Disclaimer: As you probably all know, I do not own Naruto.

I’m so proud of myself for finally posting this, it took me days to finish the first chapter! Yeah, I was writing this for you guys, while I should’ve been studying for my finals. Tsk, tsk. Bad me. Mwa, I can’t say I screwed up my finals – except for Math – ugh.

Normally I only read and review stories on but I thought: ‘’ Hey, why the hell not? Let’s write the damn story!’’. The idea has been in my mind, like, forever! There are not that many Sakura x Deidara fics out there and seeing I love that pairing, well, here’s your Sakura x Deidara-story.

Please note: Updates will be irregular due my busy schedule. English is not my first language, it’s Dutch and the grammar will stink.

Summary: Deidara knows how to conquer his new ‘apple of the eye’, it just takes time.

Pairings: Sakura x Deidara – Sakura x Sasuke – Sakura x Naruto.

Rating: T – will chance to M in later chapters.

- -

Let’s Love by Sinister Voices

- -

Chapter one – Iwa, 35 miles.

Godaime Hogake

Konohakagure

Dear colleague,

I, the Tsuchikage, have taken note that the bond between Iwa and Konoha is weary. It has been like that ever since the wars ended.

We, the villagers of Iwa, are inviting you, the fifth Hokage, to our village for a small feast. With this feast we want to show you that Iwakagure has respect for the mighty country of Fire, Konoha in it’s particular.

You are allowed to take escorts, seeing the road to Iwa is long. However, we do not take responsibility for your safety, meaning the organisation Akatsuki. Choose your escorts wisely.

The feast will be held next Friday, you will have plenty of time to travel to Iwa and rest after the long journey, before the feast starts.

I hope to be hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Tsuchikage

Iwakagure

Jiraiya handed the letter back to Tsunade. A rather strange expression marked his face. Tsunade frowned. ‘’ Well, Jiraiya?’’

The male Sannin sighed. ‘’ Tch, I don’t know what to think of this, Tsunade. After all these years that man decides to strengthen his alliance with Konoha. It’s rather strange, don’t you think? Especially now Akatsuki is on the move.’’

Tsunade smiled. ‘’ Why, I think it’s a splendid time to strengthen our bonds with our allies. After all, if your sources are right, the Akatsuki now owns six of the nine tailed beasts. They could start a war anytime soon.’’

‘’ They won’t start a war until they have Naruto. And seeing they’re focussing on the other tailed beasts first, we’ve got plenty of time.’’, Jiraiya stated.

Tsunade leaned back in her chair. ‘’ Still, I would insult Iwa’s kage if I decline his invitation.’’

‘’ Fine, fine. It’s your decision after all. I don’t understand why you asked for my advice anyway if you were planning to go no matter what.’’, Jiraiya muttered.

The Hokage smirked. ‘’ Well, let’s take a look then. Who will be my escorts?’’

Meanwhile, at Konoha’s training grounds.

‘’ Well, Naruto? Are you going to sign up for the next chuunin exam?’’, Sakura asked. She was currently watching Naruto improving his Rasengan. He cursed loud, when the jutsu missed it’s target.

‘’ Kuso – missed it again!’’ He walked over to Sakura and flopped down next to her, he let out an annoyed sigh. ‘’ I don’t know… Have to find me a two-man team first.’’

Sakura nodded. ‘’ Have you already asked Morino-san about possible teams?’’

‘’ Ah… he said he was going to check it for me. But that was three damn weeks ago!’’, Naruto groaned.

The kunoichi chuckled. ‘’ Well, if you’re going to enter the exam with that kind of concentration – don’t count on becoming chuunin, I’m sorry I had to say that, Naruto.’’

‘’ But you are right. My concentration sucks! All I can think of is Orochimaru and Sasuke… and Akatsuki of course. How long will it take them before they go after me?’’, Naruto sighed.

Sakura gave him a confident smile. ‘’ Daijoubu, Naruto. Remember, we’re a team. There’s no way I’m letting Akatsuki take you! And don’t worry about Sasuke, I’m sure we’ll find him soon enough.’’

Naruto gave her a stern look. ‘’ Yeah, Sakura-chan… that’s what I still wanted to talk to you about. Back with Gaara’s abduction, when you took on Sasori – damn – I was worried sick! If that Deidara person wouldn’t have taken off with Gaara, we would’ve fought Sasori together, believe it!’’

‘’ What are you trying to say…’’, Sakura whispered.

Naruto closed his eyes. ‘’ Next time, when we confront Akatsuki and things are bad – with bad I mean that we’re cornered – you will leave.’’

His friend gasped. ‘’ What!? Are you kidding me? Naruto, we’re a team! I would never leave without you! You’re my best friend… more than that! ‘’

Naruto’s eyes went wide. ‘’…More than best friends…’’

‘’ Promise me, Naruto!’’, Sakura continued. ‘’ Promise you will never make me leave…’’

The genin bit his lip, refusing to comply to her request.

‘’ Promise!’’, Sakura nearly yelled, she was near tears now. Her red cheeks showed she was angry, angry about his words. ‘’ Naruto, please…’’

Naruto sighed. ‘’…Alright then…’’

‘’ Say it!’’

‘’ I promise I will never make you leave me…’’

Sakura smiled. ‘’ Naruto… thank you…’’

‘’ Believe it.’’

Ichiraku’s Ramen – today seconds are free!

Naruto nearly drooled, as he noticed the sign. He stood in front of the board, a grin plastered on his face. Sakura stopped in her tracks and gave an impatient sigh. ‘’ Let me guess, it’s on you?’’

‘’ It sure is, c’mon, Sakura-chan!’’, Naruto said, as he dragged her inside. ‘’ You know, I’m not even that hungry, so seconds?’’, Sakura muttered.

Naruto smirked. ‘’ Don’t worry, I’ll have yours then!’’

They both sat down on a bar stool and waited for Ichiraku to take their orders. ‘’ Hey, Naruto. It’s been… three days, what kept you away?’’, Ichiraku asked.

‘’ Training.’’, Naruto said. ‘’ Much training.’’

Ichiraku laughed. ‘’ Yeah, the chuunin exam is coming up, right?’’

Naruto nodded. ‘’ Yeah, but it’s not for the exam, I mean I know I’m ready for it, having experienced it before. I train to become Hokage, remember?’’

The old man laughed, as he served the ramen. ‘’ Yes, yes. Continue training then! Time won’t take a break because you want to become Hokage and I don’t have that much time either, haha.’’

‘’ Eeeeh? What do you mean by that!?”

Sakura laughed. ‘’ C’mon, Naruto. You know he’s joking, eat already.’’

Naruto grumbled, while grabbing his chopsticks. ‘’ But I will complete that jutsu, Sakura-chan, believe it.’’

‘’ Naruto… didn’t we already discuss that? Tsunade-shishou said ‘no’.’’, Sakura told him, sternly.

‘’ I know, I know! But admit it! Without that jutsu, we would’ve never been able to defeat Kakazu. It’s a master move!’’, Naruto argued.

‘’ It’s a kin-jutsu, get over it. You’ll find different ways to get equal to Sasuke-kun.’’, Sakura said, wisely.

Naruto gaped at her. How did she… I never said… darn! ‘’ N-nani? I didn’t create that jutsu to be equal with Sasuke! Ha, he should come up with a new jutsu to equal me!’’

With those words, Sakura started to laugh, hard. ‘’ What are you laughing at, Sakura-chan? Don’t you think I’m better than Sasuke, hm?’’, Naruto asked.

Sakura held her sides. ‘’ That’s not – haha – it! – haha – The way you reacted – haha – it was just too funny!’’ She continued laughing. Naruto couldn’t help but smirk either.

‘’ Hm, I suppose I sounded kind of stupid. But can you blame me? Heh, it’s me, Naruto!’’

Sakura stopped laughing, she gave him a warm smile. He really has grown up, finally realizing he’s stupid. But he is a nice baka, a really nice baka.

The two shinobi decided not to let their ramen turn cold and started to eat. Sakura was only halfway, when Naruto begged Ichiraku for a second bowl. It was free after all.

‘’ Ah, here you two are, Naruto-kun, Sakura-san.’’, a monotone voice came.

With his mouth full of ramen, Naruto gazed over his shoulder, facing a smiling Sai. ‘’ Swai? What’re you dwoing hwere?’’

Sakura whacked him. ‘’ Don’t talk with your mouth full, baka-Naruto!’’

‘’ Tsunade-sama has requested us to come to her office. She said it was rather important.’’, Sai said.

Naruto swallowed his ramen. Sakura pushed her bowl away. ‘’ Mission!’’, they shouted in unison.

Before Ichiraku could ask where they were going, Naruto had already pushed the money in the old man’s hands and ran after Sakura and Sai, destination: Godaime Hokage’s office.

‘’ Those kids…’’, Ichiraku muttered.

Tsunade smiled to the four shinobi in front of her. “ It’s good to have you here, I suppose you already know what this is about?’’

‘’ A mission?’’, Naruto asked, hopefully.

Tsunade chuckled. ‘’ Not just a mission, but A-mission, you get it?’’

Sakura gasped. ‘’ An A-rank mission? How come…’’

The Hokage rose from her chair, placing her hands on her desk. ‘’ Iwa’s Tsuchikage has invited me to his village for a little feast. This is due to the strengthening of our alliance. Normally I would’ve gone there with just Shizune, but the kage advised me to bring escorts.’’

Captain Yamato nodded. ‘’ So we are to guide you to the Hidden Rock Village?’’

‘’ That is correct. Are there any questions?’’

Sakura raised her hand. ‘’ When does this take place?’’

‘’ The feast will be held next Friday, so we have four days to get there. I already sent word to the Tsuchikage that we’re coming. I’m expecting you at the gate, tomorrow morning, nine o’clock exactly. Any other questions?’’

The four shinobi shook their heads.

‘’ Then you are dismissed.’’

‘’ Pff, an A-rank mission. That’s jounin level.’’, Sakura stated. Team Yamato had just left the building, all the members had decided to go home and get some serious sleep.

Yamato smiled at her. ‘’ Seems that Tsunade-sama has high expectations of us.’’

Naruto yawned, he was dead tired of his training, he could almost feel his soft pillow underneath his head. ‘’ We’ve never been to Iwakagure however, at least Sakura-chan and I haven’t. How about you two?’’

Sai shrugged. ‘’ I might’ve been there for a day or so with my old ANBU squad. Can’t remember it, though.’’

‘’ I visited that place a few times in my chuunin days, but that was long ago. I think it’s has changed a lot in the past years, we’ll see when we get there. It’s quite a beautiful city.’’

‘’ Hey, Iwa’s in Earth. So will it be, like, twenty degrees below zero?’’, Naruto asked.

Yamato shook his head. ‘’ It’s not really that cold in Earth, but when you travel over the mountains it is. Be sure to bring warm clothes.’’

Sakura and Naruto stopped in their tracks. ‘’ Wait.’’, Sakura started. ‘’ What do you mean ‘when you travel over the mountains’?’’

‘’ How else do you expect to get to Iwa in four days? If we take the route via Wind – I’m guessing it would take us at least a week.’’

‘’ Oh, great.’’, Sakura and Naruto muttered in unison. Mountains meant cold, cold meant snow, snow meant a troublesome journey.

‘’ Well, this is my halt. See you kids tomorrow, remember to bring the warm clothes!’’, Yamato said, before he turned right into an alley.

Sai nodded. ‘’ Yep, I’m going that way, too. Bye, Naruto-kun, Sakura-san.’’ He followed their captain into the alley.

Naruto groaned. ‘’ How can they stay so cool about the whole mountain-hike-thing? That totally screwed up the entire mission.’’

Sakura nodded. ‘’ It’s going to be a pain in the ass, yes. But it’s a real mission, so we’ve got no other choice. Besides, it will really help the village, if that feast really will strengthen our alliance with Iwa.’’

They got to the point, where they had to split up. ‘’ I’ll see you tomorrow then, Naruto. Sleep well – oh, and thanks for the ramen by the way. Next time it’s one me!’’

Naruto smirked. ‘’ Hehe, no problem, Sakura-chan. I’ll be sure to order an extra large bowl the next time then.’’ He received a punch. ‘’ Kidding, kidding. Just kidding…’’

‘’ Goodnight, Naruto.’’

Naruto watched his team mate go the other way, he smiled. ‘’ Goodnight… Sakura-chan.’’

You’re my best friend… more than that!

The next morning, six o’clock to be exact, Sakura’s alarm made an abrupt end to her nice and warm slumber. She cursed the device, as she hit the snooze button. Throwing the covers of her, she got out of bed and dragged herself to the bathroom.

After taking a quick shower, she got dressed, tied her hitai-ate in her pink hair, had a light breakfast and brushed her teeth. She got back in her room and started to pack her bag.

Kunai, shuriken, first aid kit (you never know), underwear, her gloves, the warm clothes Yamato had informed her about and a few bottles of water. By the time she had finished packing, she noted it was already 8:45. Time to get going.

After saying goodbye to her mother and receiving many ‘be careful’-speeches, she closed the door behind her and got on her way.

When she reached the gate, she saw that captain Yamato, Sai and Naruto had already arrived. ‘’ Ohayou, Sakura-chan! Right on time, I can see Tsunade no baachan coming this way.’’

‘’ A little respect for the Hokage, Naruto.’’, Sakura scolded him.

Tsunade walked towards them, Shizune right by her side. ‘’ Hm, all on time. A good start! Well, if you’re all ready?’’

Yamato nodded. ‘’ Hai, Hokage-sama. We are ready to leave.’’

‘’ Let’s get going then.’’

As they passed the gate, Sakura’s eye fell on the signs. She sighed at the idea of the troublesome journey ahead of them.

Iwa, 35 miles.

That’s it for chapter one! Well? What do you guys think of it? Yeah, I’m asking for your reviews – don’t you guys let down on me. ;)

The ‘joke’ Tsunade made was a bit cheesy. – sigh – But for some reason I had to put it in. No, Deidara or any other Akatsuki in this chapter, maybe they’ll make a small appearance in the next chapter. I’ll try to finish their journey in the next chapter, seeing I don’t want to make it an eternal drag – Like in the anime for instance, it took the third about six goddamn episodes to seal Orochimaru’s arms…

So… I’m going to enjoy my weekend. Maybe I’ll have chapter two up by Sunday, maybe even earlier… Tomorrow? Who knows…

Review – review – review! That’s all I’m asking from you. And if you have any ideas, suggestions or requests for the story: just let me know.

Next time: Uzumaki ‘Snowman’ Naruto!

Ciao,

Sinister Voices