A/N: I think in a very convoluted way, so what seems obvious to me is often nowhere near clear to others. It has been brought to my attention that some of the things in this story are confusing because of a lack of explanation, or a shitty explanation. Firstly, the story is AU- meaning it takes place in an alternate universe in which I am the psychotic puppet master. Therefore, there a few things I have changed to fit my whims. For example, the most glaringly obvious, Jiraiya's not dead. Also, kages leave the village more frequently, allowed to kind of go where they want considering how strong they are and all. Also, I did explain what the mission was. I just did it really briefly. They had been on yet another failed mission to bring Sasuke home. Tsunade and Jiraiya went too because there was word that Kabuto (since he's all freaky with the Orochimaru chakra now...) was also in the area. The ninja weren't smart but they were skilled. I just am terrible in every way with fight scenes, so it came out crappy and suggested that the fight was an easy win. And I didn't have them kill anyone because I need all of them for the plot. And anyway there are so many villains who have glaringly obvious chances to just do away with the heroes and don't bother to try that I figured that wouldn't be so strange. And the whole thing with the nudity was odd, I will admit. But something that was going to kind of develop along with the story was that somehow (and I don't know how because I'm writing this based on a very rough outline done by my friend Alyssa who had requested it) Sakura was having these strange dreams, which were actually the future. I know. It's weird. And so as the story progressed, she would dream of things closer and closer to the present, until she was going to dream something really romantic that Naruto was going to do for her, and then that night it happened- and she explains that she's been having weird dreams and that this had happened it her most recent one. I'm trying to find something to happen and connect each dream to what's happening in the story now though, to kind of hint at what's going on. So in her dream she mentions something about having seen Naruto naked, so then when she goes to take a bath while he's fishing, it happens. Long-winded explanation complete.
Sakura really hoped her surprise didn't show completely through on her face. His apartment was actually pretty nice- especially considering the location. It had a smallish living room, and a kitchen just big enough to cook in, and it had a little nook for eating in. It also had a small dining room attached to the living room, and a hallway leading to what I could only assume to be his bathroom and bedroom. Overall, the apartment wasn't very big, but it didn't need to be- it wasn't like he ever entertained...
"Wow, this is actually much better than I expected! It's so nice, and anyone could tell just by looking in here that this was your place- everything is filled with your personality! Your apartment is so much better than my apartment, and I probably pay twice as much as you pay!"
She actually WAS jealous of Naruto-kun, and his perfect-in-its-imperfections apartment. It was so lived in, and homey- whereas hers looked sterile and boring in comparison... she knew that she'd hate the apartment if anyone else lived there, and that it would look revolting, but nothing could escape the fallout of optimism and- well- sunshine that seemed to roll off Naruto in waves... His carpet was blotted with stains, and the entire apartment smelled faintly of instant ramen. But his refrigerator, which was for some reason ajar, revealed that ramen wasn't the only thing he ate. Sakura could see a few carrots, what she hoped was cottage cheese that had leaked out of its container, and a carton of eggs. It relieved Sakura somewhat to know that he ate more than just ramen.
"I'm sure your apartment is just fine, Sakura-chan. Sorry about the mess, but I've never had to worry about anyone dropping in before, heheh..." Honestly, he was gonna catch on soon that she'd do it to shut him up and then start rambling just to get her to kiss him. Or maybe he already had. Oh well, it wasn't like she really cared. Sakura went on her tiptoes and gave him a quick peck on the lips. This time she felt chills. Kissing Naruto sure felt weird.
"There's no need to apologize, Naru-kun... I think your apartment is absolutely perfect- all messy and cheery and uninhibited by what someone else may think...". That was more about him than his apartment, but she guessed it was true about the apartment, too. Sakura grabbed the collar of his shirt, and yanked him down to her level, kissing him for the hell of it. He was shocked, but after a second, he responded. She pushed him over to the couch. She wasn't going to try anything too dirty, but hormones had gotten the better of her, and she was helpless to them.
The made it to the couch, and only broke apart when we were both panting for breath. "Uhm, uh, heheheh..." Naruto-kun said. "That was... Nice. Unexpected, but nice..."
"Yeah... We should... do that... more often..." Sakura huffed out in agreement.
"Alright... But first, let me show you the bedroom. You must be tired. We can do that some more another time." Sakura was rather disappointed. Making out with Naruto was fun.
"Alright, but you owe me. Whenever I want you to, you have to kiss me. Deal?" Sakura needed to make sure that the whole kissing deal wasn't going to be over after tonight. She liked the fuzzy feeling she got when they kissed chastely and the feeling of molten lava in her stomach as they made out on the couch. No wonder ninjas tended to be nymphomaniacs. If there was a chance they might die at any second, wanting to feel that good as much as possible made perfect sense.
The relief in his eyes made her melt a little more inside- he wanted this too. "I'm not dumb enough to turn that down, Sakura-chan... Deal." She was sure her own relief was shining through now. And she didn't even care.
"Great! Now where's this bedroom of yours? I'm exhausted!" Never were words so true. He showed her the bedroom, and then because she didn't have any pajamas with her (but why would anyone even think that they'd need them when they only went for a walk?), he got out a shirt and a pair of boxers for Sakura to sleep in. As soon as he left the room, she stripped down and put on the 'pajamas.' They were so comfortable, and warm, and oh, they smelled like him. She was definitely NOT returning these. These were going to be hers. She figured she'd go out and let Naruto-kun know that she was done, and confirm that the other doorway led to the bathroom. But when she found him, he was in the living room, trying to get comfortable on his lumpy-ass couch, which was nowhere near comfortable enough to spend more than an hour or two on lying down.
"Naruto-kun, what the hell are you doing? You can't sleep on that! Come on!" Sakura grabbed him by his ear and threw him onto his bed, and then turned to confirm her suspicions about that other door. She had to pee too badly to waste time asking him if she was right. And she was, which was good because it would have been pretty embarrassing to have to storm back in there after storming out to say 'WHERE'S THE TOILET?' Kind of makes you look stupid. When she got back to his room, he was just staring at the door looking confused.
"Sakura-chan, I-" Oh, dear lord! Did the boy ever just go with something? Why did there always have to be a whole song and dance to go with it?
"Naruto-kun, I am not going to kick you out of your own bed. I am intruding enough as it is. Unless you have an objection, or tendency to kick in your sleep, or way to make that couch more comfy so I can sleep on it, I was planning on just sharing the bed with you." His face got really red. It was actually kind of cute. "And anyway, it's not like you're a pervert, as we already discussed (his face got redder) so I don't have to worry about you trying anything creepy..." Sakura smirked, and he got even redder still.
"Of course I wouldn't, Sakura-chan!"
"So then is the problem kicking in your sleep? Or do you sleep-talk and say really embarrassing things? What's keeping you from sharing the bed with me?" She asked in a soft voice, looking at him with wide eyes. It was weird, she had never acted like this, but the words just kept coming out of their own accord... It was almost like, like, FLIRTING. And she didn't flirt. Hell, in all her years, she never had a boyfriend! She was always too busy trying to get stronger so that she could bring Sasuke-teme home. Looking back, Sakura didn't know how she ever thought of him that way. She didn't hate him- she never could do that, after all that they shared- but she could never look at him that way again. Not after all the times he tried to kill her and her friends. Sakura still wanted him to come home, still wanted him to be back with the, so that they could be the big happy family they used to be. Sakura wanted to be able to smack the back of his head when he did something stupid, wanted to be able to scold him as she healed the wounds he got fighting WITH instead of AGAINST her, to just be with him.
But that didn't mean she loved him. Or, maybe she did, just not that way anymore. She had grown, matured, learned. Learned that Sasuke could never really and truly care for her and Naruto the way they did for him. And then there was the puzzle of her feelings for Naruto. With Naruto, it was different. She wanted those same things, but for different reasons. With Sasuke, it was because she missed him, because she wanted to fill the hole he ripped in her when he left. But with Naruto, it was because she needed to make sure he learned not to make the same dangerous mistakes (how could she live with herself if something happened to Naruto and she might have been able to prevent it? She wouldn't be able to), because she didn't trust anyone else to heal him- because he was HERS, GODDAMNIT, because the thought of not being with him terrified her. Sakura don't know why it took her several freaky (albeit quite pleasant) dreams to realize this, but she loved him. Loved him so freaking much. But right now, that didn't need to be addressed. The matter at hand was her FLIRTING with him!
"No, there's nothing keeping me from sharing the bed with you." And with that, he flopped onto the bed, and made himself comfortable. Sakura smiled softly seeing this. He was hers. And she was his. And he was warm.
"Good. Now that that's settled, let's get some sleep." Sakura flopped down too, and curled up against him. Sleep came easily that night, surrounded my Naruto's scent and warmth. And arms. Mmm… Hopefully her exhaustion would hopefully keep the strange dreams away.