A.N. - Hey everybody! FanggirlX here with chapter 16 up and ready. I put a hint in this about who I'm pairing up with Sasuke. She may not be the norm or what is usually excepted or expected (isn't it cool how close those two words look alike. Pretty much just changing the X's spot) sorry anyway…just please don't get too angry with how I have him and who its with. This is just how I think it should go okay? I'm not entirely sure how but in my mind they work and some how fit so please just go with it at least for this story. Sorry if I upset anybody with it. Either way I hope you guys all enjoy chapter 16!

To HalfBloodPhoenix- Brilliant? Oh thank you very much! I'm trying my best to make it be. And you definitely know more than the average person. And I will definitely keep your offer open. I never know when I might need a word or two, so thank you for that. And I'm glad you like Shukaku now. I don't want him to be a total bastard in this. Granted he still has to cause trouble but in my mind I see that Gaara had no friends or companions for the greater part of his life except for Shukaku. And thought part of Gaara fears the demon's release he also likes having that comforting constant there. Shukaku is basically the one thing he can count on to always be there…except for killing but he's trying to stop that. So yeah…anyway. Thank you and I hope you enjoy chapter 16!

To BluePanda22311- Isn't naruhina just the sweetest thing? And I laughed at the Shukaku/Inner moment while writing it. The way I pictured him saying and doing things just had me giggling and the Inner's reaction was cute to me. lol. You want waffles?…hee hee. I just thought of that song on you tube everywhere. 'do you like waffles? Yeah we like waffles.' hee hee. Anyway I am glad you liked this chapter as well as my story. And I just want to say to you…you rock too! Every review I get makes writing this that much better so thank you so much! And it is really flattering to have you say I am a dream writer. That made me blush. Thank you. I hope you like this next chapter!

To superme383- You are just the funniest thing. lol. I definitely plan on writing more naruhina. In fact I don't believe I am too far from making them a couple! And I loved riting the inner/shukaku moment. It was fnny to me. I got a few reviews saying it was Sakura's turn to kiss Gaara. And so I tried hard to find a way to fit that in but see if I did that then they got together too quickly and then half my fun for the next few chapters would be gone. So I decided maybe they just want Sakura to kiss him while he's awake .that didn't work either so then I was getting frustrated and mumbled something like 'Inner Sakura would have no problem kissing Gaara'. And from that single thought spawned the shukaku/inner scene. I know it wasn't exactly what everyone wanted but I tried. And yes I got your message did you get mine? (blushes) Amazing? Thank you. And btw I think the whole review did show up this time. And you don't stop laughing, make them join in. laughing is great alone but with others its just the greatest, isn't it? Thanks for your story of the day! And your review! I hope you like chapter 16!

To Gothic Saku-chan- Thanks! I'm glad it made you laugh. I love to do that. And yes Sakura will be much happier when she gets her waffles. Thank you. I hope you like chapter 16!

To xoLovelyEyesox- Thank you! You thought that was good? that's wonderful. I worried it was too ooc for Sakura. You love my sis? Yeah she's the coolest. A little weird but still great. Will? Well okay…if you put it like that…jk I already planned on it. I borrowed Z's copy and haven't started yet but I plan to this weekend. That sound good? And you love Z even more? You are feeding his ego way too much. lol. He loves it. So you were excited about the movie? Good. My sister has a count down and swore we were all going with her. I was like fine I wanted to see it anyway but my bros Lan and Link were like nooooo a chick flick! Then she told them what it was about and they agreed eagerly. They're like kids sometimes…I have to stand on things too. Sometimes chairs or our counters, or maybe my brothers. But then they always ask why I didn't just get them to get it. hee hee. Ayame was your favorite? Mine too! But kind of tied with Shigure. And yeah seriously he's almost just like him only he has short shaggy black hair not long white. But he sounds just like Ayame and acts a lot like him. Which is funny because when my mom is awake and actually aware she sometimes acts like Shigure with him. I haven't told her this yet cuz she may try to stop. My aunt Bee is the Hatori of the group for sure. And yeah for a mom mine truly does rock. I love her. And yes my 3 stooges will definitely b hard to pick from see in my opinion they are the best out there and they're each great different ways so I get how hard it is. But yeah they were hilarious acting as secret service guys. They even followed me out when I was done and kept it up. Until the food was ready then they forgot everything but how to eat. Brothers… that's a cute story about your middle name. I bet you were one confused child the day you realized the A shouldn't be there. hee hee. And the stooges say they look forward to this competition. But they have such wicked grins I think I should be worried…they must be plotting against each other. This will be fun to watch for sure I will keep you updated. Thanks for R/T and I hope you like chapter 16!

To itachi2011- Thank you so much! And I am so happy you liked Shukaku in this chapter. I want him to be a character to get mad at not despise. I kind of like the raccoon dude. Weird huh? Anyway… he said that? What did you say in return? Thank you for reviewing and I hope you like how chapter 16 goes!

To JPLteen- Thank you! I was hoping that moment would go over well. I liked it. I thought it was kind of cute in its own weird way. It actually kind of came out of nowhere for me. I was just trying to fit in Sakura kissing Gaara and that wouldn't go right so as I sat agrily ranting at how difficult Sakura was being with this I said Inner Sakura would have no problems kissing Gaara. And voila! The idea was born. And maybe…you'll just have to see. hee hee. I hope you like how things go! Thank you for reviewing!

Thank you everyone! Enjoy!FanggirlX

Disclaimer: Naruto and co not mine…

Naruto lifted his head groggily.

The first thing he saw was Hinata's stunning eyes.

He could definitely get used to waking up to that.

"Good morning." he mumbled.

Hinata laughed quietly, "G-good m-morning."

Naruto grinned at her. They both knew it wasn't morning.

"What time is it?" he asked.

Hinata glanced at the clock on her wall.

"I-it's s-six th-thirty." she answered softly.

Naruto jumped to his feet.

"Has Sakura come back!?"

Hinata shook her head.

"T-temari hasn't e-either." she told him.

"I don't care about Temari. She can take care of herself but Sakura was taken by Gaara hours ago! He should have let her go by now! Was she really in danger all this time! Oh man! Oh no! No, no. Hold on. Gaara wouldn't hurt her. She's his friend. Yeah. Yeah, that's it. She's fine they just lost track of time. That's all. Yes, that's got to be it."

Naruto collapsed back in the chair he'd been in.

"Sorry, I kind of went into panic mode for a moment there."

Hinata nodded, unable to look at him.

She was afraid she'd start crying. He really does love Sakura.

"Yes, I do." Naruto answered looking at her with a grin.

Eyes wide Hinata looked to him horrified.

He'd heard her…but how?

"You mumble when you think deeply. Bet ya didn't know that did you?" he asked smiling.

Hinata turned bright red and shook her head.

Naruto shrugged.

"I never told you because I always liked hearing you. You say the sweetest things when you think out loud."

Her blush darkened.

If she got any redder she just knew, just knew she could blend into a barn if she stood next to it.

Naruto stood and stretched.

"Its alright Hinata. I think its cute. Kiba probably does too." Naruto assured her.

Then he went over to Sakura's section.

Hinata stared after him.

Why would he want her to know that Kiba thought her thinking out loud was cute.

He'd only say that if…oh! Oh no.

Naruto thought Kiba liked her!

Or even worse that she liked Kiba!

That was bad.

Naruto came back in with a new toothbrush still wrapped and everything.

"Sakura still has her old one. She won't mind if I take this one." he said with a mischievous grin.

He then went into the bathroom and brushed his teeth.

When he came back out he saw Hinata was still red, still staring off into space.

"Hey, I'm sorry I didn't know your crush on Kiba was a secret. Don't worry. I won't tell a soul. Your secret's safe with me."

Hinata could not believe her ears! This was bad, very, very bad.

"Hinata?" he asked bending over her. He waved his hand near her face.

"Hinata?" he called again. "You in there?" he joked.

Suddenly her almost white eye locked with his.

"I-I don't l-like K-Kiba." she told him.

Naruto looked at her strangely.

"You don't?"

She shook her head.

"But I though you two were friends."

She gasped quietly, "Y-yes. Fr-friends. Th-that's it."

"Oh. Alright then." Naruto answered calmly. Inside however was a completely different story. He was inwardly running around whooping and hollering happily. She didn't like Kiba! Yes! He-He…still had no chance, Naruto realized sadly.

Suddenly his joy was gone.

Outwardly though, still nothing had changed.

"So are you hungry, Hinata?" Naruto asked as he struggled to keep himself normal.

Blushing she nodded slightly.

"Well alright let's go get you some dinner." he cheered happily. Then his stomach growled.

Chuckling he added, "And me too. I'm kind hungry myself."

He grinned at her and said, "You just change into your clothes and I'll come back in like five minutes okay? Then we'll go."

He waved and then walked out shutting the door behind him, Naruto closed his eyes and sighed his inner frustration out.

"Well. You look gloomy."

Naruto turned to see Temari studying him.

"Nah, not really." he answered, "I just woke up is all."

She rose her eyebrows looked to the shut door behind him and then back to his face.

"No, no. Its nothing like that. I accidentally hurt her and so then I brought her here and was helping her but then I fell asleep on accident and I'm just waking up now."

Temari didn't look wholly convinced until Hinata slowly opened the door.

Naruto gasped, "Hinata, no! You could hurt yourself! Here let me get you."

Before the quiet girl could utter any stuttering protests he had her scooped up and gently pressed against him.

Temari looked at the two with amusement.

Suddenly a voice said behind them, "So you gave up looking for Sakura and just picked up the next girl you found? Idiot."

Sasuke.

Naruto looked over Temari's shoulder and glared at him.

"No, for your information I didn't. I'm taking care of Hinata because she's hurt."

"Didn't you just say you were the one that hurt her?" Sasuke smirked.

"Yes. I did it. But now I'm making up for it by helping her so shut up about it!" Naruto shouted at the black haired boy leaning against the wall.

Temari chuckled, "You two are pathetic."

She then popped Naruto on the forehead. "Move. I need to get in there."

"Oh." he carefully shuffled aside.

She walked in and seconds later came back out.

"What did you do?" Naruto asked trying to see any difference at all. She hadn't changed anything.

Temari glanced at him, "I got more money if you must know. But gee Naruto, I didn't know you cared so much."

"I don't. I was just curious."

"Right." Temari laughed.

Naruto glanced down at Hinata who was sitting, red and quiet in his arms.

"So, Hinata, where would you like to go get dinner?"

"Oh you're taking Hinata out?" Temari mock gasped.

Hinata blushed darker.

Naruto simply nodded, "Yeah, when I woke up we were both hungry. So I decided to take her out to get dinner."

"Just don't take her out to get ramen. She'll see your way of eating it and lose all appetite." called a voice behind Sasuke.

Naruto offhandedly wondered why everyone felt the need to pop up behind other people.

But this person was fine, he'd been worried about her so he'd let her sneakiness slide.

"Sakura!" he exclaimed happily.

Sure enough behind Sasuke stood Sakura and Gaara.

"Hey guys. What's with the party out in the hall?" Sakura asked.

Naruto shook his head, "Doesn't matter. What does is that you heal Hinata, right now!" he rushed the girl over to Sakura and held her out to her.

"She hurt her side and part of her stomach." Naruto informed Sakura.

"You mean you hurt her side and part of her stomach."

"Shut it Sasuke!" Naruto snapped over his shoulder.

Sakura saw the pain in Naruto's eyes.

He probably hated the fact that he'd done it. Had probably kicked himself very hard for it.

"No problem." Sakura reassured Naruto, "I'll have her fixed in a minute or two."

She stepped closer and pulled the girl's shirt up.

There was a big nasty discolored bruise on her alright. It looked painful.

Jeez, Naruto, what did you do? Drop kick her? Sakura thought as she studied the wound.

Naruto shook his head. "No, I didn't do anything like that. I was running really fast and tripped over her. She'd been laying in the grass and I didn't see her! It was an accident."

Wide eyed, Sakura stared at him.

"Naruto…?"

"What?" he asked.

"I didn't… say anything." Sakura told him softly.

And she hadn't. But some how he'd heard what she'd thought? How was that possible?

"Oh…"Naruto mumbled embarrassed.

Sakura giggled and began to heal Hinata's big bruise.

After she was done Naruto gently sat Hinata down and he smiled at her.

"Much better now, huh?" he asked.

Hinata nodded.

"Th-thank you for h-helping me, N-Naruto-kun."

"Don't mention it. It was the least I could do since it was my fault."

Sakura interrupted them.

"Sorry to interrupt this guys but I'm on a waffle mission. And now that my friend is not hurting I want to go. But I can't go without money and my money is in my room and I can't get in my room because four people are standing in my way."

"Well gee. Sorry, Miss Grumpy." Naruto said sticking his tongue out at her.

They all parted anyway and Sakura dashed into her room and back out in seconds.

"Alright, Gaara, lets go." she said holding up her wallet.

Naruto halted her by stepping in front of her and holding out his hand.

She glared at him, "You do realize you just placed yourself in a very dangerous position, right? Between me and my waffles. So move it buddy!"

Gaara nearly gasped. Was inner Sakura coming out? He hoped not. Though it had been fun and interesting to witness Shukaku and Sakura's Inner interact today he was not ready for a repeat performance.

Naruto laughed nervously, "I just wanted to ask if we could come."

"Oh." Sakura looked to everyone and nodded, "Yeah, yeah just hurry up and get your butts in my car! I want waffles! Lets go!" she took off running, grabbing Gaara's hand on her way out.

"Gaara calls shotgun!" Sakura yelled over her shoulder.

Naruto whined, "Naw! That ain't fair he didn't really call it!"

Sakura smiled at Gaara who caught her hint and said, "Shotgun."

Sakura made a face back at Naruto "Ha! See? He still beat you to saying it! So I guess you'll just have to sit in the back with your girlfriend! Poor you. What a horrible punishment, right?" Sakura teased.

Naruto blushed slightly, "Sakura, you know Hinata isn't my girlfriend."

Stopping just before going out the door Sakura laughed evilly and turned to face him.

"Oh but, Naruto, I said nothing about Hinata, and if you will notice Temari was also an option for who I could have been speaking of." she glanced at Hinata then back to him, "Funny how you instantly thought I meant Hinata, isn't it?"

Laughing, she spun around and raced to her car with a red Naruto close behind her shouting angrily.

Once everyone was in the car and in their seats they were ready to leave. As Sakura pulled out of the parking lot Gaara glanced back at Temari then to Sakura and asked, "Who in their right mind would want to date my sister? I can understand Naruto's reasoning behind thinking you meant Hinata."

Naruto mouthed, 'Thank you.' to Gaara before shouting, "Yeah. See!"

Temari smacked Gaara on the back of his head, "Who asked you?" she grumbled. "Besides I would never date that blond idiot. He's not my type." she stuck her tongue out at Naruto who quickly returned the sentiment.

No one noticed the slight smile Sasuke had on his face as he watched Temari laugh at the face Naruto made because of her words. Just like no one had noticed that back in the hall when he'd been quiet, he'd been staring at her.