A/N: After looking at the reviews, I will say that at least one you correctly guess the newest Straw Hat! That's all I'm going to say about this chapter.

Chapter 117: While You Were Sleeping

Tashigi and Neji arrived at the docks where Smoker was talking to Captain Hina, a Marine who he knew for a long time.

Tashigi began to explain what happened, that let the Straw Hats go, and told Luffy where Crocodile was.

Tashigi left crying.

"You think that she's going to be all right?" asked teenaged girl Marine with brown hair put into twin buns.

"I'm sure she'll be all right Tenten." Said Neji.

This girl was Tenten, a Marine under Hina… she was also Neji's girlfriend. Yes, the one he mentioned before.

"But I think I may want to talk to you alone." Said Neji.

The two teens went on the ship to talk… that's all… really. Really!

Just as Smoker got a call that told him, he, Smoker and Neji got a promotion for "stopping Crocodile."… after all they had to cover it up. Right?

Meanwhile in the capital city of Alubarna. The Straw Hats continued to recover. Luffy was the only that was still unconscious but Chopper helped them.

In the town Usopp, Sakura, Sanji and Kiba.

"So Sanji… what do you think of Ino's choice?" asked Usopp.

"Why are you asking me?" asked Sanji.

"Because you grew up with Ino." Said Usopp.

"Look, it was her decision." Said Sanji.

"I bet Sakura is upset about it." Said Kiba.

"What makes you think that?" asked Sakura glaring at Kiba.

"Because with Ino…" said Kiba.

That was when Sakura pounded him into the ground.

"Look at those holes." Said town's person, "It looks like someone kicked though them."

Sanji sweat dropped and continued walking.

Meanwhile, somewhere near the Palace, Naruto was focusing on a flame.

"I can do this… I can do this." Thought Naruto, "Focus my form onto the flame."

That was when the fire changed shape into a Naruto clone.

"That's great Naruto! You did it!" said Yugito.

"Did you see it Hinata!" yelled Naruto to Hinata and another person watching him.

"That's great Naruto!" cheered Hinata.

Hinata then looked at the ground.

"Naruto's getting much stronger… I need to get stronger too. If I ever want to beat Neji." Thought Hinata.

"What's wrong?" asked the person she was sitting next to.

"It's nothing really." Said Hinata.

The person blinked and paid attention to Naruto's training, after all he still wasn't used to this type of thing.

Elsewhere, in the Palace, Ino was crying.

"Troublesome…" muttered Shikamaru walking towards her, "Still questioning your decision."

Ino looked up, "Yes…" said Ino.

"You were right… you didn't really have a choice in the matter." Said Shikamaru, "Word would have gotten out."

Ino looked down… tears streamed down her eyes.

"Don't worry… I know you'll see each other again…" said Shikamaru with a smirk.

"Did your mom ask you to come?" asked Ino glaring at him.

Shikamaru paled, "No… of course she didn't." said Shikamaru.

"She did… didn't she?" asked Ino looking Shikamaru's face.

"Troublesome women…" muttered Shikamaru.

In the guest room, Luffy began to wake up.

"I slept great!" yelled Luffy.

That's when Naruto, Hinata, Yugito and they're new unnamed friend entered the room.

"Luffy! You're awake!" said Naruto, "All right!"

"Yay… you're idiot brother is now awake…" said Kyubi very sarcastically.

"You're acting like I was asleep for the last three days." Said Luffy.

"You were asleep for the last three days." Said Sakura with her eye twitching.

"What really! I missed like 15 meals." Said Luffy.

"Luffy… that's 5 meals a day." Said Nami.

"That sounds about right." Said Naruto.

"Both of you suck at math!" yelled Kyubi.

That was when Luffy noticed they're new friend.

"Who's that guy…" said Luffy, "And why does he have a giant peanut on his back?"

"This is our new crewmate Gaara!" said Naruto.

Indeed the new friend was Gaara… that's right Gaara.

"When did he join?" asked Luffy.

"Oh he joined while you were sleeping." Said Naruto, "I remember it like it was yesterday…"

"Naruto… it was yesterday." Said Nami.

"Yep… yesterday…" said Naruto.

(Flashback)

It was the day before... on the roof of the Palace, Yugito had sent out 8 large birds. Each with a letter, it was to inform the other Kages about what happened a few days before hand.

"Well, I guess, I should get Naruto out of that rut." Thought Yugito.

"His brother will live." Said Nibi, "But he needs to cheer up."

Meanwhile in the King's chamber, Temari and Kankuro bowed before him. Kankuro didn't look like he didn't want to be there, but he was probably "persuaded"

"Please will except any punishment you offer." Said Temari.

"Uh… yeah…" said Kankuro.

"We didn't have a choice. Our father is… was a very powerful man. He would have done things if we didn't do what he said." Said Temari.

Kankuro remained silent.

Cobra sighed and looked at the two and came up with an idea, he could tell that Temari felt guilty, while Kankuro… well he knew Kankuro felt kind of guilty, but not as much as Temari.

"How would you two like to join the Royal Guard?" asked Cobra.

"Really?" asked Temari, "You really think that's a good idea?"

"I'd rather roll around in dung." Said Kankuro.

Temari glared at him.

"I was joking." Said Kankuro who began to laugh nervously.

"Don't you have another brother?" asked Cobra.

"Yes… but he asking to join the Straw Hats." Said Temari.

"Really?" asked Cobra, who was surprised by this.

In the guest room, Gaara was bowing to Naruto.

"Please… I would like to join, I know that we were enemies… but I really think it would be good for me to join." Said Gaara.

"Luffy's still sleeping." Said Naruto, "So it's my choice."

"You can't really be thinking about accepting his request?" asked Nami.

"He's an insane whack job that nearly killed Hinata." Said Usopp.

"It's my choice." Said Naruto, "And he's joining."

"What!" shouted everyone but Hinata and Vivi.

"It will be good for him." Said Yugito entering the room.

"Yugito." Said Hinata.

"Gaara's changed, I can tell." Said Yugito, "Give him a chance. I'm sure he'll be a good member."

"And besides… are you saying you don't want someone with a demon inside him on the crew?" asked Naruto rather dangerously.

Everyone began to sweat drop.

"Looks like unless Luffy says otherwise. He's joining." Said Zoro.

"Hey… where's Ino?" asked Sakura.

"Her father is able to have visitors." Said Sasuke, "So she's now able to visit him."

"I'm going to go tell her the news." Said Sakura who left the room.

Sasuke sighed and followed her.

"Why is Sasuke following her?" asked Chopper.

"Probably going to see if he's going to lose one of his fan girls." Said Usopp with a shrug.

"So what was that about?" asked Gaara.

"You don't want to know." Said Yugito.

"Yeah… you'll find out eventually." Said Naruto.

Gaara could only blink.

Meanwhile Sakura and Sasuke found the room, and found Choji with his ear against the door while Shikamaru was sitting nearby.

"What's going on?" asked Sakura.

"Shh…" said Choji.

Inside the room, Ino and Inoichi were talking when a certain subject was brought up.

"So it sounds like you really love it on that ship." Said Inoichi.

"I do…" said Ino.

"So what's your choice." Said Inoichi.

Ino knew what he meant… the choice to stay in Alabasta or to stay with The Straw Hats.

"I… I…" said Ino, "I don't have a choice."

"What do you mean?" asked Inoichi.

That was when Ino began to cry.

"I can't stay here…" said Ino, "If I stay… I'll just cause problems for you."

"You mean the world government don't you?" asked Inoichi.

"You're a hero now. You'll be considered one of the greatest Heroes of Alabasta along with Pell. You both nearly gave your lives and you lived despite the odds." Explained Ino, "But… but…"

"I think I know what you mean." Said Inoichi.

"If the World Government finds out I was a pirate… even for a short while." Said Ino, "We'll both be a lot of trouble."

"Ino… it's okay." Said Inoichi, "I understand."

"I'm legally dead… it's a good idea if I stay that way." Said Ino.

Inoichi sighed…

That was when Ino threw something at the door.

"Ow!" they heard screams from Choji and Sakura.

"I can't believe there are people eavesdropping." Muttered Ino.

Sasuke opened the door.

"Sorry… but there's someone new joining the crew." Said Sasuke.

"Really who?" asked Ino blushing at the sight of Sasuke.

"Gaara." Said Sasuke.

"You mean that guy Naruto fought? He's joining?" asked Ino, "Did Luffy wake up?"

"No… Naruto took control and allowed him to join." Said Sasuke.

"Really? I guess Naruto wanted another Demon Host." Said Ino.

"Whatever the reason is. He's part of the crew now unless Luffy vetoes him." Said Sakura.

Sakura and Ino looked at each other.

"So you're staying." Said Sakura.

"That's right." Said Ino.

The looks became glares.

"I'm not going to lose to you." Both of them said.

Sasuke sighed… he was really hopping it wouldn't end like that…

Inoichi looked at the three and realized that wasn't her only reason for going… That Ino was love in Sasuke… or at least had a really big crush.

"You…" said Inoichi.

"Yeah?" asked Sasuke.

"You better treat my daughter well." Said Inoichi.

Sasuke sweat dropped…

"Great… I didn't think that he would figure it out." Thought Sasuke with a heavy sigh.

Meanwhile in the guest room, Yugito was explaining something to Naruto.

"Really you think I can learn how to use Fire Clones?" asked Naruto.

"That's right." Said Yugito.

"But Fire clones are nearly impossible to use! You're one of the few Kages that ever mastered it." Said Naruto.

Yugito nodded, "I'm sure you'll be able to master it." Said Yugito.

"I think she means you have my help to master it." Said Kyubi.

Naruto realized that is indeed what she meant.

"All right! I'll master it in a day! You'll all see." Said Naruto.

Everyone began to sweat drop.

"I think that going a little over board." Said Yugito with a big sweat drop.

(End of Flashback)

"And that's what happened during while you were sleeping." Said Naruto, "Which also happened to be yesterday."

"Oh wow!" said Luffy.

"You know as captain. You do have a choice to reject my offer." Said Gaara.

"No… I agree with Naruto's decision. If Naruto thinks that you'll be a good crew member then I'll let you join." Said Luffy, "Now! Tell me where my hat is!"

Gaara gave a genuine smile… he was happy that he was allowed to join… after all he was free… free from his hatred.

Meanwhile Ino was looking at the sky from a window, thinking about what Shikamaru said about seeing her father again.

"Shikamaru's right… I will be able to see him again… and maybe I'll be able to return…" thought Ino, "Someday…"

Next Time: It's time to party! Everything is okay! Ino is staying and Gaara's joining! It's time to eat and bathe so the guys can spy on the girls. Wait... what... Um... okay...