Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

_Konoha's Quiet Park_

the tree's rustled gently in the wind providing a calming soundtrack for the nightfall that was descending upon Konoha, mixed with the melody of chirping birds the beautiful dark blue sky was welcomed by the citizens, and in return the sky offered stars for the village to happily gaze at.

The two still remained under the largest tree in the park, the shade no longer needed due to the heat cooling as time passed on, enjoying each other's company , they knew they'd soon have to part ways, it was Sakura who had this thought as she looked up at her blonde team mate holding her in his protecting arms.

"N-Naruto-kun? ..." she asked waiting for his gentle reply in his soft tone that made her feel warm and safe. 'What am I saying? This is Naruto-k-… this is Naruto we're talking about!' she thought to herself denying all previous thoughts.

"What is it Sakura-chan?" he said not looking at her, instead enjoying the soon to be night sky, knowing he had her in his arms, he spoke so like he was so carefree she thought, 'I wonder if he'd want to…' she thought to herself before encouraging herself to talk

"D-Don't leave me Naruto-kun" she said quietly, quickly pushing her head against his chest and holding him tighter. Naruto smiled at her holding him dearly, he couldn't help but blush slightly.

"Why would I leave you Sakura-chan?" he asked with concern for the pink haired kunoichi in his arms. "W-well…" she said hesitantly "I-I don't want to be alone…" she said only to continue before Naruto could interrupt, but he listened carefully for her to continue.

"My parents left the village to visit a festival yesterday…and well…I-I…I mean, if you want to…could you please keep my company? ... I mean it's a small place, and we'd have to share a bed…but it would be worth if it if I didn't have to be alone." She muttered quietly hiding her red face in his chest.

Naruto was shocked at the thought of sharing a bed with his pink haired teammate, he shook his head in his mind, and he couldn't take advantage of this.
"S-Sakura-chan! You don't have to sleep in the same bed as me just to make me stay with you…you can come to my apartment, there's a spare room after all."

"A-Are you sure? ..." She asked a little disappointed she wouldn't be able to wrap herself around him in comfort like Ino had gotten too. 'I've got to stop this! There's nothing to be jealous of!" she thought angry at her own envy.

"I know how it feels to be alone, I wouldn't want anyone else to have to be alone when they didn't want to be…" he said softly, he picked her carefully onto a 'piggy back', her eyes widened a little shocked at the motion, but wrapped her arms around his neck. 'Well I need to hold on somehow!" she defended her actions in her mind.

_Naruto's Apartment_

It wasn't long until Naruto reached the apartment with Sakura on his back, he jumped around slower and with more care than usual, so not to make the ride uncomfortable for his team mate, although the dark sky was nearing, it wasn't very late – Naruto guessed it was the vast amount of clouds that made it appear so dark. He fumbled around in his pocket searching for his key with Sakura still on his back. To his dismay he couldn't find them no matter how much he rummaged.

"Uhm, Naruto-kun…did you even lock the door?" she asked quietly before softly pushing the door open with her foot that hung loosely close to Naruto's chest.
"O-oh. It's a good job I walked Ino-chan home, or I may have left her in here again" he chuckled at his own forgetfulness. "Left her here? " Sakura asked confused at the statement.

"When Baa-chan asked for me to go see her I left without locking the door, and closed it forgetting she was still in the apartment" He said nervously, embarrassed by his mistake "Baka!" she chuckled resting her head over his shoulder while the two went inside. Naruto walked over to the couch carefully placing her down on it.

"Would you like a drink Sakura-chan" he asked merrily, before walking over to his kitchen and pouring himself a drink "Uhm, Yes please…" she said hesitating to continue not seeing the entrance to a spare room anywhere "Uhm, which room will I be staying in Naruto-kun?" she asked not meaning to sound rude.

Naruto pointed to the door behind him without turning around "In there Sakura-chan, you can take a look and make yourself at home." He said trying his best to be polite. She glanced towards the door, he was kidding right? Surely he didn't count the cupboard to be a spare room?
"In the cupboard!" she asked angrily, thinking of the layout of her own home.

"Cupboard? Why would I make you stay in a cupboard Sakura-chan?" he looked at her wondering where she got the idea of it being a cupboard from, he handed her drink and moved his head towards the door telling her to come with him.

He opened the door to reveal a rather spacious spare room, it might have even been bigger than the room the he slept in, The room was painted in a cold turquoise, with an open window sill that had enough room to allow a person to sit on it and watch out. The bed was positioned closely to the window and there was a bedside table which had small drawers built into it. The room felt isolated, like it hadn't been used in a long time, but the bed sheets laid out untidily where Ino was at first going to sleep.

Sakura appreciated that she would be allowed to stay at Naruto's apartment, but didn't enjoy the thought of having to sleep in the other room it felt lonely in the room, even with Naruto in it as well.
"Naruto-kun? Why do you sleep in the other room, this one is bigger isn't it? She asked wondering the boys thought pattern.

"O-Oh that, I didn't expect anyone to ask that" he smiled weakly "You might be able to tell, but I don't come in here often, it feels a bit lonely too." He said looking at her, but she could tell there was something else.

"Is that the only reason? " She asked concerned for her teammate.
"Well…actually, when I was younger I used to sit at that window a lot; I found it a place of peace, until people started noticing the 'demon child' watching them from his window." He said quietly not wanting to spoil the nice atmosphere they had between them. Sakura was a bit taken back but waited for him to continue.

"They started to throw things at me any time they saw me there, that window has been replaced eighteen times…and Old man Sarutobi suggested it might be safer if I slept in the other room." He said softly as if he didn't want Sakura to hear the painful memory. She had to fight the urge to gasp at the horrible memory. Then pulled the blonde male before her back into her arms.

"C'mon let's go have those drinks" she said trying to change the subject and leave the room.
"Sakura-chan do you feel it to? ..." he asked her suddenly "Lonely in here I mean" taking the cherry blossom girl a little of guard, she nodded at him, not wanting to be a nuisance, she was already imposing by staying over.

"I'll sleep on the sofa tonight, you can stay in my room" he smiled as he beckoned for her to leave the room with him. "Y-you don't have to sleep on the sofa…" she stuttered holding back a blush at the thought of sharing a bed. He smiled softly to her not wanting to argue.

"Do you want to watch a movie Sakura-chan?" He asked wanting to completely remove the possibility of the topic of the spare room.
"Sure…what do you have?" she asked the blonde, expecting him to have a very limited selection to choose from. He pointed to cabinet under the television.
"Take a look, you can pick" he said smiling slightly, proud of his vast collection.

She opened the cabinet to reveal it was filled with movies, all organized into different genres.
"Wow Naruto who knew you could be so organized" she teased "Oh you even have 'Romance' movies, Awhhh" she teased seeing a slight blush come across his face.

"H-Hey they're Comedies as well as romance you know!" He said trying to defend himself from further teasing. "Hmmm this one!" she said placing the disk into the player, on all fours waiting to press the play button after the movie trailers. He saw her on all fours 'Now come on Naruto, don't look, you've got to be strong here, for your life sake, Now don't let me down now, keep looking away.' He thought to himself constantly fighting not to look.

"There!" she said placing herself on the small two seating sofa next to him. He let out a sigh of relief. "Something wrong Naruto?" she asked confused at his sigh
"let's just say Ero-sennin would be disappointed in me." He said laughing at the thought of his sensei telling him to look and not miss the opportunity in front of him "…but he'd of got a face full of fist …" he said thinking out loud. Sakura laughed at him reminiscing of his sensei and blushed at the thought of the pose she was in, happy that he looked away.

"I guess you're not a pervert after all Naruto" She sniggered at him. He swivelled his body and placed his legs behind her lying down as the movie started. 'Well if he's lying down so am I!' she thought to herself as if it was a challenge. She moved to lay down next to him, her right foot against his left, and she could almost feel his breath on her hair, but she didn't mind.

Naruto pulled the blanket that he'd laid out on the sofa ready for him to sleep on over the two of them. She turned and smiled to him secretly wanting to be hugged.
"Thank you again for letting me stay Naruto-Kun." She said in appreciation. Naruto was just happy that she had agreed to stay over. He laid the arm he wasn't resting against over Sakura's waist waiting for her to object. But was surprised when she scooted back to be closer to him. She lightly touched his hand stroking it and placing hers in his. Naruto was truly shocked now, he decided to look as if he hadn't noticed, watching the movie, but heard Sakura giggle knowing he'd failed.

"I can let go if you'd like" she teased
"N-No…I-It's okay you don't have to…" he said nervously enjoying holding her hand in his, his response only made her giggle again.
"Naruto….That better be your Key in your pocket that is digging in my back…." She said joking, not actually feeling anything, but embarrassing the blonde male immensely. She couldn't help but laugh
"I'm only joking Naruto, I can't really feel anything against my back" She said in between laughter.
He just blushed heavily and tried his best to focus on the movie.

The two watched the movie quietly for a while until a part Sakura couldn't bear to watch was about to unfold, she rolled over to face away from it. Only to be met with Naruto's face, she didn't realise how close they actually were, just centimetres between their noses…in-between their lips. She was telling herself to roll over, to look away to do anything to escape. But it was too late, she was caught in his sparkling crystal clear oceans that where staring back into her prized emerald eyes.

She could feel his warm breath on her face. Her mind was begging for something to happen, anything, she needed to escape, but couldn't pull away she leant a little closer, only to be matched by the man before her, noses touching something was about to happen. 'I can't do this! But I can't stop! He's just ment to be keeping me company!" Her lips stuck together and she pressed them into the air forming a would-be kiss, watching Naruto carefully do the same.

Suddenly there were loud bangs on the door the two jumped out of their skin, Sakura so startled she fell of the couch onto her behind. 'ARGH! Who the hell is that!" Cried inner Sakura "We were so damn close!" She shouted to the real Sakura 'So close to what? I'm glad some ones at the door, we got off lightly!' she argued with herself feeling slightly schizophrenic. 'Sure you did! That's why you were gunna kiss him!" inner sakura shouted before taking her leave.

"Naruto …where's the bathroom?" she asked, having a feeling she knew who it would be. 'Blondie!' Inner Sakura thought quickly returning to spread her rage. Naruto pointed to the door at the back, watching Sakura escape into it. She put the toilet lid down and sat on it, waiting to hear the conversation.

"Oh hi Naruto-Kun " she heard from outside…'so it was Ino-pig after all!' she thought to herself "Alright! It's time to get back out there! She's come to take our man!' cried inner Sakura as if it were a war cry 'Wait 'our man!' what are you talking about?' she argued with herself 'Whatever, your loss.' Inner Sakura muttered before taking her leave for a second time so the conversation could be heard.

"I-Ino-chan…c-come in" He said smiling towards the woman who had taken such good care of him.
"I'm surprised Naru-t-o –Kun ..." Sakura could tell she was pouting or maybe winking. "…I thought by now my sweetheart would surely…asked me on another date?" 'There's the wink' Sakura thought to herself 'Wait! Another date!' Sakura thought, heart sinking…'Naruto never mentioned they went on a date!' she said angrily to herself.

"A-Another? W-we went on a date?" Naruto shrieked confused
"Y-You mean when I took you to Ichiraku's to say thank you?" he said now understanding
"Relax Naruto-kun I'm only teasing" Ino said, Sakura's mind melted, her heart afloat once more. 'Why do I care if they went on a date or not!' she thought to herself.
"Awh! I love this film…I never knew were a romantic Naruto-kun!" she heard Ino call. 'I picked it you baka!' Sakura wanted to shout.
"Oh and you've got a blanket laid out on the couch…Don't worry Naruto-kun you don't have to sleep on the couch, you can sleep with me in my room" She sniggered acting like she was a permanent guest at Naruto's apartment. 'Her room!' 'What the hell!' Sakura screamed in her mind
"Y-Your sleeping here tonight Ino-chan!" Naruto balled wondering the same thing as Sakura.
"Why…? Is that a problem Naru-Kun…I mean… if you don't want me here…to hold you tight while we fall asleep in each other's arms…well I can always…leave" she said still teasing him. 'Turn off the damn puppy eyes!' Sakura couldn't help get angry at the blonde. But what if Naruto did want to fall asleep in her arms? He sure didn't mind the night before.

"U-Uh…I-I…What's going on!" Naruto wept fully confused by the whole arrival of Ino in his apartment.
"My-my, I come all the way here …just to see my Naruto-Kun and he doesn't even give me a hug?" Ino tempted. 'HER NARUTO-KUN!' this was getting difficult for her to sit through.
"Well that's better…Now that we've hugged and made up I guess I can give you what I really came for" she said with a certain tone behind her voice Sakura couldn't identify. 'Please don't' kiss him. Please don't' kiss him. Please don't' kiss him!' she repeated over and over in her mind.

Ino suddenly screamed in panic "NARUTO-KUN! Speak to me! NARUTO!" she shrieked as loudly as she could manage. Sakura belted through the bathroom door in panic of what could have possibly happened to her team mate …had she lost him? She saw the two looking at her, Naruto – with no idea what the hell was happening in his life anymore, Ino with a proud smirk – happy that her evil scheme had worked perfectly.

"So you were here after all Fore-head!" Ino declared shocking Sakura.
"What of it?" she said bluntly, not in the mood for joking.
"My, my …someone's moody…" she said looking over to Naruto smiling.
"Don't worry Sakura, I was just about to give Naruto his letter from the Hokage, and was going to return to the tower." She said teasing the pink haired kunoichi, handing the letter to Naruto; she left towards the door before spinning on her heels.
"Bye-Bye my handsome man" she winked at Naruto teasing but deep down she was serious. She knew Sakura was there, and wanted to make it clear she knew, she wouldn't let her have Naruto without a fight!
Sakura slammed the door on the blonde haired kunoichi before turning to Naruto and smiling as softly as she could manage trying to look innocent.

"What's with the letter?" she asked kindly trying to uphold her sweet appearance.
Naruto opened up the letter and read it aloud
"Lady Tsu-nade would like you to come to her office as soon as possible!
This is of the highest Urgency …or something like that!
She told me to write the mention of a toad…what was his name again…Dammit!
I can't remember what he's called but he was really small and old! And kept calling you
Naruto-boy.
Come as soon as you can,
Signed, Your Blonde Beauty
Ino-chan xxx. "

The vein in Sakura's said to be large fore head was pulsing with rage, 'your blonde beauty! Xxx? Who does she think she is!' Sakura shouted in her head… before calming herself and resuming her sweetness.

"Well Naru-kun you better get going…you wouldn't want to make Tsunade-sama mad would you?" she said softly "oh and…The quicker you leave" she leaned close to his ear
"the quicker you get back… I-I don't want to be lonely Naruto-kun" she pleaded softly. 'Alright! How was that! Ino is nothing compared to me!" Inner Sakura hold up a scoreboard saying 10.0 in one hand and give the thumbs up with the other.

"I-I had a feeling they'd contact me soon." He said softly
"I'd better get going! Please make your-self at home Sakura-chan!" he shouted as he closed the door without locking it yet again.

He darted of to the hokage tower as fast as he could with Sakura's message of leaving her lonely; he arrived at the hokage tower soon after the thought.

Author's Notes: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Lots of Lovey-dovey although I've left myself in quite the pickle. Sakura or Ino x.x oh well I'm sure I'll decide eventually.

As always Thank you for reading this far, I hope you're enjoying the story so far!
Drop a review if you have the time, all reviews will be answered and appreciated greatly :3