(AN: This is a sequel to my story Special, which you can find in my profile. You should read that first if you haven't, or some things won't make sense. It's a pretty good story and it's less than 10k words. If you like the pairing, you'll probably like it. So go read that first. I'll wait.

Oh, you're back? Well, enjoy.)

/

It had been one week since Naruto and Sakura had returned to Konoha. Naruto had resumed his training to become Hokage and Sakura went back to working at the hospital. Despite this, things had changed greatly for both of them.

The new couple spent as much time together as they could. They were all smiles when they were together. Naruto would bring materials that Kakashi and Tsunade had given him to study back to his apartment, and Sakura would come over and help him study. Her sharp mind was a great help to his understanding of the concepts, and when she was there, the time went by so much faster. He began to wonder how he was ever able to do it without her. They were getting closer every day.

However, not everything was going as they had expected. Naturally, Naruto did have to tell Hinata that he could no longer be with her after he returned. He felt bad about having to do that to her, but surprisingly, it wasn't as emotional of a conversation as he was expecting. He simply explained that he would always love Sakura. Hinata had told him that it was fine and that she could accept it. Naruto then said how sorry he was. But then, Hinata said something that shocked Naruto. She said that she was glad that Sakura had accepted him. She really wanted him to have happiness and she knew that being with Sakura would make him happy. This naturally made Naruto feel worse, because he understood from this that Hinata really did love him. She felt the same way about him as he had felt about Sakura and as Sakura had grown to feel about him. The blue-haired girl only wanted the best for him.

But things seemed to have changed with some of the other members of the Konoha 11. He at times had the impression that people were trying to avoid him. Naruto knew it couldn't be that they were angry about him ending things with Hinata, because she said she was fine with it. It felt almost like they pitied him. But that didn't make any sense, because he couldn't be happier. He wanted to get to the bottom of it, but he doubted it was something he would be happy to learn.

/

Sakura was over at Naruto's apartment helping him study his Hokage materials. They were sitting close together in the middle of a couch in his living room. The papers were spread out on an adjacent coffee table.

"... So, that's how the law should work in practice. I haven't heard of it being used before, but it could be important in the future with the way the world is now," Sakura explained.

"Thanks, Sakura-chan. I really understand this stuff so much better when you're the one explaining it. I don't know if it's because you're so smart, or because you're so beautiful that I can't help but pay attention," Naruto replied.

The pinkette blushed lightly and grinned at him.

"Flattery won't get you anywhere with me, Naruto. But, since you're going to try... Why can't it be both?"

Naruto grinned back at her.

"Because I can't decide... You're just as beautiful as you are smart."

Sakura frowned slightly.

"For most of my life, I didn't believe that."

"I'll keep reminding you every day. Hey, when you talked about the future... Did you think of your future with me in it?"

The pinkette smiled.

"Of course, Naruto... Don't you remember what I told you? I could never live without you. So you're stuck with me. I love you."

"I love you too, Saku-"

And she kissed him.

/

At the Akimichi BBQ restaurant, the Konoha 11 aside from Hinata, Sakura, and Naruto were eating together around a large table. A dog-like man with shaggy hair stopped eating his meal. He had a disgusted expression on his face.

"Man, can you believe Naruto? He seriously gave up Hinata... Hinata! ... For someone who isn't going to want anything to do with him when that guy comes back," Kiba spat.

The table immediately became chaotic, everyone trying to speak at once. Ino stood up from her seat next to Shikamaru.

"Everyone, shut up! Kiba, you're wrong. Forehead isn't like that." she said.

"Yeah? Then why did she never look at him before? She was so crazy over Sasuke. Then he was gone for a really long time and it was just the two of them. She never got with Naruto despite him drooling over her the whole time. Then Sasuke returned and she still wanted him despite all the crap he did. He leaves again and she was obviously waiting for him to come back, but now she just got tired of waiting. She just doesn't want to be alone. She's going to drop him like a bad habit as soon as that guy comes back. Naruto is a complete idiot."

"Look, I don't know. I haven't talked to her much about it, yet. But I know she isn't like that. She wouldn't be with someone if she really wanted to be with someone else. You're being really rude right now."

"It's none of our business whether Naruto is being stupid or not. Just let him do whatever he wants to do," Shikamaru said.

"But it isn't fair to Hinata. She's always been crazy about him and then that idiot throws her away like she's trash for Sakura, when he's not even going to be able to keep Sakura! It's ridiculous," Kiba said.

Seeing that the conversation was being carried on in a somewhat civil way, Ino sat back down.

"I don't think that this is about Sakura for you, Kiba. Why, you ask? Because you're the one who wants to be with Hinata. You couldn't care less if Sakura leaves Naruto. It's just the fact that Naruto is willing to give up something that you want more than anything that angers you. Nothing else," Shino stated.

Kiba glared at him.

"Sure, that's part of it. But I still think that we need to do something about this. Isn't Naruto supposed to be the next Hokage of this village? I may have been jealous of him, and I may think he's an idiot, but we can't just let this happen to him."

"What are we supposed to do? Naruto loves Sakura. Just let it go," Shikamaru said.

Tenten turned to where Lee was staring at his food pensively.

"Lee, what do you think?" she asked.

"I do not know. I am trying to think about what I would do in Naruto's position. I have always had a youthful love for Sakura-san, and I do not know if I could turn her away because of my fears about Uchiha Sasuke. I think I would do the same thing that he is doing," Lee replied.

Tenten raised an eyebrow.

"You mean... Just being happy to be with Sakura however long it lasts?"

Lee raised a clenched fist.

"Yes, Tenten! It's actually very beautiful! The fleeting love of youth. Naruto should hold onto it with both hands!"

Tenten sighed wearily.

"I get the feeling that Kiba is not the only one at this table who envies Naruto right now..."

"I both envy him and fear for him. I feel both of these emotions filling my youthful heart to capacity! I fear I shall explode! Tenten, you must-"

Lee moved to try and embrace Tenten. In response, she punched him into the floor.

"That's enough of that."

Ino cleared her throat nervously as Lee crawled back into his seat.

"Look, I'm sure you guys are wrong. I'll talk to Forehead tomorrow. Please don't say anything to Naruto about this. No matter what, he still loves Forehead. If he's not worried, I want him to stay that way. And certainly don't repeat any of this BS to Forehead if you want to stay safe. She'll kick your ass for assuming that about her," explained the Yamanaka.

"I agree with Ino," said Choji, speaking up for the first time.

Kiba scowled.

"I don't care what you guys do, but I'm still going to talk to Naruto. I want to kick his ass for hurting Hinata either way. If you guys call yourself his friends, you'd try to help him too," he said.

Shikamaru sighed deeply.

"Listen. Even if you're right, this is a lesson Naruto needs to learn on his own. Talking to him about it will do no good at all," he explained.

Ino turned to glare at him.

"What do you mean 'even if you're right'? He's not right! You guys aren't right! What the hell, Shikamaru?" demanded Ino.

"I'm not saying I agree... Ugh, never mind. You've heard what I have to say on this already."

The blonde girl looked around at everyone at the table.

"Seriously, what is wrong with you guys? Have you always hated Forehead or something?"

Quiet mutters of the negative were heard.

"Then what's the problem? Just trust her. Oh, I get it. You think she's not good enough for our hero. She doesn't deserve him. She's just a civilian. Not like our royal highness Hinata," Ino continued.

"Ino, I swear that's not it. But Naruto is a hero of this village. We have to do something. Are we just going to let this happen? He's almost guaranteed to be the next Hokage. It's messed up that we even have to deal with this. Sakura should have just kept waiting for that Uchiha. Either that, or she should have accepted him when that prick was still around. It's so obvious what's going to happen here. Seriously, do you have any idea what this is going to do to Naruto? You think he's going to feel like being the Hokage afterwards? I doubt it," Kiba said.

"Stop acting like you care about Naruto. It makes me sick. If you cared about him, you would have asked him about this instead of doing what you're doing. Shino was absolutely right that it's just your outrage over Hinata. You just don't want to see him happy. And from what you're saying, you definitely don't care about Forehead, who happens to be my best friend. So I'm leaving now. Goodbye."

Ino stormed out. Shikamaru looked at Choji meaningfully. After a moment, Choji got the picture and got up to follow Ino.

Kiba growled in irritation.

"Seriously, am I the only sane one here?"

Kiba looked at the others sitting around the table imploringly, trying to gather support.

"Kiba, it's simply none of our business. It doesn't matter what we think because it's none of our business. It's Naruto's life. I think I'm going to go as well. See you all later," Shikamaru said.

He stood up and walked out. There was an awkward silence at the table. Tenten looked over at Kiba.

"Let's say I did agree with you. What would you even suggest to do about it?" asked the weapon mistress.

"Make him understand that he's an idiot to think that Sakura will stay with him. Make him understand that he was an idiot to do that to Hinata!" Kiba shouted.

"So, your proposal is that we all, as a group, call Naruto an idiot for loving Sakura? I'm sure that will go over real well."

Kiba only glared at her in response.

"I have a question for you, Kiba," Shino offered.

Kiba turned to regard the Aburame with a more neutral expression.

"Okay, shoot," Kiba said.

"It is an interesting question. Why, you ask? Because I do agree with you. I believe you to be correct in your understanding of the situation. However, as I am about to ask this question, I doubt you are going to appreciate that fact for much longer."

The dog ninja's expression began to grow sour again.

"Just say it already. I hate it when you do this."

"Imagine, if you will, that Uchiha Sasuke had never left our village. That he instead remained, and chose to return Sakura's affections at some point. One day, Hinata declares to you that she is tired of waiting for Naruto to return her interests. She wishes to have a relationship with you. What would you do?"

Kiba's eyes moved up and to the left as he pondered this.

"Uh... I would ask her if she would feel like leaving me if Naruto asked her out."

Shino smiled, though it was not visible due to his jacket collar.

"Let us suppose she responds in the negative."

Kiba raised an eyebrow.

"Then I would go out with her. I see what you're trying to do, but Shino-"

The bug ninja interrupted Kiba.

"Is there any reason to think that Naruto failed to do the same?"

Kiba only stared blankly back at Shino. The table fell silent. After some time, Tenten stood up.

"Well, that does it for me. I feel bad for Naruto if Kiba is right, but I don't see any point in getting involved. I'm going to go. Are you coming with, Lee?" she said.

The protege of Might Guy stood to attention at light speed.

"Yes! Let us resume our training and take our minds off of this at once! We must simply have faith in Naruto's youth," Lee replied.

The pair left. Shino was still smiling invisibly at Kiba.

"Well, I still want to kick his ass for hurting Hinata. I'm at least going to do that," Kiba said.

Shino simply nodded and turned back to his meal.

/

It was the next day, and Naruto had no obligations in regards to Hokage training. Sakura had to work at the hospital, so he decided to enjoy himself walking around the village as he thought about what it would be like when he was Hokage. He had been doing so for a while, exchanging greetings with the villagers. When he passed by the Inuzuka kennels, he saw Kiba leaving the building. The dog ninja was walking at a fast pace. Naruto tried to approach him.

"Hey, Kiba," the blonde called.

Kiba turned to regard him with a scowl.

"I would kick your ass for Hinata, but I don't have time right now," he replied.

The Inuzuka started to walk faster away from Naruto.

"Kiba, wait!"

Kiba stopped and turned to face him.

"What do you want?"

Naruto ran up to him and gave him a questioning look.

"Hey, why are people acting weird around me? I don't understand. Hinata isn't that upset over what happened..."

"Hmph. It's because you're a fool."

Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"What? I'm not a fool."

Kiba's expression soured even more.

"Yes you are. You gave up Hinata for Sakura, when Sakura is just going to end up leaving you for that stupid traitor. And the worst part is that Hinata still loves you, so even after that happens, she's probably going to feel bad for you and take you back. It's so unfair. You're a complete idiot, and yet-"

Naruto's expression became similar to Kiba's as the dog ninja went on.

"Wait! I don't get it. Why do you say that?"

"That you're an idiot? Because-"

"No! That Sakura-chan would leave me for Teme. Why do you think that?"

Kiba smirked in a rather cruel fashion.

"Let me guess, she told you that she wouldn't?"

Naruto stared at him blankly, feeling quite confused.

"Uh... No? She didn't need to say anything like that to me."

Kiba groaned.

"Oh my god. Are you actually so desperate that you didn't even ask? And Hinata is in love with YOU? I can't believe this. Life is so cruel sometimes."

"Desperate...? I don't-"

"Look, I have somewhere to be. I don't have time to explain the obvious to you. Think about it."

Kiba walked off, leaving Naruto in his confused state.

/

Later in the day, Naruto decided to go look at the training fields. He was very troubled with what had occurred with Kiba.

When he arrived, he saw Lee and Tenten practicing with some training dummies. He waved at them and went to join them.

"Hey, you two. How's it going?" Naruto greeted.

"Hi, Naruto," Tenten replied.

"Greetings, Naruto! How are things with the youthful Sakura-chan?" Lee said.

"They're great. We're really close now. I couldn't be happier," Naruto replied with a little bit of defiance.

Lee began to cry theatrically.

"Oh Naruto! What youth! Enjoy every moment to the fullest! With nothing held back in fear of sadness that may come later! I am bursting with adoration for you!"

Naruto gave him a blank stare. He had a sense of deja vu.

"Uh..."

"Lee, shut up. Naruto, I'm sorry. He's just being stupid," Tenten replied.

Naruto looked at her with some relief. The chastised Lee went back to focusing on hitting the training dummies.

"You're right, it is stupid. Tenten, tell me that you don't also believe this garbage about Sakura-chan?"

The weapons mistress looked at him with surprise.

"Well... It's not really any of my business."

Naruto looked off into the distance with a hurt expression.

"So you do..."

Tenten looked at him apologetically.

"No, Naruto, I don't, really. I don't know. It's been talked about, but it's none of my business."

Naruto turned to face her, looking downtrodden.

"I don't hear you saying that you do believe she loves me."

Tenten flinched. She looked at him pitifully.

"Naruto, calm down. I'm sure that she does. I don't think she's gonna leave you for Sasuke. She would be stupid to do that. You have everything going for you. I'm sorry for acting like that."

As Tenten spoke, Naruto felt himself growing angrier. He was glaring at her by the time she finished.

"You don't understand."

Tenten looked at him quizzically.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You don't understand!"

He blasted a hole in a nearby dummy with Rasengan to accentuate this. Tenten gaped at him in shock. Lee stopped striking his dummy and also gaped.

"I'm not worried that she doesn't love me. I know she does. I was worried that you thought that about her. That she'd be with me when she doesn't love me. And you clearly do. And so does Lee. And Kiba. And that makes me angry."

"Naruto..."

The blonde glanced over at Lee for a moment. He turned back to Tenten and regarded her with an almost murderous intent.

"Tell me... Does everyone think the same?"

The wide-eyed Tenten didn't answer right away.

"Do they?! I doubt Neji would have ever been like this. I am so disappointed in you guys. Kiba, I can understand. But you two... I thought we were friends," Naruto spat.

Tenten gave him a horrified look. Lee just kept staring wide-eyed.

"We are! People are just worried about you. They're concerned that you might be hurt. That's all!"

Naruto's eyes narrowed.

"Oh... They're trying to protect me from being hurt?"

"Yes... That's all. People just want to make sure that nothing bad will happen to you since you're going to be our next Hokage. If it were one of us, I doubt anyone would make an issue of it. But since you're so important to this village, Kiba was saying that we can't just stand by when you might be-"

Naruto grimaced.

"Shut up."

Tenten flinched before looking at the blonde miserably.

"Naruto... I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to upset you or talk badly about Sakura and I don't think Lee did either. But..."

He looked back at her with no anger, just bitterness.

"Please... Don't say that it's to protect me. I don't know why you're really doing it, and I wish you would stop, but either way, don't say that again. You have no idea what you're doing to me."

"Naruto, I don't understand... I know that you're angry about people not trusting Sakura, but I don't see how it's-"

"I'm not angry anymore. But the fact that people think that about her makes me feel terrible. You don't understand how amazing she is. She could never do what you're suggesting."

The weapons mistress gave him a placating look.

"Okay, Naruto..."

Naruto frowned.

"No, it's not okay. I am so disappointed. I never want Sakura-chan to hear about this. Can you at least tell me who else I need to tell not to try and protect me? Was it just you, Lee, and Kiba?"

Tenten looked off to the side pensively.

"Well... Ino was the one who was defending her when Kiba said those things. Shikamaru and Choji seemed to agree. I guess that would just leave Shino, since Hinata wasn't there?"

Naruto glanced sideways at Lee again before looking back at the girl with buns in her hair.

"Okay. Thank you. Goodbye, Tenten."

"I'm sorry again. Bye, Naru-"

Naruto had flashed away before Tenten finished speaking. She glared at Lee furiously.

"Why did you say that? What were you thinking?"

Lee looked back at her with alarm.

"If he hates us now, I'm not going to forgive you for that stupid stunt. You just had to gush about youth like you always do. Did you see how he was just now? He wasn't worried about Sakura! He was worried about us!" Tenten continued.

"Tenten...! I am sorry... I did not think he would-"

"I told you I didn't want to get involved. I told you! I told you Naruto doesn't like it when you mess with the people he cares about. He's downright scary when you do that. Idiot! Sakura is one of them!"

Tenten stormed off. Lee could only look down in shame.