Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters within. Just a fan with an excess of imagination and a penchant for writing thoughts down.

Sorry everyone! I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel shortly after finishing the last chapter and typing has been hard to do. I was also traveling a lot and getting some things done with looking for a job. I hope you guys can understand it's been rough, but I promise not to give up on this story!

Response to reviewers:

TwinkleTwinkleI'mAStar: Yay! Here's another update for you! :D

eelaiiii: I'm glad you like it so far! Team 7 really is full of shit haha, and there is plenty more to come in the future!

Rinfantasy: Yes, it is early in the storyline for Hinata and Naruto, but I'm taking a bit of creative license here. Mostly stemming from my own feelings that people should give living together a try before they get married. Also, my version of Naruto is a bit more mature than he is portrayed in the anime/manga, so he realizes that he could have died a hundred different times and ways during the war and fight against Sasuke, and he doesn't want to waste the chances given to him by waiting. The subtle changes I'm making to Naruto's character are going to lead to big changes in his life later on, so stay tuned! Also, Sasuke isn't done with his revenge… ;P

zoeydc: thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying it so far!

PositiveCharm416: Thank you! This story will hopefully be full of humor and plot twists ;)

Chapter 7:

"Sakura! Why didn't you tell us you were leaving!"

Sakura winced at the shrill tone in Ino's voice. She always got that tone when she was excited, angry, or a combo of both. Right now, Sakura would guess that she was more angry than excited. The tilt of her eyebrows and the scowl on her face were dead giveaways for the anger that Sakura could see flaring in her eyes. Sakura had been planning on telling them about the changes in her life, it had just been a whirlwind of crazy all day and she really hadn't had a chance to recover yet.

She had expected to spend her 2 days trying to sort through her apartment and her hospital duties, focusing on things that needed to be taken care of before she left. She had not anticipated Tsunade and her parents stepping in and taking care of it all for her. Then she had been worrying about how to deal with Naruto, and even that had been anticlimactic. Naruto had pretty much blown their concerns out of the water. He had accepted their choice to leave, not demanded to come with them, and had even joked about their future sex life. He'd gotten his ass beat for that last part, but all in all, his reaction had been completely different than what had been expected. Now Sakura found herself with another almost 2 days before she was leaving and the only thing left to do was pack her stuff for the journey. Obviously, breaking it to her friends that she was leaving before they found out second hand had completely escaped her mind in all the chaos. She should have gone to them right away, but there had been so many things to do in such a short amount of time.

Tenten and Hinata looked much less angry. There was a sadness in their demeanor that indicated they were more hurt than mad. On the other hand, Ino was in fine form. Her scowl was deep, and her shoulder were set in an aggressive stance. She looked like she was ready to hit Sakura, but there was a layer of hurt buried under it if you knew what to look for.

"Ino, I wasn't trying to hide it. I was planning to come talk to you all tomorrow, after I got some sleep and recovered from the crazy shit that happened today. I'm sorry! I haven't even had time to fully process what is happening and what I need to do."

Ino looked like she wanted to argue more about it, but Tenten and Hinata both placed a hand on either of her shoulders. The gesture helped Ino reel in her emotions and the scowl softened. Ino took a deep breath and placed her hands on her hips.

"I'm not ready to accept your apology yet, but I'll be damned if we don't send you off in style Forehead. Let's get her ready girls, tonight we're gonna to party!"

Sakura backed away from the trio as they pushed their way into her apartment. The determination on Ino's face, and the smiles that Tenten and Hinata wore had inner Sakura on alert. The trio herded Sakura into her bedroom to get her changed and ready for what they had planned that night.

-/b/-

Sasuke was able to maintain his emotionless facade during the grueling conversation that Kakashi was having with Naruto, but it was a close call a few times. Kakashi had procured several of his Icha Icha books and had used them as reference material for how to do the "birds and the bees" thing. Naruto had his hands over his face and was rocking back and forth. Sasuke was surprised he wasn't foaming at the mouth and comatose on the 4th's head. The Dobe was absolutely mortified to be stuck in this situation, and Sasuke was loving every minute of it. Kakashi had taken to this topic with a gusto, and he wasn't leaving any part of it out. Naruto had tried to escape, but Kakashi and Sasuke had proved to be too resourceful for him. Sasuke had anticipated his escape attempts and had brought along some rope. They had only released him from the rope after he had promised to never make a sex joke about Sakura and Sasuke again, and had promised to sit and listen to the entire conversation. It had taken a while to get Naruto to agree, but being tied up was too much for him in the long run. Now he just sat and tried to block out Kakashi's voice.

"Women love this next part Naruto! After the woman is in position, the male will put his pe-"

"I think that's quite enough, Kakashi."

Iruka had had enough. He'd let them embarrass Naruto enough, and it was time to get back to their original intent in coming to Naruto. Quite honestly, Iruka had heard enough to last him a lifetime. He had no idea who Kakashi could read all of that and talk about it with a straight face. He'd felt a blush creep up his own face several times during this discussion. He was sure that Naruto would be traumatized for life after this. Hell, Iruka might be traumatized for life too. Those Icha Icha books were a menace to society. Naruto may have trained under the legendary Sannin Jiraiya, but obviously his perverse nature had not rubbed off on the boy.

Kakashi pouted.

"But we were just getting to the best parts Iruka!"

"This is not what we came here to discuss with Naruto! We had a purpose in coming here, let's get to it."

Kakashi's eyes crinkled as he smiled under his mask. Tonight had started out a bit gloomy and sad as they approached Naruto, assuming he would be brooding and upset about his friends leaving. The unexpected joy of sharing his Icha Icha books with his students, and embarrassing both Naruto and Iruka had been glorious. Iruka was right though, they had come here with a purpose in mind, and the blonde had definitely been working up a good brood before they had arrived. From what Sasuke had told him earlier, Naruto had put up a good front when they told him. He was probably trying to keep his shit together until they left and then he would breakdown. Wearing a mask of happiness was second nature for Naruto, he'd worn one his entire life. Those who were close to him could see through it, and no one was closer to Naruto than the members of Team 7. If even Sasuke was troubled about Naruto's inner feelings, it had to be a huge shock to the blonde.

Well, Kakashi had a topic that could take Naruto's find off of Sasuke's departure.

"So Naruto, have you started looking for places to live with Hinata?"

"No, I just asked her to move in. I haven't even had a chance to look at the market."

"Naruto, you can't ask a lady to move in with you if you don't have an adequate place prepared!"

Naruto looked at Kakashi, feeling like he was walking into a trap but being unable to determine the nature of it.

"Kakashi-sensei, I'm sure there are plenty of great places on the market right now. It shouldn't be too hard to find a good one that fits Hinata and I."

"Naruto! This is your love nest! This is where you and Hinata will put all the knowledge I have imparted to you this night to use! You can't just pick anywhere! You will need a place with sturdy furnishings and thick walls. Those are not the easiest things to find."

"AHHHHHH!"

Naruto's face flamed red and his hands slammed over his ears. His horror stricken face shot from Kakashi's seemingly innocent facade, to Sasuke's smug smirk, finally landing on Iruka's embarrassed grimace.

"I hate you sometimes, Kakashi-sensei."

-/b/-

Sakura had been expecting Ino, Tenten, and Hinata to whisk her to her bedroom to slip into her slinkiest club clothes, douse her face in makeup, and hit the club scene HARD. Instead, she was pleasantly surprised to have a pair of comfy clothes thrust into her hands. She quickly changed and rejoined the trio in her living room. Ino was busy bossing the other two around as they compiled what looked like lists. Sakura was getting really curious by this point.

"Uhhh, girls, what exactly are we doing for this 'party'?"

Ino shushed her and focused back on the tasks at hand. Sakura felt a sweat drop at her temple. Of course her best friend would have the audacity to shush her in her own home. Hopefully the quiet talking amongst the three would yield some action soon.

"Alright, we have everything planned and ready to go. We just need to hit the grocery store and we will be good to go."

"The grocery store…? I thought we were partying?"

"We are Forehead, we are. Just get your shoes on and let's go."

The four women shuffled out of the apartment and down to the grocery store. Sakura began to see the picture as she followed her friends through the freezer aisle to the munches aisle, and finally the movie rentals. Their baskets filled with frozen pizzas, ice cream, popcorn, chocolate, and finally some of their favorite movies. The true nature of the party was coming to light, and Sakura felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude well inside of her. She was truly blessed to have such amazing friends, and she really would miss them while she was out in the world traveling with Sasuke.

"Alright girls, I'm ready to get this party started!"