Author's Note: OMG I'm sooo sorry it's been awhile. I don't really have an excuse, I've just been lazy. Sorry! But I'll try to keep going as fast as I can. And PLEASE I would love some input here! Chapter Six is now complete, so enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto...too lazy...go read...

Chapter 6: Ninja Interaction

"Urgh, my stomach." Sasuke and Kabuto, weary of yelling at each other, had settled down against a large tree, next to a small bubbling brook. They had each filled their cupped hands to the brim with cool, clear water and downed it thirstily. Now, since it was lunchtime and neither had anything to eat that day, they were hungry, to say the least. "Argh, mine too. I'm so hungry i could grill Orochimaru's tongue and eat it," spat Kabuto. Sasuke glanced at the ninja next to him and scooted about three feet away. "Umm, I did NOT need that mental image, Kabuto." Kabuto grinned sheepishly and said, "What, I bet you were thinking the same thing, Sasuke-kun." Sasuke turned slightly pink and looked the other way.

"Kabuto, why don't we stop talking about sicko food and actually get something decent to eat? I know it's not the greatest food, but Naruto always used to drag me and Sakura down to the Ichiraku ramen bar to scarf down noodles. I got so sick of going there that I started to detest the place, but the food isn't half bad, and it's cheap. I took nearly everything of value from Orochimaru's lair so we're able to pay for it."

"Why not, even ramen sounds pretty good right now. Let's go."

Kabuto and Sasuke got up and used a jutsu to disguise themselves as travelers. But neither of them could abandon their egos completely. They couldn't resist and did not disguise themselves as ordinary looking travelers, but roguishly good looking travelers. Sasuke had gone bleached, nearly albino. His white-blonde hair was short and spiked, almost like Naruto's but not as unruly. His skin went about two shades lighter, so it remained almost a papery white. Sasuke's eyes went light red, almost pink, but not quite. He'd never let himself go around with pink eyes. He had changed his clothes to a white shirt, opened to expose a bit of his chest, and tighter black pants with a blood red sash around his waist, and his typical sandals.

Kabuto had opted for the mysterious look. He wore large shaded glasses, and his hair went straight and pitch black, falling onto his shoulders. His eyes had turned a dark purple, and he had tanned his skin so as to look like he had just come from the beach. His outfit was a long, black, but tight sleeveless shirt that covered all his chest but revealed his arms and shoulders. He wore looser white pants and a dark blue sash. He and Sasuke gave each other a nod of approval, grinned, and made their way toward the village.

Even in disguise those two just had to look good.

Hinata stood, eyes locked with Naruto's, neither of them saying anything. Sakura looked at the two of them and realized what had happened.

Did they break up? Something tells me I should leave for the moment.

"Oh, Ino, is that you? Uuuuh, I'll be right back, Hinata. Hi, Naruto." And Sakura ran of, leaving the two 'lovebirds' together.

Both ninjas came to their senses and looked away, blushing. "H-Hina-chan, I ummm, I'm sorry." began Naruto.

"Wait, no, Naruto I'm sorry! It was so sudden and I, well I don't know what changed. I just didn't want to lead you on anymore and..."

Naruto interruped, "No, listen. I understand. And Hina, I don't want us to be like the typical couple who never see each other again. I had some time to think yesterday. I was upset at first, but I know you did what you did as a friend, and I would have done the same thing. But listen, I love you, and I don't want us to stop being friends. I've told you so much I've never told anyone else, and you really are my best friend. Please, can we stay that way?" He looked at Hinata with pleading eyes.

"Yes! Yes, Naruto I'm so glad you said that. I couldn't stand not being able to talk to you or tell you my problems. Our relationship isn't over, it's just different. And, it hurt me so much to see you that way. So ummm can we have lunch together as friends now?"

"Dattebayo! Yes!" Naruto glomped Hinata in a big hug, and then pulled her up, blushing. She sat down next to him and ordered her ramen. Both had forgotten about Sakura in their happiness at being friends again. Naruto's appetite was restored and he finished ten bowls in ten minutes. Hinata contented herself with two, and they both chatted about nothing in particular, perfectly content.

Sakura had indeed spotted Ino, whom she had chatted with while watching Naruto and Hinata. When she saw them sit down together, smiling, she grinned and decided to leave them alone for the time being.

Sakura walked through the streets, trying to find somewhere else for her to have lunch. She began to think, not watching where she was going. Sakura had too undergone a major personality change. She had gotten over Sasuke, though she still cared about him immensely as a member of her team. And she had gone from weak to stronger than Tsunade. She had gotten the hokage's super strength and medic skills, so she was now extremely accomplished and respected in the ninja community. She was content, albeit a little lonely. She had dated a few times, but hadn't really found the right guy.

Will I ever find the right man for me...

She thought to herself and wondered where or when she would meet this guy. Suddenly, she walked smack right into a stranger's chest.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" Sakura's face went as pink as her hair as she stared up at a handsome man with long, straight black hair and dark shades. He stood next to an equally handsome man who looked like an albino. But it was the dark one who really had her attention.

Unbeknownst to Sakura, that dark man was none other than Kabuto, the ninja who had betrayed them during the chuunin exams and Orochimaru's henchman. She had no idea that he was dead. Kabuto smirked and thought to himself Ah, cherry blossom, we meet again. you are just the person I wanted to see...

But what he said out loud was "It is quite alright, but I'll only forgive you if you join me for lunch, beautiful."

Sakura sweatdropped inside, but couldn't say no to such a handsome stranger. She smiled, blushed, and fell into step with him. He left the albino, who looked rather frustrated with him, behind.

Did Kabuto come here to see Sakura? Whoa... Sasuke disguised as the albino traveler continued to walk along the streets of Konoha, still in search of his lunch. He came to the ramen bar and who did he see?

None other than Hyuuga Hinata was eating and laughing with the dobe, Naruto himself. For some reason Sasuke's insides began to tighten and he wanted nothing more than to chuck Naruto out of his seat and take his place. But he contented himself with making his way over and sitting down on Hinata's other side. He ordered a bowl of ramen and ate it quickly, satisfying his hunger. Then he had two more. Soon enough, Hinata and Naruto said their goodbyes, hugged, and parted. Sasuke, being curious about the Hyuuga, decided to follow her.

Hinata walked down the street, being discreetly followed at a distance by an albino she did not know. She felt uneasy, but didn't know why, because she did not know she was being followed. She suddenly felt herself being pushed into a dark alley. She was slammed against the wall, and she was aware of a man's presence against her.

"Wha- Who are you?" She shivered and struggled, but Sasuke would not let her go.

"Do you really not know me, Hyuuga? Oh, I forgot, I do not look like myself."

He deactivated his disguise jutsu and she turned white. "S-Sasuke? W-What..." She shook herself out of her reverie, remembering that she wasn't weak anymore. She swung a punch at Sasuke, who did not expect it. He doubled over in pain and just saw her speeding out of the alley and down the road.

Heh...this should be an interesting chase, Hyuuga. I do not know why I want to be near you so badly, but rest assured I will find out...

Endnote: So, how was it? I will add romance later, I promise! It just didn't work out the way I wanted to this chapter. But I hope you liked how everyone's starting to interact now. Ummm soo, I will take advice for the next chapters. Enjoy your summers, everyone! Until next time!

Love,

-the hybrid :)