Last time…

"Naruto…" He turned his head to look at her. To his surprise, she was crying. She rose from her chair and came to sit next to him on the couch. Risa took his hand.

He looked so sad, sitting there with his cup, and tears falling from his eyes. Naruto had told her that she reminded him of someone special to him. In his grief, he had seen this Sakura in her. She thought momentarily, what horrible timing. Under any other circumstances, she would have no problem with him looking at her the way he was. He was beautiful. He was leanly muscular, tall, and those eyes…they made her want to melt. He was funny, too. But she was afraid of what the implications of her looking like his close friend might be.

If that was the case, then why was she holding his hand? She told herself it was to comfort him, which was partially true. It sent a pain through her to see those beautiful eyes so sad. But then again, she thought, you'd better be very careful. You're half a step away from falling for him. Watch it, woman!

Naruto had excused himself quickly but politely soon after Risa had taken his hand. He didn't trust himself to be around her any longer. Risa had asked if she could visit him later in the week, to make sure he was alright. He had agreed, if only to ease his exit. He didn't want her to think badly of him.

As he wandered through the streets of Konoha, feeling utterly lost, he found himself outside Yamanaka Flowers. Pushing the door open, he found Ino behind the counter. He had been surprised that Tsunade had spent most of her chakra to heal Ino and Kiba. They were now both fully recovered, only a day after being half-dead.

She had a box of tissues on the counter, and was wiping her eyes with one as he entered. As she looked up at him, she smiled, but it was forced. "Ohayo, Naruto. How can I help…you?" Ino had just gotten a good look at his face. Her eyes widened. She held up a finger, indicating that he should wait. She went into the back, returning with her mother, and a jacket.

She slipped on the jacket, and took him by the arm, leading him out of the shop, and leaving her mother at the counter. "Let's go, Naruto. We're out of here." Her hand was a gentle pressure on his arm, and he allowed himself to be guided out of the door, and through the streets. He watched her back as she dragged him through the street, her blonde hair swaying in the cold breeze. Why had he gone to Ino's? It was still a mystery to him. He was not paying attention to anything, except for Ino's back.

Naruto didn't notice when they entered the doors of the Ninja Academy. He didn't care as they mounted the stairs. And when they burst out onto the rooftop, he merely hugged himself against the cold. Ino dragged him to a bench, making him sit. She sat next to him. "Naruto, you're a mess. Are you ok?"

Finally, he snapped out of his stupor. "Ino…I-I met this girl. She looks just like Sakura." The kunoichi's eyes grew large. "I don't understand. She looks like her, and she acts like her. There are differences, too, but—" His voice caught in his throat, "—it's like she's back. She's going to come visit me later this week. I don't know what's happening."

Ino's eyes had narrowed. "Are you sure? You're not hallucinating anything? You're under a lot of stress, Naruto. It would be easy for you to have seen something that's not there."

He suddenly seemed angry. Naruto grabbed her hand, and put it on the top of his head. "Feel that lump? She gave that to me. Does that feel like a hallucination to you?" His blue eyes were aflame. Then, he let go of her hand, and slumped. "Tell me that's not something Sakura would do…" His voice had become saturated with loneliness.

"Was it the girl that owned the apartment you captured Sasuke in?"

He nodded.

"Is she really like Sakura?"

Again, he nodded.

"Then, if it's alright, I'd like to meet her." Ino's eyes looked like she was far, far away. She had not been on good terms with Sakura for a very long time. Oddly, she was taking the pink-haired woman's death just as hard as Naruto was. It was most likely the fact that she had never made peace with her before Sasuke killed her. "I…I miss her, Naruto." Ino was beginning to cry.

Naruto took her hand, then gave it up. He enfolded her gently in his arms. Ino's head rested on his chest, and he rocked slowly forward and back. "I miss her, too, Ino. I miss her, too." More than you know.

Sasuke looked up at Tsunade, glaring. She looked down on him, glaring back. "You have a visitor, Uchiha."

Tsunade stepped aside, allowing Sasuke's visitor to enter the cell. The young man's eyes widened. "We have allowed him temporary provisional asylum. I'm sure you two have a lot to catch up on…" Smiling, she left the cell, and locked it behind her.

Neji walked down the path to the main house. It was early evening, and he had an invitation from Hinata for dinner. He wasn't really feeling up to dinner with the clan, so he accepted her invitation. She had a small room that she used for various purposes, and it was there that he was headed. His thoughts drifted as he walked.

The day he left to find Sasuke, he had all but let her know his feelings, though he was not sure she would remember. She had been nearly asleep. His lips still remembered the feeling of hers, and he nearly stumbled, thinking of it. He eventually came to the door of Hinata's room. Raising his hand, he knocked.

He heard Hinata's voice from within, telling him to come in. He opened the door, and found her sitting next to a small, low table. She rose, and ushered him to a cushion opposite where she had been sitting. Then she briefly left the room, coming back a moment later with a tray. As he watched her laying out the food, he saw that she was not looking directly at him. She only avoided eye contact with him now at times when she was nervous. What caused this nervousness?

Hinata rose again, moving to place the tray in the corner, and retrieve the tea and cups. Her movements were graceful, measured, and practiced. The lavender kimono she wore complimented her raven-colored hair, and draped perfectly over her shoulders. He felt his heart jump a little as she offered him his teacup. Her eyes had met his for the merest of instants, but what he saw there…

Kakashi sat in a booth in a bar, two empty sake bottles sitting in front of him. Kurenai, sitting across from him, frowned. Her hand drifted toward the third bottle, which was full. When her hand touched it, Kakashi's hand gripped hers, and his dark eye glared at her. Both jounin drew kunai in the same instant, laying them at the other's throats. "Kakashi, stop this. You are not the one to blame."

"But I taught him that jutsu." His voice was a low growl. "It is my fault. If I had not taught him that, if I had taught him better, Sakura would still be alive." Kurenai lowered her kunai. Kakashi's remained for a moment, then he lowered his, as well. His hand fell from the bottle. She lifted it from the table, and took his cup. She poured herself a cupful, and emptied it directly.

Kiba had been injured, and though she didn't blame herself for her former student's injury, he was like a son to her. She was stressed out too, though not to the extent that Kakashi was. She gave up the cup, and drank the sake directly from the bottle, draining it. As the warmth of it spread through her, she looked at Kakashi. "Kakashi, please. Would Sakura want you to be this way?" His eye widened, and he sadly shook his head. "Then please, leave the sake alone. Come with me."

She put money down on the table, and pulled him out of his seat, then out of the bar. They walked down the street, silent. After a time, they came to the Memorial Stone. There, a new set of names was already inscribed. The last name was Hurano Sakura. The silver-haired jounin sat next to the stone. He traced the freshly carved characters of Sakura's name. His eyes strayed to another name, further up the stone. Uchiha Obito's name was listed among those, as well. Kakashi leaned his head against the stone. He would not cry. He never cried.

Kurenai stared at him. He was broken. Would he ever mend?

"Hello, little brother."

Sasuke whimpered in the corner of his cell. Itachi loomed over him. The elder Uchiha looked down on his brother. "I'm afraid that the Uchiha Clan may just have to die with you, little brother. The Hokage is a vicious woman. I was surprised to meet Gai, and more surprised by the message he had for me." He knelt, and poked Sasuke's forehead. He did not enjoy the fear in his brother's face. However, it seemed that he was not fit to continue the clan after all.

Risa lay awake. She could not rid her mind of the image of those eyes. It was nearly three in the morning, and if she didn't get sleep soon, she would be worthless in the pastry shop when the sun came up. Her eyes strayed to the blanket nailed over the gaping hole in the wall where her bedroom window once had been. It was not so cold as it was the night before, but she wished that it was fixed already.

Sighing, she got up from bed, and walked to her closet. She was restless. There was not going to be any sleep for her, and she knew it. Pulling a long black leather coat from her closet, she threw it onto the bed. She also took out a pair of boots, a long-sleeved black shirt, and a dark green skirt that reached her knees. "I must be crazy." She thought aloud as she pulled on the clothes, and walked to her door. Just as she was putting her shoes on to leave, there was a knock on her door. Her eyes widened. "I guess I'm not the only one who can't sleep tonight…" She muttered, pulling on her left boot, and standing.

As she withdrew the dead-bolt, she turned the knob, and then opened the door. Standing there, at her door, was the very person she was on the way out to see. Uzimaki Naruto was smiling nervously at her. "Anou…Risa-chan?" He saw that she was fully dressed. "Gomen, Risa-chan. You were going out?" He seemed slightly disappointed.

"Ah." Embarrassment colored her cheeks. "I couldn't sleep. I was going to go for a walk. Want to come?" She knew that he had done exactly as she had been planning to do. Smiling his nervous smile again, he nodded. She locked her door and they went down the stairs and into the street. "Was there something you needed, Naruto?"

Risa looked over at him and saw him biting his lower lip. He looked at her and said in a rush, "I thought that you might get sick sleeping in a cold room. I was gonna see if you wanted to come over to my house until they fixed your window." His eyes were wide, as if he was surprised that he had the gall to say such a thing. A small smile formed on her lips.

"Ok."

"What?" His voice was incredulous. He had obviously expected her to say no. Honestly, how do you say no to that face? He sagged in relief as he realized what she had said.

The two of them began to walk in the direction of Naruto's apartment. She had to be up in three hours, but she was sure that it would be easier to sleep now. When they got to his apartment, he opened the door and let her in. It was a small place, but neat, and had the distinct feeling of having been meticulously cleaned just recently. She raised an eyebrow. This did not seem like it was the place's usual state, at least not knowing Naruto. What are you talking about? You don't know him at all!

The blonde-haired shinobi left the room for a few minutes, and came back with blankets and a pillow. He settled himself on the couch. "You take the bed, Risa-chan." She smiled. "If you need, there should be some clothes you can borrow in the dresser."

"Arigato, Naruto. Good night." She walked to the bedroom, shrugging out of her coat. This room was just as clean as the rest of the place, and she opened one of the drawers. Nothing but neatly folded clothes. After a moment, she found a large black t-shirt. She threw her clothes over the back of a chair, and put on the t-shirt. It was long, reaching down to mid-thigh. As she settled into the sheets, she inhaled the smell of the bed. It was the same as his smell.

Risa fell quickly asleep. In the living room, it was Naruto who lay awake.

She was sleeping in the other room. He felt a very strong urge to go in there. Usually, his urges drove him. In this instance, he was attempting to use some caution, which was not something he was used to. He just watched the door. About an hour after she had gone into the room, the door opened, and she walked out.

Risa wore one of his shirts, and nothing else that he could see. He blinked. The moonlight coming in through the window reflected off of her skin as she walked into the kitchen for a glass of water. He usually kept a glass next to the sink, so she took that and poured a glass from the tap. She took the glass, walking past him where he lay on the couch. She went over to the window. As she sipped her water, he watched her, eyes barely open.

After a few minutes, the glass had been drained, and the woman at the window stretched, revealing a lot more leg, and making Naruto suddenly very glad that it was dark in the room. He watched her as she put the glass back near the sink, and as she looked back at him. The expression on her face was strange. In that moment, he saw how very unlike Sakura she was. Sakura had never looked at him like that. Her eyes had a soft look to them, and her mouth curved ever so slightly. Her head tilted to the side, and she started to walk toward him. He shut his eyes.

Her voice was next to his ear, and he felt her hair tickling his face. "I know you're awake, Naruto. You haven't been asleep at all. You won't sleep well on the couch. Get to bed." She straightened, and he heard her footsteps fade as she went back to the bedroom.

What? He was suddenly very confused, his heart beating very fast. Did she just say what I think she did? For a few minutes, he thought about what she said. She was right. He really didn't sleep well on the couch. But…she was in the bed. He sighed. Throwing the covers off of himself, he grabbed his pillow. Naruto padded down the hall to the bedroom. He found Risa in the bed, lying on her side. Her hair was spread over the pillow, and the moon shone on her face. Sleepily, she said, "Are you coming, or are you just going to stand there with your mouth open?"

Naruto made himself walk slowly. Otherwise, he would have made a flying leap for the bed. He slipped into the sheets beside her, keeping his distance. Even though he was nervous, he fell asleep quickly. At about six in the morning, he woke up, hearing a small noise.

Risa was standing next to his chair, completely naked, sorting through her clothes. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. Naruto knew he should not be watching her, but he couldn't tear his eyes away. So…beautiful. He watched as she pulled on her undergarments. Then, to his surprise, she turned to him, smiling, and said, "Ohayo, Naruto."

"You…knew I was awake?"

She walked across the room, clad in nothing but her bra and panties, and sat next to him on the bed. Why does she have to sit so close? Oh, man. This is bad! Risa smiled at his alarmed expression. "You bet I knew. Has anyone ever told you that you're easy to read?"

"All the fucking time…" he grumbled. Sakura had told him that numerous times.

Her smile widened. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"You were staring at me like you had never seen a naked woman before. Did you at least like what you saw?"

What in the world was going on? She was asking some pretty strange questions. Naruto couldn't speak for a long moment, since his eyes kept trying to not look at her face. Then, he ripped his eyes from the intricate lace that covered her breasts. "Risa-chan, I'll be honest with you. If anyone didn't like seeing that when they woke up in the morning, I'd have to smack them." He said this to cover up for the fact that he had not, in fact, seen a naked woman before.

Risa leaned back on her elbows, laughing. Her elbows just happened to be resting on his thighs. She turned to him, still laughing, and saw the look on his face. "Gomen, Naruto. I've gone and made you uncomfortable. I guess I'll have to be more careful about that." You could have thought of that before. Now, if I stand up, I'll be really embarrassed. He laughed nervously.

"Risa-chan, could you please put some clothes on?" This made her laugh again, and she leaned over to him, and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. He turned five shades of red in no time flat. Laughing to herself, she got up and went to the chair. He watched as she put her clothes on. How does she manage to make getting dressed look sexy? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Confused thoughts along these lines ran through his head, and she bid him farewell for the day, saying that she would be back around six that evening. He blinked.

Thinking aloud after she was gone, he said, "I slept in the same bed with a girl, and she was naked in front of me on purpose. What the hell is going on?" He looked at the picture of Sakura on the wall. "Can you explain this to me? Or maybe you're making little pushes from where you are?" The picture didn't answer him. He looked over at the clock, snorting. "I don't have to be anywhere until eight thirty. I'm going back to sleep. Maybe when I wake up, I won't have any trouble walking."