Reviewers:

Samm91: Oh! So you read my bonus chapter for Marry for Love, then? ;) I can't do the same thing over and over again, although...I am rather proud of that chapter. I wrote it all in one go. Oh! And if I'd put that scene into the middle, then I'd have no need for the fiancée. Maybe on the next one? Hmm...yeah, I'll aim for next one.

Kingred1994: Oh! Sakura and Ino are the BEST! Most beautiful women in Anime for me. I just HATE how the author screwed up the ending for Everyone involved. Ino with Sai was good, but Karin with Sasuke and the two on the road and banished was the plan all along, and he screwed up the best pair ever.

Guest 1: Sorry. I didn't watch the movies; they didn't follow the characters or stories I liked. Can't really care to watch them now.

Kzzzz: Oh! You can have high hopes, man! Just...be warned you are not Icarus flying into the sun, you know? As for Naruto and Orange, it's why I made them family colors and Naruto's family...well, he didn't have too much time to know them, did he? This interaction moreso gave Sakura the intuition of his color, so I liked adding it in.

AN: Author rage moment, I keep having to save my viewers' eyes from a GUEST reviewer posting disgusting reviews about real life horrors. Ugh. I'll do my best but I worry for you all. Don't look at the reviews unless you're commentating. It's not been safe. (Insert me shivering at mean words used) Doing the best I can to delete them as soon as they appear. I suspect many stories are getting the same sad treatment.

AN2: Thanks to all who reviewed. I loved writing how Chouji and Sakura have 'slightly' different colors, hehe. Anyways, time for some serious talk.

Glazed Emeralds: A Hallmark Story

Chapter 23: Mediation & History

An hour later, the couple sat on the grass hill overlooking the dirt center with the bonfire. A dinner lay shared between them, and they had both agreed that it wasn't as good as Sakura's, but she didn't have to cook, so that was a plus.

Sakura looked over as Naruto watched with fascination as the cultural dance commenced before them, with crazy teenagers doing a play where they were fighting a great war as ninja, drawing symbols with their hands as if the elements were at their will. Sakura bit her lip, as her mind finally pulsed with a decision. She wasn't ready to tell him she loved him, she wasn't ready for a relationship promise, but maybe...she had to give her heart a chance, and that...required a risk she didn't want to discuss.

"So...Naruto…"

Naruto turned his head to her. "Yeah?"

"Can we...discuss the land?"

Naruto gulped, his eyes flickering in remembrance. "Oh...right." He slowly smiled. "You know? That's the whole reason I came out here and yet, I forgot all about that until just now. You...wanted to buy it, right?"

Sakura bit her lip harder. She didn't want it anymore, not if it would ensure that Naruto came back here to Konoha, but...Sakura gave him a small smile. "I...yeah. Or maybe like, lease it perhaps?...You could be...my landlord or something." Sakura finished with a terrible blush down the back of her neck. This was so embarrassing to talk about with someone you cared for.

Leaning towards her, Naruto smirked as he pressed his lips against hers. Sakura sighed happily and lightly kissed back. It was this kind of kissing she was beginning to crave. It wasn't leading anywhere. It didn't mean sex. It just...was something they did...and it felt nice.

Naruto pulled back an inch and quirked a smile as he grinned at her. "A landlord, huh? You've been reading some perverted books."

"Baka!" Sakura giggled cutely. Her giggle died into silence as she watched as Naruto's eyes moved inwards as he thought about it.

"...If I was a landlord...I'd probably need to visit some times." Sakura heard his voice whisper into her ear. Sakura's heart beat faster in her chest.

"...I could offer you a free room and board, you know…"

Naruto looked back and they both gulped as their eyes met, orbs shimmering between the other. Sakura synced with Naruto as their breaths shuddered and their muscles tightened together. There was little doubt about the inner thoughts raging inside their minds. If he came, would they be in the same room, in the same bed? Experiencing this magnetic pull that unraveled around them every time their eyes met?

"Sakura…"

"...Yeah?" Sakura whispered back, her voice silky and full of desire.

Naruto looked down to her lips, breaking eye contact as he looked worried and nervous to ask. "Yeah?" Sakura repeated.

"What we're doing right now and...in the future...what if you are with someone…"

Sakura frowned, a twinge of anger set into her eyes. He thought their bond was so weak? "...W-what if you are?..." She fired back, masking her hurt.

Naruto looked away, his ears turning a deep red. "I...I don't expect to be with another girl any time soon." He looked back over, and his words whispered out, just barely audible to hear. "If I could have anyone, it'd have to be you."

She heard what he said. Sakura's ears burned white hot, her heart pumping wildly at them. "Me? W-why me?" Sakura stuttered, her tongue not cooperating as it slid away from her, her mind in complete disorder at his declaration. "J-just for the sex?"

Naruto smiled at her blushing ears. "No...well, somewhat...but…" Naruto paused to smile back into her eyes. "...It's just that you get me so well. I don't...have any walls with you."

Sakura's heart slowed, content, and her poor ears returned to their primary color. He'd choose her over other girls because she matched and accepted him for who he was? Her heart began to swell. No way! She was in love, because it was that he matched and accepted her! Sakura reached up to play with her hair. "Well...I wouldn't be opposed...to house you often…"

Sakura glanced back, only to watch as Naruto pervily looked her over, her side profile against the grass as her chest pressed out and the side swell of her hip gave a certain image as if she was the color of black and past her curves, the background was all white.

"...Like...every few months?"

Sakura gulped. Here it was; the negotiation she was waiting for. She could have him every few months. That was a great start! She had feared every other year. Sakura's eyes widened in sadness. "Well...winter is rough, but…" Sakura's eyes shined with hope. "A week at a time?"

She watched Naruto's teeth pull back with a hiss and her mind threw into a panic. What was she thinking?! He had a new job! He couldn't take weeks off just to see...make sure his property was doing well.

"…- Or a few days?" Sakura changed her offer, desperately willing her body to still and be calm. She hoped for any amount of time with him.

"...Alright."

Sakura choked on the air in her lungs. Did he just agree? "... W-What?"

Naruto shrugged, looking away. "I mean...I still don't know what I want to do with the land...until I do...why not allow you to use it?"

"Free of charge?" She whispered, her voice neutral.

"Yeah." Naruto shrugged. Inside, Sakura snapped. If he didn't charge her, then he wasn't going to come out. And if he wasn't going to come out, then she-...

Without thinking, Sakura sat up and pushed Naruto further down the hillside. Naruto eeped as he dug his feet into the grass to stop himself, but after two flips he stopped on his back and looked up to see Sakura's thighs straddling his own as her pelvis sat on his chest as she leaned down and stared deep into his eyes. Naruto's eyes shivered at the position as she had cornered him, her eyes full of need and an unknown kind of desire that made his heart clench tightly.

"...I don't want charity. I can pay." Sakura spoke with a sultry voice. She could do this, convince Naruto to see her so that she could...pay...him… Sakura watched Naruto gulp, and as his pelvis pushed onto her, Sakura gawked and moved to slap his shoulder. "...with money baka! I'm no harlot!"

"Could have fooled me." Naruto muttered, before Sakura giggled and leaned down to kiss him again, shutting him up. They kissed for a few minutes, Sakura keeping him pinned and at her utter mercy, and when she finally leaned back up, she could feel her body's weight lifting up.

Sakura sighed happily as her heart bulged wide and full of happiness. She got it. She got what she wanted. True; there were no promises; Naruto didn't have to come out to get her money. There were no set dates; he might only want to see her once a year. Hell, there was no romance per say, just an unsaid promise of fuckery and intimate moments...but he would come back...she could handle some months apart...if…

"Hey…" Sakura whispered over as Naruto sat up beside her. "W-we can talk over the phone when you're back in the city, right?"

Naruto's eyes gleamed with white moonlight as he raised his voice and leaned over to hold her palms with his own. "Yeah! Of course you can! It'd be amazing to hear your voice after a hard day, just soothing me and all. I-I'd love that."

'I love you.' Sakura blushed at her rogue inner thoughts, once again saying it in her mind. Every time he said love, she'd think it. Every time, she'd ache for it, but if she ever felt lonely...she could reach out to him. Now he would only ever be a phone call away. Sakura smiled wide as their fingers intertwined, and they watched the rest of the performance below them.

"Hey Sakura?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you ever dance like that when you were little?"

Sakura giggled. "Yeah. Of course! They make all the kids do it."

"Tell me about it."

"Well… let's walk and talk." Sakura offered. Naruto grinned with a nod, and stood up. Dusting off his pants, Sakura waited where she was until he offered his hand, and off they went, into the darkness. Going down a small path, the two lovers slowly kicked pebbles down the way, their hands intertwined as they moved, as Naruto listened to Sakura speak.

"When I was little, my mom never spoiled me if that's what you're thinking. Man! She was a slave driver of a mother! She had me cleaning the toilets at five! And I had to clean the floors twice a day." Sakura rolled her eyes as she animatedly swung her arm out to prove her point.

"Did you do the beds too?" Naruto questioned.

Sakura shrugged. "Not until I was eight. She didn't trust me with washing with chemicals and all to make them clean. My mom was just super busy come winter that she really needed me to help her. But I was working the counter by ten which for me is the best."

"You must have been adorable."

Sakura's eyes gleamed as she nodded happily. "You should have seen the looks on visitors when they were coming and going! Everyone was like, OMG! Such a traditional small town! Making the children work! Or when others were stunned when I added on the charge for the mini fridge."

"Did they try to deny it?"

Sakura smiled dopily. "Lie to a child? In front of other guests? No."

"You did a lot for your mom."

"Well," Sakura shrugged. "My dad died when I was three. I didn't know him well, but my mom always smiled so big thinking of him. They had been a couple since they were nine!" Sakura giggled. "Couples are weird here like that."

"Like Shikamaru and Ino."

"Yeah!" Sakura nodded happily. "In school, Ino stole all the attention. I mean, her parents ran the Mercantile. She had everything earlier than anyone else. I uh...I punched her once, called her a spoiled brat. She ran home to her dad crying, but the next day, she apologized and we…" Sakura smiled fondly. "We've been best friends since."

Sakura shook herself, and pushed Naruto's hand into his side. "Okay, enough about me. What about you?"

Naruto smiled and shrugged as they moved towards a small red bridge over a steady stream of water. "Not much to tell really."

"You grew up in the city right? No story there?"

"Well, yeah I grew up in the city." Naruto smiled back. "What I mean is that I never really knew my parents. They died just after I started school."

"Oh Naruto, I'm sorry." Sakura's eyes pricked with tears.

"Hey! After so long, I'm used to it. My godfather though, he was truly up to the task of taking care of me. There was a freak weather event and so many people had died. He hadn't seen my parents for many years until he found out about the storm. He had always been abroad so I understand completely."

"So he took you in? When he found out?"

Naruto blushed, his heart racing. Fond memories of Ero-sannin were rushing into his mind and-

"Naruto? You okay?" Sakura paused to hold his shoulder.

"What?" Naruto cocked his head, as Sakura grabbed a piece of cloth from her pocket and dabbed at his eyes. Naruto blushed deeper. He was crying...in front of Sakura...oh geez…

"You really loved him, huh?" Sakura solemnly smiled.

Naruto shook his hair out, nodding along. "He was such a character, Sakura. He couldn't afford to stay with me full time, but that first year, he took me everywhere, he taught me how to live on my own. I was well fed, I went to the best prep school in the city. I didn't have to worry about the small things."

"Prep school, huh? What are you? Some ultra rich kid?" Sakura giggled as she skipped ahead to the bridge. Naruto paused in his steps to watch his lover move up the steps, his eyes glittering.

Naruto never told anyone more than they needed to know. He didn't use the name in jobs, in life. He didn't Need to tell her anything. He didn't Need to make her aware that he didn't need her money. No; Naruto thought as his eyes hardened with conviction. He Wanted to tell her.

"Hey Sakura...Sakura!" Naruto called over repeatedly as he grabbed at the giggling girl.

Sakura glanced over, and her giggles slowly ebbed away as she looked curiously at his serious face. "What is it?"

Naruto gulped. "Listen um...it-the thing is...my godfather...he passed away just before I came here."

Sakura frowned, but nodded. "I thought that was the case, you talking about his land and all."

Naruto reached up to rub his neck, Sakura's eyes tracking him as she now knew how nervous he was by the nervous tick that he made his own. "Naruto? What is it?"

"Well...Sakura you want to pay to lease the land, but um...I don't need the money."

Sakura's eyes widened in worry. "What do you mean? You some kind of millionaire where my money isn't good enough for you?" Naruto's bashful frown made Sakura pause. The area around them swirled and Sakura cocked her head in realization. "Oh…"

Naruto bit his lip and looked down. Now she knew; she was going to look at him differently and-

"How much you got?"

Naruto shrugged defeated. "Well, my godfather was a...um...a porn writer when he was in high school. Really popular. He actually made a business on that and it's now a um...a multi-billion conglomerate and uh...I'm inheriting his thirty percent of shares and royalties after this trip."

"So...a billionaire? You're a trust fund kid?"

Naruto sadly smiled. "Yeah, pretty much. My godfather just asked on his deathbed for me to check out the land here. He said he found peace here or something. I don't know why I'm telling you this but-"

Naruto stalled as Sakura wrapped her arms around him, and pressed her lips to his cheek. Sakura herself smiled up and sighed as she once again dabbed at his teary eyes.

"I'm glad he sent you here, Naruto. I got to meet you because of that promise."

Naruto smiled back. "That's true."

"You may be a rich guy, but I didn't seduce you for the money, you know?"

"No?" Naruto smirked and hugged back, Sakura gasping as she felt her ribs straining from the strength in his arms. "I know that...that's why I like you." Sakura's eyes twinkled into the night sky, her heart pinging...he liked her…

"Hey, um, your godfather...that was Jaraiya, right?"

Naruto nodded into her neck. "Yeah."

Sakura blushed, smiling. "Remember the bookshelf in my room? I have some of his best works hidden there." Naruto broke out laughing, and Sakura looped her arms around his neck as she hung off of him. "He was an obvious pervert, but the romance was always there in his work. I see some of that in you, Naru."

"Aw Sakura…" Naruto sniffled and shook.

Sakura grinned. "You know? You're really something, Naru." She breathed into his face before their lips connected, perfectly content to slowly grope the other as they delved deeper into the other's mind and body.

Naruto pushed his pelvis into Sakura, who moaned deliciously for him and smiled. She didn't care about money. She was like him; searching for a life filled with purpose. The only difference was that she had already found hers.

BOOM!

"What? Huh?" Naruto pushed back as Sakura's face illuminated with green light. More colors exploded above them and Naruto looked up in shock as red, purple, and white, jumped into the air above them.

"You have...fireworks?"

"You thought we didn't have those?" Sakura asked mockingly. "Just how little do you think of us small town folk?" Sakura grinned, as her hand slid under the waistband of his pants. "I may have to teach you a few more things before you go."

Naruto's eyes narrowed and he eagerly kissed back, the two fiercely showing their romance under the fizzling light above them.

Also above them, watching from behind a tree, Ino looked down on the two, a wide smile on her face. She had seen them sneak off and followed them at a distance, her own heart pinging as she watched their romantic gestures.

The lights going off above made her invisible to their minds, and Ino had always been proud that her family paid for the lights every summer festival. But as she saw her best friend shove her hand under Naruto's clothes and them pushing other items off, Ino blushed and quickly walked off, the moment forever making her sigh happily.

They had danced, chatted, flirted, admitted, and everything in between. There were no walls between them but one; their admittance to love. Ino looked back one last time and shook her head.

'They are such a couple.'

AN: Well, is she a gold digger if she finds out After her feelings are there? Tell me your thoughts!