Hinata sighed; she had been doing that once or twice every five minutes for the last hour or so.

-Earlier that morning-

"Hinata-Chan? Hinata-Chan, time to wake up. I know that your probably pretty comfortable there, I know I would be, but the doctor will be here in a moment to verify whether or not you can leave."

Hinata had been half asleep until she heard the part about being comfortable. Looking into the face of a woman old enough to be her mother Hinata blushed slightly.

"Anno Berra-sama. Um what should I do about...?"

Hinata gestured to Naruto who still lay with his head in her lap. Berra took a good look at the sleeping young man.

"If it wasn't for the fact that the Hyuuga's are one of the few families that raise their children right I'd think that was your doing, however from the look of that boy's bed I'm guessing that he got a second wind, so to speak, and got up at night. From the look of YOUR bed I'd guess that he fell at least once, and that the sound woke you up."

Hinata's jaw dropped at how close the women had been to accurate.

"On the other hand, you're a skilled ninja, you could have arranged that them like that before getting comfortable."

Blushing Hinata had started to make a protest when she noticed that the nurse was smiling.

"On the other hand however, why bother doing that when you could have just climbed in bed with him."

Hinata's face just GLOWED.

-End flashback-

Well, at least she let me get up before calling for help to get Naruto-kun back in bed.

"What are you thinking about Hinata-san?"

Ten-ten's voice broke though Hinata's contemplations. Hinata, Ten-ten and Kurenai had started back to Konoha shortly after Hinata's release from the hospital. Normally they would have been traveling Ninja-style, jumping from tree limb to tree limb, but Hinata's doctors had advised waiting another day before exercising to vigorously.

"A... Anno Ten-Chan, Um nothing much really."

Kurenai, who had been told the whole story by the nurse gave her a sideways glance but instead of commenting on the sighs, changed the topic.

"Did you ever find Naruto's Necklace Hinata-Chan?"

-Flashback-

Hinata had just been released from the hospital when her nurse had walked up the front door.

"Hyuuga-san! Here."

The nurse placed the necklace in Hinata's hand

"This was found where you popped up; we assumed that it was yours."

Looking at the necklace Hinata noticed that two of the three stones and vanished off if it leaving only the large stone in the middle and the sets of claws, two on either side of the crystal.

"Um Berra-san? What happened to the other gems?"

Berra gave her a funny look.

"There were no other stones on the necklace when it was brought to us Hyuuga-san. Just this one."

-End flashback-

Hinata had been about to take it when the thought struck her that it really didn't belong to her. So Hinata did the only thing that her honor dictated she could do. She wrote a note to Naruto apologizing for the loss of the stones and an offer to explain everything when she saw him next.

"I d...did Kurenai-sensei, and I gave it back as well."

"Very noble Hinata-san, most girls in your position would have held on to it as an excuse to see him again."

Hinata said nothing, but the look on Ten-ten's face clearly indicated that SHE would have held on to it.


Startled Sakura sat bolt upright.

What? Where?

Remembering the day before Sakura tensed up.

-Flashback-

After a slow count to three Tsunade peeked around the metal cabinet. Sakura was standing near the remains of the dummy she had been practicing on. She looked slightly shell shocked and MUCH worse for wear. Her Once white shirt now Smoke blackened, as was her face, her arms, and half the room. For a moment Tsunade was torn between laughing and getting angry. That was of course until Sakura turned around. Blood flowed freely from multiple cuts and one of the dummy's arms was sticking out of her chest at about lung height.

"Tsunade-same?"

That had been all she managed to say before the darkness had swallowed her again.

-End Flashback-

Relaxing she lay back again,

Well, I must not have been TO badly injured or I'd be in burial clothes rather than a hospital bed.

"Feeling better Sakura-san?"

Sakura jumped a little bit as Tsunade walked round the bed to update the chart hanging on the footboard.

"Yes Tsunade-Sama, Much better."

"Good, because it should be safe for me to Pound the crap out of you now."

Turning around Tsunade suddenly seemed to loom, pulling the same trick she had in Naruto's old apartment not that long ago, Tsunade cracked knuckles the size of largish boulders. Luckily for Sakura Tsunade had only done that for effect. Sakura did however receive quite a tirade about keeping her focus on what she was doing. Listening to every word Sakura could only nod her head in the right spots. After all, it WAS her own fault. Tsunade's rant would probably have gone quite a bit longer, but she was interrupted by tow people arguing right outside the door.

"I don't CARE whether or not she's asleep; I won't wake her I just want to…"

"Want to what traitor? Kill her in her sleep? No, as an ANBU guard I have every authority to bar entry to dangerous people."

"DANGEROUS! I made a STUPID MISTAKE. Now you let me past RIGHT NOW or I'll show you EXACTLY how dangerous an UCHIHA can BE!"

"HAH the only person in your immediate family I had any respect for was your FATHER, and you've done nothing but disgrace his name."

"Now look here you JACKASS I'll I want to do is leave a small…"

Sasuke's voice broke off as the two women heard the ANBU call for security to 'remove the traitor', His words.

"Now wait just a… stop RIGHT there or I'll… LET ME…"

By this time Tsunade opened the door.

"Drop him."

Sasuke, who had been suspended by four separate ANBU suddenly, found himself four feet off the ground with no support. He fell with a loud 'Crack' sound onto the floor and stood up rubbing his behind.

"Why are you here Sasuke?"

"I can to leave this flower for Sakura-san. If you'll just let me in I'll put it down and come right back out."

Pulling her head back inside Tsunade raised an eyebrow at Sakura. Acting on instinct Sakura shook her head no. Shrugging Tsunade stuck her head back out.

"Give it to me; I'll leave it on the bed stand for you."

Sasuke of course protested that he should do it himself, but in the end Tsunade just overrode his protests and brought in the flower after sending him away. Saying nothing Tsunade gently set the flowers on the night stand. It was an odd assortment, but to Sakura who had learned something of the language of flowers from Ino, it spoke volumes.

The Acacia Blossom meant 'Concealed Love', The Arbutus meant 'my only love', the Red Camellia meant 'Flame of my heart', the White Carnation stood for 'innocence or pure love', and the red Chrysanthemum meant 'I love you'.

"I know that the child hurt you."

Sakura was momentarily speechless, torn out of contemplation.

"But children are the most innocent and cruel beings on our planet, and right now there are very few people who are as mentally young as Uchiha Sasuke. He has had a terrible trauma in his past, and to be Honest with you I don't think he ever got over it. On top of that I believe that Naruto's progress combined with that cursed seal my have given him a bit of an inferiority complex. "

Sakura sat contemplating those words for a moment. While Tsunade stood up and made her way to the door.

"But I think that he had grown up quite a bit since his defeat by Naruto."

With that Tsunade swept out of the room leaving a very contemplative Sakura behind her.


Sasuke hadn't lingered long. Honestly it had been quite a risk for him to argue with the Hokage about being allowed in. She had given him several VERY severe warnings about following her orders without question. But he really did want to see Sakura again. He had intended to see if she would let him walk her home yesterday, but when he went to the advanced Jutsu School He had been informed that she was injured in a Jutsu backfire.

Lucky for me I found that old book in the library. Funny thing to have in an abandon house. But then it wasn't always abandoned.

Searching through the old library shelves he had found one on the various messages behind flowers. Finding the flowers had been much harder of course, but he had gotten lucky.

Now I just have to hope she knows the meanings. After the Episode with Ino I thought I was hung for a moment. Humph Right to refuse service my ass.

So thinking Sasuke set off for home intent on training, with only a single disruptive thought.

How will she respond?


"Shhhh, My Shika-senses are tingling."

"Oh shut up Amy, you used to claim that around Sasuke to."

"And I was usually right, now wasn't I?"

"…. SHUT UP EVERYONE! Tanya's Shika-senses are tingling and we don't want him to know we're around!"

Dammit! How the FUCK do I get out of this one?

Shikamaru Nara once again scanned the alley he was hidden in looking desperately for a way out.

Maybe If I tunnel into these bags of trash I could…

Shikamaru was shocked when the wall behind him suddenly opened up and a pair of hands appeared and covered his mouth before pulling him backward into the opening. Struggling to get away Shikamaru nearly melted through the floor when he heard a familiar voice whispering.

"Stop struggling you Idiot, they'll hear you."

It was Ino. Shikamaru whispered back

"How the hell did you find this?"

Smirking Ino couldn't help but let a smug tone enter her voice.

"I was part of the Sasuke Fan club remember? I was one of three people who knew how he used this particular tunnel."

"So I'm safe?"

"Not in the least."

"WHAT!"

"Shhh. The other two are the leaders of that group that is after you. As soon as they manage to distract the others they'll most likely come to check this spot."

"So how do we get away?"

"No clue."

"What do you mean 'NO CLUE' are you part of that group or not?"

Ino looked slightly abashed

"Well, we know he came in, we have no Idea how he hid. You see we could never find him. Not even when we set posts to watch for him to come out."

"DAMMIT INO, HE PROBABLY JUST SENT IN A BUNSHIN, THIS ISN'T AN ESCAPE TUNNEL, IT'S A BOLT HOLE."

Blushing Ino mumbled

"I guess I never thought of that…"

Sighing Shikamaru replayed the last couple of minutes in his mind.

Dammit, I hate being a genius sometimes. As far as I can tell I owe her BIG just for buying me a couple of extra minutes…

"Sorry Ino, I shouldn't have gotten angry. You were trying to help after all."

Ino was glad it was dark; she blushed quite prettily.

Wait a minute, why am I blushing? Cause of the Compliment? NO… It must be embarrassment… Yes, Yes that's it. I'm just embarrassed that he figured it out and I didn't.

"OK, give me a minute I need to think."

There was about two seconds of silence then…

"What should I do?"

Sighing Shikamaru Rubbed his temples.

I KNOW that you're more intelligent Ino… why oh WHY do you bother me so.

Just then he heard that giggle from the tree the other day.

"Just kidding Shika-kun. I'll watch for the others."

DAMMIT INO! Oh well, getting angry is far too troublesome. OK, Way out… No windows, low ceiling, stone… it's rather dark, but luckily Ino has a candle in the corner. I wouldn't have noticed it except for the shadows…

"Um Shika-kun? Remember that plan you're coming up with?"

"? What about it?"

"Think faster, the other two are coming."

" … FUCK."

OK think, Ino, our weapons, stone, candle, flame, Shadows… Wait. Dammit. Only one way out. That troublesome latent bloodline.

-Flashback-

Looking up from the evening paper Shikamaru's father gave a short chuckle. His mother however…

"SHIKAMARU! What happed to your CLOTHES? And why are you panting? I warned you about exercise. You're not recovered enough. By the way, when do you intend to enter the Jounin exams? Also that NICE Chouji boy called, he was looking for you, he's said that…."

Calmly sitting next to his father Shikamaru grabbed a piece of toast from his dad's plate.

"I was going to eat that."

"Sorry, mom will most likely fix you another one. Beside you know how she is."

Glancing up briefly Shikamaru noticed that his mother had indeed already begun making another piece of toast for his father… and from the looks of things a seven course meal for him. Currently she was nattering something about 'thin as a rail.' Glancing back at his father he let the tension build for a little bit before saying.

"So, are you going to ask?"

"Would it do any good?"

"Probably not."

"Then why bother? It's just too troublesome."

Smiling at how alike he and his father were Shikamaru said a single word.

"Fan girls."

"Ahhh, I had kind of figured actually."

" … How?"

"You have a flower tucked behind your ear."

Snatching the flower out as if it burned Shikamaru was about to throw it away when his mother Mentioned it.

"Now where did you get that Shika-kun? (Where do you think Ino got the nickname form?)"

"Um I picked it on the way home mom. Just for you."

"Thank you dear, I'll put it in a vase."

Looking up quickly at his usually talkative mother Shikamaru saw a quickly suppressed smile on her face.

Whew, Thanks dad. You always did say that flowers are the one thing that girls need no explanation for.

"Well, I'm going to bed."

"As you wish, Sleep tight Shika-Kun, don't let the Fan-girls bite."

Shikamaru had gotten half way to his room before her comment sunk in

Crafty old witch.

He thought fondly (It's like cursing your parents for being to nice.)

You knew, and you didn't let on… I guess your smarter than I give you credit for.

Shikamaru had just climbed into bed when his bedroom door opened.

"I'm pretty sure that you mother has guessed."

"Oh?"

"Ya, I'm supposed to give you some troublesome 'Birds and Bees' talk."

"…"

"…"

"Do I really have to listen?"

"No, one question though. How'd you get away?"

Shikamaru was stunned for half a moment.

"Why do you ask?"

His father chuckled, the corners of his mouth gaining their characteristic wrinkles.

"Because Rumor on the street says you were 'showing off' for a bunch of girls today."

"DAMMIT who said that?"

"No one, but from your reaction and the fact that you're nearly out of chakra I'm guessing you had to use it again."

Sighing Shikamaru leaned back again.

"They left me no choice."

-End Flashback-

"Ok Ino, come here."

Surprisingly Ino walked over without arguing or asking questions.

"I'm going to make a shadow door, but the minute it's open you need to step through ok?"

Ino nodded in the faint light.

Damn she looks hot like tha… WAIT this is INO. Get your hormones under control and open the Damn gateway.

Concentrating Shikamaru activated his bloodline again. Ino watched with wide eyes as he seemed to cloak himself in shadows. Suddenly the shadow ran upward. In the dim light Shikamaru's eyes turned Jet black. All except for a thin ring of silver that outlined where his Pupils HAD been. And that part reflected light like a cats eyes. Concentrating in front of himself he whispered.

"Shadow gate."

Moments later two girls stuck their heads inside. And then pulled them back out disappointed to find only an empty cave.

"Oh well."

"He must have gone another way. Don't worry, he cant be far."


Dragon Noir:
Sorry about the fast jumps, but I was Writing SOC (Stream Of Concies, Conchis... Thought) And I jsut kept jumping from one situation to the next... 'shrug' it came together in the end right? Secondly, I have VERY difinate plans for how the Necklace works. No need to worry there. And finally, I have some FUN plans for Naruto and Hinata. Heh just wait and see.

Death By Kunai:
Sorry, but It might be a bit yet. He is kind of thick in the people skills department.

TimeShifter:
Mwahahaha you were hoping for a touching hospital scene right? TOUGH ;) ohhhh this is so fun.

boredathome:
I am Seriously considering your suggestion. As for the Shika/Ino... They will not go 'HEY LETS STOP BEING FRIEND AND BECOME LOVERS!1 YA KEWL LOL!111! Sorry if anyone feels slammed by that comment, but it is true in many of the fics I didn't bookmark. Not that I payed much attention if the fic was a Naru/Hina for the Primary couple. Thanks for the Angel comment BTW, I had wondered if I overdid that part. I guess not though. BTW if we ever meet in RL and I get hurt, you don't need to worry untill I STOP complaining about it. cause some biological thing makes me whine about the little things and try to shrug off the big ones... I think it has somthing to do with the hair on my chin but i'm not sure.

Dragon Man 180:
Thank you, Thank you kindly.

Shinji-Higurashi:
Not really, Perhaps I'll add a 'Dire Need' clause we'll see. And yes, I'm also writing in the Shika/Ino angle... I don't know why, but it's fun to do so I do it.

To everyone:
Thank you again for your Forebarence in my taking some additional time to write and post these chapters, but six hours of work is such a pain in that respect. On the bright side I am now working off a laptop so I'm not limited to an hour a day. WHOOT!

(Kunai flys past my face)

Me: what the?

Naruto: I swear I heard an Owl about to attack you!

Me:'Sigh' Whatever.

Naruto: So, you gonna tell them?

Me: About?

Naruto: You know... That THING you put on your Information page.

Me: Oh ya! Right, Thanks.

To all of my readers out there:
I am now open to taking challenges for one-shots. I seem to come up with the best Ideas for THIS fic while writing others, so I'm going to see if this helps. Check my Bio for my E-mail, or post the challenge with your reviews. Catch ya'll later, Keep the Reviews Coming. OH! I nearly forgot to mention, No Youri Requests Please. Thanks

Sincerly,
Manatheron