AN: I have committed the cardinal sin of mentioning Twilight in this chapter. I absolutely detest Twilight (sorry to those who like it), so I am currently hating myself slightly, but I just couldn't help it. It came out and fit so well. Anyway, enjoy. :)

Red Storm

Chapter 4: The Dawning

"We have to allow ourselves to be loved by the people who really love us, the people who really matter. Too much of the time, we are blinded by our own pursuits of people to love us, people that don't even matter, while all that time we waste and the people who do love us have to stand on the sidewalk and watch us beg in the streets! It's time to put an end to this. It's time for us to let ourselves be loved."

~C. JoyBell C.

Naruto swallowed and pressed the doorbell. There was the sound of movement inside the semi-detached suburban house and a lady with short auburn hair opened the door. She smiled once she saw Naruto, her gentle eyes crinkling slightly, showing the makings of some early crow's feet.

"You must be Naruto. Sakura's just coming." said the woman.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "Ah yeah, nice to meet you, and you must be Sakura's sister."

The woman gave a small chuckle. "You're a charmer. Keep that up and you'll go far."

She turned as Sakura approached the door. The young girl was wearing a soft green dress with simple straps and a small white feather necklace dangling on a silver chain. It complimented her pastel pink hair. She looked beautiful, even more radiant than usual.

Naruto swallowed again. Man, he felt so nervous. His hands were clammy and his legs were like jelly. Still, he stretched his mouth into what he hoped was a confident smile.

"You look great, Sakura."

Sakura returned the smile, and Naruto couldn't help feeling grateful that she looked pretty nervous too. "Thanks, Naruto. You've scrubbed up pretty well yourself."

Naruto laughed, glancing down at his own black t-shirt and jeans, a red scarf wrapped around his neck.

"Ah, well, you know. It's easy for guys. We just throw on any old thing on."

He felt himself redden at the lie. He'd actually spent ages changing his clothes, trying desperately to pull off that cool, effortless, bad-boy look that Sasuke always seemed to be able to achieve without even trying.

"Well, you look nice." said Sakura with a smile.

Sakura's mom patted her daughter's shoulder. "Well, you two kids have fun. Be back before 10 though, please. Take care of her, Naruto."

"Mom…" groaned Sakura in embarrassment.

Naruto threw a salute. "Of course, Mrs. Haruno. I'll protect her no matter what."

Sakura shot him a look of irritation as she joined him on the front steps. "You don't have to go that far. It's just a date."

Naruto grinned. He felt his chest swell.

Yes. It was a date. A date with Sakura Haruno.

"So, what movie do you want to watch?" Naruto stood beside Sakura, shifting his feet as she stared up at the movie listings. So far, they hadn't talked a lot. He couldn't think of much to say, and the conversation had been a bit awkward and forced. Man, he couldn't wait to get into the movie. Then maybe they could relax a little, and it would give him time to try and think of some questions to ask her after. Maybe make a romantic atmosphere…get a goodnight kiss? He gulped. He couldn't blow this.

"I don't know. What do you think, Naruto?" Sakura turned her beautiful green eyes on him and he just stared for a moment before tearing his gaze away and looking up at the listings.

"Um, I don't know. It's your call. What kind of movies do you like?"

Sakura shrugged. "Romance I guess, or dramas. I like romantic comedies too. Oo, what about that one? It looks fun."

She pointed at a poster of an odd-looking Korean movie, a brown-eyed pretty girl was making an oddly seductive face while the tall man next to her smiled charmingly.

"Or there's the new Twilight movie."

She pointed at the most recent installment of the hated series. Naruto's eyes flicked between the two movie posters.

"Uh, whatever you prefer, Sakura."

Sakura frowned. "You're allowed to watch something you want to watch too, Naruto."

Naruto grinned. "I'm happy with whatever we watch as long as I get to sit next to you."

Sakura gave a huff of frustration, but a faint blush colored her cheeks. "Fine. Let's go see the Korean movie. I know you hate Twilight."

Naruto put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her as she began to walk over to the counter. "No, I know you love that series. Let's go watch it."

She gave him a doubtful look. "You don't have to."

"Seriously, it's fine. We're watching it." He said in a firm voice and walked over to the counter, laying down two 10 dollar notes. "Two for Twilight, please."

The young assistant at the desk shot him a look of commiseration as he printed out the ticket and handed it over. Naruto ignored it. There was no need to pity him. He was on a date with the prettiest girl since springtime.

"Aaah, that was so romantic." said Sakura with a sigh as they left the movie theater. "Edward was so cool."

Naruto tried not to let the comment get to him even though it felt like a sharp stab in his side. He dug his hands into his jeans pockets. He didn't get it. The guy had spent the whole movie giving mixed signals and treating the girl coldly, yet it had just drawn the girl in more, and Sakura had loved it. Was that how he was supposed to be? Was that what girls wanted? The cold guy whose heart slowly melts? That must be why Sasuke was so annoyingly popular at school.

Sakura turned to look at him as she walked down the street beside him. "You ok, Naruto?"

Naruto nodded and flashed her a grin. "Definitely."

"I know you don't like those kinds of movies so much."

Naruto smiled at her. "Hey, I'm happy because I got to spend time with you." He rubbed the back of his head. "Um, you wanna go and get an ice cream?"

Sakura lowered her eyes, staring at the sidewalk as they continued along the street. "I'd better get home. My mom said I had to be back before ten, you know?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "Oh yeah, I didn't realize it was so late, and I definitely don't want your parents to hate me. Let's head home."

He changed direction and together they crossed the street, making their way back to Sakura's house. It was a bit of a walk, but the evening brought a warm scent – the makings of early summer which made the atmosphere all the more pleasant.

Naruto cleared his throat. "I wanted to say, Sakura, I'm really glad you agreed to go on a date with me."

Sakura gave him a small smile. "Thanks. I had a nice time."

An inner glow warmed Naruto's heart and he grinned.

Spring was decidedly an awesome season.

They remained quiet for most of the walk home, but all too soon they arrived at Sakura's house. She stopped at her front steps and looked up at Naruto.

Naruto wanted so badly to lean in for a kiss. His heart was pumping and he clenched his fingers as he stared into her eyes. Sakura broke the gaze looking away.

"Well, this is me, so…"

Naruto summoned up his last vestiges of courage. "So, uh, I was thinking…on Saturday maybe we could go to the mall."

She sighed. "You know, I said I couldn't make any promises though, right? This is just…"

"I know." Naruto broke in. "I just, I'm glad you're giving me a chance, and if it turns out you're not interested, I'll understand and stuff. But yeah…it was just fun spending time with you. You can't base everything on one date right? So let's go to the mall and just have fun. No pressures."

Sakura glanced back up at him. "Naruto, I'm not sure. I don't want to lead you on and I'm still not sure that I-"

Then Naruto did the bold move that he never thought he would have the courage to. If this was what girls wanted it's what he would do. He cupped her cheek and lifted her gaze to meet his. Swallowing, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. They were so soft – petal cherry lips. When he pulled back Sakura was staring at him in shock.

"Did you just…?"

Panic coursed through Naruto. "I- I'm sorry. I got carried away! I'm so sorry, Sakura. I won't ever do it again!"

Sakura frowned and looked away. "No, it's ok…I think. I don't know. I'm just…confused."

Naruto's heart leapt in his chest. "Really? So…we'll meet up on Saturday?"

Sakura swallowed, her pale throat bobbing. "Ok, but don't get your hopes up, ok, Uzumaki? I'm still not making any promises."

"No problem, Sakura! I'll be a rock of non-hopefulness." He grinned at her.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Ok, now get out of here, you loudmouth."

Naruto saluted and turned to walk down the path. "Whatever milady says."

Sakura shook her head with a smile as she went back inside, closing the door behind her.

On the other side of the door, she touched a single finger to her lips.

The Next Day

A towel flew across the room and landed on the head of the blond teen gazing out the window. He gave a muffled yell and yanked it off. Naruto looked up to see Neji smirking at him, Kiba standing at his side with an evil grin marking his mischievous features, and Sasuke leaning against one of the desks, staring boredly at the blackboard.

"Are you coming to soccer practice today or are you going to sit daydreaming all day, Uzumaki?" asked Neji.

"I bet I can guess what he's dreaming about." added Kiba. "Oooh, Sakura, my loooove."

He started making smoochy noises.

Naruto stood up and punched him in the shoulder, an embarrassed grin plastering his face. "Shut up."

"Whatever. Let's just go and get changed already or we're going to be late." Sasuke said, standing up and making his way out of the classroom.

Kiba slung an arm around Naruto's shoulder as they walked along the school hallway.

"Sooo, Uzumaki. Spill. How did your big date go? Did you woo the sweet Sakura with your manly charms?"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "It wasn't like that."

Kiba's smirked. "So...she friendzoned you and dumped you after one date, huh?"

"No. We're going out again." replied Naruto. He couldn't help the happy grin that spread across his face.

"Nice one, Uzumaki." said Kiba in surprise.

"Congratulations, Naruto." said Neji, nodding at him. He opened the door to the changing rooms and they all walked in. Neji began tying his long smooth hair into a pony tail.

"Looks like we're the last here." He swiftly began to change into his soccer kit, the other boys following his lead.

"So where are you going to take her?" asked Kiba, pulling his shirt over his head and mussing up his spiky hair. He looked like a wild dog with that mischievous grin and those pointed teeth.

Naruto pulled on his soccer shorts. "To the mall. We're headed there on Saturday."

"Good choice. Lots to do there. Now if I were you-"

"Are you all going to stand gossiping like a bunch of girls, or are you going to play some soccer?"

Sasuke stood waiting at the entrance to the hallway leading out onto the soccer pitch. His arms were folded and his mouth was set in a scowl.

"Alright, mate. Don't get your knickers in a twist. We're coming." replied Kiba, yanking on his soccer boots.

Naruto quickly followed suit.

Neji raised a brow as he walked past the Uchiha. "Something bothering you?"

"I'm fine." replied Sasuke shortly, his eyes focused on Naruto as he laced up his shoes. "They're just being slow."

Neji nodded and hid a smile. "If you say so."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Hyuuga wasn't in on this little conspiracy theory too, was he? Or was Sasuke just being paranoid? He glared over at Naruto as he stood up, his blond hair falling into his eyes. He pushed it out the way and grinned at Sasuke, his eyes lighting up. Sasuke swallowed. This was ridiculous. Shikamaru had gotten into his head way too much. He pressed his fingers into his palm in an attempt to settle his thoughts. It helped…a little.

Neji and Kiba walked ahead as Naruto caught up with them, falling into step beside Sasuke.

"Who shat on your sandwich today?" the blond asked the grumpy teen beside him.

"No one." replied Sasuke, his tone flat. "Gai will be wondering where we are."

Naruto laughed. "That guy will probably be running laps with the team for the next 30 minutes anyway. It doesn't matter."

Sasuke said nothing for a few moments. The breeze from outside filtered through the open doors at the end of the corridor, flicking strands of hair into his face. He pushed them out of the way.

"So, your date went well, huh?"

"Yeah, I think so." Naruto's face stretched into a grin, his white teeth an odd contrast to the tan skin, the skin so warm in tone when compared to Sasuke's pale pallor. He looked down unconsciously at his own pale arm.

"What did you do?"

Naruto clasped his hands around the back of his head and looked up happily at the ceiling. "We went to see a shitty movie. It was terrible, but we got to talk and get to know each other a bit, so it's all good. Then I walked her home."

Sasuke blinked in the sunshine as they stepped out onto the soccer pitch, his shoes sinking slightly into the soft turf. He turned his gaze back to Naruto.

"You just went to see a movie? You didn't go anywhere else?"

Naruto raised a brow. "Isn't that enough?" He paused, a small smile tugging at his lips as he stared up at the clouds. "Well, we did do one other thing."

Sasuke frowned. "What did you-"

"Ah, my wonderful stars have arrived at last to bring in the new summer season! " Gai stood before them, hands on the waist of his glaring green 'exercise' outfit. "Welcome! Let's be strong and exercise with our full strength today!"

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. Why did this man have to be the coach of all people? And why did he have to interrupt now?

It didn't matter, he thought as the blond walked away from him to begin his stretches. He could always ask him later.

"What a youthful soccer practice, my exceptional Spring Blossoms!" cried Gai, stretching out his arms as if to embrace his students. The few boys standing closest to him edged a few steps back. Naruto smiled widely and wiped his sweating brow. He was at a safe distance from the frightening, green-suited soccer coach.

"Go and enjoy your refreshing showers," continued Gai, "and I'll see you next week for more wonderful, manly activities."

Kiba jogged up to Naruto's side as they followed the other students off the pitch. "Geez, he even manages to make soccer sound weird and perverted."

Naruto grinned. "Could you imagine if he actually got a girlfriend, the stuff he'd say to her?"

Kiba shivered as they walked into the locker room. "Ugh. Don't even go there. I don't want to imagine Gai's pillow talk."

They sat down on the benches and began changing out of their kits. Naruto pulled off his dirty black soccer boots. The studs had picked up some mud from the soft pitch outside. He banged the shoes against the bench.

"You're creating a mess," said a sullen voice.

Naruto looked up. Sasuke stood nearby, pulling his clothing from a locker. He glanced meaningfully at the dirt that had flaked off the soles of the shoes and onto the floor.

Naruto shrugged. "That's the point - to get the mud off my shoes."

"You could at least do it over a trash can."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "This place gets cleaned like every day. Not everyone is as anal as you about a few drops of dirt on the floor."

"Whatever," said Sasuke. He turned away, taking off his shirt, and as Naruto glared at his back he was struck by just how pale Sasuke's skin was. It was moonlight white, utterly perfect, not a scar or blemish marring the skin just like that stupid vampire in that stupid movie.

Bastard.

Kiba stood in front of him, blocking his vision in all his towel-wrapped glory...or lack thereof. "You not taking a shower, Uzumaki?"

"Nah, I think I'm going to head home as is and take a shower there." said Naruto, standing up and stuffing his school clothes into his bag.

"Suit yourself." Kiba headed toward the white tiled doorway, with Sasuke strolling after. Steam was already pouring from the opening as most of the team was already inside showering.

"That's a shame you won't be joining us today," said a silky voice uncomfortably close to Naruto's ear.

Naruto jumped up with a rather unmanly squeal as he felt a hand touch his lower back. He turned round and glared at the culprit.

"How many times do I have to tell you to lay off, Sai?"

Sai stood before him fully naked apart from the small white towel around his waist, preserving his dignity. He smiled a cat-like grin although it didn't reach his pitch-black eyes. "Apparently, just once more, and one more time after that, and one more time after that, and one more time after-"

"Alright, I get the fucking point," said Naruto, cutting him off.

Naruto seriously wanted to punch this idiot in the face. Ever since he'd joined the team as a reserve sub, he'd made life in the locker room unbearable, hitting on Naruto every chance he got. That was the main reason he'd stopped changing and showering here. The guy was just too creepy.

Sai shrugged and moved closer, walking around the bench so that Naruto had to take a few steps back to maintain a comfortable distance.

"What can I say?" he said. "After sharing such a passionate kiss, how can I help wanting more?"

Naruto felt the heat bloom on his face. Would this guy ever shut up about that party? It had been over a year. Not only did he keep bringing it up when they were alone, but he liked to drop heavy-loaded hints in front of the rest of the team.

"For the last time, I was drunk and you were a perv. There was no 'passion'. None. Got that? There's no point in thinking about it, and there's definitely no need to tell anyone."

The blond felt the cold metal of the locker hit his back as he retreated another step and still Sai advanced, closing the gap between them. He put a hand up next to Naruto's head, licking his soft, pale lips. "But there could be."

Naruto swallowed. Ok, this needed to stop. It really needed to stop. It wasn't funny anymore.

The arm was yanked away by a pale hand, and Sai was pushed back a few steps.

"Back off, Sai," said Sasuke in a warning tone. He glared at the irritating doppelganger, standing between him and Naruto.

Sai smiled. "Oh, sorry, Uchiha," He said, not sounding at all sorry. "I didn't realize I was encroaching on your territory."

"He's not my territory," said Sasuke scathingly at the same time that Naruto practically yelled. "I'm not his territory!"

Sai put up his hands. "Ok, sorry. I didn't realize I was hitting on your boyfriend then."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

Naruto turned bright red and moved out from behind Sasuke who was blocking his way. "I'm not his boyfriend, you pervert. If anything, I'm Sakura's."

Sasuke jerked his head round to look at Naruto. "Since when?"

Sai raised a brow. "Oh really? It's a bit early to be saying that, don't you think? You haven't even shared your first kiss yet." He grinned that Cheshire cat grin and added, "Unlike us."

Naruto fidgeted uncomfortably. "Well, I'm not her boyfriend yet, but...I could be...and...and that's all you know, 'cos yes, we have."

He was startled as he felt a hand grab his shoulder roughly, and looked round to find Sasuke glaring at him. "What on earth are you talking about?"

He shoved the hand off his shoulder. "I'm talking about last night."

Sasuke's expression darkened. "You never mentioned that."

Naruto frowned. "I figured Sakura wouldn't want me to advertise it, but," he grinned a huge grin. "Yeah, it doesn't hurt to say, at the end of the date we kissed, and it was totally awesome."

Sasuke didn't say anything, just staring and Naruto shifted under his gaze, unsure of what to say. Wasn't this supposed to be a good thing? He was finally progressing beyond the friendzone with Sakura. Shouldn't Sasuke be happy for him?

The tension was broken by Sai as he smiled and shrugged. "Well, if it doesn't work out, you know you can always give me a call. See you around, dickless."

Naruto's eye twitched at the nickname, and Sai walked away in the direction of the showers, leaving Sasuke and Naruto alone.

Naruto scowled and muttered after the perverted boy, "If it doesn't work out, you'll be the last one I call, you weirdo."

His face brightened and he turned to Sasuke. "But it will work out, eh, Sasuke? That guy doesn't know what he's talking about. Sakura and I are meant to be toge-"

"Stop talking," said Sasuke. He was frozen in place, not having moved throughout the whole last part of the exchange, an odd look on his face.

"What're you-?"

The strangely shocked look turned to anger and he glared at Naruto. "Just stop talking for once in your life, will you?"

Naruto's expression darkened. "What's your problem?"

Sasuke raked a hand through his hair. His eyes were darting around, looking everywhere but at Naruto. "Look. Nothing. I'm sorry. I have to go."

"Go? Go where?" started Naruto, but Sasuke was already stuffing his soccer kit into his bag and walking away.

"Well, am I still coming round to your place after school or what?" Naruto yelled after him.

Sasuke waved without looking back.

"Sulky bi-polar bastard," muttered Naruto, shouldering his own backpack and heading out the opposite exit of the locker room. Once he got home and showered he was going to kick that sullen bastard's ass at Tekken.

Sasuke's head was spinning. He broke into a run once he was out of sight from Naruto, his shoes squeaking on the shiny linoleum floor. He had to get away, get somewhere he could think. His feet seemed to know where he was going before he did and he was mildly surprised to find himself back out on the big, empty soccer pitch. Heavy, gray clouds scudded across the late afternoon sky creating dreary shadows on the turf and an overcast pallor to the otherwise temperate day.

Sasuke hurried over to one of the bleachers and sank down onto it, putting his head in his hands. This couldn't be true. It couldn't. He felt sick, actually, physically sick, and the words replayed in his head over and over and over.

I'm Sakura's boyfriend. …we kissed…we kissed…

A shockwave had shot through him at those words and the realization hit him like a thunderbolt. This wasn't Shikamaru's manipulation nor a game. It was nothing like that. What Shikamaru had said was true. No one was making him feel this and no one could make this sick feeling go through him - that feeling as if the bottom had dropped out of his world when Naruto spoke those words.

"It's true." He murmured to himself, biting his lip and looking up at the gray clouds. A few splashes of rain fell down onto his face as the clouds got ready to let loose their burden, and the words were uttered into the subdued air.

"I like Naruto Uzumaki."