Author's note: Thank you so much for the reviews! I really do appreciate them a lot. Let's get things rolling.

Disclaimer: Don't own it. Never will.

Chapter 2: A new breeze.

"So, that's how it went, eh?" Tsunade asked Sakura after her pupil's description of her last mission.

Sakura nodded. "Yes. Sasuke-kun was retrieved with no one dead or permanently wounded."

Tsunade smiled. "I'll assume that's thanks to you?"

Blushing slightly, Sakura said, "Well, Tsunade-sama, I did do a little with the medical ninjutsu that you've taught me… I'm not sure I can be credited with the survival of everyone on the mission, but…"

"Oh, come off it," Tsunade said smugly, "Kakashi's already told me everything, including how he'd be dead with a hole through his abdomen were you not there."

"Yes, well. I mean, I did treat him…"

Glancing out the window, Tsunade interrupted, "Sorry to rush you out, Sakura, but I've got another person to see at the moment. And," she rose from her seat and walked to her window, "He's about to get a beating if he doesn't come out of hiding."

After a moment, the white-haired head of Jiraiya appeared in the window, grinning. "I keep forgetting you can sense my peeping. And then I remember the first time I nearly died, thanks to you. Oh, hello, Sakura-chan."

"Good afternoon, Jiraiya-sama," said Sakura, bowing, "I'll be on my way, Tsunade-sama."

"Take care, Sakura," Tsunade called after Sakura as the pink-haired girl left. "Now then. Jiraiya, tell me of Naruto and the nine-tails' condition."

Grinning, Jiraiya said, "I am pleased to say that there is no reason to worry at the moment, at least. Naruto has succeeded in suppressing the fox's power while having it do no damage to him. In fact, it continues to heal him and give him great stamina."

"That's good. Will Naruto be able to fight Akatsuki soon?"

"Indeed. Judging from his current condition, Naruto should be out of the hospital and back to training within the next few days. That's good, because," Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, "I've received information that Akatsuki is planning a strike soon."

Tsunade's eyes widened. "When?"

"Around the time of the next chuunin exam, I'm afraid."

"But that's only four months from now!"

"I know. Worse still, the two they're sending over are none other than Kisame and Uchiha Itachi."

"Itachi?" Tsunade repeated, "But… if he returns to Konoha, Sasuke…"

"… will undoubtedly make an attempt on his life, I know," Jiraiya continued, "Which is why I have also come to suggest that you recommend Naruto and Sasuke to be partners in the next chuunin exam. That will give them a chance to reconcile with each other as well."

"That's probably for the best. Jiraiya, return to the hospital tomorrow and tell Naruto about the upcoming chuunin exam. I'll have Shikamaru do the same for Sasuke."

Nodding, Jiraiya leapt from the window and out of sight. Tsunade looked out towards the sky, wondering, "Just when everything seemed to be getting peaceful… this will definitely throw things back into chaos, at least for Sasuke and Naruto."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The next day at the Uchiha house, Sasuke was standing in front of his door, ready to leave. In his hands, he held the scratched forehead protect that Naruto had returned to him so recently. With a deep breath, he put it on and thought, "Until I can truly feel at home once more, I will wear this." After placing across his forehead, he looked down to find a note slid under his doorway. Picking it up, he read:

"Hey, Sasuke-san,

It's troublesome, but the Fifth has placed me in charge of the chuunin exam again. I'll never understand why women do such troublesome, frustrating things. Either way, you should have another try at it. The only ones from our class who haven't become chuunin are you and Naruto. Give it a thought, it's coming around in a few months.

Shikamaru"

"Well, it seems he hasn't changed," thought Sasuke, placing the note in his pocket and opening the door, "Now I should probably find – perfect." Looking outside, he spotted just who he needed to see walking outside: Sakura. "Hey, Sakura!" called Sasuke.

At the sound of her name, Sakura turned. When she saw whom it was, her eyes lit up. "Sasuke-kun! You're outside!"

Sasuke smiled, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a while. It was a small, miniscule smile, but a smile nonetheless. "You know, for the first time in a while, I'm feeling really hungry. Do you want to go out and get something?"

Blushing, Sakura asked hopefully, "Do you mean, like, on a date?"

After a pause, Sasuke answered, "Alright. We'll call it a date."

Sakura's smile grew as she rushed up and hugged him. Though he did not return the hug, he did not pull away from it either. Together, they walked toward Ichiraku ramen. On the way, they passed many people who would greet them with things such as "Hey Sasuke-san, good to see you," or "Good afternoon, Sasuke-kun. I haven't seen you around in a while."

When they finally did reach the ramen shop, they found Hinata there, purchasing a bowl of sealed ramen. "Hello, Hinata-san," said Sakura, "buying some ramen to eat on the go?"

"Oh, hi Sakura-san, Sasuke-san. No, this isn't for me. Actually, it's for…" said Hinata as her cheeks grew extremely red, turning her gaze to the ground and said quietly, "N-Naruto-kun."

"Really?" said Sakura, "You're bringing that to him in the hospital? That's nice of you. He'll really enjoy that. But you should get going before it gets cold."

Nodding, Hinata waved goodbye and said, "Bye, Sakura-san, Sasuke-san!" and began to walk off in the direction of the hospital.

Sakura called after Hinata, "See you later, Hinata-san!" as Sasuke returned a slight wave.

Afterward, the two entered Ichiraku and ordered. The owner of the shop asked, "Are you two here on a date?"

"Yes, sir, we are!" replied Sakura enthusiastically.

"Well, then this is on the house in honor of that and Sasuke-kun's return!" Sakura smiled benignly and thanked the old man for it.

Sasuke hadn't been kidding when he'd said how hungry he was. He ate bowl after bowl, stopping only to take a drink of water so as to prevent choking and reply to Sakura as she talked.

"Yeesh," said the owner after Sasuke's seventh bowl, "You've eaten almost as much as Naruto does"

"I'm glad you're here with me, Sasuke-kun," said Sakura, leaning up against his arm, "How about you? Are you happy?"

Sasuke did not answer for a moment, then said, "… I'm not sure if 'happy' is the right word."

"What do you mean?" asked Sakura, confused.

"…Never mind. You don't… need to hear it," said Sasuke, turning his head from her.

"But Sasuke-kun…" Sakura pressed on, "I want to hear it… Please, tell me."

"I… can't talk about it right now… it's… difficult for me."

"Oh," said Sakura, disappointed, "It's okay. I… I understand."

Turning his head back to see her crestfallen face, Sasuke couldn't help but think, "Why is it that whatever I do, I just hurt my friends?" Placing some money on the counter, he said, "Old man, here's the payment for the bill," and began to walk off.

"Oh, sure…" said the man, "but what about…"

"Sasuke-kun?" asked Sakura to Sasuke's back, "Where… are you going? Don't you…" she swallowed hard, "don't you still want to be with me?"

Sasuke stopped in his tracks. "It's not that I don't want to be with you," he said without turning around, "but I'm pretty tired… I think I need some more rest."

"Well, I'll walk you back to your ho-" began Sakura.

"No," Interrupted Sasuke, "I'd like to walk back by myself."

Sakura choked back some tears. "I see," she said quietly.

"But thank you," said Sasuke, beginning his pace again, "for your offer and… for being with me today."

A few tears fell from Sakura's eyes but she smiled, nevertheless.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Naruto!" called Jiraiya, hopping through Naruto's open hospital window, "I need to talk to you for a mo- oh, I'm sorry, did I interrupt something?" Hinata was sitting on Naruto's hospital bed as he happily ate the ramen she'd brought him. "Hello there," he greeted Hinata.

"Oh, h-hello," replied Hinata nervously.

"Hey, Ero-sennin!" said Naruto, "Nah, it's alright, we were just finishing, right Hinata?" Hinata slowly nodded.

"Naruto, who's this? You've never told me about her. Is she…" he help up one pinky, "your 'this'?"

Hinata's blush grew tremendously as she realized what he was doing and stared straight at the floor, muttering, "Me? I'm… I'm just…"

"What?" said Naruto, putting the pieces together, "Oh! No, Hinata's just a good friend of mine," turning to Hinata, he said, "Hinata, this is Jiraiya, one of the Sannin. It sounds big and impressive, but he's really just a big per- ow!" Naruto cringed in pain as Jiraiya smacked him.

"Seems like a really good 'friend' to bring you your favorite dish in the hospital," commented Jiraiya with a smirk as he spotted the girl's blush.

"Oh yeah, Hinata's really great," said Naruto, smiling. Hinata's blush grew, if possible, redder, as though a ripe tomato had just set itself aflame while bleeding copiously.

With a swift motion, she rose from Naruto's bed, leapt to the door, pulled it open, said, "GoodbyeNarutoI'llseeyoutomorrowitwasnicetomeetyouJiraiya-samagoodbye," and ran out. A few seconds later, a small thump was heard from outside the door.

"Y'know, that's the second day in a row I've heard that thump after Hinata's left. I wonder what it is," said Naruto, puzzled.

"Idiot," thought Jiraiya, "But anyway, Naruto," he said, "I came to tell you that the chuunin exam is coming up in a few months."

"Yeah?" said Naruto, "So what? I'm probably way stronger than the guys who are chuunin."

"But Naruto, think about all the respect you'll command as a chuunin instead of a genin!"

"Meh. I'll get everyone's respect when I become the next Hokage."

"I heard Sasuke's participating in it."

This caught Naruto's attention. "Sasuke's taking the exam again?"

"That got him," thought Jiraiya. "Yep. But hey, if you don't want to take the test…"

"Hey! I was just kidding about that, you know that, Ero-sennin!"

"Right. So, I suggest you be Sasuke's partner, seeing as Sakura has already become a chuunin. Also," said Jiraiya, lowering his voice, "Two members of Akatsuki are coming to find you during the chuunin exam."

"What!" asked Naruto, enraged, "Which two! I'll kill them!"

"It's part of the reason I asked you to take the exam with Sasuke. The pair that is attacking you is one you've faced before… Kisame, and-"

"Uchiha Itachi…" finished Naruto, "So you want me to help Sasuke fight him?"

"I want you to do that and to stop Sasuke if he does something crazy."

"Got it."

/\/\/\/\/\/\

At the house of the Hyuuga, Hinata stared out her window and sighed. "Did we really look like… did I look like the caring girlfriend, bringing her boyfriend food while he can't get it himself?" She smiled dreamily. She was so deep in thought that she didn't even realize that Neji had walked up behind her.

"So you're in love with Naruto, eh?" he said calmly.

This brought Hinata out of her trance. "Wh-what! How did you- Who- where-"

"Hinata-sama, I don't need the Byakugan to see that you've held a soft spot for Naruto in your heart for a long time."

"Am I really that obvious?"

Neji nodded.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

Sakura sighed a sorrowful sigh, walking home. "Did I do something wrong?" she thought, "Why did Sasuke leave like that? I hope I didn't to anything to bother him…" She sniffled. Tears were still trickling out of her green orbs, at a faster and faster rate. "Just when I thought things were going much better…" Feeling weak in her knees, she stumbled to the floor, breaking the fall with her arms. "Oh God, I don't know what to do anymore… I feel so useless again and this time, I can't just train and fix it." Her tears began to form a tiny puddle on the ground. "I wish… I wish that-"

"Everything could just be-" thought Naruto in his room at the hospital.

"Exactly like it used to be," thought Sasuke, lying on his bed. He picked up the photo of his ninja graduation from three years ago with Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto. "I wish that I could reverse time and go back to these days." He looked for a moment at his scowling face in the photo, Naruto's grumpy look, Sakura's wide smile and Kakashi's happy expression, proud of his students. "But I can't," Sasuke thought, taking out Shikamaru's note and reading it again to himself. Afterwards, he looked once more on his old photo, and a single tear fell from his jet black eyes.

"I just can't."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

So that's it for chapter 2. Naruto's out of the hospital next chapter and treating Hinata to ramen! Meanwhile, Sakura's strong will slowly starts to degrade. Please leave a review again, my lovable readers!