Hey guys I decided to hold off uploading this to keep the suspense, noting that uploading something dramatic too soon ruins the mood (but makes the readers happy-at least on the average)

Special thanks to:

Newest Readers (Please stick by me until the end! I promise to make it worth your while…while messing with you in the process :) ):

KawaiiAnimeLover7169

QuietRiver

My Other Amazing Readers (I love reading all your reviews. They make me extremely happy, so don't stop…ever:) ):

StrawBerrybell

PASSION244

One2bLoved

WaterBlossom1

sakura the lover

sandwich-chan

Namine-sama

Kakashi500

Also, if you guys would like me to give you some feedback on a new story you've written ect I'd be more than happy to. Just let me know :)

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NARUTO!!!" Sakura shouted as Hinata raised two fingers and aimed them at Naruto's neck. As she ran over to them she grabbed hold of Hinata's wrist to hold her back. "Hinata snap out of it!! Naruto isn't the one who hurt you!! Hinata!!!!!"

The dark haired girl looked back at Sakura's pleading eyes and heard someone in a slithery voice whisper as he forced her to stare in his malicious yellow orbs:

Remember these eyes. They shall haunt you forever, hime-chan(translation: princess. Since she's the heiress of her clan she technically IS the 'hime' and he added the suffix chan to mock her.

When she realized that neither Sakura nor Naruto had these yellow eyes, her own orbs returned to their normal obsidian state and collapsed onto his chest which rose and fell with relief.

"Are you alright?" Sakura asked as she dragged her off him. "Yea, I'm just a little shaken…why'd she suddenly snap on me like that?" Naruto asked as he sat up.

"You must have said something to trigger her memory. She has deep hate for whoever did or attempted to rape her. Like Shikamaru said, when you trigger her memories, she'll relive it, and she's unreachable."

"So she did try to kill me. What made her stop? Was it your voice?"

Sakura thought about this for a moment. "I don't think so, because I was attacked the other night and a few minutes ago she looked me straight in the eyes, but I didn't see Hinata at all, just pure blind rage and hatred… I think she realized that you weren't the one who raped her, and it made her lose consciousness."

"But what made her realize that I wasn't the one who did that to her?" Naruto asked as he looked down at the girl who was sweating and unconscious. Sakura shrugged. "We'll just have to let her tell us. Even though she can't talk, she might be able to write it down. Do you think she remembered a feature on her rapist's face? Like a scar or the color of his hair?"

Naruto ruffled his hair, frustrated. "I don't know…all I know is that I never want to trigger her memories ever again. Who knows if she'll try to kill me again...Sasuke was right, she is dangerous."

"Only when she tries to remember the night she got hurt. I'm sure I'd be the same way if someone had done that to me." Sakura defended. Naruto looked down, guiltily; she had a point. "But enough about that. We should probably be getting back anyway. How'd you manage to get out anyway?" she asked as they bagged Hinata's clothes and put her over his shoulders.

"Yoroichi told me that you two went to town. Kiba went off somewhere to find Shino and Sasuke's gonna be locked up in his office for the rest of the day, so I got bored and went looking for you."

"Isn't that against the rules? The elders got on your case about leaving did they not?" Sakura asked when they loaded the kago. Naruto turned to grin at her. "Exactly. They only get on my case because they think Sasuke shouldn't 'associate' with me."

"But…haven't you lived with them for awhile now?"

"Aah. Since Sasuke's father was in power and his grandfather had just retired. I was an orphan. Sasuke found me in the woods and took me to his father who pleaded my case to the elders…I remember that day like it was just yesterday…"

"But Fugaku-sama! You're being entirely unreasonable!!" protested the elders dramatically. Fugaku kept a cool expression as Naruto stood on his left, barely as tall as his knee.

"I believe that having a boy Sasuke's age would do him some good, teach him to share and the reward of having a friend by his side."

"He can make friends with the Hyuuga boy, someone of equal status with him!" protested another. Fugaku frowned. "And what's wrong with this boy?"

"He's a peasant boy; nuisance to society! I'm sure the troublesome boy's parents probably left him in the woods-"

His eyes turned a blood red. "Don't you EVER talk that way again." He growled at them. Fearfully, Naruto stepped back a little. At his age he had never seen someone so enraged. Even the elders moved back a little, intimidated by the Uchiha's fury.

"Just because he doesn't come from a royal family makes him trash. Anyone of a higher status who talk as though they are worthy among Gods are trash, not boys like these." He looked down at Naruto and gave him what seemed to be a failed reassuring smile then looked sternly back at the elders. "We aren't finished with this." But when he tried to walk away, a raspy old voice spoke.

"Fugaku. This matter isn't over. Do not flee from this if you want the boy to live." It belonged to Sasuke's grandfather who had appeared at the door.

"You all should be ashamed of yourself, talking the way you are about a poor boy that's left alone in the world. I'm disgusted by the way your hearts have been turned to stone."

The elders lowered their heads guiltily as the old man went on. "How can we, men of power turn away someone in need? Is that not what a lord and his council for?" He paused to look at Naruto."But I will not allow anyone to live under this roof unless they behave like civilized human beings. Is that understood?"

Shyly but happily he shook his head enthusiastically. The old man, still intimidating but kind smiled at the blonde-headed boy. "The boy is to stay here for as long as he wishes for that is honorable among the Uchiha name. If anything is to happen to this boy his pain will be exchanged with your lives I will not tolerate corruption either." He told them harshly as Fukgaku, his grandfather and Naruto exited the conference hall.

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"I'm sure you'll like it here, Naruto." Fugaku told him confidently as they walked along the garden path lined with thousands and thousands of flowers. "Why don't those people like me?"

He looked down. "Some people in this world believe that status is everything. It doesn't matter whether you're moral or benevolent, only money and how much power you have. That's why this world is doomed." Grimly, Fugaku met Naruto's blue eyes which were filled with innocent confusion, so he relaxed.

"But don't let anyone call you trash just because you aren't from a royal family...can you do me just one favor, Naruto? It is all I can ask of you, not as the Lord, but as a father."

"What is it?"

Fugaku bent down so he could talk to him at near eye level. "Please take care of my son, Sasuke. He's a good boy, but sometimes he can be hardheaded- whether it's from loneliness or whatever other reason. Be a good friend to him, I'm sure after awhile you could smooth out some of his…rough edges. Can you do that for me?" he asked him, holding back a smile as he tried to be as serious as possible and outstretched a hand.

With a toothy smile Naruto took the man's hand. "You got it!"

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"And I've been with him ever since." Naruto told her. They were sitting on the edge of the kago entrance now. "I don't know much but sometimes I think that he could predict the future."

"You think so?" Sakura asked him. He nodded. "I feel like Fugaku-sama knew that his death was coming, since he had talked to me as if there wasn't anything he could do to help his family…"

"Is that one of the reasons why you stayed?"

Naruto thought a moment before shaking his head. "Not one bit. I've been with Sasuke and his family for so long, I practically became family to them." He looked at her and grinned again. "Besides, if I decided to leave I wouldn't have any other place to go."

An awkward silence came over them before Naruto spoke again. "I wish you could have spent a day with us. Sasuke and I would always get into trouble when we were left alone. But no matter how bad we screwed up Sasuke's dad would never punish us, his mother would scold us, but give us the sweetest smile….until Sasuke got older and he tried to show me the Uchiha secret room…when I saw the anger directed at him I could barely stand." Naruto paused to shudder.

"I couldn't begin to explain his expression…but I can tell you this. When an Uchiha gets mad their eyes turn a bloody red, and their pupils disappear and little black comma looking things appear...it's hard to explain, but when you really see them…it's the last thing you'd ever want to see again."

Sakura looked at him. He looked pale by the thought of it. She decided that she should change the subject. "How about we do a little more shopping before we go back to the castle?"

"But what about Hinata-chan? Isn't it wrong to leave her here? She's dangerous after all." He asked, surprised by her offer.

"She'll be fine. I'm sure these big strong kago pullers will be able to hold her down. You said so yourself, the elders get on your case every time you leave, so why not have some fun and really give them something to be pissed off about?"

Naruto looked at her surprised before a wide Cheshire cat grin appeared on his face. "I like the way you think. Are you sure you want to piss off the elders on your second day at the castle? They'll get on your case about everything like me and Sasuke."

She smiled back as she hoped off the kago. "I think I can take it. Besides, you said that everyone's gonna be busy for the next couple of hours. Why not kill some time? I needed to get Yoroichi-san and Fuuyuki something. We had a deal that if they allowed me to take Hinata shopping for the day I'd get them something from Konoha, since they hadn't been outside castle walls in awhile."

"Race you down the street?" Naruto asked with the toothy smiled remained. "You're on." Sakura replied, equally grinning before they shot down the street.

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Sasuke sighed as he leaned back in his seat. He had been sitting in the same spot for over an hour, doing nothing but stamping and reading papers- which was not his idea of fun.

'I wonder if she found something to keep her busy…' he wondering thoughtfully as he put his feet on his desk. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't keep his mind from wandering about Sakura. He still owed her a tour of the castle but wondered if he would ever be able to give her one, with the work the elders were throwing at him.

When he glanced at his desk and saw two large stacks of papers sitting on his desk he groaned under his breath. Until there was a knock at the door he shot his feet down and pretended to be busy when someone walked in. Fortunately, it was Kaito who shut the door behind him.

"How're you holding up?" he asked as he sat down on the window ceil next to the bookcase.

Sasuke let out a puff of air before he put his hands over his head."They're only piling up this much work because they're pissed off that they couldn't get on my case about me letting Sakura and Hinata stay here…"

"You know why they're being so nit-picky, Sasuke." Kaito told him as he watched Sasuke's expression turn bitter. "Aah. I know." Ever since he had refused to marry the princess of the water country to bind both nations they had been extremely angry. "Why can't they just let me live my life they I want to? I shouldn't have to live up to their expectations. I'm the lord, not them."

"I understand the unfairness in this predicament, but until you turn 18 you're technically still entitled to them making some of your decisions. If your father was still alive I'm sure he wouldn't allow any of this but…."

"I know." He interjected harshly. Of all times to remember his father being dead this was one he refused to allow. "Why can't they just leave you in charge? Didn't grandfather say that as his dying words? That you were the sole caretaker?"

"It's true that he entitled me to take care of you, but the elders notice that I am getting old. I have, after all served the Uchiha clan for many decades. I'm withering away, and Saito took a chance to get rid of me. That is why they're sending for another advisor, someone younger."

He let out another puff of air before hitting the desk with his fist. "Damn that Saito. He has it out for me."

"That's nonsense, Sasuke, no one has it out for you-"

"He's lectured me about everything since I was little, Kaito. Everyone knows that he thinks that leaving me in power instead of letting the elders take control or turning the throne over to the Hyuugas is obsurd. He's had it out for me ever since Itachi…"

Kaito lowered his head and sighed. "I agree that he has resented the Uchiha clan after your grandfather and father were murdered, but if he 'had it out for you' don't you think he would've had you assassinated when you were younger instead of waiting until you were strong enough to put up a fight?"

"Saito works in strange ways. But if I ever find out he's plotting against me or my castle, I'll kill him myself." He replied.

Kaito smiled bitterly. "Does it really have to come to killing, Sasuke?"

"There isn't any other way to work with him, Kaito and you know that!" Sasuke argued as he stood up angrily. "He's hated the Uchiha clan for years, and me constantly rebelling against his wishes just makes him resent us more. But I refuse to be ordered around like I'm trash."

"I'm sure that if you rethink the water countries marriage proposal, you'll earn their respect-"

"I don't need to earn anybody's respect, especially not theirs!!" Sasuke yelled as he hit his fist once more on his desk, only this time the desk gave a loud crunching noise. Kaito averted his eyes when he saw the obsidian orbs start to flash red.

"I shouldn't have to live by anyone's standards, and I refuse to be forced into an arranged marriage."

"They can relieve you of your duties for refusing to marry, Sasuke. You must be aware of that." Kaito protested. "You are, technically, the last Uchiha in power." Sasuke sat down again. "I know. I know more than anything. But they can't remove me until 3 months after I turn 18th. I'm not going to worry about it."

He sighed. Sasuke never failed to be short-tempered and stubborn. 'It looks like Naruto is wearing off on him more than we could've thought.'

That's when there was a knock at the door. "Uchiha-sama, we have a situation." This made Sasuke groan mentally. He never could have a moment of peace. "You may enter."

The guard entered and bowed humbly. "It has come to our attention that your guest, Haruno-san and the Hyuuga heiress Hinata-sama have gone missing."

Sasuke's heart stopped, barely able to keep a straight face. "Are they not in the infirmary?" he demanded, fighting the urge to run out and look for them himself. He shook his head. "The guards are searching the castle as we speak, but we believe that they have left castle grounds."

"And the gate guards let them out? Hinata is ill and is a danger to society." He told him as he stood up angrily. What if something had happened? The thought of standing at Sakura's gravesite made him sick to his stomach. If something had happened to Sakura...

Another guard appeared at the door. "Uchiha-sama we have a-"

"I know." Sasuke snapped harshly, making the guard step back a little. Nothing was worse than an Uchiha in a royally pissed mood. "I would like to inform you that Naruto is also missing."

'She's with Naruto' he thought as relieved filled him. He knew Naruto better than anyone, and he would never let anything happen to them under his watchful eye. Though he seemed unintelligent and incompetent when it was time to be serious, Naruto was his right hand man.

Sasuke sat down. "There isn't anything to worry about. They're in safe hands." The guards looked at him, shocked. "But Uchiha-sa-"

"There is nothing to worry about."

"You're positive, Uchiha-sama?" the guard asked, doubtful. Naruto had never seemed like the dependable type. Sasuke couldn't help but smirk. "Naruto isn't as dim-witted as he appears. I've complete faith in him to return Sakura and Hinata back to the castle safely. You're dismissed."

Though still doubtful, they decided that another word out of them would annoy their lord, which was one rule the staff were afraid to break and bowed humbly. "Sir." And they took their leave, closing the door behind them.

Kaito looked at him. "What makes you so sure that Naruto isn't in trouble himself?" he asked, amused by his reaction. This time he smiled. "He's careless, but he isn't stupid. Naruto probably got bored and snuck out to get some ramen from town and took Sakura with him- who most likely convinced him to take Hinata along."

"And if you're wrong?" Kaito asked, somewhat doubtful by Sasuke putting his complete trust in Naruto. Sasuke put his feet back on his desk. "I doubt it. But he'll put up a good fight if I am." And with that he grabbed a small stack of papers, a stamp with the Uchiha seal on it, and leaned back in his chair.

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Sakura laughed merrily as Naruto put his head down on the table, next to the stuffed bear-soldiers they had bought for the guards. "You should know better than to attempt drinking a smoothie so fast. Now you have brain freeze."

He held his head miserably. "I can't help it, it's just so good…" he complained before trying to slurp it slowly.

The two had gone to nearly every shop in the Konoha shopping district and decided to stop and try a smoothie which they had swindled into getting half price, with the mention of Sasuke's name.

"So how are you liking your stay at the castle so far?" Naruto asked, trying to make a conversation with her. He had never dealt well with silence, but successfully watched her eyes light up. "It's more than I could've ever dreamed. This sounds cheesy, but I never realized that Konoha had such a large castle."

"Well it IS a mountain castle after all. I'm sure if you travel to the thunder or rock country you'll find castles 10 times larger than the Uchiha one. The terrain's mainly rock after all. But size isn't everything."

Sasuke took a sip of her strawberry smoothie before speaking. "I couldn't imagine anything bigger than the Uchiha castle. It seems unreal."

Naruto smiled. "You should take a trip up to the library sometime and find the file on the rock country. On the front page is a clip of HALF of one of their castles. They're humongous." The pink-haired woman had to do everything in her power to stop herself from letting her jaw drop. "Looks like we have an activity to do when we get back- at least until Sasuke's free. He still owes me a full tour of the castle."

Naruto decided to ditch the straw and gulped down his smoothie painfully. "I doubt it. Sasuke hardly ever has any free time. The elders pack him on with work nowadays because they're pissed off that he isn't the obedient teenager a 'responsible' lord would be. But they forget that he's an Uchiha. They're like the fire their clan represents; they're untamable."

"You mean he's rebellious? 'Who would've thought…'" Sakura asked. "I thought Sasuke was obedient, since he's so civil."

This made Naruto laugh. "Just wait. You haven't known Sasuke as long as I have. Though he's more civilized, deep down he's unruly and stubborn. It's just quieter than my rebellious nature. Everything the elders suggest he goes against and ever since Fugaku-sama died and they tried to put a leash on him he's been more stubborn than ever. The only person he actually listens to is Kaito."

"He doesn't seem to trust easily, does he?" Sakura asked, looking down at her pink smoothie. Naruto paused to suck down the rest of his. "I don't blame him. He's practically been alone his entire life. Without Kaito, Sasuke pretty much raised himself."

'So we're more alike than I would've thought.' Sakura thought. Though she had been raised by the Yamanaka's they left her alone for most of the things, trying to teach her to fend for herself, silently supporting her along the way. They had always been with her since her mother died, but she had always felt alone.

"But I wouldn't want to think of him any other way." Naruto added with a small smile. "He didn't always used to be so hardheaded. Until I started to rub off on him."

As Sakura finished her smoothie she stood up. "We should probably get back. We've been to nearly every shop in town after all."

"I guess. We should do this again." Naruto grinned at her. She smiled back. "I'm glad that you're here, Naruto. I'm not sure what I would do to kill time if you weren't."

Naruto couldn't help but flush. No one had ever told him that they were glad he was around. Though he knew Sasuke enjoyed his company, it felt nice to hear it, especially from a pretty girl.

When they made their way back to the kago, they found Hinata soundly sleeping. Relief waved over them as they climbed in and made their way back to the kago. Even though Naruto had not bought anything for himself he seemed to feel happier than he'd been in awhile, and something seemed to have changed inside him as a clearly visible gleam shined in his blue eyes.

He was definitely going to enjoy having Sakura by his side.

TBC…

I decided that I should end it here so I could upload this and continue on the next chapter before the weekend is up :). Thank for reading this week guys

'till next time!

xxasukachanxx