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Man Up

Chapter Six

Man Up

June 12, 2008

"Naruto."

Naruto-kun

"Hey, Naruto."

I love you, Naruto-kun

"Helloooo, Naruto."

For a long time....

How long was "a long time"?

Why didn't she tell him sooner?

"EARTH TO NARUTO!"

Naruto jerked away from the loud voice in his ear. He turned to glare at the culprit, rubbing his abused ear.

"What the hell's your problem, Sakura-chan?"

"My problem?" she questioned, hands on hips, "you've been spacing out since we left the village, what is going on with you?"

He blushed, eyes drifting away.

No way in hell was he gonna tell her what was going on in his brain. A fist full of Sakura fury didn't sound the least bit appetizing, though he had to admit he really did deserve it after the mess he had created with his bumbling and clumsy actions. His mind was still reeling from how quickly things had gone down hill that night. One moment his hands had been full of the softest curves he'd ever felt, the sweetest lips fused to his, and the next his mouth had opened and without much thought, he had inserted his foot into it.

"Nothing." he mumbled.

Even as he said it, he knew she didn't buy it.

"Sure, Naruto. You've been gloomy and depressed for the last two days," she countered, hands on hips, "Look, whatever it is, deal with it later. This isn't a routine, run of the mill mission, you need to focus."

He knew that without her telling him. Kakashi had made clear that what they were assigned to do was risky and would require not only highly skilled ninja but sharp observation. Team 7 was headed to the remnants of a village, ravaged and annihilated over night. Their objective was to collect any evidence that could help uncover the source of the attack. Their mission was extremely important, and potentially, very dangerous.

They weren't the first group dispatched to this area.

Though it wasn't a high number yet, a few ninja sent out to investigate had not returned and the recovery team sent to retrieve the injured or the deceased never seemed to find anyone, dead or alive. A situation that wasn't unprecedented, but given Konoha's tenuous situation at the moment, one missing nin was one too many. They needed every shinobi they could get right now.

Naruto was confident in his skills as a shinobi, more so than anyone, but he couldn't afford to let his guard down.

As strong as he was, he'd be an idiot to think someone wasn't stronger.

It was rule number two in the study material of the jonin rank.

Never mistake power for invincibility. Even the strongest fall.

He knew all that and he really was trying to keep his mind clear, but when there wasn't much to do, or there was a lull in their search, his mind couldn't help but turn over the stunning events that had happened two days ago, especially since he had left without setting things right with Hinata.

Gentle, sweet Hinata, who had left his apartment hurt and heartbroken over him.

His shoulders sagged, thinking about her trembling body and grief stricken voice.