Last Chance

Sakura frantically dug through her closet, spewing clothes left and right. “Where is it?!” she screamed, ignoring the growing pile behind her. “ I have to find it!”

“Ah ha!” she proclaimed, triumphantly holding up her prize. “I better hurry, I bet he is almost here by now.”

Naruto stopped outside the door to Sakura’s apartment and touched his hair for the hundredth time. It felt funny not to be wearing his hitai- ate and his hair was stiff with some junk Ino had smeared into it. Well, she said it looked good. He guessed he was grateful to the girl for helping him out.

He had gone to the flower shop to get some roses for Sakura when Ino decided to give him the third degree. After he finally admitted the flowers were for a date she had proclaimed he couldn’t go on a date looking like that. He really hadn’t thought there was anything wrong with the way he looked but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. After calling for her mom to watch the shop she promptly drug him out to go shopping.

He looked down at his new outfit. The long trench coat was high collared and snug fitting till the wait where it flared out. Bright orange flames were licking the bottom of the jet-black coat. Under he wore black pants and a gray net shirt. Net? He thought Ino must spend too much time with Shikamaru. He took a deep breath before knocking on the door. Ino said he looked good and he was just going to have to trust her.

Sakura opened the door and Naruto’s jaw dropped. He always thought she looked beautiful but he had never seen her dressed up before. She wore a snug white shit under a black half jacket with a matching black skirt. Her hair was not down but pulled into a bun complete with two sticks holding it in place. She was utterly adorable.

Sakura was equally gaping at the sight in front of her. If she thought Naruto looked good last week with his muscle shirt over the long-sleeved net shit she was sadly mistaken. The absence of the second shirt gave her a spectacular view of his strapping form. She raised a hand, discreetly she hoped, to make sure she was not drooling as she took him in from top to bottom. The jacket fit him gorgeously and… orange. She smiled vibrantly at the man. It really wouldn’t be Naruto without some orange now would it?

Naruto snapped out of his stupor when he saw her bright smile. “These are for you,” he proclaimed in a stutter, presenting her with a bouquet of pale pink blossoms. She smiled and tucked the flowers into her right arm while wrapping her left around his arm.

“Shall we?” she asked and they walked to the restaurant.

They entered the Sushi restaurant Naruto had made reservations at and were quickly ushered to a table. Naruto started to sit down then noticed Sakura was still standing. “Oh!” He quickly ran around to pull back her chair.

She still didn’t sit but said, “I think I’ll take off my jacket.”

He shook his head in agreement but again she didn’t move. Oh, yeah. He should help her take it off. There was a lot to remember with this dating stuff. He reached for her jacket and held it as she pulled one arm out and then the other. He saw a flash of pink on her white shirt and looked closer. It was a pink whirlpool. That was the shirt he bought her for her birthday!

“Sakura-chan, is that…” he asked pointing at her back.

“The shirt you bought me? Yes,” she answered looking over her shoulder at him.

“But you said you wouldn’t wear my emblem,” he stated still shocked.

“That’s because only a girlfriend should wear a man’s sign,” she pointed out while turning around to face him.

Only a girlfriend… Did that mean… He wanted to ask but was afraid to. But she just stood there looking at him expectantly.

“Does that mean… Does that mean you’re my girlfriend now?” he prayed it was true but really didn’t dare to hope.

“I’ve wasted so much time Naruto. Will you accept me as your girlfriend?”

Naruto whooped in joy and grabbed the pink-haired kunoichi in a tight hug. He lifted her off the ground and jumped around in a couple of circles. Sakura blushed and he looked around noticing that they were getting stares from every patron in the restaurant. He cleared his throat and set her back on the ground. Then kissed her on the cheek saying yes before returning to his seat.

Sakura smiled as she watched Naruto conceal his face in the menu pretending not to notice the dispersing stares. How did someone go from that hyper to so calm in just a matter of seconds? Well, it was never going to be boring with Naruto.

Their food arrived and Sakura helped herself from the selection on the platter. Naruto placed a single portion on his plate. As Sakura observed while she was eating he didn’t do much but nibble on the rice. After fifteen minutes of this she had to wonder what was wrong. She knew Naruto could eat almost as much as Choji.

“Naruto, don’t you like sushi?” she inquired

“Well, not really,” he grinned sheepishly at her.

“Then why did you bring me to a sushi restaurant?” she ask confused.

He rubbed the back of his neck and his grin got wider and more apologetic. “I wanted to bring you somewhere nice for our first official date,” he admitted.

She thought for a second and then raised her hand for the waiter. “Check please,” she told him when he came to the table.

“Wait, Sakura. We don’t have to go home yet,” Naruto protested. He just got her to agree to be his girlfriend. This couldn’t be the end of the date.

“We’re not,” she said as he paid the bill. “Come on.” She pulled him to his feet and out of the restaurant. Latching on to his arm she walked until they were in front of Ichiraku.

“Sakura…”

“Don’t complain Naruto. I know how much you like ramen. And it’ll be a great date just as long as I’m with you,” she explained as she pulled him onto a stool and sat down.

Naruto had a grin on his face that threatened to split his face as he turned to order. “One deluxe bowl,” he told Ayame, “to share.”

------

Sasuke was walking back to his house not wanting to even think what he was covered in. This put new meaning to being on Tsunade’s shit list. The old hag certainly had it out for him, and he didn’t even know why, but he didn’t see an end in sight.

He trudged along and looked up as he passed Ichiraku, maybe Naruto was there. The first thing he saw was the white shirt with the big pink whirlpool on the back. What was that girl thinking; she looked like a giant naruto fish cake sitting on that stool. And at a ramen shop no less! Wait. Pink hair? Was Sakura on a date with another guy! He looked at the black trench coat clad figure sitting next to the girl. He was getting ready to stomp over there and pound someone for the sake of his friend, and then he heard the laugh. Naruto?!

Naruto swiveled in his chair to face Sakura and give her something from his chopsticks. Sakura leaned closer and was about to take it but then something over Naruto’s shoulder caught her eye. “Sasuke!” she called as she waved him over.

Sasuke sighed then made his way over to the duo. As he stopped behind them Naruto turned and stood up from his stool. Sasuke froze, his heart slamming against his ribcage. What in the world was Naruto wearing?! That shirt left absolutely nothing to the imagination! ‘Don’t look down,’ he commanded himself, ‘his pants are probably tight too!’

“Sasuke, what are you… WHOAH!” Naruto step back and held up his arms. “Man, you are rank!”

He forgot about that. Sasuke looked up to see Sakura had also drawn back. “Sorry, assignment. I seem to be on Tsunade’s bad list.”

“You mean her SHIT list. Hahahaha,” Naruto laughed hysterically at his own joke.

Sasuke growled at the other man even though those had been his own thought a minute ago. Despite the fact Naruto was an annoying ass, he was happy to hear that enthusiastic laugh after a whole week. He really missed his best friend.

Naruto was still laughing was now leaning on the stool for support. Baa-chan was cruel, maybe it was about time he told her to give Sasuke a break. One week of grunge work had probably curved his ego a bit. Maybe.

“I’m going to go home and shower, see you guys later,” Sasuke excused himself and headed home.

“Naruto, that’s not nice. Sasuke’s your best friend,” Sakura gently chastised.

“Yeah, I know but…”

“I know you guys had a fight but you always work it back out.” Naruto pouted a bit as Sakura lectured. “Tsunade-sama is a little ruff on him, everyone is really since... Well, things will be better for him when you become Hokage.”

Naruto looked at her with wide eyes. “You really think I’m going to become Hokage?” he question disbelieving. No one but Baa-chan had really believed he would ever do it.

“Of course. You’re a great ninja Naruto. And no one cares more about the village,” she beamed.

Naruto face contorted into a stupid grin that remained until he walked her home.

-----

Naruto laid on his bed, ankles crossed together and arms crossed under his head, looking up at his speckled ceiling. He was trying to process and get a grip on today’s events. The date, Sakura’s proclamation about being his girlfriend, and then that walk home.

They had reached Sakura’s apartment and she climbed onto the first step, trying to gain a bit of height. “I meant what I said earlier,” she said placing a hand on his shoulder. “I believe you will become the Rokudaime.”
Naruto blushed a little and looked down, but then raised his head as she continued. “I know there is something wrong with you and Sasuke right now, but you two are always like that. You guys will work it out.”

Naruto huffed and turned almost out of her grip, “That damned teme.”

“Naruto, he’s your best friend and truly you are the only one in this village with a degree of power that doesn’t treat Sasuke like dirt. And YOU would never be harsh or vindictive to him,” she edged in an airy tone. Then she watched for his reaction. Naruto coughed and cleared his throat then rubbed the side of his head and looked away guilty.

“I knew it!” she proclaimed, “You had something to do with him being covered in that stuff today, didn’t you?” Surprisingly she didn’t sound accusing or harsh but was laughing. So Naruto just grinned sheepishly at her. She regained control of her mirth then addressed him again. “But seriously Naruto. Sasuke will not receive fair treatment until you take the title.”

Now he had another reason to attain his dream but fears he never voiced out loud were buzzing in his head. He looked up to Sakura’s face and stared into her caring eyes. He had someone he could share thing with now!

“Sakura, the council… The council doesn’t like the idea of me becoming Hokage. Baa-chan has been training me to take over, but it all been in secret. She can’t make me her official successor because the council never approves the nomination.” Sakura looked on nervously as he paced back and forth in front of the steps. “Baa-chan said that probably the only way is for me to challenge her. And even if I win, the council might still reject me!”

Sakura stopped him by wrapping her arms around his waist in a tight hug. “I believe in you,” she whispered into his back. She felt him relax and turned him around to face her. “You always find a way to get what you want,” she indicated to herself with a smile.

Naruto stared at her in awe. She believed in him, and he did have her now. The joy and excitement was bubbling in his chest and he began to lower his head toward her. Wait. This was all so new, how did you know if your girlfriend wanted to kiss you?

“Naruto?” Sakura’s soft call brought him out of his thoughts. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe. Naruto watched the dazed look in her eyes before she closed them and brought her face closer. Oh, that’s how.

Their lips touched gently and he gave a little start before moving his lips softly against hers. This was different then when Sasuke had kissed him; he was rough, she was gentle. What the fuck, why was he thing about Sasuke now?! Naruto felt and urgency building and wondered how he could deepen the kiss. Sasuke had run his tongue over his bottom lip before he had pushed him away. Stop thinking of him while kissing your girlfriend, his brain screamed! But it was a good idea. Naruto licked her lip slowly from corner to corner and she parted her lips. Naruto tentatively slid his tongue into her warm mouth and traced the back of her teeth. Sakura sighed and flicked her tongue to touch the wet, intruding muscle. Naruto groaned pulling her closer as he rubbed his tongue against hers. Is this what it would have been like if he hadn’t have pushed Sasuke away? Naruto gasped and jumped back as if burned. What the hell was wrong with his mind!

Sakura smiled at the man as he turned beet red. He was so cute, she had never thought of him as shy before but she was his first girlfriend. He was probably embarrassed about kissing her like that on their first official date.

“Naruto,” she called in a now husky voice. “I had a great time. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She turned to enter the apartment. Then quickly turned back around planting a quick kiss on his red cheek before dashing into the apartment.

The ceiling had ceased being interesting and Naruto rolled on his side to look out the window. He was screwed up. That was the conclusion he had reached. He would challenge Baa-chan, just so he could hit something. If he didn’t, he’d find the once who had screwed up his mind and probably beat him to death.