You know, I'm starting to like the SakuraXNaruto thing…I think I'll just keep it that way. Screw Sasuke! (Sorry ) Onward!


Chapter Two- Advice

Sasuke

I walked back into my house. I looked up at the calendar. It's Sunday. I was breathing heavily and sweating like crazy. I looked at my watch. It wasn't even 6 o' clock yet. "I need to train more than this!" I yelled into the empty room. When I got my echo as a reply, I decided that I better start my day. I grabbed a towel and took a quick bath. Then I went back to my room and started to change clothes. I did it as fast as possible. I hated wasting time on that. As I pulled on my shoes I checked my bedside clock. Almost 7:30. I was now fully dressed and ready to go. I didn't bother brushing my hair. I never do. Then I headed for the door.

As soon as the sun hit my face, I felt something was different. It wasn't the area…but more like a someone. I stepped out into the center and looked around. Then I saw her. Sakura was walking towards the academy. It wasn't like her to be awake at this hour. I wanted to get on with my day, but I just couldn't control myself as I began to follow her.

I watched as she walked past the academy and more towards Tsunade-sama's office. What could she want from her this early? I stayed far from her so she wouldn't notice me. Sakura would be able to spot me easily if I make a mistake. I walked slowly and blended with my surroundings. With the sun continuing to rise, it was becoming more difficult. But I noticed that something was bothering her. She was walking with her head down. Also I noticed that she was holding something around her neck…

Finally, we reached Tsunade-sama's office. I almost got caught, for Sakura took a quick glance behind her. But luckily, she didn't seem really into it. She looked up and headed up the stairway. I followed behind.

Sakura

I took a quick glance behind me. I had the feeling that I was being watched. I saw something that looked a little strange…but it didn't catch my interest. I turned around and looked up at the long stairway. Then I began to walk up.

"Sakura? What's the matter?" Tsunade-sama asked as soon as I entered her room. I cast my eyes down. "Well...I had to ask you something…" she remained quiet for a while. I looked up and saw that she was filing papers. "Oh! I'm sorry! I'll come back another time!" I cried apologetically. Tsunade-sama shook her head. "It's alright. Sit down." I did as she said. I watched her put her papers down as she gave me her undivided attention.

"Now, what did you want to ask me?" she asked, looking me straight in the eyes. I started to fidget a little, but finally I began, "Have you ever liked a boy…but he doesn't notice you? And then a different boy comes and makes you feel special?" Before she could answer that question, I started talking quicker to hide my nervousness, "but then you feel bad because you still like the first boy, but then the second gives you something nice, and then you like him more, but then you think 'what would boy # 1 think?' and then you-" "SAKURA!" she yelled. I stopped talking and looked at her. "Slow down!" she commanded. I nodded. "All I want to know is what should I do? I loved boy # 1 for so long…but now I think I like Nar…I mean boy # 2"

Tsunade-sama closed her eyes and thought for a while. Then she spoke, "I don't think I was ever in your situation, but I think I can help." I looked at her with longing. "Do you really know boy # 2?" she asked. I thought about it. I don't really know Naruto. For that matter, not Sasuke either. "I didn't think so." Tsunade-sama concluded. "I think that if you spend some time with each of them, you'll find out which one means more to you." I stood up with a smile on my face. "Thank-you, Hokage-sama. I'll use the advice wisely." I bowed and left the room.

Tsunade

As Sakura left the room, I decided I had one more genin to talk to. "Where do you think you're going?" I said to the empty room. "Get in here." I commanded. Just as I thought, Sasuke entered my office. "Sit down, please." Though it was polite, I said it strongly. "Eavesdropping on the Hokage? Or was it Sakura-chan?" I began as I started filing again. It was quiet. I already knew the answer. "I wonder if you're boy # 1." I said softly, even though, once again, I already knew. Everyone in Konoha knew that Sakura liked Sasuke. And judging by that slip-up she had earlier, I'm guessing Naruto's # 2.

I looked up to see Sasuke looking at everything but me. I smiled as he fidgeted, "You can leave." He stood up quickly and headed for the door. Before he left, I said, "Take my advice, if you like Sakura…maybe you should pay attention to her." He stood there for a few extra minutes. Then he left. I laughed to myself as I continued filing. "Kids are funny, aren't they Shizune?" She nodded in agreement. The Genin didn't even notice her. She was on a ladder trying to put a book back on its high shelf. "Do you think Sasuke will take your advice?" she questioned while climbing down. I shrugged, "Who knows? I need some hot sake…"

Naruto

"YAAAAAWWWNNN!" I sat up straight in bed with my eyes barely open. I squinted at the clock. It was almost 9 o' clock. I started to go to the bathroom when suddenly I heard a knock at my door. "Naruto! Can I come in?" It was Sakura's voice. "Um, Sure! Just a second!" I looked at my room. It was a complete mess. "I'll be right there!" I yelled as I quickly picked up my clothes. "I wonder why she's here?" I thought aloud as I stuffed my clothes into the drawers. I then ran past the kitchen and to my front door.

"What took you so long?" she asked as I opened the door. I started to answer, but she didn't seem to want one. She entered my house before I could say 'come in'. "Out of all the years I've known you, I've never once visited, have I?" she said softly. She was in the kitchen looking around. I followed her and grabbed a seat. "Naruto…you've been alone all your life, right?" she asked suddenly. I was staring to wonder where she was going with this. "Yes…" I answered in caution. She took the seat in front of me. "Naruto…what do you think of me?" she asked. She was starting to make me nervous. Where were all these questions coming from?

"Um…I always thought you were…pretty." I mumbled. I tried to look at everything but her. " I also think you're smart…" It was silent for a while. Finally I looked at her. Her warm smile caught me completely off guard. "Thank-you, Naruto!" she said cheerily. This was really unlike Sakura.

Just then, I remembered the necklace. "Did you get the necklace?" I asked. Sakura's eyes cast down as she touched the jewelry. "Yes…and it's beautiful." I beamed. "I hope it made you feel better!" I said honestly. After all, it wasn't that easy finding the right words for the note:

(Flashback)

"May I ask who you're buying this for?" the nice shopkeeper asked. I looked up at her and smiled, "For a good friend of mine. The boy she likes hurt her feelings. I'm just trying to cheer her up!" The old woman smiled brightly, "Why, that's so sweet! It's hard to find kids like you these days!" she put the jewelry carefully in the box. Then she closed it.

"I hope she appreciates it." She said as she handed it to me. I sighed, "Yeah, but I want to write something. Maybe a little note to go with it." The old woman thought. Finally she said, "Maybe you should ask another girl. I'm too old to know what's hip these days, so I won't be any help." I thought that was a good idea. I made a clone of myself so that he can carry the box. Meanwhile, I'd go find a girl to ask.

"Okay…we have about 15 minutes before reaching Sakura's house." I said to my clone. He nodded. "You start walking to her house. I'll quickly find a girl and meet up with you before you reach it." Naruto clone nodded again, "Got it!"

He exited the shop first with the box. I thanked the old woman again and left after him. "Now let's see…who should I ask?" I walked in the opposite direction of my clone. I looked left and right, searching for a girl. Finally, I spotted one. "Hey, Hinata!" I called to her. She turned to me and blushed. "H-hi Naruto…" I ran up to her and asked, "Do you know what girls like in a poem?" She fidgeted. "Um…I'm not really sure what you mean, but I know Ino handles romance stuff all the time at her mother's flower shop. Maybe you should ask her…" I nodded, "Thanks!" she smiled as I headed for the flower shop.

"Naruto, what do you want?" Ino said immediately as I entered the shop. I walked up to her, "Do you know what girls want in a poem?" she looked at me like I was stupid. "Maybe you should think about what girls want in a boy, let alone poems." I looked at the clock behind her. Only 8 more minutes.

"I need to know, quick!" I said, completely ignoring her earlier comment. She sighed, "What should it be about?" I explained Sakura's situation. "WHAT? You mean you want me to help forehead girl?" I nodded. Ino sighed again, "Fine! But don't tell her I had anything to do with this!" she took out a piece of paper and a pen. "Write this down:

There are two hands to every person

One is to reach, and the other is to hold

Yours is reaching….Isn't it?

I hope you find one to hold.

I wrote it down quickly. "Okay, you have it. Why are you still here?" Ino said impatiently. "I think I'll write one more thing…" I said, writing on the back of the paper. Ino rolled her eyes, "You don't have to do it here…" I looked back to the clock. 3 more minutes.

"Damn!" I quickly finished writing and folded the note. "Thanks, Ino!" I yelled as I ran out the shop. She just nodded. I ran on top of the buildings in the direction of Sakura's house. I saw my clone standing at the door, talking to her mother "Just in time!" I quietly jumped down and got the box from my clone. At first, Mrs. Haruno was a little confused, but she got it as my clone disappeared. "Will you give this to Sakura please?" I asked. She nodded and said, "Of course I will! You run along now!" I smiled and left.

(End Of Flashback)

I watched Sakura as she played with the necklace. I wonder what she's thinking…

Sakura

I played with the necklace for a little while. I couldn't stop thinking about how happy I was when Naruto enjoyed my food. It made me feel something I never felt with Sasuke. It made me feel…needed. "Naruto…." I said quietly. He looked at me expectantly. "Tonight…will go out with me?" I blushed as the words left my mouth. Naruto was blushing even deeper. " Yes! I mean of course, Sakura-chan!" I stood up and smiled. "I'll come back around 8 o' clock. Be ready." Naruto nodded vigorously. I headed back for the door. He quickly stood up and opened it for me. "Thank-you." I said as I exited. "Now…I need to find Sasuke…"

I turned towards the market. I looked at all the trees I passed by to make sure he wasn't in any of them. He wasn't in a single one. Where could he be? I headed towards the academy. As I started to pass it, I noticed that someone was there. I realized it was Sasuke. He was standing on the swing, going back and forth quickly while holding the ropes. I watched as he jumped off and landed perfectly on his feet.

"Sasuke!" I called, running up to him. He turned to me and waited as I caught up. "Do you want to go shopping with me?" He looked at me like had gone crazy. But, much to my surprise, he said, "Sure." I smiled and grabbed his hand. "First I want to get a new outfit." I said, dragging him behind me. "O-okay!" he said trying to get free. I had my death grip on him, so it would be pretty hard to get out of that.

"Oh! Let's go in there!" I said, entering a clothing store. It was made for regular women, not ninjas. That was exactly what I wanted.

I searched through the large selection of clothes until I found a dress that looked perfect. "Sasuke, wait here while I try this on!" I said realizing my grip. He nodded, relieved to have his hand back.

Sasuke

I contemplated running out while she was in the fitting room, but something made me stay. I sat on one of the small stools and waited for her to exit.

"Sasuke! What do you think?" Sakura said cheerily. I turned and gasped. She was wearing a dark green dress that complemented her eyes as well as her pink hair. It was cut just above the ankles with a slit on one side. It had a low cut cleavage in the shape of a V. Without her headband, she looked more like a woman than a little girl.

I stuttered, "Y-you look…" "Yeah, I don't like it either." She said, going back into the fitting room. "Wait! I didn't say…" she was already changing. I turned back as I waited for her to exit again. This time she exited in a kimono. I stood up with my mouth agape. "I take it you like this one?" she giggled. I closed my mouth and turned away. "Yeah, you look nice." She giggled again. "You'll pay for it, right Sasuke?" I looked at her like she was crazy. "Thank-you!" she said, going back into the fitting room.

I grumbled as I pulled out my wallet. "How much is the kimono no mori?" I asked the sales woman. "$186.35" I felt my mouth drop. I only had $200. I hated the feeling of an empty wallet. Sakura exited the room. It was then I noticed that she was wearing a necklace. "Where'd you get that?" I asked, trying to avoid paying. She looked at it with warmth in her eyes. "Naruto got it for me. He spent all of his money on it…"

I felt rage fill me. I quickly pulled out the money and slapped it on the counter. "Here!" I spat. The cashier gave me $13.65 as change. "Thank-you, come again." I just growled and left the shop as Sakura got a bag for it. "Thank-you Sasuke, for coming with me! I need to go get my hair done now." Sakura said, heading in the opposite direction of me. I wonder why she's getting so dolled up…

Sakura

I happily walked towards my house. I couldn't wait to spend the evening with Naruto. He's so kind to me…I can't believe I never noticed before. I looked at my watch. It was only 11 o' clock. "What am I going to do until 8?" I thought aloud. Suddenly, I got an idea. I ran to the gift shop.

"Why, hello there." An elderly woman greeted me as I entered. I did a slight bow and looked around the shop. Finally I spotted something I liked. "Hm…that's a lovely choice." The woman said as I picked it out. "For you, it's only $78." I smiled. That was over $125 less than it's normal cost. "Thank-you!" I said handing her $80. "Keep the change!" The woman nodded as I ran out of the shop.

"Okay, that's one thing…" I said, slowing down. I knew the next store was pretty far away. A perfect time waster. I looked at the jewelry I bought at the shop. It glinted in the sunlight. "I hope he likes it…" I said softly as I continued to head for my next destination.

Naruto

"I can't believe it! I have a date with Sakura!" I could barely contain my excitement as I looked for something decent to wear. All of my clothes were orange suits and black shirts. "I really should expand…" I said to myself. But then I saw something in the corner of the closet. I pulled it out. It was a pair of black pants that seemed never worn. Also a white jacket was stuffed to the back. "I guess I'll wear one of my black shirts with this…" I said, pulling one out.

I looked at the clock. It was almost 7:30. "I have to hurry!" I cried. "First, I need to wash up!" I ran into the bathroom. I took a quick bath and washed my hair. I practically ripped my skin off as I dried. Then I ran back into the room and threw on the clothes. I looked in the mirror. "Hmmm…" I removed the headband. "Much better!" I said giving my reflection a thumbs up.

I turned back to the clock. It was…"7:58!"I said cheerily. I was right on time. I heard a knock. "Coming!" I ran over to the door. "Who is it?" I asked playfully. "Naruto! Open up!" It was Sakura. I eagerly threw the door open. "Hey Sa-" I stopped as I gazed upon her. She was dressed in a silky green kimono. It had beautiful patterns of white flowers. They swirled against the contrasting green. She wore a red obi around her waist and red geta on her feet. Her hair was swept up into a bun, with a few purposely loose stands. A side bang lay lightly against her forehead, giving her a soft look.

"You can stop staring anytime now…" she said, slowly waving a red fan. I blinked a couple of times. "I'm sorry…" I blushed, "You look really pretty." She smiled brightly, "Thank-you!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the house. "Where are we going?" I asked as she dragged me along. "We're going to a town outside of Konoha." She said after a pause. I took my arm back and walked besides her.

"They're having a carnival there. I want to see it." She continued excitedly. I smiled. It was good to see her in such high spirits. We walked out of Konoha and headed for my first date.

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