Going on a trip! Rookie 9 together again!

Chapter 2: Meanwhile…

(Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura)

"Ano sa, Sakura-Chan!" shouted Naruto. "What's taking Kakashi-sensei so long!??? All he has to do is report our mission to Tsunade no-baa-Chan and he can treat us all to ramen!" he exclaimed.

"How should I know!??" replied Sakura. She was obviously irritated because of a certain blonde nin.

"You're the smart one…"

"Shut up, both of you", growled Sasuke. Both laughed nervously while scratching their cheek from embarrassment.

Sasuke sighed. He thought that his teammates would act maturely after he left.

"I mean, they're almost 18 for the 1st Hokage's sake" thought Sasuke. But that doesn't mean that he wanted for them to actually change…

Apparently, after he had killed Itachi, Sasuke longed to come back to Konoha. It was too… lonely for him. Not that he'd say it out loud, but he missed Konoha, his home. Before he did, Orochimaru tried to possess his body, but to no prevail as Naruto just suddenly fell from the roof accidentally. Thank Kami for the gift from above…literally.

It was like a team 7 reunion, with Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and of course, Kakashi…Hell, he practically made team 7. Without him, they might be stuck being called Team Gai or something…while wearing spandex.

With the aid of team 8, Sai, and Yamato, they were able to defeat both Kabuto and the snake sannin and his subordinates. Jiraiya came in time, as they needed some back up. After all the crying and fighting they went through, the leaf nins went back to their home, with everyone waiting for them, including the Hokage herself.

Not longer than 2 months, Akatsuki declared war against the Leaf. They needed help now, so they asked the Kazekage personally. Gaara agreed to aid the leaf. It was then that they found out about the Kyuubi within Naruto. Everyone was apologizing to Naruto, but that he angered him even more.

"I don't need your pity! It's fine!! Okay!?? So don't start saying those words to me!! I don't need them!!"

Yup, our protagonist said that to everyone right after Akatsuki left to prepare. But when the real war came in, no one even thought of the words he had said. Everyone was practically busy, even Sasuke as he was now free. Then Kyuubi came in the picture again. After they defeated the 'leader', Kyuubi's seal began to crack up again. It wasn't that bad, but three tails began to show itself again and Naruto's whiskers became deeper. His eyes were now red and dripping with hatred and malice.

Naruto wasn't able to recognize the difference of ally from foe anymore. He even wounded Hinata in the process, but not intentionally, by his wavering tail. Then Naruto saw the tears coming from her eyes and the blood that trickled from her cheek as she gripped on his arm, trying to hold him back. It looked so similar to Sakura's, how she looks at Sasuke with care.

Then he changed back.

No one knew how, but he did. Maybe it was because it felt nice to have a friend who accepted him right after knowing the truth.

Naruto's whiskers turned back to normal again and his eyes changed from red to blue again. He hugged the girl apologizing, and looked into her eyes in search for anger. But he did not find it. Instead, he saw acceptance from Hinata, just by looking at her. Hinata wasn't crying anymore, she was confident with every word she was saying. Her voice rang through the battle field, some even cried. No one knew she can speak that much.

"We all accept you, Naruto-kun… Nobody hates you. Everyone here respects and loves you, so please try to trust us…Even m-me, Naruto-kun… Please…?"

The kunoichi smiled and soon tears were coming from Naruto's eyes. He cried as he hugged her. Soon enough, Sakura joined in. Sasuke punched Naruto lightly on the shoulders instead. Then the rest came, from Kakashi to Tsunade and Kurenai, even Konohamaru's corp, to the rest of them.

But as soon as the 'happy moment' finished, everyone was hurting and aching all over. The medics were working overtime now, which included Sakura.

Sasuke stopped reminiscing about the previous war as he thought of his teammate.

"Sakura…" He thought. "Sakura's been avoiding us…"

"Eh, you're no fun at all, Teme!!!!" Naruto practically yelled at Sasuke's face. "Really, what have you been doing these past years!??"

Sasuke let out a small growl.

"I'm gonna look for him!" shouted Naruto.

"That won't be necessary." a voice said above them. That person was standing on a pole.

"Hn, finally..."

"Kakashi-sensei!" both Sakura and Naruto shouted. "Why the hell are you late AGAIN!??"

Sasuke said, "It isn't even morning and you're still late… pathetic..." he leaned on the ledge of the usual red bridge.

"Now, now" Kakashi laughed nervously. "I had to help out–''

"LIAR!!!"

"You didn't even let him explain…" thought Sasuke. "Of course, it might be something stupid again…"

"Anyway, said Kakashi. "The Hokage told me to tell you that she's sending team Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma and Gai-"

"EEP!!!!"

"For a special vacation."

There was a 'Hn', an 'aww! No missions!' and a simple 'hell yeah!'.

Team 7 was indeed a unique team.

"However," the jounin continued lazily, "we will be accompanying you too."

"There's gonna be a 'NANI!' I just know it…", both Sasuke and Sakura thought to themselves. Sakura was cracking her knuckles, making sure that she can hit Naruto properly later on.

"NANI!??" cried Naruto.

"Knew it…" They thought again.

"Oh come on now." Kakashi made a faked, hurt face. "We deserve it too, you know."

"Is Tsunade-shishou coming? How about Shizune-san?" asked the excited Sakura. She was practically jumping.

"Don't know."

The last Uchiha sighed "So, what do we bring?" he asked.

"A swimsuit, clothes you know, the ones you usually bring on vacation." answered Kakashi. "Oh, and you'll be sitting in groups, so that it's not going to take up a lot of space."

He watched them think, Sakura jumping, Naruto with his head tilted on the left, and Sasuke…just watching hime back. "Well, I h-have to go now, I guess. Be here before 11 in the morning. Ja!" With a loud 'poof!' he disappeared.

"I'm going home." the usual hyperactive boy sulked. "He didn't even treat us to ramen…"

"Alright…" yawned Sakura. It's already 6:00 in the evening.

"Hn..."

As they separated for their own ways, Sasuke and Sakura were left alone for they walked the same path. Sasuke suddenly had an urge to talk as Sakura hummed to herself.

"Sakura." Oh how he says her name make her feel like child so loved…Sakura shook her head. I'm putting my hopes too high…

"Yeah, Sasuke-kun?"

Two silent minutes passed.

"What the hell is he doing!?? Is he trying to waste our time??? That ass!!!!!! SHANNARO!!!" shouted Inner Sakura. The 'outer Sakura' just shrugged. "I'm not so sure myself…"

"A-Are you alright?" Damn, I'm talking like the Hyuuga girl… "You're acting unusual…"

A blush coated her pale skin as she stifled a laugh. "Why, Sasuke-kun? Where you worried about me?" she asked mischievously. Sasuke stiffened but relaxed. "You've been hanging around with Naruto too long, Sasuke-kun!"

"Ah." He said, a hint of pink slowly creeping on his pale cheek. "Same goes for you, Sakura."

Sakura pouted prettily. "At least I'm not slacking off!!" she huffed.

"So now I'm slacking off? What is it then?"

"Well… It's nothing, really!!!!" she frantically said. The blush on her cheek seemed to have crept down to her neck.

"Why?" he said again, his patience growing thinner and thinner.

"Because I …uhm… I-I just had my time of the month?" Sakura whispered, more to herself. Sasuke looked doubt founded.

"Right…"

To be continued…

WS: Chapter 2, Done! YES!!!!!!

Naruto: Hey, what happened to the teme!??

WS: Who knows? Maybe he died!!!! 0.0

Sasuke comes back and grabs Naruto.

Sasuke: YOU…TRICKED…ME. Damn it, usuratonkachi!!!!!

Naruto: Ehehehe…

Sasuke lets go of Naruto.

Sakura comes back. At least she's calm.

Sakura: Daijobu, Sasuke-kun?

WS: What happened to him?

Sakura: Ino-buta said that he fell out the window and got chased by his fan girls…. How come?

WS: Wouldn't you like to know, Sakura-Chan… MWAHAHAHAHA! (Evil grin)

Sasuke: Shut up!

Naruto: Oh look! Sasuke-teme's blushing! AHAHAHA!

Sasuke: I AM NOT! (knocks Naruto out)

WS: (Pokes Naruto with a stick.) Is he alive?

Sakura and Sasuke: May your soul rest in peace. (Bows)

WS: That's a little bit too much. (Still poking 'the dead' Naruto.) HEY! This is soooooo fun! (Having fun poking Naruto)

Naruto: (gets the stick) STOP IT! I'M ALIVE!

Sasuke: It was fun while it lasted…damn…

Sakura: Reviews please!