Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, just some characters I created and the plot…

Summary: Naruto and co. are already 17 years at age. They came all the way to become a jounin; they have become closer over years of teamwork and hard work. But as they grew closer, two certain people have uncertainty feelings for each other. Two twins will come to their lives; will there be troubles ahead for the two or the other way around?

Scroll eight: Friends

Naruto walked a little faster along with Akira on the back. Naruto approached Sasuke's side slyly and peeped on Sakura, a ghostly smile appeared on Naruto's face when he saw Sakura was leaning on Sasuke's chest, sleeping. The smile grew wider, when he saw Sasuke's face with a small smile tugs his features. He must be liking it!!! Hihihi… Let's see what will he do if I interrupt their moment… nishishishishi… Naruto thought wickedly.

"Sa-su-ke…"Naruto whispered creepily.

Sasuke was startled and immediately turned around and saw Naruto, smiling sheepishly.

"What?"

"Nothing! Hihihi… what happened to Sakura-chan?" Naruto pretended he was unaware to tick him off. It was his way to irritate Sasuke.

"She… she fell asleep." Sasuke answered.

"I bet you like it…" Naruto mumbled but Sasuke caught it.

"What did you say?"

"I said… you liked it didn't you? You liked it when she's sleeping like that, leaning on you…" Naruto whispered in his ear. Sasuke grew red in his cheeks and looked at Naruto with narrowed eyes.

"Come on! Don't tell me you didn't!"

"Shut up."

"Why?"

"You're going to taste hell if I hear one more word from you." Sasuke threatened.

"How are you going to make me taste hell if you are carrying Sakura-chan?" Naruto retorted and patted him at the back forcefully, which made him almost drop Sakura. "See? You can't touch me when you're carrying her…" Naruto walked ahead for Sasuke not to see the teasing smile in his face.

They walked to Sakura's house after few minutes. Naruto, who was walking ahead, arrived first followed by Sasuke with Sakura and Akira. Naruto turned the doorknob; it was locked. He bent down and lifted the corner of the mat and took the key beneath it and unlocked the door. They went in, Sasuke climbed up the stairs to Sakura's room. While Naruto and Akira was at the living room examining the place.

"Neat house. I'm impressed!" Akira admired.

"Well, I gave my share here… I helped them clean up!"

"Why? Does she leave alone?"

"Yah, her parents died few years ago. That's why we visit her often to help her clean up the house. Well, except for that jerk with her right now. After cleaning would be my favorite part… hihihi… she would treat us some ramen!" Naruto cheered. Akira walked across the room, his hand caressing the smooth wall.

"Hmm… I wonder if Sakura-chan has ramen here… I'm hungry… yes! Thank you Kami-sama, Sakura-chan has some ramen!" Naruto searched Sakura's refrigerator for food or ramen, either what he wants to eat.

"Umm… Naruto-san… isn't that rude to take someone's things without permission?"

"Ano sa, Ano sa, let's not be too formal! Don't call me Naruto-san! I hate it! Just Naruto! We're friends so don't be formal." Naruto suggested. "And, Sakura-chan wouldn't mind if I was going to eat this. She always tells me to make myself feel at home when we're here! So don't worry! Want some?"

"Uh… no thanks…"

Sasuke cleaned the wound of Sakura after laying her in her bed. He stared at her; she seemed so peaceful. Her chest rising and falling evenly, her hair spread across the bed sheets like a halo. He sat beside her and tugged the strand of hair that was covering her face and gently stroked her cheek; he sighed.

"If only you knew, Sakura… even if I have a hard time telling you this… if only you knew… that I really loved you, Sakura… I love you." He murmured as he stroked. A part of him wished that Sakura was listening but a part of him didn't want to because he feels like it wasn't yet the time.

Destiny seemed to be playing with them, especially with Sasuke. Sakura heard what he said before but she was doubtful if she was dreaming or not because she was a light sleeper. She wanted to push those aside but it kept ringing in her thoughts, she waited Sasuke was out of her room and sat up. She found herself sitting in her bed. She hugged her knees close to her and rested her head on top of them. The inner Sakura was glad that he loved her but the outer was pondering, why now, was their destiny playing with them?

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Sasuke walked down the stairs and saw Akira with Naruto in the kitchen talking happily. His brows furrowed more; he was frowning that time.

"What are you still doing here?" Sasuke asked which made Naruto and Akira turn their attention to him.

"Oh, I followed you guys here. I wanted to make up for what I caused for Sakura." Naruto saw the suspicion in Sasuke's eyes and decided to interrupt them before tension started to build up between them

"He wanted to apologize, Sasuke. See here, he even made Sakura-chan an herbal tea! He told me that good thing he was able to get some herbs earlier and it can help heal wounds!" Naruto cheered as he slurped his ramen.

"I'm going to give her this." Akira stated as he held the cup and started walking up the stairs. Sasuke was about to say something but he felt a hand grab his wrist.

"What?"

"Don't be too possessive. She's not yours." Naruto spoke the truth.

"…"

"Does she know?"

"No," Sasuke said gloomily.

"Then don't act that way. She won't like it." Naruto said as he finished his ramen.

"Fine."

"Cool down, man. Don't be too hot headed."

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Akira walked upstairs slowly and soundless. He opened the door, which he presumed that it was hers because there was a faint light glowing inside it. He turned the knob and saw Sakura sitting in her bed, which was in deep thought.

"Hi. Good. You're awake." Akira greeted.

"A-Akira?" her voice sounded course.

"Here. I was going to give you this." He handed her a cup and she hesitantly reached out for it.

"It's a herbal tea I made. I used some herbal leaves I found earlier, the herbals I found could help you."

"Thank you, you should not have bothered."

Sakura quietly drank it. It was bitter; she nearly choked but kept her cool. Akira watched her with amusement and chuckled.

"Is there a problem?" Sakura asked.

"No. Looking at you, reminds me of my sister." He smiled.

"How so?"

"Well, first thing, you two look awfully alike except for the hair. But your attitude is different from hers."

"?" Sakura gave him a questioning look.

"To be frank. I hate my sister. She's a total… bitch?" he hesitated. Sakura laughed at his statement, her buoyant self was now appearing on the surface of her façade. Akira was surprised at her sudden laugh and wondered what did he say to make her laugh so suddenly.

"Did I say something?"

"Sorry. It's just I've never thought I would that from somebody like you…" Sakura said.

"Well, that's what I really mean to say."

"What's her name?"

"Akiho…"

"By the way who's older?"

"She is only a matter of minutes."

"So that means… you two are twins?"

"Bingo!" Akira confirmed.

"So Ino was right after all…"

"Who's Ino?" Akira tilted his head to his side with a questioning face.

"The girl who's with me when you're sister bumped into me."

"…Let me see… the blonde one?" Before Sakura could even answer, the door banged open and entered a loud-mouthed friend of Sakura.

"Sakura!" the voice shouted.

"Speaking of the devil…"

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"Cool down, man. Don't be too hot headed." Naruto nudged Sasuke. Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. None of them moved a muscle waiting for the other to open the door but still nobody moved.

"Open the door, dobe." Before Naruto could even protest, Sasuke already pushed him towards the door and pouted.

Naruto lazily walked to the door while the knock did not stop and opened it. To his surprise, he was greeted with almost a yell.

"Sakura!!!! Why did you open just now and ¾" Ino walked in and exclaimed. "Naruto? Sasuke? Why are you here?" she shot him a questioning glare.

"Sakura got injured. Tee hee… she's up stairs…" Naruto grinned. Ino's face became worried and ran up stairs. She suddenly barged inside her room.

"Sakura!" she panted a bit. Then she saw Sakura sitting on the bed facing her and a browned haired man leaning on the wall in front of Sakura, facing her also.

"Oh, hi Ino." Sakura greeted.

"Sakura, why are you with the bitch's brother?" Ino interrogated.

"He's my friend! His name is Akira!" Sakura said.

"What?!" Ino bombarded her anger for Akira's sister hadn't subsided yet.

"He's my friend! Forget about what had happened earlier, okay?" "Fine, fine!"

"Yamanaka Ino." Ino stretched out a hand and introduced herself to Akira with a forcing smile.

"Akira." Akira shook his hand and smiled at her, amused at her sudden mood change.

"Since you are her friend, I guess you can be mine too…!" Ino cheered.

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"What do you think their doing up stairs?" Naruto asked.

"How should I know?" they heard laughter up stairs and looked in wonder.

"They seem to have fun… well, I'm joining them. How about you, bastard?"

"…"

"Suit yourself! Akira might be doing something to Sakura to cheer her up that you couldn't even do! Hihihi…" Naruto teased and off to Sakura's room, leaving Sasuke with veins popping out of his head.



















Pls. R&R!!! Hope you enjoy the fic!!! Bye!!!