The first thing Sakura saw when she opened her eyes was Naruto's sleeping face. She blushed slightly and looked away. He was smiling….like they were some kind of couple in the same bed. He wasn't drooling with a wide open mouth like before she left the night before. He was just smiling, with his arms at his side. She reached forward and pocked the blonde's cheek; still looking away. It was getting close to 'wake up' time and she had to wake him so people wouldn't think the wrong things. She didn't love him …right? And she didn't want people thinking she did…or did she?
Shaking her head, Sakura sat up and looked around. No one was awake, or waking up. 'Strange…' She then thought as she glanced at Emi. 'Shouldn't everyone be getting up right now?' She looked at Naruto and noticed he turned over. She stood up and made her way around all the other girls. When she left the room, she slid the door shut behind her and turned to stare at the ocean. The pinkette liked to do this when she was alone and had nothing else to do, so she was going to do this till everyone woke.
Sakura shut her eyes and leaned on the wooden hand rail. Footsteps rung through her mind. But she didn't feel them. The ground would be slightly vibrating if there were footsteps. Was she losing her mind again? The pinkette opened her eyes and looked right. No one was coming around the corner, so she looked left. Still there was no one. So…who would be walking? Who was it? Was she paranoid again? After that she realized….The dark cloud; the feeling….it was completely gone.
'What else is waiting for me…' Sakura thought as she started to back away from the edge. She reached up and grabbed her head as more footsteps rung in her head. 'No….Leave me alone…' She thought. She could feel someone creeping closer. But from where? 'Leave me alone…' Sakura shut her eyes. Then someone put their hand on her shoulder; making her shudder in fear. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"Sakura?"
The pinkette opened her eyes and twirled around to see a tiered blonde. He rubbed his right eye. "Sakura-Chan…Sorry…" Naruto muttered. "I'll leave you alone…" He turned around and went to go back to sleep but she grabbed his arm.
"No Naruto…" Sakura mumbled. "I…I thought you were someone else." She then told him with a small smile. He was looking over his shoulder and smiled back. "C-Can you sit with me until everyone else wakes up?" The pinkette then asked. Naruto nodded and they both sat down with their legs hanging over the balcony's edge.
They both looked at the ocean together for while and Sakura tried to drown out the voice in her head. 'Sakura…' It said. 'Sakura Haruno…' It kept saying this over and over in her head. It was faint so she at least thought it was saying that. Terrified what was going to happen next, the pinkette grabbed Naruto's arm and pulled herself close.
"Sakura-Chan?" Naruto asked. "Are you ok? You look like someone's out to get you." He looked at her face with concern as she stared forward. As soon as she did, she hut her eyes with a slight nod. "Sakura-Chan, Karin's being sent home today, so nothing will happen. Even if something does I'll save you."
Sakura opened her eyes and saw that he was smiling at her. Would he really? What if he couldn't? Then what would happen? The pinkette nodded and looked over her shoulder as the door started to slide open. She pulled herself away from Naruto's arm and smile to the blonde that came through the door. "Ohayo Emi," Sakura said with a smile.
Emi yawned and waved slightly. "Ohayo…" She looked at Naruto and said it again to him. He smiled at her and repeated the words to her. "So…Mei…I heard you leave last night." The blonde girl said as she walked over. "Then after a few minutes, Noon left." She pointed to Naruto and he smiled. "You know…at first I thought you 2 were doing something…" Sakura and Naruto both blushed at this and looked away. "But Noon came back about 10 or 15 minutes after you did….unless…" She eyed Sakura with a sly grin. "You only did that…because you knew I was watching."
"EMI!"
Emi busted up laughing at the sight of the pinkette's blood rushed face. "Take a chill pill girl." She joked. "I was only kidding." She started laughing a little more and Naruto joined in; mostly to let them know he was still there. "So anyway….What happened?" Emi then asked after awhile.
"It's nothing Emi.." Sakura muttered as she looked away again. "I…just needed to take a walk…and I'm pretty sure Noon just needed to pee." Emi went to say something else, but then the doors slid open revealing a bunch of awake girls.
"Leave Noon! Where getting dressed!"
Naruto nodded and stood up with a nervous smile. The girls were scary sometimes. "S-Sorry…" He muttered before walking around the corner. He made his way over to his room with a frown plastered on his face. 'Damn….' He thought with a grumpy look. 'Emi just had to ruin me and Sakura-Chan's moment….' He sighed as he went down the elevator. When it opened, he walked out and eyed the dining rooms. The doors were open and they were empty. All except 2 or 3. Those were the early birds of the bathhouse.
"Ohayo Naruto…."
The blonde stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder. The only other person in the bathhouse besides Sakura, Tsunade, and Shizune that knew his name was none other then the 'great' Sasuke Uchiha. "Ohayo…Teme…" Naruto grumbled before walking away.
Sasuke bit his lip. He hated it when Naruto called him that. He handed the early spirits their food and shot a glare at the blonde before walking back to the kitchen. Making a quick hand sign first.
When Naruto arrived in the room he put some clean clothes on and soon made his way back out. After sliding the door shut behind him, the same dizzy feeling returned to him as before when he had fallen ill. He reached his hand behind him to lean on the door and set his free hand on his forehead. Why was this happening? He hated it.
"Hey Boss."
Naruto looked to his right and saw the black haired boy that had been calling him boss since they met. Daiki was his name. But Naruto still remembered the kid's real name. It was Konohamaru. "Hey Daiki…Ohayo…" The blonde said to him with a weak smile.
"Ohayo?" Daiki asked. "Why would you be saying that? Look at you? This is a 'bad' morning for you!" He walked over as Naruto slowly slid down the door to sit. "You look terrible boss. Are you feeling sick again?"
Naruto slightly nodded and dropped his hand. "I'm…just going to sit here for a few minutes." He told the small black haired boy. "It will go away in a little while…It's not as bad as last time." He shut his eyes and relaxed himself. If he waited…Kyuubi would help him feel better in no time.
"Ok Boss." Daiki said with a smile. "I'll hang around here with ya." He sat down next to Naruto and stared forward as people started coming out of the rooms to go to the baths. The only door that didn't open was Karin's door from down the hall.
"Is he alright?"
Daiki looked up and saw Sai; the emotionless spirit. He was slightly smiling. His emotion was slowly returning. "Yea…" The boy told him. "He just needs a little rest is all." Sai nodded and looked at the blonde. He looked a little feverish then just needing rest, but he was a worker so it might have been caused my stress.
"Ok then, Good Day…"
Sai nodded the small boy off and was soon gone. Daiki looked at Naruto and sighed. "Boss, maybe you should go lie do—"
"I'm fine…"
Daiki flinched, as the blonde opened his eyes. The feverishness went away slightly and he stood up. "But Boss…." The black haired boy mumbled as Naruto walked away. "What if you fall and kill yourself?"
"I'll be fine Daiki!" Naruto called with his hand in the air. The black haired boy sighed after that and left. The truth though…was that Naruto still felt sick. It was a miracle that he was even walking. He walked inside an elevator and leaned on the wall. When the doors closed his happy 'I'm alright' look went away. He shut his eyes and held himself. He can't fall ill again. He just can't…
When the doors opened he stood up straight and tried the best he could to stay pain free looking. To his 'bad' luck it was Sakura. The only girl in the whole bathhouse who could actually tell when he wasn't feeling well. 'Great….' He thought as she walked in and pulled the lever. 'I have to back down….with the girl I love….and she's going to find out I'm feeling sick again…' He looked at her and saw that she was looking back. 'In…exactly…3…2…1—"
"Naruto look at you!" Sakura yelped as she set her things down. "You look terrible! Are you feeling sick again?" Naruto sighed as she set a hand on his forehead. How did he know this was coming? "Naruto you have a fever again?" The pinkette mumbled as she put a wet towel on his head.
"Eh?! Where did that come from?!" Naruto yelped as she set her glowing hands on his forehead. "Sakura-Chan…I'm fine" The blonde grumbled. Sakura shook her head and knelt down to go through her bag right before the door opened. 'I'll just find a different elevator…' He then thought as he snuck out.
"Alright…" Sakura started as she stood up. "Huh? Where'd you go Naruto?" She asked as she looked around. She stepped out and looked down the eating hall. Naruto wasn't there so she shrugged and put the bag around her shoulder before heading down the hall. She was going to work in the eating hall again today and Karin wasn't going to be a problem any longer. Sakura smiled proudly and passed room 20, but as soon as she did, the door slid open, a hand reached out, and it grabbed her before pulling her in.
"Sup Mei!"
Sakura opened her eyes and saw three boys sitting across from her. She knew two of them, but the third was a mystery to her. "H-Hi there Kiba, Sai….and…" She pointed to the third. He had a pony tail and seemed to be a little lazy. "Who are you?" She asked; making him look over.
"That's Shikamaru!" Kiba yelped with a large smile. "He's considered the 'genius' spirit." He laughed at this and the boy known as Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
"I'm the spirit that keeps an eye on the clouds." Shikamaru told her. "I'm the 'genius' spirit only because I'm smart….apparently." He rolled his eyes and eyed the canine spirit who was watching Sai draw something. Sakura was perfectly still as she watched them all. "I'm more like the 'cloud' spirit; I keep watch of their movements and such."
"Oh…." Sakura awed. "That's interesting…" She then said. Shikamaru nodded and looked at what Sai was drawing. "Wh-what are you drawing?" The pinkette asked after they all glanced at her before looking back. Sai looked up and cocked his head to the side before glancing back to the drawing. 'Is..he drawing me?' Sakura then thought.
"Done"
Sai held up the picture and showed Sakura. It was her. He drew her in a portrait sitting across from a table slightly looking to her left. He had drawn her when she was talking with Shikamaru. He was good. "That's lovely Sai…" Sakura complemented with a smile. "Thanks You….but why?"
"Well….I was wanting to draw something today." Sai started as he set the drawing down. "But I couldn't think of anything to draw, so Kiba thought about what I should draw." He pointed to the door and slightly smiled. "After a moment, he saw you outside the door and grabbed you so I could draw 'you' instead of nothing"
Sakura nodded and looked at the door. "Well thank you…but I think I should get going to work." She slid across the seat and slid the door open. "I'll be seeing you guys later then." They all said bye and she did as well, before leaving. When she was out she grabbed her bag that she had dropped outside the door; or at least she thought she grabbed it.
The pinkette looked down and saw that her bag wasn't there. She had something to give the kitchen in there. She even had her regular clothes in there. "Oh no! This is bad…" Sakura muttered as she looked around. "The kitchen needs those things! And someone took it?!" She saw no one with the bag and grabbed her head in a panic. 'Calm down Sakura….maybe someone grabbed it and took it to the kitchen for you…'
Sakura started walking down the hall, turned left and walked into the kitchen. No bag in sight. She looked right, then left, but all she saw were workers and cooks doing their jobs. "E-Excuse me." She called to one of the frog men. He stopped his mixing and looked up to her. "Has anyone brought a bag in here?" She then asked him.
"A bag?" He asked. Sakura nodded and he set a hand on his chin to think. "I don't recall someone bringing in a bag." He then said. Sakura's world fell apart into pieces after that. That was an expensive outfit in the bag too. And the fact that she needed to get those things to the kitchen. Emi was counting on her.
'Damn it….'
Sakura turned around with a sigh and walked over to the table with the food trays. She took one and looked at the note. It was a guest room upstairs. 'Sad…' Sakura thought. 'This spirit is probably too big for the dining rooms' She took the tray and walked out of the kitchen. Then she walked down the hall and up the stairs.
When she arrived at the room, Sakura slid the door open and smiled. "I have what you ordered." She said. It looked like an octopus. One of its tentacles reached over and took the tray. "Enjoy." The pinkette then said with a bow. Then she hut the door and went to walk back to the kitchen, but something to her left caught her eyes.
Her green eyes looked over and saw her bag sitting in front of Naruto and Sasuke's room. 'Weird….' She thought as she walked over. An elevator to her right opened and people walked out; bumping into the on the way. "Oh…I'm sorry." Sakura muttered to them. They only told her that it was ok and she kept going.
When the pinkette arrived she looked around. The door was open but she saw nothing inside. She looked over her shoulder. There were more people then a few minutes ago. After sighing, Sakura looked at the bag again. But it was gone. Slightly confused she stood up straight and looked in the room. The bag was now on Naruto's bed.
Sakura walked in and grabbed the bag. "Got ya!" She said as she smiled. "You thought you could run from m—" The door slammed shut making her stop. The pinkette spun around and slightly gasped.
"Sasuke?"
"Tsunade?" Shizune asked after walking into her masters office. Tsunade looked over from the papers on her desk and raised a brow at her assistant. Shizune was looking over to a seat next to the fireplace. "Y-you do realize Naruto is sleeping on that chair…right?" She asked; looking at the blonde woman again.
Tsunade sighed and looked at Naruto. "Yeah…He's gotten sick again." She told her. "But, it's not as bad as last time. He was able to walk up here and sit down all by himself. He's been sleeping there for awhile, he just needs rest."
Shizune nodded. "Poor Naruto" She muttered. "I wonder why this keeps happening." She took a few papers from the pile she held and handed them to Tsunade. "I hope he feels better soon." She then said before the door opened. Both of them looked over and smiled. "Well hello there Daiki."
"Hi Shizune." The black haired boy muttered as he made his way over to Naruto. "Is boss still feeling sick?" He asked. Both women nodded and he sighed. Naruto was leaning back with his feet resting in the other chair and both his hands rested in between his chest and stomach.
"Yes." Tsunade muttered before looking at her papers again. "He's been up here sleeping in that chair for awhile now. He needed his rest….that's all." She smiled and kept writing on the paper.
Daiki frowned slightly and set a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Hey Boss?" He asked. After this, the blonde opened his eyes slightly. "I-I'm sorry for waking you but I needed help downstairs. If you're still not feeling well then I'll go." He went to walk away but Naruto set a hand on his shoulder; making him look back.
"It's alright Daiki." Naruto told him with a smile. "I actually feel much better." He smiled and got off the two chairs before stretching. "I'll help, come on." The two boys started walking out and Shizune smiled.
"That Kyuubi…."
"Yea…He's a miracle worker…."
She didn't know exactly what happened, but somehow, Sasuke had found a way to throw her against the wall. His eyes full with a lust….that only told her that it was fake. "Sasuke….are you going to have your way with me?" She asked with a slight grin. He squeezed her wrists and nodded.
"Now that you've gotten rid of Karin…." He started. "I can do what I want…when I want." He grinned and moved closer but she only looked away. "What's the matter?"
"You're only doing this…" Sakura started with a hard stare at the wall. "For your own selfish reasons!" She looked at him and kicked him away. After she did this, she walked over to the door and faced him. "I know you have a 'thing' for me….but it's not love. I know it's not"
Sasuke grinned. "Not love eh?" He asked. Sakura nodded with a mean stare. She wasn't afraid of him. She never was. "Then tell me something Sakura…" The cook started. "What 'is' love exactly?"
The pinkette's eyes slightly widened after he crossed his arms. "Love…." She started as she looked down to Naruto's bed. "Love is…" As she mumbled this she reflected on something in the past….
{"Here…eat this." Naruto held it out a small berry as she shook her head in fear. "You have to eat this kind of food or you'll disappear. Trust me." He got closer and set it on her lips. Sakura wouldn't open her mouth though. "It won't turn you into a pig I swear." Sakura glared at him for a moment. But when she saw that he was telling the truth, she let the berry slip in. "There. Now chew……." He rotated his hand as he watched her chew the small berry. "And swallow…." He then said as she swallowed. "See!" He smiled with closed eyes. "You're all better now." The blonde opened his eyes and held his hand out. "See for yourself!"}
"Love….is…"
{"If you completely forget it, you'll never find your way home." Naruto said. He looked forward and sighed. "I've tried everything to remember my name….but I can't seem to remember it." He then said.
"She took your name too?"
Naruto nodded and unwrapped what he had in his hand. They were rice balls. "I remember coming here when I was 6 but I don't remember what my name was or where I lived. I even remember trying to go back home when baa-Chan let me, but I couldn't find it." He took one of the rice balls and handed it to her. "Here, you must be hungry." Sakura nodded and took it. Then they both started eating as they looked at the sky. "I'm going to remember it someday. I know I will."}
"Love…"
{The sludge from the stink spirit was starting to spray out and get on their faces. Emi lost her grip and fell, nearly making everyone else fall. Sakura almost lost her grip too but she kept it firm. Then a bike came out, making everyone blink in surprise. "Is that a bike?" Sakura asked. Then she felt someone else's hands take their place ahead of hers. She looked over her shoulder and blushed slightly. Naruto was right behind her.}
"It's…."
{"Noon. The river spirit gave me this gift" Sakura said as her hands started glowing green. "Maybe it will help." She then said. The pinkette reached out and set them over his stomach. His breathing got heavy and then his eyes shot open. "AAH!" Sakura yelped in surprise and pulled her hands back. Naruto looked at her right after that and barked before passing out again.}
"Love…it's…"
{When Sakura looked outside, her face lit up like Christmas. "Noon!" She said happily as she ran outside. The 9 tailed fox she loved so dearly stood outside the door and looked very clean and healthy. Sakura grabbed his head and pulled it into a hug and the 9 tails wrapped around her as if giving her a hug back. "Noon…I'm so happy you're alive…" The pinkette mumbled into his skull.}
"It's…."
{"Naruto! That was my name Sakura! That was it!" Naruto yelled with sparkling blue eyes. "I remember everything now! I remember buying you that ice cream and I even remember pulling you out of the whirlpool!"
"I knew it was you! You saved me!" Sakura said back. "I hope you're not mad for me being the reason you're dead!" She then said.
"I'd never be mad at you." Naruto said back to her. "If I hadn't of died…we wouldn't be here right now!"
"That sounded so weird!" Sakura yelled at him. "You're such a dork!"}
"……….."
{Sakura nodded, but before she took her eyes off him she walked back on the steps and gave him a small kiss before running off. "Thank You for saving me!" She then yelled as she ran across the rock river.}
"……………."
{When they got in the elevator, Sakura and Naruto waited for the doors to shut. As soon as they did Naruto tackled her in a hug; completely surprising the pink haired girl. "I missed you so much……" He muttered. She smiled and hugged back.
"I missed you too Naruto…" She said back to him. They kept the hug a little longer. "How have you been…." She then asked.
"Good…" The blonde responded. "But…things have been a bit quiet without you around….these past 6 years…" The doors opened and they both pulled away in an instant. Naruto whistled as he pulled the lever again as Sakura kicked the 'dirt' on the ground. Once they were closed they faced each other again with smiles.
"You got so tall Naruto! How did you do it?" Sakura asked.
"I don't know…I just grew" Naruto laughed. "You got taller too."
"But not as much as you did." Sakura laughed back. "I used to be taller then you."
"Well at least you didn't grow your hair out…" Naruto muttered. "I like your short hair better…"}
"Love is…it's…."
{"Whoa whoa whoa!!" Kiba yelped as he turned around; making her yelp in surprise. "This kid died saving your life and you think he doesn't love you? You're crazy…" He huffed and turned back around while crossing his arms.}
"It's….um…"
{"Thank you Naruto." Sakura said. Then they went hand to hand and started dancing. "So….i heard you wanted to ask me…..but never did." She said to him after a moment.
"Well…yeah." Naruto said back with a slight blush. "I was a bit nervous and didn't know 'how' to ask you." He chuckled and looked away to glare at Sasuke who was now leaning on the stairs. "Man…I can't believe he did that…" He then muttered.}
"……um…."
{Sakura nodded, and they all worked together to move the blonde into his bed. "Should I keep healing?" She then asked. Iruka nodded and she did so. Sasuke then came in with a drink. 'Naruto….' Sakura thought as the blonde breathed heavily. 'What's happening to you?'}
"………….."
{"What?! No" Naruto said. Then he looked at Sakura. "She'd rather sleep with me right Sakura-Chan!" He asked. The two boys went back and forth asking her to lie down with them. She couldn't decide…they were both cute….but Naruto….she knew him longer. And Sasuke….well….he wasn't an idiot.}
"Love is…."
{Naruto opened his eyes and looked over to Sakura. She was still looking at the ocean with a relaxed face. "Like….bring the spirit back to life?" He asked. She nodded and he looked out again. He put his thinking face on and thought. "Actually….I think there is…." He muttered; making her look at him with a huge smile. "But….the only person capable of doing it….is Konan….and she needs a lot of things to prepare such a spell….I think."Sakura looked at the ocean again with a sigh. "Why?"}
"………………."
{A fox; the size of Akamaru, with nine tails charged down the hall with pure red eyes. Karin gasped as she was tackled down and dragged into a room down the hall. But as this happened, the finger's let go of Sakura and she started to descend down to the ocean. Her eyes shut; with the sight of Naruto tackling Karin down etched into her memory. It would be the last thing she saw, she knew it. She had 20 more feet to go.
A see through door to her right flung open and made her eyes open again. She looked over and gasped as Naruto jumped out and grabbed her. The momentum of him going more to the left; pushed Sakura and him well…more to the left; barley missing the train tracks and landing in the water. When they both surfaced she noticed Naruto looking up; then he looked down with a smile. "You ok Sakura-Chan?"}
"It's…."
{Each girl nodded and quickly scampered to their beds. Then the pinkette glanced over to Naruto and lightly gasped. She hadn't realized what they were doing to him. He was giving her an emotionless stare as some of his hair was in small ponytails "Thank…You…" He muttered. She nodded and started taking the hair ties out. He might have thought she stopped them because of what they were doing, but she had only done it because of the flirting….}
Sakura looked up after a moment of thought and gave him a small smile. "Love…can't really be explained." She told him. "It's…it's that special feeling you get around someone….that gentle spark that tells you. It's the memories you create with them. The joy, the laughter, the caring and love to one another….that's 'my' definition to love and…" She trailed off and gave him a cold stare. "In my book….love…does not exist between you and I."
Sasuke returned the same cold glare. "Doesn't exist in between you and I?" He then asked. Sakura nodded and he slightly grinned. "Then…Where does it exist for you hmm?" He asked. The pinkette smiled warmly and opened her mouth to answer. The cook couldn't help but lean in a little.
"Love exists between…" Sakura trailed off as she looked up. She had been looking down since he had asked but her smile never faded. "Naruto and I." Sasuke's eyes widened as his roommate's name was said. Then after a moment, his eyes narrowed and showed her not a fake lust…but pure hatred and she knew…he was going to kill her.
"Oh no…"
"Have you seen Mei?" Emi asked as she stood in the hall. The person she had asked this only shook their head and she sighed. 'Damn…where the hell did she go?' The blonde then thought as she looked up and down the guest room hall. She glanced in the opposite direction of the eating hall and started walking. "Why does she always disappear—"
A door a little ahead slid open, and Sakura ran out as fast as she could. "Move out of the way!" She yelled as Sasuke ran out as well; his eyes red with complete anger. The cook charged through the workers as Sakura politely dodged them. He was really trying to kill her.
The elevator door opened and Daiki and Naruto stepped out. "So what did you need help with?" Naruto asked with a smile. The black haired boy turned to face him but stopped when a yelling pinkette ran by. "Huh? Was that Sakura-Chan?" Naruto then mumbled to himself. Then Sasuke ran by and shoved the blonde back into the elevator.
"BOSS!" Daiki yelped as Naruto smashed into the back wall of the elevator. "Boss you ok?" He asked as he held the doors opened. Naruto nodded and looked up with 1 eye shut.
"Damn that hurt…" He muttered. Then he stood up; a little weak at the knees and walked out. "What the hell is up with him?" The blonde then asked. Daiki shrugged and Emi was soon close by.
"Noon! I think Sasuke is trying to hurt her!"
Naruto looked at the other blonde with wide eyes. "Hurt…her?" He asked. Emi nodded and the fox boy bit his lip. He thought it was all over. But it wasn't. "Thank you Emi!" He yelled after running off. He wasn't going to let this happen. The last bit of the dark cloud was Sasuke after all….
Sakura heard lightning from behind her as she ran through the halls. She looked over her shoulder and saw that the Uchiha's hand was holding a ball of the stuff. Or at least it looked like a ball…he was holding it after all. 'Shit…shouldn't he be trying to kill Naruto?' She thought as he approached even faster. But then her eyes widened. No. She didn't want that! Why would she think that?!
Sasuke's lightning hand hit the ground to the left of Sakura; causing an explosion of wood and Sakura's scream. She flew out the side of the bathhouse and descended down to the water. When she hit the water, she immediately made her way to the train tracks. After climbing up, the pinkette glanced up to the bathhouse and saw something she'd thought she'd never see in her life.
2 giant hands rose from Sasuke's back taking the role of wings. He was really angry now. She had chosen the idiot over him. When he jumped and started to fly, Sakura's green eyes shrunk in a panic. Then she turned around and started running as fast as she could down the tracks.
When Naruto arrived to the small lightning sight, he looked out onto the ocean and saw Sasuke flying above the tracks and chasing Sakura. "Shit!" He slammed his hands together and the red substance from all the other dangerous moments surrounded his body before departing and making the form of a fox beside him. Then it took shape and looked at him. "Sasuke is out of control!" Naruto told it. "Let's go!" He and the fox both jumped outside and landed on the train tracks.
As soon as they were down there, Naruto jumped on the fox and rode on its back as it ran. "Get closer…" The blonde growled as he reached into his back pocket. Sasuke had escaped like this before, and now he was prepared. He took out a kunai knife and grinned. Ever since that day…he had been known as 'The Bathhouse Ninja.' "CLOSER!"
Sakura looked over her shoulder as she ran and she saw Naruto on top of the fox's back. Then her eyes widened. "So that's how he saved me back there!" She said as she looked forward again. He and the fox must have un-fused after all. She smiled and ran even faster. Naruto would save her….just like he always has.
"Naruto now!" Kyuubi hissed before jumping. As soon as he did, Naruto slammed his hands back together and the substance that the fox turned into surrounded his body once more. He landed on Sasuke's back and grinned as the cook yelled in pain. "Burns don't it?" The blonde yelped He started laughing as the raven haired boy descended. "I call it Chakra…you like!?" He slammed Sasuke into the train tacks; thus destroying it and Sakura turned around.
"Sakura-Chan!" Naruto called out to her. "Keep going! Don't stop until you reach Konan!" As soon as he was done saying this, Kyuubi appeared and ran over to her. "Ride Kyuubi all the way there!" Naruto then yelled as he and Sasuke started fighting. He threw the kunai and sliced Sasuke's cheek open before looking back over his shoulder. "GO!"
After flinching, Sakura nodded and jumped onto the fox's back. Then it took off at incredible speeds. "Whoa! You're fast!" The pinkette yelped as she wrapped her arms around the fox's neck. She shut her eyes as it ran. It was going to be awhile….and she only hopped Naruto wouldn't get hurt.
"Thank you Kakashi." Konan said after the grey haired scare crow handed her an herbal plant. She had been making tea because she knew a guest was on its way. She didn't exactly know who but her senses were telling her that there was someone coming. "Tobi set the table please." She then said as she pointed to the table.
The masked spirit nodded and started doing as he was told as the blue haired woman hummed. After mixing the ready tea, she walked over to the table and set the cups down. "There…" She said with a smile. "Now all we have to do is wait…" She glanced over to the door and frowned. "I hope they don't take too long…the tea might get cold."
Konan sat down and sighed before smiling at the door. The last time she had a visitor was 6 years ago when Sakura came along with the seal Naruto had stolen. She shut her eyes and waited for about 5 minutes, and then there was a knock at the door. "I'LL GET IT!" Konan happily said as she stood up. Of courses she was going to get it. She was the only one in there even thinking about going to go get it.
The blue haired woman put a smile on her face as she opened the door. Then when she saw who it was, her smile grew even more. "SAKURA!" She yelled happily as she hugged the pinkette tightly. "OH HOW I MISSED YOU!"
Sakura smiled and tried to hug the woman she called 'Aunt' back, but she couldn't exactly move….or breathe. "It…It's nice to see you too…Auntie Konan…" The pinkette finally got out. "Can you put me down?"
"Oh sorry!" Konan apologized as she set the younger woman down. "Now come in. I made some tea." She led Sakura in and shut the door. "So…what brings you here?"
"Do what?!" Tsunade asked as she stood up from beside her desk. Naruto had Kyuubi come to her as fast as he could and ask her for Sakura to be let home. "How do you know if she even 'wants' to go home?" The blonde roared from behind the desk. The fox didn't respond. "You know what…" Tsunade then said after awhile. "I'll tell you what."The fox looked up as she walked around the desk over to him. "I'll give her a request when she gets back. How does that sound?" Tsunade asked with a smile.
"But…that has no sense…"
"Yes it does." Tsunade told the red haired fox. "If she wants to go home, she will request to go home, but…" She trailed off and looked at Shizune; who stood by the desk. "If she wants to stay, then she will request to stay here…it's a win/win." Kyuubi nodded and she led him over to the balcony. "Tell Naruto that he's got 24 hours to get her here. If they aren't here by then; I'm canceling the deal. Understand?"
Kyuubi nodded its head and then soon jumped off the building to make his way over to Naruto. During his time away, Naruto and Sasuke had moved up the tracks by a great amount of length. They were moving up it quite fast for two people who were fighting to what seemed like death. He had to tell Naruto so the blonde could hurry.
'Stupid Kit….'
"I see…" Konan muttered after Sakura's explanation. "Sasuke 'loves' you but you told him you love….Naruto…and he's now trying to kill you…." She nearly forgotten Naruto's name. She had just found it out.
"Yes exactly." Sakura told her after setting her tea down. "Now Naruto is risking his li—" She stopped when she remembered him telling her something important about spirits and their lives.
{"Spirits 'can' get sick." Naruto had said. "But…What happened to me was the worst ever recorded in…let's say 'Spirit' history. It was really weird, though….And yea….Spirits can die again. Like dying as a human…you either go to Heaven or Hell…or if you're lucky you become a spirit. But when you 'are' a spirit….if you die…you disappear…you don't even get to be reborn or passed on to Heaven or Hell…..you just disappear…"}
"No…I don't want him to disappear." Sakura said as she hugged herself. She could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks. Konan set her tea down and set a hand on her shoulder.
"Is there anything you want me to do?" The blue haired woman asked. "I am a witch after all….a may be able to help." She then said. Then Sakura sprung up in her seat. The conversation she had with the blonde that night, it was still there and they had talked about Konan…
{"Is there….a way to turn a spirit back into a human?"
Naruto opened his eyes and looked over to Sakura. She was still looking at the ocean with a relaxed face. "Like….bring the spirit back to life?" He asked. She nodded and he looked out again. He put his thinking face on and thought. "Actually….I think there is…." He muttered; making her look at him with a huge smile. "But….the only person capable of doing it….is Konan….and she needs a lot of things to prepare such a spell….I think."}
Sakura smiled. If Konan could turn Naruto back into a human, then he wouldn't disappear if anything happened, he'd just become a spirit again. "Konan!" She said as she stood up. She had been planning this from the night they talked about it. She wanted Naruto to be alive again….but not because of this. This was her only chance though. "I want you to turn Naruto back into a human!"
Konan gasped as she stood up. "A-are you crazy?!" She yelped at the smaller woman. "Performing such a technique will sacrifice a part of his body. In a situation like this, he'd surly lose." She pointed to a book on her counter. "Sakura I haven't tried it, but it says it in the book. 'A Body Part Will Be Sacrificed.'"
"Naruto is strong!" Sakura said with a smile. "He's very stubborn and I'm sure if I ask him, he'll be glad to say yes! I don't care if he ends up being a vegetable for the rest of his life because of it. I love him! And I will take care of him for the rest of our lives!"
Konan smiled at this. 'So she really does love him…' She then thought. As soon as her thought was finished, the door slammed open and Kakashi came running in. "What is it Kakashi?!" The blue haired woman asked as they both looked over.
"Naruto and Sasuke will be here in less then 30 minutes." The scare crow told them. "They are moving very quickly and it looks like Sasuke is on a mission to kill her." He pointed at Sakura and the pinkette slightly gasped. "Tobi and I will try to hold them back." He walked back out and Konan set a hand on Sakura's shoulder.
"Alright, ill start preparing it." The blue haired woman said with a smile. Sakura nodded and followed her over to the counter. She grabbed a cup and filled it with water before opening the book. She scrolled through it and soon came to the page with large letters at the bottom…
A BODY PART WILL BE SACRIFICED!
Sakura gulped and looked at Konan as she started putting different things in the cup. During this time she wondered what limb he would lose if he agreed to doing it. Thinking of each body part her mind started to drift into a perverted state. What she had thought of next turned her into the same color as her hair. She hit her head a couple of times to get the picture of Naruto losing his manhood out of her head.
"There…" Konan said; getting her attention. "It's all done, now all that needs to be done is Naruto drinking it and I need to perform the transfer…."
"Transfer?"
"The transfer back into the human state." Konan answered with a smile. "The drink alone won't do it. If it was only the drink then you could have done it yourself. I'm the only one that is able to perform it and will always be." She looked at the door and smiled. "When Naruto get's here, I'm going to drag him inside and let Tobi and Kakashi hold Sasuke off.
Sakura nodded and looked at the door as well. All they had to do is wait. The pinkette was excited though. But at the same time she was afraid. She only wished that he wouldn't end up losing a limb or…his manhood. Turning pink again, Sakura shook her head and thought about other things that could get lost.
20 minutes later, there was an explosion outside Konan's door. "Oh Hell no!" Konan screamed with a fist in the air. "If they mess up my garden Konan's kicking some spirit ass!" Sakura couldn't help but giggle at this as the blue haired witch made her way over to the door. When she opened it she gasped and held out her hand. It turned into paper and flew outside without any warning.
After a moment or two she gasped and shut the door with her hand back. "What happened?" Sakura asked. But then Naruto came crashing through the window; shattering the glass. The glass fell all over the floor as he hit the table, flipped it over and then hit the back wall with a loud crash; knocking over many things that sat on shelves. "Naruto!" Sakura called as she ran over.
"HOLD HIM BACK BOYS!" Konan yelled through the broken window. As soon as she yelled this, the two men started fighting Sasuke. Konan ran over to the counter and grabbed the cup. "Sakura ask him! The time is now or never!" Naruto blinked and looked at the blue haired witch confused.
"Ask me what?"
Sakura took a deep breath and helped him stand up. "Do you want to be human again?" She asked. Naruto's eyes widened as Konan walked over. He didn't answer. "Tell me Baka! Sakura then yelled as she hit his head. He then nodded while he rubbed his head. "Ok, but listen to me Naruto." The pinkette then said. "You will lose a body part for it…are you still up for it?"
Naruto looked at her for a moment and then glanced at Konan. He reached over and grabbed the cup. Then without saying anything else, he drank it. "Um…I'm guessing that's a yes…" The blue haired woman then muttered with a sigh. She walked in front of him and made a hand sign. "Ready Naruto?"
The blonde threw the cup on the ground and nodded. He didn't care what happened. He would still have Kyuubi, he knew it. Even if he didn't, Konan was a strong witch. Plus…It was the only way to be with Sakura. Especially in the way he wanted it to be…. "Go…" He muttered. Sakura made an upset looking face after Konan nodded and then looked away. He was actually going to do it. Did he hear her when she told him what would happen?
The witch nodded and continued her hand signs as the noise outside grew. Then without notice white hand like creatures flew out of a portal behind her. Sakura saw this and looked at the blonde to watch. They all grabbed him and slammed him against the wall. A light shade of white surrounded his body and he shut his eyes. Some made their way to his right arm and surrounded it. 'No!' Sakura thought. 'Their taking his arm….' She shut her eys as soon as Naruto's opened in pain.
It snapped
Sakura gasped as the blonde hit the ground. She wasn't looking. She didn't want to see anything. But then when she glanced over to Konan she noticed that the witch was slightly surprised. "What?" Sakura asked as she looked at the blonde again. The pinkette gasped.
Naruto still had his arm. He was holding it and It looked limp though. "It…only broke it." Konan said while cocking her head to the side. "Oh! Hold on don't move! I'll cast it up!" Konan yelped as she ran over. She knelt down and used her paper to start casting his broken arm.
"So…He's human now…." Sakura muttered in question. Naruto looked at Konan as well to get the answer. Then when konan stood up she nodded. "R-really?!" Sakura then asked in happiness. Konan nodded again and grabbed a piece of clothing from the coat rack.
"Naruto now has a soul…" She said. "A 'real' heartbeat." Konan smiled and walked over with torn clothe. "You've come back from the dead Mr. Uzumaki." She then said as she wrapped it around his neck. Then she helped him set his arm inside and then stand. "So your going to be amongst the rest of us but as a human…and the good thing is that you get to keep every single piece of your body." She gave the boy a thumbs up and he chuckled.
But the laughter soon stopped after another explosion was sounded outside. Naruto narrowed his eyes. "KYUUBI!" He barked. Then the chakra left his body and formed into the fox. It nodded and ran over to the window.
"No! Go through the one that's already bro—" Konan tried to tell it, but it crashed through the other window and she sighed in sadness. "Damn it…"
"Sorry Konan." Naruto said with a nervous smile. Then he made his way over to the door and opened it. "It's gonna be hard with a broken arm but I can manage…." He shut the door behind him and Sakura looked at Konan in a panic.
"Don't worry Sakura." Konan said with a smile. "Just because he's human now doesn't mean he's weak." She pointed to the window and then made her way over to watch. Sakura did as well.
Sasuke glanced over to the blonde that stood by the witch's front door. He looked at every feature to find a weakness and then found the arm. "What happened to your arm dobe?" The cook asked with a grin. Since long ago had his wings disappeared. "Did you break it when you crashed through the window?"
"Nope…" Naruto muttered as he shook his head. He brought his left hand up and made a fist. "But even if it is broken…I'm still going to beat you. You tried to hurt Sakura-Chan…and for that you will pay." He took a fighting stance and the giant red fox was soon next to him. His arm hurt, but he was going to deal with it.
Sasuke grinned and ran over. He formed a katana from the lightning he had attacked Sakura with and swung it at the blonde. Naruto jumped up and landed behind the cook before using his right foot to kick the other boy in the back. Sasuke was smashed into Konan's door and turned around with a growl. He was losing to an idiot with blonde hair?! There was no way he was going to lose like that!
He held up to fingers together and grinned. Sakura saw this and raised a brow. What was he doing? Naruto was thinking the same thing. "As long as I can do this…." He growled. "I will still win!" Naruto raised a brow but then when he went to say something the sick feeling came back in an instant.
He felt weak to his knees and his face was flushed with fever. 'What's happening……' He thought as Sasuke munched him in the gut. He took a few steps back and looked up with tired and glassy eyes. It was almost worse then before. He could feel it getting worse as each second passed.
"Naruto!" Sakura called as the blonde was hit countless of times. Each time her pupils grew smaller and smaller in horror. "No! Hold on Naruto!" She then screamed as she jumped out of the window. Sasuke glanced over and saw her running over with a fist in the air. He grinned and moved out of the way. She almost hit Naruto.
The blonde hit the ground with his knees and blankly stared forward. "Sakura-Chan…." He mumbled as he felt his consciousness slipping. "I'm sorry….but he got me…" He slightly grinned before hitting the ground completely.
"No! Naruto!" Sakura yelled as she knelt down next to him. As she flipped him over, Konan ran out to fight as well. He had the same symptoms as the first time. Heavy breathing, and the fever flushed face. It was all there. Sakura set him back down and turned around to help fight. As soon as she did, there was an explosion of lightning and rock; launching towards the house. She shut her eyes and awaited the pain but was caught by Tobi.
"Thank you Tobi…" Sakura muttered as she jumped off his black belly. He nodded and she looked over to where the fight was. They were dangerously close to Naruto. Biting her lip, the pinkette ran in their direction. She jumped over Naruto and flung herself around Konan to land a side kick on Sasuke's face. The black haired boy was launched into Konan's home; making the witch sigh. How did she know that was coming?
After a moment, Sakura turned around and back over to the blonde, but on her way she noticed something on the ground. It looked like a seal. "What the he—"It exploded and launched the pinkette at the house, but this time Tobi could not reach her. She slammed into the wall and fell to the ground; quickly blacking out with Naruto being the last thing she saw.
Sakura slowly opened her eyes and looked around without moving her head. She was leaning on the house now. Someone must have leaned her up against it. She looked at the front yard of Konan's home and saw that or was completely destroyed; along with her small garden. Then she looked over to her right and gasped. Sasuke was wrapped in paper and was sitting next to her. He was looking forward and looked very angry. But at lease she thought he looked angry….she could only see his eyes.
Looking away from the upset black haired boy she found Konan sitting in the dirt with a book next to her. Sakura slowly got up and started walking over. A little fast after seeing that Naruto was lying in front of her. "Is he ok?" She asked as soon as she could. Konan looked up from her book and looked at the pinkette. Then she shook her head. "Y-you mean…he's…" She didn't have to finish the question.
"Well…not exactly…" Konan mumbled as she stood up. "But he's on the verge of death. If we don't do something…he's going to be dead again." She sighed and looked at Sasuke. "I found out from Sasuke that he had cursed the poor boy the first day they were roommates. And because of that curse he could make Naruto either barley sick…or deathly sick in an instant. This time was a deathly sick." She shook her head and looked at Sakura again. "Everything I've tried hasn't helped. If you can use those healing hands of yours….maybe it will help."
Sakura nodded and knelt down next to the blonde. She held her hands out and they started glowing green before she set them on his forehead. Konan knelt down beside her and wrote something in her book before walking away. The pinkette didn't seem to care much. "Naruto…please don't die." She muttered as she felt tears in her eyes. "I won't forgive you if you did." He did nothing. She could barely see if he was breathing or not.
"Please Naruto!" Sakura yelled. "Breath! Open your eyes! Do something!" She started to shake him slightly with her free hand. "You can't go! You might not be lucky this time!" She shut her eyes and let tears fall down her face. Then she looked over her shoulder and glared at Sasuke. The time when Naruto had become sick the first time….Sasuke was only acting like he didn't know.
She looked at Naruto again and smiled slightly. "You know Naruto…" She mumbled as she started using both hands again. "Everyone's been asking me who I loved a lot lately…" She trailed off and frowned. "I kept telling them that I didn't know who I loved. But when Sasuke asked what love even was…all I could think about were the moments we had together. Then I realized that I had been keeping my feelings for you aside; scared for no reason. But I do realize how much I love you Naruto. And now I'm afraid it's too late to tell you that."
"The stomach!"
Sakura looked over her shoulder and saw Konan standing by Sasuke. "Heal…the stomach?!" The pinkette then yelled back. The blue haired witch nodded and kicked the cook before Sakura looked at Naruto again. She took her right hand and rested it on the blonde's stomach before activating the healing again. Almost instantly Naruto sprung up and grabbed his mouth to cough. The pinkette gasped as he spit up something black and evil looking.
"Squish it!"
Taking Konan's orders, Sakura smashed it with her hand right before Naruto fell back. "Naruto?" The pinkette asked as she looked at him. He looked just fine now. "Thank Goodness…" Sakura mumbled with a sigh of relief. Sasuke's curse was lifted and he was still human. Everything turned out fine after all.
Naruto opened his eyes and noticed he was in a small room. He sat up and set his free hand on his forehead. He had a massive head ache. 'Damn….If only I could remember what happened…' He thought as he stepped off the bed. 'I have a broken arm…because I was brought back to life and then I went to fight Sasuke…but…what happened then…' He opened the slightly already opened door and peaked out.
Sakura, Konan, Kakashi and Tobi all sat at the table and were drinking tea. 'Looks like they cleaned the place up' Naruto mentally mumbled as he looked around the small house. Then he saw Sasuke. He mentally busted up laughing. 'He looks like a Christmas present wrapped with white paper!' He mentally laughed. Then his hand slipped and he came crashing down; making them all look at him. "I'm ok!" He then yelped as he stood up; his left hand high in the air.
They all giggled at this as he walked over, and then he sat down. "How are you feeling?" Konan asked with a gentle smile. Sakura asked the same thing and they both received a smile back.
"I feel great!" Naruto said. "But….I don't remember what happened after I started fighting Sasuke…" He then said with his left hand on his chin. "What happened? How did I end up waking up in Konan's bed?"
Both girls looked at each other and then him. Sakura was the one to speak. "You became very sick in the middle of the fight." The pinkette told him. "And the only reason was well….Sasuke had cursed you when he first became your roommate."
"SAY WHAT!?"
"Please sit down." Sakura said with a nervous smile. He nodded and sat down right after. "Don't worry Naruto…I lifted the curse so there's nothing to be worried about any longer." In almost an instant, the boy had become a chibi right next to her with a finger on his chin in wonder.
"Was it true love's kiss?"
"BAKA!" Sakura yelped as she hit the blonde in the head. He sat back in his chair and rubbed his head right after and sighed. "Well let's go…" She said as she stood up. "I got to get back to work…." She looked at Naruto; pretty much telling him to come along.
Then the blonde remembered that Kyuubi made a deal with Tsunade. He looked at Konan and ran over. "Konan! Can you teleport us there?" He asked in a slight panic. The blue haired witch nodded and he ran over to Sasuke. Sakura was now standing by Konan and they both watched the one armed blonde drag the cook over. "ok! Let's go!"
Tsunade had been waiting for a few hours now. Everyone was eager to watch what Sakura was going to request so they were all outside and watching just like 6 years ago when she had to pick out which pigs were her mother and father. Then in almost an instant, the group appeared at the other side of the bridge. They were a little high so they hit the ground hard; but came out laughing. "My bad!" Konan laughed.
"Sakura-Chan." Naruto said as he grabbed the pinkette by the arm. "I…I had Kyuubi ask her to let you go home and she said she'd give you a request." He told her. She raised a brow as they both stood up. "If you want to go home, ask to go home, but if you want to stay….ask to stay. I highly suggest that you stay though!"
Sakura laughed at this and nodded. "Ok…whatever you say Naruto." She mumbled before walking over to the bathhouse owner. She knew he couldn't leave this place to go live somewhere else. Even if he was human. He had no home and this place had been his home since he was 6. "I get a request right?" She asked after approaching the witch.
Tsunade nodded with a smile. "1 request only." She held up a finger. "You can request for anything, and I have to grant it." She then said. Sakura nodded and looked at the crowd of people watching then she sprung an idea.
"I request….for 2 more request."
Everyone gasped. "C-Can she do that?!" Naruto asked from the other side of the bridge. Konan nodded. Tsunade 'did' say it could be anything.
"Fine…Request granted." Tsunade growled with the snap of her fingers. "Next two then…" She was starting to get a little inpatient. Sakura was thinking about it too much.
"Alright…" The pinkette started. She looked at the crowd and smiled. "I 'Sakura Haruno' would like 'Naruto Uzumaki'…" She trailed off and pointed to the blonde. Everyone gasped as each name was said. Even Naruto. They all knew their names now. "And all the rest of the staff here…to have their real names back!" Everyone gasped again. Could she really do this?
Tsunade's brow twitched as she snapped her fingers. There was a small explosion from the top floor of the bathhouse and everyone looked. "That was all the scrolls getting the names changed at once!" The bathhouse owner yelled making everyone look again.
After looking back Emi stood up straight. "My name…I remember it…" She muttered. There was no smile at first, but then she smiled and looked at Daiki. "Daiki! My name's Ino!" She said happily.
"And my name is Konohamaru!" Daiki said back with a huge smile. People all over the bathhouse were yelling out their names in happiness. They all remembered and were happier then ever.
"My name's Choji."
Ino and Konohamaru looked over and saw the chubby boy that she had always teased with roasted newts. Ino smiled and tackled her friend in happiness. They all had their names back and they were never going to forget again. "Alright…2nd request…" Tsunade growled as Sakura smiled at all the happy people.
The pinkette nodded and looked at her. "And…for my 3nd request…." She started; getting everyone's attention again. Sasuke was staring at the dirty road and could see a thing, and another thing was that Konan was sitting on him like he was a chair. "I request that you are relieved of power over the bathhouse and the new owner shall be Naruto."
Everyone gasped again. Naruto did as well. His mouth was wide open as Konan smiled behind him; trying to keep the angry Uchiha calm. Tsunade gawked at Shizune and her assistant only shrugged. "Fine! Naruto you are now the manager of the bathhouse!" The blonde yelped as a scroll appeared next to her. She grabbed it and tore it up. Apparently it was Naruto's. "I'll give you the deed later."
Sakura smiled and then turned around. Naruto couldn't believe what was happening. He ran over to the cheery blossom girl and stopped her. "Sakura-Chan!" He yelped. "I told you to ask to leav—" She held a finger up to his lips and winked.
"I still have 2 requests from you Naruto-kun" Sakura said; making him nod. Everyone turned their attention to them immediately. 'God….they all have bat ears…' Sakura thought with a roll of her eyes. "Naruto my first request is that you make me co-manager." She said. He went to gasp but everyone else over gasped him. He nodded and everyone started cheering.
"Sakura-Chan…" Naruto started. "Why…Why won't you go home?" He then asked. He kept telling her to go, but she wouldn't. It could get even more dangerous.
"You haven't let me request my 2nd one yet." Sakura said. He smiled and nodded for her 2nd. No one was listening this time; they were all still cheering in the back ground. "Naruto….for my 2nd request from you…" She leaned in a little. "I want you….to love me back." She looked up into his blue eyes and smiled at his face. It was shocked.
After a moment, the blonde's eyes softened and he smiled. "Sakura-Chan…" He started as he set his left hand under her chin. "That request was granted 6 years ago," He then said. Sakura smiled and kissed him as soon as she had the chance. 'Now' people were looking.
"WHOO! GO MEI—I MEAN SAKURA!" Ino yelled with her fist in the air. People started clapping along with each other. Naruto finally kissed her again….But this time it was more then a swift peck that only lasted 2 seconds. It was a 'real' kiss and this one lasted nearly a minute to him. But to everyone else…it was 10 seconds.
When they parted Sakura gave him a wink. "So can the co-manager give out her first new rule?" She asked. Naruto blinked as he looked at her beautiful face. He already missed her lips. Then he nodded; making her smile and go out to the middle of the bridge. She held up a finger. "I have a few things to say!" She yelled.
Everyone looked over and were ready to listen. "1st thing's 1st: Naruto has become human again but is still the same old Naruto. You guys don't need to act different." They all slightly gasped after hearing he was human. "2nd..I'm going to be in charge of rules and such!" They all nodded and she set her hands down. "Now….1st rule!" She yelled before throwing both her hands in the air again.
"From this day forward! The bathhouse will be open for both Spirit's 'and' humans!"
Everyone gasped once again and Konan tried hard to keep Sasuke put. Even Naruto; who had been melted into the side post of the bridge the last 30 seconds. "Sakura-Chan…what are you doing?" He asked as she walked back over.
"Think of it his way…" The pinkette mumbled as she took his left hand in hers. "One day…your parents could stumble in this place to relax and you could see them again." His eyes slightly widened and he smiled before she went on. "Plus, I want you to meet my mom and dad. They'd probably faint if they saw you." She laughed and he did as well. "So let's go!"
Sakura pulled him away from the noisy bathhouse and dragged him through the small village. She was on a mission. 'Thank goodness mom and dad don't live far from this place…' She thought with a smile. Naruto was smiling the whole way. And then when they got to the field and started to cross it…he never felt so happy in his life. He was actually leaving.
They ran through the tunnel and found the dirt road where Sakura had said her last good bye 6 years ago. After smiling, the pinkette and the blonde kept going. He couldn't help but look at all his surroundings. The outside world was so beautiful with trees. Well that's what he thought before they reached the asphalt. Sakura had stopped and was staring at a distant crossroad with wide eyes. "Um…Sakura-Chan?" Naruto asked as he swung his hand in front of her face. Then he looked over and gasped.
Her truck was in the same place as where she had left it and was covered in seaweed and was a little rusty. "Oh…my….god." Sakura muttered as she started walking over to it; dragging Naruto along with her. The pinkette opened the passenger door and water spilled out; making the blonde chuckle slightly. She glanced inside and saw a dead fish on the seat. "Why did this happen?" She then asked as she slammed the door shut. She grabbed Naruto's arm and dragged him up the hill. The question wasn't meant to be answered.
When they both arrived at the small neighborhood, Sakura could see her old home at the end of the road. She smiled as if her truck incident never happened and started running; dragging the blonde with her of course. When they arrived at the blue house a football flew passed them both; making them look over. The children from ext door that Sakura loved to joke with.
"Hey Sakura-San!" The boy called with a giant smile. "Who's that?! Your boyfriend?!" He held up his pinky finger with an evil smile and was surprised that she had nodded back. "Really?" He asked. She always yelled at them if they said that about the boy she was with….this time was different.
"Aww…they're so cute…" Naruto muttered as they both walked over to the door. "I want them…" He tired to go play with them but Sakura had a hold on his good arm. He then sighed and waited as she knocked on the door.
When the door opened, Mrs. Haruno smiled but stopped when she saw Naruto. "Mother…." Sakura mumbled as she held out a hand to the blonde. "I'd like you to meet Naruto." The sound of his name did it. Her mother passed out; making them both laugh.
"Do you believe me now?"
END
Stay Tuned for an Epilogue^^