In your eyes

                                           A NaruSaku story

                                     Chapter 11: Fly away home

As Sakura awoke she found herself snuggled against something warm and soft. Looking up she rubbed her eyes to clear them and found a pair of deep blue sapphires looking down at her with concern and a deep and profound love. She was jolted though when he spoke.

“Sakura-Chan are you all right?” He asked the concern in his voice coming through.

He was cut off though as she glomped him and hugged him to her for all she was worth, then began to systematically kiss his face all over causing him to hiss in pain as she hit a couple of tender spots. Her hands flew all over him as if trying to convince herself he was real.

“Naruto thank gods you’re alive but how? Kami I thought you were dead. How did you survive? Where you flying? I-I-I’m so confused.” She blurted out in a spurt before he silenced her with a kiss.

“Slow down Sakura-Chan. It’s like I said, I can fly.” He grinned at her while stroking her hair with his uninjured hand. “I’ve been working on the technique for 6 months now. Remember my special training with Kakashi-Sensei? The special technique that was only 10 percent done on my fathers scroll?”

Suddenly it hit her all at once. She remembered that for the last 6 months he had been training in secret with Kakashi and Yamato-Taicho. He’d been somewhat vague about the training usually coming home to her exhausted but when she’d ask he would just smile mischievously and say it was a surprise, and that he’d show it to her when it was ready.

Then another thought hit her even harder. “He’s been able to do it ever since we got here.”

She remembered the night the storm hit. How he’d carried her back to the resort in his arms. When ninja leap from roof to roof or tree to tree, there is a steady rhythm to it. A soft up and down motion, but she recalled now with perfect clarity what she’d missed that night as she was too caught up in being held by him. It was as if he’d never touched down as he leapt over the rooftops. As she recalled he’d maybe landed twice, once on the initial jump and a second time just before they landed on the bridge.

“It’s amazing I can’t believe you can do that.” She said amazement in her voice and written all over her face.

He chuckled good naturedly and smiled at her. “Well I only just mastered it actually. See first Kakashi-Sensei had me relearn tree, and water walking. Then he had me learn how to walk on air. “He explained causing Sakura, and Team Asuma’s eyes to go wide open.

“How can you walk on air?” Ino asked somewhat unbelieving.

“It’s just like walking on water really. It just takes more chakra and a lot of focus.” He shrugged

“But air isn’t solid like water.” Ino stated. But it was Shikamaru who answered her though. He waved his hand in front of her face causing her bangs to flutter slightly.

“You felt that right?” he asked and she nodded in affirmation. “Air can be solid too so you can feel it.”

Naruto nodded grinning before continuing “Once I mastered that I had to learn to use my wind affinity to provide lift and thrust.”

“Then finally I needed to find a key and focus since the technique takes a tremendous amount of Chakra. That was the hard part and it took a lot of practice to finish.” He smiled that same mischievous fox grin of his.

“Good thing too I was stuck on the focus aspect of it for awhile there. But when I was falling I found my focus and zoom I can fly. So like I promised Sakura-Chan now our love well be eternal.” He beamed proudly with a triumphant grin that had all of them smiling with him.

“And what was your focus?” Sakura asked shyly as she smiled up at him beautifully with a rosy tint to her cheeks.

He looked directly in her emerald eyes and said something she’d carry with her always.

“It was you Sakura-Chan, it was always you.” He gifted her with the special smile he reserved solely for her

A tear flowed from her eye and she pulled him into a kiss so deep and passionate that he was pretty certain he didn’t need chakra to fly.

“You’re a dork, but you’re sweet too.” She smirked at the dazed expression on his face as she rested her forehead against his for a moment. Finally she helped him carefully to his feet where he swayed dizzily.

“So now you can fly huh. Great just when we thought we had a handle on you teleporting every where. Now you can fly; how troublesome.” Shikamaru stood there with a smirk on his face as he clapped Naruto on the shoulder causing him to hiss in pain.

Sakura shot a glare at Shikamaru which he ignored as suddenly a bevy of happy voices broke into cheers of happiness as Naruto was mobbed by the remaining well wishers all expressing their amazement at his remarkable feat. Including a happy Ino who glomped the blond Shinobi hugging him tightly as he chuckled embarrassed by all the attention.

As Sakura lead him to the hospital so she could begin treating his wounds and the injuries of the others she happened to glance over her shoulder and was stunned at what she saw. Standing on the cliff edge looking at her were two Shinobi; a male and a female dressed in a fashion some two generations old. They were holding hands together lovingly, and both waved to her. Though their mouths didn’t move she was positive that she could hear them say something before they vanished in a swirl of mist.

“Thank you both.”

A tear escaped Sakura’s eye as she nodded and smiled back before turning back to and snuggling closer to Naruto as his words to her raced through her mind.

“Now our love well be eternal.”

-ooOoo-

An hour later Sakura sat in a hospital room with Ino, and the rest of Team Asuma. She listened as Shikamaru explained how they’d gotten to the village at least a week ahead of them and taken up undercover jobs at the night club and the resort in order to ferret out the rogue ninjas. It had been Ino who was the waitress the night Snake face accosted them. Choji had worked at the club as a bouncer, and Shikamaru as a bartender at the resort. They hadn’t expected the pair of them to show up for their vacation but when they did, and when Snake face made an ass out of himself it turned out to be a perfect opportunity to draw their targets out.

“So you used us as bait huh?” Sakura had a dangerous gleam in her eye as she glared at Shikamaru, and Ino.

“Yeah; Sorry about that Sakura but it was the only way.” We’ve been chasing them for a month now and we needed a break.” He shrugged apologetically while leaning back against the wall.

“And as for you Piglet we need to have a long talk don’t we?” She cracked her knuckles menacingly causing Choji, and Shikamaru to gulp audibly. Ino however only smiled beautifully

“Oh come off it Forehead it’s not like he’s your boyfriend or anything.” She stuck her tongue out at Sakura teasingly.

Sakura shook her head before smiling genuinely “No; he’s so much more.”

She smiled then and walked out of the room to go back to Naruto’s room which was across the hall. All three members of Team Asuma could only stare at her back and shake their heads in wonder.

-ooOoo-

Sitting in his room she watched as he slept. The injuries he’d suffered had been severe but between the Kyubi’s healing abilities, and her own skill he was recovering nicely. She held his hand and rubbed her free hand through his hair lovingly as she looked down on him.

She was exhausted but she was also so grateful to have him alive and well that she just couldn’t sleep no matter how tired she was. Something else was keeping her up as well. She sat back and reached down into the pocket of his jacket which hung up on a hanger near his bed. She pulled out the object which sat within and gazed at it as her heart leapt, and a tear of joy fell from her eye.

It was an engagement ring. A simple platinum band with the Kanji for both their names engraved on it and the symbol for love in between. A single small pink diamond in the shape of a sakura blossom completed the ring. This was what he had gone to Suna for the majority of the day to get. She had her suspicions where the rest of that day had been spent, but she would let him answer those when he woke up. Instead for now she slipped the ring on her left ring finger and admired it.

It fit perfectly so somehow he’d gotten her ring size—probably from her mom—and had the ring fitted to her exactly. The craftsmanship was superb and the ring felt feather light on her skin. The cost had to be incredibly expensive and she was both flattered and a bit scared she had to admit. That he would go so far to spend so much on her was an amazing thing. Her rational mind told her he had most likely gotten a break on the price from Gaara but her heart was soaring.

A proposal, a chance to spend the rest of her life with someone that loved her with all his being. Earlier in the week she had tried to imagine a life with out him in it and the very act of doing so had left her heartbroken. Now she allowed herself a brief moment to imagine a life as Sakura Uzimaki, and the very act of doing so caused her heart to soar with joy. She was broken from her fantasy by his voice as he woke up to find her looking at him with a touch of red on her cheeks.

“Sakura-Chan is everything ok?” he asked curious at her blush and the dazed expression she had.

She thought about the answer for a second; only a second which was more time then she really needed before replying. She smiled beautifully then embraced him kissing him as passionately as she could. Their lips melded together like molten gold as he wrapped his left arm around her deepening the kiss. Finally she broke the kiss though she kept her arms around him and looking him in the eyes she answered him.

“Yes Naruto; the answer is yes now and for always.” She replied as she showed him the ring on her finger.

Again she smiled beautifully as he seemed unable to say anything and instead chose to reach up and embrace her for all he was worth. An embrace she gladly returned with all her heart. She knew that for him her acceptance of his proposal was a singular defining moment in his life, and a decision she would not be able to take back; not that she’d want to mind you.

Suddenly he was out of bed and twirling her around kissing her face all over and finally hugging her to him as close as he could.

“I promise you’ll never regret it Sakura-Chan. Ill always be there for you and Ill never leave you.” His voice was soft but held all the conviction he could give her. She smiled again resting her forehead against his as they basked in the moment.

“So a little trip to Suna huh? Go any place else while you were out?” She smirked as she guided him back to the bed before sitting on its side and snuggling against him. She felt him chuckle as he reached up and scratched the back of his head with his left hand.

“Well I mighta sorta made a small stop over in Konoha to ask your parents if I could marry you.” He chuckled good naturedly while rubbing the back of his head. “Then I mighta sorta stopped in at Baa-Chan’s office to ask her for advice, and well…” He left the sentence hanging in the air as she pulled back to look him in the eyes only to see that famous fox grin of his get wider as their eyes met.

Then it was her turn to chuckle as she hugged him close “So Sakura Uzimaki huh?” His grin grew wider if that were at all possible

“Well we could try Naruto Haruno.” He suggested cheerfully causing her eyes to roll

“Baka” She chided him teasingly as she kissed him soft and long on the lips before snuggling back against him “Uzimaki, Sakura is just fine.”

“Uzimaki Sakura huh; Is their something you want to tell me Sakura?” Came the voice of a certain platinum blond who was standing in the doorway.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed Ino your still recovering you know.” She looked back at her best friend and rival with a raised eye brow.

“Nah I’m fine thanks to you. Besides I wanted to talk to you two anyways.” She smirked back settling herself on the foot of Naruto’s bed “So did I hear correctly? Do we have an engagement?” she smiled her cerulean eyes wide and sparkly.

Sakura shook her head and then raised her left hand so Ino could see. The sight of the ring caused Ino to squeal for joy as she took Sakura’s hand and examined it all over.

“Narutoooo its beautiful I’m so proud, my little class clown is all grown up.” She laughed out loud causing Naruto to blush then chuckle good naturedly “Now of course I’ll be your maid of honor, and I’ll take care of the flowers, and then we need to get your dress…” She ticked off items chattering animatedly the prospects of a full scale wedding exciting her.

“INO!! We only just got engaged we haven’t even set a date yet!!” Sakura yelled as her face got redder by the minute.

“And by the way; what was with that all grown up crack Pig!! Have you been spying on us?” She was in Ino’s face now

“Well I did need to keep an eye on you Forehead girl…” She was interrupted as Sakura turned beet red and sputterd out

“You did peek you, you PERV!!”

“Well if some people would do it in a bed like normal people!! “ She snapped back her own face heating up

“I'll put you in a bed pig!!” Sakura snarled

“Uh Sakura-Chan” Naruto tried to get her attention

“Better set one up for yourself Ugly Forehead girl!!”

“Uh Ino-Chan” he tried again now tugging on Sakura with his good arm

“WHAT!!” They both bellowed at him causing him to flop backwards as they rounded on him.

He pointed sheepishly at the door where a smirking Shikamaru, and a laughing Choji were standing next to the mysterious young nurse from before who was blushing red but had a soft smile on her face at the same time.

Both girls suddenly turned bright red. Ino laughed nervously with a forced smile while Sakura squeaked then buried her face in Naruto’s chest which caused all present except the two aforementioned Kunoichi to laugh out loud.

-ooOoo-

After not so subtly throwing Team Asuma out of Naruto’s room; Sakura sat down on the bed, and snuggled next to Naruto as the young woman sat down in a chair smiling genuinely at the young couple before her.

“So is it true? Can I see it?” she asked her voice soft and hopeful

Sakura smiled genuinely as she held out her hand for the young woman’s inspection. Sakura watched as she took her hand and studied it with an appraising eye before finally letting Sakura’s hand go and sitting back while sighing romantically.

“Oh Sakura-San your so fortunate. I’m truly happy for you both.” She smiled genuinely

“Yes I am.” She snuggled into Naruto who was grinning humbly while he stroked Sakura’s long pink hair gently. She noted though that the young ladies eyes didn’t match her smile. Naruto noted it too and spoke up.

“What’s wrong? Why are you sad?” he asked plainly a concerned look on his face. He’d grown to like this young woman over the last week since she and Sakura had started speaking together. Her wit and sense of humor reminded him of himself, and her fierce determination mirrored his Sakura-Chan’s. The story of her and her teammates had struck a cord in him being so very like his own story.

Her eyes widened for a moment and she turned away from them. Sakura watched as she hemmed and hawed, seemingly unable to put together a coherent sentence as she tried to answer them.

“It’s what happened to Naruto isn’t it?” she asked. A slight shudder ran down her own spine at the memory of what had happened and what she’d almost lost.

She nodded and answered them. “For a moment when you fell Naruto-kun I was taken back to when Obito died. I felt like my heart was being torn out of my chest. I-I-I couldn’t breathe. It was too much.” She stuttered slightly, and a tear rolled down her face.

“But then you flew, and my heart felt so light I thought I could fly too.” She looked up and smiled genuinely at them receiving smiles in return. “I think maybe I’ve been running and hiding for too long now. I think its time I confronted my own past, and my own feelings.” She spoke and now her voice held a determined edge to it.

She stood up and made to leave. “I’m going to return home and speak to my other teammate if he’ll see me. Then we’ll see what happens from there.” She said with her hand on the door.

Sakura stood up and walked over to her and with a warm smile she gave the young woman a hug. Naruto slid out of bed and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“I’m sure he’ll be happy too see you.” Naruto smiled a wide smile at her causing the young woman to sob slightly before she reached out and pulled Naruto into a three way hug.

“Thank you both of you.” She smiled genuinely as a tear fell. She stood back and looked at both of them for a moment before turning and opening the door. Looking over her shoulder she smiled as Sakura guided Naruto back to bed and teased him about tying him to the bed if he didn’t stay in it.

“It’s Rin.” She spoke causing Sakura to turn to her with a surprised smile on her face. “My name is Rin. Congratulations on your engagement Sakura-San I hope I can get an invite to the wedding.” She smiled a cheeky grin at the young couple.

“It wouldn’t be complete without you.” Sakura grinned back. Naruto smiled just as wide also.

“Then I’ll see you then.” Rin smiled at her before closing the door quietly and leaving them alone in the room.

-ooOoo-

A couple of days passed as Naruto recovered at an incredible pace. Ino visited them again; she and Sakura talking about the wedding with all the passion women bring to such things. Naruto just smiled and nodded along with whatever the gals said. As far as he was concerned if it made his Sakura-Chan happy then she could do whatever she wanted. He was perfectly happy with a small wedding before Tsunade-Baachan and a few of their friends but if Sakura wanted a huge wedding then he’d invite everyone in Konoha if that’s what it took.

Naruto left the hospital feeling better then ever and together the couple enjoyed the last few days together before they needed to return to Konoha. Ino and Team Asuma returned earlier with Shikamaru citing the need to report to Tsunade-Sama.

Sakura and Naruto also made sure to visit Makoto-Sama in order to convey their condolences on the loss of his son. The old mans gratitude for their concern was all the thanks they needed.

After another few days of being treated like royalty for their deeds. Sakura and Naruto sat in their room packing their things as they got ready to leave.

“So this is our last night here.” Naruto spoke softly “Then we return home.”

“I know that tone of voice what’s wrong Naruto?” She asked while sitting down and snuggling into him.

“Well we’ll be back home soon, and I guess I’m still a little worried about what people we’ll think about you being engaged to me.” He replied softly but with a determined look in his eyes.

She shook her head; he was still thinking about her before himself.

“Naruto we’ve already discussed this. I don’t care about them. Let them think whatever they want. From now on we stand together. From now on we make our own legends, and if anyone doesn’t like it well they can just stuff it.” She said her voice as determined as his.

“I love you. No one else, and now and forever we stand together.” She smiled up at him before drawing him down into a long deep soul searing kiss that burned away any and all doubts that remained.

“I love you Sakura Uzimaki. I swear I’ll always protect you.”

“No my love.” She replied looking into his Sapphire blue eyes. “From now on we protect each other.”

They didn’t speak anymore with words. Instead they let their bodies say everything that needed to be said, and they talked that way until well into the dawn.

-ooOoo-

The afternoon sun was high overhead of Konoha as life continued as it always did. Around a certain ramen stand a group of Chunin and Jonin were in the middle of their weekly get together.

“Aw come on Shikamaru your pulling my leg.” Guffawed a certain dog ninja with a bawdy laugh. “Naruto fly? Please; I mean I know he’s the Fourth’s son but being able to fly that’s just crazy.”

Hinata sitting next to him smiled lovingly at the Inuzuka. She’d grown particularly fond of him, and she found that he’d turned into a suitor even her strict father could agree upon. She blushed slightly as she listened to Ino’s description of the events. She also blushed a bit as she realized that the man she’d long admired was now fully living his dream.

Hinata did not as many suspected love Naruto Uzimaki, she never really had. Sure she’d crushed on him as a little girl, and his boundless determination and courage had been irresistible. But she had long admired him from afar and had even entertained a few blushing fantasies here and there. But when she’d seen how he’d felt about his pink haired teammate then Hinata had set her feelings aside for him, and determined that she would help him achieve all his dreams. She’d grown so much thanks to him, and so she suspected—she looked over at Sasuke Uchiha sitting and holding hands with Karin—had others.

“Come on Sasuke, you were his teammate for awhile. What do you think?” Kiba challenged him.

A non committal sound was Sasuke’s only real response before they were all interrupted by a loud YAHOO, and a vibrant laugh coming from overhead. As the group ran outside to look they were all stunned into silence as an orange and pink blur flew overhead before zooming over the Hokage Monument.

All eyes turned to Kiba who looked back at them and with a shrug said “So he can fly. It’s probably all Sakura anyways” he said offhandedly causing him to be smacked upside the head repeatedly.

-ooOoo-

Sitting in her office Tsunade looked longingly at the bottle of Saki. She was so thirsty and had been without a drink for hours thanks to Shizune. As she sat on the window sill and held the bottle she decided she’d forgo the glass entirely and just enjoy a nice good drink. She raised the bottle to her lips and just before the liquid touched her lips. She was greeted to the sight of Naruto Uzimaki floating out side the 4th floor window with a smiling Sakura Haruno in his arms.

“Hi Baa-Chan Were back and were engaged to be married.” He chirped happily with a wide grin on his face. Sakura simply smiled at her before showing her hand which had a diamond engagement ring on it.

“Well were gonna go settle in well see you later Tsunade-Shisou.” Sakura chirped merrily before the couple flew off and towards Sakura’s apartment.

Tsunade stared at the space where the two people she cared for the most had been floating just moments before. She looked then at the Saki in her hands, then again at the spot where they had been, then the saki bottle.

Finally standing she turned and poured the bottle out of the window and tossed the empty bottle in the trash before sitting back down at her desk and resuming her work all the while swearing to never drink again.

-ooOoo-

One week later

Sakura was in Naruto’s arms and she couldn’t have felt freer or safer if she’d tried. She had both arms wrapped around her fiancé and was resting her forehead against his in that affectionate way they had with each other.

“So Ino came over last night, and had a conversation with my mom.” She said quietly as they danced together swaying softly to the music of the heart they loved so much.

“Really; what’d they talk about?” he asked curiously his blue eyes smiling into hers.

“The wedding of course, she also wanted to know if you’d asked mom and dad for permission to marry me. You should have heard her she was sighing like a girl with a crush.” Sakura sighed in mild exasperation.

“Well she did see us together, and you know how the ladies can’t resist my charms.” He grinned and waggled his eyebrows cutely causing her to snort and punch him on the shoulder lightly.

“Yeah well they’d better learn how to otherwise I’ll show them what Tsunade-Shisou taught me to do with perverts.” She smiled back wickedly causing him to laugh nervously.

Suddenly he was kissing her long and deep. She moaned softly as their heat met and their lips flowed together. An electric tingle passed down her body causing her to shudder with pleasure.

Finally he broke the kiss for air and looked at her laughing slightly at her dazed expression.

“Well then we’d better get this done with fast don’t you think? I’d hate to have half of Konoha’s Kunoichi out of commission because of my wife’s monstrous strength.” He grinned his wide fox grin at her as they swayed to and fro still dancing.

She smiled and nodded in agreement. Then Sakura took one last look in his eyes. Her emerald ones looking deep into his sapphire blues, and she saw again all the love he had for her. She smiled again as she snuggled into him and rested her head into the crook of his neck. They continued to dance as they flew high above Konoha, Naruto holding her tight to him and she snuggling into him as the sunset cast a brilliant orange and pink glow over Konoha.

Soon they’d be married but for now she’d carry with her what she’d seen in his eyes. The love and the affection he’d always held for her, and the promise of the future there in his eyes.

                                                      The End