Together We Make A Lollipop

Disclaimer: Naruto, Sasuke, and most other characters belong to Kishimoto-sensei. Me, I just write for kicks and giggles. And maybe a few good reviews. I did try to steal Shino and Kiba but Kishimoto-Sensei found out and alas all hope was lost.

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Sakura sighed. It’s so lonely around here lately. She had pretty much given up on ever obtaining the icy Uchiha Prodigy, and Naruto had been acting really strange, especially when it came to Sasuke. This Monday was no exception; she’d seen neither hide nor hair of her beloved teammates. Those two were always leaving her out of things. It wasn’t fair. She wasn’t useless any more; she could probably even take them in a fight. Why wouldn’t they include her?! She stopped herself before she could cry again. Perhaps Ino is free. She skipped out of her apartment in search of her friend.
She found the blonde at her family’s flower shop.
“Ohayo Ino-pig-chan!” Ino glared.
“Forehead girl” she grunted in a makeshift greeting.
“How are things, pig-gy-chan?”
“Just fine forehead”
“Pig!”
“Forehead!”
Their fight soon dissolved into amiable laughter.
“So what can I do ya for Sakura?” Sakura sighed wearily.
“I was lonely so I thought I’d pay you a visit.” Ino frowned.
“What about Naruto and Sasuke?” Sakura sighed again miserably.
“They don’t even notice my existence unless it's to protect their frail little Sakura-chan and I don’t need that anymore.”
“Well who cares about stupid boys anyway?” Ino said with a bright smile. Sakura perked up a little.
“You’re right.”
That night Sakura stayed with Ino at her apartment. They stayed up late watching chick flicks, eating chocolate, and drinking cheap wine. Ino is right, who needs guys?
Sakura left Ino’s apartment the next morning in higher spirits. She strolled casually toward the Hokage's tower to receive her assignments for the day. Probably more work at the hospital she thought happily. She reported to Tsunade, completed her shifts, and was off in time for lunch. Right as she was walking out of the hospital Sasuke happened to walk by.
“Sasuke-kun!” She ran over to him and linked arms amiably. “Let’s go out for lunch.” She smiled at him. He glared back at her and yanked his arm away and then used the replacement jutsu to get away from her. That was entirely unnecessary Sasuke. Sakura’s good mood was successfully shattered again. Inner Sakura was pumping her fists back and forth angrily. “How dare Sasuke treat us like that?! Sha~n naro!” Outer Sakura on the other hand was incredibly depressed.
“Forehead girl! I saw Sasuke-kun here just a second ago. Where is he now?!” Ino’s sudden appearance caused Sakura to look up. “… Sakura are you ok?” Sakura looked down at her feet and wrung her hands. I refuse to cry for you again Sasuke. Tears welled in her eyes. I won’t cry, I won’t cry, I won’t cry. She shut her eyes tightly against the tears and bit at her bottom lip.
“Sakura-chan…” Ino guided the distraught kunoichi back to her apartment, sat her down, and made her some tea. Sakura looked up and smiled weakly as she took the offered cup of tea from her long time friend.
“Thank you… Ino.” She said while staring at her reflection on the surface of the tea.
“Shhh Sakura.” Ino smiled and brushed a few pink strands from her “charmingly wide” forehead. “No need to thank me.” Sakura’s hands began to shake as silent sobs wracked her body and bitter tears rolled off her chin into her full cup. They don’t need me. Ino took the tea from her, set it on the table, and hugged Sakura tightly, her hand caressing the back of the others bubblegum locks. They don’t need me. A sob escaped the confines of her body as the woman behind the strong kunoichi clung desperately to her oldest friend and cried herself to exhaustion. “I… I don’t want to go on my mission tomorrow Ino.”
“You have to, honey, it’s your job” She replied to the young women in her arms.
“They don’t need me anyway.”
“Oh hush,” the blonde chided “those two would be dead ten times over if it weren’t for your amazing medical skills.” Sakura sighed and resigned herself to seeing the team that didn’t need her for another mission where she’d be of no use and have to be protected. At least I'm still worthy of protecting. She sighed again. Ino kissed her forehead.
“I have to go; I'm meeting Shikamaru and Chouji for Barbecue. But cheer up or else I’ll have to beat those idiots within an inch of their lives.” Sakura smiled shakily.
“See ya later, Ino. And thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” The blonde smiled and left. Sakura touched the tingling spot on her forehead where Ino had kissed her. See ya later, Ino.

The next morning Sakura arrived at Team 7’s usual meeting place on the bridge early. She sat on the railing and watched the water flow. Next to show up was Sasuke-kun. No, just Sasuke. She didn’t acknowledge his presence and he ignored her as well; she thought he was ignoring her anyway.
“Sakura…” She didn’t give the slightest indication that she had heard him. “Sakura” She drew a knee up to her chest and wrapped her arms around it, still watching the flow of the water. “Sakura listen to me.”
“What do you want Sasuke?” She replied coldly without sparing him a glance.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I'm absolutely fine.” Especially after you went to such great lengths to avoid me for no reason.
He furrowed his brow. “Troublesome woman… If I did something wrong tell me. We can’t have anything messing up our team dynamics.”
“That’s all you care about—Team dynamics and being better than Naruto! I'm a person too you know! Treat me with a little respect now and then damnit!” She had turned around during her heated exclamation and was now glaring at Sasuke, her chest heaving with the results of pent up anger. Sasuke stood there stunned.
“…I see”
Kakashi chose that moment to show up. Probably because he had been watching the whole time and that “I see” was about as close to an apology the Uchiha would ever let escape his lips.
“Kakashi-sensei you’re late” Sakura mumbled lacking her usual zealous rage.
“Aa… sorry, sorry. I got lost on the road of life and… Where’s Naruto?” Sakura shrugged and Sasuke “hmph”ed.
“Well then, why don’t you go get him, Sakura?”
“Me!? Why me!?”
“Go on Sakura. We’ll wait for you and Naruto right here.” He said while grinning impishly and shooing her away.
She fumed and stomped her way to Naruto’s house, fist raised threateningly in the air. “Stupid perverted sensei with his stupid perverted novels, and stupid Sasuke and his stupid ego. They’re both so lazy. Why don’t they just go get him themselves? Cuz they’re stupid, perverted, lazy bastards that’s why…” She continued grumbling to herself in this manner while finding her way through the streets of Konoha to Naruto’s door, frightening small children and making babies cry along the way.
“Naruto!” BANG BANG BANG! “Did you forget our mission today dumb ass?!
Are you ignoring me?!” SMASH! The door was torn from its hinges and blown to smithereens.
“Oi, oi Sakura-chan was that really necessary?”
“You weren’t answering your door idiot.” You would have answered it for Sasuke. She glared at him for two whole minutes before realizing he had no shirt on. “Why aren’t you dressed idiot!?!”
“Why are you in such a foul mood?” He countered.
“I am not. Kakashi-sensei and Sasuke sent me to get you and that’s what I'm doing.”
“Sasuke?”
“Yes Sasuke, you dumb ass, who else?”
“Normally it’s “Sasuke-kun.”” Sakura sobered and suddenly found the floor very interesting.
“Sakura-chan what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I'm fine.”
“You of all people should know I won’t fall for that.”
“How’m I supposed to know anything about you two when all you do is protect and disclude me?” she mumbled to the floor.
“Sakura-chan…” He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She burst into tears and fell against him, burying her face in his chest and pounding on him with her fists.
“You guys always go off and almost kill yourselves and then I have to heal you! After that you still treat me like I'm useless! How many times do I have to prove myself to you two?! I can’t deal with it! We are a team! I'm a ninja too! I'm useful! I have worth…” Her voice trailed off into sobs and she slumped against Naruto. “I can pull my own weight now, so please…. Let me in” she said weakly between sobs.
Naruto gently embraced the capable, young kunoichi. “Sakura-chan…” He squeezed her tight as his eyes closed against an overwhelming shame. “I'm sorry. I didn’t realize… Why didn’t you tell me sooner? You always smiled… I couldn’t tell. I'm so sorry.” Sakura looked up.
“Why couldn’t I have fallen for you, Naruto?” She smiled sadly. He smiled back.
“Because that would have been too easy.”
They stared into each others eyes. Maybe I wouldn’t mind so much… if Naruto were to kiss me… she thought as he leaned down to do just that. She closed her eyes and his lips touched hers gently. Something stirred inside her. His big strong hands on her waist, the feel of his chest against hers, the love and acceptance he radiated, his gentle passion; it all surrounded and filled her till she felt she would burst. She opened her eyes and looked at him. “Naruto… I…”
“Sh, Sakura-chan. It’s ok.” She smiled. He understood. Of course he understands. Naruto understands need for acceptance better than anyone. He kissed her again. She surrendered herself to the moment and kissed him back. One of his hands began to caress her back slowly and she wrapped her arms around his neck as his tongue slipped along her lips. The soft, pink petals bloomed open and fingers threaded through bubblegum locks. His other hand, still on her hips, pulled her closer. The split second of friction had Sakura weak-kneed and breathless. Naruto pulled his tongue from her mouth.
“Bedroom?” His voice was rough with pleasure. Sakura merely nodded, too overwhelmed to form a word. He lifted her effortlessly and carried her to the bedroom bridal style. He sat her carefully on the edge of his bed and closed the door. He then strode sensuously back over to the bed and stood between Sakura’s parted knees, a gentle hand under her chin pulling her gaze upwards to meet his own. He moved his hand to her cheek and caressed it with his thumb. Sakura smiled, let out a sigh, leaned into his hand and closed her eyes as she brought up a more delicate, paler hand to rest on his. “Naruto…”
“Yes, Sakura-hime?”
“Kiss me please” It was Naruto’s turn to smile as he willingly complied.
“Yes, Sakura-hime” He bent down and kissed her lips. Then he knelt and kissed her cheek, her jaw, her neck. Once again Sakura felt she’d burst from the tenderness her best friend was showing her. She slowly raised her chin as he kissed, licked, and nibbled her throat. She gasped and clenched her hands as he probed a particularly sensitive spot with his tongue and gave it a small nip.
She reached a trembling hand up to unzip her top but Naruto stopped her. She looked at him confused.
“Allow me to do this for you…” he brought a pale slender hand up to his mouth and kissed it gently all the while keeping his eyes on hers. “…princess.” He kissed her lips again then found her zipper with his teeth and pulled it down. He rested one hand on her thigh and teased a supple bra covered breast with the other. He occupied his mouth with the salty-sweet skin stretched delicately over her collarbone. Sakura moaned and shifted slightly. Heavenly torture… Naruto began to massage her thigh as he started to lower her down onto the bed. Hips still between her thighs, he pressed forward and created more sweet friction. Sakura’s lips parted to release what could only be described as a mewl of exquisite pleasure as she writhed beneath her trusted companion and sought more of the white hot electricity he brought to her.
Naruto grinned malevolently and kissed her stomach softly. He then proceeded to remove her shuriken holster and thigh wraps in a tortuous and slow way, all the while paying careful attention to her midsection, pushing her bra up and teasing a pert nipple, bathing her stomach with his tongue and gentle kisses. When he finally had removed the long wrap from her thigh he pulled her shorts down and lapped his way down her flat abs. He looked up once more to make sure it was okay. He got an eyeful of the embodiment of arousal, her face flushed prettily and seductively to a soft pink glow, her heavy eyelids fighting to close and enjoy the ride, her lips quivering with pleasure and need; and that was all the answer he needed. He spread her legs and gently lapped and sucked at her till she spilled her essence onto his tongue with a loud throaty moan. She made as if to return the favor.
“It’s fine Sakura-hime.” He smiled warmly at her and licked more of her from his lips. “Don’t worry about it. We need to go.” They quickly cleaned up, got dressed, and exited his bedroom. Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei?! Her face was once again bright pink, but this time from embarrassment instead of arousal. How much did they hear?!
“What the hell are you two doing here!?” Naruto growled, moving instinctively between Sakura and the “threat.”
“We have a mission today, dobe.”
“Sakura was sent to fetch you and she never came back so we came to get both of you.” Kakashi sounded amused. Sakura on the other hand felt more and more like a distraction and a liability with every word.
“And you couldn’t knock!?”
“Look at your door, baka.” Sakura winced. That again was her fault. Naruto quieted down and Sasuke stormed out of the apartment.
“What’s stuck up Fan-boy’s ass?” Kakashi-sensei shrugged and they all left. Their mission went off without a hitch, Sakura even managed to be helpful. She was happy.
“Sasuke-kun~ N—“
“Shut it. Especially not after you did that with him.” The brunette spat out. Sakura stopped in her tracks; she had been walking backwards in front of her two favorite men on the whole planet. She looked from Sasuke’s harsh, indifferent scowl to Naruto’s surprised and sympathetic visage. I won’t cry. I won’t cry. Iwon’tcryIwon’tcryIwon’tcry. Not again! Not in front of them! Not now! Tears welled in her eyes as she turned and ran.
“Sakura-chan! Wait!” She heard through her own pathetic sobs. Kunoichi are stronger than this damnit! Nobody came after her. As usual. She ran home and locked herself in her apartment and cried herself to sleep.

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Unfortunately for Sakura, she couldn’t stay in bed all day the next morning, which is exactly what she wished to do when she slammed her alarm off. I have obligations. She reminded herself wearily. She pulled herself out of the comfort and safety of her bed and dragged herself to her closet. Fuck, where is my uniform? She rubbed her sleep-ridden eyes. Stupid incompetent nursing staff, damn uniforms. “Yosh!” She pulled her white, high-collared, knee-length nurse’s uniform from the rack and trudged to the bathroom. God I must be fucked to be quoting Lee. She scrubbed her hair clean rinsed it out, conditioned then stepped out of her shower, toweled off, got dressed and left.
On her way to the hospital something caught her attention. Orange? She walked closer to the object and found her beloved blond team mate lying on the ground.
“Naruto if this is a joke it isn’t funny.” She called to the prone form sprawled on the ground. No movement, no snickering, nothing to indicate he was conscious.
“Naruto?” She turned him over with her foot. Pebbles and dirt clung to his angelic features where his face had been pressed to the ground; she knelt down to wipe them off and felt unusual warmth pouring from him. “Naruto!!” She hefted his bulky, feverish body over her shoulder and ran to the Hokage’s tower. At times of panic like this being the Hokage's two favorite people in the whole world was a blessing. Since Naruto and Sakura often frequented the tower they were allowed free access to everywhere in the building.
“Tsunade-sama!!!” Sakura burst into the office, waking the sleeping sake enthusiast.
“What is it Sakura?” The busty, pigtailed blonde snapped at her irritably.
“Naruto! I found him passed out in an alley on the way to the hospital and he has a huge fever!!” Tsunade sighed, grabbed a scroll, and summoned a cot.
“Put his dumb ass here.” Sakura did as told, setting Naruto’s prone form onto the cot. Tsunade placed a glowing hand over his chest.
“He’s already healing, whatever it was. Just let him rest and the fever should subside. You, on the other hand, take the day off—no buts! You need it, for a medic you really take shitty care of yourself.” Tsunade grinned at her apprentice and the pink haired girl smiled a small smile and nodded. Then Sakura was left to Naruto’s company.
“What happened last night Naruto?” she asked him, not expecting an answer.
A few hours later Naruto came to. He sat up, grimaced and placed a palm to his head, and looked around.
“Naruto!” Sakura rushed to his side, grabbed fistfuls of his horribly orange jacket, and shook him violently. “What the hell were you thinking you incredible moron of all morons?!” He thought for a minute then his features seemed to droop a bit before he covered it up with a sheepish grin.
“Aa… I got drunk. Must’ve passed out on the street.”
He’s hiding something from me I know it. She punched him in the shoulder and bitched at him about the effects of over drinking and what if he’d been kidnapped and raped by overzealous fan girls and what not and he gave the obligatory resistance and the resigned noises. And then he left. Kissed her on the forehead and left. No “See ya later” or perverted pick up line or anything that Naruto would normally do upon leaving the most important girl in his life. Just left. So much for that. I fucking trusted you and told you, and you still leave me out Naruto. She left the tower in search of the one person she could still count on.
“Like I keep track of that troublesome, bossy woman.” Shikamaru offered in an annoyed tone before lying back and continuing to watch the clouds. She sighed and trudged away. Next she came across Chouji.
“Did you check the flower shop?”
“Duh! Chouji you’re a genius! Thanks so much!” he chuckled.
“My pleasure Sakura.” she walked back across town to the flower shop.
“Welcome to Yamanaka's Flowers! How may I provide you with excellent service today? Oh, it’s you Sakura-chan!” Boomed Inoichi upon hearing the bell when Sakura walked into the store.
“Do you know where Ino is, sir?” she asked, ever polite to her elders.
“She just headed back to her apartment dear.”
“Thank you” she left the shop and headed towards Ino’s apartment. She got to the building, dragged herself up the stairs, knocked feebly on Ino’s door, and slumped against it. Ino opened the door and quickly caught the falling Sakura, and sitting on her knees comforted the distraught woman. As soon as she was in Ino’s loving embrace she began to cry.
“What’s wrong dear?” Sakura only cried harder and clung to the one who knew her best.
“Shhh~ it’s ok, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere.” Ino somehow managed to drag Sakura inside and onto the couch. She held the other till she was calm enough to talk.
“I t-told Naruto a-and he s-s-still shu-uts me out. Am I j-just a tool to-o th-them?” She managed to stutter out between deep breaths and dry sobs.
“No Sakura. Naruto and Sasuke love you more than they love anyone else in Konoha, they just don’t know how to express it.”
“S-sasuke doesssn’t luh-uve me. He th-thinks I'm useless, w-worse than N-Naruto, a wh-whore.” She replied beginning to tear up again.
“No he doesn’t love. He’s just a bit rough around the edges. He actually cares about you a lot.”
Sakura didn’t reply so Ino just cuddled the other kunoichi. They sat together in silence for a long time. Ino kissed the calming blossom’s charmingly wide forehead. Sakura looked up at the blonde and tentatively reached up to kiss her. Ino kissed back.