ShikaIno, you're absolutely right, Inuyasha is awesome!! I still love me some Naruto though!! Rocksers my Socksers!! It's a Saturday night, and there is nothing on TV!! I'd go out, but where I live, there ain't nothin' to do!!!

Sakura and Naruto walked through a field that was full of different, brightly colored wild flowers. Naruto was telling her a joke that he heard earlier that day at the Ramen stand; while she was absentmindedly stared out into the distance. He stopped laughing when he noticed that she wasn't even paying attention. He gave her a soft squeeze in her hand to bring her back to the present. Sakura looked at him, and gave him a faint smile. "I'm sorry. I was just thinking about something."

Naruto sat down and pulled her with him. He put his arm around her shoulder and brought her close. He knew exactly what she was thinking and worried about. "Don't worry, they'll come back soon."

"They've been gone a while. What if something happened to Ino? And how can you put so much trust in Sasuke after all he's done?"

"Well… Sasuke hasn't really been the recipient for Greatest Man of the Year award, but something inside him has changed. I saw that. While I was watching the surveillance tapes of Ino and Sasuke, I saw that something in him hit. I know that he left with good intentions. And Ino? Well, I know she's a strong person, and she'll bring him back at all costs."

"But how can you be so sure."

"Because I am Uzumaki Naruto. The Sixth Hokage of Konoha, that's how."

"Naruto!" Sakura laughed as she playfully pushed him into the ground. He grabbed her arms and pulled her on top of him. Sakura blushed deeply as he kissed her. "I win." He gave her a wink and a smile.

"You're an ass."

"Yeah, but you love me."

"Yeah, keep thinking that." Sakura leaned in and returned the kiss. They sat up and watched the sun as it began to go down.

.........

The sun had long gone down, and the stars were shining brightly throughout the village. The people were closing their shops and the children were returning home to their families. Some of the bars in the area were slowly filling up with people out looking for good time with friends and drinks. Naruto and Sakura walked into the gates of the village and towards her home. As they were walking, they heard familiar voices behind them.

"We're almost there. Come on." "You know, I think I can go on my own now." "Oh really, you tried that earlier, but you fell down. Let me remind you why. You were stabbed! On your side and your leg! Remember?" "Thanks, didn't want to be reminded." "Are you two going to stop arguing any time soon?" "We're aren't arguing, we're discussing." "You know, I really missed you."

Sakura and Naruto turned around to see the three young ninjas. Shikamaru, who was limping, Ino, who had one of his arms over her shoulders, and Sasuke, with the other arm around his, was looking like he was about ready to snap. "Ino! Sasuke! Shikamaru!" Sakura ran towards the three and gave Ino a hug. She would've given Shikamaru a hug, but seeing that he was wounded, she didn't want to inflict any more pain. She stopped in front of Sasuke; he looked away and to the ground. "Thank you, Sasuke." With tears in her eyes, she gave him a hug. Naruto stood back; he could only smile, and gave thanks for their safe return. He felt a bit of relief that he was right about Sasuke going to help. "I'll take Shikamaru to the hospital. Ino, take Sasuke and go to Tsunade, let her in what's happened. I'll see you guys there in a little bit."

Later

Ino sat next the bed where Shikamaru lay. She was finished with her briefing with Tsunade, which lasted a few hours. Naruto came in the middle of the meeting. She was given gratitude, and was told to go home and rest. She left Sasuke in the room, wondering what was going to happen to him. He helped save us. He defeated Orochimaru for us. I hope they're not too harsh. Shikamaru had been in surgery for a few hours and was still unconscious when they brought him to his room. The nurses allowed Ino to stay with him. An hour later, sleep took hold of the young girl, and she laid her head on the bed, and fell asleep.

It was around six o' clock in the morning with Shikamaru awoke. He looked around the room, forgetting that where he was. He noticed a figure sitting next to him. He looked down and saw Ino had fallen asleep, her head on the bed, her hand over his. A small smile crossed his lips. He lifted his hand from under hers and softly brushed his fingers through her hair. He gently touched her face, not wanting to wake her. She came to get me. She must be really tired. Feeling the medicine taking effect, he closed his eyes, and put his hand on top of Ino's, and fell back asleep.

I was late, and she came to get me.

...........

Sasuke walked down the street, escorted by three ANBU guards and Naruto. "Hey, how close are we anyway? We've been walking for a while." Naruto asked, irritated that it was so late, he wanted to go home and get to sleep.

"Almost there. Quit complaining, idiot."

"Ah how I missed the name-calling. Didn't you Sasuke-bastard."

"Shut up."

Even though Sasuke had helped bring Shikamaru back, the fact that he broke out of confinement was still grounds for punishment. Naruto and Tsunade discussed what to do with him. Tsunade was ready to send him into permanent confinement, after she removed the seal that he had on his neck. Naruto had explained that even though all the bad things that he had done, he had a change of heart, and he did go out to help Ino bring Shikamaru back, and managed to kill Orochimaru. They agreed to let him live at his house. There would be ANBU guards watching over him all hours of the day, and escorted only to the Hokage's place and a training ground specified by the Hokages themselves. Naruto agreed to come see him every morning and evening to check in on him.

"You know, since we're going to be seeing a lot of each other, you could be a little nicer."

"…"

"This gives us both a chance to train with each other, you know. You still are my rival, after all that's happened."

As they reached the door to Sasuke's former home, he turned around and gave Naruto a smirk. "I look forward to that." He turned back around and went inside. Naruto gave a nod to the ANBU guards, and they disappeared to their appropriate spot for surveillance. He won't run away again. He started walking back to his home. He looked up to the stars, glad that everything had worked out in the end.

I know some of you don't want me to end this any time soon. I still have more to write for this story before I start on another one. Don't worry, I still have a few chapters to go. Please review, let me know what you think; your opinions, what you don't like, what you like. This will help me as I write the next chapter. The more reviews I get, the more encouraged and inspired I am to write. Thanks to those who have been, you guys are awesome!!! Chapter 16 coming up!!!