The Truth in Dreams

Chapter IV:  Memories,  Miso, and a Mission

 

After staring at the empty space where Sakura was just standing when she told him he smelled good, Naruto shook his head and tried to come back to reality.

Does Sakura Chan actually have feelings for me? Naruto’s eyes went wide again at the thought.

What about Sasuke? Does she reciprocate my feelings after all this time? He had yearned for that to be proven true for so many years. He had thought about holding her in his arms for so long, about keeping her safe from harm with every choice he made. True, he had to get by on a day to day basis. But, his subconscious never let her beautiful jade eyes escape his mind--not even once--since he had first gazed into them on the academy playground all those years ago.

As a child Naruto was taken aback by how beautiful she was. Back then, all the children ridiculed him and excluded him. They would yell “monster” and tell him to get away from them. As a young adult, Naruto still faced torment, although most of his peers had come to accept him, a handful becoming close friends.

But, back then, not once did Sakura ever use that word “monster” toward him. Not once did she join in the berating. Naruto remembered every time she was on the playground with him and she was always so bashful and so terrified. Most days Ino would just drag her around. True, Sakura never stood up for him either, but he didn’t hold that against her. How could he? He loved her so completely even then. He was amazed, now, at what a strong woman she had become and it only caused his love for her to grow into something much more intense.

When team 7 was formed and Naruto was hurt by Sakura lavishing her attentions on Sasuke and treating him like a clown who wasn’t worth her time, the part of Naruto that was hurt was glad she had chosen Sasuke as her school-girl crush. He didn’t want to just be some crush to her. Naruto wanted to be the only one she ever really wanted--and well, in Naruto’s head, he figured she’d have to go through at least one crush to realize that. It just sucked that it happened to be his rival, Sasuke.

Now, he wasn’t just in love with her; with his hormones raging, he needed her. But, even with dreams of pleasuring her coming to him regularly, Naruto still had impeccable self-control and would rather die than go against Sakura’s wishes and desires. Naruto’s greatest strength, his loyalty and self-sacrifice for others, was also a weakness. In the particular case of his feelings for Sakura, it had caused him to bottle up his, at times, desperate need for her. But, just the thought that she might reciprocate had Naruto thinking about the first time he ever touched her as he started to walk down his apartment complex’s steps to catch up with her on the way to Ichiraku Ramen.

…......

There was one day in particular way back when young-6-year-old-Naruto was walking home alone again after the academy had let out. He decided to take his usual long stroll past the dock where he would often find Sasuke sitting alone and they would exchange their mutual glances of camaraderie and competition with each other; on his way there one evening, Naruto was surprised to find Sakura sitting under a big cherry tree that had just started to bloom. Her pink hair was glimmering under the first breath of the pink blossoms that she was named after as the branches of the tree fluttered in the early spring wind.

As Naruto walked closer to the tree--he heard Sakura crying softly. For the first time in his life, Naruto was struck with real desperation. He had to do anything he could to make her feel better. He took the last few steps toward the tree a bit more slowly.

“Sakura-Chan?” She continued sobbing but lifted her head ever so slightly from her knees so that just a sliver of her Jade eyes could be seen above the ridge-line created by her legs.

Little Naruto was not deterred in the least. He gazed up at the tree and there, in all its glory, was a rich, green leaf curved underneath the only 6-petaled brilliantly-pink cherry blossom Naruto had ever seen. The blossom was stunning. Yes, all the blossoms in their multitude were magnificent, but this blossom was a one of a kind and the leaf next to it, well it was big and strong and seemed to be embracing the blossom. Little Naruto reached up on his tiptoes and plucked the blossom and the leaf together from their spot on the branch. The two were fused and had grown together. Little Naruto turned them over in his hand and saw the faintest tinge of a brilliant orange in a swirl pattern on the bottom of the leaf. So the leaf is special too.

With the fused blossom and leaf in his tiny hand, Naruto sat in the dirt right next to Sakura, who had stopped sobbing. Naruto blushed and turned to her and said:

“Sakura, I’m Uzumaki Naruto and, well, I think you are prettier than any of these blossoms. No matter what. And like this leaf and blossom, I will always be there to catch you. I might blend in, because I seem like just a leaf next to someone like you. But I’m a special leaf--a strong leaf--I’m different from all the others--and one day, I’ll be Hokage. Until then, you should know...that I love you!”

With that, little Naruto put the leaf and blossom on Sakura’s knee and kissed her cheek and with a flurry of embarrassment, he ran away faster than he ever had before, but was very pleased with his little self as he did.

…...

Naruto never knew if she took that flower and leaf from him. He didn’t stay behind or look over his shoulder to see how she had reacted back then. So often, he wished that he had seen if she kept it or even looked at it. But, he was still damn proud for having the gall to kiss her right then.

It seems like I had more balls then than I do now. Well, back then, she didn’t pay so much attention to Sasuke. Not to mention, I hadn’t promised her I’d bring him back. Hell, he hadn’t left yet. Maybe if I had known back then and if I had tried harder to make him feel revenge was wrong. . .Who would have thought Sasuke would have such an impact and still does. Naruto thought as he remembered his younger days. He came down onto the streets of Konoha just outside their apartment building and saw Sakura making a right turn onto the Ichiraku Ramen street just up ahead. He started to jog a bit to catch up with her.

Then again, maybe I haven’t tried to steal a kiss from her now because Sakura could now break my entire skull open if I were to try to kiss her without her permission. Naruto blushed at the thought of stealing another kiss from her.

Maybe that’s exactly what I should try to do? I mean, the only way to know for sure if she is really over Sasuke is to kiss her and see if she kisses me back right? What do I have to lose? If he she doesn’t feel the same way back, I’ll just have a smashed skull anyway and if she does.  . .

“YOSH! I just have to time it right!” Naruto had decided. He would try to steal a kiss from her again, Sasuke or not, this determination of his to never give up was his ninja-way.

As he got closer to her, he could see her pink locks swaying as she walked. He caught her smell in his sensitive nose and inhaled it. He felt his face flush with color as he smelled his shampoo and remembered that she had used it. His mind did him the courtesy of flashing an image of Sakura’s naked back and green underwear from earlier.

Naruto had to stop in his tracks for a minute to shove that image back down. Now is not the time to get hard! Not here in public! Naruto thought with embarrassment. Not to mention, she didn’t know I was there. I was just being a pervert! Butttttt.....Naruto ground his palms into his thighs as he imagined her screaming, topless, on her back in his bed. He could feel himself starting to get harder. No! Not now. These feelings are ten-times harder to control than normal! Think of something unappealing! Think of something unappealing! The first image his mind came up with was Ero-Sennin and Kakashi riding on the back of a cow together and looking rather annoyed at Naruto for coming up with this image of them.

“Hahahah!” Naruto laughed as he thought of those two. A few people on the street turned to look at him like something was wrong with him. Naruto pinched his thigh to snap out of it and kept jogging as he finally caught up with Sakura. He saw her slow down a bit as she approached the Ramen stand.

“Sakura-Chan!” Naruto called out to her.

“Naruto!” We don’t want to miss a chance to get the first two bowls of the day!” Sakura had turned around and waved to him with a cheerful smile on her face.

He stared into her jade eyes and felt like he could finally comprehend how deep and complex his feelings were for her. The pull to her was incredible and it never went away, even as Naruto slowly grew dejected at her ‘choice’ of Sasuke when they hit puberty. He would bear his love for her forever. No matter what. Now, I might just have a chance. I just have to wait for the perfect moment to see if she really does feel the same way.

….......

As Sakura walked down the street to the Ichiraku Ramen stand, she could hear the sound of Naruto’s feet as he caught up with her.

Did I really say that to him?! He sure did take a while to follow me down here to the Ramen place. I must have shocked him. O why didn’t I have the balls to turn around and look him in the eyes after I said that? Did he blush? Did he like it? O no! Maybe he didn’t hear me or is upset.. . .No way, it must be good right? Because I can obviously hear him running to catch up with me. Sakura’s mind was giddy and going a million miles an hour after blurting out just what she thought about how Naruto smells.

Alright, I just need to act normal and see what he does.

As she turned around, she smiled as she saw Naruto catching up with her, she was taken aback again at how handsome he was. My memory never does those features of his justice. The real thing is so much better. I wonder if the same thing can be said about what’s in his pants? Crap! I’m totally staring at his dick! Look up, damnit!

“So Sakura-Chan, are you really getting a miso ramen this morning?” He smiled at her with that big, goofy grin of his and put his arms behind his head as stepped in to walk beside her. They were only a half-block from Ichiraku and the aromas of noodles and their famous soup were wafting in the air. They could make out the seats in front of the bar and Teuchi and Ayame as they were setting up for the day.

“I think so! For once, I’m going to have just what you have, with the Naruto fish cakes and all.” Sakura smiled back at Naruto as she took a lock of her hair and ran her fingers through it.

On her hand’s way back down to hang at her waist, Sakura’s fingertips lightly grazed Naruto’s hip and the side of his abs. The move was completely unintentional on her part. The two had started walking more closely together than normal without realizing they were doing it--like some magnetic force was pushing them together.

Sakura’s heart skipped a beat at the contact and she moved a little further away from Naruto--but not much.

Naruto sucked in a breath and tried to act casual like he hadn’t noticed, but he could feel a burst of heat welling up from his stomach from just that tiny amount of contact. Did she do that on purpose? Naruto looked at Sakura with a sidelong glance. He caught Sakura’s eye as she was looking at him at the same time. For a moment their eyes locked and time seemed to slow down. Neither had looked at the other quite like this before.

Their moment was interrupted when Guy Sensei and Rock Lee came sprinting around the side of the Ramen stand each holding a dozen eggs. They had them stuffed in between their arms and their stomachs as they ran cross-armed. They were also both holding an egg in their mouths.

“BAFAR-SAN! NAFUDO! GOO MOANINF!”  Rock Lee blurted out with the egg in his mouth when he noticed them by the Ramen stand. He started to move one of his arms to wave. Guy Sensei yelling next him caused him to stop-short and realize he had eggs in his arms. Rock Lee looked rather put off that he wasn’t able to use his arms to wave.

“FE SPRIII OF YOUF! UH SO EAFLY!” Guy Sensei began to tear up and he seemed very proud of something.

“YEF GUY SEFSEI” Rock Lee also began to tear up. Sakura and Naruto exchanged glances and furrowed their brows.

“Good Morning Bushy Brow and Extreme Bushy Brow!” Naruto waved to them as they took off running again.

“What the hell was that all about?” Sakura mumbled.

“Maybe they are making huge omelets? Who knows.” Sakura and Naruto both chuckled at the image of Rock Lee and Guy Sensei attempting any sort of cooking.

“Good Morning Naruto and Sakura! Are you here for a fresh morning ramen?” Sakura and Naruto turned back to the Ichiraku building to see Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku, waving them over. Naruto ran up to the counter, took a seat and beamed.

“Two Large Miso Ramen, Please!” The toothy grin was back.

“Tsk, Naruto! I don’t know if I can eat an entire large ramen!”

“Don’t worry Sakura-Chan! I’ll finish it for you! HEEHEE! Besides we have a big mission with Ero-Sennin, so eat up!” Sakura took a seat next to Naruto as Teuchi dropped the bowls in front of them.

Both Naruto and Sakura picked up their chopsticks and said in unison: “ITADAKIMASU!”

Naruto dug into his bowl of ramen with his normal gusto, Sakura was surprised to find herself slurping up the noodles at almost the same speed. Maybe that dream last night and all this sexual tension really worked up my appetite?  

The two were silent for a few minutes while they munched on their ramen. Ayame could be heard humming behind the counter as she stirred the soup pot. The rhythmic movement of Teuchi’s hands as he kneaded some more noodles added a beat to Ayame’s humming. More song-birds were chirping outside as the sun continued to rise.

With Noodles hanging out of his mouth Naruto turned to Sakura, his eyes widening when he saw the mass of noodles hanging out of her mouth. He was impressed at the amount of ramen she had already managed to eat. The bowl was nearly half empty.

“Safura-chan! You moo be veally hunfry.” Naruto slurped the rest of the noodles into his mouth.

“Are you working on some harder training program with Granny Tsunade?” Naruto’s eyes drifted from Sakura’s mouthful of noodles to her exposed arms. Her biceps and deltoids were looking more cut. She was becoming a beautiful, strong woman. Naruto thought about his own physique and really admired Sakura’s strength. We’ve both grown up so much since I left for my training with Jiraiya. Now that I’ve been home for a while, I can’t stop looking at her.

Sakura gazed down at her bowl and realized how much she had put away. She blushed and looked back up at Naruto to answer his question.

“You know, I have had more of an appetite lately. Shishou has had me focusing a lot more on my strength lately. She told me my Chakra control is strong, but she mentioned something about this mission helping me to increase my stamina, which would mean I’d have more chakra to work with in the first place.” Sakura took a sip of the green tea she had ordered.

“I wonder what Granny Tsunade means? Heeeyy! Sakura-Chan! Maybe she wants you to practice your stamina with me?” Naruto winked at her as he slurped a bit of his soup directly from the bowl. Sakura blushed at his comment as she was obviously thinking of another way to practice her ‘stamina’ with Naruto other than the innocent one he seemed to have intended.

That DAMN wink of his. I used it hate it when he did that. He was always just so. . .so. . . FUCKING ADORABLE every time he did that when we were kids. I remember it used to make me want to strangle the hell out of him. Now that he’s so much taller, so much stronger, and has grown into this fox. . . .heheheh....of a young man . . .GOD WHY IS HE SO HOT!

“BAKA! What can I learn from you! I don’t think that Giant Toad, Gamabunta, would want to put up with me.” Man that was terrible. Is that the only comeback I can muster right now? Sakura thought to herself as she munched on the noodle pieces floating around the bottom of her ramen that was now mostly soup.

“Come on, Sakura--you know the greatest ninja of Konoha has a lot more in his arsenal than just summoning toads right?” He winked again.

That stupid wink of his is just damn distracting. She picked up her bowl and started to slurp too as she looked at Naruto from the corner of her eye.

Naruto gave his own bowl one final slurp and placed it down on the bar with a noticeable thud.

“Delicious!” He stretched and took off his backpack and proceeded to rummage through it. Sakura’s vision was obstructed when he brought out something as she was slurping up the last of her soup from the bottom of her own bowl. She placed her bowl down just in time to see Naruto putting his Gama-chan Frog wallet back into his bag. He winked at Teuchi.

“Thank you Naruto-san, Sakura-san!” Teuchi nodded his head.

“Have a good trip to the hot springs! It’s supposed to be a really clear night, so you should have a nice camp in the woods tonight before you get there in the morning.” Ayame, Teuchi’s daughter, blushed after she said this and looked from Sakura to Naruto and then back again.

“Na-ru-to! Did you just pay for both of us? I thought you said you never turned down someone’s offer to pay for your ramen?” The looks from Teuchi and Ayame to the inevitable couple were as lost on Sakura as they were on Naruto. Neither one of them had noticed the insinuating glances from the joint owners of the ramen shop.

“True, Sakura-chan, but if I’m going to be your new sensei for the day, I figured I should at least pay!” Naruto smirked his trouble-maker smirk after that and started to get up and put his backpack back over his shoulders.

“SENSEI! Whoever said anything about you being my superior?! Last time I checked you were still a Genin and I’m a Chuunin.”

“That would be true if I were still a Genin but, I’ve been promoted to Jonin.” Naruto had a huge grin on his face. He was gloating a bit.

Sakura was shocked.

“You can’t be serious? When did Tsunade promote you?”

“Yesterday in preparation for this mission. She said the rank should come in handy.”

Naruto is right! He outranks me now. I guess that means I’ll have to follow his orders. I’d be more than pleased if he ordered me on my knees. . .GAH! What is wrong with me! Sakura felt her cheeks color as she thought about Naruto dominating her. How is it that I’m more of a horn dog than Naruto these days!? AH! Who am I kidding, I’ve always been a horn dog! I just can’t hide it as well as I used to with this baka walking around next to me.

“Let’s get going Sakura-Chan! It’s getting close to 8am; if we hurry we should be in the wildflower clearing by nightfall; that’s the half-way point between here and the Hotsprings.” Naruto walked out of the Ramen stand and looked up at the sky. It looked like it was going to be a clear day with a nothing but sunlight. He turned around to see Sakura get up from the stool at the stand, nod thank you at Teuchi and his daughter.

“Alright ‘sensei,’ lead the damn way.” Sakura’s voice was dripping with sarcasm.

…...

They made their way to the Konoha gate, taking an inventory of their weapons and other equipment along the way.

“Naruto, are you sure you have all the clothes you will need and your sleeping bag?”

“Yup, I sealed them in this scroll yesterday to prepare for the trip.” He patted his hand on one of the scrolls strapped to the bottom of his bag.

“Alright I’ll grab some sticky buns for snacks on the way up so we can put off having to make camp for lunch until we get to the wildflower field.” Sakura jogged to the stand next to the guard station by the Konoha Gate and bought a six pack of red-bean sticky buns. They were filling, sweet, had protein, fiber, and a decent amount of carbs. Best of all, they were a quick and easy way to get nutrients without having to eat something that tasted like total ass.

“Yosh! I think we’re ready to go Sakura-Chan!”

“Let’s Go!” They waved a quick good-bye to the two Jonin at the guard station.

The two set off at a run out of the Konoha gate and quickly made for the tree-tops, not out of necessity for secrecy, but for fun. It had been a full two years since the two had been out on a mission together without a whole slew of other people around them. What started out as casual bouncing from side to side from treetop to treetop for a few hours grew into a race.

“Naruto-kun!” Sakura called out to Naruto as he launched himself from tree branch to tree branch just a few feet to her right. They had just finished munching on one sticky-bun each as they bounced from tree to tree as the afternoon sun reached its apex.

He turned to look at her with wide eyes. He’s clearly not used to me calling him that yet is he?

“I bet I can beat you to the fork in the Hotsprings road!” The fork was some three miles over fairly difficult terrain and it was just a quarter-mile from the fork to the wildflower field where they were planning to camp. Such a distance at high speed wasn’t much of a challenge for Naruto with his stamina, but Sakura had always struggled with hauling ass over long distances and even moderately difficult terrain had made it nearly impossible for her in the past. She knew that with the new training Tsunade Shishou had been making her undergo that she was even stronger and should be able to almost hold her own with Naruto--at least for a little while. With the knowledge that the wildflower field would be nearby for her to rest afterward, Sakura was more than up for it.

Maybe he’ll notice me and start to believe me when I say I like him if he sees how strong I am. I’ll make it so that he can’t look away. He’ll be so charged with competition to challenge me---he won’t be able to resist any longer!

With that thought Sakura took off at a speed that Naruto had never seen from her before. In fact, her speed resembled something only he and a handful of others (though, those others could only do so in short bursts) were able to execute. He charged after her.

The sun was beating down its late afternoon warmth as he made his way through the trees. They had been travelling for a while.

Sakura could feel her heart starting to pound with exhilaration after the second mile.This was normally the point she would call it quits in the past. She used to think this was her body’s way of telling her she was about to pass out. Tsunade had taught her how to use her chakra in tiny increments to strengthen herself when her heart would normally give out. Like very intense weight training for her stamina, Sakura had strengthened the very sinews of her heart by pushing herself to run harder and move faster for longer.

I have to keep up with Naruto, otherwise, how can I protect him? How can I catch him when he falls? How can I stop Sasuke when no one else is left? Because I will not stop. until. I. am. strong. enough. That’s why. Sakura looked over her shoulder to see Naruto catching up to her with lightning speed. Must have taken him a little while to realize that I actually could go this fast. She smirked to herself. When she looked back a second time, she didn’t see him behind her. Where did he go?

She looked to both her sides, when she turned around to face forward again she saw Naruto just out of her reach running in front of her. She knew he could go much faster, but he was just doing enough to slightly outpace her. Was he trying to encourage her to try harder? Did he know what I was thinking?

He turned around and smiled at her. She smiled back and stuck out her tongue. I can do better. Sakura kicked it in a higher gear and surged past Naruto. She saw his smile spread into a wide grin. She thought she saw his canines elongate slightly in excitement. Got him! He wants to compete with me for real.

The trees passed by her with a blur now, the songs of birds and other forest sounds were delayed and slowed as she surged past them at sound barrier speeds. This was the outer limit of her strength and speed--at least for now, she thought. She could feel her pulse skyrocket once more. I just need to channel a bit more of my Chakra to my heart and lungs and I should be fine. She closed her eyes and trusted her instincts to find her way through the trees at her incredible rate of speed while she redirected her focus and chakra to her heart and lungs. Judging from how long I’ve been going like this, we must be within striking distance to the fork. Just a bit longer and I’ll beat him!

…....

When Sakura surged by him, Naruto was taken aback by her strength, agility and newfound speed. His senses were already heightened when she first issued her challenge to beat him to the fork. When she burst by him at an even faster rate of speed the second time, he felt his heart pound with excitement at the challenge and the prospect of some real competition. He had missed having this sort of competitive rivalry with someone his age who stood a chance of keeping up. Rock Lee had his moments of incredible speed, but they weren’t sustainable and Shikamaru was certainly an incredible match for wits, which Naruto had a lot of--though most people didn’t notice; he was Konoha’s greatest prankster after all.

But Sakura, for her to be moving this quickly, with such a glimmer in her eye, Naruto was glowing with love for her. He already considered her more than an equal mentally and he knew her strength at times rivaled his, even when Kyuubi assisted. He adored her.

For her to show a chance to match his speed and stamina, he felt some of the Kyuubi’s chakra leak out and his canines elongate. Not from aggression, not from anger, but from finally feeling like he had found his true mate in this world. He had to have her, her and no other. Sa-ku-ra-Chan. . .If you beat me to the fork, I will get on my knee right then and make you mine forever. Either way, I promise I will make you stronger so we can always run like this.

Naruto surged forward using all-fours to catch up with her. As he got closer he saw her hair blowing in the wind created by the wake behind her. Everything around them had slowed down and it seemed like the two of them were floating in a different world of hyper-speed from tree to tree. His heightened hearing caught her pulse.

THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP.

Naruto had never heard a heart beat so fast when it wasn’t about to burst. Concern overtook him.

She has used her Chakra to keep her heart calm. She is very strong, but she cannot control it much longer.

Hearing the Kyuubi’s voice in his mind caused him to refocus and he surged forward to put himself beside Sakura. He looked into her face as they keep floating at hyper-speed. Naruto could see the clearing for the Hotsprings fork coming up in front of them in his peripheral vision.

Sakura’s eyes were closed and her hands were placed on either side of her chest beside her heart. She was wafting green chakra back into herself. He was amazed that with moving at this high rate of speed she still had the control and precision to keep her hands and chakra control even. Her face was calm.

Three steps until the clearing and Sakura still hadn’t opened her eyes. After that last tree on the edge of the woods there wouldn’t be another branch for her to jump to---they would be out in the air. Her eyes were still closed.

Two-steps.

“Sakura-Chan!” Naruto called out to her. She didn’t seem to hear him. She kept up her speed and her green chakra stream was still flowing into her chest.

One step.

They were airborne with no trees left and Sakura seemed unaware of the impending danger.

Naruto saw a surge of blue as Sakura directed more of her chakra to her legs and she pushed into her final step on the last tree branch; she shot forward with the last of her power. Naruto saw that her eyes were still closed and with all the energy and momentum she put into that final step, she was going to land with that much velocity when she hit the ground. It was almost as though her body was willing her to win their little race at the risk of her own safety.

She is about to fall, boy! Catch her!

With all of his might Naruto burst like a lightening bolt in front of sakura as she reached terminal velocity on her descent to the ground. He put his body between hers and the ground. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to stop the fall, but he could prevent as much injury to her as possible.

I’m lending you Chakra. She is essential to our survival!

Does that mean you love her too?

. . .IRRELEVANT! NOW FOCUS!

With the wave of Chakra that Kyuubi gave him--Naruto forced chakra to his legs, feet, and arms and hands. He shoved down with his feet just as the impact of Sakura’s body and her speed slammed into his chest and arms.

He growled as he absorbed the shock of the impact from Sakura’s chakra enhanced speed.

I HAVE TO HOLD ON TO HER. WORK, ARMS!

He could feel the tendons in his arms stretching and muscles shredding as he held her in a bear hug. The force of the impact drove his feet and shoes two-feet deep into the dirt as they slide.

The pressure of the dual impact of catching Sakura and of them hitting the ground together was pushing Naruto’s feet off the ground. He could feel himself lifting.

He drove his heels harder into the dirt with the red chakra. He knew if he lost his balance he might drop Sakura. He had to slow the landing first. He growled again. He felt Sakura’s arms come around his neck and her legs wrap around his hips and hold him closer. Her head was nestled in his neck. His hyper-awareness told him she was still unconscious.

They slide twenty feet back from their point of impact. A large wooden sign that labelled the fork stood in their way.

The unfortunate sign looked as though it had been hit and re-righted in the past and perhaps deliberately moved further from the road to prevent additional impacts.

Naruto turned his head to see the rapidly approaching sign.

Shit! We are still going too fast.

Naruto let himself fall onto his ass to further slow them down. He didn’t want to fall onto his back and drag Sakura’s legs as they wrapped around him through the dirt too. He could feel small pebbles, rocks, and sand shredding his clothes and peeling back some of his skin.

The sign was getting closer. Naruto held Sakura tighter to his chest.

If we hit, let it hit me and not her. I don’t want our impact with the sign to cause me to drop her.

It was then that he felt Sakura’s hands lock behind his neck. She looked up with her jade eyes from his shoulder and stared directly into his sky blue eyes; his pupils had long since turned into slits when his canines elongated back in the woods.

The seconds began to slow down again as they stared at each other. Dirt and Pebbles littered the air as they continued to drag at a high rate of speed across the ground.

Naruto felt Sakura’s legs unwrap from his waist. Sakura drove her heels into the ground behind Naruto. She set her jaw as she squeezed chakra into her feet and pushed. Naruto felt her hands come up and cradle his head. She was putting her hands between his head and the sign.

Mere inches from the sign hitting his head, they finally stopped. Naruto looked down at himself and his ruined shoes and clothes. Sakura was safe in his arms with only a few scratches and bruises that he could see from flying rocks and dirt. He knew his own road-rash would heal in a few minutes. She protected me. She found some chakra within herself to protect me. Sakura gently fisted his hair. He leaned back against the sign and her hands.

Thump...thump...thump.

Her heart rate had returned to normal. She was still staring directly into his eyes.

Thump.Thump.Thump.

Her heart rate picked up again. He could feel his own do the same. The smell of dirt and sand covered them both, but beneath that smell, Naruto could smell Sakura’s sweat all over his skin. Naruto could feel the heat grow in his body.

Their faces were mere inches from each other. Their chests were pressed together. He realized she was sitting in his lap; their groins pressed against one another. Naruto knew his growing erection was pressing against her still-clothed core with obvious need.

Sakura blushed as if she were just starting to notice it pressing against her. She continued to stare at him and her eyes welled up with emotion.

Am I making her uncomfortable?

Beneath the smell of their mingled sweat, Naruto’s sensitive nose smelled a sweeter aroma blossom from Sakura.

Wait? Is she wet? So, that expression on her face....it’s desire? Naruto felt chakra drip from his pores. His erection strained against his now very constricting pants. He was crazy with desire for her. He wanted to claim her. Make her his. His arms pulled her closer.

Her hands that still fisted his hair began to massage his scalp. He leaned his head into her touch. He stared back at her with such heat in his eyes. His entire body was telegraphing the strain it was putting on him to hold back. I have to be sure.

She removed one hand from fisting his hair and moved it to touch his cheek. Naruto closed his eyes again. His breathing was becoming heavier. Sakura wanted to devour his mouth. He is all coiled power ready to strike. . . but these lips.

Sakura took her thumb and ran it across Naruto’s bottom lip. His lips parted at the touch.

Does she know what this is doing to me. . .

He responded by sliding one of his arms from its clutching position on her back. He slide it slowly down her spine.

Sakura’s chest was rising and falling with her rapid breathing, causing her restrained breasts to plead against the fabric of her shirt and very thin bra; she felt her nipples get hard.

As Naruto’s hand moved down her spine, she arched into him. Naruto could feel her erect nipples press against his sensitive skin through the fabric of their clothes.

“Sa-ku-ra-Chan. . .” Naruto’s eyes were glazed over with desire and vulnerability as he stared at her.

I want him and no one else. He is the only one who is strong enough. The only one strong enough to keep up with me, teach me, and strong enough to protect me. The only one. And he’s been right there this whole time, right in front of me. Sakura willed her thoughts to reach him. She wanted to end his suffering, to please him. To finally show him what he meant to her.

Naruto’s fingertips slide the rest of the way down her spine. When he stopped just as they reached the cleft of her ass she was overcome with feeling the size of him between her thighs. She wanted to know if it would fit. If she could fit the massive length of him inside her.

He’s hesitating, even now. He wants to be sure I want this. Sakura closed her eyes as his touch lingered on the cleft of her butt. She took his poised hand in her own and moved it down to cup her ass. She squeezed her hand over his so he took a firm grip of her ass cheek.

Naruto’s eyes went wide at Sakura’s actions. Is this really happening? She really, truly wants me? She wants this?

As if in answer to his final proof and realization of her desire for him, Sakura stared deep into his eyes again and she gave the smallest movement. She ground her pelvis into him.

Holy. Shit. Naruto closed his eyes. He couldn’t stand it. The smell of her filled his nose. He was going to take her. Right now.

Sakura’s lips parted and she was breathing more heavily. Her eyes left his and he saw that she was staring at his lips. She moved her face closer to his so their lips were less than an inch apart.

Naruto was climbing out of his skin. His entire body was on fire with the need to be inside of her. Is she going to kiss me?

“Na-ru-to. . ..” She mouthed his name with the softest voice; “thank you for catching me, sensei. Also, I won.”

Sakura’s eyes glistened with emotion as she announced her victory. Technically, because her legs were behind his, she had made it to the fork first.

Naruto couldn’t take it anymore. His arms shoved her body against his and he crashed his mouth into hers in a desperate kiss. He placed his other hand on her ass and pressed her core into his erection.

Naruto saw Sakura’s eyes go wide at first and then she closed them and he could smell the sweetness of her arousal getting stronger. He saw color touch her cheeks.

Sakura moved her hands to cup Naruto’s face as Naruto closed his own eyes to deepen the kiss. Sakura ground her pelvis into him again while their lips were locked together; this time Naruto responded by rocking his pelvis up into hers at the same time.

A small moan escaped Sakura’s throat while their lips were locked together.

Naruto broke the kiss at the sound of her moan. Sakura moved her hands back into his hair begging him to give her back his lips. Naruto resisted. He brought his lips close to hers and grazed his lips over hers as a tease. I want see your desire for me in your face. So I can burn it into my memory.

He rocked his hips up into hers again and used his hands on her ass to direct Sakura to move her pelvis again. They moved together.

Another moan came out of Sakura’s now parted lips as Naruto watched. He wanted to hear the moan escape her mouth. He wanted to see the look on her face when he moved against her. I have wanted this for so long and it feels so good. She’s finally mine. Really and truly.

“Kiss-me Naruto.” Sakura said with her face flushed. She leaned in and sucked his bottom lip.

“Sakura-chan. . .Do you know how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that?”

Naruto brought his lips to hers again and heard another moan from Sakura when he pushed his tongue into her mouth. Their tongues met and Naruto moaned a bit himself at the contact. In response to his moan, Sakura pressed her chest even closer to him and ground into him again. I’m going to fuck her right here. She’s got me climbing out of my skin with what’s she’s doing to me right now.

At last you’ve gotten the balls to follow through with her. She is ours now!

Naruto tightened his grip on her ass and prepared to lift her off the ground so he could put her on her back.

You’re going to have to wait a bit longer. We’re being watched and you mustn’t consummate our feelings for our mate in the view of others.

Naruto stopped short of standing up with Sakura in his arms--their lips locked. So you do love her too! Wait, who’s watching? Naruto felt his eyes change over to red at the possible threat to Sakura.

Your lust has distracted your senses. Our mate shows us her arousal scent for the first time and I admit, I was overcome too and hadn’t noticed him either until just now.

Ahh. I hear him. Behind us and about ten feet to the right up the path toward the wildflower field.

Naruto broke his kiss with Sakura. She looked at him with pleading eyes and then surprise when she noticed that his blue pupils had changed to red. He brought his index finger to her lips and made the ‘shh’ gesture. He tilted his head behind him in the direction of their guest. Sakura’s expression changed to one of seriousness and focus. She nodded her head in understanding.

“No sense in trying to sneak up on him. We made enough noise when we landed. He already knows we’re here.” Sakura whispered in Naruto’s ear as she started to climb off of him.

Before she could finish her dismount, he grabbed her cheeks and pulled her face to his for one last kiss. She sucked on his lip as they parted as if to say ‘more later, this isn’t over.’ The red in Naruto’s eyes flared up and glowed as if the contact had renewed his need to protect her.

Something about his red eyes after kissing him didn’t intimidate Sakura at all. She actually really liked it. Maybe the Kyuubi wants me too? I guess I’ll find out at some point.

“I agree. No point in hiding either.” Naruto whispered back after they broke their kiss. As they got to their feet, they noticed the mess they made of the ground around them because of their landing. They also took note that the sun was starting to set.

“Well, we have to make camp soon anyway.” Naruto whispered as he pointed to the sky.

Sakura looked at how shredded Naruto’s pants were. They looked more like shorts with all the rips. She grabbed Naruto’s arm and held him in place before he started walking in the direction of their visitor; he looked at her with raised eyebrows.  

She let healing chakra flow to her hands and Naruto nodded his head in realization that she wanted to make sure he was uninjured before they encountered a potential enemy. She did a quick survey of his body to make sure he wasn’t hurt. When she was satisfied, she released his arm and they made their way to the large willow tree behind which the visiting chakra signature was wafting from.

As they walked to the tree, their arousal had fully worn off. Because they both had their complete wits about them again, both Sakura and Naruto rolled their eyes as they realized they recognized the chakra signature.

They exchanged glances as they got to the tree.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me.” Naruto mumbled and put his palm to his face.

From behind the tree sauntered Hayate Kakashi with his nose in an Icha-Icha book as usual.

Sakura pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Good evening, Sakura, Naruto. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look less happy to see me.”

Both said in unison: “Good evening Kakas-sensei.”

“Is everything alright? It sound like you guys got into some sort of brawl over there.” His nose was still deep in his book as he turned a page. It appeared that he hadn’t noticed the two making out and dry-humping each other. They let out a unified sigh of relief.

I guess Sakura-chan doesn’t want Kakas-sensei to know about us so fast either. I’m still trying to figure out what just happened myself. Naurto looked at Sakura out of the corner of his eyes and then averted them and looked back to Kakashi. Sakura was staring at the ground and blushing. Naruto smirked as he thought of how he made her moan not two minutes earlier.

“Everything is fine Kakashi-sensei. We were just trying to make it to the wildflower field before nightfall so we can set up camp tonight.” Sakura looked up at Kakashi like everything was normal.

“Ehhhh?” Kakashi looked confused and then he looked up at the sky.

“O! I guess I lost track of time reading next to the tree over there. It is almost nightfall isn’t it? Hm! Well, in any case, I need to talk to the two of you about your mission anyway. Jiraiya-sama asked that I meet you here at the fork and accompany you the rest of the way to the Hotsprings.” At that, Kakashi closed his book and looked rather pleased with himself.

“What?!” Both Sakura and Naruto said much more loudly and angrily than they had intended.

“Nothing to worry about you two! It’s not like Jiraiya-sama thinks you are incompetent or anything. It’s really more just for convenience sake. I was called to the hotsprings for the same mission and Jiraiya suggested we make the last leg of the journey to the hotsprings together.”

“Great. Just. Great.” Naruto deflated and looked dejected as he turned around to collect his scrolls that had flown off his back when they crash-landed.

“Hehehehe. Sure, camp. Sounds good Kakas-sensei! Happy to have you join us.” Sakura overexerted her attempt at sounding pleased that Kakashi would be joining them for the evening and instead she ended up sounding more like an infomercial.

The trio walked the short distance to the wildflower field in silence. Both Naruto and Sakura looked rather sloth-like. They picked a spot next to the wild lavender as the scent kept some of the nastier insects away. They cleared the ground and dropped their packs.

They began to go through the motions of setting up camp. Naruto cleared space for a fire and Sakura started to set up the tent. Kakashi set up the food arrangements; after he finished and noticed that Naruto and Sakura were still moving like they had some sort of growing zombie-infection, he felt bad and decided to offer to cheer them up.

“You know, you two, I actually brought along something I found when I was cleaning out my closet the other day.” After reaching into his breast pocket, Kakashi produced a ukulele. He struck the strings and began to sing and play. He belted at the top of his lungs--and very much out of key.

“WHY CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS?! WHY CAN’T WeeeeEEEE BE FRIIENNNDDSZ?!”

The volume of Kakashi’s singing threw them both off-guard. Naruto stopped mid-jutsu as he was trying to light the campfire and ended up lighting his shoe on fire instead.

Sakura, turning around in the middle of Naruto’s mistake, cast a water jutsu on Naruto as fast as possible without thinking and ended up drenching him in gallons of water. But, she did put out his shoe-fire, as well as completely drench the logs in water.

“Heh...eheheh. . .I guess I should get us some more logs huh?” Kakashi put his ukulele back into his chest pocket

“Sakura? Why don’t we let Naruto change into some dry clothes and you come help me with the logs.” Sakura sighed in response.

“Yes, Kakas-sensei.” She looked apologetically at Naruto who smirked at her as his teeth chattered.

“Can’t catch a break can I?” Naruto mumbled under his breath as he unrolled his clothing scroll. He watched Sakura’s hips sway as she followed Kakashi into the woods nearby to collect more wood. Well, I’ve held off this long, what’s one more night?