Hey guys! I'm at 200 reviews! Wow! You must really like this story. Guess what? I'm in Forks right now! Well, just outside of it, but I went to look, and they have souvenir shops and everything. I think it is so relaxing… but a word of advice for those looking for adventure, don't come if you think there's anything here, 'because there isn't. It's just a great place to relax…. Just don't feed the wild-life… you could get bitten. Tee hee.

I don't own Naruto.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

My eyes shot open.

Where was I? What happened last night? I remember Tsunade and Operation Mother and Child…

Oh Gosh.

I tried to move, but stopped when I realized something was around me… someone was holding me. His strong arms held me close to his warm chest, although the sheet was between us, my stomach still felt uneasy and I felt pressure in my heart.

I couldn't help but smile, until, my face turned as red as a tomato. "Uh…"

But he moved, and turned over.

I fumbled and, making a lot of noise I might add, sat up, and held a blanket over my chest. To my extreme relief, I still had my pajamas on. I breathed deep.

I looked around, and the sunlight was making a blue essence through the curtains. It was easily morning.

Sasuke's form twitched. "Ugh… Sakura?"

My cheeks that of pikachu's cheek color. And they just kept getting redder. The comforter was still bunching up near my chin. My eyebrows itched, and I squirmed. 'Uh… '

He turned, and saw me. To my surprise, his eyes softened and he gazed at me, and a smile emerged on his lips.

"Ah, such a dream. It's nice to see you Sakura."

I was slightly confused. "What dream?"

He looked at me with a face that could explain, 'DUH!'

"Why this one of coa…" His face froze, and I watched the reality wash over his face like a bucket of cold water. He slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "Gah!"

He fumbled, and moved his hands all over, like one might inspect for any broken bones.

"Don't worry," I said, rather annoyed, "our clothes are on."

His thought cleared with a loud "achem!" and he turned away from me.

I swear I thought I saw a little blushing there on his cheek.

Without saying another word, I got up, not bothering to set up any sheets.

It's Sasuke's bed. He can do with it what he likes.

Only now do I think how weird that thought sounded.

My bare feet made a small creaking on the hard wood floor as I left the room, feeling totally embarrassed, but with a sense of dignity, for have leaving the room.

Knock knock

At that point, the only thing I was thinking was "who the heck even bothers to visit someone this early in the morning. I yawned, stretched, and pulled my shirt down farther past my waist as to not show any skin.

Knock Knock!

It began to sound urgent. In a frustrated growl, I blurted out. "Keep yur pants on; I'm comin'!"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!!!!!!!!

"Okay," I was thinking, "This person was just impatient.

I scrambled down the stairs. I had just woken up, so my legs were a little iffy, but after one or two trips I made it to the door.

My attitude was less than polite.

I opened it furiously, and not caring to see who it was, scolded, "Yeah, yeah, wadduya want?"

I recognized that distinctive solemn face and Chunin vest.

"Oh, hey pineapple-head."

Shikamaru was less than amused, "We need to speak."

I yawned again, but while I was talking. "Oh, ya-yawn-eh, okay…"

I saw Temari poking her head and fan out from behind Shikamaru. Her cheeks were red and her hands were balled up into fists.

"What's with her?" I asked, rather bluntly.

Shikamaru nodded. "That's what we need to talk about, now where's Sasuke?"

I pointed my thumb behind me and rolled my eyes. "He's still up in the be..."

"Shut it, Sakura, I'm right here."

That tone…

All of a sudden, I was reminded of a few things.

Flashback…

"Keep your paws off my wife…"

It was my surprise when he grabbed my cheeks and brought me close to his face. Seductively, he uttered "Be truthful when you answer this: do you mind this?"

Kiss me you ding-bat

End Flashback

GAH

Could things get any weirder?

Shikamaru pushed past me into the living room uttering, "stop goggling, Pinky."

I humphed and called "I resent that!"

Temari, like and obedient dog, followed. That reminded me of the time I followed Sasuke home after we went to my –gulp- parents house.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Wouldn't cha know it, here we all were again, In Sasuke's house, only this time, the only people who didn't look scared out of their minds, (Neji and Tenten) or fruitfully embarrassed, (Me and Sasuke) just plain fainting, (Naruto and Hinata) or completely out of wits (Shikamaru and Temari) were… drum roll please… Kiba and Miho.

You could almost visualize them on cloud nine.

Miho was bubbling like a hot spring and Kiba looked as proud as a bunch of lions. He had a banana and was dangling it over Miho's mouth, occasionally allowing her a bite.

I looked to Sasuke. He was fiddling with a pen, occasionally tapping on the table.

It was Morse code!

"They… are… watching… us… Get… outside… now!"

I promptly stood up and left.

"Hey, where's she going?" pondered Naruto.

I heard Sasuke answer, "To the um… Grocery Store! We ran out of ramen."

Everyone else got up and left, Naruto, not wanting to feel left out, followed.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

We didn't stop. Shikamaru was talking, "Um, things got really weird last night… I mean me and Temari? In the same room.. Cough… hehe. Let's just say things… were awkward."

Naruto decided to tell his story. "Tell me about it! I just got into bed, and Hinata stood there, almost shivering on the side. I was like saying, 'Hinata, come on!' and right before she collapsed on the floor, I caught her and put her beside me. She kept waking up and falling back into a faint-like sleep all night!"

Hinata just played with her fingernails. "He, Naruto…k… s….d…. uh."

As we were walking, Sasuke caught up with me. "Good job," He said, "I didn't think you would catch that."

I turned away. That seemed kind of rude. "Well, I did. I'm not stupid."

He looked surprised, "I never said you were."

"Might as well shoulda.'

"What?"

"Face it; you don't think I'm smart."

"Of course I…"

"You just contradicted yourself. You said you thought I couldn't interpret Morse code."

"Now you're just being silly."

"Who's being silly?!"

At that moment, Neji and Tenten approached us, "Hey, hey, cool it!" cooed Tenten.

Neji grabbed Sasuke's shoulders, "Dude, calm down."

I noticed Sasuke's arms were shaking. He had a horrible scowl aimed at me, but managed to look away.

I hadn't thought about how hard this might be for him. He was so used to unleashing his anger; I felt a pang of pity. I might have triggered his curse mark, and that disaster would be my fault.

I turned away. "Sasuke I…"

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Neji let go. "Its okay, Sakura; you don't have to apologize."

"Still… I'm sorry. I brought up things I shouldn't have."

His eyes looked at me. So intent and full of remorse. "Sakura, you…"

BBBBBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

A huge alarm doused our conversation. It echoed through the alleys, it rang into the sky. I remembered Tsunade's voice advising me on something.

Whenever you hear an alarm through the village it means we are under attack. You must gather at once.

"Sasuke!" I screamed, "We're under fire!"

"What?"

Kiba, Miho, Temari, Shikamaru, Tenten, Neji, Hinata, and Naruto stared at me.

"Kunai!" A voice, I'm not sure whose, pierced through the alarm.

I looked up. A shower of throwing knives and shuriken was headed strait for us, but we jumped out of the way just in time. I looked up, my green eyes filled with rage.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

So yeah, here's chapter 17. I tried to integrate other parings in there, but I failed and I think I'll just try and work on that in these last couple chapters. This one is the longest one I've ever written, but I don't think that means it's the most nicely written; personally I think it's kinda sloppy.

I hoped you liked it anyway! ^^

Not-so-sincerely,

S.A Hikari