Disclaimer: Naruto is a registered trademark and/or copyright of Masashi Kishimoto/SHUEISHA Inc., or their respective trademarks or copyright holders.

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YATTA! Three reviews! And I just posted today, too!

I'm...*sniffles* SOO HAPPY.

Just happy enough to write another chapter, desu.

Oh yeah, I decided that when Suzu/'Bird-chan' spoke, it would look like this /italic/ so avoid confusion with other people's thoughts. Thank you!

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The second chapter of my Naruto© fan fiction, Ladybird. Read and review, my duckies.

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Chapter Two: Flock

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Suzu watched Naruto sleep, her dark eyes contemplating.

/Should I just go and leave him behind...He's nicer than the others.../

She winced as she got up from her perch by the window.

"I can't leave...not yet. I'm too weak." she said quietly, making sure that her words did not stir Naruto into wakefulness.

Laying down carefully, she rested her head on the pillow opposite the futon.

/Just a little while longer.../she thought, playing with Naruto's blond locks before going into a light sleep.

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"Bird-chan? You awake?" Naruto said, peering at the bird's face.

It was morning, and Naruto was already dressed in his loud orange jumpsuit.

The raven opened her eyes, looking at Naruto warily. Do you have to be this loud?

"Bird-chan! Hey! Let's see how that wing is doing." Naruto lifted her up to examine her on his table. Tentatively, he unwrapped the blood-soiled bandage on her wing. Judging the would to not be healed yet, he re wrapped the wing with fresh gauze.

"Could you fly, bird-chan?" Naruto said. The raven looked at him and tilted her head.

"I'll give you a boost, since your leg does not seem to be any better, and you try to fly OK?" 'Bird-chan' just stared at him for a moment, then nodded.

"All right!" he shouted. Too loud still...

Picking her up again, he gestured for her to try. She shifted a little in his touch, then lifted her wings and flew. She flew relatively low, due to her being still weak. However, it was a start.

"Good job, bird-chan! You'll be much better in no time!" Naruto glanced at the clock.

"I'm late! Wanna come with me, bird-chan? I don't wanna leave you here alone."

/You better not have...I'm hungry./ She nodded her head.

"OK then, let's go!"

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Sakura sighed and gazed at her object of her affections. Sasuke...why won't you love me?!

"HEY SAKURA!" Naruto said, smiling widely with 'bird-chan' in his hands.

Sakura turned around and narrowed her eyes. "Naruto, you too loud and annoying!"

'Bird-chan' looked at the pink-haired girl. /That one's a bit too rude for my tastes./

Naruto, however, seemed unfaded by the outright diss and continued smiling. Sasuke turned around to see where all the noise was coming from. My teammates are so annoying!

"Oi, dobe. What's that in your hands?" Sasuke looked at the raven scrutinizingly.

/And that one seems a little too arrogant.../

"Teme," Naruto said, getting angry with Sasuke already, "This is bird-chan. I'm taking care of her."

Sakura, after looking at the way Sasuke's lips moved when he spoke, noticed the bird. "Naruto! Were training! Why don't you take that ugly bird home?"

/Ugly...bird...she's going to get it good./

That ugly bird, with alarming speed, flew out of Naruto's hands and made a beeline to the pink-haired one.

She started pecking at her face and arms furiously, and Sakura was making a vain effort at making the bird go away.

"Bird-chan, no! Don't peck at Sakura-chan!"

"NARUTO! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!"

"Yo, guys!" At this very moment of confusion Kakashi decides to appear, and 'bird-chan' flies back into Naruto's arms satisfied.

"Your LATE!" Naruto and Sakura said together.

"I got lost on the road of life...what happened to your eye Sakura?"

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Tora the Cat was on the loose...again.

Cell Seven was exhausted. That cat was a slippery one. Suzu looked at the panting Naruto at her place on the grass.

/Ninja chasing a cat...sad./ Naruto glanced at her, and she beckoned him to her with her head.

"What's up, bird-chan? Hungry?"

/No...not after that worm. Eww./ she shook her head and lifted her winds upward.

"Wanna go up?" he asked. She nodded, and he lifted her up. Tora ran past the group, and they were in hot pursuit again.

/I'm getting tired of this...it's almost dark..../ With that, she prepared herself and lifted off.

/Target sighted./ She said, looking at the retreating cat's hindquarters. Then, in another amazing burst of speed, she landed her sharp beak right on that poor cat's hide. Howling in pain, the cat jumped in the air and fell. Sasuke apprehended the cat and held it by its tail.

"Job's over, let's go." Sasuke said, going in the direction of the Missions Office.

"Yeah! You got him Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cheered, following close behind him.

Naruto looked over to see 'bird-chan' returning to him. "Nice job, bird-chan." he whispered smiling. If birds could smile, she would smile back.

/At least someone appreciates my efforts./

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Night has fallen on Konoha once more, and Suzu ran a hand tiredly through her midnight black hair. "Now time to get something to eat...finally." She limped over to the refrigerator and opened it.

"Milk...expired. Eggs...one left. No bread. Ah! Takeout...ramen, huh?" She brought it out and got a bowl.

"Now...microwave..." Being as quiet as she could, Suzu went over to the machine and put her food inside. One minute should be enough...she thought, closing the microwave door and pressing start. She leaned over, supporting herself on a chair, waiting for the delicious noodles. Almost...ready...

"Ano...who are you?"

Suzu froze, eyes widened in horror. She slowly turned around to she the confused blue eyes of Naruto staring back at her.

Oh shit.

The microwave dinged.

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Oh noes! How will Suzu get out of this one? Stay tuned...