AN: Wow! Guys, 650 views in such a short time? I feel so loved! Thanks so much. And hopefully you guys read my last AN, where I said updates would be longer. Yes? Well, that will kick in when you guys officially catch up, so don't worry. But when that happens, I'll try and make a set day. Probably Thursday, so if you're reading the comic or watching the show online, you can do that then read my story and have like a Naruto-fest, then go to sleep happy… unless I end the chapter in a cliffie, which I will try my hardest not to.
And to Me and Gaara 4ever, Yeah. I had a lot of fun writing that chapter. And all I have to say about the whole Gaara and Cordi thing is in due time. You'll see what I have in store for them. Some of it, you might not like, but that's the way the story HAD to unravel, otherwise it would be like any other Fanfic and just be boring.
And to Thomas Drovin, You have no idea how much it's biting them in the ass, but you will, soon, very soon!
And to GrimSpeck18, haha, yeah I had fun. But since it'll be a little while for Rox to see Cordi, she'd be calmed down a little, … not saying that I don't have a chapter with that in it though. No that chapter and the chapter before that are going to be a lot of fun to write… Actually, I'm already writing that chapter in a notebook waiting for my Bio-chem class to start on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays… I'm already having fun. Oh, I can't wait till I get to type that up. ^.^ squee!
And to Repentless Wind, Thank you. I'm happy to hear you enjoy my work so much. It's always nice to get new fans. Especially to hear from them. I never knew my story was so good that it was one that people just couldn't put down, but then again, I'm always harsh on my own work. I guess if I've read a few pieces of the story to someone who can't stand this kind of story, and that person really liked it though, it must be good (I'm talking about my mom. -.-o). Sorry, I'm rambling, but I'm very glad to here that you like this story so much. It gives me a shiny happy feeling.
Special Thanks to Repentless Wind, inugirl44, and Me and Gaara 4ever, for adding my story to your faves!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters etc. You know the drill.
Chapter Fifteen: The Effects of an Article
Temari stomped through the hallways of the Kazekage building, a tabloid in hand. Everyone who saw her instantly cleared out of her way. She looked MAD! She looked so mad she practically had steam coming out her ears. Her eyes were dead-set in a demented glare, and her hands were clenched into fists as she walked to the Kazekage office. Her mouth held a screwed on frown. She looked as if she were ready to kill.
"Uh, miss?" Gaara's assistant murmured, but quickly shut her mouth after earning a hurried glare from the angry blond.
Temari punched the door open and glared at Gaara, who was currently not paying any attention to her, but instead focusing on his paperwork. "Hello, Temari," he greeted in a bored tone, still writing out his paperwork, and not even looking at her.
"Don't you, 'Hello, Temari' me! Look at what's on the cover of the International Inquirer!" she snapped, slamming the tabloid down on his desk.
He rolled his eyes and held up the tabloid to read what she was so pissed about. "Kazekage's Steamy Kiss with Recent House Guest: New Kazekougou In Our Future?" he read out loud. He laughed at the article.
"THIS IS NOT FUNNY!" Temari yelled. "You are going to have paparazzi following you and asking questions. We will have no peace at home! And poor Cordi is going to get it too, just because you guys didn't think before you acted!" She stomped her foot down and glared at her little brother.
"I was actually laughing at the picture," Gaara stated. The picture was of Gaara and Cordi in the middle of a gawking dance floor. He was smiling a little in the kiss, as was she. Both had their eyes closed in pleasure. He was leaning over her, and she was on her tip-toes to meet him. Her hands were entangled in his red hair, as one of his was in her dirty blond hair. His other arm was wrapped around her waist, pulling her as close to him as possible. Her outer thigh was rising to wrap around his leg. "That's – that's nice," he smirked, dropping the tabloid back on his desk.
Temari glared at her brother, who just smiled back to her. Knowing she wasn't getting anywhere with him, she huffed, and turned back to leave. "Just so you know, if I ever get any lip from this, there will be hell to pay!" Temari growled before stomping away from his office. He just grimaced in her direction, then got up and shut the door.
Ronni was going for a normal walk with Lynne at around nine in the morning. They both were given a day off from training because Neji had a mission and Kakashi was helping Naruto train. During their walk, they came across Kakashi's training session. It was rather funny, considering he wasn't reading the normal Ichi Ichi Paradise. Currently, he was reading a magazine and laughing. "What's so funny, Kakashi-sensei?" Lynne asked. Naruto looked down at the girls who were walking by and stopping to see his teacher. He stopped his training for a small break and walked over to the group.
Kakashi smiled at the two girls and held the cover of what he was reading up, so they could see. It was the cover of the International Inquirer holding in big, bold, yellow words Kazekage's Steamy Kiss with Recent House Guest: New Kazekougou In Our Future? Lynne's mouth dropped, and Ronni leaned in, eyeing it evenly.
"What – ?" Lynne rasped pointing at the picture.
Ronni stood up straight, a smirk plastered on her face and arms crossed proudly. "Well, it's about freaking time!" she laughed. Lynne turned to her, a confused face stuck in place of the normally jovial expression. "Look, I got my first kiss when I was five," Ronni stated nonchalantly. "She's thirteen years behind. She needed to pick up the pace."
Naruto, Kakashi, and Lynne looked at her differently. Naruto looked jealous. Kakashi looked as if he didn't believe her. And Lynne looked disgusted. "That is nothing to brag about, Ronni," Lynne stated.
"Of course it is!" Ronni stated proudly. "Also, if they're dating, great! She's gotten her first boyfriend. She'll quit asking me to share my experiences with my boyfriends, and I'll get to return the favor." Ronni smiled evilly as she said this.
"She didn't have a boyfriend before I met you guys?" Lynne asked. She was the newest member of the gang. She had only joined three years prior, but she was still considered a sister in their group. The five of them were closer than Siamese twins.
Ronni smirked at the older girl and stated, "Cordi has had a bad case of what we call unrequited love. Every guy she's had a crush on had no interest to date her." The rest of the group furrowed their eyebrows at Cordi's best childhood friend. Ronni sighed then stated, "She has really high standards. She's not high maintenance from what I've seen of her. She's not clingy, and she definitely doesn't need to have a man around, which she has made painfully obvious.
"Anyway, she will only like a guy if he's a perfect gentleman. All of those guys who she had met in the past that were gentlemen, they never returned her feelings. The vast majority of the time, they led her on, and then they laid down the 'Just Friends' bullshit." Ronni pursed her lips, only to add, "Especially the part about being friends. None of them really wanted her around. They just wanted to let her down easy, because they were gentlemen. A lot of the time, they were crushing on another girl, which they would go and date within a week of them letting her down." Lynne looked hurt, as did Naruto. No one could really tell what Kakashi was thinking because over half his face was covered. "As I said. A bad case of unrequited love. You have no idea how many times I've had to comfort her after a bout with one of those guys."
Lynne frowned, and then asked, "So that's her first kiss they took pictures of?"
"Most likely," Ronni nonchalantly, shrugging a little. "You know, both she and Gaara have led a crap life. Maybe they can do some good for each other," Ronni laughed. Then she turned, smiling to Naruto and Kakashi. "Thank you both for the chit-chat. We'll see you later. Come on, Lynne."
Lynne nodded and turned to leave, but then turned back to Kakashi and asked, "Can I have that?" pointing to the tabloid.
Kakashi frowned at his recent pupil. "What will I read?" he asked.
"Don't you have an Ichi Ichi Paradise in your pouch. I thought you always carried one around," Lynne smiled. Kakashi pouted through his mask, then handed the tabloid in defeat to Lynne.
"Thanks," Lynne smiled. Then she joined up with a bored Ronni, which was rather rare. As she reached Ronni, she smirked evilly and stated, "I wonder how Rox took it." Ronni snorted, then roared with laughter, as Lynne laughed along.
Fred had half her day off from training. Apparently Sakura was needed at Tsunade's pronto. So Fred decided to walk the town. Rox was busy with Shikamaru, and Ronni and Lynne were hanging out today and Fred had no hopes of being able to join them. They could have been anywhere at the moment, and Fred was in a lazy mood. So she enjoyed a stroll around town. She stopped in a local tea shop for a small drink when she saw a girl with long dark blue hair and white eyes walk in.
The girl had a figure Fred would be jealous of, but the girl covered it up, which made no sense to Fred. The girl kept her arms up in a defensive manner. And when Fred saw Naruto and Kakashi walk in for a drink, she saw the girl freeze as he said "Hello," to her. 'So this is Hinata,' Fred thought to herself.
She walked up to the girl who was sitting alone at a table and asked, "Mind if I join you?" Hinata mumbled an undecipherable reply, to which Fred quirked an eyebrow. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."
"Sure," Hinata stated a little more loudly. Fred smiled and sat down, looking at the Hyuuga heir.
"So, you're Hinata, right?" Fred asked.
"Yes," Hinata replied, slightly perplexed. "H-how did you know?"
"I have my ways," Fred smirked. "Now, you like blondie-bear over there, right?" Fred asked quietly, pointing to an oblivious Naruto. Hinata blushed a ridiculously red color.
"What about it?" Hinata asked, trying to act coolly, but not doing so well.
"It looks like you need some help," Fred stated, pursing her lips. Hinata's eyes widened. She had just prayed for some help, but she wasn't expecting to get it. "Because honestly, it's painful to see how oblivious he is to your feelings," Fred added. Hinata blushed even more.
"Who are you?" Hinata asked, worry crossing her face.
"My name is Fred Butler," Fred replied, smiling. "But you can think of me as your Fairy Godmother."
Hinata looked a little perplexed by what she said again. "How can you be my Godmother? You're younger than I am."
Fred's face fell and she stated, "That's beside the point. The point is I'm going to help you get him." Fred smiled again. "Just meet me by Ichiraku's tomorrow morning, and we'll get started." Hinata blushed a little and agreed. Fred smiled, then got up and left, thanking Hinata for the nice chat. She realized she hadn't been spending a lot of time with Cherokee lately and decided to give her a visit.
"Well, long time, no see," Cherokee growled at Fred when she arrived at the dragons' clearing in the Forest of Death. Cherokee had grown a little to the size of a small house. Her green scales glistened in the sun that filtered through the heavy tree cover. She swung her head down to look at Fred who grimaced guiltily.
"Sorry, training's been a bitch. I think for all of us," Fred answered.
"Oh, no. I got that much. But a little visit is all I'm asking for," Cherokee replied, not looking at Fred. Instead, she picked out the dirt in her claws. Then she smirked and asked, "Did you hear the news?"
Fred donned a confused look and replied, "No. What?" Fred knew Cherokee was the biggest gossip monger of the five dragons. She always had the biggest scoop and always willing to share. She reminded Fred of a lot of girls at high school.
"Cordi and Gaara were seen making out on the dance floor of a bar. The picture is pretty … well it doesn't leave much to the imagination," Cherokee informed, laughing at the little tidbit. Her chuckle was deep and throaty.
"No," Fred laughed, not believing the story.
"Yes. Lynne and Ronni have the article and are reading it to Saryu and Nessie. I can take you to them if you'd like," Cherokee offered, eyeing Fred for her acceptance. Fred nodded her reply. Cherokee smiled and picked Fred up, placing her on her antlers, then walked over to another clearing that was rather large. Nessie was in the local watering area, cooling herself off. Saryu had himself wrapped around a tree trunk and one of its branches. Gryffin was sitting on the edge of the trees, his head poking out of the leaves holding a concentrated look. Both Lynne and Ronni sat on a rock, reading a magazine out loud.
"Hey, guys," Fred called down from her perch. Lynne and Ronni looked up from their current entertainment to smile and wave.
"Hey," Gryffin, Saryu, and Nessie replied simultaneously. They turned back to the two girls sitting on the rock and listened intently. Cherokee let Fred down gently then joined Gryffin and Saryu in the trees.
"Is this the article?" Fred asked, walking up to her sister and friend. They both nodded. "Can I see it?" Fred asked. Ronni nodded, handing the tabloid to her sister.
Fred smiled and grabbed, quickly snagging a spot on another rock to read. It was an exclusive. I talked about what was going on, where it had happened, quotes from people who had been there and saw it happen, and what others from the general public thought after hearing this. All this hoopla made Fred laugh as she finished reading the article. She set the tabloid down and said, "You know, if you want the real scoop, you could just ask Cordi. I mean we are her best friends. This is for people who don't really know and are trying to differentiate what they don't know."
"What do you mean?" Lynne asked, furrowing her eyebrows.
"I mean, we don't necessarily know that they are dating," Fred replied. "All this happens to be is speculations on a famous person. Seriously, how much of that stuff is real? All we really know is they kissed. That could be it."
"Cordi wouldn't kiss someone she wasn't dating already," Ronni replied, giving her sister a 'DUH!' face. "Honestly, how many guys have you seen her make out with randomly?"
"Gaara doesn't seem likely to make out with random people either," Lynne pointed out, more to herself though. Fred ignored that comment and decided instead to answer her sister's question.
"I haven't. But they would have a reason for doing that publicly, because I know Cordi wouldn't just make out with someone in public. She doesn't like people staring," Fred also pointed out. "They might not be dating is all I'm saying. We could just ask her you know. She would tell us because we're her best friends. She wouldn't tell random strangers, which is why the tabloid doesn't know anything."
Ronni and Lynne nodded their agreement with that statement. "All I know is, it's been ridiculous trying to calm Rox down," Gryffin added. "She's been giving me a headache." The girls laughed at his pained expression. "Seriously, she's been ranting about it for two days straight. I'm surprised she hasn't told you guys."
"Well, who told her?" Ronni asked.
"I'm placing my bets on Shikamaru," Lynne voted.
"And you'd be right," Gryffin grimaced. "He handed her a newspaper yesterday. It was on the front page." Saryu laughed a deep and throaty laugh. "What's so funny?" Gryffin asked dangerously.
"I'm just glad Lynne isn't like that. It would drive me nuts," Saryu laughed, showing a toothy grin.
Gryffin although didn't like it when people insulted Rox. "Watch it. You're going the right way for a kicked ass."
"Pfft," Saryu replied, rolling his eyes. "As if you could lay a claw on me."
"Well your body's so freakishly long, it would be harder to dodge my attacks," Gryffin replied.
"Oh, you want to go?" Saryu instigated. "We'll go."
"Stop it guys," Nessie growled, which was a rare occurrence. Most times she was happy and bubbly. "Your testosterone levels are giving me a headache." Both Saryu and Gryffin glared back at Nessie, who was oblivious to them.
"You just miss Aleera to argue around with don't you?" Cherokee smirked at Gryffin.
"What?" Gryffin asked acting confused. "No!"
Cherokee smirked more. "Oh, you so do!" Nessie laughed, pointing a webbed claw at him.
"Yeah, your blushing like a girl," Saryu laughed. Lynne, Ronni, and Fred couldn't see his blushing, but laughed at the spectacle.
"I am not!" Gryffin growled back.
"Aw, I think Gryffin actually likes Aleera," Cherokee joked. Gryffin, unable to contain his anger anymore, tackled Cherokee, biting at her neck.
"HEY!" Fred yelled. "STOP IT BOTH OF YOU!!" And they did.
"Haha," Cherokee laughed walking back to the clearing. "Touchy, touchy." Gryffin glared back at the other dragons, then he stalked off to brood alone in the forest.
Then, they heard randomly through the forest, "Screw all of you!" Saryu just laughed victoriously at Gryffin's attitude.
"Dude, that's enough," Nessie stated. Saryu nodded and shut up.
"You know, this just proves it," Lynne stated in a depressed tone, completely changing the subject, holding up the tabloid defeatedly.
"What?" Ronni and Fred asked simultaneously.
"That you four are meeting and getting together with the guys you liked on the show, and I'm not," Lynne pouted. "It's just disappointing."
"I'm not taking Sai, so I'm still in that boat," Fred reminded. Ronni didn't say anything.
"Well, I'd disprove you from my part, except Kiba and I have really started to become good friends. I love going with him to play with the dogs at the Kennel," Ronni smiled.
"Whatever," Fred laughed, rolling her eyes at her little sister. "Look, we aren't going to leave you behind in the dating field here. Ok? You just have to find your guy."
Ronni stifled a giggle through a snort. Lynne glared at the younger girl and asked, "What's so funny?"
"Well, most of us who have watched the show think Sasuke is a waste of time and … oh what's that saying?" Ronni stated, pausing to think. "Oh, right. He's a lost cause." Lynne frowned. "Sorry to be the voice of reality."
"Well, the voice of reality sucks!" Lynne snapped.
"And Ronni isn't the sharpest crayon in the box," Fred interjected, getting in between her sister and her best friend. "You should know that what Ronni says, take with a grain of salt. She and Cordi are pessimists. Just Ronni puts it in a brighter light." Lynne frowned and nodded. "I think you'd be able to find Sasuke." Lynne looked up at Fred hopefully. "And if not, well you can have Sai," Fred added, smirking victoriously. Lynne pouted again. "I'm just kidding!" Fred laughed, playfully punching Lynne to lighten the mood. Lynne nodded solemnly, and turned back to the article.
AN: And, so much for chapter fifteen! Aw, poor Lynne… but her day will come, rather soon actually ^.^. Remember to please review! I do reply to you all when I can! Actually, in all truth, this story has gotten more reviews than any other one of my stories combined. So yeah, be happy!