Note from the Author: … I have no idea what's wrong with me. This chapter is like Jerry Springer. I love it.

Taiyo-san: … Is the fact that it's getting more drama-filled a bad thing:nervous: And yeah – I couldn't help the GaaIno … Haha. I had to do it.

Migueliscool: Thanks, babe. :hug:

Kichou: I was tired of making him cry. Haha.

Mrs. Foxx: First of all, new reviewer! :throws cookies: Yes, Sasuke is indeed being an ass … because he's always an ass. And that's what I love and hate about him. It's a love/hate relationship.

Einzazmunster: Glad you're back:big hug: You know, the break-up chapter made a lot of people cry … and I feel bad about that, but it also makes me a little proud. Haha. And I'm glad someone liked the GaaIno part, because the only other person to mention it so far didn't.

Kawaii-Aikurushii-Kitsune: Yay! Two people who like the GaaIno:waves GaaIno flag:

Sing about lust ...

Sasuke stiffened. "Orochimaru."

"Yes?" was purred at his ear.

"You have ten seconds to get your hand the fuck out of my pants."

"But you're body's so beautiful, Sasuke-kun." A tongue ran up his neck. "I just want to eat you up."

Sasuke turned to face him. "I agreed to pay rent – not to be your personal slut."

"No slutting involved, Sasuke-kun," the man pressed against him, lithe hands finding their way under his shirt. "I'd be all yours if you'd just accept."

Sasuke's head tilted back, eyes closing as he sucked at his pulse. "You have so many little whores around here." He said hoarsely, running his fingers through thick, dark hair. I love fucking with his head. "You'd never hold true to that."

"Oh, Sasuke-kun – why are you resisting?" Orochimaru hooked a leg behind his knee, closing what little distance was left. "Of course, it makes me want you more."

The Uchiha smirked, yanking his head back by his long hair. "You'll have to just keep wanting." He ducked under his arm and out of his reach, picking his book up off the kitchen table. "I'm going to the park for a while. I'll see you later."

Orochimaru groaned, yelling playfully after him, "Sasuke-kun, you're such a fucking tease!"

Sasuke chuckled, closing the door behind him, waving at Kabuto down the hall as he strolled out of the building.

Orochimaru was an old friend of Itachi's – they'd hung out with the same crowd – but somewhere along the road, they'd had a falling-out. Now Orochimaru lived on the west coast and, upon hearing Sasuke's predicament, had been pleased to help him. The fact that he wanted to get into Sasuke's pants, however, was a big downside to the agreement.

Orochimaru was the landlord of the building they lived in, so all of the tenants were his friends. They were all a little strange – Kidoumaru had a spider fetish and Kimimarou prided himself on being able to intentionally dislocate his joints – but they were nice enough and protected their own.

Upon reaching the sidewalk, he was overtaken by a tackle-hug with an "Eek! Sasuke-kun! How are you?"

Apparently, fan girls were universal. "Kin, get off me."

"Sure thing." She smiled broadly, hopping to her feet and offering him a hand.

At least she knows when to back off. Kin lived on the floor below him with Zaku and Dosu – not particularly pleasant guys, but Kin was exceptionally friendly. "Where're you off to?"

"The park." He mumbled, brushing off his front. "I want to read and it's hard to when there's a pervert groping you all the time."

She laughed. "That sounds like Orochimaru-sama." She pointed over his shoulder. "There's a little café down the street. Tayuya runs it. She'll let you sit in there without buying something if she knows you."

"Oh." He blinked. "Thanks. It'll beat sitting outside."

"No problem, Sasuke-kun." She planted a kiss on his cheek. "I've got to go. Oh - you're going out with us tonight, right?"

"Probably not."

"Aw, come on, I know you don't really like people or anything, but come have some drinks with us anyway."

His eyebrow shot up. "Are you even old enough to drink?"

Kin gave a sweet smile. "Orochimaru-sama can get us in at any club."

Sasuke sighed, shrugged. "I'll be there – probably because Orochimaru isn't going to let me stay home." His face screwed up at that statement. Since when do I call this place 'home'?

"Great!" she hugged him again, and he just took it, since it was her way of greeting everyone. "I'll see you later then." She spun around, paused, and looked at him over her shoulder, grinning. "Are you going gay boy tonight?"

He blinked confusedly at her. "What?"

She sighed teasingly and turned to face him. "Are you going as Orochimaru-sama's date?"

"Oh." His face flushed. "I don't know – maybe."

She giggled. "Well, if he doesn't claim you, I do." She gave a V for victory. "See you later, hot stuff."

His heart twanged as she ran toward the building.

"Something on your mind, hot stuff?"

He mentally slapped himself. Idiot. Naruto's part of the past. Get the fuck over it.

0

"Hi, Gaara! Ino!" Sakura waved feverishly. "Where's everyone else?"

Ino shrugged, blushing. "I don't know."

"You stayed the night there. Nice." Lee nudged his red-headed friend suggestively. "Full of the beauty and springtime of youth!"

Sakura giggled. "Lee-san, you're embarrassing them.:

"Hi, guys!" Naruto ran up to the group gathered in front of Lee's house. "How is everyone?"

Sakura fell quiet, turning away from him, a dark mood descending on her.

It didn't go unnoticed by Ino, but she chose to ignore it. "Hey, Naruto. How're you doing?"

He grinned. "I've never felt better."

She blinked. "Really."

"Yeah." He laughed, shrugging. "Kinda weird, isn't it?"

"Really weird." Sakura murmured bitterly.

"Stop it, Sakura." Ino snapped, glaring at her sulking friend. "I don't know what the hell your problem is, but you're not going to put a damper on this trip for those of us actually planning on having fun.

The pink-haired girl's mouth fell open. "How dare you say that to me!"

"You have been pouting all week because Sasuke-kun's disappeared!" Ino no longer cared that her boyfriend was listening. "News flash, Sakura: he never loved you and never will!"

Sakura's face was becoming increasingly redder. "What about him?" she exploded, pointing accusingly at a startled Naruto. "Sasuke-kun did love you, and you don't seem to care at all that he's gone!"

"Of course I care that he's gone." His blue eyes averted to the ground, voice soft with sadness. "You have no idea how much I miss him." He looked up at her, brow furrowed with determination. "But I can't not be happy just because he's not here. So I decided, for now, I'm going to have a good time, and, when we get back, I'm going to start looking for him."

Sakura smiled hopefully. "Naruto, I'm so proud of you!"

Ino's eye twitched as her seemingly bipolar friend threw her arms around him. "What made you change your mind?"

He smiled, returning the embrace, and lifted the chain that hung around his neck. "You can't abandon the people that're important to you – especially when they don't realize how much you need them."

"This is Sasuke-kun's." Sakura's fingers ran over the pendant, green eyes flashing with something near jealousy.

Sensing the feeling – or maybe suddenly becoming possessive – Naruto pulled it from her grip, tucking it beneath his shirt. "I'm going to find him." He said, more to himself than anything.

"Hi, guys!" Temari leaned out the passenger's window of a station wagon, waving at them. After they'd pulled up the curb, she ran up to them, followed by the less-enthusiastic Shikamaru, Chouji, and Kankurou. "Is everyone pumped?"

"More or less." TenTen smiled, having stayed silent for the entire exchange. "Where're Hinata-chan and Neji-san?"

"They're right behind us." Kankurou said, jutting a thumb over his shoulder at the van pulling to the curb. This accomplished, he nudged his brother, murmuring something.

"Fuck you" was the reply he received, although the context of the comment was obvious from Gaara's red face.

"Is everyone ready?" Hinata called out, leaning on the windowsill of the van.

"Yeah – let's do it!" Naruto yelled, punching the air.

As if it were a war cry, all of the teenagers swarmed for the two cars – fully intending to have the time of their lives.

"Hey, guys – I just realized something." TenTen said from the backseat of Neji's van. "This summer is the last summer we're all going to be together."

"Yeah – Neji-kun, TenTen, Temari, and I go off to college this year." Lee added from beside her, his arm around Sakura's shoulders.

"Well, let's make the most of this trip then." Hinata smiled in the side mirror at her friends behind her.

"Yeah." Kiba rubbed Akamaru's head – Neji having caved under Hinata pleading and allowing the dog to come. "I say we do this right. We take pictures every place we stop, act fucking crazy, and have a kick-ass time."

"I'm with you on that, Kiba." Naruto grinned, giving him a high-five and sighing contentedly before looking out the window at the sky. Wish you were here, teme.