"You don't have to come with me; she'll beat the shit out of me in front of anyone." Naruto said referencing Tsunade's fighting attitude. After beating the sniper, Shikamaru volunteered to go with Naruto to tell Tsunade he was quitting the movement. He was sure the response would include a physical attack. "Anyways, are you sure you're not just going with me in case Sakura shows up out of the blue."

"Well, that did play a deciding factor, but I'm here if you need help arguing. I am one of the best strategists in the town. Anyway, it'll hard to get a word in edge wise once you close your mouth. She'll be yelling, after all." Shikamaru pointed out as they walked on campus. "So, where's she at since her office is blown to bits?"

"Jiraiya's office so they can tag team issues, like yelling at me about the same thing." Naruto said sarcastically, the sentence caused Shikamaru to laugh a bit. Naruto stopped and breathed heavily slightly turning around. "Maybe I should just call her?"

"And maybe she won't hunt you down and scream at you until her head explodes." Shikamaru said. He grabbed his arm and shoved him forward.

"You know this is a bad idea. Maybe I'll just disappear and hope she gets the hint." Naruto said and tried to escape.

"And maybe they won't send the police on you and maybe your entire life won't end up on the front of every city newspaper. Just go." Shikamaru said still pushing him forward. "This is something you said you were going to do, you've got to follow through with it."

"I know." Naruto said. He sighed and looked up to the medical building that way laying burned next to them. They weren't the only on lookers, there were plenty of students who stopped and stared. "It looks like it collapsed more after they extinguished it."

"More?" Shikamaru asked looking over at the few walls standing. He looked around and lowered his voice. "Don't tell me you know something about that too."

"Sasuke, Karin, Suigetsu and I were the ones who went in right before the explosion and got everyone out. I don't really want to talk about it." Naruto said lowly and began to walk from the area as fast as he could.

"Touchy subject…" Shikamaru told himself and caught up to Naruto. They walked silently for a second before Shikamaru had a thought. "So, if you are still supporting Tsunade, but quitting the movement, doesn't that make you a hypocrite?"

Naruto shrugged and smiled stupidly. "It's not the first time. I tell Jiriaya all the time I'm not hungry then go pig out on Ramen. Well… let's go get this over with." Naruto said looking up at the building before them.

Naruto raced up the steps past the students and maneuvered past the crowds to the office and knocked twice. He heard both Jiraiya and Tsunade respond and opened the door leading Shikamaru in. "Jiriaya, Tsunade, I have something to say."

"Well out with it! I have to get back to these new building plans." Tsunade said folding her arms impatiently.

Naruto looked at Shikamaru who nodded supportively. Naruto reached both hands behind his neck and undid the necklace to set it on the desk. "I'm quitting the movement."

"What?" Tsunade asked taken a back. She was sitting at Jiriaya's desk, he had been booted to a side chair with Shizune next to him. The three stared at Naruto in somewhat disbelief at his statement. Naruto took a deep, reaffirming breath knowing Shikamaru was next to him if he couldn't argue it. Tsunade's teeth gritted. "What did you just say?"zune next to him. . you." know what?"' just by being here.

"I'm quitting the movement. I've thought it over carefully and I've seen what's happened, and I don't want to be a part of a war." Naruto said. He stood there waiting for her reply but Tsunade just dropped her hand lightly on the table and looked away.

"That's a poetic way of putting it Naruto." Jiriaya muttered putting his thoughts in. He sat forword. "I'm not inclined to argue the fact. It's getting aggressive."

"It's because they're getting nervous." Tsunade grumbled. "We shouldn't be running with our tails between our legs! We should be out there stronger then ever."

"In what building?" Naruto asked quickly. Tsunade shut her mouth. "It's because they're getting annoyed. They're tired of having competition that can do things they can't."

"Do things they can't? Like what, Naruto?" Shizune asked quietly. "If you know things about them…"

"Naruto's quit already. He doesn't have to tell you anything and compromise his current relationships with his friends. He's already in a bad position as it is and there's a pretty good chance it could become worse just by being here." Shikamaru broke in quickly. Shizune nodded in understanding. "I think we should go."

"You're probably right…" Naruto agreed.

"Be quite Shikamaru, this is between me and Naruto!" Tsunade snapped.

"Where's you're right to yell at him for defending me? He's acting as my legal council." He turned and grabbed the doorknob. "It's my decision to quit, and I'm doing for my own reasons."

"You can't just give up like that! I thought you were actually going to work for what you believed in!" Tsunade yelled standing up slamming her fist against the desk. "I thought you were going to accomplish something!"

"I am! There's a different way of doing things then having an all out confrontation with Madara and I'm going to find it! I still do believe that people should have a better quality of life, but you know what?" Naruto said quietly. He still faced the door, calm and steadfast in his reasoning. "What's the use of having a good quality life with your family and friends and good health when you die when you're a kid? That was almost me, and I'm not fighting for that.

"If you haven't noticed, neither of the movements are doing that well fighting against each other." Naruto opened the door and let Shikamaru walk out. "I'm going to find my own solution to the problem."

"I take it that Sasuke's thoughts are in there somewhere?" Jiraiya asked. Naruto listen to the question and simply nodded. "Don't get hurt being a vigilante."

Naruto left the office as well and closed the door behind him. He sighed in relief and a bit upset about how it went over. "A little mellow dramatic, but it got your point through." Shikamaru scoffed. They exited the building and looked over the highly trafficked area. "I wonder if Sakura's given up her pursuit of you."

"I doubt it. She's kind of…" Naruto didn't know how to end the sentence without insult. He instead laughed nervously scratching at the back of his neck. "You know how she is."

"Obsessive? Controlling? Over-protective?"

"She means it in a good way though." Naruto said quietly. He sighed and moved through a little bit of a crowd breaking into the open space of the building and outside. "Sakura just gets a little over emotional. I'd never hold it against her."

"Until she does something stupid you mean. From what it sounded like from Ino, she meant to beat her message into you." Shikamaru pointed out as they walked slowly over to the sidewalk.

"Naruto!" Called a voice from behind them. They turned around and saw Shizune screech to a halt in front of them.

"Eh, Shizune? What is it?" Naruto asked.

"Tsunade, she asked me to tell you not to hold your grudge against the movements against her. I don't quite understand what she meant…" Shizune admitted quietly looking away at the ground.

"Tell her it's alright, I wasn't blaming her in the first place." Naruto said cheerfully. Shizune looked up and smiled. "I'll stop by and see you guys soon. 'Kay, Shinzune?"

"Yeah, see you later Naruto. Good luck accomplishing your goal." She said and walked away waving.

"So, what do you want to do now?" Shikamaru asked shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I think I'm going to go find Sasuke. He's probably at home." Naruto said looked out across campus. "Though, I kind of don't… He'll probably be upset and need to like cool off or something."

"Good grief, this is why I stay out of relationships." Shikamaru sighed heavily. Naruto turned around and began walking away. Shikamaru shrugged and followed. "You know, you've only known him really for a week…"

"So? What's that supposed to mean, Shikamaru?"

"Just make sure you don't drown. You're getting into a lot of stuff, and fast at that. It can be overwhelming." He tried to explain. "You've got baseball coming up…"

"You sound like Kakashi. Keeps bringing up baseball at random times." Naruto said quietly and they exited off campus and onto college road. They walked for a while and stopped in front of the flower shop.

Shikamaru looked at him and at the street. He sighed and stared ahead, "Want to go let Ino know you're alive?"

"I guess." Naruto said and opened the door walking in. They stopped in front of the counter to see Ino reading a glam magazinge. Without much warning Shikamaru grabbed it and set it down. "Working doesn't include reading about beauty products."

"Well fine… Naruto! I see Sakura hasn't killed you yet." Ino said cheerily. She quickly sat up and smiled at them. "So, you've got a boyfriend?"

"Yes, and now everyone knows. Why would you do that, Ino?" Naruto asked seriously. "It wasn't anyone's business in the first place and now everyone's… It's bad. I'm not going to hold it against you, but what gave you the right to send her that picture? What made you think it was alright to wave my business at everyone else?"

"I guess sorry's not good enough." Ino said and sighed lowering her head. "Sakura asked us to keep an eye on you, and she just wanted to know why you were acting strangely. She was worried about you, is all. Why didn't you just tell us you were dating Sasuke?"

"Because I wasn't going out with him until a day or two ago. Anyway, what would you have done if I just came up to you in the hall and told you flat out that I was dating a boy and that boy happened to be Sasuke?" Naruto asked looking at her. "Would you have taken me seriously and if you did what would you have done?"

"Point taken. It's just… awkward. All of this is weird. I'm sorry for the comments about him from earlier in the week; it was mean and uncalled for." Ino apologized. "If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask alright?"

Naruto placed a hand on his stomach and felt it churn. "Hey, can I use your bathroom?"

"Uh, yea." Ino said and pointed to the small door down the hall. She tossed him a small gold key on a red ribbon. "Here's the key."

"Thanks." Naruto caught it and opened the door turning on the light muttering about pancakes. He shut the door and turned around to see a figure there staring nearly blankly at him. "Eh?! Sai?! Are you stalking me?! How'd you get in here?!"

"Sakura…" Sai said softly. He looked down for a minute thinking and turned to look at Naruto eye to eye. "She went to find Sasuke over on Raven Street. I think she's planning on fighting him for rights over you."

"What? We got to get over there!" He felt his stomach again than looked at Sai. He huffed, groaned and went out of the bathroom. "Come Shikamaru! Sakura's going to get killed!"

"That's rather mean putting her at no chance to Sasuke." Sai said walking up behind him. Naruto ignored the comment and raced out of the store dropping the key on the floor. Sai and Shikamaru had to run as fast as they could to keep up. "Sakura is pretty vicious; she could stand up well to Sasuke in a fight."

"Sakura's going up against Sasuke?! What's gotten into her head?" Shikamaru asked to either of them. "Sasuke's practically a lethal weapon. If he gets angry enough, she might end up dead."

"She thinks if she beats Sasuke she'll somehow get Naruto back." Sai said as they rushed past the diner where the Black Birds usually eat. "I told her not to go."

"If she stops being so crazy I'll come back!" Naruto yelled. "After something like this… She seriously thinks…"

"Sakura's just acting irrational. It's kind of big news to here your best friend just turned gay. Give her time." Shikamaru pleaded following him. "Remember when he put you in the hospital; she spent everyday in there with you. Every time you were sick she took care of you. She's just in shock."

"That's because she's in love with him." Sai explained and the group stopped. "What?"

"She's in love with me?! So… she's going psycho non-girlfriend then?" Naruto asked and they both shrugged. "Damn it! Why's everything so complicated?! Why can't everyone just drop it already!"

"Because the chaos theory works." Shikamaru grumbled as they took off again. "Anyway, I think Sakura wouldn't be that foolish to fight Sasuke. She knows what he can do. We both heard about that kid, Sasuke broke his arm without hesitation."

"Actually, Sakura is completely blinded by rage at the moment. She couldn't care to the contrary whether he could be beaten easily or not. It's a matter of pride." Sai said. "She'll keep fighting until she physically can't."

"Sai! Stop analyzing the situation! Right now we need to stop her!" Naruto cried and rushed over the pavements to hear a scream, it was female and familiar. "Sakura!"

"I hope she's not to badly injured." Shikamaru muttered as they made a mad dash down the street.

---------( blAck bIrd )---------

Sasuke sat down quietly on the steps smiling to himself. He was actually relieved to his surprise. He wouldn't have to hide with Naruto anymore, and he wouldn't have to lie about being in love with him to himself. Sasuke pulled out a piece of paper and pencil and began sketching feverishly. It was the event from before, Naruto's face when Sasuke had him, him out of breath. The image had fused into his mind in perfect color and emotion.

It was very easy for Sasuke to do a simple line art so when he finished he decided to take up the much harder task of shading it. He went carefully, sketching some lines lightly and smudging the graphite with his finger. He smiled at it and sighed. "That went to fast…"

Sasuke shoved that drawing away and looked around for inspiration. Just then the hobo of Sigmund Freud was walking by, "Hey Freud, I have a question for you."

"A question?" The man asked intrigued and stopped in front of him in an old white dress. "Need a psychiatric evaluation, young man?"

"Somewhat. I'm happy because I'm relieved my biggest secret got out. I did everything to hide it and someone posted it everywhere. Is it normal to feel relieved because I don't have to hide?" Sasuke asked and the crazed man scratched his head.

"Could it be… you never wanted it to be a secret in the first place? You want to share it with everyone but are scared to, possibly because of judgment?" The homeless man asked him. "Your id is taking over your superego and your ego, which is perfectly fine."

Sasuke stopped, "That's pretty logical. Thank you, Dr. Freud." Sasuke said and the homeless man smiled and walked away. Sasuke shook his head and laughed, "I wonder what he just said…"

Sasuke picked up the next piece of paper and began looking around again for something to draw. He turned his head and saw someone walking quite fast at him with a scowl. Sasuke sighed, his smile slipped away. He shoved all his things away, zipped up his bag and threw it at the door to the entrance house standing up.

Sakura stopped in front of him and looked up at him. Sasuke just stared at her and groaned. "This is a bad neighborhood; you should get out of here."

"Same to you…" She said in a low voice. They observed each others statures, both dominant. "Where's Naruto?"

"He's out. I'll let him know you came by when he gets home." Sasuke said and took a step up. He waited a second and she didn't budge. Sasuke looked at her and sighed. "I know why you're here. You're here because it got around that Naruto and I are dating, right Sakura? You think that by showing up you'll have some impact on him."

"I have a bone to pick…" Sakura growled and tightened her gloves across her knuckles. "And possibly a couple to break."

"I wouldn't make threats I couldn't follow through with. Little girls can get injured to easily when they're pissed off. They don't think clearly enough. Now, Naruto is happy here, what's upsetting him is that you all won't accept that." Sasuke said sagely and took a step down towards her. "Just leave, it's the only warning I'll give you."

Sakura just smiled with a challenging look about her. "I want Naruto back you son of a bitch! You took him from me."

"No, I didn't." Sasuke said in almost a whisper. "He's free to leave me whenever he likes. I'll let him go if he wants me to."

"You're toying with him." Sakura yelled. "Is this some kind of game to you? He's been put through Hell by you or don't you remember? You put him in the intensive care unit! How could you possibly not hurt him again? You're just sick to keep him around you!

"Naruto isn't like all your other little friends, he's liked and popular. He has friends who care about him. He has things going for him at school. He's becoming a professional athlete. Where do you think you'd fall into all that? You're the thing that would ruin all of it. You completely mess him up." Sakura said pointing a finger in his face. "Admit it; you're just playing with him."

Sasuke stopped and looked down. "I don't want to hurt Naruto. I love him… more then anything. You should understand that, Sakura."