The Tale of a Gutsy Ninja: Naruto no saishū odessei

by SkittleHeart and LadyAngel

Naruto turned into the Six Paths to bring peace to the Ninja World and brought back many fallen ninja with the Rinnegan... including Obito. Now they must recapture Obito, give the tailed beasts their freedom, deal with threats from the revived Uchiha and the Elders, and all while dealing with missions and teen drama. Shikamaru's life just got more troublesome! SASUNARU & others!

2. Fixing Broken Things

The Tale of a Gutsy Ninja: Naruto no saishū odessei

Chapter Two

Fixing Broken Things

Disclaimer: We don't own Naruto or SasuNaru would have had a secret affair at the Final Valley!

A.N: We apologize. We lied. We said this chapter would be shorter… and it ended up twice as long… we got carried away as per. So you know the deal REVIEW!

SkittleHeart: Itachi, Sasuke and Kiba

LadyAngel: Naruto, Hinata and Lee (LadyAngel did want to call herself EmpressLauraOfTheUniverse because she has a God complex.)

Shout out to:

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Naruto POV

Knock. Knock.

Pulling my pillow over my head, I groaned, "Go away."

'It's only going to be Shizune coming to make me do some procession, guest appearance or to meet some stuffy foreign dignitary.' It's not like I minded doing those kinds of things for everyone. But this is pushing even my stamina; I hadn't had any down time since I got home. All I was asking for was one lie-in…

Knock. Knock.

Anyway, she promised me that she wouldn't come this morning. So I was going to be as rude as I like and I'm not going to feel bad in the slightest. "SHIZUNE, YOU PROMISED. I'M NOT COMING! SO GO AWAY!" There was no way that I was answering the door. That's how she got me the other day. I opened the door and she shot me with a tranquiliser dart.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Naruto, open up, it's me."

I lifted my head up, rubbing my eyes. "Iruka-sensei" I whispered groggy.

To make myself get up, I rolled off my bed and onto the floor causing my fox nightcap to slip off my head.

"Ouch" I complained hitting the floor.

Iruka-sensei shook the door handle, calling inside, "Naruto, what was that noise? You're not hurt are you?"

Sluggishly, I moved towards the door and opened it. "I'm fine. I just fell out of bed" I told him rubbing the back of my head.

Iruka raised an eyebrow. "You were still in bed?!" He asked shocked.

Letting him in, I rubbed my head. "Yeah, I haven't had much time to relax since I got back. So I was kinda trying to get a lay-in…"

Iruka pulled a face. "Oh, I'm sorry Naruto. Do you want me to go? I just thought you would be up with the meeting this morning."

Groaning, I collapsed on my couch, and asked "What meeting?"

"The Hokage is calling in all of the 'Rookie Nine'." Iruka said sitting down on the seat beside me.

My eyes narrowed. "That explains it…" I spoke my thought aloud.

"Explains what?" Iruka-sensei asked confused.

"It explains why Shizune gave me the morning off."

Iruka-sensei laughed. "I see. Complaining already? It's a hard life that of a Hero eh Naruto."

I turned away from him pouting slightly but a cheeky grin quickly appeared on my face.

Wanting to answer Iruka-sensei on a more serious note, I sighed, "No, it's not that I mind, I just feel so tired all the time that I don't get the chance to enjoy it and it has been my dream for so long to be respected by the people of the Leaf Village."

Iruka-sensei nodded. "Well, you know, it will be even harder when you are made Hokage." Iruka-sensei looked thoughtful. "Have you thought that Shizune might be putting you through your paces, so you know what to expect when you are appointed?

"I know." I sighed. "That's what Baa-chan has been telling me. But the Hokage doesn't normally have to do the things that I had to over the last couple of months."

"That's maybe true Naruto but as Hokage you have to be prepared for anything that is thrown at you." Iruka-sensei said using the familiar tone he educated me with at the Academy.

"I guess." I scratched my head. "Anyway Iruka-sensei, what are you doing here?"

At my words he walked into the kitchen and started emptying the two brown paper bags he was holding onto the table. "Oh, I finally got some time off, so I thought that I would bring you some groceries. With all the running around you've been doing, I wanted to make sure you are eating properly." Iruka started to fill my empty cupboards with food.

"That's really nice of you Iruka-sensei." I scratched my head awkwardly. "But you didn't have to spend your money."

He grinned. "Oh, I didn't, I did plan to. But when I went into the shop and started piling ramen into my basket, the shopkeeper immediately knew the shopping was for you and demanded that it be on the house."

Shocked, my mouth hung open. "Really?"

"So there are some perks to being the Hero of the Hidden Leaf."

I nodded. "I suppose there are."

Iruka-sensei's words made me think of the only time I actually used my new found status in the village. To bring Sasuke home…

An old lady, even older than Baa-chan, stepped forward. According to the notes drilled into my head by Shizune her name was Utatane Koharu. She said in an infuriated voice, "Lady Tsunade, I don't think you appreciate the seriousness of the offences that Uchiha Sasuke has committed. He deflected from the village to join Orochimaru an S-rank criminal, he was declared an international criminal himself by the Raikage for attempting to capture the Land of Lightening's Jinchuuriki, he attacked the Kage Summit, killed Lord Danzo who was serving as the Sixth Hokage in your stead and up until recently he was working with Uchiha Obito to enslave the entire world with Tsuki no Me Keikaku."

I clenched my fists. "Sasuke helped me defeat Obito."

The old man, Mitokado Homaru, snapped at me. "And why is that? So he could take his place. And then it's not just one Uchiha you want to bring back to the village but the entire Uchiha Clan. They have already threatened to take over the Hidden Leaf in the past and now you want us to willing suffer that threat again. If we allow the Uchiha boy to bring that clan back into the village it will be the end of us. Make no mistakes Princess Tsunade, the Uchiha cannot be trusted."

I could not stomach their words for another second. "How dare you? How dare you talk about trust? You are the ones that gave the order to have the Uchiha Clan massacred. You did this to Sasuke and his Clan!"

"A just cause of action-"

"SCREW YOU! YOU BASTARDS! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY!" I began making hand signs: ram, serpent-

Baa-chan put her hand on my shoulder. "Don't Naruto; I'll take it from here."

She exploded for me. "NARUTO IS RIGHT! Everything that Uchiha Sasuke has done in the past can and should be blamed on you!" She slammed her hands onto the wooden table smashing it. "If Uzumaki Naruto believes that it is the right decision to bring Sasuke and the Uchiha Clan back into this village then he has my backing one hundred percent."

The two Elders looked shocked.

The old man collected himself. "That maybe, but it is risking the entire Leaf Village by allowing that boy and his Clan to return."

"You're just scared the Sasuke or one of the other Uchiha will come after you" Baa-chan scoffed at them.

I stood up then. Baa-chan tried to stop me but I shook her hand away from my shoulder. Calmly, I spoke to the Elders. "I'm not good with words, so I hope what I am about to say will make sense to you. The hardest thing about the cycle of revenge is that it requires a level of forgiveness on both sides. Sasuke has put his revenge to rest but in order for there to be peace you must do the same. It may be hard for you to trust each other at first. So I will say this, I will take full responsibility for the actions of Sasuke and his Clan while they are in the Hidden Leaf."

The ANCIENT hag laughed. "Is that meant to reassure us? You're just a boy."

Baa-chan stepped in. "You would do well to listen to Naruto. This isn't any ninja you are talking to. This is the next Hokage-"

The Elders scoffed. "I have seen many Hokage in my time."

"But Naruto is not just any Hokage that has been elected by you simply because of he has the power to protect this village. No, there has never been a Hokage like Naruto. Even my own Grandfather, even the Fourth didn't hold a flame to him…"

"Why is that?" the old man asked.

"Naruto is the people's Hokage. The Kage, the Feudal Lords, and all the people in the Ninja World stand behind him. If he wants Sasuke and the Uchiha Clan to return to the Village you cannot stop it. Therefore it would be easier for you if you simply agreed to his demands, don't you think?"

I grinned. 'It is really cool being the Hero of the Ninja World.'

"Fine. Let the Uchiha back into the village but let it be at your own peril."

Iruka-sensei broke me out of my day-dreaming. "How about we go to Ichiraku's?" he asked.

I gave him a massive smile. "Okay. But only if you're buying!"

'At last I can do something normal.' It had been ages since I had gone out and had ramen like I used to with Iruka-sensei. 'I hope everything calms down soon, so I could have more moments like this. I just want everything to go back to the way it was before. And with Team Seven reunited…' I could feel my face light up. 'Everything will be perfect!'

That made me think 'I hope Sasuke is having a better time settling in.'…

Sasuke POV

"But you're far too young to be ruling such a large and powerful clan!" A fellow Uchiha named Kaiko started up. I resisted the urge to shove a chidori through him.

"I am the only Uchiha that has grown up in the current time therefore have knowledge and jutsu that you don't, and quite frankly I am the strongest here." I told him sharply.

They were having a difficult time adjusting which I understood they had just been brought back from the dead. But I had failed my other promise; I needed to keep this one.

Itachi sighed beside me.

"'STRONGEST', THE BRAT IS HAVING A LAUGH! FUGAKO SAY SOMETHING TO HIM!" Another angry member of the clan, Tino, shouted at my father.

"Sasuke I appreciate your efforts for the past two weeks to get us settled in but I do think you are far too young to sufficiently protect the clan. As head of clan before we met our untimely end," at this he glared at Itachi, "I think I should resume my position as clan leader until you are old enough." There was mumbles of agreement from the clan.

"I und-" I started to say.

"No, father I DON'T think YOU understand," Itachi interrupted me, "Sasuke has gone out of his way to bring your sorry behinds back from the dead, sought revenge on me for your deaths, given up everything just to restore the Uchiha name and he IS more powerful than anyone here." He glared around the room causing them all to flinch and I had to inwardly smirk.

"Why do you believe that Uchiha Itachi?" An old man trembled out.

"I killed all of you correct?" Itachi said menacingly. There was nodding heads all around the room. Tino, who had objected, looked close to tears. "All of you except Sasuke, who then killed me, therefore he is the strongest one here. Are there any disagreements with this logic?" He activated his Mangekyo Sharingan.

"No objections." Kaiko spoke quickly.

"Good then. Sasuke has a few orders of business that you will listen to." Itachi gave them a blank look. They all nodded all except...

"Sasuke I still think your too young to rule this clan. Your interests are split and you don't have the experience necessary."

"Because you done such a great job trying to start a war and getting the entire clan killed!" Itachi snapped his eyes glowing red.

"You're the one who killed the entire clan! I don't know why he brought you back, prodigy you may be but sane you are NOT!" My father shouted the last part.

"BOTH OF YOU STOP!" I shouted.

"Father I appreciate your concern but Itachi is right these are different times. I want to do things differently to how they have been done. I am the one with the connection to ensure this clan safety. Besides," I paused looking out the window to the Hokage office, "There is no need for war with the Leaf. The future Hokage... I trust."

Naruto POV

I hadn't seen much of Sasuke in the two weeks since we got back to the Leaf. 'Maybe I should go check on him.' I thought folding my hands behind my head. 'Nah, he's probably busy. He's only just got his family back' I reminded myself. 'I had so much on with Hero stuff and Sasuke had his whole clan to deal with. So we never had time to just hang out like we used to. But I am sure it will calm down soon. Besides, Baa-chan will probably haul his arse into this stupid meeting too.'

I walked along the main road to the Hokage office. I was greeted on my way in by all the villagers: "Hi Naruto" one shopkeeper called out to me, "How's it going Naruto?" a couple of ninja I recognised asked, "Look its Naruto-kun" a group of girls giggled blushing. I smiled at them and said hello.

'This is really weird everyone being so nice to me.' I thought to myself scratching my head. 'I guess I have finally earned the respect I so desperately craved as a child.'

I reached the Hokage tower with little time. At the doors I noticed Sai and Sakura were just about to go inside. "Hey Sakura-chan, Sai, where's Kakashi-sensei?" I called out to them.

"Naruto-kun" Sai greeted me a grin.

"Oh, hi Naruto." Sakura said giving me a faint smile, "Kakashi-sensei? Well you know him he's never on time. He's most likely seen a black cat and had to walk the long way or is helping an old lady home with her groceries." She said rolling her eyes sarcastically. None of us believed any of Kakashi-sensei's excuses, even Sai.

I chuckled. "You're right. I just thought that today he would be here."

Sakura grimaced.

"What's so special about today Dickless?"

My mouth gaped open at him. "Sai!"

Sakura punched him one right in the side of his face sending Sai flying into the air. "You can't call Naruto that even if he is acting like an idiot."

"Sakura-chan…," I whined, "I'm not acting like an idiot."

"Are you sure Naruto? That isn't like you." Shikamaru commented coming towards us with Chouji and Ino either side of him.

"He has a point." Ino added.

Chouji gave them a disapproving look. "Hey guys, that's not nice, Naruto just saved the entire Ninja World he can't be that much of an idiot."

"Thanks Chouji-" I began.

Turning to him, I crossed my arms pouting. "What do you mean that much of an idiot?"

That caused Choij to sweat-drop. "I didn't mean anything by it Naruto."

"Sure you didn't."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Arguing… how troublesome."

I threw my hands into the air dramatically, and complained: "I can't believe this… even after saving everyone… the entire ninja world…. people are still disrespecting me."

I could have gone on all day but I realised that no one was saying anything, so instead turned to find out why. "Hey guys?-" My mouth snapped shut.

Everyone was staring at the raven haired men coming in our direction, Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha.

Sasuke walked straight past the others coming in my direction.

"Sasuke…" The word slipped past my lips as he passed me.

Sasuke nodded his head slightly in my direction, "Naruto…"

He continued on his route inside the Hokage building without another word.

As soon as Sasuke was out of ear-shot, Ino complained, "Well that was rude."

"Sasuke-kun appears to have forgotten his manners" Sai said agreeing with her.

I smiled. "You're forgetting that this is Sasuke. Being polite is not high on his list of priorities." I turned to Sakura to back me up. "Isn't that right, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura just grimaced.

"Yeah… sure…" she answered dismissively.

'Sakura-chan…' I wondered what had upset her.

"Sak-" Before I had time to question her, she turned on her heels and went inside the Hokage building herself.

Itachi greeted us cordially. "Good morning." Taking in the expressions on our faces, he frowned, quickly deducing his brother's behaviour. "I apologize for my brother's behaviour he had quite a rough morning."

Ino's eyes nearly bulged out of there sockets taking in Itachi. "Oh, don't worry about it. We are all too used to Sasuke. You must be Sasuke's older brother?" Ino giggled using her most flirtatious voice.

Sai raised an eyebrow at the display. "She does realise this is the man who massacred the Uchiha Clan?"

Everyone looked to see Itachi's reaction to the comment but he seemed unmoved by it.

Choij answered Sai in a whisper, "She knows"

"She just doesn't care." Shikamaru added. "Ino flirting… such a drag" he groaned.

"My name is Uchiha Itachi." He answered Ino politely with a smile. "And I should apologize all the more if my foolish little brother behaves this way often." Hinata, Neji, Kiba and Shino arrived. He paused briefly looking towards the Hokage office. "Well, I must get going…"

"Oh, so do we, are you going to the Hokage's meeting?" Ino asked.

Before Itachi could answer her, Shikamaru pulled her inside the building with Choiji following close behind them.

We could all hear Ino complainging inside: "Shikamaru, what was that for?", "You didn't have to be so rude."

Shikamaru completely ignored her. He was talking to Chouji instead, "What have I always told you Chouji? 'Girls, so troublesome.'"

Chouji chuckled.

Ino scoffed. "Just you wait Shika I will tell Temari you said that."

Itachi walked towards the door then. He stopped turning to me. "I just thought, Naruto, I need to speak with you at some point later."

I nodded. "I'll come by the Uchiha district."

Itachi gave me a warm smile. "I'm sure Sasuke would like that."

I smiled brightly at him. "Ceya later then."

Kiba whistled slinging his arm around my shoulder. "What's all this? All buddy buddy with the Uchiha's now are we Naruto."

I ruffled my own hair with a smirk. "Uh…well…"

Sai answered for me. "Well it is not surprising that Naruto-kun would be friendly to the Uchiha bearing in mind he just revived their entire clan" he stated bluntly.

"Yeah that's right" I agreed.

"Besides Uchiha Sasuke has consumed Naruto-kun's every thought since he left Konoha over three years ago."

Everyone laughed at that comment, everyone except maybe Hinata, but then Hinata is weird.

"Sai!" I shouted.

Before I could wail on him though, Lee popped his head out from inside the Hokage office doors. "Come on everyone! What are you still doing out here?" Lee asked his voice so enthusiastic.

"Hi, Bushy Brows, we were just about to go in…"

"We mustn't keep Lady Tsunade waiting she might have an exciting mission for us to go on…" he trailed off listing the possibilities.

Shizune popped her head out the window. "Naruto, chop chop, you mustn't keep Lady Tsunade waiting."

"HEY!" I pointed up at her. "I have something to say to you-"

Abruptly, Shizune was gone. Then there was a CRASH! The Hokage's chair flew through the window.

"What the hell is going on in there?" Kiba asked.

Hinata stuttered, "I… I… don't know…. Kiba-kun."

"Whatever it is it can't be good." Neji stated.

"It's probably nothing to worry about it." I assured them with calm confidence. "It's probably just that Baa-chan lost some bet or there isn't enough sake in her office or something like that."

Lady Tsunade moved to the window then. "NARUTO, GET YOUR BUTT IN HERE!" She yelled.

"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, YOU OLD HAG!" I stormed into the Hokage building. "Stupid Baa-chan… always shouting at me" I muttered under my breath. But I was smiling all the way. 'Everything is perfect now. There is no war, Sasuke is back in the village and Team Seven is about to be reunited' I happily thought putting my hands behind my head casually strolling towards the Hokage office.

Just as we were walking along the corridor, Lee went flying through the door. He got up, shook himself off and walked back into the room. "Sakura-chan, please calm down," he begged her.

"I told you to stay out of this Lee. This is between me and this dickhead!"

We all ran to see what was going on. All we could hear was Sakura shouting inside: "… You don't care about Naruto at all, do you? No, all you care about is your…" Standing in the doorway I saw a tearful Sakura shouting in Sasuke's face and Sasuke's eyes were dangerously close to turning red with the Sharingan. "Stupid." She poked him in the chest. "Insignificant." She poked him again. "Clan." She pushed him back using her monster strength.

Sasuke grabbed her finger, his Sharingan glaring at her. "Touch me again and I will show you what my 'stupid, insignificant, clan' can do." He threatened her darkly.

Jirayia and Itachi moved instantly between the pair. Standing back to back, Ero-sennin stood in front of Sakura and Itachi faced Sasuke his own Sharingan ablaze.

Itachi placed his hands on Sasuke's shoulders trying to ground him. In a brotherly tone, he attempted to calm Sasuke, with the words "Don't get so worked up little brother."

"Now, now, Sakura. We all want to beat up Sasuke." Ero-sennin said his voice highly sympathetic. "But that would upset Naruto… while the Uchiha has diplomatic immunity given to him by Naruto. We can't touch him – "

Sakura rolled up her sleeves. "I am doing this all for Naruto's benefit. And I'm not going to hurt him, that much…"

Ero-sennin laughed hysterically, "She's just like you eh Tsunade."

"What are you trying to say Jirayia? That I can't control my temper" Tsunade clenched her own fists. "Are you suggesting I haven't taught my student self control?"

Ero-sennin put his hands up defensively. "Woah, hey,…"

Seeing that he was distracted, Sakura used the chance to by-pass him to get to Sasuke and Sasuke's eyes were dark with bloodlust as if he just wanted her to try it -

"Sasuke, Sakura," I looked between them in shock and confusion, "what the hell is going on?"

All eyes were on me as I came into the office. Baa-chan and Jirayia stood behind the Hokage desk, TenTen and Gai-sensei behind Sakura, and Sasuke and Itachi were stood on the opposite side of the office. Sakura was half way between crying and punching Sasuke's lights out and Sasuke had that emotionless look on his face that said he was perfectly willing to end her if she tried anything.

'I have to do something.'

Trying to lightened the tension, I asked, "Sasuke teme, what did you do to upset Sakura?"

Itachi nudged his little brother but Sasuke wouldn't say a word.

"Fine Teme don't answer me."

I moved to where Ero-sennin and Itachi had stood in-between my two friends. I asked Sakura again, in a soft voice. "Sakura-chan, why are you saying these things to Sasuke?"

Lee expected what came next because his hold on her tightened. With watery eyes, Sakura shouted, "Because someone has to look out for you Naruto!"

Hinata stepped out from behind me to stand beside Sakura. "She is right… Naruto-kun."

I stared at them wide-eyed. "Me? But I'm fine."

"You wouldn't have been if Sasuke had his way!" Sakura snapped, saying his name with a spite I had never seen in her.

Sasuke chakra was growing increasingly darker at her words.

I turned to Sasuke looking into his red eyes that were again ablaze with the Sharingan. I gave him my biggest smile. It spoke to him more directly that mere words could. My smile said to him 'Sasuke cool it, okay? It will all be alright when I explain.'

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched before he looked away from me to the floor. That told me Sasuke was thinking one thing, 'Naruto don't be such an idiot.'

'I will get him for that later' I thought, stopping my need to pout or shout at him.

Sakura growled enraged by the exchange. "How can you just forgive him Naruto?"

I turned to her then, nothing but a smile on my face. "Because Sasuke is my friend and I would do anything for a friend."

She shouted louder than before, trying to get the words she spoke to stick in my mind. "SASUKE KILLED YOU! DO YOU UNDERSTAND NARUTO? HE. KILLED. YOU!"

Everyone in the room shuddered at her words, even Itachi.

I stepped back. "Sakura-chan. There is no need to make it sound like that. I allowed -"

"'Make it sound like that'" she repeated my words "Naruto it is like that."

"How can you possibly think that? This is Sasuke you are talking about. You can't possibly think…" My voice went quieter when I saw that no one in the room would meet my gaze. "Lee,… Baa-chan,… Sai,…" they all looked away.

"We all think that Naruto!" Sakura barked her eyes flaming with anger at Sasuke.

The room went silent then.

"Hello everyone," Kakashi said appearing at the window and scratching his head awkwardly, "Sorry I'm late. But a pregnant woman went into labour on the side of the street and I had to deliver her baby before coming here."

No one said anything.

"Okay then…" he said moving to stand next to Gai-sensei.

I stepped towards Sakura-chan trying to appeal to her. "But it's over now Sakura-chan. We just need to forget about all this stuff. We can be Team Seven again!" I said hopeful.

Instantly, she turned back to me, looking at me like she couldn't comprehend the words I had spoken. "We will never be Team Seven again. Not after what he has done to you. Never, I won't allow it for us both." She turned away again. "God, I can't believe you can forgive him after everything he has put us through, everything he has put you through!"

I recoiled away from Sakura. "How can you say that?! This is Team Seven you are talking about. It's all we have ever wanted since –"

"Since what Naruto? Since Sasuke abandoned us? Well not anymore."

I looked away, clenching my fists. 'It hurts so much. How could Sakura-chan say these things?'

Baa-chan cleared her throat. "Naruto. Are you alright?"

I didn't even look up at her but she could tell I was listening.

Ero-sennin wasn't as perspective. He went on to ask, "Hey you alright kiddo?"

I weakly nodded my head at him, "I'm fine Ero-sennin."

"What have I told you about calling me that?" Ero-sennin playfully argued.

I smiled faintly, "What else should I call a big pervert like you?"

Ero-sennin put on a shocked face. "I'm not like that anymore. Not since Tsunade-" Baa-chan hit him around the head.

I pointed at him. "Don't give me that Ero-sennin. I remember seeing you sneaking around the bath houses just the other day. What were you doing if not spying?"

"Shut up Kid" Ero-sennin wrapped his hand over my mouth.

"Jirayia!" Tsunade looked like she was going to pummel him.

"Its research, its research, its-" Tsunade sent him flying.

Kakashi-sensei went to help Ero-sennin up, whispering, "Does this mean there is another book on the way?" he asked way too enthusiastically.

Ero-sennin chuckled putting his hand on Kakashi-sensei's shoulder. "Not with Tsunade around."

I smiled feeling slightly better.

Now that they had established that I was okay, Baa-chan grabbed Kakashi's attention. "Kakashi. You know the group dynamics better than any of us. What do you suggest we do about teams for missions?"

Kakashi stepped forward a thoughtful look on his face. "Since Sakura doesn't want to be on a team with Sasuke," he treaded carefully, "and not many others wish to work with him either. We are going to need to shift the teams around a bit to make the most of the skills at our disposal. The most obvious combination is Naruto and Sasuke… and Shikmaru can join them. He has a good level-head, something the pair of you need."

Itachi's eyes quickly sought out Shikamaru. He was still getting used to all the new people in the village. Shikamaru groaned, "This is going to be such a drag but someone has to do it."

"What about the rest of us?" Ino asked.

"Sakura, Ino," Tsunade said quickly, "there are still a lot of ninja that require healing after the war. Over the next couple of weeks I will be sending you to aid other places that don't have the advanced medical skill that we do in the Leaf. For this to work, you will be divided into two separate unites. Sakura will go with Lee, Neji and TenTen and Ino you will work with Chouji, Sai and Yamato."

"Ma Lady I thought Captain Yamato had re-joined the Anbu?" Sakura asked.

Tsunade nodded. Shizune answered for her this time. "He has. But with all the ninja injured during the war everyone has to pitch in a bit more. Yamato will be on your team in-between Anbu missions.

"Aren't you forgetting about us?" Kiba said offended.

"Team eight will remain as you are. Is that clear?" Baa-chan asked using her 'I am Hokage my word is final' voice.

"Hai." Everyone answered.

When I didn't move, Baa-chan said concerned, "Naruto…"

I smiled, "I'm fine."

Sakura's clenched her fists her anger rising again. "Is that all ma Lady" she snapped.

Baa-chan rubbed her temples. "That's enough for now."

Sakura stormed out of the office in a huff with Lee following behind.

Kakashi stepped forward then. "Come on Sai we will go after Sakura and make sure she doesn't get herself into any trouble."

"Hai." Sai followed him out of the room.

Baa-chan looked at me more closely. "You can go for now but I will need to talk to you later about your appointment as Hokage-"

A massive grin appeared on my face. "All I want to know Baa-chan, is when do I get my hat?"

Sasuke POV

I resisted the urge to sigh; only Naruto would ask about the hat rather than the duties.

All of a sudden he was in front of me beaming up at me his smile which was even brighter than I remembered. Everyone else had milled out the room discussing various gossip. "Sooooo Sasuke since we're back on a team... you wanna spar with me?" He asked hopefully.

"No Naruto, I have important clan business to attend to. I have no time." I bit my lip slightly, it was partly true. I did leave the clan meeting in favour of coming to this one which had caused murmurs... until Itachi had glared.

"Oh okay." He looked crestfallen. I felt guilty but that bitch was right I couldn't be around him. I didn't deserve...

"Hey kiddo, I'll train with you, haven't sparred with me in a while have you?" Jiraiya, the Toad-Sage offered.

Naruto turned around and started babbling excitedly at him.

I mouthed a thank you.

Jiraiya answered with a stern face before smiling slightly indicating I was welcome.

"OI NARUTO!" Kiba yelled from the corridor.

I heard someone hit him over the head. "Go speak to him. Don't bellow through the corridors IDIOT!" One of the girls suspiciously sounding like Ino told him.

Kiba appeared in the doorway, rubbing the back of his head, a grimace on his face, "Naruto we're all going out for BBQ for dinner and sake, you in?"

"HELL YEAH!" Naruto yelled. Wait. 'He eats something other than that disgusting ramen now?' "Sasuke are you coming?" He asked me. 'Does he have amnesia or is he trying to be difficult?'

"I have clan stuff remember?" I told him bluntly at the same time as Itachi smiled.

"He'd love to! I can handle all the clan stuff for one night I believe." Itachi's smile widened as he saw Naruto beaming again.

"Itachi I don-" I started.

"Little brother can't you trust me, your brother, for one night? I mean you trust the future..." Itachi said in mock confusion

"OKAY. I WILL GO. I'M GOING!" I shouted him down. 'What the hell is wrong with him?!'

"No 'thank you Itachi for looking after the clan so you can go out with your friends'?" Itachi pulled a face pretending to be hurt.

"Come on Sasuke we don't wanna be late or Chouji will eat all the good meat!" Naruto began pulling me from the room.

"Naruto what about our plans?" Jiraiya interrupted him.

"Oh sorry Ero-Sennin! Can we spar tomorrow?" Naruto asked pleadingly.

"Sure Naruto." He said grouchily.

"Thanks perv. see you tomorrow." He ran from the room. "Come on Sasuke." He yelled.

"Sure Naruto, I've only been dead, no big deal or anything." Jiraiya grumbled.

Sighing, realising I wasn't getting out of this one, I headed to the door to what I knew was going to be a very awkward meal. 'Maybe I could order a few whole bottles of sake to myself?' I thought comfortingly.

"I'm still waiting for my thank you foolish little brother." Itachi teased. I growled.

"How about fuck you Ani?" I snapped.

"Sasuke! Wait outside for a second. I forgot I need to speak to Itachi for a minute." Naruto ran back in and pushed me out of the room. I saw him pass Itachi a scroll before the door slammed in my face. I blinked in shock; staring at the door for a few seconds. 'Why the hell does the dobe need to speak to my brother?'

I didn't have long to ponder this however because a minute later Naruto grabbed my arm and was pulling me along. I froze at the sudden contact. "Come on Sasuke I'm starving." Naruto turned to smile at me acting like nothing had happened. 'I forgot what a headache keeping up with him is.' I allowed a small smile to push against my lips. 'At least some things never changed.'

Naruto POV

Our friends were sat at a booth where Lee was giving a toast and it looked like he was going be a while. Seeing the tension in Sasuke's stride as he walked towards them I slung my arm around his shoulders. "No, no, no, this way," Sasuke relaxed a little allowing me to drag him in the opposite direction, "we are going to the bar!" Sasuke gave me an unimpressed look but put up little resistance.

We walked over to the bar and I rang the bell to get the bartender's attention. "Oh, Naruto, it's you. What can I get you? Anything you want, on the house." My face flushed awkwardly. "Uh thanks - two bottles of sake." I said looking at Sasuke giving him time to disagree. He didn't. "Okay, two bottles of sake it is."

The bartender gulped loudly seeing Sasuke. I raised an eyebrow at him, "Is there a problem?"

The man forced himself to laugh. "Ha ha, of course not, anything for the Hero of the Ninja World. Two bottles of sake coming right up."

Grabbing our drinks we went over to join the others at the booth. As we walked through the restaurant there was an endless sea of whispers: "Look who's just walked in. It's Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke", "Can you believe this?", "It's them in the flesh."

I wanted to shake them and say. 'We grew up in the village. You know us. Why are you looking at us like that? Like we're different, like we're somebody else, like you don't know us.'

Some comments were positive, like: "That's the future Hokage", "… saved the Ninja World", "… defeated Obito." And others not so much: "I can't believe he is allowed back in the village", "He is an S-rank criminal."

Their words stopped me.

Sasuke looked over at me. "Naruto..." This one word from Sasuke said everything. He was saying 'Naruto. Tell me what's wrong?'

"They're talking…" I whispered, my nails digging into my skin at what I heard.

One man dared to say "If the Elders call for an execution of the Uchiha I would stand behind them." 'Who does this guy think he is? Acting as judge and jury.' "After everything he has done he deserves to die." 'THAT DOES IT!'

"… about us."

Sasuke listened to what I was hearing. He looked unmoved by what he heard. "Isn't it a good thing? The people love you."

I looked down at my feet. "I don't care what they say about me but-" I shook with anger. 'It was one thing for them to talk about me but Sasuke… I wouldn't allow them to talk about Sasuke like that especially in front of me.'

"Ignore it." He snapped. "It has nothing to do with you."

"No" I growled. "I won't let them talk about my friend like that."

"I don't need you to fight my battles."

Sasuke completely ignored the murmurs, walking by my side, over to where Lee was just finishing his long-winded speech. "To the end of the war, to new beginnings,"

"Oh, and to Neji and I" TenTen added.

Everyone looked at them.

Kiba nearly did a spit-take. "You must be joking!"

"Congratulations… to you both." Hinata face flushed.

Neji was so mortified he started to stutter like Hinata. "W…Wh…at?"

TenTen hit the table hard, laughing, "It's nothing like that you guys… I can't believe that you guys thought… Me and Neji…" She snapped her head in Neji's direction. "How are you not laughing? Do you know what they thought?"

Still managing to carry an air of superiority, Neji snapped insulted. "I know perfectly what they thought."

"Then *hiccup* how are you *hiccup* not on the floor laughing *hiccup*?" TenTen's laughter mixed with the massive amounts of sake she could put away caused her to start hiccupping.

Neji rolled his eyes. "Because I don't wish to be made the subject of childish jokes."

"Then why even bother coming?" Kiba scoffed taking a swig of his beer. "This is a party you know."

Neji crossed his arms glaring at Kiba. "I am only here to ensure that Lady Hinata gets home safely."

"Oh… uh…," Hinata whispered, "thank you Neji-nii-san. Um… But you didn't have to stay on my account."

"And leave you with lumbering idiots like him." He pointed directly at Kiba. "What sort of cousin would I be if I allowed that?"

Hinata awkwardly twiddled her fingers looking away. "Kiba-kun is really nice when you get to know him Neji-nii-"

Kiba smiled warmly at Hinata appreciating that she was trying to stick up for him. "Thank you Hinata" he said softly.

Then he turned to Neji, it was like he flipped a switch, his soft gaze dissolved and his brown eyes burned with an angry fire. He angrily spat in Neji's face "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY YOU STUCK-UP SNOB?!"

Neji glared.

"YOU WON'T EVEN SAY IT DIRECTLY TO MY FACE."

Neji looked at unmoved. "I will. You're an idiot. But I'm not going to talk to someone whose turns to such vulgar language."

"THERE YOU GO AGAIN ACTING LIKE YOU HAVE A STICK WEDGED UP YOU ARSE!

Neji ignored him.

TenTen laughed lightened. "Oh Neji *hiccup* lighten up." But she was unable to say the words without laughing harder. "Me and Neji… "

"Okay TenTen." Ino rolled her eyes. "It wasn't that funny."

"I agree." Sai added. "I don't understand it at all. What is so amusing about Neji-kun and TenTen-chan?"

"Oh, but it is." TenTen said wiping tears from her eyes. "I only meant that Neji and I have been chosen to assist the Anbu while their numbers are down. And you know what that might mean?"

TenTen opened her question to the floor assuming that the answer was easy.

Everyone turned to Shikamaru. He was doing his best to nap but the noise was keeping him awake and forcing him to pay attention. "What a drag…" He sighed. "What TenTen means is that if she and Neji do well then they might become more permanent members of the Anbu."

"Uh yeah, what Shikamaru said, isn't that great?" TenTen asked.

"Woah," I cut in, "that's so cool!"

Everyone turned to look at me then or rather look past me to Sasuke.

I dragged him to sit down on the bench next to me. "Come on Sasuke." Kiba unsubtly moved himself and Hinata further down the bench. I ignored him, choosing instead to turn to TenTen. "Soooo it's great about you and Neji becoming Anbu TenTen!"

"Um… thanks Naruto" TenTen said at last.

Sakura was deliberately looking away from us and fixing all her attention on a willing Lee. "That was a really nice speech Lee" she complimented him forcing the smile onto her face.

"Thank you Sakura-chan." Lee gave her his 'Gai-sensei' grin. "I was so overcome with feelings of youthfulness that I just had to share then with all of you aloud." Lee's eyes burned passionately as he spoke.

Taking a swig from my own drink, I tried to get them into a conversation. "Not drinking tonight Bushy Brows?"

Lee gave me a wide smile. "No not tonight Naruto, I am your designated chaperone. Nothing will happen to you in your springtime of youth while it is my duty to bring you home safely. That is a promise."

Sakura turned away from Lee annoyed that he was answering me.

Ino, who was listening in, asked sarcastically "Aren't you always the designated chaperone Lee?"

"You're right Ino-chan." He gave her a thumbs up. "Gai-sensei has told me not to drink that kind of medicine for leisure since I do wish to hurt innocent bystanders with my Drunken-fist and I do not want my enemies to learn of my secret technique."

"Drunken-fist, what's that?" Sasuke said beside me.

Everyone went quiet again.

'Why isn't anybody saying anything?' I looked around confused. So I answered him instead, "When Lee gets drunk he turns into a Tai-jutsu master. It's so freakin' awesome!"

"Don't tell him things like that Naruto" Sakura snapped.

"I don't mind-" Lee started.

"No Lee." She cut him off. "Gai-sensei told you not to reveal your technique to the enemy."

"Sakura-chan… Sasuke is not the enemy." I told her firmly confusion evident in my tone.

Ino clapped her hands together. "Cut it out! God, we are supposed to be enjoying ourselves and all you lot do is get into fights. In the words of Shikamaru 'You guys are being such a drag'" she groaned the last part mimicking Shikamaru.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes at her impression but didn't care enough to actually say anything about it.

The argument fizzled out with that and we all went back to our own conversations.

"Soooo Sasuke," Ino began, "do you think we have all changed much?"

"Not really" Sasuke stated bluntly.

"Oh right… well you're brothers nice, isn't he?" She said, unsubtly changing topic, and revealing the true purpose of her questioning.

Forcefully, Shikamaru and Chouji wrapped their hands over her mouth.

"She didn't mean anything by it…" Chouji tried to excuse.

Ino's complaints were muffled by their hands: "Heyyy... Shika… Cho…"

But Sasuke didn't say anything.

"I think you're right Ino. Itachi is nice." At my words InoShikaCho looked at me like I had just put my foot in my mouth. Hearing my comment though, all Sasuke did was roll his eyes at me. "What? He is. You're really lucky to have him." I gave him a massive grin to show I meant it.

Sasuke looked away. "Hn" he grunted.

Kiba came out of nowhere with two trays full of drinks. "How did you pay for all that Kiba?" I asked, counting the bottles of sake on the trays. "There is enough sake there for us for a whole week."

Kiba grinned waving me off. "Don't worry about it, I told them that Neji would get it and to put in on the Hyuuga account."

Neji rose to his feet his aura unbelievably dark. "YOU DID WHAT? EIGHT TRIGRAMS-"

"Kiba-kun…" Hinata voice went loud in shock.

Guiltily, Kiba scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry, I was only joking Hinata."

The two Hyuuga's breathed a sigh of relief.

Kiba had a mischievous smile on his lips. "I have an idea" he announced excitedly. Everyone stared at him waiting for him to elaborate. "A drinking contest!"

"Stacks" Sakura said automatically, she really is taking after Baa-chan.

"Winner chooses someone to strip wearing nothing but a bow tie!" I answered for him.

"EW! Naruto you're being a pervert again!" Sakura was ready to punch me but instead she chose to rant. "I thought you had grown up and matured having not seen you use that ridiculous Oiroke no Jutsu (AN: Sexy Jutsu) in a long time but it appears you have not. And I know why it's all started again now. It's all because that perverted teacher of yours is back! Ma Lady was right Jirayia is such a bad influence on you!"

Sai looked thoughtful. "But Sakura-chan you enjoyed Konohamaru's Sekushi^ na Otoko Jutsu (AN: Sexy man Jutsu) of me and-"

Sakura smacked him around the head trying to shut up him. "Sai!" She yelled.

"- Sasuke-kun" he whispered finishing the sentence.

"I'm in" Ino declared. Sakura looked at her wide-eyed with a 'what the fuck' look on her face. Ino whispered, very indiscreetly in Sakura's ear, "Just think about it we can get any of them to strip… including…"

Sakura face darkened. "Ino" she said sharply.

Biting her lip to stop herself from smiling, Ino said, "Shame you're brother isn't here Sasuke."

Seeing that Sakura was getting angry Lee tried to subtly change subject. "I think it's a great idea. There is no better way to spend an evening than in a healthy competition with friends. Gai-sensei would be so proud!" Lee beamed his eyes burning with passion.

Ino went pale probably thinking about what lies beneath Lee's green leotard. She quickly rained on his parade, saying, "Aren't you meant to be the chaperone?"

"Ino's right Lee" Sakura said concerned.

Neji was really the one that gave Lee a reality check though. "You are well aware that you cannot hold your liquor. You would only end up destroying the place or harming civilians with your Drunken-fist technique. Therefore it would be irresponsible of you to take part in this competition Lee."

"Watch it Lee the fun police have arrived" Kiba scoffed, placing the tray of beers on the table.

"Hey!" Ino went nose to nose with Kiba. "I just agreed to strip. Who you are calling the fun police?"

"Yeah-" Sakura agreed. That comment turned heads.

"Sakura-chan… stripping…" Lee almost fell out of his chair having a nose-bleed.

"Hey wait" Sakura gasped, "I didn't agree to strip"

Kiba got equally as riled up lightening seeming to past between his and Ino's eyes.

"OH YEAH! WELL IF YOU'RE SO FUN THEN PROVE IT!" He placed a beer in front of her.

Ino grabbed the ice cold bottle in her hand. "FINE I WILL!" She shouted.

Kiba then went around the table passing anyone a beer who wanted to be involved in the competition.

Kiba stopped at Hinata looking at the beer on his tray—"Um, did you want a beer Hinata?"

Hinata began to answer, "I…"

"NO SHE CERTAINLY DOES NOT!" Neji shouted at him.

"IS YOUR NAME HINATA?!" Kiba shouted back.

"Um… don't fight" Hinata said flustered.

"ARE YOU HINATA? NO. ARE YOU A GIRL? NO…" He listed a load of other differences between Hinata and Neji. "ARE YOU PRETTY? NO!"

Kiba face was bright red.

Hinata blushed furiously. "Uh…"

"Oooo," I said with a grin, "Hinata and Kiba sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G…" I began to sing.

Both Neji and Kiba gave me death glares.

Sasuke smirked beside me.

In the end the drinking competition was between Kiba, Chouji, Ino, Sakura, and I.

…

It was all down to Kiba and me. The score was twenty three bottles to Kiba and twenty four bottles of sake to me. It was all coming down to the next few moments…

Kiba burped loudly. "Urgh," he groaned looking like he was going to be sick, "Urgh… pass me another one. "

Ino and Sakura exchanged worried glances.

"Kiba I think it would be better if you stopped" Sakura began.

"Yeah," Ino agreed, "you don't look so good."

He snapped, "I'm fine-" Then vomited on Shino's lap.

"Kiba" Shino said in his usual monotone voice, the only indication of his anger was the swarm of a thousand of flies above his head.

Kiba's head fell into the vomit on Shino's lap. "Urgh!" Kiba groaned

I got up pointing at Kiba. "YOU LOSE!" I began dancing, cheering to myself: "GO NARUTO! GO NARUTO! GO NARUTO!" "Who's the greatest?" I opened it up to the floor. "It's Naruto" I answered for them.

"No, apparently, it's Sasuke" Shikamaru interrupted. "He drank twenty six bottles."

Dramatically I spun around to Sasuke seeing there were twenty six empty bottles of sake beside him. "NO WAY! YOU DIDN'T DRINK ALL OF THOSE! SOME OF THOSE ARE MINE!" I climbed over him beginning to check the bottles looking for some that weren't completely empty or some that could be mine.

"Dobe get off me!" He yelled.

"NOT UNTIL I PROVE I'M BETTER THAN YOU!" I declared.

Sasuke tried to push me off him. "Looks like you're never getting off me then."

"Ha," I scoffed, "I bet you would like that!"

There were a few odd looks around the table particularly from Shikamaru and Neji.

"It seems that Naruto has met his match with Sasuke." Lee rose impassioned by our fighting. "It's so beautiful and youthful the friendship and competition that comes from rivalry. " He turned to Neji then who was contently sipping on a cup of herbal tea. "Don't you agree Neji?"

Neji sipped his tea, sighing, "I wouldn't know. I don't have a rival."

"But I'm your rival…" Lee whispered chest fallen.

I stumbled a little jumping up in my seat. I pointed right in Sasuke's face. "You are going… down!" I slurred slightly making my promise pointing a shaking finger in his face.

Sasuke smirked. "Fat chance of that happening usuratonkachi."

After a while, a lot of free beers, I turned to Sakura. "Sakura-chan... please reconsider… we can be Team Seven again…" I slurred in a whiny voice.

"No Naruto." She snapped bluntly.

"But-" I started.

"I don't think it's very nice Naruto. You are always going on about Team Seven. What about Team Kakashi? Doesn't that mean anything to you? What about Sai and Yamato?"

"Of course it does." I looked towards Sai feeling guilty. "I'm sorry Sai. I didn't mean to upset you."

Sai grinned. "As if you could do something as smart as that Dickless."

"Sai!"

Everyone laughed and even Sasuke had a faint smile on his face.

Underneath the comment though, I suspected that Sai must be feeling a little left out. 'What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?' I tried to make myself think. A hard task barely in mind how much I had drunk. 'What should I do? I have an idea.'

"Teme," I turned to him, "have you met Sai?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as if he was considering hitting me for asking such a stupid question. "Yes dobe I have." He said bluntly.

"No I mean since you got back."

"No."

"Okay, well, Sasuke this is Sai," I pointed to him, "and Sai this is Sasuke." I signalled to him back.

"And I should care, why?" Sasuke asked.

"Teme!"

"Fine. Just quit being so fucking loud. " He huffed. "Sai, what, what's his last name?"

"I dunno." I turned to Sai. "What's your last name?"

Sai shrugged. "I didn't get given one in 'The Foundation'. Is having a last name such a big deal?"

Everyone in the room looked for Sasuke's reaction.

Sasuke's fingers clenched.

"Ha, ha, ha. You are funny Sai." I laughed it off trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm not sure what you mean Naruto-kun. I wasn't trying to be-" Shikamaru tactfully chucked an olive into Sai's open mouth. 'All those years preventing others from saying the 'f' word in front of chouji had come in handy.' Sai gagged on the olive. "What was that for?" he glared at Shikamaru.

I laughed it off again seeing Sasuke's mood hadn't changed. "Sorry, I forgot about that." I turned to Sasuke then. "But isn't that cool Sasuke, Sai was part of 'The Foundation.'"

"You mean the one run by Danzo. The man that-"

I cut him off. "Why don't you tell Sai about yourself instead?"

"I am Uchiha Sasuke-"

"I know who you are." Sai cut him off now. "I learnt enough about you from the files given to me when I was sent to kill you. Besides, I have been with Naruto and Sakura for quite a while now, they have told me plenty about you" he explained. "Especially Naruto, ever since I have met him his only goal has been to get you to come back to the Leaf Village. And anything that they haven't told me I can deduce."

"Why is that?" Sasuke said darkly.

"Well according to Sakura we are quite alike."

Sakura snapped. "No, you're nothing like him Sai." Sakura made it clear she was suggesting to be called 'like Sasuke' was a negative thing.

"I see." Sai said confused. "Isn't that what you told me Naruto-kun said? If I remember correctly, you told me, that when you suggested the similarities between Sasuke-kun and I to Naruto, he dismissed it very quickly, saying that Sasuke-kun was 'way cooler'. I believe that's how he put-"

I leaped over the table knocking over countless drinks. "SAI!"

Ino and Neji jumped up ready to pummel me for causing the drinks to spill all over them. "Naruto!" They shouted in unison.

"I'm all wet now… what a drag" Shikamaru groaned.

"Look at what you did Idiot!" Sakura went to hit me.

"I'm sorry Sakura-chan, really I am." I begged for my very life.

Sasuke smirked. I couldn't live with what was probably going through his mind. I got up pouting at Sasuke right in the face like when we were genin. "Don't look so smug. He has got it all wrong. I didn't say that Teme. I said that you were way… um… taller. Yep, that's what I said, way taller."

"Isn't that right Sakura—Wait!" I threw my arms around trying to stop her. "Don't answer that!" I pleaded.

"Humph!" Sakura turned away crossing her arms.

There mood quickly went down hill as we entered an uncomfortable silence. The only thing that was said during that time was when Kiba attempted to mouth the word 'awkward' to Hinata and whispered it causing Hinata's pale face to flush red as she all but died from embarrassment.

'Say something? Say something? Say something?' If there was one thing that I could not stand it was awkward silences were no one said anything especially amongst friends. Feeling it was my duty to end the torturous silence. I turned to Sakura scratching my head, and said "Sakura-chan come on, Sasuke is trying here, can't you do the same?"

She gave me a cold look. "Naruto I have told you already 'I won't forgive Sasuke for both of us' and…and-" Her eyes green eyes filled with tears. "Until you realise that we can no longer be friends."

'WHAT?!' I mentally yelled. 'She can't be serious. Can she?' There was an uncomfortable stabbing pain in my chest. "Sakura-" I whispered.

Ino put her hand in front of her mouth, whispering to Sakura, "Don't you think that's a little harsh."

Hearing her, Hinata mumbled, "Yeah… Sakura… we are all friends here."

"You don't understand" Sakura snapped. "You weren't there when…" She gulped unable to finish what she was saying.

Neji placed his tea down on the side. "You are being extreme." He told her very frankly. "We can't afford to be arguing amongst ourselves because it could cost us dearly on the battlefield."

"You don't understand-" She started.

"He's right." Shikamaru agreed.

Sakura glared at the pair. "You don't understand it already has."

There were a lot of people who looked like they were going to say something on my behalf. 'But I couldn't rely on others to speak for me.' "Sakura. Do you remember Team Seven's first real mission together? We had to escort that bridge builder to the Land of Waves and we fought Zabuza and Haku. It was on that mission that I learnt the true way of the shinobi 'To protect those who are precious to me.' That is a ninja's true nindo."

The memory of that mission started to play inside my mind. "It was Haku that taught me that lesson…"

I recalled his words to me…

"I want to protect the person important to me… I want to work for that person. I want to fight for that person. I want to make that person's dreams come true… that is my dream."

The words were profound. 'Nothing has ever stuck deeper in my heart.'

"And it was Sasuke that showed me what it meant in reality." The memory of him saving me from Haku's needles shot through my head. "They showed me that protecting those who are precious to you means that you are willing to put your life on the line."

My last thoughts as I allowed my chakra to rip through my soul began to play in my head. "That was the price that I was willing to pay the day of that battle."

"You asked me before how I could forgive Sasuke. I say there is nothing to forgive." I told her frankly. "If you still don't understand then I will explain why. I chose to die for someone precious to me. I chose to give my life in exchange for all those ninja that had been lost in this fight against revenge. I chose to die for them and for peace." I told her holding my hand over my heart as if I should protect it. "I can't think of a worthier cause to die for than that. Can you, Sakura?"

"You're doing it again. You are always hiding behind these moral notions: '…way of the shinobi', 'peace'. What can I do with these ideas when my friend is dead? Do you think it somehow hurts less if someone you love dies because it's the way of the shinobi or for peace? I will tell you right now, it doesn't. In fact it hurts me more the idea of you dying to protect me." She looked disgusted by the idea. "And any true friend would feel the same." She glared at Sasuke now and he looked away.

I gave him a sympathetic look which said 'Don't worry Sasuke I will fix this.'

"I will never forgive Sasuke because he was willing to let you die to save himself and his clan. And I'm hurt that you don't see that this person you idolised back when we were genin is gone." She closed her eyes they were brimming with tears as if she were mourning the death of our friend. "You are the kindest most generous person I know Naruto. But at times, particularly when it comes to Sasuke, you are too kind and too generous. You take no care for yourself…" She broke down in tears. "As a true friend I cannot watch you destroy yourself."

Sakura started collecting her things into her bag and pulled out her purse to pay her share of the bill. Taking in a deep breath, she addressed the group: "I hope you don't think too badly of me for leaving early."

Lee had a sad expression on his face. He had been close to tears for the whole of Sakura's speech. Taking her in his arms, he hugged her close. "It is not possible to think badly of you" he assured her.

"Sakura-chan…" I whispered.

She refused to acknowledge me.

Lee held his hand out for her to take. "Allow me to escort you home."

Sakura smiled at Lee's kind gesture even though her bright green eyes brimmed with tears. "Thank you Lee but I'll be okay. I don't live that far. You stay here and enjoy yourself." She looked around the table refusing to meet mine or Sasuke's gaze. "Goodnight everyone" she said, she began to walk away.

I stood up ready to hop over the seat and stop her. "No, Sakura, wait!"

Sasuke's eyes were downcast as I passed him. "Naruto…" he whispered.

I didn't want him to worry about it. "Sasuke…" I turned to him with a smile. "I'll fix this."

"Are you sure you can promise that?" Ino asked.

"I gave my word."

"But she did say she would never forgive Sasuke" Sai matter-of-factly stated.

I told them firmly, "Well I will never give up."

Heads turned in the restaurant as I ran out after my crying friend. "Sakura. Sakura-chan. Wait…"

The last thing I heard was Shikamaru saying "If it were anyone else that said that I wouldn't believe it."

Chouji agreed, "But somehow Naruto always makes you believe."

'I could only hope I deserved their confidence in me.'

I burst out of the doors. A hostess called after me: "Thank you for coming to Yakiniku. Please come again."

Running down the street I weaved in and out of people following just the flash of Sakura's pale pink hair. "Sakura-chan, Sakura-chan, wait!" My speed allowed me to catch up with her before she got much further away. I put my hand on her shoulder; stopping her in her tracks. She began to tremble, droplets of water falling to the ground.

"Naruto…" she whimpered.

I spoke softly, "Sakura-chan…"

She rushed into my arms. "Oh Naruto." She hugged me close to her. "I don't want to hurt you. Not you."

She cried in my arms for a short time. I just kept rubbing her back. "It's alright Sakura-chan, it's alright. Everything is going to be alright. Everything is going to be okay." I whispered the same thing I had been whispering for years.

I just held her in my arms happy to do so until she felt ready to talk to me. After all her tears were spent, she coughed a little laughing, "Naruto, you know you really do stink" she complained.

Lightly, I laughed with her. "Do I?"

She nodded.

Her eyes had just a little brightness back in them. 'But I wanted to make her happy.' Placing both hands back on my shoulders, I told her with all certainty, "Now… there is nothing to worry about Sakura-chan."

She violently pulled away from me, her tears instantly stopping. Her look darkened, and so did her voice. "Naruto, I'm doing this for your own good" she said, half saying it to me and half saying it to herself.

"Sakura-chan-" I started.

"No Naruto, it won't work." She said shaking her head hard. "I won't sit idly by and watch him destroy you again." She turned her back on me. "So, it's me or him. You decide."

"I won't choose between my friends Sakura."

"Then you have already chosen him." No tears left she began to walk.

"Sakura-chan…. No… Wait!"

She ignored me walking away.

"SAKURA-CHAN!"

She broke into a run leaving me standing in the road all alone.

I fell to my knees. "FUCK!" I punched the ground. "FUCK!" I punched it harder. "FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!" I pounded the ground so hard that my knuckles were bleeding. I pushed myself up off the ground; my anger dissolving away as tears brimmed in my eyes. "Why does everyone walk away from me?" I whispered. "Why is it always me left trying to fix what is broken?"

"Naruto…" Sasuke whispered appearing behind me.

'When did he get there? I didn't sense his chakra.' "Why… How long have you been standing there?" I asked.

He bypassed my question. "You're defences were down" he noted clearly unsettled. "Anyone could have snuck up on you." 'Like that's important with everything that happened.'

"I don't care." I turned away. "Let some enemy ninja come and try and attack me." I lifted my hand into the air. "I'll-"

He grabbed my hand. "Stop."

I froze staring at his hand that had stopped my own so easily. Searchingly, I looked into his eyes and I saw the pain that this was causing him. 'How could I be so selfish?' All the pain that I was feeling at the loss of my friend dispelled and all I wanted to do was assure Sasuke that I could fix this.

All my focus went into comforting him instead. I smiled through my own pain. "Everything will be fine" I told him.

"I don't like it when people lie to themselves" he said bluntly.

I was taken back by his words. "Wh… at?" I stuttered. 'What is he talking about? I'm not lying.'

"My eyes see everything." Sasuke's cryptic message was 'Even if your smiling I can tell that you crying inside.''

The smile instantly disappeared from my face. I sighed. "If you see me, then you know, don't you."

"Some people need to walk away to be found" Sasuke philosophocised.

My hands clenched. "I will reunite Team Seven."

"Let's go Dobe," Sasuke turned, sighing deeply. "I don't quite trust Itachi not to massacre the clan while I'm out."

Under my breath, I whispered, "Thanks Sasuke."

Sasuke turned back to me. "Hurry up Dobe or I will hold you responsible for Itachi's actions."

With a massive grin, I ran to catch up with him. Sasuke walked with his hands in his pockets and I walked by his side with my hands crossed behind my head. "You don't honestly think Itachi would do that, do you?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow at my question before smirking. "Right, of course not." His smirk widened before his pace quickened. "Wait Sasuke, he wouldn't would he, I'm right aren't I?"

"Guess we will see" Sasuke stated giving no indication either way.

"Fine." I ran to catch up with him finding it increasingly difficult to move in a straight line. "I will race ya." I passed him heading in the direction of the Uchiha district.

"Why bother? We both know I will win."

I turned back to him rolling my eyes. And then started – "BWAK, BWAAAAAK, BWAK" I started making clucking sounds and flapping my arms at him.

"I'm not stupid enough to fool for that -"

"BWAK, BWAK, BWAK, BWAAAAAAAK!"

Sasuke ran past me and I smirked racing after him.

Itachi POV

I sighed, pulling my jacket over my shoulders, it didn't feel right for some reason, I guess I have become accustomed to cloaks. I held back a smirk as my father went to bed grumbling about 'not having raised his sons to have enough respect.' You threaten to Mangekyo a few people these days and they burst into tears.

Sasuke would not be impressed but it needed to be done. The only thing the blockheads in this clan responded to was fear. Speaking of my foolish little brother, where were he and Naruto? I did have another meeting after this... a meeting that for some reason I wanted to attend. Strange.

I jumped on the roof to get a better vantage point. I knew I was relatively safe but years on the run make you cautious. I spotted them then, walking side by side through the inky darkness; props to Naruto for dragging my killjoy brother out for this long.

Naruto was slurring I noticed in his babble to my semi stoic brother. I jumped into the alley catching the last snippet of the conversation. "You know Sasuke, she'll come around, she has loved you all these years, after all she won't be mad for too long, then we can be team 7 again and..." Naruto babbled before tripping over on... absolutely nothing, thin air I guess.

My brother caught him on reflex. "Usuratonkachi, calm yourself down. She has her reasons to be angry. I told you earlier it will be fine." My foolish brother spoke in what I'm sure he thought was an even tone but you could hear his thinly veiled amusement.

"TEME! Don't call me names! I am the next Hokage! Now let me see you go inside your house so I know you're not going to pass out on the street or anything." Naruto demanded concern mixing with happy anger as he pointed at a house down the street.

"Dobe... this is my house, the building we're standing right in front of." My brother stated slowly. I fought back the laughter bubbling inside my throat.

Naruto's face flushed bright red, he began spluttering, "I knew that I was testing to see how drunk you were! I can now tell you are capable of walking up the steps so night!" He pushed Sasuke up the steps causing my brother to turn around to glare at him.

"Usuratonkachi I have been an S- Class missing nin for three and a half years, I am perfectly capable of getting into my house without you manhandling me in your drunken stupor! Besides, I'm cooler than anyone, right Naruto?" My brother teased, "Night your royal pain in the ass." Before walking right into the wood next to the door. I face-palmed, Naruto burst out in laughter and Sasuke stomped through the door in a huff.

"Oh yeah you look so cool when your eating wood!" Naruto cackled. Even though Sasuke had left he fell to the floor crying in laughter. I stepped out the shadows.

"Hello Naruto." I said softly walking up behind him. He screeched, flipped over, and held a kunai pathetically in one shaking hand. I raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"Itachi! You scared the crap outta me!" Naruto protested hand over his chest as he slid the kunai back into its holster.

"I apologize, I just had to ask you about the scroll you gave me earlier? If this is a bad time we could do it tomorrow." I suggested.

Instantly he sobered up, "Ah right the scroll I need you to deliver it to Gaara the Kazekage of Suna. I want you to leave tomorrow with Gai, Kakashi and Iruka-sensei. It's about Sasori. You'll then need to pick him up and escort him to the new Akatsuki base. Find out if there are any new leads about Obito and report to me. Assuming that Gaara agrees to let Sasori rejoin the Akatsuki, but we know he will." Naruto told me with a wink. I smiled.

"You got it. There is a particular person that might be able to get me the information on Obito tonight. He might end up joining us, if that is okay with you?" I asked biting my lip.

Naruto grinned, "That's fine. I felt Kisame's presence on our way back. He is in a log cabin about 20 meters south, you could go meet him early if you like?"

"How did you-" I begun.

"Sage!" Naruto teased. "And yes it's fine if he goes with you, Kakashi knows all about it and he has told Iruka and Gai so no worries."

"Thank you." I said sincerely before he wobbled slightly, "Er Naruto are you sure you don't want me to take you home first?" I asked biting my lip to keep myself from laughing. How he could know all these things through Sage Mode, and still be such a, what was it my brother called him? Dobe was beyond me.

"NARUTO!" A boy in a green jumpsuit raced up to us. "Naruto, Kiba and the others said you would probably need my help getting home the most as we are little way from the village. Hello Itachi-san." The boy nodded to me at the end of his rushed statement.

"My name is Rock Lee the handsome devil of the Hidden Leaf village! I will show the world I can become a truly splendid shinobi using only tai-jutsu!" He stuck his thumb up and beamed. What is in the water that makes the kids of this village so ambitious and happy?

"Nice to meet you officially Lee-san, I have heard about your fighting techniques from a friend of mine." I smiled at him, "So can I entrust Naruto to you? I have some errands to run." I asked politely. He nodded so fast I thought his head might fall off.

"I give you my word I will get Naruto home safe and sound!" He stuck his thumb up again and smiled putting an arm around a wobbling Naruto's waist. He seemed nice, warm - I wonder if he is one of Sasuke's friends. All of a sudden he had Naruto in a piggyback, I blinked and he ran off into the night. "Nice to meet you Itachi-san!"

"BYE ITACHI! BUSHY BROWS PUT ME DOWN! I'M GONNA HURL!" I heard a protesting Naruto shout until he was too far away. I chuckled lightly before deftly turning on my heel and leaping as fast as I could from building to building.

It was strange I had never really thought of Kisame or any of the Akatsuki as anything other than a means to an end. Well Kisame I acknowledged as a friend but I hadn't expected the anticipation I had been feeling since I had found out he would be visiting.

I hadn't expected to actually look forward to my meeting with Kisame or the

genuine curiosity about how Sasori was coping in Suna. 'Were the Akatsuki closer than I thought?' I had to wonder. 'Well I hadn't seen any bombs going off yet.' I had missed the Leader's speeches on how he was God and how much life sucked. Hell I even missed the religious seminars, the swearing and the counting of every penny till two in the morning.

I reached the log cabin in five minutes. I stood outside for a second unsure. 'What would it be like?' Naruto had told me that the Akatsuki had decided to become, I guess you could call us, mercenaries? Us. I realised then that I still wanted to be one of them more than just because of Naruto's orders.

I pushed the door to the tiny cabin open, "Fire style Phoenix Flower jutsu!" I formed the hand signs speaking as quietly as possible. The candles bloomed the light illuminated a blue head resting on folded arms sleeping on the table.

A small smile crossed my face. He was still way too reckless. Here he was in a strange, hostile village and he was sleeping! Slowly his eyes blinked open adjusting to the sudden light when they caught sight of me.

He broke into a wide grin standing up. "ITACHI! It's been too long! How is the village treating you? Is your little brother behaving himself? Have your clan pissed you off yet?" Kisame asked in rapid succession the grin spreading wider.

"Kisame, it has been precisely two months, one week and three days. The village has been treating me with nothing short of fear and respect..." I stated factually before he interrupted.

"With fear and respect, just how you like it eh?" Kisame teased. I raised an eyebrow. He put his hand over his mouth, "Your right sorry for interrupting continue."

I smirked. It was great having someone who knew when they'd pissed you off, "My little brother has been being far too serious and I am feeling the need to meddle. My clan always piss me off, how have you all been doing? Have you adjusted to your new life?" I finished trying to sound uninterested in his response. 'Had he always been that big or had I shrunk?'

He pounded his hand on the table laughing, it cracked under the strain. "Poor you! Well your always welcome to stay with us things have gotten weird since we became the 'good guys.'"

"Weird how?" I asked too quickly. He laughed again. 'Were they planning an attack of some sort?'

"Missed us that much eh Itachi? Don't worry we aren't scheming to attack your precious Leaf. Nagato loves his little cousin too much." Kisame reassured me. "I just meant that with us all the having to work together we have these... conversations."

"Conversations? How come I haven't heard of any towns being drowned or bombs being set off? You're only a day and a half from here." I asked confusion evident in my face.

Kisame laughed again, he was always happy but somehow his laugh seemed lighter not as loaded, "Well I guess I can see why you'd be confused. I meant conversations without trying to kill each other... for the most part. We've had to work together so much to find Tobi that even Hidan and Deidara haven't hacked each other up."

"So let me get this straight you've spent two months, one week and three days together and no one has murdered anyone?" I asked slowly the words sounding ridiculous.

"Well Hidan killed a salesman he swore he thought it was Tobi, we all know he's lying but everyone has a relapse, Kakuzu killed a tax collector which did turn out to be Tobi's minion so that was alright and Deidara has been plotting to blow up Suna to 'rescue' Sasori." He said counting the more murderous members off of his hand.

"Th- that's not possible is it." I said in amazement. Kisame nodded laughing at my expression.

"So Itachi want a hot chocolate? They even have marshmallows?" He asked already taking two cups out of the cabinet his head lightly brushing the ceiling. 'Seriously, how was he that tall? He must've grown.' I nodded, he passed me a cup carefully putting it down in front of me.

I quirked an eyebrow realising something, "Kisame?"

"Yep." He answered taking a sip of hot chocolate.

"Isn't taking hot chocolate and using someone else's cups stealing?" I asked biting my lip trying not to smirk.

He sighed and rolled his eyes, "Itachi we have a very strict policy on paying for stuff at the Akatsuki, '1) If you don't have to don't, 2) Its not stealing because the cocoa beans didn't sell themselves to that farmer, 3) Besides, if no one notices, it's like you didn't steal it at all.' Besides we've stopped killing the least they owe us is hot chocolate every now and then."

I laughed quietly, "You still remember Kakuzu's old moral?"

"Well duh, he still recites it everyday. He'll never change the old miser." Kisame laughed with me.

"Neither, presumably, will you habit of taking naps at inappropriate times?" I teased.

"Oh Man, I knew you were gonna comment on that! I had a long journey, okay?" Kisame moaned exasperatedly.

"Long journey? It is a day and half. We used to travel for days on end. Getting old much." I mocked. I'd forgotten how fun this was. All I got from Sasuke was 'hn' or some random shouting, never a civilised response.

"Actually," he smiled leaning down for the first time. I realised he was in an Akatsuki cloak, except this one had a hood. "Here, I went back and got these for you." He handed me my eye drops, my ring and cloak which now had a hood stitched on.

He went all that way just for this? I was in shock, "Thank you Kisame but my eyes are fine now Naruto fixed them when I got brought back." Well that couldn't have come out anymore arrogant or ungrateful if my foolish little brother had said it.

"Oh well, okay, um, I guess you have a new necklace now as well. It's cool. Dei was going back to pick stuff up for Sasori so-" Kisame babbled embarrassed.

"You have my necklace?" I asked standing up.

"Yeah, I hung it on your grave when you died, well your memorial spot. Obito had your body, and well here." He handed me the silver metal. I instantly hooked it around my neck breathing outwardly.

"Thank you Kisame, I felt weird without it, not just the necklace, the cloak and the ring as well. So thank you." I said smiling at him before yawning. "Oh speaking of Sasori. I am meant to be going on a mission that could mean his freedom to be back in the Akatsuki."

"Really? Mind if I tag along?" He asked excitedly, "I kind of missed him we were the first few in the Akatsuki." How could he be so honest about stuff especially about Sasori who would openly mock him.

"Yeah sure." I shrugged nonchantly, "But we will be going with Might Guy."

"The one who killed me? Guess that's cool (A.N: LOL very easy-going Kisame) as long as he knows I'm not the enemy." Kisame shrugged.

I hid my shock, "Yeah, I'll make sure he knows."

"Good then. Now what are we plotting to do against your foolish little brother?" Kisame grinned toothily leaning forward.

I hesitated for a moment, could I really trust a missing nin with Sasuke? I looked at him. "Well first we need to..." I started. 'Yes, because he wasn't just a missing nin, he was the closest thing to a friend I had.'

Sasuke POV

Purple mist swirled around. The sea of faces. His face contorted in pain. The redheaded woman's face streaming with tears. Is he dead? Don't let him die I would... A loud creaking noise woke me up. I sat bolt upright and instantly regretted dots swam across my face. I fell back down puking down the side of my bed. Ow ow and fucking ow; my head pounded last night raced through my mind.

"Rough night brother?" Itachi smirked climbing through the window. I held my head sitting up.

"Itachi what the hell are you doing?" I snapped as aggressively as possible which wasn't very impressive as I was croaking and probably had vomit breath.

"I'm entering my own house?" Itachi said slowly and deliberately as if implying I was Naruto.

"I can see that. Why are you coming through my window? What's wrong with the door?" I asked irritably then I took in what he was wearing... "Oh Kami-sama your wearing the same clothes as last night! You spent the night out and now you're sneaking in! With who?" I smirked.

"I don't have to tell you anything." Itachi deadpanned closing the window behind him.

"I think you do or I could just ask mother where my big nii-san went last night." I told him blinking innocently before stopping because it really wasn't helping my pounding head.

"Do that and I will ask her 'why I saw my foolish little brother walked into the side of the house stinking of sake?'" My mouth fell open.

"You saw that!" I felt my face going red.

"Of course. Now if you'll excuse me I'll be changing now." He said briskly walking to the door, "Oh and by the way Sasuke you might wanna bath I hear you've got a big mission today." Itachi smirked and I threw a pillow angrily at the door. I stormed into the bathroom slamming the door behind me.

I sighed sinking into the hot bath. 'Naruto...' I thought. The nightmares hadn't stopped since that day. I never knew guilt could be this powerful. Everytime I saw him I felt guilty. I knew he didn't blame me and somehow that made it worse. I had to avoid him. Sakura though I loathe admitting it, was right, he gave up too much for me. It was final; I would avoid him at all costs. I was back in the village, he had saved me in his mind, he would soon lose interest and go on with his life.

"Sasuke, your friends are down here waiting for you. They said you were meant to meet at noon to do a mission!" My mother called from the corridor.

"What time is it?" I asked wrapping a towel around me brushing my teeth.

"About two." My mum sounded amused, "Don't rush your blonde friend seems quite interested in demolishing lunch anyway."

She walked out and I quickly got dressed. 'How was it that the minute I decide to avoid the guy he shows up at my house?' My head throbbed all the way down the corridor. I rubbed my temple with my two fingers fighting the queasiness that was threatening to overwhelm me.

"So Itachi, how are you today?" Naruto asked through a mouthful of whatever he had managed to cram in.

"I'm good thank you, how are you? I'm sorry you have to wait so long for my foolish little brother." Itachi smiled at Naruto wearing new clothes and a ring I vaguely recognised but couldn't place.

"Oh I'm good thank you Itachi and it's alright, how is his head this morning?" Naruto smirked at Itachi. My mother looked over at them confused. Deciding I had to act before Itachi revealed anymore I stepped into the kitchen.

"My head is fine Dobe though clearly your still brain-dead." I snapped as my mother put a plate in front of me the smell made me want to puke all over again.

"Sasuke!" My mother said shocked.

"Teme! Who are you calling brain-dead you sleeping ugly zombie." Naruto neglecting to use his indoor voice pointed his fork at me over the table.

"That insult made no sense Usuratonkachi! And please refrain from making stupid, loud remarks in my house."

"Should I be worried?" I heard my mother whisper to Itachi and that lazy boy who I hadn't noticed until that point.

"Nah that's just how they communicate." Shikamaru commented looking bored.

"Shut it Teme and it did too make sense. You missed the time we were meant to meet up because you overslept therefore you are sleeping ugly and your so pale you look like the living dead aka zombieeeee!" He teased with sound effects.

"Usuratonkachi! You look like a..." I started before hearing my mother and Itachi chuckling quietly to themselves. I sent Itachi a glare.

"Anywayssss if you two are done with your ever so sweet good mornings we still have a cat to catch." Shikamaru seeing an opportunity to speak stepped in.

"Okay your right Sasuke probably has important clan stuff to act stuck up about." Naruto agreed calmly, "Thank you for the food Mikoto-san it was great." He sent a thousand watt smile at my mother before rushing out.

"Hey Dobe who do you think your calling stuck up!" I called after him and heard chuckle from the hall.

"Anytime Naruto, please come and visit again soon, you too Shikamaru kun!" My mother called out smiling.

"I'll be back soon mum!" I walked out calmly. Meeting Naruto's gaze outside I very calmly spoke, "Start running."

He laughed and ran off ahead Shikamaru sighed, "So troublesome."

~Time skip~

"Are you in position?" Shikamaru's voice crackled through the walkie talkie. A vague sense of déjà-vu washed over me but I brushed it off.

"Yes." Naruto and I said at the same time.

"Go." Shikamaru said calmly. Flawlessly Naruto and I fell from the tree before he swiftly picked up the cat trying to claw his face off.

"Mission successful confirmation of ribbon on ear complete." I said boredly through the speaker.

"Nuh uh kitty, this time I came prepared!" I turned to see Naruto holding the cat at arms length wearing...oven gloves.

"Dobe... you just reached a whole new level of stupidity" I said before face-palming he just grinned.

"Better stupid than all scratched up. Let's go make the report to Baa-Chan then go for some ramen." Shikamaru appeared beside Naruto.

"Sure." Shikamaru said lazily hands in his pockets. I was in turmoil; I had to avoid Naruto that was the plan but if he got suspicious and found out what I was up to he would be unlikely to leave it alone.

Then a hawk cawed in the sky, "I can't. I have important clan business to attend to, would you be able to make the report without me today?" I asked as politely as possible. I couldn't believe they were here already Suigetsu normally stopped every 15 minutes.

Naruto looked crestfallen and was about to object, Shikamaru interrupted him, "Sure, clan stuff is such a drag but its necessary so we don't mind, do we Naruto?"

Naruto looked at him then me, "Guess not but don't think you're getting out of it next time Teme."

I smirked, "Wouldn't dream of it Dobe." I waited until they walked far enough away Naruto boasting about how much ramen he was going to eat then raced through the forest.

Flashback

"Sasuke." My brother intoned quietly as we left the meeting. I knew immediately he was being serious, "You need people here you can trust to listen to you solely and completely no matter what the order."

"I can trust our clan Itachi." I said bluntly. He spun me around.

"Sasuke you can't trust them completely especially not yet they are stuck in the past and they will not hesitate to repeat the mistakes of the past. If you truly care about them, or anything else in this village, get people here who can watch things for you." Itachi looked serious but more than that.

He looked genuinely worried. I had made him my second in command because I trusted him, even if he could be a lying manipulative martyr; I knew he genuinely cared about me and the village. "Okay." I agreed quietly I couldn't ask Naruto he had all his Hokage business to sort out that leaves three people. I sighed.

I went to the bird messaging place and attached it to the leg of the hawk and sent it to the rain.

End of flashback

"Sasukeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-kunnnnnnnnnnn nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!" Karin screeched throwing her arms around me.

"Sasuke." Juugo said quietly the hawk resting on his shoulder.

"Juugo, Karin." I greeted them pushing Karin off me. 'That girls grip is like a vice' I thought irritably. "Where's Suigetsu?"

"THAT IDIOT! DON'T WORRY ABOUT HIM, WE'RE HERE, THE IDIOT RAN OFF AFTER WE GOT YOUR MESSAGE." Karin yelled angrily.

"We could go looking for him if that's what you want?" Juugo asked me ignoring Karin, always the better course of action when she was in this mood.

"What are you talking about Juugo? Sasuke doesn't need that loser, he has me." She gave me a creepy smile.

"I do need Suigetsu. But for now, I need you in the village. I will bring him back myself." I replied ignoring Karin.

"We really don't need him." Karin said feebly.

At the same time as Juugo bowed, "As you wish Sasuke-sama."

Hinata POV

"How is your training coming along?" My father asked Neji-nii-san eager to hear how he was progressing on another one of our clan's secret moves he had taught him.

"Very well Hiashi-sama. I am close to perfecting that last move you showed me." Neji-nii-san politely told him. "I can show it to you when you next have some free time."

My father nodded. "I will make time to see that." I grimaced. 'Father rarely comes to see me train anymore, and when he does, he is only disappointed by what he finds.'

Neji-nii-san caught my gaze. "Oh…" I gasped.

"What is it Hinata?" my father said slightly irritated by my outburst.

"N…othing father" I stuttered.

My reply only seemed to annoy my father more. He placed his cup down on the table clearly wanting to get down to the business behind this small meeting he had called of Neji-nii-san, Hanabi-onii-chan, and me. "It is a real weight off my mind that you have returned" he told Neji in a very serious tone.

"Oh. Why is that?" Neji-nii-san asked with interest.

My sister started to grin by my side.

"Yes, well, it is part of the reason that I have called you all here. As you all are aware it is tradition of the Hyuuga Clan that leadership is passed down from clan leader to their first-born living heir. This line is what we constitute as the main branch of the family." We all nodded familiar with our clan's customs.

"And by that practice my eldest daughter Hinata is heiress." The words made me take a sharp intake of breathe. 'Had my father heard about my actions during the war? Would he finally acknowledge me?' "However…" My heart sank. "Recently, it has been brought to my attention there are vast flaws with the tradition. Namely even if the heir is fit to rule by birth it does mean they are best suited lead this clan."

My eyes were brimming with tears. 'After everything I was not worthy to rule the Hyuuga clan in my father's eyes.' I bowed my head to hide my eyes when my father looked my way. "You." My father said his voice laced with disappointment. "You know I have done my best to turn you into the kind of person that can lead this clan, but with time wearing thin, and little hope of you changing, I had to put certain plans into place."

Gleefully, Hanabi-onii-chan faked naivety asking "What are you saying father?"

My father summoned an attendant from one of the branch families to refill his cup with some freshly brewed green tea. Then casually he clarified what he had just been telling us as casually as he had asked Neji-nii-san about his training. "I have decided that when I retire as Head of the Clan that Neji will become the new leader."

'How could he say it so carelessly? He had re-arranged my entire future and he didn't even care. Was I that useless? That much of a disappointment to him?' My heart was wounded more than anyone could possibly know at his words.

Neji-nii-san's face looked unmoved by the news that my father had delivered but I noticed the way his eyes subtly looked my way.

I did my best to conceal my face from Neji-nii-san. I didn't want to make him feel bad on such a happy day for him. There was a part of me, the part of me not clouded by sadness or jealousy, that was happy for Neji-nii-san. That part of me gave strength and reminded me that 'No one else deserved or was as perfect for leading the clan as Neji-nii-san.'

"Ooo you're so clever father…"Hanabi-onii-chan showered our father with praise.

Neji took another sip from his cup before placing the china down on the table. "Are you are sure about this Hiashi-sama? Hinata is the true heir to the title. And she has improved considerably especially during her time on the battlefield. Did you know that she is now able to do 'Eight Trigrams: One Hundred and Twenty Eight Palms'?"

"Couldn't you do that move by the age of fourteen, Neji-nii-san?" Hanabi-onii-chan asked.

Neji-nii-san didn't say anything.

My father nodded. "Hanabi is right even with Hinata's advancement she still does not show the skill that you do."

"It's not just that aspect of her that has changed. Hinata has shown herself to be highly courageous going as far as putting herself in enemy crossfire to save Uzumaki Naruto. Her bravery might have saved the life of the very ninja that saved the entire Ninja world-"

"I am well aware of Hinata's actions during the war." My father dismissed it.

Hanabi-onii-chan scoffed at Neji-nii-san's words. "It was foolish if you ask me father. If she had done something so idiotic as Head of the Clan then she would have left us leaderless and all for a ninja who isn't even part of our clan. Naruto Uzumaki, he's that boy, isn't he-"

Neji-nii-san didn't say anything clearly shocked at my sister's insistence on foiling his efforts to sway my father's mind about me.

Hanabi-onii-chan was silenced by my father's words. "Now, now, Hanabi, that boy is the Hero of the Ninja World and he is the future Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village."

My father turned back to Neji-nii-san to comment on his words. "I can see you have thought much about what I have told you, even in these few short minutes, showing me that I have chosen wisely in you. And I will say your assessment is right… Hinata has grown greatly. But she has not and will not surpass you. You say that it was her brave actions that saved Uzumaki Naruto from death but you are doing yourself a great injustice because it was you whose life was lost saving the Hero and not my daughters. And even if Hanabi's words were a little rash, she does have a point, Hinata actions were foolish-"

"Did I not do the very same thing as Lady Hinata?" Neji-nii-san asked.

"No," he stated bluntly, "You did your duty. You sacrificed your life for a senior member of this clan."

"I… don't…" 'regret it.' I wanted to say. 'Even if my father didn't want me to be clan leader, I would defend my actions in saving Naruto-kun. It was the right thing to do.'

My father silenced me with one stern look. "You must understand that this is for the best."

"But… I -"

"This isn't just about the clan. I am doing what I feel is best for you. By making Neji my heir this takes a huge pressure off of you… and don't worry there will be other ways that you will be able to serve this clan." I was not comforted by my father's words in the slightest because they seemed ironic considering the indifferent way he said them and the disregard he shown when telling me I was no longer his heiress. However my father's words did something for Neji-nii-san because after hearing them he had this thoughtful look on his face as if he was considering my father's words. "Anyway, my decision is final. Do you object to becoming Head of the Clan Neji?" My father asked showing his voice as a natural authoritarian.

'Oh, no, Neji-nii-san please don't loose faith in me -' Before I had even finished the thought, Neji-nii-san gave father his answer. "If you are sure about this Hiashi-sama I would be honoured to lead the Hyuuga Clan when you retire."

My breathing became erratic, my chest ached and my eyes were so full of water that they burned. 'I have to get out of here.' "Please may I be excused?" My father barely acknowledged my words, waving his hand at my request, and beginning what I knew first hand would be a lecture with Neji-nii-san on his future role as Head of the Clan.

As I was quickly moving to leave, Hanabi-onii-chan congratulated Neji-nii-chan in as many ways as she could, including: "Well done Neji-nii-san," "Congratulations," "You are going to be great leader."

"Hinata" my father said as I reached the door.

"Yes" I whispered, unable to see through the tears.

"Are you not going to congratulate your Cousin?"

Quickly, I turned and bowed my head. "Congratulations Neji-nii-san, I look forward to when you are made leader of this clan." There was a truth in my words. 'I was sad that I had not been good enough to lead the clan like I was supposed to. Still I was happy that Neji-nii-san was the one to replace me. And I really did look forward to the time where he was at the Head of the Clan rather than my father.'

"Thank you Lady Hinata" Neji-nii-san responded politely.

Making it all the way outside, I broke down in tears in the hall. "Why *sob* am I *sob* so useless *sob*?"

"Lady Hinata…" a few members of my clan ran to my aid.

Ko-kun, my old bodyguard, parted the crowd. "Lady Hinata, are you alright?" he asked in concern.

"I'm… alright… I just fell." I lied.

At my words everyone returned to what they were doing as if they would have been happier if I were ill instead of just being weak. Ko-kun was the only one to remain by my side and help me to my room. "Are you sure you're going to be okay? I can send for a doctor" he asked getting ready to leave me.

I nodded. "I'll be okay. I just need some rest." I assured him.

Ko-kun nodded beginning to walk towards the door. "I will leave you to rest then."

He was half way out the door when I called over to him. "Ko-kun…" I stuttered.

Immediately, he turned around. "Yes Lady Hinata."

"P… please… Please…. don't tell my father… about this" I stuttered.

"I won't." He grimaced. "Get well soon."

"Thank you Ko-kun" I whispered.

The moment he was gone, I crawled underneath my covers and cried to my hearts content; free only to the real me inside the den I made beneath the sheets.

Kiba POV

I knocked at the Hyuuga house which I thought was really more of a soulless mansion. Hinata, I wondered how she was coping, I knew she was cut up about the whole nearly killing Naruto thing. Akamaru whined beside me, "I know boy I hate waiting too."

No one answered. I banged harder. Hinata's irritated dickhead father answered, "Oh it's the mutt boy." He sneered

"Oh it's the stuck up..." I started

Neji interrupted, "Kiba, Hinata is..."

Dickhead interrupted, "Isn't in."

Akamaru whined. "Oh really Akamaru?" I said walking away from the door Akamaru in tow.

"Where are you going?" Neji asked worried.

"Somewhere I get to finish sentences. Oh and if I found out either of you is the reason Hinata's crying you'll be sorry." I told them rashly storming off.

"Ha what can a pathetic person like you do against the great Hyuuga's?" Dickhead sneered. I ignored him. I had reached my destination looking up to the window.

"HINATA STAND BACK!" I yelled. Hinata's shocked face peered through the window and she hastily stepped back. "Ready Akamaru!" He barked his yes. "Fang over Fang!" We crashed through the window. Hinata had been crying; Akamaru had been right. Not giving her time to protest, I pulled her to Akamaru's back wrapping her arms around me.

"YOU MUTT!" Hinata's father screamed at me.

"Akamaru let's go! Hold on tight Hinata!" I yelled laughing manically. Hinata looked pale as we jumped into the yard.

We streaked through the forest in a blur to the sunflower fields on the edge of the Inuzuka land. I turned around when we came to stop, Hinata's eyes were closed. I laughed, "We're here now Hinata." I lifted her down.

"Thank you Kiba-kun." She said quietly not making eye contact. I could tell she was embarrassed about crying, so I sat down next to the tree and waited.

"You know there was big drama with Sakura and Naruto over Sasuke they are so dramatic that group." I babbled on about various goings-on in the village for what must have been at least half an hour.

Eventually she sat down next to me, "How did you know?" She asked timidly.

Immediately, I knew she was asking how I knew she was crying, "I came to get you for a mission and Akamaru smelt your tears. I figured you could do with a break from pretentiousness, so we broke in." I shrugged.

"Thank you." She said quietly looking away again cheeks reddened.

I didn't know what to do. All I knew was what I had known for years, I didn't want Hinata upset. "Hinata there is no need to be embarrassed you can tell me stuff you know, I won't tell anyone."

"I'm okay Kiba-kun really." She smiled a fake smile at me.

I wasn't letting it drop anymore. I had decided the day Neji died and her clan had treated her like crap, "Is it about Naruto? Hinata you don't have to feel sad about that because I will take your guilt for you okay?"

She looked at me shock in her voice, "Kiba-kun."

"I mean it I don't want you crying over it because really I helped tug Neji out, so don't feel bad anymore, okay? Naruto said it was cool and you didn't even know." I told her firmly. There was an awkward silence for a while. I waited as patiently as I could throwing sticks for Akamaru through the flowers.

"You know they installed new windows last week my father will be fuming." Hinata finally giggled beside me.

"Let him fume. You deserve even better new windows, those were so plain and boring, besides anyone could have broken in." I laughed.

At that moment I felt an awkward chakra creep up on us. Uh-oh. "Where have you been Kiba? You said you were just going to get Hinata three hours ago!" Shino hissed in his I'm-gonna-kill-you-Kiba voice.

"Heh-heh!" I laughed nervously, "Sorry about that, I kinda forgot."

Hinata gasped, "I'm so sorry Shino San!"

"That's me always forgotten." Depressing black clouds of bugs hovered around him.

"Yeah yeah, don't be overdramatic." I told Team Eight's resident drama king. "What are our orders?" The bugs buzzed angrily but he conceded.

"It is two-fold; we must find a criminal that could potentially be linked to Obito bring him in and if he is in league with him we must hunt for clues to Obito's current location." Shino said sternly. Okay, I could kind of see his point. This was an important mission. I looked over to Hinata who had paled.

My expression became serious, "Pack and we'll meet at the front gate in one hour. We have to get going as soon as possible. Come on Hinata I'll give you a lift back."

I started to climb on Akamaru's back, "Oh and Kiba?" Shino said quietly.

"Yep." I said pulling Hinata up.

"Be late again and you'll pay." He threatened quietly, the bugs buzzed in agreement.

I laughed nervously again, "Sure you got it buddy." After getting a few paces away I mumbled, "Freaking weirdo maniac."

"Kiba." Shino called.

"What now?" I grumbled loudly.

"My bugs hear everything." He said simply. My eyes widened and Akamaru sensing my fear began running. Hinata giggled again. 'Well at least she is having fun' I thought amused.

Lee POV

Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch.

Punching the wooden training log, I vowed, "If I cannot do seven hundred punches then I will have to do one thousand kicks."

Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch.

Gai-sensei appeared behind me, laughing heartedly, "I thought I'd find you here Lee."

Punch. Punch. I spun around. "Gai-sensei" I beamed. "What are you doing here? Have you by any chance come to teach me a new move?" My eyes burned passionately.

"This is why you're my favourite student Lee." Gai-sensei's eyes streamed with tears of joy, "Because even though we have only just returned from the heat of battle you are already hard at work training to become even stronger." He gave me his infamous nice guy pose. "You truly are a genius of hard work!"

My eyes were flooding at my sensei's kind words, "I have only gotten this far under your guidance Sensei."

"Oh Lee" Gai-sensei cried.

I snivelled, "Oh Gai-sensei."

"Oh brother" TenTen said, appearing behind us with Neji beside her.

"Hello, TenTen, Neji. Have you come to join us for some hardy training?" I asked them.

"Today we're going to do seven hundred laps of the leaf village…," Gai-sensei grinned, "on our hands!" TenTen and Neji sweat-dropped at our Sensei's words most likely tingling with anticipation for the strenuous effort we must put in to complete the task ahead. I smiled at their enthusiasm but I had an eagerness of my own. I would not be outdone by either of them, especially by my eternal rival, Neji Hyuuga. "And that's just for starters…" Gai-sensei added.

I began to tear up again, "You are the best Gai-sensei always pushing us to our limits."

Gai-sensei beamed. "That's what I'm here for Lee."

"Ha. Ha." TenTen laughed a little. "That is actually kind of why we are here."

Neji stepped forward very formally, speaking directly to Gai-sensei, "We have come to inform you that we cannot attend training today. Hokage-sama is sending us on our first mission as Anbu-"

"Isn't it exciting?" TenTen smiled brightly.

The news caused me to take a sharp intake of breath. "Oh no" I said. "You are going to miss out on all the fun that Gai-sensei has prepared for us." TenTen and Neji both pressed their palms to their foreheads doing their very best to hide the disappointment on their faces. 'Such youthful passion my comrades have' I thought, my eyes beginning to tear for them.

TenTen bit her lip, shaking a little, "Yeah Lee that really sucks." She smiled a little so strong that she could put on a brave face in front of Gai-sensei and I.

Neji rolled his eyes turning to leave. "We have to go now. We can run laps some other time." Neji was clearly so upset about missing out that he was rushing off to his mission in order to get back quicker for training – 'such dedication.'

'I must do whatever I can to help my comrades in arms.' "Don't you worry," I gave them a reassuring smile, "I will complete Gai-sensei's training regiment three times for you as well and when you come back I will do it again at your side. That it the depth of comradeship!"

Gai-sensei beamed at my words, "That a boy Lee."

TenTen and Neji looked frustrated at my words. 'They must be even more anxious to get going on their mission so that they can come back to complete their training.' Pushing them lightly on their backs, I urged them to be strong, "Get going now you youths!" I gave them my good guy pose. "And good luck!"

Now that TenTen and Neji had gone, Gai-sensei turned to me. "I have just had a genius idea Lee. Why don't we test your skills in a battle of youthfulness?"

"That is a wonderful idea Gai-sensei." The flames of youth burned in my eyes at his words. "I will do my very best to defeat you Gai-sensei even if you are a superior ninja known all over the Ninja World as MIGHT GUY!" Gai-sensei gave me his most handsome smile showing off his gleaming white teeth.

"Three times will complete the seven hundred laps of the Leaf Village on my hands and if I lose this battle with you Gai-sensei I will also do another five hundred laps for good measure. Then I will be moving that much closer to showing the world that I can become a truly splendid ninja even though I cannot use nin-jutsu or gen-jutsu."

"Very well Lee I will give you everything that I have got."

Gai-sensei came at me performing a flawless jump kick right into my face. "Dynamic Entry" he yelled. I blocked his attack by crossing my arms over my face. "Nice one Lee" Gai-sensei complimented me as I forced him back.

It was my turn to go on the offensive. "Leaf Whirlwind" I shouted, launching a succession of high and low kicks.

Gai-sensei, being a tai-jutsu master, easily grabbed hold of my leg and hurled me off into the air. "You put too much power into the high kick Lee. Remember what I told you in training, the high kick is little more than a feint that weakens your opponent's margin of evasion for the much more powerful lower kick." Gai-sensei told me. His words were so insightful that I wished to take out my notebook right then and there to write them down.

Gai-sensei had launched me into a vulnerable aerial position. I spun around in an attempt to stop, what I predicted Gai-sensei might do next, the Shadow of the Dancing Leaf. "Nice counter Lee" Gai-sensei commented. Spinning in the air, I caught sight of Gai-sensei opening the first of the Eight Inner Gates. 'Could he still perform that jutsu on me if I was spinning in the air?'

"I'm just *hiccup* getting started *hiccup*!" I promised him.

Gai-sensei looked impressed. "I see. You spun around in the air not only to counter my attack but to make yourself dizzy to synthesize the effects necessary for to use your Drunken-fist technique."

"I…*hiccup*" I wobbled from side to side. "You're right *hiccup* Gai-sensei." I got into a fighting stance. "Come at *hiccup* me. You want a piece *hiccup* of this!"

"Second gate!" Gai-sensei roared running towards me. "Leaf Great Whirlwind." He used his quickness and agility to try and deliver a powerful roundhouse kick. I bent all the way back to evade him until my head was only inches from the floor. Laying my head back, just a little further, I slipped into a nice sleep…

"Zzz *hiccup* Zzz *hiccup* Zzz *hiccup*."

I could have only just shut my eyes before Gai-sensei shouted "NO SLEEPING DURING BATTLE LEE!" He gave me no time to recover before he attacked. "Third gate! Dynamic Entry!" We then entered an intense exchange of blows neither us managing to get in a real hit.

Gai-sensei had disappeared from my sight. "Where are *hiccup* you?" I spun with a wobbly footing. "Where are you?" I asked, finally starting to stop hiccupping.

Gai-sensei appeared below me, then with a swift upper kick, he launched me into the air; he jumped up following me, using my blind spot so that I couldn't see what he was doing, and then I felt him restraining me before we were diving head-first towards the ground. "Primary Lotus" Gai-sensei yelled as we smashed into the ground.

My whole body was in pain. I had bruises all over and my rib felt like it might have cracked. I tried to stand up only to collapse as my leg convulsed causing a fresh explosion of pain.

"Incredible," I groaned, "as expected from you Gai-sensei."

"Ha, ha, Lee," Gai-sensei said helping me up, "you are improving greatly but you still are not match for that handsome devil of the Leaf Might Guy!" I shook myself off. Taking in my appearance, Gai-sensei looked concerned. "You should probably go to the hospital and get yourself checked out before you continue on your training."

I saluted him. "Yes, Gai-sensei, I will go right away."

He shifted all of his weight onto his hands beginning his laps around the village. "Be quick about it Lee or I will get too far ahead of you."

"Yes, Gai-sensei, I will get there in twice the time – No, three times as fast!" I said, limping a little as I walked in the direction of the hospital.

"I'll ceya later Lee."

"Goodbye Gai-sensei."

On the way I spotted my pink-haired beauty carrying medical supplies in the direction of the hospital.

My heart skipped a beat, my face flushed and my palms got all clammy. "Sakura-chan…" She was the epitome of loveliness; her hair more luscious than Gai-sensei's, her eyes brighter green than that of my best leotard and her cheeks had a natural rosiness to them glowing like the blossoms that were her namesake. 'As a gentleman I should offer to carry those supplies for her.' "Sakura-chan!" I called to her.

Sakura stopped in the middle of the red wooden bridge. Thinking that she had heard me, I ran to catch up with her but when I did I realised that she stopped for an entirely different reason.

Following her line of sight, I saw…

People walked the other way in the street when Sasuke came out of the Hokage office clearing him a path off in the direction of the Uchiha district. Whereas Naruto had the opposite problem having to quickly placate all his fans and admirers that tried to keep him there when he was trying to catch up with Sasuke.

"Sasuke" Naruto called after him. "Sasuke wait up!"

He kept on walking his hands in his pockets.

"Teme let's go and spar!"

Sasuke didn't turn around, he just sighed, "I can't today Naruto, I'm busy."

"Uh… okay- that's cool." Naruto kicked the dust at his feet clearly disheartened but he never let the smile disappear from his face. "I have Hokage stuff to do anyway... how about later?"

"Hn" Sasuke said, not really giving him an answer.

Sasuke continued walking in the direction of the Uchiha district and Naruto turned on his heels starting to walk in our direction towards his own home on the other side of town.

Sakura had a violent reaction to seeing her old teammates; her hands tightened around the basket of medical supplies and little droplets of water began falling onto the red beamed floor – 'Sakura is crying.'

"Sakura…" I whispered.

I never wanted to see Sakura's kind eyes full of tears. So I made a vow, right then and there, 'I will ensure Sakura has a smile on her face everyday and do my very best to make sure she never cries again.' Thoughtfully, I placed my finger on my chin. 'Now, how do I make Sakura smile? Training – no, talking to Gai-sensei…'

I remembered Gai-sensei's words to me…

"To make someone feel better you must develop a smile so contagious others are rendered powerless against it and must smile along with you. That Lee is the cure to a broken heart."

Gai-sensei has always made me feel better with his smile. I remember the time I thought all hope was lost, when Lady Tsunade told me that I should give up on my dream of becoming a Ninja, but Gai-sensei would not let me abandon my dream giving me a renewed faith in myself with his smile. The memory was all to clear…

"Since the day I met you, my nindo has been to train you to become the most splendid ninja possible," Gai-sensei gave me a most sincere smile, "that's a promise!"

That must have been the smile that Gai-sensei was talking about. 'That is the perfect way to make Sakura-chan smile.'

Suddenly noticing my presence, Sakura turned to me. "Lee… uh… hi" She said, wiping away the tears from her eyes.

Unprepared, I gave her a goofy grin and a big thumbs up. "Sak… Sakura… I will make you hu… happy again… that's a promise" I stumbled over my own words.

Sakura dropped the basket in her hands, her eyes flooding with tears as if my words were only confirming her heartbreak. 'Oh no, I must not be doing it right, my smile is having the opposite effect.' "Wait, stop, Sakura-chan, please don't cry, please don't go." I called after her, she was walking away.

"I just want to be alone" she shouted between sobs.

Standing there at the middle of the bridge, I watched Sakura's form retreating into the distance.

'What had I done?' I feared the worse. 'I vowed to make Sakura-chan smile everyday and try my hardest never to see her cry again. I was already failing; I just made her cry—'

"Hello Busy-brows…," Naruto waved his hand in front of my face, "are you in there?"

I snapped out of it, jumping a little, "Naruto-kun."

Naruto chuckled. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you, just thought you might need some help." He looked down at the basket on the floor with all of its contents scattered around and some even taking to the wind. "Oh no" I gasped, running to collect everything.

"I'll help." Naruto started to do hand-signs, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." Hundreds of his shadow clones appeared. The real Naruto ordered the others, "Right guys after that stuff!" He quickly managed to get all the supplies back in the basket. He passed it back to me with a friendly smile on his face, "Here you go Busy-brows."

"Thanks Naruto" I said, bowing my head.

"Sure," Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "least I could do considering you brought me home last night. It was you, wasn't it? I don't remember much."

"Yes it was me," I nodded with a warm smile, "I walked you home from the Uchiha district."

Naruto looked thoughtful for a moment starting to look off into the direction that I just mentioned. His mind was wandering, returning the favour, I snapped him out of it, "Naruto…"

"Oh - Sorry, what was I saying? Oh yeah, that's it, thanks for last night Bushy-brows." He paused for a moment then. "Is that basket Sakura-chan's? I can sense her chakra."

Hesitantly, I answered him, "Yes." I wasn't sure whether I should tell him. Did he even remember their argument last night? Sakura-chan had been so sad after seeing him and Sasuke earlier. I had just promised to make her smile and try my hardest to stop her from every crying again. 'Would seeing Naruto make her sad like earlier or would it make her smile again?'

Reading my expression, Naruto grimaced, "Say hi to her from me." He paused awkwardly for a moment. "Well I should probably go… ceya around Bushy-brows"

Guiltily, I gave him my friendliest grin. "I'll see you later Naruto-kun."

Next Chapter: Enemies return, great minds meet, KibaHinaShino make unexpected friends, and more!