DX I am so sorry guys. You had to wait another month for me to update, again. T.T I have really horrible time management...
In my defense, I updated last time right before my semester was beginning to go into preparations for Finals...and since yesterday was my last day of exams, I finally had time to check in on when I'd last updated for this story and...I was embarrassed to have forgotten, again. OTL But, I guess the important thing is that I finally am updating now. XD So, thank you so much for your patience and willingness to continue reading; you guys are awesome! :D

Disclaimer: I do not own "Naruto" or any affiliated characters; all such belong to Masashi Kishimoto. :)

Warning: Just a heads up, there's a bit more foul language than usual.

Chapter Seven

"Heads up! Incoming!"

Naruto glanced upward at the shout that emitted from the roof of the most recent building he and many of the villagers were repairing; a large piece of lumber was sliding down the slick tiles, flinging itself into the air to soon land amongst the workers on the ground below. A piece that size could seriously injure anyone it came into contact with.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Instantly, ten clones adjusted themselves in position to catch the hazardous piece of wood before it could do any damage to the workers. Naruto nodded in satisfaction before dispelling the jutsu, leaving it to the remaining villagers to return the lumber to the roof as he returned to his own task. Moments later, he was swearing loudly and colorfully after having slammed his hammer onto his thumb.

"Son of a bitch!" he growled lowly in his throat, clutching the injured hand to his chest.

"Well, aren't we unusually vulgar and temperamental today?" came a voice from behind him, dripping with amusement. Naruto growled again and glared over his shoulder at his current boss.

"You would be too if you'd just smashed your finger to hell," he snarled, flexing his fingers even as his body began healing the injury. He might heal inhumanly fast, but fuck, it still hurt!

His boss, Shizuko Haruka, gazed at him with raised brows, detached humor causing his brown eyes to twinkle. Naruto had discovered his first day on the job that Haruka was one of the villagers who wasn't fond of the idea of needing outside help, though he had reluctantly accepted Naruto's after seeing his work ethic...and a little coaxing from Satoshi. Even so, Haruka had made it very clear that he wasn't up for making friends and had proceeded to treat Naruto as a grunt employee, regardless of how much Naruto might prove himself above the rest of the pack, ninja skills or not.

"You'll survive," Haruka grunted, pushing away from the doorway to approach him. Naruto turned to face him fully, curious now that he saw the travel-pack on the man's back; was he leaving town?

"You up for a little trip?" the older man questioned, brow raised. "I've got some new supplies to pick up from the next town over and thought I could use a pack-mule to haul them back for me." He grinned suddenly, startling the blonde; rarely had he seen the man smile, especially around him.

"Uh, yeah sure," Naruto answered, eyes brightening. Not only was this a form of acknowledgement from the elder, that he would choose Naruto over one of his fellow villagers to accompany him, but it was also a perfect opportunity to get some space from Sakura for a while.

Naruto mentally grimaced; in some ways he loved being so near Sakura, but it was still extremely difficult to keep behind the lines he'd drawn for himself for when he was around her. Take the previous night, for example! He'd kissed her, for God's sake! Well, kind of; it might have just been her forehead, but it was something he'd only fantasized about doing in the past.

Though, if he were honest, it wasn't even really his actions that had shaken him so much; it was her reaction to them! First of all, she hadn't pummeled him for daring to be so intimate with her, and second of all, she had kissed him back...and hers had been even more like an actual kiss than his own! What the hell could that even mean?!

He didn't know; surely it must have been a response to the atmosphere of the moment, perhaps helped along with the fact that she'd had a long day at the hospital and had been tired. Surely if she'd been in her right mind, been in the state of mind he knew as Sakura, she would never have done something like that...

Damn him, damn her, it had given him hope that they could maybe, somehow, one day actually be something more...but he knew, in the dark parts of his mind and heart, that that could never happen. Her heart really belonged to Sasuke and there was nothing Naruto could do to change that, and he wouldn't try; it would be unfair and cruel to challenge her feelings that way.

He sighed and rubbed a hand over his eyes, returning his attention to Haruka, who had given him instructions to pack for a few days and then to meet him at the gates to leave in a half hour. Taking this as permission to hand his task over to another worker, he did so and hurried back to Amaya's. The old woman wasn't home, so he left a note to explain to the two females where he was going before hurriedly packing and making his way towards the gates.

The beginning of their trip together was silent, both males lost in their own thoughts, until finally Haruka spoke up in a rather bored, uninterested tone, "Troubles with your lady-friend?"

Startled, Naruto stared at him a moment before answering, "Who, Sakura-chan? No!"

Haruka snorted, tossing the blonde a side-glance that told Naruto just how much he believed those words. The older man let out a long sigh, reaching up to scratch the back of his head as he seemed to ponder what he wanted to say next.

"Y'know kid, I've been around a while; a lot longer than you've been alive. Give me some credit; I think I know a man having woman problems when I see one. Been in your shoes once or twice," he chuckled now, brown eyes distant with fond memories. He was quiet a moment more before continuing, "So what's the problem?"

"Why do you care?" Naruto couldn't help but snap back, irritated that the man who had wanted nothing to do with him up until this point was suddenly a little too interested in his love-life...or lack thereof. Haruka sent him another one of those 'I'm not fooled by your bravado' looks.

"Call me a sucker for romance," he answered simply, waiting for Naruto to fess up. Said blonde sighed wearily, rubbing the back of his neck; the old man was right, he was being unusually temperamental today.

"I just don't want to screw up what we have," he finally explained, eyes on the cloudless sky. "Sakura-chan...I've loved her ever since our Academy days. It was her smile I fell for first." His own lips tilted upward at the memory before continuing, "We've been teammates a long time and we've been through a lot together; she's my best friend. I'd do anything for her..." He trailed off with a sigh, lowering his gaze to the road before him.

Haruka's lips tilted into a knowing smile as he said, "You've got it bad, kid." Naruto rolled his eyes, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"I know," the boy sighed. "It's pathetic."

"Love is not pathetic," Haruka admonished softly. "If you're lucky enough to find it in your lifetime, well, you'll have experienced the most precious thing in the world. Not everyone is so lucky to feel the sincerity of true love, whether they're giving or receiving."

Naruto watched the man's craggy features soften again with memories. He wondered what Haruka must have experienced in his life to have such an expression.

"Anyway, does she know how you feel?" Haruka continued. Naruto shook his head, replying, "Not really; but then, I've never really said it aloud to her. I used to try to show her all the time when we were kids but...well, that was a long time ago and I've grown up some since then...I know better now."

Haruka raised a brow at those words. "Know better? What's that supposed to mean?" he asked curiously. Naruto shrugged, gazing at the sky again.

"Just, it's hard to prove your love to someone who's had her sights set on someone else for as many years as you've had yours on her." He answered simply.

Haruka raised a brow again at the sudden halt and questioned, "So she's in love with someone else? And that's what's holding you back?" At Naruto's sullen nod, Haruka grinned, laughing aloud, startling Naruto once again.

"Boy, I've seen you work; you've got some serious determination and a stubborn streak miles long. When you say you're gonna do something, you do it; regardless of how I may have treated you since you've arrived, I'm not blind. I can see that you put your heart into whatever you do; it's something few people can boast truthfully. And now you're telling me," he grew serious, dark eyes glued to Naruto's widened ones. Neither seemed to realize they'd stopped walking and were now facing one another directly. "You're expecting me to believe, after having seen what I have of your character, that you're not willing to use that same determination and stubbornness to prove to the girl you love that you do, in fact, love her? Bullshit, kid. If there's one thing in this world that you should fight for tooth and nail, it's love. Get your ass in gear and sweep that girl off her feet!"

Naruto stared at the man in awe, mouth agape. He'd never expected to have this conversation with anyone, really, much less someone who was barely an acquaintance, and even less so to have them essentially throw his own nindo in his face. Then again, he'd only been having similar conversations with himself; how was that for a biased opinion? Maybe this was exactly what he'd needed; someone who didn't know either Sakura or himself intimately and could advise from a neutral stance.

Naruto grinned slowly, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I guess I've gotten so wrapped up in the negativities lately, I forgot the promise I made myself a long time ago; that I would pursue Sakura-chan as doggedly as she did Sasuke. I know that there's more to loving someone than just saying the words. You have to show them, prove it. Sometimes it might just take a bit more patience and stubborn persistence to win them over." He laughed slightly, tucking both hands behind his head and grinning at Haruka, who was smirking in satisfaction.

"Thanks, old man! The only things I've been obsessing over lately have centered on the idea that because Sakura-chan has feelings for someone else, I couldn't do anything to change it and that I shouldn't even try. But I guess that's not true; if I want to have the opportunity to at least try to make something between us, I have to work as hard as I ever have, harder even, to help her see it too!" His eyes sparkled with a happiness and resolve that had been absent far too long.

"Exactly," Haruka agreed, subconsciously beginning to walk forward again, Naruto following beside him. "Besides, it's been years, like you said. How do you know that her feelings haven't changed in all that time? It's possible that she's already begun to see your sincerity and just has to catch up."

Naruto paused briefly, running Haruka's words over in his mind for inspection. Could that be true? Could he have been so wrapped up in believing that Sakura was still obsessed with Sasuke, that he could have missed the signs that her feelings had changed? It certainly seemed possible, if what had happened the night before was any indication.

Excitement ran through him, accompanied with a little fear; if Sakura was beginning to acknowledge feelings for him, what if his recent actions and attitude were pushing her to hide them? He'd been distant and aloof from her ever since they'd begun this mission, while all she'd ever tried to do was shorten that distance.

"Jeez, I'm such an idiot!" he cried suddenly, tugging at his blonde locks in agitation. Haruka chuckled and waved him onward, replying, "Probably; you'll have the chance to fix it soon enough, though. C'mon, before the shops close and we have to wait an extra day to return." With that said, he quickened his pace, smiling to himself as he heard the young blonde running to catch up with him.

XxXxXxX

"Good evening, Amaya-san," Sakura said pleasantly, leaning down to kiss the old woman's weathered cheek. Amaya smiled warmly and returned the greeting, motioning for the kunoichi to sit down and eat. They chatted a while during dinner and when they'd finished Amaya began to clean up the dishes. Sakura looked on in confusion; usually Amaya waited for Naruto to return before she began cleaning.

"Amaya-san, has Naruto already eaten?" she questioned, automatically beginning to help her hostess in the cleaning. Amaya shook her head and pointed to a piece of paper on the counter, replying, "Naruto-kun won't be back tonight; he's accompanying Haruka on a trip to gather supplies. They'll return in a few days."

Sakura's brows lifted in surprise; Naruto had left the village without telling her first? That was unlike him, especially considering her position as Captain; if something out of the norm came up, he was supposed to let her know. They hadn't discussed the possibility of one of them potentially needing to leave the village, for any reason; Akatsuki was still out there, stalking Jinchuuriki, as well as Rain Country citizens who were less than happy with outside forces offering aid to Grass Country citizens. It would have been wiser to discuss what to do in either of their absences should something occur.

'Baka,' she thought sourly, scrubbing at the dishes in the sink. 'Can't even remember to inform his teammate/Captain what's going on.' She huffed, scrubbing at another plate in frustration.

"I'll finish that up, dear," Amaya told her softly, taking the dish from her hands. "You go get some rest; I'm sure the day was long and you must be tired." Sakura nodded absently, eyes unfocused as her concentration centered on her thoughts; she subconsciously kissed Amaya on the cheek, murmured a polite 'good-night' and retired to her bedroom.

She went through her familiar routine to prepare for bed; use the restroom, brush teeth and hair, and change into pajamas before crawling beneath the sheets and turning off the light. She lay in the darkness, the only light being that of the moonlight streaming through the sheer curtains adorning the window. Moonbeams spread themselves across the wooden floor, climbing up the foot of the bed to lie beside her, highlighting the empty side that was Naruto's.

Sakura gazed at the vacant pillow, noting the small dent imprinted from where Naruto normally laid his head. Her eyes narrowed slightly, confused by the sudden ache in her chest; she was...no, surely she wasn't feeling...lonely?

She missed that hyperactive blonde idiot?

'I do,' she realized with a sharp intake of breath. 'I miss him. I've gotten so used to having him here; it's weird to know I won't wake in the middle of the night with him lying beside me, taking up half the bed.' She smiled fondly at the thought. Once Naruto had begun to relax at the idea of sharing a bed with her—helped along with the fact that for the first week she'd had to medically sedate him with chakra without his knowledge before his body began to naturally relax without her help—he had proved what a bed-hog he could be. It was rare she was allowed even a quarter of the bed, the way he sprawled across it, a mix of long limbs and soft snoring. If she wanted to be comfortable, she either had to physically move him—which could be a useless effort, most nights—or snuggle close to him.

Her cheeks heated at the sudden blush that covered her face as she realized that she normally chose the latter option; she could blame it on being mostly asleep, she supposed, but if she was honest, she enjoyed cuddling with the blonde. He was always warm, which was a blessing most nights as chilly as it got with autumn arriving, and he would make the cutest noise whenever she did so; something like a purr that emitted from deep within his chest.

It was so odd...and yet, natural at the same time. Naruto had been just about the only consistent in her life; he was always there, joking, laughing, helping, supporting...caring. Even when he wasn't physically present, there were things that tended to remind her of him: the sky, especially in the summer when it matched his eyes; a flower in the springtime, especially daffodils or black-eyed-Susan's, waving merrily in the breeze; Itchiraku's, its mouthwatering aromas wafting through the village streets; the academy and Iruka-Sensei, who always inquired about the blonde's wellbeing.

'Funny,' she mused, tracing the sheets on Naruto's side with her fingers. 'I don't think I ever noticed so many reminders, even when I was crushing on Sasuke.' Her fingers stilled at the thought; was, as in past tense? Sasuke, no suffix included? Crushing, rather than 'in love with'?

Was she over Sasuke? Finally, truly?

As she gazed at the unoccupied pillow and sheets beside her, her heart clenched in her chest and she knew the answer.

Shizuko = quiet child
Haruka = far off; distant

Well, that was probably a relatively uneventful chapter that I made you guys wait an entire month for...
Also, apologies for the rather sappy, romantic stuff going on there at the end...I'm not even sure what I was doing? I don't typically go for that kind of thing, but it's kinda stuck now XD
Anyway, thanks for reading guys. :) Even though I'm a horrible author that makes you wait for months at a time for a single update...
To kinda go off of that, I have an important author's note that I want to bring to light:
Even though I am finished with this semester, I am going to be studying abroad for a month. I leave for this trip in roughly 2 weeks and I am unsure as of right now how often, if at all, I will be able to write on this story. I haven't had a chance to write on it in months, with this semester being particularly rough for me, and I know that I will be busy while abroad. Unfortunately, this means I may not have a chance to update again until after I come back home. I currently have the next chapter complete, so I will try my best to post it before I leave, to kinda hold you over until I come back. ;)

As always, thank you so much for reading and supporting me with your various favs/follows/reviews. They all mean a lot to me :D You are part of my motivation to continue writing; it always brightens my day to see someone has added this story to their favorites/follows or has left a comment. You're all amazing!

Thanks again for reading and I hope you enjoyed!
~Miah-Chan