Woot! Yosh! Okay! I'm finally back to updating this story - after what seems forever... (sweatdrop) But anyhow...okay, I've finally realised, I'm back to being Koneko! Yay! Or maybe I'm being Kai, who knows...lol. Anyways, I've reread this story - just for the hell of it - and I almost cried... Why can't they just settle down together properly? Why? WHY????? lol, I'm the writer and I'm asking why... Anyways, I'm currently focusing on SaixKai relationship - and here it is! Woot! And it's Kai's POV again this time! Woot!

Chapter Twenty-One: A New Love; A Forgiveness

"Has anyone seen Naruto?"

"...no, why?"

I started to panic. It had been almost a week since Naruto and Sasuke fought, and they had never talked to each other ever since. At first I thought it was just another normal love-hate argument between the two of them, but after Naruto had became self-solitude, I started to become worried. A few days earlier, he became so antisocial that he would not even talk to anyone including me. And today, just after recess, he was nowhere to be seen.

I ran through the hallway, trying to search for him. As I ran, I called out his name frantically. I searched for him all around the school, and he was yet to be found. I became extremely worried and went to Iruka-sensei to know if he had seen Naruto. Nevertheless, I was disappointed to find out that he had not seen Naruto at all that day. My anxiety grew and I could barely thanked the teacher before I ran out of the staffroom, yelling out Naruto's name worriedly.

After running throughout the school twice, I lost my energy completely and fell onto the grassy field. My vision spun as I panted and gasped for breath. I cursed mentally, sensing that my breath was slowing down quickly. 'Not now, kuso!' Cold sweats trickled down my forehead as my sight started to darken. My head was spinning vigorously, and I rolled my eyes back to avoid myself from throwing up. Soon enough, I fell unconscious.

About a few hours later, I had no idea who, but I know I was being carried from the middle of the field to a shadier place. By then, my body was almost scorching hot, and even though I was already conscious, I was still too weak to even move my muscle and open my eye. Instead, I stayed still on my position where I was lying down on my back, and I could sense the person who brought me there sitting beside me. He then poured cold water onto my face.

He was just lucky that I lost all of my energy - or else I would get up and throw my most powerful punch right onto his face. How dare he poured water onto my face?! Nonetheless, I could only sighed as the cold water brought my energy back. Slowly, I opened my eyes and started to breath again. As my vision was still blurred, I could barely see the figure that was currently kneeling before me. Soon, I realised it was-

"-S-Sai?"

"Hey," he smiled his usual smile. "Daijoubu?"

I stared at his face for a while, then I nodded weakly. "I guess..."

"...so, what's wrong with you blacking out in the middle of the field in the afternoon?" he asked, still smiling as he helped me to sit.

"I was searching for Naruto and-" I remembered about Naruto immediately. "-have you seen Naruto anywhere, Sai?"

"You mean you don't know?"

I furrowed my brows worriedly. "...I don't know about what?"

"He was hospitalised. He collapsed after arguing with the Uchiha during recess," Sai told me, his smile fading a little.

"What?!"

I shut my eyes and cursed myself inwardly. Why didn't I notice this?! And I called myself his best friend.... I growled angrily. Then, all of a sudden, my headache stroke me again, and I hissed in pain as I frowned and held my head with one hand. Sai noticed this and he instantly aided me, asking me if I was okay. I nodded faintly and accepted the bottle of water he handed me, pouring it all over my head before drinking the remaining liquid.

"...domo," I spoke softly.

Then, Sai started to wipe my face with his handkerchief. I blushed a little and stared into his pair of dark eyes. I then noticed that they were not exactly black like I assumed. They were dark grey, extremely dark that one could easily mistook them as black. And behind those pair of orbs, there was a tranquility that made me felt like I was in heaven - and I just did not know why. I continued to gaze into his eyes, letting out a sigh.

"...what's wrong?" he asked, gazing back into my lime-green eyes.

I blushed, but for some unknown reasons, I could not look away from his mesmerising dark orbs. I parted my lips to say something, but nothing came out from my mouth. I blushed harder. Without me noticing, our faces got closer and closer to each other - and when I realised it, we were merely an inch from each other. I blushed a deep shade of red and pulled myself away, looking to my left in an instant. Then, he chuckled.

"W-what are you laughing at?"

"Hn...it's just that..." he smiled again and touched my cheek, turning my head to face him again. "...you're so cute...especially when you're blushing like right now..."

I furrowed my brows a little and pouted. "I'm a guy, don't call me cute..."

"Oh, really? But a guy doesn't blush, you know..." Sai smirked and started scratching my jaw just like one would do to a cat.

"Nn...I-I'm not a cat..."

"Of course you're not..." he gripped my chin gently and brought my face close to his until our lips met.

Instantly, I sighed and closed my eyes in pure bliss. His lips were soft, and his raspberry scent was almost intoxicating, it blurred my mind. His kiss was gentle and sweet, and as our lips parted, I let out another sigh and slowly reopened my eyes. He smiled again at me, licking his lips and his face changed back to its cat-like features. I pouted again, blushed and took the bottle of water beside me and finished up the drink.

"...how did that feel?"

I blushed again and pretended like I did not know what he was talking about. "How did what feel?"

"Hn...you're really so cute..."

"Am not!" I smacked his head with the empty bottle and got to my feet immediately as the bell rang. "Anyways, I'm going to the hospital now, you wanna follow me?"

"No thanks, I'll pass," he smiled and got up as well. "Don't wanna mess up with that Uchiha kid..."

"Huh?" I raised a curious brow.

He ruffled my hair. "It's nothing.... Go on now, your friend awaits you..."

I grinned and nodded. Then, I ran to my class and get my bag before I went out of the school and straight to the hospital. There, I asked the receptionist for Naruto's room and headed to the third floor where Naruto was put in. As soon as I reached there, I saw Naruto's guardians, Jiraiya and Tsunade. I greeted them and asked about Naruto. They told me that he was fine and I went inside the room to see my best friend. Once inside, I saw that Naruto was sitting by the window and staring outside.

"...hey."

"Hm?" he turned around and saw me, and he flashed me a weak smile. "Oh, Kai...hey..."

I approached him and took a seat on the couch beside him. "You're okay?"

"...I don't know..." he said weakly, a hint of sadness could be heard in his voice.

"...did something happen between you and Sasuke?"

"Iie...I don't really remember.... Sasuke...he was trying to talk to me, but I didn't want to listen...and then, all of a sudden...I blacked out...and ended up here..." he chuckled, but I knew it was forced. "I'm so stupid..."

He buried his face in his hands and started sobbing, and I could only watch in sympathy. "...I'm sorry...don't cry..."

"It's not your fault..."

"But I just don't understand..." I furrowed my brows and sighed, looking away from him. "If he really loves you...why must he always act like that towards you? I mean...why can't he just drop his ego and arrogance and tell you that he loves you? If it were me...even though I am egoistic and prideful...but for the one I love, I'd do anything just to make him happy.... I won't ever make him cry...he's just so stupid..."

Naruto chuckled at this. "...domo, Kai.... You're really a great friend..."

I smiled at him and watched as he wiped away his tears with the back of his hand. All of a sudden, the door was knocked and to our surprise, Sasuke entered the room. I could see that Naruto tensed up as soon as he noticed Sasuke's presence inside the room. I wanted to stay with him, but I knew it was best to live the two of them alone, so I excused myself and went out of the room quickly, closing the door and leaning against it so that I could hear what they were talking about.

"Hey," I heard Sasuke spoke once I was outside.

"..." I furrowed my brows when Naruto didn't reply, but after a few seconds, I heard his weak voice; "Hey..."

"...you're okay?"

I furrowed my brows and leaned closer to hear more clearly as they were speaking so softly. "Yeah...sorry for passing out just like that earlier...and thanks...for taking me to the hospital..."

I widened my eyes slightly. 'So he was the one who brought Naruto to the hospital? Hm...' I furrowed my brows a little. '...so he really does care about Naruto.... Nonetheless...I wonder when they will really get together...' I let out a small sigh and leaned back against the door to continue listening to their conversation - and I knew my action was quite wrong, but I was worried about my friend, so I thought it was no big deal to do so.

"...I'm sorry..."

"I should be the one who is sorry..." Sasuke said. "It was my fault you ended up being hospitalised.... If I wasn't being too egoistic, this wouldn't happen.... Sorry..."

I heard a soft sigh from Naruto. "It's okay..."

"...I don't know...maybe I'm just too selfish...even though I care about you...but I just..." he trailed his words.

I furrowed my brows again and peeped in a little. They were both being silent, with Naruto facing Sasuke's side and Sasuke facing outside. Then, Sasuke turned to Naruto and the both of them stared at each other. My heart thumped and I blushed a little when I thought they were going to kiss each other, but then Naruto looked away and Sasuke sighed - and I let out a small sigh of both relief and disappointment.

'Geez...they really confuse me...'

Um...hehe... (sweatdrop) Don't ask why I ended it here.... Anyways, I managed to finish this in just one day! Woot! I'm really proud of myself! xD But anyhow, to tell you the truth, I wasn't really satisfied with this chappy. I think it's more like a filter chappy, but I'm really doing it to lift up your moods. Nevertheless, what's done is done...and I'll be focusing on Sasuke and Naruto in the next chappy. By the way, I think this story is nearing its end - I haven't lost idea for this chappy, but I don't want to do another long story that it seems weird... (sweatdrop) Another thing, Sai is beginning to like Kai, but his feelings for Naruto is still there...and...well, just wait and see what will happen! Woot! Ja ne!