jjmcm541 (Guest): Thank you very much, that's nice to hear. Also about your question. I haven't planned one yet, but if you'd like one I guess I could try. That would be my first however and I'm not confident it'll be good :)

Chewie Cookies and Ayrmed: Thank you. Since I'm not Sakura's biggest fan I was afraid that it wouldn't be too good, but ever since I picture her with Kankuro she starts to really grow on me. Glad you like the couple.

Redsox31: Mmhhh...five stage...that does ring a bell. Well, too late for it now. But he did went throught rage (that is one, right?) Maybe next time someone dies.

Shadowgirl608: Ok, I guess I get that. No action in this one, but perhaps in the next.

I don't own Naruto.

-14-

"Come on, go Lee-kun!" Karin cheered from the side line, her bright green pompoms flying through the air. "You can do it! Kick his ass!"

Neji sweat-dropped at her outfit. She had changed the green jump suit to a short mini shirt and a tight top that exposed her belly button. He was almost certain that Ino had inspired or helped her with it. And the remaining parts of the suit had been shred and used to make two pompoms. She was Lee's own personal cheerleader and took her task very seriously.

"It's just a spar and we haven't even started yet." As he said it, he already wondered why he bothered to try to reason with the girl going out with Lee.

"Ha, does my powerful good-luck charm frighten you, my rival." Lee taunted and Neji rolled his eyes.

"Let's just start. I have matters to attend to later." Matters in this case being Tenten, but Lee didn't have to know that or he'd make 'alone-time' to 'double-date-time'. And Neji was really looking forward to alone-time with Tenten.

"I do hope all the time spent in the office didn't make you rusty."

"Please do not waste your worry on me." Neji smirked, "You should worry about yourself."

Enthusiastic Lee got in his fighting posture to match Neji who brought himself into the typical Hyuga stance.

Fired on by Karin's loud cheers Lee attacked his former teammate furiously. His speed has improved a great deal over the years and Neji was having more trouble with defending than he used to. Lee was always a great training partner. For someone like Neji who relied on his eyes for the most part, it was a helpful experience not being able to see chakra, since Lee was only using Taijutsu.

In the end Neji emerged as victorious but it was a close call. Karin came to Lee's side and shot a hot glare at Neji.

"You were great, Lee-kun. You almost had him." She congratulated and hugged her fiancé.

Lee beamed up at her. "He's in the lead by two wins, but next time I will win." Then he turned to Neji. "Great fight my rival!" He gave him the thumbs up and Neji nodded in agreement.

"So what are you two doing today?" He asked as he dusted his clothes off.

"Ah, Karin and I will meet Ino and Chouji for dinner. Her family's flower shop will provide the flowers for our wedding and so we said, why not make it a date?"

"Very well then. I wish you a good time." After having endured two very uncomfortable hugs Neji made his way back home.

"I'll go take a shower and then we can discuss our ideas for the flowers." Lee sprang into action and took his beloved by the hand, together they sprinted towards their home.

Karin sighed and put the flower card back on the table. She just couldn't decide which flower she liked best. There was something about the classic of roses that appealed to her but she wondered if it was too boring.

"Did you pick something already?" Lee asked from the door. He had abandoned the tight jumpsuit in favor of a green leisure suit, for the comfortable space of their home.

"I don't know. Maybe we should wait for Ino's opinion." Karin nuzzled her body close to his on the couch.

He took her in his arms and started to look through the flower pictures.

"Do you think red roses are too boring?" She asked into the silence.

"Of course not. I think red roses would be a great idea, it means true love and it would go great with your hair and your eyes." He smiled brightly and Karin's heart fluttered.

"I love you."

Lee blinked down at her, "I love you too."

Karin smiled to herself and leaned against him. She didn't think her life could be any better.

…

"Tenten! What is this supposed to be?" Neji groaned in annoyance and evaded the kunai thrown in his direction.

"I thought we could spar. We haven't done that in ages." Tenten pouted. Ever since Neji and her started dating, he didn't take her serious as a kunoichi anymore. She might have stopped her active ninja life, but Tenten had no intention of letting her skills dull.

"I've just sparred with Lee." Neji complained as the next kunai went his way. "I thought we could spend a nice afternoon together."

"We can!" Tenten said. "And we'll start our nice afternoon with a spar."

Knowing he couldn't convince her otherwise, Neji gave in and got into his fighting stance. His training with Lee had been challenging but he didn't feel completely exhausted. He could still manage a short fight, and he did intent to make it short, if only to ensure enough quality time with his fiancée. And fighting her did not count as such.

The brunette woman threw a handful of kunai at Neji, which he deflected with a quick spin. Tenten was caught by surprise when Neji approached her faster than expected and forced her in a one-on-one Taijutsu fight.

With a few back flips she ensured some distance between them.

"Fine." She exclaimed loudly. "If that's how you want to play it." She hid her smirk at his over-confident cocky posture.

In one swift motion she threw her shirt to the side and exposed her flat stomach and black sport bra. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the subtle change in Neji's features as she bent down to grab a long wooden rod.

He knew she was doing it on purpose, he knew it, but that didn't mean he could change anything about it. If it was anyone else, any other girl, he wouldn't have cared. But this was Tenten, and she was… well Tenten. He narrowed his eyes at her and tried to keep his eyes away from dangerous areas. As if it wasn't bad enough she had only been wearing those tiny tight shorts, stripping her tank top was borderline cruel from her. And he just knew, she knew what she was doing.

Tenten whirled the staff through the air next to her. She had serious trouble keeping the grin off her face. Apart from that she found it very flattering that she had that effect on always-cool-and-composed Neji Hyuga.

With being busy concentrating his eyes on anywhere but her full lips, her big hazel eyes, her exposed flesh, her slender arm, her long legs… basically her everything, it was considerably harder to avoid getting hit. He had to end this and fast.

Unfortunately going through with this plan was harder than it seemed. He lost his footing for a moment when one of her fingers grazed over his arms, only hell knew how she managed to do that.

She threw herself on him and they tumbled down. Tenten came up on top of him, her staff pressed down on his throat.

"Ha, I won."

It took Neji less than a second to flip her over. Arrogantly he smirked down on her. "Care to repeat that."

"If that would have been a real fight, I could have killed you." She pointed out breathlessly. Her chest rose and lowered against his hard upper body.

His pale grey eyes darkened dangerously.

"Neji, I'd just like to point out, that we are in the middle of your compound out in the open…"

"Get in! Now!" He growled out lowly and she didn't waste a moment to do as he said.

…

Nothing could compare to the feeling of coming home to someone who loved you, waiting with a lovingly cooked meal. At least to Naruto nothing could. And for a second there he just enjoyed watching Hinata. He hadn't seen her in almost two months and there was nothing he wanted more than to hold her in his arms. But the second he had laid eyes on her, standing over the stove with her back turned to him while humming a sweet melody, he couldn't help himself. For only a moment he had wanted to enjoy the view of her, reminding him that this was his life now, that she was real and she was there.

Smiling widely he strived over and put his arms around her, his lips found her pulse point. Hinata gasped and melted in his embrace. She turned off the stove and twisted so she could face him.

"I missed you." Every time her eyes looked at him, filled with all of her love, that was only directed at him, his heart skipped a beat.

"I missed you, too. I'm glad you're back." He breathed in her scent and enjoyed the soft texture of her hair against the dark shadow on his chin.

For a while he was content just keeping her close, hugging her small form tight. Her arms constricted behind his neck and she pulled herself on her tiptoes to place a kiss on his lips. Naruto didn't want to let go of her lips and bit her softly to gain access to her mouth. She groaned against him and he deepened the kiss. Flushed they broke apart. "Naruto, dinner is ready. We really should eat first."

Naruto struggled internally. His desire to hold her in his arms after such a long time, and his hunger to finally taste her delicious cooking were equally matched. But since she had said that they were eating first, he stilled his other hunger for now. Together they put out the dishes and Hinata served him his beloved ramen.

She asked casually about the meeting with the Kages and he let her know the basic accomplishments.

He had missed her like crazy and even though the rest of their journey had gone without any more problems, he had never been more worried in his life. All her physical wounds might have healed but for him the shock of almost losing Hinata was still present in his mind. Now, that she was back with him, he was gonna keep her safe at all costs. He was reminded somehow of a promise he made to himself not too long ago.

"Hey Hinata, I think I need to talk to my best friend. You think that's possible?" Naruto asked.

It was the second time he had made that request, and Hinata felt that the first time had brought them closer together. It was the way they had been able to share something with each other, something deep and hidden without fear. She nodded and waited for him to start.

"You know, not too long ago I had a talk with my girlfriends sister. Well, more like my Clone had, but that's not the issue here." His blue eyes forced hers to look at him with their deep intensity. "She got attacked and I don't think I've ever been that scared. I mean, technically I knew she was fine, but I couldn't shake that horrible feeling. But then she made it sound like it was no big deal, like she didn't understand why I was so freaked because she wasn't all that important to me. And it hurt to see her react that way, you know? Anyway I thought I might ask her sister about it."

In all honesty Hinata didn't know what to say or how to react, that was the first time she heard about it. Hanabi hadn't said a word to her and Hinata was slightly upset with her about it. Her heart clenched painfully, she hadn't meant to hurt him, but as Hokage he would always have to put the village first and she knew that. Back then, she had seen how much it had put him in distress, but she hadn't thought that much about it.

"And her sister, she told me some things. And I have been thinking them over and I believe she's right. But what she said, that part's wrong. It's not like that and I…"

"Maybe you want to tell me, what Hana…what her sister said?" Hinata interrupted tenderly.

"Ah, right, sorry. Well, she said that my girlfriend has this idea about me not loving her as much as she loves me. Because she's been in love with me since ever and for her there was only ever me, and that's she's insecure because she knows that I used to like women that were different from her. But that's not true. I mean it is, but …" The nervous flicker in her eyes didn't escape his attention. "But I've never felt that way about anyone, that I feel about her. I do really love her, I love her so bad I don't think I can ever put it in words. If I think about a world without her, well … I can't. It's too hard, I can't breathe at that thought. And I thought she knew that, I mean I told her. I'll always tell her, but what if telling her isn't enough? What am I supposed to do? I want to make her happy, but if she thinks I don't love her, then I can't. And I can't lose her. What should I do?"

Hinata was completely unable to tear her gaze away from his penetrating bottomless ocean eyes. She was unable to breath or form a coherent sentence. Her heart was pounding hard against her ribs and she just knew that her face was the color of a crimson red.

She couldn't think straight. Damn Hanabi for being so cruelly accurate. Hinata's voice was shaking, "I…I – w-will you give m-me a few moments, t-to think a-about it?" She hadn't stuttered in a long time, but she had barely managed to form the words.

Finally Hinata managed to avert her eyes. It was easier to gather her wits without his eyes piercing her soul.

It took a few shaky breaths, followed by a few steadier ones, to find the strength in her voice. "I don't think you have to try so hard, Naruto. I'm sure, she knows how much you love her. Even if her sister is right, she'll…" Hinata was desperately searching for words to put her feelings into. "Those insecurities, you're not the cause of them. She's lived with it for a long time, you can't expect them to just vanish. But you're the best boyfriend anyone can wish for and if you just stay the person you are now and keep showing her how much she means to you, I'm sure she'll understand very soon."

"You really think so?" The spark in his eyes light up the room.

"I know so."

He reached out to her and caressed her cheeks. "Hey, if my girlfriend ever leaves me, will you go out with me then?"

Hinata started to laugh. "I'm sure she's never going to leave you."

"That's what I want to hear. Now let's eat quickly, I'm looking forward to what's awaiting for me in the bedroom." He stuffed his face with more noodles to hide the face splitting grin after seeing her face lit up with a deep blush.

…

The information he held was powerful, very powerful indeed. Orochimaru knew this, but the only question was how and when to use it. Whenever he did, actions needed to follow. Timing was crucial.

If he moved to early after revealing his information, there was a chance that the nations would get it together only in order to defeat him. But if he waited too long, then he'd give the diplomats of the countries too much time to fix things.

The Snake Sanin had activated his large information network to concentrate mostly on one thing. The negotiations regarding the 'Cross-border-relationship-contract'. He had to make sure, that, when the time came, his troops were ready to fight.

His thin lips stretched into a smile. He might have lost the fight and his most loyal underling with it, but what he gained, would mean his victory in the long run – he would make sure of it. Konoha would be his and no one was going to stop him this time.

…

"Hey Chouji, how was it? I heard Kiba was there? Is it true? How is he?" Ino caught Chouji by the door and attacked him with restless questions. "Karui told me he was doing better, but I've barely seen him over the past weeks. Is it true that he started to train with a new dog?"

"Ino, Ino, calm down. One question after another." Chouji laughed at her antics. "First of all, the barbeque with the guys was great. And yes Kiba was there, but Naruto was mysteriously missing, even though he's been back since yesterday. As for the rest of the questions, I don't remember them but he is doing better. He's still talking a lot about Akamaru, but Hanta, his new dog is good for him. The dog lost it's owner and they can mourn together which is good for him."

Ino smiled brightly, "That's good to hear. And unsurprisingly Hinata missed lunch as well."

The two of them exchanged glances, and then Ino realized that she had yet to give him a hello kiss. She tiptoed and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. He smiled down at her lovingly.

"We promised Kurenai-sensei to babysit Masu today." He reminded with a little disappointment in his voice when he caught her eyes drifting to the bedroom door.

With Hinata momentarily preoccupied, Kiba still in mourning and Shikamaru only having arrived from Suna, Kurenai had asked the two of them to take care of her six-year old for the evening out with her former classmates.

Ino sighed but allowed him to let her slip from his grasp.

It wasn't very cold outside, spring had arrived in Konoha and Ino choose a dark blue trench-coat over her dark pants and violet shirt. The walk from their home to Kurenai's small house wasn't very long. As usual the beautiful blonde was turning a lot of male heads, Chouji wasn't the jealous type per say, but he didn't feel comfortable with it. Or rather he would have felt jealous but it was a little hard to feel that way, when she clung to his arm like that and looked at him with a gaze that was directed at no one but him.

He put an arm around her small form and she snuggled to his side almost disappearing next to his massive form. There was no one who could make her feel as protected as Chouji could. Ino smiled contently.

"Masu," Chouji was the first one to spot the young boy. He was running past his mother out of the house and right into Chouji's arms. The large man swept him up and the kid squealed in delight.

Ino ruffled his hair after Chouji put Masu down. She just loved how good Cho was with children, she got this warm feeling in her belly and she couldn't help the thoughts of the future with her and Cho to invade her mind.

"So what do you want to do today?" Chouji asked the boy after they had settled in and Kurenai had left.

"I wanna play ninja!" The boy yelled happily and clutched at his hand.

And that's what they did. Chouji and Masu teamed up to take down the evil Ino and in the end, of course they succeeded. The little boy was exhausted in the end, and when they put him to bed he didn't even complain.

"We are totally good at this." Ino flopped down on the couch and rested her head against Chouji's shoulder. "When we have our own children we'll…" She stopped conscious of what she had just said.

Her boyfriend raised an eyebrow at her. "When?"

Defiantly she looked up at him, "Yes,when. You have a problem with that?"

"Absolutely not." He chuckled. "Quite the opposite. I'm looking forward to it very much."

Ino smiled, "That's what I thought."

…

"Shikamaru, I don't care if you've only been back for a day. You will not start lazing around right away." Temari pulled the covers back and ignored her boyfriend's groan of disapproval.

"I'm going back to work tomorrow. Tomorrow, not today." He complained.

"That's just perfect. I means you have all the time in the world to help me get the house clean." She said sternly.

His hand fumbled for the covers and when he didn't find it, he was forced to open one eye. The first thing his gaze was met with was his blonde girlfriend who didn't exactly look pleased with the current situation.

"Why? Why do you feel the need to clean the house today of all times?" He asked.

"Because Shikamaru, your mother just informed me that the annual Clan meeting tomorrow was going to be held her – as she told you months ago."

He was in deep and he knew it. Gulping he sat back up and feigned an apologetic look on his face.

"Months, Shikamaru! Months!" Her voice sounded loud in his ears, but that could just be his still sleepy state.

"Now get up and help me or I will make you and it won't be pretty." She practically threw him out of his bed.

Without much enthusiasm the man got up from his cozy bed. He reluctantly picked up a sock from the floor and transported it in the hamper, at the lowest possible speed one might add.

"There, I helped."

Temari shot him a glance that had him wince and he dared not complain any more after that.

It wasn't all that bad, he mused as he watched his girlfriend's nicely shaped backside as she bent down to retrieve more of some sort of cleaning products, he hadn't bothered to listen to remember. In the least it gave him the possibility to stare at her all he wanted - something he realized now – that he had done way too less because it was really worth it. He only had to make sure to keep up the appearance that he was actually working and not let her catch him ogling her.

If it was any person other than Temari to ask such troublesome things of him he'd simply have refused or more likely found a way to avoid it. Sadly his intelligent ways to get out of stuff did not work on her… and he had tried. She outsmarted him more often than he'd like, but then again if she didn't they probably wouldn't work out. He really should make things perfectly clear between them, he thought. He'd never be able to find any woman like her, ever. And he'd do anything to keep her, therefore it was simple. As soon as that bothersome agreement was finalized, he'd propose.

"Hey what are you spacing out for?" Temari snapped him out of his musings. "We still have a lot of ground to cover. Damn you for not letting me know any sooner."

Secretly he had to smile, no matter how mad she was at him for forgetting to tell her, she'd suck it up and do what had to be done.

He picked up the broom and sneaked another glance at the ranting blonde. Did he have to buy her a ring?

…

So, not much happening, but everyone's all cozy and happy... yet.

Tell me what you think.