Why Orange?

(stares up at ceiling daydreaming)What a nice day.

Itachi:What is she on?

Sai:I think she's still floating in happiness over chapter 343.

T.W.:Yup, yet I'm also a little worried. As strong as Sasuke is now, Orochimaru is still one of the Three Sannin and Kabuto is there too, so I'm not all that sure that Sasuke will have such an easy time of it.

Itachi:(smirks evily)Orochimaru was also part of Akatsuki and you know how hard it is to get rid of us.

T.W.:(whimpers and starts crying)

Sai:Itachi!(pats T.W. on the back)There, there T.W. I'm sure it will be okay, Itachi is just being his normal sadistic self.

Itachi:She kissed me yesterday, consider this payback.

T.W.:(hiccups)You're mean, I'm not gonna reply to any anonymous reviewers this chapter cause I can't think of anything to say. Sooo on to chapter 8.

Disclaimer:Still don't own it.

'thoughts'

Kyuubi speech

'words in note'

Chapter 8 Telling Sakura
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Naruto woke up to the wonderful scent of fried fish, steamed rice, miso soup, and rolled omelette. He got up and pushed aside the sheet to see Sasuke taking food out of take-out containers and setting it on disposable plates.

"Eh? Sasuke?"

"Morning dobe."

"Don't call me that teme. You're still here? I thought you'd go home so you could get some sleep in a comfortable bed."

"I did. I came back to set up some breakfast for us."

Naruto smiled as he watched Sasuke pour two glasses of milk. The Uchiha turned when he felt Naruto tap his shoulder, "Hn?"

Naruto hugged him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, "Thanks teme."

"You're welcome dobe."

They sat down and started eating.

"You know Sasuke, Sakura-chan told the rest of the Rookie Nine about the restaurants and she probably figured the grocers were the same cause Choji and his family intimidated one store into treating me like any other customer."

"So you've got a place where you can get fresh food now?"

"Yeah. Hey I'll make breakfast for you tomorrow, that is if you want?"

Naruto pulled out the famous Uzumaki puppy eyes and Sasuke found himself agreeing, despite his misgivings about Naruto's cooking skills.

"Naruto, how do you want to handle telling Sakura?"

The blond frowned, "I'm not sure. I don't want her to be hurt, but if we wait longer it'll just hurt her more."

Naruto gathered the plates and threw them away. Sasuke followed and wrapped his arms around the blond from behind, "She'll be fine. She's a lot stronger than she used to be."

Naruto leaned back into the embrace, "Yeah. We'd better get going teme."

They finished clearing the table and left for the bridge.
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Sakura looked up in surprise seeing Naruto and Sasuke arriving at the bridge together 'That's odd. Usually Sasuke's here before Naruto or me for that matter.' The two men walked over to her.

"Good morning Sasuke-kun, Naruto."

Naruto shifted his weight from foot to foot, "Uh, morning Sakura-chan."

"Naruto is something wrong?"

"Well I-we need to tell you something."

She felt an unpleasant tingle go up her spine, "What is it?"

Naruto braced himself, "You know that hickie you saw yesterday?"

Sakura nodded.

"The one who gave me that hickie was, well it was-"

Sasuke interrupted, "It was me. Naruto and I are dating."

Saukra nearly passed out hearing Sasuke say that. 'Sasuke's gay? and dating Naruto? This is weird, really weird. Are they joking?' She saw the way Naruto was looking at her uncertainly, the way Sasuke was rubbing Naruto's shoulder reassuringly, and the way the blond leaned into the touch. 'Okay not a joke. So Sasuke gave Naruto the hickie huh. Wait a-' She whacked Naruto on the head.

"Itai! What was that for Sakura-chan?"

"That was for not telling me sooner. You two have been together for at least three days, judgeing by that hickie's color yesterday, and you're just telling me now?"

Sasuke smirked as Sakura fisted her hands on her hips and Naruto rubbed his head and pouted at her.

"Sakura-chan, I was worried that you'd be hurt. You've liked Sasuke for so long and well...," Naruto trailed off, unsure of how to finish the sentance. Sakura sighed, "Naruto I gave up on Sasuke'kun a long time ago. I'm a little angry that you didn't tell me right away, but I'm not angry that you and Sasuke-kun are dating. You're still my friend Naruto, that's not going to change just because you're dating Sasuke-kun. So don't ever keep something like this from me again, okay?"

Naruto grinned, "Okay Sakura-chan. How late do you think Kakashi-sensei will be today?"

"Not late at all actually," Kakashi walked towards his team. Naruto and Sakura's jaws dropped and Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"You're-"

"On time-"

"For once."

"Well this little dolphin reminded me that I needed to be on time to give a mission to one of you."

Sakura blinked, "Just one of us Kakashi-sensei?"

"That's right. Naruto you're to go to Suna. The details are in this scroll," he handed Naruto the scroll and turned towards Sasuke and Sakura, "As for the rest of us, we have the next few days off," then the silver-haired jonin teleported out.

Naruto opened the scroll. It read, 'Brat the festival starts tomorrow so I want you to head to Suna. Stay there until the twelfth. I'll see you when you come back, have a happy birthday. Tsunade' 'That's right, my birthday is almost here. I lost track of time.'

Being wooed will do that. Reguardless, you need to go pack kit.

Naruto broke out of his thoughts and looked up at Sasuke and Sakura, "Um I've gotta go pack. Thanks for not being too mad Sakura-chan."
She just nodded.

Sasuke walked over to Naruto, "I'll help you pack dobe."

"Thanks teme."
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Sasuke stared at Naruto as he gathered what he was going to take to Suna.

"Why do you have to go to Suna alone dobe?"

Naruto looked at Sasuke, debating whether or not to tell him it wasn't a real mission.

You should tell him kit.

'He'll be pissed Kyu.'

So? Just tell him and get the arguement over with.

'Easy for you to say. You're not the one he'll get mad at.'

What are you worried about? It's not like he's going to dump you over this.

'...'

That is what you're worried about?! Kit he won't dump you because you spend your birthday in Suna with Gaara. He might be a little jealous, but he won't dump you. If he gets really pissed tell him about Gaara's relationship with the Hyuga. Now Naru-chan, take a deep breath and tell him why you're really going to Suna.

'You're really annoying when you're being patronizing, you know that right?' Naruto focused on Sasuke, "It's not really a mission. The Kyuubi festival starts tomorrow and I never stay in Konoha during the festival."

"Why?"

"Because the villagers get worse this time of year. Before Baa-chan became Hokage, I would try and barricade myself in my apartment, but since she's been here I've never had to stay here during the festival. I usually leave for Suna eariler but I lost track of time this year."

Sasuke scowled, "Why don't you go somewhere closer?"

"Because I'd rather spend my birthday with a friend and Gaara is the only friend outside of Konoha that I can get to in a day or less," Naruto started packing his clothes.

"You could stay at the Uchiha manor with me this year."

Naruto finished packing and faced Sasuke, "I could but I'd be stuck inside for three days and aside from that, Gaara's expecting me."

"You're very close to the Kazekage," Sasuke's voice held hostility, showing his rising temper.

Naruto's own temper rose it's head, "Yes I am close to Gaara. He was a jinchirukii like me, was even more alone than I was. He's become a brother to me. Why are you concerned about my friendship with Gaara?"

"I'm not concerned. I just don't trust him."

"Don't trust me you mean."

Sasuke felt a chill go down his spine at Naruto's cold tone.'Oh Shit.'
"I didn't say I don't trust you."

"It sure as hell sounded like you don't trust me. Gaara's my friend, but you Sasuke are the only one I've ever allowed to touch me. You think I'd let just anyone touch me like that?"

"No! I just...damn it Naruto! I'm jealous you idiot," Sasuke nearly smacked himself for letting that out, but Naruto could always rile him up past the point of no return, "I'm jealous and I don't want you to go anywhere so soon after we just started this relationship."

Naruto walked towards Sasuke and stopped six inches away, "I'd rather stay with you but the days of the festival are unbearable for me. In Konoha, I'm either stuck inside going stir crazy or I'm getting things thrown at me and worse outside. There is no happy middle of the road. In Suna though, I'm welcomed, people are happy that I'm there. I can go outside and I'm greeted with smiles and kind words rather than scowls and insults. My birthday is celebrated in Suna but here in Konoha my birthday is cursed. If I had remembered in time, I'd have asked Baa-chan if you could come with me."

Sasuke felt an irritating little stab of guilt. He gave Naruto a soft kiss, "Be careful on your way to Suna, usuratonkachi," then the Uchiha left the apartment. Naruto smiled, knowing that Sasuke had apologized in his own way. He picked up his bag and left for Suna.
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Okay then, can anyone guess which Hyuga is involved with Gaara?

Itachi:Is said Hyuga going to show up?

T.W.:Yes.

Itachi:As more than someone who simply asks 'How's Gaara'?

T.W.:Yes.

Sai:Are you feeling alright?

T.W.:Oh for Squishy Mother's sake I'm fine! Just because I tend to stick to cameos of characters other than my main pairing doesn't mean I can't change my pattern.

Itachi and Sai:Since when?

T.W.:Oh hush. Now about the amount of time it takes Naruto to get to Suna, I know that in the manga it takes three days but for story purposes I had to make it one day or less sooo please pardon my tweakage of travel time. Now did you like this chapter? Hate it? Drop me a line either way and feel free to ask any questions 'kay? Ja ne!