AN: Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay with this update. I needed to kinda map out the next few chapters before I could write this one, so it took a little while. I am gonna try to be quicker in the future, but I don't wanna promise. Still, I am gonna take this story to the end, so thanks for bearing with me.

Reviews have been incredibly helpful as always, and thank you to those who answered some direct questions I asked last chapter. If you haven't already I am always looking for more feedback!

Enjoy!

Chapter 7

The angry battle cry was heard throughout all of Konoha. People turned their heads up and birds flew away from nesting in the trees. If anyone else were in the room, all they would have seen was a flash of tan skin and orange fabric fly across the room at an inhumane speed before slamming into the door. The force of the blow was enough to knock it off its hinges, and the poor blonde war hero tumbled out of his room before landing upside down against the wall of his hallway. The sound of bones cracking echoed throughout, and he slowly slid down, leaving a Naruto-sized indentation in his wake.

-10 minutes earlier-

The sound of rain falling on the wooden roof echoed throughout the small apartment. Ever so slowly, Sakura Haruno began to stir from her slumber. She wasn't usually one to sleep in, but this morning she had no desire to move. She hadn't slept this well in a long time and wasn't ready for it to be over yet. Jade eyes remained closed as her body eventually tried to bring itself upright. It was surprised, however, to find that a strong grip was holding it down. She felt so content that she decided to ignore her instinct and return to the sweet embrace of sleep.

That is until she remembered where she was and, more importantly, who she was with.

Her eyes shot open and she had to force herself not to squeak when she saw the position she was in. Naruto, her best friend, was sound asleep next to her. His bandaged arm was draped between her neck and the pillow, and his face was buried in her pink hair. She could feel his hot breath against her forehead every time he exhaled. Sakura's leg was draped over his waist, and her arm had found its way around his collarbone. Her head was resting against his chest.

She could feel her heartbeat speeding up. It took all of her willpower not to jump out of bed and get as far away as possible. Closing her eyes tight, she had to take in a few deep breaths of her own to calm herself. When she did, she again noticed the rhythm of his heart beating against her ear. It was steady, and it was calming. She sighed, and unconsciously inched her head even closer to him. She opened her eyes, albeit slower and more composed this time, and her own heart skipped a beat when she tilted her head and looked up at his face.

It wasn't the first time that they had slept in close quarters. As teammates, they had seen each other sleep thousands of times. Even more so since she had begun crashing at his place on some work nights. Naruto liked to sleep in when he could, and would often still be resting on the couch when she left.

This time was different. They had never, in all their years as Team Seven or in all their years of friendship, been this close. For the first time, Sakura found herself...admiring him. Gone was the small and childlike physique of his genin days. What replaced it was the body of a young man, plain and simple. She had never noticed how prominent his jawline had become, or the smooth contour which replaced the layer of baby-fat that used to coat his cheeks. Obviously he had gotten taller, but it startled her just how small she felt in his arms. He had really matured into a fine physical specimen, and she felt herself blush when she realized the small pool of heat that was forming in her stomach. It wasn't anxiety, but something more. Something carnal.

"You love Naruto"

Her best friend's words repeated yet again in her head, and a small frown appeared on her lips. She didn't want to think about it. Loving him was wrong, she was sure of it, but at the same time something about where they were felt so right, so natural. Just existing with him was so easy, and the pink-haired medic was smart enough to know that the butterflies in her stomach and the daze she entered whenever he was around recently were only proving her friends point.

The image of Hinata suddenly flashed in her mind.

'What did she need to tell him' she thought to herself. She closed her eyes again and had to stop tears from falling onto her teammate. 'What do you think, you idiot. She wanted to tell him she loves him. That she always has. She wants to be with him. And you know she's good for him. She deserves Naruto, not you.' Sakura's frowned deepened.

It wasn't like she was very close to Hinata, but she didn't want to hurt the girl. Everyone in the village could see the feelings the Hyuga had towards Naruto. Yet, her mind wandered back to her conversation with Ino. She did make a fair point. Hinata had made her feelings clear to him in that past, although it had been in the heat of battle. Still, she thought, Naruto should know about Hinata's admiration by now. Yet he hadn't acted on it. It was never something Sakura had thought about before, but now she found the curiosity all-consuming. Doubt filled her mind. Was their someone else he had his eye on?

If she actually thought about it, she and Naruto had never discussed their love lives. It was partly why she had taken so long to tell him about Sasuke. It wasn't that the other one would get mad, but more of an unspoken rule that the two shared. It didn't hurt that in the past two years there hadn't been much to report. On either of their ends.

'You could just ask him." The thought of it felt like shards of glass piercing her heart. No way in hell was she going to do that. She had embarrassed herself enough the past few days and didn't want to do anything that could tip the blonde off to her newly discovered feelings. It wouldn't be fair to him. After everything she had put him through, it just couldn't be.

She sighed and closed her eyes. As much as it annoyed her, nothing was going to get figured out in that moment. Hopefully answers would come in time, and for now that would have to be enough. Yet, even after finding her resolve, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt that it was her, not Hinata, that was currently cuddled up and leaning on his bare naked chest.

...wait...naked chest?

Sakura's eyes widened and she looked down to realize that her cheek was pressed up against the muscle of Naruto's pectoral. She didn't even notice before, being so distracted by her inner monologue but at some point during the night he must have taken his shirt off. Now any barrier between his skin and hers was gone. The medic's cheeks turned as pink as her hair and her heart threatened to jump out of her throat.

Without thinking, a scream escaped the pinkette's mouth and a chakra coated fist slammed into the slumbering Naruto's stomach.

-Present Time-

"What the hell!" He screamed, now fully awake.

Naruto had been enjoying a lovely dream about getting to share a bed with his favorite companion when he had been rudely awakened by being launched out of his room. He rubbed his eyes to try and get a better handle on his surroundings.

His head was killing him, and he felt like he might throw up from the pain in his stomach. Slowly, he rose to his feet, using the wall for support, and used his free hand to rub his very likely broken rib. He turned towards his bedroom and saw one Sakura Haruno, steam coming out of her ears, fist held in front of her face, fire burning in her jade eyes. She looked ready to kill.

The man's eyes shot open. So it wasn't a dream. All the things that happened last night were real. She really had slept in his bed. Next to him. All night. The mere realization of it was enough to send a jolt of pleasure down his spine. Said pleasure however was quickly replaced with pain when he again felt where her blow had connected.

"What the hell was that for?" He yelled again.

In their years of friendship he had gotten used to her beatings knowing that he generally deserved them. Contrary to popular belief however, he was more than capable of standing up to his friend when he felt she was in the wrong.

"You…you PROMISED you wouldn't try anything…I trusted you!" she spat at him, before pushing the blanket off of her and standing up. A bead of sweat dripped from his forehead as she began to approach him. Confused and fearing for his life, he automatically began to back up down the hallway.

"Sakura-chan calm down! What are you talking about?" As he stumbled back he lost his footing and landed on his butt with a loud thud. That didn't stop the angry medic-nin from continuing her approach.

"Where the HELL is your shirt, Uzumaki?"

Naruto frowned and for the first time realized that he was holding his bare stomach. He looked down to confirm his suspicions and winced when he saw skin where fabric should be. He immediately shot up his hands in defense.

"Sa…Sakura-Chan, I swear I didn't try anything! I'm...I'm not used to sleeping with someone. I must have taken it off in my sleep. I'm sorry! It was an honest mistake! Having Kurama sealed inside me makes my body temperature hotter than normal, you know this!" He covered his head with his hands and braced for another hit, but it never came.

After a few seconds he finally looked up, and silently thanked God when he saw the telltale signs of her legendary temper receding. After a few seconds of silence, Sakura let out a sigh and offered her hand to him to lift him upright.

"Okay."

She turned her head and avoided his gaze, suddenly being very fascinated with the flooring of his hallway. 'What the hell are you doing? Kick the perverts ass already!' she heard her inner self yell, but she realized that the more she thought about it, the less she wanted to. It was not his intention to offend her. Naruto would never try anything on her, even if he wanted to, which as far as she was concerned was still a very open subject to debate. Still, it surprised her. In the past, logic wouldn't have played a factor in THE execution of the prisoner before her, but now she found herself wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Okay?" His voice broke her out of her thoughts as he looked up at her confused. She frowned at the lingering fear in his eyes.

"I'm sorry I overreacted." she said. "I know you wouldn't try anything. It just took me by surprise is all. I'm...also not used to sharing a bed with someone." His eyes widened, but his confused expression hurt her, and he still hadn't accepted her outstretched hand.

"Am I that scary?" she said, more to herself than Naruto. She blushed when she realized it had been said aloud.

Naruto finally took her hand and stood up. "Well, you did just break my door, and I think also my ribs." He grinned at her for the first time that morning, instantly brightening her mood. "but…I could be persuaded to forgive you if you do something about this goddamn pain."

Sakura giggled as relief washed over her. She turned to walk back towards his room. The thought of him actually being mad at her was much more disturbing than it had been in the past, and she didn't like the thought of it one bit. In one swift movement she knocked his discarded shirt into the air with her foot and caught it before throwing it in his direction.

"Put a shirt on first, idiot, then we'll talk." Glancing back at him, she could have sworn she saw a dejected look on his face. Yet as soon as she noticed it, the look vanished and she convinced herself it was just her imagination. He was about to comply when the doorbell rang.

Naruto gave Sakura a quick shrug before going to answer. She was about to protest that he still hadn't put a shirt on, but got distracted by the muscles of his back clenching as he walked away. 'Get ahold of yourself woman! He's supposed to be the pervert not you!' She thought to herself before shaking her head. She quickly went into the bathroom and splashed some cold water on her face as punishment.

Shikamaru Nara tapped his foot impatiently while he waited for his blonde friend to answer the door. It was raining, and too early in the morning for this. His patience was wearing thin. He was about to knock again when he heard a few curse words muttered from the other side of the door, followed by things falling over and more curse words. Finally, the doorknob shook before Naruto swung the door open.

"Shikamaru? What are you doing here?" The blonde asked, still rubbing some sleep out of his eyes. He shivered when he felt the cold air hit his chest.

"Looks like you have a fun night." Naruto winced and the Nara genius scoffed and had to stifle a laugh when he saw his blonde friend's current state. He was half-naked, his usually spiked hair was matted down on his head, clearly disheveled from a night of sleep. Shikamaru noticed a large bruise on Naruto's ribcage but decided to ignore it. It was too much of a drag, he thought to himself.

"Lord Sixth has summoned us." Naruto's eyes immediately turned from sleepy to laser-focused as he continued on. "We have a mission. It's about yesterday's attack. Urgent. I'll let Kakashi fill you in when we get there."

Naruto sighed. He knew that Shikamaru already knew what the mission was, as he had probably been up all night planning it. Still, he understood protocol dictated the Hokage be the one to assign it.

"Give me a sec, I'll get my stuff," Naruto said, turning his back to his back on his friend and retreating back to his apartment.

"And hurry up. We have to stop and pick Sakura up on the way."

Shikamaru noticed the blonde man freeze and watched as he slowly turned around with a sheepish expression on his face. He also clocked the small tinge of blush that now dusted his friend's face. He raised an eyebrow before Naruto began to speak

"Um. Actually that won't be a pro...

"Naruto? Whose at the door?" Sakura appeared in the entranceway, cutting him off. She had washed her face and let her hair down so it now messily framed her features. She was still wearing Naruto's T-shirt and boxers.

Shikamaru mouthed a silent "oh" before looking at Naruto, then back to Sakura, then back to Naruto's newly form bruised on his ribs. A giant grin spread across his face. Sakura blushed and immediately covered herself up, despite being already clothed.

"Wait, no, NO! This isn't what it looked like!" She screamed out. Naruto was still blushing, but couldn't stop a small laugh from escaping when he saw his best friend so flustered. Wrong move. Sakura grabbed his ear and pulled hard, causing him to yelp in pain. "And what the HELL are you finding so funny?" She hissed, pulling on his ear harder.

Shikamaru just smiled as he watched the scene unfold in front of him. It wasn't how he expected his morning to go, but he was never one to turn down entertainment.

"I'll let you two lovebirds get ready." He said slyly and watched as both Ninja became even more flustered then they were before. Sakura was about to launch a punch in his direction, but the Nara quickly waved goodbye and descended towards the street below in a very Kakashi like manner.

Looking up from the street, he could see Sakura chastising Naruto, and the blonde rubbing the back of his neck and apologizing. Despite the situation, Naruto really looked quite happy. He signed to himself as he waited for his teammates.

'Those two are both too troublesome.' He thought.

—

Sakura was the last one to enter the Hokage's office. After the embarrassing visit from Shikamaru, she had to go home and get clean clothing since the previous day's ensemble was still dirty. Naruto had offered to wait for her, much to Shikamaru's satisfaction, but she insisted she would be along shortly. Not to mention a few minutes alone and away from the subject of her turmoil were very much welcomed.

Upon entering the room, she saw Naruto, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Sasuke all standing in a line in front of the Hokage's desk. Kakashi was seated in his chair, and she noticed another woman standing beside him. The newcomer had dark brown skin, with white hair tied up above her head. Her outfit was a standard new-age jonin uniform, but her headband insignia was that of "shinobi" rather than "leaf." She was the Village's liaison to the United Shinobi Alliance, and Sakura had seen her a few times before. She received a friendly smile from the girl and returned it.

She went to take her place next to Sasuke. The Uchiha nodded in her direction. He quickly glanced her up and down, which she thought was odd until he spoke up.

"You look rested." She forced a blush from staying off her face. Had Shikamaru told the whole room? No, he wouldn't do that, and also even if he wanted to he wouldn't have had time since their arrival, she reasoned. She smiled black at Sasuke.

"Thanks, I slept well." She turned her attention back to Kakashi when he cleared his throat, and failed to notice the small smile that a certain blonde was now sporting.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice, especially after the events of yesterday." Kakashi began to speak, and all the shinobi in the room focused up and faced him. "The mission I am assigning you is directly related to said events. There is a lot I have to say, so I ask you to listen to it all before asking questions. Okay?" Naruto remained oblivious while every person in the room shot him a look.

Kakashi sighed and continued on. "Right, well, as your well aware, yesterday afternoon the village was attacked. They were able to slip past our detection barrier, and two whole blocks were completely wiped out. However, thanks to the quick thinking of our shinobi, there were minimal casualties, and no ninja died. That being said, thirteen civilians lost their lives yesterday. All in all, not a good result."

Naruto slyly shot his pink-haired friend a look, just to make sure she was okay. He was not surprised when she stood tall, not at all phased by the recap of yesterday's events. 'I should have known better' he thought. Sakura was the most caring person he knew, but also a shinobi. She was more than capable of handling herself, although that didn't stop him from worrying.

"Some good news is that we have identified the culprit of the attack. It was not by another Ninja Village, meaning the peace between us is not threatened. The enemy is acting on their own." Kakashi nodded towards the woman standing beside him. "Megumi here will relay this mission to the other villages, just to be safe. Anyway, thank's to one of the enemies Naruto was able to immobilize, we were able to figure out who is behind this. His name is Toneri. Based on his appearance and raw power, we believe him to be related to the Otsutsuki clan."

"But Kakashi-sensei, the thing's that attacked me were just puppets? How did you learn anything from them?" Naruto interrupted. Sasuke groaned and Sakura hit her head to her forehead. They thought that Kakashi's warning would have been enough to keep his curiosity at bay a little longer. They were mistaken.

Kakashi paused and rubbed his hands against his temples, before continuing on. "That's what we thought originally too, and while not entirely false, the reality is grimmer. Every one of those "puppets" is actually a person. Or whats left of one. Using some Justu, Toneri has taken over their minds. Overwritten them would be a better description. They are kept alive, but just barely, and their brains no longer fully function. They cannot talk or feel emotions, and they don't have any memories of their previous lives. They are more or less husks that follow Toneri's every command. "

Naruto's fist clenched at his side. He just couldn't understand it. No matter how many evil people he met, he would never wrap his head around how a person could do that to another. He was about to say something, but it was Sasuke who asked the next question.

"So why attack the Leaf?" He asked in his usual to the point manner.

"Hinata. We believe that Toneri might be related to Hamura, the brother of the Sage of Six Paths. It would stand to reason that he needs a Hyuga for something." Kakashi paused before continuing on to the next part. "And that is why, when he failed in taking Hinata, he instead kidnapped her sister, Hanabi.

Sasuke's eyes widened. Sakura put her hand over her mouth to cover a gasp, and Naruto immediately cried out in shock before Hinata placed a hand on his back, trying her best to calm him down. Shikamaru had already learned this information but was effected none the less hearing it in such terms.

"Unfortunately, we don't know his true motive. A team of Anbu were able to track him to a cave on the outskirts of the Land of Fire, but he disappeared inside. Sasuke, we are hoping your rinnegan or Hinata's byakugan can provide more answers." Kakashi cleared his throat, and stood up.

"Your mission is to go to this cave, find Toneri, rescue Hanabi, and stop whatever he is planning. You will work as a five-man team. We don't know how much time we have, so you leave in two hours. I am genuinely sorry to put this on you, but you are the only people I trust with this."

A silence filled the room, before each Ninja nodded at their leader.

"If there are no questions, you are dismissed."

The newly formed team ushered out of the office to gather any supplies they would need for their mission, but before the blonde could follow suit, he heard his sensei call to him.

"Naruto, a quick word please."