"Sakura!" I heard from somewhere behind me. "Get your butt back in here, it's your party!"

I got up from the swing and walked towards the door in a daze. What had just happened? It had been so perfect… He'd kissed me and… Naruto… Why?

"Sakura, there you are!" I looked up to see Ino grinning hugely at me. I guess she saw the look on my face because the grin fell. "What happened Sakura?"

"He kissed me…" I whispered.

"Wait, what? Then why do you look like that?" Her bluebell eyes got wide as she seemingly realized something before they narrowed into slits. "He ran, didn't he? Oh, that bastard! What the hell? Why would he do something like that? I'm going to kill him!"

I shook my head, her rant bringing me out of my haze. I'd never seen her so irate in my life. "Ino, don't. Not tonight. Whatever his reasons for running are, they made sense to him. I'll just go in there and act like nothing happened, then tomorrow I'll find him and talk to him."

She stared at me, concern in her eyes. "Are you sure that's what you want to do, Sakura? I mean… the love of your life just kissed you and then fled…"

"If it were any other time Ino, I'd gladly run after him, but this is my party and people are here to see me, I can't just up and run out on everyone. Stepping outside for air is one thing, but skipping out on the party is another thing altogether." I paused for a second, considering my next words. "Besides, it's Naruto, he's going to need time to think. If I chase after him now he'll feel cornered and try to flee again. I just have to find Minato-tou-sama and ask him to make sure he doesn't give Naruto any opportunities to leave the village. He needs to come to me and talk to me about it, just like he's got to be the first to admit to his feelings himself. You can't push him into it, Ino, you've got to let him do things at his own time, in his own way."

"Alright Sakura, if you think that's what's best…" Ino said, sounding none too sure.

"Just trust me Ino. Besides, if I run off now, people are going to wonder where I went. Do you really want to explain to everyone a million times what's been going on?" I said, smirking. No way was she going to want to do that, no matter how badly she wanted Naruto and I together.

"Fine," she relented, "but you best go talk to Tou-san about Naruto ASAP."

"Will do." I said, marching past her and through the door.

"Sakura!" I heard as I was squished into a hug. "I'm so, so sorry I'm late! I'm so glad I didn't miss your birthday, sweetheart!"

"Mom!" I hugged her back, grateful for the distraction.

"Oh, my baby's all grown up now!" She says, squeezing me tighter.

"Ungh, Ma- you're gonna suffocate me if you squeeze any tighter." I wheezed, and she immediately released her hug. I took in a big gulp of air, "Geez, Mom. You could kill with those things!" I teased.

"Hey! You used to love those hugs when you were little. Maybe your little ones will like them, too." She said with a conspiratorial wink.

I groaned, "Not you too, mom!"

She shot me a sly smirk, "Ah, Kushina-chan going on about grandbabies again? Figured as much," she says with a laugh. "That Kushina's gonna explode if you and Naruto-kun don't get started on those grandbabies soon. Speaking of which, have you and he been careful, Blossom?"

My eyes widened in shock and horror. I nearly choked. "Mom!" I hissed, mortified.

She schooled her face into the picture of innocence, "What? I'm just making sure my Blossom and her beau are being careful."

I was sure my face was the same shade as Kushina-kaa-chan's hair, if not redder. "Mom! He and I aren't together!"

"Yet, lovely, yet. You will be." She shot me a look before I could protest. "Just trust me on this, Sakura. Have I lied to you yet?" I sighed, resigned, and shook my head no. "Exactly! Now, I'll have your present for you in a bit, but first I'd like to check out that snack table."

I laughed at my mom's usual antics, "Alright mom, love you."

She kissed my cheek but paused before turning away and said, "Sakura, will you do me a favor?"

"What is it?" I asked, warily.

"Stop being such a prude," and with that, she turned and disappeared into the crowed, off to the snack table, leaving me more than a bit flustered.

I spotted Temari and walked over to her in a bit of a daze. Once she saw me, and took in my expression, she excused herself from her conversation. I heard Shikamaru mutter 'troublesome.' as she walked towards me. She ignored him and met me halfway, then all but dragged me into the hallway and into a room. "Okay, Ino filled me in. I know it must've hurt but-"

"Temari, am I a prude?" I interrupted, cutting her off.

"Yes." she replied bluntly, before her expression took on a bit of confusion. "Why do you ask?"

"My mother just asked me to stop being such a prude." I replied, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

That got more than just a little chuckle from her, "Sakura, yes, you are a prude. You're shy, a bit too shy, when it comes to things of a sexual nature. Your mom knows this, and I think it's just your mom's way of saying that-"

"Temari, stop trying to soften this." I said, cutting her off yet again.

She sighed in impatience, pinching the bridge of her nose. I wouldn't have been surprised if she'd take a cue from Shikamaru and mutter 'troublesome' just then. "Basically, Sakura, you need to loosen up."

I blinked, "But I thought…"

"I'm not talking about the medical aspects of it. Sakura, you're too damned shy about sex." She said bluntly, causing me to blush. "My point exactly! Even the word sex has you turning scarlet!"

"Well, I- That's just the way I've always been! I've always been shy about-"

She cut off my protest. "And what about Naruto's check up, huh? You told me later that you had to fight a blush the entire time!" Suddenly a knock was heard on the door. Temari shot me a look that said 'We WILL finish this conversation later' and opened the door. After noticing who was there, she then bowed, muttered something about Shilkamaru, and bolted out the door.

"Ah, Sakura-chan, I thought I saw you and Temari-san disappear into my son's room," The Hokage said, smiling at me warmly and stepping into the room. I inwardly blanched, not having realized where I was until now. "Ino-chan found me and said that you had a favor to ask of me concerning what's going on between you and Naruto, Sakura-chan."

At this I outwardly blanched, "You know?" I managed to squeak, utterly mortified that my surrogate father knew anything about this… ludicrous plot that Ino had concocted and managed to drag so many others into.

His face held his amusement, "Of course I know, Sakura. I'm not blind, plus Kushina doesn't keep me completely in the dark as to what her daily activities are. I know enough. So, what was that favor, birthday girl?"

I paused for a few seconds to regain my bearings. "Uh, well, you see Minato-tou-sama, I think that Naruto's going to try to use his missions to-"

He cut me off, seemingly already knowing where I was going with this. A conspiratorial look—one eerily similar to his wife's—crossed his face as he said, "I do believe that my boy's been overworking himself a bit too hard lately. I think some time off will do him a bit of good, wouldn't you agree, Sakura-chan?"

I flashed a grateful smile at my father figure. "I think it's an excellent idea, Hokage-sama"

"Well then, we best get you back to the rest of your party." he said, offering his arm, which I accepted.

"I think that sounds wonderful, sir."

Listening to Lee babble about youth was beginning to grate on my last nerves. I was sort of glad to have skipped out on most of the party, but upset that I'd missed possibly spending time with the guest of honor. Not that that would have mattered, seeing as most of the other guests with whom she would definitely know better would have all wanted and demanded her attention at some point or another throughout the evening. One can only assume that the birthday girl's time would be completely monopolized tonight.

I'd been avoiding coming here because first and foremost this party was for close family and friends. I'm currently neither, yet, but I intend to be both, hopefully soon. But for now I wasn't sure how welcome I'd be, being only the best friend to the current object of her affection. Which brings me to the other reason why I'd been trying to avoid this celebration meant for my beloved; my best friend was there. My best friend with whom I was on rocky terms at best and who would probably kill me for even attempting to lay eyes on what he'd stupidly deemed was much too good for anyone, including himself. That was for her to decide, wasn't it? And he couldn't shelter her forever.

So then, what was I doing here at this party, even after deeming it stupid and illogical to even pass by here? The answer, clear as day, clouts my mind as I ask the question. When it comes to Haruno Sakura, I have no logic, no common sense. My control all but flies out the window, and I'm often becoming a blubbering, romantic fool at the mere thought of her.

She's my weakness, and I was actually terrified to realize that after a while, I'd stopped caring that the mere thought of her could do those things to me, have that effect on me. And then I realize that I don't like it, I love it, and as terrifying that as it is that as an Uchiha I can feel this way, I can't really bring myself to care anymore.

And then I'm brought out of my reverie by Lee's sudden exclamation of something or other, even though I'd been blocking out his voice for who-knows-how-long.

And before I can even think acknowledge him, I'm swept up in the beauty that is Sakura, who even in those beat up old shoes is a vision. I can't help but regret missing participating in the custom and telling her all the things she does to me, means to me. And then my eyes take in the tank top and jeans, savoring her curves, and I realize I can still tell her this as I worship her the way she's meant to.

Once she's mine.

I'd sat there, swinging with my head down for what felt like forever, contemplating how I'd screwed everything up royally. That's how he'd found me.

"Oi, Kit, why'd you leave the party?" I heard, causing me to look up.

" I fucked up, Kyuubi." I said, sighing.

"So what's new then?" he teased, but sobered when he took a good look at my expression. "What happened?"

"I kissed her." I said, currently hating myself. Kyuubi, staying silent for once, gave me a look that told me to continue. "And I panicked. Ran like a scared little boy. But what else was I supposed to do, stay there and face her rejection? I can't do that. It's one thing to know what will happen but another thing to actually go through. I don't want to face her, but I can't avoid her for forever. I wouldn't want to either. I've got to be adult about this, even if I know it won't go my way." I looked up at the sky, contemplating how to go about this whole thing, longing for something that I knew I had about as much chance at as reaching up and plucking one of those twinkling stars from the sky.

"Well, it's good that your trying to be a man about this, Kit."

Turning my attention to my longtime friend, I gave him a weird look. "What, no 'you idiot, you should've stayed,' or 'She won't reject you'?" I asked, bewildered. This wasn't like my lead summon at all.

"Well, I just figure I'm not going to get through to you, so why bother arguing? It's a hassle, and you're too stubborn. I have better ways to use my time." He said, shrugging. "So, how was it, anyway?"

"The kiss?" He nodded, "It was- I can't really describe it." I said, feeling a huge smile spread across my face.

"Did she kiss you back?"

My attention snapped back to him in an instant. "What?" I asked, shocked.

He raised his would-be eyebrows, expression saying 'you heard me,' and I looked away, my thoughts drifting back.

I saw her walking towards the old rickety swing set, a bit frazzled looking but still beautiful as ever. I wondered for a minute if I should bother her, before deciding to take a chance, hopefully she wouldn't mind the company.

"Hey." I said, walking over from the tree I'd been leaning on. She jumped, and I fought the urge to chuckle. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine, Naruto." She said, smiling as I sat in the swing next to her. I kept my eyes on her, just watching as she stared up at the stars.

After a while I spoke, "Enjoying your party?" Just before she turned to me, I looked down, not wanting her to know I'd been staring.

"Yeah, but it was getting a bit stuffy. I just wish that they wouldn't of bought all those things for me, I'm not worth it."

I turned to look at her, shocked. How could someone so wonderful ever think so little of herself? "Believe me Sakura, you're worth it. You're worth so much more than you realize. Why don't you see yourself the way everyone else does? Why can't you see what we, what I, see?"

"You're all blind… Can't you see that I'm not good enough?"

Now that made me angry. Narrowing my eyes and gritting my teeth I ground out, "Bullshit! I promise you Sakura, if you could see yourself the way I see you…"

"Then what?" I heard skepticism in her voice and saw it on her face.

"Then you could see all of the reasons why I-" I cut myself off, realizing where I was about to go.

"Why you what?" She asked, this confused look on her face.

"Nothing, forget it. Here." I said, trying not to sound panicked. Trying to distract her, I picked up the wrapped package I'd placed on the ground earlier. "I wanted to give this to earlier, but I forgot to put it into the pile."

I got up and started to leave, figuring I'd best not risk letting myself slip twice in one night. "Naruto!" I stopped and turned towards her, "It's the book I've been wanting… but, how? They were all sold out…"

I shrugged, it wasn't much. Not like that Kimono, and especially not like a house. "I went into the book store the other day and saw it was the last one. All of your others are first editions, so I figured you'd like it."

"Naruto… this is the most thoughtful gift anyone's ever gotten me…" And she hugged me, and I knew then that that damned fight over the last copy had been worth it.

"Hey, no problem…" I said, my tone quiet as I returned the hug.

"You're not wearing orange…" She whispered, big eyes looking up at me.

At that I had to smile, if only she knew… "Actually, I am."

Her face went red and in that moment all I wanted to do was feel her lips on mine. "Baka." She teased, voice still soft.

"Yup, that's me." And then my lips were on hers, and I was in heaven. Strands of her hair tickled my face and I was lost. My hands glided down her soft curves and went to her hips of their own accord, pulling her closer. I licked her lower lip, seeking entrance, which she'd granted and the sweet taste of candied peaches assaulted me. I felt her hands fist my hair as she pressed closer. I heard her whimper.

Which pulled me out of my haze. I shot back out of her arms, feeling cold and numb. How could I have done something so, so stupid? "Crap! I- sorry! Shi-!" I shouted as I turned and fled, hoping against hope that she wouldn't follow.

"Yes." I answered finally, and looking back at him, I asked in confusion, "But what does that have to do with anything? She was probably just shocked and she did it on reflex. If she'd had a bit of time to process it, then she'd have probably shoved me away." I finished sadly.

"It has to do with everything, Kit. Now, hear me out. If Sakura felt uncomfortable or even assaulted her first instinct is to lash out, right?"

"Yes, but-"

"Then why didn't she hit you? How were you still conscious enough to flee? When you'd do something the lest bit perverted when you were younger, didn't she always send you flying? And wouldn't she always apologize when she'd heal you later, saying with things like that it was fist first?" He asked, stunning me. When he put it that way…

"So some part of her is okay with it?" I asked, bewildered. "Some part of Sakura-chan is okay kissing me?"

"Yes, now at least we have you clued in on that." Kyuubi responded, his grin showing his sharp teeth.

"So that means she's—at least unconsciously—okay with me. And maybe she does have feelings somewhere…" I wondered aloud in awe.

"That's what we've been trying to tell you, dumb ass!" He shouted, "Now what are you going to do with this new-found knowledge?"

I stood up, determined. "She feels something for me and whatever it is, I've got to get her to realize it. Maybe then one day she really will feel the same about me."

"You idiot, she does feel the same! It's painfully obvious." he said, shooting me an annoyed look.

"Okay, even if that's true, she still doesn't realize it. I've got to make sure that happens, especially before that asshole can get his hands on her!" I growled, not liking the thought of Sasuke anywhere near my Sakura.

He sighed, "Alright then, moron, what's your plan?"

"I don't know yet, but if I know Sakura-chan, then I know she's not going to admit it… At least not without a bit of coaxing." I crouched down so I'd be eye-to-eye with him. "I think I'm going to need the help of an expert."

So this chapter is the last to be revamped. If you've read the story before I went back and edited each chapter, then I'd suggest you go back and re-read previous chapters. I've not only edited, but changed and added certain things, so some of you might be confused if you just read the next chapter I upload. Speaking of which, I should have the next chapter out in a week. I'm going to write it and then go over it carefully a few times to make sure I'm giving you all the best quality writing I can. Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Much love,

~Kassy