi tilted his head, scratching the base of his neck, "Is there something on my face?" he questioned, unable to comprehend the situation. 'Why is the boy staring at me with stars in his eyes?' he frowned, observing the boy, 'He looks so familiar… Almost like- nah it couldn't be… Could it? Minato-sensei's son? Kushina-chan's son?' He shook his head, it was impossible. 'They said their son died…'

Naruto straightened himself, "NO!" he swiftly responded, "There is nothing wrong with your face White Fang-sama!" he finished, realizing his mistake. "Eh, eh! I mean customer-sir… Eh," he chuckled nervously, mentally punching himself. 'Way to go Naruto…' he sarcastically thought.

"Looks like I couldn't quite hide my appearance," Kakashi replied, smiling through his navy-mask. "Well now that you know who I am, would you mind looking at my bike? I'm worried about the engine, it was smoking on the way here…"

Naruto nodded wildly, "Right away!"

Jiraiya sighed – utterly confused.

-----

"Sakura!" Tsunade called, "I need your help!"

The pinkette came running, armed with medical supplies. "Yes Shishou!" she responded, panting as she halted, dropping the supplies upon the table. "What's the damage?" she queried, glimpsing the patient before Tsunade. Several bruises lined his forehead, cuts graced his cheeks and his lips seemed slit.

His blonde locks were tied, a fringe hanging over his one eye. Piercing sky-blue eyes observed her and Sakura flinched, receiving bad vibes. She gulped, squirming beneath the blonde's stare. She turned her eyes, avoiding his. She felt cold, her frame shivering. 'He feels almost… Evil.'

"Hmm several wounds to the face," Tsunade remarked, writing his stats, "Could you please sit Mr?" she enquired.

"Deidera un," he replied, "Just Deidera un." He complied, seating himself upon the bed, wincing slightly.

"Could you tell me what happened?" she questioned, checking his pulse. She then placed the stethoscope upon his chest, his heart, and listening. "Well your heart rate is regular, so no worries there." Deidera nodded, sighing believably.

"I fell off my motorcycle un," he shrugged, "Too a corner too sharply un." He blinked, breathing deeply. "I'll try to be careful next time doc." He grinned, somewhat evilly. Sakura caught this, trembling hesitantly. 'That grin… It's… manic,' she thought, biting her bottom lip.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, "That's why they say motorcycles are so dangerous. You really should wear a helmet," she commanded, "One day you'll seriously injure yourself and then you have a problem. You could potentially kill yourself, or worse, paralyze yourself which is a lot more agonizing than death," she warned, dabbing lone cotton with disinfectant.

Deidera nodded, insincerely within Sakura's eyes, "It won't happen again. I've learnt my lesson." Tsunade nodded, meticulously wiping his cuts. He winced painfully, the disinfectant stinging him.

"It's supposed to sting, that's how you know it's working," Tsunade added, noting his wince. "Don't worry; it'll only hurt for a minute." Sakura began preparing various bandages and creams for the blonde's injuries, feeling uneasy the entire time.

Finally, after some time, Deidera's wounds had been treated. Tsunade sent him out with various creams and a painkiller, just in case. Yet, as she and Sakura watched him leave, Tsunade's eyes narrowed.

"You felt it too, didn't you Sakura?" she questioned, folding her arms.

Sakura nodded, "Yes," she sighed in relief, relaxing somewhat. "There's something so evil about him." Tsunade grunted, lips tight together.

"Hopefully he'll leave the village," she paused, "Soon."

-----

'Mmm,' a sun-kissed blonde figure thought, 'Such a beautiful day.' He sighed, stretching his toned, scared muscles sensually. His face, young and glowing, showed the signs of one much more mature than expected from his boyish grin. His eyes were ones of someone who'd been through much, through many obstacles and horrifying situations. His toned, lean-muscled body oozed grace and appeared flawless. Yet, thousands of varied scars marked his chest, legs and arms. His face remained unmarred. His mouth smiled a goofy, boyish grin yet the smile wasn't completely true. His lips had frowned more than once, twice or thrice.

"Anata," a feminine, yet partly tomboyish voice rang, "I have some interesting news for you!"

The man turned, his grin widened upon glimpsing the female behind him. Her long, reddish locks reached low, beneath her behind. Her sea-blue eyes shone mischievously as her lips curled into a grin. Her petite figure enticed him, her curves beckoned him. Yet he controlled himself, knowing she'd important information for him.

"Which is?" he enquired, stepping toward her, his steps slow and controlled. He reached her yet instead of grasping her waist as he'd intended, he leaned against the wall, folding his arms.

The red-head smiled, blinking sultrily, "One word," she paused, "Akatsuki." All playfulness escaped her figure as she frowned, her body stiffening. The man too frowned, body stiffening in response.

"That's not really what I wanted to hear," he whispered, pushing himself from the wall. "Where were they spotted?"

"Akatsuki member Deidera was spotted chasing Hatake Kakashi from Konoha toward Hoshii Village," she responded, recalling the received message, "But while in pursuit of White Fang, he rounded a corner too sharply and thus his bike slipped. This action allowed White Fang to escape uninjured into Hoshii. But Deidera was spotted heading toward the village's clinic."

The man's frown deepened, "I guess this means we should get going. Akatsuki is getting serious now, aren't they?" he rhetorically asked, sighing. "And I did so love living in secret like this…" he wistfully added, "There was just one thing missing."

The red-head nodded, "We'll get to see him again soon, ne Minato-kun?" she queried, her voice softening, her gaze downcast and her lip trembling. "I miss him so much, my baby boy."

Minato's expression softened before he pressed his lover into his chest tenderly, "Shh Kushina-chan," he whispered, "I promise we'll see our son soon. I promise," he finished while soothingly stroking her back. She nodded against his chiseled frame, unwanted tears flowing from her eyes.

And all Minato could do was hold her, his resolve building.

-----

"Ah," Naruto sighed, "I can't believe Ero-Sennin made a fool of me in front of a customer!" he exclaimed, his eyes narrowed, teeth clenched and frowning. "He was all pervy again," he added, pulling a shirt upon his bare torso.

Sakura shook her head, loose locks ruffling, "What did he say this time?" she queried. She ran a brush through her silken, washed rosette locks. No make-up marred her face, her natural beauty radiating. Naruto gaped, stared, awestruck by her elegance. She needed no make-up, no brand name clothes to enhance her beauty. Even in the striped pajamas, she looked stunning.

Naruto paused, still gaping. He regained his sense, "Eh he just said that I'm being grumpy and is it because you're not 'giving me any'. Tch, pervy old man," he stated, half hissing as he averted his eyes. Truth be told, they hadn't slept together, they hadn't made love. Naruto wouldn't push, Sakura wouldn't ask. It'd happen when it was supposed to.

Sakura blushed lightly, gazing downward. "You don't need to be like that for a relationship to work," she finally added, "Communication is key!" she recited, unable to think of something else. She giggled anxiously, tilting her head sideways. It was a difficult, un-talked about topic between them.

Naruto nodded, unsure of his speech. He simply shrugged, biting his bottom lip. He then leaned against the headboard, sighing. 'I wonder how Sakura-chan would feel if I had to ask her about it? About making love I mean?' he paused, eyebrow raised, 'Am I really calling it making love? Well I suppose that's what happens when you're in love – when it isn't just 'sex' no more.'

His thoughts embraced him, blacking the world, thus he didn't note Sakura creeping beside him, smirking impishly.

"What you so deep in thought about Naruto?" she huskily questioned, her eyes glinting mischievously. Her loose locks fell forward, framing her face. Naruto's eyes widened, his lips parted as he regained focus. Immediately, he gulped – Sakura's current position caused his body to heat. She straddled him, her knees either side of his thighs, her hands either side of his shoulders.

He froze, blush tinting his cheeks as his heart increased beats. "N…N…Nothing," he mumbled, throat dry as she leaned closer. She was taunting him, teasing him. Her lips pulled upwards, smirking as she grasped his shoulders within her hands, pinning him. She had the advantage – she knew it.

"It didn't look like nothing Naruto," she whispered, leaning lower. "You know you can tell me anything," she finished, her lips grazing his jaw. His sapphire orbs rolled back, eyelids shutting pleasurably. He grunted softly, arms immobile as her lips trailed kisses along the bone. It was heavenly.

Sakura smiled against his skin, she liked this, liked doing this – especially to Naruto. She loved his reactions, his roughened skin, and his small grunts. She adored this power she held. He seemed to like it too.

Finally, her lips touched his, thus she claimed them – pressing hers onto them. She felt Naruto's move softly, encouraging hers. She complied. Her grip upon his shoulders loosened, permitting him movement. He took this, wrapping his arms round her waist, pushing her closer.

Her back arched, her hands threading through his messed locks sensually. His tongue caressed her lips tenderly, pleading an entrance. She granted, without resistance. Their tongues intertwined, dancing for dominance. None won – the war continued, both fighting equally. Neither would submit, neither would succumb. Their war raged as hands explored. His hands ghosting her back, her's ghosting his chest. His tugging her shirt, pulling it upward; her's marking his bare chest with her nails.

Her shirt was discarded, her frame shivering. Yet he merely pushed her closer – no space between them. Their bodies touched, causing an ignition. Fire burned them, intoxicating them as their hips began moving in unison. Soft moans echoed as their lips parted, connection momentarily severed. The chemistry built, growing, growing as desire raged. Love was transmitted with each touch, kiss and movement. Immense passion filled their veins – nothing would stop them tonight.

Naruto broke their connection, panting heavily as his chest heaved. Sakura's eyes fluttered open, gazing upon his perspiring face. "Sakura-chan," he whispered, voice heavy, "I love you. I love you so much. So much that I…I…I…" he paused, gulping.

"I want you to marry me."

Sakura's instant reaction was shock, disbelief and suspicion. Then, as seconds passed, awe and euphoria replaced. She attempted speech, the words halting. Tears welled as bodies trembled. She sniffed softly, her lip trembling before she re-opened her lips.

"Yes."

-----

"Minato," Kushina called, "Are you nearly ready?" she questioned, voice echoing. She sighed while waiting, her arms folded rebelliously. "We have to leave within the next five minutes!" They needed to reach Kakashi, defeat the Akatsuki and see Naruto. She wanted to leave now, to see him instantly.

The tall, muscular blonde appeared momentarily, back-pack upon his shoulders and grinning widely. "I'm all ready to leave!" he exclaimed excitedly. Kushina's eyes rolled – he'd always be a child at heart.

"Good," she responded, stepping toward the door. They'd leave immediately and without notice. If all went according to plan, they'd arrive within six hours. It was easy. Easy timing and easy driving, it'd be no stress for either bike. She was excited; she was going to see her son, her son Naruto. He'd probably grown ample by now, maybe even tower above her. He'd probably matured much too. Would she recognize him? He'd be so grown, so much older.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Minato clasped her wrist, halting her. He then embraced her tightly from behind, his head resting upon her shoulder. "Kushina-chan… Whatever happens from this moment onward… I need you to know that I love you and that'll never change."

Kushina's eyes closed, tears welled as she gripped his hands. His words were sincere, his grip protective and his love pure. "I love you too Minato, with my whole heart – it beats only for you."

They stood, embracing as the moon shone above. They weren't sure what to expect, what to prepare, but they'd face the unexpected, the unprepared together – nothing would change that.

There we go! NARUTO ASKED SAKURA TO MARRY HIM! YAY! WHOO-HOO! Haha, sorry. . . It was actually a little unexpected to myself! Ah well, hope you enjoyed?

Love

Lorey*

BTW: Who also dislikes the latest Naruto chapter?! WTH!