Chapter 11: Bonding

~Sakura's P.O.V~

We were all laughing. Itachi, Naruto and I were in a booth in one of the restaurants in the mall. The place's lights were dimmed and the walls were black with red designs on them. Most of the tablels were booths and the rest were stools at the bar to the opposite end of the restaurant. I had insisted on going somewhere else when I saw the price of the food but Itachi just kept telling me that it was fine, he was going to pay for it.

As it turns out, his girlfriend worked there. Her name was Ayame, daughter of the owner. She was giving us a discount. So, we ended up having anything we wanted without worrying about the price too much. When her break began, Ayame joined us at the booth and, now, we were all laughing at some mischief Naruto and Itachi had gotten into in the past. I still couldn't believe Itachi was Sasuke's brother. They sure looked alike but their personalities were the complete oppisite. I had asked Itachi about it and the smile he had had turned bitter.

He had said that he used to act exactly like Sasuke when he was a kid, which was hard to believe after so many pranks he had pulled with Naruto. Itachi told us that when Sasuke was born, all attention was to the younger brother. After a few years of only getting attention from his mother, Itachi had moved in with his friends Deidara and Hidan. After spending years with him throught middle and high school, Itachi found Ayame and they decided to be together. His father didn't approve but her father, Teuchi, was more than happy to hear the news. Since the four went to the same collge after high school, Deidara, Hidan, Itachi and Ayame were insepareable. I belived him in that, since Ayame wouldn't leave his side throughout her whole lunch break.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when Naruto placed his hand on my thigh uner the table. I glanced at him and smirked at his slight blush. Guess he's still uncertain about showing any affection in public. I didn't mind. In fact, I thought it was cute seeing him embarrased. I placed my free hand on the one on my thigh and gave it a squeeze. He flashed me a grin before we turned back to the couple in front of us.

Itachi smiled at us while Ayame winked at me. "Naruto, are you gonna do it?" Itachi asked and I felt Naruto tense. "Um, I don't know, Itachi. She's with Sasuke and-" Naruto was interrupted by the older Uchiha. "And she loves you. Just do it," He smiled at him and my curiosity rose. What were they talking about? I wanted to voice the question but something held me back. Out of the corner of my eyes, however, I saw a hooded figure enter the restaurant and sit down in the booth behind Itachi.

"But-"

"No 'buts', Namikaze Naruto. Do it, now. You'll never find out if you don't do it." Itachi scolded but I wasn't paying attention. The hooded figure had gasped at the mention of Naruto's name, I know it. My eyes narrowed at the booth he was sitting at. Did that guy know Naruto? If he did, how? Naruto oesn't have any family members and I'm certain he doesn't have many friends because he shoves people away. And, even if he was Naruto's friend, I would know him. If I didn't know him, I'm sure he would have approached our table the moment he came in. My head was filling up with too much 'What if's and it was starting to hurt.

I heard Naruto sigh and I turned towards him. Letting go of my thigh, he dug his hand into his pocket with a gulp. He quickly retreated his hand so I wouldn't see what he was holding. Okay, now what was going on? Naruto glared at Itachi before he turned to me. I looked into his eyes and raised my brow. They held nervousness, love and embarrasment.

"Naruto?" I asked frowning. What was wrong with him today? He was acting way too nervous around me. I watched as he showed me what was in his hand. It was a black box. It practically fit in the palm of his hand. I was confused. What about the box? What was so special about it that he was hiding it? Naruto must have seen my confusion because he sighed. With his other hand, he started lifting the top of the box, opening it.

My eyes widened. Inside the box was a silver ring with three small ruby surrounding a diamond in the middle. A lump appread in my throat and my eyes watered. I looked at Naruto, he was biting his lower lip. "It's not much but...Haruno Sakura, will you marry me?" I could sense his nervousness in his voice because it wavered when he asked me to marry him. My thoughts turned to mush. Marry him? I was in age but he wasn't. Well, until next week but still. I don't know. We're only Juniors in high school. And I'm dating Sasuke. I can't marry Naruto.

Yet, my lips moved on their own. "Yes." Naruto's eeyes widened as he started smiling at me. Picking the ring and sliding it into my finger, he hugged me. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. They trailled down my cheeks. They were tears of happiness, though. Even though my head kept telling me to refuse, I followed my heart for some strange reason. Maybe I finally wanted to be happy. And, being with Naruto, I'm sure that would happen. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and buried my head in his shoulder. He just pulled me closer. He was crying, too. My shirt was getting all wet but I didn't mind.

We pulled away and wiped away our tears, smiling at each other. I grabbed his arm and wrapped it around my waist then turned to Itachi. "You told him to do it?" I asked, tilting my head to the side. "No. He told me he wanted to propose soon but didn't know how to do it. By the way you dress, I can tell you're not the kind of girl who likes to dream of classy stuff. So, I told him to juist ask you." Itachi shrugged. Damn, he got that much out of just one look at me? Am I really that predictable?

Who cares? I'm getting married to Naruto and that's all it mattered.

~Sasuke's P.O.V~

This is just great. This is perfect. Being stuck in the mall following your female friend around with her friend was perfect...Not! It was Hell. I wanted to go home and do something more interesting. I saw Ino and Hinata look around for even more clothes in the shops. Getting tired, I walked out of the shop. Walking near the exit, I plopped down on one of the empty benches there.

As women walked by, I couldn't help but check them out. However, no matter how good they looked, no one compared to my current girlfriend's curves. And talking about Sakura...

I heard laughing and I turned my head around, just in time to catch my brother, the loser and my girlfriend walking towards the exit. I grounded my teeth. What were they doing here? With my brother, nonetheless? My thoughts were interrupted when Itachi started talking.

"It was fun spending time with you guys. But I really have to go." Itachi said giving them a smile. Sakura shrugged, "It's fine. It was nice meeting you, Itachi." She smiled at him, something I never got. "Same here, Sakura. Good luck, you two. And, Naruto, if you're still up for that job, I can make arrangement." I noticed Naruto's eyes lit up. Tch, loser. "Thanks, Itachi! I really appreciate it."

"Right. Sakura, if you need any help with your...erm, condition, just call Ayame. She'll help you." Itachi said nodding at my girlfriend. She nodded back, smile still on her face. Condition? What condition? And Ayame? Who was that? "So, Itachi, when's the wedding?" Naruto asked, clearly changing the topic. What wedding? Whose? I got the answer when Itachi blushed. Oh, I get it now. Itachi has a girlfriend, no? We'll just see 'bout that.

"We can talk about that later, Naruto. I'll see you guys around." With that, Itachi left throught the doors. I turned my attention to the other two. "And you, my dear Sakura, are going to stay at my house tonight." Naruto said and my eyes widened. Wait, what! She can't do that! She's MY girlfriend!

"I don't have a problem with that but why?" Sakura asked raising her eyebrow. She placed her hands on her hips and leaned on one leg. It was annoying whenever Ino did that but on Sakura...It was just right damn hot. "Because I don't want that Dai guy taking advantage of you alone at night. Besides, I wouldn't mind being close to you while I sleep." Naruto's answer pissed me off. It got worse, though. He leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers, placing his hands on her hips. Sakura hummed and nodded, closing her eyes.

I was about to stand up and interupt them but I got dragged away. Glancing behind me, I saw a fuming Ino dragging me by the back of my shirt's collar. I looked back at the exit and my anger grew. They were kissing. I tried to make Ino let go of me but she just ignored me and dragged me back into the shops. So much for punching the loser in the face. However, I could get revenge in school on Monday so it didn't matter...much.

First time with Sasuke's point of view. I didn't like writing it but I just had to. It was either that, or Kiba's point of view. Although I'd prefer it Kiba's, I wanted tension to build up in Sasuke. After all, not all ending are happy. *winks* Anyway, who wants to see our beloved Minato? I know I do! So, choose who you want to be introduced as Naruto's past:

1) Namikaze Minato

2) Uzumaki Kushina

Your choice. Doesn't matter to me, although I'd prefer Minato. Vote in your reivew!