Love the One You're With

 

Summary: Naruto and Sakura try for a first date, and things go from there. But how do her parents reaction?



Disclaimer: Masashi Kishimoto created Naruto Shippuden, I didn’t. Shonen Jump owns and licenses the anime/manga. I make no money writing the story.

 

Kizashi dashed back in brandishing a camera in one hand excitedly.  He motioned with his hands. “All together… smile!”

“Hehehehe!” Naruto grinned for the camera and Sakura tried her best to put on a smile that didn’t look like someone had stepped on her toes or compared her to a chimpanzee.  



Five minutes of positioning both of them various ways and urging Sakura to give a natural smile later, Sakura and Naruto finally headed towards the door without Meibuke getting in their way.  The blonde could see the relief on his date’s face the moment the camera vanished into her father’s hand. 



Kizashi placed hands on both their backs, propelling them towards the door.  On the way they passed by the closet.  Naruto wrenched it open and steadied the pinkette.  Meibuki stood watching him like a hawk with her hands on her hips.  Now he knew where Sakura inherited her temper from! 



Sakura’s father waved to them, before he opened the front door and waved them out with one hand.  “Now, have a good time you two!” 



Naruto reached for Sakura’s sweater and held it out for her.  She shot him a grateful look as he helped her into it.  That look of approval on her father’s face seemed like a good sign, and thankfully Meibuke’s stare softened slightly.  “Humph, you seem to know how to treat a lady from what I see. Despite what I’ve…”



“Now now dear. I’m sure Uzumaki san is a gentleman.  He knows better than to be anything but,” Kizashi shushed her, resting a hand on her shoulder with a disarming grin.



“Naruto knows exactly what I expect from him!” Sakura agreed, grinning.  Sai would definitely call that a fake smile, Naruto realized.  Underneath her mask she must be ready to explode.  Both of them were wearing big smiles on the way out the door.  Still feeling the weight of her parents stare boring holes in his back Naruto held out his arm in the way Sai had recommended so Sakura could slip her arm through it.



“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!  Have fun! And use protection!” called Kizashi.



“DEAR, don’t encourage them!” Meibuke wailed, grabbing him and shaking him.  



Once they were out the door Sakura grabbed Naruto’s arm and whispered, “Let’s go, quickly before I break something.”



“All right Sakura chan,” whispered Naruto, walking her down the street into the streets brightly lit with lanterns.  Only when they were several blocks from her home did Sakura finally relax.



“I’m so sorry you had to go through that, Naruto,” she mumbled, looking down at her feet.



“What are you apologizing for Sakura chan?” Naruto asked, smiling at her.  He let go of her arm to take her hand and lace their fingers together. 



In the light of the lanterns they walked under, Sakura’s date’s hair gleamed a soft golden yellow. Other people including young and old couples, came and went on the sidewalks around them.  In and out of the various storefronts and restaurants they ambled.  How soft Sakura’s pink locks looked to the jinchuriki.  It was so tempting for Naruto to reach out and touch them.  But not right now. There would be time for that later.



“Are you kidding me?  My parents are so embarrassing!” she lamented, pressing a palm to her head.  “I hate them calling me Sa-sa!”



Immediately she felt him let go of her hand and drape his arm around her shoulders.  He gently reminded her,  “But Sakura chan, I don’t know what it’s like to have parents remember?” 



Sakura gasped, leaning into him. “I… I’m sorry Naruto… I wasn’t thinking.”



“Sakura chan, it’s ok,” Naruto reassured her, stepping around her to rest hands on her shoulders.  He guided her over to the shadow of a nearby building and wrapped his arms around her before she could protest.  Sakura felt him fold her in a hug, and she tightened her grip on him.



“Still I’m sorry,” she whispered.



Still feeling how tense she was, Naruto realized that dismissing her apology was the wrong thing to do.  He racked his brains trying to think of what to say.  Then it came to him.  He mumbled, “Okay Sakura chan I accept your apology.”



Sure enough her shoulders relaxed at the same time she looked up at him with a sweet smile.  “Thank you Naruto…”



“I guess since I never had parents I figure it’s lucky yours get on your nerves. Doesn’t it show they care?” he wondered.



Sakura rolled her eyes. “They’re smothering me, Naruto.”



Tentatively Naruto suggested, “Uh… well… you could always spend the night… at my place, Sakura chan.”



“Naruto…” she gasped. He flinched seeing the wide eyed shocked look she gave him.  So he took a step back just in case.   



Wildly he waved his hands back and forth. “Wait… you don’t have to if you don’t want to, I mean I don’t wanna suggest that… I’m  not trying to be perverted, Sakura chan, really!” 



“Then what are you saying?” Sakura asked, frowning.



“What I mean is that if you don’t want your parents to drive you nuts tonight you could stay with me to get some space, and we’ll um… see what happens later on?” Naruto stammered.  His heart pounded so hard against his breastbone he was sure it would pop out.



to his relief, Sakura once more relaxed.  She let out a sigh and said, “Actually I don’t know where else I’d spend the night, because I don’t want to go to Ino right after a date cause she’ll bug me and…”



“Well we are… um… dating,” Naruto said nervously, putting a hand on her shoulder which was a place he considered neutral territory.  “And if you don’t wanna get frisky, I can give you the bed and you can have the sofa… we don’t haveta do anything.”



The beautiful smile that spread across her face caused his heart to skip beats.  He had actually said the right thing again? Inwardly Naruto whooped and cheered.  Sakura was a puzzle that he constantly had to decipher.  Too much and she’s smack him, but too little and she’d grumble.  Before he knew it both her arms wrapped quickly around his neck and she stood up on tiptoes to peck his lips.



“Let’s go get some ramen, Naruto,” she said, stepping back.   She threaded her arm around his and tugged him along after her.   Naruto’s face hummed bright red as Hinata’s would normally get when she was around him.



“Ehehe, of course Sakura chan!” he laughed delighted.  This was another piece of heaven!  He could scarcely believe she hadn’t bitched about wanting something more… elaborate.



Sakura felt warmth from her head to her toes.  Naruto was trying his damnedest to be attentive and it was showing.  Of course she didn’t expect him to front an expensive bill on a genin’s salary.  It would be rude for her to presume so much.  Besides, she didn’t want to risk going somewhere on a first date where he’d embarrass her or himself not wanting to try something exotic.  It was such a big deal to him to eat his ramen that she didn’t want to deny him that pleasure.  Maybe once they’d had their food she could suggest the next place.



Also, Naruto had a two for one coupon.  She’d hate for him not to use it.  Still she clutched her bouquet in her other hand tightly.  The daffodils and carnations were a beautiful color. 



**

On the way to Ichiraku’s they passed team 10 walking into the BBQ restaurant.  Ino’s eyes gravitated towards them and Sakura groaned.  All three members were wearing their usual clothes indicating that they had recently come back from a mission. 



“Forehead, is that YOU, with Naruto?” she called out, seeing the flowers Sakura carried.  “And you have THOSE flowers?”



“Hey Naruto,” called out Choji, waving.



“Oi, Naruto, Sakura,” said Shikamaru as he looked at them quietly.  “Team 7 just got back?”



“Yep!  We’re going for Ramen!” Naruto called out.  “It’s a date!”



Everyone’s eyes and mouths grew wide and Sakura flinched, hearing Ino’s yelp.  “Why didn’t you tell me Sakura? I mean c’mon I had to find out from Naruto buying flowers?”



“Since now, Ino pig! You got something against it?” Sakura shouted across the street. Naruto felt his stomach about to sink but his heart fluttered instead at her words. 



“Now guys, calm down, it’s GREAT news!” Choji called.



“My ears are going to sting,” Shikamaru mumbled.  “Troublesome women and their troublesome… OWWW!”



He felt Ino step on his foot and grumbled under his breath. Choji grinned and waved at Naruto, giving him the thumbs up while Shikamaru rolled his eyes and gave Naruto a slight nod.  Ino yelled, “You gotta give me details, forehead, or ELSE!”



“Ino pig!” Sakura yelped, blushing bright pink.



“Sorry guys, we gotta go! Have FUN!” Naruto said as he tugged Sakura’s hand. 



Before Ino could dash across the street Choji called out, “Ino! They may have that diet special  you want!!”



“Diet special? Where?” Ino yelped, giving Naruto and Sakura the time they needed to rush away. Choji winked and gave Naruto the thumbs up just as he whisked Ino in.  Shikamaru waved to both of them, urging his teammates in front of him.



“That was close,” Naruto whispered, clutching the pinkette’s hand. Panting they raced around the corner and pressed themselves flat to the wall.



“Thank the will of fire Choji’s good at reading people,” Sakura agreed.  The only reason Naruto had dragged Sakura away was because he wanted to avoid a cat fight between the two friends and rivals. Even though he wanted to show the world he and Sakura were an item, there was a safer way to do it. 

**

Further on their way to their destination the couple happened to walk past a dango shop.  Both of them heard a wolf whistle from the left side of the street.  A smug voice called out, “Looking good, Naruto!  You taking your woman out?”



“Kiba?” Naruto asked, spinning his head.  Indeed Kiba stood there waving next to Shino who pushed up his glasses.  Hiding behind both teammates Hinata shyly peaked around.



“N… Naruto kun?” she said softly.



“Hey Hinata!  Are you feeling okay?” Naruto asked. “You look a little red.”



“Hello Kiba, Shino, Hinata chan,” said Sakura as she waved to them.



“So you two are FINALLY an item? What the heck took you so long? You lucky dog Naruto!” Kiba called out to them. He raised his hands in a picture frame and peered through it at them.



“I… I… is it true… Naruto… kun?” stammered Hinata pointing at them.



Naruto beamed at them with both eyes closed.  “Yeah!  Isn’t it great?  Sakura and I are going to Ichiraku’s for ramen!” 



Hood pulled down over his head Shino queried, “Is it dinner or a date?” 



“A date!” Naruto whooped, reveling in Kiba’s thumbs up.  



“Whoo hoo! Way to go!” whooped Kiba, pumping his fist. 



“Congratulations,” said Shino.  “Why you ask I am giving them?  It seems you are compatible.”



“Thank you Shino san,” Sakura chuckled, blushing a bit. 



Curious to why Hinata looked ready to pass out, Naruto frowned. Pale eyes seemed glazed over with dark lashed eyelids as the Hyuuga heiress wobbled on weak knees.  She grabbed the edge of Shino’s sleeve on the way towards the pavement. Luckily Kiba grabbed her before she collapsed in a dead faint.  



“Hinata chan!” cried Kiba worriedly. Naruto moved one step towards them where Shino fanned Hinata’s face.



“Is she ok?” Naruto asked worriedly. 



“She will be fine,” Shino said.  “Enjoy your date.”



“Okay, if you say so, Shino,” Naruto mumbled, confused.  Sakura tugged on his arm insistently.

**

Cloth panels hanging over the front counter of Ichiraku’s glowed from within from the lights.  The sounds of sizzling noodles and frying could be heard along with laughter.  People passing by the ramen bar could see the feet of the customers sitting on their stools but not the head and shoulders.  Inside Sakura blushed as she looked down at her noodles.  although she had gone here many times before, it felt much different.  Because Naruto was holding up some of his noodles on a chopstick in front of her.



Three or four bowls of ramen steaming hot sat in front of the couple sitting side by side on the stools.  Naruto dipped his chopsticks into the first and twirled the noodles around them.



“Ok Sakura chan. This is the beef ramen special,” he said as he dangled the chopsticks in front of her.



The pinkette opened her mouth to accept the food, feeling self  conscious at first. Both Techie and Ayame happened to look her way.  Lips close to her ear he reassured her, “Don’t worry it’s just old man Teuchi and Ayame watching. They just wanna know what you think…” 



“Mm-mm,” she mumbled, chewing.  She then washed her palate clear with a sip of green tea.



“So… you like it?” Naruto asked.  Sakura nodded.



“Not bad.  It’s pretty good, but heavy.”



“Now… here’s the miso…” Naruto said as he pushed a bowl in front of her and used his chopsticks to dip into it.  Over the counter top Ayame peeked at them, giggling a bit.



The medical ninja nibbled on the mouthful and felt the broth drip down her chin.  “C’mon!  It’s not that different, except there’s no beef.”



“Wait for it,” Naruto urged, nodding with a grin on his face.  Feeling foolish Sakura then chewed on the seaweed and fish pieces.



The pinkette licked her lips. “I taste something tangy.”



“That’s the menma spice,” Naruto muttered.  “If you don’t put it in it’s less tangy.  But it gives the ramen a kick.”



“So what’s THAT one?” she asked. 



Naruto leaned closer, whispering, “This is the walnut ramen.” 



Sakura sampled it and winced a bit. “It’s too thick, but I like the taste.”



“That’s what Naruto here said at first,” Teuchi chuckled, looking up from cleaning and polishing the dishes.  Slowly the pinkette shifted from self conscious toward comfortable.  Was this Naruto’s family in a way? The way in which both looked at Naruto was full of pride and admiration.



The blonde dipped his chopsticks into the final bowl he’d ordered.  “And the last one… I think you’ll like it.  It’s the mushroom with a bit of egg in it.”



Sakura leaned forward letting him feed her with a small but fond smile.  Until now she hadn’t paid much attention to the interaction between her date and the owners of Ichiraku.  Now she saw them with new eyes.   Each of the ramen specials he had ordered for her to sample was different in its own way but still delicious.