"I'm sorry," I said, finally catching Naruto alone as the rest of our team had already headed for bed. We stood outside of the fire temple, Naruto grabbing some fresh air before ending his day.

Naruto stared at me with his bewildered crystal blue eyes for about ten seconds, before the rest of his face fell into a frown, his brow arching skeptically. I was annoyed at first that he was confused, until I realized that maybe he had a right to be this time. I very rarely ever apologized to Naruto.

"For assuming..." I paused, trying to figure out how to word this correctly, "that you were kissing the enemy on your own accord. Even you wouldn't stoop so low. I should have realized that it was part of a deadly jutsu and acted in haste to help you rather than scold you. If I had kept my mouth shut, maybe my attack could have landed its mark."

"Oh!" Naruto's eyes changed, suddenly radiating now that he understood what I was talking about. "Yeah, that slut tried to catch me with her death kiss jutsu . You know me, Sakura-chan, I wouldn't be caught by the charms of the enemy no matter how attractive they are!" He laughed, a slight nervous laugh, the type of laugh that would sometimes accompany a failed attempted lie. "And she wasn't even my type to begin with, so she didn't have a chance. Me falling for that? Ha! I invented sexy jutsu ! I'm practically immune to being seduced!"

"Alright, okay!" He was talking too much. Naruto never knew when to shut up. "I'm just sorry, okay? Do you accept my apology?"

"Of course, I do, Sakura-chan!" and there it was, that beaming smile. "Not the weirdest thing to happen to me."

I grunted. It certainly wasn't. Anything weird happening was always Naruto related. "Though I feel kinda bad," I said, an air of teasing now lacing my voice. "Your first kiss from a girl was trying to kill you," I couldn't help it. It was funny. Well, it became funny once I realized that Naruto wasn't really locking lips with the woman because he wanted to, and that he turned out to be okay afterwards when she couldn't handle his chakra.

"That wasn't my first kiss!" Naruto defended.

I glared at him. "I said the first kiss from a girl, moron! Sasuke-kun doesn't count!" It irked me that Naruto would constantly use that accident with Sasuke-kun as a real kissing experience. Sure, people made fun of him for it, but it wasn't a real kiss. There was no intention, or desire so what was the point?!

"Why shouldn't it count?" Naruto replied, crossing his arms stubbornly. "I'm not ashamed." Ha! He sure seemed to be when his other friends tormented him about it. This new attitude was only to vex me. I knew it.

"Because it was an accident."

Naruto blew air through his lips. "Are you gonna say the other time with him was an accident too?"

I had started to walk away from him, assuming our conversation was just about done, but I spun around sharply at this news. "What other time?!"

"Remember? When Sasuke and I were stuck together? We tried to pull apart from that weird stretchy stuff and smacked back. I'm pretty sure I had his tongue in my mouth that time. That's gotta be extra points or something."

"WHAT?! What do you mean?!"

Naruto stared at me like I was a moron. He held up a finger from each hand, holding them together. "This is Sasuke," he motioned with one hand. "And this is me, and we jumped from a waterfall, aiming a rock in between us and then we bounced," Naruto illustrated with his hands. "Splat!" he clapped his hands together.

I frowned at him. "That doesn't sound like an intentional kiss either!"

"Okay, whatever. But if an accident keeps happening, maybe it's not such an accident. I'm just saying!"

"Shut up! Sasuke-kun wouldn't do it on purpose!"

Naruto shrugged.

I hit him. I liked to do that.

"Ow!" He rubbed his shoulder. "Well anyway. I've been kissed by a girl before too." He grinned.

"What? Who on earth?!"

"Isaribi," Naruto announced with the smuggest look that I had ever seen on his face.

It took me a moment to realize who he was talking about. I normally had a very good memory when it came to faces and names. Then it came to me. "Isaribi? That outcast girl from the Land of the Sea?!" She had followed Naruto home after one of his missions. It wasn't much surprising, since at this point in Naruto's life, girls started to take notice of him. She had stayed in the village for a time, Naruto being her only friend, and he had made extra effort to pay attention to her. She had eventually left as she felt she didn't fit in the village, much to Naruto's extreme disappointment.

"Yep! Kissed me right on the lips," he said, tapping his mouth.

"I don't believe you."

"What?!" Naruto's eyes and mouth opened wide in shock. "It happened!"

"Yeah, whatever." I turned up my nose.

"Why don't you believe me?! You jealous or something?"

I let out an unimpressed laugh. "Why would I be jealous?!"

"I don't know." Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Have you ever been kissed before, Sakura-chan?"

I blushed and tried to hide it by facing away from him. It was for naught though because Naruto saw my reaction before I could conceal it, and even a simpleton as he could read the expression.

"You haven't?!" I wanted to smack him. Naruto was loud and I didn't exactly want him to announce to everyone that I had never been kissed before. The both of us were already fifteen, and the likes of Naruto had gotten more action than I had. "Not even by Bushy Brow?"

"What? Of course not! Why would I ever kiss him?"

"I don't know. I just remember hearing Bushy Brow say if he didn't kiss you within a year, he'd do one million laps around the village on his thumbs."

I thought for a moment, remembering him doing just that a few years back. "Well that explains that, then."

"Wow! I can't believe you've never been kissed before, Sakura-chan!"

"What's that supposed to mean?! Who the hell do you think I'd be kissing?!"

"Well, I-" and then he stopped himself, suddenly aware of what should have been a most obvious fact. The reason was because Sasuke-kun had left. "Whoa. So... you're just gonna wait around for Sasuke then." He didn't say it as a question, though I don't think he understood the statement. He just knew it to be my intention. After a pregnant silence, I suddenly decided I had enough of Naruto's company and was ready for bed, but he spoke again as I was moving away. "You're really going to just wait for him? I mean, you're not gonna kiss anybody, until he comes back? You might have to wait for a long time."

I clenched my fists. "So what of it!?"

"It's just, it's not like he's going to wait for you. I mean he's already kissed me twice-" And that was it. That was as much patience as I could handle. I swung at him, letting my chakra solidify around my fist for a deadly blow.

You'd think Naruto would never learn. He continually would stick his foot deeper into his mouth and you realized that he would never change or grow from his mistakes.

Until he did.

Naruto anticipated my attack and dodged, grabbing my wrist. "I'm just saying!" he exclaimed, out of breath when my fist hit a tree he had been in front of and it cracked the wood. "It's just that you might want to practice before you try to do it with the one you really want. You know, so it's not awkward and gross. Like training!"

"What are you saying?" I growled.

"Just that if you wanted to practice or something... I'm willing to help you, you know, share some of my experience with you."

"YOU DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE! You're just trying to get me to kiss you!"

"No I'm not! I mean, it's a perk but-"

"Shut up! No way in hell! I'm never, ever, ever going to kiss you, so stop trying!"

"Man, Sakura-chan! You're always so harsh! I was just trying to help you out!"

I rolled my eyes and muttered, 'trying to help me out,' mockingly. "Goodnight Naruto!"

"G'night!" he responded unfazed by my rejection. He never was. He'd continue again some other time. The dimwit never gave up.

As I got ready for bed, I found myself thinking about Naruto's offer. First, because I was angry at the suggestion, and I couldn't sleep while I was mad, but the more I thought about it, the more I imagined it happening. The idea of Naruto's warm mouth against mine didn't seem as unpleasant when he tried to kiss me at seven. I didn't believe that Naruto had cooties anymore. He wasn't completely disgusting. He even had many attributes that were attractive about him.

But no, I would never kiss him. I was in love with Sasuke-kun. Sasuke-kun would be my first kiss.

Yet, what if I never saw Sasuke-kun again? The thought was something I had felt often, everyday even, the misery slowly draining away my will. I had to constantly build myself up again, get myself to be stronger, as the exhausting feeling would weaken me. Maybe that was why I never felt like I made much progress in my training.

I shook my head and laid down onto my sleeping mat. No, I couldn't give up. Naruto wasn't giving up on him. How could I? I was the one in love with Sasuke-kun. I was going to save him. The notion kept me going.

That, and thinking about Naruto. In a strange way, it helped me considerably to see how dedicated Naruto still was to finding Sasuke-kun. Naruto would talk about Sasuke-kun all the time, even though the name had become taboo for everyone else in the village. I knew I couldn't rescue Sasuke-kun by myself, or convince anyone else that he was important enough to save, not without Naruto's help.

Sometimes, Naruto and I would sit together and do nothing but talk about Sasuke-kun. We brought up old memories, laughing at Sasuke-kun's weird personality quirks and telling each other how much we missed him. The conversation would bubble inside me, and make me feel hopeful and good again. Naruto talked more than I, and listening to him say nothing but good things about Sasuke-kun, I knew he cared just as much for him as I did. Sometimes I would feel it was all for my sake, that tad, little bit of guilt, that Naruto was only doing all of this to get me to like him, but it couldn't be. How could Naruto be this devoted to Sasuke-kun, just for me?

I smiled to myself. Naruto, always worming his way into my thoughts. He always had my back, no matter what. I could break every bone in his body and he'd still be willing to come help me at any sort of problem I had. Perhaps, kissing him, just for practice anyway as he put it, could be a good idea. If I made it clear that it was just practice, it wasn't like Naruto was going to betray me. I could trust him to understand. Naruto would still be willing to kiss me anyway.

This way of thinking hid all the guilt that such things could hurt Naruto's feelings. Naruto was so strong. I had seen him do so much. He had been just fine whenever I beat him up afterwards. Sure, maybe I had to heal a few bones sometimes, but he never blamed me. It never occurred to me that I could hurt Naruto. Perhaps at fifteen, I was still rather dumb.

"Arugh!" Naruto somehow made an ungodly noise as he drank the water I offered him at the same time. "Thanks, Sakura-chan," he said quickly before downing more of it. "Why are people so aggravating! First it was Sai, now it's Sora, I mean come on! It's not hard to not be difficult!"

"I'm sure you'll get through to Sora eventually. You always do," I said wistfully. Naruto knew my thoughts were going to Sasuke-kun once again. His gaze hardened on mine, as if saying 'I couldn't get through to Sasuke.' I smiled at him. "Just give it more time," an answer for both situations. "You've been training very hard. No use overworking your body because of stress."

"Yeah, the training, in a weird way, sort of relaxes me. Do you get what I mean? It might be different with you though. Medical training boggles my mind. I feel like it must just give you a headache."

I laughed and waved my hand. "I'm not saying it doesn't get complicated sometimes, but I wouldn't say it gives me a headache. The intricacy of it all is what makes it so much fun!"

Naruto gave me a look like I was the weird one.

"Actually though," I smiled at him, becoming nervous all of a sudden. "I was wondering if you could... help me out, on some ... 'training'."

"I don't know, Sakura-chan," Naruto sighed, sucking on the water bottle while still talking around it. "I've never been very good at that type of stuff. Unless you need to borrow some chakra, but that's the only thing I think I can offer."

"It's not medical training," I said, averting my gaze away.

"Chakra control? I'm super bad at that!"

"No you buffoon! Remember? You said you'd 'help me out' with that other thing?" We weren't within hearing distance of anyone, but Asuma-sensei and Sora were still on the other side of the training grounds.

Naruto narrowed his eyes at me. I watched them widen like he remembered what I was talking about before shaking his head and rethinking. "Do I... owe you money?"

"No! The thing you have more experience than me?"

"With the Nine-Tails?"

I put my hand over my forehead, losing my nerve. "Forget it, Naruto. It's nothing." I turned to leave, but Naruto grabbed my wrist.

"No! I wanna help!"

I sighed. "You don't even know what it is."

"It doesn't matter! I'd help you with anything, Sakura-chan!" I stared at Naruto, not letting such a statement affect me. Naruto was always making promises unknowingly to girls. I had watched so many of them fall in love under his gaze. It could take as little as two seconds, and Naruto never had any idea on what he had just done. I wasn't going to be as foolish as they were. I had already made that mistake over Sasuke-kun.

"Okay, come on," I said, pulling my grip easily out of Naruto's hand before taking his arm. I led him to a more heavily treed area. "We'll do it over here."

"W-w-wh-what!? Do it?! This is so sudden! I-I-I don't know if I'm ready! We're not prepared!"

I smacked him. "No moron! The kiss thing!"

I watched Naruto wordlessly repeat 'kiss' with his mouth as his mind worked on overdrive to stay with me. "You mean you want me to give you your first kiss?"

I groaned. "Just to get it over with, okay?! Nothing more than that!" I said quickly, wishing I could back out of this now. But it was too late. I already asked him. All my chances were gone.

A sudden seriousness encased Naruto's face. "I'd be honored to give you your first kiss, Sakura-chan."

I was taken back for a second before I regained myself. "There's gotta be rules though," I said, holding up a finger. "Just one kiss. Nothing more." Naruto nodded. "And keep your hands to yourself."

"Of course."

"Don't tell anyone!"

"I won't."

"Just one kiss," I repeated, staring at Naruto's mouth apprehensively. He was waiting for me to make the first move. I realized I was going to have to stand on my tiptoes. That annoyed me. He noticed my predicament as well and tiled his head so that the rise to meet him was less of a distance.

I bit back a sigh. I couldn't believe I was kissing Naruto. Or maybe I could believe it. I pressed my mouth against his, finding that my hand went to his arm to keep my balance. He lowered his head further, lips still locked with mine as my heel returned to the ground. This wasn't so bad. I should pull away now. The deed had been done.

But before I could, I felt Naruto's lips push against mine. I should do the same, right? That was how one was supposed to kiss, but Naruto kept moving his lips and before I knew it, I felt wet, warm saliva as they parted. Then his tongue grazed my bottom lip.

I pushed him away. "Ew! Gross!" I immediately wiped my mouth. He blinked wildly at me. "Who said you could try to put your tongue in my mouth!?"

"You didn't say not to," Naruto said simply.

I couldn't believe I forgot that rule. "Well I meant to!" I wiped my mouth again. I couldn't get the feeling of Naruto's dried saliva off my lip. The kiss had started out nice enough, but then of course Naruto had to ruin it.

"Sorry."

"It's fine," I heard myself saying. It wasn't Naruto's fault. Naruto was only doing what I had asked of him. "Thanks."

Naruto beamed.

And I wondered, how many other first kisses would Naruto manage to steal from others.

She had to be the greatest kunoichi in history. I've done a lot of studying, and there wasn't anyone who even came close to her. We lived in a rather sexist society. The majority of the ninja population had always been men. It made sense, I guess. The stupidity of playing war was very much a man's game, yet some women were just so much better at it.

I honestly wasn't sure how Tsunade-sama did it. When it came to actual, physical power, there was no one to rival her in the village, except for, maybe, Naruto, if he ever could learn how to control his chakra. When it came to strategy, and brains, she was right up there with all the great leaders of the five nations. When it came to medical ninjutsu she was the best ever. It didn't matter if she was a woman. She was better than most of the men. And still she was beautiful, over fifty and still looking in her twenties.

She had perfect nails, perfect hair, a constant expression that you didn't dare mess with. She had a bust size larger than I ever would like to admit to and still kept her slim waist. How was it that she could have everything? She was one of the legendary Sannin. She was the one that first had the idea to have a medical ninja on every three-man squad. There was no one I respected, looked up to, or wanted to be more than my teacher.

I thought so highly of her, that I couldn't see her being anything but completely in control of any sort of situation. All people have faults. I knew she had one fiery temper. Hell, I had a fiery temper. But it was hard to see any of the three Sannin as the humans they really were. You couldn't see any of them actually dying, no matter how much I wished Orochimaru would. The three of them were just simply too powerful.

But they could die. First, we heard of Orochimaru's death, but that didn't bring back Sasuke-kun. And then it was Master Jiraiya. Tsunade-sama was the only one left.

Several weeks had passed since the Toad Sage's death. It made the office of the Hokage feel colder, but nothing stopped. Time didn't stop. Life didn't stop. Everyone carried on as usual. It wasn't too hard for the village to do so. Master Jiraiya had never been in the village for long. His absence wasn't something obviously noticed.

Tsunade-sama acted how she always did, as the Hokage. She carried on so normally, that I was surprised. I was shocked when I found her. I never really thought of Tsunade-sama as the type of person that hid her emotions. A woman with a temper such as hers shows lots of feelings. I know. But I'm nothing like Tsunade-sama. You can't even attempt to compare me to her greatness. I have never been good at concealing my feelings. Tsunade-sama, of course, was. She was a ninja. She was the Hokage. She had to.

But even the Hokage showed weakness every once in a while.

I had been staying out late, working and practicing my medical training. I always had to be doing things to make me feel like I was being helpful. I hardly was ever at my house when not on missions. The reason was to avoid my parents. I would rather be with the injured and dying, than discuss with my parents my rather large interest in a certain, rogue ninja.

Hospitals involved lots of paperwork. There were a lot of people to keep track of. I didn't mind the paperwork actually. It was relaxing and reading things in your own head is a nice change over trying to order people around all day. Tsunade-sama was not only the Hokage, but was often in charge with what went on in the hospital, and because of this, most important forms could be found in her office. When I noticed her light was still on, I decided to go in there to get a copy of a needed form, figuring it would be quicker than trying to dig it up elsewhere. I had also planned on asking her a question about a specific patient.

Tsunade-sama always pretended to be annoyed if you interrupted her. Who wouldn't, with Naruto being constantly annoying all the time, antagonizing her and wanting more work to do, but she wasn't actually annoyed. She looked forward to it because it gave her a distraction from her work. Tsunade-sama didn't like paperwork. I knew she would have accepted my visit with a smile and would be glad to answer my question.

But when I knocked on her door, I got a very disgruntled grunt in response. I didn't even realize it was Tsunade-sama that had made the noise. I embarrassingly thought it was a man.

When I opened the door, I was beheld with the sight of Tsunade-sama laying flat on her back on top of her desk, piles of paper spilt on the floor. She had one leg casually bent and resting on her raised knee. One hand sat on her stomach, as another one clutched a glass. Her listless honey brown eyes stared at the ceiling so intently, that I looked up as well to see what could be so interesting. I don't know why that was the first thing I noticed: the ceiling. Maybe I was trying not to notice the flush that covered Tsunade-sama's skin. I didn't want to admit to what I had stumbled upon.

"Whadda ya want," Tsunade-sama snapped, voice heavy with sake and there was no pretending now.

"Oh. It's not important. I just..." I shouldn't have bothered her. I could have gotten the paper somewhere else. I tried to think of something to say that would allow me to leave without looking rude. There was nothing. So instead, I blurted out, "Are you alright Shishō?" because I could never resist trying to be helpful, even when I wasn't of any help at all. How could this have happened? "Where's Lady Shizune?" Shizune would have never let this happen. Tsunade-sama was always trying to sneak a drink or two in while she worked, but Shizune kept a close eye on her.

Tsunade-sama jutted her thumb to the other side of the desk. A quick peek from me discovered Shizune passed out on the floor behind. "Kid's a fucking light weight," Tsunade-sama rasped.

"Should we-"

"She's fine. She's just asleep. You think I wouldn't know that?! Whadda ya want anyway, Sakura?"

"Nothing! It was nothing really, I'll just-"

"Nah, stay Sakura! Give me some company." Tsunade-sama grabbed my wrist and yanked me around the desk. "Have a seat." I found myself landing on the Hokage's chair. "It's good karma. When you're old everyone dies on you. Maybe some young person will be nice enough to give you some company someday. Shizune's not doing a good job." She then said in a louder voice directed to Shizune's still form, "Jiraiya could keep up with me, ya know!"

With the mentioning of Master Jiraiya's name, I realized what this was all about, and I became even more uncomfortable. If it was anyone else, I think I would have been able to find words of comfort, but not Tsunade-sama. She was the Hokage. She was supposed to be helping others and not needing the help herself. Of course, I knew she was only human. She needed aid. But what could I do? I could always do nothing.

"Did you..." I started, trying to get the most information out of the situation as I could before proceeding. "Did you guilt Lady Shizune into drinking with you?" I still couldn't get over the fact that Shizune let this happen. She was the one that was supposed to be keeping Tsunade-sama in check. She should be doing this now.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Tsunade-sama responded. "I don't make anyone do anything!" I narrowed my gaze at her suspiciously. "You want one?" Tsunade-sama offered, staring at me upside down from where she laid on the desk, nudging a small cup already full of sake in my direction.

"Shishō, I'm not of age," I responded.

Tsunade-sama laughed, a loud breath bursting from her lips. "I guess not, huh? Old enough to kill but not old enough to drink. How messed up is that?"

"Shishō-"

"This world's fucked up."

"It'll be alright," I said, a line that I think I had used a thousand times. It was what I would say when I was protecting my charge. I would say it to the frightened villagers. I would console a child with those words. I would say them to Naruto. But Tsunade-sama, she was too wise and experienced to take comfort in trivial lies. I continued on anyway, for she was staring at me with thoughtful eyes. "We will figure this all out. I'm sure the Leaf will survive this. We will get rid of the Akatsuki. I'll do my best-"

Tsunade-sama burst out laughing again. "I wanted to tell you something, Sakura." She reached out an arm to point at me. "I wanted to tell you not to get old like me, but it's too late for you. You're already a little damaged. Just gonna get worse with age." Tsunade-sama sighed. "The only thing old people can do is tell the younger generation to not turn out like them, and then watch as they turn out just the same. The world's fucked up!"

I pressed my lips together. I didn't know what to say. I never knew what to do. I sat there, uncomfortable, in the Hokage's chair. Why did Naruto ever want to be in this chair? Why did Naruto ever want to go out of his way to try to help people's problems, to be in situations like this?

"I'm sorry," Tsunade-sama suddenly said. "I'm a terrible person. Forgive me."

"Oh, no, Shishō! You're not-"

"I am! Don't argue with me!" I shut my mouth. I didn't dare to. I never did. "Whadda 'bout you Sakura? How are you doing? How are you feeling?"

"I-I'm doing fine." Tsunade-sama didn't believe my lie.

She pushed herself up to a sitting position on her desk. Her arms seemed to strain under her own weight, her breasts threatening to drag her back down again. Her skin was flushed as she turned to face me. "Listen, Sakura, I like you. You're one of my favorites." She narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell Shizune. That's not what I mean. I mean, you have so much potential. It's really... incredible. But I'm worried about you."

"Worried about me?" At the moment, Tsunade-sama seemed to be in need of more worrying. I was afraid she was going to fall off her desk.

"I don't want you to waste it all, ya know? Don't waste all your potential chasing after that Uchiha boy."

"Shi-Shishō!" I stammered, blushing and looking away. I hated talking about this. I hated talking about this with anyone. I would refuse to talk about Sasuke-kun with anyone unless it was with Naruto. Naruto was the only one that was on my side.

"Shudup for a moment and let me talk. Just listen for a second." She swayed a little, holding up her hand. "Men die," she said harshly. "They fucking die on us, because they're fucking stupid." She jabbed a finger into my arm. "There's nothing we can do to change them. They're just stupid."

I let out a breath. This was about Master Jiraiya after all, but I couldn't help feeling dread. Sasuke-kun would die, wouldn't he? The path he was traveling on was heading straight to his demise. I felt my chest tighten and my eyes begin to burn. No Sakura don't cry in front of Tsunade-sama. For once in your life, don't cry.

"You don't have to be only about him, ya know? Sure, I understand Sasuke Uchiha was your first love. That's a real thing. But the heart doesn't always have to love once. We seem to live too long for that."

I blinked, trying to keep my eyes under control as Tsunade-sama continued.

"And Naruto," Tsunade-sama gritted her teeth and shook her head. "I'm not trying to set you up or anything. Ignore this if I'm wrong, but if you have any sort of feelings for that idiot you better do something before it's too late. Soon, the little fuck'll be dead too. They're just too much the same," she muttered.

I quickly wiped away a tear before she could notice. She was talking about Master Jiraiya again. Naruto was like Master Jiraiya. Tsunade-sama and Master Jiraiya had never been a couple, but when they were together, anyone could sense the chemistry between them. The two of them knew each other for so long, it was a wonder why they hadn't gotten together yet. Of course, now Master Jiraiya was dead. Tsunade-sama was feeling regret. She was hating herself so she let herself get trashed in her own office.

"Forgive me," Tsunade-sama said again. "Ignore me. I'm a terrible person. I shouldn't be upsetting you like this." She pushed herself to the edge of the desk, her feet hitting the floor. "Help me get Shizune to bed, will ya?" I got up to carry the Hokage's other student, the drunken, lonely words of Tsunade-sama burning into my chest.