Reviewers;

Fury Cutter: I thought I could end this on a nice note with less but more realistic pazazz.

Killer Husky: Since I'm ending the story soon, it will become rather fluffy and less on a shocker note and such. Sakura has lead before but more of an anchor role, like from the main scenes and such, but I know a number of families who have a family engagement ring, so I thought why can't Naruto have something like that?

PoeticFire: I felt I resolved him. His main career is over. Think of...charlie sheen. He's basically washed out since he became a drinker. Sasuke can't be ion set with girls anymore, because he might 'bite' them. So in all, no, I admit I don't.

MundaneBeast: Hmm...I thought about it and-...oh just wait for the final chapters for that answer to the question! :)

Czar Joseph: Actually...Naruto proposed. It only makes sense that Naruto would divorce Hinata. She's not going to say anything bad about him. ;)

CrazyWolf1991: Welcome and I am glad to obtain your review and you choice of words. It was certainly uplifting. Really, the school thing just helped me to see how they could get together at first and then part. It was only supposed to be three chapters. I didn't really expect it to be half the story. ;) But I knew it was different than most, but you must also note that most writers only write two to three stories and then they stop. I've had my terrible stories just as my first two, which lacked detail and plot. If I could go back, I wouldn't change it, because I completed the story, and I'm too biased to do anything. I am glad you have read my other stories though. As for standards, your expectations will simply help me to keep my own standards high. Thank you for reading and more so for reviewing.

Duh Bomb: (Sakura's response) He's got love for me? I am the one he chooses? Oh sweet Kami? Oh how lovely that is to be, my Naruto for me. Had a ring under my head, possibly every night in bed? Oh so clearly I do see, my Naruto forevermore with me. Though cracks do form, I will love you through calm and storm, because with you at the wheel, I am as safe as can be, to the end of the world...my Naruto and me.

7th Demon of Razgriz: Careful, Demon...you don't want to go giving me ideas, would you?

DaNightsTemplar: He is simply...a Teme.

AN: Hey! How am I doing, you may ask? Tired! Finals for me are over and all I want to do is sleep! But No! instead I am covering other students in their jobs so that they can go home before Christmas. But I'll be heading home today on Tuesday, so it's alright. Plus, extra money = I can afford presents, right? It's the thought that counts after all.

Anyways, so I will complete this story in just two more chapters, and will update most likely the end of this week and then next Monday night. So, I want your thoughts. Was this story an acceptable length and detail, or do you want less? And no, chapters are long enough, at 2.5k plus. Anyways, let us get started.

Tone And Stroke

Chapter 28: A Godly Secret

"Well, the magazines know," Ino called out, prancing into the apartment where she spotted the celebrity couple cuddling casually in a loving embrace while watching television. Sakura had her head between the armrest and a pillow as Naruto worked on a massage on her feet, something that was nice and relaxing and something couples should do for the other. It was a simple massage.

Well, it was Supposed to be a massage, but starting with one snort from Sakura when Naruto had brushed his hand across the arch of her feet and suddenly Sakura was fidgeting in laughter as he tickled away at her feet, slowly moving up her sides, as he tried to get her to snort again, but was content with the laughing smile and tears that continued to flowed out of her happy and content eyes.

As Ino walked in, Naruto had only a few seconds ago stopped his loving nurturing of Sakura, but she was still giggling a lot into the couch's leather cushions. The both of them looked over to Ino to see her holding up a fresh magazine and Sakura giggled light-heartedly as she stood up and walked over to Ino.

The picture in question had been taken a few days ago, when Naruto had taken a day in the middle of the week off to take Sakura on a peaceful walk along the boardwalk next to the lake of Konoha. Sakura had decided to wear a nice sundress as the day was warmer than most, and they had been the classic cute couple as they had ice cream on the pier, followed by some volleyball with another couple, and then as the picture showed, their evening walk along the pier itself.

This could be considered a normal tabloid picture. Sakura had been in many after all, and this did no harm, but there was a difference on this cover however. There was an enhancement done on the photo, moving to the right of Sakura's head on Naruto's shoulder and to her hand on the center of his chest while they talked about something happily, and in the center of the picture was the ring. The ring that Sakura had worn ever since Naruto had proposed to her. The title of the day? 'ENGAGED?'was embedded on the top of the magazine, with many people's reviews all around and inside the paper on what this could mean, but they all knew what it meant for the young couple.

Sakura leaned forward past the paper and grabbed it as she planted a small kiss on her best friend's cheek, before walking away to place it on the counter. "Ino, we knew this would come out eventually."

"I thought it would be sooner than now." Naruto chuckled aloud.

"The paparazzi don't see everything, Naruto-Kun." Sakura smiled and winked at her fiancé lustfully, and he gulped in anticipation. Sakura loved the attention, and the attention he gave her afterwards was as she called it, highly arousing.

Ino cleared her throat and the gazes fell back to bearable levels. "Well, it has been a month now."

"Yes." Sakura smiled dreamily. "A whole month."

As Ino walked off to the bathroom to take off her makeup, Sakura leaned against the kitchen counter and stared at nothing and everything. Her mind swirling at the pleasure filled events of the last month since her engagement. Really, nothing had gone wrong. One would think things would get chaotic, but they were only looking up.

Naruto had been expanding his artwork through his gallery with multiple franchise companies that were now allowed to make their own paintings based around each of Naruto's works. Granted that most featured Sakura in one way or another, but they did not compare to what many in the art world were already calling an Uzumaki Original. On top of that; since he was receiving the royalties and money from his own works, he was now able to fund a number charities that were specifically responsible for the running and caring of orphanages.

With Naruto's life all set, Sakura sighed happily and got some water out of the fridge, thinking about her own life at the moment. It would be true to say that Sakura was back to being pretty busy as she was back on the set of Shinobi Wars. And due to the limitation of being in multiple places at once, she had begun to cut her outdoor adventures show with Ino. Sakura smiled at the first showing featuring Ino, who grew up around animals and absolutely adored everything a wild animal did. She loved explaining why they did such things and the ratings had only climbed higher.

Sakura smiled mischievously though as she finished her water and placed it in the sink. Ino hadn't brought a boy home in the last month, and it was no coincidence that she had spent more and time on the trips with Sakura's guide named Shikamaru. It was clear to Sakura when she first introduced them that Ino had obviously fell in love at first sight with the boy who Sakura thought was pretty lazy when it didn't include animals or strategic defense of the international parks for the endangered species. She had blushed and stuttered, something Sakura knew was only done when her stomach was doing flip flops, and Sakura knew they'd have fun together.

Sakura leaned over, her cleavage protruding for Naruto's view only and pecked him on the cheek, before continuing forward and knocking on Ino's door and entering as Ino was still in a state of undress, but the girls had been behind curtains changing enough times to not care as much about the issue. At least, that was until now.

"Oh my God!" Ino whimpered and draped her shirt over her bare upper frame, until she realized it was Sakura and relaxed again after checking that the door was closed. Sakura sighed and shook her head as she rolled her eyes. "What?" Ino whined.

"You really think Naruto would walk in on you?"

"Could be an accident."

"You never worried about people seeing your body before." Sakura reminded her best friend as she sat down on the bed.

"That was before my best friend told me she was getting married."

Sakura wanted to poke fun at the real reason that Ino wanted to hide her modesty for her newfound attraction, but held her tongue. After another minute, Ino slid into some comfy jeans and smiled at her childhood friend.

"So Sakura, now that everyone knows, what are you going to do about it now? I mean, you haven't even begun to plan the wedding yet. Shouldn't you get started?"

"Naruto and I are engaged, Ino. We are both loving this feeling." Sakura smiled as if she was on clouds soaring above the world. "We can take however long we want to plan the wedding. One year, two years?"

"You're going to have to invite a lot of people with your career."

"I wish I didn't. I'd rather want a small wedding with just you as a witness and Naruto as my lover." Sakura smiled and Ino held back a cringe.

"No way. I'd be stuck there with Naruto taking you at the altar."

"Maybe he could do that." Sakura grinned sarcastically, but still Ino gagged.

Sakura saw Ino's worry over this and sighed as she held her friend's hand in her lap. "Ino, our love for each other will last till the wedding; if it doesn't, then why should we get married in the first place? Naruto loves me and I love him. What else do we really need?"

"A prenuptial agreement?" Ino thought aloud, thought didn't really care to mention such a thing.

"Really Ino?" Sakura scoffed. "No, I don't want to deal with all the luggage that comes with. It would be the center of all our arguments. I just can't imagine divorcing Naruto-Kun; I really can't. There…is no one else. I know I'm young, but not too young." Sakura said aloud before giggling quietly. "And I laugh at the image of Naruto dumping me when we're forty for a younger woman."

Ino had to laugh as well as they heard the game come on outside and stared at the door. "True, I don't see Naruto leaving you with a kid on the way either."

Sakura shook her head. "Ino, I've told you. I'm not pregnant!"

"Glad to hear it…again…" Ino smiled before she paused and Sakura felt the atmosphere change as Ino lowered her voice. "Have you told your mother yet?"

"Of course not." Sakura replied quickly, the fear evidently laced in her voice.

Ino squinted her eyes a little as she thought of the past. "You know, I'm pretty sure if my memory serves me right that you've never told Naruto about your family's condition."

Sakura gulped loudly, the motions of the action rippling down her throat, where the bite mark was almost gone. "He doesn't need to know yet."

"Sakura," Ino whined. "You are marrying him." She urged further. "You need to tell him now, and show him."

"Okay…" Sakura sighed before shaking her head in disbelief and laid down on the comfy mattress. "Geez, Ino. I swear you are just like a sister with these situations in my life."

"You Are my sister." Ino smiled down at the pinkette.

Sakura smiled. "I know and you are mine…Fine, I'll take Naruto with me this time." Sakura spoke quietly as she slowly frowned as the worry appeared on her face. "I just don't want to lose him over finding out about this."

Ino held Sakura's leg and rubbed it sisterly. "I know, but you might lose him if you hide it from him in the future. This isn't just about you anymore. It will affect his life as well."

Later that night, the couple had decided to go over to Naruto's apartment and have a nice dinner inside. They had begun by making salad and some spaghetti and meatballs before setting the table for two. So now in the current time, Naruto and Sakura were seated across from the other, eating their warm meal at the table and for a nightly occasion, Sakura had some red wine poured into their glasses, not enough to get drunk, but good for the heart.

Sakura always had a glass and Naruto had his on occasion, and tonight was an occasion. His girlfriend always insisted that they need to keep their hearts healthy with a glass a day. As Naruto slurped the last bit of his spaghetti from his chin, he noticed that Sakura was slowly twirling her spaghetti around her fork. Usually she was eating happily and at a much faster pace, so something was worrying her greatly.

"Sakura-Chan, you okay?"

"Huh?" Sakura sounded confused, looking up from her plate, momentarily distracted in her thoughts. "I'm fine."

"You sure? You've been staring far out ever since you had your girl talk with Ino."

Sakura blushed and knew that she'd been found out once again. "Alright, there is something on my mind. Naruto-Kun, you and I haven't talked about my mother."

Naruto nodded and prepared to take another bite when he paused with his fork to his lips. "That's right, you have your mother." Naruto smiled, happy that Sakura had some sort of family in her life. "Have you told her about our engagement?"

"No. You know that I go to see her every month or so and I'm going to see her tomorrow. I was wondering if this time if um, if you would like to meet her?" Sakura stuttered as she looked at Naruto with her hair hiding her face somewhat.

Naruto smiled brightly and spoke with an absolute and honest voice. "I'd love to meet your mother, Sakura-Chan and I believe I have nothing that can't be handled later so yeah, I can go tomorrow."

"G-great." Sakura stuttered and tried to throw her lover a happy smile, while inside she as growing more and more nervous by the second. Naruto smiled at her and continued eating, oblivious for once at Sakura's feelings in the moment.

Sakura looked down at her food and smiled slightly. Naruto was going to know her darkest secret, meeting her mother meant explaining the situation. So, one way or another, her secret would be out, and Naruto would either stay by her side, or leave her forever. The question was, which one would it be?

What could my mind have thought up for my beloved readers this time?