Ascendance of the Flash by Kamikaze132

Chapter 3

Naruto and Temari lay under their blanket, with the latter on her side and idly tracing circles on Naruto's chest. Naruto was just looking up to the ceiling, lost in the stars he had decorated on the ceiling. It was something that Temari had done for him. She said she found serenity looking at the stars in the night, and hoped they brought it to him too.

Naruto was moved by Temari's love for him.

When they came back from Naruto's test fight, they ate the dinner that Temari had her shadow clones prepare. He was impressed that she was able to manifest five shadow clones with ease, and much more when he tasted her food. He ate every dish with relish, like a man eating homecooked food after a long time, which he was.

After dinner, Naruto had tried out the jacuzzi of his own home for the first time. And it was a memorable experience, only made more enjoyable by Temari joining him inside. The hot water, with jasmine soap bubbles just worked wonders to relax his body.

As they were getting out of the bath, Naruto finally couldn't hold himself in check in anymore, which led them to the bedroom. They didn't go all the way though, since Temari regretfully informed him that she had to depart for Suna tomorrow, and as such needed her legs in working condition. Naruto would have been deeply upset by the news, if Temari hadn't shown how skilled she had become in using her mouth.

Currently, she just lay beside him, running circles with her fingers on his chest, marveling how hard his muscles had become. When Naruto had first taken off his clothes for their bath, Temari had frozen for several moments when she saw his spectacularly improved form, much to her embarrassment.

Of course, Naruto had no such shame in gawking at her body when she removed her bathrobe. Temari had filled out, in the ways only women could. She had gotten rid of almost all the baby fat she had, except for her face. It was narrower than before, but still held hints of baby fat. Her stomach had a, at least according to women standards, defined six pack. Her hips had become deliciously rounded, followed down by toned thighs. Last but not the least, her bust had wonderfully matured, becoming much more rounded with perky nipples.

She was even more beautiful without her clothes.

"You know, I never knew you had such an impressive growth curve, Temari," Naruto commented, never taking his eyes off the stars.

Temari gave a small smile at that. "Maybe that's because you've never actually seen it with your own eyes? I didn't have much problem when learning fuuton ninjutsu when growing up."

He finally turned his eyes to her, a fond look in his eyes. "That could be one of the reasons. From your words, it seems like we both have an instinctive grasp on learning. But I like to think that you're just that badass."

A haughty smirk was her response. "Damn straight."

But then the smirk faded and a melancholic look appeared in her eyes. "Naruto....."

Sensing that the conversation had turned emotional, Naruto shifted until he was face to face with Temari, his lips a hair's breadth from hers. "What is it, Temari?"

Temari gulped down her nervousness. Naruto's voice was a whisper that was only loud enough to be heard by her, and their lack of clothing wasn't helping her gather the seriousness needed for what she was about to tell him. Still, she took a deep breath and said, "Naruto.....while I was away training.....I had a disturbing realization."

Naruto frowned in concern. "Tell me about it."

Temari recounted all that her master had told her about Akatsuki's activity. "The S-rank mercenary group, Akatsuki....they're after you, aren't they?"