Finally! I'm finished with the NaruInoSaku drabble. GAH! You people and your slave-driver like behavior
Well, here it is! The conclusion to my three part drabble. Next will be the Sachi Uzumaki and Tentou Nara. Thanks again for your input everyone! May the flames of youth continue to burn in all of you!
*warning: while nothing explicit is written, there is a scene in a hot spring in this section...just so you know.
Sakura had opted for wearing the classic 'little black dress' for tonight. It was modest while at the same time revealing. She could tell Naruto liked it since he had spaced out for a few seconds when she stepped out of her room wearing it. She also had a pair of dress sandals--which also were good for fighting if the occasion arised--and a small necklace on as well. Sakura gave Naruto a small grin as the two walked out the door of her apartment, and she did a quick mental check of the kunai strapped to her thigh before she locked the door. A kunoichi must always be ready for an attack.
"So, Sakura-chan, where did you have in mind for dinner?"
"Hm..." Sakura pondered, and she smiled, "How about that seafood restaurant down in the western part of the village? Shizune told me that they serve the best squid ever!"
"Oh...um, that place? The Chuuko Suifu?" Naruto asked nervously, "Um..."
"What's wrong?" Sakura asked, looking at him to see if she could tell what was on his mind.
Naruto, however, just grinned, "Nothing's wrong! Let's go and-"
"Naruto, you're not telling me what's on your mind...something's bothering you." Sakura stated, gripping his hand firmly.
Naruto gave her a surprised look, then smiled sadly, "Am I that easy to read?"
"Baka..." she smiled softly, "I've known you ever since we were kids; it's hard not to know when you're troubled. Besides, your eyes always tell me when something is wrong." she wrapped an arm around his side, "Now...what is the problem?"
"Well...that seafood place doesn't really want me on their property." Naruto replied, a sad grin on his face.
"Is it because...of you having the-"
"Yeah...the Kyuubi." Naruto said in a expressionless tone, and Sakura frowned.
"Well, that won't do. We're going. If they give us trouble, I'll just give them trouble as well!" Sakura stated clenching her fist. She gave Naruto a grin, and Naruto himself felt a bit of warmth stir in his stomach as she gave him that smile she reserved for him, "This is our date, and I won't let anyone ruin it."
-------------------------------------------
"I'm sorry, but we don't have any available tables." spoke the maitre d' as Naruto and Sakura stood at the desk where customers were given tables and reservations were recorded. Sakura frowned as she noticed that there were quite a few empty tables...and it wasn't because of reservations either. She also noticed the somewhat annoyed look the man sent Naruto when he first arrived.
"Are you sure? It seems there are quite a few empty tables it seems." Sakura said, just a hint of annoyance in her voice. She gave the man a smile that Sai would categorize as one for 'difficult situations'...in other words, it was fake.
"Yes, quite sure." the man said with a stern look. Sakura's eyes flashed in anger.
"Too bad...you know, you're a horrible liar," Sakura continued, "...I can tell that you don't want us here simply because of Naruto, am I right?"
"...Sakura..." Naruto spoke hesitantly, but she put up a hand to cut him off.
"No, I'm not through yet, Naruto." she sent the man a harsh glare, "I will be informing my friends about this. You've just lost a good customer and potential future customers as well," she turned on her heel, and spoke, "Come on, Naruto, let's go somewhere that doesn't reek of idiocy."
Naruto sighed, and followed the pink haired girl out of the restaurant.
"I can't believe it! I've eaten there at least a dozen times, and they've never been so horrible to any of their customers!" Sakura ranted, shaking her head.
Naruto gave her a sad smile, "Sorry about that, Sakura. I know you wanted to eat there and everything so-"
She stopped, and looked at him straight in the eyes, "It's not your fault, Naruto. You weren't given a choice in being a Jinchuuriki," her expressions softened a bit, "Besides...that shouldn't make a difference. You're the most wonderful man a girl could have...and it just angers me to no end that the village is so mean to because of something that happened when you were still a newborn."
"Thanks...Sakura." Naruto spoke softly, and wrapped his arms around her, and held her close, "I think this is the reason why I care about you so much...you're a loving girl who looks out for everyone, and you don't take crap from anyone."
Sakura laughed a bit, "Well, it just irritates me how stupid people can be..." she looked up at him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "So, got any other place in mind?"
"Hm...well, we could go to the small little restaurant by the lake in the outskirts of Konoha. They don't mind me there." Naruto suggested. Sakura nodded, and the two headed off towards their new destination.
------------------------------------
Sakura and Naruto were sharing a plate of sushi and they each had a bowl of udon noodles. They also decided to have a small bottle of somewhat aged sake on the side for the occasion. While Naruto didn't mind the slightly honeyed taste, Sakura openly admitted that she liked it. She blamed it on those late nights when she and Tsunade would share a dish after a hard night of hopsital work...mainly Sakura having a small sip here and there while Tsunade would polish off the whole bottle.
They were sitting in an outdoor table area overlooking the lake, and they were actually not that far from the hot springs either. It was a convenient location, since a small resort area was a block away from the restaurant and the hot springs were next door. I helped bring in a lot of customers during the warmer months.
Sakura had a very light tint in her cheeks by the time they were done, while Naruto didn't feel any side-effects from the alcohol. He noticed Sakura seemed a little more...open...about things as they chatted after paying the bill.
"You know, Tenten should definitely go for Lee. She's been saying how he's got a nice body, and while I don't think he's my type, I can definitely see them together, heheh..." Sakura said as she propped her elbow on the table, and gave Naruto a grin. He knew she was still aware of all that was going on; she just was a bit more outgoing now.
"Heheh, Bushy-brows and Tenten? Oh, that would be worth seeing." Naruto laughed, and he smileda at Sakura as she did the same.
"Hey...Naruto...we should go to the hot springs...and get a private bath." she giggled a bit as he blushed.
"S-Sakura...I think the sake is starting to catch up to you." he said as he watched her finish a small dish of the said liquid. He was just thankful that she wasn't downing the bottle like a certain Godaime would.
"Nah, I'm fine." she waved him off, "Seriously though, I think we could use the relaxation. Besides, it's not like anyone will be there at this time of the night..." she gave him a look that he could only describe as adorable, "Come on, Naruto? Or are you afraid of what might happen if we were alone in a hot spring together?"
Now Naruto was a bright shinobi, despite his rather idiotic moments. At least when it came to picking up subtle things when around women. He spent a few times with Jiraiya when the man wasn't peeping, and Jiraiya taught him the finer aspects of wooing the other gender. Naruto would never admit it, but the Toad Sage was indeed wise in the area, at least when it came to giving advice. Acting out his own advice though...that was a different story. Regardless, Naruto could already see that Sakura wasn't going to back down from this.
"Fine, fine, if it means that much to you, we will." Naruto could almost feel his dead sensei's spirit smiling down at him while pointing at a particular chapter of Icha Icha, which Naruto ashamedly admitted knowing what scene the man was referring to.
----------------------------------
Sakura and Naruto were within two minutes getting a private section to themselves in the rather large hot spring area. Naruto was in the hotspring within minutes, sitting calmly in the steamy water. He had to admit, nothing beat a trip in the hot spring to unwind. Well, he would be relaxing if it wasn't for the fact that a certain pink haired kunoichi was going to be accompanying him.
"Just hope that I don't regret this little trip here later..." Naruto mumbled, and no sooner had he said those words did the women's changing room open up and out stepped Sakura in a towel.
"Geesh, you could've at least waited for me, Naruto." she joked, and raised an eyebrow as he turned away. She caught on to the silent meaning behind his actions and walked in to the water until she was just a little under neck deep in the hotspring after sitting down...next to Naruto.
"Ah...this feels great." Sakura said, and lay her head back on the rock behind her. She turned to glance at Naruto, who was staring a hole into the water and avoiding eye contact with her. She frowned, but decided to try and calm his nerves, "Naruto, for crying out loud, don't tell me you've never seen a woman naked. I mean, you invented the Oiroke no Jutsu, and taught it to Konohamaru. I'm pretty sure you can handle enjoying the hot spring with an old teammate, right?"
"I...I guess so." Naruto said quietly, looking up to see her smiling at him.
"However, the fact that you're being so considerate about all this shows a lot..." she scooted closer to him, and leaned her head on his shoulders, "Naruto...I've been wanting to tell you for awhile now...but things have been difficult lately." she paused and waited to see if he would give her a reaction.
"What did you want to tell me?" Naruto asked quietly, still trying not to get too close to Sakura, even if Sakura was leaning on his shoulder.
"I've been thinking a lot lately of how long we've known each other...and that you've always been such a great friend for me. I...I really want you to know right now that I truly care about you...and that you mean a lot to me..." she began to wrap her arms around him, and Naruto blushed as he was literally embraced by the girl that he had a crush on since his days as a kid. Now though, that infatuation had grown into something more...an understanding between the two. Not just friendship, but not quite love...well, at least until recently that is.
"Sakura..." Naruto spoke in a whisper, surprise evident in his voice. His heart was beating fast...very fast. He began sweating, and it was not from the water temperature.
"Naruto...I've come to realize that I think over these past few weeks that you've become one of the most important people in my life. I feel stronger when I'm around you, and every time I think about you...I can't help but smile. You've helped me become what I am today...and that loving heart of yours is all I can blame it on." she leaned closer to him, and spoke in his ear, "Naruto..."
"Yes?" he said quietly as he felt as though he would die of heart failure. His breaths were quicker, and his face was burning.
"...I love you..." she said as she nuzzled against the crook of his neck.
"Sakura?" he spoke in a questioning tone, and looked to see tears in her eyes, "Sakura, what's wrong?"
"Nothing...nothing at all." she laughed, wiping them away, "It's just...I can't believe how long it's taken me to see what a wondeful guy you really are. I mean, yeah, I always thought of you as a good friend...but for me to keep you at a distance for so long...how did you deal with it?"
Naruto smiled, and slowly wrapped an arm around her, suddenly feeling a bit more confident in the situation, "Sakura...I knew you were a wonderful girl, and that even if you acted mean, deep down you were always that girl who just needed someone to cheer you on. Someone that could be there for you to show you that you're special..." he swallowed, feeling his throat tighten, "...someone that could love you..."
Sakura tightened her hold on Naruto, and let a few tears fall, "Naruto...thank you...for giving me a chance after all these years."
"Sakura, that's my line." Naruto laughed, and held the girl he had loved for so long in his arms as the two enjoyed the moment.
--------------------------------------
Nothing else had happened aside from a deep, heart to heart talk between the two. Naruto felt as though he could take on the world right now, he was so happy. Basically, Sakura and he had admitted they loved each other. He couldn't have been happier.
After getting dried off, Naruto walked back to Sakura's apartment. She kissed him deeply as he said goodnight, and he could only return it.
"So...did you enjoy tonight?" Naruto asked, already knowing the response.
"Of course I did." she smiled mischievously, "how was your time with Ino."
"Oh, heheh, we went to a dance club. She taught me how to dance like they do there." Naruto couldn't help but blush at the memory. Sakura giggled, having a vague idea of what his red face was for.
"Hm...I guess the three of us will have to get together sometime. I mean, we can't leave her out of all the fun, right?" Sakura suggested, and gave a silent chuckle as Naruto seemed to space out for a few seconds.
"Uh...yeah..." Naruto said as he blinked. Naruto grinned as Sakura gave him a hug, and spoke in his ear, "I still think that sharing you with her was a great idea. It almost seems unfair for me or her to have you all to ourselves," she teased. Naruto laughed, and gave her a peck on the lips.
"So...I guess I'll see you tomorrow, Sakura." Naruto grinned as Sakura entered her home.
"Count on it." she replied, and gave him a wink before saying goodnight. Naruto Uzumaki had whistled happily on his way home that night.
-------------------------------------
It had been three months since Naruto had his first dates with Ino and Sakura. Things had changed a lot for the three in the those three months that followed. They had decided to get an apartment, for all three of them (seperate rooms of course) and the relationship between the three had only improved as time went on. Their friends and parents were a bit questioning of it at first, but eventually everyone began to see that this was a serious thing, and not just some fling for the older teens.
Naruto was sitting in the living room with Ino, watching a movie as he gave her shoulders a massage while she was lying stomach down on his lap. Little to his surprise, Ino was only more affectionate as time went on. She would just randomly spend time lying on the couch with Naruto, enjoying the comfort of being with him. Naruto himself had come to feel similarly to Ino as he did with Sakura. It took some time, but he now saw her as one of the people that he deeply cared for.
The front door of their apartment opened, and the sound of Sakura entering their home was heard. Within minutes, she was walking into the living room, and found the two snuggling on the couch like they usually were at this time of the evening.
"Hey, make room for me." Sakura said as she hopped on the couch, scooting up against Naruto.
Ino gave Sakura a grin, "So, how was the hospital?"
Sakura sighed, "Boring...but I did get Tsunade-shisou to let me off early. I think she could tell that I was tired."
"Heh, she's been getting soft on you, Sakura." Naruto laughed, and Sakura gave him a light punch to the shoulder.
"By the way, Tsunade wants to see you tomorrow about finding more information on Akatsuki's whereabouts." Sakura said as she leaned against the other two. Naruto nodded, and sighed in contentment. Yes...he was happy like this. He had two very precious people in his life now. He didn't know what to expect in this situation...but he would do everything in his power to make sure it lasted as long as it could. Ino and Sakura felt the same.
Yes...life was indeed good for the three.
end of drabble
Hm...yeah, these drabbles aren't really drabble-esque, are they? I guess the word 'ficlet' would be more appropriate. Not short enough for drabble, yet not long enough for a fiction of multi-chapters...oh well!