A/N: School's starting, so the updates might be a tad slower from her on out. O well, we'll just have to deal with that. Now, on to reviewer responses.

IMPORTANT: There is a new rule on this site that forbids authors fromresponding to reviews. There isa petition going around to try and reverse this decision. Any authors reading this, please send your pen name andtheemail address you use for this site in an email to either myself or raging hobo; our email addresses are on our respective profiles. Thank you.

kitsuneofthedarknessflame: Ha, you sound just like one of my friends. If you keep screaming at it, maybe the writer's block will go away. Can't hurt to try, although you may get funny looks from anyone around. Yes, a flying hamster of doom! The deluxe version that includes the coconuts! Just what I've always wanted! Thanks!

Silverchild of the winds: Thank you. Is your brother older or younger?

Soul's Eclipse: I thought so too.

lunarangel: Yay, you're back! I'm not going to reply to everything you said this time because 1) it would take a loooong time, and 2) Frankly, I get confused reading my response as well. If you don't like it, you can tell me in your next review and I'll go back, no problem. Thanks for the (long) review, I read every bit of it, most of it multiple times (when I got confused). I wouldn't change anything about your reviews thought. My friend, raging hobo, and I always look forward to your reviews, and responding to them.

The Gandhara: Yes, my first reviewer has returned! Thank you, my thoughts exactly.

Fire Blazing Chan S.E.: Yes, Garra will be in this fic, although probably not in this visit. He'll show up in Luffy's second visit, which will either be a sequel or just the later chapters of this fic. I'm leaning in the direction of a sequel, but I haven't completely decided yet. Power to naruhina!

warprince2000: Hahaha! Consistent reviewer strikes again. (insert auto-response) Thanks, I will.

Firehedgehog: My happy reviewer. Here's the next chapter; enjoy your coca cola!

soul-bandit: Right now Sasuke is unconscious. He'll be waking up soon, but I'm not sure if he'll stay that way for long. I haven't made up my mind yet.

KageSakura: I like two types of Naruto fics, naruhina & naru-enemy. No yaoi. I'd love to see a multi-chap naru-enemy fic, and I'll make a formal request when I get around to it. It wouldn't have to be Kin, any female enemy would work for me. You can decide if you want. In fact, I'd prefer it that way, because I'm horrible at making decisions, haha.

To All: Thank you for your reviews. I read and take into account each and every one of them. Please R&R

Chapter 8

Naruto found himself in a potentially awkward situation. The girl who, he was beginning to suspect, might possibly like him as more than a friend was asleep on his back, her head on his shoulder, and he couldn't get her to release her hold. Naruto decided to do the only sensible thing he could think of. Very carefully, he cleared the clothes off his bed and lay down on his side. As he prepared to join her in slumber, the one thought on his mind was, 'Well, Hinata is certainly comfortable; I could get used to this.'

(Same time, Hinata centered)

Hinata had always dreamed of being carried by Naruto. The forest wasn't usually in the picture, but she wasn't one to worry about the specifics. What she didn't realize in her dreams was how comfortable Naruto's back would be. Soon enough, she felt herself being lulled to sleep. She tried to keep her eyes open, but she was fighting a losing battle. Her mind wandered as it always did when she slept. 'Mmm, this teddy bear sure is comfortable, although I don't remember having a warm teddy bear. I wonder what Naruto-kun would feel like? I'll probably never find out, but at least I can dream.' Slowly, the teddy bear changed into Naruto. 'Hmm, this is a change. Naruto-kun usually isn't asleep in my dreams.' She looked around. 'And I don't recognize this bedroom. Of well, at least it's a dream; I don't know if I could ever be brave enough to hold Naruto-kun, especially in a bed. I'll just enjoy it while it lasts; I hope no one wakes me soon.' Hinata snuggled closer to Naruto and drifted into a deeper sleep.

As Kakashi tracked the stranger, something tugged at the back of his mind about him. Suddenly, he realized what it was. That straw hat, he had seen it before.

(Flashback)

Two young men, one red-haired and the other silver, sat talking.

"So you're searching for a treasure? Kakashi asked.

"Not just any treasure, the largest amount of treasure in the world." The man responded.

"Sounds like a lot of trouble." Kakashi commented.

"Maybe, but lots of people are intent on finding it. I have a little friend who already dreams of being King of the Pirates."

"Sounds like someone I know."

"I'd say he has a good chance; he ate a cursed fruit that gives him the ability to stretch his body." The man said, chuckling at the memory.

"The boy I know also has an advantage, although the law forbids me from speaking of it."

"Sounds interesting. My friend's name is Luffy, what about your friend?

"Naruto."

"Well, I'd better get back to my crew before they start to worry about me." The man said as he started to walk away.

"Wait, I never got your name." Kakashi said, standing.

"The name's Shanks." He said.

"I'm Kakashi; nice meeting you." Kakashi said, sticking out his hand.

"Likewise." Shanks said as he shook the offered hand.

(End Flashback)

"Luffy!" Kakashi called out, revealing himself.

"What? Wait a minute, how do you know my name?" Luffy questioned.

"Does the name Shanks ring a bell?" Kakashi asked, just to make sure.

"Hey, I know Shanks!" Luffy exclaimed. "Although I don't think I've ever heard him ring a bell." Luffy tried to remember if he had. "Nope, I've never heard Shanks ring any bells." Luffy concluded.

'No wonder he was with Naruto; those two are like peas in a pod' Kakashi thought. "Never mind, you've told me what I needed to know. So, where were you headed?" Kakashi asked the young man.

"To finish off the leftovers of my meal from earlier."

"Mind if I join you? My group abandoned me."

"Not at all; although there's not much meat or noodles left." Luffy said with a frown.

"I'll survive. By the way, where are we going for this meal?"

"I'm not sure of the name, but it's the only restaurant with a strangely-shaped window right in the middle of the wall facing the street."

'Strangely-shaped window? I can't recall any restaurant in Konoha that fits that description.' Kakashi thought.

"Here we are!" Luffy announced, entering the Italian restaurant.

'The Yondaime Café? I don't remember any strangely-shaped…' Kakashi's train of thought ground to a halt when he saw the human-shaped hole in the wall. 'I know that wasn't there the last time I ate here.'

"Come on in if you're gonna eat." Luffy called out, already seated and digging in.

Kakashi gaped at the amount of food on the table. "I thought you said we were finishing off your leftovers." Kakashi said, still standing in shock.

"Well, I wasn't planning on having a guest; I hope there's enough for a decent meal." Luffy said, worriedly surveying the rapidly decreasing amount of food left.

"How much did you order?" Kakashi asked incredulously.

"Only two of everything." Luffy said between mouthfuls.

This left Kakashi speechless. The only thing he could think of doing was joining Luffy in devouring these 'leftovers.' So he did.

Nami and Sakura walked back to the village, while Sanji kept up a constant stream of flowery speech. "My dear ladies, what's with the hurry? Why not enjoy this walk through the woods?" Sanji questioned.

"We might be able to if you would shut up and leave us alone!" Sakura said.

"Just ignore him. He isn't going to stop." Nami told Sakura.

"How could I, when two visions of beauty such as yourselves are in front of me." Sanji responded.

"Finally, we're here." Sakura said, relieved.

"Thanks for the meal, Luffy. It was delicious." Kakashi's voice drifted over to the group.

"Hear that, Luffy is right ahead. Let's get him!" Nami said excitedly.

"Sounds good to me; at least it should get us away from Sanji's flirting for a while." Sakura said.

"Hey, don't think I'm gonna let you two have all the fun. I enjoy beating on Luffy as much as the next person." Sanji told her.

"Fine, but I have first dibs." Nami replied.