Disclaimer: I do not own the anime/manga, Naruto, or any of the following characters. (…I WISH!) I also do not own the song, Keep Holding On by Avril Lavigne.

Chapter Two

School soccer field

After school

You're not alone

Together we stand

I'll be by your side

You know I'll take your hand

When it gets cold

And it feels like the end

There's no place to go

You know I won't give in

No, I won't give in

Keep holding on

'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Just stay strong

'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you

There's nothing you can say (nothing you can say)

Nothing you can do (nothing you can do)

There's no other way when it comes to the truth

So, keep holding on

'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through. . .

The song sank in as I listened. Ino, Hinata, and I were all lying down on the soccer field, listening to Ino's mp3 player in which she put to full blast so that no one had to wear headphones and we could all listen. It was a routine we did after school sometimes, then, we just hung out. I closed my eyes.

So far away

I wish you were here

Before it's too late, this could all disappear

Before the doors close

And it comes to an end

With you by my side, I will fight and defend

I'll fight and defend

Yeah, yeah. . .

"What're you guys doing?" Naruto's voice suddenly called. My eyes fluttered open as we all sat up to see Naruto and Sasuke. I stood up and waved.

"Just lazing around," I replied as they headed our way. Hinata and Ino stood up too as she turned off her mp3. "What're you doing here?" I asked. Naruto bounced down a basketball I didn't notice he was holding before.

"We were going to play basketball. Some of the other guys are coming soon, too. Do you want to play?" Naruto grinned teasingly. The girls and I exchanged looks.

"Is Kiba-kun coming?" Hinata asked, blushing. Naruto grinned mischievously. He obviously knew that they were going out.

"Definitely," Naruto replied. I grinned at him and then turned to Sasuke who had his hands jammed in his pockets and was looking away. I turned back to Naruto.

"Alright, we'll play," I said.

"We will?" Ino asked, disgusted.

"Why not?" I said.

"Okay," Hinata agreed.

"Eh, alright," Ino finally agreed.

"How are we going to divide teams?" Sasuke spoke for the first time. There was a moment of silence.

"Okay, who wants to be team captain, raise your hands," Naruto said as he raised his own hand up. Ino raised her hand too. "I guess we'll pick teammates." Soon, Shikamaru, Kiba, Shino, and Chouji came and they selected teams. Naruto and Ino did rock, paper, scissors to see who will choose teammates first and Ino won. She picked me first. I trotted after her as Naruto picked Sasuke. It soon came down to Naruto, Sasuke, Shino, Chouji against Ino, me, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Kiba. We started playing at the small basketball courtyard on the soccer field and kept laughing and joking. It wasn't a serious game, but it was nice and funny. Finally, Naruto's team won, according to him. But, I argued that we got a point just a second ago, and Naruto said that none of their team saw it. We bickered for a bit, until Ino broke up the fight and said, "It's not a serious game! Jeez." Naruto and I glared at each other one last time and then we sat down. Kiba laughed.

"Naruto, you and Sakura will make a cute couple," Kiba teased. I stiffened as I felt myself blush furiously.

"W-what?! Gah, Kiba, you idiot!" Naruto cried as he nudged Kiba hard. Kiba fell over but caught his balance and laughed. I looked away and ignored them but I couldn't keep myself calmed down and my heart thumped wildly. Soon, the awkward tension cleared and Naruto and I started talking again. We bickered a few more times and I kicked him sometimes too, but in the end, we started laughing. Soon, everyone was talking to each other. Even Sasuke. And I got to know him better. He was a little quiet, but he wasn't boring to be around. I felt comfortable around him, and I could tell he was comfortable around me, too. Soon, it was getting late, and we all had to go. Sasuke stood up.

"I guess I'll catch you later then," Sasuke said, turning to me.

"Yeah, bye, Sasuke-kun," I replied as I stood up and waved. He just nodded and walked away, swinging his backpack over his shoulder. I grinned. I was glad I got to know him better. I said bye to the rest of them and we all went our own ways. I was walking slowly to home, the bright full moon was shining the path, leading the way. I wasn't scared because the streets were bustling with people and cars and the shops were open with bright lights. But soon, I got to a quieter and smaller alley, the way I go home. I hummed to break the silence, when suddenly, I saw Naruto leaning against the brick wall and a bunch of older looking guys surrounding him. My eyes widened as I quickly hid myself, but peered to see what was going on.

"I gave you a chance, man! And you still don't have the money?! What the hell?!" The oldest looking guy said. I figured he must be the leader of the gang. At least, I think it was a gang.

Naruto didn't say anything.

The guy pushed him down on the street. My eyes widened. I tried to run to him, but my feet stayed glued to the ground. I knew that Naruto could fight, but even still, he wouldn't fight back. He just stayed there like a motionless doll as the guys beat him up, punching, and kicking him. My grip on the side of the wall tightened. I tried to run to them again, but my feet continued to stay glued. Finally, the leader picked him up by his collar. I saw Naruto's bruised face. I felt my eyes water with tears. I was so terrible and cowardly. How come I didn't go up and do anything?!

The leader leaned really close to Naruto's ear, as he whispered something I couldn't catch. Finally, he let go of him as he collapsed on the floor and the gang left. I slid down, against the wall as tears flowed down my cheeks. Questions whizzed through my head. Finally, I forced myself to push myself up and I staggered towards him. His eyes widened when he saw me. Especially because I was crying. I fell on him, hugging him tightly, and sobbed loudly. I don't know how long we stayed like that, but it seemed like eternity and the tears in my eyes wouldn't dry. I don't know why I was crying so much, but the tears kept flowing down as I hugged him tightly and his arms wrapped around me tightly back as I whispered, "I'm sorry, Naruto. . ."

Keep holding on

'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Just stay strong

'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you. . .

A/N: Uhhh, so, yeah, that was the second chapter. I find it even more boring than the first. BUT, I'M TELLING YOU, IT WILL GET BETTER! Please, bear with me for a while as the story slowly gets better, okay? Thank you! Oh, and R & R please! Critique's are highly welcome as always!

IMPORTANT NOTE THAT YOU SHOULD READ OR ELSE I'M GOING TO RIP YOUR HEAD OFF!: The song at the way beginning & at the end & a little bit of it at the middle is called "Keep Holding On" and it's by Avril Lavigne. So don't ask me what the song's called, okay?! Kkthxbai.