Chapter 81

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Camelot transformed into a kingdom of glowing lanterns and vibrant colors. The streets that had been bustling with daily activity were now alive with music, laughter, and magic.

Tonight wasn't just any night—it was a festival.

The Festival of Stars, as Merlin had called it, was a celebration of unity, love, and dreams for the future. It was an event held once every few years, where people gathered to release glowing lanterns into the sky, symbolizing their hopes and wishes.

Naruto had planned this evening for Sakura—a night for them to just be themselves without the weight of duty, war, or the past.

And as he stood at the entrance to the festival square, dressed in royal-styled attire provided by Camelot's tailors, he felt a strange sense of nervousness.

That was, until he saw her.

Sakura arrived, her beauty taking his breath away.

She wore a dress unlike anything he had ever seen her in before. It was a flowing, elegant crimson gown, embroidered with delicate golden patterns that shimmered in the festival lights. Her rosy pink hair was styled slightly different, braided at the sides while the rest cascaded down naturally.

Naruto gulped. "Wow."

Sakura smirked at his stunned reaction. "What? Never seen a girl in a dress before?"

He scratched the back of his head. "Not one that looks this good."

She blinked in surprise before rolling her eyes, though the slight blush on her cheeks betrayed her reaction. "Idiot."

Naruto grinned, offering his hand. "Shall we?"

Sakura hesitated for a second before sliding her fingers into his. "Let's go."

The festival was alive with colorful stalls, performers, and the warm scent of delicious food. Music from various instruments filled the air, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

Their first stop? The game booths.

They continued exploring, stopping to watch fire dancers and illusionists perform breathtaking displays of magic. One performer created floating constellations in the air, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Naruto and Sakura eventually found themselves at a food stall, where Naruto ordered a plate of grilled skewers, while Sakura opted for a sweet fruit pastry.

"You have food on your face." Naruto chuckled.

Sakura blinked. "Huh? Where?"

Before she could wipe it, Naruto leaned forward, swiping his thumb across her cheek. His touch was warm, lingering just a second too long.

Sakura stared at him, momentarily speechless. Then, with a playful smirk, she grabbed a piece of her pastry and stuffed it into his mouth.

"There. Now we're even."

Naruto choked slightly before bursting into laughter. "That was dirty!"

Sakura grinned. "Serves you right."

As the night deepened, a grand ballroom floor was set up in the central square, where couples and festival-goers began to dance beneath the floating lanterns.

Naruto and Sakura stood at the edge, watching as the crowd swayed in sync to the soft melody of violins and flutes.

Naruto scratched his cheek, looking slightly nervous. "Uh… I don't really know how to dance."

Sakura gave him a knowing smirk. "Then it's a good thing I do."

Before he could protest, she grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the dance floor.

"Just follow my lead."

Naruto hesitated, feeling awkward at first. But as Sakura guided him through the steps, his nerves melted away.

They moved in sync, twirling under the glow of the lanterns, their laughter mixing with the music.

At one point, Naruto spun Sakura, causing her dress to fan out beautifully. She laughed freely, and Naruto felt his heart skip a beat at the sight.

She looked happy.

And that made him happy.

As the music slowed, they came to a gentle stop, their hands still intertwined.

They stood close, breathing softly.

Sakura looked up at him, her emerald eyes shimmering. "You did good, idiot."

Naruto smiled. "Thanks for teaching me."

Neither of them let go.

The final part of the night was the lantern ceremony.

People gathered near the river, each holding a small floating lantern. The tradition was simple—write your wish, light the lantern, and send it into the sky.

Naruto and Sakura sat side by side near the water, their lanterns in hand.

"What are you wishing for?" Sakura asked.

Naruto thought for a moment before smiling softly. "A future where everyone's happy."

Sakura's heart warmed. "That sounds like you."

She hesitated before writing hers. Naruto tried to sneak a peek, but she smacked his hand away. "Hey, no cheating!"

He pouted. "Aw, come on. Just a little?"

She smirked. "Nope."

They both lit their lanterns, watching as they joined the hundreds floating into the sky. The view was breathtaking, a sea of golden lights illuminating the heavens.

Sakura, unable to help herself, whispered her true wish in her heart.

"I wish... for Naruto to always be happy."

Naruto turned to her, smiling as if he somehow knew.

And in that moment, beneath the glowing lanterns of Camelot, they felt at peace.

As the festival ended, Naruto and Sakura walked back through the now-quiet streets of Camelot. The magic of the night still lingered in the air, but neither spoke much.

They simply enjoyed the silence, the closeness.

As the night continued to settle around them, the warmth of the evening lingered, even as Camelot's streets grew quieter. Naruto and Sakura stood outside their guest quarters, the air still filled with the magical afterglow of the festival. The soft light from the lanterns that had floated into the sky seemed to surround them, a reminder of the beautiful moments they had shared together.

Naruto looked at Sakura, his heart still racing from their dance, the laughter, and the quiet moments they shared under the stars. She was standing a few steps away from him, her face soft, bathed in the last remnants of moonlight. There was something unspoken between them, a connection that had always been there but had deepened in ways neither of them had expected.

Sakura's gaze met his, her emerald eyes glowing with the same warmth that had made Naruto's chest tighten with affection. Her lips parted slightly, her breath slow, as if she were unsure of what to say or do next. But she didn't have to say anything—everything was clear between them.

Naruto felt the pulse of the moment in his veins. He had always been impulsive, but this felt different. His heart beat faster, urging him to do what felt right, what they both needed in that instant.

With a slow, deliberate step, he closed the distance between them, his eyes never leaving hers. There was a silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable—it was full of meaning. A shared understanding of what they were to each other, of the bond that had grown stronger and stronger over time.

Sakura's breath hitched when Naruto gently cupped her face with both hands, his thumb brushing her cheek tenderly. Her eyes fluttered closed for a second, as if savoring the moment, before she opened them again to look at him.

"Sakura," Naruto whispered, his voice low and full of emotion.

Without saying another word, Naruto leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was both gentle and deep, like a promise unspoken. It wasn't rushed, but it was full of emotion, every touch of his lips speaking the things that words couldn't quite capture.

Sakura responded immediately, her arms wrapping around his neck, pulling herself closer to him, as if anchoring them both to this moment in time. The kiss deepened, and everything else in the world seemed to disappear. There was no war, no duty, no past—just the two of them, together in the present.

It wasn't just a kiss; it was the culmination of all the feelings they had kept hidden for so long. The laughter, the tears, the shared struggles—it all came together in that moment. And when they finally pulled away, their foreheads pressed together, breathless and heartbeats racing.

Sakura smiled softly, her hands resting on his chest, feeling the rapid thrum of his heart. "Idiot," she whispered, her voice full of warmth.

Naruto chuckled, his hand gently brushing her hair out of her face. "I think I'm your idiot now."

She laughed, her eyes sparkling with the joy they had just shared. "Yeah, you definitely are."

But there was no teasing in her voice—just the quiet understanding that they had crossed into a new chapter of their relationship. One where the bond between them wasn't just about friendship, but something deeper, something more.

And as they stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace, the world outside seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them in a perfect, timeless moment.