Small Conversations

Sequel to "Things unsaid" "She was in Love", and "Losing an apartment, Gaining a House key"

Sometimes the big conversations happen in small parts.

Disclaimer: I don't own 'em, I'm just a spoony bard

A/N: so I'm still up and running for now. This one's short but you'll have to deal. Lots of hugs to my reviewers.

Chapter six

In which Naruto and Sakura are invaded

Doorbell meant Ino. Everyone else knocked. Sakura's doorbell had been a gag gift form Ino when she'd moved in and as it went off, filling her house with sex noises. She groaned. Why she had ever hooked that thing up, she would never know. She heard Naruto laughing from the bedroom as she slammed the washer shut.

"Come on in Ino!" She heard the front door open, and the sounds of people entering. Apparently Ino hadn't come alone. "Put tea on!" she yelled, knowing Ino knew her kitchen. She started the machine and headed into the living room to see who all had arrived.

Everyone was there, the entire Konoha eleven, as they were called. Chouji and Ino were in her kitchen, her couch had been overtaken by Kiba, Shino, and Shikamaru, Lee, Neji and Tenten sat on the floor, and Hinata had taken the recliner and was sharing it with Akamaru.

"You just brought everyone didn't you?" Sakura leaned in the doorway, now very aware of her lack of attire. Heads turned her direction and Kiba made a face.

"Oh man, can we open a window? Sakura, you smell like-" Shino clapped a hand over his mouth and Sakura gave him a grateful look.

"Hey Sakura," Naruto came from behind her, not noticing their guests. "No wonder I can't find my shirt anywhere." He gave a low chuckle as he kissed her neck.

Kiba shoved Shino away. "PLEASE can we open a window!" he whined.

"Uh." Naruto blushed as he noticed the entire room looking at them.

Clearing her throat, Sakura turned back down the hallway. "I'm going to get dressed." She ignored the burst of laughter that erupted form the living room as she pulled clothes form the dresser. Someone came into the room and closed the door behind them.

"So. We didn't actually interrupt did we?" It was Ino.

"No." Sakura laughed, pulling on pants. "We finished a while ago, just hadn't gotten dressed yet. Why are you all here?"

"Sauske." She said simply. "We want to know what's going on."

"Gah, and you people couldn't give us a day to ourselves?" Now dressed, Sakura walked back to the living room with Ino at her heels.

"Well how was I supposed to know you two were going to engage in some afternoon delights?" Of course, everyone heard her and tried to hide their laughter, except for Chouji who had gone slightly pale and looked like he'd eaten something sour.

"Oh. My. God." The large man buried his face in his hands.

"Chouji? Are you okay?" Ino asked her boyfriend.

"No, a million times no. I think I've just been scarred for life." A few questioning looks came his way and he looked up with a pained look on his face. "It just now clicked what that phrase meant." Shikamaru seemed to have gotten the joke and burst into laughter. "Shut up Shik! I'll never be able to look at my parents the same!" he turned red as a tomato.

Kiba, who was holding his shirt over his nose, asked the muffled question of why not. Shikamaru calmed himself to answer. "Chouji's just realized that his mom's warning of having 'afternoon delights' with his dad, so to take his time doing whatever, wasn't ever a reference to sweets."

Several people groaned and Kiba laughed through his shirt. Hinata had turned a healthy red color and muttered something under her breath that no one else heard.

It was Neji who brought up the reason for the mass visit. "Ino says she saw the two of you and Kakashi-sensei bringing Uchiha Sauske back to the village today."

Sakura shared a look with Naruto that clearly said they were both annoyed by the gossip mill. "Yeah, he's back." Naruto said, sitting next to Kiba on the arm of the couch. Kiba whined, pressing his shirt further into his face and leaned away from him. Naruto ignored him, continuing. "Took him to Tsunade. She's got him in a cell somewhere with Yamanaka Inoichi and Morino Ibiki watching him."

Still playing the diplomatic one, Neji then asked. "What will his punishment be?"

Naruto looked at Sakura, and she shook her head slightly. She wanted time to discuss it with Naruto before anyone else put in their two cents worth. "We don't know yet. Tsunade put us on leave for ten days. We'll find out after." He shrugged. "But I don't think she's gunning for an execution."

The room went quiet, and Sakura supposed everyone was thinking the same thing she was. No one wanted to watch Sauske executed, regardless of his crimes. They'd all grown up together, and it seemed wrong somehow to wish death on him. It was Lee who broke the silence, jumping to his feet and pumping his fist into the air.

"YOSH! I believe that a celebration in in order? That is what one typically does with the return of a dear comrade?"

"Lee, I don't think-" but Sakura cut Tenten off before she could dissuade the green clad shinobi.

"Yeah, we should. How about we all meet at the usual bar at eight? It will give us girls time to get ready." She shot Ino a look that said 'help me out here', and her blonde friend came immediately to the rescue.

"Definitely. This whole mess is pretty much over, and after almost six years, it damn well deserves a celebration!"

"Ino-chan," Lee tapped her shoulder. "Do you girls think it would be okay for me to invite my Tohru? She has wanted to meet my comrades for some time."

"Of course!" Ino seemed surprised, and Sakura couldn't blame her. Lee had very carefully avoided any of them meeting his mysterious seamstress girlfriend. All they knew was her name, Murasake Tohru.

"Excellent!" He fisted the air again. "Then I shall tell her to meet with you ladies for preparation!" he stopped for a moment, blinking. "Where should I tell her to meet you girls?"

Sakura took charge. "Well as soon as Naruto grabs a shirt, you boys can all go over to-" she scanned the men, "Shikamaru and Chouji's, and us girls will stay here."

"Shower please!" Kiba whined again. "The smell is seriously getting to me!"

Sakura gave him a glare. "One more word Inuzuka, and I'll tell everyone about the bath house."

Shino raised his eyebrows and looked at his teammate. "Bath house?" he asked. "Naturally, I'm curious."

"Nothing. There's no smell. I was being pretentious. Naruto, go get a shirt." He was blushing and now had everyone's attention. "I mean it. Hurry up."

"It's on the bed!" Sakura yelled down the hall as Naruto went to fetch his shirt.

He came back pulling it over his head, kissing her cheek as he headed out the door as the men were getting up from their seats. Kiba refused to look at anyone, and shot Sakura an evil glare as he left. Lee told the guys he'd meet up at Chouji's and Shikamaru's place, as he needed to inform his girlfriend.