Shade of the Leaf - Page 3

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 03:07 AM

Sakura sighed, running her fingers through her damp hair. Diplomatic status had given them longer shower time, but she and Naruto had been switching who had a shower on what day to keep from taxing Sand's resources. They could always drown themselves when they got back to Konoha after all.

Leaning against the window in her room, she studied the streets of Suna at night. It wasn't home, but Naruto was right. There was a strange, almost alien sort of attraction to the place. Although she would never actually tell the blond that; a half smile lifted the edges of her mouth into a smile and she pressed her face against the glass and closed her eyes.

The quiet of night here was relaxing, but it did nothing to distract her from the insanity of her thoughts. Naruto had questioned her that morning if she was sleeping, and she had stubbornly ignored him. If she said no, there was little chance her would believe her if she sited the new location of Sand as the reason. She had slept fine the last time she was here. No. This entire problem was quite squarely Naruto's fault!

She just couldn't stop analyzing every movement she and Naruto had made around each other since Sasuke came back. Opening her eyes, she stared blindly down at Sand.

'Logically Sakura; go about this logically!' Lowering her hand, she smiled somewhat ruefully. It wasn't like she was going to be getting a lot of sleep tonight anyway. At least tomorrow she could just tell Naruto she had been over analyzing the Jounin trials they had been watching. That was truth enough.

Settling her shoulder against the wall, she stared at the window. Was he in love with her? She knew there was attraction, those half kisses and real kisses had said enough. The way his eyes would sometimes burn, as if he was holding something back and that it was almost too much for him… well, attraction meant lust and she had already admitted she wanted to jump his bones. She also knew she was far too emotionally involved to sleep with him without some assurances that he was serious about this. A rueful smile curved her lips. Not that Naruto wouldn’t be serious about it, when it came to his friends and those he cared about he was ruthless in making sure they were happy. It was why he was going to be such a good Hokage.

Pushing her hands through her bangs, she stared gloomily through the night. So that meant that her problem were her rules and not Naruto. Her carefully formed and decided rules that had been in place for years on how to deal with Naruto. She wasn't willing to break them. She had already made that mistake with Sasuke, giving too much of herself where it wasn't wanted until she had to dig her heels in and fight to earn the trust she deserved as his teammate. She loved Sasuke. She really, truly did. She just wasn't in love with him. She didn't regret where she was with him. His friendship and his quiet confidence at her back were wonderful. He made her happy the way he was. Naruto… with Naruto she wanted more. Yet, she was so terrified of loosing him to her stupidity.

Loosing Naruto…. Her breath hitched and she swallowed. Loosing Naruto was unacceptable. Sasuke… he was a missing piece that made her feel whole and safe and complete. It was like loosing a limb and finding it was suddenly there again, working and strong. Loosing Naruto would be much, much worse.

Especially if it was her fault; shoulder rounding with exhaustion, she admitted to herself that the crux of the problem. Naruto's ability to forgive was almost endless. Almost. If she managed to screw up in such a way he was forced to choose between their friendship and whatever was delicately growing between them…. there would be no going back. She wasn't sure there would be a second chance.

Yet… he had kissed her. He had watched her with those eyes that were almost starved… had held her hand and picked her up and slept on her couch for no other reason than it was her couch. Had given her his bed when she needed it and the comfort of his presence. He had been her best friend since before she had even realized who he was as a person. Rubbing her temples, she sighed.

So she had two choices. The first was to walk away from what was between them, to hide behind a façade of friendship and pray that Naruto would eventually let what was between them go. The other was to take the risk, to grasp it with both hands and find out what was going on and what she wanted.

Biting her lip, she took a deep even breath. She wasn't a coward, and she had sworn that she would never back out of battle ever again. If this was a battlefield… well, didn't they compare love to war?

Now all she had to do was figure out how to tell him that she was open to his advances…

Looking out the window, she physically started to see Naruto and Gaara standing in the street. One hand was behind Naruto's head and the other was waving to prove a point. The sight of the two ninja's had her breath catching in her throat, and Sakura swallowed.

Maybe she was just going to go blunt with this one. Naruto had never been too particularly good about picking up subtle messages anyway.

XxXxXxXx

Naruto slung his hands behind his head, feeling very satisfied. Cutting his eyes to the man next to him, he considered the Kazekage. Gaara, for his part, was ignoring him, although the corner of one mouth twitched a little, as if he was attempting to hide his own amusement. Ha. Like that would work. He could read Sasuke, after all, and while the lack of eyebrows did manage to keep his expression bland, there were other ways to see things. Like that fact that his hands were loose at his side and the edges of his mouth were deep enough to be a smile. Sort of. If he squinted really hard.

"Your face is going to get stuck like that."

"Everyone keeps saying that," Naruto complained.

Gaara said nothing, but his shoulder twitched, as if he was laughing.

Bastard.

Turning his eyes back to the desert night, Naruto smiled to himself. "I told Sakura this place was beautiful."

There was a hesitation, a slight shift in intensity.

"Oh?"

Naruto grinned again. "She didn't believe me."

Gaara shrugged. "Not many see it."

Naruto gave his own shrug. "I told her I would show it to her."

Gaara's eyes cut over. "Did you."

Rolling his eyes, Naruto flung a hand out and drove a knuckle into the stoic's man's arm. "Just because you’re Kazekage and I'm the future Hokage doesn't mean I won't kick your ass."

Sand shifted around them, but Gaara's mouth had twisted into something resembling a smile. It was slightly creepy, but was a much better version of a smile than he had seen the last time he had talked to him.

"Is that a challenge?"

Naruto thought about it and then shook his head. "Nah. Sakura would kill me if she caught us brawling."

This time, it was a real smile, and Naruto narrowed his eyes. That wasn't exactly a polite smile, now that he thought about it.

"What?"

Gaara's eyes flickered over and above him, and Naruto lifted his head. To his surprised, he caught a flash of pink before the figure moved away from the window.

"Hey, I wonder what she is doing still awake."

Gaara was silent, so Naruto turned back and blinked at the expression on his friend's face. Well, the lack of expression.

"Have you told her yet?"

All the teasing left him, and he shoved his hands in his pockets, his eyes moving away from Gaara and back to the streets.

"No."

"Hn."

Trying for a smile, Naruto shrugged. "You saw her at the trials. Would you want to try something she didn't like with that punch?"

Gaara's expression didn't change. When he finally spoke, his words were careful. "I think I would be lucky to find someone willing to look past this." His fingers moved a little, and Naruto's shoulders rounded.

"Yeah. I know."

"Yet, you hesitate."

"It's Sakura."

"Perhaps you should tell her that."

"You know, between you and Sasuke, I really don't feel like I get to make any of these decisions on my own."

Gaara started walking again. "Try living with Temari."

Naruto was silent and then he grinned. "I see your point."

"Go away, Naruto."

Rolling his eyes, Naruto stretched his neck, feeling a few of the vertebrae pop. He hesitated for a moment, and then turned on his heel.

He wondered if Sakura was up for some conversation.

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 05:08 AM

-23-

Shikamaru studied the papers in front of him, a faint frown tugging at the edges of his mouth

Shikamaru studied the papers in front of him, a faint frown tugging at the edges of his mouth. Sighing heavily, he crossed his arms and looked back up to the very troublesome woman that had become his Hokage. These midnight meetings were really starting to become bothersome.

"Are you sure this is correct?"

"Our sources are impeccable." Tsunade assured him. She poured Sake into two very tiny cups. "Sake?"

Ignoring the offer, he stared back at the documents in front of him. Shikamaru could already feel the headache forming behind his eyes. He shuffled the papers in front of him before reading them over for the third time. Akatsuki. Fingers clenching he swallowed his instinctive hatred of that group. The very idea that any of the council would be willing to make a deal with them to sell out Naruto, even for the promise of immunity for the village, infuriated him.

"Are you wanting to shake down the council?"

"Yes." Tsunade said. "Do you have a problem with that?"

Pushing his anger down to be dealt with later, he concentrated on the facts. He could feel his eyes trying to cross with the effort to organize the information that had just been dumped in his lap. It shouldn't have surprised him that Team 7 – troublemakers all of them – was in the middle of this but the links to the Hyuuga clan were a bit more complicated.

Scratching his jaw, he sighed. "How troublesome."

"Kakashi doesn't believe there to be any loopholes. What do you think?"

"Ibiki will be questioning the instigators that we have the names for?"

"He has already put together his team and begun collecting various council members. We should have a complete set of names by tomorrow evening."

Shikamaru frowned. "We have someone watching the gates?"

Tsunade's smile was satisfied. "Yes."

"I want to see Ibiki's reports on who exactly is involved."

"Of course," Tsunade agreed as she took another drink from the ridiculous cup in her hand. "I'm going to demand a complete overhaul of the council."

Shikamaru considered the list of councilmen before him and sighed. "How many do we suspect are involved at this point?"

"Too many." Tsunade said grimly. "We can't prove that everyone was involved but there is enough information linking names that it’s time to get some fresh blood into the council seats. What concerns me the most is that the instigators seem to be in the Hyuuga clan."

Shikamaru sighed. "Yes. Does our informant give reasons?"

"The obvious. It was for the 'good of the village', their distaste at what Naruto is and my personal favorite... ambition."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow.

"Naruto will be my successor. He is still a little rough around the edges but he will learn. Besides," her mouth curled at the edges. "He has the most interesting talent of making friends wherever he goes."

Shikamaru scratched his chin and mentally agreed with her. Even if he didn't count Team 7's uncomfortable loyalty to each other regardless of how troublesome certain members were; Naruto's ability to win people with political pull was hard to avoid. Himself, Neji, Tsunade and of course, Sand's Kazekage. The list was really too bothersome to put together. Naruto had an 'in' into every clan in the village and ties to their allies that couldn't be ignored. He was a good choice as a Hokage even though Shikamaru had the nagging notion that Naruto was going to be even more troublesome than the woman before him.

"How does this play the part into the Hyuuga ambition?"

"For all the snipping at each other, the Uchiha and Hyuuga managed to balance each other’s attempts to gain power. With the Uchiha's gone many in the Hyuuga clan believe that they should have more control of the village." She laced her fingers together. "It is a problem we have been aware of for some time. I am sure your sources into the clans have been keeping an eye on the situation?"

Shikamaru slouched some more. "Perhaps."

Tsunade snorted. "None of your avoidance tactics, Shikamaru. As I was saying, they no longer have such a large check in power. They have been angling to get the Uchiha clan disbanded completely before Sasuke can find the political backing he needs to assume his position as the head of the clan and there have been talks about letting the village reabsorb the wealth and property of the clan as well."

Shikamaru lifted a brow. "That will not go over well with some of the other clans."

Tsunade tilted her head in agreement. "So far, that is all that has stayed their hand."

"And your own interference?"

Tsunade' smile was satisfied. "Somewhat."

Shikamaru sighed. "So by removing Naruto, the Hyuuga elders will have removed the greatest threat to their hopes to gain complete control of the village politics. I do not believe them to be so stupid that they will give the Akatsuki what they want when we can only guess that what they wish to use the bijuu for."

"We have been a strong village for a long time." Tsunade said finally. "Sometimes that power corrupts just as surely as the need to become strong does."

Shikamaru gave a slight nod. Still, the gamble had been high. Not only was what they were doing treason but by attempting to sell out Naruto (a shinobi) they had put their judgment in Tsunade's hands instead of the hands of their peers. He supposed he could understand why the council members involved in this plot had struck in the way they had chosen. Team 7 was becoming a force to be reckoned with. It was assumed that one day Naruto would be Hokage, it was likely Sakura would take over the running of the hospital in due time and Sasuke would hold all the weight of his clan politically if no longer physically.

So troublesome those three were.

"I assume Hiashi is unaware of the plot going on in his walls?"

"It appears to be so," Tsunade said mildly. "Hiashi is a proud man and a loyal one. But this will loosen the hold he has on the Main house."

Shikamaru stared at her. "You're attempting to give Hinata political power."

Tsunade leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly against the desk. "Yes."

"Why?" Shikamaru sat up straight, starring at her. To involve herself in the middle of a clan battle without proper reasoning was dangerous.

Tsuande was silent for a moment longer. "When the time comes for me to choose my replacement, who do your contacts say the majority of the clans will support?"

Shikamaru blinked at her. "That would depend on who you choose."

Tsunade's smile was amused. "I believe most of the clans are already aware of who my choice is, Shikamaru."

He inclined his head. "They are aware of who it is rumored you will be choosing."

"And your thoughts?"

Shikamaru sighed. "The clan elders have not spoken about this matter to either of my sources but it is my belief that they will support you."

"That is not the case for the Hyuuga." Tsunade said tersely. "Mostly because of Naruto's hatred of their Branch House policy and partly because of what he is." She pinned him with a stern expression. "Hanabi will not make a good leader for her clan. She is brash, young and she has not chosen wisely in her quest for power over her sister."

"Are you worried she will enforce the cage seal?"

Tsunade's expression was hard. "You speak of Neji?"

Shikamaru shrugged, slouching a little in his chair. "One of Hiashi's daughters must take the seal for the other to lead."

"Perhaps." Tsunade said softly. When she spoke again, her voice was hard. "Hanabi and Hiashi have both been warned as to the consequences of enforcing the seal at this time... on either his children or against certain branch members."

Shikamaru sighed. The dynamics of the village were going to change and rapidly. Power would shift. More importantly, since it appeared most of the troubled members belong to Hanabi's support, how exactly the power would shift to Hinata. This was going to be one very large mess that someone, probably him was going to have to clean up. Sighing heavily, he reached for a cigarette.

"How troublesome."

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 06:56 AM

-24-Sakura kicked her heels as she stared at the teakettle that was sitting on the stove. This was becoming something of a nightly ritual and she was quickly running out of herb packets. Suna nights were just cold enough even in summer that she would appreciate the added warmth and the tea did help her settle in for bed. Reaching up to rub her tired eyes, she paused at the sound of someone knocking.

"Oi, Sakura-chan, you awake?" Naruto's low voice was muffled by the door; loud enough that she would hear it if she was awake but low enough that if she was asleep or wanted to ignore him she could.

She seriously debated ignoring him. It was late; she needed to go to bed but…

"Hang on Naruto," she called jumping off the counter she had been sitting on. Shuffling in the ridiculous slippers she had started wearing (it wasn't that she was afraid of bugs, just that the bugs here were rather nasty) and flicked open the locks on her door.

"Hey," Naruto said with a smile, leaning his shoulder against the door jam. "What are you doing still up?"

"Not sleeping, obviously." Sakura drawled, poking him. "Are you finished with your little midnight tour with Gaara?"

Naruto rubbed his shoulder, smirking. "Watching us?"

"Rather hard to miss you." She pointed out, opening the door in a silent invitation to enter. "It was either sand, more sand, building covered in sand or you two sleepless fools."

"I don't think its good diplomacy to call Gaara a fool." Naruto teased as he followed her into the kitchen. "We could get into trouble for talking behind his back."

"Since I've called him such to his face, I think we will be okay." Sakura returned. She dangled a tea packet in front of him. "Want one?"

"Nah. I'm good."

She lifted a brow letting her eyes run over his form. The sand-garb hid the muscle she was used to seeing in Konoha, but there was something a little more dangerous to this outfit. A little more anticipation. "You're getting enough fluids, aren't you?"

Naruto jumped up onto her previous place on the counter and rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mednin-Haruno. I am getting plenty of fluids."

She quirked a brow at him and then shrugged. "If you pass out from heat exhaustion I'm going to let Gaara deal with you."

"No mercy, even for your teammates." Naruto teased his smile open and easy. Sakura snorted at him and as she poured the hot water over the bag of herbs.

"Not when you're being an idiot. But since I have been up to my elbows in your insides at least twice, we'll call it even." Sakura suggested.

"Right here, Sakura-chan." He moaned holding a hand to his heart. "Right here."

"If you can survive Sasuke trying to shove a chidori through your chest, you can handle a couple of heart palpitations." She teased as she judged how long she had let her tea steep.

Naruto snorted and crossed his arms. "So I take it this isn't a one night ordeal?"

Sakura blinked at him as she tossed the packet into a trash container. "I beg your pardon?"

Naruto pointed at the stove. "You couldn't turn that thing on when we first got here. Now you're acting like you've been using it for years. How many cups of tea have you been making, Sakura?"

She lifted a brow, as she carefully tasted the hot drink. A little bitter. "What makes you think I'm just not compiling my mental report for Tsunade?"

Naruto jumped down and shoved his hands in his pockets considering her with the expression that never failed to run goose bumps down her arms. It was an expression that told her there was more going on behind his eyes that he let on. The one that suggested the fox wasn't as far beneath the skin as everyone in Konoha liked to believe.

"Sakura, you only drink tea like Tsunade drinks sake when you have something on your mind. I thought we had agreed that you could talk to me about anything?"

Sakura pursed her lips considering. Feeling suddenly – ridiculously – nervous, she turned and set the mug down before taking a deep breath. This was absurd. She had already made her decision. She was going to face this. Squaring her shoulders, she turned to face Naruto.

"You're right. I do have a problem."

Naruto blinked at her before something eased in his shoulders. "All right then, Sakura-chan! Let's go sit down where we can talk about it and I'll see what I can do to help!"

Sakura shook her head, taking a long deep breath. She was not nervous! This was Naruto! If he was going to reject her, he would have done it when she was twelve and crying brat. Not now. Not after everything. Her palms started to sweat and she hated it.

"This isn't… I mean… oh screw it." Sakura growled before moving forward. She closed the distance between them in two steps, rose up on her tiptoes, and pressed her mouth solidly against his.

His lips were chapped from the wind and his body was rigid under her hands. Pulling back, she stared up into his face. His eyes were wide and she licked her lips, locking her knees so she wouldn't bolt. She would not run. She would deal with this.

"Naruto?"

The light came back on behind his eyes at the sound of her voice and she was hardly aware of the way he was backing her up until her back hit the cold box. Bracing his arms on either side of her body, he stared down at her, pupils filled with red sparks.

"Why?"

His question stung (did he think she was playing, did he think she wouldn't do this without THOUGHT?) but instead of arching her back and snapping, she took a slow breath and steadied herself.

"I'm not playing with you."

His posture shifted and the air around her felt very confined. "I didn't say you were, Sakura."

She studied his face for a long moment before nodding. "I'm not in love with you, Naruto." 'At least I don't think so…' "But… I won't lie and say there isn't anything between us either. I would like to find out what that is."

He leaned forward so that their noses were almost touching and she had to clench her fists to keep from reaching for him. "So you decided to tell me that by kissing me?"

His hands were sliding down the fridge and then they were tangling in her hair. She swallowed and his eyes lowered to watch her throat move.

"I figured I owed you one." 'Or two. Was it three?' She whispered. "Besides, aren't you supposed to be a man of action instead of…"

He mouth pressed into hers, slanting across her lips like a brand. She wrapped her arms around his waist and stepped into his kiss, tilting her chin to give him better access. In return, he pressed up against her – he was so warm compared to the cold of the fridge behind her– and she dug her nails into his back, whimpering.

When they finally pulled back, Sakura was uncertain how long she had allowed herself to sink into the heat and feel of him and they were both panting. The smile that was slowly tugging the corner of Naruto's lips upward made her stomach drop and her cheeks heat.

He untangled his hands from her hair to brush her bangs out of her eyes. "Do you know how long I've waited for you to admit that?"

Sakura shrugged, feeling self-conscious. "I didn't want to risk our friendship."

Instead of rolling his eyes or saying something ridiculous, he brought his hands up so that he was cradling her face between his palms.

"Do you trust me, Sakura?"

"Yes." That was a question she didn't have to think about twice. Ever.

"Then trust me when I say it would take more than you could possible do to me to ever loose our friendship."

"But…"

He covered her lips with his fingers. "Nothing, Sakura-chan."

"How do you know that?" She blurted out quickly when he moved his hand away.

"Because I know you and I know me." He said with a shrug, his smile sure. "Even if nothing comes of this except some very good stolen moments," here his eyes burned, "you have at least given me a chance. That's all I ever wanted. That's all I can ask for."

She studied him for a long time before relaxing. Her fingers loosened their hold on his shirt. "You really are crazy."

"Maybe," he said cheerfully, deliberately sliding his fingertips down the side of her face before taking two very careful steps back. "But you like me anyway."

She sighed. "Yes."

He grinned. "Good. Now go to bed!" His eyes cut over to her mischievously. "Unless you want to work on those stolen moments."

She swatted him. "Naruto!"

"Can't blame a guy for trying."

She huffed. "You are going to have to work much harder than that to get 'stolen moments' you idiot."

His smile was predatory and she could feel the blush working its way from her throat into her cheeks. "I do love a good challenge, Sakura."

Clearing her throat, she pointed to the door. "Good night, Naruto."

"Good night," he echoed as he started to walk to the door. "If you have any trouble sleeping…"

"I'll go find Kankuro." He deserved it. "Now go away!"

"That's not nice!" he scolded as he slipped into the hall. "You can't just say…"

She shut the door with a slam and flicked the locks into place.

Maybe this would work out after all.

"Not cool, Sakura-chan!

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 07:01 AM

-25-
Kakashi adjusted the book so that he could easily peer over the edges of the pages without looking too conspicuous. It was amazing how many people ignored someone who they believed was reading inappropriate material and how often they thought it made him blind and dumb. Turning a page he discreetly scanned the area that was waiting for the results of the emergency council meeting.

Everyone looked comfortable, relaxed. Either they were not expecting the exploding tag that Tsunade was currently holding in her hand or they had no idea that something was going down inside those oak doors. Kakashi personally like to believe the first. There were too many people connected to the council. Too many ears, too many eyes. No, some of them were just biding their time. It would be a long time before they cleaned all the rats out of their holes.

That was fine with him. Ibiki was going to go through them with a fine toothed comb and anyone stupid enough to go after his team later in some misplaced sense of revenge was going to have their hands full. A small smile tugged at his mouth. He was hopeful that some of them would come after him, but he didn't think he would be given such an opportunity.

He paused in his reading as the council door opened. Hiashi was unsurprisingly the first to exit. There was an expression on his face that Kakashi had only seen once or twice in his life. He felt no pity for the head of the Hyuuga clan. Hanabi was a brat who didn't care about who she had to run over to gain power and Hinata was too soft-spoken to be taken seriously without some serious leverage. Kakashi had seen the Neji and Hinata sparring and what Neji had over Hinata in sheer power the small Hyuuga made up for in speed and creativity. That sort of mind would do well for her clan if just given the chance.

If the developing tic under Hiashi's left eye told him anything, it indicated that the first step in securing Hinata as the heir to the clan had taken place. The next few hours would be critical to see how the clan would react. More importantly, how Hiashi would react. Shikamaru was fairly sure that he would be forced to name Hinata heir but until that moment came there were many things that could go wrong. He hoped Neji was keeping a close eye on his cousin.

Closing his book, Kakashi memorized names and faces that exited the council room. Many of them were pale and several of them were sweating. Some didn't leave the room at all. Making mental notes, he waited until the doors shut again and turned on his heel.

It was time to go and check on his wayward student.

XxXxXxXxXxXx

Sasuke lifted his eyes from the scroll he had been reading when there was a knock on his door. Since she had been standing on his landing for the past five minutes he had almost expected her to walk away. He wasn't exactly surprised that she was stopping by but he hadn't expected her to be alone.

"Hinata."

She looked up at the sound of her name. Sasuke looked around her and lifted a brow when he confirmed that her cousin was nowhere to be found.

"Sasuke-san," she said quietly. "Neji is not here. May I come in?"

He opened the door, carefully scanning the area before shutting and locking it behind her. Some of the tension in her shoulders seemed to release once his traps snapped into place and her pale eyes scanned the distinct lack of windows with something like approval. Motioning to the small table he had been previously reading at, he headed into the kitchen to start a pot of tea.

Turning once he was satisfied, he settled his hip against the counter and considered the Hyuuga heir. She had settled at his table and was watching him with her hands clasped in her lap. Since they were her best weapon she was deliberately handicapping herself.

"You have heard about the council meeting this morning?" Her tone made it almost a statement but he nodded anyway.

She nodded and straightened her spine. "Then you are aware of the grief my clan has caused you."

Again he nodded. There were many things that her statement could have alluded to. The council had attempted to drive his clan into the ground and they had attempted to destroy Naruto, his teammate. Both gave him grounds to claim fault. If the spark – he would almost call it temper – behind her eyes said anything, she was clearly aware of everything that had occurred during the council meeting this morning. Remembering the way her eyes had once followed Naruto, he decided that her words were for Naruto and for those he now protected.

"This morning my father placed the cage seal on Hanabi," Hinata's voice held no triumph, instead she just looked tired. "Officially, this was done because of her connections to the Elders who are currently being charged with treason. She couldn't be trusted by the village after this and so was no longer in contention to be heir. Unofficially, this was done to save face. There is no proof that Hanabi was involved in the plot but there is no proof that she was not. My father cannot loose the support of the clan or we will never resolve our internal problems. So he chose this as his path."

"Hn."

"My father is getting older, Sasuke-san." Her words were soft but there was an edge there that Sasuke could appreciate. "He hides it well, but he is getting tired. He had already started training Hanabi quietly about Clan economics and strategies and he does not approve of me as heir."

Sasuke studied her face before turning to take the water off the burner before it could start to whistle at him. Pouring the water over the leaves, he settled the teapot onto a tray and added two mugs before setting it down on the table to seep. Taking a chair across from Hinata he laced his fingers together.

"What does this have to do with the Uchiha-clan, Hinata?"

"You will need support to rebuild your clan, Sasuke-san." Hinata said quietly. "I am now in a position to offer that support."

Sasuke was silent as he poured them both some tea. "Your Elders will not appreciate that move."

Her smile was tight. "What better way to fish out the rest of the traitors?"

He lifted a brow. "That is dangerous."

"Yes." She agreed, lifting the mug and cradling it in her hands as if suddenly chilled. "There are many things I plan on doing that are going to be dangerous."

He studied her. His clan would grow. He knew Hinata was aware of that, as she was also clearly aware of the traditional animosity between their clans. Leaning back, he studied her.

"You would like our clans to grow as allies."

"I would like us to try." Hinata said finally. Her eyes were hard. "I cannot close the rift between the Branch and the Main house completely. Not in my lifetime. I can abolish the practice of the cage seal but it will take work and years of struggle before I can win my family over to the reality of change." Her eyes grew distant. "But I made a promise to someone and I will keep it."

Sasuke nodded.

Hinata drew in a deep breath. "What I would like to do Sasuke-san, is offer your clan support. We cannot do much, not with my father still keeping an eye on things but Neji and I will do what we can both politically and economically to aid you. You will need assistance in learning as your clan develops and I would like to offer you ours."

Sasuke considered her offer. "Is this is payment for the debt your clans actions have caused?"

Hinata shook her head. "No, Sasuke-san. This is in payment of a different promise. The debt my clan owes on that front is political and shall be paid politically. The Elders who are left are in agreement with me on this."

Sasuke took a sip of his tea. "I shall consider your offer."

Hinata nodded and set her mug down. Standing, she bowed. "Thank you for your time, Uchiha-sama. May your clan be prosperous."

"And may yours weather the storm of time." He returned the old greeting and it felt a little clumsy on his tongue.

She nodded and he stood and followed her to the door. As he opened the door for her, he studied her out of the corner of his eye.

"Hinata."

She turned.

"The undercurrents of the council’s actions have not yet settled."

She nodded her head. "Yes. Watch your back, Sasuke-san."

Shutting the door he flipped the locks back into place. Rolling his neck, he checked his traps and lifted his eyes to the small window in his kitchen. He had plans to make. It wouldn't do for his teammates to return home and him be caught off guard by their questions.

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 07:12 AM

-26-
Sakura checked her pack again to make sure she hadn't left anything important behind. A week and half in Suna had depleted her gear but she was still worried she had left something. Naruto was off gathering supplies with Gaara for their return trip home. They were supposed to meet up with them at the gate in half an hour but Sakura had gotten bored and wondered down early. Temari and Kankuro were already there and seemed amused by her antsy behavior.

"Ready to go home too quickly, Sakura-chan?" Kankuro teased.

"Yes." Sakura said bluntly. "You know, the longer I'm here the higher the odds that I'm going to have to save your ass and I would like to save myself the trouble."

Temari laughed. "That's probably truer than you know."

Kankuro looked offended. Or Sakura thought he did. The face paint made it difficult to determine.

"That's not nice, Sakura!"

Sakura stuck her hand on her hips and smirked. "First Sakura-chan and then Sakura. Make up your mind, paint-boy."

Kankuro straightened himself to his full height. "So, did you manage to catch yourself a blonde jounin while you were here?"

Sakura flung one of her energy bars at his head and was satisfied when it hit with a thud.

Temari gave Sakura a long look out of the corner of her eye and smirked. The next thing Sakura knew, she was being dragged away from the gate and into the market. Sputtering, she stumbled a little before she caught her balance and managed to find her feet.

"Hey!"

"Temari." Kankuro hollered. "I was talking with her!"

"Don't worry little brother. I'll bring the leaf-nin back in one piece!" The blonde promised, waving her hand as she continued to drag Sakura along. "As soon as you explain what is going on between you and Naruto." She finished in a hiss.

"What?"

Temari snorted. "Do I look like I am completely oblivious? Just because Kankuro and Gaara wouldn't see a relationship if it walked up, hit them in the face and stripped them naked with its teeth does not mean I have such problems."

Sakura shot her an annoyed look. "So I should tell Shikamaru no stripping?"

Temari snorted. "Boy's too lazy to do that sort of work. Besides, it’s more fun to watch his eyes widen while you drag the zipper down yourself."

Sakura blinked several times. And then violently shook her head. "That's an image I did not need."

"You'll get used to it." Temari said lazily as she dragged her to a bench. "Now, want kind of dango do you want? We can pretend we were off doing girly things before you left and Gaara will just have to deal with it."

"You mean you’re not going to interrogate me?" Sakura teased.

"I was attempting to be diplomatic. Don't run. I'll just break your ribs."

Sakura snorted. "You can try."

"I'll do more than try, honey." Temari assured her before waking over to the little stand and buying them both some dango and sauntering back. "Now, I have officially bribed you. Start talking."

Sakura sighed. The dango looked delicious and Temari had even brought them small glasses of tea. Taking a careful bite, she sighed again.

"Alright. I give."

Temari's smile was wicked. "I know."

"I don't know what's going on between Naruto and myself." Sakura said mildly. "But I told him I was willing to find out."

Temari chewed for several long seconds. "We'll that's better than what I told Shikamaru."

Sakura lifted a brow. "Oh?"

"Hmm. I told him I was in it purely for the sex."

"I suppose I can see that," Sakura mused. "Just trying not to visualize Shika naked."

Temari opened her mouth and Sakura, realizing what she said, shoved her last dango into Temari's mouth.

"No. Do not. Ever."

Temari rolled her eyes as she chewed. "You’re such a prude."

"Yes well, I have to work with him. I do not need any images. Any."

"I'm sure that Naruto will help you wash your brain out. He has very nice abs." Temari said as they started their walk back to the group conversing near the gate.

Sakura cut her a glance. "If you think I am going to talk about him at all, you're crazy."

Temari smirked. "I have my ways."

"Have your ways for what?" Naruto asked, bouncing a little on his heels. He had enjoyed his stay in Sand but it was time to go home now. He wanted a long, long shower. He cut his eyes over to Sakura. A long shower.

"Weapons," Sakura said waving her hand. "Nothing important." Ignoring the sudden gleam in his eyes she bowed low to Gaara. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Temari and Kankuro will see you to the border." Gaara said. "Be safe."

Naruto slapped Gaara on the arm. "Don't worry. I'll be back to bother you soon enough. Next time, I'll bring miso ramen."

Gaara nodded. "Farewell."

XxXxXxXxXxXx

Sakura flopped down next to Naruto, finger combing her still damp hair. Two days into the border of fire country and they had finally had the chance to stop and douse themselves in a stream. "I never thought I was going to be clean again. Why does sand have to get everywhere?"

Naruto smiled at her, eyes catching sparks from the fire. "I never did show you what was so beautiful about the place."

She rolled her eyes. "You just want to drag me back there again."

"Awe, come on Sakura-chan. You know you had fun."

Shaking her head she studied the fish Naruto had caught earlier while she set up camp. "I think these are about done."

"Yeah." He agreed. Handing her a stick, he carefully blew on his meal. "Man, I missed fish while we were there. And don't think I don't know you are changing the subject."

Sakura rolled her eyes, sucking in cold air as her tongue sizzled with the hot food.

Nodding she chewed quickly and swallowed. "Yeah, I missed fish."

He eyed her for a moment before letting it drop.

"I wonder what's changed at home." He mused. "I bet Sasuke hasn't painted his walls yet."

Sakura's stomach dropped. Averting her eyes from his thoughtful face, she bit down on another bite of the fish and was relieved to find it had cooled a little. Chewing stubbornly she ignored the sudden sharp gaze she could feel boring into her expression.

"Sakura-chan?"

"Not right now Naruto. Please."

There was a long silence and when he spoke, his tone was deep. "Sakura-chan, does this have to do with Sasuke?"

She bit her lip and considered his words. Shaking her head slowly, she turned to look at him. "No. Not that I know." She took a deep breath. "I can't talk about it, Naruto. Direct orders."

She hated to hide behind that card but she was not willing to talk to him about it. She had promised Tsunade and it had been a direct order. However, the tension in Naruto's shoulders eased and she could read his expression again even if his eyes were still too serious.

"Okay."

She went back to her fish feeling a little nauseous. What was she going to do if she went home and the Akatsuki had killed someone important to Naruto? Taking a deep, calming breath she shoved her emotions into the proper compartments. Later.

"I bet Ayame is still making eyes at Kakashi."

Sakura turned and blinked. "Ayame? The girl who works at the ramen stand?"

"Yup. He even gets free meals occasionally."

"Any chance he returns her feelings?"

Naruto pondered that. "I don't know. Kakashi sensei isn't easy to read like Sasuke. You have to see how many times he twitches to guess exactly how far things run."

"Twitches?"

Naruto waved his hand. "Yeah. Like with Gaara."

"Naruto, Gaara doesn't twitch."

"No, he smiles."

"Gaara doesn't have facial expressions. Or well, he doesn't besides "maniac killer" and "how many ways can I splatter your insides" sort of expressions."

"Sakura-chan!" His eyes were dancing with laughter. "He smiles. We'll okay, they are a bit more like grimaces but you can totally see them in the corner of his mouth."

Sakura pulled back and pointed a finger at him, struggling to contain her mirth. "You've been starring at Gaara's mouth?"

Naruto blinked before shrugging. "It's not like he has eyebrows."

Her lips twitched. "Well, no. But Sasuke doesn't smile and he does have eyebrows so you don't have those excuses."

"Nah. Teme has the most expressive eyebrows ever."

"I didn't notice that until he came back but you’re right." Sakura agreed.

Naruto stared at her. "What did you look at?"

"His ass." Sakura said demurely. "He has a very nice one."

Naruto crossed his arms. "Oh?"

She patted him on the head before standing up to go and collect the gear they had set out. "Yes. He does. Don't worry though; I have it on good authority that you have a great set of abs."

Naruto's grin was edged and wicked. "Care to check them out?"

"I've seen them. You have first watch," Sakura sing-songed at him. "So if you want to wash up before you start…"

"No mercy for your poor teammate." Naruto teased as he scooped his things up.

Sakura shot him a saucy grin. "I told you, hot shot. You're going to have to work a lot harder than that."

His grin widened. "You shouldn't bait a man, Sakura. You might find yourself bent over a tree."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"You do that," he suggested as he walked away, putting a little swing in his hips. "That way you have no excuse when I strip you naked with my teeth."

Sakura picked up a rock and hurled it at him. "Eavesdropper!"

His laughter echoed back at her.

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 07:14 AM

The gates to Konoha always looked wonderful after several weeks of being away. Part of her was extremely nervous to hear how things had gone in Water Country – Naruto was not going to be happy – and the rest of her was too thrilled with the idea of hot water and food to care.

"Home sweet home," Naruto murmured as they slowed out of their run into a walk, his grin firmly in place. Lacing his hands behind his head he watched her from the corner of his eyes. "How about I buy you dinner?"

"That's sweet, but I'm more interested in a hot shower than actual food. I swear, I still feel sand in places it shouldn't be. Even after we stopped at the river."

He grinned. "You have to wonder if Gaara is limited to the sand in his gourd or if he can feel everything, because you know that has the possibility…"

She glared down at where he had fallen flat thanks to her fist. "Idiot."

Before he could respond, there was a flicker out of the corner of her eye and Sakura blinked when she turned and found herself starring at Tenten and Hyuuga Neji.

"Hey, what are you two doing here?' Naruto questioned as he picked himself up. He dusted off his pants and grinned. "Baa-chan got you on message duty?"

"Actually, we're here to escort you to Hokage Tower." Tenten said cheerfully. "Hokage-sama has been awaiting your return impatiently."

Sakura felt her stomach drop to her toes. So things had gone badly in Wave Country. Exchanging a look with Naruto, she shrugged and tried to smile. "Then lead the way."

"Yeah, hate to keep Baa-chan waiting."

Sakura sighed. "One day, she's going to punt you clear through the Hokage Monument for your lack of respect."

"I respect her!" Naruto protested.

Sakura snorted. "Right."

"Hey! That's not fair, Sakura-chan! I do too!"

"You'll have to forgive my teammate." Sakura said mildly as she caught Neji watching them with faint exasperation in his eyes. "Sasuke has kicked him in the head one too many times."

"Hey! Has not!"

"You're right," Sakura said cheerfully. "It's all the times I've hit you for stupidity."

Naruto pointed at her, a grin wide on his face. "You know you love me."

Sakura ignored the butterflies and rolled her eyes. "Do not."

"Do too."

"Do not."

"Do."

"Not."

"I'll kill you both." Neji warned, "If you do not stop this display of foolishness."

Naruto looked hurt. "You don't love me anymore, Neji-chan?"

The Hyuuga's brow actually twitched. Tenten was clearly fighting laughter, her bottom lip tucked tightly between her teeth, shoulders shaking slightly. Neji turned and faced her, eyes narrowing.

"Tenten."

"Yes, Neji-chan?" She replied, her voice vibrating slightly as her eyes danced. "Did you need something?"

Naruto looked delighted. "Tenten! You do know how to tease him! All these years I thought that only Lee ever dared to cross such a stoic example of shinobi!"

Sakura slapped a hand over her eyes. "You know what? Tenten and I will meet you two there. That way we don't get killed."

"I can beat him!" Naruto assured her, grin firmly in place. Neji's eyes were narrowed into slits.

"Do not worry, Sakura-san. We have agreed to deliver Naruto to Hokage-sama in one piece." Neji got the words out through clenched teeth. "That is what we will do."

"Oh, look," Tenten cut in before Naruto could open his mouth. "We're here!"

Sakura reached over and grabbed Naruto by the collar. "Bye Neji-san, Tenten. We'll see you two around."

"Bye Sakura!" Tenten said. Neji turned on his heel and began to march home, Tenten laughingly following.

"Well that was fun," Naruto said cheerfully as he walked down the familiar halls.

"You're nuts."

Naruto's expression was sly. "You still love me."

She snorted. "You're going to have to work a little harder than that to get me to admit anything."

"With pleasure," he assured. "I never give up."

"I know. I'm rather counting on it." She admitted before tucking into Tsunade's office before she could see his reaction. "Sensei, you wanted to see us?"

"Sakura, Naruto… I'm glad you made it back in one piece."

Naruto looked confused. "It was only a mission to Sand."

Tsunade sighed. "You better sit down, both of you."

"Why? What happened? Was it those assholes from Akatsuki?" Naruto demanded, eyes narrowing with temper. "'Cause I swear…"

"Naruto. Sit. Down."

He sat.

"And yes, it involved the Akatsuki, but isn't what you think." She sighed and quietly explained. Naruto sat ramrod straight jaw clenched tightly together as she recounted what happened. Sakura reached out and gripped his wrist halfway through Tsunade's story.

When Tsunade finished there was a long silence.

"So what happens now?" Sakura said finally, not willing to process exactly what all this meant outside of the fact that she had not lied to Naruto by default… even if Tsunade lied to her.

"Ibiki is still working on some of the individuals involved. For now, we are operating with a replacement council that we fully expect to be voted in position in a few hours."

This meant something. Sakura could feel it but she was too dumfounded to put all the pieces together. Rubbing her eyes she sighed.

"Damn."

"Yes." Tsunade said quietly. "You two should be careful. There are still one or two instigators that have not been caught and we are unsure as to if they will try to target you in revenge."

"I hope they do." Naruto said coldly. "I have a few things I want to say to them."

"Be as that may, you two will keep your heads low until the rest of this passes over or you will have me to deal with. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes." Sakura said.

"Good. Go home and get some rest. Things are being sorted out. I expect to see one or both of you tomorrow for a verbal report on what occurred in Sand."

Both of them knew a dismissal when they heard one.

"Be careful."

"We will," Naruto assured her. "No need to worry, Baa-chan."

He barely managed to avoid the scroll that came flying at his head. Sakura didn't say anything as they walked the halls. Naruto's expression was pensive. He ran his fingers through his hair and Sakura curbed the urge to reach for him. They didn't need that sort of distraction right now. Swallowing, she glanced around the growing dusk.

"I could use a drink."

Naruto continued to stare at the ground and she reached out and poked him in the shoulder. He lifted his eyes to her face and she tugged on his sleeve.

"Wanna go to Sasuke's and see what kind of booze he has?"

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 07:16 AM

-27-Sakura lifted the bottle of sake that Sasuke had procured from somewhere. He seemed a little disgruntled at sharing his stash, but a little arm-twisting was all it took before they found themselves in his living room. Getting totally trashed right then probably wasn't the best idea, but Sasuke wasn't drinking and the high level of traps she could feel humming against her skin told her that it would take a small army to break through. Tossing back a mouthful, she let it burn all the way down and blinked several times.

"Where did you get this again? It's good quality."

Sasuke gave her a look that was a cross between amused and exasperated. Naruto had been right. It was definitely the eyebrows. Naruto just snorted from where he was flat on his back, his own bottle cradled between his knees.

"Will you even remember if I tell you now?" Sasuke asked mildly as he settled in front of his couch, his long fingers cradling a ridiculous looking teacup.

Sakura waved her hand lazily, ignoring the way her peripheral vision was starting to turn fuzzy. "Sure. This can't be as bad as the time Tsunade, Shizune and I holed up in the tower and played shot games all night."

Naruto sat up so fast he wavered. "You did what?"

Sakura was impressed. The fact that he could sit up (even if he was tilting) and manage clear speech was impressive. She really thought it was unfair how her boys could burn up alcohol so quickly… even if she cheated by stimulating her liver before she even started drinking.

"Hmm. One of many learning experiences in how to hold my liquor." She blinked a little and nodded when her vision cleared. Sasuke was starring at her with those dark eyes and Naruto's mouth was agape.

"What?"

Naruto pointed a finger at her. "You turned the Hokage Tower into… into… a…a…a bar!"

Sakura snorted. "No I didn't. Tsunade did. The day she was made Hokage!"

Sasuke sighed. "I'm going to need some of that if you two don't shut up."

Two sets of eyes narrowed in on him.

"You're too much of a lightweight for this stuff." Naruto informed him merrily. "Bet you would be passed out before Sakura-chan there!"

Sakura considered the sake in her hands. She wondered if she had the control to pick the coffee table up and beat Naruto with it. Probably not. If she needed to knock down a wall she would be able to, but fine control was beyond her.

"I can out drink you, idiot."

"No you can't."

Sakura leaned forward and pointed. "Ino's birthday last year."

"You cheated!"

"Oh and like your ability to burn up alcohol like you do isn't cheating!"

"I'd already had one drinking match with Kiba!"

Sasuke reached over and steadied the jar that Naruto almost kicked over. "I'm going to cut you both off if you don't stop."

Naruto flopped back onto his back and waved a hand. "Yes, yes."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed to slits and Sakura sighed. "Behave. Both of you. I may be a bit tipsy, but that doesn't mean I can't put you both in traction. Besides, we need to talk."

Naruto sighed. "Yeah. That's right. What the hell is going on, teme?"

Sasuke took another sip of his tea. "What do you know?"

"Hyuuga. Akatsuki." Naruto lifted his fingers into the air as he rattled off one-word sentences. "Council."

"They will be announcing the new Council in the morning or late evening."

Naruto propped himself up. "Yeah, Baa-chan said that she thought the replacements were voted in. Do we know who they are?"

"Yes."

Sakura took another swallow and waited for the world to tilt back into place. "Who?"

Sasuke gave her another amused look and started to rattle off names. By the time he was done Sakura was sitting up ramrod straight and was sure her expression mirrored Naruto's open-mouthed gape.

"WHAT?"

Sasuke leaned back and sipped his tea. "I realize you’re both halfway to drunk, but I don't care to repeat myself."

"But… but…" Naruto sputtered.

Sakura stared at him. "How?"

Sakura's lips curved just a little. "I might have made a few suggestions."

"You blackmailed them?" Sakura and Naruto demanded together.

"Requested. Nicely." Sasuke corrected.

"But… but…" Naruto tried again. Sakura nudged his foot and lifted her bottle helpfully.

"Drink."

He did.

Once his expression was a little more relaxed, Sakura turned back to Sasuke. "You blackmailed the clans into putting who you... or rather Tsuande, wanted into place?"

Sasuke smirked. "I suggested a few names to the people Tsunade thought would listen."

"You sneaky snake bastard." Naruto rasped.

"I would kiss you," Sakura said seriously, "but I don't have a lot of balance right now."

Naruto grinned at her. "You can kiss me."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Not when you're seeing three of me."

Sasuke lifted a brow in a silent question.

Naruto's smile was lecherous. "She likes me. She kissed me."

"I'm going to thump you if you don't shut up." Sakura said reasonably. "We were discussing the fact that Sasuke and Tsunade set up the council so that you could be Hokage." She paused and then added thoughtfully, "and so Hinata could take over Hyuuga."

Naruto lifted his bottle. "All the more reason for celebration!"

She couldn't argue with that. Lifting her bottle she tilted in a salute at Naruto and shivered as another mouthful burned down her throat. "Where did you get this stuff?"

"You both are staying here tonight." Sasuke informed them as he gathered, stood and took his teacup to the sink, ignoring her question. "Ibiki has a list that hasn't been completely accounted for."

Naruto cranked open an eye. "Thatsa why you wanted us drunk. Baa-chan already told us. 'Sides, Sakura-chan wants a shower!"

"Dobe." Sasuke said with a sigh. Reaching down he offered Sakura a hand. "Come on. Let's get you both sobered up."

Sakura nodded sagely and accepted his hand. She staggered into his side and blinked.

"I think that's probably a good idea. And the shower."

"Yup." Naruto agreed. He grinned. "You got any rice balls?"

Sasuke sighed.

"Your alcohol." Sakura said with a grin. She paused, and feeling brave, grinned at him mischievously. Some things you just saved for when you were a bit tipsy. Reaching out, she poked him in the abdomen. "Very nice."

"Hey! I'm the one with the abs. Sasuke has the ass, remember?"

"You should ignore him," Sakura said reasonably. "He dumber when he’s drunk."

"You just wait until I'm finished seeing three of you," Naruto warned her as he stood unsteadily. "I'm going to bend you over my knee and spank you."

Sakura lifted a brow and flexed her fingers in a silent challenge. "I can still put you through a wall."

"It'd be worth it." Naruto returned.

"No kinky sex in my apartment." Sasuke said flatly. "No kink period. No sex. You can't even hold hands."

"Ah, Sasuke! You ruin everything."

"No."

"But!"

"Naruto!" Sakura growled. "I'll rearrange your vocal cords with your lungs if you don't drop it!"

"… right." He said finally. "Is that possible?"

"We can test it if you like."

"So, Sasuke… you said something about food?"

"I hate you both."

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 07:19 AM

-28-Sakura woke up to someone playing with her hair and the smell of miso. Cracking on eye open, she glared at Naruto. He was sitting on the bed and braiding her hair, a small grin on his face.

"Why are you here?"

"Bastard is making breakfast."

"That doesn't explain you."

"I came to wake you up!" He said cheerfully. "It's almost ten."

Sakura pressed her face under the pillow and grunted at him. He laughed and slapped her butt. "Up, up, up, Sakura-chan!"

"I'll bribe Neji into killing you."

"Neji doesn't take bribes. It's beneath him!"

"You'd be surprised what he will do for a good neck rub." Sakura returned as she pushed herself up.

Naruto paused. "What?"

"Don't worry about it." Sakura said sweetly as she staggered towards the bathroom. "Tell Sasuke I'll be out in ten."

She was done in eight and when she stepped out of the bathroom, feeling a little more awake. Naruto and Sasuke were waiting on her in the kitchen. Naruto was sprawled across a bar stool watching Sasuke finish breakfast, eyes narrowed in concentration.

"Do you need any help, Sasuke?"

"I'm almost finished and dobe set the table."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Don't make it sound like I didn't offer to help either. You turned me down."

Sakura breathed in the pungent smell of fish and grinned. "Still eating simple?"

Sasuke shrugged. "It's good."

"It's boring," Naruto corrected. "You need more ramen in your diet."

"You don't have to eat it." Sasuke returned mildly. "That leaves more for me and Sakura."

Naruto put a hand over his heart and sulked. "I'm hurt. Right here."

Sakura ruffled his hair as she went by. "You'll live."

"I'm feeling a distinct lack of love in this apartment," Naruto grumbled as he deliberately moved the chair so that Sasuke had to sidestep or trip over it as he laid breakfast on the table.

"What you're feeling is a distinct lack of the correct ratio of blood and caffeine." Sakura informed him as she flopped into a chair and smiled her thanks at Sasuke.

Naruto rolled his eyes and tried to steal a piece of fish off Sasuke's plate. Sasuke speared Naruto's hand with his chopsticks and glared.

"Absolutely no love."

Sakura rolled her eyes as she poured herself a cup of tea. "When do you think you'll have time to head over to the Tower to talk to Tsunade about what happened in Sand?"

"Probably after lunch. I've got a few things to take care of this morning." Naruto said around a mouthful of fish.

"A few things?" Sasuke asked quietly.

"Just a few loose odds and ends." He smiled at them. "What about you Bastard?"

Sasuke shrugged.

Naruto shifted forward towards his plate again and Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not reattaching fingers." Sakura said firmly, setting her cup down and leaning forward. "Behave."

"Awe, Sakura-chan, you take all the fun out of breakfast."

"I'm going to take all the fun out of breathing in a few minutes." She replied serenely, fingering her own chopsticks.

Naruto pouted. "Fine, fine. No love."

Sakura shook her head. "Is there anything else we should know about, Sasuke? About the council. Before we find ourselves neck deep in backlash?"

Sasuke stared at her for a long moment. "Hiashi placed the bird seal on his youngest daughter."

Naruto froze, his hand hovering over the rice bowl. Sakura bit her lip at the curious way Naruto's eyes had gone flat and hard.

"When?"

"A few days ago." Sasuke said calmly as he lifted his chopsticks to his mouth. "Hinata-san stopped by to inform me of the decision."

Naruto's fingers curled into fists. "Fucking Hyuuga."

Sakura sighed. Sasuke sure knew how to kill an early morning meal. Still, she supposed it was better for Naruto to hear about it now, with them, than on the street with no one to buffer his temper.

"Naruto."

His shoulders were tight but he turned to face her.

"You weren't here. You couldn't have stopped it." She closed her fingers around his wrist. "Even if you were here, all you would have done was complicate matters. Hanabi-san wouldn't have wanted your help and Hinata wouldn't have asked."

"You can't save the world, idiot."

"I can try." Naruto snapped back. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I can try."

"We'll, you've got to start with things you can change." Sakura said briskly. "The Hyuuga's have a chance to change with Hinata. The way they went about enforcing his decision is terrible but it is the best thing for the clan."

Sasuke lifted his tea. "Hinata-san said she had a promise to keep."

Naruto stilled and finally nodded. "Yeah."

"What promise?"

Naruto shook his head, the tension slowly easing out of his shoulders. "I'll tell you some other time."

Sakura nodded and exchanged a look with Sasuke. Time for a distraction. What Naruto really needed right then was to beat the hell out of something. Sasuke had just volunteered himself for that duty. "Right."

"Right?"

Sakura leaned over and smiled at him. Naruto blinked at her expression and narrowed his eyes as she leaned back and popped the last of his fish into her mouth.

"Hey!"

"Well I gotta run. I'll give Tsunade-sensei my report after I stop by the hospital!"

"Sakura-chan! You can't eat and run! That's cheating!" He lunged for her, but she dodged him with the expediency of kicking his chair back into his legs. He grunted and slammed into the table.

Sasuke glared at her.

"I'll see you two later."

Naruto tilted his head as the door shut. "Do you think she does these things on purpose?"

Sasuke snorted and started collecting dishes.

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 07:22 AM

-29-Naruto flopped on his back and tried to ignore the feeling of his ribs mending themselves. He had needed that. The tension from breakfast was gone, leaving him with mending bones, heaving lungs and the sort of relaxation only the satisfaction of beating your best friend to a pulp could bring. Heaving for air, he grinned a little to himself as he realized that Sasuke was just as winded. The curl of satisfaction was from knowing his friend was going to end up getting Sakura to check his own ribs.

The narrowed eyed glare told him that Sasuke knew what he was thinking and didn't particularly care for it. Grinning even wider, he turned his attention to the puffy clouds.

"You're such an ass."

Sasuke snorted. "Still bitter that I won?"

Naruto grunted. "Like hell."

"Idiot."

"Bastard."

"When are you going to talk to her?"

"What?"

Sasuke sighed and rolled himself to his feet. "Sakura."

"No, no, I got that." He waved his hand. "What I want to know is why you want to know? And where the hell this conversation came from?"

Sasuke pinned him with a look.

"Okay so I guess I know why you wanna know, but I still don't know."

"What?"

"When I'm gonna talk to her. Dunno."

Sasuke looked uncomfortable for a second and then it disappeared behind his eyes. "Girls like to know where they stand."

Naruto shot to his feet. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Sakura-chan knows she's my precious person."

Sasuke snorted. "If you don't know, I'm not telling you."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "I'll kick your scrawny Uchiha-ass if you’re not careful."

Sasuke looked bored. "If you say so." His eyes flickered upwards. "Don't you have babysitting duties?"

Naruto pointed his finger. "You're not… hey, crap! I forgot! Hey, how did you know about that?"

"Whatever."

"We're not finished here!" Naruto informed his he turned to bolt out of the training grounds. "I'll beat it out of you later."

"Hn."

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 07:25 AM

-30-Naruto flopped on his back and tried to ignore the feeling of his ribs mending themselves. He had needed that. The tension from breakfast was gone, leaving him with mending bones, heaving lungs and the sort of relaxation only the satisfaction of beating your best friend to a pulp could bring. Heaving for air, he grinned a little to himself as he realized that Sasuke was just as winded. The curl of satisfaction was from knowing his friend was going to end up getting Sakura to check his own ribs.

The narrowed eyed glare told him that Sasuke knew what he was thinking and didn't particularly care for it. Grinning even wider, he turned his attention to the puffy clouds.

"You're such an ass."

Sasuke snorted. "Still bitter that I won?"

Naruto grunted. "Like hell."

"Idiot."

"Bastard."

"When are you going to talk to her?"

"What?"

Sasuke sighed and rolled himself to his feet. "Sakura."

"No, no, I got that." He waved his hand. "What I want to know is why you want to know? And where the hell this conversation came from?"

Sasuke pinned him with a look.

"Okay so I guess I know why you wanna know, but I still don't know."

"What?"

"When I'm gonna talk to her. Dunno."

Sasuke looked uncomfortable for a second and then it disappeared behind his eyes. "Girls like to know where they stand."

Naruto shot to his feet. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Sakura-chan knows she's my precious person."

Sasuke snorted. "If you don't know, I'm not telling you."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "I'll kick your scrawny Uchiha-ass if you’re not careful."

Sasuke looked bored. "If you say so." His eyes flickered upwards. "Don't you have babysitting duties?"

Naruto pointed his finger. "You're not… hey, crap! I forgot! Hey, how did you know about that?"

"Whatever."

"We're not finished here!" Naruto informed his he turned to bolt out of the training grounds. "I'll beat it out of you later."

"Hn."

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 07:27 AM

-30-"It's about time you got here, forehead. I was about to give up and change my order to go."

Sakura flopped down into the chair across from her and grimaced. "Sorry. I stopped by the hospital after giving my report and got caught up in surgery."

Ino lifted a brow. "Ouch."

"Yeah." She gave a weary smile. "But I'm off for the rest of the afternoon. In theory, at least."

"Right. We'll, I've only got time for lunch. I'm running the flower shop myself this week. Which is fine, if fairly boring. Shikamaru is covering for me right now."

Sakura lifted a brow. "Shikamaru?"

Ino smiled serenely. "Yes."

Sakura grinned. "I thought Chouji and Shika had sworn off babysitting the shop for you after that time Gai and Lee went in looking for flowers."

"I blackmail them into it occasionally." Ino said with a shrug. She took a sip of her tea and smiled. "You missed all the excitement you know."

"There was plenty of excitement in Sand, Ino."

"Right." Ino dismissed her words with a wave of her hand. "Crazy Kazekage, Jounin fighting in the heat, sand everywhere it’s not supposed to be; besides the potential for ogling men in those very attractive Sand Uniforms, that's not a job I would have wanted."

"Probably why you weren't invited!" Sakura teased.

"Invited! Ha! That was a mission, not a pleasure vacation!"

"It had its bright points." Sakura argued, eyes scanning the menu.

"Enlighten me."

Sakura didn't bother to look up. "No."

"You're no fun forehead. No fun at all."

"I'm hungry."

"I don't know why you're bothering with the menu. I ordered for you already. Should be here soon."

Sakura huffed and shut the menu. Ino just grinned.

"I figure if I keep this up you'll eventually show up on time. It's my new strategy."

"I show up on time!"

Ino pursed her lips. "I suppose. Usually only when it involves your precious team, although if I had to choose between Sasuke or Naruto ordering for me I'm not sure who I would pick."

Sakura smothered a laugh. "Yes. It's a choice between bland, boring but nutritional or exciting and the chance of ruining my stomach lining."

"Or Ramen."

"Or Ramen," Sakura agreed with a smile.

Ino paused and narrowed her eyes. She paused only because the waitress dropped off their lunches. Taking her time, she broke her chopsticks open and stared at her.

"Something happened between you and Naruto, didn't it?"

"What?"

"Ha! I knew it!" Ino's smile was triumphant. "Shika owes me money."

"Ino!"

She waved her hand looking smug. "Tell me everything."

Sakura crossed her arms. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Ino waved a piece of beef around like it was a Kunai. "I saw Naruto this morning. Kurenai roped him into baby-sitting Ayumu and they stopped by to see Shika. He bounced. Granted, he always bounces around after a mission, but this bounce is more of a "pretty girl likes me" bounce instead of his "omg, I just got the best ramen ever" bounce."

"… You catalogue his bounces?"

"Shika figures the kid has enough luck to actually make it to Hokage. I figured I might as well start getting used to trying to read his body language now while I can. Before he is obscured by a ridiculous cloak and hat."

"Naruto is going to be Hokage," Sakura firmly told Ino, staring her down. "Believe it."

Ino laughed. "Now you're even sounding like him!"

Sakura stuck out her tongue. "Oh shut up."

"Your distraction isn't going to get you out of this conversation. What happened?"

Sakura glared at her before giving in. There really was no hope for it. "I kissed him."

"We'll it’s about damn time!" Ino said looking satisfied. She popped a mouthful of vegetables in her mouth and fairly vibrated with satisfaction. When she swallowed she shoved a chopstick at her. "He's been moping after you for years, forehead!"

Sakura dragged her chopsticks through her lunch. "I know he had a crush on me as kids… but saying 'years' is a bit much, don't you think?"

"Ha! Don't be an idiot! You've spent your entire career too focused on one thing or another to really pay attention to that boy. Man. Future Hokage! He. Is. In. Love. With. You." Clearly satisfied with her speech and picked up her tea and smirked.

Sakura shook her head and stared down the street. "Maybe."

"There is no maybe, forehead-girl. Trust me. I know these things." She paused. "And speak of the devil…"

Sakura turned and blinked. Naruto was walking down the street with Ayumu on his shoulders. Both were working their way through cups of instant ramen. Naruto was going to have to wash his hair soon if the mess along Ayumu's front was anything to go by.

"You know, forehead, if you don't want him, I think I'll take him." Ino teased. "My grocery bill would be cut in half with all the ramen."

Sakura was only paying half attention, as Naruto looked over in their direction at that moment. His face lit up as he saw her and he waved, careful not to overbalance the ramen cup on his head or the child on his shoulders. He stood easily in the crowd, uncaring that he was blocking several civilians from the store’s entrance, happy and content to just stand there and watch her.

Right up until Ayumu spilled his ramen. Jerking forward he yelped as the hot water rushed down his neck and hopped around as he got a good grip on Ayumu and lifted him from his shoulders. The little boy was laughing and grinning and soon Naruto was laughing with him and pulling noodles from his shirt. Her chest tightened at the picture he made. It was just so… so… Naruto.

A slow smile curled her lips. She was such an idiot. "You know what Ino, I think you're right."

"What?"

Naruto shook the last of the noodles out of his shirt and swung Ayumu back onto his shoulders and pointed in their direction waving. The little boy waved, his smile missing teeth and as large as Naruto's. The realization that she wanted that – Naruto, ramen and messy little boy all – wasn't as startling as she thought it would be.

It was amusing, really. That it would take a mishap with ramen for her to realize what was going on. Ino was right. The smile on her face widened as Naruto sauntered off, exaggerating his walk, knowing that she was watching.

"Sakura!"

Turning her eyes back to her friend, she sighed. "I'm really in love with that idiot."

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 07:29 AM

-31-Sakura slammed the last file into place with a triumphant smile. Dropping into her chair she groaned, propping her feet up. Her afternoon off had completely disappeared under a pile of paperwork. She really should know better than to peek into her office to see what was waiting for her. Well, at least it was done now. And she had the time she needed to think about how she wanted to handle her realization from this afternoon. In love. With Naruto. Her smile was bordering on silly.

A soft knock caught her attention. "Anou… Sakura-san, do you have a moment?"

Sakura blinked and stood up. "Hinata! Please, come in!"

"Thank you."

Hinata nodded and stepped inside, her eyes roaming the office before coming to settle back on her. "I won't take up much of your time."

Sakura waved her hand. "I just finished. What can I do for you?"

Hinata folded her hands neatly in front of her and took a deep breath. "I'm sure you’re aware of the current standings in my clan?"

Sakura nodded.

Hinata bit her lip and continued, even as her cheeks turned a pale pink. "Do I have a chance?"

Sakura froze at her words. "Hinata?"

She made a small motion with her hand. "I would like to know where things stand with you and Naruto-kun, if I may."

Sakura bit her lip and gave a helpless shrug. How did you tell someone who has been loyally in love with the same man you just realized you cared about for years? Honestly. "I love him, but I don't know if he returns it."

Hinata was silent for several moments before nodding. "I thought so."

"Hinata…"

She shook her head, a faint grin in place. "This was selfish of me, Sakura-san. I wanted to make sure because… because I wanted to make sure that you would love him."

"If I may ask… why?"

"Because I must marry into the Clan now." She said simply. "It will be my choice, but in order to begin to mend the rift between Branch and the Main house I will take a husband from inside the clan." She gave a little shrug. "It is not as painful as I feared it would be. It helps that you love him."

"I'm sorry." Sakura said simply.

Hinata shook her head. "Don't be. You deserve him."

Sakura shifted her feet, suddenly uncomfortable. "I don't think anyone deserves anyone, Hinata-chan. I think we just get lucky sometimes."

Her pale eyes turned distant. "Perhaps that is so. My luck has never been so good."

Sakura's lips twitched a little. "Tsunade-sensei insists that luck is what you make it."

Hinata looked thoughtful. "I think I like that."

The door to her office swung open and Naruto sauntered in, pausing when he saw Hinata. "Hinata-chan!"

"N-Naruto-kun," she stammered, surprised. She took a deep breath and smiled. "How are you?"

His eyes went back and forth between the women before they landed on Hinata. "I'm doing great! How are things for you? No one’s giving you any trouble are they?" His tone was hard.

"N-no. Neji-kun would never a-allow it."

"Well, at least someone in your family has some decency." Naruto grumbled.

Hinata's face took on several more layers of red and she sketched a hasty bow. "Well, I have taken up enough of your time, Sakura-san. I'll catch you some time and perhaps we can talk then."

"I would like that." Sakura agreed.

"Yeah! You'll have to come and eat dinner with us sometime. I haven't seen you eat a good bowl of ramen in ages, Hinata-chan."

The girl flushed again, waved, and disappeared.

"You're going to have to go a little easy on her for a while." Sakura told Naruto quietly.

"Huh? Why?"

Sakura gave him an impatient look. "Because she's in love with you."

"What?"

"Hinata. She's in love with you."

Naruto blinked several times. "Oh…"

Sakura propped a hand on her hip. "How are you still alive with those observational skills?"

"Hey!" Naruto crossed his arms. "I just thought she was nervous talking to guys."

"Did she have that trouble with Kiba or Shino?"

"They're her teammates?" Naruto grumped. "They're exceptions to the all the normal rules?"

"Are they?" Her tone was soft, and she must have given something away because his head snapped around and he studied her with narrowed eyes.

He stalked to the edge of her desk. "What's that supposed to mean, Sakura?"

She sidestepped to keep the desk between them. "What is what supposed to mean?"

"You're hiding something." He mused, following her movements with his own. His eyes gleamed at her. "It's not nice to keep secrets, Sakura."

"Sakura?"

"Sensei!"

"Shizune said she thought you were here. I know I gave you the afternoon off but could you… Naruto?" Tsunade settled her hip against the doorway. "What are you doing here?"

Naruto never took his eyes off Sakura. They were almost glowing. Suddenly he grinned, an open, boyish smile that set off butterflies in her stomach.

"Sorry, Baa-chan, but she can't help you!"

Tsuande lifted a brow. "Why not?"

Naruto's smile altered into something utterly mischievous. "'Cause I'm taking her with me!"

"What?"

"Huh?"

Sakura had hardly a moment to process it when she was suddenly lifted and flung over Naruto's shoulder.

"This is an emergency you know."

Tsunade's other brow slowly arched. “It is?”

"Naruto!" She banged on his back. "Put me down!"

"No can do, Sakura-chan. I'm kidnapping you."

She paused. "Why?"

He ignored her question and shifted his hands behind her knees. Crouching a little, he smirked. "You'll have to excuse us."

Tsunade's lips twitched. "Of course. Bring her back in one piece."

"Sure thing."

"Naruto! If you don't put me down you're going to find yourself in pieces!"

He just grinned and lifted his hands away from her knees and quickly formed the seals to transport them out of the tower.

Tsunade grinned to herself and shut the door.

thegodfather2450 · 01-13-2009, 07:35 AM

-32-They appeared on a bridge so familiar that she didn't have to look around to see where they were. The charred imprint of a hand – left behind years ago by Sasuke – was a dead give away. She growled low in her throat as Naruto set her down and glared up at him.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't pound you?"

His hand slid into her hair, nails scrapping faintly against her scalp as his lips crashed into hers. She staggered into the railing of the bridge, off balanced and surprised. Naruto didn't seem to mind, instead he lifted her up and stepped in-between her legs, an arm sliding around her waist. Sakura froze with shock for a second before leaning into him, hands digging into his biceps as she kissed him back.

When he pulled back she stared up at him. "I'll suppose I can give you a few more moments to live so you can explain yourself properly."

He chuckled low in his throat, hand wondering along her spine. "I was hoping you would be doing the explaining?"

Sakura arched a brow at him. "Oh?"

He bent down and grinned, nose almost touching hers. "You have a secret."

Her lips twitched. "What if I do?"

He looked thoughtful. "Well, I suppose we can do this the easy way or the hard way."

"Oh?"

He brushed his lips across her mouth lightly. "You can tell me or I can throw you off the railing."

She snorted. "You can try to throw me off the bridge."

His arm tightened around her middle and his smile was all fox. "Is that a no?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Maybe?"

He grinned and flung them both off the bridge. She swore at him as they crashed under cool water. She came up sputtering and he laughed, throwing his hair out of his eyes.

"Nice day for a dip, eh, Sakura-chan?"

She lunged. He yelped and tried to swim away. Slapping the water with chakra, she buried him under a wave before landing him on his back and shoving him under the water again. He retaliated by grabbing an ankle and pulling. Twisting, she formed fast seals for the only water jutsu she ever really got down. His eyes widened under water before he was flung away from her.

She sucked in a lungful of air when she cleared the water and stuck her tongue out when he came out coughing. "I win!"

He grinned and lunged back into the water. "Not yet!"

By the time they made it to shore they were breathing heavily. Flopping down she glared at him. "Only you could turn a make out session into a water fight."

Naruto grinned at her. His eyelashes were clumped together and she had never seen his eyes so bright.

"I love you." He said simply, suddenly. "Have my entire life. Never been anyone else and I really hope there never is. You're my most precious person, Sakura-chan."

She stared at him, eyes wide. "Where did this come from?"

Naruto shrugged. "Figured you would want to know."

"Oh."

He reached over and flicked her bangs out of her eyes. "So, you gotta secret?"

"I'm not so sure it’s such a secret." She managed.

"I'm sure hoping its not." He said solemnly.

She flicked water at him. "I've known that I love you for half a day and you've already figured it out?"

He shut his eyes for a moment and smiled. "When you've been looking for as long as I have, you tend to notice a lot of things."

"Then what am I thinking right now?"

He opened his eyes and studied her. "How about some ramen?"

She laughed.

01-13-2009, 03:07 AM	#31
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf Sakura sighed, running her fingers through her damp hair. Diplomatic status had given them longer shower time, but she and Naruto had been switching who had a shower on what day to keep from taxing Sand's resources. They could always drown themselves when they got back to Konoha after all. Leaning against the window in her room, she studied the streets of Suna at night. It wasn't home, but Naruto was right. There was a strange, almost alien sort of attraction to the place. Although she would never actually tell the blond that; a half smile lifted the edges of her mouth into a smile and she pressed her face against the glass and closed her eyes. The quiet of night here was relaxing, but it did nothing to distract her from the insanity of her thoughts. Naruto had questioned her that morning if she was sleeping, and she had stubbornly ignored him. If she said no, there was little chance her would believe her if she sited the new location of Sand as the reason. She had slept fine the last time she was here. No. This entire problem was quite squarely Naruto's fault! She just couldn't stop analyzing every movement she and Naruto had made around each other since Sasuke came back. Opening her eyes, she stared blindly down at Sand. 'Logically Sakura; go about this logically!' Lowering her hand, she smiled somewhat ruefully. It wasn't like she was going to be getting a lot of sleep tonight anyway. At least tomorrow she could just tell Naruto she had been over analyzing the Jounin trials they had been watching. That was truth enough. Settling her shoulder against the wall, she stared at the window. Was he in love with her? She knew there was attraction, those half kisses and real kisses had said enough. The way his eyes would sometimes burn, as if he was holding something back and that it was almost too much for him… well, attraction meant lust and she had already admitted she wanted to jump his bones. She also knew she was far too emotionally involved to sleep with him without some assurances that he was serious about this. A rueful smile curved her lips. Not that Naruto wouldn’t be serious about it, when it came to his friends and those he cared about he was ruthless in making sure they were happy. It was why he was going to be such a good Hokage. Pushing her hands through her bangs, she stared gloomily through the night. So that meant that her problem were her rules and not Naruto. Her carefully formed and decided rules that had been in place for years on how to deal with Naruto. She wasn't willing to break them. She had already made that mistake with Sasuke, giving too much of herself where it wasn't wanted until she had to dig her heels in and fight to earn the trust she deserved as his teammate. She loved Sasuke. She really, truly did. She just wasn't in love with him. She didn't regret where she was with him. His friendship and his quiet confidence at her back were wonderful. He made her happy the way he was. Naruto… with Naruto she wanted more. Yet, she was so terrified of loosing him to her stupidity. Loosing Naruto…. Her breath hitched and she swallowed. Loosing Naruto was unacceptable. Sasuke… he was a missing piece that made her feel whole and safe and complete. It was like loosing a limb and finding it was suddenly there again, working and strong. Loosing Naruto would be much, much worse. Especially if it was her fault; shoulder rounding with exhaustion, she admitted to herself that the crux of the problem. Naruto's ability to forgive was almost endless. Almost. If she managed to screw up in such a way he was forced to choose between their friendship and whatever was delicately growing between them…. there would be no going back. She wasn't sure there would be a second chance. Yet… he had kissed her. He had watched her with those eyes that were almost starved… had held her hand and picked her up and slept on her couch for no other reason than it was her couch. Had given her his bed when she needed it and the comfort of his presence. He had been her best friend since before she had even realized who he was as a person. Rubbing her temples, she sighed. So she had two choices. The first was to walk away from what was between them, to hide behind a façade of friendship and pray that Naruto would eventually let what was between them go. The other was to take the risk, to grasp it with both hands and find out what was going on and what she wanted. Biting her lip, she took a deep even breath. She wasn't a coward, and she had sworn that she would never back out of battle ever again. If this was a battlefield… well, didn't they compare love to war? Now all she had to do was figure out how to tell him that she was open to his advances… Looking out the window, she physically started to see Naruto and Gaara standing in the street. One hand was behind Naruto's head and the other was waving to prove a point. The sight of the two ninja's had her breath catching in her throat, and Sakura swallowed. Maybe she was just going to go blunt with this one. Naruto had never been too particularly good about picking up subtle messages anyway. XxXxXxXx Naruto slung his hands behind his head, feeling very satisfied. Cutting his eyes to the man next to him, he considered the Kazekage. Gaara, for his part, was ignoring him, although the corner of one mouth twitched a little, as if he was attempting to hide his own amusement. Ha. Like that would work. He could read Sasuke, after all, and while the lack of eyebrows did manage to keep his expression bland, there were other ways to see things. Like that fact that his hands were loose at his side and the edges of his mouth were deep enough to be a smile. Sort of. If he squinted really hard. "Your face is going to get stuck like that." "Everyone keeps saying that," Naruto complained. Gaara said nothing, but his shoulder twitched, as if he was laughing. Bastard. Turning his eyes back to the desert night, Naruto smiled to himself. "I told Sakura this place was beautiful." There was a hesitation, a slight shift in intensity. "Oh?" Naruto grinned again. "She didn't believe me." Gaara shrugged. "Not many see it." Naruto gave his own shrug. "I told her I would show it to her." Gaara's eyes cut over. "Did you." Rolling his eyes, Naruto flung a hand out and drove a knuckle into the stoic's man's arm. "Just because you’re Kazekage and I'm the future Hokage doesn't mean I won't kick your ass." Sand shifted around them, but Gaara's mouth had twisted into something resembling a smile. It was slightly creepy, but was a much better version of a smile than he had seen the last time he had talked to him. "Is that a challenge?" Naruto thought about it and then shook his head. "Nah. Sakura would kill me if she caught us brawling." This time, it was a real smile, and Naruto narrowed his eyes. That wasn't exactly a polite smile, now that he thought about it. "What?" Gaara's eyes flickered over and above him, and Naruto lifted his head. To his surprised, he caught a flash of pink before the figure moved away from the window. "Hey, I wonder what she is doing still awake." Gaara was silent, so Naruto turned back and blinked at the expression on his friend's face. Well, the lack of expression. "Have you told her yet?" All the teasing left him, and he shoved his hands in his pockets, his eyes moving away from Gaara and back to the streets. "No." "Hn." Trying for a smile, Naruto shrugged. "You saw her at the trials. Would you want to try something she didn't like with that punch?" Gaara's expression didn't change. When he finally spoke, his words were careful. "I think I would be lucky to find someone willing to look past this." His fingers moved a little, and Naruto's shoulders rounded. "Yeah. I know." "Yet, you hesitate." "It's Sakura." "Perhaps you should tell her that." "You know, between you and Sasuke, I really don't feel like I get to make any of these decisions on my own." Gaara started walking again. "Try living with Temari." Naruto was silent and then he grinned. "I see your point." "Go away, Naruto." Rolling his eyes, Naruto stretched his neck, feeling a few of the vertebrae pop. He hesitated for a moment, and then turned on his heel. He wondered if Sakura was up for some conversation. __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

01-13-2009, 05:08 AM	#32
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf -23- Shikamaru studied the papers in front of him, a faint frown tugging at the edges of his mouth Shikamaru studied the papers in front of him, a faint frown tugging at the edges of his mouth. Sighing heavily, he crossed his arms and looked back up to the very troublesome woman that had become his Hokage. These midnight meetings were really starting to become bothersome. "Are you sure this is correct?" "Our sources are impeccable." Tsunade assured him. She poured Sake into two very tiny cups. "Sake?" Ignoring the offer, he stared back at the documents in front of him. Shikamaru could already feel the headache forming behind his eyes. He shuffled the papers in front of him before reading them over for the third time. Akatsuki. Fingers clenching he swallowed his instinctive hatred of that group. The very idea that any of the council would be willing to make a deal with them to sell out Naruto, even for the promise of immunity for the village, infuriated him. "Are you wanting to shake down the council?" "Yes." Tsunade said. "Do you have a problem with that?" Pushing his anger down to be dealt with later, he concentrated on the facts. He could feel his eyes trying to cross with the effort to organize the information that had just been dumped in his lap. It shouldn't have surprised him that Team 7 – troublemakers all of them – was in the middle of this but the links to the Hyuuga clan were a bit more complicated. Scratching his jaw, he sighed. "How troublesome." "Kakashi doesn't believe there to be any loopholes. What do you think?" "Ibiki will be questioning the instigators that we have the names for?" "He has already put together his team and begun collecting various council members. We should have a complete set of names by tomorrow evening." Shikamaru frowned. "We have someone watching the gates?" Tsunade's smile was satisfied. "Yes." "I want to see Ibiki's reports on who exactly is involved." "Of course," Tsunade agreed as she took another drink from the ridiculous cup in her hand. "I'm going to demand a complete overhaul of the council." Shikamaru considered the list of councilmen before him and sighed. "How many do we suspect are involved at this point?" "Too many." Tsunade said grimly. "We can't prove that everyone was involved but there is enough information linking names that it’s time to get some fresh blood into the council seats. What concerns me the most is that the instigators seem to be in the Hyuuga clan." Shikamaru sighed. "Yes. Does our informant give reasons?" "The obvious. It was for the 'good of the village', their distaste at what Naruto is and my personal favorite... ambition." Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Naruto will be my successor. He is still a little rough around the edges but he will learn. Besides," her mouth curled at the edges. "He has the most interesting talent of making friends wherever he goes." Shikamaru scratched his chin and mentally agreed with her. Even if he didn't count Team 7's uncomfortable loyalty to each other regardless of how troublesome certain members were; Naruto's ability to win people with political pull was hard to avoid. Himself, Neji, Tsunade and of course, Sand's Kazekage. The list was really too bothersome to put together. Naruto had an 'in' into every clan in the village and ties to their allies that couldn't be ignored. He was a good choice as a Hokage even though Shikamaru had the nagging notion that Naruto was going to be even more troublesome than the woman before him. "How does this play the part into the Hyuuga ambition?" "For all the snipping at each other, the Uchiha and Hyuuga managed to balance each other’s attempts to gain power. With the Uchiha's gone many in the Hyuuga clan believe that they should have more control of the village." She laced her fingers together. "It is a problem we have been aware of for some time. I am sure your sources into the clans have been keeping an eye on the situation?" Shikamaru slouched some more. "Perhaps." Tsunade snorted. "None of your avoidance tactics, Shikamaru. As I was saying, they no longer have such a large check in power. They have been angling to get the Uchiha clan disbanded completely before Sasuke can find the political backing he needs to assume his position as the head of the clan and there have been talks about letting the village reabsorb the wealth and property of the clan as well." Shikamaru lifted a brow. "That will not go over well with some of the other clans." Tsunade tilted her head in agreement. "So far, that is all that has stayed their hand." "And your own interference?" Tsunade' smile was satisfied. "Somewhat." Shikamaru sighed. "So by removing Naruto, the Hyuuga elders will have removed the greatest threat to their hopes to gain complete control of the village politics. I do not believe them to be so stupid that they will give the Akatsuki what they want when we can only guess that what they wish to use the bijuu for." "We have been a strong village for a long time." Tsunade said finally. "Sometimes that power corrupts just as surely as the need to become strong does." Shikamaru gave a slight nod. Still, the gamble had been high. Not only was what they were doing treason but by attempting to sell out Naruto (a shinobi) they had put their judgment in Tsunade's hands instead of the hands of their peers. He supposed he could understand why the council members involved in this plot had struck in the way they had chosen. Team 7 was becoming a force to be reckoned with. It was assumed that one day Naruto would be Hokage, it was likely Sakura would take over the running of the hospital in due time and Sasuke would hold all the weight of his clan politically if no longer physically. So troublesome those three were. "I assume Hiashi is unaware of the plot going on in his walls?" "It appears to be so," Tsunade said mildly. "Hiashi is a proud man and a loyal one. But this will loosen the hold he has on the Main house." Shikamaru stared at her. "You're attempting to give Hinata political power." Tsunade leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly against the desk. "Yes." "Why?" Shikamaru sat up straight, starring at her. To involve herself in the middle of a clan battle without proper reasoning was dangerous. Tsuande was silent for a moment longer. "When the time comes for me to choose my replacement, who do your contacts say the majority of the clans will support?" Shikamaru blinked at her. "That would depend on who you choose." Tsunade's smile was amused. "I believe most of the clans are already aware of who my choice is, Shikamaru." He inclined his head. "They are aware of who it is rumored you will be choosing." "And your thoughts?" Shikamaru sighed. "The clan elders have not spoken about this matter to either of my sources but it is my belief that they will support you." "That is not the case for the Hyuuga." Tsunade said tersely. "Mostly because of Naruto's hatred of their Branch House policy and partly because of what he is." She pinned him with a stern expression. "Hanabi will not make a good leader for her clan. She is brash, young and she has not chosen wisely in her quest for power over her sister." "Are you worried she will enforce the cage seal?" Tsunade's expression was hard. "You speak of Neji?" Shikamaru shrugged, slouching a little in his chair. "One of Hiashi's daughters must take the seal for the other to lead." "Perhaps." Tsunade said softly. When she spoke again, her voice was hard. "Hanabi and Hiashi have both been warned as to the consequences of enforcing the seal at this time... on either his children or against certain branch members." Shikamaru sighed. The dynamics of the village were going to change and rapidly. Power would shift. More importantly, since it appeared most of the troubled members belong to Hanabi's support, how exactly the power would shift to Hinata. This was going to be one very large mess that someone, probably him was going to have to clean up. Sighing heavily, he reached for a cigarette. "How troublesome." __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

01-13-2009, 06:56 AM	#33
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf -24-Sakura kicked her heels as she stared at the teakettle that was sitting on the stove. This was becoming something of a nightly ritual and she was quickly running out of herb packets. Suna nights were just cold enough even in summer that she would appreciate the added warmth and the tea did help her settle in for bed. Reaching up to rub her tired eyes, she paused at the sound of someone knocking. "Oi, Sakura-chan, you awake?" Naruto's low voice was muffled by the door; loud enough that she would hear it if she was awake but low enough that if she was asleep or wanted to ignore him she could. She seriously debated ignoring him. It was late; she needed to go to bed but… "Hang on Naruto," she called jumping off the counter she had been sitting on. Shuffling in the ridiculous slippers she had started wearing (it wasn't that she was afraid of bugs, just that the bugs here were rather nasty) and flicked open the locks on her door. "Hey," Naruto said with a smile, leaning his shoulder against the door jam. "What are you doing still up?" "Not sleeping, obviously." Sakura drawled, poking him. "Are you finished with your little midnight tour with Gaara?" Naruto rubbed his shoulder, smirking. "Watching us?" "Rather hard to miss you." She pointed out, opening the door in a silent invitation to enter. "It was either sand, more sand, building covered in sand or you two sleepless fools." "I don't think its good diplomacy to call Gaara a fool." Naruto teased as he followed her into the kitchen. "We could get into trouble for talking behind his back." "Since I've called him such to his face, I think we will be okay." Sakura returned. She dangled a tea packet in front of him. "Want one?" "Nah. I'm good." She lifted a brow letting her eyes run over his form. The sand-garb hid the muscle she was used to seeing in Konoha, but there was something a little more dangerous to this outfit. A little more anticipation. "You're getting enough fluids, aren't you?" Naruto jumped up onto her previous place on the counter and rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mednin-Haruno. I am getting plenty of fluids." She quirked a brow at him and then shrugged. "If you pass out from heat exhaustion I'm going to let Gaara deal with you." "No mercy, even for your teammates." Naruto teased his smile open and easy. Sakura snorted at him and as she poured the hot water over the bag of herbs. "Not when you're being an idiot. But since I have been up to my elbows in your insides at least twice, we'll call it even." Sakura suggested. "Right here, Sakura-chan." He moaned holding a hand to his heart. "Right here." "If you can survive Sasuke trying to shove a chidori through your chest, you can handle a couple of heart palpitations." She teased as she judged how long she had let her tea steep. Naruto snorted and crossed his arms. "So I take it this isn't a one night ordeal?" Sakura blinked at him as she tossed the packet into a trash container. "I beg your pardon?" Naruto pointed at the stove. "You couldn't turn that thing on when we first got here. Now you're acting like you've been using it for years. How many cups of tea have you been making, Sakura?" She lifted a brow, as she carefully tasted the hot drink. A little bitter. "What makes you think I'm just not compiling my mental report for Tsunade?" Naruto jumped down and shoved his hands in his pockets considering her with the expression that never failed to run goose bumps down her arms. It was an expression that told her there was more going on behind his eyes that he let on. The one that suggested the fox wasn't as far beneath the skin as everyone in Konoha liked to believe. "Sakura, you only drink tea like Tsunade drinks sake when you have something on your mind. I thought we had agreed that you could talk to me about anything?" Sakura pursed her lips considering. Feeling suddenly – ridiculously – nervous, she turned and set the mug down before taking a deep breath. This was absurd. She had already made her decision. She was going to face this. Squaring her shoulders, she turned to face Naruto. "You're right. I do have a problem." Naruto blinked at her before something eased in his shoulders. "All right then, Sakura-chan! Let's go sit down where we can talk about it and I'll see what I can do to help!" Sakura shook her head, taking a long deep breath. She was not nervous! This was Naruto! If he was going to reject her, he would have done it when she was twelve and crying brat. Not now. Not after everything. Her palms started to sweat and she hated it. "This isn't… I mean… oh screw it." Sakura growled before moving forward. She closed the distance between them in two steps, rose up on her tiptoes, and pressed her mouth solidly against his. His lips were chapped from the wind and his body was rigid under her hands. Pulling back, she stared up into his face. His eyes were wide and she licked her lips, locking her knees so she wouldn't bolt. She would not run. She would deal with this. "Naruto?" The light came back on behind his eyes at the sound of her voice and she was hardly aware of the way he was backing her up until her back hit the cold box. Bracing his arms on either side of her body, he stared down at her, pupils filled with red sparks. "Why?" His question stung (did he think she was playing, did he think she wouldn't do this without THOUGHT?) but instead of arching her back and snapping, she took a slow breath and steadied herself. "I'm not playing with you." His posture shifted and the air around her felt very confined. "I didn't say you were, Sakura." She studied his face for a long moment before nodding. "I'm not in love with you, Naruto." 'At least I don't think so…' "But… I won't lie and say there isn't anything between us either. I would like to find out what that is." He leaned forward so that their noses were almost touching and she had to clench her fists to keep from reaching for him. "So you decided to tell me that by kissing me?" His hands were sliding down the fridge and then they were tangling in her hair. She swallowed and his eyes lowered to watch her throat move. "I figured I owed you one." 'Or two. Was it three?' She whispered. "Besides, aren't you supposed to be a man of action instead of…" He mouth pressed into hers, slanting across her lips like a brand. She wrapped her arms around his waist and stepped into his kiss, tilting her chin to give him better access. In return, he pressed up against her – he was so warm compared to the cold of the fridge behind her– and she dug her nails into his back, whimpering. When they finally pulled back, Sakura was uncertain how long she had allowed herself to sink into the heat and feel of him and they were both panting. The smile that was slowly tugging the corner of Naruto's lips upward made her stomach drop and her cheeks heat. He untangled his hands from her hair to brush her bangs out of her eyes. "Do you know how long I've waited for you to admit that?" Sakura shrugged, feeling self-conscious. "I didn't want to risk our friendship." Instead of rolling his eyes or saying something ridiculous, he brought his hands up so that he was cradling her face between his palms. "Do you trust me, Sakura?" "Yes." That was a question she didn't have to think about twice. Ever. "Then trust me when I say it would take more than you could possible do to me to ever loose our friendship." "But…" He covered her lips with his fingers. "Nothing, Sakura-chan." "How do you know that?" She blurted out quickly when he moved his hand away. "Because I know you and I know me." He said with a shrug, his smile sure. "Even if nothing comes of this except some very good stolen moments," here his eyes burned, "you have at least given me a chance. That's all I ever wanted. That's all I can ask for." She studied him for a long time before relaxing. Her fingers loosened their hold on his shirt. "You really are crazy." "Maybe," he said cheerfully, deliberately sliding his fingertips down the side of her face before taking two very careful steps back. "But you like me anyway." She sighed. "Yes." He grinned. "Good. Now go to bed!" His eyes cut over to her mischievously. "Unless you want to work on those stolen moments." She swatted him. "Naruto!" "Can't blame a guy for trying." She huffed. "You are going to have to work much harder than that to get 'stolen moments' you idiot." His smile was predatory and she could feel the blush working its way from her throat into her cheeks. "I do love a good challenge, Sakura." Clearing her throat, she pointed to the door. "Good night, Naruto." "Good night," he echoed as he started to walk to the door. "If you have any trouble sleeping…" "I'll go find Kankuro." He deserved it. "Now go away!" "That's not nice!" he scolded as he slipped into the hall. "You can't just say…" She shut the door with a slam and flicked the locks into place. Maybe this would work out after all. "Not cool, Sakura-chan! __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

01-13-2009, 07:01 AM	#34
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf -25- Kakashi adjusted the book so that he could easily peer over the edges of the pages without looking too conspicuous. It was amazing how many people ignored someone who they believed was reading inappropriate material and how often they thought it made him blind and dumb. Turning a page he discreetly scanned the area that was waiting for the results of the emergency council meeting. Everyone looked comfortable, relaxed. Either they were not expecting the exploding tag that Tsunade was currently holding in her hand or they had no idea that something was going down inside those oak doors. Kakashi personally like to believe the first. There were too many people connected to the council. Too many ears, too many eyes. No, some of them were just biding their time. It would be a long time before they cleaned all the rats out of their holes. That was fine with him. Ibiki was going to go through them with a fine toothed comb and anyone stupid enough to go after his team later in some misplaced sense of revenge was going to have their hands full. A small smile tugged at his mouth. He was hopeful that some of them would come after him, but he didn't think he would be given such an opportunity. He paused in his reading as the council door opened. Hiashi was unsurprisingly the first to exit. There was an expression on his face that Kakashi had only seen once or twice in his life. He felt no pity for the head of the Hyuuga clan. Hanabi was a brat who didn't care about who she had to run over to gain power and Hinata was too soft-spoken to be taken seriously without some serious leverage. Kakashi had seen the Neji and Hinata sparring and what Neji had over Hinata in sheer power the small Hyuuga made up for in speed and creativity. That sort of mind would do well for her clan if just given the chance. If the developing tic under Hiashi's left eye told him anything, it indicated that the first step in securing Hinata as the heir to the clan had taken place. The next few hours would be critical to see how the clan would react. More importantly, how Hiashi would react. Shikamaru was fairly sure that he would be forced to name Hinata heir but until that moment came there were many things that could go wrong. He hoped Neji was keeping a close eye on his cousin. Closing his book, Kakashi memorized names and faces that exited the council room. Many of them were pale and several of them were sweating. Some didn't leave the room at all. Making mental notes, he waited until the doors shut again and turned on his heel. It was time to go and check on his wayward student. XxXxXxXxXxXx Sasuke lifted his eyes from the scroll he had been reading when there was a knock on his door. Since she had been standing on his landing for the past five minutes he had almost expected her to walk away. He wasn't exactly surprised that she was stopping by but he hadn't expected her to be alone. "Hinata." She looked up at the sound of her name. Sasuke looked around her and lifted a brow when he confirmed that her cousin was nowhere to be found. "Sasuke-san," she said quietly. "Neji is not here. May I come in?" He opened the door, carefully scanning the area before shutting and locking it behind her. Some of the tension in her shoulders seemed to release once his traps snapped into place and her pale eyes scanned the distinct lack of windows with something like approval. Motioning to the small table he had been previously reading at, he headed into the kitchen to start a pot of tea. Turning once he was satisfied, he settled his hip against the counter and considered the Hyuuga heir. She had settled at his table and was watching him with her hands clasped in her lap. Since they were her best weapon she was deliberately handicapping herself. "You have heard about the council meeting this morning?" Her tone made it almost a statement but he nodded anyway. She nodded and straightened her spine. "Then you are aware of the grief my clan has caused you." Again he nodded. There were many things that her statement could have alluded to. The council had attempted to drive his clan into the ground and they had attempted to destroy Naruto, his teammate. Both gave him grounds to claim fault. If the spark – he would almost call it temper – behind her eyes said anything, she was clearly aware of everything that had occurred during the council meeting this morning. Remembering the way her eyes had once followed Naruto, he decided that her words were for Naruto and for those he now protected. "This morning my father placed the cage seal on Hanabi," Hinata's voice held no triumph, instead she just looked tired. "Officially, this was done because of her connections to the Elders who are currently being charged with treason. She couldn't be trusted by the village after this and so was no longer in contention to be heir. Unofficially, this was done to save face. There is no proof that Hanabi was involved in the plot but there is no proof that she was not. My father cannot loose the support of the clan or we will never resolve our internal problems. So he chose this as his path." "Hn." "My father is getting older, Sasuke-san." Her words were soft but there was an edge there that Sasuke could appreciate. "He hides it well, but he is getting tired. He had already started training Hanabi quietly about Clan economics and strategies and he does not approve of me as heir." Sasuke studied her face before turning to take the water off the burner before it could start to whistle at him. Pouring the water over the leaves, he settled the teapot onto a tray and added two mugs before setting it down on the table to seep. Taking a chair across from Hinata he laced his fingers together. "What does this have to do with the Uchiha-clan, Hinata?" "You will need support to rebuild your clan, Sasuke-san." Hinata said quietly. "I am now in a position to offer that support." Sasuke was silent as he poured them both some tea. "Your Elders will not appreciate that move." Her smile was tight. "What better way to fish out the rest of the traitors?" He lifted a brow. "That is dangerous." "Yes." She agreed, lifting the mug and cradling it in her hands as if suddenly chilled. "There are many things I plan on doing that are going to be dangerous." He studied her. His clan would grow. He knew Hinata was aware of that, as she was also clearly aware of the traditional animosity between their clans. Leaning back, he studied her. "You would like our clans to grow as allies." "I would like us to try." Hinata said finally. Her eyes were hard. "I cannot close the rift between the Branch and the Main house completely. Not in my lifetime. I can abolish the practice of the cage seal but it will take work and years of struggle before I can win my family over to the reality of change." Her eyes grew distant. "But I made a promise to someone and I will keep it." Sasuke nodded. Hinata drew in a deep breath. "What I would like to do Sasuke-san, is offer your clan support. We cannot do much, not with my father still keeping an eye on things but Neji and I will do what we can both politically and economically to aid you. You will need assistance in learning as your clan develops and I would like to offer you ours." Sasuke considered her offer. "Is this is payment for the debt your clans actions have caused?" Hinata shook her head. "No, Sasuke-san. This is in payment of a different promise. The debt my clan owes on that front is political and shall be paid politically. The Elders who are left are in agreement with me on this." Sasuke took a sip of his tea. "I shall consider your offer." Hinata nodded and set her mug down. Standing, she bowed. "Thank you for your time, Uchiha-sama. May your clan be prosperous." "And may yours weather the storm of time." He returned the old greeting and it felt a little clumsy on his tongue. She nodded and he stood and followed her to the door. As he opened the door for her, he studied her out of the corner of his eye. "Hinata." She turned. "The undercurrents of the council’s actions have not yet settled." She nodded her head. "Yes. Watch your back, Sasuke-san." Shutting the door he flipped the locks back into place. Rolling his neck, he checked his traps and lifted his eyes to the small window in his kitchen. He had plans to make. It wouldn't do for his teammates to return home and him be caught off guard by their questions. __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

01-13-2009, 07:12 AM	#35
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf -26- Sakura checked her pack again to make sure she hadn't left anything important behind. A week and half in Suna had depleted her gear but she was still worried she had left something. Naruto was off gathering supplies with Gaara for their return trip home. They were supposed to meet up with them at the gate in half an hour but Sakura had gotten bored and wondered down early. Temari and Kankuro were already there and seemed amused by her antsy behavior. "Ready to go home too quickly, Sakura-chan?" Kankuro teased. "Yes." Sakura said bluntly. "You know, the longer I'm here the higher the odds that I'm going to have to save your ass and I would like to save myself the trouble." Temari laughed. "That's probably truer than you know." Kankuro looked offended. Or Sakura thought he did. The face paint made it difficult to determine. "That's not nice, Sakura!" Sakura stuck her hand on her hips and smirked. "First Sakura-chan and then Sakura. Make up your mind, paint-boy." Kankuro straightened himself to his full height. "So, did you manage to catch yourself a blonde jounin while you were here?" Sakura flung one of her energy bars at his head and was satisfied when it hit with a thud. Temari gave Sakura a long look out of the corner of her eye and smirked. The next thing Sakura knew, she was being dragged away from the gate and into the market. Sputtering, she stumbled a little before she caught her balance and managed to find her feet. "Hey!" "Temari." Kankuro hollered. "I was talking with her!" "Don't worry little brother. I'll bring the leaf-nin back in one piece!" The blonde promised, waving her hand as she continued to drag Sakura along. "As soon as you explain what is going on between you and Naruto." She finished in a hiss. "What?" Temari snorted. "Do I look like I am completely oblivious? Just because Kankuro and Gaara wouldn't see a relationship if it walked up, hit them in the face and stripped them naked with its teeth does not mean I have such problems." Sakura shot her an annoyed look. "So I should tell Shikamaru no stripping?" Temari snorted. "Boy's too lazy to do that sort of work. Besides, it’s more fun to watch his eyes widen while you drag the zipper down yourself." Sakura blinked several times. And then violently shook her head. "That's an image I did not need." "You'll get used to it." Temari said lazily as she dragged her to a bench. "Now, want kind of dango do you want? We can pretend we were off doing girly things before you left and Gaara will just have to deal with it." "You mean you’re not going to interrogate me?" Sakura teased. "I was attempting to be diplomatic. Don't run. I'll just break your ribs." Sakura snorted. "You can try." "I'll do more than try, honey." Temari assured her before waking over to the little stand and buying them both some dango and sauntering back. "Now, I have officially bribed you. Start talking." Sakura sighed. The dango looked delicious and Temari had even brought them small glasses of tea. Taking a careful bite, she sighed again. "Alright. I give." Temari's smile was wicked. "I know." "I don't know what's going on between Naruto and myself." Sakura said mildly. "But I told him I was willing to find out." Temari chewed for several long seconds. "We'll that's better than what I told Shikamaru." Sakura lifted a brow. "Oh?" "Hmm. I told him I was in it purely for the sex." "I suppose I can see that," Sakura mused. "Just trying not to visualize Shika naked." Temari opened her mouth and Sakura, realizing what she said, shoved her last dango into Temari's mouth. "No. Do not. Ever." Temari rolled her eyes as she chewed. "You’re such a prude." "Yes well, I have to work with him. I do not need any images. Any." "I'm sure that Naruto will help you wash your brain out. He has very nice abs." Temari said as they started their walk back to the group conversing near the gate. Sakura cut her a glance. "If you think I am going to talk about him at all, you're crazy." Temari smirked. "I have my ways." "Have your ways for what?" Naruto asked, bouncing a little on his heels. He had enjoyed his stay in Sand but it was time to go home now. He wanted a long, long shower. He cut his eyes over to Sakura. A long shower. "Weapons," Sakura said waving her hand. "Nothing important." Ignoring the sudden gleam in his eyes she bowed low to Gaara. "Thank you for your hospitality." "Temari and Kankuro will see you to the border." Gaara said. "Be safe." Naruto slapped Gaara on the arm. "Don't worry. I'll be back to bother you soon enough. Next time, I'll bring miso ramen." Gaara nodded. "Farewell." XxXxXxXxXxXx Sakura flopped down next to Naruto, finger combing her still damp hair. Two days into the border of fire country and they had finally had the chance to stop and douse themselves in a stream. "I never thought I was going to be clean again. Why does sand have to get everywhere?" Naruto smiled at her, eyes catching sparks from the fire. "I never did show you what was so beautiful about the place." She rolled her eyes. "You just want to drag me back there again." "Awe, come on Sakura-chan. You know you had fun." Shaking her head she studied the fish Naruto had caught earlier while she set up camp. "I think these are about done." "Yeah." He agreed. Handing her a stick, he carefully blew on his meal. "Man, I missed fish while we were there. And don't think I don't know you are changing the subject." Sakura rolled her eyes, sucking in cold air as her tongue sizzled with the hot food. Nodding she chewed quickly and swallowed. "Yeah, I missed fish." He eyed her for a moment before letting it drop. "I wonder what's changed at home." He mused. "I bet Sasuke hasn't painted his walls yet." Sakura's stomach dropped. Averting her eyes from his thoughtful face, she bit down on another bite of the fish and was relieved to find it had cooled a little. Chewing stubbornly she ignored the sudden sharp gaze she could feel boring into her expression. "Sakura-chan?" "Not right now Naruto. Please." There was a long silence and when he spoke, his tone was deep. "Sakura-chan, does this have to do with Sasuke?" She bit her lip and considered his words. Shaking her head slowly, she turned to look at him. "No. Not that I know." She took a deep breath. "I can't talk about it, Naruto. Direct orders." She hated to hide behind that card but she was not willing to talk to him about it. She had promised Tsunade and it had been a direct order. However, the tension in Naruto's shoulders eased and she could read his expression again even if his eyes were still too serious. "Okay." She went back to her fish feeling a little nauseous. What was she going to do if she went home and the Akatsuki had killed someone important to Naruto? Taking a deep, calming breath she shoved her emotions into the proper compartments. Later. "I bet Ayame is still making eyes at Kakashi." Sakura turned and blinked. "Ayame? The girl who works at the ramen stand?" "Yup. He even gets free meals occasionally." "Any chance he returns her feelings?" Naruto pondered that. "I don't know. Kakashi sensei isn't easy to read like Sasuke. You have to see how many times he twitches to guess exactly how far things run." "Twitches?" Naruto waved his hand. "Yeah. Like with Gaara." "Naruto, Gaara doesn't twitch." "No, he smiles." "Gaara doesn't have facial expressions. Or well, he doesn't besides "maniac killer" and "how many ways can I splatter your insides" sort of expressions." "Sakura-chan!" His eyes were dancing with laughter. "He smiles. We'll okay, they are a bit more like grimaces but you can totally see them in the corner of his mouth." Sakura pulled back and pointed a finger at him, struggling to contain her mirth. "You've been starring at Gaara's mouth?" Naruto blinked before shrugging. "It's not like he has eyebrows." Her lips twitched. "Well, no. But Sasuke doesn't smile and he does have eyebrows so you don't have those excuses." "Nah. Teme has the most expressive eyebrows ever." "I didn't notice that until he came back but you’re right." Sakura agreed. Naruto stared at her. "What did you look at?" "His ass." Sakura said demurely. "He has a very nice one." Naruto crossed his arms. "Oh?" She patted him on the head before standing up to go and collect the gear they had set out. "Yes. He does. Don't worry though; I have it on good authority that you have a great set of abs." Naruto's grin was edged and wicked. "Care to check them out?" "I've seen them. You have first watch," Sakura sing-songed at him. "So if you want to wash up before you start…" "No mercy for your poor teammate." Naruto teased as he scooped his things up. Sakura shot him a saucy grin. "I told you, hot shot. You're going to have to work a lot harder than that." His grin widened. "You shouldn't bait a man, Sakura. You might find yourself bent over a tree." "I'll keep that in mind." "You do that," he suggested as he walked away, putting a little swing in his hips. "That way you have no excuse when I strip you naked with my teeth." Sakura picked up a rock and hurled it at him. "Eavesdropper!" His laughter echoed back at her. __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

01-13-2009, 07:14 AM	#36
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf The gates to Konoha always looked wonderful after several weeks of being away. Part of her was extremely nervous to hear how things had gone in Water Country – Naruto was not going to be happy – and the rest of her was too thrilled with the idea of hot water and food to care. "Home sweet home," Naruto murmured as they slowed out of their run into a walk, his grin firmly in place. Lacing his hands behind his head he watched her from the corner of his eyes. "How about I buy you dinner?" "That's sweet, but I'm more interested in a hot shower than actual food. I swear, I still feel sand in places it shouldn't be. Even after we stopped at the river." He grinned. "You have to wonder if Gaara is limited to the sand in his gourd or if he can feel everything, because you know that has the possibility…" She glared down at where he had fallen flat thanks to her fist. "Idiot." Before he could respond, there was a flicker out of the corner of her eye and Sakura blinked when she turned and found herself starring at Tenten and Hyuuga Neji. "Hey, what are you two doing here?' Naruto questioned as he picked himself up. He dusted off his pants and grinned. "Baa-chan got you on message duty?" "Actually, we're here to escort you to Hokage Tower." Tenten said cheerfully. "Hokage-sama has been awaiting your return impatiently." Sakura felt her stomach drop to her toes. So things had gone badly in Wave Country. Exchanging a look with Naruto, she shrugged and tried to smile. "Then lead the way." "Yeah, hate to keep Baa-chan waiting." Sakura sighed. "One day, she's going to punt you clear through the Hokage Monument for your lack of respect." "I respect her!" Naruto protested. Sakura snorted. "Right." "Hey! That's not fair, Sakura-chan! I do too!" "You'll have to forgive my teammate." Sakura said mildly as she caught Neji watching them with faint exasperation in his eyes. "Sasuke has kicked him in the head one too many times." "Hey! Has not!" "You're right," Sakura said cheerfully. "It's all the times I've hit you for stupidity." Naruto pointed at her, a grin wide on his face. "You know you love me." Sakura ignored the butterflies and rolled her eyes. "Do not." "Do too." "Do not." "Do." "Not." "I'll kill you both." Neji warned, "If you do not stop this display of foolishness." Naruto looked hurt. "You don't love me anymore, Neji-chan?" The Hyuuga's brow actually twitched. Tenten was clearly fighting laughter, her bottom lip tucked tightly between her teeth, shoulders shaking slightly. Neji turned and faced her, eyes narrowing. "Tenten." "Yes, Neji-chan?" She replied, her voice vibrating slightly as her eyes danced. "Did you need something?" Naruto looked delighted. "Tenten! You do know how to tease him! All these years I thought that only Lee ever dared to cross such a stoic example of shinobi!" Sakura slapped a hand over her eyes. "You know what? Tenten and I will meet you two there. That way we don't get killed." "I can beat him!" Naruto assured her, grin firmly in place. Neji's eyes were narrowed into slits. "Do not worry, Sakura-san. We have agreed to deliver Naruto to Hokage-sama in one piece." Neji got the words out through clenched teeth. "That is what we will do." "Oh, look," Tenten cut in before Naruto could open his mouth. "We're here!" Sakura reached over and grabbed Naruto by the collar. "Bye Neji-san, Tenten. We'll see you two around." "Bye Sakura!" Tenten said. Neji turned on his heel and began to march home, Tenten laughingly following. "Well that was fun," Naruto said cheerfully as he walked down the familiar halls. "You're nuts." Naruto's expression was sly. "You still love me." She snorted. "You're going to have to work a little harder than that to get me to admit anything." "With pleasure," he assured. "I never give up." "I know. I'm rather counting on it." She admitted before tucking into Tsunade's office before she could see his reaction. "Sensei, you wanted to see us?" "Sakura, Naruto… I'm glad you made it back in one piece." Naruto looked confused. "It was only a mission to Sand." Tsunade sighed. "You better sit down, both of you." "Why? What happened? Was it those assholes from Akatsuki?" Naruto demanded, eyes narrowing with temper. "'Cause I swear…" "Naruto. Sit. Down." He sat. "And yes, it involved the Akatsuki, but isn't what you think." She sighed and quietly explained. Naruto sat ramrod straight jaw clenched tightly together as she recounted what happened. Sakura reached out and gripped his wrist halfway through Tsunade's story. When Tsunade finished there was a long silence. "So what happens now?" Sakura said finally, not willing to process exactly what all this meant outside of the fact that she had not lied to Naruto by default… even if Tsunade lied to her. "Ibiki is still working on some of the individuals involved. For now, we are operating with a replacement council that we fully expect to be voted in position in a few hours." This meant something. Sakura could feel it but she was too dumfounded to put all the pieces together. Rubbing her eyes she sighed. "Damn." "Yes." Tsunade said quietly. "You two should be careful. There are still one or two instigators that have not been caught and we are unsure as to if they will try to target you in revenge." "I hope they do." Naruto said coldly. "I have a few things I want to say to them." "Be as that may, you two will keep your heads low until the rest of this passes over or you will have me to deal with. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes." Sakura said. "Good. Go home and get some rest. Things are being sorted out. I expect to see one or both of you tomorrow for a verbal report on what occurred in Sand." Both of them knew a dismissal when they heard one. "Be careful." "We will," Naruto assured her. "No need to worry, Baa-chan." He barely managed to avoid the scroll that came flying at his head. Sakura didn't say anything as they walked the halls. Naruto's expression was pensive. He ran his fingers through his hair and Sakura curbed the urge to reach for him. They didn't need that sort of distraction right now. Swallowing, she glanced around the growing dusk. "I could use a drink." Naruto continued to stare at the ground and she reached out and poked him in the shoulder. He lifted his eyes to her face and she tugged on his sleeve. "Wanna go to Sasuke's and see what kind of booze he has?" __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

01-13-2009, 07:16 AM	#37
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf -27-Sakura lifted the bottle of sake that Sasuke had procured from somewhere. He seemed a little disgruntled at sharing his stash, but a little arm-twisting was all it took before they found themselves in his living room. Getting totally trashed right then probably wasn't the best idea, but Sasuke wasn't drinking and the high level of traps she could feel humming against her skin told her that it would take a small army to break through. Tossing back a mouthful, she let it burn all the way down and blinked several times. "Where did you get this again? It's good quality." Sasuke gave her a look that was a cross between amused and exasperated. Naruto had been right. It was definitely the eyebrows. Naruto just snorted from where he was flat on his back, his own bottle cradled between his knees. "Will you even remember if I tell you now?" Sasuke asked mildly as he settled in front of his couch, his long fingers cradling a ridiculous looking teacup. Sakura waved her hand lazily, ignoring the way her peripheral vision was starting to turn fuzzy. "Sure. This can't be as bad as the time Tsunade, Shizune and I holed up in the tower and played shot games all night." Naruto sat up so fast he wavered. "You did what?" Sakura was impressed. The fact that he could sit up (even if he was tilting) and manage clear speech was impressive. She really thought it was unfair how her boys could burn up alcohol so quickly… even if she cheated by stimulating her liver before she even started drinking. "Hmm. One of many learning experiences in how to hold my liquor." She blinked a little and nodded when her vision cleared. Sasuke was starring at her with those dark eyes and Naruto's mouth was agape. "What?" Naruto pointed a finger at her. "You turned the Hokage Tower into… into… a…a…a bar!" Sakura snorted. "No I didn't. Tsunade did. The day she was made Hokage!" Sasuke sighed. "I'm going to need some of that if you two don't shut up." Two sets of eyes narrowed in on him. "You're too much of a lightweight for this stuff." Naruto informed him merrily. "Bet you would be passed out before Sakura-chan there!" Sakura considered the sake in her hands. She wondered if she had the control to pick the coffee table up and beat Naruto with it. Probably not. If she needed to knock down a wall she would be able to, but fine control was beyond her. "I can out drink you, idiot." "No you can't." Sakura leaned forward and pointed. "Ino's birthday last year." "You cheated!" "Oh and like your ability to burn up alcohol like you do isn't cheating!" "I'd already had one drinking match with Kiba!" Sasuke reached over and steadied the jar that Naruto almost kicked over. "I'm going to cut you both off if you don't stop." Naruto flopped back onto his back and waved a hand. "Yes, yes." Sasuke's eyes narrowed to slits and Sakura sighed. "Behave. Both of you. I may be a bit tipsy, but that doesn't mean I can't put you both in traction. Besides, we need to talk." Naruto sighed. "Yeah. That's right. What the hell is going on, teme?" Sasuke took another sip of his tea. "What do you know?" "Hyuuga. Akatsuki." Naruto lifted his fingers into the air as he rattled off one-word sentences. "Council." "They will be announcing the new Council in the morning or late evening." Naruto propped himself up. "Yeah, Baa-chan said that she thought the replacements were voted in. Do we know who they are?" "Yes." Sakura took another swallow and waited for the world to tilt back into place. "Who?" Sasuke gave her another amused look and started to rattle off names. By the time he was done Sakura was sitting up ramrod straight and was sure her expression mirrored Naruto's open-mouthed gape. "WHAT?" Sasuke leaned back and sipped his tea. "I realize you’re both halfway to drunk, but I don't care to repeat myself." "But… but…" Naruto sputtered. Sakura stared at him. "How?" Sakura's lips curved just a little. "I might have made a few suggestions." "You blackmailed them?" Sakura and Naruto demanded together. "Requested. Nicely." Sasuke corrected. "But… but…" Naruto tried again. Sakura nudged his foot and lifted her bottle helpfully. "Drink." He did. Once his expression was a little more relaxed, Sakura turned back to Sasuke. "You blackmailed the clans into putting who you... or rather Tsuande, wanted into place?" Sasuke smirked. "I suggested a few names to the people Tsunade thought would listen." "You sneaky snake bastard." Naruto rasped. "I would kiss you," Sakura said seriously, "but I don't have a lot of balance right now." Naruto grinned at her. "You can kiss me." Sakura rolled her eyes. "Not when you're seeing three of me." Sasuke lifted a brow in a silent question. Naruto's smile was lecherous. "She likes me. She kissed me." "I'm going to thump you if you don't shut up." Sakura said reasonably. "We were discussing the fact that Sasuke and Tsunade set up the council so that you could be Hokage." She paused and then added thoughtfully, "and so Hinata could take over Hyuuga." Naruto lifted his bottle. "All the more reason for celebration!" She couldn't argue with that. Lifting her bottle she tilted in a salute at Naruto and shivered as another mouthful burned down her throat. "Where did you get this stuff?" "You both are staying here tonight." Sasuke informed them as he gathered, stood and took his teacup to the sink, ignoring her question. "Ibiki has a list that hasn't been completely accounted for." Naruto cranked open an eye. "Thatsa why you wanted us drunk. Baa-chan already told us. 'Sides, Sakura-chan wants a shower!" "Dobe." Sasuke said with a sigh. Reaching down he offered Sakura a hand. "Come on. Let's get you both sobered up." Sakura nodded sagely and accepted his hand. She staggered into his side and blinked. "I think that's probably a good idea. And the shower." "Yup." Naruto agreed. He grinned. "You got any rice balls?" Sasuke sighed. "Your alcohol." Sakura said with a grin. She paused, and feeling brave, grinned at him mischievously. Some things you just saved for when you were a bit tipsy. Reaching out, she poked him in the abdomen. "Very nice." "Hey! I'm the one with the abs. Sasuke has the ass, remember?" "You should ignore him," Sakura said reasonably. "He dumber when he’s drunk." "You just wait until I'm finished seeing three of you," Naruto warned her as he stood unsteadily. "I'm going to bend you over my knee and spank you." Sakura lifted a brow and flexed her fingers in a silent challenge. "I can still put you through a wall." "It'd be worth it." Naruto returned. "No kinky sex in my apartment." Sasuke said flatly. "No kink period. No sex. You can't even hold hands." "Ah, Sasuke! You ruin everything." "No." "But!" "Naruto!" Sakura growled. "I'll rearrange your vocal cords with your lungs if you don't drop it!" "… right." He said finally. "Is that possible?" "We can test it if you like." "So, Sasuke… you said something about food?" "I hate you both." __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

01-13-2009, 07:19 AM	#38
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf -28-Sakura woke up to someone playing with her hair and the smell of miso. Cracking on eye open, she glared at Naruto. He was sitting on the bed and braiding her hair, a small grin on his face. "Why are you here?" "Bastard is making breakfast." "That doesn't explain you." "I came to wake you up!" He said cheerfully. "It's almost ten." Sakura pressed her face under the pillow and grunted at him. He laughed and slapped her butt. "Up, up, up, Sakura-chan!" "I'll bribe Neji into killing you." "Neji doesn't take bribes. It's beneath him!" "You'd be surprised what he will do for a good neck rub." Sakura returned as she pushed herself up. Naruto paused. "What?" "Don't worry about it." Sakura said sweetly as she staggered towards the bathroom. "Tell Sasuke I'll be out in ten." She was done in eight and when she stepped out of the bathroom, feeling a little more awake. Naruto and Sasuke were waiting on her in the kitchen. Naruto was sprawled across a bar stool watching Sasuke finish breakfast, eyes narrowed in concentration. "Do you need any help, Sasuke?" "I'm almost finished and dobe set the table." Naruto rolled his eyes. "Don't make it sound like I didn't offer to help either. You turned me down." Sakura breathed in the pungent smell of fish and grinned. "Still eating simple?" Sasuke shrugged. "It's good." "It's boring," Naruto corrected. "You need more ramen in your diet." "You don't have to eat it." Sasuke returned mildly. "That leaves more for me and Sakura." Naruto put a hand over his heart and sulked. "I'm hurt. Right here." Sakura ruffled his hair as she went by. "You'll live." "I'm feeling a distinct lack of love in this apartment," Naruto grumbled as he deliberately moved the chair so that Sasuke had to sidestep or trip over it as he laid breakfast on the table. "What you're feeling is a distinct lack of the correct ratio of blood and caffeine." Sakura informed him as she flopped into a chair and smiled her thanks at Sasuke. Naruto rolled his eyes and tried to steal a piece of fish off Sasuke's plate. Sasuke speared Naruto's hand with his chopsticks and glared. "Absolutely no love." Sakura rolled her eyes as she poured herself a cup of tea. "When do you think you'll have time to head over to the Tower to talk to Tsunade about what happened in Sand?" "Probably after lunch. I've got a few things to take care of this morning." Naruto said around a mouthful of fish. "A few things?" Sasuke asked quietly. "Just a few loose odds and ends." He smiled at them. "What about you Bastard?" Sasuke shrugged. Naruto shifted forward towards his plate again and Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "I'm not reattaching fingers." Sakura said firmly, setting her cup down and leaning forward. "Behave." "Awe, Sakura-chan, you take all the fun out of breakfast." "I'm going to take all the fun out of breathing in a few minutes." She replied serenely, fingering her own chopsticks. Naruto pouted. "Fine, fine. No love." Sakura shook her head. "Is there anything else we should know about, Sasuke? About the council. Before we find ourselves neck deep in backlash?" Sasuke stared at her for a long moment. "Hiashi placed the bird seal on his youngest daughter." Naruto froze, his hand hovering over the rice bowl. Sakura bit her lip at the curious way Naruto's eyes had gone flat and hard. "When?" "A few days ago." Sasuke said calmly as he lifted his chopsticks to his mouth. "Hinata-san stopped by to inform me of the decision." Naruto's fingers curled into fists. "Fucking Hyuuga." Sakura sighed. Sasuke sure knew how to kill an early morning meal. Still, she supposed it was better for Naruto to hear about it now, with them, than on the street with no one to buffer his temper. "Naruto." His shoulders were tight but he turned to face her. "You weren't here. You couldn't have stopped it." She closed her fingers around his wrist. "Even if you were here, all you would have done was complicate matters. Hanabi-san wouldn't have wanted your help and Hinata wouldn't have asked." "You can't save the world, idiot." "I can try." Naruto snapped back. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I can try." "We'll, you've got to start with things you can change." Sakura said briskly. "The Hyuuga's have a chance to change with Hinata. The way they went about enforcing his decision is terrible but it is the best thing for the clan." Sasuke lifted his tea. "Hinata-san said she had a promise to keep." Naruto stilled and finally nodded. "Yeah." "What promise?" Naruto shook his head, the tension slowly easing out of his shoulders. "I'll tell you some other time." Sakura nodded and exchanged a look with Sasuke. Time for a distraction. What Naruto really needed right then was to beat the hell out of something. Sasuke had just volunteered himself for that duty. "Right." "Right?" Sakura leaned over and smiled at him. Naruto blinked at her expression and narrowed his eyes as she leaned back and popped the last of his fish into her mouth. "Hey!" "Well I gotta run. I'll give Tsunade-sensei my report after I stop by the hospital!" "Sakura-chan! You can't eat and run! That's cheating!" He lunged for her, but she dodged him with the expediency of kicking his chair back into his legs. He grunted and slammed into the table. Sasuke glared at her. "I'll see you two later." Naruto tilted his head as the door shut. "Do you think she does these things on purpose?" Sasuke snorted and started collecting dishes. __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

01-13-2009, 07:22 AM	#39
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf -29-Naruto flopped on his back and tried to ignore the feeling of his ribs mending themselves. He had needed that. The tension from breakfast was gone, leaving him with mending bones, heaving lungs and the sort of relaxation only the satisfaction of beating your best friend to a pulp could bring. Heaving for air, he grinned a little to himself as he realized that Sasuke was just as winded. The curl of satisfaction was from knowing his friend was going to end up getting Sakura to check his own ribs. The narrowed eyed glare told him that Sasuke knew what he was thinking and didn't particularly care for it. Grinning even wider, he turned his attention to the puffy clouds. "You're such an ass." Sasuke snorted. "Still bitter that I won?" Naruto grunted. "Like hell." "Idiot." "Bastard." "When are you going to talk to her?" "What?" Sasuke sighed and rolled himself to his feet. "Sakura." "No, no, I got that." He waved his hand. "What I want to know is why you want to know? And where the hell this conversation came from?" Sasuke pinned him with a look. "Okay so I guess I know why you wanna know, but I still don't know." "What?" "When I'm gonna talk to her. Dunno." Sasuke looked uncomfortable for a second and then it disappeared behind his eyes. "Girls like to know where they stand." Naruto shot to his feet. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Sakura-chan knows she's my precious person." Sasuke snorted. "If you don't know, I'm not telling you." Naruto narrowed his eyes. "I'll kick your scrawny Uchiha-ass if you’re not careful." Sasuke looked bored. "If you say so." His eyes flickered upwards. "Don't you have babysitting duties?" Naruto pointed his finger. "You're not… hey, crap! I forgot! Hey, how did you know about that?" "Whatever." "We're not finished here!" Naruto informed his he turned to bolt out of the training grounds. "I'll beat it out of you later." "Hn." __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

01-13-2009, 07:25 AM	#40
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf -30-Naruto flopped on his back and tried to ignore the feeling of his ribs mending themselves. He had needed that. The tension from breakfast was gone, leaving him with mending bones, heaving lungs and the sort of relaxation only the satisfaction of beating your best friend to a pulp could bring. Heaving for air, he grinned a little to himself as he realized that Sasuke was just as winded. The curl of satisfaction was from knowing his friend was going to end up getting Sakura to check his own ribs. The narrowed eyed glare told him that Sasuke knew what he was thinking and didn't particularly care for it. Grinning even wider, he turned his attention to the puffy clouds. "You're such an ass." Sasuke snorted. "Still bitter that I won?" Naruto grunted. "Like hell." "Idiot." "Bastard." "When are you going to talk to her?" "What?" Sasuke sighed and rolled himself to his feet. "Sakura." "No, no, I got that." He waved his hand. "What I want to know is why you want to know? And where the hell this conversation came from?" Sasuke pinned him with a look. "Okay so I guess I know why you wanna know, but I still don't know." "What?" "When I'm gonna talk to her. Dunno." Sasuke looked uncomfortable for a second and then it disappeared behind his eyes. "Girls like to know where they stand." Naruto shot to his feet. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Sakura-chan knows she's my precious person." Sasuke snorted. "If you don't know, I'm not telling you." Naruto narrowed his eyes. "I'll kick your scrawny Uchiha-ass if you’re not careful." Sasuke looked bored. "If you say so." His eyes flickered upwards. "Don't you have babysitting duties?" Naruto pointed his finger. "You're not… hey, crap! I forgot! Hey, how did you know about that?" "Whatever." "We're not finished here!" Naruto informed his he turned to bolt out of the training grounds. "I'll beat it out of you later." "Hn." __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

01-13-2009, 07:27 AM	#41
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf -30-"It's about time you got here, forehead. I was about to give up and change my order to go." Sakura flopped down into the chair across from her and grimaced. "Sorry. I stopped by the hospital after giving my report and got caught up in surgery." Ino lifted a brow. "Ouch." "Yeah." She gave a weary smile. "But I'm off for the rest of the afternoon. In theory, at least." "Right. We'll, I've only got time for lunch. I'm running the flower shop myself this week. Which is fine, if fairly boring. Shikamaru is covering for me right now." Sakura lifted a brow. "Shikamaru?" Ino smiled serenely. "Yes." Sakura grinned. "I thought Chouji and Shika had sworn off babysitting the shop for you after that time Gai and Lee went in looking for flowers." "I blackmail them into it occasionally." Ino said with a shrug. She took a sip of her tea and smiled. "You missed all the excitement you know." "There was plenty of excitement in Sand, Ino." "Right." Ino dismissed her words with a wave of her hand. "Crazy Kazekage, Jounin fighting in the heat, sand everywhere it’s not supposed to be; besides the potential for ogling men in those very attractive Sand Uniforms, that's not a job I would have wanted." "Probably why you weren't invited!" Sakura teased. "Invited! Ha! That was a mission, not a pleasure vacation!" "It had its bright points." Sakura argued, eyes scanning the menu. "Enlighten me." Sakura didn't bother to look up. "No." "You're no fun forehead. No fun at all." "I'm hungry." "I don't know why you're bothering with the menu. I ordered for you already. Should be here soon." Sakura huffed and shut the menu. Ino just grinned. "I figure if I keep this up you'll eventually show up on time. It's my new strategy." "I show up on time!" Ino pursed her lips. "I suppose. Usually only when it involves your precious team, although if I had to choose between Sasuke or Naruto ordering for me I'm not sure who I would pick." Sakura smothered a laugh. "Yes. It's a choice between bland, boring but nutritional or exciting and the chance of ruining my stomach lining." "Or Ramen." "Or Ramen," Sakura agreed with a smile. Ino paused and narrowed her eyes. She paused only because the waitress dropped off their lunches. Taking her time, she broke her chopsticks open and stared at her. "Something happened between you and Naruto, didn't it?" "What?" "Ha! I knew it!" Ino's smile was triumphant. "Shika owes me money." "Ino!" She waved her hand looking smug. "Tell me everything." Sakura crossed her arms. "I don't know what you're talking about." Ino waved a piece of beef around like it was a Kunai. "I saw Naruto this morning. Kurenai roped him into baby-sitting Ayumu and they stopped by to see Shika. He bounced. Granted, he always bounces around after a mission, but this bounce is more of a "pretty girl likes me" bounce instead of his "omg, I just got the best ramen ever" bounce." "… You catalogue his bounces?" "Shika figures the kid has enough luck to actually make it to Hokage. I figured I might as well start getting used to trying to read his body language now while I can. Before he is obscured by a ridiculous cloak and hat." "Naruto is going to be Hokage," Sakura firmly told Ino, staring her down. "Believe it." Ino laughed. "Now you're even sounding like him!" Sakura stuck out her tongue. "Oh shut up." "Your distraction isn't going to get you out of this conversation. What happened?" Sakura glared at her before giving in. There really was no hope for it. "I kissed him." "We'll it’s about damn time!" Ino said looking satisfied. She popped a mouthful of vegetables in her mouth and fairly vibrated with satisfaction. When she swallowed she shoved a chopstick at her. "He's been moping after you for years, forehead!" Sakura dragged her chopsticks through her lunch. "I know he had a crush on me as kids… but saying 'years' is a bit much, don't you think?" "Ha! Don't be an idiot! You've spent your entire career too focused on one thing or another to really pay attention to that boy. Man. Future Hokage! He. Is. In. Love. With. You." Clearly satisfied with her speech and picked up her tea and smirked. Sakura shook her head and stared down the street. "Maybe." "There is no maybe, forehead-girl. Trust me. I know these things." She paused. "And speak of the devil…" Sakura turned and blinked. Naruto was walking down the street with Ayumu on his shoulders. Both were working their way through cups of instant ramen. Naruto was going to have to wash his hair soon if the mess along Ayumu's front was anything to go by. "You know, forehead, if you don't want him, I think I'll take him." Ino teased. "My grocery bill would be cut in half with all the ramen." Sakura was only paying half attention, as Naruto looked over in their direction at that moment. His face lit up as he saw her and he waved, careful not to overbalance the ramen cup on his head or the child on his shoulders. He stood easily in the crowd, uncaring that he was blocking several civilians from the store’s entrance, happy and content to just stand there and watch her. Right up until Ayumu spilled his ramen. Jerking forward he yelped as the hot water rushed down his neck and hopped around as he got a good grip on Ayumu and lifted him from his shoulders. The little boy was laughing and grinning and soon Naruto was laughing with him and pulling noodles from his shirt. Her chest tightened at the picture he made. It was just so… so… Naruto. A slow smile curled her lips. She was such an idiot. "You know what Ino, I think you're right." "What?" Naruto shook the last of the noodles out of his shirt and swung Ayumu back onto his shoulders and pointed in their direction waving. The little boy waved, his smile missing teeth and as large as Naruto's. The realization that she wanted that – Naruto, ramen and messy little boy all – wasn't as startling as she thought it would be. It was amusing, really. That it would take a mishap with ramen for her to realize what was going on. Ino was right. The smile on her face widened as Naruto sauntered off, exaggerating his walk, knowing that she was watching. "Sakura!" Turning her eyes back to her friend, she sighed. "I'm really in love with that idiot." __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

01-13-2009, 07:29 AM	#42
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf -31-Sakura slammed the last file into place with a triumphant smile. Dropping into her chair she groaned, propping her feet up. Her afternoon off had completely disappeared under a pile of paperwork. She really should know better than to peek into her office to see what was waiting for her. Well, at least it was done now. And she had the time she needed to think about how she wanted to handle her realization from this afternoon. In love. With Naruto. Her smile was bordering on silly. A soft knock caught her attention. "Anou… Sakura-san, do you have a moment?" Sakura blinked and stood up. "Hinata! Please, come in!" "Thank you." Hinata nodded and stepped inside, her eyes roaming the office before coming to settle back on her. "I won't take up much of your time." Sakura waved her hand. "I just finished. What can I do for you?" Hinata folded her hands neatly in front of her and took a deep breath. "I'm sure you’re aware of the current standings in my clan?" Sakura nodded. Hinata bit her lip and continued, even as her cheeks turned a pale pink. "Do I have a chance?" Sakura froze at her words. "Hinata?" She made a small motion with her hand. "I would like to know where things stand with you and Naruto-kun, if I may." Sakura bit her lip and gave a helpless shrug. How did you tell someone who has been loyally in love with the same man you just realized you cared about for years? Honestly. "I love him, but I don't know if he returns it." Hinata was silent for several moments before nodding. "I thought so." "Hinata…" She shook her head, a faint grin in place. "This was selfish of me, Sakura-san. I wanted to make sure because… because I wanted to make sure that you would love him." "If I may ask… why?" "Because I must marry into the Clan now." She said simply. "It will be my choice, but in order to begin to mend the rift between Branch and the Main house I will take a husband from inside the clan." She gave a little shrug. "It is not as painful as I feared it would be. It helps that you love him." "I'm sorry." Sakura said simply. Hinata shook her head. "Don't be. You deserve him." Sakura shifted her feet, suddenly uncomfortable. "I don't think anyone deserves anyone, Hinata-chan. I think we just get lucky sometimes." Her pale eyes turned distant. "Perhaps that is so. My luck has never been so good." Sakura's lips twitched a little. "Tsunade-sensei insists that luck is what you make it." Hinata looked thoughtful. "I think I like that." The door to her office swung open and Naruto sauntered in, pausing when he saw Hinata. "Hinata-chan!" "N-Naruto-kun," she stammered, surprised. She took a deep breath and smiled. "How are you?" His eyes went back and forth between the women before they landed on Hinata. "I'm doing great! How are things for you? No one’s giving you any trouble are they?" His tone was hard. "N-no. Neji-kun would never a-allow it." "Well, at least someone in your family has some decency." Naruto grumbled. Hinata's face took on several more layers of red and she sketched a hasty bow. "Well, I have taken up enough of your time, Sakura-san. I'll catch you some time and perhaps we can talk then." "I would like that." Sakura agreed. "Yeah! You'll have to come and eat dinner with us sometime. I haven't seen you eat a good bowl of ramen in ages, Hinata-chan." The girl flushed again, waved, and disappeared. "You're going to have to go a little easy on her for a while." Sakura told Naruto quietly. "Huh? Why?" Sakura gave him an impatient look. "Because she's in love with you." "What?" "Hinata. She's in love with you." Naruto blinked several times. "Oh…" Sakura propped a hand on her hip. "How are you still alive with those observational skills?" "Hey!" Naruto crossed his arms. "I just thought she was nervous talking to guys." "Did she have that trouble with Kiba or Shino?" "They're her teammates?" Naruto grumped. "They're exceptions to the all the normal rules?" "Are they?" Her tone was soft, and she must have given something away because his head snapped around and he studied her with narrowed eyes. He stalked to the edge of her desk. "What's that supposed to mean, Sakura?" She sidestepped to keep the desk between them. "What is what supposed to mean?" "You're hiding something." He mused, following her movements with his own. His eyes gleamed at her. "It's not nice to keep secrets, Sakura." "Sakura?" "Sensei!" "Shizune said she thought you were here. I know I gave you the afternoon off but could you… Naruto?" Tsunade settled her hip against the doorway. "What are you doing here?" Naruto never took his eyes off Sakura. They were almost glowing. Suddenly he grinned, an open, boyish smile that set off butterflies in her stomach. "Sorry, Baa-chan, but she can't help you!" Tsuande lifted a brow. "Why not?" Naruto's smile altered into something utterly mischievous. "'Cause I'm taking her with me!" "What?" "Huh?" Sakura had hardly a moment to process it when she was suddenly lifted and flung over Naruto's shoulder. "This is an emergency you know." Tsunade's other brow slowly arched. “It is?” "Naruto!" She banged on his back. "Put me down!" "No can do, Sakura-chan. I'm kidnapping you." She paused. "Why?" He ignored her question and shifted his hands behind her knees. Crouching a little, he smirked. "You'll have to excuse us." Tsunade's lips twitched. "Of course. Bring her back in one piece." "Sure thing." "Naruto! If you don't put me down you're going to find yourself in pieces!" He just grinned and lifted his hands away from her knees and quickly formed the seals to transport them out of the tower. Tsunade grinned to herself and shut the door. __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member. Last edited by thegodfather2450; 01-13-2009 at 07:33 AM.

01-13-2009, 07:35 AM	#43
thegodfather2450 tale of galant jiraiya Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 663 Thanked 108 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Shade of the Leaf -32-They appeared on a bridge so familiar that she didn't have to look around to see where they were. The charred imprint of a hand – left behind years ago by Sasuke – was a dead give away. She growled low in her throat as Naruto set her down and glared up at him. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't pound you?" His hand slid into her hair, nails scrapping faintly against her scalp as his lips crashed into hers. She staggered into the railing of the bridge, off balanced and surprised. Naruto didn't seem to mind, instead he lifted her up and stepped in-between her legs, an arm sliding around her waist. Sakura froze with shock for a second before leaning into him, hands digging into his biceps as she kissed him back. When he pulled back she stared up at him. "I'll suppose I can give you a few more moments to live so you can explain yourself properly." He chuckled low in his throat, hand wondering along her spine. "I was hoping you would be doing the explaining?" Sakura arched a brow at him. "Oh?" He bent down and grinned, nose almost touching hers. "You have a secret." Her lips twitched. "What if I do?" He looked thoughtful. "Well, I suppose we can do this the easy way or the hard way." "Oh?" He brushed his lips across her mouth lightly. "You can tell me or I can throw you off the railing." She snorted. "You can try to throw me off the bridge." His arm tightened around her middle and his smile was all fox. "Is that a no?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "Maybe?" He grinned and flung them both off the bridge. She swore at him as they crashed under cool water. She came up sputtering and he laughed, throwing his hair out of his eyes. "Nice day for a dip, eh, Sakura-chan?" She lunged. He yelped and tried to swim away. Slapping the water with chakra, she buried him under a wave before landing him on his back and shoving him under the water again. He retaliated by grabbing an ankle and pulling. Twisting, she formed fast seals for the only water jutsu she ever really got down. His eyes widened under water before he was flung away from her. She sucked in a lungful of air when she cleared the water and stuck her tongue out when he came out coughing. "I win!" He grinned and lunged back into the water. "Not yet!" By the time they made it to shore they were breathing heavily. Flopping down she glared at him. "Only you could turn a make out session into a water fight." Naruto grinned at her. His eyelashes were clumped together and she had never seen his eyes so bright. "I love you." He said simply, suddenly. "Have my entire life. Never been anyone else and I really hope there never is. You're my most precious person, Sakura-chan." She stared at him, eyes wide. "Where did this come from?" Naruto shrugged. "Figured you would want to know." "Oh." He reached over and flicked her bangs out of her eyes. "So, you gotta secret?" "I'm not so sure it’s such a secret." She managed. "I'm sure hoping its not." He said solemnly. She flicked water at him. "I've known that I love you for half a day and you've already figured it out?" He shut his eyes for a moment and smiled. "When you've been looking for as long as I have, you tend to notice a lot of things." "Then what am I thinking right now?" He opened his eyes and studied her. "How about some ramen?" She laughed. __________________ Failures must be seen as amusements,they are trials which hone your skills. The frog in the well drifts into the great ocean. Feel pain,conteplate pain,accept pain and know pain. Proud member of The Three Legandary Sannin Fanclub. Proud member of the Jiraiya Fanclub. proud to be a member of uzumaki narutu. proud to be member of the yondaime fc. proud to be a kage member fc. proud to be a sage naruto member.

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