The cut lining the inside of Naruto's cheek healed even as he tongued it while walking through the village. He passed Ichiraku's without a side glance and continued at an unhurried pace to nowhere. He didn't feel like training and he had read his scrolls a hundred times over even committing many to memory. He had in fact read every book he owned, even some he didn't. it amazed him how the knowledge of the world was at every man's finger tips and all one had to do was to reach out and take it. He passed Ino's flower stand nodding plainly to the enthused greeting she offered although he wasn't sure if it was sincere. Hands deep in his pockets he fingered the kunai he always kept ready and wondered if he was bored. Shikimaru and Chouji exited the barbeque spot; the thin one watching the clouds and the chubby one sucking his sauce covered fingers. Naruto caught the subtle glance Shika spared as a pink tongue glided over a tasty finger before those same eyes met his own.

"Naruto." He spoke with a friendly nod.

"Shikamaru." Naruto replied. Chouji simply smiled at him as he cleaned his last finger.

"Hey Naruto! Haven't seen you around much these days. Whoa cool do man! Although I looks kinda weird with your blond eyebrows and lashes. " The bigger teen said conversationally. Naruto shrugged and glanced up at the sky.

"Yeah well its gonna melt all over me when it rains. This shit isnt permanent. Just wanted to feel." He explained as he turned and began walking away. He didn't see the brief concern flicker across Shika's face.

"Wanted to feel what Naruto?" the genius asked. He was never answered.

"Sakura I have a brief mission for you tonight. It should only take a few hours. I want you to take this medical scroll over to the neighboring village. It should go to Dr. Hiko at the Oak Tree clinic." Tsunade said distractedly as she hurried through a file cabinet to find the scroll in question. Sakura rolled her eyes and sighed quietly. It seemed that every time the Hokage needed something tended to she was the one picked to do it. It wasn't always great being teachers pet especially when she had a report due for the same sensei in two days. Deep down she knew that Tsunade was pushing her intentionally, but she only did it to strengthen her. The pinkette immediately wiped the exasperated look off her face as her sensei faced her and handed over the scroll. "Remember, Dr. Hiko at the Oak Tree clinic and be quick. Someone's life is at stake." Sakura took the scroll and gave a nod of firm resolve before disappearing out of the nearest window.

Naruto kicked a pebble down a dirt road. The other approaching was moving so quickly that he didn't feel them until the last second. His hand jerked out of its own accord and grabbed a smooth, warm neck. There was a gasp and a choked sound of surprise before he caught himself quickly enough to let go.

"Oh, Naruto im sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!" Sakura apologized while panting softly.

"You didn't." he replied slipping the hand back into his pocket. Sakura was put off by the sublte dismissal but brushed it off none the less.

"I have to deliever a scroll to the next village. A life is at stake so I have to hurry."

"Well don't waste time talking to me." Naruto said beginning to pass her. He jerked to a stop when a soft hand fell to his bicep.

"Hey, wait. Will you come with me? I really want to talk to you."

"If you have somewhere important to be then you shouldn't waste time talking." Naruto reasoned and she flinched thinking that she may have caught the slightest possible irritation in his tone.

"Naruto please? We have grown so distant and I just really want to spend time with you." Her words were quick but pleading and urgent knowing she had no time. "You don't seem to be doing anything and I just really want your company. I havn't been the teammate I should have been but…"

"No, you haven't." he interjected coldly. Her eyes closed at the pain of the statement.

"Yes you are right. You are fully justified in being angry with me Naruto. I just ask that you travel with me. You don't have to do anything, we just have to deliever a scroll."

"I'm bored with the whole damsel in distress act, Sakura. Im sure even you can handle a delievery on your own." He quipped. That ignited something in her and she yanked her hand back as if burned.

"I don't need you to protect me Naruto! I'm not the little girl I used to be in the academy! I have been training just as you have so don't you dare go assuming that I need to be taken care of! Not anymore!"

She was tense as she sinced his hesitation. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and she thought he would simply walk away. She couldn't hide her shock when he turned and began walking in the direction she had been heading.

"Lets get going. The faster we get there the fast we can get back." He poured his chakra into his feet and took off at a pace she could keep up with. Sakura reeled in her happy smile and followed at his heels.

The village had receded into the background and the forest swallowed their blurred forms. She had forgotten how fast he had gotten! She pushed at her top speed to keep up with his pace and he didn't seem to be anywhere near tiring. They were about half way there, three hours from their destination but she didn't think she could keep up. Her breathing was labored and sweat burned her eyes. She was yards behind him and the black hair and clothes made it difficult to keep tabs on him. After a couple minutes she lost sight of him altogether. She didn't say a thing. She knew fully well how to get to the village and if he wanted to continue distancing himself then she wouldn't push things. She was grateful that he was there at all considering how their friendship had so quickly declined. The foliage seemed to thicken significantly and the twigs and branches were cutting her limbs. She dropped to the ground and continued her trek there. The forest was cemetary quiet save for the crumble of the leaves beneath her feet. Her companion was afar off and she could no longer sense him. Out of nowhere something lifted from the ground and she tripped. Her momentum sending her flying through the air. She had just the amount of time to brace her hands and knees as she skidded across the forest floor. Pain throbbed through her as she felt her skin open to the dirt and debris. She lifted her hands and turned them inspecting the palms which where caked with blood and dirt. Glancing back she saw a stray trip wire strewn across the ground. In the amount of time it took her to put two and two together a blow struck her across the back of the head.

Naruto leaped through the trees picking up speed as the village came into sight over the canopy. He paused on a thick branch and kneeled down accessing how far his "companion" had fallen back. He didn't realize exactly how far behind he had left her. He couldn't even feel her energy. Pulling out a kunai he decided to sit and wait as he lazily cleaned his nails. Half an hour passed and he thought that she had had more than enough time to catch up. Standing, he stretched lazily before backtracking. Hell, the patient that needed that scroll was probably already dead. It didn't take long before his delicate senses picked up the smell of blood, sweat and fear. He dropped to the forest floor to save time. A few meters away he spotted a blob of pink limping through the trees. He ran at his quarry at full speed and stopped directly in front of her.

She couldn't meet those eyes. Those blue, judging eyes. She kept her eyes on his sandals as her shaking hand held her torn top together while in the other she clenched the scroll. She could feel those eyes taking her in and she felt even dirtier. Could his fox-like senses smell their semen running down her thighs?

He could smell cum of many sources on her and he saw she was missing a shoe. He reached a hand out toward her…

He reached a hand out toward her and she instinctively cowered away. Her swollen, bleeding lip quivered and her bruised eye sang in pain as she winced. She prayed that he didn't touch her. Oh God don't let anyone else touch her. She heard the impatient sigh as she watched it inflate the strong chest before his cold voice broke the awkward silence.

"Just give me the fucking scroll and head home."

i can figure out whats with the spacing so if its not better im sorry, just try to suffer through it. Also this is NOT a Sakura bashing, it just happened. please review.