Quick notes: All is cannon until 311.

Chapter Eleven: Dreaming of You

Shortly after falling asleep that night I awoke sitting under a cherry blossom tree leaning against a warm solid object. Looking above me I saw that I was resting against Naruto, his jacket around my shoulders and his back resting against the tree. As he shifted to get in a more comfortable position he let out a content sigh. "Told you so Sakura."

I let out a small groan. "I thought you said you wouldn't say I told you so. I admitted it, I love you- Naruto."

"Huh, I know you love me Sakura, you told me that a little while ago, what are you talking about? I mean that I told you I'd be Hokage someday, and come tomorrow, I'll be the 6th Hokage." The grin on his face reached from ear to ear. "I'm the happiest man in the world. I've got the most beautiful woman in the world that loves me, and, come tomorrow almost all my dreams will come true."

Turning around in his lap, I looked deep into his eyes. Then it hit me, this is a dream, but he's part of the dream. He isn't like the Naruto from last night's dream where he was basically part of myself. He's like the real Naruto. Wait a minute. "What do you mean almost all of your dreams?"

"Uh, um, well you see Sakura there's one more dream I have that hasn't come true yet. But, well I've kind of been afraid to let anyone know about it." He looked quickly to his left and right before leaning in and whispering at me. "I didn't want to jinx it."

Leave it to Naruto to not believe in destiny, and yet be afraid of bad luck. "Well maybe if you tell me what it is I could help you with it. I mean you know how much everyone has helped you get to where you are right now. Maybe I can do that for you in this case."

"I don't really know about that Sakura. I mean you might be able to help me, but I'm not too sure if you'd want to help me."

"Naruto, I just offered to help you out on it. So spill it, because I'm not going to give up on this until you do."

He squinted his eyes at me before gently grabbing each of my shoulders. "Are you absolutely sure about this? Are you saying that you would do anything at all that was needed to fulfill this dream?"

The way he was staring into my eyes, combined with the way he asked his question made me blush. Just what was it about this dream of his that is making him so guarded? Why is it that even though the question he asked is so open-ended, I'm inclined to agree? "I'm not sure that I would do anything, but yes I would do most reasonable things to help you with this. So please Naruto, tell me what it is."

"I'm still not sure I should tell you Sakura. I mean what if you laugh, even if you don't mean to. Or what if you think it's too stupid, or unreasonable?"

"Is it anymore unreasonable then having the person who was last in his class become the strongest and most responsible shinobi in the village?"

"Well it might be, I mean I think it might be."

"Naruto, just tell me what it is and let me decide for myself."

"Promise not to laugh, or make fun of it?"

I gave him the hardest glare I could muster. "Naruto!"

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you, it's just personal. Well my dream is to start a family."

What? That's his big secret? He wants to start a family. Why was he so reluctant to tell me that. It's so normal. I mean so many people want to start a family some day. Even I do, at some point. "You want to start a family? Naruto, that's a fairly common dream that people have. I mean, someday I'd like to start a family of my own."

I must have said something wrong because he was unusually calm a quiet. Suddenly, he made a reach for the pouch on his right leg. Oh crap we're under attack. Quickly I launched myself from his lap and flipped around preparing my kunai for flight at the nearest threat.

Only to be met with open space.

I searched high and low for an attacker, an animal. Hell I even looked to see if maybe it was a leaf that caught his attention so suddenly. But nothing. There was nothing there. Why the hell was he reaching for his weapons when there's no threat?

"Naruto, what was it that st- Oh my!" I paused, mid turn, as my eyes came on Naruto. Down on one knee with a small pink square box in his hand.

"I wasn't finished you know, when I was telling you about my dream. My dream is to start a family, but there's more to it. I want to start a family with you. Raise our kids, a boy and a little girl, to be strong and proud. To watch them grow up, next to you. To see them get married. All the grandchildren they'll have, watching them grow up too. I want a family Sakura. And I want to have one with you. Before, you said that you would do anything reasonable to help me fulfill my dream. Sakura, I'm asking you if you would marry me. Do you think that's reasonable?"

He wants to marry me? That's insane! I mean it doesn't make sense at all. Does it? Why am I so confused? All my life I've wanted to meet someone who treats me kindly. Someone who would do anything that they could for me, not because I want them to do it, but because they enjoy doing things for me. I've wanted someone who would love me and protect me. Someone like Naruto.

Ever since we first met he's been trying to do everything he can to protect me. When my family left the village to continue their trading throughout the country, he stood up for me when I was bullied. Every time my father was able to return with them, he would act just like Naruto, being overprotective and boisterous around me. They were both just trying to get my attention and prove they loved me.

He loves me more than anything else in this world. And I do love him back. I can just see it now, a blond haired green eyed girl running into his arms after a long day. I can't help but smile at it. "Well, it depends, are we going to serve real food, or ramen?"

His face seemed to stop halfway between a smile and a frown, and the outrageous look on his face almost made me laugh. However when he started to grab his chin and take a thinking pose I lost it. I couldn't help but laugh at how adorably cute he looked. "Ne, Sakura, couldn't we have it as an option though? I mean like maybe something with chicken or beef, a vegetarian meal, and ramen? That way if someone wanted to, they could have it."

After finally gaining hold of my laughter I thought over what he had said. For the most part it made sense, I mean it is possible someone might want it. "I tell you what. If five people, excluding you, want ramen, then you can have it, otherwise you have a regular meal."

"Wait does that mean you say yes?" I'd swear he was trying to give me puppy dog eyes.

"Yes Naruto, I want to marry you." His reaction was a lot calmer than I had predicted it would be. He didn't even jump or yell. But the size of his smile and the deep feeling of contentment that washed over me as he place the ring on my finger and kissed me more than made up for his restraint.

Author notes: I apologize for the delay in the release of this chapter. To be honest I was kind of stuck on how to approach Asuma's death in this story, so I've put it off for a bit. Right now I estimate that I will get to it in about 2 chapters, possible less.

dbzgtfan2004, Carlalalita, AlphaDelta1001, LoveAnime4ever: Glad all of you enjoyed the last one, cheers to the new one.

Gravenimage: I know, but I'm not as well versed in the proper uses of all the suffixes, and as such I'm leaving them all out. Sensei is the only one I'll keep in, because it's a word known by most people in North America.