I do not own Naruto, nor do I make any money off of this.

"talking"

'thinking'

Chapter 24:

It was Yumi's twenty-first birthday and she wanted it to be a blast. It was also a celebration of her and Sekkyoku finally getting together. It had been Fu that had had enough of their dancing around each other and literally pushed Yumi into dating her brother. The kiss had been short as Sekkyoku started yelling at Fu. Because Yumi thought he was mad that it was her he'd kissed, she had run off, but after Fu's encouragement, the two came back hand in hand. This had happened just over a week ago.

Now, Yumi and her friends were in her living room dancing to some loud music and having a lot of fun. Unknown to her friends, Yumi had spiked the punch. The only people that hadn't gotten any alcohol were Hinata because Neji would kill Yumi, Fu because she was scary when she was drunk, and Yumi herself. Yumi made sure that Sek-kun didn't have too much. As for Senshi, Nari, Kai, Sakura, and Naruto, they were fair game. Nari and Kai must have noticed that the punch was spiked as they stopped drinking it after two cups. Senshi also started drinking water. Naruto and Sakura on the other hand didn't have any clue. Sakura was on her sixth cup when she had gotten dizzy and was forced to sit down. Naruto on the other hand was on his fifth cup and he was dancing like he was birthday boy. About ten minutes later, Naruto slipped and Sek-kun ended up under him. Fu nearly yelled at Yumi as her brother struggled to move out from under the unconscious blonde. But instead, she just frowned and told Yumi that it was about time the party was over.

Nari and Kai left quickly, not wanting to get involved with whatever Fu was gonna do to Yumi. They grabbed Hinata by the arm and pulled her to Kai's car. Hinata threw glances at her friends, but knew that it was better if she stayed out of it. Besides, she was sure the Neji and her father wanted her home. Senshi managed to keep Fu calm and got her into his car. They waited a few minutes before Sek-kun joined them. He had helped Yumi bring Sakura and Naruto into a guest room.

Yumi stood in the guest room, watching as Senshi pulled out of her driveway. She then turned to face Naruto and Sakura who were asleep on the same bed. She had convinced Sek-kun that it would be ok for them to sleep in the same bed since there were friends. Yumi smirked as she stepped towards her sleeping friends, an evil idea popping into her head.

-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-

While Naruto was at Yumi's party, Kurama, Shukaku, and Sasuke were watching a movie. Matatabi and Kohaku were already asleep. Sasuke's phone buzzed letting him know that he had received a text message. He frown before sighing and sending a reply. Sasuke looked up,feeling two pairs of eyes on him. "It was Naruto. He's staying at Yumi's and will be back in the morning."

"And you are ok with that?" Kurama asked. Sasuke raised an eyebrow. Kurama shook her head before standing. "I'm going to bed. Watch the rest without me." She walked away without another word.

"What's wrong with her?" Sasuke asked.

"So you really not know?" Shukaku asked. Sasuke just gave him a confused look. Shukaku sighed. "Kurama doesn't think it is a good idea for Naruto to be around Yumi or Sakura. And I kind of agree with her."

"Then what should I do?" Sasuke asked. "Demand that Naruto come home?"

"No," Shukaku said. "He has to find out the hard way." Again Sasuke looked confused. "It's nothing." He grabbed for the remote, wanting to continue the movie, but Sasuke grabbed it first.

"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked.

"It's a bit obvious that Sakura likes Naruto, and I mean really likes Naruto," Shukaku said.

"So?" Sasuke asked.

"Doesn't that bother you?" Shukaku asked. Sasuke shrugged. "If the person I loved has someone else interested in them, I'd be afraid to let them hang out. Part of me would questioned if they'd return the other's feelings."

"You're in love with someone?" Sasuke asked. Shukaku blushed and nodded. Sasuke smirked. "Someone I know?"

"Kurama," Shukaku whispered.

"Oh," Sasuke said. He looked a bit surprised. "That's…"

"I know," Shukaku said. "She already has Itachi."

"Itachi's dead," Sasuke said. "He's been gone for a long time."

"I know," Shukaku said. "But you don't just get over losing your soulmate."

"But there is always a chance that someone has more than one soulmate," Sasuke said. Shukaku looked at Sasuke with surprise clearly written on his face. "I know this might sound strange coming from someone that married not out of love but for money, but love is the strongest force in this world. It can't be outdone even by death. Yes, she loved Itachi, but the heart is able to love more than one person."

Shukaku couldn't help but laugh. Sasuke frowned and glared. "S-sorry. It's just… I never pictured you as a romantic."

Sasuke shrugged. "I'm not really. It's just something close to what I mom once said to one of her friends. I was only twelve at the time, but my mother had a friend who was in love with someone that lost a loved one. I might not remember her words exactly but I know she would have said something along those lines."

"I've never heard you talk about your parents," Shukaku said.

"I don't really like to talk about them," Sasuke said. "And neither did Itachi."

"May I ask, what happened to them?" Shukaku asked.

Sasuke smiled sadly. "They died a few weeks after that talk. They were on their anniversary when their boat sank. Not many people survived. If I remember correctly, my mother's friend was on that boat as well."

"I'm sorry," Shukaku said.

"It was an accident," Sasuke said. "The captain didn't see the hidden reef under the water. I'm sure you've heard of the Titanic? Well, their ship was smaller than that but it went down so much faster."

"Still, I…"

"It's alright. And that is off point. What I'm trying to say is that I want you to give it a try. If Kurama rejects you, it just means she's not the one. There is definitely someone out there for you."

"Like Naruto is the one for you?"

Sasuke blushed. "T-that's…" He paused. "I'm twelve years older than him and I'm a man."

"Age is just a number. And love is genderless." Shukaku smiled. "Kurama told me that."

Sasuke smiled. "You're right." He nodded. "Then I guess there is only one thing we can do."

"What's that?"

"We have to go forth and follow our hearts." Shukaku grinned. Yeah, that was right.

-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-

Sakura awoke first and smiled at seeing Naruto's sleeping face. He was cute. She sat up, to get out out of bed only to notice her state of undress. Her gasp must have woke Naruto up for blues eyes were looking right at her. Before Naruto could process anything, Sakura screamed.

Yumi heard the scream and smirked. She stretched and got out of bed. She then ran into the guest room, ready to pretend she hadn't known what was going on. "Are you two alright?" She stepped into the room, noticing that Sakura had the blanket wrapped around her body while poor Naruto only had a pillow in front of him. "Oh my."

"I-it's not what it looks like!" Naruto yelled.

"Oh?" Yumi crossed her arms. "And what pray tell happened?"

"Um…" Naruto looked at Sakura for an answer.

"I… I don't know," Sakura said.

"Well, I'm not surprised," Yumi said. "You did drink a lot last night."

"Eh?" Naruto asked. "But I didn't drink any alcohol. All I drank was the punch."

"It was spiked!" Sakura yelled.

"Of course it was," Yumi said. "It seems that you two are the only ones that didn't know that."

"You... " Sakura carefully stood up, making sure the blanket was securely around her. "This is your fault!"

"Hey!" Yumi raised her voice. "I didn't make you sleep together."

Sakura blushed. "Oh god!" She slumped back onto the bed. "We didn't, did we?"

"Sakura?" Naruto asked. "Are alright?"

Sakura glanced at Naruto before looking back at Yumi. "Please tell me we didn't."

"I can't tell you that," Yumi said. She pretended to look embarrassed. "You two were a bit loud last night." This wasn't really a lie since the two had sung quit loudly while they partied. But she wasn't about to let them know that.

Sakura wrapped her arms around her body as she began to shake. Sure she liked Naruto, but to lose her virginity without even remembering it? She was ashamed of herself. Naruto looked at Sakura as he tried to cover himself more. From what he gathered, he had taken Sakura's virginity and lost his own all while they were drunk. And Sakura was regretting it. Several things went through his mind until he came to the conclusion that he needed to talk to someone about this. But first, he had to be a man. "I'll take responsibility," Naruto said. Sakura and Yumi looked at Naruto. "I know that neither of us remember what we did. But what happened happened." He looked right into Sakura's eye. "We are both adults. And although we may not be ready, I'm willing to take responsibility."

Sakura blushed and Yumi couldn't help but feel a bit bad about what she was doing to Naruto and Sakura. She had to admit that Naruto was a good man. "We don't even know if I'm pregnant," Sakura said. "We won't know for awhile."

"If you are," Naruto said. "I'm willing to take care of any children you carry. And If you decide that you don't want to have that baby…" He swallowed. It hurt to think that Sakura would want to terminate her pregnancy. He couldn't bring himself to say anymore but Sakura understood what he meant. She was a bit surprised that Naruto was willing to take care of her.

"I need to go home," Sakura said. "We both do." She stood up. "I think it would be best if we thought about what happened. Also, I need time." Naruto nodded. "Yumi, can I borrow a change of clothes?"

"Of course," Yumi said. She led Sakura to her room and helped her find some clothes. Not wanting to ruin her plan, Yumi left Sakura to change. She walked back to the guest room to find Naruto looking for his shirt. He already had his boxers and pants on. "It's over there." She pointed to the edge of the closet.

"T-thanks," Naruto said, grabbing his shirt and putting it on. He soon found his sock and put them on as well. Yumi quickly found Sakura's clothes and decided that she'd wash them. "I can't seem to find my phone."

Yumi nearly cursed. Naruto's phone was in her room. "I'll help you look for it. Maybe it's downstairs."

"I'll look in here a bit more," Naruto said. "Can you look in your living room?"

"Sure," Yumi said. "I just need to check on Sakura first."

"I'll meet your downstairs then," Naruto said. Yumi nodded before almost running back to her room. Luckily, Sakura didn't notice that Naruto's phone was sitting on Yumi's desk.

"I'll see you later," Sakura said.

"Sure," Yumi said, carefully making her way over to her desk. "If you need to talk, you can always call me."

"I will," Sakura said. She couldn't bring it upon herself to say another word. Instead she made her way downstairs. She nodded to Naruto as she passed him on her way out. Naruto remained silent, not sure what to say.

Yumi came down, with Naruto's phone hidden on her person. "Did you find your phone?"

"Not yet," Naruto said.

"We'll find it," Yumi said, pretending to look for it. She slipped the phone under the couch. After a few minutes and sighed. "Why don't I call it? Your phone's not on silent, is it?"

"It shouldn't be," Naruto said.

"Alright," Yumi said. She pulled out her own phone and dialed Naruto's number. Both heard the ringing and Yumi moved towards the couch. She bent down and grabbed the phone, ending her call. "I wonder how it got there." Naruto shrugged as Yumi handed the phone over.

Naruto quickly dialed a number. "Hey Shukaku? Can you come pick me up? Yeah Sakura had to leave early this morning. Yes… I'll send you the address now. Thanks." He hung up before quickly sending Shukaku a text. "Shukaku's on his way."

"If you need someone to talk to…" Yumi began.

"It's alright," Naruto said. "Besides, I think Sakura is that one that needs you, not me." Yumi nodded.