I annoyingly popped one eye open. I knew it was time to get up and I had heard Naruto and Sasuke get up earlier. It was ten in the morning and Sasuke had mentioned during the card game last night that we should head down about nine in the morning to eat breakfast. Forget breakfast sleeping overrules just about everything!

I yawned, stretched, and dragged myself out of bed. I could feel "mental me" pushing me forwards, telling me to get off my lazy "wigglebutt," and screaming to shut up my stomach.

For whatever reason, I forgot I wasn't home. I knew I was in a motel, but it didn't process through completely that I wasn't home with my family. In my pajamas, or also known as just undies and a t-shirt, I went to breakfast. When I finally realized I was too embarrassed to move. It's like that nightmare people talk about on the internet of going to school naked.

Sasuke handed me three plates, one with pancakes, the second with waffles, and the third with French toast. Before I could get up and run upstairs toward my room Sasuke had come back with syrup, honey, butter, and a jar of strawberry jelly. He had asked if I needed anything else, but how am I suppose to finish a single plate? He told me he just wanted to make sure I was well fed. I was just thinking how Ino could probably eat all three of these in no time, but I don't even know if I'll make it past the first pancake.

I tried to scoot into the table as far as possible so nobody could see. Sasuke must have noticed.

"Sakura relax. Nobody is here, but the pack."

Oh thanks! I didn't even take into count that humans could see me like this too. I'm weird to strangers and my pack!

"Sakura. Listen, if anybody gives you crap for this you let me know. It's fine. We all know you just came out of bed and we all plan on living together anyways. Just getting used to new habits is all."

"Alright…I guess…"

"Well do you need anything else? Did you want something else?"

"No…Is it obvious? If I scoot in does it look like I'm wearing pants?"

"You want me to go up and grab you some pants form the room?"

"Would you please?"

He nodded and headed off. He juggles the room key with one hand as he left. I looked around hoping people were too preoccupied. To my luck, I couldn't see anybody who had noticed.

Just as my hopes went up Naruto sat next to me. Though, he didn't seem to notice a thing because he went straight to talking to me like it was just a normal morning. He merrily told me about this dream he had last night.

"It was really weird! There was this lady and she was dancing on top of water, but she was naked!"

My eyes widened and I quickly scanned to see if anybody had heard his loud mouth! Thankfully people were still too busy to notice. I responded to Naruto.

"Should you be telling me this dream?"

"Well I wasn't going to tell you about those parts."

It didn't take him long to catch that he just kind of did…

"Well…She had long hair and it seemed to be some kind of dark hair. She had these big bright eyes and her hair swayed everywhere with her just perfectly. I almost felt like it was a memory, as if I knew this person outside of this dream, like in real life maybe!"

"Is that including…"

He blushed and scratched his head before answering, "No, I'm pretty sure those parts was all me, but still weird though right?"

Oh thank God! Sasuke was back and he carried a bunch of papers on top so it didn't look suspicious. He quickly gave me the pants and I shoved them on.

Naruto finally realizing shockingly told me, "You weren't wearing any pants? Did you just walk down here right after waking up? Does that mean you're not wearing a bra either?"

Before I could answer Sasuke had something to say, "Shut up Naruto. At least she didn't go streaking, drunk, and then threw rocks at some chick's window to get her attention in the middle of the night. Finds out it's the wrong house, and then cracks the window of the right house. Gets her attention and decides to attempt to sing a song that made no sense in your drunk mumble, and your terrible tune that got the dad to come outside ready to kick your ass. You were stupid enough to think he was greeting you hello so you hugged him, still naked."

I couldn't help but laugh really badly. I can't believe Naruto did that! Granted he would do something that stupid, but I still can't believe he'd actually done it. Also he hugged him?!

He grinningly responded, "Well thankfully I had you as a great best friend to come and save me, eh Sasuke?"

I was a bit puzzled, "What did you do?"

Sasuke sighed, "Nothing. I just told him that my friend here was drunk and being abnormally stupid and I'm sorry for the disturbance. I guess because I was a royal or whatever he decided not to argue with me and immediately handed me back Naruto."

I didn't have to ask to understand what he meant by being a royal and all that. Everyone is suppose to give a form of respect to the royals because if it weren't for them we'd be forced into the human life of money. I wanted to ask what the girl's name was, but Neji had gathered everyone's attention to say something.

"I just wanted you all to know that Gaara's home won. Sasuke will explain the rest."

"I have everyone split into groups. We three will drive you and stop at places, when you need to. It should only take an estimated time of two days to get there. We know the way so it doesn't matter if that car's group decides to take a few detours for sightseeing or whatever. The car with Gaara driving is Lee, Temari, and Tenten. Neji's group is Chouji, Shino, and Kiba with his little dog that I see you snuck in with you... Obviously the rest are with me, which are Sakura, Naruto, Ino, and Shika."

I'm guessing Gaara's won because it was the closest to home and had an even amount of human population. I'm still kind of worried of the house's condition; although, it can't be that bad can it?

I'm glad I got to see Ino again. It's somewhat weird she's about disappeared on me, but to be honest, before the parade we hadn't visually seen each other for almost three months. We've gotten more distant over the years after middle school, and every conversation became electronic. I still believe our friendship hasn't changed.

I felt wrong for hating Shika because I haven't even met him. I wanted some time to have "girl chat" with Ino, but I knew she'd be too preoccupied with Shika for the whole trip. Deep down I knew even if she had promised to chat with me she'd forget and no matter what so long as Shika was there to distract her I wouldn't get my wish.

I don't know what it was, maybe that old child-bond being reunited lately, or the his stupidity was in such a friendly matter that he'd be trustworthy, but I thought about just talking with Naruto. I used to tell him all the same secrets I'd tell Ino. Naruto was a kind person, but would he listen? Probably more so than Ino.

We were dismissed and Sasuke told us we'd be leaving in half an hour. I went upstairs to the room so I could change properly. I giggled remembering the conversation during breakfast about Naruto and his Romeo attempt.

It didn't take me long to get ready. I didn't even open up my backpack until today. Probably because I was too sad to look inside yesterday.

I went downstairs to the lobby and waited next to two guys. I quickly learned their names were Kiba and Shino, ironically the two people Ino tired to hook us up with in our conversation that one day.

I greeted them first, "Hey."

Kiba responded while Shino just nodded. I said the puppy was cute and I guess that was the right thing to say because it broke the ice and got Kiba started talking.

"Oh thanks! His name is Akamaro. He is almost a year old. His favorite food is Ramon."

"That's funny because that's Naruto's favorite food too."

"Yeah if I had a noodle or two I'd show you some of the tricks he can do. He just learned how to roll over. I'm thinking of entering him into contests, but I don't know how well he'd win with his looks. There was this nice girl named Ino that volunteered to help with that if I did enter."

"That's my best friend!"

"What was your name again?"

"Sakura."

"How long have Ino and you been friends?"

"Oh wow geez... uh kindergarten I think? Around there."

"Well that's strange... I talked to her almost throughout the night last night and she did all the talking, but she never mentioned you."

"I'm sure I'll pop up sooner or later in one of her stories. We used to hang out with each other a lot as kids, and when we got older we'd message each other about everything."

"Yeah... well anyways Shino and I were just talking about what we thought life might be like from now on."

"Well it's going to be obviously different than from before. I almost feel like we'll be like one of those High School TV shows."

"Yeah... that's kind of what Shino and I had thought."

"What did you two have in mind?"

"Well a lot more partying. Less privacy. Don't mean to offend you, but some high tensions if you get what I mean?"

He winked a bit, and I realized he wasn't talking about heated arguments. He meant sexual tensions...

"I guess I didn't put a lot of thought into that. I used to always hear the best choices for mates were members of your pack."

"...I didn't exactly mean dating... I meant... more trail and error."

I may be part blonde, but I got it. One night stands...

"You'd do that with the pack?"

"Well I didn't necessarily mean that... I mean doing whatever it takes to get laid. For example, furry is a new thing and I can just say I'm into that stuff to explain the tail to the humans. Shino here is a vampire, who turns into a bat, so he'll probably never have to worry about giving up the secret."

I didn't know how comfortable I felt in this conversation. Kiba tried apologizing that he didn't mean to put me at insult, it's just he wanted to live a little. Shino said that he was more interested in a relationship deal than what Kiba was asking for. So Shino wanted sex, but with a mate, while Kiba just wanted sex. I couldn't put Kiba to total blame because I'm not too sure what I'm after. Am I even after anything?

"Well you ladies are hot. I just don't want to hurt you girls especially if things don't work out. I feel like getting it out of my system with humans first is the best plan of action."

I didn't know what to say. Thankfully someone said something for me.

"Fine! Go stick it wherever you want, but just know if you fall in love with her you're probably not winning her over because the furry thing gets old and she'll never understand if you tell her the truth let alone believe it. If we ever go back to our families you can enjoy explaining your actions to your family if you're man enough to tell the truth that is. Sin all you like because karma is a bitch and you know you're being deceiving to those women."

She had two neat buns on both sides of her head. A light, milk chocolate hair color and almost as skinny as me. I wish I had the courage to say something like she did. It's not my place to judge, but she's got a point that he knows he is conning them for his own desires and that's not right. It be one thing if he wanted a sexual relationship like Shino, but that's not what he was wishing for.

"I guess that's a fair statement. I thank you Tenten for you're opinion, but honestly I just want sex. If there is a chance for a relationship I'll take it, but I got hormones and I've been stuck in community for too long. There is enough good karma on me to break a heart or two," Kiba tried to defend himself.

I wanted to say he was disgusting for just wanting to use women for his own pleasures, but it is true, he has been locked up and the whole idea of this pack thing is to go out and be wild.

Chouji came down the stairs and Neji had came over to take his group now that Chouji had arrived. It was just in time before this conversation got anymore heated. I smiled at Chouji as he left, but I don't think he recognized me and the only reason I had recognized him was because he was the last member within Neji's group.

It was a bit of an awkward silence after Neji left. I don't know why I wanted to still make small talk with Kiba, but I started with, "Ino once convinced me to follow her outside the forest. She'd learned how to drive a bit and stolen some car keys from an elder. We only drove a few blocks, but it was fun."

"How did she figure out which car it was? Everyone may know the elders park on the big lot, but so do the humans."

"The license plate said the name."

"Ino did seem like a wild one. I'm guessing you're not..."

I don't know if that was an insult or not... I just decided to not talk anymore. His puppy may be cute, but he's on a whole different level...

Thankfully everyone started to arrive not long after the conversation had died out. We all left to our designated cars. I walked straight up to Naruto to chat. He wasn't declined to my company thankfully. I didn't want to talk to Ino because she'd hardly chat with me anyways, and she might start talking about Kiba.

"Hey Sakura! You got your big girl pants on?"

He elbowed me lightly obviously indicating it's a joke. I smiled and rolled my eyes.

"Yeah...Yeah... Do you know Kiba, Naruto?"

"Uh...yeah. The guy with the dog?"

"Yeah. What do you think of him?"

"I don't know. He was hitting pretty hard on Ino last night when I saw the two. I waved to Ino, but I knew she wouldn't wave back. The thing is when I waved Kiba wrapped his arm around her."

I looked over at Ino now. She was latched onto Shika again. I was so focused on them at first I didn't notice Naruto put my backpack in the car. Shika kept making this statement that she is so troublesome, and it made Ino chuckle. Shika sort of smiled as he said the statement. I wonder if Shika's intentions are the same as Kiba's.

I thanked Naruto, finally realizing what he had done for me and entered into the SUV. Nobody to shotgun. Ino and Shika were in the way back and Naruto and I were in the middle seats.

"Sakura don't worry about Ino too much. I think she's just getting a feel for everybody right now. She'll be back to your best friend again," Naurto reassuringly whispered to me.

I had sympathy for Naruto because it almost sounded like he thought it go back to not seeing him anymore once Ino finds me interesting again. I don't mind Ino meeting new people, but Naruto has been really kind to me. So even if Ino doesn't like it I'm going to make sure to see Naruto a lot more than what I had been.

After about an hour Naruto fell asleep, which is surprising because Ino was no quiet laugher. Eventually I got bored and accompanied Sasuke up front. Once I buckled in to my new seat I saw Sasuke hit this button that looked like a seat and it lit up orange after he touched it.

He answered my silent question, "Butt warmer. It warms up your butt area of the seat and I just figured you'd enjoy that. I know it's hot out so I set it to level one."

"Thanks. So how long until we can stop, Sasuke?"

"Whenever you all choose. Doesn't bother me. You have something in mind?"

"Uh... yeah kind of. Wendy's?"

"Sure."

"Isn't it funny? Naruto can sleep through almost anything!"

"Yeah especially tests."

We both laughed. That gave me a funny memory of how Naruto was always getting scolded by the teachers.

"So Sakura... I didn't know if I wanted to say anything, but if someone hurt you, even verbally, I need to know. I heard what sounded like crying last night, and I waited to make sure you didn't have one of those laughs that sounds like a cry. Before I could come up and confront you in the night, it died out and I could see that you had fallen asleep."

"Nobody hurt me... I just... missed my family."

"You must've gotten along really well with them."

"Yeah my Grams is my best friend."

"I thought Ino is your best friend."

I didn't say anything. I looked back and the two were cuddling. I thought about it for a bit.

"She's still my best friend, just Grams overruled when Grams had the time to come over."

"Family first right?"

"I guess."

"Neji mentioned you and a few others had an argument this morning. Anything I need to be concerned about?"

"I don't think so. Kiba just said he really wanted sex with no strings attached. Tenten made a statement about karma. Kiba argued he had the rights to be wild and free, but Tenten agreed, she just said it was a sin to lie and make the women think there was more to it than what Kiba was offering."

"Oh...yeah. I confess that I thought the same way Kiba thinks at first. It didn't take me long to catch on that physical sex could only get you so far. It's the emotion that really counts and you can't have that with just anybody. It needs to be with a special someone. Sex can be a beautiful and wonderful thing, but it can also be really harmful to people."

"I didn't realize you'd done it..."

"Yeah... A few times, but not with the right person yet. I'm focused on finding someone to have a relationship that eventually emotionally takes us to that stage. I think Kiba will figure that out too."

"Hopefully."

"So what's your opinion?"

"On what?"

"Sex. I realize you haven't had it yet, but that doesn't mean you can't have an opinion."

"Grams always said it was about the person not the rules. I think she meant the three month rule, but I don't know. I'd like to wait until marriage, not so much for the getting married part but knowing that for sure this was the one worth having it with."

He nodded and looked at me for a bit. He said that's a fair view. He joked he probably couldn't wait that long, but he understood and agreed with the reasoning.

"Sasuke can I ask you something, that might be awkward?"

"Of course Sakura. Anything you like. I hope you can trust me the way I trust you. I don't know why I trust you as much as I do, probably because of that common friend snoring back there. Whatever you ask and say I'll keep confidential. I'm obliged to tell Neji, in case harmful words could turn into a problem within the pack, but for you I'll keep it our secret. I'm sure you won't cause a problem and even if you some how did I can believe it's for a good reason."

"Thanks. I wanted to ask... is everyone going to be like the two back there?"

"You mean giddy? Getting right on to some kind of relationship right away? Well.. I don't know. I talked with Neji about a similar subject because getting giddy with humans is risky. I've seen a few getting really comfortable with each other, but so far it's been all flirt. You afraid you're losing a friend? I'm sure Ino is just browsing a bit right now. She'll be back to whatever friendship you two have in no time."

"Actually... I was more concerned if I was falling behind. I mean I just wanted to be friends with everybody for now, but if everyone is hooking up already and then it might turn out someone I like gets taken because I waited too long. I might have to wait a really long time before I'd get my chance. Or worse I go through a lot of bad relationships before I even catch on what's good for me, because my choices get limited."

"Sakura don't worry about that. Life tends to place things the way they're meant to be in due time. Plus your pretty darn hot. You got the innocent, cute thing going really well with you and anyone worth your time during this time of your life will be looking your way. If the right one happens to have his eyes somewhere else right now I'm sure it's because he just needs to do some maturing."

"Oh... Thanks for the compliments."

I fell asleep thinking about what Sasuke said. As much as I didn't want to admit it, since I just met him, I had some interesting dreams about him. I think my subconscious was just pleased to meet someone kind and on the same page as me.

I woke up to see that Naruto was finally awake. I went back to the old seat, next to Naruto. I took a quick glance at the two lovebirds behind us. They had both fallen asleep. I chatted with Naruto a bit arguing which superhero was the best. I never told Naruto what Sasuke had said earlier. I couldn't tell him about how I think I might be getting a crush on Sasuke.

About half an hour after I had woken up Sasuke said we were stopping at a Wendy's. I couldn't wait to see Tinkerbell! At least I think she lived. I could never finish the movie because I was too scared of the risk. Wendy's had to be off of Peter-pan. Why wouldn't it be?

I went up to the cashier last. Sasuke was standing there opening up his wallet. I wonder how much it costs him to be a leader. I know he's rich and all, but still. I went back to my duty and told the lady what my order was. Sasuke was shocked and told me I could order more and they'd put it in a plastic box to take with. I told him I was fine, but I think he was really shocked I ate so little.

I cheerfully told the cashier that I wanted to see Tinkerbell. I was hoping to get a photo with her. I'm sure Wendy and Tinkerbell made up by now. Sasuke looked at me very stunned and the cashier laughed when I'd asked. She asked if I was joking. I thought when she said that that she was meaning Tinkerbell had died and I was frighteningly shocked.

Before I could say I was seriously asking Sasuke said I was a jokester. He quickly grabbed me and pulled me toward the window seats that Shika and Ino had picked. When Sasuke came back with everyone's food he spent a moment to whisper to me about those questions I should probably just ask Sasuke. We talked about it for a bit and he explained to me that Wendy's had nothing to do with the movie Peter-pan.

Naruto was too busy teasing the couple. I felt really embarrassed. My day started with no pants and it's ending with no Tinkerbell. Sasuke told me that Tinkerbell wasn't dead like I had initially thought. He said that when we got home he'll have to rent the movie and make sure I finish watching it.

Sasuke laughed a bit at me, but he quickly stopped when we could hear that lady telling another employee about me. He told me I was a bit child-like, but it was cute and I shouldn't worry about this. He said he had understood the false connection I'd thought up.

Until the next stop, which was hours from the first, I had spent the whole time knocking myself back to sleep. I didn't want to stay up to confront my stupidity. I heard Ino laughing and telling Shika about how she heard the lady talk about some customer who thought Peter-pan had something to do with Wendy's. She never figured out it was me.

Eventually we got to Mcdonalds. Naruto, Ino, and Shika had no patience and went straight inside before I could even got out of the car. Sasuke waited for me next to the driver's door.

I gave him an angry look and asked, "Did you pick this place because I'm a child?"

"No. I asked Naruto what sounded good and he talked about Mcdonalds. He mentioned that you really liked the happy meal your mom gave you on a birthday awhile back. I know you really love your family so I thought thinking of a happy memory would get your mind off things. I know it's different with this new family, the pack, but I want you to know we're going to be as good to you as your family back at home was."

"Oh...Thanks and I'm sorry. Does that mean we'll stay in contact with the community?"

"I'll have to talk to Neji about that, but I'm sure he'll understand."

This stop I had leftovers and so did everyone else. Sasuke put everything in the car while the possible couple went on a little stroll. Naruto went to go play in the playhouse even if he is a bit too old. I went in the car and hope the day would be soon over. I saw Sasuke put some ice cream, a Mcflurry, into my leftovers. He put a finger by his mouth to signal it's a secret. I have heard about Sasuke's pet peeve of eating healthy and how he has got this thing for tomatoes. It was already surprising he'd let us eat at these places, but this was a miracle!

I gave Sasuke a hug as a thank you and went on to eating it. He left to go give Neji a heads up call. He warned me not to spill and not tell the others as he left.

Naruto must've told Sasuke about Oreos being my guilty pleasure because that's the type of Mcflurry Sasuke had bought. As I enjoyed my little treat I could see Naruto enjoying himself in the playhouse and some employee yelling at him. I wanted to join Naruto, but I didn't want a stomach ache, since Naruto was obviously running around trying to not get caught.

I told my full stomach to suck it up because it's ice cream. I never did finish my secret delight, but I threw it away just in time before Naruto had seen it. He was being dragged out of the building when I whizzed it into a garbage. As everyone started to head back Sasuke silently gave me a look to ask if I was alright. I smiled and nodded to let him know I was fine.

The rest of the trip wasn't so bad. I was surprisingly exhausted when we got to the motel. This time there was enough rooms for everyone to have their own and I went straight to bed almost forgetting to take off my bra. I really enjoyed the privacy for the short time I was awake. It was nice to have a few moments to myself and then later dream about how I could repay Sasuke for his extensive care.