Life's hetic, bachlor parties to attend, wedding's to prepare for ect. ect. Hope you guys like this one. Heh, who knew that I'd make groomsman, haha. Ran into a block this chapter, finally grabbed a mushroom and broke through it though. So enjoy.

Sumaru awoke to the sound of chirping birds. He shifted groggily and sat up with minor reluctance as a dull throbbing pain crept across him. He locked a heated gaze on the offending appendage. 'Perhaps you're not at fault for everything Uzumaki Naruto but it sure feels like it!' He sneered as he took a short pause to cool down. Collecting his thoughts with a sigh he glanced at the stitches that lined his leg; surely there'd be a scar. Groaning, he fell back onto his plush pillow, just as the door opened.

"I see that you're awake, how fortunate."

Sumaru eyed the Hyuuga with certain distrust, before relaxing into a thoughtful pose. "So it would seem..."

...

"So, why are you here?" Neji shrugged, as he pulled a chair next to Sumaru's bed, and took a seat.

"No real reason I suppose, just checking up on you."

"As if Naruto didn't do enough of that already, by the way where is he? It's been a whole lot quieter as of late." Neji took notice of caustic comment, but said nothing as he kept his eyes firmly glued to the wall ahead of him. Things were going just swimmingly.

"To my knowledge he's still recuperating after a run in with a bear."

Sumaru's brows rose with interest. "A bear you say? What kind of bear would put him out?"

"One of the Grizzle-spotted variants, I believe."

Sumaru suddenly found his bed sheets more interesting. "I…See…How is he?"

'It's best they don't know that the injury was self inflected, and Naruto didn't really seem like himself during the whole incident. I must keep this to myself until we return to Konoha.'

"According Mayonaka-san, if it would had been anyone else they would have died." Neji continued as he smoothed over the story the best he could without raising suspicion.

Sumaru glared into his lap. "…How did it happen in the first place?"

Neji sighed as he looked out the window. A small sparrow pecked at the window sill before another one joined it. A second later they flew off together. "Get comfortable, it's a long explanation."

As a certain blond made his way down the corridor, he let out a sneeze for what seemed like the billionth time that day. "Snmff…I really hope there's not something going around, that's the last thing I need right now..."

"I'm not so sure it's that." Naruto craned his neck towards Hokuto as they continued their stroll. "They say when you sneeze it's because someone is talking about you somewhere." She finished with a smile.

Naruto eyed her warily. "I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not."

The girl raised a delicate brow. "It's doubtful it's anything negative, Naruto-san. You really helped us with Akahoshi and all; I'm not that surprised really."

Naruto's visage darkened considerably. "That guy…I hate it when people are yanked around like that." Through his concentration he missed another wayward smile.

"That's all water under the bridge now. The Council of Eight already carried out his sentencing."

"No joke?"

"None at all."

"Hn, well that was quick."

"Indeed. Let's just say it was a very special case."

"Whatever punishment he gets is too good for him." Hokuto shot the blond another appraising look as they entered the stairwell, and began descending the stairs. Thinking better off it, she decided to steer the conversation into something much lighter.

"So tell me, what's your village like? I've heard so many great things about it."

As they reached the bottom and turned the corner, Naruto instantly perked up at the mention of his home. "It's the best! The Hidden Leaf has some of the greatest food markets, not to mention the number ramen stand in the entire world! Ichiraku Ramen's where it's at!

The girl smiled at his enthusiasm. "The entire world, you say?" She placed a hand to her chin thoughtfully as a devilish smirk played across her lips. "I don't believe you!" Naruto stopped dead in his tracks as Hokuto continued walking. He stood aghast for only a moment before he ran to catch up to her.

"Butbutbut…W-wait! I'm not lying!" Naruto pressed. "The soup itself is thick, yet not so overpowering as to detract from the noodles, and the way the pork is sliced it's neither too thick nor too thin; that old coot is like a genus when it comes to ramen making, I'm telling ya!"

"Okay, I believe you then."

"Eeh! You can't just switch sides so suddenly! It's just…" Naruto trailed off as he looked over at his friend who was currently shaking with mirth. He pouted when they came to a stop next to an office. "Hokuuutttooooo…That's cold."The girl in question tittered into a bout of laughter as she produced a set of keys to unlock the door.

"Enhehe...Sorry, I had to. But since you speak so earnestly of this place, so I think I can take your word for it." She said as she flipped on the light switch.

"Hu?"

Naruto's head turned to the source of the noise. "Fukurou…?"

From his box a small owl popped up and looked around in quizzical frankness. "Hu?"

Naruto was overcome by emotion as tears leaked down his cheeks. Suddenly a picturesque beach backdrop appeared, from kami knows where. The setting sun and the crashing waves only highlighted what was sure to be an emotional, if not awkward reunion. Bubbles sparkled in the majestic rays of the sun; they danced lightly across Naruto's skin as he ran to his long lost feathered companion. "FUKUROU!" He exclaimed as he embraced the bird; his lip quivering as he bit back the remaining torrent of tears that threatened to fall.

"OOH-HU-OH!" The avian squawked in equal delight as his own eyes filled to the brim.

Lee walked the corridors aimlessly his form drooped with momentous boredom. Unexpectedly a black streak of light passed through his skull. His countenance turned grim, as he began curling and uncurling his bandage-bound fists. "...There's a disturbance in the force, this must be rectified at once!"

Hokuto watched on; beside herself in bemusement as the pair began to openly sob in each other's arms. No wings. Wait claws? Oh forget it! They were in one another's respective appendages...Well that's correct, still doesn't sound right though...Back to the story!

Sensing a presence next to them, Naruto and Fukurou turned and looked up from their embrace. Lee stood before them listlessly as a few tears began to escape his own eyes. Both Naruto and Fukurou stole a glance to one another, after a moment the blond released a sigh.

"Okay bushy brows, just this one time."

"Yosh!" Without any hesitation; Lee the joined the two, in on the hug. "Such a bond could only be formed through the grace of Youth, Naruto-kun! This moment shall be remembered for years to come!" At this point Lee and Fukurou began to weep.

Naruto was about to join them with his own manly tears, when he stopped. He looked around and spotted Hokuto near the doors' threshold. He motioned at her to join them, but she declined with a blush as she held out her hands.

The blond raised an eyebrow. Wishing not to disturb his crying comrades, he mouthed. 'Why not?'

'It's not my place…'

Naruto quickly hobbled to her location with Lee and Fukurou in tow, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.'You're among friends here, and besides it can be your place if you want it to be.' Silently she allowed herself to be pulled towards the group of bawling men; with a smile in place. After all, who knew that guys could be so emotional?

Harmony, Harmony, Oh Love!

Uh..

Later...