Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN NARUTO!

Chapter Six: Making A Home

Characters Introduced: Inuzuka Kiba, Rock Lee, Hatake Kakashi, Eien Sai, Sarutobi Konohamaru.

Rated T for now

Naru/Hina

Sasu/Karin (I'm sure you're getting as tired of seeing the words 'final pairing' as I am of typing them. I only do this so that people understand that this is NOT a Sasu/Saku fic.)

Saku/? (Thinking Gaara maybe. Not sure yet. Haven't introduced everyone yet.)

After breakfast was over and the dishes were washed, Sakura got dressed in some old clothes she usually cleaned in and tied a bandana over her bright locks. "You wanna go outside and explore while I clean?" She asked. Shinobi licked a paw and shook his head no. "Alright. You can bring me stuff then." Sakura said. Shinobi was ok with that. He loved Sakura best after all. She never mistreated him and that assured him that she truly loved him.

Sakura called Naruto and asked him to help her move her furniture out of the living room so she could paint. The blond agreed and brought a few of their friends from school. "Lee, Kiba. Good to see you guys again." Sakura greeted the two dark haired men. "You too Pink. Naruto told us what happened with you and Sasuke. I can still go break him for you if you'd like." Inuzuka Kiba replied. Sakura laughed. "That won't be necessary. All I need you to do is move heavy things." She replied. "No hello for me?" A silver haired man asked. "Oh hey Kakashi! I didn't know you'd be free today." Sakura replied. "I got the day off." Kakashi replied. "Good. Now I can direct." Sakura laughed.

Naruto, Kiba, Lee, and Kakashi got everything moved out of the living room quickly. "What color will you do for this room?" Naruto asked curiously. "I was thinking something bright like golden yellow or bright amber." Sakura replied. "You have good taste." Kakashi said. "Thank you." Sakura smiled brightly. "Ok do you have the paint you'll be needing?" Kiba asked. "Um no. I just wanted to move the couches and chairs and stuff out first." Sakura blushed. "No worries Sakura-chan. We'll go to the store with you and help you make this your home." Lee replied. "Thanks guys." Sakura said in relief.

Sakura smiled as they set down six gallons of paint. "We'll take back what we don't use and exchange it for a different color." Sakura said. "Right. Let's get started then." Naruto replied. It took only two gallons to paint the living room the exact shade of bright amber Sakura wanted. They took the other four gallons back and exchanged them for more paint. "I want to paint the dining room to look like a garden full of plant life." Sakura said when they got back. "I'll call Sai and see if he wants to help." Naruto replied. "Thanks." Sakura said with a grin.

Sakura's cell phone rang at eleven thirty. "Hello?" Sakura answered. "Lunch time." Gaara's voice came over her speakers. "Do you mind some friends?" Sakura asked. "Not at all if they behave in the café." Gaara replied. "Ok. Could you get me a table for nine?" Sakura asked. "Sure. Why nine though? You said some friends." Gaara asked. "I'd like you and your siblings to have lunch with us." Sakura replied. "Oh alright then. You've got a table for nine when you get here." Gaara said. "Ok. We'll be there soon." Sakura replied. "Alright." Gaara said. The two hung up and Kakashi grinned. "New boyfriend so soon?" He teased. "Of course not baka. He's the co-owner of the café I fell in love with back in college." Sakura replied as she smacked the silver haired man in the arm. Kakashi laughed and everyone piled into their cars.

"Welcome to our humble café friends of Sakura." Kankuro said cheerfully when they all came in. "Thanks for the welcome." Naruto laughed. They all sat down together and Temari motioned for one of the waiters. "Hi. I'm Konohamaru and I'll be your waiter today. What can I get for you to drink?" A brunette asked. Everyone ordered and Konohamaru left quickly to get what they requested. "So how did you each meet Sakura?" Temari asked curiously. "Well I was bullied as a kid and Sakura punched my biggest bully in the face. Needless to say we became instant friends." Naruto laughed. "I helped her bury her first cat. We were ten I think." Lee replied. "Sakura rescued my dog from an abusive owner when we were freshmen in high school and we became instant friends because we both like animals." Kiba laughed. "Sakura and I shared an art class together and she didn't make fun of my sense of art." Sai replied. "How did you meet Sakura?" Naruto asked. "She stumbled into our café one stormy Saturday when she was about sixteen. She had had a fight with her boyfriend if I'm not mistaken. I gave her a cup of tea on the house and we became instant friends as well." Temari replied. "I met her at karaoke night Thursday night." Kankuro replied. "I was here when she came the first time. I make the tea and Temari cooks. She helped me when my tire went flat and my engine died." Gaara replied. "That was you?" Sakura asked in shock. "Yes. My older brother Sasori and I were headed to a meeting." Gaara replied. Sakura laughed. "I remember that time! My friends Hinata, Ino, and Tenten were in the car with me. Ino told me I should have shoved you to the wet asphalt and screwed you right then and there." She said. "Ino?" Naruto blinked. "Oh Naruto. You have no clue how Ino really is when no one's looking." Sakura laughed again. Kiba smirked. "She's a feisty one isn't she?" He leered. "Shame Kiba." Lee cried. Everyone laughed and Sakura looked at her phone. "We've got to get back and finish the kitchen. It was fun." Sakura said. "Yes it was. We should do it again some time." Gaara agreed. Temari and Kankuro nodded. "Well when I finish my house, I'm having a party. you should definitely come." Sakura replied. "We definitely will." Temari agreed.

Sakura raised an eyebrow when she came home and saw brightly colored paw prints all over the kitchen floor. "It works with your theme." Naruto offered. "At least they're green and not hot pink." Kiba agreed. Sakura laughed and nodded. "Sai do what you do best darling." She replied. Sai nodded and got to work once more while Sakura went to find Shinobi. "You have to out now. You're getting evil." She informed the green-footed cat. Shinobi meowed his consent and left out the back door.

Sakura's house was finished completely by time dinner time rolled around. "Thanks again guys. I couldn't have done it without you. Wanna stay for dinner?" The pinkette asked. "Can't. Dinner with Hina and the Hyuuga family." Naruto replied regretfully. "Ino invited me over for dinner and I think I might get laid tonight." Kiba also declined. "I have a date." Sai replied cheerfully. "With?" Sakura asked curiously. "Shino." Sai replied with a blush. "Good for you Sai. Bring him by for lunch one day." Sakura said sincerely. "Ok." Sai replied. He left as did Naruto and Kiba. "I have a date with Tenten so I must also decline." Lee said. "It's fine. I'll just cook for me and Kakashi." Sakura replied. "Rin will kill me if I'm not home." Kakashi laughed. "Well all alone then." Sakura laughed as well. "Sorry." Lee and Kakashi said. "It's fine." Sakura assured them.

After everyone left, Sakura settled down with a plate of food and her book once again. Her doorbell rang and Sakura sighed. "Coming!" She called. Sakura got up and headed into the foyer, wondering who'd disturb her so late in the evening. She opened the door and her eyes widened. "Sasuke?" Sakura gasped.

Here is chapter six for everyone. Sorry about the cliffie...actually that's a lie. I'm not sorry about it. R&R if you want this to continue. Thank you. ^_^