A/N: I got up to 50 reviews! I'm glad you all took time to leave comments on this story, thank you so much, keep it up!

Disclaimer: Naruto etc belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

Claimer: Kita and Kari are mine. Mine.

Note: OOCness in this chapter, blame amoxycillin - I have a chest infection :(

Team bonding

It seems to be her gift to make others smile.

Kari was not a happy bunny. She fell asleep for an hour or so on the roof with Gaara and woke to see the sunrise. She was basking in it's warmth before realisation hit her. She shot into a standing position and gave a hurried goodbye before running as though her life depended on it. She got back and thanked her lucky stars that Sasuke was asleep. She got into her side of the futon and prepared to get a few hours kip when Sasuke jolted awake and told her to get ready. She'd been asleep for only four minutes and seventeen seconds.

Four and a half hours later, Kari and her team were sitting waiting for Kakashi at their meeting spot of the bridge. Kari just sat there, dozing off every few minutes, subconsciously leaning on Sasuke's leg, only to be jolted awake when he nudged her with his knee and gave her a disapproving look. She really hated him at the moment. She couldn't win, Sakura was in a bad mood, Naruto was too loud, Sasuke was too rude, Kita was too small and was asleep and Kakashi wasn't here. Kari had no one to lean on. Sakura sighed. Then let out a shrill scream which made Kari physically jump, almost accidentally catapulting Kita off her lap.

"AAAAAAH!! WHY, WHY, WHY?! IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME! HE SETS THE TIME, THEN WE HAVE TO WAIT HOURS FOR HIM!!" Sakura screeched. Kari could swear her ears were internally bleeding and her skull had been fractured by Sakura's shrill voice. Glancing up at the position of the sun, Kari supposed it was about 11am. She sighed sadly, thinking about the last four hours she could have spent sleeping and recuperating.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!" Naruto cried in response, agreeing with Sakura in hopes to win her affection. Kita was awake now and sleepily watching the two loudest members of team seven. Kari's head was slowly leaning forward and her eyes were drooping. She lightly flopped sideways and met a support. Ah, now maybe she could get some sleep— if it wasn't for that sharp nudge to her head. Stupid Sasuke with his hard knees and strong legs!

"WHAT ABOUT MY FEELINGS!? I RUSHED HERE SO FAST I DIDN'T EVEN GET TIME TO BLOWDRY MY HAIR!" Sakura cried angrily, throwing her fists down and stamping her foot in anger. Personally Kari didn't know what she's complaining about. Anime people's hair always looks fine, and they never seem to have acne that plagued teenagers of her world. Kari glared at Sasuke's legs suspiciously. Heck they don't even need to shave. She smiled to herself, glad she wouldn't have to bother anymore. She would have smooth legs all the time with no effort! She'd rather have a furry tail and furry wolf ears any day.

"AND I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BRUSH MY TEETH OR CHANGE MY UNDERWEAR!" Naruto agreed. Kari snapped out of her daze and stiffened. She looked and Naruto in disbelief.

"Please tell me you're joking" she said eye twitching at his lack of hygiene, hands covering her sensitive nose should he come near. Note: Kari does not appreciate unhygienic people when she has heightened senses.

"You er… didn't?" Sakura asked, rant forgotten. "That's really disgusting Naruto…"

"You did, didn't you?" Kari demanded, her sleepiness disappearing in the glare she gave the Uchiha. She quickly scooted a couple of feet away for her own safety.

"What do you think…" he mumbled in reply a light pink appearing on his cheeks for a moment, insulted that she could say such a thing.

"Oi ohayo minna. Sumimasen, I'm afraid I got lost on the path of life" Kakashi said appearing in his usual puff of smoke.

"YOU LIAR!" Sakura and Naruto cried in unison, accusing fingers a mere inch from Kakashi's jonin vest. Kakashi walked round them and motioned Kari to come closer, wondering why on earth she and Kita were a good ten foot away. The wolf girl obliged to her sensei's request, picked up Kita and went to stand beside him. He placed a hand on her head for a minute as his usual greeting for her and then turned to face the others.

"I know this is a bit sudden, but I recommended you for the chunin exams." The four genin's attentions were caught immediately. "All four of you, these are the application forms" Kakashi said, holding up four pieces of paper.

"Application forms?" Sakura repeated.

"You're repeating me Sakura" Kakashi scolded in a singsong voice "This is voluntary. It's up to each of you. If you don't feel ready, you can wait 'til next year" Kakashi said, taking his hand off Kari's head, preparing to hand them out.

"Yosh!" Naruto cheered in delight. "KAKASHI-SENSEI YOU ROCK!" Naruto squealed. He threw himself on the unsuspecting jonin and locked his arms around Kakashi's middle. The force of Naruto's jump sent Kakashi into a spin, Naruto's legs flying in the air and almost smacking Sakura in the face.

"Hey hey! Don't slobber on my vest!" Kakashi cried dragging Naruto off him with difficulty. With an awkward cough, Kakashi straightened his jacket and regained his composure "Well whoever wants to take the exams, sign the forms and come to room 301 at the academy. It's at 3pm, five days from now. That's it" Kakashi explained.

"CHUNIN EXAMS! CHUNIN EXAMS!" Naruto sang, attaching himself to Kari instead. He lifted her up and spun her round in sheer joy, causing Kakashi to smile behind his mask. He then had to suppress a snort as Naruto tripped over his own feet and fell on his back, Kari landing across his stomach. Kita fled from Kakashi's side and jumped on the top, wagging her thick white tail in delight.

As they walked along, the four genin were lost in thoughts of the chunin exams. Kita just sat on Kari's shoulder as Kari taught her to read, based on what the wonderful voice in her mind explained to her. Naruto was staring at his application form with the goofiest grin Kari had ever seen. Any minute now he'll trip over or, rip it, or drop it in a lake, or the wind will blow it away or maybe a bird will steal it! Kari grinned. The possibilities are endless.

"Chunin exams! I'll be up against a lot of wicked ninja like Kari-chan!" Naruto cried in delight. His cerulean eyes narrowed at Sasuke, and shot him a glare. 'I'll so kick Sasuke's ass!' Kari grinned, imagining him saying that. His voice was crystal clear in her mind. She ruffled Naruto's hair in an affectionate way. Did you know Libra's are also very affectionate? Kari's very much a Libra.

"You'll win against them all" Kari said confidently, he grinned widely. He then went into a giggling fit. Heck he was daydreaming again... Sasuke smirked. Damn it he was fantasising too. Sakura stopped and looked at the ground depressed.

"Hey Sakura-chan you ok?" Kari asked in concern. She turned and bent down slightly, trying to see Sakura's sad-looking face. She felt she'd been neglecting the pink kunoichi and was spending more time with the boys than her. Kari inwardly promised she'd think of something to do with Sakura. Oh but what if Naruto and Sasuke murdered each other in that time?! Something they can do all together then. Kita should probably go somewhere else in case Sasuke and Sakura get a little flirty. But Kari was meant to visit team eight today! She visited Hinata as often as she could and she also had training with Neji, Lee and TenTen (and hopefully NOT Gai). Gaara said she could visit 'if she must' (which she was planning to) and she desperately wanted to know more about him.

Naruto and Sasuke stopped and looked round. "About time you waited" Kari scolded. "Ne! Cheer up Sakura-chan! I'll support you with whatever choice you make, don't feel pushed into doing anything, okay?" Kari said, smiling, her tail swishing slightly in a gentle wag. Sakura nodded weakly, but still didn't look too convinced. "Anyway, Naruto-kun, we're all going to yours tonight to bond over a movie. Ja guys! I'm off!" Kari said, smiling at Kita who was ready by her side, by the time Naruto had blinked, she was gone.

"NEJIIIIII!!" Kari hollered as she stopped in front of him, sending a pile of dust over Lee. "NEJI! NEJI! NEJI!" she cried, jumping up and down and waving her arms about.

"What is it?" Neji asked, watching her bounce and debating whether to activate his Byakugan and check for brain damage. His brows furrowed as she stopped jumping about.

"CHUNIN EXAMS!!" she cried, as TenTen held Kita away from being stepped on. She was giggling at Kari's excitement, watching her bounce around like she had springs on her heels.

"You've already asked me about it remember? You asked me yesterday" Neji said, brain damage was becoming more and more likely.

"I'M GOING!!" she squealed latching herself onto the Hyuuga with all the strength she had. Lee let out a cry and praised Kari on her youthfulness and joined in the hug. In disgust, Neji pushed him off saying Lee shouldn't encourage her.

"Really? The rookies are going?" TenTen asked surprised. "It's the first time in the last five years apparently." She lazily flung a kunai at a target, hitting dead-centre effortlessly. "So we'll be competing against you Kari-chan?"

"Ne? Who said anything about competing?" Kari asked. "It's just an exam isn't it?"

"No one knows Kari, we're supposed to be unprepared" Neji said simply, trying to gently untangle her arms from round his waist. Her eyes became slightly watery as they widened.

"But I don't want to fight you guys, I don't want to hurt you!"

"Oh Kari-chan! Stop doing puppy-eyes you look adorable" TenTen cooed. Lee instantly agreed and began to cry for some unknown reason. Neji decided not to bother scolding Lee, and to stop trying to get Kari off him. Neither would listen to him anyway. "You could get away with anything doing that, especially with our sensei" TenTen said smiling. Neji huffed at the stupidity of his sensei. Honestly, they couldn't be that—

"Neji-kun do you think we'll have to fight?" Kari whined, turning to face him. Neji stiffened as he felt his face warm. Her eyes were glistening up at him and she was pouting slightly, he felt the few heart strings he had being tugged to the extent he thought they were being ripped out of his chest. He looked away, trying to ignore that look. She wasn't even doing it on purpose, Kami forbid should he ever find her crying. Apart from not knowing what the hell to do to comfort her, he'd go on a rampage to destroy the person that made her cry. He wasn't sure where that protectiveness came from, but he supposed she'd do the same for him, remembering the time she tried to go give Hiashi-sama 'a piece of her mind'. Not that he'd ever cry in front of her of course.

"Eh, I don't know" Neji said awkwardly, refusing to be sucked into those eyes.

"Well if we do, none of you can go easy on me! I want all you got!" Kari cried, abandoning her hold on Neji and setting her eyes alight with that spark of determination she had inherited from Naruto. The three older ninja nodded in agreement a smirk on their faces, apart from Lee who simply struck his nice guy pose and beamed at her.

"Will I meet this Sakura-chan there?" Lee asked hopefully. Kari stiffened; she had hoped he had forgotten about that…

"Err… Shouldn't you guys be training me? Come on! If I'm going to the chunin exams I need all the help I can get!"

"Hinata-chan, I ache" Kari sighed, Kita lying on the top of her head. Team Gai hadn't failed to deliver, she really hoped she didn't have to face them in the chunin exams. But she got praised by TenTen when Kari told her the story of throwing a rock at Kankuro. TenTen had been very pleased and given her impossibly difficult targets in all directions to aim for. Lee had been ecstatic in her improvement with Taijutsu, but she spent most of the time on her backside while Lee explained blocking and dodging trying to help with her defence. He had belted a speech of youthfulness and pride when she was keeping up with his speed. He went on about her elegance and other stuff she didn't particularly understand. Neji was just his usual self, beating her to a pulp with his gentle fist technique and sending her flying with rotation. Just one hit, that's all she wanted. One hit to Hyuuga Neji would make her day and the month that followed.

"Ah, Oniisan was being rough again today?" Hinata asked sympathetically.

"Isn't he always?" Kari said sadly, her shoulders slumping. Hinata giggled, taking Kita off the top of Kari's head and settling her in her arms. Kita sighed contentedly and snuggled into the warm jacket. Nothing beat her Okaa-san's arms but Hinata did have a very snugly jacket.

"Honestly Imouto, you're a complete saint having to put up with it all" Kari told her, as they headed towards the Hyuuga exit. The poor blonde kunoichi was exhausted just thinking about it.

"O-oh" Hinata said suddenly, looking round to the left. Kari followed her gaze to meet a young girl with typical Hyuuga eyes. "Ko-Konichiwa Ha-Hanabi" Kari frowned at Hinata's stutter returning with a vengeance and frowned even more remembering that Hanabi was Hinata's little sister and the more appreciated daughter. Still, Kari knew Hinata well enough that she wouldn't want her to make a scene, so decided to be nice.

"Eh? So you're my imouto's imouto ne?" Kari asked smiling. The girl just stared at her for a minute, before Hinata hesitantly introduced her.

"Hanabi th-this is Kari-chan, Kari-chan th-this is m-my imouto Hanabi" Hinata said shyly, her lavender orbs locked on the ground. Kari sent Hinata a reassuring smile then looked Hanabi over, seemed a little blank.

"Nice to meet ya" Kari said, Hanabi then smiled. Yes, actually smiled. It was more of the Hyuuga smirk (which Neji used to show he was smiling) but to Kari it was better than nothing.

"I'm going training Oneesan, Kari-neechan" she said, before walking off. Kari blinked and looked at Hinata for an explanation. The raven haired girl simply smiled and shrugged, walking beside Kari and chatting about how Kiba was really looking forward to seeing her, and she thought Shino was too, though it was hard to tell with Shino as he was well… Shino.

"Oh, Hina-chan your family are confusing" Kari sighed. Hinata giggled softly, but chose not to reply.

Through the rest of the day many ninja came into the village, all sporting different styles of clothing and different forehead protectors. Shino explained to Kari various different hitai-ate and how they symbolised the country they were from. Shino and Kiba sparred; Kiba got too cocky and tried to show off and got swarmed by bugs as punishment. Kari absolutely adored Kurenai, she was very mumsy in a teachery way, scolding Kiba like there was no tomorrow. She was also kind to Hinata and had taken to Kita, so Kari thought she was wonderful. Kurenai had told her she had seen a slow increase in Hinata's confidence and was very glad about it. She thanked Kari and said she and Kita were welcome to visit her team's training anytime, as long as they didn't interfere. Kari had a little spar against each of them and completely embarrassed herself when she screamed and ran away from Shino's angry hoard of bugs, causing Kiba to dissolve into fits of laughter, rolling around on the floor. Kita beat Akamaru at chase, making Kari a proud Momma indeed. Hinata was far more hesitant and gentle than Neji, but still managed to hit pretty hard. Luckily, due to being used to gentle fist, she evaded most of the attacks. She gave a few pointers on what she had learnt from Neji's style and Hinata took them on board and gave her a sharp poke in gratitude.

Kari had great fun in training, however the muscles either side of her spine knotted up and her fur stood on end. It was that sensation when she had things crawling over her, something she absolutely despised. Such a horrible feeling could only be caused by something equally horrible. On edge, her eyes were particularly sharp and her ears especially keen. She sensed something she didn't like, a feeling of foreboding writhed in the pit of her stomach. Something bad was going to happen, she knew it.

"Ah, Kari-chan. Can I help you?" the Hokage questioned, smiling at the young girl.

"I've been entered for the chunin exams!" Kari said with a wide smile. "I was just wondering if Kita could go too, or if she needed another examination or something."

"I heard from Kakashi" the Sandaime said with a nod. "Kita should be absolutely fine, she seems in perfect condition. You've been taking good care of her I see" Kari shrugged, smile still in place while Kita spoke in agreement. "Kakashi also said you get on well with Naruto and Sasuke, how are you finding your team?"

"I love Naruto-kun to pieces, he's so lovely" Kari gushed, hugging Kita tightly. "But Sasuke needs to open up more and stop picking on poor Naruto. Sakura needs to be nicer to Naruto and stop goggling at Sasuke and I need to get up on time so Sasuke can't moan at me" Kari said simply. The Hokage laughed, his wrinkles deepening.

"Ah it's good to see you're fitting in nicely! And even better to see Naruto with such a good friendship, he's full of joy these days. The way Kakashi explains your relationship it's seems you're everything to him. Keep up the good work!" the Hokage praised.

"Course! I'm working on Hinata-chan and Sasuke too, Hinata's the sweetest thing and Sasuke's stubborn. But they're making progress." Kari said happily.

"Ah, Hyuuga Hinata? She is indeed very shy. It seems you're good at making people happy, as Kakashi said; 'It seems to be her gift to make others smile'."

"Kashi said that?" Kari asked surprised, her ears twitching as she tilted her head.

"Kashi? Oh you mean Kakashi, yes he did indeed. He seemed very fond of you and I had to scold him for favouritism. How are you coping with your new… features. You're not receiving any trouble are you?" the Hokage asked, his eyes focusing on her ears.

"Just a few funny looks, Naruto just tells me to ignore them, or sing and confuse them" Kari replied with a slight giggle. The Hokage nodded in approval. He opened a draw and took something out.

"Here, it would probably be best if you covered them in the exams." Kari accepted his gift, wondering why the Hokage just gave her a thick silk ribbon. "As Hokage you are allowed some luxuries, I sometimes use fabric instead of bandages for comfort. Anyway, I'm glad you're making a difference for the better and I hope you continue doing what you do. It would be nice to hear you sing sometime, music can be very soothing" he gestured to his paperwork.

"Oh no, no! I can't sing to save my life!" Kari said, waving the idea away with a flick of her hand.

"Can too Okaa-san! We hear you in the shower or when you're listening to music!" Kita cried. Kari stiffened, her face taking on a crimson tone. We? 'We' did not include Sasuke… right?

"Either way, it would be nice to hear in the future. A ninja can't go back on their word!" the Hokage said with a smile. Kari stared at him; she didn't say anything like that! Did she? "Well, I have an awful lot of paperwork to do. As lovely as your company is, it needs to be done before the chunin exams. I wish you good luck by the way, make me and Konoha proud!" Kari grinned and Kita nodded, both tails swaying happily. They turned and headed for the door. "Feel free to come by anytime, I'll always be here to help you okay? Any problems, any worries, come to me." Kari smiled at him, thinking about how he was just a funny old grandfather figure.

"Hai Hokage-sama! Ja ne!" Kari called back with a wave.

"Kari-chan."

"EEEK! W—Eh? Kashi?" Kari spun round to come face to, well vest; he was a lot taller than her, with Kakashi. "What were you doing sneaking up on me?" Kari accused. Kakashi chuckled, turning a page of his orange book.

"I need to take Kita off your hands and write a separate form on behalf of her. I'm going to get the Inuzuka vet to give her a check over too. Don't worry you'll have her back in the morning." With that, her cold hearted sensei stole Kita from her arms. "The others are already at Naruto's by the way, they're waiting for you" Kari got a last glimpse of Kita's white furry face and puzzled ice blue eyes before she disappeared with her kidnapper in a cloud of smoke.

"Kari-chan there you are!" Naruto cried, opening his door wide. Sasuke was leaning against the wall in his typical cool-guy pose and Sakura was sitting on the bed. Naruto greeted her with a huge bear hug and shoved her inside before slamming the door. Kari took a seat next to Sakura.

"Where've you been" Sasuke demanded. He looked round at her seemingly in a grumpy mood. He never was one to be patient. He sat on the other side of her. "Where's the wolf?" Kari glared at him fiercely. "Where's Kita?" Sasuke corrected himself.

"Kashi took her awaaaay…" Kari whined, her heart throbbing with loneliness. Her baby had been stolen, kidnapped! Sasuke tapped her on the back of the head as punishment.

"Pull yourself together; she's not going to stay a baby forever" Sasuke said boredly. Kari looked at him in horror. She couldn't think of her baby growing up and going into the big wide world! No, no, no! Seeing the look on Kari's face Sasuke looked away feeling a slight stir of miniscule guilt and Naruto leapt away from the TV and into action.

"Oi teme! You leave Kari-chan and Kita-chan alone or else!" Naruto threatened, pointing at Sasuke and glaring down at him, seeing as Sasuke was sitting. Feeling superior, Naruto stretched to his full, under average height, so he could look more down his nose at his rival. It was nice to do it, instead of having it being done to him for a change. "And move it, I want to sit next to Kari-chan!"

"Hn" Sasuke replied. Folding his arms and ignoring Naruto's request. Kari decided to take matters into her own hands and jumped over Sasuke and shoved him sideways so Naruto could fit on her other side. Sasuke glared his eyes out, furious that he was now seated beside Sakura, but Kari ignored him, waiting for the beginning of the film.

It was the weirdest film she had ever seen.

It didn't have a particular genre; it was scary, funny, romantic, disgusting, weird, sad and action/adventure-ish. She didn't particularly understand it and Sasuke just stared at her like she was an idiot half the time. They all (excluding Sasuke) screamed when a random gruesome face popped up on the screen and clutched each other for dear life (Sasuke was being held, he didn't grab the nearest person). They all laughed (excluding Sasuke) when the idiot fell into a lake (Sakura got embarrassed at Sasuke's irritated look and tried to cover it up, but failed miserably), then Naruto and Sakura screamed and clutched the nearest person (Sakura grabbed Sasuke, Naruto grabbed Kari) when zombies dragged him under the water and ate the guy (Sasuke wasn't phased and Kari had expected it). They all (excluding Sasuke) sniffled and let out a few tears when the boyfriend saved his love by sacrificing himself and she was screaming for him. They all cringed when a guys eyes fell out (Sasuke only did a little cringe but didn't shout 'EWW!' or 'UGHH!' at the top of his voice). The movie was also long, a whole three hours long.

"So, what do ya wanna watch now?" Naruto asked, looking round at Kari. She smiled and shrugged, the long time spent sitting still in the dark making her feel quite drowsy.

"We are not watching another stupid movie" Sasuke growled, shooting Naruto the strongest glare he could muster. His arm had never felt so dead after three hours of Sakura's persistent hold. She had tried to slide her arm across his stomach and rest her head on his shoulder, pfft. Dream on. One look was all it took to scare her off. He almost activated his Sharingan to shock her into leaving him alone. But that was for a far more important event than getting rid of hormonal little girls.

"A game then?" Naruto asked, tilting his head to the side. He and Kari did rub off on each other. Kari practically oozed confidence with him, while he fell victim to her wishes with one look into those bright eyes of hers. He was a little more thoughtful, a little less argumentative, the slightest bit calmer. Of course, the change was miniscule, Naruto would always be Naruto. He smiled that dorky grin a hell of a lot more though.

"Ooh yeah! Like spin the bottle, Truth or Dare, Twenty Questions!" Sakura cried. Kari raised an eyebrow. Wasn't she a little young to want to play such games? She was only twelve. Of course, nearing fifteen mentally (though trapped in a twelve year old ninja body) Kari knew she had played such games before, though couldn't recall a whole lot about it. Meh, she was probably drunk.

"We'll just go round in a circle, ask a person a question or dare them to do something, then once that person has done it, they can dare or question someone of their choice" Kari said matter-of-factly.

"Oooh! Me first!" Naruto cried as he and Sakura shifted slightly so they could all see each other. "Sakura-chan, who do you like more, me or Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

"Sasuke-kun" Sakura replied without hesitation, Naruto looked slightly put out and Sasuke's expression didn't change. "Sasuke-kun, who do you prefer out of us three?"

"Hn" Sasuke had to bite his tongue to avoid saying he hated all of them. He appreciated Kakashi's skill, but it was out of the genin and he wasn't included. Naruto was a loud idiot, Sakura was annoying and clingy and Kari was… well Kari. "I don't care."

"That doesn't count teme!" Naruto cried indignantly.

"Fine. Kari seems to be the most talented out of you so I'll go with her" Sakura looked heartbroken, Naruto gaped and Kari gave him a scolding look. "Kari, same question to you."

"Naruto!" she cried instantly, making Naruto beam in delight. "I feel closest to him, I can trust him and he gives me confidence. And he never gives up and I admire that" she grinned, remembering Hinata admitting that. They'd better end up together somehow. "Right then, Naruto. Who is the most attractive genin in Konoha" Kari asked. She knew it was unlikely, but if he said Hinata she sweared to kami, she would grab Sasuke and kiss him! (She truly did want Hinata and Naruto to be in love that much.)

"Ehh? Well! It's between you and Sakura-chan!" Naruto cried as crimson flushed his cheeks. "You're both super pretty in your own ways! Sasuke-teme, are you seriously gay?" Kari snorted and dissolved into fits of hysterical giggles, Sakura shouted Naruto's name in disbelief and Sasuke's eye twitched.

"No, I am not gay" he growled. "Naruto I dare you to kiss Sakura and prove YOU're not gay" Sasuke said scathingly.

"Ehh?!" Sakura screeched. Naruto leaned forward to do the deed but was stopped by a punch in the face throwing him off the bed. "No way! Naruto kisses like a fish! Sasuke-kun you should know that better than—"

"Ne?! Sasuke you kissed Naruto?!" Kari shrieked, pointing at her raven haired team-mate. Sasuke's cheeks flushed and he clenched his teeth.

"Sasuke tell her what happened, she'll want to know" Naruto said, returning to his part of the bed.

"It was a stupid accident. Naruto was crouching on my desk glaring at me. Guy in front knocked him. His mouth hit mine." Sasuke grumbled, his eyes closed trying to rid himself of the memory.

"Betcha liked that eh?" Kari said, grinning slyly as she nudged him in the side with her elbow, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"What the hell do you think?" Sasuke growled, looking at her in disgust. "Kiss him for yourself and find out!" Kari saluted lazily, turned to Naruto, and planted a light kiss on his lips.

Silence.

"Whaaaaaaat?" Kari asked after a good couple minutes of silence. Naruto's face was a beacon of red light, Sakura's jaw was dropped and Sasuke was staring at her with wide disbelieving eyes.

"I didn't mean it" Sasuke said. Kari grinned and rubbed the back of her head awkwardly.

"Well… Naruto have you ever had a relationship with a girl?" Kari asked, she was slightly alarmed at his tomato skin tone, but tried to ignore it.

"No" he said in an unnaturally high pitched voice. Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"She just a girl Naruto, get over it. Be glad she didn't insult you" Sasuke said, crossing his arms in boredom.

"Hey! There's nothing wrong with my kissing! You haven't had any girlfriends either! Kari-chan I'm a better kisser than him aren't I?!" Naruto whined, turning to his best friend, his eyes pleading for her agreement.

"I'm not a whore Naruto, I've never kissed Sasuke" Kari said simply, feeling her cheeks burn. She noticed Sakura breathe a sigh of relief. Kari grinned wickedly, planning her next dare in her mind. Sasuke and Sakura sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

"It'd be wrong to ask you to kiss that thing" Naruto agreed, nodding towards Sasuke. Kari let out the breath she'd unknowingly been holding. Thank goodness. She thought she might have to—"Sasuke-teme! Kiss Kari-chan so I can prove I kiss better than you!"

"Wha?!"

"Nani?!"

"WHAAAAAT?!"

Uchiha's were known for their pride. They never backed down from a challenge. But this was just stupid. Sasuke was being asked to kiss someone he regarded as a friend at most. Yes, she was more attractive than Sakura (to him). Yes, he would rather kiss her than any other member of his team. But she was annoying. Seriously, Sasuke would either lose his pride or his dignity. What meant most?

Damn Uchiha pride.

So Sasuke grumpily did what he was told. His hand grabbed a fistful of golden hair at the back of her head, pulled her towards him and crashed his lips against hers. He could feel her heartbeat jolt from shock against his chest and subconsciously memorised the texture and taste. Her skin was like fine silk, soft and smooth. Her face held the warmth her hands lacked, enhanced by the blood rushing to her face in a heated blush. She tasted like a sweet fruit of some sort, strawberries? And she smelled sort of like fresh air.

He pulled away, mentally cursing everything that could have possibly made him do that, mainly Naruto. Close up, he could see her eyes discreetly fading into each colour they held; from a bluey-green to a more intense blue to a silver of sorts, then to a mixture of the three. Her cheeks were flushed and her bangs gracefully fell over her forehead and curved around her face. What on earth persuaded him to do that?

Thud.

"Sakura-chan? Eh Sakura-chan?!" Naruto cried, shaking an unconscious kunoichi. Sasuke, realising his hand was still tangled in her golden locks, let go and took his hand back, her silky hair sliding through his fingers like water.

"Naruto" Kari said weakly. Dropping Sakura immediately, the Kyuubi-boy turned to face his friend in need. "Slap me." To Sasuke's surprise, Naruto gave her a light slap, though it echoed quite painfully. She took a deep breath and rubbed her red cheek. "I needed that…"

"Maybe we should go to bed. I think Sakura-chan's tired" Naruto said, plopping Sakura down beside Sasuke. "Wouldn't want her to think I'd been naughty" Naruto said with a snigger and an impish grin. He layed down beside Kari and pulled her into his arms. Within a minute he was sleeping like a log.

Sasuke too lay down; his head resting on one of Naruto's many (flat) pillows. Not wanting to face an unconscious Sakura, he focused on the back of Kari's head, prepared to roll over should she turn to face him.

Well, he thought. That was strange.