A/N: Hey, sorry for the late update. Anyway, I'm happy about this story and also now you know why with the last chapter about the whole bug incident was needed.
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There was bright pink hair woman with fair skin and green eyes wearing a red top with black gloves, black boots, black shorts, short pink apron skirt, and pink elbow protectors and forehead protector which is now on a red cloth walking back from Lady Tsuande's room as she was lost in thought.
'How long has it been since his disappearance?' she wondered as she continues walking, until bumping into three people.
She turns to apologizes, "S-Sorry about that."
She notices one of the boys, that one had short brown hair and dark eyes and wears a black top and blue pants with regular shinobi sandals with, of course, the village's forehead protector. Next to him was a girl with orange hair tied up, with black elastic rubber bands, into two very large pigtails. She also has red oval markings on her cheeks. Her outfit is a sleeveless purple vest over a violet t-shirt and has on a layered skirt with mid-thigh boots, she too wearing the village's headband. Last was another boy who had short spiky brown hair and black eyes with a small chip in his tooth. He was wearing gray pants and a pale green jacket with a dark green stripe down the middle with his long blue scarf and the forehead protector. Sakura realizes that she bumped into Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon.
"Oh, sorry guys. I...I was lost in thought," Sakura states.
"Thinking about Naruto?" Moegi asks.
She nods as all look down.
Konohamaru looks directly at Sakura and states proudly, "Naruto will be back soon. You can bet on it."
He gives her a thumbs up and adds with a smile, "Believe it. Naruto will come back, I know that for a fact."
She smiles at him, "Yeah."
"I'm back!" Naruto calls out.
"N-Na-Naruro," Sakura stammers. "Is that really him?"
She turns around and sees him, "Naruto...It is you."
She runs to him and he runs towards her as he happily states, "Yep. The one and only me."
Naruto then daydreams about Sakura and him, how Sakura will go into his arms and he picks her up and spins around in a small circle. Then places her down, hugs her and when they pull their faces apart and look into each other's eyes; they'll kiss.
Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Sakura punches Naruto in the face, sending him flying back onto the ground, "You jerk!"
He rolls until he breaks through a wooden fence.
"Ow...Saruka, what was that for? Why do you have to be so mean?" Naruto asks as he rubs his face.
"You've been gone for a long time! You haven't written anything to anyone! Everyone was worried sick about you," her voices dies down.
"J-just don't do it again," she cries out as she runs over to him and hugs him.
"Um...Sakura... There are some people I want you to meet," Naruto states as Sakura helps him up.
"Who?" Sakura asks as she wipes her tears.
"Guys!" Naruto calls out and they walk around the gate.
All 'woo' and 'ahh' at the scene and Sakura looks at them half-suspicious and half-anxious.
She goes over to the blue creature and lowers her to his level, "Hi...I'm Sakura."
"Meega isa Stitch," the creature states and Sakura jumps back; didn't think it would respond. "I-it talks!"
Naruto walks over to her and speaks softly, "Sakura, you don't have to be afraid of him. He's a cool guy."
She looks back at him and he nods, she walks back to Stitch and extends her hand; waiting for Stitch to shake it. But Stitch brings out his tongue and licks Sakura right in the face. Sakura's body twitches as Moegi, Udon, and Konohamaru took many steps away from the scene; remembering how Sakura was during the Chūnin Exams after Konohamaru insulted her forehead. She stopped dead in her tracks and slowly turn with a creepy glare and smile on her face. Then she started to run at them, they turn tail and were running away from her because they didn't want another beating.
Yeah...they didn't want to relive that.
When Stitch was done, Sakura gave a very unpleasant, disgusted grunt while trails of saliva dripped from her face. She wipes her face the best she could to remove the coating of spit. Naruto froze as he brought his hands over his mouth to muffle his laugh and he stops immediately when Sakura slowly stands up and eyes him.
"What's so funny Naruto?" she said with huge white eyes as she cracks her knuckles.
"N-Nothing Sakura," Naruto stammers as he sees Sakura coming at him.
Naruto was about to run when he was hit on the head, "Ow...Sakura, I didn't do anything."
Lilo and the gang slightly giggle at what happened, but Stitch feels something hit his head and he grabs it. "Ow. My head."
Stitch turns to Naruto and both were covering their heads, when they pull back both saw the other's lump and both had a long tear drop.
"Stitch! Naruto!" Angel calls as she rushes over to them.
The commotion caused everyone to look at them. The villagers look around as Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon try to make them go on with their activities.
Saying stuff like, "Nothing to see here." Also, others like that,
Until...
Stitch's speaking startled everyone, "Bleh!...Meega naga feeling butifa."
"Stitch...feel bad," Stitch whispers to Angel.
Everyone rushed it and Nani places her hand on Stitch's forehead. Nani pulls her hand and said, shockingly, "Oh God, Stitch...you're burning up..."
The mood changes and now everyone was looking at them, but everyone kept a respectable distance while the gang was examining the blue fur ball or monster called Stitch, they all wondered what kind of monstrosity he was. They've never seen one like him, they were wondering if they should call the ANBU here to deal with these troublemakers.
But before any of them can step near him, Angel jumped in front of him and growled loudly and ferociously, her ears arched back and eyes narrowed for any sudden movement as her antennae were moving around; waiting to strike. She was protecting her family; protecting Lilo, Nani, Jumba, David, Stitch and Pleakley.
Naruto tries to walk to her, but she would use her antennae to keep him back.
Whip! Crack!
"An-An-ANGEL!" he calls out as he dodges the antennae, "It's okay, we only want to help Stitch. He may need medical help, will you please trust us?"
Angel just kept growling as she flares her nostrils.
Naruto asks calmly, "Please Angel...for me. Do it for me?"
She looks into his eyes, his blue eyes and she slightly calms down. Naruto nods his head for Sakura to go forward, but as soon as she was close enough; Angel slaps Sakura in the face with her antennae. Sakura flies back and hits a wall of a building before falling onto the ground.
"Hey!" Konohamaru yells, "What's your problem!"
She looks at him and he runs in, but Angel rams him in the abdomen with her shoulder before flinging him with her antennae.
"Konohamaru!" Moegi and Udon yell worryingly as he falls.
'Damn...She knocked the wind out of me good! I-I can't recover! I can't even breathe! My body is flying too fast, the pressure is too strong! I can't move! What to do! What to do! What to do!' was what Konohamaru's thoughts as he was falling towards the ground.
"Konohamaru!" Naruto yells as he rushes over to him and catches him before he hits the ground.
Konohamaru was coughing as Naruto stands him up, "You good Konohamaru?"
"Y-yeah," Konohamaru coughs.
Sakura recovers as pushes herself up, she winces from the side of her face and then see the pink-furred experiment there.
Sakura was in shock at the creature she had seen, how strong it was. 'How...How can something like that, do something like that?'
She shakes her head and states, "No...I can't be afraid. I've to help."
She stands up, cracks her knuckles and fixes her gloves, "Why you!?"
"Sakura! No! Stop, please! Angel is only protecting Stitch. She thinks you're trying to hurt him," Naruto states as he holds her back by holding her arms.
"You mean..." Sakura stated as she calmed down a little, "That's why Angel attacked me? She thought I was going to do harm to Stitch?"
"AH!"
"Now what?" Naruto asks as he releases Sakura.
"Naruto! Angel just took off with Stitch, scaring everyone away from her. What do we do?!" Lilo explains nervous about Angel and Stitch.
Naruto crouches down to Lilo's level and places a hand on her shoulder as he states, "Lilo...you and you're family need to stay here. We'll get them, I promise and when I promise I don't go back on my word. Trust me...we'll get them."
He smiles at her and she feels a little better, he stands up and looks seriously to Sakura and Konohamaru. "We'll get them."
He turns to Udon and Moegi, "You guys make sure nothing happens to them, okay?"
Udon and Moegi nod in agreement as Naruto, Sakura and Konohamaru run after them.
"Where to start?" Naruto asks.
Boom!
They turn, seeing a huge dust cloud envelop a section of the village and hear people screaming, Naruto turns to them and they nodded as they run over that way. When they reached the place, Angel rams herself into another ninja's stomach as he was trying to attack her. Another appears behind her and she kicks in the abdomen before whipping her antennae to send him to the ground.
"Angel!" Naruto calls out and she turns to him, ramming him down as Sakura and Konohamaru dodge the attack.
"Ow..." Naruto groans as he pushes himself up. He turns to see Sakura and Konohamaru fighting Angel.
Konohamaru brought his fingers together and shouts, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
In a puff of smoke, there were three other Konohamarus; all brought out their kunai and shouted, "We're not the enemy! We're just trying to help you!"
Two rush at Angel, she flips over them and uses her antennae to grabs their legs and throw them into the ground. The other clone appears behind Angel, "Quit attacking us!"
He tries to kick her, but she weaves to the side and then punches him hard. Sakura yells, "Cha! Let's see if you can handle my strength!"
Angel growls as she rushes at Sakura, with her running at Angel. Both bring their fists and punch, creating an explosion as a shockwave pushes everyone. Sakura and Angel fly out of the smoke cloud, rolling to a stop.
"Angel! Sakura!" Naruto screams as he rushes over to them.
He goes to Sakura first and lightly shakes her, "Sakura? Sakura! Are you okay? Sakura!"
"Nn," she moans as she opens her eyes slowly.
Naruto smiles, "Sakura...I thought something happened to you?"
"Don't smile yet. We still need to help Stitch remember?" She softly states as she tries to stand.
Naruto then pushes her to the side and she was about to yell, until she sees Angel ramming into Naruto and sending him to the ground.
"Naruto!" Konohamaru and Sakura gasps as he lies face first on the ground, not moving.
They calm a little when they see him make a fist.
"Angel!" He coughs, "She's...not...trying to hurt Stitch or any of you."
He finishes as he stands up, "She's not trying to capture you."
"That's right. We're trying to help you," Sakura adds as she stands up as well.
"Yeah, we're trying to help you. That's all," Konohamaru states.
Angel growls at Sakura and then to Naruto, as Naruto walks over to her.
Naruto speaks softly, "It's alright, you can trust her. I promise."
Should she trust them? Can they be trusted? Could Naruto's words be lies? Stitch was fine until they reached the village. There must be something in the village causing Stitch to be sick. Surely with all the ninja they would have attacked if harm was their intent and maybe they already did. But...could this be a trap? Stitch needs help but is it worth the risk to trust these strangers? They're outsiders from another world. 'What should meega do? Meega...naga sure. But...meega feel weird. Why meega doing this? Naruto naga lie before... He...he isa telling truth. Then why Stitch sick? This isa wrong!'
Angel looks down and shakes her head, then looks into Naruto's eyes, she calms down a little. 'Naga. This isa right. Naruto...isa ohana. He naga lie to meega.'
She looks down again, but she's doing it because she knew she hurt people. 'But...why meega acted like that before?'
"Meega soka Naruto. Meega naga mean hurt youga or anyone. Isa just happen. Meega misa soka," She whispers, releasing a few tears.
"It's okay," Naruto said with a smile as Angel wipes her tears away.
"Where's Stitch?" he asks kindly.
"Wait hagata. Meega bring him," Angel answers as she turns around and runs to a little bush. She pops out with Stitch on her back, walking to Naruto slowly. She sets him down, Naruto turns to Sakura and nods. She returns it and walks over to them.
Angel kneels beside Sakura, looking down as Sakura was feeling his forehead.
"Yeah...this is bad," Sakura states seriously.
"What!?" Angel jumps onto her feet, "Itchibawa save Stitch! Save...Stitch. ...Youga …..have to...save..."
The sudden movement made her lose balance once again. Angel fell onto her back where Naruto and Konohamaru rushed to her aid. Naruto catches her and softly puts her on his lap.
"Angel! Angel, wake up! What's wrong!" Naruto hollered worryingly.
"Me-meega feel...naga butifa," Angel wheezes and Sakura immediately places a hand on her forehead.
"Oh no," Sakura mutters.
"What?" Konohamaru and Naruto asked simultaneously.
"She's burning up too," Sakura answers.
She adds, "Both need medical care."
She picks up Stitch while Naruto picks up Angel.
"Konohamaru, go back to Moegi and Udon and tell them to bring the rest of those guys to the infirmary. They need to go there," Sakura states.
"Why?" Naruto asks confused.
"Because...they might be infected as well," She answers simply and seriously.
"Wha-What?" Naruto asks shocked.
"There's no time to explain! Konohamaru, go now!" she orders and he nods as he runs back. She turns to Naruto and both run to the hospital.
At the hospital...
Angel and Stitch were laying down on beds, Sakura was with Stitch while Naruto was with Angel. Naruto watches closely as Sakura and the other medical ninja gather chakra in their hands, trying to heal Stitch and Angel. He turns to see the rest in an enclosed, isolated glass area.
He goes to Sakura and asks as he looks down, "Sakura...What's going on? What's wrong with them?"
Sakura sighs as she turns to face Naruto, hands still working on Stitch, and answers, "Their bodies are in shock...Both of their immune systems are compromised."
"But how?" Naruto inquires as he looks at Stitch.
"You know how trading has helped to spread some of the deadliest infectious diseases around here," Sakura tells him as he nods.
She continues, "An increase in travel has helped spread diseases to natives of lands who had not previously been exposed. When a native population is infected with a new disease, where they have not developed antibodies through generations of previous exposure, the new disease tends to run rampant within the population. Therein, killing the population."
"What!" Naruto and Lilo's group yell simultaneously.
"Yeah, as humans began traveling over seas and across lands which were previously isolated, research suggests that diseases have been spread. With their immune system not used to the foreign bacteria, many more native peoples were killed by disease and germs than through any fight. When such diseases were introduced for the first time to new populations of humans, the effects on the native populations were widespread and deadly," Sakura finishes.
"Can't the medicine work?" Naruto asks with worry hinted n his voice.
"As medicine has progressed, many vaccines and cures have been developed for some of the worst diseases which people suffer. But, because the evolution of disease organisms is very rapid, even with vaccines, there is difficulty providing full immunity to many diseases. Finding vaccines at all for some diseases remains extremely difficult. Without vaccines, the global world remains vulnerable to infectious diseases. In other words..." she faces Naruto, "I don't know, but I'll try my best to make sure both of them recover best to my ability."
"Question is: Why are only these two affected?" Sakura notices that the others seem to be healthy, just Stitch and Angel were ill.
Naruto pounds his fist into his other hand and said, "Oh yeah! They both were bitten by nasty leeches when we were escaping The Forest of Death."
Sakura looks at Naruto and smiles, "Of course! The shock is from the bite from those leeches and since they're from another world; their bodies couldn't handle the diseases our bodies are used to and that's why they're sick."
She kisses Naruto on the cheek, "Naruto! You're a genius!"
Naruto stares awe-struck at Sakura as he holds his cheek, soon a blush crosses over his face as he looks to the ground. 'Can't believe she kissed me and called me a genius.'
He goes back to her and asks, "So...they acted like that because of the disease?"
"If they're subjugated to a new disease strange to them, the body will do many things to try to stop the invading bacterium from doing anymore harm; that is why Angel was attacking. Not her fault, her body was in shock and was going crazy basically. See?" Sakura states.
"But...why didn't Stitch act the same way?" Naruto asks.
"Maybe he did and you didn't notice," Sakura replies.
Naruto thought back and retorts, "Actually, we had to stop because he felt like destroying things for no reason. Oh...(He whispers into Sakura's ear) Don't forget to send a medical squad back at Gate 44, because Stitch was playing with the two ninjas that were patrolling over there and...they sustain a ton of damage from him."
He pulls back and Sakura looks down to Stitch, perplexed by what Naruto said about him. She finds it hard to believe that he is capable of anything like that, let alone be a monster. But...she remembers the fight with Angel and can now see how it can be true.
She looks over at Stitch again with a soft smile on her face, 'He has really soft fur. I...I don't know why, but...he does look cute too.'
She shook her head after that thought enters her mind, 'Right now isn't time to think about stuff like that. Now, let's see if my training can help him and her.'
Few minutes...
Stitch moans as he opens his eyes, he slowly looks around as his head throbs. He sits up quickly, but regretted it because he felt like throwing up the bile in him. He turns his head and his eyes focus on a pink furred blur next to him. It was also hooked up to an IV, he rubs his eyes and then notices he too was hooked up to an IV.
He turns back to the pink creature and saw it was Angel.
He calls out hoarsely, "Angel."
He grabs his throat, surprised by not only how it sounded but also by how it felt. His voice feels dry and scratchy or raspy, or breathy. He notices he experience pain from saying Angel's name, like it was a strain just trying to call her.
"Stitch?" he turns around when his name was called and sees Naruto there with a pink haired woman.
He was about to speak, but Naruto covers his mouth and Stitch understands what Naruto was implying.
Naruto pulls his hand away from Stitch's mouth and speaks, "You need your rest Stitch. You and Angel were sick."
Stitch pulls Naruto down and whispers in his ear, "Where isa meega?"
Naruto pulls back and answers, "You're in the hospital in Konoha."
He points to the pink hair girl and states, "Sakura here heal both you and Angel."
Stitch nods, understanding it but stiffs as he felt a rapid change in temperature on his forehead as Sakura placed a fresh wet rag on it. As she wipes Stitch's face, trying to help him cool down from his incident.
"Can he see them?" Naruto asks Sakura nervously.
"I don't know? I mean...I gave them the shots so they won't get sick, but Stitch and Angel are both greatly ill. I'm worry that bringing them in here will make the rest of them sick or get Stitch and Angel sicker," she states.
"But, I know they'll be okay. After all, you're one of the best medical ninjas here in the Leaf Village," he smiles.
Sakura smiles from the compliment, "Thanks for saying that. Well...let's bring them."
He leaves Stitch and Sakura alone as he exits the room, both were looking around everything else instead of each other. When Sakura finally looks into Stitch's big black orbs, she takes in how mysterious they look. How nice his eyes were…Why was she so captivated with his eyes? She knew there was something about them, but she couldn't put it. But...she couldn't help but feel warmth crossing her face. She turns her head around as she tries to dismiss the feeling.
"Takka," Stitch sorely said and Sakura turns around. "Huh?"
"Thank you for helping Stitch and Angel," Stitch said breathy as he grabs his throat.
She offers him some water and he drinks it, he places the cup on the table between him and Angel.
He thanks her again, "Takka, Sakura."
"No problem Stitch," she said a little uneasy.
Stitch grabs her hand and she was shocked by how fast he was able to grab it, he places it on his head as he rubs his face against it and he purrs. Sakura smiles, the uneasiness fleeing as she continues rubbing him and she could feel that same warmth from before. She dismissed it as she pulls her hand back.
"Stitch!" a voice cried out as Sakura and Stitch turn to see Lilo and company coming out of the door and entering the room. She rushes over and gives him a very tight hug. "Lilo!"
She pulls back and smiles, "Stitch, I'm happy you're awake. I knew you would wake up. You're a fighter and not even some stupid disease will beat you."
"It's good you're up Stitch. How are you feeling?" Nani asks concerned as she goes onto the bed with Lilo and Stitch.
"Meega good," he states happily but coughs.
"Stitch!" everyone yells after his fit is finished.
"Soka," he said sorely and quietly.
Sakura speaks kindly, "His voice is still hoarse because of the illness and his body is still recovering from the shock. He'll probably have to stay in bed for mandatory bed rest for about a week or so."
Naruto walks over to Angel and asks, "And her?"
"More of less the same," she said sadly.
Pleakley goes over to Angel's bed and touches her forehead, but pulls back and looks to Sakura.
"She needs another wet cloth, she still feels so hot on her forehead and could you bring some cups of water here too?" Pleakley asks with a serious face at Sakura, she was going to tell him off because of his attitude; however, she knew he was worried about the creature and did what she was told. She left the room quietly. Next to enter were Moegi, Udon, and Konohamaru; all were looking down with fear and discomfort etched on their faces.
Konohamaru walks over to Stitch and asks, not looking at Stitch at all. "You okay?"
"Ih," Stitch nods quietly as he can sense the young boy's fear.
Stitch lightly licked the boys face, making said boy laugh a little as he wipes it off.
"Cut it out!" he giggles and Stitch smiles with everyone else.
Konohamaru extends his hand to Stitch, "The name's Konohamaru."
"Stitch. My name Stitch," Stitch said painfully as he grabs Konohamaru's hand.
He looked down. He hadn't officially felt Stitch's fur, but he could feel it was really soft and fluffy. "Wow...you're fur is so soft and fluffy."
"What?" Udon asks as Moegi shrieks, "Really?!"
Both go over to him and look over to everyone, almost asking permission to pet him and all nod; even Stitch. Moegi and Udon cautiously place their hands on his stomach and were instantly amazed that Konohamaru was right.
"Wow...he's really, really soft," Udon notes as Moegi hugs Stitch, "He's just like a dog."
They pull back and bow, "Sorry, we forgot to introduce ourselves."
Moegi stands up and speaks, "Hi, I'm Moegi."
Udon copies the action, "And I'm Udon. Nice to meet ya."
"Aloha," they all say as they wave 'hi' to them.
Stitch turns to Lilo and asks, "How Stitch and Angel isa better?"
Lilo answers, "Sakura did it. She had this green energy-thingy over her hands and was putting her hands all over your body."
"Eegalagoo," Stitch said. He wagged his tail and smiled, with his tongue hanging out.
"Stitch, you're tongue is out," Lilo said with a light giggle.
He slurps it back into his mouth, "Soka."
There were a few laughs, except Naruto and Jumba. Both were over Angel's bed as Naruto was holding her paw.
He looks over to Jumba and asks, "How come their indestructibility isn't working here?"
"Probably because we're morphing into your world still. Looking at it this way, you and Kurama both fighting before remember?" Jumba talks as Naruto nods, "You killed Kurama, even though the body was a puppet. It was still a copy of an experiment's body and they can't getting hurt from being stabbed or anything like that."
"Then how did I hurt Kurama?" Naruto asks when his eyes widen.
"Because not only our world influence you, but you influence our world. Meaning that some aspects of your world played into ours," Jumba explains and Naruto somewhat understands it.
"So...Basically, your world affected me and I affected it and it's happening with you now?" Naruto request.
"Yes, precisely right," Jumba exclaims.
"But wait... What I don't understand is why was I sick when I was in your world?" Naruto asks confused.
"Probably because of our World's conditions or maybe because you were protected by Kurama or you were able to make antibodies against our world," Jumba lists many sounding reasons.
"Or the pod," Naruto throws it and Jumba shrugs, "Could being?"
"Wait!" Both turn to Lilo and she asks, "Does that mean we've chakra in us?"
Naruto puts his finger on his face as he ponders, "Maybe, I don't know?"
"Ooh! Stitch want nota too!" Stitch exclaims loudly, but goes into a coughing fit.
Sakura walks back in with some cups of water and then walks over to Angel, planting slowly and softly the damp rag.
"Nn," everyone hears as they turn to Angel,
She moans as she got herself back up but was quickly, but gently, put back down on the bed by Naruto. "Please rest, you had quite a morning," he said with a little teasing, as a way to help lift her spirit.
"Gaba? Meega isa meega?" she asks as she looks around and then grabs her throat as a coughing fit happens.
"You're in the hospital in the village Angel," Naruto informs her as she feels cold hitting her face. It was Naruto wiping her face with a cold rag, hoping it would cool her down.
"Soka about before," she said softly as she turns away from everyone, tears forming into her eyes.
"Hey, hey. Angel, it wasn't your fault. Okay?" Naruto states as she turns around and looks at him, "Just happy you're finally awake."
He gives her the tightest hug imaginable as he rubs the back of her head, he pulls back and she sniffles a little.
"Angel, please don't cry. Like I said, you didn't do anything wrong. You were sick, but now you're better," he smiles, making Angel smile as well.
"It's good that you're awake Angel," she turns to see the pink haired girl talking, "How you feeling?"
"Good, but youga nota meega name?" Angel asks confused.
"Yeah...Lilo and the other talked when the two of you were sleeping," Naruto smiles happily.
She turns to the other side to see Stitch there and smiles at him, he returns it. She sits up and sees the three young Earthlings there from this universe.
"Hi...Meega Angel," she said softly so she wouldn't hurt her sore voice.
"Hi, I'm Konohamaru and these two are Moegi and Udon," Konohamaru announces them as they wave hi to her.
She turns to the pink haired girl and she states, "I'm Sakura, hello."
Both slowly extend their arms, grasp the other's hand and shook firmly with a smile.
A/N: So...how did you like that?