Sorry for the delay in this story, guys. I've been kind of busy with the other one and college.

Well without further ado, I give you the next chapter you've all been hopefully waiting for

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'KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!'

Minako groaned.

'KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!'

"Dammit" she mumbled as she slowly got up from her bed and made herself walk to the door.

'KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!'

"I'm coming!" she shouted, "Geez"

She made it to the door only for Sasuke to walk out of the kitchen, "Who's at the door?"

"Fuck!" Minako jumped in the air in surprise, "What the hell are you doing here?! And so early?!"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, "For one it's my job to watch you until the Hokage says otherwise. Second, it's noon."

Minako just stood there still in shock, "Damn"

'KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!'

"I'm coming!" she shouted again, losing her temper as she ran over and opened the door.

A little figure burst at her with joy, "Minako!"

Minako froze as she stared ahead at the parents of the little monster who were smiling at her.

"Hitoshi. Kei . . ." she looked down at the little girl hugging her around the waist, "Kimi"

Kei smiled and walked in to hug her gently, "We heard the news. We're so happy you're back to your home."

Hitoshi pulled Kei to him lovingly, "Yes, are you feeling any better?"

"How'd you get away from the snake monster?!" Kimi piped up and Minako chuckled.

Sasuke shuffled over to the group and put an arm around Minako's shoulders, earning him a look from everyone. Minako glanced at him kind of strange and the others just stared and blinked.

Kei finally spoke up again, "Oh um . . . We didn't know you two were together like that"

"Together?" Minako asked.

Hitoshi smiled knowingly, "Yes. You and Mr. Uchiha. You two must be great friends to be in a relationship"

"Relationship? Whoa!" she pushed away from Sasuke who gave an irritated look, "We're not together! Just friends!"

"Oh. Sorry." Kei giggled at Sasuke's expression and Hitoshi looked embarrassed.

There was an awkward silence before Kimi shouted, "I'm in the ninja academy now! I'm going to be just like you, Minako!"

Minako blushed but chuckled and smiled, leaning down to ruffle the child's black hair, "I have a feeling you and Konohamaru would be good friends."

"Big brother Konohamaru!? He's awesome! He's showed me awesome stuff!"

Minako laughed, "I bet he did. He probably thinks he's such a big shot now, doesn't he?"

She laughed some more before Sasuke put a hand on her shoulder, "Well we'd love to hang around and chat but I was just going to take Minako out for a walk."

Minako looked scandalized, "I'm not a dog, you know!"

Hitoshi smiled, "Oh well we'd better get going too. We just wanted to come and see you two and thank you again Minako. Without you, we would have died. We are in your debt, Ms. Uzumaki"

Minako blushed and laughed as they walked away, "Aw! Don't mention it!"

She turned to Sasuke with a smile, "So where we going? Ichiraku?"

Sasuke walked away and put on his green Jounin vest, suiting up, "Nope. I'm going to give you a little tour of what's changed and fill you in on some new stuff. Think you can handle it, loser?"

Minako was already dressed as quick as a fox and at the door waiting for her friend, "Of course I can! I'm Minako Uzumaki! I can handle anything!"

Sasuke smirked and held out her headband to her, "Wear this"

Minako frowned, "I don't know, Sasuke. Are you sure people won't get upset?"

The Uchiha smirked just the way she liked it, "Who cares? I thought you could handle anything?"

Minako grinned, taking the headband from him and tying it on her forehead, "Thanks Sasuke"

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They wandered to the Hokage monument, the sun high up in the sky and people running around everywhere in the bright and wonderful day. Minako was surprised that many people greeted her and even asked if she was doing better. They smiled and offered her their good thoughts.

Minako couldn't have been happier but somehow there was still some thoughts deep within her that bothered her. Not that she'd tell Sasuke. She didn't want to give him any more grief than she had already. Currently he was explaining to her how everyone's lives were going in Konoha such as that Sakura was one of the best medics in Konoha and studied under Tsunade, Kakashi had become even more perverted and Akamaru grew to the size of a large bear.

Minako shoved him as they made it to the top of the monument, "Enough you big softie! What about you? What all has happened to you since I've been . . . gone?"

Sasuke put his hands in his pockets after steadying himself, "Not much"

She rolled her eyes, "Oh come on, bastard! Something has had to happen. Sakura told me some stuff like how she almost beat you in the Chunin Exams and that you've been dead set on finding me since I left . . . "she blushed and looked away, "Thanks by the way. Glad I'm so important to you, really"

Sasuke noticed a bird flying overhead and nodded, trying to keep himself from getting emotional, "Yeah. You've caused me a lot of pain, you know"

Minako laughed and hugged him even though she was a tad bit miffed that her head only came to his shoulders. He had gotten taller than her.

She wrapped her arms around his waist tightly, showing how much she was grateful before backing off, noticing how his face had gotten a bit red, "So you don't want to tell me anything else?"

Sasuke swallowed, "How about we go to Ichiraku's now?"

Minako frowned as he walked ahead of her but she followed anyway, enthusiastically.

Once they reached the ramen bar, Minako ordered three beef, two pork and a miso while Sasuke stuck to his regular pork and tomato. She wasn't giving up though, "So there's nothing you want to say to me, Sasuke?"

Sasuke was getting irritated, "No. Just eat will you?"

"What about Itachi?" she finally just blurt it and Sasuke stopped eating and turned to her.

"What about that bastard?"

Minako ate casually, ignoring Sasuke's anger, "What are you going to do now that you found me, Sasuke? I know your dream was to kill a certain man. Your brother. Itachi Uchiha. I'm not stupid. That was your ultimate goal. You can't tell me you're not going to go through with it now are you?"

Teuchi, the ramen owner, shivered at the vibes that were being sent around by the two and decided to give them some privacy.

Sasuke swallowed a bite of ramen and was about to answer when someone else he recognized sat beside Minako. He glared at the newcomer, "What are you doing here?"

The girl smirked and Minako turned to see the new face, "Hi, I'm Minako. Who are you?"

The stranger was surprised at the girl's friendly demeanor and smirked again at Sasuke, "What? Don't miss me, Uchiha?"

"Pft" Sasuke snarled, "What do you want, Nori?"

"Aw is that anyway to treat a friend?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes and Mika didn't know what was going on so she just asked, "What's happening?"

Nori smiled at her, "I'm Nori Suko. I participated in the Chunin Exams with your boyfriend, here"

"Boyfriend?!" Mika freaked out, "Why is everyone thinking we're together?! It's not like that!"

Nori blinked her dazzling amber eyes, "Oh I'm Sorry. I just assumed by the way he always spoke about you that-"

"Nori" Sasuke activated his Sharingan, "Shut up"

The girl instantly paled, "Well uh, the point is that I wanted to meet the girl he spoke so fondly of. Even after everyone thought you were a traitor, he fought to prove everyone wrong. And I have to say, you're not at all what I expected you to be, Minako Uzumaki"

Minako titled her head to the side as she slurped up some more noodles, "I'm not?"

Nori smiled, "I thought you'd be a bitch"

Minako seethed a bit but the girl went on, "But now that I've met you, you're the exact opposite. You seem very . . . nice and . . . innocent. So you really weren't willing when you were with that freak Orochimaru?"

"Of course not. Well I shouldn't say that. I was at first but the moment I saw him, I regretted it. I was stupid to have chosen protection from him instead of my friends" Minako smiled at Sasuke who smirked back.

Nori smiled, "I see. Well I hope to see you around again sometime. We should spar one day."

Minako grinned as the blonde left the ramen bar, "That'd be great!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes uncharacteristically, 'Well at least that distracted her from asking about him'

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Later after they had finished their meal and Sasuke had paid the bill, they wandered back to Minako's apartment. Of course, Sasuke had to get crap about how he hadn't mentioned the other girl before so he had proceeded to ask her if she were jealous, effectively shutting her up.

Now they were in her kitchen and Minako was watching Sasuke as he cleaned his weapons on her countertop.

She was getting bored and a bored Minako Uzumaki was never good.

She narrowed her eyes at him, "So what are you going to do now that you got me back in the village? Go after Itachi?"

Sasuke groaned in his mind, "Seriously, Mina? You just won't let go of this, will you?"

She shook her head, "I don't want you to leave, Sasuke. I've been away from my friends for so long already."

Sasuke sighed, "I-"

'KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!'

Someone was at the door suddenly and Minako jumped at the loud abrupt sound.

Sasuke got up, "I'll go get it"

The Uchiha hurriedly left the room, leaving a disgruntled girl in the kitchen alone.

Sasuke stopped at the door and looked through the peek hole. He smiled and opened the door.

"I was wondering when you guys would get here"

The team was let in and Sasuke pointed to the kitchen, "She's in there. Did you guys have any trouble getting here?"

"Not at all" the leader spoke as he made his way almost hurriedly towards the kitchen.

Sasuke went after him, letting the other two follow.

Minako yawned in the kitchen and was about to stretch a bit when she suddenly sneezed.

"Choo!"

"Excuse you" the newcomer spoke deeply.

"Thanks" but then Minako suddenly recognized the voice.

'That wasn't Sasuke's'

She snapped her head over to the voice and her eyes widened in pure shock, "Gaara!"

Indeed, the Kazekage was there in front of here in his Shinobi uniform and a slight smile on his usually stoic face. Sasuke was beside him with a smirk on his face.

Minako stood up and was about to pounce over and hug him when she remembered the last time they saw each other.

(Flashback)

Suddenly, she turned to reveal her red eyes and swung her arm at them, letting one of her chakra tails attack them violently.

But the only thing stopping her from killing them was Gaara's sand that protected them.

Gaara glared at her, "You are not the same girl that I fought not so long ago Minako. You're not well. Return to Konoha where you belong."

The girl chuckled darkly, shocking the sand ninja, "Shut up you weak excuse for a demon!"

Minako suddenly vanished but stood a foot in front of Gaara in a split second and grinned at him, "I have been given a gift. Now I see why you were so dark for so long. The feeling. . . .It's amazing." She canines' sharpened, "But you're weak now. So is the rest of Konoha. I won't go back"

Gaara uncrossed his arms with a glint of fear in his eyes, "Minako please-"

She grabbed his throat, his sand not able to have caught up with her movements. She grinned, "I'm stronger now. This is only a small piece of the power Orochimaru could give me. I'm going."

"Minako!" Lee gasped and Sasuke stared at her, trying to figure just what all had happened to her since yesterday. Now she was like a completely different person.

In a flash she was gone and running towards the border to the Sound.

Gaara coughed, "Sasuke! Go after her now! Go!"

(End of Flashback)

Minako dropped to her knees as Gaara's siblings came up behind Sasuke.

Gaara blinked in surprised as the girl bowed her head to the floor towards him and shivered in fear, "I'm so sorry, Gaara! I'm so sorry for what I said and did to you that day! I'm so sorry!" she sobbed.

Sasuke wanted to rush over and console her but Gaara stopped him.

The Kazekage walked up to her silently and the girl didn't dare to look up at him in fear he'd hurt her.

Gaara used his sand to curl around her and forcibly lift her body up to stand. Minako almost went limp in fear but still didn't look at him.

That is, until Gaara placed a cool hand on her cheek. She carefully peek to him to see the man had a tear trailing down his face, "Do not ever bow to me again."

He stopped the sand and brought her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her waist, "I missed you"

Minako carefully hugged Gaara back, knowing that physical contact wasn't exactly Gaara's strong point.

"I missed you guys too" she buried her face in his shoulder, trying not to think so much on the matter about how EVERYONE seemed to be so much taller than her.

Sasuke was getting a bit jealous as Gaara began to pet her hair, holding her against him tighter.

"Hn-hum" he cleared his throat, causing Gaara to almost roll his eyes and tear himself away from his friend.

Gaara brushed Minako's tears away and smiled the best he could, "I would have come to see you sooner but I was trapped neck deep in paper work. I trusted Sasuke to take care of you. Are you alright?"

Minako blushed but something caught her ears, "Wait. Paperwork? What are you talking about paperwork? Like mission reports of something?"

Gaara looked from Sasuke and back to Minako, "I see Sasuke neglected to tell you. I am the Kazekage of Suna now."

Minako stared at him, "Huh?"

Gaara smirked, "I said-"

Sasuke stepped up and casually separated them, "He's Kazekage now. There. It's been said. Can we move on now?"

Gaara resisted the urge to twitch his eyes in irritation.

"Gaara" Minako whispered, "You're. . . Kazekage."

She pushed Sasuke away and pounced on Gaara, "That's so cool!"

Temari and Kankuro smirked at the display and Sasuke pouted Uchiha-style at the table. Gaara mentally pumped his fist in victory.

Sasuke growled and finally Minako parted from her friend and swat him on the back, surprising them all, "You absolutely have to tell me how you guys have all been! What's happened with you guys since I've been away? Sasuke has hardly told me anything!"

Temari chuckled, "Well that's not very nice, is it? Well let's see. Kankuro and I are Jounin now and I'm an ambassador for Suna. Shikamaru and I are the proctors for this year's Chunin exam. Are you entering?"

"She can't" Sasuke interrupted, "Lady Hokage has yet to give her word when she can resume training to build back up her skills."

"Oh that's right" Kankuro scratched the back of his head, "Almost forgot".

Minako twitched, "You almost forgot that I've been Orochimaru's prisoner for two and a half years?"

They all sweat dropped.

Minako hummed and swung an arm around Gaara's shoulders, "So how's the Shukaku treating ya? You doing okay?"

Gaara blinked, "The Shukaku is gone. You haven't heard of that particular incident? I'm surprised- oh wait you didn't know I was Kazekage so I suppose-"

"What happened?!"

Sasuke blinked, "The Akatsuki attacked Suna a few weeks ago and killed Gaara, extracting his demon"

Minako gasped, "What?! But you're alive! Aren't you?"

Gaara closed his eyes, resisting rolling them, "Yes. An elder of the village used a forbidden jutsu to bring me back to life but the Akatsuki stole the Shukaku successfully"

"Oh." She scratched her head, "So does that mean you can sleep now?"

"Yes"

"Whatcha think of it?"

"It's weird. I'm not quite used to it I guess. The bed is comfortable though"

There was an awkward silence but then Gaara sighed, "Well I suppose we'd better get going. I'll be speaking with the Hokage in the morning. I'll see you again before we leave, alright, Minako?"

Minako grinned and hugged him again, much to Sasuke's discomfort, "See ya. And good job on becoming Kazekage. I'll catch up soon and then we'll BOTH be Kage!"

Gaara smirked and left with his siblings.

Sasuke huffed slightly, "I don't like how he was touching you. He's weird."

Minako slapped his arm, "Don't say that about Gaara! He's Kazekage and my friend!"

Sasuke sat back in his chair and leaned back, looking up at the ceiling light with a dazed look, "It's getting late. You should go to bed"

Minako mock glared and pouted, "But I'm not tired! Come lay on the couch with me!"

Sasuke glanced at her and lazily got up to walk into the living room, "Fine. But if you fall asleep, I'm throwing you in your room and locking the door."

"You're mean"

"Hn"

Minako smiled as they both sat on her couch and she laid her head on his lap staring up at him, "I see your returning to your old self again. All moody, emo and grumpy-"

He put his hand over Minako's mouth to shut her up, "Quiet and go to sleep"

Minako smiled under his hand and closed her eyes in submission.

Sasuke lifted his hand and curled his fingers in her soft red hair.

Little did he know, she wasn't asleep, "Are you still going to try and kill Itachi?"

Sasuke sighed, "One day."

Minako looked up at her friend sadly and lifted her hand up to his face to get his attention. He glanced down at her and smiled, ruffling her hair again.

Minako giggled but then turned serious once more, making Sasuke frown again. She sighed, "Just swear you'll let me help you. After all, you helped me. It's only fair."

Sasuke sighed and rubbed her forehead with his thumb, getting lost in thought, "I swear. I'll never let you out of my sight again. You're my best friend and I . . . I-"

He looked down to see she fell asleep just like he thought she would. The Uchiha stared down at her before getting up carefully and taking her to her room, paying close attention to how he was carrying her and setting her down on her bed.

He laid down beside her, still in his uniform, just noticing that she was still in her day clothes as well. He didn't want to wake her, however, so he just turned her around and held her, wrapping his arms around her.

'I'll always protect you. I'll keep you safe. The Akatsuki managed to take Gaara's demon and life but I swear . . . they won't take you from me. Itachi won't take you from me.'

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R&R