#nsfluff

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Sakura had first seen Naruto during one of her and her daughter’s trips to the city. She and Sarada were on the deck of the ship when her hat had been blown away by the unmerciful wind. Naruto, being one of the people around, picked it for her.

His smile seeped out like a charm that attracted her and his light way of talking eliminated the awkwardness in their first conversation. They talked as if they had known each other for a long time and Sarada, whom she had known to be a reserved child, warmed up to him after a few minutes when he showed her a magic trick he learned during one of his travels.

They talked for hours. When he found out she was a widow, he didn’t scoff or scowl. He tried to lighten up the gloomy mood that came with the revelation and praised her for the strength she had shown in raising her child alone.

It was a pleasant first meeting and Sakura was glad that Naruto, himself, made sure it wasn't the last.

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During Naruto’s first visit to the household, he brought a picnic basket loaded with food and took Sakura and Sarada on a picnic by the riverside. The day had been fun and when Naruto was about to leave, Sarada requested him to teach her how to ride a pony.

The following visit, he fulfilled his promise and Sakura watched as Naruto and her daughter conversed about her riding lesson.

At first, Sarada had looked at the handsome white pony in a mixture of bewilderment and fear. Naruto encouraged her to approach and pet its nose. Sensing no hostility, she immediately warmed up to the small creature.

“Does she bite?”

“She does but I’m going to teach you later on how to prevent and avoid that.”

“Does she gallop? Or jump?,”

“He does gallop and jump but she can’t go that fast yet.”

“Can I jump with her?”

“Well you have to learn to sit on the saddle first, then walk, trot and canter. After that you could go to jumping,”

“Will you teach me?” she asked hopefully.

Naruto’s smile was triumphant and mischievous. “I would love to do so, if your mother says I may.” He turned to Sakura. “So what do you say my Lady? Could I stay for a couple of weeks and teach your daughter?”

“Mom, please say yes,”

Sakura couldn’t say no to the request. How could she when her daughter looked like she won a grand prize when she saw the pony?

“Sure! Sarada, please go to the house and tell them to prepare a room for your uncle.”

“Yay! Thanks mom” she complied and was immediately out of the stable in a matter of seconds, leaving her mom and Naruto alone.

Sakura turned to the blond. “I knew what you were thinking!”

He grinned from ear to ear. “I get to spend weeks with an child I am fond of and I get the chance to court the woman I love properly. Nothing could be better than that right? Besides, don’t you like it that I’m staying?”

“I do. If it isn’t a bother,”

“I’ve already told you before that you and Sarada will never be a bother,”

“It’s just that I couldn’t help but think about it sometimes. You’ve got a future ahead of you and you could be out there, working and making more money for yourself rather than spending time with us.”

“I told you. I have that all planned out. I have people who I pay to be caretakers of my land. Besides, I am not doing this not because I want you to feel obligated to come to me. I am doing this because it makes me happy.”

His words echoing in her ears, her heart jolted. As always, Naruto had this way with words and actions that aroused the deepest of emotions within her. With him, the strong desire for love that she had suppressed for so long always resurfaces and keeps getting stronger.

“You said you’ll court me. Are you planning to write me some of those love poems that men usually write?”

“My lady, I don’t concern myself with those frivolities. Let’s say I’m a little more ‘real’,”

“Real? How?”

“You’ll find out in the next days.” He walked closer and offered his arm.

She gladly tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and gave him a meaningful gaze. “I couldn’t wait,”

“Sai told me about this newly opened gym and we decided to go together. I didn’t realize your part-time job is right next to it.” He grinned and Sakura felt the temperature rise. She couldn’t stop her eyes from roaming and enjoying the view of his broad shoulders and biceps.

“uuumm…is that what you’ll wear until later?”

Naruto scrunched his brows at the seemingly unrelated question. “I brought another shirt and a jacket with me so I could change after a session. Why? Is there something wrong with what I’m wearing? Do I smell?” He sniffed himself.

Sakura’s jaw slackened. It was Ino’s fault for talking about sweaty, half-naked men. In her mind, she had a vision of Naruto doing push ups, with sweat trickling slowly from the side of his face, to his neck and to his chest. Her treacherous mouth betrayed her and blurted out the question about the shirt. Thankfully, Naruto couldn’t read minds. He looked confused. Nothing more. Nothing less.

“How did you find the gym?” She asked, hoping it would divert his attention.

“It’s cool. Complete equipment and offers more discount than the others. I might sign up for it. The good thing is that, if I do, I could see you here often.”

“We always see each other at school,”

“But that’s only every weekdays and I have been busy these past days.” he pouted. “What time will your shift end?”

“Three hours from now.”

He looked like he was doing some mental calculations. “My session ends after two and a half hours and it will probably take me 15 minutes to change. I could go here later and wait for you. Is it okay?” he held his breath as he waited for the answer.

“Sure,”

“See you then,” he said before hurrying out while Sakura stared at his retreating form. She laughed, shook her head and muttered ‘Idiot’ when she saw him pumped his fist in the air outside the shop.

“Wow! he looked like he won in a lottery.”  Sakura was startled when she heard Ino’s voice.

“I didn’t notice you were back,”

“Who would when you’re busy drooling. Looks like someone will be checking out the gym later. Sweaty, half-naked men lifting weights didn’t sound so bad now. does it?” 

“Sure” Sakura got her wand, raise it above her head and formed an image of their sensei in her mind. She tried to remember the exact details of his face before swishing the wand thrice and saying the spell. There was a puff of smoke and a replica of Iruka replaced Sakura on the carpet.

“See, it isn’t so hard when you put your mind to it,” Sakura said and her voice was deep and smooth like their teacher’s. There was another puff of smoke and she was back to herself a few seconds after.

Naruto gaped. “Woah! Sakura-chan you’re amazing! Oh let me try it!” his voice was full of excitement at the thought of a possible success. With a wand in hand, he raised his arm above his head, mimicking Sakura’s exact actions except for one. Unlike her, he closed his eyes when imagining his teacher’s face so he could concentrate better before swishing the wand thrice and saying the spell. When he opened his eyes, he saw a puff of smoke that disappeared as quickly as it came.

“Good job Naruto. You did it!”

Naruto stared at his palms in amazement. They didn’t look like his at all. He touched his hair and it wasn’t spiky. He looked all over his body-his arms, legs, clothes and shoes. Everything was Iruka’s until after a few seconds when a puff of smoke appeared and he returned to normal.

“That was great. I couldn’t believe it.” 

“Congrats!”

“Thanks, Sakura-chan! I promise I’ll treat you when I pass the test,”

“You’re not talking about ramen. Are you?”

“No. Not this time. This one’s special,”

“So, Is there another spell you need to learn?”

“None. This is the only one I need,”

“Good.” She stood up. “Call me again if you needed anything I’d be more than willing to help. Good luck on your test.”

“Wait!” he stood up as well. “You asked me if there is another spell I need to learn. To tell you honestly, there is this particular one. I don’t necessarily need to learn how to cast it. I’m not even sure if I could do it at all but I’ll try my hardest.”

“Start practicing! Your hard work will pay off in the end. I could help you again if you want to.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But what is this spell you’re talking about anyway?”

He gave her a lopsided grin. “I’m talking about that spell you cast on me. Every time you smile, it makes my heart flutter. I’d like to learn how to do that too.”

She hit him lightly on the arm “And here I am thinking you were serious! Idiot!”

“But I’m not kidding. If I know that spell, I’ll cast it but only on you Sakura-chan!”

“You might as well sleep. I’m going to my room now.” She trudged to the archway that led to the girl’s dormitory but before going inside, she turned and looked at him earnestly.

“You know what Naruto. About that spell. Let me tell you this. You couldn’t really learn something you already know,”

His eyes widened and his mouth hung open. “What! Could you repeat that again? Hey! Sakura-chan!”

It was as if she was ignoring him on purpose for she didn’t reply and had quickly walked and disappeared into the archway into the girl’s dormitory, where he was not allowed to enter. He swore he saw her blushing before she turned but the light was a bit dim and she was too far so he couldn’t tell whether what he saw was just an imagination or not.

“Your hair is silky,” he murmured and she found herself grinning. Being a model, it was not the first compliment she had ever received but for reasons she couldn’t quite fathom, her heart beat faster and a sense of giddiness overwhelmed her.

“How long will you stay?”

“Three days,”

“Only three?” She hoped she didn’t sound and look too disappointed but she doubted it.

He stopped working on her hair and looked at her through the mirror. “Well, it actually depends…”

She scrunched her brows. “What does that mean?”

“Would you like me to stay?”

She almost laughed at the playful lilt in the voice. “Would you like me to tell you I wanted you to stay?”

“Not really. More like, I want you to tell me that you’d probably go out with me if I ask you to,”

“Are you asking me out on a date?”

“Only if you want to,” He bent lower so she could see their heads side by side on the mirror. “The chemistry is there. See?”

Amused, Sakura laughed. She got to agree with him. They looked good together and his offer for a date didn’t sound so bad at all. In fact, she quite liked it.

INSERT IG PHOTO from Uzumakiramenlove's profile

Photo description: Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke sit in front of a long table.

Photo caption: me with itsmesakuraharuno and therealsasuchiha I am looking forward to working with them. I am positive this will be a success. Please support us.

Hashtag: #contractsigning #newproject #TVseries #Theninjawhonevergivesup

The ratings had been high during the first half of the series. Even as new actors were included, the plot remained topnotch. It even snagged the top one slot among the many TV series overseas.

It was during the second part, when a new set of writers had taken charge, that the series went downhill. Luckily, Naruto's off-screen life was unaffected. His relationship and bonds with fellow actors had grown stronger. Off screen, he had begun to seriously pursue Sakura. Even if she was hailed as one of the prettiest faces in showbiz, was liked by many men and was rumored to like Sasuke, his feelings and his determination to win her heart never faltered. He had come up with a lot of surprises for her in the form of a hot cup of coffee after a long day of work or small notes of care and appreciation he had subtly inserted inside her bag or in the pages of the books she brings to the set.

He was smitten. Totally. And almost everyone noticed it.

INSERT IG PHOTO

Photo description: Kakashi, Yamato, and Sai talk to one another in the background while Sakura, who was at the other side of the photo was Naruto staring at an oblivious Sakura who was looking in another direction. It was a stolen shot that Konohamaru showed to him afterwards.

Photo caption: Stolen shot courtesy of TheAmazingKonohamaru

Hashtag: #thecrew #stolenshot #yoursmile #Icouldntlookaway

It was during Sakura's birthday and a long break from filming that they became an official couple. The day had started as ordinary. Naruto had visited her house and surprised her with a big chocolate cake and some balloons. While watching a romantic movie together, he said something along the lines of the main, onscreen couple looking good together like them and Sakura saying she wouldn't mind it if they were like that in real life.

When they had started filming again, people started to notice the chemistry between the two. Majority of the fans audience commented that they looked so perfect together they almost forgot Hinata was the real onscreen love interest.

INSERT IG PHOTO

Photo description: Naruto and Sakura beside each other in the set

Photo caption: itsmesakuraharuno just made me the happiest man in the world.

Hashtag: #Everysacrificewasworthit #I'mgladIfoundyou #mygirl

Near the conclusion of the series, the plot and characterization had declined in quality. The new set of writers had focused on following what their 'loud' viewers wanted rather than what the story should be. At the end, they had not been able to live up to the expectations of people. Ratings and sales had dropped and negative feedbacks started pouring out from the more critical fans Even if the character of Hinata, the original love interest, ended up with Naruto, haters grew in number and the producer could only be thankful that despite the continuous complaints, there were some very loyal viewers who stayed and watched the series up to the end.

The real Hinata had shrugged off the negative comments. She had witnessed how Naruto and Sakura had grown so much through the years and how they've looked at each other tenderly and full of love that she completely understood how people forgot they weren't destined to be together in the series and movie.

INSERT IG PHOTO

Photo description: Naruto is shown standing in the middle with the rest of the important cast of the TV series

Photo caption: This is our last day at the set and I will miss this kind of feeling. I hope we all continue to be friends even after this series ends.

Hashtag: #I'mgoingtomissyouall

The years of filming the series and its movies taught Naruto a lot of things about life and he grew with his own character as well.

"Naruto, they're here." His eyes left the ocean ahead when Sasuke tapped him on the shoulder. Once again, he was aware of the cold sweat all over his forehead and his shaking feet.

Karin, Ino, Sai and Shikamaru appeared with Sakura who was still blindfolded.

"Guys? What is this? Where are you taking me? You said you're just going to show me something," Ino did not give Sakura an explanation. She just chuckled and pushed her forward right into something hard. She didn't know it was Naruto's chest.

Everyone around them watched with anticipation. Naruto held her shoulder, assisted her to stand properly and took a deep breath before removing her blindfold.

Sakura's eyes widened and her jaw hung open. On the sand, illuminated by the light were the words, "Will you marry me?" together with some scattered petals. Speechless and blown away, her hands flew up to her mouth.

"Sakura-chan, hear me out! I'm nowhere near perfect. I make a lot of mistakes. I am a slob, I have nothing special to offer but I promise to…." The words were completely gone when she abruptly wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed. "Yes yes yes yes yes" she shouted over and over again, uncaring that he hadn't finished the little speech he prepared and he was yet to pull the ring from his pocket.

Her simple answer meant the world to him and his surprise touched her in a way no one ever did before. Naruto's arms wrapped around her tightly, their eyes glistening with tears of happiness, lips curving into their sweetest smiles ever, chests bursting with joy and so much love for each other.