CHAPTER 28

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."- Ralph Waldo Emerson

After Yugito had calmed down once she learned her team would be staying in Konoha Naruto walked her to the hotel her team was staying at. Naruto quickly kissed Yugito goodnight and then told her that he would see her again in the morning with the other teams.

Once Naruto arrived at his house he was surprised to see Kurenai waiting outside the gate with a rather tranquil look on her face that just screamed happiness. Naruto slightly picked up his pace and before he knew it he was standing right next to Kurenai.

"Is something the matter Kurenai-chan you already released our team until tomorrow, did something come up?" Naruto asked with curiosity on his face. Kurenai just admired the cute look on his face before she shook her head in the negative.

"I came to talk to you about our relationship and my past. I decided that because the most dangerous part of the exam is over and we will not be truly alone for the next two weeks that now would be the best time to talk to you." She said. Naruto looked on in surprise at the sudden news but took it in stride and unlocked the gate so Kurenai could follow behind him.

As they approached the actual house inside the compounds gate Kurenai took a moment to look around and admire the beauty of the place. There were flowers and all types of other trees and various small animals running around; the whole atmosphere gave her the feeling of being in a peaceful forest.

Naruto seeing Kurenai's eyes darting back and forth only smiled. "Don't get to attached Kurenai-chan soon everything here will be moved into the Senju Clan estate and I will be living there from now on." Naruto said with a slight chuckle.

Kurenai only nodded in acceptance and then walked over to a tree. Once she was standing in front of the tree she admired its beauty before taking a seat on the ground below it and motioning for Naruto to join her. Once Naruto had taken a seat next to her Kurenai took in a deep breath and let it out just as quickly.

"Eight years ago I had just recently been promoted to Chunin and my first mission was a simple escort and return mission. My job was to escort a V.I.P back to his neighboring town and then return with documents for the Hokage.

"The mission was perfectly normal and the V.I.P was safely escorted back to his town, but on the way back to Konoha I was ambushed by bandits. Seeing as they had the element of surprise they were able to capture me and tie me up." Kurenai took a moment to catch her breath while Naruto gently rubbed her back and encouraged her to continue.

"They thankfully had no ninja training, so they didn't take my equipment away or tie my properly to prevent escape. As I was preparing to escape though they started to leer at me and say all kinds of things. They talked about how they were going to rape me and make sure I was perfectly trained and then sell me away to the first person willing to pay a lot of money." Here Kurenai stopped her tale again as tears escaped her eyes and a sob managed to escape her throat.

Naruto carefully and gently picked Kurenai up and placed her in his lap while he hugged her firmly but not tight as he whispered reassurances into her ear telling her everything would be alright. After a few minutes of caressing and comforting her, Kurenai managed to pick up her story again.

"Just before they were able to try anything though I freed myself from their trap and went to escape but my fear stopped me. I was so afraid of what they might do to me if they caught me again or some other poor girl so I turned around and blindly killed all three of them.

"I was so terrified and I had never killed anyone before so I froze and passed out, I was thankfully close enough to Konoha that a nearby patrol found me and took me to the Konoha hospital. After that I closed of my heart and started to hate every man I meet believing them all to be perverts who would take any chance given to them to assault women.

"Over the last few years I managed to lose some of that coldness and made friends with males like Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, and a few others, but I was still deeply terrified that if I every trusted a man with my heart they would turn around and use me." Kurenai took another breath and slowly fell more and more into Naruto's figure as she told her story. At this point she was completely flat against Naruto as she calmly spoke.

"I have come to realize that you are nothing like that, and even though you do love another woman aside from me I also realized that you would never show favoritism. That's why I wanted to let you know that I completely trust you and that I want to truly have a relationship with you. Also I wanted… to say….I love you." Kurenai managed to get out before she fell asleep while laying on Naruto.

Naruto had a large content smile on his face as he gently stood up and brought Kurenai with him being careful not to wake her. Naruto then slowly and carefully walked into his home and took Kurenai to the closest bedroom which happened to be his.

After Naruto had gently placed Kurenai down in his bed he turned around to leave and go sleep in another room before he felt a tug on his arm. Naruto followed the arm back down to Kurenai who looked half asleep with one eye open.

"Stay." She said before sleep once more claimed her. Naruto let out a tired sigh before he walked to the other side of the bed and took his sandals off. He then lightly slapped his forehead and moved to take Kurenai's off as well and put them on the floor.

Once Naruto and Kurenai's sandals were off and Naruto was sure she was still fast asleep he tossed off his shirt and slowly slid into the bed. After he had climbed into the bed and noticed Kurenai was still asleep he let out a breath of relief and then turned on his side and prepared to fall asleep.

Right before Naruto could fall asleep though he felt a weight around his chest and warmth on his back. Naruto turned around only to come face to face with the still sleeping but now very close Kurenai. He let out a small sigh before he lightly placed his arms and tails around Kurenai's waist and gently pulled her further into his chest. When Naruto heard Kurenai let out a content sigh and snuggle her head into his upper chest just at the base of his neck he smiled and let sleep claim him.

Kurenai had never before in her life experienced as much comfort as she did right then and there as she slowly started to wake up. When she opened her eyes the first thing she noticed was a strong manly presence in front of her face. As more of her senses came to life she noticed the scent of trees mixed with musk, she then felt the weight on her waist and felt the heat she was laying against.

As Kurenai slowly became more and more awake she started to sit up only until she noticed that she couldn't. When she went looking for the reason why, she finally noticed that she was in Naruto, her now boyfriend's, bed and right next to her gently holding her waist and giving off intense amounts of heat was Naruto in all his shirtless glory.

The heat that slowly started in her cheeks began to rise until her entire face was a deep red from embarrassment. As she slowly started to calm down and the heat left her face she lightly put her hands on Naruto's shoulders and lightly shook him awake.

Naruto slowly opened his eyes when he felt someone shaking him awake, and when his vision slowly started to focus he was surprised by the sight of Kurenai still snuggled up to him and gently shaking him awake. When a blush found its way onto Naruto's face a similar one found its way back onto Kurenai's face.

"Hey." Naruto got out slowly while still taking in Kurenai's beauty that was ripe for his eyes to drink in.

"Hey." She said with just as much warmth as she also took in the sight of Naruto's handsome visage up close.

"Not that I wouldn't mind staying here but we have a meeting to get to right." Naruto said as a smile wormed its way onto his face. Kurenai sighed in disappointment at the thought of the meeting since she also wanted to stay in the bed but slowly nodded and tried to get up only for Naruto to pull her back down.

"It's good that you don't want to leave the bed either, that means when we have a day off we can do this again and truly enjoy it." Naruto said. He then spoke in a hushed but very meaningful voice and said. "And maybe something else if you're up to it." He breathed into her ear.

A large shudder racked Kurenai's body at Naruto's words before a blush encompassed her whole body and continued to spread. She then slowly composed herself and turned to Naruto with a look that clearly said 'I'm willing to dangle something in front of you but you can't have it'.

"Where's your bathroom I need to take a shower and a change of clothes if you have some." Kurenai said in a very sultry voice. Naruto now found himself to be the one shuddering when he told her where the bathroom was inside his room and that towels and spare clothes were in the seals placed throughout the bathroom. Kurenai accepted the knowledge and then got out of the bed when Naruto released her and slowly made her way to the bathroom.

Along the way Kurenai made sure to put extra emphasis into the way her hips swayed back and forth as she slowly undressed while on the way to the bathroom. When she was right in front of the door and the only thing remaining were her blood red bra and panties she turned to Naruto and gave him a slight wink before entering the bathroom and shutting the door.

After Naruto had made sure to clean the blood that had come out of his nose he went to his guest bath and also got prepared for the day, but not before sending a clone to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for his family, himself, and Kurenai.

When Naruto exited the shower now fully dressed in his regular ninja outfit he made his way to the kitchen and was surprised to see Kurenai there talking with Tsunade and Shizune. When Tsunade saw Naruto a smile came onto her face as she turned to talk to him.

"So Naruto, Kurenai here was just telling me how she was having a conversation with you about the possibilities of the next two weeks with the other teams when she fell asleep and you politely let her stay in a guest room." Tsunade said with an 'I know what really happened but won't say anything' look.

"That's right Ba-chan she just looked so tired after we finished talking and it was late so I offered her the guest room which she gratefully accepted." Naruto said. He then turned to look at the nearest clock and noticed it was almost eight A.M.

"Sorry Ba-chan I would love to talk more but I need to eat breakfast so Kurenai and I can go meet with Hinata and Sasuke or we will be late for the meeting in Jiji's office." Naruto said. Tsunade only huffed not being allowed to tease anymore before she shooed Naruto and Kurenai off.