Hi everyone! Before you start reading this next chapter, please note:
There is an important piece of information at the end of chapter four of this story that I edited. You may or may not notice it now but make sure you've read the last part of chapter four. Thank you!

Sorry for the slight delay, but I'm drowning in schoolwork. ;o;

Enjoy!

Sakura sighed, exasperatedly blowing a stray strand of pink hair out of her face.

"He's even late on our first date, figures." She mumbled when the subject of her aggravation finally arrived.

"You're late, Naruto." Sakura deadpanned once he was in earshot, glaring menacingly. He gave her a sheepish grin, and Sakura couldn't hold on to her annoyance any longer, especially after what he said next.

"I-I'm sorry, Sakura! I wanted to make you anko dumplings, but they ended up ruined, so I stopped by on the way to pick some up." He explained, grinning as he lifted the plastic bag dangling from his hand. Sakura smiled, surprised that he had actually cooked (well, tried to cook) for her.

"Alright, you're off the hook this time. Now let's dig in, I'm starving." She said, reaching into her picnic basket and handing him a bento and some chopsticks. He started chowing down immediately and obnoxiously. Typical Naruto, Sakura thought as she began eating her own.

"Dis is gweat, Sakuwa!" Naruto exclaimed, sending a few pieces of rice flying everywhere. Sakura's eye twitched involuntarily.

"I finally accept your date offer and you can't afford a few table manners? Chew, swallow, then talk, Naruto!" She said, shaking her head. She was surprised when he didn't answer. When she looked back up at him, he was quietly shoveling smaller amounts of food into his mouth at a time. Sakura giggled and he frowned slightly.

"What? Am I doing it wrong?" He asked after swallowing another mouthful. She smiled, letting out another light laugh as he smiled back. They ate in comfortable silence for a little while, and when the food was gone, Naruto turned to Sakura.

"Hey, Sakura?" He said, his tone more quiet and serious.

"Hm?" She asked, putting away the empty bento and leaning back against the tree behind her.

"Do you think Sasuke's doing okay?" He asked quietly, eyes glazed over and distant. Sakura blinked, surprised. Her gaze softened. Naruto…he's constantly worrying about everyone but himself, it seems.

"Well, of course. It'll take a while for him to fully warm up to the village and everyone again, especially with the ANBU trailing behind him everywhere he goes. He admitted he was wrong, and he knew coming back was never going to be easy. But I know he's here because he's willing to do it, and I also know he's content. I think everything is the way it should be. We finally brought him back. And Ren coming back has been good for his rehabilitation, too. It seems like our family just keeps growing, huh?" Sakura answered, throwing in the last part as an afterthought. When Naruto said nothing else, she gestured for him to sit next to her.

"Look, you can see the sunset perfectly from here." Naruto obliged, smiling when he caught sight of it. The red orange sun lay amidst the blue sky, which was now tinged with various shades of pink, purple, orange and red, casting a beautiful glow onto the lake in front of them. Sakura let out a breath of amazement.

"It's a shame that we're too caught up in life most of the time to enjoy a daily marvel like this. Man, I need a vacation."

As she spoke, Naruto turned his attention to her, the orange light from the sun seeming to make her light up. He was left breathless. He wondered if she realized how beautiful she was. Sakura, noticing his staring, turned to him and smiled. That's when he decided to wrap an arm around her waist, urging her closer. Sakura obliged, but laughed when she realized what he was trying to do.

"Ah, ah, ah, Naruto," she said, gently placing a hand on his jaw and moving his head so she could place a tender kiss on his cheek. She lingered there for a moment, enjoying the feel of his surprisingly soft and warm skin under her lips. She pulled away, sinking down so she could lay her head on his chest.

"You've gotta wait until the second date for a kiss." She said, giving up on trying to hide the warmth that found its way to her cheeks. She could feel the rumble in his chest as Naruto laughed, lighthearted and genuine.

"Aw, man." He feigned disappointment, keeping his hand wrapped protectively around her waist as a comfortable silence wrapped around them for a few moments.

"I'll always be here for you, Sakura." he said, the words seeming to form on his lips before he could stop them. Sakura's smile never left her lips, the euphoric feeling of belonging settling deep into her gut.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun."

We finally brought him back.

Sakura's words echoed in his head, and Naruto knew that the happiness that he felt could never be replaced.

Everything is the way it should be.

Because if only for this moment, Sakura's words rang true; everything was.

Neji sighed as he anxiously paced back and forth. Tenten had told him to let her deal with all the wedding arrangements, but he hated just sitting around doing nothing.

He finally sat down, cracking open a book to try to get his mind off of it, but after a few minutes he realized he wasn't actually reading, he was just aimlessly turning through the pages, barely skimming his eyes over the text.

"Hello, Neji!" a familiar, too cheerful voice came from his doorway. He put the book down to see Rock Lee smiling down at him.

"I have completed the mission successfully!" Neji cocked an eyebrow.

"It wasn't a mission, Lee, but that was fast. What did I send you to do again?" He asked, too caught up in sulking over his fiancé not letting him do anything to remember.

"Ren-san has been released from the hospital and is doing well. I am sure she has returned to her regularly youthful routine!" Lee exclaimed. Neji nodded. He had heard of Ren being admitted into the hospital a couple of weeks ago and wanted to make sure she was okay, but he didn't want Tenten to show up while he was out. That was when Lee showed up at his door and Neji took advantage of it to send him instead. Which was better; he did the job faster than Neji would have, what with Lee always trying to outdo himself.

"Thank you. I should probably give her a visit, then, to remind her about the wedding. Lee, stay here. If Tenten returns, tell her I'll be right back." Neji instructed, already slipping on his sandals.

"Yes, sir!"

Neji closed the door behind him without another word, happy to be able to take a leisurely stroll through the village. He didn't like staying in his apartment, not now that it was barren and dark compared to Tenten's bright one. Soon enough, it would be theirs, and he couldn't wait to move out. He passed by a familiar ramen shop and decided to peek in. Perhaps he could remind Naruto about the wedding too. He was pretty forgetful; Neji wouldn't be surprised if he had already forgotten. He was surprised when he saw Sai there, standing alone, talking to a giggling and blushing Ayame, a genuine-looking smile on his lips. He heard Sai bidding her goodbye, saying something about a mission, and was about to turn to leave, so Neji quickly retreated and continued his walk, deciding not to interrupt. He let out a quiet snort of amusement when he was a fair distance from the shop. Sai, of all people, was making moves on Ayame. He vaguely wondered how Teuchi would feel about that before shrugging the thought away.

His attention was pulled to various, bright-colored bouquets of flowers an old woman was selling. He could bring one for Ren as a get-well-soon gift, and bring one to Tenten. He nodded to himself and bought them before continuing to Ren's place. When he finally arrived, he knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked once again and got the same result.

"Hm. I wonder where she could be."

Ren sighed as she approached the entrance to the familiar place, unwanted memories filling her brain as she glanced around the familiar buildings. She shook her head, something she was doing a lot lately as she tried to get rid of the thoughts. She was here for one reason and then she'd leave. Sasuke had wanted to talk to her in private rather than out in the open, and Ren had agreed. The answers were so close she could almost taste them, and although nervousness stirred within her at the thought, she had to silence the why once and for all.

She made the familiar hand signs and found herself in a dark, spacious room. By the stone walls lined with unlit torches and the slight stuffiness, she assumed she was underground in a secret rendezvous spot of some sort. She turned, a sudden orange glow casting on the walls catching her attention. Sasuke stood there, torch in hand, emotionless features highlighted by the faint glow. He placed the torch on the wall and Ren walked over to him, putting her arms around his shoulders and hugging him. Sasuke tensed, surprised and not one for physical contact, but relaxed after a moment, putting his arms around her.

Ren somehow knew he needed a hug, and the fact that she knew him so well, even after all this time, certainly surprised him. They lingered there for a moment before Ren pulled away, and Sasuke was surprised to admit that he immediately missed her warmth. Not that he was going to tell her that, but it was exactly what he needed. Just having her here made things better, because she of all people truly understood.

She took a seat on the floor, preparing herself for what she was about to hear. She was getting drained just trying to come up with some kind of explanation in her mind. He gracefully sat down across from her, his expert façade still in place.

"Okay, Sasuke. Tell me."

There it is, I hope you all liked it. I enjoyed writing the NaruSaku fluff (first time shipping them) and giving some insight on Neji and the wedding. The next chapter will explain everything on Ren's clan, so be sure to stay tuned for that!

I've already started working on the next chapter and I think the story will be done within the next one or two chapters or so, yay! First finished story in a while; I'm excited! Thanks to whoever has been sticking with me, I love you guys!

Until next time,
-Anna