Naruto had a hard time sleeping. Not that he wasn't tired, but it was more the fact that beside him lay a very much sleeping pink haired girl, her arms bended against his figure as he held her around her waist.
He hated his situation. Here he was, unable to go anywhere or think rationally, because Sakura softly breathed in the still night.
He could smell the alcohol on her, but she wasn't drunk anymore. He could tell that himself, because she was the one who had forced him upstairs and into his room. He knew she was the dominant type, and she took the initiative all the time.
Naruto sighed and rubbed a finger against his lips. They were numb and skinless, but it had defiantly been worth it.
Sakura had pushed him to the bed and given him what seemed like small cherry kisses, and Naruto had no idea what was going on. His hand wandered where they wanted to go, and she had shrieked a few times because it tickled.
It didn't matter.
After a couple of minutes like that, she told him she was tired and he made himself get up so she could go to her room. Surprisingly she had not done that. Sakura had stubbornly refused to go anywhere except right here, and lay down on the bed, but not without dragging Naruto down with her.
So now he was stuck with a furiously beating heart and a flushed face, as his arms around her loosened due to the tense situation he was in. How in the world could he just take advantages of her like that?
He let her go and without a though in mind, jumped out of the bed. Sakura opened one eye tiredly and sat up, trying to see what was going on. "What are you doing?" she spoke harshly, drying her eyes.
Naruto desperately tried to open the door, but with no lock. Which also made him wonder why the door was locked in the first place? He could hear Sakura's feet place themselves on the carpet and she yawned once more.
"Come back – I was sleeping so well."
"You can go back to sleep, I am making breakfast or something" he spoke, still searching for the key.
Sakura noted that they were both fully dressed, causing her to sigh in relief. Then she stared at the clock and noticed that it was way past midday, causing her to grin a little. "I think it is too late for breakfast – come on! I am tired, I want my pillow…"
Naruto's blush deepened and he felt it necessary to look the other way. Sakura gazed at him tiredly. "Are you embarrassed?" it sounded more like a statement than a question.
Extremely annoyed with the lack of response she stood up and walked over to him. With a pout she grabbed him by the arm and forced him back to the bed.
He didn't know whether to go with her or stand still, so he did nothing. Before he knew what happened he lay on his back, Sakura's head resting on his chest and all of sudden the ceiling was far more interesting than everything else in the room.
His breathing was deeply nervous and it caused Sakura to frown and turn him around, so she could stare at his face. Naruto gulped and turned his face downwards into the pillow. She smiled and nuzzled her face into his chest.
They lay like that for a good half hour, before Sakura realized she was unable to sleep. "Naruto?" she spoke silently, but there was no answer. Yet she knew he was awake, because his heart beat strongly against his ribs, and she could hear every pulse.
She closed her eyes and let her head rest against his chest, and let her hands slowly travel around his back. Naruto didn't mind at first and seemed to relax, letting his own arms hug her back.
She sighed and let her hands slip underneath his shirt, feeling his warm skin underneath her fingers. He froze and felt his head grow even hotter than before.
"Sak…Sakura"
Her hands stroked his back gently; her eyes open as she listened for his heartbeat. She didn't understand.
She was lying here with Naruto of all people – she didn't understand. Thirteen days ago they had been fighting, ready to kill each other. However, after that he began to stare at her during dinner. She had shamefully inhaled the smell on his clothes every time it was time for washing.
It was strange when she felt her heart leap at the sight of him walking out the bathroom. It was strange how they could just freeze and stare at each other.
To her, it might not be so strange – but she was so afraid of something. She nuzzled closer to Naruto and heard him gasp slightly.
All Sakura might fear was that she fell in love with Naruto – and spoiled it all.
Naruto froze when Sakura froze. He could feel how her gaze turned downwards, to the lump pressing against her stomach. He turned his head just a little to see her expression, which turned out to be a huge blush.
Her arms loosened and he quickly hid his face into the pillow. "I am really sorry about that." He muttered.
Sakura brought a hand to her mouth as she stared wide-eyed for a moment, before breaking into a fit of giggles.
Naruto groaned and tried desperately to turn on the other side, away from her. Sakura giggled and grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him back. Refusing to stare at her he looked into the pillow, feeling her intense gaze bore into his red face.
Her continuing giggles didn't help either.
"I am really sorry about this – I didn't mean to, you were just so close an-" his clumsy speech reminded him that no woman, had ever been this close to him. He groaned again, and buried his face into his hands this time, away from her.
"Narutoooo-" she started, letting the other hand, she weren't covering her mouth with, touch the side of his face. "- you looook so cute"
"Ugh!" he protested and pushed himself up against the wall in a desperate attempt to get away.
Sakura sat up, still giggling, with a pink blush covering her cheeks. Her hand stroked his hair in a comforting way. "hey – it is okay, just mean that you like me"
"You are not helping…" he muttered.
"Naruto" she sighed, the giggles disappearing. Her hand still stroking his golden locks, and when he didn't say anything she laid down and brought her arms around him. "I am not doing this because I am drunk – you know that. Be a bit kind on me…"
He removed one hand to see her smiling face at him. "I just want to enjoy our time together…"
Naruto cracked a small half smile, as she let her left hand touch his red face. He quickly looked downwards and pouted. "I am really sorry about that."
"Hey, I am medic – things like this happen." She said with a grin. "And I am damn sexy you know!" she embraced him fully, forcing his face into her.
"Oh …"
-
Temari stared at Shikamaru confused. "Excuse me?"
"You know – Gaara knows, and the whole of sand knows about the child. They know it is mine –"
Temari crossed her arms. "you want me to name him after your dead sensei?"
Shikamaru sat down, as he felt the child try to chew on his finger. "Yeah – Asuma would be a fitting name for him."
The sand woman sighed and stood up. "you do what you wanna do, I have some business to take care of along with Gaara."
"Temari?"
"What?"
"Thank you."
Temari had this odd feeling in her chest, when she saw Shikamaru sit happily with his son on his knees. Closing the door, she couldn't help but feel betrayed.
-
"Sakura! You have to join our forces! We need to eliminate Konoha once and for all! Don't you see! With the Rokudaime gone, we can finally get those bastards down!"
"Daikon…"
-
"Sakura-san!"
"Sakura-san! Wait for me…!"
-
"Sakura---"
"Sasuke-kun! Don't die!"
"I wanted to kill Itachi…"
"Sasuke-kun! Naruto help me! He is dying"
"There is nothing more in this world I wanted – it was my soul purpose…"
"Naruto!"
"…Itachi…"
-
"Don't worry Sakura-chan! You and I are going to get Sasuke-teme back! I promise you that! And then we will all be together once again"
"Thank you Naruto!"
"Hey – its a promise of a lifetime remember!"
-
"I just wanted to kill Itachi…"
"Naruto! Help me! He is dying!"
"Itachi…"
-
"Sakura…you are weak…a wonder my brother was killed by you"
-
"You have to help us! Without the Rokudaime Konoha can be beaten easily!"
-
Sakura bolted upright in her bed, panting hard. Her hand went to her face as she curled her feet together.
Her breathing was quick and tears streamed down her face.
Three days has passed since the day she had been drunk. Naruto groaned tiredly and sat up. "hey? What is going on?"
Sakura waved her hand, motioning him to go back to sleep.
"Don't worry, just a nightmare…"
Instead of doing that he wrapped his arms around her form – resting his head against her shoulder. "you are crying…"
"Am I?"
-
"I wanted to kill Itachi…"
-
"Sakuraaaaa-chan!"
Sakura turned around, putting down the washing clothes, staring at a grinning Naruto.
"I was wondering if you and I should go and pay our respects to Sasuke! It is afterall seven years today…"
She stared at him for a while, before giving him a small shy smile. "sure…why not…"
"Oh! Right – remember, Sasuke doesn't like daffodils – he prefer wild flowers…"
He nodded and motioned her to come with him, when he noticed the pile of clothes. "don't worry, I'll help you when we get back" he said.
He was rather surprised when she took him by the hand.
-
Naruto put down his flowers on the tombstone, Sakura still holding tightly unto his hand. The rough surface of the stone felt gentle compared to the feelings tumbling inside of him this moment.
He felt Sakura's grip tighten. "Snow…" she muttered. Naruto looked up and saw to his surprise snow.
"but, it is only November?" he asked.
"Yeah – but usually snow comes earlier the farther north you are…" Sakura said.
They let go of each others hands and looked towards the sky. "We don't see snow that often in Konoha – it must be nice to know it comes every year…"
"Maybe…"
Naruto tilted his head upwards to stare at her.
-
Sakura looked up from the dishes as she stood in the kitchen. The sun was going down and Tohru and Naruto was playing happily in the snow. A small smile escaped her lips as she saw Naruto get hit by a snowball.
Her hands loosened on the plate. Naruto turned his head so he could see if Sakura was there. Strangely, his grin disappeared and was replaced with a grateful smile and a blush. Tohru stared at him confused and then looked the same way as him.
When seeing Sakura in the window she waved and laughed.
The plate slipped from Sakura's hands and landed on the floor with a loud crash. Cursing, she bent down to pick up the pieces. "Damnit – stupid plate."
The front door opened and a soaked Naruto stepped in to stare at her worriedly. "Sakura?"
She waved with her hand, telling him that she was alright. "It is okay, the plate just slipped…"
He took off his shoes and walked over to her, bending down so he could help her pick up the broken pieces. "You have been rather clumsily lately" he said softly with a smile. "Kindda strange, because you always seemed so perfect…"
She didn't say anything, instead she placed her pieces in the trashcan and stood up, ready to wash the other dishes.
Naruto then embraced her from behind friendly, resting his head in the crook of her neck. "Are you alright?"
She didn't move her hands and stared at the warm water full of dirt. "I am fine"
Tightening his hold he let his eyes rest on her hands. Taking his right hand he touched her knuckles lightly, making her tense in his embrace. He sensed her discomfort and stepped away. Naruto went back into the hallway, finding his shoes.
Sakura stared at the now bloody water. She must have cut herself when she picked up the pieces. However, when staring at it she couldn't help but see all the faces of Konoha screaming at her. Why didn't she tell Naruto? She could have saved all of them.
-
Sasuke-kun.
-
Quickly she turned around. "Naruto?!"
But he was already out of the door.
-
Sakura poked Naruto's nose in a bored way as he tried desperately to focus on the book he was reading. "Geez? When did you begin to read Naruto?"
He didn't say anything and groaned because she continued to disturb him. "Hey Naruto…"
"What? I am trying to figure out how to fix the roof – it is pretty damaged after all"
"You are 24 now…"
He looked up and rested his head on his hand. "And?"
Sakura smiled gently. "I forgot to say happy birthday"
"And?"
She leaned in and pecked him softly on the cheek, causing him to blush a light pink. "Happy birthday Uzumaki Naruto."
-
Naruto never liked going into the village, afraid that people might recognize him. Even though most people thought hokage Uzumaki was dead, he was still afraid. Anyway, so instead of dragging Naruto with her downtown, Sakura dragged him down to the beach.
It was November and the snow was falling down gently at the two of them. Sakura and Naruto sat together on the bench, watching Tohru try to get her chakra control right by walking on the water.
Sakura smiled and rested against the bench back. "she is doing good progress…"
Naruto nodded, his hands folded in his lap, as he stared at the wild waves. Sakura's smile widened. "Hey! Keep up the good work Tohru-chan!"
The young girl stopped, and turned around, staring at her teacher terrified – obviously not used to encouraging words from her. Seeing that Sakura meant it, Tohru's expression turned into something sunny and bright, her eyes shimmering. "Yes Sakura-san!"
Naruto let his gaze drift to her, and stared. Sakura just continued to smile proudly until Naruto's cool hand brushed against her neck, grabbing a piece of pink hair.
Confused by his actions she turned her head, to see a very serious expression marking the usually relaxed features.
"Naruto?"
"You don't like being touched do you?" he asked, his eyes focussing on her short hair.
"Uhm…what?" she said, getting even more confused.
"You don't like when I touch you like this. Out of impulse. You tense, freeze and try to get away. Like now: when I touched you, you scooted a bit farther away from me." His gaze turned to her face, the seriousness never leaving. "Are you afraid of me?"
Sakura cracked him a small fake grin. "What are you talking about? Why should I be afraid of you?"
He didn't say anything and just stared at her.
"Stop freaking me out like this Naruto…" she silently begged him. "I am not afraid of you" taking his hand away from her neck, she let it travel to her cheek, where she cupped it tenderly. "I couldn't be afraid of you – It is just an old habit of mine…"
-
"Cooperate with us…Sakura-san" Itachi spoke.
"No…"
Sakura felt his fist collide with her head.
-
Naruto's gaze softened and he sighed. "Okay…"
Sakura felt her head grow hot and quickly looked the other way, watching as Tohru seemed to do much better this time.
Then she felt Naruto near her face, his other hand holding her shoulder tenderly. She turned her gaze to see him stare at her longingly, feeling her heart skip a beat. "Naruto" she whispered, as his face came nearer hers.
Closing her eyes she let him kiss on the cheek.
"Eh!? What are you doing?" Tohru asked all of sudden – making both of them snap their eyes open and tense. Naruto gulped and turned his head to see Tohru stare at them with a proud smile.
"You aren't kissing are you?" she snickered. "Because if you do, then you have to promise to give me a little brother."
Sakura blushed. "Tohru!"
Naruto then quickly grinned and took Sakura into his embrace. "Oh! Don't worry Tohru – you are going to get a thousand brothers and sisters!"
The little dark haired girl laughed and clapped. "Yay!"
Sakura could feel Naruto's heartbeat so strongly.
Tohru had never felt that glad.
-
"Sakura – you have to join the forces! We need to crush Konoha! Don't you understand – we can't let them get away with what they did during the war…"
Sakura stared at him numbly, her fingers cold. "I…"
-
Naruto watched as Sakura stood before him, her hands shaking as if she was trying to figure out something. Licking her lips she stared at him scared. "N…Naruto – I…haven't been completely honest with you." she folded her hands.
"About my feelings – you must have gotten the impression that I haven't liked you so much – because I haven't told you. Don't think like that! It is not like it at all…"
Naruto's face all of sudden became very red, and he needed to sit down on his bed. "Wha…what are you trying to …say?"
Sakura gulped and clutched her hands together. She needed to tell Naruto about the letter – she couldn't live knowing that Konoha was in danger. However, as she stood there a strange feeling developed in her body.
What if Naruto died because he went to Konoha? What if she, by telling Naruto this, would lose him forever, either because she had been holding the information from him or because he died?
"H…hey it is okay Sakura" he muttered, rubbing his neck nervously.
"I – I..:" Sakura stared clumsily.
"I love you too Sakura."
She went numb.
"I know it is hard for you to say it – it is hard for me too. I have no idea how things turned into this, but I just know that – Sakura…" staring at her, his blush slowly disappeared. "I love you so much."
Sakura didn't register what happened when his arms went around her, pulling her into a full hearted embrace. "I love you so much…I can't explain it. I think it is just you Sakura…you are so beautiful. Oh …I can't even say this, it sounds so cliché like."
After a few minutes Sakura buried her head into his neck, clutching him tightly.
"Sakura, you and I! The two of us, we are going to get Konoha back …just the two of us." To Sakura he was so gentle.
Knowing she couldn't impossibly tell him, not with the risk of losing him forever – she just couldn't let it happen.
Damn Konoha for once – Naruto was hers.
-
"Love is foolish" Tsunade said, staring at Sakura. "I couldn't imagine myself care for Jirayia at all – but …now…I can't get him out of my head…I hate love, it makes you do stupid things."
She glared at the pink-haired girl. "Don't ever fall in love!"
-
Questions:
1: why did Temari feel betrayed?
Temari felt betrayed because Shikamaru continues to live in the past – that he wants to name the child Asuma, and the second reason why, is that the child seem more fond of Shikamaru. Now, the won't seem like a problem, if Temari didn't care about Shikamaru. She cares about Shikamaru, but not enough to beg Gaara to marry him – let's see what the future might bring for the two of them.
2: how com Naruto and Sakura suddenly became so close?
Now – that is a hard one. However, Naruto and Sakura have been travelling together for what I would expect as two – three months. This means that they have had a lot of time to adapt to each other, get used to have the other around.
Now – Naruto and Sakura has been having a hard time around each other – fights etc, you know that, but suddenly, their relationship takes an unexpected turn of events, with the kiss in the kitchen. This particular situation makes the usual hard and negative feelings disappear, because they experienced something positive. This positive feeling makes them both insecure about each other, but at the same time, in order to have as much positive emotion out of this, they start what we other will call a couple. However, they won't describe themselves as a couple yet – they want a positive way of life, and therefore they test each other, and their limits.
Now – it might seem very strange to you, but this positive feeling they received has given them the opportunity to become friends once more. When becoming friends they get the chance to develop their relationship – which they clearly are doing right now, as you can see.
(one looong answer)
3: why did Sakura choose not to tell Naruto about the letter?
It is sorta strange isn't it? Sakura having the letter from the Tsuchikage, holding valuable information, and she has the power to stop the rocks from attacking. Why didn't she stop it?
Simple, Sakura is a selfish woman. However, don't misunderstand her motives, she desperately wants to help Naruto, and she was about to tell him. What made her stop?
Naruto proclaimed loudly that he once again managed to fall in love with Sakura. Sakura, who is rather insecure of her feelings, suddenly realises that Naruto might die because of this. If they just stayed together like this, just the three of them together, then he wouldn't die – and Sakura and Naruto would live happily ever after.
So the reason why is simple human faults, and in Sakura's case her selfishness.
She has been alone for a long time, what would she do if she became alone again?
4: how many months have they been in the cottage?
2 months – and they spend about 3 months in Konoha – so this story has been going on for five months. Here is a small timeline.
10-11 years ago, Tohru was born
7 years ago, Sasuke died.
7 years ago plus a few months, Sakura left
2 years ago, Tsunade died and Naruto became Hokage.
Naruto's and Sakura current age is 24.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter – I think I am doing something wrong, but that is my personal belief.
c2's: 5 fav: 47 alerts: 57 X3
Review or flame me if necessary.
Anyway! Advertisment:
As you probably heard me mention before – I am working on a story called Pledge, with my beta-reader, causeIambeta. We are currently trying to figure out how to write it, and it seems so far that it there will be done – Naruto chapters and Sakura chapters. Preview or light summary will be posted in the next Roku chapter.(I am so cruel for doing this)
All rights to kishi.