Hey, 505 here.

It's been a while, I know, but life got in the way, and I sort of forgot about this, but I'm back! Finally!

Disclaimer: Ugh, I get it already

Let me know what you think!

Chapter 3.

Sakura was distracted. She was sitting in front of her computer staring at a mostly blank page, no further ahead than she had been a couple hours ago. She was supposed to be typing up a report for Tsunade, but she just couldn't concentrate on the subject. Hell, she couldn't even remember what the subject was.

Sakura leaned back in her chair and sighed. The heat must be getting to my head, she thought, frowning at the reminder that it was 90-something degrees outside and her AC was broken. She hated days like these, where every breath felt like a challenge and everything was hot and damp and sweaty.

I didn't mind the heat so much when it was Shikamaru generating it, the thought popped into her head so unexpectedly that Sakura almost fell out of her chair. She groaned as the memories of the past two days came tumbling back. Here was the other reason she couldn't concentrate. It had been so long since she had let anyone touch her like that, or at all really, and a couple hours with Shikamaru had her body burning in places she didn't even know she could. It was like every time she thought of him, an inferno was borne inside her. Which was often.

Deciding that she wasn't going to get anything done like this, Sakura closed her laptop and stood up, stretching. She didn't have to be at work until 5, and it wasn't even lunchtime yet, so she had pretty much her whole day ahead of her. Just as she was trying to figure out what to do with herself, a loud banging came from her front door.

"Who is it?" Sakura called as she walked towards it.

"Ne, Sakura, it's me!"

"You do realize that saying 'it's me' doesn't actually tell me who you are, right?" She smiled as she opened the door to find Naruto grinning at her.

"Yeah, but you knew," he shrugged as he walked past her, inviting himself in. He went straight to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water before stretching himself out on the couch. "Damn it's hot out today," he grumbled.

"Which reminds me, do you think you could take a look at my AC? It's broken again," Sakura grimaced in annoyance.

"I could," Naruto said, not moving from his spot on the couch. "Or, and I'm just throwing this out there, but you could just get a new one. You get paid well enough and kami knows that thing is well past it's retirement date."

"Yeah, but I don't really have the time to go shopping. Will you do it?"

"Sure."

"Thanks!" Sakura smiled. At least that was out of the way. "Speaking of which, what do you want, anyway?"

Naruto glanced at her in amusement. "That was the worst segue I've heard in a while, even for you."

"Shut up," Sakura flushed. "What do you want?"

"Weeeell," Naruto drawled, knowing it would annoy her, "I happened to hear an interesting rumor on the training grounds yesterday."

"And?" Sakura asked, trying to look bored.

"And I wanted to know if it was true," he leaned forward, grinning.

"Dunno," she cocked an eyebrow. "Depends on the rumor."

"You're not gonna tell me?" Naruto stared up at her with wide, pleading eyes, eyes that might have worked on her ten years ago and just looked silly on him now.

"Nope. Is that all you wanted?"

"No," Naruto stuck his tongue out. "I wanted to get your ass to team training. We haven't had one of those in a while, and Sasuke is in serious need of an ass kicking."

"And you can't hand one out on your own?" Sakura asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Damn straight I can," Naruto grinned, "but it'd be more fun if you were there to see it. Or to help. Now c'mon," he said, standing.

"Okay," Sakura acquiesced. It's not like she had anything better to do, and a good workout with the boys might be just what she needed to get her mind off a certain someone. "Just let me go get my workout clothes."

Sakura collapsed on the ground next to Naruto, a huge grin on her face. She was sweaty and tired and was sporting a handful of new cuts and bruises on her body, but she felt good. She loved her job, but the downside of having so much responsibility at the hospital was that she had so little time to train with her boys. Sparring with them was fun, it was challenging, and she learned something new each time. They had rapidly evolved over the years, and though they had all chosen to take different paths, with Sakura at the hospital, Naruto aiming for Hokage, and Sasuke content with working with the Anbu, it felt great to go all out with them again, as if they were still 12 year olds with nothing on their minds but the present.

"You've gotten better with the Sharingan," Naruto grumbled as Sasuke and Kakashi came over to sit beside them.

"Hn. Your clones, too." Naruto accepted this as the greatest compliment and rolled over to glomp him. Sasuke struggled momentarily, but gave up quickly, realizing it was in vain.

"You are all," Kakashi drawled from behind Icha Icha, which had appeared out of nowhere, "doing very well. You can thank me for that."

"Yeah, right, old man," Naruto yelled, while Sakura laughed and Sasuke chuckled. "All you ever do is read your nasty porno books!"

"They're not porn, they're literary masterpieces of a serious nature," Kakashi sighed, bored of defending his habits again. "They could only be considered porn by someone who has little to no experience with sex and is too horny for their brains to function."

"So someone like Sakura?" Sasuke smirked. Sakura's mouth opened in surprise as Naruto let out a peal of laughter.

"Hey! I have sexual experience! Just cause I don't shout it out to the world doesn't mean it doesn't happen!"

"Pff," Kakashi curled his eye at her in amusement. "When was the last time you had sex? At least a couple of years ago, right?"

"Oh yeah, the dentist."

"That dude was so lame, why were you even with him?"

"CAUSE HE WAS NICE!" Sakura shrieked. "AND IT WAS YOUR FAULT WE BROKE UP, TOO!"

"What? How was it our fault?" Naruto asked, looking hurt.

"Well we did break into his house and leave threatening messages," Sasuke commented.

"That's not the point," Kakashi steered them back to the matter at hand. "The point is that you need a good fling. It's the only way you're going to get rid of your sexual frustration."

"Excuse me?" Sakura growled. She really didn't want to be hearing this from them.

"Well it's not good for you to do nothing but work all the time. Your body needs a rest. Of the sexual kind." Kakashi said seriously, while the two boys nodded along and tried not to laugh at Sakura's expression.

"You guys—"

"Hey!" Naruto interrupted her, "Actually, I heard a rumor yesterday that she is getting some. And guess from who?"

"Don't you dare—"

"SHIKAMARU!" Naruto shouted happily, interrupting her yet again. "OW!" He cried when she inevitably smacked him over the head. Thankfully, she had refrained from using her chakra, but a bump was still growing rapidly.

"Mmm" Kakashi hummed uninterestedly while Sasuke shrugged.

"You guys aren't surprised?" Naruto asked, dejected.

"Well he did take her home on Friday," Sasuke said, "so if anyone, it would have been him."

"Yeah, and he's is a genius, which is her type, right?" Kakashi added.

"You guys are ridiculous," Sakura huffed. "Don't tell me you actually believe that stupid rumor?"

"No," Sasuke conceded. "You're not really the type to have a one night stand." kakashi nodded in agreement, but Naruto still looked dubious.

"Well why was he at your place Saturday morning then?" He demanded.

"He just stayed over, in a non-sexual way," Sakura cried out. "And for that matter, why is it even any of your business who I have over, in my bed or out of it?"

"Well we are your teammates," Kakashi said, "It's our job to look out for you."

"And cause we love you, Sakura-chan," Naruto grinned.

"Hn. We are pretty much a family," Sasuke added. It was true. None of them had any living relatives, and had very quickly formed bonds closer than that of friendship. None of them really spoke about it much, but the understanding was there, and they showed it by looking out for each other as much as possible.

"That has nothing to do with it," Sakura sighed, slightly mollified. "I don't go around keeping track of who's in your beds."

"That's cause you know who's in my bed, believe it!" Naruto said happily, earning a sharp jab to the gut from a bright red Sasuke.

"I see your point, Sakura," Kakashi scratched the back of his head. "But I still think that you should find time in your life for other things besides work, sexual or not."

"Okay," Sakura said, standing up. "I'll take your advice to heart. In the meantime, lunch?"

After agreeing to meet at Ichiraku's after a quick shower, Sakura headed off, leaving her boys behind.

"So," Kakashi said as soon as she was out of earshot. "Shikamaru, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Are we really gonna do this again?" Sasuke sighed.

"Actually, I'm ok with him," Kakashi shrugged.

"Me too!" Naruto said. "He's cool!"

"I am as well," Sasuke said, "but there is the small problem of them not actually being together?"

"And the fact that even if she did like him, Sakura would never admit it," Kakashi added.

"Man, she really needs to stop working all the time and go on a date," Naruto said.

"I'm sure it doesn't help that every time she does we chase off the guy." Sasuke deadpanned.

"But, ne, Sasuke, none of those guys were good enough for her, right?"

"Facts," he shrugged, "But I still don't see how they would get together. They're both notorious workaholics."

"You know what that means," Naruto grinned mischievously. "We're gonna play matchmaker!"

"And I know just where to start," Kakashi said, rubbing his hands together evilly.

Meanwhile, Sakura was walking home. And here I was hoping to use training to get my mind off of sex, she sighed to herself. Why was everybody suddenly so interested in what went on in her bedroom anyway? And why did everyone think she was some innocent virgin? It's not like she never had sex, but first Ino had called her a prude, and now the boys thought she wouldn't have a fling?

First of all, she growled to herself, I am not a prude. And sure, I don't have many flings (or any, really), but that's just because I don't have the time. I could if I wanted to. I'm no Ino, but it's not like I'm unattractive or anything, right?

And yes, it would be nice to get laid every once in a while, but she really didn't have the time for a boyfriend or a relationship or anything, and one night stands weren't really her thing. What she needed was a sex-friend or something, with a man who worked as hard as she did and would be ok with being called up for impromptu bouts of sex. Sakura giggled at the idea. She didn't know if she would have the guts to ever do anything like that, but it was fun to imagine.

I wonder what Ino would say if I got a sex friend? Sakura smiled to herself as she opened her from door. She'd probably be thrilled.

Walking in, Sakura sighed as she realized that her AC was still broken, making the heat in her house as unbearable as outside. Worse, even, since there was no refreshing breeze here. With no more thoughts of sex or sex friends, Sakura stripped off her clothes and headed to the shower.

Naruto and Sasuke were already waiting at Ichiraku's. Sasuke spotted her first and waved her over, Naruto too absorbed in his first bowl of ramen to notice anything until she sat down.

"Hey Sakura," he shouted between bites, barely managing to keep his food in his mouth. "Was wondering where you were!"

"Sorry about that. I wanted to get some laundry done before leaving. Where's Kakashi-sensei?"

"Late, as usual," Sasuke answered. Sakura nodded and sat down next to them, ordering her usual. It was a habit for them to try and meet here for lunch at least once a week, schedule permitting. Since they were all so busy usually, it was never certain that they'd see each other otherwise. Unfortunately, Naruto had been called away on a mission two weeks ago, and last week Sakura hadn't been able to get out of work. It had been a while, and it was nice to fall back into the familiar pattern of lunch and banter.

Naruto and Sakura had started a heated debate over how many times a week ramen was an acceptable meal when Naruto found a reason to break away.

"HEY SHIKA! OVER HERE!" He called, waving to the boy who had just walked in.

"Hey Naruto, Sasuke," he nodded at them, "Sakura." He grabbed the stool next to her. "I'm not interrupting a team meeting or anything, am I?"

"Nope!" Naruto grinned. "Actually, you can do me a favor and distract Sakura so she'll let me eat my ramen in peace!" Sakura leaned around Sasuke to slap Naruto in the head.

"Hey," she said, smiling nervously at Shikamaru. She hadn't seen him since the events of Saturday.

"Hey. Long time no see," he smirked slightly, and she relaxed.

"Haha yeah," she giggled. "Long time."

"No work today?" He asked, leaning against the counter. "Thanks," he added, when Ayame set his bowl down in front of him.

"N-no. Well, not until later, anyway," Sakura responded, distracted by the fact that his knee was brushing against hers under the table. "You?"

"Just got off, actually," he smiled slightly. "Tsunade-san's been busting my ass lately."

"Same," Sakura sighed. "Actually, we're going ahead with the development of a new psychiatric department at the hospital, and with half the nurses going through re-training, we've been severely understaffed lately. It's gotten really bad."

"Yeah, I heard about that. Shizune-san's taking over that department, right?"

"Mhmm."

"Which makes you in charge of emergency care, now, doesn't it? Congratulations." Sakura flushed in embarrassment.

"Thanks," she laughed. "Though I get the feeling It's more of a curse than a blessing. I Haven't gotten any time off in months, with the exception of last saturday."

"Yeah, but I'm willing to bet you don't mind that much," Shikamaru grinned at her. "Considering how much you love your job."

"Well, yes," Sakura conceded, "but it gets pretty stressful without a break sometimes. Not to mention how dangerous it can be to be exhausted on duty in my line of work." She smiled up at him. "I'm sure you can relate."

The two embarked on a heated discussion on the effects of stress in their work, not noticing that they were drawing closer together until Naruto shoved Sasuke into Sakura, who promptly fell into Shikamaru's lap.

"Whoops! You guys ok?" Naruto laughed at the embarrassed expressions on their faces until he turned to his boyfriend, who's face clearly showed that he did not enjoy being used this way.

"Naruto," Sasuke growled, righting himself. "What the fuck was that?"

"I'm sorry Sasu-chan, I didn't mean to push that hard! Sometimes I forget how light you are!" Naruto babbled an apology, not realizing that he was digging his own grave. Behind them, Sakura and Shikamaru were trying not to laugh.

"How. Light. I. Am?" Naruto's eyes widened.

"No, no, not light. Just, you know, smaller? More fem—uh. Smaller?"

"Were you just about to call me feminine?" Sasuke practically shrieked. You know, for him, so it was only slightly higher pitched than his normal talking voice.

"No, I wasn't!" Naruto was in full panic mode now. "You're not feminine at all!"

"I have an idea," Sasuke snapped, standing up and slamming money down on the table. "How about I show you just how unfeminine I am." He grabbed Naruto by the shirt and dragged him out, leaving Sakura and Shikamaru staring after them.

"Well," Shikamaru said, breaking the silence they had left behind. "That was strange."

"Meh," Sakura shrugged. "It happens every once in a while."

"Really?" Shikamaru chuckled. "I would never have guessed."

"Yeah…Damn!" Sakura exclaimed.

"What?"

"Naruto was supposed to fix my AC today! Ugh that sucks, I'm not gonna be free during the day for at least another week."

"Mmm," Shika hummed. "I could do it, I guess. I have some free time right now anyway."

"Really?" Sakura beamed at him. "That'd be great!"

Later:

"That was really smart of you, faking a fight to get us to leave like that," Naruto beamed at his boyfriend.

"What makes you think I was faking it?" Sasuke smirked back.

"Well, for one," Naruto laughed and rolled over so that he was on top of Sasuke, "you wouldn't have led us straight to the bed if you were really mad."

"Hn," Sasuke smiled, accepting the kisses his lover showered him with.

At the same time:

"Hm?" Kakashi said, walking into Ichiraku's. "Where'd everyone go?" Shrugging, he sat down with his ramen and pulled out his book.

/505

Finally! And I swear I'm writing this time!

Let me know what you think

Thanks

505/