AN: Yes we're back on the NaruSaku stuff. Buckle up, you're getting a lot of it in the next few days lol. I'm doing a self imposed NaruSaku week from Sakura's birthday (today) until NaruSakuDay on April 3rd.

Cos I can.

Enjoy.

Summary: Naruto and Sakura have been ... spending some quality time together and as Naruto goes to meet her for a 'not a date' he's hit with a horrible realisation. He's broke. Canon!AU

NaruSaku - Change

Naruto huffed as he looked through the meagre contents of his wallet.

After rent, buying the 'healthier' food both Sakura and Kakashi insisted he eat more of, and restocking on ninja gear … he was literally down to his last bits of change.

Which was definitely not enough to take Sakura out for dinner as he'd promised.

There was always his savings for a bigger place but well … that would be irresponsible and even he had to admit he needed to get out of his current place.

He had hoped he'd have enough left over with the money from their latest mission but not for the first time he'd forgotten that even though it was easy, it wasn't a normal C class escort mission.

Sasuke still had to be accompanied on any and all missions that had him leaving the village, even easy ones, and they all had to submit reports on his conduct and blah blah blah. Basically they had to spy on him for the entire time and make sure he didn't just bolt.

The fact that Sasuke had been under these strict rules for two years already had probably only slowed the grumpy man's rehabilitation, but no one wanted to listen to him and Sakura about that possibility.

Whatever.

Because of that though, and the time it took for their reports on him to be read, it took longer than normal for them to get paid so long story short …

He was going to have to take a rain check on dinner with Sakura.

Something he really didn't want to do after the nights they'd had during said mission.

Thank the gods the client had insisted on staying in hotels and motels. Sakura would never have been able to sneak into Naruto's tent anywhere near as easily as she had his room.

Especially with Sasuke and Kakashi with them.

They weren't being blatant about it or anything though, they were trying to keep it a secret to see how it worked out without the inevitable interference of their friends. They were put under severe scrutiny whenever they all hung out as it was. Ino in particular was on them like a hawk.

If they were actually open about dating in front of them? They'd never be left alone to figure out exactly what they were and it would probably fall apart before it had even begun.

Which Naruto really, really didn't want to happen.

They'd been fooling around ever since a mission that had taken them all the way to Wave had led to them having to share a small bed and they'd got caught in a storm that had ruined their clothes and … well.

He still couldn't believe it had already been a couple months. They'd have spent even more time together if Naruto's place wasn't so very well-known at this point and they could be left alone.

Which was part of the reason he was dead set on moving into a bigger place. On the opposite side of the village if possible.

The more privacy they could get, the more time they could spend … figuring out what they were. Which, you know, he'd like. A lot.

The uncertainty was driving him nuts. Were they a couple? Were they dating? Was it a friends with benefits situation?

He didn't think it was the last one, he was pretty sure there was more to it than that. But he didn't know, you know?

And he couldn't shake the feeling that if he crapped out on a 'not quite a date' date, it might answer that question in a way that he really wouldn't like.

Cos whatever they were … they were enjoying it. Almost every day between missions and Sakura's shifts at the hospital.

At least, he definitely was. And he hadn't done anything to mess it up yet so he had hopes that meant Sakura was enjoying herself too.

She certainly wrapped her legs around him tight when they fu-

'Naruto!'

His face burned as he was yanked back to reality in time to find Lee jogging towards him. His fingers practically slicing through the air with how vigorously he was pumping his arms.

'Hiya Lee,' Naruto said, clearing his throat and smiling loosely. 'You in the middle of your evening run?'

'Yosh!' Lee shouted, a thin sheen of sweat covering his exuberant face. 'I am actually a little ahead of my usual time! Gai-sensei will be most impressed. Would you care to join me on the rest of my run?'

Hm, a run with Lee or admitting to Sakura he was too poor to take her out for a nice meal … he wasn't sure which sounded worse.

'Gonna have to pass Lee,' Naruto said. 'I just got back from a mission to Whirlpool, I'm meeting Sakura for dinner.'

Lee, who was still jogging in place, raised a single bushy brow. 'Just you and Sakura? Didn't you also go with Sasuke?'

Shit.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Come up with a smooth lie! Do it now or Sakura is gonna be pissed.

'Uhh,' he said articulately. 'Sasuke said he'd seen enough of us over the last week and wanted to be on his own?'

The other man frowned for a moment and shook his head.

Naruto was already planning how to break the news that he'd revealed their … arrangement to Lee of all people because he didn't think before he spoke, you know, as per usual, on top of not being able to take her out for dinner.

She was gonna kill him.

However to his immense relief, Lee just shrugged. 'Yes, that does sound like Sasuke. Even after all this time. Oh well! You and Sakura should still celebrate your youthful adventures together! We can run together another time! Have a good night!'

And with that Lee was gone. His chanting of youthful vigour or whatever becoming quieter and quieter as he got further away.

Though Naruto did have to wonder what Lee had meant by youthful adventures together. Did Lee suspect something?

No. No, Lee was just as oblivious as Naruto had been before Sakura had made her move that first night in Wave. Lee was just being his usual eccentric self.

But with that distraction gone Naruto had to continue the long trudge towards Sakura's parents' house. To tell her he couldn't take her out for dinner. Because he was poor.

And because he didn't deserve her. That he wasn't good for anything more substantial than the occasional tumble in the sheets. Okay almost every other day at least but still, the point stood.

He definitely wasn't serious boyfriend material.

This was gonna suck. Especially as he seemed to have found his way to the front door much sooner than expected.

The Haruno residence was a very nice two-storey home. Not overly fancy but perfectly welcoming and just about what you'd expect from a family who weren't a highly placed clan in a ninja village.

Naruto glanced up at the upper right window that jutted out of the building, cutting through the roof so there was just enough space for someone to stand in front of it and smiled slightly.

He wondered if he'd ever be allowed to sneak in through that window again. He hoped so.

Deciding not to prolong the inevitable, Naruto knocked on the door.

It opened immediately, revealing Sakura, who was smiling already. 'Hi Naruto!'

He smiled back instinctively, but it wasn't the beaming smile Sakura was clearly expecting because she immediately pulled the door to and stepped out to meet him. 'Hi Sakura.'

Her beautiful face was drawn down in a frown as she studied him carefully. Her pretty pink hair pulled back into a long wave that fell to the middle of her shoulders. Sakura been growing it out again over the last year and it was just as beautiful as it had been when they were kids.

Her usual headband was missing as she stood there, in a light green, V-neck sweater that showed the hint of cleavage and form fitting black jeans. A light touch of makeup to her face made her green eyes pop and the jade pendant of her necklace rested between her collarbones, dragging his eyes down subtly.

'You look amazing,' he whispered.

Fuck.

Sakura smiled at the compliment, her eyes never left his face though. Not even to take in the fact that he wasn't wearing similarly nice clothes. Just a black t-shirt and the blue jeans she'd made him buy the last time they'd gone shopping. They apparently were very nice.

'What's wrong Naruto?' Sakura asked, her hand coming out to rest on his forearm. 'Has something happened?'

Naruto sighed deeply. He couldn't lie to her. Besides it was pointless. He hung his head and decided to just say it. 'I'm so sorry Sakura, I'll understand if you want to end things between us for this but I don't have enough money to take you out for a nice dinner.'

There was a long pause and then a muffled kind of noise coming from above him. Naruto's curiosity finally got the better of him and he glanced up at the woman before him.

Who was holding her hand over her mouth to stop herself from … laughing?

'Sakura!' he shouted. 'Why are you laughing?! I just ruined our date because I'm too poor! Why aren't you mad?'

'Oh Naruto,' she sighed as she finally managed to stifle her laugh to a tight lipped smile. 'I don't care if you don't have enough money. I'll pay.'

Naruto just stared at her in bemusement.

'Now come on,' Sakura pulled the door shut and looped her arm around his elbow, leading him in the direction of the village centre. 'Let's go eat before anyone else overhears you breaking our secret.'

'Oh shit,' Naruto gasped, his hand going to his mouth. 'Sorry Sakura.'

'It's fine,' Sakura said, squeezing his bicep. 'You're cute. And I already know the best restaurant to take you. I've wanted to go with you for ages.'

'Where?' he asked, his mood lifting considerably now he wasn't getting dumped. Or whatever. 'I'm not underdressed am I?'

'No you're fine.' Sakura leant against him, tugging his arm around her shoulders. 'Besides, you're Naruto Uzumaki, village hero, you could show up in grey sweatpants and they'd seat you.'

He chuckled, blushing slightly. 'If I'd showed up to your place in grey sweatpants Sakura, I don't think we'd be going out to eat.'

Sakura winked at him and smirked. 'Maybe, maybe not, you should try it some time. Anyway, let's go eat some very nice food and then you can walk me home. My parents are visiting family out of the village and they'd feel much more comfortable knowing my strapping, handsome teammate was here to look after me.'

'Of course Sakura.'

Sakura squeezed his arm against herself. Specific parts of herself, parts he was both very fond and growing more familiar with every day. 'Honestly I think it best if you stay the night too, just to be extra safe. You know, so my parents don't worry.'

Naruto grinned as Sakura snaked her hand down into his ass pocket and squeezed just a little. 'Well we wouldn't want to worry your parents.'

'No,' she said with a slow smile. 'We wouldn't.'

AN: God I love writing Sakura being just down bad for Naruto. It gives me life. Anyway.

Some of my long time readers might have noticed ... my approach to canon is questionable at best. My general advice is to not really keep too firm a grasp on timelines between stories unless I specifically tell you. Chances are they're all different worlds for each story. Can't have two first times in one universe and all.

But this story? And tomorrow's story in fact, are in the same universe. Little bit of continuity. If this is something we like, I may make an effort to do more stories in my Canon!AUs that line up. We'll see, you guys let me know.

Until tomorrow!