Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Hopes and Dreams ❯ Chapter 14 – Questions that need Answers ( Chapter 14 )

A/N: Before you read the conclusion of this story, I would just like to say a few things. First things first; Sorry I was so late with this chapter but I had a huge case of writers block. Combined that with the fact that I had finals and that I have been working and you've got a case of really bad timing. Secondly, I know I promised you guys another chapter, but I thought the last chapter would be too small so I sandwiched them both together. This chapter finished at 20 pages on Word so this is definitely long enough for two. I have also decided to change the name, so I'll do that in about a week.

 

Third, I got some help with my friend Hanyou_Mage on the whole Gaara part because she a much bigger Gaara fan then I am and she knows her characters better than I do. Finally, I would like to thank all of the people who sent me reviews and as I said before, I will right a sequel to this, but it will take some time. Again I thank you for reading my first FanFic. Now on to the end.

 

Chapter 14 - Questions that need Answers

 

His eyes twitched as he began to awake from his dream. As he slowly opened his eyes to white ceiling of the hospital room, he realized that the sunlight was plaguing his face. He looked at the clock hanging on the wall at the front of his bed. `10a.m.,' he thought.

 

As he tried to move his bandaged hands to rub is eyes, he felt one of them tangled in something, in some what of a grip. He glanced down and a smile slowly crept onto his bandaged face. There lay a head of pink hair resting on a forearm lying on his hospital bed, as she lay slumped over her chair, with her right hand griping his bandaged left.

 

`So, she fell asleep here again,' thought Naruto as he lightly chuckled to himself. Slowly he stroked her pink hair, running his fingers through it ever so lightly, causing her to sigh as she slowly opened her eyes. “You should really go home,” he said in a caring voice. “You haven't left this hospital in five days, and Ino's probably worried about you.”

 

“Nooo,” yawned Sakura, stretching her arms in the air. “She comes here every now and again to check up on me. “ She smiled up at him as she looked into his sapphire eyes with her sleepy emerald ones. “You look like a mummy.”

 

He let out a light chuckle. “Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself.” He looked at her; captivated by her eyes and smile. “That can't be too comfortable. Sit up here beside me.” She lazily left the chair and lay next to him on his hospital bed. She laid her head onto his chest, sighing as his arms tangled around her. “Are you on a break, or is your shift over?”

 

“My shifts over,” she said as she snuggled up against him.

 

Naruto began to blush a little. “You know Sakura; you're the most important person in my entire life. I don't know what I'd do without you.” He looked down a little nervous at what he was trying to say. “I guess what I'm trying to say is…I can't imagine what my life would be like without you with me.” He took a deep breath and looked up. “Sakura, will you…”

 

As he looked at her, he could see that her eyes were closed. “Eh, Sakura? Sakura???” He shook her a little, but it was too late; `She's sleeping?' he thought as he looked down with sweat dropping from the back of his head. `Ah well, maybe some other time.'

 

As he stroked her pink hair, a blonde figure appeared in the doorway. “What The Hells Going—“shouted Ino.

 

“SHUU!!!!” interrupted Naruto sternly. “She's sleeping.”

 

“Oops, sorry,” whispered an embarrassed Ino. “I was just coming into check on her.”

 

“Wait,” said Naruto, as Ino was walking out the door. “Ino, you work at the hospital too, right?”

 

“Yeah, but not half as much as Bill-board Brow. Why?”

 

“Well, Sakura usually fills me in on how everyone else is, but she's sleeping at the moment. And since we haven't talked in a while, I was just wondering if we could just catch up.”

 

“Sure,” replied Ino, pulling up a chair as she walked back into the room. “What's on your mind?”

 

“Well, I was wondering how Gaara and that ANBU are doing? Have they woken up yet?”

 

“No, not yet. They are still in a coma from the last battle.”

 

“Well, has Ba-chan figured out what's wrong with them yet?”

 

“Not entirely,” replied Ino. “But Tsunade-Sama does have a theory. From what Kakashi-Sensei and Captain Yamato described, she believes that the Bijuu are battling with Kazekage-Sama and the ANBU's minds for dominance, since they weren't sealed traditionally. At this point, it's unclear what's going to happen.”

 

Naruto looked down in anguish. “And there's nothing that Tsunade-no-ba-chan can do to help them?”

 

“At this point, no, it would be too hard to tell the difference between the two entities in each body. But there has been no change in there conditions, so it appears they are both at a stale mate.”

 

Naruto became enthralled in thought. `Why?' he thought. `Why does everything bad have to happen to Gaara? It's not fair! He finally gets the chance to become normal, only to have it snatched away trying to help me!'

 

“Naruto?” said Ino as she waved her hand in front of his face, braking his current train of thought. “Hey, you ok?”

 

“Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks a lot for talking to me Ino.”

 

“Sure thing,” she replied. As she began to walk out of the room, she stopped in the doorway. “Naruto?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Thank you for keeping your promise to bring her back.”

 

He smiled and gave out a light chuckle. “You should know by now it's not in me to give up and go back on my word.”

 

Ino looked at him and gave him a smile back. “Right. See ya later,” and walked out the room.

 

Naruto began to stare out the window, becoming deep in thought.

 

“I'm sure he'll be fine,” yawned a half-awake Sakura.

 

Naruto looked down at the smiling kunoichi snuggling up against him. He held her tight in his warm embrace. `I hope you're right,' he thought.

 

**Gaara's Hospital Room**

The sun shown brightly through the window as a nurse check on the Kazekage. He cringed as she removed the already dried cloth from his forehead. She had not put it on but an hour ago, since she checked on him last.

 

“His fever hasn't reduced in the slightest,” she said.

 

As she dipped the cloth into the bowl of cold water, a red haired kunoichi, with a rose, appeared in the doorway. “How is he?” asked Rukai.

 

“Well there is no change in his condition,” replied the nurse.

 

“But it has been five days! Why is he still like this!?!”

 

“I am sorry, but there is nothing more we can do, except wait until he wakes up on his own.”

 

Rukai looked at Gaara's face in despair. “Would you like some time alone with him?” asked the nurse as she looked down at the distraught red headed girl.

 

Rukai nodded. “Yes please,” as tear formed in her eyes. The nurse smiled at her as she left the room closing the door behind her. She sat in the chair next to his bed and began to speak. “Gaara, if you're in there, I need you to wake up. We're all worried about you.”

 

*****

 

As Rukai's emotions began to overtake her, Gaara could only hear a muffled cry as his battle with Shukaku raged on. “I'm Taking Control Over Your Body Once And For All!!” said the gigantic Ichibi, its massive claw swiped at the emotionless red haired teen. “And That Annoying Cry From That Red Haired Bitch Will Finally Be Put Out Of Its Misery!”

 

Gaara's anger got the better of him as he subconsciously let his guard down, allowing the massive claw to send him flying across the desolate desert regions of his mind.

 

The Kazekage staggered to his feet. “You won't lay a hand on her.”

 

*****

 

Gaara cringed in his hospital bed; the cloth fell to the pillow side. “Fight It!!!” said Rukai, as she squeezed his hand with tears streaming down her face. “You Can't Give Up!!!”

 

*****

 

Gaara's sand shield barely protected him from the massive air-bullet, when he heard her faint plea far in the distance. “Rukai?” he said as an air-bullet collided with his back.

 

“She can't help you in here,” taunted the demon. “You are weak, pathetic with out me. And now, YOUR BODY IS MINE!!!”

 

All hope seemed lost as he heard a soft cry in the distance. “Suna needs you. Your family needs you. I need you.”

 

His thoughts drifted back to his days of mindless thrust for blood, until he remembered his battled with the hyperactive knuckle-headed ninja.

 

Gaara looked at the blonde shinobi in disbelief, as Naruto crawled toward him by his chin. `What?' he thought. `That guy is dragging himself over here?' Anger swelled inside him. “My Existence Won't Be Put Out!” he yelled. “It Won't Be Put Out!”

 

The blonde's determination would not be deterred. This sparked an emotion that the troubled boy hadn't felt in a long time; Fear. “D…Don't Come Closer!” screamed Gaara.

 

“What you must feel…being alone,” said Naruto. “Being incomplete…What your pain must be, I understand that.”

 

Gaara only looked in shock at the blonde's words.

 

“But,” he continued, “for the people that are precious to me, to be able to…The people that are precious to me… If you hurt them…and trying to kill them…I Will Stop You!”

 

The troubled boy looked in shock at his counter parts determination. “What the…Until now, for the sake of other people you've…”

 

“Because they rescued me from the hell of being alone...” Naruto interrupted. “They acknowledged my existence...That's why they're all most important to me…”

 

It was then that Gaara finally understood what Yashamaru was talking about. “Love? That's why this guy is so strong…”

 

`Love, protecting others,' he thought. Suddenly Gaara's sand shield stood up, withstanding a massive air bullet barrage. “THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOU TRULY STRONG!!!” yelled Gaara, as he went on the offensive. “YOU WERE JUST A CRUTCH, SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT I NEEDED. But Its All Clear To Me Now…That I Didn't Need You AT ALL!!!”

 

Sand sudden began to envelope the mighty demon. “What!?! This Is IMPOSSIBLE!!! I, Shukaku, Am The Master And Demon Of The Sand!!! YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE SAND!!! YOU CAN'T CONTROL ME!!!”

 

“My name is Gaara of the desert. I control all the sand. If you are sand, then I can control you,” said a calm Gaara, as the sand enveloped Shukaku's head. “Sand Imprisonment!!!” he yelled. The sand surrounding the demon expanded, making the shape of a giant cell, imprisoning the demon of the sand.

 

It rocked and pulled on the bars of its cell of eternity. “This is not over. I'll Find A Way Out!!! I ALWAYS DO!!!” cried the Ichibi.

 

“Not as long as I'm alive,” said the calm Kazekage, as he walked away, taking full control of his mind.

 

“YOU GET BACK HERE!!! DON'T YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME!!! GAARA!!!!!!!!!”

 

*****

 

He could hear her crying through the darkness. As he slowly walked into the light, it began to grow louder. The white ceiling of the hospital room gradually came into view as Gaara opened his eyes little by little. He turned his head slightly to see a distraught teen sobbing into his sheets as she gripped his hand with all her might.

 

“Why?”

 

Rukai's sobbing deceased as she shot up to meet his jade eyes.

 

“Why do you cry for me?”

 

A smile gradually crept on her blush face as the last of her tears quickly ran from her eyes. “Because I care for you silly.”

 

“Care for?” he replied with an unusually rare smile on his face. “Or something more?”

 

She bit her lower lip and turned away in embarrassment. “Maybe…something… more…” she shyly whispered.

 

The trouble leader sat up, eyes slight widened in confusion. `Is she…?' he thought. `Can she really be…?' His hand clasped her chin, slowly turning it toward his face. “Are you…In love with me?”

 

Rukai's flushed face became a shade of red that had never been seen before. Even darker then the Kazekage's crimson hair. Her emerald eyes locked onto his jade. `Oh my god!?!' she sporadically thought. `What do I say!?! Yes!?! Yes!?! Yes. Yes! Yes!!! YES!!!' As her lips moved, the room started to get fussy. “Yyyee…” was she could get out before her world went black.

 

Gaara's sand caught her before she it the floor in her faint spell, setting her slumped into the chair; her head resting on his bed. `That's alright,' he thought. `I already know. You can tell me later.'

 

**Hospital Hallway**

 

“GET BACK IN BED!!!” yelled one of the nurses chasing the child-like ANBU. “YOU'RE NOT CLEARED FROM THIS HOSPITAL YET!!!”

 

“Cats Are Supposed To Be Free!!!” yelled the young kunoichi as two cats followed their fearless owner. Kimiko ran up the wall and crouched upside on the ceiling with her chakra. “They Are Not Supposed To Listen To Anyone!!!”

 

“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON AROUND HERE!!!” bellowed Tsunade as she walked down the hallway, seeing a group of twelve nurses and doctors (including Ino and Shizune) jumping up at the young girl on the ceiling? “THIS IS A HOSPITAL, NOT A THREE RINGED CIRCUS!!!!!”

 

“You're Not My Kage!!!” said the blue eyed ANBU snidely. “Why Should I Listen To You?”

 

“Because I OWN this hospital, and I PROVIDED the care YOU needed to get well.”

 

The young girl just stuck her tongue out at the comment. “WHY YOU LITTLE…”

“Um? Is there a problem here Hokage-sama?” said a slightly frightened Kiba; making is way toward Naruto's room. Kimiko looked down to see Kiba's face. Blushing slightly, she lost control over her chakra and fell head first on the floor.

 

Akamaru caught a glimpse of one of the cats and began to growl, the cats hissed back at the large dog. “Hey!!!” screamed Kimiko. “Get Your Filthy Mutt Away From My Precious Kittens!!!”

 

“You call those Disgusting Ally-Cats precious kittens?”

 

“WHAT DID YOU SAY!?!?!?!”

 

“YOU HEARD ME!!!” The two became enthralled in a battle words and fists. Tsunade chuckled to herself as she calmly walked over to the two ninjas. With two chakra enveloped fists, she knocked both Kiba and Kimiko into the opposing walls, knocking them both unconscious.

 

“Shizune,” said Tsunade. “Check Kiba into a room in recovery wing. Ino, take the young kunoichi back to her room and Strap Her To The Bed!!!”

 

“Finally,” sighed Ino. “Some order around here. Hopefully I won't have to chase anyone else down the halls today.” Her gaze slowly turned to Naruto's room.

 

**Hokage's Office**

 

It had been two days is the incident at the hospital. All who went on the mission were now healthy and well once more. Tsunade had called them all into her office to have there final mission debriefing. Kimiko was still rubbing her bandaged cheek, while Tsunade still glared her.

 

“Well now that everyone has been cleared to leave the hospital lets get down to business,” she said smugly. “As you are all aware, the statue holding the eight bijuu crumbled to the ground.”

 

“What? Really!?!” exclaimed Naruto.

 

“Shut-up!!!” whispered Sakura as she elbowed him in the gut. “I told that already.”

 

“Yes, well as I was saying,” continued Tsunade, turning her glare on Naruto. “When the statue crumbled, the eight demons were freed and were in a temporary spiritual state. As they escaped from the cave, two of the spiritual entities sealed themselves into the Kazekage and the young annoying ANBU leaving us with two more Jinchuuriki in our mitts.”

 

“Does this mean that I'm a bijuu?” asked said ANBU.

 

“No,” said Kankuro. “That mean you're a Jinchuuriki.”

 

“What does Jin…Jinch…Jin…What doesthat mean?”

 

“It means…Um…Well,” replied a confused Kankuro.

 

“It means that you are a container for a bijuu,” interrupted Temari. “You're not the bijuu itself.”

 

“But she said me and her would become one,” replied Kimiko.

 

“You don't ever want to become one with it,” said Naruto as he looked down sadly.

 

“But cats have never betrayed me before! Why should I listen to you Kitsune Brat!!!”

 

“YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOUR TALKING ABOUT!!!” hollered Naruto, his eyes flashing red. Sakura saw this and tried to calm him down, but to no avail. “YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO LIVE WITH A BIJUU YOUR ENTIRE LIFE!!! YOU WEREN'T BEATEN TO DEATH ON A DAILY BASIS, ONLY TO GO BACK TO AN EMPTY APARTMENT THAT WAS TORN APART BY VILLIGERS THE SECOND YOU LEFT!!! EACH DAY COMING BACK TO THAT PLACE TO READ `DIE KYUUBI BRAT' WRITTIN ON YOUR DOOR!!!”

 

She stared at him sadly, tears beginning to form in her eyes. “AT LEAST YOU HAD A—“

 

“That's Enough Kimiko!!!” said Gaara, standing in between the two ninja.

 

“But—“

 

“You don't understand Naruto like I do. He and I are the same. I might not be the Kazekage if it wasn't for him.”

 

The young girl huffed and turned away pouting. “At least you had a home,” she muttered under her breath so only she could hear it.

 

After that outburst, the office became silent as Tsunade continued. “On another note, we we're unsuccessful in capturing Madera Uchiha, but we have learned that he has three identities. The second would be Tobi, a name that Madera gave himself in order to keep out of the public eye. The other is the name of the body that he was revived in; Obito Uchiha. We have sent word to all of our allies and they will look out for anyone with those names.

 

“Even though we did not capture Madera Uchiha,” she continued, “we did disband the remaining members of the Akatsuki and assassinated the Akatsuki Leader, Pain. This was extremely vital because in doing so we have prevented any further harm that could have been done to the three Jinchuuriki standing here. Overall, this mission was a success because even though we didn't complete the main objective, we completed many others with no casualties. If there are no further questions, you are all dismissed.”

 

With a nod, the group of shinobi left the Hokage's office without a word. Tsunade lounged back in her chair. `Eh,' she thought. `Maybe now I can get some peace and quiet.'

 

**Konoha Front Gate**

 

The time had come for the shinobi of the Suna to take there leave and make their way back home. “Gaara, I don't know how to thank you for all your help,” said Naruto, shaking his friends hand.

 

“You have helped me in countless ways,” replied Gaara. “There is no need for anything, but a simple thank you.”

 

“You will be back to visit, right?” said Sakura.

 

“Defiantly,” said Kankuro.

 

“Yeah and I will be here for the next Chuunin exam,” said Temari.

 

“Well,” said Rukai, “it looks like we should be going. We have a long road ahead.”

 

Naruto wrapped his arms around Sakura's waist, as the shinobi of the Suna began to walk out of sight. For the first time in a long time, the blonde shinobi felt like he was at peace with the world.

 

**Konoha Front Gate (Three Years Later) **

 

It had been three years since that day and much had changed in the great village hidden in leafs. Team Kakashi was broken up and Kakashi had gone back to work for the ANBU Black Opts. He said he had always missed his days as an ANBU, but he would have never changed his decision to become their sensei.

 

Jiraiya taught Naruto how to control the Kyuubi's power up to the five tailed state and almost all of Minato's Jutsus until his death one year before today from a painful disease. The great Sanin summoned Naruto to his death bed before he died and gave him a gift that he said Naruto would need when the time was right. “I should have asked Tsunade this a long time ago, but now it's too late for that. I pass this book on to you. Don't make the same mistake I did.” The book was his own personal thoughts on how to ask someone to marry them. Two days later, the great toad sage passed on. Kakashi honored the great sages request to him by continuing the Icha Icha Paradise series.

 

Jiraiya's death was very hard on Naruto, seeing as how his sensei was one of the few people that would have been apart of his family if the Kyuubi never attacked Konoha. But even though it was hard on him, No one could have imagined the affect it had on Tsunade. The Sake Bar was her home for about a full month. It took an intervention from Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and Shizune to pull her out of her depression.

 

“Do you think that Ero-sennin would have wanted you to be like this?” said the teary-eyed blonde shinobi.

 

Tsunade looked down in shame and shook her head as tears started to form in her eyes. Shizune could see that she was about to brake down, and gave Tsunade her shoulder to cry on as they all slowly made their way back to the Hokage Tower.

 

After that, she became her former self. She went back to teaching Naruto the ways of the Hokage. Up until this year, Tsunade had been mentoring him almost day and night on how to deal with clients and how to determine which team would be best suited for which mission. She had announced that these last few months were going to be her last as the Hokage. For the past three years she fought hard with the council to appoint Naruto as the Sixth Hokage, and last month, November, they finally caved and agreed with her.

 

Naruto and Sakura's relationship couldn't be any stronger. Naruto had taken the Chuunin exams three years ago and past them with flying colors. In a matter of a year, he was promoted to Jounin and was given his own Genin team. He was given team seven, because he wouldn't accept any other number except that one. Naruto had gotten older and wiser since Jiraiya's untimely death. Sure he was still the hyperactive knuckle head they all knew, but around his students he was one of the most mature people you had ever met. Sakura was also promoted to Jounin and was named head of the nursing ward.

 

She had not told her mom that she and Naruto had been seeing each other and about a year ago, her mom had asked her to bring over the man that had stolen her daughter's heart. When Naruto entered the home however, her mom's personality changed. The argument that Sakura and the elder Haruno had lasted for hours until her mother gave her and ultimatum, choose her family, or choose “that fucking Kyuubi Demon”. She made her decision clear by leaving the house with Naruto, moving in with him, and not speaking to her mother since that night. Eleven months later, Naruto and his team was sent on a month long mission and they haven't been back since.

 

This brings us to today, as Sakura has waited by the Konoha Gate everyday for the past week, waiting for those sapphire eyes and that fox-like smile to come back to her. She has been told by Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki countless times that they will inform her personally when he arrives, but she would rather be the first person he sees. She closed her eyes for a second as she rest her head on the column of the gate.

 

She thought about his smiling face, his sensitive touch, and the way he could always make her feel better no matter how bad of a mood she was in. She thought she might have fallen asleep when she heard his laugh far off in the distance. Her eyes flashed open however, when she heard one of his students speak.

 

“Hey Naruto-sensei!” said Takana Inari. “Isn't that Sakura-chan waiting for us at the Konoha Gate?”

 

She smiled as Naruto focused on her, giving her one of his biggest smiles. “Yeah Takana,” he replied. “But I don't think she's here to see you.” He waved at her and she began to sprint towards him. When she reached him he picked her up and spun her around; his gaze never leaving his eyes. As they slow stopped spinning, their lips gradually move closer until they were locked in a deep kiss. Her hands intertwined around his neck as his hand made their way to the small of her back. They stayed locked in this moment; it felt as if time had stood still just for them. As there lips finally parted, Naruto continued to look deeply into her eyes. “Yup, she's definitely not here for you.”

 

The little brown haired boy pouted in disappointment. The boy had grown very fond of Sakura since she had always come by the training ground to see his sensei. The ocean haired boy put his hand on Takana's shoulder. “Don't worry Takana,” said Kenji Okinawa. “You'll find someone.”

 

“He's right Takana-kun,” said Tsuchi Nagamoto, slightly blushing.

 

“Of course he will,” said Sakura as she knelt down to his height. “You'll find someone your age and make them very happy.”

 

“I'll never find someone as sweet or as pretty as you,” Takana replied.

 

“Yeah,” said his sensei as they all walked through the gates together. “But then again, no one can be as lucky as me.”

 

**Naruto and Sakura's Apartment**

 

It was around 1 a.m. when Naruto and Sakura finally made it back home. They had left Kiba's house about a half hour ago and decided to walk through the village. As they were walking, Naruto only had one question on his mind; How was he going to as Sakura to marry him. He had tried many times before in the past three years, but it seemed every time he asked, someone would always come and interrupt the moment, or something would always happen that would always take her attention away from him. This time he was determined to ask her; no one around, no distractions. There was only one problem to his theory however, he had to stop kissing her, and that was impossible.

 

Gradually the kiss deepened as Naruto closed the door with his foot. His hands moved up her red blouse and underneath her bra as he pressed her up against the wall. She moaned in his mouth when she felt his touch, her hands wrapped around his head as his mouth fell to her neck. His other hand slowly made its way to her skirt and unzipped it from behind her. It fell to the floor leaving her in her emerald colored underwear. Her body writhed beneath him as he lifted her silky legs around his waist.

 

He leisurely lifted his head from her neck and lifted he red blouse over her head, throwing it to the floor like a leaf falling from a tree. She then unzipped his jacket and threw it to where there sandals were by the door. His black t-shirt and headband followed suite. Slowly their lips met again. She began to suck on his lower lip, begging for entrance. He granted her access and their tongues intertwined with each other; exploring the territory that was already so familiar. The blonde carried is cherry blossom over to their bed and laid her down gently on the bed. He removed his pants and they instantly became lost in the ecstasy of the moment.

 

The scent of burning toast awoke her from her blissful sleep. Her eyes slowly opened and leisurely sat up in their bed with a white sheet covering her exposed body. `Oh boy,' she thought smiling. `I hope he doesn't burn down the apartment.' “Naruto,” she yelled concerned. “Is everything ok in there? Do you need any help with anything?”

 

“Don't get up!” he yelled back from the kitchen. “I'm almost done with your breakfast in bed!” He slowly put the scrambled eggs on the plate to make sure that they didn't fall on the floor like last time. `Everything has to be perfect,' he thought as he picked up the tray by its handles. `This is it. Here goes nothing.'

 

She couldn't help but chuckle as he made is way into the bedroom with the tray of orange juice, scrambled eggs, and half burnt toast. He was nearly shaking since he was being so careful; making sure he didn't spill a thing.

 

Finally he put the tray on her lap and knelt down next to her bedside. “Eat up!” he said cheerfully.

 

As she began to eat her scrambled eggs she could tell he was looking at her very intently. She new something was up. Naruto was many things. One thing he wasn't was discreet. “What's going on?”

 

“Nothing!” he exclaimed, shifting his eyes.

 

She looked at him with a very scared look on her face. Slowly she looked back to the tray. She reached for the first piece of toast and within an instant; it dropped to the floor at the sight of the exposed ring underneath it. “Oh My God…” she heaved. Her gaze turned to the blonde on one knee next to her. “Naruto Uzumaki,” she whispered in udder disbelief. “are you doing what I think you're doing?”

 

`Alright Naruto,' he thought. `Here goes nothing.' “Sakura, for as long as I can remember, you have meant the world to me. You have grown more beautiful from the first moment I saw you, and you have always been the right girl for me. I've grown up without a family, and in truth I had no idea what it meant until I met you. From what I've learned, there is only one way to forge a family and that's through love, and we defiantly have a lot of that.” He paused and took a deep breath, holding the ring in his left hand. “Sakura, will you marry me?”

 

She looked at him gently as hot tears began to form in her eyes. “How does this answer your question?” She leaned in and captured his lips in a soft, sweet, sensual kiss.

 

As they moved apart, Naruto looked at her lovingly. “I'll take that as a yes.” She laughed as he took her left hand and placed it on her ring finger. Slowly they kissed again until a bright flash interrupted the couple.

 

Naruto and Sakura both looked over to see Konohamaru holder a Polaroid in hand. “KONOHAMARU!!!!!!!” they both yelled in unison as Naruto began to chase him around the room.

 

*****

Meanwhile, in a tree just out of the sight of the window, the red eyes of the sharingan focused on the bride to be through the window. The young man with raven hair looked at her intently. He smirked at the thought of what kind of torture he would put her through. “Naruto Uzumaki,” said Sasuke. “The one thing in this world that is most precious to you, I will gladly take in an instant.”

 

The rest of he Hebi looked at his back. “Sasuke,” said Suigetsu. “Do we move in?”

 

Sasuke glanced over at him. “In time,” he glanced back over to the window. “But not yet. Not yet.”

 

“Not yet?” asked Karin. “But why the hell not!?!”

 

“Because I want him to have some happiness,” he then looked back at her. “and then have it come crashing down.” Sasuke turned back to the window, and as the wind pick up, the members of the Hebi vanished with out a trace.