TennantFangirl- Iron man was freaking awesome! Indiana Jones, that dude is like eighty years old and he really needs to let go of the past. He had, what three/four movies all of the same exact thing, he had a good run now he really needs to let go. Just let go.
As some of you know, I tried to go about doing this story in a different light but it got the same results as this so I thought better of it. I realize now you all are just a quiet group of readers. My other story has twice as many reviews with the same amount of readers soo...as long as you guys are reading, I can't complain.
Hope you like this chapter, Sasuke's in it! (swoons softly)
Chapter 13-Can't Tell
You can't tell how much suffering
On a face that's always smiling
--
Naruto kicked the dirt ground beneath him, his arms folded childishly over his chest, mumbling to himself about the injustices in life. The male group that surrounded him seemed to be ignorant of his temper tantrum or just didn't care. They continued to talk amongst themselves until Shikamaru bumped his shoulder getting his attention. "What did you expect with a comment like that?" The man chided with a smirk.
Naruto was quick to defend himself, "I didn't think he'd get so damn defensive. It was a joke!" He tried to explain, looking to the one that caused his stress. Neji caught his eyes with aggravation straining his brow but turned his gaze away stubbornly.
"You can't joke when you're a virgin yourself and not expect someone to target it." Shikamaru tried to reason.
"He didn't have to go that far. Now Kiba's even mad at me."
"I'd be mad too if I found out you had a crush on my girlfriend."
"Two years ago!" Naruto said extremely loud to reach the beast master and caught a fuming Kiba's gaze but the man barred his fangs and flung his eyes away, even Akamaru snarling at him. "And I was just trying to start up conversation."
"In an asinine way." Neji shot in.
"What did he just call me?" Naruto raised a fist in retaliation, Neji didn't once falter, instantly activating his Byakugan, ready for a fight but Lee pull him slightly away from the group as Shikamaru grabbed Naruto's fist and shoved it back to his side. Naruto shoved the genius playfully, finding Neji's reaction humorous enough. (Rile Neji, mission accomplished,) Naruto smiled in satisfaction but crossed his arms over his chest in thought. "And its not that I'm not speaking the truth. None of us have girlfriends."
"Speak for yourself." Kiba bit.
"Except you obviously." Naruto hollered back, narrowing his eyes to catch Kiba's daring glare. He had no problems fighting the dog owner. In fact, he would like very much to punch the man in the face. Sakura was his damned teammate, not Kiba's anything! But Naruto's attention span didn't last long enough to really start anything instead he instantly went back to the problem at hand. "What are we going to do about dates tonight?"
"Who said we needed dates?" Choji questioned.
"It's a party," Naruto reasoned, "You always need dates for parties." Completely forgotten or careless of the strained relationship between them, Naruto walked backward in front of Kiba with his hands clasped, begging, "Kiba you got to help us."
Kiba narrowed his confusion, stubbornly hanging on to his hatred for the blond. "Me?"
Naruto nodded, "You always helped in the girl department when we were younger. Work your magic."
Kiba chuckled, shaking his head, his anger disappeared as he stared at him. "Gomen. I got out of that business. I don't know anything anymore."
Shino mumbled, "That's because he's on a tight leash."
Kiba narrowed his eyes, the hint of jealousy that was laced with Shino's words didn't go unnoticed. "I forget one birthday and I pay for it for the rest of my life. It was nearly a year ago, I'm going to be here for this one, you really need to let things go." Shino only folded his arms in response.
"Well what are we suppose to do? We need dates." Naruto whined.
Shikamaru stuffed his hands in his pockets, "You all need dates. I'm good."
"What do you mean, 'you're good'?"
He shrugged with indifference, yawning, "Temari's going with me."
Choji stalled from putting a chip in his mouth, "Really, Shikmaru?" The boy nodded with his eyes closed.
Kiba chuckled, "Someone moves quick. Think you'll get some?" He stopped short at the knife pointed at his throat. His diamond pupils slid over to Kankuro who glared at him, daring to say one more thing that insinuated anything about his sister. He quickly whispered a nervous apology and Kankuro dropped the knife.
Naruto was oblivious to all that surrounded him. "This is totally unfair. I am way cooler then him." He jabbed a thumb in Shikamaru's direction. Said boy 'tch' and rolled his eyes. His azure gaze went over to Kankuro. "You know any girls daring enough to go with me?" He grinned.
Kankuro sighed heavily, "What's wrong with your girls?"
"Our girls? Whose that?" He brows knit in complete confusion.
Kiba couldn't help the annoyed rage, "The girl you had a crush for years, that ring any bells!"
"Geez." Naruto whimpered moving to the end of the line next to the quiet Rock Lee. "He's got an anger problem, doesn't he?"
"I can still hear you, you dumbass!"
"Stop listening, Uruseetan Kachi!(1)" He smiled remembering that insult from last night. He ignored Kiba's highly bothered curses. "Our girls, huh? Sakura's taken unfortunately. Ino is way too bossy and loud. Hinata is too weird. So that leaves TenTen." He looked to Lee. "You think I got a shot?" Neji made a incoherent sound and Lee laughed lightly. Naruto folded his arms in a over dramatic pout. "I hate you guys."
Kankuro shook his head, "Konoha ninjas are freaks." He mumbled to himself entering the large dress shop.
--
TenTen stared at the ceiling with highly developed boredom. The only release she had was swinging the small kunai in her hand. Needless to say, it was getting very difficult to keep from throwing said kunai at the next person that spoke to her. Dropping her gaze with a heavy sigh, she watched Ino twirl in front of the mirror talking with Sakura who forced smiles and laughs. She wondered if Ino even noticed or cared about her supposedly 'best friend's' health but TenTen wasn't about to say anything. No matter how humorous that argument would be for her. Because Sakura was her friend, she'd refrain from making any trouble at the moment.
Temari fell down beside her in the chair and stared at her for a moment. TenTen eyed her with suspicion. "So," The female spoke, "You got a boyfriend?" Ino busted out with a laugh but Sakura was quick to chastise her. TenTen tightened her hand around her kunai, eyeing the blonde before turning back to the woman beside her. She shook her head. She rose a questioned eyebrow, "Lee isn't--"
"Kami, Iie!" She hoarsely bit.
Temari held up her hands in apology, "I just assumed, with yesterday and all…"
TenTen folded her arms over her chest, nearly cutting herself with the kunai but managed to maneuver it before it struck her skin. "He's just being a jerk."
Ino giggled, "I think someone's got the hots for you." Ino teased catching the chocolate brown eyes daringly.
"More I can say for you." That shut the woman up quickly and TenTen smirked with accomplishment.
Temari bit her lip not really understanding the underlining meaning that caused so much anger in Ino's pale blue eyes. She cut in before the woman could form an intelligible comeback, "Then I've got just the guy."
TenTen smiled with a little laugh, "I'm not looking."
"There's an understatement." Ino got out, proud to find an insult worthy, but couldn't bask in TenTen's anger when she was shoved into the dressing room by Sakura and the door was slammed shut.
TenTen took in a deep calming breath, quickly going through the large list in her head on how to kill silently. Temari brought back her attention, "She's the definition of blonde, isn't she? Makes me want to dye my hair." TenTen giggled, immediately deciding she liked the woman. Temari turned her gaze, "Anyway, I think you'd like him. He's good with a sword, hates girls that are bitches," Said that part kind of loud, TenTen smiled. "And wouldn't mind having a family."
TenTen's brows knit, "That's a problem. I hate kids." TenTen sighed with relief. She had gotten out of that blind date quick enough. Now she didn't have to turn the guy down to his face.
Temari bit her lip, "Oh." She seemed to think for a moment. "Well, I think you should give it a shot. He's really funny and you look like you could use some cheering up. Now," She stood quickly when Sakura and Ino exited the room with their right clothes in place, "TenTen's turn."
"Hold on." She fought lamely as she found three females smiling mischievously down at her. "I'm okay, I don't need anything."
"Wrong." Sakura stated as she grabbed her hand and shoved three dresses that seemed to come from nowhere into her hand. "Two options: You do it yourself, or we do it for you."
"I came because there was no one else to hang with. I don't do dress up. Sakura, Onegai." Her eyes begged, hoping beyond hope that Sakura would at least protect her.
Ino grabbed the woman by the shoulders and directed her to the room even as she pushed back against her. "We are going to find you a man tonight even if it kills you. Which would make my day."
TenTen turned around when her shoulders were released. She glared hatefully at Ino who only winked at her and Sakura smiled apologetically. "If you're not out in two minutes, we're coming in there and helping." She slammed the door.
TenTen dropped the dresses and pulled on the doorknob but Sakura held it on the other end. She sighed aggravated, knowing there was no use fighting against that woman's strength. Kami, she hated her life.
Sakura felt extremely guilty for betraying her friend but this needed to happen. If Neji was going to be so damn ignorant of her, she was going to make him suffer. Maybe this would help their relationship rekindle.
She finally let go of the door after she heard several curses from the weapon's mistress and sat beside Temari and next to the quiet Hinata. The woman turned her midnight teal eyes, "So you're with Kiba, huh?"
"Hai. No matchmaking for me." Sakura smiled proudly.
Temari leaned back in her chair to catch the only one that hadn't spoken yet, "Oi." The female squeaked frightened and turned her wide eyes over to her. "You got a boyfriend?"
"Um…"
Sakura smiled resting a reassuring hand on the woman's knee. "We're working on it. With the dress you had on earlier, your bound to knock Naruto off his feet."
"Naruto, huh?" Temari bit her lip terrified of that possibility. "Good luck with that." She finally turned her dark teal eyes to Ino, "So you're the one left I got to find a date for tonight."
Sakura slapped a hand over her mouth to keep her cackles at bay when Ino turned wide eyed. The anger was vibrant but also shock. She sputtered out, "I may have a boyfriend."
Temari shook her head, "Not according to Shikamaru."
She put her hands on her hips quickly, the shocked wiped from existence while the rage took over, "And what the hell does he know."
"A lot." Temari reasoned. "It's all he talks about," Ino heart fluttered violently in her chest, "His teammates." Her world crashed violently and blew up in raging fires.
Ino couldn't respond for several minutes. Sakura watched wondering what was going on through the woman's head, sorrow reflected in her own eyes. She knew what a heart breaking felt like and could only sympathize. Finally there was recognition shining in the pale azure orbs. "Choji's my date."
"Oh, okay. Didn't see that one." Temari seemed to not notice the disposition that surrounded her and waited patiently and undisturbed for the door to open.
--
Sasuke paced the sandy floor beneath him. He sweat from the heat and the loss of chakra that was constantly being pulled out of him by the seals that surrounded this room. His mind was reaching for possibly ways to get the information that he needed but guards were hard enough to come by and not only that but now he was in entirely different village. The only other person who might hold the information would be Naruto himself.
His good fortune had run out the moment he met up with that boy. Everything had continued to go from bad to worse. If he could just meet with Tsunade or Jiraiya things would be going the way he wanted. Any ANBU member or even group leaders would have done just fine. But not only were his captors not who he needed them to be but they just had to be the people he used to associate himself with. He knew why Tsuande had done this, hell she had even explained it all.
Her humor was obvious no matter that he couldn't see her face. "You seemed to have forgotten just how much I love to torture people, Sasuke."
What the hell does she know of torture? This wasn't torture, he knows torture and this wasn't close to it. This was…just a damn good way of annoying the hell out of him.
His eyes twitched upward to the ceiling as sand fell through the small tunnel. He looked up through it for a moment. It traveled up for a about ten to twelve feet and then there was sky. He was underground, a crappy place to be if his followers had any hope to get him out of here, or to even sense him at all. He cursed his luck. Why hadn't he thought Naruto was capable of something so easy! And that was the biggest kick to his pride above all else. It had been so damn easy! No battle, not even a few hits here and a few kicks there. Nope, just a simple jab that he had thought would do him no harm.
Naruto has changed. They all have changed so much. It made him wonder if he had needed to leave at all…
Sasuke scoffed, rolling his eyes in annoyance and sighed heavily again, throwing his body down on the sandy cot. He hated this: waiting for something to happen. Waiting always made him think and he hated to think just as much as waiting.
"Sakura-chan, come on." Naruto voice filtered through his hearing and Sasuke glanced all around trying to figure out where it was coming from. A few grands of sand fell through again and he looked up through the small air pocket. "Let's go." Naruto pleading voice sounded clearer. They were above him.
"Iie. I told you I was suppose to meet someone at this place for something." Sakura's voice bit back and a scuffling of dragging feet could be heard.
Naruto sighed staring at her rebellious form. He had dragged her for the last quarter block and it was quickly getting aggravating now with the sun being so freaking hot. She had been sort of willing for the most part, every now then, he had to remind her who exactly it was that was waiting for them and then suddenly she comes up with this lame excuse that she's got somewhere to be. If he didn't know any better, it was as almost as if she didn't want to see Sasuke.
He released her, knowing there was no way to drag an unwilling Sakura if she was going to go against him. He watched her depressingly sit on a bench. Naruto stood still watching her softly, his brows knit with slight confusion as to why she was refusing to go. "Sasuke needs us, Sakura-chan."
"Yeah, so you told me. I don't know if you're paying attention, Naruto but he is far from needing us."
Naruto eyes widened at a realization. He smiled softly but she was no longer looking at him. She was just nervous. That explained so many things. He took a seat beside her, lowering his head in his hands for a moment before sitting back. "He's gotten fast hasn't he?" Naruto whispered with a small smile, prideful. "I wouldn't mind fighting him to see how strong he's gotten."
"I'm sure you'll get your chance in the future." She whispered foolishly and she turned her gaze away when Naruto questioned her with his eyes.
Knowing she wasn't going to say anything more, Naruto let that comment slid. It was silent between them for a few moments until Naruto's hand reached behind his head, his cheeks slightly blushing. "So I've been meaning to ask you something." He turned his cobalt eyes to her, "What's Kiba got that I don't?"
Sakura blushed smiling. "Oh come on, Naruto. You can't say you still have feelings for me?"
"Iie, iie, I don't. I'm just sort of wondering is all."
She shrugged, "A brain maybe."
"Oi!"
"Gomen, Gomen." Sakura sighed, shaking her pink hair from her face as she gazed out across the land. "I don't know. He was there I guess."
"You're dating the guy, cause he was there?"
Her hands fisted, "That's not what I meant." His hand went up in quick defense but she relaxed. "Sasuke left. Then you left. I was all alone for a long time. I had just passed my final for becoming a medic-nin and I wanted to celebrate. Everyone got together, it was a great night. But I was so miserable. Kiba actually cheered me up. We had many things in common and it just happened. We hadn't planned on dating."
Naruto sighed and stared at her momentarily, as if deciding weather he should keep going with this conversation. But he needed to know something and if he was going to get an answer to his question, he had to go the round about way. "He's completely different from Sasuke."
She threw her eyes away. "What's your point?" She acted dismissively but Naruto could see the tenseness of her shoulders. "At least he treats me decently."
"Sasuke always had a soft spot for you--" He was cut off by her bitter laughter. He set his jaw at her disregard to that fact. "Sakura-chan--"
"I don't want to talk about this anymore. You make believe that Sasuke is just masking his feelings--"
"He's been alone--"
"Well, so have I!" Her voice seemed to echo in the empty sky.
Naruto stared at her, mouth agape and eyes wide. Her eyes were on him, glinting with the hint of tears that she wouldn't let fall. She sat back down, holding her head in her hands, gripping her pink tresses tightly. He placed an unsure hand on her shoulder. "I'm not leaving you again, Sakura-chan."
She smiled and giggled lightly before looking at him. He mimicked her smiling lips. Sakura sighed, dropping her hands in her lap and stared out into the distance. The wind blew, and she closed her eyes briefly. "If I do this, I want you to do something."
"Anything."
"Ask Hinata to this party."
"Nani? Doushite?(2)"
"One, you owe it to yourself to have a good time. And Two, she deserves a chance. One chance, I promise you won't regret it."
He scrunched up his face, looking at her through squinted eyes, "But she's so weird."
Sakura laughed, shaking her head, "You're so more weirder." He pouted childishly. "Besides, she's pretty and smart, and perfect for you, and she really likes you."
"You said that before and I don't see it."
"That's because you're as blind as a bat. Just trust me."
He sighed heavily, giving up any protest he had. "I trust you, Sakura-chan. I'll ask her." He stood with a bright smile on his face, "Now come on, let's go see Sasuke."
--
Sasuke could hear two sets of footsteps and knew it was them. His back was against the wall as he sat on his matt concentrating on a bit of his chakra to form up enough to use his eyes. Naruto would be stupid, he could catch that boy in a jutsu the instant they turned the corner. But he was reminded on how he had failed with Sakura. He threw it out of his head, however. He did not want to think of that. It would just bother him. Either way, he could never be able to catch her in a gen-jutsu again, she was too smart for it.
"Naruto." Sakura's voice sounded and Naruto made a noise in response. "Don't look in his eyes okay?" Sasuke cursed his luck. If the boy hadn't be reminded he would have caught him so easily. He should have figured she'd remember. He sighed out, the chakra supply drained from him in an instant. He panted for a few moments, the horrible feeling of nausea passing through him.
"Doushite? He can't use his power, not with all those symbols and stuff."
"He can, I don't know how but he can."
"How do you know?"
It was silent for a moment and Sasuke's brow knit. She hadn't told him about their run in? "Just don't okay.." His brow creased even more confused on why she had kept silent. "Besides, if he can't use his Sharigan then why was he blind folded to begin with?" She just figured this out now, maybe her intelligence cut off to a certain extent, Sasuke thought with a smirk.
"Sasuke!" Naruto threw him out of his thoughts which only served to aggravated him and make him question why they were even here at all. The metal doors that kept him locked in here slowly slid open. But that didn't mean he was released. The electric bars were still present. These Sand people weren't as stupid as he had recently believed. They did not underestimate him. But that didn't mean Naruto won't. He had to rely on that. Naruto was in charge and that gave him all the more chances in the future to escape.
Sasuke didn't bother to stand up, hell, he didn't bother to even acknowledge the voice not wishing to waste his strength. Pacing for only a few short minutes had caused such weakness on his part he felt as if he needed a freaking nap. These damn curses that decorated his skin were certainly taking their toll.
"Sasuke!" Naruto screamed again, and with a very disgruntled roll of the eyes Sasuke threw his gaze to the man, thinking of every horrible thing he could say. But it wasn't worth it. Naruto wouldn't give up. A fact he had come to know too well.
Sasuke noticed the blue eyes would not connect with his own, instead either staring at the wall behind him or at his chin. And Sakura would not even gaze in his direction as she sat in the chair that was placed in front of the cell. A chair. That meant they were going to be staying. He rolled his eyes in annoyance and turned his head away. So maybe this was verging on the edge of torture. "Come to reminiscence." Sasuke bit, his hands fisted to keep his rage in check.
"Exactly." Naruto smiled sitting in his own chair.
Sasuke wanted the boy to leave. His sarcastic happy enthusiasm was already annoying him, just like it had done years ago. And that thought alone was exactly why Naruto needed to go. "Well I don't. Leave."
"Ah, come on Sasuke, can't you even humor me a little bit."
"You poison me and lock me in this damned cell and you want me to humor you?"
"Hai. I deserve it. You stabbed me through the chest."
"Just my luck Tsuande was there."
"Sasuke."
"Nothing to say Sakura?" Sasuke allowed humor to etch upon his words. She hadn't spoken to him since their little mind battle. He was just trying to prove how much power he still had over her. She acted tough, acted like she didn't care anymore, but it was still so sickening obvious. Or it had been obvious until he had heard their conversation from moments ago. She was now with Kiba it appeared. And that had certainly thrown him off.
It didn't matter either way for him. If she was not over him, he could have used that to his advantage. But if she was, then good riddance, she had been annoying enough as a child, no doubt she would have been more so as an adult.
"Not worth my time."
"Sakura." Naruto chided, his blue eyes going over to her in question. But her face was turned away from him.
"I told you we shouldn't have come. This is what thanks we get. We try to save him--"
"Save me." Sasuke spat cutting in on her little tirade, "From what? Did I look like I was being held captive? Held in a cage, unable to train, unable to eat, unable to do anything on my own freewill?"
"Nani? You want pity?" Sakura nearly laughed as she glared at the wall above his head when he turned to glare at her. "Ahh, is poor Sasuke feeling mistreated?" Her sympathetic sarcasm dropped and she snapped, "Well too fucking bad. You should have thought of that before you stabbed Naruto."
Sasuke chuckled, her violent attitude more then amusing. "Temper, Sakura."
"Sasuke, Sakura yamette.(3) Stop acting like you hate each other because I know you don't. Sasuke stop being a dick. We don't like seeing you in there anymore then you like being there. But we're doing this to protect you. There are serious evil people coming for you."
"Coming to save me, Naruto. Konoha is not my sato anymore." He sighed heavily but turned his gaze toward them before allowing a small smirk on his lips, "I am Otogakure's Kage."
"You lie." Naruto instantly insisted, rising to his feet and would have gone closer to the bars if Sakura's hand on his wrist had not stopped him.
"I killed Orochimaru. I became leader. And therefore…"
"Kage…" Naruto dropped his gaze, amazed and distracted by the ever present fact that two of his many childhood opponents had became Kage before he even had the chance to. Irony since both had no desire to be before they had met him. Naruto shook his head and put a smile on his lips. His eyes rising to him, "Well, you don't belong to them. You belong to us, Sasuke. We'll make you see that before we return to Konoha."
"Hn." Sasuke smirked slightly, "I'm not going back to Konoha." A subtle threat that Naruto seemed ignorant of.
"We'll see." Naruto smiled, twisting his wrist that was still held by Sakura to grasp her hand and pull her up. "We'll be back tomorrow, dattebayo." He whispered softly.
Sasuke watched them leave, and the silence rang in his ears. He leaned his head back to rest against the wall and stared straight ahead of him. "Hn." He flatted his legs out on his matt, his teeth grit in frustration as he stared at the wall before him.
If they have changed as much as they appeared to have, why did they come after him? They had to have known that he would have changed just as they did. Why did they go through the danger of it all? Because Naruto wanted to complete his promise? No, it was more then that. A normal person doesn't chase after a friend that had abandoned them for years.
But as he closed his eyes, he was forced to remember the battle at the Valley of the End. Naruto thought of him as a brother. And that was a concept he could understand. He still chased after his own for how many years now? He had lost count somewhere along the way. Time had lost meaning in the caves. But here in this cell he was forced to watch the minutes tick by, another hour, another day, wasted.
Sasuke dropped his head back against the wall, a little pain to keep his thoughts away from Itachi.
He now understood Naruto's reason for coming after him. Why had Sakura? If she is over him as she plays it, for she must be if she is with Kiba, then way did she come for him? Simple friends do not act as she does.
Sasuke momentarily recalled the battle that he had with her. It was an aggravating memory. Her words echoed in his head. She had mentioned love, like she had on the night he had left Konoha. She had admitted, that she still loved him. He shook his head, she had meant only as a friend. Because if he recalled correctly, her 'love' was ogling after him where ever he went, acting as annoying as a girl can possibly be, and always showed him favoritism. She was doing none of these things. No, it was the exact opposite. She was actually showing hatred. How can she love him and hate him at the same time? It wasn't possible.
Sasuke laid down on his matt, no longer caring as his energy left him in unconsciousness.
--
Naruto kicked the sand as he shuffled along the marketplace. His hands stuffed in his pockets, glaring at the ground, imaging it was Sasuke he was stepping on. He hated that Sasuke was Kage but what he hated more then anything, is Sasuke's ability to hurt him without even raising a fist. He had thought he had gotten more mature, he had thought his skin had hardened and his heart was protected. But only a few words and he felt more vulnerable then a baby.
Sasuke, Kage? What type of trick was that? Kage was suppose to be a respectable position, an honorable place. How can a person be honorable and be a Sound-nin?
Not only was Sasuke driving him crazy but now Sakura was as well. She had been completely different only a few minutes prior and then suddenly she was angry and bitter. It was a shock to see such hated emotions on her face. When they left, he instantly bombarded her with questions. But he only received a smile. A smile that calmed the irrational thoughts in his head. None of his questions went answered, but as long as she was happy then there could be no wrong.
He lifted his gaze as laughter reached his ears. And though it was Kiba's voice (which made him want to drive his head through a wall) it also meant there was a chance Hinata was with him.
Naruto entered the small café, half smiling when he found Team eight against the far back wall. Kiba sitting beside Hinata who was blushing with a hand over her mouth, hiding her laughter and Shino across from them, smiling, at least Naruto thought anyway since the big black shirt he wore covered part of his face.
He took in a deep breath. Nervousness was actually causing his fingers to trembled. He fisted them, hating himself for not having the guts. He killed people, fought against Orochimaru, and saved Gaara from Akatsuki members. Yet here he was, afraid of a shy little girl.
Naruto snapped his head up. He's Uzumaki Naruto! The best Konoha Ninja and future Hokage! A man capable of having the world at his feet and a beautiful woman at his side.
With fisted hands he stepped to the table, all laughter instantly stalling at his presence. Akamaru growled, barring his fangs until Kiba placed a hand on his head, relaxing him. Hinata's wide eyes were on him, her heart stop beating, her breath caught in her throat as she stared shocked at him.
"How are you, Naruto?" Shino asked after the intense moments of silence. He glanced to Kiba who was glaring and then Hinata who was speechless. Human's were so weird. Bugs were so much better.
"Hinata."
"Hn." She forced out a squeak.
"Will you go with me to this dance?"
"Nani?" Kiba and Shino simultaneously responded.
"Huh?" Hinata whimpered.
Naruto tightened his fist nervously, "Will you go with me. To the party?" After which she promptly past out. "Huh?" Naruto nearly crawled across the table in question.
"See what ya did!" Kiba hollered at him. He steadied her unconscious form, fanning her, "Hinata. Oi. Hinata."
"Why does she do that?" Naruto pounded the table in annoyance.
"I speak on behalf on Hinata." Shino began only to stall at the sharp look Kiba shot from across the way. "She will go with you."
"Really? How do you know, Shino?"
"Yeah, Shino," Kiba narrowed his eyes, "how do you know?" Shino only bowed his head.
Not caring much for an answer, Naruto beamed, "Suge.(4)" He smiled brightly, "Why does she faint like that?"
"Heart condition." Kiba quickly snapped, his eyes daring Shino to say anything else. Finally he rose his diamond pupils up to Naruto, "Where's Sakura?"
Naruto's casual demeanor instantly switched to his protective nature. Though he understood Sakura, and though he had no feelings of intimacy toward her, Sakura still belonged to him just as Sasuke did. They were his teammates, his siblings. He narrowed his gaze, trying to stop himself from glaring but with the look of hatred he was receiving, Naruto could only mimic the expression. "I dropped her off at the house."
Kiba glanced back down at Hinata but was too angry to stay any longer. He rose, "Watch her." Shino nodded silently. He grit his teeth to keep from saying anything in bad taste toward Naruto but was not surprised when the blond grabbed his bicep.
The two stood side by side, Kiba facing one way, Naruto facing the other. Akamaru was growling warningly. "I think she wants to be alone.
Kiba smirked dangerously, "I think I know her better then you."
"Doubt that."
"Don't." Kiba ripped his arm away and stomped out.
"Geez," Naruto sighed and took his seat, "What's with him?" He picked casually at the meal in front of him. A small moan alerted him of Hinata waking and he turned to her suddenly with wide eyes. Her eyelids slowly blinked further and further apart until her vision cleared and blue eyes were on her. Upon which she instantly fainted again. Naruto scrunched his face up in confusion glancing to Shino who merely shrugged. Naruto sighed and grabbed her plate of food.
--
Kiba slammed the door to the house, snapping off his curses and breathed heavily with over exaggerated hatred as he whipped off his shoes, throwing them across the living room. Akamaru hurried to the door that was hiding Sakura and whined pathetically at it, scratching and whimpering. Kiba looked over and his wide black eyes pleaded with him. He sighed heavily knowing what that meant. Akamaru loved her, it shined more brightly then anything and within the past few months he had even started to feel her emotions just like himself. If Akamaru was pleading this badly then that meant Sakura was more worse off then he thought.
He softly went to the door sliding it soundlessly open and smiled sorrowfully, finding her curled up on the bed with her back to him. He shut it just as silently. Kiba crawled on the mattress, leaning over her form, catching her tears. She squeezed her eyes shut, "I'm so pathetic."
He shook his head, "Iie." She rolled over and wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him down to cry on his shoulder. He sighed, cursing Sasuke for doing whatever the hell he did this time and cursing Naruto for leaving her alone. Why was he so ignorant to what Sasuke was doing to her? No matter how she plays, doesn't he see the hurt in her eyes? The exhaustion that played on her face?
Kiba rolled them to lay upon his back, holding her tight as she cried into his chest. Akamaru jumped up on the bed and rested his head on her back, whining. She patted his head reassuringly. "He's so different." He rubbed her back soothingly. "He's not there. He's not. I don't know who that is anymore."
"You've known this."
"I know. I just…I dreamed for so long that when he came back we'd be the same…Yes, we'd grow but our hearts would be the same." She pulled her head away suddenly, "Why doesn't Naruto see it?" She begged him with her tearful eyes. "Why is he so blind to it? Sasuke tried to kill him, why won't he see how different he is?" He shook his head sadly not having an answer for her. "I can't tell him." She whispered softly, her voice straining with unshed tears. "I can't. He nearly sacrificed his life, you all did, to get him back for me. What right do I have to give up now when Naruto is still fighting?"
"No one will think you gave up. Everyone else believes your over him. I'm the only one that knows different, and believe me, I get it. I won't hate you for it, Sakura."
"Naruto will. He won't understand."
"He might if you try to explain it to him." He thought about it for a moment, "Very slow, and with really, really small words."
She giggled through her tears, wiping her face even as she smiled. But it soon faded and she rested her chin upon his chest to stare up at him. "Why can't I fall in love with you? My life would be so much easier."
"Tell me about it."
Japanese Words:
1)Uruseetan Kachi- Nosey Ass
2)Doushite- Why, how come
3)Yamette- Stop it
4) Suge--cool, awesome
I liked this chapter personally because Naruto goes, stop being a dick! And I can so see him saying that. And I seem to be making Sakura suffer a great deal in this fic, but fear not, there will be a happy ending(I'm lying) only after she suffers a great deal more.