Chapter 9: Jealousy Rises

Sasuke clenched his fists in anger staring at the two, hatred directed at Naruto's stupid head, he kept touching Kira. No one is supposed to touch her. Why was she even helping him in the first place? He got that they were friends, but she knows that he needs to learn this on his own! If she was going to help anyone it should have been Sasuke.

'Naruto is always getting her to help him. They're always together it's insane. How am I supposed to get her alone if he's always with her?!' Sasuke thought bitterly grumbling to himself as he stormed back the house.

How was he supposed to woo his lady if she was always hanging out with Naruto? He needed to start now that way when they're older she'll already be head over heels in love with him. He didn't mind if Kira would turn into one of his many fangirls because she proved herself worthy of being his wife.

Sakura smiled brightly staring at me. "Hi Sasuke! How was your walk? Did you forget something?"

"Hn."

Sakura frowned confused, did she say something wrong? Sasuke stormed past her to the backdoor where he could be alone.

Kakashi stared when his student had stormed out of. 'Strange…I wonder what got him so mad.'

Days passed to weeks. The bridge was nearly finished. Naruto practically lived outside, only coming in to get food before running back out to practice more. It was the sixth day we've been here, Naruto was still outside having spent the entire night training.

"Damn Naruto stayed out all night again, didn't he?" Tazuna called staring at the last person to enter the dining room.

"Well you can't really blame him, ever since you told us that story Naruto's been practicing night after night." Kira called shaking her head a small smile stuck on her lips. She loved how determined he was, hated that he could really hurt himself, but Naruto knew his body, he knew what he could handle.

"He's an idiot with an obsession!" Sakura muttered sleepily.

"He's really not an idiot Sakura, Naruto's smart in his own way." The entire room stared at Kira like she was crazy.

"If he exhausts his chakra, he could kill himself. He might be lying dead somewhere right now." Sakura called glaring at Kira annoyed. She didn't understand why she continued to fill Naruto's head with silly fantasies without giving him any warning of the horrible outcomes that might happen.

"I hope he's alright. It's not good for a boy to spend night after night alone outside!" Tsunami cried very worried for Naruto's wellbeing.

"There's nothing to worry about. Naruto's a goofy kid, but he's also a full-fledged ninja." Kakashi explained smiling at Tsunami.

"Is it possible, could he have killed himself? That bonehead…" Sasuke asked bitterly. Kira's eyes widen in shock.

"You ass!" She shrieked standing up tall. Slamming her hands on the table. Glaring hatefully at him, Naruto wouldn't be dead. He was stronger than everyone gave him credit for.

"He could be for all we know."

"And I'm sure you'd love that, wouldn't you Sasuke." She growled she felt as though there was a fire, a fire coursing through her veins, running slowly up her arms and through her heart. The idea of Naruto being dead killed her. Her best friend couldn't die. She wouldn't let him!

Her eyes burned with heat. Sasuke eyes widen slightly staring at her, it almost looked as if her crimson red eyes were, were glowing. That wasn't possible, her eyes weren't glowing.

Kira let out a huff forcing herself to look away, clenching her eyes tightly shut walking outside to find her friend. She felt so hot back there, so angry…like she just wanted to see the house covered in blood, the crimson liquid staining her hands as she splattered more on the walls.

She had to get away. Scared of what was happening. She never wanted to do that before but, that feeling, she couldn't figure out where it came from. Why is was there. What was going on?

Kakashi hobbled behind his sister, a worried look on his face as he stared down at her. Cautiously he reached forward resting his hand on her shoulder.

Having witnessed what happened this morning he too saw her glow. The hold is getting weaker.

"Kakashi…" she whispered staring up at him scared. Kakashi held her as best as he could, staring at the ground worried what would happen next. The seal was supposed to hold for her lifetime, why was it weakening?

In the Forest:

Naruto laid in the clearing half clutching his kunai in his palm in a deep sleep form last night's training. Light snores escaped his lips as the figure leaned over, hesitating before speaking, tapping his shoulder. "You'll catch your death of cold, sleeping on the ground." He smiled shaking his shoulder to wake him up.

"Huh?" barely awake he squinted seeing a pretty girl leaning over him, her long black hair just barely touched his cheek. "Who are you?"

Naruto watched the girl giggle as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. The cute girl smiled walking away to return to what she was doing.

"Hey, wait where are you going?"

"I have to gather some more herbs for my friend." He called to Naruto smiling when Naruto chased after him.

"Do you need any help?" Naruto asked fully awake now. Haku was glad that Naruto didn't recognize him from before.

"Sure," After showing Naruto the plants that Haku was collecting the two sat in silence for a while just picking herbs.

Naruto often glanced over at the pretty girl, gathering many herbs she might need. "Hey! Hey! Have I picked enough those herbs you wanted? Are these grasses and weeds really medicinal?"

"I'm sorry to have imposed on you." Haku called still gathering herbs.

"That's some job you took on girl…harvesting all that this early in the morning." Naruto was impressed, he thought only the adults had jobs here in this town.

"Looks who's talking. What were you doing in the middle of nowhere at the crack of dawn?"

"TRAINING!" Naruto shouted shocking Haku.

"Really? That headband you're wearing are you some kind of ninja?" Haku asked even though he already knew the answer.

"Why? Do you think I look like one? Do I? Really? Because I am!" Naruto yelled excitedly showing off how happy he was that the girl had called him a ninja.

"What are you training for?" Haku pried staring at Naruto. "To build up my strength." Naruto laughed showing off his pearly whites.

"But you look so strong and manly already!"

"Nope! Wrong! I need to be a lot stronger than this!" Naruto explained. "But why?" Haku cautiously asked.

"I want to be top dog in my home town. All these people who used to treat me like dirt will have to say, 'He's the number one ninja'! and right at the moment, I kind of have to prove a point to a certain person I know." Naruto explained.

Haku started at Naruto processing what he said before speaking again. "Are you doing this for the sake of that person or for your own satisfaction?"

"Whut?"

Haku let out a 'Teehee' at Naruto's confused face. "What's so funny?" Naruto yelled not liking to be laughed at.

"Do you have anyone special in your life?" Haku asked smiling softly at the blond.

'What's this girl driving at?' Naruto thought confused. "Well yeah but…"

"When people are protecting something truly precious to them, they truly can become as strong as they must be." Haku explained. Naruto stared wide eyed thinking back to when people had shown their strength.

Iruka protecting Naruto from Mizuki, Kakashi during the battle with Zabuza, and Kira when they were younger. Naruto had got into a fight with one of the older teenagers who had been picking on him. He was surprised to see his barely new friend run up to them trying to beat him up. She looked horrible in the end but somehow made the teen run away while she shouted, 'Don't ever let me catch you near him again!'

"Yup! I know all about it." Naruto smiled to himself happy to have those memories with him. To help him move forward. Haku smiled standing up to his full height which was only a few inches taller than Naruto.

"You will get stronger, I know we'll meet again." Haku called starting to walk away.

"Right!" Naruto smiled happily to himself to have made a new friend.

"So, you should know I'm a boy." Naruto's mouth dropped open, he held his head in shock. Haku was a boy?! 'No way! He's, he's even girlier than Sakura and Kira!" Sasuke walked toward Naruto staring at Haku suspiciously.

The morning of the seventh day Kakashi, Sakura, and Kira all went in search of Naruto checking on his progress.

"Where did Naruto go this time? Pushing himself beyond his limit, going out by himself again last night. And at breakfast time Sasuke says he's going for a walk and he disappears too!" Sakura grumbled confused about what was going through these boys' heads.

Kira stared ahead of her still frozen from what happened yesterday. A loud thunk sound echoed on the ground. A kunai was embedded into the ground. Looking up they saw Naruto lying like a cat on the tree branch catching his breath laughing to himself.

"Naruto can climb all the way up there? Amazing…"

"Well?! Well?! Did you see?" Look how high I can go!" Naruto yelled from way up in the tree very pleased with himself. Shifting his body to stand. "OopS!" He was sliding off the branch. Whatever state Kira was in was out of her system. "Naru!" she screamed watching him fall backwards.

"You idiot!" Sakura shrieked in fear.

"No! If he falls from that height!"

Sakura screamed bringing her arms to her chest looking at the ground terrified. Kakashi still too injured to do anything stood frozen in his spot.

Kira dashed forward activating her chakra dashed up the tree only to stop half way.

"TA-DAAAAH!" Naruto yelled down to laughing to himself for scaring everyone.

"You shit head!" Kira sighed with relief clutching her heart "Hahahaha, gotcha, suckers!" Naruto laughed throwing his arms up well down toward the ground laughing happily.

"You almost gave me a heart attack you jerk!" Sakura screamed.

A poof sound echoed in the air. Naruto's feet were off the tree. "Uh oh!"

"Hey! Twice is too much Naruto! Stop messing around!" Sakura screamed except this wasn't a joke. Kira let out a small cry dashing up just grabbing his hand while Sasuke who was now upside-down sticking to the tree grabbed Naruto's ankle.

"Ow!" Naruto called from the pain. Kira and Sasuke locked eyes he gave her a small nod showing it was alright. She looked at Naruto worried. "You okay Naru?" he nodded slowly blood was quickly rushing to his head.

"Sasuke!" Sakura exclaimed. "Yess! Sasuke saves the day! He gives me shivers!" Sakura giggled happily Naruto was safe and Sasuke was able to complete the training!

Sasuke and Kira were able to get Naruto down safely his arm wrapped around Kira's shoulder as he laughed nervously. "Naru I'm so proud of you!" Kira exclaimed excitedly wrapping her arms around her best friend. "All your hard work finally paid off!" She squealed kissing his cheek.

Naruto laughed enjoying the praise. It seems only Kira would openly praise him while Sakura was praising Sasuke though Sasuke didn't need it. Sasuke glared at Naruto. Kira kissed the wrong person in his eyes. Sasuke saved Naruto, he should be rewarded for saving her stupid friend.

"Come on let's get you back to the house so you can rest up, I'll go see if Tsunami has anything I can make you for lunch." Kira called pulling Naruto with her. "Some food in your stomach should help replenish your recovery factor." Naruto snickered with Kira.

"So, were you impressed? I did it all by myself in the end!" Kira rested her head on Naruto's shoulder as they walked. "Of course, I'm impressed! But didn't I tell you that you could do it! I told you that you had the ability. Now think of all the things you'll be able to do!"

When entering the house Naruto sat at the table relaxing his muscles very happy with himself. Sasuke appeared sitting across from him, giving Naruto the death glare of his. Naruto stared at Sasuke surprised for a moment.

"What's your problem teme?"

Sasuke growled clenching his fist tighter than before. Naruto glared at Sasuke.

'What the hell is his problem? All I did was master the technique and now he's treating me like I'm a threat.' Naruto thought annoyed. "Here you go," Kira brought out a turkey sandwich. It wasn't much but it would fill him up enough.

"Thanks Kira!" Naruto called before diving in. There was everything there needed to be so that the sandwich wasn't dry. Tomato, lettuce, and some mayo on the bread. 'This really hits the spot. I love it when she makes me food. She always knows just what I'm craving.' Naruto couldn't keep his smile away.

Sasuke stared at the sandwich. He could really go for one too. Stupid Naruto. He's always around her like they're a couple. 'Please, like Kira would go for someone like him.' Sasuke thought to himself. Glancing in the kitchen he saw Sakura and her working side by side, talking quietly.

He wasn't sure what they were talking about though.

"How're you and Naruto doing?" Sakura whispered as they made lunch.

"We're good he's so goofy and he's really proud of himself right now. I know he was struggling with this training." Sakura nodded glancing back at the two boys.

"I don't know what I'm going to do, Sasuke doesn't even give me the time of day and I really like him." Sakura let out a sigh slumping her shoulders.

"At least Naruto likes you." She scrunched up her nose in disgust.

"He's really not my type. He's so loud and annoying and can be so stupid like he was today." She grumbled more than annoyed before glancing at the gray-haired girl. She stared at the counter cutting some tomato slices. A frown etched onto her face.

"I'm sorry…" Sakura whispered putting a sandwich together. "I guess I forgot that you liked him and he…" Kira looked at Sakura plastering a fake smile on her lips.

"It's alright Sakura I'm fine with it. " Sakura stared at Kira confused. "I know Naruto. We're always going to be friends, I'm fine with just being friends because he's still in my life. Sure, I wish he liked me but it's okay." Kira looked at all the food. "Better make Naruto another one he's always craving seconds when he over works himself."

Sakura wasn't sure what to say. Naruto the guy she hated liked her, and the Kira the girl she used to hate was okay that her best friend/crush didn't like her. It was like they were in the same boat somehow. She still felt bad. 'It's not my fault Naruto decided to have a crush on me. He knows I like Sasuke. Why can't he just go after Kira? Those two are already perfect together. I just wish Sasuke could like me how Naruto likes me.' Sakura let out another sigh.

It seemed all those boys knew was the glare at each other. Sakura and Kira grabbed some plates going over to the boys placing the food in front of them. Sakura placed Sasuke's food in front of him. He gave her a small thanks before eating. Naruto smiled at Kira appreciatively watching her walk over to Kakashi.

Kakashi was in the middle of his book, she reached over making sure he saw the food. He gave her a smile leaning over placing a kiss on her cheek through his mask in appreciation.

Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto stare at Kakashi waiting patiently for him to take his mask down to eat. Their eyes glued to their teachers face. What did Kakashi look like? Was he handsome? Did he have fish lips? Maybe horrible acne.

They've never seen him with the mask off.

"They're staring." Kira whispered softly, Kakashi smirked under his mask nodding pulling his book up to his face. Blocking the bottom half of his face, showing from his eyes up. Pulling his mask down he ate his sandwich in peace feeling much better than a week ago.

Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto let out groans slumping in their seats annoyed. Kira giggled to herself being one of the only people in the room beside Kakashi who has seen his face. Sure, her brother was cute, but she didn't understand why they wanted to see his face so badly. It's just a face. Everyone has one. Besides Kira preferred the mask it. It was weird seeing him without it, Kakashi with no mask would creep her out.

Plopping down beside her brother Kira started to eat her sandwich looking outside at the view. It really was beautiful outside; the seclusion was so peaceful. You didn't have to worry about anyone spying on you, it was just perfect.

Sasuke wished Kira would sit at the table so he had a reason to look at her, he could see that her soft gray falling in her crimson eyes. He would want to just brush it away, touching her soft skin, kami she was beautiful. She's sitting with her brother though so Sasuke couldn't look back at her without anyone growing suspicious.

Sakura stared at Naruto in thought. 'Yes, Naruto is nice. But he's a complete idiot and he doesn't take anything seriously half the time. He barely thinks things through, he's so loud. Why does Kira like him? He's so annoying and ugh all he eats is Ramen. I can handle it every now and then but every day? Seriously? How hasn't he gotten sick of it?'

Food was eaten, stomachs were full, Naruto let out a yawn. Sleep deprivation finally catching up to him he deserved a nap more than anyone.

One Hour Later:

"196, 197, 198…" Kakashi counted doing one armed finger pushes.

"You know I duped you about how dangerous this mission was to get you to come here, so why do you stay?" Tazuna asked staring down at Kakashi confused.

" 'To know what is right and choose to ignore it is the act of a coward. Like master like man' Those are the teachings of some of our previous lords Hokage." Kakashi quoted. It was revealed that Tazuna and Sakura were sitting Kakashi's back.

"This is the shinobi way of life; true shinobi do not merely dance to the turn of whoever pays the piper." Across the room Naruto was napping on Kira's lap, Kira was running her fingers through his hair with one hand and reading a book in the other.

Sasuke made his way over to the two sitting down beside Kira, she glanced his way for a moment before going back to her book. Naruto let out soft snores a smile on his face.

"You think Kakashi's almost healed?" Sasuke asked nodding his head over at Kakashi.

"Almost. I think he just needs another good night's sleep and he'll be back to normal." She said smiling to herself. Only to frown. If Zabuza was still alive then he might be fully recovered too. The next battle won't be easy.

"How'd you pick up on that jutsu so quickly? It took Naruto and I a week to master being able to stick to a tree." Sasuke questioned staring at his long-time crush.

"I don't know." She answered honestly staring at the book in her hand. Quickly flipping to the chapter she was studying from she showed Sasuke the passage. "See, it says that you'll feel light and after you do the jutsu correctly you'll feel wind flow around you and the color of your palms will glow green…" Sasuke stared at Kira confused.

"I didn't feel that. It felt different…it felt like water was running through my veins and then I was cold. The feeling you get when you jump into a body of water for the first time and its cold till you get used to the temperature."

"You're probably just naturally gifted in healing," Sasuke spoke nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders in the process of it. Kira scrunched her eyebrows confused. What was Sasuke doing sitting next to her? What was he up to?

Was he planning to do something weird like he did in the tent? Gross. Sasuke was cute yes but she didn't want to do anything with him. He's so weird and always acts like he's better than you.

'I can't believe he was my first kiss. Blegh, I don't even find Sasuke attractive! Why would he kiss me when all we do is argue?' Sasuke wished he could be Naruto's position, lying his head in her lap, feeling the warmth of her skin surround him, her slender fingers running through his hair. The idea felt like pure bliss.

Stupid Naruto for always getting to be alone with her, he doesn't' even realize how good he has it. She's always holding him, around him, laughing with him. It was pathetic. Naruto didn't deserve her affection, Sasuke did!

Kira shifted her gaze back to her book making it seem she was busy when in reality she was just trying to get rid of this awkward tension, mentally praying Sasuke would leave her alone.

"Someone wake Naruto up." Kakashi called standing on his own now. His crutch lying forgotten on the floor a few feet away.

Kira shook his shoulder hearing him murmur, but not wake up. "Oh my god! There's a huge sale on Ramen! If we don't hurry it'll be all gone!" Kira exclaimed excitedly. Naruto shot off her lap standing ready to go.

"What are we waiting for? Let's go!" Naruto yelled fully awake.

Sasuke rolled his eyes annoyed, of course he would wake up for that. Sakura and Kira snickered together knowing Naruto and his obsession with Ramen went to great lengths.

"But ramen sale?" He pouted slumping his shoulders.

"Sorry Naru, Kakashi wanted you up. I'll buy you some ramen when we get home okay?" He nodded smiling brightly at his best friend sitting next to her giggling at all the choices he could have.

"Naruto, Sasuke, starting tomorrow you can help Sakura watch over Tazuna." Kakashi called. Both boys smirked happy with the job given to them.

"Awesome!"

"Kira I need you to keep an eye on Tsunami and Inari alright?" Kakashi asked. Sasuke frowned, if anything happened while they were guarding it could be bad. Sasuke and Kira fought well together, he liked being close to her. He wondered why Kakashi wanted to separate them.

"That's fine, that way someone is looking out for Tsunami and Inari in case someone attacks right?" He nodded his head.

"Correct."

Sasuke still wished he could be alone with Kira but at least Naruto wasn't with her.