She couldn't bear it any longer. She sat there, a cold bowl of ramen in front of her, and felt her heart torn between what she knew to be good and what she knew to be right. She pushed the bowl away from her.

"Yuki-chan?" she heard him start.

"I'm fine. Honestly," she said, giving him a fake smile. He must have known it wasn't the truth because Yuki felt him turn her head towards his.

"What's wrong? You haven't touched your ramen, and it seems like you're mind is somewhere else." Yuki looked away ashamed. It was his first day back and she knew she was being selfish.

"Tell me."

Tears soaked through the bandages, and she reached up, wanting to wipe them away, unable to.

"I-I-I-don't want you to go." It was out in the open; her heart on a silver platter. How she truly felt was revealed in a single sentence. No matter how much she tried to deny it or stop it, it continued to pour out until the point where when she was done; she was off her stool, tears pouring down his face.

"You left me. Alone! Sad and nowhere to turn… I needed you and you weren't there. And while I grew stronger, I knew in my heart, that I was weak because I knew that things weren't the same. I missed you! I l-lo-lo-lo-loved you. Like a brother. Closer than a brother. I am happy now that you back, but I know this can't last. You have to leave the village again. And again I will be alone. Naru nii-chan…" she said, clutching his legs, blindly.
"Please don't go."

She knew it was a request he couldn't honor. Nor was it one that he would even acquiesce to. But she did know that, him leaving again would be too painful. She feared the worst when he didn't answer. The air was silent, and she felt him back away, and immediately hung her head.

I should have known it. He hates my guts…that I care so much was a waste of my heart. I'm an idiot to think that-

And then she felt something and the world stood still.

Two warm lips on her forehead, and a hand in hers, picking her up.

"Yuki-imouto. I won't leave…it hurts me to see you in such pain. I remember my loneliness, and I could never force you to endure it like I have. I will talk to Obaa-chan. Hopefully she can create a new squad without me in it. Besides, SasuSaku has kept our squad from cooperating. Even Kakashi-sensei realizes it." His voice was gentle and sincere, and she didn't look away as he wiped away the tears. Yuki reached behind her, pulling at the knot. She had to see that he wasn't lying with her own two eyes.

"Yuki! You're eyes aren't stable!" he said, trying to stop her, only to be swatted away.

"Don't. I understand your concern. I'll be fine." She closed her eyes, and slowly unraveled the cloth ring by ring until it fell to her feet. She steeled herself, before opening her wet eyes. She felt something warm start to drip, and a sharp pain ache through her forehead, as she tried to focus on the target she saw not even five feet from her. Black and white faded, and then orange, black and blue filled her vision.

Focus…

Finally, the pixels dissolved until Naruto's face was revealed to her. She gasped, and backed away, and tripped over herself. She hit the ground with an 'oof'.

He's telling the truth. He means it!

A sharp pain suddenly ripped through her head, forcing her mouth shut. Her eyes opened wide, and she covered them with a hand, as everything became unbearably blurry. Then a shockwave rippled, and the mark on her neck burned like hot metal. Yuki waited for everything to settle before she glanced around. Nothing. Perhaps it had just been an after affect of the surgery.

"Who you are looking for kit?"

Yuki's eyes followed the sound up.

"KYUU-CHAN!" she yelled, jumping up to the demon who sat on the roof of the restaurant, swinging her legs.

"My my my. You've grown," the fox teased, sniffing her hair, and putting her hands on Yuki's body. Yuki blushed and looked away.

"Your breasts are bigger, and your hair is definitely brighter. And your eyes...the pink is changing towards violet."

"Wh-what?" she asked, shock permeating through her tone.

"You've amassed a good amount of knowledge, and experience. What's this? An admirer? Kiba Inuzuka! Hehehe. Beastiality your thing?" the demon asked.

Yuki smirked, and punched her friend.

"Hey! Just cause-"

"You masterbate to the size of his cock, the idea of both him and Akamaru pounding you, doesn't necessarily make it true?"

Yuki blushed beet red, and found herself unable to retort a comeback. It was true after all.

"We'll meet back at your place tonight. See ya then."

The jutsu faded and Yuki returned t o her seat before Naruto realized what had happened.

"Yuki. umm-you're shirt, dattebayo."

Yuki flinched and glanced down, noticing that part of it had parted, and her breast was very visible. She glanced back at Naruto who was trying hard not to look, but had snuck several peeks and was blushing.

"You like what you saw?" she asked, leaning forward, putting the top back on. She watched Naruto try to stammer out a response, before she pulled back, giggling.

"Not cool! I-ummm-"

"Looks like Ero-sennin rubbed off on you," she said, between laughs.

There was a moment of awkward silence, before she turned her attention back to the ramen.

I can't wait to see you...