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Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

~Two~

After it seemed like they had been walking forever they were finally right outside the village that they were going to be visiting for the next couple of days. Captain Yamato examined the wide open space around him and smiled satisfyingly. "Yes…..this will do just fine." He did a series of hand signs and slammed his hand down and yelled and before everyone knew it the ground was shaking. Naruto jumped out of the way as a giant wooden house was coming out of the ground. Yamato admired his work as he was panting out of breath.

"I thought we were staying in the village." Sakura said confused. "No we will be visiting the village not staying in it. " Kakashi said before adding "Some blonde took a good chunk of my money." Naruto who was standing behind Sakura put an arm behind his head and grinned. "What a tragedy! That's horrible Dad!"

"Yea sure horrible. Don't worry I'll get it back from him in manual labor."

Naruto frowned. "Aw man."

Sakura chuckled. "You two really are something else."

"What do you mean? "Naruto looked at her trying not to stare too hard."

She smiled. "Nothing." And walked on ahead.

He watched her walk ahead of him headed toward the house. Everything in his body wanted to run up to her and slide his arms around her waist letting her know how he felt about her. This felt like the biggest fight of his life. He studied her all over smiling to himself before getting his thoughts interrupted by Sai. "So I guess we're gonna be bunking together?"

"Not on your life Sai!"

"It's the only solution that makes sense. Sakura's the only girl so she gets her own room. Kakashi and Yamato are most likely going to share. And that just leaves us." Sai said staring at the small house.

Naruto groaned. He didn't want to share with Sai. Sai said weird things in his sleep. And he wasn't exactly quiet about it either. "Or how about this? You and Captain Yamato share. Me and my dad will share. And Sakura still gets her own."

Just then Sakura came running back out of the house yelling getting Naruto's immediate attention.

"YOU HAVE TO COME SEE THIS!"

Naruto came running toward Sakura who had already ran back in the house. Once they were inside the appearance of the house had changed. From the outside it appeared small. But on the inside in transformed into a huge mansion like house. Sakura, Sai, and Naruto were in awe. They just stared around at the giant rooms fully furnished all around them. They ran into the kitchen. Naruto ran straight to the fridge and opened it. "Fully Stocked! Alright!" They ran back into the living room to find Kakashi and Yamato bringing the bags in. "Wow this is great and everything. But why so fancy for just a few days?" Naruto said looking happy yet confused.

"Well like I said, some blonde took my money so Yamato and I put our heads together and this is our birthday present for Sakura."

Sakura blushed. "Thank you both. You didn't have to make a fuss over my birthday. We are on a mission after all."

"Mah Its no problem. You deserve a few days. You all do." Kakashi said before getting lost in his mind. He watched Naruto and Sakura continuously put everything on the line for Sasuke time and time again. They deserved a few days where they didn't have to think about Sasuke or the Akatsuki. And plus. He was thinking about his son's happiness He was buying time for Naruto to make his move.

"Speaking of your birthday later on tonight I wanted to take you to the festival inside the village. If that's alright with you Sakura?" Naruto said with a hand behind his head signaling that he was terrible at this sort of thing. That is until he heard her response that gave him all the confidence that he needed.

"Sure Naruto. Sounds like fun. But I have a question?"

'Hn?"

"How did you know there was a festival in the village? We haven't gone in yet."

"My dad brought me here once when I was a kid. Told me the festival comes every year at this time. So we'll leave at 7?"

She smiled. "Sure."

"Good." Naruto smiled and traveled back into his mind. He was happy but confused at the same time. I can't believe she actually agreed to willingly go somewhere alone with me. Well we won't be totally alone due to the numbers of villagers that will also be there. But that wasn't important. She agreed. She actually agreed. Wait? She actually agreed? Why? Why didn't she hit him like she normally would? Any other time he asked her on a date she punched him across the street. She actually said yes. Why?

He shrugged it off deciding that wasn't the important thing right now. The important thing right now was that he had a date with the girl of his dreams tonight. It had to go perfectly if he was gonna do this. He was finally gonna chase after her. He decided he would run until he caught her. It was in him now. He just had to.

Sakura walked up stairs to discover that there were many rooms to pick from. She chose the one at the end of the hall. After she was inside she unpacked her stuff and sat on the edge of the bed and trailed into her own mind. "You know you just agreed to go on a date with him?" inner Sakura chimed in.

"Did not."

"Yes you did? Why did you do it?"

"It's not a date. He just wants to take me to the festival for my birthday." She walked over to her closet and started looking at outfits.

"Yea ok. So why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Agree to go on a date with him?"

"Its not a -!" She sighed examining different outfits. "He's my friend. I know he's just trying to cheer me up and get my mind off of Sasuke. It's obvious everyone feels the same way."

"Yea sure. If that's what you need to tell yourself. So if you're only doing this because you want him to feel like he is helping, why are you having so much trouble picking an outfit? Trying to look cute?"

Sakura sighed getting aggravated with her inner self. "Yes."

"Well that was easy… Why?"

"Because he went through so much trouble. I should look my best."

"Denial. You missed him."

"What?!"

"You were looking forward to spending time with him!"

She pulled her choice of some blue skinny jeans and a cute pink and red top and white shoes. "No that's not true! "

"But you love Sasuke."

"I know that!"

"What ever will you do?"

"I can start by coming in there and slapping you."

"Can't hit me. I'm merely just a visual representation of your inner most desires and emotions."

"Alright now it's time for you to be quiet." She focused her breathing until everything became quiet. She smiled. " Ok now that I can focus I can start to get ready.

"For your hot date!" her inner self quickly added.

"CHAAAAAH!"

Clothes were flying everywhere through the room. Sai hid behind a chair ducking for cover. "Naruto you've got like five outfits what's the problem?" "I suck at outfit coordination." Naruto said while searching for something to wear. "All of your outfits are orange!"

"Yeah?!"

"All of your outfits are the SAME outfit!"

"Whats your point Baka?!"

"Just pick one. It doesn't really matter." Sai said coming out from under the chair. He sat himself in the chair watching Naruto get up and grabbed the traditional orange pants, white tee shirt and orange and black jacket and quickly put them on.

"So you nervous?" Sai asked him.

"Yea. A little"

"Really? I don't get nervous. Whats that like?"

"You never get nervous Sai? Naruto said zipping up his jacket.

"Well at least I think I don't. I'm not sure." He gave Naruto a fake small smile.

"Then what do you call hiding behind a chair from clothes?"

"Scared as hell."

Naruto shrugged. "Baka." He walked over to the dresser and sprayed on his cologne.

After he was finished attempting combing his hair he decided he was satisfied with how he looked and left the room.

As Naruto started to walk down the hall he heard a voice that stopped him in his tracks.

"Guess he's not a puppy anymore….. or he just cleans up nice…..when he does clean up."

Naruto laughed. "Thanks Dad."

Kakashi walked up to Naruto and dusted off his jacket. "You better go get her. Do what you gotta do."

Naruto smiled. "I'm a little nervous."

"This opportunity may not come back around for you. Sometimes you only get one shot. You have to give all you got. I already asked you. What exactly do you have to lose?" Kakashi said to him.

Naruto thought for a minute and answered. " I don't have anything to lose yet. But I do have so much to prove."

Kakashi opened the door and looked at Naruto and said to him one more time before going inside for the night. "Do what you gotta do."

Naruto was sitting on the couch absent mindedly looking at the TV when Sakura came walking down the stairs. "Ready when you are!" She said with a bright smile on her face. Naruto looked up from the TV at her and was taken back at how beautiful she was. Then again she was always beautiful to him. But there was something about the look of warmth on her face. It almost seemed as if she were happy about going somewhere alone with him. It confused him. But he was a happy confused. He would worry about details later. Today was all about Sakura. It was her birthday after all and he was taking her out. He was taking out Sakura Haruno. He knew he couldn't be his normal self tonight. Tonight was about turning up the charm. She would be looking at him after tonight. He had to make sure of it.

"He snapped out of his thoughts and finally spoke words." You look beautiful as always."

She blushed. "Thank you Naruto."

"Lets hurry up and get out of here before dad tries to come down here and give a lecture."

"Run Run Run!" She said heading for the door fast with him following behind her.

The time seemed to fly as they were enjoying the activities of the festival. Sakura watched Naruto win a Kunai throwing game and won a big orange (how convenient) stuffed bear. He gave the bear to Sakura.

"Happy Birthday Sakura!"

She examined the bear, rolled her eyes and giggled. "Real cute."

"Whaaaat? I hide to fight really hard to get that bear. It was gonna be orange!"

She put a hand on her hip. "You were throwing Kunai. That should be a cake walk for you right now."

He pretended to pout. "But it hurt my arm."

She laughed at him and whacked him on the arm "Man up!"

"Why didn't you say you were cold?" He asked her.

"Hn?"

"I can hear you shivering. Why didn't you say you were cold?"

"It's nothing Naruto. Im fine really." She tried to sound confident through her shivers.

"Afraid he'll give you his jacket and you will find your self trapped in his scent?" Her inner self popped in saying.

"Seriously Sakura your freezing." Naruto said unzipping his jacket.

Sakura jumped in her skin. "No No No No No No you need your jacket more than I do. Cant having the future Hokage getting sick."

"Bahaha you idiot like he's dumb enough to fall for that!"

"I'll heal. If not I'll have you heal it! Now take the damn jacket you stubborn konoichi!" He didn't even give her time to protest before he wrapped her in his jacket.

Feeling defeated she put her arms through the sleeves and they started to walk down the different paths looking at all the activities the festival had to offer.

He was about to turn the corner when he heard the sound of a screaming little girl.

"What the hell?" He turned to the right to see a child no more than four years old being bullied by two 6 year old boys. Sakura ran over to them. "Hey! You both need to stop!"

"What if we don't wanna?! She's just a stupid girl!" Shouted one of the boys before he pushed the little girl to the ground causing her to cry.

Sakura was getting ready open her mouth to yell at them befores he was cut off.

"LISTEN HERE YOU LITTLE PUNKS!" Naruto lifted both boys, one in each hand."YOU THINK IT'S CUTE PICKING ON INNOCENT LITTLE GIRLS!"

They were shaking trying to get free terrified for their lives. " Hey man let us go! We were just fooling around honest! We didn't mean no harm!

Naruto pulled a page out of his dads play book and smiled. " Oh really? You didn't? It sure looked like it

He looked at the little girl who had subsided her crying. " Whats your name little girl?"

She sniffled. "H-Halayia"

"Well Halayia these boys claim that they weren't trying to cause any trouble but I still feel they owe you an apology. Right Boys?" Naruto said looking back down at the boys in his hands.

"Were sorry Halayia!"

"Yeah were really sorry! Very Very Sorry!"

Naruto dropped them. " Now get lost."

They took off running as fast as they could nearly tripping over themselves. "Let's get out of here!"

"E-excuse me? Are you N-Naruto Uzumaki Hatake?" Halayia asked him in her cute and squeaky voice.

Naruto looked down at her "Yea that's me. Whats up?"

"All the grown ups have been talking about you. They said you defeated that Pain guy that destroyed your village." She said looking up at him with bright eyes. My dad says you're a hero. I didn't really understand it while he was telling me. But you stood up for me with those boys. And I get it now. You are a hero."

"Aw. That's not hero's work. It's what any decent person would do."

She ran up and grabbed his leg. "Thank you Naruto Uzumaki! Even if you don't feel like it. You are a hero to me!"

Naruto bent down and gave Halayia a little hug and pulled out a little stuffed dog he was planning on giving to Kakashi as a joke. He decided he should give it to her instead.

"I want you to have this."

"Oh wow! Thank you so much! I won't lose it! I have to go back to my dad now! "

Naruto watched her run through the crowd until she met up with her dad before turning back to Sakura who was standing a few inches behind him looking impressed.

"What?"

She smiled. "You're a natural."

"No I just hate seeing anyone mistreated. It's a constant reminder from when I was young. How the village used to treat me." He said avoiding eye contact.

She felt like jelly. She knew that she used to be apart of the crowd of people that mistreated him. She was always belittling him.

**FLASHBACK**

"Why would I ever go on a date with you?! Your annoying Naruto! I'd much rather go on a date with Sasuke . He's so cool! And strong unlike you!"

**END FLASH BACK**

Her words played back in her ears making her feel like a real bitch. She barely even noticed that he took her hand and started walking with her again. She looked over at him. He was quiet. "Why has he always gone so far for me? After how Ive treated him? I was terrible to him. But he never resented me. He always had that stupid grin on his face. He agreed to go to the ends of the earth no matter what to bring Sasuke back for her. Why? He took Sasuke all on himself? Why? "She was thinking to herself.

"You really are an idiot. " Her very much un-invited inner self said.

He interrupted her thoughts. "It's almost time for the fireworks. Let's try and get a good seat.

She nodded and they continued to walk until they made it to the area the fireworks were being held at.

Unfortunately all the seats were taken so they had to stand. She didn't mind.

He stood sheepishly looking around at all the different people.

"Hes hot!"

Sakura tried to ignore her inner self as she had been trying to all night but she allowed herself to be trapped in her own thoughts. "He really has gotten kind of hot. I guess."

"Look at that face. Don't you just wanna grab that blonde hair and just get lost in it."

She really didn't mind the idea at all. She was smirking to herself when the first fire work sounded off causing Sakura to jump in her skin and unintentionally bury herself into Naruto.

"What a cheap trick! Pretend to be a frightened little animal and he'll put his arms around you. Get real!"

Instead he softly pulled her up. "It's okay. The fireworks just started that's all." She sat her head back up slowly trying to take as much of his cologne in as she could first and said.

" I – I knew that. I wasn't scared Baka!"

"Yeah okay. If you weren't scared then why did you jump into my arms?" He said doing this thing with his eyes that sent chills down her spine. "I uh, I was making sure you weren't scared!"

"What the actual fuck? Do you hear how stupid you sound?" Her inner self was dying laughing over the stupidity.

"Uh ok. I'm okay Sakura" He said to her smiling knowing that she was full of it.

She stared up at the beauty of the fireworks. She had never felt so at peace in a long time. And it was all thanks to him. Here he was again going out of his way to make sure that she was happy. Even after everything she had ever said. All the mean things that passed her lips. She had no idea that he was this amazing man. And he did all this still knowing how she felt about Sasuke. She decided she wasn't going to stress herself out. Not tonight. He went through so much trouble to see her smile. And she was gonna make sure that's what he got. So she just continued to watch the fireworks putting on her best big girl act.

He was too busy staring at her to even notice the fireworks. He watched as her face shined a different color as the fireworks were changing. He just couldn't understand why she couldn't see how beautiful she was. He couldn't wrap his head around that she didn't see that she deserved so much better. She was stronger than she believed. As much as Sasuke was his best friend he believed Sasuke made her weak. And not the good kind either. He suppressed who she really was. She didn't really shine around him like she did any other time. She looked desperate for his affections. And she tried to pretend his cold words never hurt. But tonight he didn't want to think about that Sakura. The woman standing before him was clearly different. More confident. Happier. Stronger. Was his dad really right? Is there really a chance that here view of Sasuke is changing before her eyes. He wondered if she even realized it. More importantly. How did she feel about him? He shook it off. He would figure that out later. Tonight he just wanted to see her smile. He wanted her to relax. He wanted her to see that everything was going to be ok. He thought she didn't notice when he wrapped a hand around her shoulder. And whispered in her ear because talking normal would have been useless due to the noise. "Happy birthday again. Sakura."

She froze at the sound of his voice in her ear. It was a good thing his hands were on her. WAIT? His hands were on her? "Oh crap. I don't think Im strong enough for this." She thought to herself.

"Just give in to his nice strong arms. Fall back against his chest. He may turn you around and try to steal a kiss."

She shakily said "Th- Thank you again Naruto." Her whole body felt hot. And not sweaty hot.

The "other" hot." She almost couldn't take it. She was getting ready to cave to her emotions when the fire works ended.

He interrupted her thoughts. " Ready?"

"Hn?"

"To go back to the house. Are you ready? The festivals going to be closing soon.

She snapped back to reality. "Oh yeah okay sure."

They headed back toward the house. They walked inside and headed straight for the kitchen trying to be quiet seeing everyone was in their rooms asleep. Naruto warmed up some instant ramen for them. They ate and talked about old times until they were both full.

Sakura turned to walk out the kitchen and said to Naruto. " Thank you for tonight. I haven't had this good of a time in a long time."

He smiled at her. "No problem. Its your birthday. You deserved peace.

He was considering asking her if she would go out with him again when they got back to the village but he decided that he didn't want to rush a good thing. He was going to take his time with this. It had to be perfect.

She smiled. "Night Baka im going upstairs!"

He watched her leave the kitchen and listened until he was sure she was in her room.

"You can come out now you nosey grey haired shinobi."

"Its Silver! Whatever. Tell me how tonight went?

As soon as she shut her door and placed her new orange bear in a chair, Sakura just dropped on her bed. She had such a heavy heart. "What was going on in her head? She loved Sauke didn't she? So why was Naruto occupying the largest parts of her brain? When did his face get so damn hot? So many questions burning her soul. Why did he make her feel so weak at the knees? Where was all these feelings coming from?

"Ill say this again..you missed him.."

"No I didn't."

"Really?"

"Really!"

"You're still wearing his jacket."

Upon realizing she was still wearing his jacket she contemplated running downstairs and giving it to him but she new she wasn't ready to part with it. Instead she pulled it closer.

"Yea okay you didn't miss him at all!"

Sakura felt 100% safe wearing it. Before she knew it her eyes were closing and she was drifting off to sleep with a certain blonde burned in her brain.

"It was amazing dad." Naruto smiled. "But there is something bothering me?"

"Hn?" Kakashi said.

"How will I know if I got anywhere with her tonight?"

"Easy! Just wait and see how long it takes her to give you your jacket back." Kakashi disappeared in a puff of smoke after finishing the warm drink.

"Shadow clone". He was too lazy to come get his own drink. Nice!

After he disspeared, his words still rang in Naruto's ears finally dawning on him. She kept his jacket.

Did she not realize she still had it? Or did she still do it on purpose? If so…Why? "He turned his attention to the stairs looking up as if in the direction of her room. He smiled. He was starting to get a pretty good idea. Why. And he liked the idea of it.