If Only For One Night

Meeting in the Forest

Hi guys I'm so excited to be sharing this story with you guys. I'll keep this short.

You guys know I don't own Naruto, right? 'Cause I don't. If I did, Itachi and Neji wouldn't have died and Naruto would have more love than he knew what to do with. This is the last time I'm going to say that.

oOo

The sun was sinking fast below the horizon as a group of Shinobi skillfully jumped through the trees. They were trying to make it back to their home village before nightfall.

Realizing that the feat wasn't possible, Kakashi Hatake, their captain addressed them without even looking up from his book *porn* that he was currently reading. "Guys, it seems like we're not going to make it to the border by nightfall and being in a foreign land, it probably isn't a good idea to camp in the forest for the night. So, we'll stop for the night in the town up ahead at 2 o'clock.

The only female of the group, Sakura Haruno, muttered a quick 'hai Sensei' while tucking a strand of her bubble gum coloured hair behind her ear. The raven on their team, Sai, just nodded to show he understood. However, their blonde-haired teammate said nothing.

"Naruto, did you hear me?" Kakashi asked the normally hyperactive blonde, who currently seemed to be in his own world.

The silver haired nin chuckled as Naruto's head snapped up and tilted to the side in obvious confusion, causing strands of his golden hair to spill into his face. However, he nodded after a moment before going back into his mind.

Knowing something was up with her blonde teammate, Sakura opened her mouth to say something, but Kakashi held up his hand and shook his head, indicating her not to say anything.

"Why don't you guys go get something to eat while I go get our keys. I'll come find you."

After receiving two nods from Sakura and Sai, the silver-haired Jounin sighed as he disappeared in a puff of smoke, deciding that he would pull the blonde to the side once they had gotten back to the inn.

As soon as their sensei left, Sakura turned to her blonde teammate and asked, "Naruto, is everything alright? You've been extremely quiet this afternoon."

Trying his best to placate his teammate, the blonde Jinchūriki replied, "yeah. I'm fine, Sakura. It's just this stupid fox; he's been getting on my nerves as of late."

Sakura, however, was sure that there was more to the story than the blonde was letting on, but she decided to let it go for now. Instead, they headed to one of the local restaurants.

Halfway through the meal, Kakashi appeared in a puff of smoke just in time to see Naruto ask for a to-go box and the bill for his order. All three members of team Kakashi stared at Naruto in amazement. For as long as Kakashi and Sakura have known Naruto, they had never known the teen to ever not finish a meal.

"Naruto, what's up? You hardly ate anything."

The blonde in question looked up at his team, scratching the back of his head. "I wasn't that hungry, I guess. I'm going for a walk. I'll see you guys back at the inn."

Kakashi nodded, a worried look crossing his masked features as Naruto gathered his food and paid for his meal before walking out.

When the door closed, Kakashi turned to his two remaining students. "Do either of you know what's wrong with Naruto?"

Sakura looked uncertain. Seeing this, Kakashi nodded for her to continue. "Naruto was telling us earlier that the fox was bothering him, but I think there's more than what he's telling us. Kakashi just nodded, as he had a suspicion of what was going on. He just needed Naruto to confirm it.