Chapter 34 Sudden Uncertainty

Sakura's eyes twitched at the bright light that penetrated through her closed lids. She soon gave in and finally opened her heavy lids to the world around her.

'What time is it?' She wondered as she pulled her heavy head up, and yawned, while stretching her back and neck, until she felt a thick material fall down her back.

She turned her head in confusion, only to see the blanket from the other day resting at her lower back and she grinned, 'Naruto must have woke up again in the middle of the night while I was finally settled.' Her mind thought.

Sakura then looked up at the clock on the wall, reading just after nine in the morning. Her gaze then fell on the blond and she couldn't resist the chuckle at Naruto's state. He was almost leaning off the other side of the bed from where her head was resting, and he appeared to be curved up around something.

'I was only joking when I said that baka!' She scolded in amusement. Her eyes soon noticed the strange object Naruto was almost hugging appeared to be one of his pillows.

Sakura stood up and stretched once again, getting out all the kinks in her back and neck, then got a better view of Naruto's sleeping face. Without his forehead protector, his eyes were almost covered from his many loose spiky bangs, but Sakura could still make out his closed lids. Naruto's mouth was slightly agape, with a little line of drool that could be seen staining his white pillow.

Sakura shook her head, 'He was so unbelievably mature and supportive the other day...yet now he looks so much like a child.' Sakura let out a chuckle then looked at his damaged forehead protector and nodded to herself to what she would do, but she wanted to check something first. She walked around to the other side of the bed and lightly shook Naruto.

"Naruto?" She asked quietly, only to hear Naruto give a muffled murmur of a response, until his face formed a strange smile as he held his pillow closer like as if he was giving a loving hug. Sakura giggled at his antics.

'Hehe, he is so cute sometimes.'

"Naruto?" She tried again a little louder.

Naruto seemed to fidget, before opening his eyes, although sleep was still clearly seen in his blue eyes, "Mm?" he moaned, but soon shook his head, sending his bangs flickering clear from his eyes.

"Sakura-chan? Are you feeling sick again?" He asked in concern, with sleep amazingly gone from his eyes and voice. Sakura smiled and shook her head while remembering how she felt sick again later in the night, and Naruto once again was up to help her, and even got her another fresh hot drink.

"No, I am feeling much better." Naruto mouthed an 'oh' and grinned. Sakura stood up to give him some space while looking out at the morning sun.

"Anyway, good morning." She said only to be met with no response.

"Naru-..."Naruto seemed to have drifted off again into a sleep.

Sakura's eyes twitched, "Wow... 'I'm a ninja Sakura-chan, It would be embarrassing if I didn't hear you come in now wouldn't it'...you are so full of crap Naruto!" She said at near normal volume mockingly, although it didn't even make the sleeping blond stir.

Sakura put a finger to her chin in thought and grew a sadistic smirk.

'Oh, that will get him up.' Sakura thought in amusement while she cleared her throat.

"Naruto!" She hissed in the semi demonic voice she knew worked well.

The result was Naruto's eyes shooting open in panic and turning around to look for somebody in slight traces of fear, while he was clutching his pillow tightly and whimpered, "Y-Yes Sakura-chan!?"

Sakura's giggle caused him to look ahead to see her apologetic smile, "Good morning Naruto" She said cheerfully. Naruto blinked in confusion a couple of times, but soon rested his head again when he knew he wasn't in danger.

"Good morning Sakura-chan, how are you feeling, and did you sleep well?" he said, with less traces of tiredness in his voice towards the end.

Sakura shook her head slowly but didn't drop her smile, "You didn't even realise I woke you up a minute ago did you?"

Naruto blinked blankly and she sighed choosing to pretend it never happened, "I am feeling much better now, and surprisingly I slept very well, and yourself?"

Naruto gave a smile, "Yeah, I feel awesome..." Naruto slurred as drowsiness was soon returning.

Sakura quickly intervened this time to stop him from returning to his slumber, by shaking him violently in a blur as if he was a ragdoll.

"Sorry, but I'm not letting you go back to sleep just yet."

"W-W-Wha-what d-d-" Sakura stopped her violent shaking to see Naruto's eyes and head spinning.

"What do...you need from me...Sakura-chan?" He staggered out while his head was still rotating, making Sakura feel dizzy herself.

"I am going to be heading out to the market for a little while, but before I go I want to check your wound if you don't mind." Naruto finally recovered and held his head in between his hands while sitting up, although his eyes were still going back and forth.

"Ok Sakura-chan."

Sakura rested her glowing palm against his shirt and narrowed her eyes in puzzlement, '...Wait a minute...'

"Shirt off."

That seemed to have made Naruto recover pretty quick as pure confusion was across his face, "H-Huh?"

"I said shirt off." She instructed in her medical professional tone. Naruto nodded and peeled off his shirt, revealing his bandaging and Tsunade's necklace that clunked against his chest. Sakura began unwrapping the bandaging, while her mind was wondering still in puzzlement.

'I don't understand...'

Once the bandaging was removed, Sakura's eyes widened when her suspicions were confirmed...there no longer was any trace of the scar from where Naruto had been stabbed. Sakura rested her palm against his solid, warm and tanned chest, and rubbed around with her thumb over the area as if in disbelief.

'I don't believe it! There is not even a scar!' She thought in amazement, as her thumb traced across the solid and smooth surface, not aware it was now starting to cause Naruto's cheeks to flare.

Sakura voiced her astonishment, "Amazing...the Kyuubi has healed the entry-"

Sakura came in close and looked over his shoulder to see his back, not seeming to hear Naruto's small cry in surprise once pulling back, "-And exit wound completely...internally your lung is still heavily damaged but..."

Sakura shook her head still in disbelief, as she looked up to meet his flushed features. "The Kyuubi's regeneration is truly amazing."

Naruto tried to settle, although Sakura's still resting hand on his bare chest wasn't exactly helping, "Hehe...I-I guess the Kyuubi has its uses then." He muttered half heartedly.

Sakura then raised an eyebrow at Naruto's features, and was beginning to wonder why Naruto's heart was pounding faster underneath her feel, but before she could ask why he was so unsettled, he asked in a rush.

"So how much longer until I am fully recovered Sakura-chan?" Sakura blinked and pulled away her hand, allowing him to put his shirt on while she responded.

"It will probably be fully healed in maybe...half a week's time, as long as you are careful."

Naruto nodded half heartedly, while still trying to calm himself from before.

Sakura raised eyebrow in confusion still held, "Is something wrong Naruto?" She asked in light concern, only to be rewarded by his flushed cheeks as he gave a strange attempt at grinning.

"N-No, nothing is wrong Sakura-chan!"

Sakura wasn't convinced, "Are you sure? You seem quite unsettled." Naruto chuckled nervously as he scratched his head frantically.

'Not good, not good!'

"Hehe, I'm perfectly fine Sakura-chan."

"Naruto, you arguably put my hair to shame, now what is going o-"

Sakura reran everything that had happened from when she woke him up, to checking his injury and she soon realised the cause and grew a minor flush herself, but wasn't overreacting.

"Oh grow up Naruto you baka!" She said in a huff while crossing her arms and glaring at the tomato faced Naruto, who was nervously scratching the back of his head.

"Hehehe...sorry."

Sakura face palmed and gave a chuckle while her one visible emerald eye was baring into his eyes with amusement.

"What the hell am I going to do with you?" She whispered under her breath while looking at the still embarrassed Naruto, who was giving a traditional teeth baring smile while still scratching his head as if he had lice.

"W-Well, there is always a umm... a date?"

Sakura shook her head at his antics, as if she expected him to answer her rhetorical question, "Oh well...at least you didn't try and pull a sly comment off like Ero-sennin did."

Naruto's expression turned blank, "Huh? What do you...huh?!"

'WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO SAKURA-CHAN ERO-SENNIN?!'

Sakura sighed and explained without much thought, "I looked at his injury earlier...too..." She trailed off towards the end dropping her humour as Naruto's blanked features formed to a cringe.

"Oh..."

'Great I just had to bring that up. Excellent work Sakura!' Sakura inwardly cursed herself while deciding to try and change the topic.

"I will let somebody know where I am in case something happens, and I will be back soon...in the mean time, go back to sleep ok?" She instructed, while tucking him in as if he was any other patient. Naruto's didn't show any enthusiasm as he mumbled an stale 'ok' and rested his head on his pillows.

'I caused this, I am fixing it.'

"Want to talk about it?" She said softly. Naruto seemed to not respond for a few moments, but he soon sat up without a reply, while Sakura assumed 'yes' sat on the side of the bed.

"...I don't even remember what happened at all, just the destruction afterwards." He admitted in a monotone manner while looking at nothing in particular.

"All I remember...is Ero-sennin looking really hurt and said in shock 'Naruto, you don't remember anything?'....All I saw was blood, but he wouldn't let me see what was wrong until he slipped up at the next hot spring...then it clicked." Naruto winced in memory of the horrific vein like crater left on Jiraiya.

"....Was there anything you could do?" He asked in hope.

Sakura shook her head, resulting in him closing his eyes as if in pain, "No...There was nothing I could do."

Naruto eventually opened his dull eyes, "I thought so..."

"How long ago did this happen Naruto?"

Naruto looked up into her emerald eyes with his own dull expression, "Around a year ago."

Sakura nodded her head and couldn't help but wonder, "Why did you continue your training with learning how to control the Kyuubi after that Naruto?" She asked softly.

Naruto gritted his teeth while his hands clenched into his sheets, "Ero-sennin was persistent with it, but more importantly, I hoped that maybe by training to use the Kyuubi more, I wouldn't lose control like that again...but as I can see, regardless what I once believed, that never happened." He casted an eye to Sakura's covered arm, as if the injury was still there.

Sakura unconsciously hid her arm from clear sight in growing worry, 'He is going backwards, I need to do something!'

"Look at me." Naruto reluctantly tilted his head up to see her shaking her head as if to say 'don't think like this'.

"That's changed now. You aren't going to use the Kyuubi anymore."

Naruto nodded, although Sakura could see uncertainty, "What is it?"

Naruto shrugged dismissively, "Nothing." He mumbled, causing Sakura repeat now more strongly.

"Naruto...tell me."

Naruto gritted his teeth at her concerned filled order and gave in, revealing an expression that Sakura thought wasn't purely possible on Naruto's face.

Fear.

"...What if I lose control again?"

'Oh no, he really is looking at this the wrong way!'

"What if what happened to Gaara happens to me?"

"It won't Naruto."

"But what i-GAH!"

Naruto cried out while his upper jaw was slammed shut from the force of Sakura's meteor like colliding fist.

"Unlike how Gaara once was Naruto, you have me, Shikamaru, Lee-san, and everyone else in Konoha..." She then pointed a dagger like finger towards Naruto, that penetrated into his chest like a firm spear.

"And YOU! Are the reason Gaara is where he is now Naruto. I just know it, when we get to Suna you can ask him yourself. You have a gift to change people, you are the reason why Gaara is now Kazekage."

Naruto was about to mutter a response but Sakura didn't let him, "Now stop worrying, the Kyuubi will only get the better of you if you let it. I know you know that, but you seemed to have forgotten, hopefully that lump on your head now fixed that. The Yondaime trusted you with the Kyuubi, I am sure he had his reasons as to why he chose you instead of anybody else. By even doubting yourself Naruto, you doubting the man that entrusted you to keep Konoha safe from the Kyuubi, don't let him down!"

Naruto was stunned by Sakura's speech, but eventually wiped his down demeanour off with a grand smile, "I guess I better not make the Yondaime regret who he entrusted the Kyuubi with then."

Sakura smirked, "Damn right you better, or I will personally kill you myself...and how's your head?"

"What's your sisters name Sakura-cha-OW!"

"Now tell me if you are seeing double vision you drama queen." Sakura laughed while tucking him in a second time and ruffling his hair teasingly.

"Now sleep you baka!" She commanded.

Naruto grinned while sleep was returning, "Alright Sakura-chan....and thank you..."

Sakura shook her head, "You have nothing to thank me for...idiot." Naruto never heard the response as he was already back to sleep.

'I thought we were finally moving on with his fear with the Kyuubi. First he was afraid about all of us knowing, now he was worried about losing it...that baka, he has nothing to be afraid of.' Sakura mused while watching the sleeping Naruto.

Sakura was pulled out of her thoughts, when she smelt sake in the air, and turned to its source.

"What do you want?" She said bluntly while looking at the 'intruder'.

"What? Cant a legendary sannin check on his gaki?" Jiraiya replied bitterly.

'Seriously, how did this woman go from respecting me to downright hating me in a week? What did I do?!'

"Of course you can, but a 'legendary sannin checking on his gaki' after DRINKING is the problem." Jiraiya shrugged and knew instantly how to win this argument.

"Tsunade isn't any different."

Sakura was forced to bite her tongue, knowing that she had no counter to that. Jiraiya then raised an eyebrow when he realised what she was wearing, and also took note of the pillow at Naruto's side while looking back and forth between the two as if they were connected. Sakura could see all sorts of plotting brewing behind his onyx eyes.

"More importantly...what exactly are YOU doing here?" Jiraiya asked, growing a wide smirk.

Sakura folded her arms suddenly feeling exposed, "Naruto insisted I spend the night here, which I did."

"Oh? That was very kind of you to accept Naruto's offer."

'I am SO writing this down when I am out of here!' Sakura raised an eyebrow in puzzlement to what Jiraiya was getting at with his suggestive tone.

"I was sick from the after effects of the pills, which is why he persisted in me staying here...he was worried, and it didn't seem he was going to give up...so I stayed."

'Taking care of a sick woman...OHH YOU'RE ON FIRE GAKI!'

"I see...I trust he took very good care of you?"

'That's none of your business!'

"Yes, I doubt I could have been treated any better."

"Were you feeling cold last night?"

"Yes...so he offered me his gown..." She rubbed the collar for emphasis, while going with her minds warning to not tell Jiraiya about Naruto offering her the bed twice.

'She is hiding something.' Jiraiya's mind perked in curiosity, while he continued his rifling for information, changing tactics.

"Were there any...incidents?" Sakura eye twitched at just how strange that question rolled off Jiraiya's tongue while feeling that the question had something else woven deep within it.

"I was feeling very nauseas a couple of times during the night, he was there for me..."

'Hehehe, so she really is naive indeed.' Jiraiya mused in amusement.

"I hope you showed him some gratitude, for his hospitality, no?"

Sakura felt her body practically yell at her to not answer, but she did anyway.

"Of course I thanked him more times than I could count last night." She hissed while a vein came close to snapping on her forehead.

'I don't know what game your trying to play Ero-sennin, but it ends now.'

"Now what the hell are you getting at with these stupid questions!?"

Jiraiya twiddled his thumbs feigning ignorance, "Nothing really." he chirped, causing Sakura to grit her teeth before looking away huffing out her anger in a growl like groan.

'I swear to god, what the hell was he really asking me?!' Sakura thought in frustration, while thinking deeper on all the questions she was asked. Jiraiya's footsteps pulled her out of her thoughts as he saw his expression become more serious.

"I heard your little discussion."

Sakura double checked that Naruto was actually asleep this time, before turning back, "...It's not like him to show fear about that. When he told me he wasn't using the Kyuubi's power again, he sounded very confident and definite. I wonder what made him suddenly worry so foolishly like that."

Jiraiya shrugged, "We are all human that have our moments of weakness, even him, although the stubborn gaki can sure take a mental beating for his self confidence to numb." Sakura slowly nodded in acceptance, but turned in interest to Jiraiya's chuckle.

"But it's great to see he knows he has people there to catch him when he falls...maybe I should trying knocking his head in when words don't seem to get through to him...I probably would cause brain damage with the amount of times though."

Sakura couldn't resist the warming smile while watching the peacefully sleeping Naruto again, '...The way she looks at him...The gaki's little stunt did more than just open up her guilt...I wonder if she has even realised it herself yet.' Jiraiya wondered as he watched Sakura at the corner of his eye.

"So how is he doing anyway?"

Sakura waited a few moments before responding, "He is doing great. His injury is already healing amazingly fast. I can estimate in maybe half a week's time, He should make a full recovery by then."

Sakura spoke happily, "How about yourself?"

Sakura's smile widened without looking away, "Never better." Jiraiya could only guess why she was in a cheerful mood.

"You apologised?" Sakura shook her head in remembrance to what he said to her last night.

"No...He wouldn't let me."

Jiraiya chuckled, "I knew that was going to be the case."

Sasuke rubbed the spot where Sakura's fist had made contact and winced although he felt no pain.

"So to conclude Sasuke-kun, because you failed in killing Naruto-kun, Ronan has abandoned you and decided to go after Naruto-kun himself. If he succeeds in his plan, then you will not gain the power you desire...that is unless you suddenly took a liking to Sakura-chan from her 'greeting'." Orochimaru snickered sadistically, not caring that Sasuke could have been killed in that encounter.

Sasuke glared but just responded with an agitated 'hn'. Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, waiting for Sasuke to say anything else.

Sasuke in return did not disappoint, "While not having his tutorage on the sharingan will be a hurdle, he taught me all the basics, I will be able to use them as a stepping stone to improve in my doujutsu." Sasuke said without a trace of worry.

Orochimaru responded with dark laughter,"As I would have expected from you Sasuke-kun, I am sure Kabuto will help you learn a few advanced genjutsu's that he is familiar with." Kabuto in response lifted up his glasses, but didn't say anything.

Sasuke eyes seemed to flicker with an emotion Orochimaru didn't catch, but Sasuke voiced his thoughts aloud.

"Has Naruto made a full recovery yet?"

Kabuto then spoke up from his position at the doorway, "Our spies have reported that Naruto-kun seems to have survived thanks to Sakura-chan. It also appears that Lee-kun was also severely injured as well, but he already has made a complete recovery. Other than that, nobody else other than Naruto-kun was left seriously injured in their fight. Although Orochimaru-sama did mention that Sakura-chan got badly cut when she stopped Naruto-kun's attack...she also broke her hand when she knocked you out."

Kabuto felt the killer intent radiating off Sasuke at the mention of 'knocked you out'.

"Is it that hard to believe that somebody actually can make some degree of improvement Sasuke-kun?" Orochimaru said flatly in annoyance as he gladly returned the glare Sasuke gave him.

"Your arrogance was the only reason Sakura-chan landed a hit on you...but because of that one single punch, you failed in your task. You have nobody to blame for it other than yourself." Orochimaru hissed as he scolded his apprentice.

'Let's see if you will admit the other reason Sasuke-kun...'

Sasuke gave another annoyed 'Hn' as he broke from the glare, "I had no interest in Sakura, my only concern was Naruto...However if Sakura decides to get in my way again, I will not underestimate her abilities a second time." Orochimaru snickered at Sasuke's little 'promise' knowing that most likely was not going to be the result.

"So I suppose this means we are now going to consider Ronan-san and Thomas-san as enemies?"

Orochimaru turned to answer his right hand man, "Not if we don't have to Kabuto, they may have use later...if they are still alive that is." Orochimaru said with a smirk.

"We are moving out again?" Sasuke asked.

Orochimaru turned and now questioned his other thoughts, "You seemed very eager to kill Naruto-kun before Sasuke-kun...yet you suddenly hesitated at the last moment, care to explain why?"

Sasuke's brows furrowed and he said void of emotions, "Let's say, before Sakura's...attack, I finally remembered why I spared Naruto's life back then. When I had the opportunity, I chose not to be manipulated by following my brothers instructions, which was to gain the mangekyou sharingan." Orochimaru's eyes widened in interest at the tale.

"So Sasuke-kun, what made you see otherwise earlier then...and why are you now once again reconsidering?"

Sasuke showed no emotional change as he said almost mockingly to his sensei, "You did see Ronan's arm I assume Orochimaru. Itachi's mangekyou sharingan has great power, power which I could have used to defeat him easier...but I will surpass and kill my brother my own way, without the Mangekyou Sharingan."

Sasuke then repeated, almost as if he was assuring himself if anything, "This is the only way for me to truly surpass Itachi, I am acting on my own beliefs now, not blindly following my brother's instructions."

Orochimaru inwardly laughed at the Uchiha's clashing words, 'That is one massive loop hole then Sasuke-kun...since you so 'willingly' came to me, kukukuku.' Orochimaru didn't voice his opinion though and narrowed his eyes at what Sasuke's words were implying.

"Being soft hearted on your opponents will lead to your downfall Sasuke-kun, a moment's hesitation is what put you into this coma in the first place. You must be brutal if you want to kill Itachi." Sasuke didn't show any change in expression at Orochimaru's scolding.

"Do not fear Orochimaru, When the moment comes when I see my brother, I will be more than brutal as I avenge my clan."

Orochimaru gave a cold chuckle, "I suggest you spend your time resting for now, then once that is done, you are to resume where Ronan left you off. "

Sasuke looked blankly at Orochimaru, but after a few moments decided to respond, "Fine by me then."

Sakura quickly got changed and proceeded to head for the stairs, but decided to satisfy her worry and partially opened Naruto's door to find he was still. She chuckled though when she saw he was still hugging his pillow.

'Awww' she mouthed out while casting a glance at the other presence. It was Jiraiya sitting in the chair, while he was writing in a notepad Sakura recognised as 'that' notepad.

'That guy...' Sakura shook her head and closed the door as quietly as she could. She then broke for the dining lounge to grab something to eat for breakfast. Her eyes widened in interest though when she saw the two 'guards' who were meant to be watching the roof, were sitting at a table.

Sakura couldn't resist the scowl forming when she spotted the shogi board, "So this is what you call 'keeping watch'...Kakashi-sensei I expect something like this from Shikamaru, but you?"

"Oh I kept watch 'Sakura-chan'." A voice said teasingly behind a now shocked Sakura who span around to meet two doppelgangers of Kakashi standing behind her, before 'poofing' out of existence. Sakura turned back to her now amused sensei and Shikamaru in confusion.

'Of course, Kakashi-sensei knows kage bunshin too...does that mean...' Her thoughts were answered when Kakashi spoke.

"No disturbances were at all spotted, however-"

Kakashi turned back and gave Shikamaru a U shaped eye smile, "-There was this extremely large cloud that covered the moon, giving off god rays over all of Wave...it was such a moving and emotional sight to behol-"

"Troublesome."

Sakura didn't listen to the conversation, 'So he does know about the knowledge they return to the user...I will have to tell Naruto about that.'

Shikamaru sighed, "We kept watch as much of a bother as it is. It's just that Kakashi decided to use his kage bunshin as lookout while we settled into a more 'serious' matter." Shikamaru said lazily while rolling his eyes. Sakura pulled herself out of her thoughts and nodded while she walked into the kitchen and came out with an apple in hand before glancing at the shogi board and blinked.

Sakura then grinned wide when her suspicions now was at last confirmed, "I knew something didn't add up Kakashi-sensei!" She beamed also noting he wasn't using the sharingan, but had Shikamaru in a tight situation.

Kakashi formed his U shaped smile, "I found it 'too troublesome' to take Shikamaru seriously, but now...it isn't so troublesome." He said in a mocking imitation of Shikamaru. Shikamaru ignored the tease and formed his seal while Sakura continued.

"But sensei...why did you use the sharingan for shogi of all things?"

Kakashi answered without thought, "I only used it to improve my stamina with the sharingan, as you recall what happens if I use it too much." Sakura went slightly agape in surprise, but nodded in understanding as Kakashi added.

"What other better and safer way is there to improve that other than a 'nice friendly game' of shogi, eh, Shikamaru-'kun'?" Kakashi announced in amusement as he looked at the still concentrating Shikamaru that muttered out 'troublesome'.

Sakura snickered, but got back to her point, "I am going to the market to do something sensei, if Naruto has any problems please come and get me from there. Ero-sennin- I mean, Jiraiya-sama, is currently with him at the moment... also please let me know how many times you beat him when I come back."

Sakura cheerfully added at the end as she made her way to the door, "No problem Sakura...oh and its three times and counting." Kakashi announced as Sakura left with a wide grin.

'I knew Kakashi-sensei wasn't an idiot.' She mused as she left the hotel with the sound of bells ringing behind her.

Back with the two at the shogi game though, Kakashi's lone eye narrowed, "That reminds me...Sakura told me she beat you in shogi." He said in deep suspicion.

Shikamaru shrugged under his gaze innocently, "What about it?"

"You let her win didn't you?" Kakashi cut to the chase flatly. Shikamaru ran a hand through his head and shrugged uncaringly.

"Maybe."

Kakashi's eye narrowed to a slit and Shikamaru continued, "As I have discovered from my troublesome mother, women do not like to lose. If they lose they will nag you till the end of the earth for a rematch until they finally win...which is why I let Sakura win."

'How on earth Temari saw that, I will never know.' He finished his statement to himself, as Kakashi snickered at Shikamaru's 'excuse'.

"So you are saying you deliberately dragged out the game for two and a half hours...just so she could win?" He growled in disgust.

Shikamaru shrugged again, "It was either two and a half hours, or the rest of my life...I will more than happily admit though she is quite tactful."

'Oh, you will pay for treating my student like a fool Shikamaru.'

"Check!" Kakashi hissed.

Back with Sakura, she walked casually down the street greeting a few of the villagers of Wave as she made her way to the market. Although most of them came and greeted her instead, this made her hold a soft smile across her face as she continued her journey. Sakura's eye caught a glimpse of a familiar store that she entered with Tazuna for vegetables back on her mission here. Sakura remembered how they had next to little selection beforehand, but now the place had extended to double in size, and was full with fruits and vegetables of all kinds that looked delicious and fresh.

'They really have changed so much.' Sakura mused in silent happiness as she finally came across the store she was looking for, the shinobi equipment store. Even though Wave didn't have a shinobi force, it was still good business for stocking in items that shinobi used.

The moment Sakura entered the store, she was greeted by two wide smiles from the shop keeper and an assistant she assumed was the elderly mans daughter.

"Good morning Sakura-sama! How may we be of assistance to you this fine morning?" The shopkeeper beamed while his daughter held a wide smile. Sakura blushed in embarrassment at the unexpectedly warm greeting.

'My god, they praise me more than the nurses do in Konoha!' her mind shouted in surprise.

"Please, Just Sakura is fine." She muttered waving off her embarrassment as she approached the counter to the nodding pair

"I was wondering if you stocked custom forehead protector bands?" She asked, and grinned when the shopkeeper nodded.

"What colour are you after?" The girl asked while walking around the counter and ushering Sakura to follow her lead down the back of the shop.

Sakura then took more notice of the girl. She couldn't be older than twelve, and had blond hair that was tied back in a pony tail, and she had violet eyes and held a grand smile across her face.

"Black." Sakura said happily to the younger girl as she was lead to a doorway.

The girl turned and faced Sakura, "How long do you need it Sakura-sama." The girl chirped.

Sakura didn't bother trying to say 'just Sakura' since she knew it was futile, "It is not for me, it is for a friend." Sakura said softly as she reached into her weapons pouch and pulled out Naruto's folded and damaged forehead protector.

Sakura passed it to the girl as she looked at the length and nodded her head in understanding.

"I will be roughly five minutes Sakura-sama! Please look around and see if there is anything you need." Sakura nodded and thanked the girl, as she disappeared behind the door.

Sakura walked around the store and looked at the large selection of ninja tools. It was quite an impressive selection which varied from weapons, to equipment. Sakura picked up a kunai that was presented on a wall and gripped it.

"Each one of our weapons passes through a shinobi to ensure they are suited for their task." The elderly man said as he approached Sakura from behind with a smile. Sakura turned and nodded as she now had a better look at the man.

He was probably in his late thirties with short brown hair and had soft gray eyes. He was roughly a head taller than her.

Sakura responded with a smile, "I can tell, each one of these must have been created with a great degree of hard work." The man chuckled while scratching his cheek.

"I cannot take the credit, but I will pass the message along to my black smith." Sakura placed the weapon back on display and continued her browsing. Sakura then noticed something that caught her eye, a pair of chakra adjustable weights, which were completely identical to her current pair.

Curiosity got the better of her and she approached them and looked at the price and her eyes widened in a mixture of horror and shock.

'Lee-san gave me these so carefree when they cost THIS much!' Sakura mused in shock, while unconsciously feeling the weights at her legs with her feet to double check she hadn't misplaced them.

"Chakra adjustable weights are so expensive hey?" The man said, eyeing the pair Sakura already was wearing.

Sakura nodded dumbly, "I-I had a rough idea how much these were worth...but I didn't know they were so expensive." Sakura quickly span around and waved her arms in alarm.

"N-Not to mean I have seen them any cheaper! I just-" The man laughed at her panicked form and waved a dismissive hand.

"I'll be honest with you, I only just make a profit when selling over ten sets of them. The seal master seems to enjoy his little niche of a product." Sakura just nodded dumbly, since she didn't want to embarrass herself any further.

"You didn't purchase your current set?" Sakura shook her head.

"A friend gave them to me, if I really knew they were worth so much I would have payed him before I left Konoha." She looked at the lone pair and almost sulked in disappointment.

'And I was thinking I could buy another pair while I was here...like I even want to carry that much money around with me.'

The trader seemed to have read her mind, "You can have them if you wish on the house."

Sakura snapped around wide eyed and choked, "S-Sir, I cannot accept that!" She staggered out, only to receive the man's reassuring smile.

"I will just put it on the tab." The man shrugged dismissively, only Sakura shook her head furiously.

"The mission has ended, that would be unfair on Tazuna-san and yourself Sir, and after what you told me...I would feel like I am robbing you!"

"Edward." The man said plainly but still held his smile.

Sakura calmed down and repeated, "Thank you for the offer Edward-san, but that is too unfair to you." Sakura raised an eyebrow when the shopkeeper shook his head again.

"Nothing is unfair in our eyes for the people that saved us from Gato. We the people of Wave will always be in your team's debt." The man said strongly holding his smile. Sakura tried to speak but couldn't so the man said it again.

"Take them, it's the least we can do for giving our thanks Sakura-sama."

Sakura shook her head slowly, even if it was a gift for thanks to what team 7 did, she still was reluctant.

"Can I at least pay for half its val-"

"Nope." Sakura frowned but smiled softly when she realised she wasn't going to win this argument.

"Thank you Edward-san." She said softly as the man scratched his head in thought and shrugged.

"Actually, if you don't mind, can you please give my daughter your autograph? She is too shy to ask for it."

Sakura chuckled, "I would be more than happy to, but is there anything else I can do than just that?"

"As I said before, no, so go on and take them."

She nodded reluctantly and then turned back to the weights and hesitated as she reached for them. After a moment she took them and placed them on her wrists, and channelled them to match her leg weights and felt the strain of all four.

'Holy hell! And I only just decided to increase them to ten pounds this morning.' Sakura mused while attempting to walk, but found that if her posture wasn't dead straight, she would topple over like a statue. The shopkeeper laughed when she almost did.

"You may have to drop your current ones down a notch, since you are now carrying double the amount you are used to." He suggested.

Sakura nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I guess walking around with an extra forty pounds is a bit much."

Sakura dropped them to five pounds each, and accepted the strain.

'I will ask Lee-san later.' She concluded as the door near them opened and the girl came out and searched the store for Sakura. When the girl found Sakura and her father she walked up to them and presented the now completely fixed forehead protector.

"All done Sakura-sama!" She chirped.

Sakura smiled while feeling the new material, "Thank you very much, I am sure my friend will like it." Sakura then placed the folded forehead protector in her weapon pouch and pulled out her pink wallet.

"How mu-"

"On the house"

Sakura looked straight back at the shopkeeper and shook her head, she was not giving in this time, "Edward-san I already have robbed you of weights, I will feel better knowing I payed for something." The man gave up in the end and nodded and walked back to the counter as Sakura payed for Naruto's forehead protector.

Sakura turned to the girl and giggled when she saw the blush on her cheeks, "Would you like me to sign something?" Sakura suggested, causing the girl to blink in surprise and go agape.

"Y-Yes! Can I please have your auto graph Sakura-sama!" The girl stuttered out, causing Sakura to laugh softly.

"Of course you can." She replied cheerfully. The girl reached under the counter and pulled out a small book and opened it to a photo that made Sakura go wide eyed at the memory.

She never payed significant attention to what she was signing when she was being swamped in a blur by pens and papers on her first arrival. Now however with just the one item not literally swept in her face, she now became aware of where she was signing her name, and on what.

It was a picture of her and Naruto back from the times of Team 7. Once the situation had died down in Wave back then, Tazuna had convinced all of team 7 to take photos for memory of the mission. The entire team took a photo together, then individually, and then paired up. The shots were taken on the bridge itself, facing the exit to Wave. Sakura remembered this photo quite well, she didn't agree to it at all, and used the excuse that rang in her ears. 'I already had my picture with Sasuke-kun, why do I need a picture with Naruto?'

When she saw Naruto's shoulders slump, she changed her mind and dragged a shocked Naruto in front of the camera to take the picture. The result was both of them standing side by side with only centimetres apart from each other. Sakura had her arms behind her back casually, while giving a soft smile to the camera. Naruto was something else, even in a still image, it could clearly be seen how hyperactive and happy he was from what she did. Naruto held an impossibly large fox like smile, while giving the thumbs up to the camera with one hand, and playing with his forehead protector with the other. Naruto also held a pink hue across his whiskered cheeks.

Sakura chuckled at the photo, 'I really did overlook so many of the good times I had with Naruto back then..I guess Naruto was right.' She then noticed Naruto's messy signature was at the bottom and shook her head while muttering 'baka' aloud that the two in front of her heard.

'It's practically a smudge!' She couldn't argue though that his messy signature definitely suited his personality very well.

"You don't have the one of just me?" she asked simply, her smile still present.

The girl blushed and stuttered, "W-Well...you look quite cute together with Naruto-sama. Q-Quite a few of my friends share the same opinion." Sakura practically froze on the spot, her mouth agape and her eyes wide.

'Me and Na-Naruto...a-a-s a c-c-c-couple?!'

"Akahana, you have now embarrassed our customer." Edward scolded his daughter.

"O-Oh I am so sorry Sakura-sama, it was not my place to say that!" The girl stuttered out apologetically.

Sakura shook her head clear and gave a smile, "There's no need to apologise, that just...Hehe, caught me off guard." Sakura then accepted the pen she was handed and signed her own name underneath in the opposite style of Naruto's, hers being fine and immaculate. The girl took back the picture and looked at it in awe.

"Thank you Sakura-sama!" She beamed full of joy. Sakura returned the gesture and left the store and began making her return back the hotel.

'Me and Naruto?' Sakura replayed that thought in a loop as she walked back towards the hotel, paying minimal attention to where she was going through the busy streets.

'A long time ago...I would have gagged at the thought...' Sakura was pulled out of her thoughts, when she felt someone give a soft tug on the back of her vest.

Sakura turned in question but soon averted her gaze down and gasped in surprise as she met the familiar face of a blue eyed girl she gave lollies to back on her mission in Wave. The girls brown hair no longer was wildly messed up and dirty like it was back then, instead it was silky smooth and grew down to her back. The girls outfitting was the exact opposite from what Sakura's mind could recall since there were no longer traces of torn clothing. She was wearing a vibrant red top, along with a brown and blue patterned dress that reached to below her knees. Sakura also noted the slip on shoes she was wearing along with a fresh pair of clean socks.

The only thing that was lively about the girl back then was her bright blue eyes, Sakura unconsciously widened her soft grin to a large smile when she noted now the girl was full of joy and in good health.

"Deja vu?" Sakura said softly as she placed a hand on the girls shoulder and knelt down to her level.

"You have become so pretty now."

The girl blushed in response but said strongly while holding a book in front of her, "May I please have an autograph, Sakura-neechan?" Sakura laughed softly while patting her head.

"I would love to." She replied as the girl gasped in surprise and happiness as she opened her page to a picture of her and Sasuke.

Sakura could see even in the photograph, she was extremely excited at the thought of having a picture together with Sasuke, she was actually planning to use this photo against Ino when she returned to Konoha back then to claim Sasuke as hers. Sakura in the picture was practically bouncing with joy, with both her hands curled into fists in front of her face, which held a wide smile, along with a blush. Sasuke showed no such enthusiasm, as he had what could be passed as a smile, while having his hands jammed into his pockets like he always did.

Sakura couldn't understand why, but she didn't feel satisfied after signing her name there.

"Have you had Naruto sign your book too?" The girl nodded furiously and flicked to the page before, showing Naruto and herself again.

"May I sign there too?" Sakura asked with a smile. The girl at first held a surprised expression at Sakura's request, but then grew a smile and blushed.

"Do you like Naruto-Onii-san?"

'Do I?'

"N-No I don't! It will just be more...complete if I signed there, since Sasuke-kun isn't around to sign the other yet." Sakura stuttered out, trying to control her flush.

The girls smile widened and nodded in acceptance as Sakura signed her name again next to Naruto's.

"Now, do you also have the one of just me?"

The girl nodded and flicked to the front of the book. Sakura looked hard at the picture of the young girl she used to be not long ago. Her waist length hair was blowing freely in the wind when this shot was taken, while Sakura herself was winking at the cameraman. She also was blowing a kiss, which was directed at Sasuke, who by coincidence was standing behind the camera, even though he was arguing with Naruto.

'My focuses were on the wrong things back then.' Sakura mused while staring at the girl that she once knew as herself. After signing her name again, she then handed the girl back her book and ruffled her hair once again before bidding farewell. Sakura watched as the girl nearly skipped away and now asked herself the question again.

'Do I?' Sakura was met with silence in her mind, like all her questions were while she continued walking.

'Do I like Naruto...' She asked herself again and inwardly sighed.

'Where is Ino or even Tsunade-sama when I need them? Hell I would take even Mother right now.' Sakura inwardly groaned in realisation that she was on her own with this one.

'I don't even know if what I feel for Sasuke-kun is real, a long time ago I could have sworn on my life that it was real...but now...'

Sakura remembered a conversion she had around a year ago with Ino and sighed, 'Ino was and still is convinced my feelings for Sasuke-kun are brotherly...' Sakura smirked in recollection to their typical insult fest argument that followed the claim.

'...I was pretty insistent it was more than that...but then she asked me to describe my feelings for him...and I didn't even know what to say at first after his looks.'

Sakura's smirk dropped to a frown, 'In the end, I told her about my worry and concern for him. I then tried to explain to her that time when we were first formed on a team, and Sasuke-kun said those things to me...and ran when I tried to kiss him.'

Sakura's brow furrowed in memory to Ino's teasing response, "Now I know why your forehead is so much like a bill board in size, it's because it is full of delusions Sakura. Sasuke is not a romantic by heart. He would never say something like that. Even if there was the chance that he DID have those feelings for you, it is not in his nature to say that, even if he was just joking...in fact does Sasuke EVER joke?!"

Sakura could then practically see the large smirk Ino gave her back then as Ino continued more sincerely than teasingly, "And worrying and showing deep concern is signs of love Sakura...but if that is all you truly felt, then that is brotherly love. Look at me with Choji and Shikamaru, I show my concern for them as they show theirs for me...well at least Choji does."

Sakura couldn't resist scoffing in the same way she did back then, 'I don't care what she says, I know what I saw actually happened... and Ino could not be right...she had a crush on Sasuke-kun too.' Sakura mind thought along the same lines she did back then, but she never expected Ino to counter it without skipping a beat.

"I grew out of my crush for him a while ago Sakura. You still hold strong feelings for him because you are his teammate, and spent next to everyday with him, which is why him suddenly leaving affected both you and Naruto so much." Sakura gritted her teeth at her recollection.

"What would have happened Sakura...if you and I had swapped positions, me being in Sasuke and Naruto's team, and you being with Shikamaru and Choji?...or what if, even though the chances are nil because it would be too much of a hassle for him, but what if Shikamaru suddenly just left the village?" Ino's voice echoed in her mind.

"...Then you would have been in my feet right now." Sakura said under her breath, knowing that back then she never answered Ino's questions.

Sakura slowly nodded her head to herself, 'Sasuke-kun to me...is like a brother?' Sakura didn't know whether to think if the thought was relieving or disappointing.

'But what about Naruto?' Sakura wasn't even aware she formed a small smile.

'Well there was when we first saw each other at the bridge.' Sakura's cheeks were now holding a slight pink hue.

'He has changed a lot in comparison to before, I can admit he looks...matured?' Sakura wondered if that was the appropriate word to describe Naruto's appearance, knowing her younger twelve year old self would have squealed. 'He is Hot!' She however had matured enough to not use such talk anymore, well at least most of the time.

'But other than his looks...he is still the same old Naruto...he never goes back on his word, he is cheerful, he can sometimes be a real baka, then be amazingly bright....' Sakura continued all her thoughts on Naruto's qualities, not seeming to realise she was well above a dozen different qualities now.

'He always supports his friends, he can change people's views on life and beliefs....' Sakura paused in her path and looked at hard at the dirt as she began her thoughts on what she was to Naruto.

'He always has been there for me, he respects me and trusts me with his life, I know he still likes me...right?' Sakura shook her head while quickly looking up at the path and continuing her journey.

'Of course he does, Naruto wouldn't ask me out on a date all the time otherwise, and I know he isn't the sort that would be playing games with my heart. He still acts a little immature about it, which is annoying, but it's just the way he is... Ero-sennin also always seems to enjoy teasing him about me...and he never corrected me the other day.' Sakura then recalled the way they had interacted for the past week.

'We have changed...no....Naruto has always been this way...I have changed.' She concluded, knowing in the past, or in any other situation, she would have punched Naruto for even touching her, let alone hugging her like he had done yesterday.

'So maybe I am more open with him now...but do I like him more than a friend?' Sakura asked herself, still confused.

'Maybe I view him like a brother as well?'

Sakura rubbed her forehead, 'I worry about him all the time, and show my concern for him like he does for me...' Sakura then recalled all the praises she had received from him in the past, she distinctively remembered the praise he gave her that day they learnt to climb trees and her reaction back then.

'I didn't even want to hear a compliment from him.' Sakura mused, but wasn't going to let it get the better of her.

Sakura then recalled her recent compliments he gave her, which seemed to happen a lot of the time, 'Whenever he does...I get this strange feeling. I don't know what it is, but I feel so...'

Sakura let her thoughts trail, as she struggled to think of a word that described the emotion. '...i feel so...self confident? Secure? I really don't know...but it's not like any other praise I receive from others...Then there was that hug he gave me...and that kiss to my forehead.'

Sakura unconsciously felt the spot where Naruto kissed her, 'I know he was being sincere and supportive...but that...whatever that was, I felt so safe...and happy?' Sakura childishly kicked the dirt under her sandals in annoyance, picking up a cloud of dust as she continued her walk.

'Does my body know something I don't know?'

Sakura sighed and rubbed the back of her neck, 'I really don't know what Naruto is to me anymore.'

Another thought came across, causing her body to tense, 'What if his feelings for me...are just a crush?' Sakura bit the insides of her cheek while her thoughts continued to drift off.

'What if he moves on? It's not as if I have shown any interest in any of his date requests...hell, I never take them seriously.'

Sakura sighed, 'I need to give this a lot more thought...and soon.' For clarification, she decided to repeat to herself what she had concluded.

'...Sasuke-kun to me is like a brother, I don't know if I should be happy or disappointed with that conclusion, nor am I certain it's true. I don't truly know where Naruto stands for me anymore. I do know we are close now, but I don't know if it is more than that, at least to me. I know he still likes me, but he doesn't seem to make a large deal about it, bar an occasional date request. There is the chance of Naruto's feelings being just a crush, but I have a strong feeling it isn't. I will just have to give it some more thought later.'

Sakura nibbled on her lower lip at a very blunt conclusion, 'So basically...I have achieved nothing!'

Sakura's shoulders slumped, 'When I was twelve, I claimed how unbelievably simple love was to me...god could I have been anymore wrong at just how many twists and turns the complicated word really does have?!' Her inner thoughts were soon put on hold when she finally made notice of a small store, that read across the label 'books of the arts and fictions', and underneath was clear glass that allowed her to see various sorts of books up on display. Her thoughts soon drifted, to something that was itching at the back of her head.

'There is no way those perverted books have any of the qualities Kakashi-sensei said there were!' She thought in disgust, unaware that the bookstore appeared to get bigger and bigger until she walked in through the entrance.

Sakura didn't knock as she just opened up Naruto's door and walked in, "Hey Naruto, I am ba-"

She soon narrowed her eyes to slits to find Naruto was still sleeping, but had rolled on his other side and was muttering some gibberish she couldn't pick up well to his pillow.

'Yep...he is so full of crap with his gloating...oh well I guess it's good he is resting.' She mused conclusively as she walked up to her chair and sat down.

'Where did that pervert go?' Sakura wondered, while she could still smell the traces of sake left behind from where Jiraiya was sitting. She brushed off the curiosity as she then reached into her weapon pouch and pulled out an item she still didn't know what possessed her to purchase.

The object was the familiar red hard cover of Icha Icha paradise.

She held the book firmly in her hands as she glared hard at the cover like it was some sort of specimen.

'Why in god's name did I go so far as to henge to buy this...I am wasting my time!' She tried to open the book but suddenly stopped when her mind just realised something.

'I just brought a perverts book and am about to read it!?! What the hell am I thinking!' She shook her head remembering Kakashi's words.

'I just want to know...' She then opened the book, falling her eyes to the starting line.

'Just the prologue...then this trash can go in the bin for all I care'.

The river not far from the now abandoned and destroyed ANBU base surprisingly was quite lively at this time in the afternoon. There were many birds singing, along with wildlife scurrying over the destruction as if it was just a new obstacle on the forest floor. At the side of the river were two black rats, which appeared to be drinking. The unique feature that stood out on the small critters though, was that their hair appeared as if it was sketched, or drawn. The two rats turned their head to a noise they heard from their left through the tree lines. It seemed the rest of the wildlife heard the same noise, as birds flew away, only with other critters scurrying off, leaving the two rats looking as if in interest at the incoming noise.

"Where exactly is this river hmm?" Came the bored voice of Deidara not far, but still out of view.

Thomas than revealed himself and landed from the trees onto the forest floor, "We are here." He announced in his neutral tone. Ronan soon joined him, and eyed a pair of retreating rat, then looked to his side to see Deidara land next to him. Deidara decided to adopt their dressing as well, wearing a cape over the top of his own equipment, even though he only seemed to carry two strange bags on each side clipped to a belt.

"Great work with that summon you created Deidara, you saved us a lot of time getting here with that strange bird."

Deidara shrugged smugly, "Just one of my artworks that is a more elegant way to travel, hmm."

Eyeing the destruction around made him voice a comment, "Looks like you guys had a major fight back there, care to tell me about it?"

Before anyone could reply, the trio's eyes turned to the sound of footsteps approaching. Within moments, the same boy Thomas usually met revealed himself, along with one of the two rats sitting on his shoulder.

Deidara took note that the boy held a completely neutral face, 'Probably another one of these 'ROOT' members.' He concluded.

"It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Ronan-san" Ronan scoffed at the boy's manners.

"Just get to the point, we are wasting valuable time. What does Danzou want to speak to me about?" The boy attempted to smile, but it appeared faux as he continued.

"Danzou-sama wishes to aid you in your mission to eliminate the Jinkuriki. He is just preparing a diversion to deceive the Konoha shinobi that are watching his every move. Your previous failures have caused Hokage-sama to suspect Danzou-sama of being involved." The boy said neutrally, not even aware that he practically insulted Ronan.

Ronan glared at the boy but chose to not comment, "I see. So when will Danzou be meeting us, and where?"

"Danzou-sama sends his apologies in advance, he has to rendezvous with his contact that he is offering to assist you with before meeting with you. He will be around four days."

Ronan raised an eyebrow in interest, "Contact?" He stated simply.

The boy reached his hand up, at first glance it appeared he was going for his short sword, but then he reached into his back pack and presented a folded red scroll to Ronan.

"Danzou-sama instructed me to give this to you, since he informs me you wish to know as much as you can about who you are working with before meeting them." Ronan snickered but didn't comment as he unrolled the scroll and felt Deidara leaning over his shoulder, as well as Thomas.

Deidara's one visible eye widened in recognition to the name written on the scroll, "T-This...this can't be! Since when does a council member of Konoha, has a person of THIS calibre as a contact, hmm?!" Deidara said in shock.

Ronan's own eyes were widened, but held amusement, "Well now...this is a very interesting contact Danzou is proposing indeed." Ronan smirked as he read the profile, but not before announcing the name.

"Hozuki Mangetsu."

During the reading of the profile, Ronan felt like he was being watched and cast a glance at the source with a glare. He only met a tree that held no interest and continued reading. On the other side of the tree however, the bark expanded out, revealing a strange being. The being seemed human, but had characteristics similar to a plant. The head was of a person, half black and half white, with glowing yellow eyes could be seen through what appeared to be a type of carnivorous plant. The man's age was indeterminable, and he had short green hair. He was wearing a black cape, with blood red clouds.

"That man, he looks familiar....ah yes, he is Uchiha Ronan...Itachi will be very interested with this discovery indeed."

Another voice suddenly barked from the same being, "Forget that you fool, didn't you hear what that boy said?! Akatsuki's plans are ruined if even one jinkuriki is killed. It also appears that we have located our next candidate for Sasori, if he hasn't accepted his new partner yet...we must report this to Pein immediately!"