A/N: Sorry this is late…again T.T I was sick for the past four days. I would type a chapter and fall asleep in the middle of typing it. And I had to baby-sit the most adorable and hyper kid ever. (sweat drop). So I think everyone pretty much agreed that the last chapter was good, ne? xD. Once again this chapter is RAW. Butterbiscuits72 was not able to look over it so I had to. So HOPEFULLY I did not miss too much xD.
I need to make Sasuke look like he cares for Sakura, I will try my best to not bash him (I hate Sasuke very much. But at the same time I love him because he was so kawaii when he was little…) Oh! Who wants to know what Hikari looks like?? I posted a link at the bottom of my profile that should take you to the picture that I had made. It didn't turn out as good as I would have liked, and it is a bit messy…but I had to make it! :D
I am now officially declaring "Cat and Mouse" By The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus the theme song for "Cat and Mouse" Because oddly enough…it actually goes perfectly well with the story. That has got to be the biggest and weirdest coincidence in my life. But listen to the song! It actually works well with the story! Oh on another note (SORRY I KNOW THIS IS GETTING ANNOYING!) but this chapter may seem pointless at points but it's not! I only write things down if they actually serve a purpose!
So on with the story, yeah? Oh gumdrops I'm starting to sound like Deidara -.-
Dei: What's the matter with that, yeah?!
Takara: Oh nothing Dei-kun, I just think that I would sound silly adding 'yeah' at the end of everything. It's something only you can pull off; anyways can you do the Disclaimer?
Dei: Takara Makoto does not own Naruto, yeah. So don't sue her, yeah.
Takara: You want them to sue me?!
Dei: -waves arms frantically- No, yeah!
Takara: Which one is it?
Dei: No y-…
Takara:….
Dei: T.T
Arigato Minna!
There's fluff in this chappy kiddos!
Jukebox: Paperthin Hymn, and Runaways by Anberlin (amazing songs! go listen to them…NOW!)
Chapter 13: Birthday Surprises
And so they fought.
And so they laughed.
Friends.
Before they knew it, they were inseparable.
-Masashi Kishimoto
Sasuke had a lot of questions that he wanted answered. First, he wanted to actually know if Sakura really was captured by his brother or someone else. Second, had little weak Sakura actually become strong enough to become ANBU Captain?
"Naruto"
The blonde haired boy looked up and grinned, "Yeah?"
"What that guy said-"
"You mean Sai?"
"…Yeah, what he said about…Sakura, is all that really true?"
"Yeah" Naruto said in a low quiet voice, "She was on an ANBU mission with Sai when they took her."
"So she isan ANBU?" Sasuke said incredulously.
"Yeah, what of it Teme?" Naruto said a bit angry, "She's so strong now, you wouldn't know because you haven't been here to see here grow up. She became Tsunade-baachan's apprentice and surpassed her. She's the head medic next to Tsunade-baachan and only became all this plus ANBU captain because of you."
Sasuke smirked, "So she still has her little 'crush' on me?"
Naruto snorted, "As if Teme. You honestly think she was standing around doing nothing except just waiting for you to come back? She gave up on you a long time ago. Her life doesn't revolve around youany more Teme."
Sasuke could see Naruto shaking. He didn't know if it was from anger or sadness on how much his pink haired teammate had changed.
"Teme, you have to understand. She is not the same Sakura you left on a bench four years ago. She kills, she fights, and she doesn't give up. She even killed an Akatsuki member."
Naruto knew Sasuke well enough to be able to see the surprise that was in his eyes.
Naruto smirked, "What did you expect Teme? You were gone for four years. She couldn't wait for you any longer. You really messed the team up"
Sasuke had never heard Naruto talk like that to him before. And…it made him feel a bit guilty.
Sasuke took in a deep breath, "G...Gomen…-"
Naruto narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Sasuke and grinned, "What was that Teme?"
"GomenasaiDobe." Sasuke said I a rush making Naruto 'whoop' with laughter.
"Did you hear that Sai? Teme apologized!"
"Yeah, I'm thrilled Dickless. Keep it down; Kakashi-san is trying to sleep. You and the emo bastard should too."
"Hmph, you're no fun today Sai." Naruto mumbled.
"What's up with him and calling us names?" Sasuke asked
Naruto waved a hand, "Oh he always does that. He never actually knew what emotions were or how to express them so he read a bunch of books on emotions and friendships and apparently the book said to make nicknames for those close to you." Naruto snorted, "You should have seen him when he told Sakura her nick name, I didn't even think she could punch anyone that far."
"What did he call her?"
Naruto frowned, "He calls her Ugly, Hag, Ugly bitch…" Naruto tried to count them up.
"So she's ugly?"
Naruto snorted, "Far from it. Look." Naruto pulled out a picture from his pocket. Sasuke looked at the five faces in the picture. At the left side of the picture, Kakashi and a man with brown spiky hair were casually standing beside the three other members.
"Dobe, who's that?"
Naruto looked at the picture, "Yamato. He was Kakashi's replacement when he was injured but he became part of the team!"
Sasuke looked at the center and right side of the picture. First there was the smiling blonde with his arm casually slung around someone's shoulders. On the end was Sai with his arm slung around the same person's shoulder as he sported his fake smile. Sasuke looked at the person in the center. It was Sakura. He could only tell it was really her by her pink hair and green eyes.
Did he mention her long pink hair that fell to her waist? He always had a weakness for long hair. Oh, and did he mention her gentle emerald green eyes that always looked innocent? The dobe was right, she was far from ugly.
Naruto grinned, "See? What did I tell ya?"
Sasuke merely 'Hn'd' and handed Naruto back the picture.
"What else has been happening besides the obvious? Dobe."
Naruto grinned, "I've been dating Hinata-chan for a year!"
"Hn, poor girl."
"TEMEEE!!" Naruto brought his fist up to punch Sasuke but then put it back down in thought.
"Hmm, Sakura-chan hasn't dated anyone in awhile…"Naruto thought aloud.
"What do you mean dobe?" Sasuke wanted to know what his pink haired teammate was up to beside the obvious.
"I mean Sakura-chan hasn't been dating anyone for the past year…"
"Who did she date before dobe?"
"Ano…I know she went out with Neji a few times-"
"The Hyuuga?"
"Yeah, but you know…" Naruto leaned over and whispered, "I think Sai was secretly going out with Sakura-chan before she was abducted." Naruto paused, and then shrugged, "Well, either that or he has a thing for her. I think it was the first choice since me and Kakashi are always out on missions and it's normally just the two of them when we're gone so we wouldn't know if they did or not." Naruto rambled on.
"He calls her 'Ugly' dobe. Yeah, that's a relationship."
Naruto peered at Sasuke suspiciously, "Oi, Teme, why did you want to know in the first place?"
Sasuke shrugged, "Curious."
That was a good enough answer for Naruto so he finally decided to go to sleep, leaving Sasuke to his thoughts.
"Didn't she promise she would love me forever?"
Sasuke looked over at Naruto who was already sound asleep and snoring loudly.
Sasuke smirked, "If Sakura is as good as they say she is she may prove to be useful to me and help me rebuild my clan."
Sasuke laid back and closed his eyes waiting for sleep to take him.
"Next time we meet Sakura, you will show me how much you have improved."
"So you think you've found where they're at?" Kiba asked as Akamaru barked.
Yamato nodded, "Hai, I'm sure of it. A local said they saw a girl with pink hair, Sakura, accompanied by a blonde haired figure in a black robe with red clouds, known as Deidara, arrived at the inn a month ago. The local said that Sakura was talking to two children."
"Probably some local children that needed help and weren't a big threat or else Deidara would have done something." Shikamaru drawled lazily.
"Great we have a location." Tamari said.
"So are we going to go after forehead girl or not?" Ino asked.
"It wouldn't be wise." Kankuro said.
Neji nodded in agreement, "As much as I think we should, we must wait for team one to get back with Uchiha Sasuke."
"You mean the Uchiha actually agreed?" Tamari said surprised.
Shikamaru snorted, "Not at first, Sai had to knock him out and wait until he woke up to give him the choice again. But as Neji said, we will need Sasuke."
Chouji nodded, "We'll need all the help we can get."
Shino adjusted his glasses, "This will give us time to form a strategy."
Lee pumped his fists in the air, "We shall need our youthful energy to help save our beautiful Cherry Blossom!"
Ten Ten also agreed, "Should we send out small teams to monitor the inn?"
Neji and Yamato nodded at the idea.
"So who will be going first?" Kurenai asked.
Neji looked at Kurenai, "Your stealth tactics would be preferable-"
"But" Shikamaru cut in. everyone looked at the lazy ninja who suddenly had a falcon on his arm with a scroll, "Team five's members Asuma, Kurenai, and Gai are to report back to the Hokage for security purposes."
Everyone gave Shikamaru a questioning look.
Shikamaru sighed, "It seems that something is going on in Sound. It makes Hokage-sama uneasy and we're already short on Jounin as it is. Not to mention her top ANBU recruits are on this mission."
Gai pumped a fist in the air, "We shall embrace such a noble and youthful mission to protect our Hokage!"
Shikamaru waved Gai off, "Yeah, yeah, just get going. She'd like you there as soon as possible."
A few moments after the three had left. Yamato shook his head and sighed, "What am I now, a baby sitter?"
"HEY!" everyone said at the same time making Yamato sweat drop.
Hinata frowned and looked up at the sky.
"Naruto-kun, hurry back, we've found her."
Sakura woke up early and headed down into the kitchen and was greeted warmly by Manami. Sakura had agreed that she would help Manami with preparations for Hikari and Kurai's seventh birthday which happened to be that day.
As Sakura decorated a small corner of the kitchen where she and the Akatsuki normally ate, Sakura gasped and dropped the ribbon she was tying on Kurai's chair.
"What is the matter Sakura?" Manami asked.
"I-I forgot to buy the Hikari-chan and Kurai-kun a gift."
"It's fine, they don't need-"
"No, I have to get them something! It's the least I can do…"
Manami bit her lip. Since Sakura was technically a prisoner, she couldn't let Sakura go by herself and she was busy with preparations…
And as if Kami was listening, Kisame had walked into the kitchen.
"Ah, Kisame-sama; Sakura insists on buying a gift for Hikari-chan and Kurai-kun. Do you mind taking her to the market?"
Kisame grunted, "Sure."
Manami smiled and thanked Kisame as he walked to the door and looked back at Sakura, "Well Pinky? Are we going?"
Sakura nodded and walked out the door followed by Kisame.
"What did you get Hikari-chan and Kurai-kun Kisame?" Sakura asked. All Kisame did was grunt. Sakura eyed Kisame, "Did you actually get them something? It isn't sake is it?" Sakura joked.
Kisame huffed, "I don't drink that much."
Sakura snorted, "I'm surprised sake hasn't become a rare delicacy in all of the shinobi nations by the way you down it."
Kisame raised an eyebrow, "Are you trying to say my drinking habit is out of control Pinky?"
Sakura shrugged and grinned, "I bet you a case of sake that you can't go one day without sake."
Kisame grinned, "You're on Pinky."
Sakura chuckled, "If you're drinking habit is anything like my shishou's, which it is, you won't last long."
The two then walked into a shop that sold an assortment of things: Kimono's, weapons, pets, dolls, and other things.
Sakura looked around and raised an eyebrow at Kisame, "So what did you get those two Kisame?"
"I-I didn't know what to get." Kisame stammered. (A/N: GAH! HOW KAWAII KISA-CHAN!)
Sakura grinned, "Alright then, I'll help you."
In the end, Sakura picked out a dark blue Kimono with baby blue and white flowers on it with a matching white and baby blue obi for Hikari, and a new set of shuriken for Kurai who had hinted at the need of a new set to Sakura.
For her gift to the children, she had bought a white kitten with emerald green eyes and a pink nose. She had also bought all the necessities that were needed to take care of the feline.
Sakura and Kisame went back to the inn and helped Manami with the small preparations and Sakura was then asked to wake up the two children.
Sakura walked up the stairs and to a door two doors down from her own and walked in. Sakura saw Hikari sprawled out on the bed almost making poor Kurai fall off, however, Kurai was snoring. Loudly. Sakura then looked near the far wall and saw that Itachi was sitting in a chair near the door watching Sakura.
Sakura could feel a small light blush creep up to her face, "Manami-san a-asked me too wake up the ch-children." Sakura stammered and then thought for a moment, "Why are you here?"
"Manami-san always feels un-easy about leaving her children alone." Itachi never broke his gaze on Sakura as he continued, "She has told you of her past, correct? Then I am sure you understand as to why."
Sakura nodded and turned around to head to the bed where the children were still sleeping soundly, when a hand enclosed itself around her wrist and a body pushed her against the wall. Sakura let out a small surprised whimper from the sudden act and looked up to see Itachi.
Sakura frowned, "What is it with you and pushing me into walls?"
Itachi smirked and brought his head to the nape of her neck, "I enjoyed our healing session." He said as he breathed onto her neck.
Sakura's heart started to beat faster, "I-I'm a medic. I-It's my job to h-heal."
Great now I'm starting to sound like Hinata.
Itachi brought his face up to Sakura's and was about to close the small space between them, "I-Itachi, the children." Sakura attempted to remind Itachi where they were.
Sakura could feel the Uchiha smirk against her lips as he suddenly kissed her. Sakura knew it was wrong to fall so easily for someone such as Uchiha Itachi, but, she was only human. Sakura moved her lips along with Itachi's as he brought his arms around Sakura's waist and earned a gasp from the girl in the process thus taking that chance to slip hid tongue into her mouth. Sakura moaned at the feel and taste of Itachi as he roamed around in her mouth and she did the same. Sakura snaked her arms around Itachi's neck and ran her finger's through Itachi's raven locks. His hair was softer than silk with her touch as she wound her fingers through it. Itachi pushed Sakura farther up against the wall and-
"Sakura-chan? Itachi-san? What are you doing?"
The two broke apart and looked at the two children who were currently sitting up in there bed with tired and half opened eyes.
Sakura turned beet red and Itachi smirked.
"This is so embarrassing!"Sakura thought
"I'll say!" Inner agreed.
"Inner"
"Yeah?"
"Can you just go?"
"Hmph, fine."
"H-Hikari-chan, K-Kurai-kun, what are you talking about?" Sakura stammered trying to cover up their recent actions.
"You two were kissing." Hikari said half awake.
Sakura walked over to the two and sat on the bed and turned to Hikari, "That was a dream Hikari-chan." Sakura lied between her teeth.
Hikari and Kurai just nodded and said, "Kay." and started to go back to sleep except Sakura whispered, "Your Kaa-san has a birthday surprise in the kitchen for you two."
The children sprang out of bed and stared at Sakura with grins, "Really?!"
Sakura smiled and nodded. The twins looked at each other and then Sakura and grabbed Sakura's hands and dragged her to the door and to the stairs.
Hikari looked up at Sakura, "Can you tell us what you got us for our birthday Sakura-chan?"
Sakura laughed and shook her head, "Gomen Hikari-chan, but I can't tell you two."
Hikari frowned, "Mou..." Hikari then let go of Sakura's hands and ran to Itachi who was not far behind them and tugged on his sleeve.
"Ne, Itachi-san" Itachi looked down at the small girl, "Can youtell us? Onegai!" Hikari pleaded.
Itachi shook his head, "Your Kaa-san would not approve."
Hikari hung her head and walked down the stairs with Sakura and Kurai. Sakura looked back at Itachi and whispered, "Did you actually get them something."
Itachi looked impassive, "You will see. It is on its way here as we speak."
Sakura furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "What the hell does that mean?"
The four walked into the Kitchen and the two children ran up to their mother who scooped them up into a hug and kissed the tops of their heads. Both children giggled and asked if they could open their presents. Manami smiled and nodded and both children rushed to the small stack of gifts as Deidara, Sasori, and Kisame walked into the kitchen just in time.
Deidara had given the children three bags of his special clay each. He had taught them before how to mold the clay and infuse it with chakra to make it explode. Manami was furious when she found out about the secret lessons, and a frown was noticed on her face from across the room.
Sasori gave both children their own puppet…with weapons. Sasori had also taught the two how to work a puppet. It wasn't exactly hard for them because of their kekkei genkai that allowed them to form chakra in any shape and manipulate it. Manami was also upset about this and frowned once more.
When it was Kisame's turn, Manami covered her face with her hands, "Pleasedon't tell me you made them their own Sameshada's." Manami groaned.
Kisame grunted out a 'No' making Manami sigh in relief. Kisame then looked up and grinned, "I was saving that for Christmas." Manami let out another groan as Kisame laughed.
When Hikari opened her present she let out an excited squeal and showed the Kimono and obi to everyone. Kurai grinned when he opened his present and showed off his new shuriken. Then, both children did something no one had ever attempted. They ran over to Kisame and hugged his waist and looked up at Kisame and said, "Arigato Kisame-san!"
Kisame grunted and blushed a bit as he tried to pry the children off of him. Sakura let out a laugh and Manami's eyes softened. Before Sakura had come, her two children were scared to death of Kisame and intimidated by Itachi. Now, that her children had seen Sakura's attempt to get along with the other members, they were trying to as well.
The two were now seated in front of a white box that was from Sakura. They both opened the lid and stared at what was inside with big eyes. Hikari let out a loud squeal as she cradled the kitten and Kurai grinned and said, "Kawaii".
The children said their 'thank you' and Sakura asked what they would name her. The children looked at the kitten, and then at Sakura.
"She looks like you, Sakura-chan." Kurai said.
Hikari giggled, "Yup! She does! Ne, Kurai-kun; we should name her Sakura-chan!"
Kisame roared with laughter as he said, "Did you hear that Pinky? You look like a kitten!"
Sakura ignored the blue Akatsuki member and turned back to Hikari and Kurai, "Wouldn't it get confusing to call her Sakura-chan?"
The children thought for a moment when Kurai spoke again, "Then how about Cherry-chan?"
Hikari looked at the kitten, "How about it Cherry-chan?"
The kitten meowed in response and snuggled itself deeper into Hikari's arms.
The twins went around the room showing their appreciation and were just about to sit on the floor and play with Cherry-chan when the door flung open.
"SENPAI! TOBI'S HERE! TOBI CAME LIKE A GOOD BOY!"
Deidara and Kisame let out a groan as they said, "Not this baka!" except for the exception of Deidara who had added a 'yeah' at the end of his statement.
The two children cheered and ran to give the hyper active Akatsuki member with an orange mask and brown spiky hair a hug.
"Aah." Itachi said, "My gift has arrived."
Sakura furrowed her eyebrows, "A person is your gift?"
Kisame leaned over and whispered, "He was probably too lazy to actually buy one."
Deidara stormed over to Itachi, "You knew he was coming, yeah?! When were you planning on telling us?"
Itachi gave a grunt drawing the last straw for Deidara.
Sakura grabbed Deidara's arm in attempt to calm him down, "He can't be thatbad Deidara."
Tobi shot his head up, "Yeah! Tobi's a good boy Senpai!!" Tobi ran forward to give Deidara a hug but missed when Deidara stepped out of the way causing Tobi to run into the wall.
Tobi rubbed his head, "Ow…eh?!" Tobi jumped up next to Sakura and tilted his head.
"Ne, who is she?" Tobi asked.
"That's Sakura-chan, Tobi-sama!" Hikari exclaimed happily.
"Yeah! She's our sensei!" Kurai said.
Tobi hung his head, "Demo…I thought I was your sensei…?"
Kurai scratched the back of his head, "Yeah but all we ever do with you is play tag."
"HEY! I like tag!" Tobi and Hikari said. The two looked at each other and giggled and gave each other a 'high-five'.
Sakura laughed at the childlike Akatsuki member. Tobi brought his attention back to Sakura and said, "I'm Tobi! Tobi's a good boy!"
"I'm sure you are, it's nice to meet you." Sakura said trying to prevent herself from laughing.
Tobi fidgeted with his hands, "Ano…You are awfully pretty Sakura-chan." Tobi said bashfully.
Sakura laughed, "Arigato Tobi."
"Just don't come to close to me! You have cooties!"
Sakura and Deidara snorted.
"Who told you that, yeah?" Deidara asked.
Tobi pointed at Kisame, "Kisame-Senpai said all girls have cooties! Cooties sound scary…"
Sakura and Deidara nearly fell over laughing as Kisame decided to leave the room to avoid the 'Let's-tease-Kisame' festival that was bound to come up.
The children went back to their presents and decided to play with their puppets.
Sakura stared at the children manipulate their puppets.
"Do you like them Sakura-san?" Sasori asked about the puppets.
Sakura nodded, "Hai, they're beautiful Sasori."
Sasori nodded, "Would you like to try it?"
Sakura was taken back by Sasori's offer. She hesitantly nodded her head.
"I will prepare one for you then."
"A-arigato Sasori"
Sasori merely nodded.
"Hey! I want to teach Sakura something too, yeah!"
Sakura turned her head to Deidara, "And what exactly would that be Deidara?"
Deidara thought for a moment and grinned, "I'll teach you to sculpt the clay and make it explode, yeah!"
Sakura thought for a moment, "That would be interesting as well…"
"It's settled then, yeah!" Deidara stood next to Sasori, "We're your Sensei's, yeah."
Sakura smiled at the small joke, "I'll teach you two simple medical jutsus in exchange then."
The three agreed to this and talked about when they would train. Little did they know that a certain Sharingan wielder was also formulating something to teach the pink haired kunoichi so he too could spend more time with her.
A/N: So I was aiming for this chapter to be twenty pages long, but if I did that, The story would end sooner than I want it too. I want this story to be roughly 20 chapters long instead of like 17 or 18 but yeah.
So we have Tobi in the picture now! HUZZAH!! I love Tobi! Not the Madara evil one though….meanie head xD There will be some TemarixShikamaru in the next chapter. Unless you would rater have InoxShikamaru…Vote on that? I can go either way, but I was planning to have Ino and Kiba together because they really would make a good couple. I mean they're wild and crazy, loud and a bit obnoxious (in a good way).
So is anyone in the Dallas area going to AnimeFest? If so, I'm going! Either leave a review or PM me if you are going because I would love to meet some of my readers! Also, I do not know when the next time I will update will be. I have another project that I have to finish before the week after next week and I have to read that stupid yellow drivers ED book to get my permit (even though I should have already gotten it… heh heh) and I HATE reading tiny books that are longer than they appear and they're just so BORING!! I also have to take this stupid Dual credit test because I failed one section of it (the questions they were asking made no sense what so ever, freakin mean people…GRWAR)
SO! Thank you to those who reviewed:
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Those who alert/favorite:
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Thank you to everyone who has been reading and also reviewing and adding my story to their favorites! I show my thanks by giving everyone pocky and popsicles!
Because popsicles make everyone happy! :D
Michi: What? I don't get a Popsicle?
Takara: Get it out of the freezer because I'm not giving you one.
Michi: Why do you and Sam hate me so much? I mean, you two made me wear a DRESS for Pete's sake!
Takara: (Giggle) It true! Don't forget about the time when we almost made you marry Elmo and Sas-gay was jealous of Elmo.
Michi: -.- I am hated.
Takara: No…you're just fun to tease :D
Jan ne!
Takara Makoto