Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 2

Seconds became minutes to hours to days and to weeks; Konoha is still recuperating from the damage the Akatsuki done. All the villagers, may it be shinobi or civilian, helped each other in rebuilding their beloved village again. Konoha is in a weak state as of now. Their beloved Hokage is in coma, damages from the attack left their village a target for opportunistic enemies.

Naruto never missed a day not visiting Tsunade. Even at the state she is in, he would still try to talk to her. Shizune noticed that even how hard Naruto is being enthusiastic about his stories, she knew that he is hurting. Shizune is aware of the blonde's feelings as she heard him the night when he sneaked in to Tsunade's room hours after the invasion. She was also aware that Naruto is keeping an eye on Tsunade at night. Shizune was grateful of Naruto's action for her master. She wished that Tsunade would wake up. She hoped that if ever Naruto admitted his feelings for her master, Tsunade would ope up her heart once again. After all, the two deserved happiness from all the shit in their lives.

Weeks have passed and Tsunade hasn't waked up yet but despite the weeks passed, her condition is improving. Shizune guessed that it was from Naruto's constant teasing that he would take her hat if she would not wake up. She would always hear Tsunade mumble Naruto's name without Naruto knowing it.

" Naruto, I think you should rest yourself. You have been here almost everyday." Shizune said in her caring tone. She considered Naruto as her younger brother.

" But Shizune-neechan, Tsunade-baachan isn't waking up yet and I have a lot of stories to tell." Naruto complained.

" I know. But you also need your rest or else I'll ban you from visiting Tsunade-sama." Shizune warned but still with concern in her voice.

" Okay, but don't just ban me from visiting her." Naruto said as he stood up.

" Okay. Now go and take your rest." Shizune said as she closed the door as soon as Naruto walked out.

Tsunade-sama, you should wake up already. He misses you dearly and I know you miss him too. Shizune thought as she ran a full-body check on her master.

Days passed; still their Hokage is in a state of coma. Rumors were already spreading across the village about Naruto meeting Sasuke again, Danzo dying in the hands of Sasuke and Kakashi being nominated on taking over Tsunade's place. When Naruto heard about Kakashi being the next Hokage he was angry at first on how soon the elders want to change Tsunade already. But realization came to him that it's true, without Hokage a lot of enemies will take advantage of their vulnerability and naming the next Hokage would put the village into safety. He silently hoped that if ever Kakashi would be named the next Hokage, the villagers would not forget on how Tsunade saved them too.

Naruto went to visit Tsunade again this time bringing a bottle of sake, secretly in hopes of her waking up. Naruto told her about what happened and the current news floating around. He was still hopeful that she would wake up already. He sat there by her side, holding her hands for a few minutes when he felt his tired body and fell asleep.

~Naruto's Dreamscape

Naruto looked at his surroundings all in white. He couldn't see anything beyond the whiteness of the room he was in. He took a few steps and he saw a lady who just woke up.

" Hey there," Naruto said as he walked towards her offering to help her up. The lady looked up to his hand stretched out to him. She gently took it.

" So, do you know what this place is?" Naruto started.

The lady looked at the surroundings and rubbed the sleep of her eyes.

" No" she answered and faced Naruto.

Naruto was shocked when he saw Tsunade. The difference is her hair wasn't in a ponytail but her features was still the same.

" Tsunade…" Naruto mumbled. He was shocked as it has been a long time since he hadn't seen her hair down since their side trip before going back to Konoha.

" You look like you have seen a ghost Naruto. What's wrong?" Tsunade said in her caring voice.

Instead of getting an answer Naruto wrapped her in a tight hug. A hug that meant he was happy, longed to see her, smell her fragrance like cherry blossoms, feeling of her in his arms. He hugged her like it would be the last time. He felt his tears ran down from his eyes.

" I take it you've missed me?" Tsunade said not breaking their contact. Tears started to flow from her eyes as well.

" You're the one to talk. You're also crying." Naruto said still not breaking the hug.

" You caught me there." Tsunade said as much as she hated to break the contact she has to look at him.

Naruto rubbed the tears from his eyes and turned to look at her. He smiled as she did too.

" Any news you want to share?" Tsunade said as she sat down. She patted the place next to her ordering Naruto to seat down. Naruto took the offer. Naruto started to tell everything after his fight with Pain. He told her about the village congratulating him and almost everything he has been saying whenever he visits her, leaving the part when he confessed his feelings in her coma state. Tsunade took all in the stories with occasional side comments and laughs.

" That's about all that happened since you… were in a coma." Naruto said with sadness on his tone. This didn't go unnoticed to Tsunade. She looked at him. Her bronze eyes looked directly on his striking blue eyes.

" That's not all, is it?" Tsunade said.

Naruto turned his gaze from her. He wanted to tell her the truth. He wanted to believe that everything that is happening right now is true.

" Even if I tell you, you still wouldn't know." Naruto said still not looking at her.

" And why is that?" Tsunade said.

" What's the point? This is a dream. My dream to be exact. What difference would it make if I tell you know than it is when I told you when you are in a coma state?" Naruto said as he looked directly to her eyes.

" Touché to that." Tsunade said.

" If I wake up, would you tell me?" Tsunade asked.

Naruto looked at her. Deciding if he would really confess his feelings to her or not when she wakes up.

" I don't know." Naruto said as he hung his head low.

" It must be big for you not knowing whether to tell me or not. I mean right now; I'm just in your head, in your dream. But you know…" Tsunade placed her hand on his cheek and made him look to her.

" The Naruto I know, no matter what it is, even if it is going to hurt me or not, he would tell me." Tsunade said.

" How do you know that?" Naruto asked.

" Because I trust him. I trust him with all my heart. He was the one who opened up my heart once again. He made me believe again." Tsunade answered.

Naruto contemplated on her answer. She's right. This is not me. Even if it would hurt either of us, I would tell her. She needs to know. Naruto held Tsunade's hand. He looked at her intently.

" I will tell you. That's why you have to wake up soon. I don't know what would it become for the both of us. No matter what happens, I'll always be there for you." Naruto said.

Tsunade smiled and slowly fading away. " I will look forward to it, Naruto-kun".

~End

" Naruto… Naruto wake up!" Shizune whispered loud enough to wake Naruto up.

" Wha… What?" Naruto said groggily as he rubbed the sleep of his eyes.

" You slept again." Shizune said.

" Sorry, Shizune-neechan. I didn't notice." Naruto said as he got up.

" It's okay Naruto. It's already late, you should head back." Shizune said and escorted him out.

" Thanks Shizune-neechan. Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep in there again." Naruto explained while rubbing the back of his head.

" No problem. Now get some real rest in your quarters." Shizune said as she bade him goodbye.

~ Early morning

Shizune was checking on Tsunade's vitals when Tsunade called out Naruto's name. Shizune looked at her master and saw that she was waking up. Shizune called out the ANBU and told him to tell the elders and the shinobi council right away.

" Naru…to" Tsunade said weekly as she tried to opened her eyes.

Shizune couldn't contain herself. She rushed to hug her master and cried on her shoulder. Surprised by her apprentice's action she took the hug.

" Shi… Shizune… you're hurting me." Tsunade said weakly.

" Thank Kami… Naruto really had done wonders." Shizune said. Tsunade picked this up when she said that Naruto had something to do with her waking up from coma.

" Na… Naruto?" Tsunade asked when images of Naruto rushing to her mind. She suddenly broke from her their hug and frankly asked about him.

" Where is Naruto? Is he okay? I heard him. He told me…" Tsunade didn't continue what she was going to say when she absorbed the confession of the young blonde. Visions from her dream of him appeared in her mind.

I love you

Tsunade realized the words she heard from her coma state.

I love you

Tsunade didn't know what to do.

I love you

The word kept on repeating on her mind. She didn't notice the furious deep blush dusted her face. Shizune picked up on this. She knew what she was thinking because she heard Naruto's confession. She fought hard stopping herself in screaming like a fan girl and ask questions on how he felt for him.

" Tsunade-sama, are you okay?" Shizune teased. She wanted to see on how she would react.

As suspected by her, Tsunade tried so hard to cover the blush and stuttered on all her words.

" Wha… What are you… I'm… I'm fine… I'm… hu… hungry… bring me some food..." Tsunade said and quickly drove Shizune out of the room.

Shizune wanted to laugh so hard. She hadn't seen her master act like that. She walked away and cooked some food for her.

What… why am I feeling this way? He's a kid for Kami's sake. Do I… Do I lo… love him? Gaaah! What the hell is this? I'm too old. He's young and strong and handsome… I mean the way he looked when he arrived to my rescue… gaah! TSUNADE SENJU YOU WILL STOP THESE THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW. Stop… this… now…

As soon as Tsunade calmed down, she wondered Naruto, is that how you really feel about me? Do you really… love… me?

" STOP!" Gai shouted as he interrupted the Fire Daimyo in naming Kakashi as the Sixth or Seventh Hokage.

" Tsunade-sama is out of the woods."

" Very well, Tsunade will still be the Hokage of Konahagakure." the Fire Daimyo declared.

As soon as Naruto got the word, he ran to the makeshift Hokage tower towards to Tsunade's room. When he got there it was empty. No Tsunade. Just as he was going to rant he met Tsunade standing a few steps from her room and saw Naruto. They looked at each other for a moment. There was tension in the atmosphere between them. I'm glad he's okay. Tsunade said as she smiled at him. Naruto picking up on this smiled too breaking the previous tension between them. She's… stunning as ever. Naruto thought.

" Tsunade-baachan, what took you so long to wake up?" Naruto going back to his own self. I should stop calling her –baachan.

" Heh, you think I would let you take my hat that easy, Gaki!" Tsunade said relieved that their normal arguing is back. I should not call him –gaki.

" Heh, even if you are back I would easily take that with my eyes closed." Naruto boasted. We are back to our old selves. This is how we…

" Only one finger is enough to take you down." Tsunade said raising her pointer. Yeah, this is how we…

" Hmph, your monstrous strength wouldn't be enough to take me down."

" Let's take this outside?!"

" You're on!"

" Don't go crying if you get hurt."

" As if I would?"

Love each other.

" Tsunade-sama! Naruto! Don't act like children! Tsunade-sama, you have a lot of paperwork. Naruto, you should help out the village!" Shizune scolded at the two of them.

" EH? DO WE HAVE TO?" Tsunade and Naruto complained. They didn't notice that they did it together. Shizune wanted so hard to scream at their cuteness. They look perfect for each other!

" YES YOU HAVE TO. NO COMPLAINTS." Shizune said as she walked past them.

Tsunade and Naruto looked at each other and laughed.

" Shizune-neechan is bossy." Naruto pouted.

At the sight of Naruto pouting, Tsunade thought it was cute. A tint of blush painted her cheeks.

" Yeah, she is and don't get me starting when she makes me do paperwork" Tsunade pouted too.

When Naruto saw this, he thought Tsunade was the most beautiful of all. A tint of blush painted his cheeks too.

" You know the secret of paperwork?" Naruto teased.

" Please…" Tsunade literally kneeled in front of him wearing her puppy eyes. " tell me… I beg of you."

Naruto's blush deepened but he did a great job masking them. He could almost die from the sight Tsunade was giving him.

" I don't know, Hokage-sama. I will be the next Hokage and I think I will keep my secret." Naruto teased.

" PLEASE!" Tsunade pleaded. " I'LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT JUST TELL ME."

This got Naruto on hook. He couldn't bear the puppy eyes Tsunade was giving much more when she offered she'd do anything he wants.

" Okay, okay." Naruto said as he pulled Tsunade up. " It's easy…"

" What?

Naruto whispered the magic words that would make every Kage worship him.

" Kage-bunshin."

Tsunade literally fell her face on the ground. Even the past Hokages, in the heavens, Hashirama choked himself in his own Mokuton. Tobirama drown himself. Sarutobi banged himself in the wall. Minato offered himself to Shinigami again. The realization dawned to them as their wives just laughed at them.

" Tsunade?!" Naruto was shocked on Tsunade's reaction as he helped her to get up.

" Thank you Naruto. You are very kind, indeed. How will I ever repay you?" Tsunade said as she bowed down to him.

" What the hell are you doing? Stop that!" Naruto ordered.

" And as for what I want…" Naruto put his hand to his chin as he thought on what he wants Tsunade would do. On the other hand, Tsunade just realized what she just said earlier. She mentally slapped herself as she prepared on what Naruto may want.

" I would like you to take out for a dinner." Naruto said. His purpose is not to confess but just to have dinner like normal people do. He just wanted some company that's all. But to Tsunade, it's not. She remembered her dream of Naruto and hearing all the words.

I love you

Tsunade became tense. Naruto noticed this and wondered. He thought she doesn't want to. As he can see her body languages tell him that she is uncomfortable. All he wanted was a dinner with her nothing more.

" Ahh… If you don't want… it's okay. I mean, it's been a long time since we ate together. It's just I missed having dinner with a company ever since… Ero-sennin died." he said.

Tsunade noticed his sad tone when he mentioned Jiraiya. She felt bad at her actions. But before she could speak, Naruto started first.

" I understand, you're the Hokage and you have responsibilities. It's okay… I shouldn't have…

" It's okay Naruto. I'll go to dinner with you." Tsunade said and smiled at him.

" Really? I didn't want to impose on you." Naruto said.

" Really. Besides, it's really been a while." Tsunade said.

" Okay. I'll cook for you then!" Naruto said.

" I'll look forward to eating your food. Just the thought of it makes me hungry already!" Tsunade said as she rubbed her tummy to point it out.

Naruto smiled. " You can count on me."

" Okay, pick me up here at 8?"

" Sure! I'll take you to my favorite spot!"

With that Naruto ran away and started to prepare for dinner. Tsunade smiled and finished her job as fast as she can with the help of her clones.

~ Hokage office

" Tsu…na…de!" Naruto shouted as he barged in the temporary Hokage office. Naruto noticed that Shizune and Sakura were helping Tsunade arrange the finished paperworks.

" Naruto?" Sakura was shocked when he came.

" Ah, Sakura, Shizune-neechan, good evening." Naruto greeted. Sakura and Shizune noticed that he dropped the –chan on Sakura's name.

" Naruto, just in time! I'm hungry." Tsunade said as she finished filing and walked around her desk.

" If that's the case then let's go!" Naruto said as he offered his hand.

" Of course. Good job you two. Go home and rest." Tsunade said as she took Naruto's hand and both of them walked out.

Sakura was shocked not only when Naruto dropped the –chan but also when Tsunade took Naruto's hand. Shizune on the other hand was excited for the two of them.

" Shizune-san, what was that about" Sakura asked.

" Who knows?" Shizune answered.

~ Dinner

" Where exactly are you going to take me Naruto?" Tsunade asked as she tried to take out the handkerchief from her eyes.

" Ahh no peeking! We're almost there!" Naruto said as he grabbed Tsunade's hand.

After a few more walking, " Here we are!" Naruto said. Tsunade undid the binding in her eyes and saw a magnificent view. The clearing was beautiful. Trees are standing tall and strong. The green grass swayed with the wind. Magnificent flowers bloomed everywhere. On the right was a stunning waterfall shining as the moon lighted it. The stream was clear even on the night sky. The stars shining brightly covering the night sky. All in all it was a paradise. Tsunade was stunned and fell in love with the scenery.

" I take it that you like this." Naruto said as he smiled.

" It's beautiful. How did you find this?" Tsunade said still admiring the beauty.

" Well, when I was a kid I used to come here. I train here all the time. I clear my head in here. It's the first time I actually brought someone here with me." Naruto said.

" Thank you for bringing me here." Tsunade said.

" Come on. Let's eat." Naruto said as he lay their dinner and sat on the picnic blanket.

" This looks delicious Naruto." Tsunade said as her mouth watered. Of course, their dinner was none other than ramen.

" Are you sure you made these or you just bought it from Ichiraku?" Tsunade teased.

" Hey I take offense to that. I cooked that although the recipe is Ichiraku." Naruto admitted.

" Then why didn't we just eat there?" Tsunade asked as she got the first bite. She noticed that Naruto didn't answer.

" What's wrong?" Tsunade asked with concern in her voice. She hated to see Naruto like that.

" It's just, I want to take you here. I don't know but I just felt like bringing you here. If you don't want, let's just…" Naruto tried to get up but he was stopped when Tsunade grabbed his arm.

" I'm sorry, Naruto. Let's just eat now that we are here. And to be honest, I'm glad that you took me here. To your private place. It just makes me forget the problems there." Tsunade said as she smiled at him.

" Yeah, it really does. Let's eat." Naruto said. Both of them had occasional talk. Naruto retelling the stories he told her in her coma state of course skipping the part when he had confessed to her. They both enjoyed each other's company. They didn't feel bored. They felt complete.

" Tsunade," Naruto started. He didn't remove his gaze on the stars. Tsunade looked at him. She saw his handsome face. His strong jawline, his striking blue eyes, his whisker marks, his nose and everything in his face. She felt her blush creeping up her face.

"Hmm?" It took a moment before she could answer, as she was lost in his facial features.

" Don't do that again." Naruto said as he faced her. His blue eyes staring at her bronze eyes.

" Do what?" Tsunade said as she find it hard to stare back at his eyes.

" Don't go to coma again." He said. He looked up to the sky again. He took the Tsunade's silence as a signal to go on.

" When you were in coma, it was like Ero-sennin all over again." He paused as Jiraiya is a sensitive topic to him.

" I'm sorry." Tsunade was all could answer.

" Don't be sorry. I should be. I blamed you for letting Ero-sennin die." Naruto said as he looked at her again. Tsunade couldn't look in his eyes. He was right. She was to blame for his death.

" I don't want someone important to me slip away again." Naruto continued. " Especially you."

Tsunade looked into his eyes when he said it.

" Why?" Tsunade asked. She was hoping he would say the words she heard but was scared of the future.

" Because…"

" Hmm?"

" Because I love you."

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