Should have been:Wednesday, October 10th, 2012 and the part of editing and top A/N.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NARUTO. Notice the lack of exclamation points.

Thursday, October 11th, 2012, for part of the editing and end A/N.

I'm so frustrated.

I spent over an hour with my mom nagging at me and yelling to come downstairs to eat dinner every 2 seconds finishing editing to post this chap. Then, when I finally finished, I clicked save and I had to re-login. I did, and there was no Chapter 15, so I have to re-do this.

I want to release a few tears. That's my crying substitute, since I won't let myself cry. And even that's rare. I'm that frustrated and angry. And if my mom wakes up and sees me still typing, she'll yell at me more and piss me off more (not that I let her know, I'm good at bottling up anger and not releasing it) cuz she ALWAYS repeats herself a million times. If there's one thing I've grown to hate almost as much as spiders, it's being repeated things. I think I broke my (sorta) friend's (more like 3-year acquaintance, but still) heart and made him hate me when I freaked out after he asked me out. More like, the ENTIRE GRADE asked me out. (3 weeks into 6th grade) NO ONE would shut up about Leo asking me out, and eventually, I freaked out (I don't remember if he ended up straight up asking me in person, but he was around) and refused him as nicely as I could. He ended up becoming more of a trouble kid for the rest of the year, and was suspended (or expelled?) eventually for pulling the fire alarm when there wasn't a fire. He didn't come back the next year, and I'm afraid of seeing his brother around school because I'm afraid he'll hate me, even though I've never talked to his bro. I wanted to apologize, but I was to afraid and didn't get the chance, and I'm still haunted by it.

Anyway, I'll less bitchy about the "no reviews for A Couple Moments thing". I won't update this Sat. or the next, though. Sorry.

I REALLY AM happy about any review I get.

Disclaimer:

Naruto: Since it's my b-day, I do the disclaimer. She doesn't own it. If she did, she wouldn't be so frustrated now.

Me: You sound dead.

Naruto: You're almost-crying mood is affecting me.

Me:...

Link for ACM: s/8487634/1/A-Couple-Moments-on-the-Road-of-Life-Repost

I have a facebook. Epic Otaku Cherry.

Read.

(On Thursday now) Better mood now.

Oh!

WARNING!: Inner Sasu makes an appearance, and he's a perv. Warning ya.

Oh, HEY!: Someone just threw something at my bedroom window. (t's 6:43 pm now, dark) It was round, and I guess it fell back outside since it was in my room, and my blinds were still on the sill. Scary. Now, I have a like 7-inch diameter hole in my window, and a bunch of glass on my bed. Scary, and am I going to sleep with my sis for now? She hogs the blankets.


Chapter 15: Late, Teasing & Kittens

2 Weeks before the Finals and 1 week since the last chapter…

Sasuke POV

"Ugh!" the dobe, aka Naruto, groaned. "When are they gonna be here? I mean, Sai-teme's new, but seriously? What kind of Chunin is this late?"

Well Kakashi's a Jounin and former ANBU and look at him.

"Sakura's never this late…" Kakashi speculated. I nodded. It's 9:37. We were supposed to meet at 9:20. What's keeping those two? Is it just a coincidence that they're both late?

I wasn't sure. Sakura's been changing quickly these past few weeks- since the Forest of Death. I'm aware why her hair was cut, and why she's keeping it that way- "It represents…me finally acknowledging myself as kunoichi and to become strong. I don't want to be left behind anymore."

At least, that's what she said. What does she mean by left behind?

But something else is up. Before you ask, no, it's not her fangirlism. She was starting to be more…tolerable just before the exams. Yes, it's odd, but who am I to complain? She's still nice to me and everything, but she's given up on trying to get me to like her. I think it's cuz(1) she is satisfied being friends. I actually acknowledge her as one, you know.

And she's one of your precious people, and other best friend. Aren't you a little lonely without all the attention?

Before I can answer my now 2 week-old annoyance, Naruto's outburst cut me off.

"Hey! Sai-teme! Why are you so late?!" I looked up to find the pale, fake-smiling teen walking toward us in his ROOT outfit, a book in his hand. If this is new to you, he officially entered out team a while ago. So now, we have 6 members in total: me, Usuratonkachi, Sakura, Kakashi, Yamato, and Sai.

"Sorry, Naruto-kun. I…was distracted with something." He walked up to us, and leaned against the red bridge across for me. You know the one we always meet at?

"With what?" This was me.

He looked down for a minute, in thought. Then asked, all of us, "What is love?"

Kakashi actually dropped his book, Naruto choked on something imaginary, and my jaw dropped a little with my eyes wide.

"W-what?" I asked. Great. I stuttered. I never stutter.

"I already know a little about familial and friendly, and love for your home. Beautiful and Sakura already told me about that. I want to know about romantic love. You know, the stuff in books and manga and stuff? Except the real thing. I asked Kurenai-sensei and Asuma-sensei, but Asuma just choked on his cigarette and then had to leave to his team, and they took him to the hospital cuz he was really told me something, but it was little, then looked solemn and then had to leave because Shino-san(2) was calling her for training with the rest of the team." His face was serious, but had a touch of sadness and confusion.

You know, I actually kinda feel bad for the guy.

For once, I agree with you, Inner.

From what I heard and was able to gather on my own, Sai is mostly emotionless, but not by choice, unlike me. And he really doesn't understand these things –social etiquette…social behavior…hell, even some slang and expressions! Trying desperately to know how to feel again…how is that like, really?

Ooh, watch out Konoha! The world's got a new full-time avenger and part-time poet on the loose!

Shut up, damn you!

"You like Ugly, don't you, Dickless?" I noticed he transferred back to the nicknames which showed he's a little more relaxed now, but he's still serious.

I looked at the blonde. You and I both don't like that he likes Sakura. I know I want her to be ours eventually, even though we don't love her now.

…What the fuck are smoking in there? Sappy Gas?

Whoa. Tone down the language a little, would you?

Kakashi once told me that if I was ever going to love someone that he thinks I'd be a passionate, but possessive and possibly obsessive lover, if not slightly dark. "And you're already pretty possessive enough in the first place," he said. I didn't believe him. Personally, I think when he went to the hospital for a physical that morning, the (fangirl) nurses had made him inhale some wacky gas to make him pass out so they can violate him, but it didn't quite work and the gas affected his brain for the rest of the day. It's been (almost) done before. Sounds logical enough to me.

I still don't.

Because feeling jealous of Naruto and his more…intimate relationship with Sakura does NOT annoy you at times. (Sarcasm) Or when you saw how determined Naruto felt about bringing Gaara to a sane set of mind, knowing he wanted to become his friend, doesn't bother you either. (SARCASM!) "They're MY friends, not yours!" is what I believe your jealousy can be translated to.

I ignored him.

…But maybe Kakashi is onto something.

"Well…actually," my ears pricked at the sound of Naruto answering Sai's question. "I'm kinda…getting over her now." I'm listening...

Kakashi actually put his book away –after he picked it back up- and he and I both turned our attention to Naruto, noticing that his ears were turning red and his cheeks were on their way. His whiskers make it even weirder looking.

"I know I really liked her and all, but she confronted me a couple days ago, saying to give up on her." Now this is interesting. "She said to stop this crush while it was still a crush because it'll only hurt me in the end. She also said she was sounding ridiculously cheesy and to forgive her. I asked her why she was saying this, and she replied, and I quote, 'I love you a lot Naruto, believe it or not, but not the way you want me to. I don't believe I ever can, either. I don't want to get your hopes up and have it crush you in the end. Love is more powerful and painful than you may think.' Then I asked her what I was supposed to do, no one would love a demon anyway. Then she replied, 'You aren't a demon, you imbecile! Moron, yes! Demon? No!'"

I smirked, a Naruto laughed a little. This actually had humor in it, no sadness. "Then she said, 'I can't say much but there is someone out there who cares for you a lot. I suggest giving her a chance.' I tried to get it out of her about whom, but she would only giggle and say, 'No way, it's a secret! She'll tell you when she's ready.' Then, Hinata-chan came up to get Sakura and start their training session. I think she heard a bit of what Sakura and I were saying, but anyway, she blushed, said hi and the two left. Since then, I started seeing her more as a sister and other best friend, rather than a romantic interest. So no, Sai, I don't. But I do understand what you were getting at."

I sweat-dropped. Dude, even YOU know who that this girl that likes him is Hinata. Dobe can be so stupid sometimes. How oblivious can he get?

I don't even want to go there. A wise person once told me never to underestimate the limit of people's obliviousness, density, and just plain lack of common sense.

Who was it?

…I forgot. For all I know, it could have been an actual person, anime/manga/manhwa(3) character, novel, or who knows what. I'm leaning towards person, though.

Wait a minute. How come he can remember that much of his conversation with Sakura when he couldn't even remember our passcode in the Forest of Death, which we were taught about in the Academy?

Didn't I just answer that for you above?

Sai didn't say anything at first. Just looked into space, thinking. Pondering.

"How about we go find out what Sakura's doing? It's 9:44 already." Kakashi interrupted the silence.

Sai blinked and seemed to just notice that Sakura hadn't arrived yet, although he mentioned her a while ago.

"She's not here yet? That's odd; she doesn't peg me to be the type to be late. Maybe she's at her apartment."

"Apartment? I thought Sakura-chan lived with her parents?" I agreed with Naruto. When and why had she moved out?

Sai was surprised, and I applaud myself for realizing it, since there wasn't much emotion on his face to discern that.

"You didn't know? She moved out like right after the preliminaries. Apparently, Karin is her next-door neighbor, now that she's a Konoha citizen."

"How do you know this? I don't see why Sakura-chan would tell you over me, her beloved Naruto-kun!? Her favorite!" I scoffed. Quit flattering yourself, Usuratonkachi. I'm her favorite. It's obvious.

"She didn't. I heard from Ino. She probably forgot to tell you all. You've been training separately and vigorously, and she's training, too."

He started heading toward the village, away from the various training grounds around us and this bridge.

Without turning, he said. "Come on, I know where it is."

We followed him.


We found ourselves at an apartment complex in front of an apartment door, 7L(4). I recognized this as one of the candidates for my own apartment when I wanted to move out of the Uchiha Manor when I was younger. It was pretty good, I remember, but just not my taste. And too many people near me. 7 huh. Maybe that's not a coincidence…

"Sakura? Sakura? It's us- you're late for our mission… Sakura!" Our sensei knocked on the door. Still no answer.

Sai pulled something from his pocket and inserted it into the keyhole.

"Hey, Sai, what ar- what the hell?! Why do you have a key?!" Naruto exclaimed.

Sai looked up. "Beautiful gave it to me to borrow, somehow knowing that I'd need it. Why?"

"Well I don't know, 'cuz a teenage dude having the keys to our teenage female friend's apartment is kinda-" I cut the Dobe off, turning the knob and entering the threshold of the apartment. "Let's go already and see what the hell is going on."

The others followed in after me.

The place was mostly neat, but a little messy. Like the way you expect home to be like- you know where everything is and it's pretty neat, most of the time. It smelled like…something. The apartment was a little small, but room enough for a couple people in the living room and cozy. Now I finally understand the saying, "Smells/Feels like home."

As we headed to what we assumed to be her bedroom, I looked at the bookshelves she had lined up against the walls. They reached my shoulders, and only one was full with some books in the other. They seemed to be a mix of medical books, novels, and manga.

I forgot she was a bookworm.

"Hey, boys. Do you hear that?" I tried to listen in, to hear what Kakashi was talking about.

"…Don't lost hope, and don't let go,
Cause' you should know…"(5)

We followed where the music was coming from.

It led us to a door that was slightly ajar.

I opened it and found a bed with red and white sheets, and soft green carpet. There was also a wardrobe, and a desk with a laptop with a cherry blossom designed cover beside the bed. Next to the laptop, was the iPod touch we got her on our Team 7 anniversary.

We each decided to get each other one, so she got a red one with a white circle -like her shirt- and a cherry blossom in the middle. (Custom designed. Not easy to get.) I got a dark blue one with the Uchiha fan on the back. Naruto an orange one with that had a red swirl surround by a white ring on the back(6). Only Sakura seemed to know what it meant, but she wouldn't tell us. Kakashi got a gray one with dark green swirls and the silhouette of a wolf on the back.

We even got Yamato and Sai one; Yamato's was wood design with a tree on the back, and Sai's was a dark purple that was almost black with a paintbrush on the back. When we bought it a week ago, Sakura insisted that it have a paintbrush on the back. Then again, she was also the one who told the gummy iPod cover custom design-maker(7) (that we knew pretty well, so they were at a discount price for us) how to design the damn thing, since we hardly knew the guy but she did. When Naruto asked why a paintbrush, she said that Sai was an artist.

Anyway, her iPod was playing the song. Well. This isn't something I want to listen to if I'm in a good mood. This is sad, damn it! I'm in tears, in here!

"If it makes you sad at me,
Then it's all my fault and let me fix it please"

Then, before we knew it, the bathroom door that we never noticed opened, and out stepped our friend in a towel, her hands drying her hair with another towel, eyes closed, surrounded by steam, singing along with the song.

"Cause you know I'm always all for you, Cause you know that I'm always all for you.
What if what I want makes you sad at me?
Then it's all my fault an let me fix it please…"
(8)

She sighed, eyes still closed but heading to her bed, nonetheless. She hasn't seemed to notice our presence.

"Hmm…" She said. "Maybe Ino's right and I do listen to too many sad songs…but that doesn't mean I have to be sad or depressed when I listen to them, Pig…" Sakura continued humming with the music and sat down on her bed. Suddenly, she stiffened.

Slowly, she opened her eyes. She finally noticed us. "Did you guys…how long have you been here?"

Naruto, seeming to have recovered from shock first, though with a slight blush, grabbed Sakura's bare shoulders and shook them saying, "Why are you listening to something so sad, Sakura-chan? Did someone hurt you and you felt this would make you feel better? Huh? Tell me who it was, tell me!"

The rest of us guys sweat-dropped. Who is he? Her overprotective father? And didn't you hear her say that she doesn't have to be sad or depressed to hear sad songs?

She quirked an eyebrow. "No one hurt me Naruto-kun. I'm fine. I've just liked this song for a long time."

Naruto didn't seem to be paying much attention to Sakura's response. His eyes drifted down a little, to the towel covering her…naked body. And more importantly…her breasts. Oh, don't sound like you weren't looking either! Your eyes looked at those small, round orbs, many times since she got out! Although, Sai seems totally unaffected. I mean, Kakashi is too, but he's 28 and our sensei, but Sai…it's like he sees naked women every day or just doesn't care.

I'd like to say I wasn't looking. So, I did. I did not! You pervert!

But I knew it wasn't true. I am 13…a guy…I DO have hormones. But for some reason, my eyes kept going back to her small chest. And her legs. What beautiful, long, legs she has…

Have I ever told you that I hate that I'm surrounded by hormone-crazed morons like Naruto, Naruto's sensei, Jiraiya, and Kakashi?

Yeah, why?

Have I ever told you that you're another one!

Well, someone has to be hormone crazed.

. . .

. . .

Moving on…

Sakura followed Naruto's gaze. Then her eyes widened and she jumped up, grabbing a pillow from and smacking Naruto's face with it, using her other hand to uselessly cover her chest (it's already mostly covered. What's the point?).

"GET OUT YOU PERVERTS!" She shrieked.

Sai, Kakashi and I hastily left the room, wondering what the hell was in that pillow of hers to send Naruto out of the room, or if it was just her strength. Naruto did try to convince us that Sakura had monster strength, but it only came out whenever she hit him. Maybe he was right.

We sat on the couch, stock still, and Naruto was getting up from the floor, rubbing his head.

"Ugh…I'll never look at pillows the same way again…" When he grabbed a spot on one of the love seats and picked up a book that was next to him. In fact, I noticed that her bed and couches all had some books on it.

Before I can think more of it, Sakura emerged from her room, with a little a blush, fixing what I assume to be a medical pouch on the back of her dress, and her iPod in her other hand.

"Uh…hey. Let's forget that happened, alright?" We all nodded. Well, except for Naruto.

"It's nothing we haven't seen, right Sakura-chan? And not only the hot springs, what about those times you wore a swimsuit?" He had a point, but this wasn't the time to point that out. He really needs to learn tact. He's going to get himself killed one day…

"Shut up, you!" She hit him over the head, albeit lighter than usual. She took a glance toward Sai and I immediately knew that she was expecting some kind of remark from him. Surprisingly, he said nothing.

"What was the song?" Kakashi asked. "What If by Safetysuit." She replied.

"Hey, Sakura?" I asked.

"Yeah, Sasuke-kun?" She was obviously curious at what I was asking her.

"Why are there books everywhere? On your bed, this couch…" I hung off.

"Oh!" She blushed, seemingly ashamed, scratching her cheek with a finger. "I uh, was studying medical ninjutsu late last night and fell asleep reading them in my bed. I woke up a little while ago."

"That doesn't seem to be all you're reading, Sakura-chan." Naruto said, his face buried in a manga.

He closed it and showed us the cover.

"I didn't know you read this! I love this manga! I was just waiting for the 15th effing chapter, damnit! There's only 1 volume so far cuz online, it's only gotten so far as 14 chaps and she hasn't updated in like a year! I mean, her other manga are updating fine, but just not this one! I was so glad when it finally updated. Now, I'm waiting for 16." The cover said Pureblood Boyfriend(9). Shoujo(10) for sure. So why's Naruto into it?

"Give me that!" She took the book, and held it close to her chest. It's that chest again…oh how lucky that manga is!

I'm ignoring you.

"Oh, I recognize that. Pureblood Boyfriend. Ino says it's one of her favorite shoujos. She said it's a perfect combination of romance, slightly dark and twisted love, vampires, blood, and a bit of action. Not overly cheesy and some of the best portrayal of vampires she's ever read. Although dark romance isn't much of her thing, she loves it. And the action just makes it better. At least, that's what she says." We turned to the pale boy who spoke.

"Oh. Ino-pig. So that's how you guys got a key inside in the first place." Sakura simply replied.

"She also said that you're a sucker for romance. And that you're practically in love with dark romance. That you love those kinda twisted, possessive romances, not including incest. You're not a fan of it. Unless it was accidental(11), but still."

We turned to the slowly redding female. I quirked an eyebrow.

That was enough for her to sigh and answer. "Yeah…I like it….but I also read a bunch of shounen, too! One Piece(12) is my fave! I also read a lot of novels."

Naruto clapped, walking up to her. He held her face and kissed her cheeks, reminding me of those movies where regal very touchy-feely Italians and French greeted each other (no offense) and hugged her.

"I. Think. I'm. In .Love." He looked serious, but we all knew he was joking.

She giggled and hugged him back. "Save it for that Secret Admirer of yours.*giggle*"

He pouted. "Maybe I would if you'd tell me who she is!"

She put a finger against her lips. "Sorry. No can do. Can't tell you even if I wanted to. Woman-to-Woman swear."

"Does it over-power best friends?" Dobe…using a puppy dog face won't work on her, you moron.

"Yup! I may still be 13, but that doesn't mean I'm that age mentally!(13) A Woman-to-Woman swear can only be overruled by the one who set up the swear. Which isn't you."

"Well, phooey."

I rolled my eyes.

"Why are you guys here, anyway?" Sakura asked.

"Did you forget you had to meet us at the bridge at 9:20 for the mission, Sakura? It's 9:58 now." Kakashi stated, reading one of her Rave Master(14) mangas. Sai was reading one of her Law of Ueki(15) ones. I, myself, had a Katekyo Hitman Reborn!(16) in one hand, and a Soul Eater (17) in the other, trying to decide which to read.

Geez, Sakura has quite a few books. Although most are here in there, none of the volumes in order. I assume she just got what she could. Maybe we can help her complete her collection.

"Mission? What mis- holy crap!" She finally saw the clock and realized that her sensei was indeed right. She rushed back in forth getting the last of her things for the mission (she probably prepared them the night before but woke up late) and stood in front of the door a moment later, apologizing.

"I'm so sorry, guys! I must have slept past my alarm and haven't seen the clock 'till now! Let's go! Oh my God, I'm so sorry!"

We stood up and headed to the door after her, leaving the manga behind.

We followed her out of the apartment, and she was about to knock on the door to the right of her own, 8L, but the door opened before her knuckle could touch it.

It swung open to show a girl with short red hair, purple T-shirt saying "I'm not rude. I just won't hesitate to punch you in the face if you piss me off" and jean shorts and a brand new Konoha headband. The girl was putting her glasses on. I recognized her as Karin, the girl with the weird healing techniques that helped Lee from Grass. She's a part of Konoha now…she did say something about being abandoned by her team…I wonder what happened.

Don't you remember? She was about to get mauled by a giant bear in the Forest of Death if we hadn't saved her! She was alone!

Yeah…

"I was wondering when you'd knock." She looked at us. "You know, you guys are pretty loud." She turned back to Sakura. "What do you need?"

"I'm going on a mission with the guys for about 2 days. Can you get my mail for me? And take care of my kittens and puppies?"

"Kittens? Puppies?" This was all of us, –but Sakura of course- we had no idea she had pets.

"You have pets? Since when?"

"2 days ago, I found a cat in the alley that was dying. She had 2 kittens around her. I tried to heal her, but she was well…dying, so I couldn't do anything. In her final moments, her kittens had nuzzled up to me, and she noticed and basically gave me a look that told me I was now in charge of her children. The puppies were the same with the puppies, though instead this time he was a dad. I assumed the mother died or something. I went to Hana and she told me they were all fine and 4 weeks now. Oh, and I'm not an animal whisperer, Naruto."

Naruto pouted.

"…Well. Do you have milk, litter, food, and everything?"

"Yeah. Even a large pet bed Hinata got for me. The puppies and kittens get along very well. They're like a big family."

"How many are there?"

"2 kittens, 3 puppies. Only one has a name. I'm giving the rest away and letting the new owners name them. In fact, I have one that I believe is just perfect for you, Karin!"

Karin looked at the pinkette incredulously, like she was waiting for her to say, "kidding!"

Finally, she sighed. "You're serious. Which one is mine then?"

"She's a white kitten with light blue stripes and light blue paws and ears, and a dark pink shade of eyes. Like yours. Ferserious. That's some weird genetics, but Hana said she was fine. You still have a copy of my apartment key, right? And my mailbox key?"

"Yeah. And don't think I'm oblivious to what you were implying either.(18) Besides, if I lost your apartment key, I could always go through that door that conveniently joins our bedrooms and apartments that was added by mistake. Now go. You're probably getting late. Shoo, shoo." She, well, shooed us away and closed her door.

Later, when we were exiting the village, Naruto interrupted the silence. "What did that Karin girl mean by 'don't think I'm oblivious to what you were implying'? And what was the name of the kitten you named?"

Sakura smirked slightly, then giggled. "It's a girl thing, Naruto."

"But what was the name of the kitten?" Sai asked.

"Oh, it was…um…*mumble*…"

"What?" I couldn't hear her, and I was curious.

"I said….*mumble*…"

"You're going to have to speak louder than that, Sa-ku-ra." I knew that when I did that, she would usually give in.

She did.

I couldn't say I was displeased by her blush.

"I said his name is…Sasuke."

"Sorry, I don't think I caught that." Naruto seemed to be cleaning his ear out with his pinkie. "I thought you said Sasuke."

"She did, Dickless." Sai added in. "So not only are you short and dickless, you're deaf, too?"

Cue shouting match with Sai. Well, against Sai. I have to admit, that was kinda funny.

"I did say Sasuke, you morons!" Sakura exclaimed, breaking up their fighting.

I smirked. Again, I was not displeased. Pretty proud, actually. They say Pride is one of the 7 Deadly Sins. Sorry man, but I don't want to be like that little creepy kid in FMAB(19). Or like HIM in FMA(20).

…Well this isn't either of them, moron. Besides, FMAB's so much better than FMA, anyway.

You said it.

"So why did you name it after me, huh?" I asked her.

There was the tiny blush again. She's so cute like that.

Shut up. She isn't cute.

Sometimes I wonder if you're gay. Not that there's anything wrong with people being gay, it's just wrong when it's you. I'm disappointed really. How do you plan on restoring your clan with a GUY?! It has to be your kid, remember! And I don't want you to end up with Naruto or Neji!

I'm not gay, imbecile! Why did you choo- you know what? Nevermind. Now shut up. She's answering!

"Because the little guy reminded me of you. His coat was the same color as your hair, and you have similar eyes. He's also pretty cocky, and loves attention for a cat. So what can I say? I was going to name him Kuromaru(21) or Yoru (22) or something like that, but Sasuke fit him better. He didn't like the others as much anyway. So I call him Sasu-chan, cuz he's much cuter than you." She stuck her tongue out at me.

If she doesn't put that back in, I might just take over and...do things. Ohh, what that tongue could do...and those lips...so pink...

Ignore him, ignore him, he's not there, ignore him...

I was kinda disappointed with the last part of her response, but then thought of something. "If I'm not cute, what am I then? Be honest... Are you going to answer, Sa-ku-ra?" I bent down a little to get closer to her face (I had grown about 2-3 inches taller than her, but Naruto's still the shortest), smirking even wider at the side of her heightened blush.

"Uh…you're…um…*mumble*"

I got even close her. If I knew teasing her like this was this much fun, I would have done this a long time ago.

"What was that? I couldn't catch it…"

"*mumble*…"

"Hm?"

"I said that you're-"

"Hey, love birds! You done flirting yet?" I separated from her. I looked to where my teacher was standing with Naruto and Sai, and heard Sakura sigh with relief. This isn't done yet, Sakura…

"Hn." I put my hands in my pockets and followed my teammates ahead of me, feeling more than hearing Sakura following.

"Sometimes I wonder if you're really 13. That was impressive Sasuke." Kakashi gave me a thumbs up. I'm not sure if I'm flattered or disgusted.

"Hn."

"After being interrupted while seducing teammate into almost stating what she thought of him in the looks department, he reverts back to just grunts." We all turned to Sai who had just murmured this, and seemed to be writing this in a book for what seemed like notes.

"Seriously? Geez. That's it. I'm going on ahead." Naruto went on ahead of us, Kakashi and Sai following.

I would've too, but something caught the end of my shirt and stopped me from jumping up into the trees after our team.

I looked at that something.

"You're not cute. You can be, sometimes, but usually no. You're…pretty handsome…and uh, hot." Her blush was matching her hair.

I smirked. "Why thank you, Sakura."

She mumbled something about shutting up and I couldn't help but think, Note to self: do this more often.

"Come on. Let's go before we lose them." I nodded my head over to our teammates that were slowly getting out of sight. She nodded, then we both jumped together and followed.

I can get used to this….


(1): If you hadn't noticed already, I usually use "'cuz" instead of "because" or "'cause" in my writing. Why? Laziness. But I only do that in informal stuff. Not school. No way.
(2):
After his first appearance in the Prelims, Sai has had chances to bond a little with all the Konoha 11 (or 12 with Sasuke there...) and a bit with Kankuro even, being artists and all...he already knows Temari, but doesn't speak with Gaara much...just observes. Remember, Gaara is still pretty unstable, just less than in the anime. Oh, and the whole kill-Lee-in-the-hospital-&-Shika-and-Naruto-Gaara-confrontation won't happen. No need.
(3):
In lay-man (or was it lame-man? Not sure...I've mostly heard it, not read it...and I've seen different ways to write it...) terms, Korean manga. They're also backwards from regular manga, so they're the same (the way you read it) as English or American novels.
(4):
7=Team 7. L=Love. I went through every letter of the alphabet, but I kept it at L. Karin's apartment, 8L, doesn't have any meaning besides the L, but that doesn't really apply. She's the next door over. What else is she supposed to be? 11C?
(5):
I try to make songs quoted, underlined, and italicized, but the underlines always disappear in the saving process of this thing. But I always quote them, so I hope that helps you make the difference to lyrics being played and thoughts.
(6):
Uzumaki clan symbol. It was annihilated (the clan). Naruto, Karin, and Nagato are the only current survivors. Karin knows she's an Uzumaki since Itachi was there if I remember right when either Tobi/_ (Don't wanna spoil it for non-knowers) or Kabuto said it and he told her. Apparently Juugo's of the Juugo clan. His first name is his last name. Or his only name. I wish there was a last name for him...it'd be less confusing.
(7):
I doubt such a person exists. I couldn't resist putting this. Oh, and the fact that Team 7 had Sasuke for about a year by the time he left (though not this early) is likely true. In the beginning of Part 1, they were 12. By the end, they were all 13. (Their ages all say 12-13, and even the Sand Sibs say, 12-13, 14-15, & 15-16. So that means there was some time between the Exams and Sasuke Retrieval) So I just made it that they were a team for a longer time.
(8):
I try to make quoted, italicized, underlined, and bold lyrics being played AND SUNG. The underline pro'lly won't show, but if it's bold, italicized, and quoted, it's someone singing. I hope that helps tell the difference between Inners and Bijuu, though.
(9):
Pro'lly my fave Shoujo, just before Kaichou wa Maid-sama! (Love you Usui!) Check it out at .
(10):
Manga (and anime) aimed at adolescent/pre-pubescent/teenage girls. Some for younger like 9 or 10, or even 16 but still a shojou. It's pretty broad. Almost always centers around romance. Not always though. I have one I love with like NO romance. They usually don't center around adventure and action, though. But a manga can be shounen (see below #22) and shoujo at the same time. Magico, one of my fave manga, is both, that centers around adventure, magic, and love. It's not cheesy, (well, Shion is, but he's...Shion), and is really good. Check it out at kissmanga. It ended at 65 chaps, and the epilogue chap should be coming out sometime.
(11):
Yes, there's such thing. Parents DO separate children, whether it's divorce or what. It can happen. It's just rare. I think, "if you can, find someone else. Otherwise, if you 2 were meant to be, then let love prevail in the end. It'll choose." "If you love something, let it go. If it comes back, it's yours." I really hate incest, but for accidental, they didn't know, it's not their fault.
(12):
2nd fave anime/manga of all time. Right behind Naruto. It was my fave for 5 yrs straight until Naruto took over again. Please watch it. It may not seem all that great, mostly cuz of the earlier animation, but put that aside and see it. It'll change you forever. Plus, it's one of the few anime that will make you (almost, maybe) cry for a boat or a whale in FLASHBACKS! So you've already seen it, and you're crying again. Oh, and fun fact. Monkey D. Luffy, the main character, and Riza Hawkeye from FMAB, have the same English Voice Actor. Not Riza's FMA V/A, her FMAB one. I realized it when Riza was yelling at Mustang when he left his post to help her and Kain (and Black Hayate) with Gluttony. When I heard that, I thought it was Luffy yelling at Zolo for eating his meat or something. If Riza talked at a normal tone all the time, I wouldn't have noticed. Oh, and Luffy's English, Japanese, and Spanish V/A's are all girls. I think just about all of them are girls. Same for Naruto. Well, Japanese, English, and Spanish anyway. I don't know about any other language.
(13):
*hinthint* See what I did there?
(14):
Hiro Mashima's 1st manga. Heard of Fairy Tail? That's his second. A bunch of Rave Master went into FT: the Plues, Gray's design, a bit (since I keep mixing him up with Musica even though they're not alike at all), the insignia at the back of Makarov's cloak (it's not the FT sign, is it?), the name Siegrain, Jerrard and Mystogan's design entirely, Lucy's whole connection with her mother thing, Lucy's mom's name and uhh...stuff?, etc. The anime has 52 eps, and the manga continues it and has like 250+ plus chaps. It's great. You'll love it.
(15):
Awesome shounen. I love it. In a funny way, it takes "being green" and recycling to another level without trying. Oh, and Mr. K constantly reminds me of Kakashi. The "K", the hair, their mysteriousness, yeah...
(16):
Pro'lly my 4th or 3rd fave anime/manga EVA. It's contains the mafia, the strongest babies in the world, bullest, pills (not in a druggie way), the future, weird friends, REALLY hot guys (and hot girls, for you dudes), action, and a wimpy main character who had the nickname "No-Good" and an average of 17% in tests at the beginning of the anime. It's great that you see him mature and grow. I like that. The anime has 203 eps, the manga continues it at chap 282, and currently has 405 chaps, and I know it'll end soon. There's a chara early in the manga that doesn't show up in the anime, but shows up later in the manga, so to not get confused...how about you tell me if you want to see it and I'll tell you and give you sites to watch it, and a summary if you want to know more?
(17):
Maybe 3rd or 4th or 5th fave. The anime, about 1/2 or 1/3 way through becomes totally different from the manga, so I suggest watching and reading it. Oh, and Chrona is a boy in the anime's dub, but I'm not sure about the sub. If I was told correctly, they don't really specify. They keep changing. In the manga, the editor lately decided to call Chrona a girl there,so if you're not that far into it, rest assured, Chrona's a girl in the manga. It makes more sense since s/he's WAY more feminine there. Why does this happen? Ookubo (the creator) doesn't know or care about Chrona's sex.
(18):
What was I implying? SuiKa. If you noticed, the kitten's fur resembles that of Suigetsu's- but instead of a white-blue tint of hair, I made it white with light blue stripes. And have Karin's eyes. I may change them to purple so it's ALL Sui, instead of a representation of SuiKa. If you hadn't realized, I'm going to insert SuiKa in this story. Damn, I have a lot of couples...
(19):
Can't spoil it for the unknowers. (If you hadn't realized, I made up that word. I like it)
(20):
Again, can't spoil it for the unkowers.
(21):
Kuro=black. -maru=suffix for a boy's name. Together, it can mean Black Boy. Example: Shikamaru. Shika=deer. Shikamaru=deer/deer boy.
(22):
Yoru=night. Yes, it was mostly inspired by Shugo Chara's Yoru. I love Ikuto so much. Fave chara. And one of the overall-hottest-with-a-personality-so-I-love-them-not-just-cuz-of-their-looks-and-sexiness anime dudes I've ever seen.

Shounen: anime/manga aimed at adolescent-teen boys. Usually centers around action, adventure, or sometimes horror. Like I said, it's very broad, and there can be mangas both in the shounen and shoujo category.

Damn. That's a lot.

If you didn't see it in the beginning A/N, a rock was thrown at my bedroom window 1/2 an hour ago. (it's 7:15 now, at night, and it's been dark for a while) Scary. A police officer is here, and he found the rock. We just moved here a week ago (finished anyway) and I was on break last week. This week, I've been walking to and from school since we're so close. Damn.

Here's the link to ACM again: s/8487634/1/A-Couple-Moments-on-the-Road-of-Life-Repost

Remember, my facebook is Epic Otaku Cherry. (If you worry about my privacy, I have a personal one that I'm not going to give out just like that. This is my account for anime stuff) And my anime-me email is on my profile. The very top.

Again, I really DO appreciate the reviews, it just hurts that it seems everyone but 1 person hated what I felt proud to be one of my best work. Please review that, too.

With love,

Epic Otaku Cherry.

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