Authors' Notes: Uh-oh. Jiyou's feeling guilty and Akemi...Well, poor Akemi...

00000000000000000

Akemi was still sitting under the tree watching Sasuke, her mind racing. What should I say? Ok. I need a plan. Yep. A plan. I'll start from there…What should I doooo?

Silence.

What should I say? Wait! I'm sick of always talking! I'll let him talk this time.

Silence.

Akemi was becoming very uncomfortable. Sasuke stared at her emotionlessly. "Hey."

Wow. He said something! She just nodded.

Minutes passed and all that changed was Sasuke's pose. (He was now leaning against a tree.) Wordlessly. Finally he looked down at Akemi. "I have to go. Bye."

Akemi called quietly, "See ya around…I guess." Ok, then…

All of a sudden she heard angry curses and Jiyou stormed out yelling, "Damn Naruto! I wish I could just…wring his neck…or stick him to a tree with kunais…or…" Then she saw Akemi looking at her, eyes wide.

"Whoa. What happened to you? And why were you with Naruto?"

"Uhhh…no reason. He kinda…found me. But I want to KILL him!"

"Do I want to know what he did?"

"Uh, no. But I'll tell you later. (very secretively) There could be ears in the trees."

Akemi raised her eyebrows and peered upwards, expecting to see something in the branches. There wasn't anything there. "Ookaayy…I think we should go home," she told her sister, clearly worried about her. Sasuke was temporarily forgotten.

No! Was all that with Naruto for nothing? No no! I have to make up an excuse! "Actually, I still have something to do…" Yeah, great excuse.

At another worried look from Akemi, Jiyou added, "Don't worry, I'm fine!" And she left again, leaving Akemi still under the tree.

000000000000000000

On the way to Sasuke's house, Jiyou couldn't stop thinking about Gaara. I hope he doesn't think I let Naruto…What if he thinks we're dating? Jiyou shuddered at the thought.

After a few detours, she finally arrived at the house. Wait, what am I doing? Breaking into my sister's crush's home? If he catches me I could blow everything! She was filled with anxiety. If I go through with this…I'm lower than I was before. Conflicted, Jiyou began pacing back and forth.

After a while she saw someone coming up the path. It was Sasuke! Oh no! I can't run! He'll chase! Naruto! Yes! I was looking for him…No. I've got it!

Sasuke stopped in front of Jiyou and his house. "What are you doing?" he asked suspiciously.

"Oh. Ummm…er…" Wow. What cool hair…No wonder Akemi likes him. He's a total hottie…No! Gaara! Yes! I LIKE GAARA! I really do! Really! "Really!" Oops. I said that out loud. "Um. Yes. I'm really here to ask you if you've seen Akemi around."

Sasuke stared at her for a moment.

Nice eyes…But I like Gaara's edgy ones better.

"I saw her in the forest a few hours ago," he answered, "Have you been here that long?"

"No!" she replied quickly, "Well, thanks. Bye!" That was close. Akemi never said she met up with Sasuke. Hmmm…

Jiyou walked on. She had one more place to stop.

000000000000000000

By then Akemi had resumed her walk. What a strange day. I wonder what Jiyou had to do? She also wondered whether she should tell her sister about her run-in with Sasuke. If I do, she'll definitely think there's something wrong with me…Actually, there probably is something wrong with me…

Although she had moments of self-pity, Akemi hated when other people pitied her. On a whim she decided to buy herself some mochi ice cream. Later she'd catch up with her sister.

000000000000000000

Jiyou headed to Naruto's house with a five pound bag of ramen noodles. Next time I'll go for a two-pounder! She thought as she noticed the odd looks she was getting from those around her. Curse my tendency to feel guilty! I hope these don't make him sick. He might think they're booby- Nevermind! Jiyou cringed, remembering the earlier event. Ok, all I have to do is leave this in front of his door with a note. Yep. No need to run into him again.

She searched for a piece of paper. Darn! Nothing! So she forced herself to knock on the door.

Naruto slowly opened it. "Jiyou."

He's upset with me. Oh no. Nonono. Don't feel guilty again!

Too late.

"Um…hey. I'm sorry about how I treated you. These are for you…" Jiyou grabbed the bag and shoved it into Naruto's arms. "Don't worry. I didn't do anything to them, I promise."

Naruto stared at the bag and then back up at Jiyou. "Hey, thanks! So…errr…you never really answered my question back there…So how 'bout it?"

What is he talking about? "About what?" Jiyou asked, knowing she'd regret asking.

Naruto squirmed a bit. "You know…Do you want to be my girlfriend…?"

Girfriend.Girlfriend.Girlfriend. The word echoed in Jiyou's head. Be nice. Be nice. Be nice. "Geee Naruto. Umm…you're nice and all…but I don't like you that way…" Oh no! If I break any small bond with Naruto, I'll lose a HUGE source of help, which is necessary for my not-yet-accomplished or not-yet-thought-up goals!

Naruto's face fell.

Jiyou quickly added, "But we can still hang out together. As friends." Cracking her mouth into a pretty pathetic smile, she continued, "Well, I guess I'll see you around. Enjoy the noodles."

"Yeah...See ya!" Naruto replied as Jiyou began to quickly walk away.

'Enjoy the noodles?' That was sooo stupid… On the way home she just happened to run into Maro. Wait, Maro? Not good! Jiyou had to think fast…

Too late.

"Coming from Naruto's house? Ooh, you like him, don't you, Jiyou?" he teased, putting childish emphasis on the word "like."

"No, I don't! So, as hard as it might be for you, put the idea out of your head! I just had to…Hold on, why am I telling you this? I don't have to explain anything to you!"

Maybe he and Naruto should hang out together…They'd get along well. And maybe it would get Naruto out of my hair…Or it could backfire and I'd have twice the trouble with both of them hanging around me! The thought bubble popped and Jiyou realized it would be a good time to storm off…So she did, leaving Maro's taunting behind.

000000000000000000

Akemi was also nearing home. She wondered if she should maybe…possibly…take a detour. One that led past Sasuke's house.

I could just see if he's outside…Walk past inconspicuously…But if I did meet up with him again, would that be too much like stalking? I could give my mouth another chance to work properly…Or maybe he's had enough of me for one day…

She didn't realize she'd been in such a daze, she'd stopped right in the middle of the street.

000000000000000000