Next chapter. Naruto and Sakura have their first date. Enjoy.

Sakura heard the doorbell ring. "I'll be right there." she shouted. She rushed down to open the door. "Naruto…" she gasped, nearly in shock. He had taken off the hitai-ate, and for once wore something that was not orange. He had a black T-shirt and long black pants. "You look great!" she said.

Naruto himself was nearly in shock. "Sakura-chan, you look…beautiful tonight." She had a red and black dress, not very long, but not short enough to make her look slutty. In other words, perfect. She had grown her hair out to its original length. He remembered when he came back to Konoha after that trip with ero-sennin.

Flashback

"Do I look more womanly now?" Sakura asked.

End Flashback

Suffice it to say, hell yeah. She definitely looked more womanly, especially in that way. Naruto felt his inner pervert scratching at him, itching to come out. However, Naruto had other ideas.

"May I escort you to a restaurant, Sakura-chan?" he said in a gentlemanly manner, pulling the flowers from behind his back.

"Where, Naruto?" she asked, surprised. He thought they would go to Ichiraku's for ramen.

"I found this great place, Hayato's Bar and Grill. I'll show you." He grinned foxily at her, which made her blush.

They walked through Konoha, his arm around her, her arm around him.

"Naruto-kun," she asked, "Are we going out for ramen?"

"No." he said, "Sakura-chan, you are more important to me than ramen."

Sakura blushed yet again. Naruto really loved her, to go without ramen for dinner.

They turned a corner, and saw the sign. "We're there," said Naruto, grinning. They entered the restaurant. It was comfortable, homey, and bustling with activity. Sitting down, at a table, they noticed another couple. Kiba and Hinata? thought Naruto, a little surprised at first. He thought a little, and realized they were perfect for each other. Kiba's roughness would protect Hinata, and Hinata's gentleness would soften Kiba.

Sakura had noticed them too, and some other couples as well, like Neji and Tenten. Yes, the Byakugan user extraordinaire and the weapons mistress were dating. As both Green Beasts of Konoha would testify, they loved together and sparred together. Very youthful.

The waiter looked at them. "Your order, please."

"I'll have a beefsteak," said Naruto. "Sakura-chan, what about you?"

"I'll have a light salad," Sakura replied. "Two waters for both of us."

"OK," said the waiter. He went off to tell their order to the chef.

"So, Sakura-chan, what do we do?" said Naruto.

"Naruto-kun, I have something to ask you. How come you still love me even though I put you through a lot of abuse when I was trying to impress Sasuke?"

"I know it sounds corny, but I just never gave up hope," said Naruto. "I just didn't think about it. Besides, you're Sakura-chan, and that's all that matters."

Wow, thought Sakura, he loved me even when I was a total bitch to him.

"Do you still…like Sasuke?" he asked hesitantly.

"Not like I used to," she answered. "But I still want to rescue him"

"Hi, guys." said Tenten. She and Neji were standing there, waiting for Naruto and Sakura to reply.

"Hey, Neji, Tenten," said Naruto. "When did you guys get together?"

"Oh, a few weeks ago," said Tenten. "Neji-kun cracked first," she smirked playfully.

"I did not crack," replied Neji. "I just admitted my feelings first, didn't I, Tenten-chan?"

"How are Lee and Gai-sensei taking it?" asked Sakura. She knew the answer would be very strange.

"They were pretty happy, dancing around, hugging each other, saying something about the fiery flowers of youth," shrugged Tenten.

"Maybe you shouldn't have asked, ne, Sakura-chan?" said Naruto. Who would be here next, he wondered.

"Yo!" said a familiar voice. Naruto turned around.

"Kakashi-sensei," he said, "Good to see you."

The jonin was alone and as usual, buried is his little orange Icha Icha Paradise book.

"So you and Sakura finally got together, ne?" said their former sensei.

Naruto sweatdropped. "Were we that obvious?"

"Yeah. Godaime-sama owes me 100 ryo." Kakashi grinned underneath his mask. Or so they thought.

"Can obaa-chan even resist gambling?" asked Naruto.

"My guess," replied Kakashi, "is no."

"Naruto-kun," said Sakura, "our food is here."

"Good," grinned Naruto. He paid the waiter from his wallet. "Itadakimasu!" he said, chowing down on his beefsteak. Sakura started on her salad too, although not as fast.

"So, is it good finally being out in the open, Naruto-kun?" asked Sakura. She wondered how he felt. After all, he'd liked her since their Academy days, and she'd been crushing on Sasuke for most of that time.

"It feels good, very good," he said. You don't know how good it feels, he thought.

They finished pretty quickly, and went for a walk near the lake.

"Naruto…" Sakura started, "do you want to…you know?"

"Only if you want to," he said. "Sakura…mmmmphhhhh"

"You talk too much," she said, kissing him softly on the lips. She put her arms around him, and held him tightly.

Naruto let the sensation wash all over him. It felt as comforting as a hot bath, and much better, he decided. He kissed back passionately, letting his tongue explore her mouth. He was rewarded by a sigh of pleasure.

"Naruto, you're a…great kisser", she said, "How did you do it?"

"I had Ayame give me some advice, and, I didn't like it, but I got some from ero-sennin's novels."

"Pervert," she scolded.

"Hey!" Naruto said. "I didn't like it!" They would have many times together, some good, some bad. But this was their first, and it was magical for them.

Three chapters. Not bad, ne? Please read and review.