Morning:
Kushina woke up in her room. When she sat up and looked beside her, she saw the flowers Naruto had brought her last night. She picked one up, walked over to the window, and opened it.
The morning breeze gently played with her hair as she closed her eyes and inhaled the sweet scent of the air. When she opened her eyes, she saw Naruto's face carved into the mountain and said joyfully, "What a beautiful way to wake up—to your face, Naruto..."
She rushed toward the door but paused when something sparkled in the mirror. Looking at it, she found a stunning necklace around her neck. She stared at it in awe, blushed, then smiled and continued on her way.
As she descended the stairs, she saw Naruto sleeping on the couch. She walked over and sat on the floor beside him, watching him silently.
Kushina (smiling): "This day... right?"
She brought the flower closer to his face, gently brushing it against him. Naruto opened his eyes slowly and heard her say sweetly,
Kushina: "Good morning, my love."
Naruto (smiling): "Good morning, my princess."
He took the flower from her and tucked it behind her ear.
Kushina: "When did you get back?"
Naruto: "At 3 AM."
Kushina: "Why didn't you wake me?"
Naruto: "You were exhausted waiting for me... so I let you rest."
A sad look appeared in her eyes, and as soon as Naruto noticed, he said,
Naruto: "Forgive me, Kushina... Last night was a total disaster... First we had to leave, and just when we finally had some time together, I got that mission... I wanted it to be the happiest day... but I guess I ruined it."
Kushina (gently): "What are you saying? You did want it to be the happiest day... and you made it so. So don't blame yourself, my love... It was wonderful to me."
He placed his hand gently on her cheek with a smile. Then his eyes landed on the necklace around her neck.
Naruto: "I didn't expect it to look this beautiful on you."
Kushina (shyly): "Honestly, I loved it so much... Thank you for the amazing gift... but you didn't have to. The flowers alone would've been enough."
Naruto (touching the necklace): "This is my real gift to you... the flowers were just a decoy to surprise you with this."
Kushina (smiling): "And you succeeded."
He smiled, then tried to stand up but winced in pain from his back.
Naruto: "Ah..."
Kushina (laughing): "Your back always hurts when you sleep on the couch... You should've come to bed with me."
She looked at him lovingly,
Kushina: "Let me help you."
She stood up and started massaging his back.
Kushina (playfully): "Are my hands still soft, or have you changed your mind?"
Naruto (smiling): "I'd never change my mind about you, my princess."
They gazed at each other, slowly leaning in until their lips touched in a kiss...
Suddenly, Sakura appeared and quickly turned around, heading back to her room.
Sakura: "Ahem... Sorry for interrupting."
They looked at her immediately, and just as she was about to leave, Naruto said,
Naruto: "No... come in."
Then he whispered to Kushina,
Naruto: "What time is it?"
Kushina: "Eight o'clock."
Naruto (groaning): "Ugh, I'm going to be late for Tsunade..."
Kushina: "Don't worry, love... go get ready, and I'll make you breakfast."
Naruto (smiling): "Alright."
At noon, Kushina was preparing lunch while Sakura stood at the doorway watching her. Suddenly, she asked,
Sakura: "Kushina... since you lived there for so long... how dangerous is that forest?"
Kushina was surprised by the question.
Kushina: "Why are you asking?!"
Sakura: "From what Sasuke and Naruto said, it sounded scary... but I only saw one gang there."
Kushina (interrupting): "You're completely mistaken, Sakura..."
Sakura looked at her in confusion.
Kushina: "We were surrounded by more than fifty gangs on our way back... Didn't you feel them?!"
Sakura: "No… not at all... So why didn't they attack us?!"
Kushina: "Because Naruto was with us... all those gangs fear him and avoid him. That's why they didn't come near."
Sakura (shocked): "Really..."
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Sakura: "I'll get it."
When she opened the door, she found Sasuke. She was about to leave, but he grabbed her arm and said,
Sasuke: "Sakura... I'm really sorry."
Sakura (firmly): "Don't do it again."
Sasuke: Fine, I won't repeat it.
Sakura: Then… what brought you here??
Sasuke: I came to take you home… I see you're feeling better… Go get your bag, I'll wait for you here.
Sakura: Alright.
At 3 PM… the doorbell rang, and Kushina went to open it. As soon as she did, she said in surprise:
Kushina: Naruto!!!! What are you doing here?? It's not like you to come this early!!!!
Naruto (smiling): I came to make it up to you for last night.
Kushina: Make it up to me!!!! How??
Naruto: I'm taking you to a lake in our village… Hurry up… I'm all yours for two hours only.
She smiled widely and said: Alright… wait for me here… I won't be long.
She rushed off to change. Suddenly, a voice called from behind Naruto, and he quickly turned around and said:
Naruto: Shikamaru!!! No, please… This time I really want to be left alone.
Shikamaru: What are you talking about?!!
Naruto: No… nothing… So what brings you here?
Shikamaru: I came to tell you we've planned a party to celebrate your return.
Naruto: A party!!! When??
Shikamaru: Today… at 7 PM… and don't worry, Lady Tsunade is giving us all the night off.
Naruto: Great…
Suddenly, Kushina jumped on Naruto's back saying: I'm ready… let's go.
When she noticed Shikamaru, she stepped back shyly and said: Ah… sorry… I didn't know we had company.
Shikamaru (smiling): And don't forget to bring that girl with you… We want to meet her.
Naruto: Don't worry, I will.
Meanwhile, back at Sakura's house… the doorbell rang. She opened the door and said in surprise:
Sakura: Ino!!! What are you doing here??
Ino: I came to see you and… (noticing her foot) What's with that injury?
Sakura: Don't worry… I'm fine… Come in.
They went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.
Ino (teasingly): By the way, Sakura… how were the flowers??
Sakura: What flowers??!!!
Ino (grinning mischievously): The flowers Naruto gave you.
Sakura looked at her, then laughed sarcastically: No, no, you're totally mistaken… Those flowers weren't for me… Did he tell you they were for me?!
Ino (confused): No, he didn't say who they were for… But if they weren't for you… then who were they for?
Sakura (after a pause): Kushina.
Ino: Kushina!!!! Who's that??Sakura looked back at the food, paused a bit, then said: His fiancée.
Ino: Huh? Fian—what!!!! His fiancée?! Naruto has a fiancée?! Sakura, either you said "fiancée," or I completely misheard.Sakura: You heard me right… Kushina is his fiancée.Ino (shocked): Wow…
That's the last thing I expected… So, why did he bring her flowers?
Sakura: Yesterday was their engagement anniversary… (then she paused, smiling slightly) I didn't know he was that romantic…
Ino: How would you know? The girl he loved always ignored him, so we never saw that side of him.