The Fox Bandit

Ch. 13: Thinking

Naruto worried constantly for Sakura. Though she was healing, she would easily succumb to a fever often. It wasn't a horrible fever, but he didn't want her in any pain at all, much less what she had to go through to begin with. He was constantly at her side. Miraculously, Ichiraku's saloon had survived Deidara's bombs and Sakura was now lying in Naren's bed. Naruto sat beside her while Tsunade tended to her fever. She held his hand tightly, and he would rub his thumb over her knuckles. She would smile weakly at him, and he would return his own smile to her; only to her. She loved his smile. She loved how tender he was with her. She could remember how evil he seemed just a couple of days ago, and wouldn't think it was possible for him to even be that way. There was nothing even remotely evil about this young man.

Oh how she loved him.

Naruto continued to stroke her knuckles, absentmindedly staring at the window. Before he had always seemed so anxious. Now it was if he was at peace with the world. Maybe it was because he didn't have to run anymore, or maybe it was that he now had a home with friends and family, but he was the happiest she had ever seen him. She knew he would stay. He wouldn't leave her again. He promised her, and he assured her that he never went back on his word.

"Naruto?" she said. The blonde turned to her.

"Hm?"

"What are you thinking about?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. He didn't say anything for a moment. But then he smiled that special smile.

"Just how happy I am," he said. Sakura decided she would play with him a little.

"What are you happy about?"

"Everything."

"Everything?"

"Mmhm."

"Does everything include me?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't it?"

"Well, you just seemed so fixated on that window, I was just curious what was so interesting. You thinking about someone special from a long time ago?"

"Is that a trick question?"

"Well, are you?"

"I'm thinking about someone, but I'm also thinking about doing something really special for that someone," he answered. Sakura hadn't expected that answer. She was hoping he would stutter out excuses. Now he really spiked her interest.

"What do you mean?" she asked, sitting up as best as she could.

"Well, someone just lost their home and all their possessions," he said, trying his best not to grin. "I know what it's like not to have anything, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone, much less this certain person. She's too special for that."

"She, huh?" said Sakura, catching his hints. "Well what are you going to do about that?"

"Not sure, but I was thinking about getting her this nice little plot of land and building her a cozy cabin, much larger than the one she had," he said, smiling. "Then after she was settled in, I would dig a garden and around it I would plant her some cherry blossom trees. In the spring, the flowers would bloom, and they will be the same color as her beautiful hair. Then, she could plant some flowers around her cozy cabin, under the windows and doors. After that was done, I would build her a new corral and a barn to go with it, so she could keep her animals from running off. She deserves that."

"You're going to do all that just for this one girl?" asked Sakura, blushing. "What if she says she doesn't deserve anything more than to be with the one she loved?"

"Then I would say that she deserved everything I could give her, and I could give her whatever she asked for," he said, smiling widely. "I would do anything to make her happy."

"If she has you, I'm sure she's the happiest woman alive," whispered Sakura. She pulled his head down to hers and rested his forehead against her own. "I'm positive, I've never been happier."

"Even before you met me?" he asked softly.

"Not even then," she said. "You've made me happier than I've ever been in my entire life. It was so boring here. Nothing happened. Now that you're here, everyday will be an adventure."

"You don't care that I'm a wanted criminal?" he said. "You don't care that I'm an Outlaw?"

"You, Naruto Uzumaki, are no outlaw," said Sakura. "It's the Akatsuki that are the outlaws. You're just always simply in the wrong place at the wrong time." Naruto lifted his head slightly away from hers.

"What about now?" he muttered. "Am I in the wrong place now?"

"No, Naruto," she whispered. She smiled sweetly. "You're right where you belong." She pulled his face down again and captured his lips with her own. He deepened it slightly and when they needed air, he reluctantly pulled away.

"Well, that's it," he said.

"What's it?"

He laughed loudly. "Now I get to marry you!"

Sakura whacked him on the head and laughed just as loud with him.

o0O0o

If Deidara thought that Naruto had been scary before, it was nothing compared to the commander. Madara was furious, seething.

"You failed Deidara! You had him, but you were too concerned with you dynamite and your own life that you fled like a little girl!" barked the masked leader. "Because of you, Sasori is dead. Because of you, The Fox Bandit remains free. Because of you, I'm no closer to my goal then I was a month a go! I should kill you where you stand!"

Deidara tried to make light of the situation. "Funny, the Fox Bandit said the same thing, eheh…sorry."

Madara was fuming mad. But Deidara was useful, even if he was dumber than a rock with a weird obsession for blowing things up. It was because of this that he could not kill the blonde pyromaniac.

"Leave! Now!" he growled. And Deidara left. Madara slammed his fist on the table. "Pain! You better send someone who can handle things better next time, even if you have to capture him yourself!"

o0O0o

Naren hummed a tune as she walked to Kiba's home. His was one of the few that had survived the Akatsuki's attack and since she had given up her room for Sakura, she had been staying with Kiba in his spare bedroom. They didn't sleep with each other. They would have plenty of time for that and more after they were married. Besides, if her overprotective brother found out, he would probably kill Kiba. Literally. And she didn't want that. Kiba respected her and her choices. He would never do anything to hurt her or potentially hurt himself. He'd rather wait then risk Naruto's wrath.

She sighed. Naren loved her brother, but he could be really irritating sometimes. Kiba didn't even dare kiss her when he was around, fearing those two expertly handled .44's the bandit carried at all times. Maybe Sakura could get him to relax a little. Finally, Naren could see her fiancé's home. She sped up. She was at the door in a matter of minutes.

"Kiba! I'm home!" she said, opening the door and walking in. Kiba sat at his table, carving something. Akamaru was curled in front of the stove, looking very cozy.

"Hey, sweetheart," said Kiba, not taking his eyes off his carving.

"What are you making?" she asked, leaning around his shoulder. It was a carving of Akamaru, spread out and looking very comfortable. She realized he was carving Akamaru's position as he was now.

Naren wrapped her arms around his neck. "That's a lovely carving," she said. "Looks just like him."

"You think so?" asked Kiba, pulling her around and setting her in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her tiny waist.

"I know so," she said, kissing his nose. "You hungry?"

"Famished," he said. "Why?"

"Well, I was thinking…." She began. Kiba interrupted her.

"Thinkin? You?" he teased. Naren whacked him on the head.

"Yes me!" she barked, slightly amused. "I was thinking we could go see Naruto and Sakura and eat with them at the saloon? What do you say?"

"Sounds good to me," said Kiba, letting her go. She stood up and pulled him with her.

"Before we go, though," he said, and he grabbed her chin gently and lifted her face to his, capturing her lips with his. She had to stand on her toes, wrapping his arms around his neck, cause he was so tall. He deepened the kiss, making it last as long as he could before they both needed to breathe, which came sooner than he wanted. She blushed. "I wanted to get one good kiss in. I wouldn't be able to with Naruto around."

"You're so silly," said Naren, giggling. "But I enjoyed it immensely."

"I love you," he said.

"I love you more," she said. "Now let's go. I'm hungry."

o0O0o

When Sakura had fallen asleep, Naruto had gone downstairs to grab a bite to eat. He wanted to be alone for a few minutes anyway to get his thoughts in order. He hadn't been completely honest with her earlier. Though it was true that he was thinking and planning to do everything he said, that hadn't been the only thing. He had been thinking of Sasori and his last message about Sasuke Uchiha and Orochimaru.

Naruto hadn't told anyone about his connection to the Uchiha bandit and his Master, Orochimaru. He had seen both the snake and his former friend three years ago. Sasuke wanted more than the power he already had. He had become consumed with his need for revenge against his brother and wanted more than what he had to be able to kill that brother. Naruto had tried everything he could then to keep him from going to Orochimaru, even coming to the point of sacrificing his own life to save Sasuke's, then one person that Naruto had been able to feel close too and knew that Sasuke could understand him. But how did Sasori know?

He still wanted to find Sasuke. Maybe now, things would go in his favor, unlike the last time they fought. If Jiraiya hadn't been there, Naruto would probably not be in Konoha now, with Naren and Tsunade. He'd probably be dead, hanged or something else slow and painful. He shuddered. He'd nearly been hung once. He did not want it to happen again. Once again, if Jiraiya hadn't been there, he would be dead.

Naruto shook his head. He didn't like to think about the old pervert. He missed him too much. Naruto didn't know what had happened to his old mentor after he sent him off, but he knew he wasn't dead. He couldn't be. He was too strong for that.

Naruto returned his thoughts to Sasuke. He had hated Sasuke right down to his core. But the raven haired kid had been like a brother to him. Sasuke was one of the few people Naruto had gotten even remotely close too; probably because he and Sasuke had had so much in common. Sasuke refused admit it was that way though. He was too concerned with getting revenge, but on who, Naruto didn't know. He really wanted to see Sasuke again, try to talk some sense into him. If he did go to the Heaven and Earth Crossing-a bridge where the sky seemed to touch the earth so majestically- he could talk to the spy and see what he could learn about Sasuke's whereabouts. It was worth a try.

Naruto decided. As soon as Sakura was better-and after Naren's wedding, because he knew his sister would kill him if he wasn't there-he would go to the crossing. He had a little more than a week until the spy would supposedly meet the deceased Sasori there. He had plenty of time.

Naruto was jerked out of his thoughts when someone wrapped their arms around his neck in a tight squeeze. He recognized the light orange sleeves and blond hair immediately.

"Naruto!" cried Naren, practically choking him. "How's Sakura? Is she ok?"

"Choking….not….breathing…." Naruto wheezed.

"Naren, let him go if you want an answer," said Kiba in an amused voice. "His face is turning blue." Naruto was indeed having the life squeezed out of him. Naren let go quickly, giggling sheepishly. Naruto gasped for air.

"Sorry, Big Brother," she said. "I guess I'm stronger than I thought."

"Hey, Naren," said Naruto, giving her his fox grin. "What are ya'll up too?"

"Thought we'd come get something to eat," said Kiba. "You hungry? My treat?" It's the least he could do.

"Starving," said Naruto. Naren poked his shoulder.

"You still haven't answered me," she said, irked at his ignoring her. "Is Sakura ok?"

"I'm just peachy, thanks for asking." Naren turned and Naruto and Kiba sat back to look in the direction Sakura's voice came from. Sakura herself was hobbling down the stairs. Naruto got up and went to her.

"Sakura, you really shouldn't be up," he said in a worried tone. "You're still recovering."

"Funny, I remember telling you the same thing one time," snickered Sakura. "I'm hungry, and it's boring up there by myself. You hadn't come back up so I thought I would come down."

Naruto blushed. She had told him the same thing. Hadn't she played "Mother Hen" with him when he had been shot? Now he had absolutely no defense.

"Fine, but as soon as we get done eating, you need to lie back down and get better," said Naruto, folding his arms.

"Yes mother," said Sakura, smiling. Naruto faltered comically.

"Saaakkkkurraaa," he whined. Naren and Kiba were laughing at him.

"Who figured the Fox Bandit, who stays in trouble and gets himself hurt, never one to do what he's told, would be telling the doctor how to take care of herself and go back to bed?" smirked Kiba.

"You wouldn't have thought it, would you?" replied Naren, howling.

Naruto narrowed his eyes and grabbed Kiba in a Choke Hold, rubbing his knuckles into Kiba's head.

"You got some nerve, dog boy!" he growled, though all knew he was joking. "I oughta kill you!"

"Hey! I was kidding! Let go!" cried Kiba. Naren turned to Sakura while the boys wrestled.

"Sakura, are you sure your ok?" she asked. She was worried about her friend. Three days ago, the roseate had whispered frantically that she was going to die to her and Naruto. She'd watched Naruto, strong and emotionless, sob for her. Sakura smiled.

"I'm better than ever, Naren," she said, looking at Naruto, who was now laughing boisterously at Kiba's attempts to tackle him. "I've never felt so happy in all my life."

Naren smiled. She understood.

Naruto coming to Konoha had been the best thing that ever happened in this town.

There was no doubt about that fact.

o0O0o

Madara drummed his fingers on the table. It was a large circular table with a map of the country painted on it. Messy red X's marked all the towns that had been searched for The Fox Bandit. The elusive brat had escaped him at nearly every turn. The young Uzumaki had beaten everything Madara threw at him. It annoyed him to no end.

There were nine chairs around the table. All of them were empty except one. Madara looked to the occupant, whose face was hidden in the shadows.

"Everything's going according to plan," he said. "Sasori told The Fox Brat about the meeting at the Heaven and Earth Crossing. He even told him who was going to be there. Here's your first assignment." The mysterious figure sat up.

"You're to meet Naruto Uzumaki, The Fox Bandit, at the Heaven and Earth Crossing. You are probably the one person who can bring him down. Capture him and bring him to me. I don't care what shape he's in as long as he's alive and can recuperate.

"That's your assignment. Bring the Fox Bandit to me, alive. Don't fail me, Sasuke."

The figure came forward. He wore a dark coat and an equally dark hat over his raven hair. He smirked.

"Hn," was all he uttered before striding out the door. Sasuke grinned and lifted his head.

iI'll be seeing you soon, Naruto./i