I'll Always Be By Your Side Part 9 Confronted

A/N: Hey everyone time for another update, as you can tell by the title this will be Hinata confronting Sakura on Naruto. Nothing will change though the pairing is still NaruSaku and that won't change. Now I'm not trying to bash Hinata regardless of my feelings of her character, she will also try and confront Naruto.

Kyūbi (Kurama) Talking/Jutsu's

'Inner Thoughts'

'Naruto Talking to Kyūbi/Sakura Talking To Inner Self'

Sakura's Inner Self

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or it would have ended NaruSaku

After killing Sasori, Naruto, Sakura and Lady Chiyo take In what Sasori said he was supposed to meet his contact at Tenchi Bridge.

It begs the question just who his contact is, but that isn't important at the moment though, what is important is getting Gaara back from that blonde Yamanaka wannabe.

They quickly leave the cave and start to look for Kakashi, as there rushing through the trees they hear a massive explosion, this doesn't bode well for Kakashi.

If he needs backup they will assist even if Sakura's pretty tired and not to mention Lady Chiyo's not as young and fit as she used to be, meaning Naruto will be the one who will assist him.

When they do find him, Kakashi's standing there and along with him is Team Gai, lying beside them is Gaara. Once Naruto, Sakura and Lady Chiyo arrive beside them, Lady Chiyo looks at Kakashi who shakes his head.

Sakura and Naruto look on in shock, after all, they did, Gaara still died, they failed, after looking at the members of Team Gai they also look sad, Lady Chiyo then surprises everyone by once again using the Reanimation Jutsu again but this time with Gaara being dead, Sakura knows that Lady Chiyo is planning to sacrifice herself to bring Gaara back to life.

Naruto and the others look on in shock, Naruto hugs Sakura as he knows that Sakura will take this hard especially as they just worked together to fight against Sasori.

Naruto then notices that Lady Chiyo is quite tired she may not have the Chakra needed, Naruto also knows that Sakura will want to help but is probably low on Chakra so it leaves him to assist her.

He pulls away from Sakura and stops beside Lady Chiyo he nods to her "I'll give you some of my Chakra to assist you."

She just nods "I am sorry Naruto, I know what you are and I know that you feel close to Gaara, Take care of Sakura, Naruto she loves you I can tell, listen to her always."

Naruto smiles "I will Lady Chiyo, I love her also."

She just smiles and with Naruto's help there able to bring Gaara back to life with Lady Chiyo dying in the process, once Gaara awakens he sees Naruto, along with Sakura, Kakashi and Team Gai, lastly, he sees Lady Chiyo on the ground.

Naruto then turns around and Sakura hugs him, not long after that there all joined by several Suna ninjas being led by Temari.

A short time later everyone's returned to Suna, there was much celebration in Suna as there Kazekage was safe, the fact Lady Chiyo sacrificed herself was a downer but they said it was a worthy sacrifice.

Not long after that, the teams from Konoha knew that it was time to return home Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō were there to see them off.

The strangest thing was because of Kakashi using his Mangekyō Sharingan, he was suffering from Chakra Exhaustion so Maito Gai carried him on his back.

It was rather creepy for everyone, well except Rock Lee, who seemed to find it as a challenge, of course, nobody would agree to be on his back, so he just ran off on his own.

The others just followed at a fast pace after Tenten told them that Rock Lee is just weird, of course, they already kind of knew that, after a while, Sakura wanted to climb on Naruto's back like Kakashi was whether she was tired or just wanted Naruto to carry her is unknown, Naruto wasn't bothered either way and gladly carried her.

Once they finally returned to Konoha with Lee making a big deal about coming second not that the others were even racing him, they all gave their reports before leaving, Team 9 went off on there own leaving Naruto and Sakura on there own, quickly though Sakura said that she's heading home for a shower and were going to meet up later.

Naruto gave her a kiss on the lips before deciding to go home also, and also have a shower.

After they separated Sakura did return home for her shower and after a quick shower she went downstairs grabbing an apple before leaving the house deciding to head towards the Yamanaka flower shop to meet Ino, that's if she wasn't on her own mission.

What she wasn't expecting though was to see Hinata Hyūga, and by going by the glare Sakura was receiving from Hinata, it was quite obvious that Hinata was angry with her, she pretty much guessed what it was about though but wanted to be sure.

Sakura smiles "Hello Hinata is there something you want, seeing as your standing in front of me."

Hinata doesn't return the smile and continues to glare at Sakura "Why."

Sakura rolls her eyes at Hinata "Why what."

Hinata screams "Why did you do it, I liked Naruto-kun, and you stole him from me, you loved Sasuke, and when you couldn't have him you stole Naruto-kun from me."

Sakura scoffs, "First of all Hinata, I didn't steal anything or anyone, Naruto-kun was not yours, to begin with, the feelings I had for Sasuke were nothing more than a crush, I love Naruto, he's always been there for me, unlike Sasuke who couldn't care less about anyone who isn't called Itachi Uchiha."

Hinata glares at her "Lies, you stole him from me, I've liked him since the academy and you hated him."

Sakura sighs, already frustrated with this conversation, "Once again Naruto-kun, was never yours, nobody owns Naruto, not me, not you, nobody, yes I agree when I was younger I was an idiot and a bitch to Naruto-kun, I thought Sasuke was the perfect person, handsome, skilled, and strong, but he was all that but also an arrogant, self-centred jerk, who cares about nobody but himself, who treated everyone that wasn't an Uchiha as beneath him, knowing that about him I could not continue to waste my time on him especially after what he did to Naruto-kun, I could never be with someone like that.

Before Hinata starts to say anything Sakura continues "Now before you go off on another rant about me stealing your Naruto-kun, I'll tell you this, Naruto has always been nice to me, always cheered for me, he's always tried to help me after I wasted my time on Sasuke, he's kind, strong, handsome, and overall a much better person than Sasuke would have been."

"He's the only person who ever cheered me on, nobody believed I could become a Kunoichi, not my parents, not Ino, nobody, I know that you see me as a Clanless nobody just like Sasuke did, and yes I am."

"Although I've worked my ass off just like you, to become what I am now, you may not like me because of your opinions of me from the academy or the fact you think I stole which was yours which is bullshit I might add."

"Naruto never once treated me as inferior to him, even if I think I was, I used to claim that Naruto-kun, was the weakest member of Team 7 but it was me, I brought nothing to the table, other than my brains, Sasuke had his skills and his Sharingan, Naruto had his never give up attitude and his Kage Bunshins and what did I have nothing."

"But even then Naruto still cheered me on, kept pushing me to grow stronger, he believed in me when nobody else did, I almost gave up in my Chūnin match against Ino, all those years ago, but it was once again Naruto who made me continue, he's saved my life so many times, he's one of the main reasons I am who I am now."

"Whether you believe it or even like it, Naruto has always liked me, I wasn't always the nicest person to him but I've changed, I care about Naruto just as much as you do, I love him, and he loves me, I'm not going to be a bitch about it but maybe I should, what exactly have you done for him."

"You claim you love him or think you do but did you ever talk to him, did you ever befriend him when he needed one, did you go out of your way to get to know him the answer is NO, you didn't, do you think I didn't know about you stalking him at the time I didn't really care, all those times, you must have seen how the village treated him but you did nothing, nobody really did."

"Then there are your reckless actions, Neji almost killed you because you refused to give up, that is commendable but also foolish, just to get Naruto's attention what if Neji actually stopped your heart would Naruto have been happy to see you die, no he wouldn't have been."

"Do I really deserve Naruto-kun, probably not, I've done and said things to Naruto that I hate and will never forgive myself, do I wish I could go back in time and stop myself from doing what I did, or said to him, hell yes, I wish I could but I can't what's done is done."

"Naruto-kun, loves me he knows the real me, not the Fangirl Sakura but the real me, the one who works her ass off for her friends I will do everything in my power to protect Naruto-kun from the Akatsuki, they will not take him away from me, if you don't like that then tough, he's my boyfriend, and I will always be there for him, it would be better for you to move on and find someone else."

Sakura then shakes her head, then walks past Hinata, who hasn't said anything, maybe she was harsh with Hinata but so what, Hinata claiming that she stole Naruto from her is a joke, Naruto is not an object that can be bought he's a person who has feelings, it's irrelevant if Hinata hates her or not it won't change her feelings for him.

Hinata watches Sakura go she clenches her fists How dare she talks to her like that, who does she think she is, and she's wrong she did steal Naruto from her, regardless of what she says and it's her job to make Naruto see that Sakura hasn't changed at all first she needs to find him.

After heading to Naruto's apartment she used her Byakugan and knows he's not in his apartment, after going to Ichiraku's she finds out he's not there also so maybe he's training.

After searching for a while and meeting Chōji even if he was no help, she finally found him at training ground seven, it's kind of ironic seeing as he's on Team 7.

She at first watches him train, he's changed a lot since he left on his training trip he's gotten taller, he doesn't wear that Orange Jumpsuit anymore even if she liked the look.

Now watching him train makes her calm down but she still has to make him see that Sakura's only using him to get Sasuke back, regardless of what Sakura said, another thing that puzzled her was the Akatsuki, who are the Akatsuki, she has no idea or what they want with him like Sakura though whoever they are she won't let them take him from her.

Naruto's been training ever since he left Sakura he thought about having a shower first but then realised what would have been the point in taking a shower and then going right back to training why not just shower when he was done with his training so that's what he did.

As he's training with his clone, the clone spots Hinata who's doing a poor job at hiding so it tells Naruto as it seems she wants to talk to him he thinks.

Naruto turns around, and sees Hinata, she's certainly grown since he saw her last, when they bumped into each other before his fight with Kakashi he didn't pay much attention to her but now he is, her hair's longer, she still wears the same baggy type of clothing, and still seems to be shy so knowing how she's always like around his he starts the conversation.

"What can I do for you Hinata, it's nice to see you and all that, I don't usually see you without your team, I'm kind of busy training but what's up."

Hinata blushes "H-H-Hello, N-Naruto-kun."

Naruto smiles "Hey"

Hinata then smiles and continues to talk "I- I heard y-you j-just got b-back from a-a mission."

Naruto nods "Yes, I did had to save Gaara from the Akatsuki, S-Ranked ninjas real bad news but Sakura-chan was awesome she really kicked ass I can't believe how much she's changed since I left."

Hinata frowns 'Her again, Why can't you see she's just using you.' "S-She's using you."

Naruto looks at her in confusion. 'That's a weird thing to say especially from her of all people' "Sakura's not using me, what are you talking about, this isn't like you."

Hinata shocks him by stamping her feet "She's using you, she loves Sasuke and is using you once she gets him back she'll forget you again."

Naruto watches her in shock 'Wow, never seen her so angry before.' "Hinata, I've had a lot of time to think since I left, I know you like me, but my feelings for you are not what you want them to be I love Sakura-chan."

"I have liked her since I first met her, she's only gotten more beautiful since she's gotten older, you're also forgetting something Sasuke is dead if he wasn't then your words would have crossed my mind, how could it not, but you don't know Sakura-chan as I do."

"Sakura-chan is an awesome Kunoichi, she's strong, smart, beautiful, a great medic you should have seen her in Suna, making an antidote form Sasori's poison when the Medics of Suna couldn't do anything, so what if she's not from a Clan, neither am I."

He's now getting angry with her and this is a first and it's not the Kyūbi's doing "What was your point in this you come here start talking trash about Sakura-chan and for what so I dump her and run off with you into the sunset, news flash Hinata, this is not a romance novel or a fairy tale, this is real life."

Hinata is shocked by this "She's using you, she stole you from me."

Naruto looks at her and for a moment his eyes go red "How dare you Hinata, how dare you, just because you don't like her doesn't mean you can accuse her of stealing me from you, and for your information I was never yours, to begin with, nobody owns me, not you, not Sakura, nobody.

"Get that into your head, you are a friend just like everyone else from our graduating class, and Team 9 even if I don't know them that well, but don't think for a minute I will allow you to talk trash about Sakura-chan, she's my girlfriend, yes she's not perfect but then again neither am I, as she said and done things that hurt me hell, yes she has, have I forgiven her, yes I have does it hurt yes."

Knowing he's getting angry and if she says something else stupid the Kyūbi may affect him he calms down "People change Hinata, because you think that once she was a fangirl that she still is one, it makes no sense, and your jealousy is clouding your judgment if you'd open your eyes you would see that Sakura is not the same Sakura that graduated from the academy she's a better person and the person I love."

"Regardless of your feelings on the matter it won't change, so if that's all you have come to tell me then you wasted your time as well as my own, move on and find someone else to love, you are a nice girl this jealousy is not like you."

"There are plenty of guys out there, Shikamaru, Chōji, Kiba, Shino, Rock Lee, give them a chance, you may fall in love with one of them, it doesn't even have to be a ninja, just don't waste your time holding out for me because you will only be wasting your time."

He sighs "Move on settle down and find someone else."

She has started to cry "But they're not you."

Naruto just facepalms "Hinata, stop comparing everyone to me, you have to move on, your still young, there is still time to find someone who will make you happy, I am happy, happier then I've ever been, I have the girl of my dreams as my girlfriend."

"I couldn't be happier, is their doubt of what Sakura will or could do if we ever got Sasuke back, of course, there is, Sasuke was her first love, but I can't let that dictate how I am."

He looks down in sadness "If that's what happens down the line then I'll deal with it when the time comes, but don't wait for me, find someone to love you, it may not even happen.

Hinata just nods and walks away, Naruto watches her go before sighing "You know it's not nice to eavesdrop Pervy Sage."

Jiraiya jumps from the tree, "Sorry about that just checking up on you before I head out, especially when I felt the Kyūbi's chakra even if it was only for a second luckily nobody else felt it, I have to tell you that she confronted Sakura also."

Naruto looks at Jiraiya and sighs then scoffs "You know sometimes I think Shikamaru's right on the money women can be troublesome."

Jiraiya laughs "Don't let your girlfriend hear you say that, I also heard from Tsunade what happened, it seems Sakura's good for you, she's able to calm you down, it also seems that the Akatsuki member you faced Sasori had a hard time with you because of her actions."

He chuckles "I do agree though, women can be troublesome but if she wasn't there the battle could have gone completely different, she's a keeper Naruto, I know and you know she's done things wrong nobodies perfect certainly not her but she's changed it seems."

He pats Naruto on his shoulder "There will always be doubt as you told the Hyūga girl, Sasuke was Sakura's first love or crush, but you can't let that change how you feel about her it will only push her away and you need someone like her with you she seems to have forgotten that Sasuke's dead."

Naruto smiles "Thanks Pervy Sage, will that fear and doubt ever truly go away though."

Jiraiya looks at his godson, "Truth is it may never go away, but if you let doubt and fear dictate things then you may end up pushing the girl of your dreams away, yes she hurt you when she begged for you to bring Sasuke back to her but you should not let the Hyūga's words get to you you got emotional and forgot Sasuke's dead."

"Back to Sakura she's right there with you, besides, Sasuke never showed her an ounce of interest even if you ended up bringing Sasuke back he might have continued to show her nothing."

Naruto smiles even if it seemed fake, Jiraiya sighs "The sad thing is you never know what will happen in the future you won't know until you get there, you love her and she loves you, I know the Hyūga has brought up your fears but don't let it weigh you down too much remember Sasuke's dead."

Naruto chuckles "OK, I understand, so where you of to next."

Jiraiya grins "Wherever the wind takes me."

Naruto shakes his head "So to the hot springs I bet."

Jiraiya pats him on the shoulder and starts to walk away "Who knows Gaki, who knows until we meet again."

Naruto watches him go and looks around for more eavesdroppers but there isn't any so he just shakes his head "Well, I don't feel like training anymore might as well go and have that shower."

As he's walking away he hears "Get Sakura and have a shower with her that will make you feel better."

Naruto shouts "Get lost you pervert." Naruto just shakes his head and keeps on walking although he does blush when he pictures them both in the shower together, 'Dammit Pervy Sage.' he then hears laughing in his head 'Shut up furball.'

After a long Thirty-minute shower without Sakura because he's not a pervert and she'd kill him if he asked, he's sitting down on his couch bored out of his mind what time did they agree to meet up and where, did they even agree on a place to meet up.

He shrugs and stands up and after putting on his Sandals he leaves his apartment, he still gets some people glaring at him but he just ignores them.

As he's walking he sees Shikamaru and Chōji so catches up to them and ends up squeezing in between them both and wrapping an arm over each of there shoulders. "Sup guys."

Shikamaru looks to his right "Oh hey Naruto, how was your mission."

Naruto grins "We kicked ass well mainly Sakura-chan, I can't believe how awesome she is now."

Chōji looks to his left "So what happened."

Naruto isn't sure if he can say even if he kind of spilled it to Hinata earlier so decides to not say much, "Had to rescue Gaara no big deal."

Shikamaru again looks at Naruto and rolls his eyes "Right, and it took Team 7, and Team 9 to rescue Gaara, it must have been big, or Suna would have dealt with it."

Naruto bites his lip "OK, it was the Akatsuki, you'll probably hear about them at some point S-ranked ninjas, one was a Puppet guy the other guy was a Yamanaka Wannabe same hairstyle as Ino."

Shikamaru shakes his head "Can't you have one simple mission without causing problems."

Naruto looks offended "Hey, I don't attract trouble, it attracts me or is that the other way around."

Shikamaru just rolls his eyes "Your so troublesome, still, glad your OK, I won't ask more about these Akatsuki's unless I'm given the information personally."

Naruto grins "Cool, so where you of to."

Chōji grins, "Well, we're off to Yakiniku Q you want to come, I think Ino's meeting us there."

Naruto thinks about it he's about to say no but he then sees Ino with Sakura beside her "Sure why not."

Shikamaru scoffs "Your only going there because your girlfriends there."

Naruto places his hand over his heart "I'm hurt that you would think such a thing, Sakura-chan being there is a bonus."

Shikamaru and Chōji share a look then Shikamaru says "Of course it is, keep telling yourself that."

Meanwhile, Ino and Sakura see Naruto along with Shikamaru and Chōji, Ino grins "Look Naruto's with them you have to come now, there's no getting out of it, and I still want to know about your snuggle time with Naruto not to mention the fact I heard Naruto was carrying you back into the village how romantic."

Sakura rolls her eyes "My feet were hurting so he gave me a piggyback ride, there nothing romantic about that."

Ino nods "Keep telling yourself that you just wanted to wrap your arms around your Naruto-kun, and press your breasts against his back."

Sakura just scoffs "Not everyone is like you Ino-pig."

Ino just sticks out her tongue then turns to Naruto "Hey Naruto-kun, Sakura was telling me you carried her into the village bridal style, already doing rehearsals of when you're married huh."

Naruto and Sakura both blush at the insinuation from Ino he then scratches his head "A piggyback into the village doesn't seem like something married people do."

Shikamaru groans "She's just messing with you, a bridal carry is when you have her in your arms from the front."

Naruto looks at Sakura and blushes and Ino giggles "I can already hear the bells."

Sakura bonks her on the head "I'll give you bells after I punch your lights out."

Chōji then remembers something and turns to Naruto "Oh Naruto, did Hinata find you she asked me earlier if I knew where you were I didn't know though."

Sakura looks at Chōji then Naruto who sighs "Yea, she found me, but I'd rather not talk about it."

Sakura can pretty much tell what it was about and she shares a look with Ino as she already told her about what Hinata did, Sakura then walks to Naruto "You OK."

He nods then smiles "Yea, I'm good, so let's eat I'm kind of hungry."

He enters after Shikamaru and Chōji leaving Sakura and Ino outside Sakura clenches her fists "Dammit, Hinata tried to mess with his head, why can't she just butt out I know she liked him but she didn't do anything so why is she causing problems."

Ino shakes her head "Talk to him afterwards he's your boyfriend, I have a fair idea what she might have said."

Sakura looks at Ino "You do."

Ino sighs "I bet she used the fact you used to like Sasuke against him, probably said that you were using him or something and once you got Sasuke back you'd have dumped him or something even though Sasuke's dead."

Sakura looks shocked "She wouldn't, would she."

Ino shrugs, "A women scorned and all that, you said she claimed you stole him from her even if it's bullshit, she's probably put doubt in his head and I can't say the doubt isn't justified, Sasuke was the first guy you liked, anyone would have some doubt, especially Naruto."

Sakura punches one hand into the other "Well, I'll talk to Naruto and tell him nothing will change, how dare she tries to mess with Naruto-kun's head, that's your job as a Yamanaka."

Ino nods "Right," then she understands "Hey, I take offence to that, still talk with him."

Sakura smirks then looks inside and sees Naruto chatting along with Shikamaru and Chōji and laughing "I will thanks Ino, now let's go and join those idiots and eat."