Chapter Nine: Friendship

"Thanks for visiting us Sakura-nee-chan!! And tell your boyfriend we said 'Hi' and that he should drop by for once!"

Snickers echoed in the small Hospital Room as Sakura blushed a deep shade of red, half-embarrassed and half-amused. Her hand had paused on the handle of the door, her green eyes sliding back to the interior of the room where Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon were confined to until recovery. Konohamaru was grinning from ear to ear, sitting comfortably on his bed with a box of dango sweets Sakura had brought for them. Moegi was seated in the same way on her own bed on the other side of the room, a mischievous smirk also decorating her features as she hid the expression behind one hand. Udon was sitting in his wheelchair, a pair of crutches against the wall, although he too was smiling as he ate the treat the Medical Jounin had brought.

"I will," Sakura chuckled softly before giving a final wave and exiting the room.

Shaking her head, Sakura sighed with relief being that she had finally finished her rounds around the Hospital, if only to just check up on her usual patients. Team Ebisu was her top priority, but it seemed they were in good hands with Ino, the blonde-kunoichi not only treating their wounds, but also sharing the information that Sakura and Naruto were a 'couple'. The second the pink-haired kunoichi had entered into the room they resided in, she was immediately barraged with question after question concerning her and Naruto's relationship.

'How did he ask you out?'

'Is he a mushy-romantic?'

'How come you didn't tell us?'

'Where is he now?'

'Is he treating you right Nee-chan?'

'…Is he a good kisser?'

Sakura vowed she would get Ino back for bringing such chaos upon her. But in a sense, the good-humored nature between the three 15-year olds was quite refreshing, with their somewhat innocent outlook on life and how their reaction wasn't that of skepticism or seriousness but playfulness and best wishes. It had actually brightened her mood a bit from the morning, which Sakura was immensely grateful for.

With a soft chuckle, Sakura steadily walked the halls, removing her long, pink strands from its elastic hold and shaking it free. Because her shift was over now, Sakura would be able to return to her Office, file the last of her paperwork, and then meet up with Naruto and Sasuke for some training. And the stressed kunoichi sure was looking forward to blowing some steam.

It always did help her mood when she could pound on Naruto and Sasuke…And then refuse to heal them afterwards so they could suffer agonizingly in front of her…

But really, Sakura wasn't a cruel person at all.

Rubbing her tired, emerald eyes – because she hardly got any sleep the night before, unfortunately due to her nightmares – Sakura walked down the final hall towards her Office, pushed the unlocked entryway open and went straight to her slightly disorganized desk. Not bothering to even go to the side where her chair was and sit down to accomplish her task, Sakura only began to rifle through her papers, putting them in the correct folders and slightly mumbling to herself as she looked over her patients' records.

"…This goes to Shizune-sempai……And Shishou…Hmm…She'll have to take over Team Ebisu when Ino and I are gone……Let's see…Oh yeah, Sasuke and Naruto should get checked on too……And we can't forget about Kaka-sensei and Sai…" She sighed, ordering the folders neatly, "…I guess we'll have to wait until after we come back from Lightning……"

There was a brief shuffle of movement behind her and Sakura's eyes narrowed with suspicion, having felt no chakra ever approach her…Unless it was being concealed. But who would conceal their chakra in the Hospital? Twisting her body so she could turn around, Sakura was stopped by a firm grasp on her arm and bundle of sweet smelling plants shoved under her nose.

Out of instinct, Sakura had almost punched her intruder when she had been pulled to prevent her turning, but when the bouquet of flowers had entered her vision and sense of smell, Sakura couldn't help but smile at the sweet gesture. Because who else would give her flowers? And she supposed Naruto had concealed his chakra to surprise her.

Taking the bundle gratefully, Sakura took in a deep inhalation with a giggle, feeling his arms wind around her waist, "Thank you Naruto…That's so sweet," She grinned, leaning into the broad chest behind her, "Did Ino help you with this? What's the message, I'm sure she told you…"

"It means 'Be Mine'."

Viridian eyes had snapped open from its previous closed and peaceful state, her whole body tensing as she recognized that the voice did not belong to Naruto. Sakura instantly sprang free from the male's light grip, thankfully receiving no struggle and whirled around to glare intensely at the man smirking before her.

"What are you doing here?" The Medical Jounin asked, her voice strained with both unease and fury, her grip tightening on the delicate bundle of flowers.

Raito Kiyoshi smirked, dark blue eyes charming yet cunning at the same time, his hands held up in surrender as his gaze briefly landed on his gift, "Giving you flowers of course, Sakura-chan."

Sakura glowered, quickly thrusting the bouquet at his chest, "Well you can have them back!"

"Come now Sakura-chan," Kiyoshi admonished as he took a step forward, ignoring the bundle, his dark-blue stare aimed directly through emerald, "It's a gift…Please accept it."

Sakura scoffed, anger clearly evident in her expression as she narrowed her burning eyes on him, "You know I'm already involved with Naruto! I refuse to accept a gift with the message of 'Be Mine'," She had spat out the phrase furiously, "I won't have you insulting our relationship and trying to come between what Naruto and I have!"

Kiyoshi's smirk slowly disappeared, being easily replaced with a disapproving frown, "What you have with Naruto is nothing! You're supposed to be with me! Not with that lowly, loud-mouthed idiot!"

"How dare you!" Sakura shrieked as she threw the flowers to the ground, taking a step forward and jabbing her index finger harshly into his chest, hard enough to leave bruises; her green irises brighter than before, "You will never amount to the kind of person Naruto is! Never!"

"You will be mine Sakura, make no mistake of that!" Kiyoshi threatened as he grabbed her arms with both his hands, his grip tight and almost painful, Sakura trying to break free from his grasp which only earned a smirk from the man before her, "I may not be a Ninja Sakura-chan, but I am a Warrior, and a worthy one at that!"

"I beg to differ," Sakura countered, causing Kiyoshi's hold to tighten and her to struggle even more, a little surprised with the man's brute strength, "Unhand me!"

Kiyoshi frowned, "Not until you agree to stay in Lightning Country with me!"

"No!"

As much as Sakura wanted to maul the male before her, she still needed to think clearly. He was still the Lightning Diplomat's son and their Alliance with her Country was already fragile as is. She needed to make a decision that wouldn't affect that; she needed to do something that wouldn't jeopardize what Tsunade had worked so hard for…

…Kami, even if it meant keeping this incident to herself despite the amount of fear and anger that was filling her being…Because who knew what Kiyoshi could do to twist everything into his favor…She had to keep quiet…

But then…He kissed her…

Kiyoshi kissed her!

His lips had crashed down onto hers and it was rough and forceful and nothing like the way Sakura had imagined her second kiss to be. Already she had lost her very first kiss…Did she have to lose her second one too?

Struggling, whimpering, against the man's strong hold, her back being pressed into the side of her desk, Sakura shook her head frantically, eyes shut tight, willing herself not to witness this harsh assault. And then the tears came, streaming down her cheeks as she silently sobbed, trying to break free from his grasp. He was bruising her lips; her wrists were beginning to crack from her flailing. Kiyoshi, who was so immersed with the intimate interaction, loosened his hold a fraction, leaving Sakura plenty of time to break free, push him away roughly, and–

SMACK!

Kiyoshi had stumbled back his hand moving up to clutch at his throbbing cheek, dark blue-eyes widened with disbelief with what he had done and provoking her to such a violent reaction. He stepped forward, frowning as he watched Sakura slide against her desk to the floor, tear tracks on her face, shoulders shaking, and looking so…vulnerable.

"Sakura…I–I'm sor–"

"Just get out…" Sakura whispered in a broken murmur, her pink tresses cascading over her face, effectively covering her expression.

"Sakura…" Kiyoshi tried again, taking another step forward, "I'm–"

"Get Out!" She screamed, and with a clenched jaw, Kiyoshi could only linger his gaze on the woman before him, before turning swiftly on his heel and exiting the Office…

…Leaving a broken Medic, crying on the floor…


"I wonder why Sakura-chan couldn't make it…She said she's come after her rounds at the Hospital……It doesn't take that long, does it?"

"…Hn."

Naruto and Sasuke entered into their apartment complex, bruised and battered, but feeling more refreshed than ever. Nothing could beat a good, hard work-out that got muscles active, and the mind and senses sharp and alert.

Well…At least in Naruto's and Sasuke's opinion.

"Besides," Naruto continued as he discarded his orange and black jacket on the couch and made a beeline towards the kitchen – probably for some Ramen, "It's a lot more fun training when Sakura-chan is there…Face it Teme, you're boring to talk to, and now that me and Sakura-chan are together, there's plenty more we can do to occupy our time," He grinned back at the Avenger from the Kitchen, eyebrows waggling suggestively, "If you get my drift that is."

Sasuke's response was a deep scowl as he sat down on the couch, violently shoving Naruto's jacket away from him before crossing his arms over his chest, "Just shut up, dobe. Your love life is of no interest to me."

Naruto laughed, concentrating on pouring his hot water into the Styrofoam Ramen Cup before glancing knowingly at his best friend, "I guess that's true. But I'm sure Sakura-chan's love life is certainly interesting enough for you."

Sasuke growled, dark eyes flashing red, "I said Shut Up!"

"Alright, alright, jeez!" Naruto laughed as he walked back into the Living Area and took a seat on an empty chair, kicking up his feet onto the coffee table – much to Sasuke's annoyance – and simultaneously slurping up his Chicken-Flavored Ramen, "What's got your boxers in a bunch? You'd think our teammate – my best friend - would be happy for us, you know?"

Sapphire eyes watched with satisfaction as Sasuke's arms slightly lost their tension, obsidian eyes losing most of its fire as he stared dully at his feet. The downward curve of his lips caused Naruto's to pull up into a grin, hiding his expression behind his Styrofoam Cup as he knowingly watched the inner turmoil in his best friend's eyes. No one else might have been able to catch it but Naruto knew that the Uchiha Avenger was beginning to break…

…Just a little bit more

'Confess already you jerk…Come on, you know you want to! Tell me to back away from Your Girl!'

"I…"

Hesitance. It was to be expected. Especially from an emotionally-constipated guy like Sasuke. But Naruto wouldn't hold it against him because he was nice like that. But as his best friend, Naruto had to keep pushing, even if it meant kicking him to the edge, towards a one hundred foot drop. It's what best friends did!

"You what?" Naruto pressed, trying to sound expectant, quirking up one brow for effect.

Sasuke sighed, one-third-annoyed, one-third-tired, and one-third – something Naruto couldn't quite place…Was that guilt? – before closing his dark eyes in resignation and forcing out the words, "…I…I am…happy for you, Naruto…"

Naruto immediately jumped up on his chair, his Ramen Cup flying through the air – which was thankfully empty – as he grinned and pointed a finger at his best friend, who had snapped his gaze towards him in both surprise and irritation, "I knew it! I knew it! I knew you'd confess!! I just knew it!"

The scowl returned to Sasuke's aristocratic features, frustration rising tenfold, "Confess? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh, don't play dumb with me Sasuke-bastard!" Naruto laughed as he continued to point, causing Sasuke to narrow his dark gaze further, "I am a genius! I knew you were going to say–"

"…I…I am…happy for you, Naruto…"

Naruto stopped dead in his jumping. His pointed finger sagged with uncertainty. Blue eyes watched with disbelief as Sasuke continued to glare at him from the couch. Furrowing his brows together, Naruto frowned deeply and took a contemplative, deep breath.

"…Wait. You're Happy for me?" His voice was dipped with incredulity, the arm he had been pointing with dropping limply at his side.

Again, Sasuke frowned, annoyance still on his expression though his eyes were glancing at Naruto as if he were a bigger idiot than he had initially thought, "Isn't that what I said?"

"Did you say that?" Naruto countered with confusion, a part of him still disbelieving that those words had been said – and out of Sasuke's mouth no less – but also because it didn't go according to his Plan at all! Uchiha Sasuke was supposed to be insanely jealous and fight for what he wanted! Specifically, Haruno Sakura!

"I am not going to repeat myself, dobe." The answer had been clipped and Sasuke arrogantly turned his head to the side, eyes closed.

"B-But…You're happy for me? Me? And Sakura-chan? Me and Sakura-chan? Us? Together? As in a couple?" Naruto rambled, still a little shocked, "Happy? Not mad? You don't…care?"

Sasuke shrugged, eyes remained closed, features as emotionless as ever, "Why should I care? If it's what you both want, fine."

"Fine?!"

"Just don't let it affect our teamwork," Sasuke continued with his eyes half-opened in nonchalance, "As long as we're together on a Team and on a Mission, keep it professional. Other than that…I'm…happy for you."

And then he saw it. The hesitance again. The way the word 'happy' had been forced through clenched teeth. The way his fists had been balled and the tension in his crossed arms had returned. The way his jaw was currently locked as he looked across the room at the window – which ironically had the drapes Sakura had bought for them as a gift when they moved into their new apartment.

Naruto grinned. There was hope for Uchiha Sasuke yet! He just had to get the Avenger out of denial. He just had to pour out the Jealousy any chance he got.

He had to plan something BIG!

"Well, thanks a lot Sasuke-teme," Naruto laughed as he jumped off the chair he had been standing on, "…But I can't promise that Sakura-chan and I will always be…professional around you."

The Uchiha's response was a narrowed glare of annoyance.

Knock. Knock.

Both men shifted their gazes towards the door. Knowing that Sasuke was going to make no move in answering it, Naruto walked towards the entryway, silently hoping that it wasn't Kimiko or Kiyoshi there to harass him but Sakura, because he was still worried about her odd behavior from the morning.

As her best friend and pretend boyfriend, he wanted to make her feel better again.

However, opening the door, Naruto was greeted by Nara Shikamaru, whose hands were shoved in his pant pockets, dark eyes staring lazily at him.

"Shikamaru!" Naruto grinned as he pulled the door open wider, "What's up?"

The Nara Genius didn't answer immediately. His eyes – although still languid – silently scrutinized Naruto before sliding passed the blonde to where Sasuke lounged, the Uchiha Avenger watching the interaction with obvious boredom. Naruto's grin slowly vanished as he noticed the grim line the Shadow User's lips formed, sapphire eyes also catching that the hands in his pockets were clenched into tight fists.

"Shikamaru?"

Naruto's concerned voice caused the male's gaze to slowly return to him and when their eyes met the Tactical Ninja let out a deep sigh as he closed his eyes, "Ino sent me to come get you."

Naruto frowned, one brow raised in confusion, "Uh…Why?"

Shikamaru opened his eyes, his peripheral vision catching as Sasuke shifted into a straighter and more alert position on the couch, his dark eyes still observing them.

Suddenly, Naruto grinned again, deep blue eyes shining, "If it's about those flowers for Sakura-chan, I'll pick them up tomor–"

"No," Shikamaru interrupted, frowning deeply, "She wants you at Sakura's apartment…now."

The blonde-shinobi's frown returned, worry washing over his expression, "Why? What's the matter?"

Shikamaru shook his head, one shoulder moving up in half a shrug, "All I know is that there's a problem…Ino thinks you can help."

"Is Sakura-chan okay?" Naruto demanded – a little too loudly for Shikamaru's liking – which only caused Sasuke to stand and walk towards them, dark eyes narrowing further.

"Troublesome…" Shikamaru sighed simply as he scratched his hand lazily through brown locks, "Like I said…All I know is that there's a problem."

"What kind of a problem?" Sasuke questioned as he reached the door.

Both the Nara Genius and Naruto were mildly surprised by the Uchiha's appearance which only caused obsidian orbs to thin with growing irritation from their continued silence.

Finally, Shikamaru shrugged again, "I have no idea…But she wants to see Naruto."

"Where?" Naruto asked urgently as he ran into the apartment to grab his jacket from the floor – where Sasuke had unceremoniously shoved it – leaving the Uchiha Avenger motionless and somewhat useless at the doorway.

"Her apartment," The Shadow User repeated easily before a frown graced his lips again, "And you better hurry…It looked like she was bringing out the Sake Bottles…"

"Uh-Oh," Naruto muttered just as he returned to the door, brows furrowed together in concern as he shrugged on his jacket, "Yeah, we better hurry then," He turned to Sasuke with a weak grin, "I'll see you in a few hours, Teme," He rushed out the door with a wave, Shikamaru sluggishly trailing after, "Bye!"

And even after Naruto and Shikamaru disappeared around the corner, Sasuke couldn't help but continue to stare with a deep frown on his face, and the feeling of uselessness and annoyance settling deep within his gut.


"HE DID WHAT?!?"

Sakura flinched at the combined screams from the two blondes before her. Both were rapidly turning red with fury, their arms flailing as random comments escaped their mouths. At the other side of the room, Shikamaru sat quietly on Sakura's recliner, looking as relaxed as ever, but was rubbing his ear to help ease the constant ringing from the various shouts and shrieks echoing throughout the room.

"Is that why I found you in your Office crying?!" Ino exclaimed with narrowed, dark grey-blue eyes, her fists shaking at her sides as she silently imagined ways to castrate the Diplomat's conceited and selfish spawn.

"HE MADE YOU CRY?!?" Naruto exploded, eyes bright with rage as he clenched his hands, bones cracking under the pressure, "I CAN'T BELIEVE HE HAS THE GALL TO TOUCH YOU – KISS YOU – I'M GONNA KILL HIM!!! NO!!! NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!! NOT SAKURA-CHAN!!"

"Naruto…Please calm down," The Jounin Medic timidly asked, her green eyes still red-rimmed from her crying, her face still pale from the realizations of her experience and now the reactions of her friends.

"CALM DOWN!?" Naruto yelled angrily, although not directed at the Medic, "NO, I'M GONNA KICK HIS ASS!!"

Naruto immediately walked towards the door, Ino happily marching right after him with a determined glint in her eyes, "I'm right with you Naruto! Let's show him what we're made of!! Let's fight for Forehead's HONOR!!"

"Let's NOT!" Sakura pleaded, her body wanting to get up from her seat on the couch but too exhausted from all the emotional stress she had endured in the passed few hours, "Guys!! STOP!!"

"Shadow Possession Jutsu!"

Both Naruto's and Ino's bodies immediately froze just inches away from Sakura's front door. Both figures were visibly shaking, not only from anger but from trying to break themselves free from the Nara Clan Technique that had been cast on them. Slowly they turned around – but not of their own free will – and were moved away from the door. Shikamaru, who had not moved from his spot on the recliner, had perfected and improved the technique where he could move his target's bodies by the will of his mind alone. With a sigh, Shikamaru released his hands from the Seal and allowed his shadow to retract from the two blondes, both a little calmer than they were minutes before.

"Thank you Shikamaru…" Sakura whispered, emerald eyes sliding back to her two friends, a hint of irritation towards them hidden in those jade depths.

"Sakura's right…" Shikamaru stated tiredly, his eyes closed as he relaxed against the chair, "There's nothing we can do about this. We have to let this go."

"Shikamaru!" Ino cried out indignantly, Naruto's teeth clenched as a growl rumbled in his throat, "What are you saying?! Sakura was just…violated!" The Medic visibly winced, "We can't just let this go!"

"As much as I agree with you Ino," Shikamaru sighed, eyes opening halfway to glance at her, "There is more to this than just Sakura. Alliance is on the line."

"Screw Alliances!" Naruto lashed out, the whiskered scars on his face becoming a little too prominent for Sakura's liking, "Who the hell would want to ally with bastards like them anyways?!"

"A Village who is on the verge of War," Shikamaru coolly answered, "And with the Akatsuki as the enemy no less…Lightning Country is powerful and we need that alliance if we hope for Hidden Leaf to survive this conflict or not."

"BUT–"

"Shikamaru's right, Naruto. Let it go…Please."

Sapphire eyes immediately snapped towards Sakura, his heart clenching as he took in her ragged appearance, the tear tracks that had dried on her cheeks, the broken expression in her usually bright, green eyes. This was a Sakura he was not used to, a Sakura he was not familiar with. Was she giving up so easily? Was she just going to let Kiyoshi take advantage of her and not stand up against it?

Was she really that weak?

Naruto's expression hardened, 'NO! Sakura-chan is hardly weak!'

By keeping this locked up inside, by keeping this incident to herself, by doing this for the love and protection of her Village…Sakura wasn't weak. She was the strongest person he knew.

"Besides, what can I do by telling someone?" Sakura continued logically as she fingered an unopened Sake Bottle, "If I were to tell Tsunade of Kiyoshi's actions, then what? Threaten them with assault? No. We don't need any more enemies. We've already worked too long and too hard for this alliance."

"But what if he uses this against you Forehead?" Ino asked uncertainly, brows furrowed with worry, "What if he twists things around in his favor, for his benefit?"

"I won't let him," Naruto declared, cobalt eyes narrowed and hands clenched with rising determination, "If he does anything else to Sakura-chan, he'll answer to Me."

"Believe me," Shikamaru exhaled, closing his eyes again, "He'll answer to everyone."

Ino grinned, readily agreeing, "Yeah!"

Sakura couldn't help the small twitch of her lips, her heart swelling with love, "Thanks you guys."

Naruto quickly walked over to where she sat, kneeling in front of her to stare eye-to-eye, expression completely serious, "…Are you going to ask Tsunade-baa-chan if you can be dismissed from this Mission?"

Sakura's features instantly hardened with determination, shaking her head firmly, "No Naruto. I won't run away from my duties. I'll just make sure to keep my distance from him and always have my guard up."

"We all will," Ino agreed seriously.

Naruto grinned, a little forced but still genuine enough, "Because no one touches my Sakura-chan!"

And despite the situation, despite what had happened to her, Haruno Sakura couldn't help but smile. Because Naruto was her boyfriend. Naruto was her friend.

Naruto would take care of her.


"Don't expect me to just let this go so easily…"

"I know…"

"And I'm letting you know now that the next time I see that bastard I'm going to give him a piece of my mind…"

"Of course…"

"…And if I accidentally kill him, just know that I did it with the best intentions."

"Naruto."

"…Sorry Sakura-chan…I'm getting a little carried away, aren't I?"

"Pretty much."

"…Sorry."

"It's okay Naruto…You're only looking out for me."

Silence.

It was dark in Sakura's Living Area. Ino and Shikamaru had left hours ago with a silent understanding that what had been spoken of that night would not be mentioned to anyone. They didn't want to risk jeopardizing anything. Naruto had offered to stay the night and despite what rumors might spread from agreeing to it, Sakura felt a lot safer and more comfortable having a familiar presence around. Not only did she not want to be alone after her ordeal but she didn't want to experience nightmares again after all the previous, jarring events.

So, Sakura comfortably took the couch while Naruto happily took the floor, mounds of pillows and blankets acting as his mattress. And as restless as she was, the Medic could not sleep so Naruto helpfully stayed awake, continuing to talk with her until she finally did succumb to inevitable exhaustion.

"…Sakura-chan…Can I ask you something?"

"…What?"

"Just tell me…Besides kissing you……Did he hurt you?"

Sakura frowned, unconsciously rubbing her arms where the bruises she had healed hours before had once been, then sighed, "…No more than he already did Naruto…"

Despite the darkness, Sakura could hear the frown in his own voice, "That bastard's more trouble than he's worth…"

"Don't underestimate him though," Sakura whispered, "Although not a Ninja, he's quite strong himself as a Warrior…Don't do anything stupid, okay?"

"…No promises."

The Medic couldn't help but let out a chuckle, "Fine."

The moon was now in her vision and Sakura watched as its luminescent rays poured passed her gossamer drapes onto her form. The tension was beginning to die away from her body with Naruto's familiar presence and she was immensely thankful.

There was certainly no better friend than Uzumaki Naruto.

"Sakura-chan?"

And although she thought Naruto talked too much, it soothed her. His personality – although sometimes idiotic – was one of a kind. She actually wouldn't mind staying up all night talking with him – her best friend. It brought her peace.

"Yes Naruto?"

"Want to go training with Team Seven tomorrow? Get your mind off things? Beat Sai and Sasuke-teme to a pulp?"

He chuckled and she smiled, her eyes becoming droopy with sleep, "I'd like that."

Silence. The nearby clock ticking. Soft, even breathing.

"…And Sakura-chan?"

Her mind lazily registered a hand slipping into her own, soothing and caring.

"Hmm?"

Silence. Silence. Inhale. Exhale.

"Just don't forget Sakura-chan…I'll always take care of you…I'll always love you…"

Smile. Mind drifting away but the words rang loud and true.

"…Thank you, Naruto…I won't forget…I love you too."


A/N: So…Yeah. I just want to apologize for the long wait, many things happened over these passed few weeks that left me unable to update. Um, I'd tell you what happened but yeah, I don't want to make excuses; I do however feel really bad for not updating in a while. I mean, it's been what? Half a year already? Sorry! So, I'm updating today because I am finally able to and because I am out of school due to recovery I have a bit of free time on my hands so I'll be updating a lot more frequently. I know this chapter was short, but the next one which I will be updating sometime this week will definitely be a lot longer, I'm just having a bit of a writer's block. I hope you liked the chapter, please tell me what you think and I appreciate everyone who is reading and/or reviewing!! You guys are the best and I will try my absolute hardest to not leave you hanging for the next chapter again!!

So what do you think? Kiyoshi sucks huh? I hope I made you laugh in this chapter! And I hope all the characters are In Character! Please let me know otherwise!

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Naruto…

Next Update: Sometime in the next 7-8 days.

Next Chapter: Confrontation between Naruto and Kiyoshi; and Sasuke gets a Morning Surprise!

LiveJournal: Len83

Special Thanks to Reviewers: CrazyGirlofManyNames; empty-spaces; kyo12591; Inu-ru831; twinzees; 10000 Dead Roses; Mystic Mage-chan; kt.; pink-strawberries; MPXD; les-liaisons-dangereuses; XxXInuyasha's Little AngelxXx; Ceridwen Inari; shkh4ever; Pandastacia; ChristinaAngel; Fonrin; Heartbroken Confession; nanamisakurachan; lulu halulu; sumiresang; kurikinshiro; Livvy22; Rina the pirate jedi wizard; DJ Pocky; Kaliedoscope; Azumi Nagasaki; ; obsessionartsss; Nuclear Burp, the blanket and SakuraUchiha14

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Len83