Rating: M (for swearing)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 2

Friends and Family to the rescue/ Sakura's Love Plan

Naruto hadn't gotten much sleep that night. He figured Kyuubi would want to sleep in his room like he had been doing for the past few days, but insted the red-head darted to his room after the dinner announcement. His mother and Father were in the next room, he could hear his mother's cries threw the wall. His father was who he was worried most about, Minato hadn't said a word after the phone call and it made Naruto nervous.

Naruto brought the blankets closer to him and shivered. His stomach was still queezy, he was cold and nothing was going right. He closed his eyes, but even his dreams failed him as he fell into a world filled with Nightmares.

The next morning was odd. His mother was still in her position of making breakfast and preparing her children's lunches, but she was oddly quiet, but when she noticed Naruto she stopped what she was doing and held him.

"Naruto." She spoke, quivering. "After school Minato and I are taking you to the doctor's again."

Naruto didn't say anything. "Another bone test?" was all he asked. Kushina couldn't help but nod 'yes'. Naruto huffed and rubbed at his side, the worried mother guessed it was from the last time and place where he was given a shot.

"But, before we do that, you, Minato and myself are going to a meeting with your teachers and school staff to tell them what's going on" She calimed. "Your friends and their parents will be there too, it's to support you, Naruto" She explained. Naruto felt tears come to his eyes and Kushina brushed them away. Kyuubi's friend Pain had offered he and Naruto a ride to school. As much as Naruto would usually love rides from Kyuubi's friends to his school and how cool he felt, this time it didn't feel special. Kyuubi was the first to tell Pain out of all his friends, that Naruto was diagnosed with Cancer. His other friends would have to wait until the metting so he could tell them all at once.

When Pain pulled up to the front of the school, Kyuubi walked Naruto inside.

"Kyuubi, I'm not in kindergarden, I can walk myself." Naruto protested, secretly liking that his brother was kind enough to do this for him.

"I know." Kyuubi sighed. "Have a good day, Naruto. If you're in any pain, call me first I'll come as soon as I can."

Naruto smiled. "Okay...hurry up or you'll be late."

Kyuubi winked. "Me? Late? Naw..."

"You were last time, a whole half-hour Dad spanked you-" Kyuubi held his hand over Naruto's mouth, fearing middle school children would hear what he was saying. Kyuubi gave a warm-hearted glare and waved goodbye, handing the smaller blonde his lunch.

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"Naruto!" a happy cheer came from inside his classroom. Naruto looked up from his backpack to see his crush Sakura. He blushed and smiled.

"Hello, Sakura" He smiled.

"Naruto, where have you been?" She asked. "I knew you were sick, but how bad is it?" Naruto shifted from one foot to another, he really wanted to tell Sakura that he had cancer, maybe she'd date him. But he knew it wouldn't be fair to his other friends to tell Sakura and have her keep it a secret from them.

"I'll tell you later" He promised.

Later that afternoon, Naruto's friends, and some of Kyuubi's friends along with the staff of teachers who taught Naruto were all given notices that after school they were to go to the council room for a meeting. Sasuke was especially nervous out of all the friends of Naruto. He had known Naruto ever since they were babies, and Naruto wasn't telling him anything or giving him a head's up. Boy was he in for a surprise that afternoon.

Sasuke, Sakura, Sai, Ino, Choji, Shikamaru, Garra and his brother and sister from the other school across town had come. Along with Kiba (and even Akamaru, his small puppy), Shino, Hinata, Neji and TenTen were all waiting with their parents in the waiting room. Iruka, Naruto's teacher was a bit concerned about what was going on too although he had heard of what was going on by Hiruzen (the school principal) and Kakashi (Naruto's guidance consuer) he didn't know how Naruto would feel about all of this.

Finally, Kyuubi, his friends in the Akatsuki and Naruto along with Naruto's parents all showed up. Everyone was there.

Hiruzen spoke first. "First of all, I want to thank everyone by coming here out of their busy schedules" He smiled, then sighed. "Unfortanituly, a tragedy has occured in one of the students here. Naruto Namikaze here, has sadly proved positive for Cancer." Everyone grew silent. Sasuke couldn't believe what was just said to him. Hiruzen continued to talk while Naruto spaced out. He felt awkward and helpless. His friends, he could see the look on their faces, especially Sasuke's, disbelief, shock and sadness.

"It's probably best that I also mention that Naruto might not be attending Kohona Middle school anymore..." He sadly said.

"What?!" a few shouts entered the room.

"That's not fair!"

"Why can't he attend school?!" The list and souting went on by students and a few mothers. Kyuubi reminded silent, although he looked at the shocked faces in the room, he knew exactly why Naruto wouldn't be attending school anymore.

His Cancer, for obvious reasons, would start to tire him out. Naruto already complained of his legs tightening up and Minato had to carry him half way into the building because he coudln't walk any further. Not to mention, Naruto would be needed at the hospital for tests and exams, no way could he do that and finish homework.

Hiruzen sighed, holding up his hand. "I understand how painful this must be, but what we need to think about what is best for Naruto." Kushina sighed, she didn't want to pull Naruto out of school, but what choice did she have?

Minato and Kushina both decided that it would be best for Naruto to insted of going to school, to rather have a private tuitor that could flex his schedule for Naruto.

"But, why?" Naruto asked during dinner. "School is almost the only time I get to see my friends"

Minato sighed. "Naruto, it's going to be too much of a hassle taking you to school, only to come back to pick you up to bring you to the hospital. It would be more convienent this way."

Naruto gasped. "Kyuubi could take me! He woulnd't mind"

Kyuubi looked up and nodded, grinning a sinister grin, loving the idea of getting out of class. Kushina shook her head.

"No. Besides, the hospital's downtown. You'd never get there in time and I'm sure Kyuubi would get tired of walking." She claimed. Kyuubi huffed.

"It's for my brother, I wouldn't get tired" He kept it under a low breath, but Minato heard him, he smiled.

"So...I'm going to live in the hospital?" Naruto whined.

"No, no." Kushina spoke. "You'll be in the hospital for about four to five hours a day." Naruto groaned loudly and Kushina continued to talk. "And then you'll come home."

"Why can't I only go on certain days?" Naruto asked. "Like mondays and tuesdays only."

"Because these tests need to be taken daily." Minato spoke. Then he sighed. "Naruto, I can't tell you that I know how it feels, because I don't. But I can tell you that I feel awful for doing this to you. It's probably my fault anyway." That last part was hushed but Kushina heard it, she curled her hands into a fist.

"Your fault, your fault?!" She cried. "Don't blame yourself! It's more mine than anyone elses, I shouldn't have been so reckless while pregnant!"

"Kushina, I don't want to argue-"

"Then why did you bring it up?!"

Kyuubi sighed and tugged on Naruto's sleeve, signalling him to come to his room. He couldn't believe his parents were arguing over somthing like that. Kyuubi led Naruto to his room and let Naruto sit on his bed while he brought out a stack of Anime and Manga for Naruto to read and watch. Naruto smiled on Kyuubi's stash of old VHS animes.

"I can't believe we used to do this." Kyuubi smiled. "you were a little young when this came out."

Kyuubi held up a tape of what was labled: My Dragon and me.

"I forget what it's about." Naruto smiled.

"It's about a samurai boy who finds a dragon and they have adventures." Kyuubi replied. I was six when that came out on Saturday morning cartoons. I think half of these are recordings from the TV anyway." He laughed.

Naruto smiled back. So many memories of Kyuubi and himself sitting on the same bed watching movies and reading Manga together. Naruto felt a few tears come to his eyes as soon as he heard his parents fighting.

"What's wrong?" Kyuubi asked. "Do you hurt?"

"no..." Naruto lied. "Are Mommy and Daddy getting a divorce?" That question even haunted Kyuubi, although he himself hoped and wished his parents wouldn't get a divorce, he knew that his parents loved each other very much. He shook his head, patting Naruto lightly on the head.

"No Naruto." He reassured. "And even if they did, while is highly-unlikley, you will always have me"

Naruto smiled.

"Which one do you wanna' see?" Kyuubi asked, closing his door to block out the fighting downstairs. Naruto shrugged, snuggling into a blanket, so Kyuubi chose Dragon Ball Z, the original. Halfway threw the movie, Naruto and Kyuubi forgot all about the Anime and all Kyuubi did was respond to Naruto's questions.

"Kyuubi...when I start to live at the hospital, will you stay some nights with me?" Naruto asked.

"Hell, I'd live with you there Naruto, if it was allowed." Kyuubi responded.

"But you hate hospitals. Almost as much as you hate carrots" Naruto pointed out. Kyuubi smiled, Naruto did have him there, but Naruto was still a child.

"Naruto, there are a lot of things I do and do not like, but if I must go threw somthing I don't like for you, then I guess it wouldn't be that bad" Kyuubi smiled. Naruto smiled back and leaned against his big brother's arms.

"Naruto, I know you don't like what Kaa-san and Tou-san's idea for that tuitor is, but they're only trying to do what's best for you." He spoke. "Kaa-san and Tou-san just don't want you to suffer in pain at school, they don't want you to suffer at all. And not to mention I hear the teacher is someone you know"

"Really? Who?" Naruto asked.

"Jiriaya-Sensei" Kyuubi smirked.

"...If I wanted Sex Ed I should of taken the class, or talk to Daddy" Naruto straight faced spoke, making Kyuubi laugh. Kyuubi kept Naruto warm the rest of the night as they both fell asleep with the TV running.

"Okay, I have to take Naruto to his 8:00 appointment. I'm giving you a ride to school, Kyuubi" Kushina spoke, looking for the car keys in her purse. Kyuubi stuck a finger in his mouth pretending to gag infront of Naruto, making the blonde giggle. Kushina turned around and both boys sent a poker-face, pretending not to be messing around.

"Naruto please fetch your coat, we leave in a few minutes." Kushina herself was getting ready to walk out the door and Naruto went for his red coat hanging on the coat rack. He reached for it, but someone was already placing it on him.

"Here, Naruto. It's cold outside, wear a scarf and a hat too." Minato proceded to place those items on his son. Not wanting him to catch a cold.

"Thank you, Daddy." Naruto smiled.

Daddy...he called me Daddy, again. Minato beamed. "Be strong, Naruto. And I promise you'll have a sweet treat tonight after dinner."

"bye-bye" Naruto waved as his father left for his car.

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"Kyuubi, do you have any activities after school?" Kushina asked.

"Why?" Kyuubi asked. Sulking deeper into his seat, not wanting to have a ride to school from his "mommy". He hoped none of his friends would see this.

"Because I need to know what time to pick you up" She replied.

"...After...I don't know." Kyuubi yawned. "Does nap-time count as a club?"

"Kyuubi!" Kushina shouted. Naruto, who was sitting in the middle of the back seat giggled, he knew Kyuubi did this to make him laugh. Kyuubi smiled in the mirror, seeing Naruto was giggling.

Keep him happy, if he's happy, he doesn't care, and if he doesn't care, he's not in pain. Was Kyuubi's main focus form now on until he went to sleep six feet in the dirt. Kushina, while she noticed Naruto was distracted by the weird faces or jokes KYuubi made, took the detour to Kyuubi's school, there were only two ways to Kyuubi's school: Kohona High, you could take the road that passed Naruto's middle school or take the bridge, she'd rather not take the road that passed the middle school, she didn't want nor need for Naruto to be crying.

Kyuubi was dropped off in the fornt gate (and too bad for him because his friends were right infront of the school...laughing at Kyuubi as he walked out of his mother's blue prius) and Kushina started to call Minato, informing him that she was on her way with Naruto to the hospital for his third exam.

Naruto sulked all the way there. He knew that by now, his class would be in science probably listening to Iruka's borning lectures. He smiled. For once, he wanted nothing more than to sit threw an hour lecture on how plants are improtant or how rocks are "cool" Naruto then realized that at that moment, he knew that he wanted somthing more than ever, knowing that he'll never have it again.

Kushina looked over her shoulder when she stopped at a red light.

"Naruto, are you okay?" She asked.

Naruto looked up and nodded.

Kushina patted his knee. "Tou-san says he can stop by the hospital for lunch with us, would you like that?" Naruto softly smiled and nodded. There was one benifit of being pulled out of school.

Sasuke stopped taking notes for a second and looked over at the left desk, half expecting to see Naruto making a pig out of his eraser, or writing notes to pass to him. His heart sank when he saw the desk was empty. It was too calm in Iruka's class now. Naruto was the class clown of the room, he would either argue with the teacher and make everyone laugh while doing so, or he'd belch really loud during tests. He sighed, he wouldn't admit this to anyone (accept his older brother) out loud, but he missed Naruto. He wanted his best friend.

I ruka looked up from grading papers to take a quick scan around the room and when he noticed Sasuke staring at Naruto's old desk, he sighed.

"Class. I have an idea." He smiled. "Since Naruto has been diagnosed with Lukumia and won't be coming back to school-

"Yeah, I had a question about that" Kiba asked.

"What is it, Kiba?" Iruka asked.

"So, he's like a drop-out or what?" Kiba asked.

"No, Kiba. He's still learning everything you will learn, just at the comforts of his home since he's going to be at the hospital more frequently" Iruka explained. Kiba nodded.

"I have an idea, how about everyone of us each week will make a get-well card for Naruto. It must be colorful, have a meaningful message and explain what we learned over the week. I will deliver the cards to the principal and explain my idea" Iruka smiled. "This might make Naruto feel better"

Sasuke liked that idea.

"Will this be graded?" some student asked.

"No. But if you do a really good job, I'm sure we can convince the student council to agree to a field trip once a month to visit Naruto" Iruka smiled.

The whole class cheered. A field trip (even if it was only downtown and to a hospital no less) each month was somthing rare and celebrated. Not to mention, they were going to see Naruto. Iruka made everyone promise to keep this a secret from Naruto until everything can be sorted out and papers were signed.

Around noon after two hours of waiting and another Bone Marrow Aspiration Naruto was sleeping in a hospital bed, sleeping threw a mask to help him breathe better. Kushina was sitting in a chair watching Naruto sleep. Thoughts about Naruto's conditions and worries flooded her mind that she didn't feel a hand rub her shoulder but when she did she jumped.

"Minato!" She harshly whispered. "Don't...do that!"

"Sorry" He smiled, kissing her forehead. "He's sleeping?"

"Yes. The doctor gave him some pain medications after the exam, Tsunade wants him to sleep well for another exam she has planned later tonight." Kushina replied.

"Oh, well when is he suppoed to wake up?" Minato asked.

"Any minute now." Kushina and Minato sat at the small table next to the door talking about how they were going to afford the exams and that even though their insurance covered about seventy-five percent of the costs, the other twenty-five percent would have to come out of pocket, Minato swore he made enough to pay off the bills, but this still worried Kushina. Pretty soon they heard rustling and Naruto was waking.

"K-K-aa san?" He called.

Kushina stood up and walked to the bed. "I'm here, Naruto." She smiled. "You did great in the operating room. I'm so proud of you, my little boy" and she smothered him with kisses. Naruto didn't mind, it was only him and Kaa-san in the room-

"Daddy?" He asked, now noticing Minato beside Kushina.

"Hello, Naruto. How are you feeling?" He smiled.

"Tired. And hungry." Naruto admitted.

"Well, that's good because it's time for lunch" Minato beamed. "what would you like to eat, Naruto?"

"Wait...you're eating with us?" Naruto asked, confused and a bit relieved. He thought his father was too busy to eat lunch with him in the hospital. But never the less, he was happy.

Minato nodded. "How about some ramen" He smiled.

"Yes. YES!" Naruto jumped for joy.

"Woah-hold on now" a voice interrupted the fun. Kushina and Minato turned to see Tsunade, she held her clip board and started walking to the bed.

"I hate to be a kill joy, but I have a list here of some foods I found that Naruto can't eat anymore, I'm requesting him for a strict diet." She informed. Then while looking at the list she sighed.

"And Ramen, isn't on the list", her voice mono-tone and evil in Naruto's opinion. Naruto huffed, dissipointed in loosing his favriote food. Kushina was handed the list and she and Minato looked over it.

Carrots, lightly cooked (better than raw because light cooking releases the caroteniods)Sweet potatoes, Green leafy vegetables, Squash, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower (eat with foods that have a little canola or olive oil, it helps your body absorb the caroteniods)Broccoli sprouts (20 more times by weight of the chemical sulforaphane, which may reduce the growth of tumors.)Mustard greens Chick peas, Kidney beans, Lentils, Soybeans (stimulates cancer preventing enzymes, can help lower harmful estrogen levels)Tomatoes, especially cookedGarlic, Onions (stimulates enzymes that suppress tumor growth)Defatted soy flour (at least 1/3 cup per day recommended)At least 97% or greater fat-free chicken or turkey breast (I look for 99% fat free.)97% or greater fat free lunch meatsPasta with meat sauces using 99% fat free chicken Homemade low fat pizzaSalmon and other fish, (mackerel, sardines, herring. )including the skin and fat (Research suggests this fat (EPA fat) has the ability to raise HDLs. and potentially fight cancer cell development 1-5 servings per week recommended)Olive oil or canola oil substituted for other oilsWalnuts (for the omega 3)Brown and wild riceWhole grain breads, ideally with defatted soy flour Fat free milk (skim) Oatmeal, shredded wheat, low-no sugar added cerealsFresh fruits especially Blueberries (40% more antioxidants than the next best, Strawberries)Green teaRed or black grapes Grape juice, 1 cup per dayGrapefruit, especially pink which has 40% more beta carotene than whiteCalcium fortified orange juice, 2 cups per dayDried unsweetened fruits, especially apricots, dates, prunesHomemade fat-free yogurt, with extra dry milk added (2 cups per day recommended)

"Make sure that the fruits and vegtables are pasteurized because Naruto is more susceptible to germs, if not properly taken care of his conditions will only worsen and the warning signs are: Appetite loss such as changes in sense of taste or smell, Constipation or Diarrhea, Dry mouth, Nausea, Sore mouth, Sore throat and trouble swallowing, Vomiting and Weight loss. This list is very important." She reminded. "I've also added a bad list of foods Naruto is not allowed to eat"

1%, 2% and whole milk Meats with 96% fat or less Red meats Hydrogenated oils, such as stick margarine. Or foods that list hydrogenated oils in their ingredients Food with high butter fat and other animal fats such as whole milk or creams such as cheese, full fat yogurt, butter, sauces, Deep-fried foods...AND ESPECIALLY NO RAMEN!

Naruto swore that last one on the "bad list" Tsunade personally wrote just to piss him off.

"They feed the cancers and can interfere with caroteniods absorption. I understand that adjustments need to be made but-"

Kushina cut her off. "Don't worry, it'll be nice for the whole family to eat healthy again. I'm sick of prepared meals and take-out"

"Also, Naruto needs lots of water, so if best insted of juice, give him water. But never choose water over milk."

"Understood" Minato nodded. "Sorry little guy, but don't worry, it didn't say you can't eat completley"

"Might as well of said so" Naruto mumbled, messing with the IV needle stuck in his arm. Kushina sighed, after she took Naruto home to be with Jiriaya, she'd have to go shopping.

After lunch, which consisted of spinach salads and chicken (and surprisingly Naruto ate it all) Kushina brought Naruto home when Minato left for work again. She opened the door and Jiriaya, Kyuubi and Naruto's god-father was waiting for them. But Kushina gasped. Not only was Jiriaya there, but so was-

"Karin?" She asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Oba-Kushina-chan!" She smiled. Karin was only a year younger than Kyuubi, but a year older than Naruto. She was Kushina's distant cousin's daughter. Although in no way was Karin her "aunt" or Minato her "uncle" by blood, she still was treated like a niece. She opened her arms and hugged Naruto a little too hard thought.

"Oba-chan, my mother called me out of school to see how Naruto was doing. But when I got here, a big pervert was searching threw your garbage-" She pointed a finger to Jiriaya.

"I WAS NOT! I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMTHING-"

"In the trash?" Kushina finished, asking more of a question then answering.

Jiriaya groaned, "So how are you, Naruto?" trying to get off topic about his being a garbage surfer.

"mmm..." Naruto shrugged. He felt woozy and tired. Kushina patted his back.

"Jiriaya, I'm sorry but lessons will have to wait until later tonight, Naruto needs more rest, but can you and Karin watch him until I come home from the store? there are a list of things I need to buy for Naruto." She said as she sent Naruto up the stairs to bed, Karin was helping him slwoly walk up the steps.

Jiriaya saluted Kushina. "You can count on me, all the tyke's gonna' do is sleep anyway."

She beamed. "I'm taking car, so you'll have to contact Kyuubi at his school to tell him he has to walk home." Jiriaya nodded. Sadly watching Naruto stagger, while holding on to his cousin's hand as he struggled to get to his room.

"Is he going to be okay? I heard that he has cancer, but I didn't think it was that bad from the start" He admitted.

"It's only going to get worse." Kushina frowned.

Jiriaya, patted her head. "You're doing great." He smiled. She smiled back and left the house.

Sakura stopped at her locker to put her bag and books away when she thought she had fallen into a dream. Sasuke Uchiha wanted to talk to her.

"Sakura, have you finished your card for Naruto?" He asked, in a kind voice.

"Oh, yes Sasuke!" she smiled. Her long pink hair rising in anticipation. "I put lots of colors on mine!" She actually lied, her card only said to Naruto from Sakura, and it said get well soon in the foldings, it had no drawings or colors. She actually didn't even think while she was making the card, but Hinita's, she was amazed, Hinata went all glittery and colorful on her card.

"Well, I'm finished with my card, where do we hand it in?" He asked.

"T-the teacher I think takes it" Sakura replied.

"Oh, thank you" He smiled. He rushed to place his card in the bag where Iruka was going to send to the hospital for Naruto on Friday. Sakura groaned, Sasuke didn't want to talk to her at all, much less about dating her. she sighed, how was she ever going to date him?

"I got it!" She smiled. She'd date Naruto. Naruto was dying anyway, and when Naruto died of cancer, she'd cry and Sasuke would come and rescue her and marry her.

"It's bound to work!" She shouted.

"What's going to work?" Ino her best friend asked.

"Oh, nothing" She smiled, no way was she sharing her plan to the pig Ino! She smiled. and when she got home, she started to write a new card, one that was all mushy, filled with hearts and rainbows and gross unicorns. She copied a short poem she found on the internet and wrote it on the card finishing the sentance: Will you date me, Naruto Namikaze? at the end.

"This is perfect!" She grinned. "Soon, Sasuke will be mine"

Review please ^^ All facts are from various websites.

-The Un-wanted Angel.