Summer

Pulling a t-shirt over my bare chest, I stare into the mirror and observe my features. My skin has adapted some color, finally some sort of tan than a translucent shade of pale. My hair is fully grown back to the length it always has been, golden locks glowing brighter than ever now because of the scorching summer sun.

I've finally started putting on more weight, still not where I would like to be but it's a start.

"Naruto! We're going to be late!" My mother's voice echoes loudly from the kitchen. Smiling at myself in the mirror and flicking my hair up to perfection, I grab my cellphone and rush out the door.

Rushing into the kitchen I see my dad filling up a water bottle for me while making sandwiches and my mother fixing her hair up into a ponytail.

"You rushed me for nothing mom. You guys are still getting ready!" I whine jokingly, as she pulls her hair up and comes over to rustle my locks.

"I've been calling you for the past hour, chicken or ham?" My mother asks, pointing her head towards my father who is holding up to slabs of meat.

"Alright alright I'm sorry. And uh, chicken?" I say pointing to the slab. My dad nods and prepares the sandwich.

I take a seat on a stool and wait for my parents to finish up.

My dad finishes filling up the water bottle and slides it over to me, and my mom finishes packing up the sandwiches she made this morning. He also packs the sandwich into a paper bag.

"So are we going?" I ask, looking up from observing the water bottle to see both my parents looking down on me with tears filling their eyes, my mother's head resting on my father's shoulder as he squeezes her shoulder.

"Uh, you guys okay?"

My mother sniffles up her tears and wipes the corners of her eyes.

"I'm just glad we're all here together." She says, a smile spreading across her face.

Cursing that my mom's sappiness had been passed onto me, I stand up and tackle the both of them, in attempt to hide the tears welling up in my eyes as well.

They both hug me back with an equal amount of force and I rest my head on both of their shoulders.

We stand there for a moment, the three of us all cherishing the sweet hug.

"I'm not going anywhere, believe it."

I whisper softly before letting go.

xXx

"You're late!" Sakura scolds angrily, knocking me right in the head with a bawled up fist.

"Ow!" I cry, grabbing my head and stumbling back.

"What was that for?" I ask sheepishly, standing up straight and watching as her eyes narrow. If looks could kill I'd be dead meat.

"The event's already started, where were you?!" Sakura argues, placing a hand on her hip and puffing her cheeks in

I open my mouth but before I can answer she grabs my hand and drags me behind her.

"Don't answer that, we're just going to waste time." She huffs, and I chuckle.

"You're cute when you're angry you know?" I say, and notice her cheeks flush.

"T-That's not going to work on me right now mister!" She argues, but the falter in her voice shows that she's already forgiven me.

Looking around as I walk, now next to Sakura with our fingers intertwined, through the event I see large golden balloons with red ribbons that correspond with the t-shirts everyone is wearing. A large crowd of people are gathered farther ahead, chattering over the music that is being played.

"Are you nervous?" Sakura asks as we approach the large crowd of people, all surrounding a small stage with a podium.

Giving her hand a small squeeze I tilt my head and shoot her my famous million dollar grin.

"Born ready baby!" I happily say, pecking her on the cheek and she only rolls her eyes with a smile on her face.

"You overly confident blonde." The pinkette teases bumping her shoulder with mine.

Overly confident blonde…ahh Sakura is the cutest.

Smiling at her one more time before I look into the crowd, I notice that there is a lot of people gathered, all wearing the same attire as me.

Red t-shirt with a golden ribbon embroided right on the chest.

A large banner is taped to the bottom of the stage reading:

50TH Annual Leukemia Walk

And a warm feeling buzzes up in my chest, a mix of anxiety and gratitude.

"Ahem." Someone clears their throat, the voice echoing throughout the large crowd.

I shift my eyes towards the stage at a woman with pale skin and bob cut black hair. She looks to be about my mom's age.

Must be the host.

"Welcome to the 50th annual Leukemia walk here in Konoha. I'm most honored to be hosting this event for the fifth year. Let's all work hard, with sweat and vigor, to put an end to this disease!" She cheers, smiling happily as the crowd roars.

She continues speaking, but my mind can't focus because I'm starting to get sweaty palms and shaky legs.

I didn't know so many people would be here today, and as much as I love a good crowd…I also don't like them all paying attention to me…especially when it's in front of Sakura.

Noticing my anxiety, Sakura gives my hand yet another squeeze.

"Didn't I just call you overly confident?" She teases, whispering into my ear and her warm breath tickles my earlobe.

Trying not to act like a chicken, and instead like the cool boyfriend I am I wave my hand and let out a small laugh.

"Me? Nervous? Sakura do you even know who you're dating?" I tease, smiling as she rolls her eyes again.

"And now some words from Naruto Uzumaki, whose family and friends have helped greatly with this year's planning!" The host announces, a wide smile on her lips as she moves away from the podium and people begin to clap and whistle.

Sakura gives me a light push, and I stumble forward slightly before walking through the large mass of people.

Finally reaching the podium, and sweating buckets from anxiety and from the extreme heat of the afternoon summer sun, I clear my throat awkwardly and look around.

So many eyes on me…it makes me feel uneasy.

"Just picture them all in underwear."

Is what Gaara told me a week ago when I announced I'd be making a speech.

Easier said that done! I mean, what color and pattern do I choose…most of all what kind of underwear do women even wear?!

Inwardly groaning, I realize that my thoughts have gotten the best of me and these people have probably been waiting for me to speak up.

Someone in the crowd clears their throat loudly.

"Get on with it already!" A voice from the crowd screams out, and the familiarity of the voice causes my head to move towards the direction.

My right eye twitches as my eyes land upon his devilish smirk and quirked brow.

Curse you Gaara.

"Welcome, all of you…ehrm…"

I begin but choke up when I realize I don't even remember what I'm supposed to be saying.

The sweat trickles down my forehead, and I feel my heart pulsing a mile a minute in my chest.

Faint slowly creeps in and I begin swaying left to right.

Is it the heat?

The anxiety?

The fact that I still can't figure out what kind of underwear women wear?

I never find out, because seconds later black dots litter my vision,

And I'm out cold.

xXx

"It was most likely the heat, it is very warm out today." A soft voice says, and from the sound of it, it must be a woman.

"Or he was nervous, I don't even think he had a speech prepared." Another voice says sighing, and I recognize it to be my mother's.

Groaning as my eyes flutter open, I realize that I'm in a vibrant red tent. I'm lying on a white linen makeshift hospital bed, and there is a cold towel resting on my feverish forehead.

"Morning sunshine." Another voice says beside me sarcastically, and I turn my head to look into bright green eyes.

I gulp.

"What happened?" I ask groggily, rubbing my eyes as I sit up.

The nurse comes over and takes the wet towel, squeezing it out and pouring more cold water on it before handing it back to me. I thank her politely and place it back on my forehead.

"Besides the fact that you passed out on stage? Well the walk started." Sakura says, folding one leg over the other and bouncing it.

"I really did pass out, dang it." I mutter under my breath.

"How are you feeling, son?" My dad asks, coming over and patting my shoulder.

"I'm fine, you and mom should go start walking I'll catch up with you later." I say, giving them both a reassuring smile.

They look from me to Sakura and my father gives me a sly grin, before exiting.

My mother whispers something to my dad before exiting, and he turns a shade of red before pulling her out of there.

I don't even want to know what my mom said to make my dad react like that.

Turning my attention away from the exit of the tent, I look back at Sakura.

"So, what happened to my overly confident blonde up there?" Sakura teases, a devilish grin, which is way to similar to Gaara's and literally scares the living crap out of me, forming on her lips.

I sheepishly grin and rub the back of my neck.

"I-It was the heat." I lie lamely, feeling red dust my whiskered cheeks.

Sakura sees right through my pitiful attempt at an excuse and rolls her eyes.

"Suuuuuuure." She stretches out the word, standing up and stalking over to me.

"Should we get going?" I ask, placing the cold towel beside me and grabbing the bag on the floor. I put it on like a backpack and look up to see Sakura hovering over me with a suggestive look on her face.

"W-What?" I stutter, unable to read the look on her face.

"We have five minutes before the nurse comes back." She says, leaning in closer.

And then I begin reading her vibes.

Oh, so that's what she wants.

"If we get caught-"

"Yeah, yeah it's my fault." The pinkette finishes, taking me by my shoulders and pinning me down on the bed.

Her nose touching mine, and her rosy locks tickling my cheeks.

"I love you." I breathe out, and don't even let her answer.

I pull her down aggressively so that our lips crash. Her lips are so soft and plump against mine, the scent of vanilla filling my nostrils. I slide my tongue against her lips, asking for entrance. She parts her lips, allowing for my wet tongue to venture in her mouth.

A small moan escapes her lips as my hand ventures up her creamy thigh. Her fingers run wildly through my blonde locks, tugging at them playfully.

Her body is up against mine, as we lay on the bed, so tangled up in our heated kiss to listen to the rapid footsteps approaching the tent, and the flap to the entrance of the tent being opened.

"EEP!"

Reacting immediately to the voice, Sakura pounces off of me as if I'm poisonous. She smooths out her short flower printed shorts, whereas I roll off of the bed and hit my head on the ground.

"Owww." I complain, sitting up and rubbing my head.

The young nurse; who is now flushed in red with her mouth hung open, looks from Sakura and to me.

"Y-You can go walk now N-Naruto." She squeaks quietly, and before either of us have time to somehow manage a lame excuse that Sakura fell on me or something, she rushes out of the tent and we I doubt she's coming back.

Sakura sighs, running a hand down her face.

"We totally scarred that poor girl to death." Sakura complains, coming over and sticking a hand out.

"Come on let's go before someone questions us."

I notice that Sakura's cheeks are dusted in pink, and she averts my eyes.

I grip her hand and she pulls me onto my feet.

"Awh come on Sakura-chan don't be embarrassed, it was your idea anyways." I snicker, rushing past her and flinging the flap of the tent open, letting the warm air fly through my golden locks.

"Hurry up, it's not like this is the first time we got caught!" I wink, and she rolls her eyes as her cheeks flare up.

Laughing, I run out of the tent.

"Shut up you idiot! Get back here!" She says flustered completely, as she chases after me, and I can't help but continue laughing.

The nurses look at us as if we're insane.

And yeah, we probably are.

But, who cares?

xXx

"Well, it took you two long enough!" Matsuri complains, throwing her hands up in the air. Gaara only rolls his eyes beside her.

"They were probably getting it on in the tent." He smirks as my face turns red and so does Sakura's.

A vein pops above Matsuri's brow.

Sakura clears her throat.

"Come on, let's walk."

Matsuri, her fist inches from Gaara's cheek, halts in her actions and smiles happily.

"Yes, let's get going!" She replies cheerfully, grabbing Sakura's hand and walking on ahead. They engage in a full on conversation in seconds, leaving Gaara and I staring with wide eyes.

"I swear she's bipolar." Gaara sighs, and begins walking.

I laugh, falling into step with him.

I must admit, Matsuri is almost as scary as Sakura when she wants to be.

"So, how have you been?" Gaara asks, shoving his hands in the pockets of his sweats.

I shrug.

"Feeling a lot better, you know I finally feel like my life is falling into place. A good place." I admit, a warm smile forming on my face. Gaara smiles as well.

"I'm glad." He responds, and begins kicking a pebble along.

"How have you and Matsuri been?" I decide to ask, a sly smile forming on my lips as Gaara's cheeks flush red.

"Annoying." He responds, scratching his cheek to try and hide the blush.

I laugh.

"If you're trying to hide that blush, try a little harder you're so pale I'm pretty sure I could see it from a mile." I tease, and Gaara curse under his breath waving me off with his right hand.

I only laugh harder before looking down at the ground and letting poor Gaara regain his cool.

After a few minutes he speaks up again.

"So, did you ever find out who your perfect match was?" Gaara asks, looking over at me with a cocked brow.

I nod, and stare at my shoes.

"It was Sakura...I already thanked her about it. She's really amazing, she literally saved my life." I admit, looking back over at Gaara with a toothy grin.

"And I love her, the woman I love saved my life. Am I lucky or what?"

Gaara chuckles.

"I mean I might be luckier..." He begins, and I kick a pebble in his direction, distracting his goldfish like mind. He entertains himself by kicking it and forgetting our previous conversation.

I will not argue with him that I'm the luckiest man alive, well not today.

A comfortable silence settles in between us as we walk through the trail. The dirt path is littered with beautiful wild flowers, tall trees that hide the sun allowing for chilling air under the shade, and small animals run around rustling the leaves.

And I appreciate every moment of it.

To be here, with my friends, my family, even just to be here alive. I would have never imagined over half a year ago, lying on that hospital bed and having machines keep me alive, that I'd be walking through nature with some kind of a psychopath, a girlfriend, and the nurse who took care of the psychopath.

It's weird how life works.

But, I wouldn't change any of it for the world.

"What are you whistling so happily about?" Sakura asks, bumping me in the shoulder.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I tilt my head her way and intertwine my fingers with hers.

"Life and stuff." I reply simply, earning a playful smack on the shoulder.

"And stuff he says." She replies teasingly, leaning against my arm.

Kissing the top of her head, I look over at Gaara who is bickering with Matsuri before silencing her as he pokes her head and forces her to lean on him. She squirms slightly but then sighs in defeat as she snuggles into him.

A satisfying smile spreads across the redhead's lips.

They're an odd couple, but to me they're sweet.

And I know just how much Gaara cares about her that he would do almost anything for her.

We all continue our walk, the four of us chatting happily and even passing some of my classmates.

Turns out Hinata got with Kiba and they've been a couple for a few months now. To be honest, I haven't seen Kiba this happy in all my life. He's constantly smiling when she's mentioned and when we hang out he won't stop talking about her.

Sakura even agreed to a double date, well without me approving that if Hinata makes a move she can unleash her girlfriend moves (whatever that means) on her, and during the whole date the two of them wouldn't stop being all lovey dovey and googily eyed over each other. Kiba treats her like a princess, and I felt happy for the both of them.

Although, after the date Sakura expected me to massage her feet and do her grocery shopping or whatever since she was my princess…not going to lie I kind of regretted going to that double date for a week straight.

Sasuke is trying to get over his drug abuse with the help of his mother. Turns out she dropped everything the minute she heard he was having a difficult time coping with the divorce. He told me they talked everything out and she was more than happy to help him through it.

He never spoke about his father, I never asked.

So, in all, things are going well and not just for me, for everyone.

Without realizing it, the little finish line is slowly approaching.

"Looks like we're almost at the end." Sakura says happily, beaming up at me.

I nod, mirroring her smile.

"Yeah, come on let's go!" I tug her hand and we both run towards the finish line.

I see my parents as I approach, smiling as I rush past them with Sakura who is yelling to slow down and then jumps on my back when I don't.

Almost falling over, I stumble and continue running.

She laughs, the wind dancing through her pink locks.

"Gaara come on let's do that too it looks fun!" I hear Matsuri yelling from behind us.

"I am not carrying you woman!" Gaara argues, huffing and folding his arms over his chest as Matsuri tugs on his arm.

"You're soooooo lame." She announces, jumping on his back even though he refused to carry her.

And they fall on the ground, a tangled mess.

Matsuri cracks up, clutching her sides as the laughter escapes her lips.

Gaara turns redder than his hair.

"We're almost there Naruto!" Sakura shouts, pumping her fists in the air as she sways her feet in the air.

I laugh and a bright grin spreads across my lips.

The dirt line marking the end is only a few steps away.

It marks that I survived, that I found love, friends, that I conquered death.

And so, with my lover on my back, my friends behind me, and my parents on the sidelines cheering me on, my foot crosses the line and I can happily say,

"That walk definitely gave me cancer." A redhead complains just as I'm about to open my mouth, crossing the line as well with Matsuri hanging like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder.

I stop running, coming to a complete halt and just stare wide-eyed at Gaara.

"GAARA WE CROSS THE LINE AND THAT'S WHAT YOU SAY?!" Matsuri screeches, pounding her fists on his back and flailing her legs up and down.

"AND PUT ME DOWN, I SAID PIGGY BACK RIDE NOT THIS!"

Gaara rolls his eyes.

"Would you quit complaining?" He sighs; shooting a devilish smirk at me before walking through the large crowd of people who send confused glares his way and move to let him pass.

What just happened?

Sakura sighs.

"He always knows how to ruin a perfect moment doesn't he?"

I nod, shaking my head in disbelief.

"Seriously, that guy." I agree with her, and let her hop off of my back.

We share a look before bursting out in laughter.

People give us odd looks before returning back to what they were doing.

Yeah, we definitely are an insane bunch.

But, like I said, I wouldn't change it for anything.

Well maybe…

I look over at Sakura, who's smile causes my heart to beat rapidly in my chest.

Nope, nothing.

~The End~

AN: Ahhhhhh Yes you guys this is the very last chapter of "Perfect Match!" I hope you guys all did enjoy it, I really liked writing this chapter...like always I feel like it's not that good, but you know what I worked two weeks on it and coming up with a decent ending so I'm satisfied with it.

I want to thank absolutely EVERYBODY (YES YOU YUP YOU!) for the huge amount of support on my very first fanfiction. I had so much fun exploring the writing world with this fic, and I would do it all over again if I could! Even though I believe this fic isn't even good...I got so much support I can't believe it.

So a huge thank you to everyone for reviewing, folllowing, faving, and reading! I LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH. *HUGS*

Until next time, toodles~