Shinobi Secrets

Disclaimer … I don't own Naruto or any of these characters .. Which makes me a very sad girl... Because if I owned Naruto there would be a lot more free cable+ than anyone could handle.

--+ Free Cable: A very odd term my sister and I use for yaoi. Ninjas make good friends... they can jump from roof to roof and get you free cable... ;)

Chapter 11

Past, Present and Future

Six months had passed since Sakura and Naruto had moved into Sasuke's giant empty house, deep within the desolate Uchiha district. After the first five months of intensive renovation and decorating, all at Sasuke's expense, of course, Sakura was nearly satisfied with her new home. The one thing that still bothered her was the one room she hadn't been allowed to touch. It had belonged to Sasuke's parents, and he refused to let her in or even explain why it had to stay the same.

"He's worse than the beast. It's not like there's an enchanted rose that protects his life in there or anything… He's driving me crazy." Sakura said, setting the re-heated plate of fried rice in front of Naruto. "He's being a real creep about it." She grabbed her own plate and pulled out the chair to Naruto's left and sat down with a sigh.

"You haven't figured out why he doesn't want us in there yet?" Naruto mumbled through large bites of rice. "I mean… it's kind of obvious." He choked on the mouthful he hadn't finished before he shoved another in.

Sakura took his chopsticks from his hand and patted his back. "Don't be such a pig... I'll have to start calling you Chouji." Handing his chopsticks back, she sighed, staring down at her plate. "I have no idea why he won't let me at least open the doors… I'm sure it's all musty and gross in there." She stared at her food, eating mindlessly.

"Sakura-chan, some things should be left alone. That's the room his parents were—EH! Good morning sleepyhead!" Naruto changed subject quickly as a very tired looking Sasuke came stumbling into the room. "You want some breakfast? We've got leftovers from the party last night. The few things Chouji didn't finish off…" He stood up and helped Sasuke into the seat on his right.

"Oi, I'm awake… lay off." Sasuke said, his head hitting the table in front of him as he suddenly lurched forward. "Oh god, why is it so bright in here? My head is killing me…" Sasuke cradled his head in his arms, laying down on the table.

"I think you had a little too much Sake last night, Mr. Uchiha." Sakura said, standing up. "You finish eating, Naruto. I'll get him something that will help with a hangover…" She walked over to the cupboards and started rummaging through them. "You know what you missed last night wile you were puking your brains out?" She pulled out a few kinds of tea and set them on the counter.

A flatly mumbled "What?" Came from the face pressed to the tabletop.

Sakura looked over her shoulder he him. "Poor baby… peppermint or orange blossom? I know you want the orange, Naruto." She said, silencing the boy before he could utter a word.

"Mint." Came the same muffled voice.

"You missed Kiba's proposal to Hinata. It was adorable. Who knew that girl had so many words in her. She just mumbled on and on about puppies and stared at the ring on her finger like she had no clue why it was there…" Sakura grabbed three glasses from the cupboard. "I hope you don't mind this silly bagged stuff, I haven't had time to go out and get real tea lately." She acted as though she hadn't just casually passed over some life-changing news.

"I don't care. Just something warm… I need quiet.. and dark…" Sasuke mumbled again. He looked up at her. "Make sure people know they have to pay to reserve my living room as a party-hut next time, okay? No more proposals and definitely no more drinking…" He put his hands up and started rubbing his temples. "Ugh…"

"I didn't think she's say yes… She didn't hit me as the dog type of person." Naruto said, trying not to make a big deal out of Sasuke's problem, knowing that it would only make things worse. "She seemed kinda distracted last night, ya know?"

"She was just in shock…If someone asked me to marry them; I'd be in shock too…." Sakura sighed and set a steaming cup of tea in front of both boys. She sat down with her own cup in hand and looked out the kitchen window, sighing softly.

"The three of us could get married together… That would be fun." Naruto said, quickly taking a long drink of his tea.

Sakura choked on hers and set her cup down, looking at Naruto. "Wha.. what? You mean… Me, marry both of you?" She gave an un-easy glance towards Sasuke's morning hair. "I don't… know…"

Incoherent mumbling came from the dark-haired blob on the table.

"Sasuke, you're not drinking your tea…" Naruto said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Sasuke lifted his head slightly and put a hand on his glass. "You like mint. No, you love mint. Speaking of mint.. I want to make more Jell-o today." Naruto said, taking another sip of his tea.

"What? How does your mind go from mint to Jell-o? You are so crazy, Naruto-kun." Sakura tried to keep the thoughts of marriage out of her head, and failed miserably. She sighed again and ran her finger along the top of her tea cup.

Sasuke sat up and took a drink of his tea; avoiding the eyes of both the room's other occupants.

"Well… I guess I'll go and get ready." Naruto said, standing up quickly. He pushed his chair in and placed his cup next to the sink. He ran off towards the bedroom, kissing Sakura on the cheek as he passed.

"We could do it, you know." Sasuke said, standing up and pushing his chair in. He headed the same direction Naruto had taken.

Sakura stared at his back in disbelief as he walked away from her.

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--Chakra Kitten