Hi Everyone, the Pinkboy Naberrie here. Chapter Four, Sasuke's Turmoil has now been posted. More updates will be posted soon. Be sure to follow, fav, review, and Enjoy. Naberrie.

Chapter Four

Sasuke's Turmoil

Sakura awoke the following morning with a start.

She'd had some trouble getting to sleep after everything she'd heard the previous night, but eventually she managed to get some rest.

The pinkette sat up and looked around. The bright sunlight illuminating the pink walls of her room meant the storm had finally ended.

The girl snatched her ceramic brush and hair-band off her bedside table and headed straight for her closet. She had made a promise to herself that no matter how nervous she got today around Menma, she was going to spend all her time with the twins. They needed her now more than ever.

She just needed to pick out the right outfit. Ultimately, she decided on the flamingo-pink top and matching shorts Cousin Kurenai had sent her for her sixteenth birthday.

Once she was dressed, she scurried over to the mirror attached to the back of her closet door. She buttoned her top, fixed her hair, and looked over her appearance with a deep breath.

"You can do this Sakura. Just be yourself, like Shizune and Ton-Ton said," Sakura told herself firmly.

Her courage didn't last long. She lost her balance and stumbled over her Gamecube when her bedroom door opened, letting in a smiling blonde in a Guns N' Roses t-shirt. She had to hold on to her bedpost for support.

"Good-Morning Sakura. Looking good Cousin!"

Sakura breathed a sigh of relief and returned to her feet.

"Oh…It's only you Naruto. I should've known. Can you try knocking next time?"

"Sorry about that Sakura," Naruto apologized. "But I tried knocking last night and you didn't answer, remember?"

Sakura felt a sudden pang of guilt about how rude she'd been to the twins the night before. Not only had she refused to greet them when they arrived, but she was also completely useless when the boy she was in love with needed her most.

"Yeah…That was kind of shitty wasn't it? You must think I'm pretty rude, huh?"

Naruto shrugged this off. "Maybe if we had just met," he said. "But I know you a lot better than that Cousin. I also know how goofy you tend to get whenever Menma is around."

Sakura sighed in embarrassment and sat on her bed. She was looking down at her toes now. It had been almost two days since she'd polished them.

"Is it really that obvious?"

"Sort of."

"You boys must think I'm pretty gross then."

"What? We don't think that about you Sakura."

Sakura still wasn't looking at him. She was trying to focus on the traces of Claret polish on the edges of her toe-nails.

"You don't need to lie to me Naruto. What kind of girl falls in love with her own Cousin?"

Naruto wasn't sure to say. It probably seemed gross to someone that didn't understand Sakura's feelings, but he understood her all too well. His brother felt the same way she did. If he saw Sakura as gross, then he'd have to think of his brother that way as well, and he refused to feel that way about either of them.

Sakura went on.

"All I really want…Is for Menma to accept me Naruto; that's all. But he doesn't love me at all, does he? At least…Not the way I love him."

Naruto had never broken a promise to his brother, or really to anyone before. But he wanted Sakura to know the truth. It was what was best for all of them. The Uzumaki's living there would never work out if Menma and Sakura were always weird around each other.

"Well...Actually…"

"What is it Naruto? He told you something about me didn't he?!" Sakura said suddenly, springing to her feet.

She was in Naruto's face now, her blue eyes gazing into his expectantly. Her closeness made his heart speed up and his lower body uncomfortable. He could see why Menma liked her so much.

"I'm not really sure if I should tell you this or not. Menma made me swear not to say anything."

Sakura grabbed him by the shoulders. She had a desperate look in her eyes.

"What is it Naruto?! You have to tell me! I swear I won't repeat it to anybody!"

"Well…It's just…Menma's in love with you too Sakura. He's done nothing but talk about how amazing you are since we got here. He'd probably slug me if he knew I'd told you, but I feel like you should know the truth."

Sakura backed away from him. A weird grin had formed on her face. Then, a second or so later, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Sakura…Are you…"

"You don't know how happy that makes me Naruto. I thought he'd be disgusted by me. I thought you'd both be disgusted by me," the girl said in relief.

Naruto smiled warmly at his cousin and they embraced. When the pair broke apart he said, "We could never be disgusted with you Sakura. You're our Cousin. Not only that, but you're also our friend. We'll love you and support you no matter what.

"Just be cool around Menma and try not to rush things or make a fool of yourself. The right moment will come for you guys to confess your feelings for each other. Things will work out fine between the two of you…I know it."

"Thanks Naruto."

"Don't mention it. Now, with the serious shit aside," Naruto said with a grin. "Why don't we go downstairs and get some breakfast?

"Then later on tonight, we can go hang at Henderson Beach. I heard there's a really great Guns N' Roses tribute band that's going to be performing there. Their new lead singer is supposed to be super hot too."

Sakura giggled shakily. She knew how Naruto tended to be around hot guys. He could be a real gigolo.

"Breakfast sounds great Naruto. I'd hate to leave that silly Indian in the kitchen unattended for too long. You know he gets when we have guests."

Naruto and Sakura both laughed. He was glad she was finally beginning to act like her old self again. A mischievous smirk spread across Naruto's face when he saw the large stack of video games spread across his cousin's dresser.

"Is that seriously the new 'Skies of Arcadia' for Gamecube? I never would've tagged you as a gamer Sakura."

Sakura's cheeks flushed burgundy with embarrassment.

"W-What's wrong with that? I know plenty of other girls who play video games."

"Yeah, like who? Menma would probably die laughing if he…"

Naruto stopped talking. He knew had spoken out of turn. Sakura's hands were balled up in fists and she had a hostile glare in her eyes that eerily resembled his mother's.

"Sakura…I didn't mean…"

"Naruto!" The Pinkette growled.

"I didn't mean that. I just don't know a lot of girls that are into that kind of stuff, you know? But that doesn't mean you can't be a gamer. There are plenty of girls that don't like traditional girly things. Not that you're not girly or anything…"

Sakura gritted her teeth like a wild animal about to be unleashed.

"Say another word Naruto and I'll break your face."

Naruto waved his hands in front of himself apologetically. "No, Sakura, that's not what I. What I really mean is that your actually way more girly than all the other chicks I know back home…You're so girly that…"

"Naruto you Muff-Diver!" Sakura shrieked.

Naruto sensed danger coming, but he wasn't quick enough. Before he could turn to leave, Sakura punched him in the gut and threw him back into hallway. She slammed the door shut behind him.

"Pink-Haired Witch!" Naruto shouted through her door immaturely. "That's what I get for being nice to you!"

But Naruto knew she wasn't listening. He could hear the chorus of Britney Spears' "Oops I did it Again" playing on her Boom-Box in order to drown him out.

"Why that little…For a chick who's so sensitive…She can be a real…"

"Naruto is everything okay? You look a little flustered," Menma commented, emerging from their bedroom in jeans and a navy blue t-shirt. He looked much better than he had the previous night. For someone who'd been so distraught, he'd slept well.

"Isn't Sakura going to come downstairs for breakfast? Iruka's making us Pancakes and Bacon."

"That evil broad!" Naruto vented. "I was nice as hell to that chick, only to have her call me a Muff-Diver and throw me out of her room."

Menma grinned. "Well anyway, at least she's back to being her old self again. Come on man, let's get some breakfast."

Sasuke was beginning to fall ill.

It'd been almost four days now since he'd fed, and he'd been avoiding Sarada like the plague. She wouldn't stop hounding him about having a proper Vampire diet. Now he knew why.

The teen wiped a patch of sweat from his forehead and plugged in his electric-red guitar. No matter how he felt, he wanted to get all the practice he could before tonight.

But it was all for naught…

Seconds later, he collapsed onto his knees on the floor of his room. He was holding his stomach and coughing up blood mixed with green slime and puss.

His vision was unfocused and his skin had gone even paler than usual. He was paying for his stubbornness in spades.

There were a couple knocks at his door.

"Go the Hell away!" He growled, rabid and feral like a wild beast.

"Sasuke? Are you alright in there? Sarada says you still haven't fed…"

"D-Dammit! Just shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Sasuke screeched. His head felt like it was going to explode. At this rate…

"I'm coming in Sasuke."

Sasuke's older brother Itachi Uchiha burst into his room, his face ripe with worry.

"Sasuke, what's wrong?"

Itachi saw his brother and stopped in his tracks.

"Blood! Blood Itachi! I need Blood!"

Sasuke lunged at his sibling. His handsome features were contorted hideously and his eyes had taken on a frightening yellowish tint.

Once he was latched onto his brother, he bit down into his neck, sucking out blood like crazy. Itachi was stunned at first. A minute or so passed before he slid his fingers into his brother's hair, massaging his scalp soothingly.

"There there younger brother. Drink Up. Sarada says you haven't been feeding. You should take better care of yourself."

Sasuke came to his senses. He withdrew his fangs and pulled away from his brother. His lips were smeared with blood and he had a remorseful look in his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry…Itachi," Sasuke panted.

"It's no problem Sasuke. I'm just glad you finally had something to drink. Even if it was only my blood.

"Did you need anything else?"

Sasuke hesitated for a moment and then said, "Can you maybe…Bring me some of that tourist Sarada said you saved for me…If there's enough left for the two of you that is."

Itachi smiled warmly at his brother. "Of course Sasuke. I'll be back in a minute."

When Itachi was halfway over the threshold, Sasuke said, "Brother…Have you…Chosen a mate yet?"

The older Uchiha hesitated. "No. You?"

"No…I still haven't found the right person Itachi."

Itachi turned to leave. "Wait here."

Once Sasuke was sure his brother was out of earshot, he kicked his guitar across the room, shattering it in two. He coughed up some more blood and dropped back down to his knees, panting. His eyes were blazing deep red and his face was contorted with rage.

"D-Dammit. I refuse to be…A monster."

The Uchiha punched the floor. "I'll get you for this. I swear I'll get you for this…Madara."

Naruto and Menma enjoyed the best breakfast they'd had in a long time.

It was great to be hanging out with Sakura again and it also gave the twins a chance to catch up with Iruka and Shizune who they'd also not seen in a while.

They were getting ready to clear the kitchen table when an abrupt crash in the other room made them all jump.

Naruto, Menma, and Sakura exchanged glances before dashing out into the corridor. All three of them noticed right away that something was out of place. The glass cabinet outside the sitting room was smashed to smithereens as though someone had struck it in a fit of rage, and the sliding doors leading outside were ajar.

A few rooms away, the teenagers could hear their Aunt Tsunade screaming and cursing up a storm into her landline. She didn't sound at all like her usual self.

Sakura had gone very pale and the two twins looked horrified.

Before the trio could get any closer to find out what the problem was, Tsunade went storming past them into the kitchen. She was sipping Vodka and smoking. She looked super distraught.

Naruto was really starting to worry. It'd been a long time since his Aunt had acted like this.

The blonde took a few steps toward the glass sliding doors leading out to Tsunade's beach. Sakura and Menma were both holding on to one of his arms and breathing heavily.

A second or so later, Shizune came scurrying out of the kitchen carrying Ton-Ton the Pig. The woman muttered a few mean words and disappeared into the sitting room.

Iruka was not far behind. The man stumbled out of the kitchen with his face drenched in sweat. He looked worse than anyone.

"Those fucking crones…Of all the times for them to show up at my doorstep…Dammit, I'm so over this!" Tsunade yelled, darting back into the sitting room after Shizune.

Naruto gulped. No…It couldn't possibly be them…Could it?

"Hey Sakura!" A familiar voice chirped. "Naruto! Menma!"

Naruto's brain short-circuited when his cousin Ino Sarutobi appeared between the glass sliding doors. She was wearing a yellow bikini and carrying a disposable camera. She had on a relieved grin.

The twins were half-expecting Konohamaru, but instead they got grumpy Shikamaru. The pony-tailed wearing teen came panting into the room, looking super exhausted.

"For goodness sake Ino, don't be so fucking loud. I just went two-hundred miles in a confined space with Grandpa and Grandma. Dammit, this whole thing is such a drag."

Ino ignored her brother and tackled all three of her cousins to the floor in a massive bear hug that should be impossible for a girl her size. She looked super happy to see them. When the blonde finally moved off of them, the teens panted.

"Thank goodness we're finally here," Ino said dramatically. "You have no idea what kind of hell Shikamaru and I had to endure! It was even worse than that time Cousin Choji sat on me at Disney Land!"

Ino and her cousins returned to their feet. Normally, Sakura and the Uzumaki brothers were much happier to see her, but now, there was only one thing on their minds. They couldn't mask the dread from their faces.

Naruto could no longer think straight and Sakura's scrawny knees looked as though they were doomed to give out at any second.

There was no more time to react. There was another crash before the two people Naruto and Menma hated most came waltzing into the room. They were carrying suitcases which looked too heavy for them and they were both cursing loudly.

The first of the two arrivals was a bitter looking old man with a Cigar in his mouth. The second was an undersized little old lady wearing soiled trousers and a blue bonnet.

Aunt Biwako and Uncle Hiruzen had come…

"To Hell with that Tsunade!" Uncle Hiruzen roared meanly. "That good-for-nothing chiseler hasn't seen us for a year! The least she could've done was opened up the trunk and got me my stogies!"

Aunt Biwako let her luggage fall to the floor carelessly.

"She's as low as ever dear," The little old lady replied with pursed lips. "She's gotten worse since that cheater Dan left her!"

The instant Uncle Hiruzen saw Iruka and the twins, he pointed his lit Cigar at them and yelled, "Biwako, there's Kushina's spawns and that crazy Indian that nearly killed us last Christmas with the flaming tangerines!"

The old woman Biwako squinted as though she was having trouble seeing.

"Your right dear," she hissed. "Don't just stand there you slackers! Come help an old lady with her bags! I'll give you a dime each for service!"

Petrified with shock and alarm, Iruka and the boys exchanged looks before going to help with the luggage.

"Hey…Watch your step ya' little rascals! I just had this belt polished!" Hiruzen warned.

"You see Sakura," Ino whispered to her cousin. "They're not well…Either of them."

Sakura exhaled. This was going to be a nightmare.

It took the inhabitants of Tsunade's Beach-House at least an hour before they came to terms with Biwako and Hiruzen's arrival. Some were having a harder time than others.

From the moment the two geezers arrived, they'd terrorized Iruka, ordering the man around and forcing him to do stupid things like taste their drinks and adjust the sitting room chairs.

All the while, they kept cursing and calling him mean names like "Crazy Indian" and "Teepee Builder." It made the twins want to throttle them.

Wanting to avoid the dotards at all costs, Tsunade and Shizune left for the club in town to gamble on the horse races. Kushina on the other hand was at a job interview. The news had surprised her sons, but they were happy for her nonetheless.

Naruto, Menma, and Sakura were also doing their best to stay away from Biwako and Hiruzen. The twins had grabbed some snacks from the freezer and all three of them went outside to Tsunade's beach with Ino and Shikamaru.

"I'm really sorry about this you guys," Ino apologized, licking some melting cream off the side of her Banana Split.

"Yeah, seriously you guys, we both are. We had no idea you two would have to suffer through this with us," Shikamaru added.

Sakura didn't say anything. The twins just shrugged them off. They were all outside sitting in the sand by the sea-shore.

"So where's Konohamaru? Why isn't he with you?" Naruto asked curiously. He wanted to change the subject.

One of Tsunade's black cats was watching them from the Gazebo. It gave Menma the shivers but he didn't say anything.

"Ugh…You had to ask," Shikamaru groaned, tossing what was left of his Popsicle into the ocean.

"He's in Wisconsin camping with Dad," Ino said. "Mom wanted some alone time I guess. That's why we're here."

Naruto nodded. He paused when his brother caught his gaze. His twin was watching nervously as more and more black cats convened in the Gazebo to watch them.

"Naruto…" He whispered.

"Shush. Ignore it."

"Is something wrong boys?" Sakura asked obliviously.

"Oh, it's nothing Sakura," Naruto answered quickly. "So, Ino, Shikamaru, since you guys want to avoid your grandparents, why don't you come and hang with us tonight at Henderson Beach? It's supposed to be a really awesome place after dark."

"Well, I guess it's not like we have anything else to do. Staying here would be twice the drag."

"A night on the town sounds great," Ino told them. "It'll give me a chance to get picked up by a hot guy…Or two."

"Ugh…Is that all you ever think about Ino?" Shikamaru asked.

They all laughed. A night at Henderson Beach would be the perfect way for Naruto and Menma to let loose and get their minds off the things that were troubling them.