Chapter 15- Say Anything

Say anything, save everything
If we say nothing this love will die
Give me just one word, you can scream or whisper
If you want to stay with me tell me why
Say anything

Naruto huffed with an over exaggerated scowl. He folded his arms over his chest with his pillow and blanket in between as he stared at the doorway to what had once been Sakura's and his room but now had become Sakura's and Kiba's room. It was such an injustice, it had him screaming at the top of his lungs, "Bros before hoes, Sakura-chan!" He hollered, stomping his foot.

Her laughter made him smile however, "I'm sorry, Naruto-kun."

"Don't apologize to that." Kiba mumbled.

"Don't be mean."

Naruto grit his teeth, hating the fact that he was having a damn conversation through the screen door and worse yet that Kiba was on the other side, doing kami-knows-what with Sakura. "Where am I suppose to go now?"

"Don't care, just go away." Kiba responded, "owe, how are you going to hit me? He's the one screaming so late at night."

"There are four other rooms in this place, I'm sure you can find a place." Sakura told him.

"They're all taken! Go back to your team, Kiba!"

Ino snapped open her door, "Would you shut up? Some of us are trying to sleep!"

Shikamaru's door opened at the end of the hall, "And some of us are trying to do other things and it's impossible with your annoying voice!"

Ino scoffed, "Nobody cares about that, Perv!"

He folded his arms over his bare chest, "Sleep in Ino's room."

"Nani! I'm not sleeping next to her, she-"

"He's not sleeping in here! Choji is enough to deal with!"

Lee pushed open the door tiredly, "Can you please stop yelling, I've got the worst headache ."

"Stay out of this, bushy brows." Naruto snapped.

Kiba shoved his door open, glaring at the blond, "See what you did, you woke up everyone!"

"I woke up everyone? You're the one stealing my damn room!"

"She's my girlfriend! I'm suppose to just let her sleep with you after the years you spent pinning over her!"

"That was so two years ago! And you freaking know it!"

"Yeah, right, you-"

TenTen slowly, softly, gently, sneakily pushed opened the door to the house, tiptoeing inside, softly placing her geta sandals on the floor, winching when they clicked against the tiled floor. With fearful silent steps she turned around to step over the genken- Only to jerk to a halt with wide, deer-like eyes as she was caught in headlights. All eyes were on her from the hallway. TenTen bit her lip nervously and waved sheepishly. "Hello."

Ino grinned, "Well, look who decided to come home."

Sakura squeezed her head out between Kiba's body, "Where have you been?"

"Out."

"TenTen." Lee started, "I looked for you for an entire hour, where did you go?"

"For a walk. Why is everyone awake?" She quickly switched the topic of conversation and thankfully they instantly started screaming at each other. She sighed and slipped past Lee to get into the room.

She shut the door behind her, biting her lip, wondering if Neji was awake. She took off her gloves and her green scroll, her gaze on him in the mirror she stood in front of. He laid with his back to her and did not make one move.

TenTen felt guilty but her intentions had been only to get him to react. She thought by going with that man, he might allow some emotion to come through. Anger or jealousy, both of which were welcome at the moment. Then that would at least tell her he still cared for her. She needed something.

The riot outside was continuing, bringing a smile to her lips. They're fighting was meaningless according to the small bits and pieces that she actually could comprehend with the many various voices speaking all at once.

Her smiled vanished however when Neji's voice interrupted her musings. "You're back late."

She was hoping it was agitation that she heard in his voice. "Yeah."

"Who was he?"

Though that could be interrupted that he cared to some degree, it was a typical response for him to inquiry about who she trains with. Enemies were always around and one could never be too careful. She shrugged, "Some guy. He said he'd teach me a few techniques with a sword. I came back here and changed then we went to a training ground."

Neji had already known that. Pathetically he had peaked in with his blood limit, which he fought lamely against for almost an hour. Thankfully Lee had come to him and asked him to look for her, which was the deciding factor.

"How was the party?" She asked.

"Fine."

"You left early."

"Yes." Neji flung the covers off of him, grapping his forehead protector as he rose and opened the balcony doors, stepping out and tying the knot to the back of his head. He rested his hands on the railing. The chilling air hit his shirtless skin, sending chills down his spine and he welcomed it.

TenTen watched him, her frown becoming more pronounced. He used that protector to hide the curse mark. For the first year of their relationship he would not take it off, even if they were in the act of intimacy. Only in the complete darkness where no ray of light could reach it would he then relax completely and allow the binds of his bandanna to come undone. In the beginning, she thought it was sad that he was so afraid of it but now, it was an insult. As if she cared about that damned curse.

TenTen moved behind him. She willed herself to reach out, to hug him, touch him, love him like she used to. But rejection was such a convincing enemy. Two months since he allowed any contact between them, even denying her simple eye contact. The thought caused enough aggravation to make her speak "I don't understand why it's such a big deal. I just want to be introduced to your family. I thought…we were at that stage, I guess." He stiffened, she noticed and she yearned to know what he was thinking. "Would you please just talk to me?"

His hands dropped, his head leaning back to gaze upon the moon that shined down in its cloudless sky. Neji closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. He felt her hand rest so unsurely upon his bare hip forcing shivers on his skin from that simple connection. He clenched his teeth in aggravation on how much he wanted that touch. Neji forced himself to end it, to end the relationship between them that was destined to die. "I told them of you."

Her eyes widened. "You didn't tell me that before."

"And they forbade it."

TenTen dropped her gaze from the back of his head and stared at the ground with disappointment, her hand falling to fist at her side. She should have known that was the response. She should have realized it sooner. She smiled dejectedly, "That's all you had to tell me, that's all I wanted to know."

"They've already chosen someone for me, TenTen."

TenTen snapped her eyes up, "What are you talking about?"

"I'm due to marry when I become 18."

"What?" She rapidly shook her head, "What are you talking about?"

Neji turned around and finally connected his gaze with hers. He had not been ready for the emotions that shined in her eyes but he showed none of its effects. He had to go through with it. He had to. "I told you it could not last forever. Did I not?"

"I hadn't thought…I thought, you were joking. I mean, I thought….I didn't think…" She cut off her babbling and forced out, "They can't make you."

"They can."

"No, You will fight this, Neji, come on. That's ridiculous. Aren't you even going to fight it?" He gave no response and her eyes widened in her anger. "So when were you going to tell me, if not now? When you were all ready married? When I saw you with her, when? How long did you know about this?"

"A year."

"You son of a bitch." She whispered, shaking her head. "That's why you've been ignoring me? To prepare me…To…make it easier for me?" She shook her head. Too many emotions would be revealed if she kept on her current path. She couldn't let him hear her real thoughts, not when it would make her seem so weak. "Neji, you have to fight this. Come on, you may not love me, but Kami, you can't just let them rule your life. You're better then that." He turned his gaze away but she moved to be in front of him. "Fight it, you're stronger then they are-"

He snapped harshly, his voice only above a whisper, but anger was emphasized by his sharp tone. "My life is not my own. You've known that. As long as this juin jutsu is on me, I cannot disobey."

"That's bullshit, and you know it. You just won't try. I thought, so many years ago when Naruto proved to you that destiny doesn't have to written in stone, you changed. You became bearable to be around." She dropped her gaze, her eyes going wild on the ground before her. Her rage was building, and it was hard not to turn and run away from him. But she strengthened her resolve and stared back at him, "You fought for yourself, and you moved up in your clan to a respectable member. Despite your curse." His silence meant something. It always did. Her eyes widened, "I get it now. You won't fight because you don't want to. Well, if I mean so little then by all means, marry her. See if I care." TenTen threw herself over the railing, landing evenly on the ground four stories below before running off.

Neji gripped the railing harshly in desire to go after her but he kept himself steady. His gaze followed her until she disappeared completely. And soon his hold lessened and his hands fell back to his sides, surrendering to fate. He could not be with her. There was no choice.

Hopefully, her anger would motivate her to stay away from him. And then maybe, just maybe, he'd be able to walk away and marry someone he does not want and form a family all the while being in love with someone else.

Naruto grit his teeth harshly and smashed his pillow on the ground. "Stupid Kiba and Stupid Sakura. Kicking me out of my own damn room."

"Enough, Naruto." Shino told him, "Or you will be unwelcome." Shino shut his eyes and pulled the blanket up.

Hinata face burned brutally and she stared up at the ceiling, clenching tight to the sheet that wrapped around her. Naruto was laying right beside her in the dark, in the same bed. Her stomach flipped wildly as she thought back to tonight and how they had actually held hands. She bit her lip, her body trembling as she listened to him breath.

"Oi, Hinata." Naruto whispered lightly. She turned her wide eyes to him, catching his own blue ones and his smiling lips. He seemed hesitant before he forced out, "Did you have a good time tonight?" His cheeks burned red she could tell even the darkness. Her eyes allowing her to see such detail.

"Aa." She whispered, unable to form any other word.

He dropped his eyes before rising them again, "Me too. Maybe…Maybe…we can…I don't know…go out…again…maybe…sometime…"

Her heart beat wildly in her chest and she forced out another, "Aa."

Naruto smiled brightly. "Cool. Ahhh!" He screeched suddenly as his whole body was lifted off the bed, "Bugs?" He narrowed his eyes to Shino seeing the line of insects coming from him. The bugs carried him over to the far side of the room before dropping him unceremoniously, far now from Hinata. "Kiba and Shino are big jerks." He bit through clenched teeth, tucking his pillow under his head. He caught sight of Hinata's wide eyes in the darkness and smiled reassuringly before shutting his eyes, trying to ease the swelling discomfort of nervousness in his stomach.

Naruto hummed softly to himself as he climbed the many stairs to the top of the building that laid their over lavished apartment. A smile was on his lips and far from fading, his mind switching from Hinata to Sasuke and then back again. He had just finished breakfast with the Hyuuga Heiress and was about to go see his disturbed best friend. Since the morning started off good, there was a good chance speaking with the Uchiha male would also be positive. He could almost imagine Sasuke greeting him with a gigantic bear hug. That made him laugh as he opened the door.

The quiet that met him disturbed his happy manner but he continued his slight hum. He couldn't believe people were still sleeping, it was almost nine in the morning. Naruto shook his head with a mumble 'Lazy bums' and causally snapped open his bedroom door, "Sakura-chan-ahhhh!" his mirth swallowed by fear as he stumbled back, tripping over himself and falling back, hitting his head on the giant table in the center of the living room.

Kiba bared his beast fangs, growling violently, lifting the covers over Sakura's naked chest. He glanced down and was relieved to see her still asleep. She had finally slept quietly and that relaxed him greatly. He may not be able to help in many ways but every once and awhile he's capable of healing her damaged heart. Just as she was capable of healing his. Hopefully when she wakes, her strength will be recovered.

He rubbed his eyes and yawned, stretching dog-like and shaking himself as he rose his naked form. Akamaru guarded the open door as Kiba quickly got his clothes on, a bit too calm for his normal demeanor. He patted Akamaru softly and allowed him to pass through the doorway before sliding the screen shut with a soft tap when it hit the wood.

Naruto rubbed his head, "Owe." He groaned, glaring quickly back at the table as if it had been all its fault. But upon feeling the floorboards sink right by his feet, Naruto snapped upon his eyes only to, ""Ahh!" He squealed running with ungraceful speed, jumping over furniture till he got to the door. Kiba followed after him with two knives raised, curses and promising threats falling off his tongue, jumping down the four flights of steps after the annoying fool. Naruto stumbled behind the startled Hinata, grapping her shoulders in protection, her eyes wide and filled with fear when Kiba now stood in front of her with murderous intent shining in his diamond pupils .

Kiba snarled loudly, his dog mimicking him silently confused on why they were attacking the blond but following nonetheless. Kiba shook his head considering the man was hiding behind the reason for his vibrant hatred he now held for the Uzumaki boy. "Why can't you knock!" He refrained from cursing considering Hinata was too innocent to hear such vile words.

"How was I to know!"

"That's not the point!"

"Yes, huh!"

"You are such an idiot, do you know that!"

"Kiba-kun…" Hinata whispered in defense of Naruto. Her eyes stayed in constant contact with the ground, not wishing to see any pain her teammate would endure for her interfering.

Kiba growled sharply, warning her to stay out of it. Her head dropped more pronounced in her distress and he swung his eyes away from her, gripping tighter to his draining resolve. A light whine from Akamaru asked him silently to be nice to Hinata. Aggravation made him throw the kunais at her feet. She rose her eyes happily only to catch him shut his own. He shoved his hands in his pockets, his head turned away as he past them. "I'll go in Sakura's stead." He spoke tightly continuing down the dirt road.

"Geez. That guy is insane." Naruto scratched the back of his head watching the man go. He looked down to Hinata and smiled wildly. "You saved me, Hinata-chan. Arigatou." Her face fleshed upon the suffix at the end of her name and she followed him with her gaze, shaking.

Kiba and Naruto walked side by side. Kind of. Twenty feet separated them with a vicious dog between but side by side nonetheless. Both their arms were folded and frowns pronounced with heads turned awkwardly away. Needless to say it was silent as they continued the long hike to the prison.

But Naruto was getting bored with this and he dropped his hands, to let them swing at his side, every now and again glancing to his right but Kiba still refused to release his rage. The blond scratched his head. "Why couldn't we wake her up?" He questioned finally.

Kiba dropped his arms and looked over to him, "She's not feeling well."

"She hung over?"

"No. She's just not feeling well."

"She didn't want to come, did she?"

Kiba smirked, "What made you think that? Could it be her saying she didn't want to go, or the fact that she never wanted to go in the first place?"

"I thought she'd want to help him?"

"Yeah, well, you were gone for over two years, what the hell do you know."

"Why are you being like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like a jerk?"

"Because I can." Kiba smiled sarcastically before turning his head away and folding his arms, ignoring the disapproving whine Akamaru made.

"Whatever." Naruto mumbled.

Kiba lowered his gaze to the ground, his attitude falling nearly instantly being swallowed by the agony of knowing Naruto slept beside Hinata last night. He didn't want to feel hatred toward the blond but each day that passes it was growing stronger. Kiba forced him to recall Sakura's words to him last night and it did quell most of his anger but when the anger decreased the heartache returned.

Akamaru nudged his hand with a soft understanding whine and Kiba smiled down at him.

Ino pounded her way down the hallway, stomping through the living room, huffing in the kitchen then turned and restarted her enraged pacing. She stalled in front of the exit of the apartment, her back to it careless, glaring dangerously at the doorway at the end of the hallway.

She had a sleepless night to say the least considering in the bedroom next to her laid her desired partner with another woman. The disgust and pain that followed her through the night disrupted her beauty sleep and now looking in the mirror made her cringe.

Ino shook her head, restarting her pacing lest she be caught glaring at the door so openly.

Shikamaru was so damned blind it was disgusting. Didn't he see that she was in love with him, damn it! He was suppose to be a freaking genius and yet he was completely clueless about the female mind. She wanted to smack him upside the head and kick him in the shin for his stupidity.

He even missed breakfast, for goodness sake! Shikamaru knew they always have breakfast together on missions, it was the only part of the day that was completely theirs and yet he didn't show. All because of that damned girl!

Kami, how she hated Temari. That woman was not only five years older then Shikamaru but she was damned annoying too. Ino was so better looking then that female, and had way bigger breasts! What the hell did Shikamaru see in her anyway?

Ino turned out of the kitchen abruptly, planning on waking Sakura so she could properly vent. If she didn't get out all her frustrations soon, she was bound to open Shikamaru's door and cause serious injury to both their forms.

Upon reaching for the handle it slid open and TenTen's face met hers. Ino's brows knit in confusion and she was just about to holler in question when TenTen slapped a hand over her mouth and pushed her aside to step out of the room and close the door behind her. "Don't bother her." She ordered walking into the living room to reach the kitchen.

"Why the hell not?" Ino snapped.

TenTen tried not to speak. She tried to quell the rising anger in her heart but it was becoming uncontrollably by the second as Neji's voice from last night sounded again and again in her head. She spun around, whipping out a sharp kunai threateningly. "Look outside yourself for one moment and think about someone else's problems."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

TenTen scoffed sticking her knife back in her pocket, "You really are clueless."

"I don't need to hear this from you right now. I don't care to know why you're being a bitch at the moment but don't ever tell me what to do." Ino smirked knowing, oh so well, how much TenTen hated being called a bitch. The weapon's mistress hated anything that had to do with females in general so basically anything Ino-related was unforgivable. A fight was something that would make her happy and so a fight was what she wanted. When TenTen grabbed for her kunai again, Ino prepared herself for the attack.

TenTen however kicked up a sitting pillow, forcing Ino's attention to it when it hit her in the head. She attacked the distracted woman, and within an instant had the knife harshly pressed against the female's throat glaring with killing intent shining in her brown eyes. Ino's pale blue gaze widened in fear unable to look away from the orbs so close to her own, blocking out everything else except for that harsh gaze.

Ino now took notice of the bright pain that hid itself inside the chocolate eyes. So excruciatingly obvious, guilt shoved itself in her throat tightening the pressure against the blade.

"TenTen!" Lee's voice sounded and a quick pull and the knife poked a small hole in Ino's skin. TenTen struggled against his harsh grip and when they were far enough away from Ino he released her. Without a care to anything else, TenTen ran out of the apartment. The door slammed so brutally the house shook.

Ino sunk to her knees, mindless to the blood dripping from her neck and stared at the ground. How had she not seen the horrible pain TenTen was in? Was she really that ignorant to everything around her?

"Ino." Shikamaru's voice pulled her out of the terrible thoughts and she looked up to see him staring down at her with concern on his brow.

Tears were blurring her vision. "What's wrong with TenTen? I-I didn't…I didn't know something was wrong. What's wrong?" His gaze went over to Lee then Temari momentarily before reaching down and helping her stand.

"Let's go have a talk."

Naruto stood with a distant smile, "I'll come back tomorrow. Sakura will come too, she's just busy right now. Okay, Sasuke?" Though it was formed as a question Naruto didn't expect an answer nor did Sasuke give him one. He turned his back, "Let's go."

Kiba stood, "Give me a minute." Naruto snapped his gaze to him quickly. "I'll catch up." Kiba assured and though skepticism shined in his blue eyes, Naruto nodded a bit reluctantly. Kiba knelled down beside the bars, to be even with Sasuke even though the boy was still a good ten feet away.

Sasuke rolled his tired eyes over to the Inuzuka kid. He was at first unsure why this man had come to see him in Sakura's stead but realization had come quick enough. This was that Kiba boy. The one dating Sakura. He dropped his gaze away with obvious annoyance as he bit, "Come to threaten me?" What Sakura saw in that dog creature, he'll never figure out.

"Kind of." He smirked. "I've actually come to let you in on a little secret. We've all grown, Sasuke, we've all seen things and done things we're not proud of. And Sakura is right there with us. She's not the same girl you left. She stronger, better, and smarter then all of us put together. And she's sacrificed so much you can't even begin to imagine. All for you. To get you back. To save you."

"I never asked her to." Sasuke stated softly, not having the strength any longer to be bothered with the man.

He shook his head, "Doesn't matter. She did it because it was more then just a school girl crush, what she felt for you. Maybe if you would have just left without saying goodbye, it would have been easier. But you just had to take what you could from her, use her, make her believe you actually felt something." Kiba's voice deepened as his anger became present, "And that was really fucked up." Kiba rested a hand on Akamaru's head, the dog had growled, feeling his master's emotions but upon being petted he lowered his head back to the floor, relaxing. "She changed instantaneously. She grew into a woman really damn quick. And she no longer acted like the pathetic weak girl, you always thought her to be. She pushed herself beyond natural limits every day for the past three years. And she hasn't cried once in that same amount of time. Except…" Sasuke peaked open his eye but didn't bother to question it. "Now, you've been gone for quiet awhile, and we all have become a family. So I'm telling you this on behalf of all of us, if you don't start being a bit more grateful for all the things she sacrificed and done, or if she comes to me crying, after three years of not shedding a single tear, like she did yesterday, I'm not the only one you'll have to face. And you may be strong, and I may not be able to take you one on one, but how well do you think you'll fair with all ten of us?" Kiba stood. Akamaru sneezed indignantly, "Make that eleven." The dog growled softly before falling after his master.

Sasuke listened to the fading footfalls until they ceased. He smashed his head up against the wall hoping that the pain in his head would rid the thoughts that were being provoked. It was one thing being stuck in this cell having no room to escape the many bothersome emotions and thoughts that seemed to attack him without mercy. But it was entirely different situation when he was too powerless to ignore the voices that spoke to him. The curses that decorated his skin left to him open and too weak to occupy his mind which caused him to actually listen to the words being said.

In other words, it seemed his past sins was finally catching up with him. And he was sure if he didn't get out of the jail cell soon, the mission he was on would fail.

Sasuke smashed his head back against the wall again.

Naruto sat on the bench waiting for Kiba to exit from the jail. He crossed his arms and tapped his foot trying to stop himself from going back inside and finding out just what it was that Kiba had to say to the man.

But his energy to concentrate on the negative wasn't in his personality. Naruto allowed a small smile to fall upon his lips. Though the meeting with Sasuke had been annoyingly silent on his part, it was going pretty well. Receiving annoyed looks and angered jabs was enough for the smile to turn into a broad grin.

Sasuke was exactly the same.

Relief poured into him and gave him new life. Now all he wanted to do was be around the man and break through his steel walls, bringing him back from the clutches Orochimaru still had on him. That was all Sasuke needed. Time and friends. Then everything will go back to the way it was before and the three years that had separated them will be forgotten. Just the thought alone put a new bounce in his step.

Naruto's eyes narrowed when he caught sight of Akamaru bounding out the door happily and Kiba followed behind. A symbol that shoved all the happiness back inside a metal box. Kiba had the power to destroy the reuniting of Team Seven. And that made him a potential enemy.

He stood straightening his spine and hardening his features, his glare impossible to make out over the distance that separated them. He took a deep breath remembering almost reluctantly that Kiba was still a friend no matter the circumstances. If he could keep that in mind, maybe they would still be friends after the conversation he had planned for them

Kiba grabbed the backend of Akamaru's tail, yelping back in surprise and making a run for it as Akamaru chased after him. Kiba's laughter echoed in the desert sky and Akamaru got to him right where Naruto stood and pinned him to the ground. "You got me." He held his hands up in surrender, the dog licking his face before releasing him. Kiba looked up at Naruto with knit brows. It was silent for long moments and Kiba gave a lopsided smile forcing out an awkward, "Oi."

"Oi." Naruto responded, taking back his seat on the bench Naruto took a nervous breath. He didn't know how to approach this subject and the words that he wanted to say were not very nice. Not only would his conscience berate him but if Sakura found out she'd come screaming with fists raised. He needed to go about this gently so no one's feelings got hurt.

"You look upset." Kiba climbed on the bench and sat, his dog resting beside him and he petted him mindlessly, "Anything you want to talk about?"

"Yeah, actually." Kiba eyes widened in surprise but he nodded indicating he was listening. "It's about Sasuke."

Kiba momentarily wondered what it could possibly be about but the troubled look Naruto wore made it a bit obvious. He was upset about Sasuke.

Kiba let out a breath of silent relief. He never knew Sasuke well to begin with but having talked to the man now only made him realize how much of a dick Sasuke really was. He had gone in there hating him for how much pain he had caused Sakura but now it was a more personal hatred. He couldn't believe that man was the same man Sakura and Naruto loved. There was nothing about Sasuke that could be loved. His sharp beast nails grit the bench in memory of Sakura's cries and exhausted expressions. He wished he had punched the Uchiha instead of speaking with him.

Relief eased the anger however. Kiba smiled at Naruto's turned face, glad to know that Naruto wasn't as blind as he originally thought. Telling Naruto about Sasuke's vicious attack on Sakura would relieve him of the nasty burden, and hopefully relieve Sakura too. Naruto was her teammate, he would protect her from the beast Sasuke had become. Kiba should have never doubted that.

"I think you and Sakura should break up." Kiba snapped his eyes up to Naruto in bizarre shock. Naruto wouldn't meet his eyes, staring out ahead of them. "Sasuke's back now. And Sakura has always been in love him. So…I just think it would be better if you guys broke up…Sakura belongs with Sasuke."

Akamaru growled threateningly, barring his twelve-inch fangs toward the blond. But he whined when Kiba just placed a hand upon his head, calming him. Kiba smirked at the ground before him, his eyes cast in shadows, ignoring the blue orbs that were gazing at him.

How typical, he thought. Grasping his dog's fur, Kiba got to his feet and turned his back on him. "You're suppose to be her best friend." He whispered.

Naruto snapped to his feet. "I am!" The beast master chuckled and shook his head. Naruto's gaze narrowed when Kiba took a step away. He might not get another chance to make Kiba see what he's doing. So maybe being blunt was the only option, "Sakura would never tell you to leave, she's too nice. But she belongs with Sasuke and you're in the way of that. So as her best friend, I'm telling you to break up with her."

Kiba's grip tightened on Akamaru's coat and the dog growled waiting for the signal to attack. The words didn't hurt him, hell he didn't even hear them. It was Naruto's ignorance that made him rage inside. Since Sakura woke up from that world created by Sasuke, her strength and will power that he had admired so much had swiveled up into a dead and decaying rose petal. And Naruto didn't even see a difference, didn't even notice the shift because he was too involved in a past that could never be again. And that's what infuriated him so.

He finally realized why Sakura had wanted to keep it all a secret from Naruto. The boy was living in a dream and taking away that light would make the world crumble at his feet. It wasn't his place to take it away so he would instead back down. "I'll leave when she tells me to." It was the only response that seemed acceptable and he hopped on Akamaru's back, riding out of sight.

Naruto sat down the bench with crossed arms. Well, that hadn't gone the way he wanted it to. Why was Kiba being so freaking difficult? The man can't actually believe that Sakura was in love with him, can he?

Naruto shook his head. Growing up was way too damn difficult.

It was lunch time when Sakura awoke with Akamaru stretched out at her side. Upon seeing her awake he licked her face and when he heard a giggle from the woman, he attacked with eager kisses. She squealed loudly, pushing away weakly in protest and laughing full-heartedly.

With his help she sat up instantly holding her head as a wave of pain ransacked her brain. She dressed while leaning against the bed for support and climbed on Akamaru's back so he could take her to wherever Kiba resided.

When they got to the restaurant, she dropped in the chair next to him, glaring dangerously at his grinning visage. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"You needed to sleep." He reasoned, patting Akamaru softly. Kiba quickly ordered hot tea and bowl of hot water before taking a bite out of his meal.

Sakura dropped her head gently on the table groaning, "Why did you let me drink?"

"Let you?" Kiba chuckled. The waitress returned with the desired ordered and wrung out the rag in the hot water and rested it on the back of her neck. He pushed the tea in front of her and weakly she took a sip. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"No, No food. And stop talking so damn loud. Wait." She took a moment when pain passed through her brain. "What did you tell Naruto about Sasuke?"

"I went instead."

"Oh, Kami. What did you do?"

"Nothing. I was just there for support." She eyed him questionably but he took another bite of his food unhindered by fear of her gaze. She shrugged dropping it. "Will you eat?"

"I'm fine."

"It will make you feel better."

The rumble of her stomach betrayed her and with a determined look now shining in Kiba's and Akamaru's gaze she surrendered ordering soup. Only a few shot minutes past when she saw TenTen standing in the doorway of the restaurant. She waved her hand and the female smile softly, walking over and sitting down. Sakura knit her brows upon catching the younger woman's gaze. She turned to Kiba who glanced to her with question on his brow as well. Misery had never shined so brightly before. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." TenTen waved it away, dismissing it for later. "Hinata and Ino are going to the pool. I thought you would like to join."

"Meaning you want me to go so you're not alone with Ino." TenTen nodded with a soft smile. "That's sounds great." She took a sip of her soup, glancing up to TenTen but the woman's eyes were now humorously gazing at Kiba. Knitting her brows, Sakura turned her orbs to her partner.

Kiba's attention was so obviously somewhere else, Sakura followed his line of sight. She spotted an older female, mature, well endowed and way past beautiful. The woman had been glancing flirtatiously at Kiba and had even winked until she noticed Sakura's green gaze and promptly turned away. Sakura turned her eyes to him, waiting patiently for him to fall from whatever cloud he was floating on at the moment. It was two minutes later that the silence and TenTen's slight giggle that shot his gaze back to the woman beside him.

Kiba smiled casually, taking a bit to eat but when Sakura's eyes were still on him he ventured, "What?"

"What was that?"

He looked around, shaking his head as innocent as possible. "What?"

"Don't act like I didn't notice."

"Notice what?"

"Are you serious? There is still drool on your damn lip."

Nonchalantly he rubbed his mouth replying, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yeah." She replied sarcastically. Akamaru growled at him disapprovingly.

He shot his eyes to the giant, "Don't growl at me, I'm your master, not her."

"Don't you yell at him." Akamaru whined pathetically and placed his head in her offered lap. She rubbed his ears lovingly, "You're tosan's being a big jerk, isn't he, Akamaru-kun. Why don't we leave him so he can stare at all the women he wants, what do you say?" The beast sneezed agreeing. Sakura stood, TenTen heading out before her. She gripped his shoulder threateningly, "Training in two hours, right? What don't we partner up?" He heard his shoulder pop and he winced violently.

He watched his dog and girlfriend leave before slamming his head on the table.

Swallowed up by the cool water seemed to ease the headache she had woken up with nearly instantly. Sakura wondered briefly how Naruto had acted upon Kiba taking her place. She was so thankful to her boyfriend for taking on her own responsibility. If yesterday proved anything, it proved that she was not ready to face Sasuke again. Her anger from their battle was still so fresh in her mind and the betrayal and hurt still vibrated her very soul. Somehow she would have to explain it to Naruto in a way that he would understand and not hate her for.

"So Hinata." Sakura smiled brightly gazing at the woman across from her. "How was your date with Naruto?"

The female's face blushed worse then the heat caused. She bowed her head. "Hm." She responded to the best of her ability.

"Come on. Give us the details." Ino pushed. "Did he kiss you?"

She shook her head, biting her lip.

"Give him time." Sakura assured. "He's a bit shy too, you know."

"I…I want him to…treat me like he treats you…Sakura-san."

"He'll treat you even better soon enough." She replied a bit sadly. She liked being Naruto's only girl friend. Even though he was a bit of a pervert sometimes, it made her feel special to be his best friend and to be replaced would make her feel…lonely.

Ino turned her gaze to the weapon's mistress. Sorrow was brightly lit in her pale blue orbs and though she didn't want to cause anymore pain, she spoke hoping to get a raise out of the weapon's mistress, wanting only to get her mind off of whatever she was thinking of. "TenTen," Ino began with a devilish smile. "Are you going to tell us about that hot guy you met yesterday or what?"

TenTen didn't know why she went off on the female earlier today so she spoke as a way of apologizing without actually having to do it. "Even if he was something, I wouldn't tell your loudmouth self about it."

Ino smiled at the jib, relieved the weapon's mistress was fighting back and seemingly more like her usual self. She shut her eyes in satisfaction of her next statement. "All I got to say is it's about time. I was beginning to worry that the nasty little rumor was true."

TenTen narrowed her gaze and quickly replied "How's pinning over Shikamaru, by the way? Being replaced must be damaging to the pride."

"OKay," Sakura interrupted grabbing TenTen's arm just as Ino was about to attack. "Let's talk." TenTen smirked back at Ino watching the woman seethe with satisfaction. They swam to the other end of the giant empty pool and laid back against the smooth rocks. Sakura watched the woman for a moment, finding exhaustion shining under her eyes. "What happened?"

TenTen shrugged, "What do you mean?"

"With you and Neji." TenTen looked elsewhere, silently refusing to answer. Sakura shook her head. "I know what you're doing with that guy and it's not a good way to go about it. Trying to make him jealous in that way will only make him push you away more."

She dropped her brown eyes, "I don't know if that's possible."

"This isn't like you, TenTen. You never had a problem with him ignoring you before."

"He's never ignored me this badly before. I should have known the moment he stopped sparring with me that it was ending." She stared at the water briefly. "Besides I've told him it's nothing. The guy just showed me some moves with a sword, that's all. Either way, I don't think it matters anymore. I was stupid to think there was anything there to be begin with."

"Now that, I know you are wrong."

"I wish I did."

"You're just ignoring the facts."

"Facts, huh? And what are those?"

"Our boys may be different in many ways, but if its one thing they all have in common; it's the things that they don't do, and the things that they don't say that have the most meaning. Now I say this, because, like Ino had the pleasantness of bringing up. The rumor that was spread so long ago," TenTen laughed instantly, slapping a hand over her mouth, "was spread by a man, trying to claim what is his, without actually having to claim it."

"I don't know how you think that means anything."

"Let's recap. Three months into your secret relationship, Lee comes to Neji, saying he's developing feelings for you and what is the first thing Neji thinks of? A way to make you unavailable. By telling him, he's heard you were a lesbian."

"Besides pissing me off, what was that suppose to prove?"

Sakura bit her lip as she tried to think of any other instances she recalled about their secret affair. But she sadly had to give up on that idea, she only knew limited things when it came to TenTen and Neji. She glanced over to the young woman and watched the expressions on her face. "What are you thinking about?"

She shook her head, opening her mouth to speak only to shut it again. TenTen sighed heavily, "That was way in the beginning of our relationship. Just because he cared then, doesn't mean he cares now."

"He's in love with you, TenTen."

She laughed shaking her head, "Neji would never fall in love with anyone."

"What makes you think that?"

"I know him."

"Maybe you're too close to see it."

"Oh, and you see it?"

"Yep."

"I think you see it because you want to see it."

"And you don't want to?"

"I'm a realist. Not dreamer."

"You've known that his actions say more then anything. I don't know when you started to pay attention to the things he says. Start ignoring it, and pay attention to how he acts. It's as bright as day."

TenTen bowed her head.

Japanese Words:

Geta- sandals

Genken- indent at front door to put shoes