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Friends
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Naruto's eyes shot open from the bed, his breathing ragged and his face drenched in sweat. Suddenly he felt a frightening amount of pain spread through his body; he had to cover his mouth with both hands to prevent himself from screaming but even that hurt. He calmed down and slowly pressed his back against the bed. The memories of the fight the night before flashed through his head. Just how many blows did he take? He couldn't count. Naruto just figured he was blacking out from time to time. One moment he was leaving the fight and the next thing he remembered was heading to school. Just then the door opened and a familiar face walked in.
"Sakura-chan? What are you doing here?"
"What do you mean what am I doing here? I heard you passed out on your way to class." Sakura took a sit across from Naruto's bed, and eyed him suspiciously "I thought we agreed that we were going to walk to school together."
"Ah, sorry." Naruto scanned the room, noticing the school nurse was busying herself with her magazine. "I kinda blacked out from my fight last night to this morning. Don't really remember anything."
Sakura audibly sighed. Naruto was slightly taken aback when Sakura's face entered his line of vision. She pressed her forehead against his to check his temperature, but even Naruto couldn't help but feel a bit hot. Her dazzling jade eyes pulled him in and her clear skin seemed to shine. Oh, it's just sweat. She must have ran here.
She was beautiful; there was no doubt about that.
"I knew I should have been there last night!" Her brows furrowed "You have a fever and you look exhausted to begin with. Just what were you thinking last night?"
"I'm not the type that thinks. I'm more of a man of action, like a secret agent."
"More like an undercover dumbass." Sakura inhaled deeply "Who do you think has to take care of you afterwards?"
"Ebisu and you." He answered hesitantly.
"Exactly."
"What trouble have you gotten yourself into this time Naruto?" A harsh voice spoke up. Naruto slowly turned to face the principal who looked none too happy.
"What are you doing here Baa-" Glare. "Principal Tsunade."
"I heard you were being a buffoon again and fainted in the hallway so I took a break from my duties and came to check up on your sorry ass."
"You mean you just ran away from your work, right?" Naruto sighed.
"Shut up," Tsunade walked up Naruto and inspected him. "Can you even walk? You look like Jiraiya after I beat him down for harassing me at the bar." Naruto remembered that day. Not even Jiraiya's mother could have recognized him after that.
Naruto quickly nodded as he got up and began walking across the room the smile still plastered on his face. Both Sakura and Tsunade furrowed their brow. Sakura got off her chair and stood close to Naruto as if she were waiting for something. Naruto was totally clueless about why she did so.
"Doesn't hurt as much as you think," Naruto lied. His body ached, his head hurt and his legs were screaming.
If there was one thing Naruto hated were hospitals. The different smells, the rude nurses, the rough doctors and last but not least the needles. He felt like if he stayed there for a few days they would eventually come to him, needles in hand but most of all he couldn't stay here. He knew Sakura and Tsunade would send him to the hospital if he showed how bad his body was.
"Whatever kid." Tsunade scoffed before she left the room. It was there that Naruto's weakness got to him. His legs gave way entirely but strangely he didn't fall to the floor. Sakura was already by his side his arm over her shoulder as she held him up.
"You can fool her Naruto but you can't fool me." Sakura whispered to Naruto in hopes that the Nurse didn't just see that "Just what you are doing? You're going to get yourself killed like this!"
"Sakura…," Naruto whispered through his heavy panting, with beads of sweat forming on his brow "I'm sorry but I can't afford to be slowed down, you know that."
"Fine but we're going home."
"We're going to your house?"
"No! I'm taking you to Ebisu!" Sakura fumed.
"I'll be taking the dumbass here to class." The nurse vaguely nodded, still paying them no mind as the two walked out.
Little did the two know that they were being watched by a particularly nosey blonde female as they left the school compound. "Sakura and…Naruto?" The blonde whispered to particularly no one.
"Ok you two it's time to fess up!"
It was an ordinary day at the lunch table until Ino shouted that from the blue. The entire gang was there but her question was directed at only two in particular. The two in question were stumped as to what she meant. Naruto was half way through his ramen, before he was forced to stop and Sakura was busy reading a first aid booklet before she put it down.
"Hah…?" Both replied.
"I know what's going on you two and I think it's about time that you told all of us."
"In English Ino." Sakura remarked.
"You two are dating!" Sakura's eyes flew open and Naruto almost choked on his Ramen.
"What are you saying?"
"Isn't it true?" Ino pressed.
"No!" Both replied in unison.
"Then explain to me this." Ino paused for a minute as she rummaged through her brain.
"Since last month, you two have been coming to and from school together. I know you've been going to his house to wake him up every morning and I know you visit his house every afternoon, don't you?"
Were you following us or something!
"Well, Naruto's neighbors are really fun people and I kinda grew attached to them (no lie). And about the early morning wake ups, um, Naruto - the lazy bastard that he is - asked me to do it so he wouldn't be late for school." Sakura managed a smile.
"What? I never asked you to-" Naruto stopped mid-sentence on a count of Sakura elbowing him in the ribs "Yeah, I couldn't get up early enough for school, so I asked."
Sakura's actual reason was to check if Naruto was well enough to go to school that very morning, as well as to wake him up for school if he was.
"You two are always together now-a-days, like two peas in a pod. You barely have time for us! We don't even hang out as much we did before!"
"That's because…" Sakura tried to come up with an excuse but Ino just went on.
"As if that wasn't proof enough, whenever Naruto takes the day off you always seem to have an excuse of some sort to cover for him! There are even days when neither of you come to school!"
That's because he gets really injured and I have to take care of him before he kills himself.
"You even took up first aid recently!" Sakura hid the book behind her back "I thought you said 'Nursing wasn't my sort of thing!'"
"Well more and more people are getting hurt recently, I just want to be ready for such an occasion…"
"Doesn't Naruto get into a lot of fights, and I mean a lot of fights." Ino practically had Sakura cornered "Any chance that you picked it up to help him?"
"Er, I, um…"
"Come on Ino, you're backing her into a corner." Naruto rose up to rescue her "Give the girl a break."
"Here comes his paternal instinct to protect his woman." Ino grinned.
"Hey!"
"Come on Ino, what do you want us to say?" Sakura sighed. She had had enough of this but she wasn't going to tell Ino about what Naruto got into on a daily basis.
"Then agree to meet us at my house on Saturday for a girl's day out. We haven't had one of those in like, forever."
"If that's what you wanted then say so from the beginning, geez."
"But!" Ino paused grinning from ear to ear "You have to agree to do whatever we say on that day."
"Huh? Why?"
"It's punishment for ignoring us."
"I didn't ignore you!" Sakura eyed Naruto.
Help me out here! It's your fault that they are like this.
What? I haven't done anything! Even if I could, I wouldn't know what to say to them. Ino would chew me out for even trying.
Trying is better than doing nothing!
"Oh, how cute. They're having a mental conversation." Tenten giggled.
"Stop that! I'm talking to you here!"
"Ah, fine." Sakura gave in. It was the only way to get Ino to stop. If she didn't have her way everything would go to hell dragging down as many people as she possibly could.
Sakura felt highly uneasy about the devilish grin Ino had plastered over her face. She knew Ino had planned something for her. Was she going to interrogate me about my relationship with Naruto? That seemed like a plausible answer. If only Sakura had known what Ino had planned, it would have prevented her from agreeing to Ino's questionable terms.
"So…why are we here again?" Sakura couldn't help but raise her voice. Her shoulders shivered and her eyes twitched depicting how totally frustrated she was.
It wasn't everyday that they went out on an all girl's day out, but when they did it usually involved shopping and the occasional makeup session at a Salon. But Sakura would never guess that they were spending their girl's day out in front of Naruto's apartment complex.
"Because I told you to take us here?" Ino grinned from ear to ear. She had planned this from the beginning. She didn't know why Sakura didn't figure it out sooner.
"We wanted to see Naruto house, silly. We were always curious why you always came here, and to what you were doing, but that's for another day." She sang in a lively tune.
"I can't help but feel you're misunderstanding why I come here…"
"We weren't thinking that you were doing anything bad with Naruto-kun, it's just, er, um," Hinata's entire face colored red. What could she possibly be thinking she and Naruto did here? Sakura had an idea but she didn't want to bring it up. It would have made the situation worse.
"Come on guys! Let's get out of here." Sakura begged but they weren't planning on leaving.
"No. You said you'd do anything we said so lead on, Mrs. Uzumaki!" Ino commanded.
"One of these days, I'll get you guys." Sakura complained but she led them up the stairs regardless.
"Sakura, is it me, or are we being stared at?" Tenten asked, a bit freaked out. Every door they passed opened up slightly and she could feel the stares on their back.
"Just ignore them. As long as I'm here they won't so much as speak to you." Sakura answered non-chalet.
"Are they dangerous or something?" Hinata asked, closing the distance between her and Sakura. Sakura couldn't blame her for being frightened on her first time here.
"No, they just don't like strangers." In actuality, all of the people here were just protective of each other. They knew that Naruto got into a lot of trouble and were ready to beat down anyone who would want to hurt him which would explain why they were so weary of the girl's presence.
"We're here." Sakura knocked lightly on a large orange door "Naruto, its Sakura. Open up."
After a few seconds, the door opened up "I've already told you that you don't need to knock-" The blonde froze "Uh, hi guys. What are you all doing here?"
Mysteriously, the girls froze as well. Naruto followed their heated gaze to his body –particularly his naked muscular torso "Uh, guys?"
"Wow, I knew you were muscular but…wow," Tenten was impressed. She had never seen a teenager her age so…herculean. The girls stared intently as the sweat glistened off his rock hard body. Ino's entranced face was no different from Tenten's while Hinata's face was ever so red, she looked like she was about to pass out.
"Thanks."
"I'm sorry Naruto, they kind of forced me to bring them here," Sakura managed to keep her temper down but the girl's staring was getting to her.
"Oh, I don't mind but I thought that since you were having a girl's day, I thought I'd invite a few friends over."
"Oh, more of your friends? If they're as hefty as you, lead the way!" Ino smiled. She wasn't even trying to hide her intentions…
"And if you don't mind go put on a shirt. Like, now." Sakura glared. Naruto cringed and headed to his room.
"Fine, just take them to the living. I'll be right back."
"Geez, and I just cleaned this place yesterday…" Sakura muttered as she took the girls to the living room. Naruto's apartment wasn't the biggest in the complex but it was large enough for more than enough people to enjoy themselves in the living room. It was there that turned to her frozen friends "What's wrong?"
"What are you four doing here?" A voice that could be no other than Sasuke Uchiha's rang through Sakura's ears.
"I could ask you the- why the hell aren't any of your wearing a shirt!"
When Sakura turned, she was greeted by two muscular bodies drenched in sweat. One was no other than Sasuke, and the other a pale boy with dark hair similar to that of Sasuke's. The two were apparently playing a video game while they kept themselves cool with Naruto's fan.
"The idiot's AC broke down a few minutes ago and we were left with no choice but to strip. Got a problem?"
"No problem here." Ino blocked Sakura's mouth before she could answer. "So, Sasuke-kun, who is your friend?"
"Since when we're you under the impression that you could call me that?"
"Its fine isn't it?"
"Whatever, this is Naruto's friend." Sasuke returned to his game.
"As cold as ever I see…"
"Hello, my name is Sai. It's nice to meet you all." He smiled.
"I'm Ino Yamanaka. You can call me Ino-chan." She returned his smile with one of her own.
"You can call me Tenten."
"Ah, I'm Hinata Hyuga, pleased to meet you." She bowed.
"Oh, I see you guys have been acquainted," Naruto came out from the back room sporting a white shirt with a spiral in the front. "Wait, Sai hasn't told you anything weird has he?"
"No. Why would you think that?"
"He is under the impression that my choice of nicknames is 'weird' as he puts it."
"It's downright annoying." Sasuke remarked.
"Oh! You give people nicknames? Do me, do me!" Tenten squealed.
"Um, Tenten I wouldn't recommend that." Sakura
"Why?"
"Hello, my name is Sai. It's nice to meet you."
"Hi there, I'm Sakura Haruno."
"Excuse me, but do you mind if I give you a nickname?"
"Um, Sakura I wouldn't." Naruto warned.
"Oh come on, it can't be that bad."
"I read from one of my books that you establish a friendship once you give people a nickname based on their looks or personality. But since I don't know you that well I've give you one based on your appearance if you don't mind."
"Go ahead."
"Sakura-chan…" Naruto was afraid.
Sai looked deeply into her eyes, scanning her face and clothing. He thought long and hard before he came out with it.
"What was that? I didn't quite hear you." Sakura cupped her ear and inched closer to him.
"I apologize. I'll say it again. I called you an ugly whore."
"I see." She smiled.
"Sai you bastard! Oh crap…." Naruto pressed his hands down on her shoulders "Run! I'll hold her off!"
"Huh? Why?"
It happened to quickly, Sai failed to register what had happen to him. He had to relive the moment multiple times in his head to get the full picture. In 0.5 seconds, Sakura slapped Naruto 3 times and slammed him against the door before she delivered the most devastating slap to Sai's face ever recorded in history causing him to spin 4 times in the air before he hit the ground.
"I have my reasons for that." Sakura groaned remembering the scene.
"I shall do it another time then." Sai remarked remembering the slap. Maybe when Sakura isn't around.
"So Sai, what do you do?" Ino asked full of curiosity "I haven't seen you at school."
"I do not attend school. I graduated ahead of my class last year and decided to become a painter."
"Oh wow, I'd like to see some of your work."
"Maybe next time. I'll be busy this week with a new project but your free to come next week. Naruto will show you my room when the time comes."
"Great."
Well at least she was happy, Sakura thought.
Suddenly a cell phone rang. Sasuke grabbed his phone from his pants pocket and paced around the room."Yeah? What? No. Why do I have to listen to you? Ugh, Fine."
"I have to go, the ingrate is calling me."
"Tell him I said hi," Naruto groaned through the piece of bread in his mouth.
"I will do no such thing. Later trash."
"I think I'll leave as well." Sai stood up "I have some paintings to finish up before the dead line. Again, it was pleasure to meet you ladies." He smiled his usual creepy grin before he walked out.
"Bye bye."
"So….what now?" Sakura asked.
"Nothing. All I had planned for today was hanging out with the guys. So I guess I'll head out for a walk? Either that or take a nap." Naruto scratched the back of his head "What about you girls?"
"We'll since we're done here, why not continue with our girl's day out? Just shop for new clothes and anything else we could get our hands on." Ino replied.
"And I know you wouldn't want to be caught up in our 'all girl's shopping day', so we'll see you later ok?" Tenten stretched her limbs. Sitting down for long periods weren't exactly good for her body.
"Ah, but Naruto-kun can come along can't he?" Hinata spoke up meekly. Naruto's face gleamed.
"Hinata, the point was that it was an all 'girls' shopping day." Ino stepped in.
"Wait, no he can come along. He won't help with the shopping but there are other things he can help with." Sakura smiled. Naruto had no idea what else he could possibly help with.
"Alright then! Let's get a move on!" Naruto got behind the girls and began to push them all.
"This is…" Naruto sighed heavily. 'Other things he can help with' meant making him carry all the bags. He was up to his armpits in boxes. How much were they going to spend? They were burning more money than Naruto ever used in a week.
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun…if I had known this was what Sakura-chan meant I wouldn't have suggested bringing you along." Hinata bowed. Geez, she didn't have to do that.
"Since I had nothing else planned for the rest of the afternoon, its fine." Naruto gave a little smile.
"But…but…"
She really isn't going to stop is she? Alright, something to take her mind off it.
"What about that dress Hinata? I'm sure it would look good on you." Naruto used his head to point a random dress. Hinata followed his direction and her entire face turned red. He swore he could see steam coming out. Naruto turned to the dress and was amazed that people even made dresses like that. Hinata's gaze was fixed on the dress with slits on the side. Not only were there slits but it was strapless and exposed the wearers back. Naruto turned his gaze back to Hinata and couldn't help but imagine her in it. He gulped and Hinata heard.
"Naruto-kun…please don't look at me like that…" Hinata looked away. She couldn't take much more of this. She fought herself to stay conscious.
"Oh, Naruto, you're a dirty boy for sighting Hinata up like that," Despite what she said Tenten was smiling all the way.
"Ah sorry…" He turned away as well.
"Just what are you trying to get her to wear!" Sakura's voice exploded in the shop. The next thing Naruto knew Sakura's fist was already in his face.
"Ah! The dresses!" Ino with lightning fast reflexes kicked Naruto's hands up launching all the boxes into the air; giving Sakura the go sign to land her fist deep into his head shooting him out of the shop and onto the street. All four girls caught all the boxes with the simplest of ease.
"That was a close one." Ino relaxed.
"If you had enough time to kick the boxes out of my hand why not pull me out of the way in the first place!" Naruto shouted.
"You deserved it you pervert." Sakura yelled. Why was she so angry? It's not like he touched her or anything.
"I didn't- ah forget it." Just then, Naruto could hear the faint whispers of the on lookers.
"Is that him?"
"That's Naruto Uzumaki? The brutish fighter?"
"He should be arrested for all that he has done."
"I knew it! He was just a fool hearty youth who shameless flirted with any girl he pleased."
"I can't believe someone would raise a monster like him."
"I hope that person suffers for bringing a monster like that to our city."
Oh, that was it. They could insult him on whatever they pleased but no one was insulting his the old man.
"Hey!" Naruto shouted but before he could say anything he felt warm hands wrap around his outstretched arms. Sakura held his arm and shook her head. Tenten grabbed his hand and pulled him up. Hinata walked up to him and began dusting off his T-shirt with a smile on her face. Just then Ino threw him a handkerchief.
"Clean yourself up loverboy." She smiled.
"Come on Naruto. Let's go." Sakura and Hinata each grabbed his hand and pulled him back into the shop. He was a bit taken a back. They knew he got into a lot of fights and that he was hated by half the population. Why were they still so nice to him? Even in public.
"But, about what those people said-"
"We know you're not a monster silly. A big lovable lug like you wouldn't hurt someone else unless he had a good reason right?" Tenten smiled, as she skipped back into the shop "We don't know the details but we trust you. You're our friend Naruto."
"Thank you…" And I'm sorry. Just then, he wore his usual grin. His irreplaceable friends were always there for him. And for that he could not thank them enough.
Can't live with them, can't live without them.
