Bound V

Whoa, wait... FIVE? God. I'm already THAT far? Wow.

Ino stood up, looking around, trying to understand that Sakura could actually die. Tsunade stood as well, backing up away from them. Ino decided she needed Shikamaru and went over to the table to perform the same jutsu Sasuke had moments before.

It took a few more moments before the lazy boy appeared and Ino threw herself into his arms.

"Why didn't you mention that before?" Sasuke finally snarled, still holding Sakura's head. She moaned in pain and opened her eyes slowly. Sasuke's eyes snapped down towards her. The entire room watched the two on the floor.

"Sasuke...?" He didn't answer her, instead glared up at Tsunade, who looked down apologetically.

"I hoped I wouldn't have to," She responded quietly. Sakura moved around in Sasuke's lap, trying to see what was going on.

"What are you guys doing here? What's going on?"

"The jutsu was acting up and you passed out and hit your head on the floor," Ino said, reciting what Sasuke had told them.

Her eyes widened in response and she looked up at Sasuke, "Are you okay, too?"

He nodded slowly and wasn't surprised when her arms snaked up and around his neck.

Ino, Shikamaru, Naruto, Sai, Kakashi, Tenten, Tsunade, Neji and Kiba said nothing, just watched on as she leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips.

Ino let out a startled gasp and Tenten a whimper of surprise. Kiba blinked and rubbed his eyes, Naruto grinned like a fool, Sai watched blankly, Neji smirked, Tsunade arched an eyebrow and Kakashi read his book.

Sakura looked up and blinked at all the people in Sasuke's kitchen... "I appreciate you guys coming and all...but why are you still here?"

"Oh.." Tenten said, grabbing Neji's hand and pulling on Kiba's jacket. "We should go."

The three left, Ino stood smiling at Sakura and Sasuke (who were still on the floor).

"So what do we do?" Sasuke asked, looking up at Tsunade.

"You'll have to stay as close as possible at all times. The jutsu will probably start acting up more frequently, so you'll have to stick together if you don't want anymore incidents."

Sakura nodded and Naruto leaned over and poked Kakashi in the ribs. "Take me for ramen, Kakashi-sensei."

"Naruto, that is completely inappropriate at this time."

"No, you should go," Tsunade said dryly, "And bring me back some sake."

Kakashi rolled his eye and he and Naruto went out the door.

"Ino-pig," Sakura said suddenly, her arms coming back from around Sasuke's neck, "Help me up."

Ino extracted herself from Shikamaru's arms and held out a hand. Sakura took it, pulling her up out of Sasuke's lap off the floor. Sasuke stood up as well.

Tsunade blinked and turned to walk out the door. "Oh," She said turning around, "It seems you still haven't figured it out."

"Figured what out?" Sakura asked, her eye brows raised at her shishou.

"Try going out the front door holding hands," Tsunade instructed smirking, "Who knows? It might just get you out of here."

Sakura gaped at her teacher and Sasuke glared at her. "You knew and you didn't tell us?"

"You graduated at the top of your class, both of you, I thought you'd figure it out."

And she disappeared out the door.

"Oh no she didn't!" Sakura exclaimed, stomping towards the door.

"SAKURA!" Ino screeched, "You'll kill yourself!"

"What?!" Sakura slid to a halt, "Oh. Sasuke-kun!"

Ino blinked and Shikamaru stopped mid-yawn. Sasuke-kun? Since when?

"What?" he snapped, appearing in the kitchen doorway.

"I want to try what Tsunade-shishou said."

"Hn."

Sakura turned on her heel and headed towards the door.

"Hey, Forehead!" Ino called and Sakura spun around.

"Yes, Ino-pig?"

"Maybe you should change?"

Sakura looked down and found she was wearing her pyjamas.

"Oh."

"You too, Sasuke," Ino directed, shoving them both towards the bedroom. Once they were both in, Ino closed the door and turned to Shikamaru. "I know where Sasuke's guest room is," She said, giggling, "Come with me."

Shikamaru shrugged and allowed Ino to drag him down the hallway.

"Ino?" Sakura looked around, Sasuke behind her. "Ino-pig, where are you?"

"It doesn't matter," Sasuke said tonelessly.

"Fine!" Sakura exclaimed, "Let's go."

They moved up to the front door and Sakura slid her small hand into his much larger calloused one. Once her nimble fingers were entwined with his, Sakura opened the door and they stepped out into the sunlight.

Well. There's Bound V!