AUTHOR'S NOTE: hello EVERYONE!

i hope you have enjoyed the last chapter even though it was so very short. But I felt it was needed. I want to thank everyone who has read this far and continues to do so, and everyone who has left such lovely reviews. I love every one of them. SO THANK YOU!

DISCLAIMER:

Sadly I do not own Naruto... And even sadder yet is the disapointing feeling you get at the end of the series and the ships you wanted to happen most never do **AHEM **

Last time:

"I am Shigure, and I am your new leader." He said as Sai placed his hand in his.

Chapter 13: Clones

She stood in the middle of the training grounds with her eyes closed as she focused inward on her chakra. For the past few weeks Sasuke had been helping her learn how to build it up and store it, and then use it, cause lets face it she wasn't really any good at it before all of this stuff happened with the poison. He decided that if she had to learn it all again anyway he might as well teach her to do it correctly. He even had a hands on approach he used where he would place his hand on her stomach right where the swirling seal was. He told her to focus on the warmth she felt there and imagined the chakra storing there. She giggled and told him how it reminded her of how the pervy sage had her do the rasengan training but with a balloon in her hand.

But now since she managed to climb the tree last week Sasuke decided it was time for her to try and channel the chakra on her own without his help. It wasn't that she didn't 'know' how to do it, but more like her body had been reset. At least that's what Tsunade told her when she stormed into the Hokage tower desperate for answers. Tsunade told her she was honestly surprised how far her training had progressed these past few weeks and that for any normal person it would have taken years to get as far as she had. Not just a few weeks or a couple of months. Sasuke agreed with her since again she had to pretty much relearn everything.

She had already been at it for hours today and knew she was going to be at the end of her rope soon. With the rapid decrease in her chakra so came the decrease in her hopes.

Standing there, feeling the chakra build up she couldn't help but still feel frustrated, just a few months ago she could do hundreds of shadow clones and now she couldn't even walk on water for more than a few seconds before going under. What she would give to just make one. Just one of her famous clones. One would make her happier than a heaping bowl of ramen given to her for free.

She'd tried a few times with no results but this time she was determined to get one. She needed this. If she could make her clone she could do anything and all this training would be worth it. One clone would tell her it was paying off. One would give her the ego boost she so desperately needed right now. One clone would tell her it was all going to be ok again.

That she would get back to normal.

That she would be Naruto Uzumaki, the number one knuckle headed ninja.

When the chakra got to be almost bursting and she couldn't hold anymore she made the hand sign.

'SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!'

Multiple puffs of air broke through her thoughts and concentration snapping her eyes open and her hair fluttered about her as she turned around.

Staring open mouthed at the fifty perfect clones she made her hands flew to her mouth and she began to cry from sheer joy as her knees gave out and she sat back on her heels. she couldn't take her eyes off of them. They were so amazing.

"I did it. I really did it." She whispered in awe.

One. She needed one. And she got fifty. Fifty reasons she needed to continue with this torturous training. Fifty items of proof this was worth it. Fifty clones.

She was going to be ok. Even if it seemed like it was going to take forever. She now had fifty clones to prove she was going to get herself back.

Strong arms wrapped around her from behind and helped her stand up again but didn't let go. Sasuke turned her to face him, cupping her face in his hands he looked into her bright blue eyes. Her hands came up to grasp his forearms as she smiled at him.

"I am so proud of you."

Before she could say anything back he captured her mouth with his and her eyes flew wide and her clones exploded into smoke that covered the field shielding them from view. She closed her eyes and let herself kiss him back as sparks erupted in her belly, down to her toes, and straight up to her heart. His hands moved to fist into her hair, locking er in place as his tongue slid over her bottom lip. She let him in and let him take the lead. She marveled at the feel of his lips on hers and the fact that Sasuke Uchiha was kissing her. Naruto Uzumaki. Something she hadn't even dared hope for even with the feelings she had for him.

The need for more air forced them to break apart and Sasuke pressed his forehead to hers while looking into her eyes.

He wasn't planning on kissing her. But seeing her so happy at accomplishing something she'd been working so hard for he couldn't help himself. He moved before he even realized what he was doing. Was kissing her and tasting her lips before he knew it. Something he only thought about but hadn't dared to do in fear of her rejecting him. but now he had and he wanted to keep doing it. Was going to do it again. Kissing her was like coming home, it felt better than holding her in his arms.

And she kissed him back.

He wrapped his arms around her again and held her to his chest.

"I am so proud of you Naruto Uzukami. You did it." He felt her nod against his chest before she went limp in his arms and passed out from exhaustion. He smiled as he swung her up into his arms while the last of the smoke from her clones dispersed.

Looking down into her sleeping face he saw she had a smile on her swollen kissed lips.

Putting his face close to her's he whispered "I love you, Dobe." And he could swear she smiled a bit more.

AUTHOR'S NOTE...again!

i DO so hope you enjoyed this chapter. PLEASE REVIEW!