Chapter Five of "(Some Sort of) Love Story" by Melinda-chan

I would normally reserve every five chapters for review responses, but since I'm in a middle of an arc, I'll save it for Chapter Six instead. Or do you want it anyway? I guess it's too late to ask now.

I know that this may be hard to believe, but this story is the most popular story I've ever written- as far as number of hits goes. I want to thank everyone that have reviewed so far. If you haven't done so, please do so! I won't bite!

Since this is based on the manga, and I haven't read every chapter or watched every episode of the anime for that matter, mistakes may happen. While I may change a few things, I would appreciate anyone telling me how I'm doing so far with this story.

This chapter contains sexual references, and some violence, though nothing that a Naruto fan isn't used to. Just to let you know in case you forgot, but this is a M-rated fic.

If you're a Canadian Inu-Yasha fan, let me know. I'm planning to write an essay and would like your input. Please note that you need an active e-mail account in order to take part.

I also want to inform readers that I have a blog on TOKYOPOP. You can now read about my semi-boring life by clicking on the webpage link in my profile.

Now that's over with, let this chapter begin!

"Sakura-chan?" a familiar voice caused Sakura to look up from the ground. The moon was partly covered with clouds, but there was enough light for Sakura to see who it was.

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura said. The raven-head then smiled. "It is you!" She then stood up. "Where are the others?"

"I don't know" he replied. "It took me a while before I realized that we fell into a genjutsu trap. I managed to break free from it, but I then couldn't find the others. I tried to sense any familiar chakra and that's when I find yours."

"Oh Sasuke-kun!" Sakura then hugged him. "I was so scared! I don't even know where I am!"

"You're doing alright," he said. "You stayed put, which is the smartest thing to do when you're lost. I'm sure that the others will find us soon. Don't worry about it!"

"I know. I'm sorry," Sakura said, wiping her face. "It's just that this is my first time leading a mission. I'm only a medic, and I feel so stupid right now!"

"If you weren't prepared, then there's nothing you can do, is there?" the raven-head said. He then put her in his arms again.

"Oh Sasuke…" Sakura said. There were so many things that she wanted to say to him, but she knew that there was no time for that.

"Sasuke-kun, we got to find the others," Sakura said. "If they truly got lost, then we can't allow the enemy to-" he then went closer to her mouth. "Sasuke-kun?"

"Don't say another word…" the raven-head said. He then put his body right next to her chest and put his lips on hers.

'He's kissing me!' Sakura thought. 'Don't tell me he's planning to-' He then let go of her.

"Um, Sasuke-kun, I don't mind you being like this, but do you think this is a little…awkward?" Sakura said. 'What are you talking about? There's no one else here, but him and you! Let's get it on!' the naughty part of her mind said. Sakura wondered if she was developing another subconscious.

"What do you mean? This is perfect…" he told her. He then kissed her again. She then felt his right hand going on her breast. It was then that something clicked inside Sakura's mind.

"Sasuke…what's the password?" Sakura said. She then looked at him with an intense stare. At first, he just stood there as if confused. Sakura didn't back down from her stance. He then smiled.

"Well, well well," he said. "So the little cherry blossom finally came to her senses." At that, Sakura got out a few shurikens from her pouch.

"YOU PERVERT!" Sakura shouted as she then threw them at the fake Sasuke. He did a back somersault with one hand and then ran right back at her. Sakura took out a kunai knife, but he just smirked again and smacked it out of her hand.

"You really think you can defeat me with a simple knife?" the fake Sasuke grinned. "You forgot…I'm in my territory!"

'What do I do now?' Sakura thought. She was alone, and her best jutsus were for healing, not fighting. Plus, she had the feeling that he was still hiding something important from her.

And then…

"SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto's voice caused her to look at her left. All of a sudden a bunch of shurikens came at the fake Sasuke. Sakura then saw a dark figure running at her.

"Naruto-kun?" Sakura said.

"Sakura-chan, I'm so happy that we found you!" Naruto said. He then hugged her.

"Naruto-kun, I was so scared!" Sakura said. She felt like crying, but knew that it wouldn't be suitable for a group leader to do.

"Sakura-chan, I was so worried about you!" Naruto said. "When we found out that you were missing, I really freaked out!"

"Naruto-kun, I…" Sakura started to say when a blaze of fire caused them to look back.

"BLAZE OF GLORY!" Sasuke's voice caused both Naruto and Sakura to run. Just then, a stream of fire came right across the ground. The fake Sasuke just jumped on the tree.

"Was that supposed to hit me?" the fake Sasuke sneered. "That was so predictable!"

'He knew that Sasuke was going to do that?' Sakura thought.

'He knows the Uchiha fire jutsus?' Iruka thought.

"Why don't you come down here and face me then?" Sasuke yelled. Sakura saw for the first time that his eyes were Sharingan.

"Get back on the ground! Your cover is blown anyway!" Sakura yelled.

"I guess you're right," the fake Sasuke said. He then interlocked his fingers. "Release!" He then jumped down on the ground.

'He looks like Naruto-kun with orange hair!' Sakura thought.

The boy- he appeared to be the same age as most of the group- was dressed in a black outfit that didn't look too conspicuous. However, the bamboo shinai strapped against his back and the daggers at his right side says otherwise. Except for a big bandana around his neck, there was nothing else worth noting.

Not that Sakura cared anyway.

"EVERYONE GET HIM! TAKE HIM DOWN!" Sakura commanded. All of a sudden, most of the group led by Naruto and Sasuke, came down on him and gave him a good beating.

"If she ordered us to kill you, I would have done it at once," Sasuke said. The boy was now tied up with all sorts of bumps and bruises on his skin. His tied hands were behind his back.

"We can just toss him into the river now" Shino suggested, looking at Sakura.

"Remember why we came here in the first place," Sakura said. "We can't let him out of our sight though. Naruto-kun, you watch over him."

"Right!" Naruto said. He then walked right up to the captive and looked down at him like a vulture.

"Do you mind?" the boy said.

"Sakura…" Iruka said. She looked at him, who then nodded.

"Right," Sakura said. She then took out her kunai knife and pointed at the orange head. "Tell me, who are you? Are you from Kirigakure? Why are you out here for?"

"I'm from Kirigakure," the boy answered. "And you can call me Fuijishima Dai, though it doesn't really matter anymore." At that, Iruka looked surprised.

"Dai Fujishima? The Fujishima clan from our country?" Iruka said.

"Yeah so?" Dai said.

"Who is he, Iruka-sensei?" Sakura asked. "Is he a wanted criminal?"

"He's a fugitive from the Land of Fire," Iruka said. "We have to keep an eye on him. He's wanted for a crime but he's not a traitor. Just to be safe, though, I recommend that you appoint a second guard."

"Right" Sakura said. "Sasuke-kun, you too watch over him."

"More than willing, Sakura-chan," Sasuke said. He then joined Naruto. Dai just ignored him too.

"We already wasted enough time here" Sakura said. "Let's go!" So the group went on the move again.

"We should be at the mountain in thirty minutes," Shino said after a while. The moon was now being covered with clouds. Shikamaru let out a loud yawn. Choji rubbed his tummy.

"Can we stop now? I'm getting hungry," Choji pleaded.

"Choji-kun, we're almost there," Sakura replied, trying not to sound annoyed.

"But we've been walking non-stop for two hours now" Choji complained. "I'm running low on calories."

"I actually think a short break would be good," Rock Lee said. "Some of us need to conserve more energy than others."

'Oops! I forgot about Lee-kun!' Sakura thought. She then saw that nobody was objecting to them. Sakura knew that their trip was going to get rougher and a short rest would be good.

"Just for ten minutes!" Sakura said. "And then we're moving again, you all got that?" Everybody then relaxed. Some went down to the ground, resting their sore bodies against trees and rocks, while a few remained standing, stretching their tired limbs. Sakura looked at Shino.

"Shino-kun, will you get an estimate of how far it is from Kirigakure now?" Sakura asked.

"I'll get at it right away," Shino said.

"Kiba-kun, Neji-kun, Shikamaru-kun, Iruka-sensei! Keep on guard until we're ready to move again!" Sakura ordered.

"Right!" the four said. They then took position. The captive started to fidget.

"I have to go," he said. Naruto and Sasuke looked at him apprehensively.

"Go where?" Sasuke asked.

"Number one or two?" Naruto asked, putting up his fingers.

"Number what?" Dai asked.

"Do you want to take a pee or take a dump?" Naruto asked.

"Pee!" Dai replied. Sasuke looked like he was about to get sick.

"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura started to say.

"Fine" Sasuke said. He then turned to Naruto. "Let's get this over with! Naruto-kun, keep an eye on him."

"Right!" Naruto said. He then turned to Dai. "Move it!"

"Don't boss me like that!" Dai said. However, a simple nudge from Naruto was all it took for him to walk with them.

"Make sure that it doesn't take too long!" Sakura shouted just as they disappear into the woods.

"Got it!" Naruto said before they vanished. Sakura went down onto the ground.

"I was hoping that we would be able to get there by midnight," Sakura said.

"Now you know why missions don't come with timetables," Iruka said.

"Right" Sakura said, sighing. She then stood up. "All right! Everyone stay on guard!" At that, everyone became more attentive.

'I hope that Naruto-kun's okay,' Hinata thought. Kiba then saw Hinata's worried expression.

"Don't worry, Hinata-chan," Kiba said. "I'm sure that this mission will be alright. We will get there eventually."

'I hope that Sasuke-kun's okay,' Sakura thought. 'I know that he and Naruto-kun can handle themselves, but I have a feeling that Dai's still hiding something. Just get back as soon as possible, Sasuke-kun, Naruto-kun.'

In the meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke walked Dai to an empty patch on the ground.

"Get it done and over with," Sasuke ordered Dai. He then turned to Naruto. "Watch over him until he's done."

"Why do I have to do it?" Naruto asked.

"Because I had to watch you do your business, so you can watch someone else do THEIRS!" Sasuke said. Naruto sighed.

"I know that's fair, but…oh fine!" Naruto then turned to Dai. "You can do whatever you want now!"

"Hello! I'm tied up! How am I suppose to pee?" Dai said. "You don't expect me to wet my pants, do you?"

"Pull his pants down, Naruto-kun" Sasuke ordered.

"I know that!" Naruto said. He then went to Dai. "You better not do anything fancy!"

"Just pull down my pants!" Dai said. "I'm not used to being out here by myself this long!"

"Speaking of that, why are you out here by yourself?" Sasuke asked, while Naruto pulled down Dai's pants.

"I was on my way back to Kirigakure when a messenger told me to check on a suspicious group that just arrived onshore. I assume that the group was yours," Dai told him.

'So we were spotted!' Sasuke thought.

"Do I have to pee like this?" Dai asked. "This is kind of awkward!"

"You can squat, can't you?" Sasuke asked.

"Oh fine!" Dai said. "You better not be looking down!"

"Just do it!" Sasuke said. He then turned sideways, leaving Naruto with the unenviable job of watching Dai do his business. Naruto stood there looking intently at Dai while having a "why me?" look on his face.

A minute later…

"I'm done!" Dai yelled.

"Bury whatever he did, Naruto-kun" Sasuke said.

"Why do I have to do that?" Naruto said. "Can YOU cover someone's turd for a change?"

"I didn't do THAT!" Dai retorted. "Can you pull up my pants as well? This is so embarrassing!"

"Do that too, Naruto-kun!" Sasuke said. Naruto then sighed.

"Fine! Just don't ask me again!" Naruto said. Muttering a few things that are best left unwritten, he went to Dai, pulled up his pants and then started to scoop up dirt. As he did this, Dai went to Sasuke.

"So you're one of the last surviving members of the Uchiha clan of Konoha, eh?" Dai asked. Sasuke looked at him with a wary eye.

"Yeah so?" Sasuke said.

"I bet you laid up a ton of girls by now" Dai said. At that, Sasuke became completely horrified.

"No!" Sasuke said out loud. That caused Naruto to look up at them. Sasuke then went closer to Dai.

"Shut up, you-" he started to say when Dai chuckled.

"Oh yeah? Then how come the sakura-haired captain of yours got totally into me when I was in your form?" Dai asked. Sasuke felt his stomach twist. Dai didn't-

"What did you do to her?" Sasuke asked between clenched teeth.

"I bet you already know how to do bleep and bleep ," Dai said. Sasuke felt his stomach get sick. He had to put a stop to this. Already he could feel Naruto staring at them, even though he was staring at them because he thought he heard Sakura's name.

"Listen, you-" Sasuke started to say when Dai went right to his ears.

"I bet you can even do bleep or bleep " Dai said. Now Sasuke wanted the ground to open up and swallow him.

"I'm- I'm-" Sasuke started to say when he looked at Naruto. "Naruto-kun, watch over him!"

"Huh? What are you going to do?" Naruto asked. Sasuke looked at Dai, then at Naruto.

"I'm leaving!" Sasuke said. He started to go but stopped and looked back at Naruto. "You're in charge of him now. And whatever you do, don't listen to him!" At that, he ran off, leaving behind an extremely pissed off Naruto.

"When did he became the boss of me?" Naruto said out loud. He then looked at Dai. "What were you two talking about anyway?"

"Just a few things," Dai said. Naruto sighed.

"I guess we can go now," Naruto said. He then looked away from Dai. "I just hope that I don't get in trouble because of him." Naruto didn't know then, but behind him Dai was smirking.

'This is going to be too easy' Dai thought. His eyes then turned into a purplish colour and dark chakra started to appear around his arms…

In the meantime, Sasuke made it to the group.

"Password!" Sakura demanded.

"Ramen!" Sasuke said. Everyone then loosened up.

"Where's Naruto-kun and our captive?" Sakura asked.

"They should be coming any minute now," Sasuke answered. At least he hoped so. "We should be going very soon!" He sounded very urgent. By now, he just wanted this done and over with.

"But why did you two split up?" Sakura questioned. "You guys didn't get into a fight, did you?"

"It's- It's-" Sasuke started to say when he realized that everyone was now looking at him. "It's nothing." Actually, he wasn't sure whether he wanted to talk to Sakura about what Dai said or not- it was just too disgusting.

"What do you mean by that? Sasuke-kun, did anything happen back there?" Sakura asked. Sasuke tried not to look mad, but before he could open his mouth again, a loud scream was heard.

"That sounded like Naruto!" Iruka said.

"He needs our help! Everyone, come with me!" Sakura ordered. Everyone complied at once.

'Dammit, Naruto-kun,' Sasuke thought. 'Couldn't you handle him by yourself?' All of a sudden everyone stopped.

"NARUTO-KUN!" Sakura screamed. Dai was strangling the blond-head with the rope that was used to bind him. A bunch of broken rope laid at his feet.

"Don't you dare-" Sakura then threw a kunai knife at Dai. "-hurt him!" The orange-head went back to dodge the kunai. Naruto fell to the ground, gasping for air.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata cried out. Almost immediately, she and her group went to him. Akamaru bit off the rope from his throat. Naruto's face returned to normal. "Are…you…okay…Naruto-kun?"

"I thought I was going to die!" Naruto said. He then coughed. Kiba helped him up. "I heard a noise behind me, and when I turned around, I saw him put this noose around my neck. I tried to scream and- oh my God, I thought I was going to die!" At that, everyone except those that were helping Naruto pulled out their kunais and pointed at Dai.

"Stay where you are," Sakura commanded. "Don't move another step!"

"You were planning this all along, didn't you?" Sasuke growled. "We should've killed you after all!"

"That's enough, Sasuke-kun," Sakura said. "Now I don't know or care why you left Konoha or why you decided to become a ninja for Kirigakure, but as the leader of this mission. I can't let you go after what you tried to do for Naruto-kun!"

"Should I tell them what we did before they came and interrupted us?" Dai asked.

"Don't change the subject!" Sakura said with an anger mark on her head. 'Bring that up one more time and I'll kill you!' Sakura's inner voice said.

"Heh" Dai said. "It would've been so easy to get you. A girl like you would be like putty in my hands."

'KILL HIM NOW!' Sakura's inner voice said. It boomed so loud in her mind that she could hardly concentrate.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but stay here!" Sakura commanded. Dai just laughed.

"Not a chance!" Dai said. He then threw a smoke bomb in front of the group. It became completely dark. Most of the group was too busy coughing to not notice that he was no longer there.

"Shit! He escaped!" Sasuke said. The night sky was getting clearer, causing everyone to realize that Dai was now gone. Sakura knew that she had to make a quick decision.

"Rock Lee! Go after him!" Sakura ordered. "If you can't find him, go back here and then head for Kirigakure!"

"Yes, Sakura-chan! I mean honcho!" Rock Lee said. "I'll prove my worth to you!"

"Yeah, whatever, just go after him!" Sakura said, pointing in front of her.

"Of course Sakura-chan!" Rock Lee said. He then went off. Sakura then looked at Neji and Ten-Ten.

"What are you doing standing there?" Sasuke asked. "Go with him!"

"Oh right!" Ten-Ten said. "We got to make sure that he doesn't get in trouble!"

"Does he always?" Neji muttered, but he went with her. Just as they departed, Sasuke took a step forward.

"Where do you think you're going, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked.

"I'm going after him too," Sasuke said. He then clenched his fists. "I'm not letting him get away after he tricked me and tried to kill Naruto-kun!"

"I want you here, Sasuke-kun" Sakura said. "I need you to come with us. We don't know whom we'll be facing, and I'm very sure that Rock Lee, Neji and Ten-Ten will be able to go to Kirigakure from any place they're in. You're not to go after him. Do you understand me?" Sasuke didn't reply to her at once. Sakura just stood there waiting.

"If that's the case, then why are we still here?" Sasuke asked. He then looked at her. "Shouldn't we be going too?"

Sakura knew that Sasuke was right. They have to get to Kirigakure before Dai does or they might get into worse trouble. He already tried to strangle Naruto-kun, and there was no telling what his other ninja comrades in Kirigakure would do. Logic would also say that a bunch of Water-type ninjas would prevail over a bunch of Fire-type ninjas. And as important as getting the document was, to Sakura the overall safety of her team was paramount.

"You're right," Sakura said. "Let's go then."

End of Chapter Five

I was originally planning to make this longer, but I once again decided to but it short. I'm also literally amazed by the number of responses so far. If you haven't reviewed, please do so. The next chapter will have review responses, so this will be a good time to review. Just in case anyone wants to know what Dai was saying to Sasuke, well, you're old enough to guess, right? Naruto was created by Masashi Kishimoto and distributed by Shueisha Inc. and Viz Media. Don't forget to review!