Naruto: The Red Fox
A/N: I might have gotten this out sooner, but I didn't really get the chance to write during the weekend. Well, wait no more, chapter 9 is done and uploaded. This chapter is mostly about Naruto's and Sakura's date though there is story development as well. Please enjoy the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Naruto.
"Talking"
'Thoughts'
'Demon'
Chapter 9: First Date
"Kabuto are you ready?" asked Madara.
"Of course, Madara-sama," Kabuto paused for moment, "as long as he is ready too."
"Why wouldn't I be," retorted Wotan.
"We need to make our forces successfully attacks the enemy, I expect something good from this alliance," said Madara as he looks at Wotan and Kabuto. Madara suddenly vanishes leaving the two villains behind.
"Sheesh, no trust at all," exclaimed Wotan, "not that I will trust any of you anyway."
Kabuto studied Wotan's actions as he continues to wonder Wotan's true purpose.
"You seemed interested in Sasuke when you saw him yesterday," stated Kabuto.
"Yeah I did what of it?" questioned Wotan.
"I'm just wondering if you are hiding anything from me or Madara-sama regarding Sasuke or your promise."
"Don't worry Kabuto, Sasuke isn't really anything to me, he simply has a dark aura around that's all." Wotan turns toward the shadow areas of the base, "Besides what real use is he to me anyway? Plus, I already told you I'm looking for a crystal that can grant immortality and I promised to share the power with you."
"I understand," responded Kabuto, "should we get going with our plan?"
"Sure, I was getting bored anyway," replied Wotan.
As the two left the cavern, a dark figure appears out of the shadows. It is none other than Sasuke who continues to watch Wotan closely.
Sasuke continues to look at the direction Wotan went to as he turns around and disappears once again into the shadows.
Naruto wakes up in the hospital after spending the last 4 days recovering from his battle. Each of his friends had visited through those four days. Sakura had spent a lot of time visiting him despite her job. She claimed it to be the patient's regular checkup. Naruto didn't realize that meant every hour. He knew he was injured, but the Kyuubi handled the most damaged areas. So he knew there wasn't a need to constantly checkup on him every hour. However, in the end Naruto really didn't care because he got to see Sakura every hour. The door to his room opened as Shizune walked in.
"Shizune-neechan, how are you?" asked a grinning Naruto.
"Hello Naruto, I'm fine, how about you?" she replied.
"I've never been better!" Naruto exclaimed with a grin.
Shizune smiled back at Naruto. She always cheered up with Naruto's bright smiles. Shizune approaches him and checks his health. Once she was done she heads towards the door and turns to him before leaving.
"Well, it seems that you're good. Your body is healed, but you should take it easy for a few more days just in case, you did receive a lot of damage," said Shizune in her medic tone.
Naruto pouted, "Aw, come on I need to do some training, I have to become stronger."
Shizune nodded her head, "Rest is just as important as training Naruto."
"She's right," said someone from the room entrance.
Naruto and Shizune both turned towards the entrance as Naruto gave a huge grin, "Sakura-chan!"
"Hey Naruto," Sakura turns to Shizune, "So, he's clear?"
"Yes, Naruto's clear from the hospital, but he needs to take it easy for the next few days."
"Oh I'll make sure he does," Sakura said with a devious grin.
Naruto sweat dropped and felt like the room started to heat. 'Great, now I won't get any training at all.'
Once Naruto was discharged from the hospital he left the hospital with Sakura by his side.
"It feels good to outside that damn hospital," Naruto exclaimed.
"Well, that 'damn hospital' is what helped you stay alive, so stop complaining," retorted Sakura.
"Sakura-chan," Naruto whined trying to get the better of the discussion.
"Whine all you want, you know hospital is good for you," said Sakura with a smile.
Sakura decided to walk with Naruto until he got home. Sakura was done early with her shift and wanted to spend some time with Naruto. Ever since the previous battle Sakura started to become more attached to Naruto and had to visit him in his hospital room as much as she could. Even now, simply walking with Naruto is giving her such warmth that she can't describe. Everyday Naruto spent unconscious felt gloomy for her and she desperately wanted to hold onto Naruto for eternity.
"So Naruto," Sakura paused for a second, "when are we having our date?"
Naruto turned to her in surprise, "We are still going on our date?"
Sakura looked at Naruto with a stern face before speaking, "baka, of course, I wouldn't change my mind again," Sakura blushed a bit as she spoke. "Our date is still on," she said with a smile.
At this point, Naruto once again had a large grin on his face. "Alright, how about tonight at 7:00, I need time to prepare."
"Okay, 7:00 it is, don't be late Naruto."
Naruto entered his apartment and felt his heart racing. Never had he felt like this before. Naruto was always use to Sakura rejecting him time after time. Now she accepted a date with him and couldn't be any happier. Naruto rushed into the shower and checked his closet for the best clothes he had. Once he had everything ready he left his apartment in his regular jumpsuit to check the possible restaurants Naruto can take Sakura to.
Sakura headed home and went to her room to prepare for her date with Naruto. Sakura is happy and excited as she could be.
'I feel so excited,' she thought to herself, 'maybe there is something more between us than I thought.'
Sakura sighed. She knew her feelings for Naruto had begun to change. She only wondered if Naruto still had feelings for her. 'What am I thinking, of course he still has feelings for me, but what are my feelings for him?' she wondered.
Sakura headed into the bathroom to take a shower. Once she was done with her shower, Sakura began to get ready for her date as she chose a simple red blouse and a black mini skirt that reached half way down her thighs. Sakura put light make up knowing that Naruto would most likely prefer her natural face. Next she chose to wear a silver necklace with a small diamond on the end that her mother gave to her a year ago.
"Alright, I'm ready," said Sakura. "Now all I have to do is to wait for Naruto to get here."
Sakura spent most of the afternoon getting ready. She headed towards the kitchen where her parents were sitting.
"Hello Ka-chan, To-chan," Sakura said to her parents.
"Hello darling, are you ready for your date," Rin responded to her daughter with a wink. This caused Sakura to blush a bit. Meanwhile, Sakura's father was busy sharping a kunai. "Katsu, your daughter said hello," Rin turned to her husband who continued to sharpen his kunai.
Katsu looked up to Sakura before speaking, "Oh, sorry Sakura I was busy sharping my kunai, it has been a while since my last mission and I decided to make sure they're in good shape."
"Oh, it is okay To-chan, I would do the same if needed," replied Sakura with a smile as her father returned to his kunai. Sakura looked at the time and noticed it was 6:50. 'Naruto should be here in another 10 minutes.'
"So, Sakura, you're going on a date with Naruto, how do you feel?" asked Rin as she continued to cook dinner.
"I feel excited," Sakura paused for a moment, "I wonder where Naruto is going to take me?"
"I'm sure it will be somewhere special," replied Rin.
"It better be somewhere close by," uttered Katsu.
"Now, now dear, I'm sure Naruto won't do anything unnecessary," said Rin.
"How do we know we never met Naruto before, especially since here is the dem…" Katsu stopped himself before saying anything else. He knew Sakura didn't like anyone calling Naruto a demon even her own parents. At this point Sakura looked at her father with a strong glare before returning to her normal expression when she realizes that her father wasn't going to say it.
"Sorry, Sakura it's a habit," said her father.
"It's okay To-chan, just make sure not to call him that," replied Sakura.
Suddenly a knock is heard at the front door. Sakura's face lights up as she looked at the time and realize it was exactly 7:00.
'Right on time,' she thought to herself. Sakura began to walk to the door when she noticed her father getting up as well. She gave him a confuse expression at that moment.
"It seems that Naruto is here," her father said. "I guess it's time to meet him." Sakura's father got up from his chair picking up a handful of kunai and walked towards the door.
"Um, Katsu, you might want to put kunai down before answering the door," said Rin with a weary laugh and a sweat drop. Katsu looked to his hand and smirked.
"Oh, I forget I had them," he replied as he returned to the kitchen to place the kunai on the table. Sakura took this as a chance to answer the door first. She opened the door and her eyes widened when she got a look at Naruto. He was wearing black dress pants with a blue dress shirt and his hair is let down due to not wearing his headband. Sakura is surprise that Naruto wasn't wearing his usual orange, but she is also glad that he decided to appear in different colors. She didn't want her father saying anything on his wardrobe. Once she was done examining Naruto she stepped aside to let Naruto into the house.
"You look great Naruto," said Sakura with a smile. Naruto blushed a bit before he responded.
"You look beautiful Sakura-chan," replied Naruto. This caused Sakura to blush as she tried to hide it.
Naruto continued to look at Sakura as he examined her body from bottom to top. Sakura notices him staring at her as she spoke up.
"T-Thanks Naruto, um, do you want to get going?" Sakura asked.
"Um, sure," replied Naruto. Before Sakura had a chance to leave her house, Sakura's mother appeared behind Sakura.
"Oh, Naruto, it's nice to meet you," said Rin with a bright smile.
"Hello ma'am, it's nice to meet you too," said Naruto with an equal smile.
"Oh, you can call me Rin, there's no need to be so formal," responded Rin.
"Okay, Rin-san," Naruto said as he bowed to her.
"You know I did say you don't need to be formal Naruto," Rin said. "Would you want like anything before you leave?" asked Rin. Naruto was about to responded, but Sakura interrupted.
"Ka-chan, I think it's best for us to go," interrupted Sakura.
Suddenly a voice is heard from inside the kitchen. "Bring him in the kitchen; I want to see the man who is taking Sakura on a date."
Rin turned around and led Naruto and Sakura, who is groaning, to the kitchen where Kitsu is sitting down. Kitsu grabs a kunai and begins to twirl it around his index finger. Naruto approached Kitsu as Naruto sat down on a chair across Kitsu and Sakura sat next to Naruto. Rin sat next to Kitsu shortly after.
"So, you're Uzumaki Naruto, the famous hero of the hidden leave who saved us from Pain," said Kitsu in a serious tone.
"Y-Yes, sir, I'm him," replied Naruto nervously. Sakura notices that Naruto is nervous as she sighs, hoping her father didn't start asking Naruto ridiculous questions.
"I see," Kitsu simply stated as he continues to look at Naruto from his face to the clothes that he is wearing. Naruto on the other hand continues to look at Kitsu with as much courage as possible as the tension begins to build. A few seconds later Kitsu breaks the silence.
"So, are you really 16 years old, this isn't a transformation jutsu of some sort?" questioned Kitsu.
"N-No, this is my real age and look," responded Naruto as calmly as he could.
"What is your rank?"
"I-I'm a Genin," replied Naruto.
"A genin, huh," said Kitsu as he glared at Naruto, which made Naruto more nervous. "Where are you taking Sakura tonight?"
"I want it to be a surprise, I can't say."
This caused Kitsu's glare to darken, "Really, now, how do I know you won't do anything to Sakura?"
This question caused Sakura to groan as she spoke up, "To-chan, isn't this going a bit too far?"
"No, it's okay Sakura-chan," interrupted Naruto.
"Chan, huh," Kitsu paused, "already calling her Sakura-chan."
"Sir, I only plan on treating your daughter on a simple date, nothing else and I've called her Sakura-chan since the day I first met her."
"What is your favorite color?" asked Kitsu.
This confused Naruto as he didn't know why his favorite color mattered, but decided to answer anyway. "M-My favorite color is orange and I also like green."
"Orange and green, interesting," Kitsu paused, "Do you plan to become a chunin or jonin in the future?"
"Y-Yes, my future dream is to become Hokage, so I must become a chunin and jonin."
"Oh, so your dream is to become Hokage, are you sure you're up to the job?"
"I-I, well, yes I sure I can do it," replied Naruto with the best confident tone that he could produce.
"You don't sound too sure," Kitsu stopped for a second before continuing, "Are you sure a shinobi is a job for you?"
"To-chan!" exclaimed Sakura, but before she could say anything Naruto spoke up.
"I want to prove that my life worth something, not only to me, but to the village as well," replied Naruto in a serious tone. Sakura's anger rose a bit with her father's question, but she calmed down after a few seconds.
Kitsu was caught off guard with Naruto's answer, but quickly regain his composure as he asked his next question.
"How are your living conditions?"
"I live in a decent apartment, it isn't the best, but it's much better than the apartment I used to live in before Pain's attack on the village."
Kitsu studied Naruto as if he was checking whether or not Naruto was lying.
"What are your future intentions with Sakura?" inquired Kitsu.
Naruto started to sweat far more than before. He didn't want to say anything that would upset Sakura or her parents. He also wanted to make sure Sakura loved him before he said anything that couldn't take back. Naruto didn't want to ruin his relationship with Sakura.
"Um, um, I-I t-think, I don't think I've thought about that just yet sir," responded Naruto the best he could. "Plus," Naruto paused for moment, "Sakura and I are just friends and this is a friendly date."
Sakura looked at Naruto, a bit disappointed with Naruto's answer, but she knew it was the truth. Sakura and Naruto were nothing more than friends. Rin noticed Sakura's reaction and smirked a bit.
"I see," Kitsu paused again as he continues to stare at Naruto and swing the kunai in his hand, "You don't plan on hurting Sakura are you?"
"Of course not!" Naruto said with confidence. This caused Kitsu to smirk.
"Are you a virgin?" asked Kitsu. This caused Naruto and Sakura to blush as Rin spoke up.
"Kitsu, I think you are going far enough stop going into the boy's personal life."
"But, Rin, I need to make sure this boy is clean and responsible," retorted Kitsu.
"To-chan, Naruto is a gentleman when wants to be," said Sakura trying to aid Naruto.
"When he wants to be?" questioned Kitsu, "Is there something I don't know about, he won't threaten you would he or he won't try anything will he and should I come along or should I hire some guards?"
'To-chan!" said Sakura with a tone of annoyance. "I'll be fine. Naruto won't do anything bad to me."
"How do I know, huh, Sakura? How do I know if Naruto won't try anything bad to you?"
"I won't do anything bad to Sakura-chan, it's a promise of a lifetime," said Naruto with a proud smile. This caused both Sakura and Rin to smile while Kitsu maintained his serious glare.
"How can I trust your promise?" said Kitsu. This caused Sakura to frown a bit as she knows Naruto tries his best to keep his promises.
"I never go back on my promises, I can ensure you I won't because it's my ninja way, Dattebayo," said Naruto with confidence.
'Naruto…' thought Sakura as she turns her attention back to her father.
"I see," Kitsu paused, "well, I'm sure you made some sort of reservation tonight, you should get going, take of my daughter."
"Of course I will, sir," replied Naruto.
"By the way, call me Kitsu."
"Sure, Kitsu-san," said Naruto as both he and Sakura got up from their chairs, said their good-byes and headed towards the door.
"Make sure she's back before 11 sharp," yelled Kitsu as Naruto and Sakura left the house.
"I'll make sure she's back by then," shouted Naruto back.
Naruto and Sakura continued to walk down the streets of Konoha.
"So, where are we going?" asked Sakura.
"Somewhere," responded Naruto.
They both continued to walk towards the destination Naruto set. As Naruto and Sakura turned the corner and stopped in front of a large restaurant.
"Wow, this is that new restaurant that opened last week," said Sakura. "Did you get us a reservation here?"
"No, we can just walk in, it's called Rasengan Buffet," said Naruto with a large grin.
Sakura looked towards the name of the restaurant and realized it is called Rasengan Bufft. 'They actually named it after Naruto's jutsu.' Sakura smiled and is proud that Naruto is finally getting the recognition that he work so hard for.
"Let's go inside," said Naruto snapping Sakura out of her thoughts.
"Naruto, should we be dress more formally?" inquired Sakura.
"Nah, this isn't a fancy restaurant, just one for the common civilians."
The two enter the restaurant and are stun by the design of the inside. The restaurant gives the look of a fancy restaurant, but sure enough everyone inside are wearing regular clothes, nothing fancy. Naruto and Sakura are led to a table and sit down. The waiter approaches them and they order their drinks.
"So, Sakura-chan, do like the place?" questioned Naruto.
"This place is beautiful, Naruto." Sakura looked around the restaurant once again. "They named it after you."
"Nah, they named it after my father's jutsu," said Naruto as he flipped a page on the menu.
"A jutsu you made famous by improving it," replied Sakura.
Naruto smiled after Sakura's compliment. "Thanks Sakura-chan."
"You earned it," she replied as the waiter came back with their drinks. After a few minutes they ordered their food and started talking.
"You never explained what happened during your training." Sakura asked hoping to get an answer from Naruto this time.
Naruto looked at Sakura and pondered on whether or not to tell her. He decided to let her know.
"Well," Naruto paused for a moment, "It's was a scary moment you can say."
"What do you mean?"
"I unlock the seal and fought the Kyuubi," stated Naruto
"What!" exclaimed Sakura. "You mean you actually broke the seal and fought the Kyuubi."
"Yeah, how else was I supposed to gain control of his chakra?"
"I know you gained control, but I didn't think you had to actually break the seal and fight him."
"Yeah, it was a horrible experience, to actually fight the Kyuubi who was at full strength."
Sakura couldn't imagine having to face the Kyuubi headed on without any help.
'Wow, Naruto really has become strong to face and defeat the Kyuubi alone,' thought Sakura.
"However, I didn't exactly face Kyuubi alone," stated Naruto.
"What do you mean?" questioned Sakura.
"My mother helped me."
Sakura's eyes widened and she kept looking at Naruto for almost a minute before she finally spoke. "H-How is that possible, isn't she dead?"
"Yes she is, but she sealed some of her chakra inside of me," Naruto paused, "and it was to activate when I made any attempt to control Kyuubi's chakra."
Sakura was surprise by Naruto's explanation, but soon her shock face turned into a soft smile.
"What was your mother like?" asked Sakura.
"She was great; her name was Uzumaki Kushina and she had a very strong will." Naruto smiled, "I remember when I first saw her I thought she was the Kyuubi in a transformation jutsu. She actually hit my head and lost her temper, which actually is something you would do."
A vein pops on Sakura's head and her eyes narrow after the last remark by Naruto. Naruto notices and immediately tries to apologize as he waves his hands in front of him.
"Not that there isn't anything wrong with that, Sakura-chan."
"Right," Sakura's expression softens a bit, "well, continue your story."
Naruto goes on to explain his mother's help with defeating the Kyuubi after the waiter arrives with their food. He explains Kyuubi's attempt to control through hatred and how his mother appeared to stop Kyuubi's attempts and how she used chakra chains on Kyuubi as well as Naruto's final attack, which resulted in the Kyuubi's defeat.
"Wow Naruto, you went through a lot to gain the power of Kyuubi's chakra," said an astounded Sakura.
"Yeah, it was a lot of trouble, but it was worth it since I saw my mother," replied Naruto with a grin.
Sakura had her own smile as she hears Naruto's story. 'He seems so happy to have met his mother, I wonder if he met his father.'
"Say Naruto, have you met your father?"
Naruto's expression immediately turns into a frown, which didn't go unnoticed by Sakura.
'Should I tell, no I can't we are surrounded by people,' thought Naruto as he debated whether or not to tell Sakura.
"Naruto?" asked Sakura as she wondered if she said anything wrong.
"Sorry Sakura-chan, but I can't tell you about my father."
"What? Why not?" inquired Sakura.
"I want to tell you, but I can't because I'm not allowed to," answered Naruto.
Sakura wondered why Naruto couldn't tell her. How big of a secret could it be?
"You can't even tell me?"
Naruto looked around him and shook his head no. Sakura was a bit upset, but decided to drop the subject. For the next hour Naruto and Sakura continued their conversation. They talked about various subject such as Sakura's parents, events with friends, past missions, and the possible future. By 8:50, the two were long done with their food and decided to leave the restaurant. Naruto paid for the food and left with Sakura.
"So, how about a stroll through Konoha?" asked Naruto as he turned and looked at Sakura.
"Sure, it's nice weather," answered Sakura.
The two started their stroll through Konoha beginning at the restaurant. The first place they stopped by is Konoha Academy. Naruto listened to Sakura and she spoke about her past in the academy. But, shortly after she stopped speaking, which puzzled Naruto.
"Is something wrong Sakura-chan?" questioned Naruto.
"I'm sorry," said Sakura in a low and soft tone.
"What?" questioned Naruto. Naruto is confused by Sakura's sudden apology. He didn't understand why she needed to apologize in the first place.
"I'm sorry," said Sakura again, "for everything I've done to you in the past?"
"What do you mean?" asked Naruto as he tried to figure out why she continues to apologize.
"I'm sorry for calling you annoying. I'm sorry for hitting you. I'm sorry calling you names, for ignoring you when you needed a friend, for leaving you behind, for…for…" Sakura began to cry as she continuously said sorry. "I'm so sorry for everything bad I did you." Before she could continue, Naruto placed one finger on her lips.
"You don't have to apologize for anything Sakura-chan," he paused, "you were a child who simply listened to her parents."
"That's no excuse!" shouted Sakura. "I saw you on that swing for so long and I always wanted to talk to you, but I was afraid, not of you, but of my parents." Sakura turned towards the swing before looking back at Naruto. "I was afraid that they would have done something to you. I should have ignored my parents and become friends with you. You didn't deserve to be alone all those years. I'm sor-" Sakura is cut off by Naruto's finger.
"Sakura-chan, you don't have to apologize."
"But, Naru-"
"Shhh, you don't have to apologize because I forgave you long ago," said a calm Naruto.
Sakura's eyes widened as she tried to form words. She wonders why Naruto would forgive her despite all the hardships she gave him. Why would he forgive her? She doesn't deserve his forgiveness. Sakura finally speaks up after a few seconds.
"I-I d-don't understand, why forgive me?" questioned Sakura. She looks into Naruto's eyes hoping to find the answer.
"Because," Naruto slowly spoke to her, "I believed that you were a good person in your heart even during our times in the academy and you proved it over the years we've known each other. True at first you tried to ignore me, but our bond slowly improved, now look where we stand on our first date." Naruto gave Sakura a huge grin as he softly laughs. Sakura smiles in return as she thinks about the recent year.
"Thanks Naruto, that means a lot to me," Sakura said softly.
"No problem Sakura-chan, come let's continue our walk," Naruto said with a large grin again.
Naruto grabbed Sakura's hand and led her across Konoha. Eventually they ended up at the Hokage monument on top of the fourth Hokage's head. They sat down and watched the stars.
"It's beautiful," said Sakura.
"It sure is, it's one of the reasons why I like to come up here," added Naruto.
"One of your reasons?" questioned Sakura.
"Yeah, sometimes I come up here to think."
Sakura looked at Naruto as she began to ponder on their relationship. She begins to feel that there could be something more than friendship and she wouldn't mind it. Then it hit her, she has feelings for Naruto. This entire time and she has feelings for him. Sakura smiles at her late discovery.
'Yeah, I think I really love him, I've been such a fool for too long,' she thought, 'I think it's time for me to make you happy for once Naruto. I guess my confession at Iron Country wasn't a lie after all.'
"Sakura-chan," said Naruto as Sakura snaps out of her thoughts.
"Yes?"
"About my father," Naruto paused, but before he continued Sakura stopped him.
"Naruto, don't worry about it, tell me about it later, when you are ready."
"But, Sakura-chan, I am ready," Naruto looked into Sakura's eyes. "I don't care what Baa-chan else says I want to tell you."
"Stop right there, are you saying your secret requires Baa-chan's permission to say anything about?" inquired Sakura.
"Um, sort of, it deals with some type of law the third Hokage enforced."
Sakura gave Naruto a glare as she spoke, "And you want to break this law."
"Come on, Sakura-chan, you'll find out one day, why shouldn't I tell you now?"
"Well, I am interested, but how about another time?"
"Sure," Naruto looked at his watch and realized it is almost 10:40. "I guess I should walk you home, I don't want your father hunting me down," Naruto said with a nervous grin. This caused Sakura to giggle for a moment as both got up from the ground and walked towards Sakura's home.
After a few minutes Naruto and Sakura both appeared at the Sakura's home.
"Thanks Naruto, I had fun," said Sakura.
"No, thank you, for letting me take you on a date," responded Naruto.
Sakura smiled as she spoke to Naruto, "By the way, I wouldn't mind if you ask me out again."
This caused Naruto to freeze for a moment as he didn't expect Sakura to allow a second date. Naruto gave another huge grin which Sakura responded with her own.
"I'll be glad to," said Naruto.
For a few seconds Naruto and Sakura continued to look at each other. Slowly but surely they got closer and closer to each other. They got so close that they felt each other's body heat. Naruto places his hands on Sakura's forearms. He slowly moves his hands towards Sakura's waist. Sakura's hands continue to head towards Naruto's back. The two young shinobi get quite close as their heads are only a few inches away. Sakura could feel Naruto's breath as could Naruto. They move closer to each other once again. Just as their lips are about to touch a sudden cloud of smoke appears besides them forcing them to separate and get into a defensive position.
"Wow, wow, calm down a bit," said a silver hair man with a mask covering most of his face except with one visible eye.
"Kakashi-sensei, what are you doing here?" asked Naruto
"Yeah we are in a middle of a date," added Sakura.
"Sorry about that," Kakashi paused, "but both of you have been called to the Hokage's office immediately."
Both Naruto and Sakura groan as Sakura's father opens the door.
"Oh, hey Kakashi, what are you doing here?" asked Kitsu.
"To-chan, the Hokage has requested both Naruto and I. Kakashi-sensei came here to get us," said Sakura.
"Oh ok," said Kitsu as he closed the door.
"Let's go," said Kakashi as the team rushes towards the Hokage's Tower.
Meanwhile, a chunin shinobi rushes towards their Kage's office as explosions are heard outside. He opens the door to be greeted by his Kage.
"What is the damage?" asked the Kage.
"The enemy led a surprise attack, but we've managed to hold them off at the gate," said the shinobi.
"Good, continue to hold off the enemies until I send more shinobi."
"Yes sir!" said the shinobi as he left the room.
"Gaara," said a woman with blonde hair, wearing a black kimono that reaches down to her legs with a red sash around her waistline. She also wears fingerless gloves and has a headband with the sand symbol.
"Yes Temari," responded the Kazekage.
"Madara's forces seem to be quite strong, we need to come up with a counter-attack plan as soon as possible," said Temari.
"Yes, I know." Gaara got up from his chair and started to head towards the battlefield. "I sent reinforcement request to our allies; let's hope they get here soon."
"Let's hope so," said Temari, "The leaf village is our closes ally."
"Yes, but for now we must defend ourselves to the best of our abilities, let's go Temari," said Gaara.
"Yes, sir," replied Temari.
A/N: Whew, another long chapter. Longer than I originally thought it would be. The ideas just kept coming to me. I hoped you enjoyed it and review.
