(1/3)
"Something the matter, brat?"
"Hmm..." After getting reacquainted with Tsunade, Kakashi, Sakura and Shizune, Jiraiya had told Naruto that they should have a drink on him, properly ending that three-years training trip. Naruto, though, wasn't being that enjoyable of a drinking buddy. Even if it was difficult for him to get drunk, his cheerfulness usually made up for it. After leaving the others, though, he had suddenly started moping. "Nothing."
"Yeah, and I'm gay. Come on, what is it? Something about Tsunade's apprentice?" Naruto sighed, downing his glass full of sake and asking for a refill from the bartender. Bingo. "What? You tried to ask her out and received your first rejection of a new era?"
"No, no. It's just... I was disappointed." Now, that was a word that Jiraiya had never heard leaving Naruto's mouth. Noticing his confusion, he decided to elaborate. Might as well get the cat out of the bag. "When I said that she hadn't changed at all when she asked me if she had become more feminine, I wasn't being stupid. That was the truth."
"Well, so?" Jiraiya downed his own shot of alcohol as the bartender handed Naruto a refilled glass. The burning sensation gave him some insight. "Wait, you mean you were disappointed of her not becoming more feminine?" The blonde nodded, playing with his glass and enjoying the noise the ice made against the glass. The sage rubbed his chin. "Well, I can understand it, but, seeing how she was when you left, it was only logical... I mean, were you expecting her to become something in particular?"
"... Well, about that-"
"Naruto-kun?" Their conversation was interrupted by a bubbly voice. Master and apprentice turned to their right. Jiraiya whispered a 'hello, there'. Naruto blushed and beamed at the same time. He was rewared with a bright smile. "It really is you, Naruto-kun! It's been so long!"
"H-Hello, Midori-san..." Jiraiya blinked, suddenly feeling that something was very, very wrong. He didn't even grin lecherously as his student exchanged a bear-hug with a very curvy, well endowed, pink haired speciment of the female race. Why? Because Naruto had stuttered. Naruto never stuttered. "I-I came back just today..."
"And that awful daughter of mine didn't think of telling me? Honestly, sometimes..." Breaking the hug, the woman sighed, holding her face with one hand. She shook her head, dismissing her thoughts and smiling brightly at Naruto again. "You've become so handsome! Honestly, it's a mystery my daughter still manages to resist you!"
"Y-You're too kind, Midori-san. Thanks, though." Naruto lowered his head, embarassed, scratching the back of his head. The woman cooed at the sight, while Jiraiya was more and more convinced that reality had just shifted.
"You're so cute! You've always been such a good boy!" She smiled and held up his head with both hands, Naruto still not meeting her gaze. "Are you? Are you still a good boy?"
"Yes, I am." Naruto replied, grinning sheepishly.
'Ok. What. The. Fuck.' Jiraiya was becoming more and more weirded out by the minute. He had never, ever seen Naruto act like this, and it wasn't like he had never seen beautiful women, traveling with him. What was happening, in that bar?
"H-How have you been, Midori-san? Also, I didn't know you used to hang out in bars..." Naruto let out. The woman released his face and chuckled.
"Let's just say I've been living a little more since the divorce." That made Naruto blink in surprise.
"Divorce?"
"Yep. Since a couple months ago." The woman confirmed, and Naruto's mouth formed an 'Oh' of surprise.
"I-I'm sorry to hear that." He lowered his head, causing the woman to chuckle.
"Oh, don't be. But you owe me lots of stories about your travels! It's been ages since you've come to our house! You have to come by as soon as possible! Promise?" She bent forward saying that, causing the neckline of her kimono to shift a bit. Naruto blushed up to his ears and nodded quickly. The woman giggled and planted a big smooch on his right cheek. The blonde was now literally steaming. "Ok, I have to go back to my table, my friends are waiting. See you soon, Naruto-kun."
"Y-Yes..." Naruto replied, the woman waving with her hand as she walked away. Once she was at a safe distance, Naruto melted on the counter with a goofy smile on his face.
"Brat, who the hell was that?!" Jiraiya's question was met with a frightening glare. "Not for that, you idiot! It's just, I've never seen you act like this in your whole life! What's the deal?!" The clarification made Naruto's expression soften up, and he sighed blissfully.
"An angel." Jiraiya groaned, palming his face. "Her name's Haruno Midori."
"... Haruno?" The sage removed his hand, gears slowly turning. "You mean she's Sakura's..." Naruto nodded. The gears were turning even more. He grinned. "You sly dog! You mean that all this time you've been going after Sakura because-"
"I thought she would soon turn into a sweet, beautiful, angel of creation like Midori-san." He sighed, this time sadly, with a pout. "But I guess genetics don't work like that."
"Ahahahah! This is beyond precious!" 'Naruto: He goes for the mothers! ... Hey, that could work as the title for a new book.' As he guwaffed, though, he noticed that Naruto was just staring in the direction of the table where Midori was sitting alongside her friends. His laughter settling down in a smile, he understood that his apprentice was well and truly loco for the older woman, who didn't look an year beyond thirty, by the way. "... Well, I guess it's now open season."
"Huh?" That distracted Naruto, making him return his attention to Jiraiya. "What do you mean?"
"Was I the only one to catch the part about divorce, brat?" Naruto stared. Then he gasped, blushing scarlet once again.
"EH?! N-NO! I couldn't-I don't-!" Jiraiya laughed loudly.
"Yes, you do. Come on, boy! It's your chance to shine!" Naruto lowered his head, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
"B-But, I'm just a kid... She would never..." Jiraiya rolled his eyes. He then put a hand on the boy's right shoulder, forcing him to face him.
"Ok. Listen up, brat. From what I've seen, you can do it. And I even know how. Let's make a deal." Naruto was now listening. "I tell you how to do it, you try it. If I'm wrong, I'm going to dress up like Gai for a week. If I'm right, you have to tell me everything afterwards." Naruto lowered his eyes again, in thought. "Come on, brat. I think the prize is worth a shot."
Naruto slowly turned around in Midori's direction again. The woman was laughing cheerfully with her friends. Then, their eyes met. She waved at him again. He smiled weakly and waved back. Exhaling, he turned back to Jiraiya. "Alright. What do I do?"
-I-
ô... I feel a little guilty.ö In the end, Naruto had followed each and every one of Jiraiya's instructions. He had told Midori that they could catch up on everything over dinner, the woman promptly offering to cook for him herself. Then, he told her that he would be free on a day when the only other occupant of her household, Sakura, had night duty at the hospital. Then, he had dressed casually, black pants and a dark orange t-shirt, no forehead protector. This was pleasure, not business. And he had brought a small present, something that he would to present as a souvenir from his travels that he had bought just for her.
What did he feel guilty about? Well, about giving up on Sakura, leading her on for all that time and now switching to the real object of his attentions. 'Well, it's not like I was ever real boyfriend material for her, so, she's not going to be sad.' Letting the last of his doubts leave his body along with a deep breath, he knocked. After a few seconds, he was greeted by a bright smile and a cute azure apron. ôNaruto-kun! You're early!ö
ôSorry about that... Is it a problem?ö He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. Midori shook her head.
ôNot at all. Come in!ö Naruto bowed and stepped past the woman, removing his shoes as she closed the door behind them. ôOh? What have you got there?ö
ôAh, this? Nothing much.ö He said, standing once he had gotten rid of his footwear. With a grin, he presented it to the woman with both hands. ôIt's something I got you during my trip.ö
ôOh! A present?! How dear of you!ö The woman accepted the small package with delight. She rewarded him with a loud smooch on his right cheek, earning redness once again. ôI'll open it after dinner! Now I have something on the stove!ö She skipped back to the kitchen. She poked her head out right after, though. ôNo peeking. It's a surprise dinner!ö
ôOkay.ö Naruto gave her a thumbs up while he massaged the 'offended' cheek with the right hand. Then he realized that it had gone just like Jiraiya had said, with the present. 'Ero-sennin, if this actually works...'
-I-
ôWhen I finally found him, he had stayed so much inside of the hot springs that he looked like a lobster!ö
ôOh, my!ö Midori laughed out loud as Naruto recounted yet another funny anecdote featuring Jiraiya making an ass of himself and his apprentice coming to the rescue. ôAh, Naruto-kun! You're killing me!ö
ôOh, no! I'd better stop, then!ö He joked, raising his hands in a surrender fashion, smiling. ôThe world would be a darker place without you, Midori-san.ö
ôAaaaaaaw!ö Barely repressing a squeal, Midori latched her arms around Naruto's neck and started covering his face with kisses. ôYou're just too cute!ö She let him go, collecting the last things from the table as the sink got filled with hot water, ignoring the puddle of goo that once was Naruto as she put on the gloves. ôHonestly, that daughter of mine! Still all hung up about that bad Uchiha boy...ö
ôI-It's okay, Midori-san.ö 'Okay. Dramatic pause, and then...' ôIt's not a problem. Not any more.ö Midori turned in his direction, smiling but a bit confused. ôWant me to rinse and dry?ö
ôWhy, thank you, Naruto-kun! And what do you mean with 'it's not a problem any more'?ö She said, attacking the first dirty plates with a sponge.
ô... I've realized that I'm not in love with Sakura.ö Midori's mouth opened in a 'oh' of surprise as she handed him the first plate. Naruto washed it with clean water from the tap before setting it to the side. ôMaybe I never was. I don't know...ö
ôGood thinking, Naruto-kun. Let most of the water fall down before drying it.ö Midori commented, with approval. But she was still very confused about Naruto's latest statement. ôYou never were? But, you tried to woo her for as long as I can remember... Huh.ö She paused, handing him another plate. ôActually, that's not true. At the beginning, you weren't.ö
ôYeah, I remember. I just tried to play with her and the other kids, and you would comfort me if they brushed me off.ö 'Now, I got to say...' The two smiled fondly at the memory. ôI've always thought that Sakura-chan would become as pretty and kind as you, Midori-san, you know?ö
ôAh, Naruto-kun. You flat-Huh.ö Midori suddenly froze, like something had suddenly hit her. Then she gasped softly, and the plate fell to the ground, shattering in pieces.
ôM-Midori-san?!ö Jiraiya had said to expect something to happen at this point, but the loud noise and the fact that he had never seen Midori drop anything in his life sent him into genuine alarm nonetheless. She didn't reply. ôMidori-san!ö
ôHu-Ah?! N-Naruto-kun?!ö His shaking of her shoulders broke her out of her thoughts. She looked at Naruto, then at the broken plate, then at Naruto again. ôI-I'm sorry! I just-ö
ôAre you feeling well, Midori-san?ö Naruto suddenly invaded the woman's personal space, gently leaning his lips against her forehead, which earned a soft gasp of surprise and a subtle tinge of pink on her cheeks which he struggled to ignore. He released her forehead right after. ôYour temperature looks normal. Maybe you're just tired?ö
ô... Yes. Maybe.ö She went with his explanation, answering his concern with a smile.
ôOkay. Then, change of plans.ö He took her hands, removed her latex gloves and suppressing his blush as he grasped her soft hands, led her to the living room and gently made her sit on the couch. ôI want you to stay here and rest while I take care of the kitchen, okay?ö
ôAlright, Naruto-kun.ö She nodded, smiling warmly as he slowly let go of her hands. ôI'll be a good girl.ö
ôO-Ok.ö He couldn't suppress the stutter any more. Alright, he had followed Jiraiya's instructions to the letter. What he couldn't understand was how were things supposed to go naturally from here. 'Now, what? Is she supposed to suddenly realized I've been in love with her since I was a kid and reciprocate?'
So immersed was Naruto in his thoughts and the act of washing the dishes, even with two Kage Bunshin helping him, that he completely missed the series of sighs and longing gazes coming his way from the living room.
-I-
ôAll done. Are you feeling better, Midori-san?ö Naruto walked back to the living room, being careful of his volume. Midori had been quite silent for a while. 'Right on the money.' She had relaxed herself a little too much. He smiled as he observed her sleeping figure, her long pink curls sprawled on the armrest of the couch, chest softly rising and dropping under her apron and the clothes underneath.
Sighing, he dimmed the lights and then headed for the cabinet where he knew she kept blankets and other stuff. 'Seriously, Naruto, what were you expecting? Following ero-sennin's instruction, too.' He retrieved a long, green one and walked back to the couch, covering the woman in it, before kneeling in front of her. 'Come to think of it, this is the first time I see her asleep.'
His ears caught soft breathing, coming from her slightly parted lips. He knew that she wasn't one for lipgloss, and yet they were glistening in the low light coming from the kitchen. So pink, and full. He swallowed, blushing. ôW-What are you think, Naruto?ö He whispered to himself, lowering his gaze and head in shame, but his eyes were quickly captivated by those lips again. ô... Just once.ö 'I mean, now I won't have any excuse to hang out around her anymore, so... I mean, I deserve at least this much. Right?'
His body stiffening, he pursed his lips and ever so slowly brought his face closer to Midori's one, closing his eyes along with the distance. When they were fully closed, his lips connected with something soft, warm, and beautiful. He almost melted. 'Damn it, now I've done it.' But he couldn't really feel guilty about it. This stolen kiss was everything he had ever imagined and more. The soft texture, the warmth, the smell of flowers, the slender arms wrapping around his neck and pulling him closer-'Wait a minute. Arms?'
There were arms latched around him, and the soft lips he had been kissing were moving into the kiss. His eyes shot open as he froze. A couple seconds later the kiss ended, the arms leaving him enough space to observe half-lidded green eyes and a loving smile. ôHmm... How did you know I like being woken up with a kiss, Naruto-kun?ö His mind died for a second, there. It rebooted with a chuckle and a soft peck. Then he lowered his baricenter to get out of the soft grasp and backpedalled on the ground till he hit the nearby armchair. Midori giggled and sat on the couch, adjusting her hair with one hand. ôWhat's wrong, Naruto-kun?ö
ôI... I...ö His heart was about to explode. That's how it felt, that's what he thought it was gonna happen, so it was going to happen. His breath was quick. He lowered his head. He raised it again. ôI'm sorry! I-I didn't-I mean, I don't know what-ö
ôNaruto-kun, relax. Do I look angry to you? Hmm?ö Midori asked, cocking her head to one side. Naruto promptly shut up and observed her.
'She looks like the usual Midori-san.' He slowly shook his head from side to side, calming somewhat down. Midori patted the spot on the couch on her right. Naruto nodded and ever so slowly sat beside him, deciding that the floor looked pretty interesting at the moment.
ôNaruto-kun, I think we both know what's really going on, here.ö His heart skipped a beat. ôI had guessed before, when you told me that you hadn't really loved Sakura. So, why did you pursue her all this time?ö
ôB-Because...ö He swallowed. The secret was going to come out. He didn't know if he could take that kind of exposition, though. ôBecause... I hoped... I thought... She would become just like... Like you, Midori-san.ö
ôHmm. So, it means that all this time, you weren't in love with Sakura, but...?ö She bent forward, her smiling face looking up at him from the peripheral of his vision.
ôW-W-With... With...ö He started shaking. He squeezes his hands together, hard. ôWith... With you, Midori-san.ö
ôThere you go.ö Midori chuckled, and Naruto squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the inevitable rejection. ôNaruto-kun, I'm honoured by your feelings, but...ö He gritted his teeth.
Then, soft finger touched his hands, breaking their hold on each other so that elegant digits could intertwine with his owns. His eyes opened in surprise, and he turned to the left just in time to see a mane of pink hair softly lean on his shoulder, filling his nostrils with the scent of flowers, once again. ôI like to cuddle a lot.ö She finished, and he gasped softly. Another chuckle, and his hands were squeezed gently. ôI hope it's not a problem.ö
She shifted closer to him, searching his body warmth. She even followed his body and adjusted herself accordingly as he lost all strength and fell backwards against the couch.
'Ero-sennin, wherever you are, you are from now on forever and ever my fucking hero.'
Yep. I did it.
"Something the matter, brat?"
"Hmm..." After getting reacquainted with Tsunade, Kakashi, Sakura and Shizune, Jiraiya had told Naruto that they should have a drink on him, properly ending that three-years training trip. Naruto, though, wasn't being that enjoyable of a drinking buddy. Even if it was difficult for him to get drunk, his cheerfulness usually made up for it. After leaving the others, though, he had suddenly started moping. "Nothing."
"Yeah, and I'm gay. Come on, what is it? Something about Tsunade's apprentice?" Naruto sighed, downing his glass full of sake and asking for a refill from the bartender. Bingo. "What? You tried to ask her out and received your first rejection of a new era?"
"No, no. It's just... I was disappointed." Now, that was a word that Jiraiya had never heard leaving Naruto's mouth. Noticing his confusion, he decided to elaborate. Might as well get the cat out of the bag. "When I said that she hadn't changed at all when she asked me if she had become more feminine, I wasn't being stupid. That was the truth."
"Well, so?" Jiraiya downed his own shot of alcohol as the bartender handed Naruto a refilled glass. The burning sensation gave him some insight. "Wait, you mean you were disappointed of her not becoming more feminine?" The blonde nodded, playing with his glass and enjoying the noise the ice made against the glass. The sage rubbed his chin. "Well, I can understand it, but, seeing how she was when you left, it was only logical... I mean, were you expecting her to become something in particular?"
"... Well, about that-"
"Naruto-kun?" Their conversation was interrupted by a bubbly voice. Master and apprentice turned to their right. Jiraiya whispered a 'hello, there'. Naruto blushed and beamed at the same time. He was rewared with a bright smile. "It really is you, Naruto-kun! It's been so long!"
"H-Hello, Midori-san..." Jiraiya blinked, suddenly feeling that something was very, very wrong. He didn't even grin lecherously as his student exchanged a bear-hug with a very curvy, well endowed, pink haired speciment of the female race. Why? Because Naruto had stuttered. Naruto never stuttered. "I-I came back just today..."
"And that awful daughter of mine didn't think of telling me? Honestly, sometimes..." Breaking the hug, the woman sighed, holding her face with one hand. She shook her head, dismissing her thoughts and smiling brightly at Naruto again. "You've become so handsome! Honestly, it's a mystery my daughter still manages to resist you!"
"Y-You're too kind, Midori-san. Thanks, though." Naruto lowered his head, embarassed, scratching the back of his head. The woman cooed at the sight, while Jiraiya was more and more convinced that reality had just shifted.
"You're so cute! You've always been such a good boy!" She smiled and held up his head with both hands, Naruto still not meeting her gaze. "Are you? Are you still a good boy?"
"Yes, I am." Naruto replied, grinning sheepishly.
'Ok. What. The. Fuck.' Jiraiya was becoming more and more weirded out by the minute. He had never, ever seen Naruto act like this, and it wasn't like he had never seen beautiful women, traveling with him. What was happening, in that bar?
"H-How have you been, Midori-san? Also, I didn't know you used to hang out in bars..." Naruto let out. The woman released his face and chuckled.
"Let's just say I've been living a little more since the divorce." That made Naruto blink in surprise.
"Divorce?"
"Yep. Since a couple months ago." The woman confirmed, and Naruto's mouth formed an 'Oh' of surprise.
"I-I'm sorry to hear that." He lowered his head, causing the woman to chuckle.
"Oh, don't be. But you owe me lots of stories about your travels! It's been ages since you've come to our house! You have to come by as soon as possible! Promise?" She bent forward saying that, causing the neckline of her kimono to shift a bit. Naruto blushed up to his ears and nodded quickly. The woman giggled and planted a big smooch on his right cheek. The blonde was now literally steaming. "Ok, I have to go back to my table, my friends are waiting. See you soon, Naruto-kun."
"Y-Yes..." Naruto replied, the woman waving with her hand as she walked away. Once she was at a safe distance, Naruto melted on the counter with a goofy smile on his face.
"Brat, who the hell was that?!" Jiraiya's question was met with a frightening glare. "Not for that, you idiot! It's just, I've never seen you act like this in your whole life! What's the deal?!" The clarification made Naruto's expression soften up, and he sighed blissfully.
"An angel." Jiraiya groaned, palming his face. "Her name's Haruno Midori."
"... Haruno?" The sage removed his hand, gears slowly turning. "You mean she's Sakura's..." Naruto nodded. The gears were turning even more. He grinned. "You sly dog! You mean that all this time you've been going after Sakura because-"
"I thought she would soon turn into a sweet, beautiful, angel of creation like Midori-san." He sighed, this time sadly, with a pout. "But I guess genetics don't work like that."
"Ahahahah! This is beyond precious!" 'Naruto: He goes for the mothers! ... Hey, that could work as the title for a new book.' As he guwaffed, though, he noticed that Naruto was just staring in the direction of the table where Midori was sitting alongside her friends. His laughter settling down in a smile, he understood that his apprentice was well and truly loco for the older woman, who didn't look an year beyond thirty, by the way. "... Well, I guess it's now open season."
"Huh?" That distracted Naruto, making him return his attention to Jiraiya. "What do you mean?"
"Was I the only one to catch the part about divorce, brat?" Naruto stared. Then he gasped, blushing scarlet once again.
"EH?! N-NO! I couldn't-I don't-!" Jiraiya laughed loudly.
"Yes, you do. Come on, boy! It's your chance to shine!" Naruto lowered his head, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
"B-But, I'm just a kid... She would never..." Jiraiya rolled his eyes. He then put a hand on the boy's right shoulder, forcing him to face him.
"Ok. Listen up, brat. From what I've seen, you can do it. And I even know how. Let's make a deal." Naruto was now listening. "I tell you how to do it, you try it. If I'm wrong, I'm going to dress up like Gai for a week. If I'm right, you have to tell me everything afterwards." Naruto lowered his eyes again, in thought. "Come on, brat. I think the prize is worth a shot."
Naruto slowly turned around in Midori's direction again. The woman was laughing cheerfully with her friends. Then, their eyes met. She waved at him again. He smiled weakly and waved back. Exhaling, he turned back to Jiraiya. "Alright. What do I do?"
-I-
ô... I feel a little guilty.ö In the end, Naruto had followed each and every one of Jiraiya's instructions. He had told Midori that they could catch up on everything over dinner, the woman promptly offering to cook for him herself. Then, he told her that he would be free on a day when the only other occupant of her household, Sakura, had night duty at the hospital. Then, he had dressed casually, black pants and a dark orange t-shirt, no forehead protector. This was pleasure, not business. And he had brought a small present, something that he would to present as a souvenir from his travels that he had bought just for her.
What did he feel guilty about? Well, about giving up on Sakura, leading her on for all that time and now switching to the real object of his attentions. 'Well, it's not like I was ever real boyfriend material for her, so, she's not going to be sad.' Letting the last of his doubts leave his body along with a deep breath, he knocked. After a few seconds, he was greeted by a bright smile and a cute azure apron. ôNaruto-kun! You're early!ö
ôSorry about that... Is it a problem?ö He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. Midori shook her head.
ôNot at all. Come in!ö Naruto bowed and stepped past the woman, removing his shoes as she closed the door behind them. ôOh? What have you got there?ö
ôAh, this? Nothing much.ö He said, standing once he had gotten rid of his footwear. With a grin, he presented it to the woman with both hands. ôIt's something I got you during my trip.ö
ôOh! A present?! How dear of you!ö The woman accepted the small package with delight. She rewarded him with a loud smooch on his right cheek, earning redness once again. ôI'll open it after dinner! Now I have something on the stove!ö She skipped back to the kitchen. She poked her head out right after, though. ôNo peeking. It's a surprise dinner!ö
ôOkay.ö Naruto gave her a thumbs up while he massaged the 'offended' cheek with the right hand. Then he realized that it had gone just like Jiraiya had said, with the present. 'Ero-sennin, if this actually works...'
-I-
ôWhen I finally found him, he had stayed so much inside of the hot springs that he looked like a lobster!ö
ôOh, my!ö Midori laughed out loud as Naruto recounted yet another funny anecdote featuring Jiraiya making an ass of himself and his apprentice coming to the rescue. ôAh, Naruto-kun! You're killing me!ö
ôOh, no! I'd better stop, then!ö He joked, raising his hands in a surrender fashion, smiling. ôThe world would be a darker place without you, Midori-san.ö
ôAaaaaaaw!ö Barely repressing a squeal, Midori latched her arms around Naruto's neck and started covering his face with kisses. ôYou're just too cute!ö She let him go, collecting the last things from the table as the sink got filled with hot water, ignoring the puddle of goo that once was Naruto as she put on the gloves. ôHonestly, that daughter of mine! Still all hung up about that bad Uchiha boy...ö
ôI-It's okay, Midori-san.ö 'Okay. Dramatic pause, and then...' ôIt's not a problem. Not any more.ö Midori turned in his direction, smiling but a bit confused. ôWant me to rinse and dry?ö
ôWhy, thank you, Naruto-kun! And what do you mean with 'it's not a problem any more'?ö She said, attacking the first dirty plates with a sponge.
ô... I've realized that I'm not in love with Sakura.ö Midori's mouth opened in a 'oh' of surprise as she handed him the first plate. Naruto washed it with clean water from the tap before setting it to the side. ôMaybe I never was. I don't know...ö
ôGood thinking, Naruto-kun. Let most of the water fall down before drying it.ö Midori commented, with approval. But she was still very confused about Naruto's latest statement. ôYou never were? But, you tried to woo her for as long as I can remember... Huh.ö She paused, handing him another plate. ôActually, that's not true. At the beginning, you weren't.ö
ôYeah, I remember. I just tried to play with her and the other kids, and you would comfort me if they brushed me off.ö 'Now, I got to say...' The two smiled fondly at the memory. ôI've always thought that Sakura-chan would become as pretty and kind as you, Midori-san, you know?ö
ôAh, Naruto-kun. You flat-Huh.ö Midori suddenly froze, like something had suddenly hit her. Then she gasped softly, and the plate fell to the ground, shattering in pieces.
ôM-Midori-san?!ö Jiraiya had said to expect something to happen at this point, but the loud noise and the fact that he had never seen Midori drop anything in his life sent him into genuine alarm nonetheless. She didn't reply. ôMidori-san!ö
ôHu-Ah?! N-Naruto-kun?!ö His shaking of her shoulders broke her out of her thoughts. She looked at Naruto, then at the broken plate, then at Naruto again. ôI-I'm sorry! I just-ö
ôAre you feeling well, Midori-san?ö Naruto suddenly invaded the woman's personal space, gently leaning his lips against her forehead, which earned a soft gasp of surprise and a subtle tinge of pink on her cheeks which he struggled to ignore. He released her forehead right after. ôYour temperature looks normal. Maybe you're just tired?ö
ô... Yes. Maybe.ö She went with his explanation, answering his concern with a smile.
ôOkay. Then, change of plans.ö He took her hands, removed her latex gloves and suppressing his blush as he grasped her soft hands, led her to the living room and gently made her sit on the couch. ôI want you to stay here and rest while I take care of the kitchen, okay?ö
ôAlright, Naruto-kun.ö She nodded, smiling warmly as he slowly let go of her hands. ôI'll be a good girl.ö
ôO-Ok.ö He couldn't suppress the stutter any more. Alright, he had followed Jiraiya's instructions to the letter. What he couldn't understand was how were things supposed to go naturally from here. 'Now, what? Is she supposed to suddenly realized I've been in love with her since I was a kid and reciprocate?'
So immersed was Naruto in his thoughts and the act of washing the dishes, even with two Kage Bunshin helping him, that he completely missed the series of sighs and longing gazes coming his way from the living room.
-I-
ôAll done. Are you feeling better, Midori-san?ö Naruto walked back to the living room, being careful of his volume. Midori had been quite silent for a while. 'Right on the money.' She had relaxed herself a little too much. He smiled as he observed her sleeping figure, her long pink curls sprawled on the armrest of the couch, chest softly rising and dropping under her apron and the clothes underneath.
Sighing, he dimmed the lights and then headed for the cabinet where he knew she kept blankets and other stuff. 'Seriously, Naruto, what were you expecting? Following ero-sennin's instruction, too.' He retrieved a long, green one and walked back to the couch, covering the woman in it, before kneeling in front of her. 'Come to think of it, this is the first time I see her asleep.'
His ears caught soft breathing, coming from her slightly parted lips. He knew that she wasn't one for lipgloss, and yet they were glistening in the low light coming from the kitchen. So pink, and full. He swallowed, blushing. ôW-What are you think, Naruto?ö He whispered to himself, lowering his gaze and head in shame, but his eyes were quickly captivated by those lips again. ô... Just once.ö 'I mean, now I won't have any excuse to hang out around her anymore, so... I mean, I deserve at least this much. Right?'
His body stiffening, he pursed his lips and ever so slowly brought his face closer to Midori's one, closing his eyes along with the distance. When they were fully closed, his lips connected with something soft, warm, and beautiful. He almost melted. 'Damn it, now I've done it.' But he couldn't really feel guilty about it. This stolen kiss was everything he had ever imagined and more. The soft texture, the warmth, the smell of flowers, the slender arms wrapping around his neck and pulling him closer-'Wait a minute. Arms?'
There were arms latched around him, and the soft lips he had been kissing were moving into the kiss. His eyes shot open as he froze. A couple seconds later the kiss ended, the arms leaving him enough space to observe half-lidded green eyes and a loving smile. ôHmm... How did you know I like being woken up with a kiss, Naruto-kun?ö His mind died for a second, there. It rebooted with a chuckle and a soft peck. Then he lowered his baricenter to get out of the soft grasp and backpedalled on the ground till he hit the nearby armchair. Midori giggled and sat on the couch, adjusting her hair with one hand. ôWhat's wrong, Naruto-kun?ö
ôI... I...ö His heart was about to explode. That's how it felt, that's what he thought it was gonna happen, so it was going to happen. His breath was quick. He lowered his head. He raised it again. ôI'm sorry! I-I didn't-I mean, I don't know what-ö
ôNaruto-kun, relax. Do I look angry to you? Hmm?ö Midori asked, cocking her head to one side. Naruto promptly shut up and observed her.
'She looks like the usual Midori-san.' He slowly shook his head from side to side, calming somewhat down. Midori patted the spot on the couch on her right. Naruto nodded and ever so slowly sat beside him, deciding that the floor looked pretty interesting at the moment.
ôNaruto-kun, I think we both know what's really going on, here.ö His heart skipped a beat. ôI had guessed before, when you told me that you hadn't really loved Sakura. So, why did you pursue her all this time?ö
ôB-Because...ö He swallowed. The secret was going to come out. He didn't know if he could take that kind of exposition, though. ôBecause... I hoped... I thought... She would become just like... Like you, Midori-san.ö
ôHmm. So, it means that all this time, you weren't in love with Sakura, but...?ö She bent forward, her smiling face looking up at him from the peripheral of his vision.
ôW-W-With... With...ö He started shaking. He squeezes his hands together, hard. ôWith... With you, Midori-san.ö
ôThere you go.ö Midori chuckled, and Naruto squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the inevitable rejection. ôNaruto-kun, I'm honoured by your feelings, but...ö He gritted his teeth.
Then, soft finger touched his hands, breaking their hold on each other so that elegant digits could intertwine with his owns. His eyes opened in surprise, and he turned to the left just in time to see a mane of pink hair softly lean on his shoulder, filling his nostrils with the scent of flowers, once again. ôI like to cuddle a lot.ö She finished, and he gasped softly. Another chuckle, and his hands were squeezed gently. ôI hope it's not a problem.ö
She shifted closer to him, searching his body warmth. She even followed his body and adjusted herself accordingly as he lost all strength and fell backwards against the couch.
'Ero-sennin, wherever you are, you are from now on forever and ever my fucking hero.'
Yep. I did it.
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