Konoha Academy

The next day...

Iruka stared at Naruto noticing he hadn't turned the page of the book he had been studying in the last hour instead he was staring out the window 'If this was back in the academy it wouldn't be out of the ordinary but as of late it was odd he's usually focused knowing he's getting one step closer of his dream of being Hokage' he thought. "Naruto" he called and frowned when he didn't get an answer confirming that Naruto had a lot on his mind to be this distracted.

Iruka Feeling mischievous and remembering a certain way he used to get his attention when he was distracted, reaching into his desk he pulled a stick of chalk and flicked it at Naruto hitting him in his shinobi headband

Naruto was snapped out of his daydreams feeling something hit his forehead and noticing the chalk on his desk" Hey what's the big idea throwing chalk at me Iruka-Sensei!?" he questioned.

"Sorry, you were distracted and I was feeling nostalgic is everything alright? usually, you are more focused on your studies as of late" Iruka couldn't help but worry hearing about the Zestu's and wondering if that was the cause of Naruto being distracted "Is it the Zetsu's situation?"

Naruto shook his head before pausing "While that is part of knowing they're back out it is nerve-racking and we are still tryna figure out the best way to go about it to not cause widespread panic but actually it's-" he hesitated "it's Sakura-chan"

"Sakura? I know you guys had your issues in the past but I thought you guys got along now" Iruka was confused in recent months he had spotted them together looking quite close "Look don't you think it's about time you gave up on Sakura-"

"We kissed last night" Naruto cut in seeing Iruka's shocked expression he explained "She was sad and was talking to me about maybe giving up on Sasuke" Cringing he continued "We had some drinks and well one thing led to another and we were kissing all of sudden but I think I took it too far and let my hand roam and well my lips found her neck and well she told me she's confused and needs time" feeling down he groaned

Iruka winced remembering his younger years and how he's had his own experiences with females that were nerve-racking "I understand that you are nervous but it sounds like all you could do is wait for her to come to terms with her feelings she knows how you feel about her and I doubt that situation would cause your bond to be ruined all you can do is continue to be the guy you are and be there for her in this confusing time whether that leads to the two of you dating or just continuing to be friends I can't but it is something you'll both have to figure out together" he hopes he's not giving him bad advice considering he's single himself "but maybe Hokage-Sama or Lady Tsunade can give you better advice since they know Sakura better"

Naruto cringed thinking about talking to Tsunade about what happened knowing she'd blame it on him starting to read Jiraiya's icha icha novels "You're right it's something I'd have to let her come to terms with her feelings, I guess I should talk to Kakashi-Sensei about it I mean he is popular with the ladies despite hiding his face thanks for the advice Iruka-Sensei and sorry for not getting much done today" feeling guilty he hadn't done much

Waiving off his apology Iruka said "It's fine you have a lot on your mind and it's hard to focus when worried about other stuff now how about you get out of here I'm sure being here isn't helping you clear your mind"

"You're right I need some fresh air" Naruto stood up and opened the window deciding that some roof jumping would help him clear his mind before reaching Kakashi's office "I'll see you for my next lesson soon" waiving goodbye

Iruka waved goodbye and watched Naruto make his way in the direction of the Hokage building "Man I need a girlfriend" he sighed

"Sakura"

Sakura sat in a cafe pushing around the contents of her fruit salad distractedly lost in her thoughts before feeling something hit her forehead causing her to blink to attention and look down at what hit her "Did you just throw a grape at me?" she squinted at Ino

Ino crossed her arms before rolling her eyes" I've been calling you for the last 5 minutes did you even hear anything I said since we sat down?" She frowned

Feeling bad that she's practically ignoring Ino despite being the one who wanted to meet up for brunch she apologized " I'm sorry I've just been thinking lately but catch me up on what I missed"

Ino shook her head "Oh no between you, not hearing a word I said and you pushing around your food despite being the one to ask me to brunch I'm not saying anything else until you spill so get to talking or I'll just read your mind myself"

Knowing Ino isn't above using her mind transfer to get information especially if it has her this distracted Sakura figured it wouldn't hurt to get another female perspective on the matter "Naruto and I kissed last night" she said nervously

Ino eyes widened " O M G you can't just say that alone I need details like how was it, good or bad? most of been pretty good if you are distracted by flashbacks" She gave a suggestive look at Sakura

"No!" she yelled before blushing to realize that her yell caused everyone to turn toward her she apologized before turning back to Ino " Don't get me wrong it wasn't bad I'm just confused, it all started with me talking to him about maybe giving up on Sasuke since he's been gone so long and doesn't seem to care about me then Naruto was just so sweet saying anyone would be lucky to have me and well the drinks we had certainly didn't help and the next thing I know we're making out on his couch and his hands started wandering and his lips found my neck" She flushed red remembering the feeling of it " I managed to put an end to it before I could go any farther but I practically fled from his apartment I reassured him he didn't do anything wrong before I left though I told him I need time to think" she moaned still confused about last night

Ino was shocked that Sakura was considering giving up on Sasuke and that despite what she was suggesting Sakura might actually been here having flashbacks about last night " At least one of us got some love last night" still annoyed that Sai showed up late

Sakura remembered that Ino had told her she was planning a homemade dinner for Sai yesterday " I guess dinner didn't go well?" she questioned

"No! Could you believe I had dinner just about ready and he showed up at the time I told him just to tell me he wanted to go talk to the Hokage and he'd be back only to show up almost an hour and a half later long after I've eaten and packed his food away" Ino fumed

Sakura gasped "That jerk after you went through all that work and after returning from a mission? Did he at least tell you why?"

"He said the conversation ran longer than he expected then he told me that he might be gone for a while depending on what the Hokage decides like him being away after us being apart for a while is no big deal then he said Sasuke showing up caused it to take longer like that fixes everything like it is too much to ask for him to show he cares like it feels like I'm only one trying and he's just going through the motions" Ino slumped on the table not caring that it's bad table manners

Sakura sighed "I know how that feels so what'd you do" ignoring the part of her that wanted to ask about the Sasuke part

"I sent him away with the packed food and told him I needed some space," she said glumly before fixing herself to sit properly in her chair "I appreciate you not changing the subject to ask about Sasuke despite your wanting to don't try to deny it I know you Sakura" She gave her a pointed look "And no I don't know if he just made a brief appearance or stuck around but from what I heard from Sai he was still talking to the Hokage when he left"

"I hate to leave you here but you think I could-"

Ino cut Sakura off before she could finish "Go" making a shooing motion "I should probably get back to the flower shop anyway"

After exchanging their goodbyes Ino made her way to her family shop while Sakura set off to the Hokage building

Things have been progressing slowly but bare with me I'm just tryna lay the groundwork before stuff picks up