Revelations Of The Mind

*Sakura’s Bedroom*

Sakura woke up in utter comfort, her sheets wrapping her in the dull haze that only comes with the feeling of true sleep. She turned over sighing, an arm coming to her forehead, remembering the night before. Being carried by Naruto, being in his arms, that was the last thing she remember and the relaxation of being in his arms, the protection and safety she felt…was truly wonderful.

He must have put her to bed, as her clothes were still on, not that she was one to sleep nude, but she didn’t sleep in her daily clothes. For the briefest of moments Sakura shivered at the thought of being so totally exposed, but this was after all Naruto, he would never take advantage of her…of that she had never doubted.

The feelings of herself being carried flushed through her then, and that flush carried itself to her skin. The memory of the act was still very fresh in her mind, and it was so very comfortable. Warmth and strength coupled with the gentleness that Naruto had always shown her…a difference that only he paid.

Sakura sat up hugging herself; more confused now then she’d been in since her first study of regenerating brain cells. She’d never believed she could have feelings for Naruto, after all he was her best friend, and she still had not given up on Sasuke coming back, though, even if he did…would she still love him the way she thought she did. It was a question that had haunted her for a long time now, and the recent events only compounded the weight on what she thought was the wrong side.

She smelt it then, through her confusion and constant thought, the unmistakable floating odor of bacon and sausage being cooked and crisped on a skillet, melding together breaking the bonds of thoughts through the rumbling of an unfed stomach.
A knock came through the door.
“Sakura-Chan, May I come in?” asked Naruto through the door
“Hai.” Sakura answered timidly
“Good Morning Sakura-Chan.” Said Naruto, classic smile in place as he walked into the room, dressed in only his black undershirt and pants’, carrying a tray of what was obviously food.

“Naruto you didn’t have to make me breakfast in bed.” Scolded Sakura mildly, the majority of harshness cut off by an unfortunate yawn
Naruto chuckled at the pink haired girl “Come now, no complaints it’s the least I can do, after all you letting me stay here, and besides, I like to cook…it calms me down”
Naruto softly smiled at her, putting the tray on the ground to help her sit up, placing her spare pillows behind the small of her back to help her sit. Leaning over her to make the adjustments necessary of the task he didn’t notice the blush on Sakura’s face, she was after all in bed with Naruto leaning over her, and all she could see was his chest.
‘Well, he’s definitely grown wider…’ thought Sakura
‘Look at those muscles, mmmm…’ inner Sakura swooned
Naruto pulled away then, reaching down to pick up the tray not noticing the girl’s reactions in the least. Placing the tray on Sakura’s lap Naruto smiled, tiredly but happily at his host.
Sakura smiled back, happily picking up her fork to try her friends cooking. Of course, there was a slight hint of fear, after all the last time she had tried to eat something Naruto made she had almost passed out from the sodium content alone, however, this smelled to good to pass up. Placing a mixture of the egg and sausage on her fork Sakura, hurriedly, placed it into her mouth and swallowed barely chewing at all. Her stomach groaned at the sudden intrusion longer then she thought possible, but eventually it figured it out and instead it growled and Sakura had to struggle to keep control over the urge to throw her face in the food.
It had been more then a day since she had eaten after all, she had gotten into a habit of spending whole days in the Hokage’s archives, studying scrolls she could only find there. Yesterday was no exception and as such she had not eaten, and even though the eggs and other parts of Naruto’s prepared feast were in her refrigerator, she hadn’t actually eaten this well in a very long time. Finding she would spend more and more time at Ichiraku Ramen Bar, they were always very kind to her and the food was very good there even if it was just ramen. It was no surprise that Naruto would eat their everyday, after all she would herself.
Sakura stopped feeding herself as she noticed Naruto’s piercing gaze. It wasn’t unpleasant but being studied like an ant by someone was not comfortable either. Sakura blushed slightly under the ceaseless gaze, taking the napkin from her tray to wipe her mouth and swallowing the remnants there in she looked up at her blonde friend, meeting his gaze.
“What is it Naruto?” asked Sakura
“Oh, nothing, I just haven’t seen a woman eat in a long time…” sighed Naruto “I’ve forgotten how pleasant it is to watch.”
Sakura blushed, picking up her fork again “How did you sleep?” Sakura asked, trying to detract from her mounting redness.
“Oh fine…*yawn*…though I have a slight crook in my neck, yourself?” responded Naruto
“Very well, better then in months in fact…” said Sakura placing another fork full of food into her mouth, how Naruto had gotten so good at cooking was beyond her.
Naruto laughed then, moving from where he was leaning against the wall to the chair beside her bed and sitting down.
“What are you laughing about?” asked Sakura, unaware of the piece of egg on her lower lip.
“Just marveling at how beautiful you can be, I’d forgotten.” Said Naruto, moving forward wiping the egg off her lip for her, causing Sakura to fight a blush that was coming on hard.
Thankfully though, Naruto’s head snapped up detracting from the necessity for embarrassment.
“We have a visitor…” said Naruto getting up and moving to the window and opening it up.
Sakura didn’t notice anything amiss, that is until Naruto reached through the square window pulling both an illusionary scroll and an older Konohamaru through the window.
“Konohamaru!?” exclaimed Naruto
“What in the world do you think your doing?” added Sakura, absent mindedly pulling the sheet higher up on her chest, though her being fully clothed did little to expose her in the first place.
Konohamaru slowly got up, sporting an impressive bump on his head from where he’d fallen, glaring at Naruto.
“I didn’t want to interrupt…” said Konohamaru smiling evilly “After all, it’s not nice to do so when people are being intimate…”
Naruto’s face twisted in anger, causing Konohamaru to flinch, but before Naruto could say or do anything a sharp silver object flew past him hitting Konohamaru’s trade mark scarf in mid air, implanting it into the wall. Konohamaru, was surprised to say the least, he had no idea the attack was even coming. Naruto and the boy both starred at the only possible source, Sakura, but while Konohamaru’s stare was one of fear and well…fear, Naruto’s was one of respect and admiration, he hadn’t sensed it coming either and that was a feat.
“You’ve improved Sakura-Chan.” Smiled Naruto watching the girl settle back into her bed and continue eating smiling to herself
“IMPROVED, she nearly took my head off!!!!” yelled Konohamaru pointing at Sakura who just smiled at him, the most threatening smile he’d ever seen mind you.
“No, she’s a jounin remember, if she had intended to hurt you it would have been done.” Said Naruto calmly
Konohamaru whimpered and bit his bottom lip obviously believing that he would have a chance against Sakura, who was still only smiling.
“Now, care to explain what your doing here, invading a woman’s privacy Kononhamaru?” asked Naruto sternly
Konohamaru starred back at Naruto, as if in wonder. “Are you an idiot? I came to see you Boss.” Said Konohamaru smiling
Naruto laughed, “You could have waited until we were done, eating you know.” Affectionately messing up the boy’s hair.
“Well, truthfully, I would have come back later but I’m also here on orders from my jounin leader.” Said Konohamaru
Sakura broke her silence then, “OH, Kakashi-sensei must have heard you were back…”
“What!? Kakashi-sensei is your group leader?” said a stunned Naruto
“Yeah, Hyuuga Hanabi, Inari, and myself are the successors of Team 7.” Smiled a truly proud Konohamaru
“Really, go figure.” Said Naruto starring off into space considering “How’s Inari doing, I heard he’d come to Konoha to become a leaf ninja after the contract between Wave and Leaf.”
“He’s great, he’s ranked only under me and Hanabi, and Hanabi is under me much to her dismay and mine…don’t think I’ve gone a day without being challenged.” Laughed Konohamaru
“Well, you just answered my next question” laughed Naruto “So what does Kakashi-sensei want?”
“He was just wondering if you two would be willing to come to the your “Old Training Grounds” and help him with something, I think he’s planning some sort of special training.” Answered Konohamaru
“Hmmm, well I’m up for it, but it depends on what you think Sakura-Chan?” said Naruto turning in the direction of the pink haired girl who had long since finished her meal.
“Well, I have nothing to do today, it is my day off after all, and I don’t think Tsunade-sama will need me at all so sure.” Said Sakura getting up out of bed, causing Naruto to spin on his toes to avoid seeing anything that might get him implanted the wall, while also turning Konohamaru. Unfortunately for the boy it was in the wrong direction as his scarf was still pinned to the wall, causing him to choke considerably.
“Naruto, your killing the boy!!!” yelled Sakura “Turn around and let him go!!!”
“But, I can’t…” said Naruto
“Naruto, you put me to bed last night, you should know I’m fully clothed.” Responded Sakura in haste, completely aware of why he was hesitating
Naruto’s brained seem to click then, letting go of Konohamaru who’s hands promptly went too his throat to try and alleviate the pain radiating from his adams apple.
Naruto chuckled nervously, “Sorry about that Konohamaru, I wasn’t thinking.”
“Ya think…” coughed Konohamaru trying to pull the fork out of his scarf.
“I’m gonna go get the rest of my clothes and get ready, I recommend you do the damn Naruto.” Said Sakura walking into her closet closing the door.
“Yeah, alright, I’ll go grab my stuff…” said Naruto, moving out of the room leaving Konohamaru alone trying to pull the fork out of his scarf…failing time and again because of how far it was implanted in one of the supportive beams of the house.
*In Sakura’s Living Room*
Naruto looked down at the clothing he had gotten from the foxes, the same soft plush material looking back up him. He reached down, picking up his gloves putting them on and having them adjust instantly to his hands, feeling like nothing at all. Naruto sighed putting on the new shoes and vest, so many things had happened. He’d have to consult Tsunade eventually, but right now he was just going to enjoy the time with his friends, and enjoy the moment as always.
*Back in Sakura’s Bedroom*
It was impossible, after five minutes of trying he still could not remove the damnable fork from the wood, and it was driving him insane, it was his favorite scarf too.

Naruto entered then, as did Sakura, both of them walked up to each other watching Konohamaru’s efforts to removed the kitchen utensil.

“I didn’t know you had thrown that hard.” Said Naruto

“Neither did I, I guess I don’t know my own strength.” Laughed Sakura

“I’d say you hit that right on the nose…” said Naruto affectionately smiling at her, moving forward to Konohamaru’s position “Come on Konohamaru let me have a try.”

“It’s stuck in their good, I don’t think even you could get it out Naruto-san” said Konohamaru

“Hmm, Well will see about that.” Said Naruto reaching forward, Naruto’s hand wrapped around the fork pulling slightly until the fork started to shake and become and light orange.

“Damn, Sakura-Chan you put this in deep, I actually might not be able to get it out.” Said Naruto smiling “Would you mind standing behind me, when this comes loose I’m gonna fall back and I need someone to catch me, and seeing how Konohamaru is stuck to the wall…”

“Sure thing Naruto.” Responded Sakura moving in behind her friend

Naruto then pulled harder on the fork, turning it almost red through he friction, then finally with a *Crack* the fork came free throwing Naruto back into Sakura’s waiting arms, not allowing him to fall at all.

“Wow, Thanks Naruto, I didn’t think I was every going to get out of their.” Said Konohamaru gripping his newly freed scarf possessively.

“Sure no problem, Konohamaru.” Said Naruto standing upright, making no sign that he noticed Sakura’s arms still around him.

‘He smells good…’ sighed Sakura

“I guess I’ll go tell Kakashi that I was able to fine you and that your coming, I’ll see you two in a bit.” Said Konohamaru

“Yeah, and it’s good to see you Konohamaru.” Naruto smiled “You’ve grown into a fine ninja…just use the door next time so you can avoid the sharp things in life.”

Konohamaru smiled in returned and added a loud laugh, and jumped through the window, whether it was spiteful or just a normal action could not be told.

Naruto stood their for a moment waiting until he knew Konohamaru was gone, moving his hands to cup Sakura’s.

“You can let go now Sakura-Chan…” said Naruto, somewhat reluctantly, it felt good to have her hold him

‘NO!!! I DON’T WANT TO!!!’ screamed inner Sakura

“Yes, I suppose you should have your feet now…” said Sakura moving away from Naruto towards the bedroom door. “By the way Naruto, where did you get the new clothes? You weren’t wearing them yesterday.”

“I got them in one of the towns in Rock country that I visited, don’t remember exactly where, it was long ago after all.” Responded Naruto moving through the open door towards the “Proper” exit of the apartment.

“They look good on you…”said Sakura

“Good!? Look at that ass….” Inner Sakura thought, causing Sakura to shake her head again

“Sakura-Chan, are you alright?” asked Naruto, noticing the sudden disturbance and moving closer

‘He’s such a sweet man…always thinking of me before himself…I wonder…’ thought Sakura

“I’m fine Naruto…though there is one thing I’ve been meaning to do for some time now.” Said Sakura, slowly closing the distance between them until they were face to face. “Now you don’t get to move, trust me ok”

“Of course Sakura-Chan, I’ve always trusted you…” smiled Naruto

Sakura leaned forward wrapping her arms around Naruto’s body, and placing her head into the crook of his neck and shoulder. Giggling slightly at the tension of his body at the contact.

“Good, Welcome Home Naruto-Kun…welcome home.”