Ok, so I told myself I was stepping away from my fics for a while due to personal reasons and that is still happening. It won't be forever just until I can clear my head. However, I wanted to do another chapter on this because I had a flickering bit of sudden inspiration. I think I should mention this might be slow build-ish. I mean not dragged out but not a relationship by chapter 3 either. Just a head's up.

Also to the Guest that said I should focus on updating my other stories…um, who says I'm not? It's nice that you think you can dictate to me what order I update. :/ I see a lot of writers on here that have twice as many stories as I do going all at the same time. And not all of them finished either. Do people complain about that? Nope. And they shouldn't. Personally, I update what I feel like updating when I feel like updating it or when I get the inspiration.

On a slightly related note, my muse is kind of flip-flopping on me lately so I'm trying to recapture my stride with a project I've been wanting to do for a while (which is this). Lately I've had a lot going on in real life and I think it's effecting my writing. Sad but it happens sometimes. It sucks when you feel so "blah" about your hobbies.

Anyway, please review. It'd mean a lot.

Oh! And I am leaning away from doing yaoi in this story. I was on the fence about whether I would include it but I don't think I will. Hope no one is terribly disappointed. So as of right now, there's no yaoi planned. Just close platonic male friendships. I mean sometimes things write themselves though, so who knows.

So far pairings are as follows:

Team 7 is one pair. In the end it'll be SasuSaku/NaruSaku/SaiSaku/KakaSaku and possibly YamaSaku? Because this is a poly dynamic story. More to be explained on that later.

Possibility of some ShikaIno as well but so far that's all I've got planned.

If there's a ship you'd like to see (that doesn't involve a character already included in one of the ships above) then I can try to work it in. Team 7 is of course the focus though.

There is also canon divergence in that certain characters that are canonly dead are alive, and certain characters that are canonly alive are dead in my fic.

Let it slide

Let your troubles fall behind you

Let it shine

Until you feel it all around you

And I don't mind

If it's me you need to turn to

We'll get by

It's the heart that really matters in the

end— "Little Wonders"; Rob Thomas

"I can't believe I was tricked by a bunch of greedy dogs!" Sakura ranted for the twelfth time or so. Luckily, Kakashi being Kakashi had taken it in stride and made his "naughty dogs" apologize for taking advantage of her. They had admitted they'd been feeling mischievous and had wanted to see if they'd get away with it, but seemed genuinely sorry when they apologized.

"Honestly, it was too good to pass up though! You chose a nice cut, Kakashi!" Akino had complimented, and if dogs could do a thumbs up he likely would have been.

"Yeah, but Kakashi-sensei understood, didn't he? It's not like he was mad." Naruto, who had decided to accompany on her self-imposed errand, tried to reassure her.

"No, he wasn't…" she sighed. She was being harder on herself than her old teacher had been. He's stroked her hair with a smile—covered by the mask of course—and told her he'd make something else.

All the same, Sakura insisted she go to the store and replace the meat, with her money, as it had been her blunder. "But I won't feel right about it until I make it up to him. So I've decided, I'll make him dinner tonight!"

"What?" Naruto gaped, "Sakura-chan you don't have to go that far. Just get some meat from the bargain bin and drop it off on his doorstep or something."

"Naruto, that's very disingenuous." Sakura huffed.

"Dis…wha?"

"Insincere." Sai supplied, smiling as usual.

"How'd you know that?" Naruto turned to Sai with a glare. It was bad enough when he felt dumb in front of Sakura but it really sucked that Sai had decided to tag along and Sakura had agreed.

"He reads."

"I read."

His teammates answered flatly.

"Well so do I!" Naruto defended himself as the trio entered the grocery store and Sakura grabbed a small basket to put on her arm.

"Gomen Naruto-kun but ah, the instructions of ramen don't seem like…adequate material." Sai said sympathetically.

Naruto made an X motion with his arms. "No, no, no! I mean I read scrolls and stuff too! When I met Mom, she said we're good at fuinjutsu!" Naruto told them proudly. "I've been at the library tryin' to find ways to learn it…"

"Wow, so that's what you've been up to." Sakura was thoroughly impressed. "Shikamaru told me he saw you there, but I was thinking you might be trying to check out naughty books again…"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sakura-chan!" Naruto huffed. "And I told you that wasn't me. That was Konohamaru henged as me!"

"I'm sorry Naruto. You're right that I should know you better by now. You've really grown up, and it's good you want to learn more about the Uzumaki's techniques." An idea struck her then. "You know…maybe there's more information about that in the Hokage's library! I mean, the First Hokage's wife was an Uzumaki, you know."

Sakura loved the way Naruto's eyes lit up. They were already such a beautiful shade of blue, but when he was excited they shined like sapphires. "Wow! That means Granny's got Uzumaki blood too! Why'd she never say anything?!"

"She mentioned it once when she was drunk…she doesn't talk much about her family or past any other time." Sakura shrugged. "Anyway, the library is usually off limits to anyone but Hokage's, but I'm sure she'd be willing to let you come check the books out. If there are any."

Naruto fist pumped. "Alright! I'm gonna learn fuinjutsu soon, just you wait Mom!"

Sakura smiled slightly. People were staring at them in wonder, as if watching celebrities. That had been happening a lot lately. It was becoming awkward. Seemingly sensing her discomfort, Sai gently took her free hand and tugged her toward the fresh produce. Sakura silently sent him a look of gratitude.

"Hey!" Naruto exclaimed, crowding in close behind her as they walked. Sakura knew there was a pout on his face without looking. It wasn't so much because Sai got to hold her hand, but that he wasn't included.

"Alright, first step is replacing the meat." Sakura checked the packed meat lying raw and ready to be bought there on the chilled table. "I'm looking for a piece without too much white—that's the fat."

"That reminds me, shouldn't the teme be here too? He's the one that cooked it!" Naruto grumbled as he picked up a packaged piece of meat for inspection. "Gizzards…?" he read curiously.

Sakura blanched. "Naruto put that down."

He dropped it obediently like it'd scalded him. Seeing his frightened puppy face, she sighed, touching a hand to his cheek. "Sorry, guess I should have specified. We want kobe steak. It's fine if it's not pre-chopped. I can do that when we get back to Kakashi's place."

"Eh? You don't trust him to do that himself?" the blonde asked, pushing aside several cuts of meat that weren't what Sakura was looking for.

"Well, if I'm going to feed all of us I figured I should be the one to help, you know?"

"Ah, is it time for a team dinner?" Sai asked. His tone was neutral, but his eyes betrayed him.

Sakura chuckled at the gleam that was practically in his dark eyes. "You're pretty excited, aren't you? Yeah, it's been a while. Haven't had one since a few weeks after we all got back and that was at a sushi place. I'd like to cook everyone a decent meal, if Kakashi lets me use his kitchen."

Naruto huffed, "Bah, you know he will. He can't say no to free food!"

Sai smiled one of his usual smiles. "Are you speaking for Kakashi or yourself?"

"Oi!" Sakura tittered at their light banter. They weren't much help, but she had allowed them to come along more so for the company. The war had done a great job illustrating how important these boys that were quickly becoming men, were to her. She'd nearly lost them all at some point. Her mind's eye took her back to manually pumping Naruto's heart, desperately praying it would be enough.

Looking at him now, glaring at Sai and snatching a t-bone—because they weren't really listening apparently—steak from the artist's pale hands, it was hard to believe how close he'd been to death's door.

As expected of someone with his vigor, he had recovered incredibly. Though that hadn't stopped her from running test after test as soon as they were back in Konoha and she had full access to the hospital. Sai, Kakashi, Yamato and Sasuke had gotten a similar mother hen treatment, until she was satisfied. Complain though they may—mostly Naruto though—none of them were about to drop dead on her as long as she was their teammate and physician.

Finding a cut of beef she was satisfied with, Sakura plucked it up and put it in the basket, walking off while her teammates continued to squabble. They'd come running after her the minute they realized she wasn't there.

She mentally ran through a list of what she needed for tonight's dinner, trying to gauge what Kakashi likely had in his kitchen and what she needed. 'Even he should have soy sauce, right?' Being a bachelor, she had an inkling that his pantries weren't as well stocked as her own. His fridge had been neat, but sparse in the way of food stuffs.

"Wait, Sakura!" Ah, Naruto had looked up and noticed she had moved on. His footsteps came pounding up to her, Sai's quieter steps following closely.

"You left us…" Sai stated.

She turned to them with a playful look. "I just thought you'd like some privacy to finish your lover's quarrel."

Naruto made a face. "Me and this guy? I'd rather kiss Sasuke again!" he waved it off.

"Oh, there was a kiss already?" Sai questioned. Sakura's grin nearly broke her face. Naruto had just stepped in it this time. No way was Sai letting that morsel go.

"An accidental one! Don't get any weird ideas, pervert!"

"Did you…enjoy it?" Sai pressed.

"I just said don't get weird ideas!"

Sai's contemplative face told Sakura it was already too late.

"Would you two like a private moment or—"

"Sakura-chan, cut it out!" Naruto's face had grown pretty red, and Sakura decided that was enough teasing for the moment.

"Haha! Sorry, sorry." In all honesty there'd be many disappointed women in Konoha if any of her teammates were unavailable. Sakura wasn't sure if Naruto realized how much his actions during the Pein attack and the war had increased his desirability. Then, this was the oblivious knucklehead who had never clued into why Hinata acted strangely around him, so it wouldn't be a surprise…

"A-Anyway, what else are you getting? I thought you just owed him a steak!" Naruto scratched his cheek, attempting to change the subject.

"So you're saying you're okay with all of us just having a piece of steak?" Sakura sighed dramatically. "And here I had planned to make a full meal…"

"Well, since you put it that way." Naruto perked up. "What are all the ingredients you need. I can help!"

Naruto's eagerness when it came to food, was endearing.

"Well, I doubt Kakashi has them so some shitake mushrooms, a head of bok choy, beef broth, a bag of long-grain rice, celery—" Sakura began ticking things off on her fingers.

"Slow down!" Naruto cried. "Alright, I know what to do," he quickly made three shadow clones.

"Let's help Sakura-chan with the list and we can all eat good!" Naruto's rallying cry seemed to work, because the clones cheered.

"Look, that's Naruto-san's shadow clone specialty, isn't it?!" Some of their fellow shoppers were clearly getting excited. Naruto the war hero was showing off his special trick! The young children especially were looking on eagerly.

'Leave it to Naruto to draw an audience,' Sakura rolled her eyes good-naturedly. At least the items would get picked up in half the time. "Alright, so I'll need bok choy, shitake mushrooms, two green onions and two red peppers, and some celery."

"I'll get that!" One of the clones volunteered, raising his hand.

"Can you remember it all though?" the pinkette asked curiously.

"Of course!" the Naruto clone nodded. "It's food!"

"Fair enough," Sakura shrugged.

"Hm, you go with him though." Naruto told another clone. The clone saluted its original and the two Naruto took off running for the fresh produce.

"What's next?" the original blond asked.

"And some long-grain rice,"

"Leave it to me!" The last clone confidently pointed a thumb at his chest.

Sakura didn't protest this time, figuring something that simple likely was something the clone really could remember.

"And I'll get the rest myself." Sakura concluded.

"I will help." Sai offered, coming along.

"Don't forget me!" Naruto followed behind his friends.

Twenty minutes later, the three teenagers had gotten everything Sakura said she needed, barring what the clones were sent to get. Naruto and Sai each stood carrying items Sakura couldn't fit in her little basket.

"Where are those clones of yours, Naruto?" Sakura sighed, half worried the clones were causing trouble.

"Should be here any second," the blond reassured casually, all three of them making their way for the check-out.

"It looks like that's one now." Sai looked in the opposite direction and two pairs of eyes followed his gaze. Sure enough, one of the clones was proudly carrying a bag of rice toward them. The only issue, was the hole in the bottom of the bag causing grains to fall on the floor, leaving a trail behind him.

"Oi, that bag's got a hole in it!" Naruto told the oblivious dopple-ganger.

"Eh, really?" Just as the second Naruto looked down to see that it did indeed have a hole in it, a familiar face came around the corner, reading a grocery list.

"Alright Akamaru, let's start with the—ah!" Sakura gasped as Inuzuka Kiba slipped on the rice and went flying, landing hard on his back.

She immediately rushed over.

"Wow, I see why he's not a cat person. He definitely didn't land on his feet…" Sakura shot Naruto a pointed glare for his remark. He shrugged sheepishly.

"Are you alright Kiba?" She kneeled beside him and helped him sit up, Akamaru nosing his master sympathetically.

"Uh yeah, I've had worse falls I guess." He returned, cracking one eye open to see a worried pinkette hovering over him. "Oh, it's you guys. Should have known Naruto was behind this. Still a walking disaster, eh?"

The blonde glared defiantly at the snub.

"Well, here. Let me heal your back." Before he could even react, Sakura had already placed a glowing green hand in the center of his back, and the persistent twinge of pain began fading away. His shoulders sagged at the soothing feeling of her chakra.

"Wow," the dog nin sighed in bliss. "That's some touch you got there. Some guy's gonna get the total package." Sakura blushed lightly, trying to ignore his flirty grin, but her teammates weren't as bashful about telling Kiba their feelings.

"Hey back off unless you wanna be flat on your ass again." Naruto warned, helping Sakura up as she finished. "Clean up on aisle…" Naruto glanced at the sign above the aisle. "Four!" he called, looking at Kiba. "And somebody should probably come get this rice off the floor too!"

All the same, several employees came dashing over when they saw the mess. One set up a caution sign while the other grabbed a broom and started sweeping. Both apologized profusely for the bag, even though Sakura assured them it was fine. She wondered if the star-struck look in their eyes meant they recognized them.

"Haha," Kiba mocked, standing and brushing himself off.

"Don't you have something to say?" Sakura asked the clone that had caused it all.

He nodded, just as annoyed by Kiba as his creator was. "Yeah, but not when you're around Sakura-chan!"

The annoyed kunoichi elbowed the clone, but not enough to make it disappear.

"Sorry…" Clone Naruto grumbled, clearly not meaning it. "I'm gonna go get another bag…"

"Make sure to check the bottom this time!" Sakura called after him.

It gave her a thumbs up over his shoulder.

"Well that's one, but what about the other two?" Sai asked.

"We're here!" They suddenly popped up, holding the vegetables Sakura had asked for.

Sakura was relieved. "Well at least you followed directions."

"So hey, what're you guys up to these days?" Kiba asked. He studied the veggies the clones were holding with furrowed brows. He couldn't believe Naruto would eat that stuff. But if anyone could get him to, it would be Sakura.

"Enjoying downtime, like everyone else." Sai answered, the lightheartedness from earlier gone. Sakura looked to her teammate in confusion. Was he…standing between her and Kiba suddenly?

"Is that so?" Kiba scoffed. "Well must be nice. Some of us are still as busy as ever. Like right now, running arounds for sis." He sighed and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Not our fault you're whipped man," Naruto mumbled.

Kiba shot the blond an impolite gesture. "You know, I have no idea why Hinata's been pining over you."

"Eh?" Naruto was suddenly more confused than confrontational.

"Oh c'mon! After everything you're still that oblivious. Wow." Kiba shook his head in disbelief. "Anyway, with everything she's had on her shoulders with the clan and all, you're the last person I'd wanna see if I was her. But I think…" Kiba paused as if he didn't want to admit something. "I think you might be the only one who can cheer her up."

Sakura looked sympathetic. "She's still taking it hard, isn't she?" She couldn't imagine what her friend must have been going through.

"Her clan's really puttin' a lot on her right now." Kiba frowned. "She barely gets to leave the compound. I've only seen her a couple times since things have settled down, and the last time, she mentioned wishing she could talk to Naruto. She'll be appointed clan leader any day now. I don't even know if she's had time to grieve, but that's not something they care about. Grooming her is more important." The canine enthusiast shook his head. "Man, I just don't get stuffy clans, ya know? Mom never pushes clan politics on me and Hana the way Hinata's family does to her."

In the back of her mind, Sakura was gladder than ever that she wasn't an heiress. Her parents never made it feel like she had anything to prove, or denied their love based on something like how competent she was as a kunoichi. They cared about her feelings, too. There had been times when she'd butt heads with them. Even times when she'd stay with Ino until things had blown over, but really, it was nothing like what Hinata was probably going through.

'I should probably see if I can get Neji to take her something from me, a gift basket maybe…'

The Hyuga counsel likely wouldn't let her see the heiress, but Neji had been at her side constantly, tending to her every need, and he probably wouldn't mind bringing Hinata something from a friend.

"Hinata's had it rough then, huh…" Naruto's blue eyes changed shades as he thought.

"Hey, no funny ideas." Sakura scolded. By which she meant, Naruto might try something reckless to confront the Hyuga clan. "We may not like it as her friends, but we have to accept that the Hyuga have their traditions."

"Meh."

Sakura wasn't convinced by the answer. Naruto wasn't going to leave it alone. But she had to drop it, because the final clone was back with the rice, a bag without holes this time. It was comical to see the clone and Kiba engage in a brief, wary stare down.

"Welp, we'd better get going. We're having a team dinner." Naruto gloated. "Smell ya later, dog breath."

He placed a hand on the center of Sakura's back, and she didn't protest as he and the other clones, along with Sai, escorted her to the checkout.

The pinkette wanted to at least attempt to be civil with their peer. "See you around, Kiba. Tell Hinata to stay strong!"

Kiba waved with a nod, to show he'd heard her.

"You guys didn't have to be that way." She said as they laid the food down to be rung up. The clones sat what they were carrying down on the belt and then poofed away. The bored teenage boy ringing them up hardly looked up from his duty. "It's just Kiba."

Naruto shot her an incredulous stare, and then he chuckled lowly in a way that actually made her shiver. "You really don't get how guys are wired, do you Sakura-chan?" How as it that for all her intelligence, Sakura could be so oblivious to the male attention she'd attracted as of late. Even Sai was able to recognize Kiba subtly trying to stake a claim.

"I guess you'll just have to enlighten me sometime then." She huffed, going to pull out her money. Naruto stopped her with a hand on her wrist.

"That can be arranged." Sakura's heart seized. There was something predatory and so…masculine in his tone and in his impossibly deep eyes. Was this really her Naruto?

Then the spell was broken when he pulled out a fat frog purse and fished out several notes. "I got it this time, Sakura-chan!"

She blinked her viridian eyes, nodding slowly. Not for the first time, she was made aware that her teammates were all very much male, and incredibly overprotective.

Well I hope this chapter turned out alright. If Kiba seems a little like an asshole…well canonly, he is sort of an asshole. XD Provoking people and such. I've got absolutely nothing against him though. Lol

Yes, Hiashi is the one who died defending Hinata in the war, instead of Neji. But let's be real, is anyone really that upset I switched them out? No, probably not.

I'm still feeling so "meh" so I think I will take some time for myself as planned and then come back to work on chapter three. There's a lot that's going to be going down next chapter though. Haha I think it'll end up being sort of drama-heavy.

Anyway, please review.