I just realized that I never put up the disclaimer, shame on me: I do not own Naruto, or any of its characters….but boy howdy, if I did, I'd be set for life! Ahem….anyways, on with the story.
Naruto's P.O.V
One week….it's been one week since we left Konoha to find Sasuke. Kakashi led us to the Wind country, which is covered in desert. We stocked up on water for a good week's travel. Luckily, Kakashi knew a few jutsus to keep our water cool.
"Hey Kakashi, how much longer until we reach Sunakagure?" I asked him.
"A day or two, as long as we keep a moderate pace. We should be able to track Orochimaru and his followers in this country. I've heard rumors of him and his minions sneaking around these parts." Kakashi replied, wiping his brow of sweat.
When night came we set up camp and built a small fire, trying to keep it from being too large that it would give away our presence. We ate quietly, Kakashi facing away so he could eat without me seeing his face behind his mask.
Sleep was hard to come by that night. We kept the fire going only to provide warmth. I lay in my sleeping bag, staring at the stars while Kakashi snored quietly.
I kept thinking of her….those deep emerald eyes, her cherry blossom hair, her smile, her laugh….her beautiful figure. I had to stop myself from entering those thoughts that made Jiraiya smile and giggle like a little school boy. She was the most important person in my life; I couldn't think of her that way! I was soon dozing off when I found my vision blurring. Soon I found myself in the all-too familiar chamber where a large cage stood with the word 'seal' written over the paper on the doors.
"What Kyuubi?" I asked the dark silhouette behind the bars of the large prison.
"You seem lonely…thought you could use some company." The demon fox joked, displaying a wide grin of razor sharp teeth, along with two blazing eyes.
I refrained from argument this time. I've often woken myself up to yelling at the fox a few times…and he just delights in me losing sleep. Instead, I decided to go with conversation….and the truth, "I guess I feel a little lonely…I was just-"
"Thinking about the Haruno girl?" Kyuubi cut me off, a knowing smirk on his face.
"Yes, and I would appreciate it if you not make fun of her." I added quickly, standing up. He rolled his eyes.
"Heh, wouldn't do it anyway….she seems….nice, as far as you humans go." The demon fox said.
"Really?" I asked him. He nodded, "Oh…that seems out of character for you."
Kyuubi snorted, "Hey, I'm a demon, not an empty shell. I do express some emotions other than hate and anger. I'm glad she's noticing you these days….and the fact that she accepts you puts her on my list of people I wouldn't devour." He then laughed.
"…Okay, I guess I'll take that as a good thing." I said with a shrug. I turned to leave the chamber when the fox spoke up.
"Hey, Kit! One more thing before you go."
"Yeah?"
Kyuubi looked me straight in the eyes…I have to admit, even after these past few years with him and me being aware of each other, it still creeped me out to see him look at me so seriously. He then continued.
"Don't let her go….she's the kind that you'll regret losing for the rest of your life. She's important to me too, if you must know."
I nodded, I was glad we shared a common belief for once, "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to her. Believe it."
Kyuubi then did something that almost scared me more. He…smiled….not a scoff or menacing grin, but a real, genuine smile. Then, everything went dark. Finally, some real sleep.
Sakura's P.O.V.
I was finishing my rounds in the hospital; it had been a relatively uneventful night, aside from an ANBU who kept complaining that his pillow needed to be fluffed once every two hours. It was going onto nine forty when I was given permission by Tsunade to leave early.
I was walking home when I noticed the Yamanaka Flower shop still had its lights on.
"Ino must be up late again." I said, and walked up to the door with the closed sign over it. I knocked, and immediately heard grumbling.
"I'm sorry, but we're closed for the- oh Sakura! Come on in!" Ino said while opening the door.
After Sasuke left Konoha, it dawned on Ino and me just how stupid our whole rivalry had been. Plus, Ino was, to everyone's great surprise, going steady with Choji. She said he's more built than he used to be, and he's extremely kind. I always imagined Shikamaru with her, but I guess Temari got the lazy ninja first.
"Ino, how do you expect to get any decent sleep when you work after hours all the time?" I inquired, shaking my head as we took a seat.
"At least I don't come home at one o'clock in the morning every other day from work." She smirked.
"Never mind. I just thought I'd pay a visit seeing the lights were on and all." I said with a smile.
"Thanks….so….how are you holding up?" she asked with a suddenly serious tone. She had heard about a week ago about Naruto leaving again, and she also knew how I felt about him.
"I'm fine I guess…as long as he holds true to his word." I replied.
"Well, he seems to do that, so I guess you don't have much to be worried about. I only hope he doesn't run into any of the Akatsuki members." She added. I had told Ino of the Kyuubi after asking Naruto for his permission. Seeing that she's my best friend, he didn't mind too much. Ino also seemed to gain a new respect for Naruto, saying that he was much stronger that she believed him to be.
I nodded to her comment, "Yeah, working half the day's bad enough, but with your boyfri- er I mean…"
"Boyfriend? Well, Sakura, I must say, I'm impressed. Taking on the responsibility of Naruto will be tough." She joked.
"Right….so how's Choji?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
Ino smiled, "Oh, he's good. He's on a mission right now with Shikamaru and Neji. He should be back in about a week or so."
"Really? To where?"
"Um….I think it was to the Hidden Village of Sand….some kind of important delivery to the Kazekage."
"Hm…to Gaara, huh?" I said thoughtfully.
We closed up the shop and headed up to Ino's room, and Ino declared I stay over for the night for 'old times sake'. I agreed, and called my house. My mother, who was still awake, said it was fine.
It was close to midnight when I looked out Ino's window, the stars shining brightly and peacefully. My thoughts began to drift….and the face of my favorite number one knucklehead appeared in my mind. I sighed, almost too loudly, and slumped down to the floor.
"You really miss him, don't you?" she smiled, then joined me by the window, "I remember when Choji went on his first A-rank mission after we started dating….he was gone for almost a month. I was a basket case the whole time."
I laughed, recalling that time, little over three months ago. She actually had gone as far as to have food sent to Choji's location…Tsunade 'delivered' it. I remember her saying that she wasn't hungry a few times when I and she had our lunch break during training.
"Yeah, Naruto is….a great guy Ino….but he's also reckless at times. I'm glad Kakashi went with him though." I said, sounding like a twelve year old again, "What if he's ambushed and he's got a serious injury! I'm not there to heal it! What if he's lost! What about Kakashi? What if….oh Ino…..I…" I started to shed tears.
Ino gave me a hug like that of an older sister, and then she spoke, "What if he's fine, and he plans on coming back in one piece with Kakashi?" she gave me a gentle smile as I stifled the sobs.
"R-right…..he said that he promised to come back, and I trust him." I nodded.
Ino laughed, "Geez, you know Billboard Brow, you really let your emotions get the better of you."
I laughed a bit too, "Yeah, and you express your emotions like a brick wall, Ino-pig."
We laughed, hearing our old nicknames we gave to each other. I gave Ino another hug, then got up, "Thanks Ino, I swear, if you weren't around, I don't know what I would do."
"Well, you would probably be crying still." She stated simply. She was probably right.
So we got ourselves to bed, and thus bringing me to another day closer to being reunited with Naruto.
I awoke around nine in the morning, a little short on breath. I was having a rather interesting dream about me and Naruto's shadow clones.
"I'll have to keep that idea in mind for some day….." I smiled, blushing slightly. Ino was still sleeping, murmuring something close to, "No, vases come separate with the purchase of a bouquet."
I got up from my futon in Ino's room, and stretched a bit. I had today off, so that meant I could go back to sleep if I really desired to. I was never really the kind of girl to sleep in though.
When Ino awoke about an hour later, we had breakfast, then I said goodbye, promising to stop by again soon. I decided to go for a walk through the old training grounds. Memories came flooding back to me, and I couldn't help but smile. Naruto had been a part of my life since I was a kid. He had always cared for me, probably unconditionally, in a sense. I sighed, and soon found myself facing three wooden posts.
"Our first day….as a team…" I whispered. The memory of Naruto flailing about as he sat tied to a post brought a laugh from me. Kakashi passed us that day, not only setting a milestone in our lives, but his as well. We were the first Genin team to ever be passed by him…and the only one at that.
"If only we hadn't meet that snake freak Orochimaru….then maybe we'd live how life should have been." I sighed, but then it hit me. If Orochimaru had never put the Curse seal on Sasuke, then Sasuke would probably never left. I probably would never had focused on my medical skills as well with him around, and never gotten to know Naruto for who he really is.
Talk about irony; the boy who caused me so much pain also gave me so much.
"I guess….I owe you one Sasuke…thanks…for giving me the chance to see what wonderful people are in my life." I said to the wind, and headed back to the main village area, a new sense of joy and anticipation forming. Soon, very soon, he'd be back.
"I'll keep waiting Naruto."
End of chap. 5- wow…it's been a while I guess. The computer hard drive went to crap, so I really couldn't do anything but write everything down. Oh, don't worry, I'm at least a good eight chapters into this story already….but I like to give it to the audience piece by piece. I know, cruel. R&R please!