Sorry about the lack of updates. But my life has been so hectic for the past ten months. I've moved twice and my grandma died ago and my cousin got married, and I've worked a lot. So, it's been a crazy few months.
To all of you that have nothing nice or helpful to say: If you don't have anything nice (or helpful) to say then don't say it at all. If you do not like the characters or the way that they're said to be in a story then don't read it. You do not need to say rude and cruel things. And if I like one of the characters that I'm writing about and decide to put them in a good light then I will do so. Yet again you do not have to read any of the stories that fall into the categories that you don't personally care for. So, don't flame someone for something they wrote if you don't like the type of story they're writing. If it is a category that you like then use constructive criticism.
Thank you for all the wonderful reviews for those of you that didn't flame me and my story because of the category it's in or because I happen to like a character more than you do.
Thanks to: A Crazy Girl Of Many Names (I'm glad you like it), I C E R E L L E (here's an update), MomoiroNeko (I'm happy you think it's funny), Suicidal Butterfly (YAY!! We have the same taste in food. I'm glad you like it and here's an update), dargonfly454 (thanks), StarFireFaerie98 (thank you), cierra (I'm sorry you cried but thanks for the wonderful review), CierraarreiC (thank you...sorry about the tears), Samantha (thanks for the review), toodles, if that's even your real name (you should be a little bit nicer and read my note at the top AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT THEN DON'T READ IT!!!!!!!!!), NorthernLights25 (thanks for the wonderful review, and here's an update.), sakura the lover (thanks, I'm glad that you love it.)
Thinking/ Emphasis on word(s)
"Talking"
Inner Sakura
Sakura-Girl 2005
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Chapter 9: A Cause For Celebration
Sakura woke up with the spot next to her empty, but still warm from body heat. I wonder where Sasuke-kun is, she thought. Looking up she saw a piece of paper lying on the pillow next to her head. She picked it up and read:
Sakura,
Don't get up. I'll be back in a few minutes with a surprise for you.
Love,
Sasuke
Hmmm wonder what the surprise is. I love surprises.
Soon there were footsteps coming from the living room of her apartment. She sat up waiting for her boyfriend to show up.
Sasuke walked into the, wearing just his boxers, room and saw that Sakura was awake.
"Good morning, Sakura."
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun." Sakura said smiling.
He walked over and set a tray of breakfast for her and himself on the bed.
"MMMMMM…..breakfast in bed, my favorite." Sakura almost moaned.
"I thought that you might like it. There's French toast, eggs, turkey sausage, and whatever fruit juice that you had in your pitcher." Sasuke said. (Just to let everyone know turkey sausage may sound gross but it is the best thing ever. I think that it is WAY better than regular sausage.)
BANG!!!! BANG!!!
"I bet that's Naruto at the door wanting to talk to me about something silly." Sakura said laughing at their friends antics.
"You eat. And I'll get the door." Sasuke told his girlfriend.
"Hey teme….WAIT A MINUTE YOU DON'T HAVE A SHIRT ON!!!!!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO SAKURA? SHE'S NOT YOUR PLAYTHING. SHE ---"
"Shut up baka. Nothing happened between Sakura and me. We just slept next to each other last night. Since we both had a really long night helping with Tenten's delivery. And I told her that I love her and she wanted us to sleep next to each other." Sasuke said claming the blond down.
"Oh okay. Well, where's Sakura? I need to ask her something." Naruto said.
"She's in her bed room eating her breakfast in bed that I made her."
"SAKURA!" Naruto cried out.
"What, Naruto?" Sakura asked.
"Well, Hinata asked me to ask you if you and the teme here would go out to dinner with us tonight."
"I guess so, and don't call Sasuke-kun a teme, Naruto. We don't have any plans do we Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked her boyfriend, walking out of her bedroom to put the dishes away from her breakfast.
"No we can go out to dinner with them, without interrupting any plans." Sasuke replied.
"Well, then you two can meet us at the Bar-B-Q place that Chouji always eats at." Naruto said.
"What we're not eating at Ichakaru's? Color me amazed," Sasuke said sarcastically. ( sorry if I got the ramen stand name wrong I couldn't remember it.)
"Shut up, teme. Hinata said that I need more variety in my diet. Like ramen isn't healthy." Naruto said whining.
"It's not Naruto." Sakura said. "Hinata knows what she's talking about. She is a medic."
"It's just that ramen is SO good."
"Whatever, dobe. Go away. We'll see you at dinner." Sasuke said, slightly rolling his eyes.
"Fine, but don't be such a jerk at dinner. Try to act a little nicer." Naruto retorted.
"I'm not nice." Sasuke replied.
Naruto just rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I'll see you guys later."
"Okay bye Naruto." Sakura said.
"Remind me again why he's my best friend." Sasuke said.
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Sakura said smiling.
"No."
XOXOXOXOXO--- Later that day ---XOXOXOXOXOXO
Everyone in Konoha was at the town meeting that day.
"For the final piece for business I have an announcement to make so if you people don't shut up you're going to regret it." Tsunade said to get everyone's attention.
"Later this week I will be announcing who will be your new Hokage. I will also be promoting one of our ANBU to captain, to take place of the current captain that will be taking my place."
"I have talked to our Counsel of Elders and they agree that the person I chose would be the best to be my successor. Some of you may have objections but I don't really care the decision has been made and nothing but the chosen person's death will change this decision." Tsunade said.
The head of the Counsel Elders came up. "This concludes the town meeting."
XOXOXOXOXO--- At Dinner that Night ---XOXOXOXOXOXO
"So what is this about?" Sasuke asked Naruto and Hinata.
"Well, we decided to treat our best friends out to dinner and to ask you two to be an important part of our wedding." Naruto answered.
"What is that?" Sakura asked.
"Well, Sasuke-teme, I was wondering if you would be my best man at the wedding. Since you are my best friend and you are like a brother to me." Naruto said a little shyly, quite a bit out of character.
"Naruto, putting aside the fact that you just insulted me, I have to say that I would be honored to be your best man." Sasuke said smirking.
"Thanks Sasuke." Naruto exclaimed.
"And Sakura-san I would like you to be one of my brides maids." Hinata said in her shy way.
"I would love to be apart of your wedding." Sakura said smiling.
"Would you also help me with the planning?" Hinata asked.
"No prob—"
"Hey I thought I was helping Hinata-chan." Naruto whined, cutting Sakura off.
"You are Naruto-kun, but it takes more than two people to plan a wedding, especially if we're going to have it as a traditional Hyuuga style wedding." Hinata told her fiancé.
"Are you nervous about your new responsibilities Naruto-kun, Sasuke-san?" Hinata asked.
"No, I'm not worried at all. I always said I'd reach my goal and I did." Naruto answered.
"I'm not worried about my new task either I mean I've already done a large portion of those responsibilities before when one of my team members were hurt." Sasuke replied.
"Oh okay, I guess that I understand where you're coming from, being clan leader for now." Hinata said. "And I may be a medic but I could never take Sakura-chan's place as head medic for the hospital or on missions."
"Well, that's because you have all the troubles of being a clan leader. And I had way more time to practice my medical Justus." Sakura said.
"Well, Sakura-chan it's not just that you have perfect chakra control and you have a fierce determination to get what you want and where you are today." Hinata replied.
"Thanks Hinata." Sakura said blushing at the complement.
They stopped talking when the waiter arrived with their food.
"I guess that we should quit talking about the upcoming excitement. So that we don't get into trouble with the Hokage." Sasuke said, putting an end to the current conversation. The rest of the group agreed and changed the subject to the coming nuptials of Naruto and Hinata.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO--- The Hokage/ANBU Ceremony ---XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
The whole village was at the ceremony to see who the next Hokage was going to be. It was going to affect all the lives in Konoha. As soon as Tsunade appeared everyone quit talking to hear what she was going to say.
"My dear people of Konoha, I have come here today to tell you who will be you next Hokage but first we need to see who we are going to promote to ANBU captain." Tsunade spoke with a power in her voice to keep everyone's attention. "Uchiha Sasuke will you please step forward and kneel before me." Sasuke walked to the front of the Ninja, who were sitting in front because out of everyone the announcements here would affect them the most, in his ANBU uniform with his mask tied to his arm, and kneeled in front of Tsunade. "Uchiha Sasuke do you accept the responsibility of captain of your own ANBU team?"
"I do" Sasuke said solemnly.
"Uchiha Sasuke do you from here on out swear that you will always protect your team?" Tsunade asked.
"I do."
"Uchiha Sasuke do you honor the oath taken by the ANBU, at the time of acceptance, that you will always and under any circumstance protect Konoha until your death?" Tsunade said as the final part of the ceremony.
"I do." Sasuke replied with certainty.
"You are now an ANBU captain and hold all the responsibilities of one from this day forward until your death. Please rise so I can give you a sign of your rank." Tsunade handed Sasuke a jet black Konoha leaf forehead protector. "Do you have anything to say to the village?"
"Yes I do. I know that most of you think that I don't deserve this title but, I have worked hard to get here. I regret betraying you. It was the worst thing that I've ever done. I feel that I have the capability of being a great protector for this village. I know that you don't trust me, but I've been back seven years. I love this village. It's my home and always will be. Thank you Tsunade-sama for selecting me as a new ANBU captain." Sasuke said with more feeling than what most people were used to hearing from him, making them think that he was sincere. With that Sasuke went back to his seat.
"Now I know all of you have been waiting for this part all week." Tsunade said smiling. "I think that person that is going to take my place is an awesome example of what and who a person and a shinobi should be. He uses guts, wit, shock, disguise, and heart to complete his missions. As a person he loves unconditionally, is loyal to a fault, is strong and he has worked so hard to get where he is today. Uzumaki Naruto come take your place as Konoha's newest Hokage."
Naruto walked up to the front of the stadium and kneeled in front of Tsunade as Sasuke just had.
"Uzumaki Naruto do you promise to care for this village?"
"I do." Naruto said soberly, shocking those who didn't know him by his complete seriousness.
"Uzumaki Naruto do you promise to uphold the law to the best of your abilities?" Tsunade asked.
"I do."
"Uzumaki Naruto do you promise to protect this village with everything that you are?"
"I do." Naruto said solemnly.
"Uzumaki Naruto do you promise to make decisions for the good of Konoha even if it mean sacrificing Konoha ninja?" Tsunade asked.
"I do."
Tsunade took the Hokage hat from her head and placed it on Naruto's head. "This is a symbol of your status and the power that you weald as Hokage." Tsunade said smiling down as tears welled up in her eyes. "Do you have any thing to say?"
"Yes. I do have something to say." Naruto said rising to face the people of Konoha. "I know that there's a large portion of you that don't want me to be Hokage because of what I contain in my body. I know all the people over the age of twenty-five know that I have the Kyuubi demon sealed inside me and most of the ninja my age know this too, but to the rest of you that don't now do. When I was younger I always wondered why everyone in the village hated me but just before I graduated from the academy I learned the reason." Naruto said this shocking everyone. "Most of you think that the Kyuubi could take hold of me any time, but that's not true and that's not having faith in the seal the Yondamie placed upon me as a baby. You are also mistaken that Kyuubi can take over me. I have spoken to him many times and he knows that he can't get out and so he had decided to help me protect the village as his dying act because he will die when I die. If the seal ever weakens I will have it strengthened but Tsunade-sama, Shizune-san, or Sakura as all three of these women are skilled in seals and medical techniques. I make this promise right along with the others I made today. Now I would like to thank the people who helped me get here. First and foremost Iruka-sensi for always being there and supporting me, Kakashi-sempai even though he's not with us anymore for being a father to me when I had none, Ero-senin for training me to be better, Obaa-chan for encouraging me. I also would like to thank my closest friends the Naras, Chouji, Shino, the Hyuugas, Kiba, Lee, the sand siblings, and my fiancé Hinata. The biggest influences for me though were Sakura and Sasuke they were my best friends through out my whole journey here and they became more than team mates they became my family. They encouraged me to be better. They were always there for me. I just wanted to let all you know that you being there for me made me want to be my best and I love you all for it. Thank you." Naruto finished and everyone stood up and applauded him. "Now let's get this party started!"
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO--- Later During the Party ---XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"Hey Sakura could I have a word with you?" Sasuke asked.
"Sure, I'll see you guys in a bit," she told Neji and Tenten, waking away with Sasuke. "What's up?"
"Sakura I've decided that I don't need to complete one goal to start on another." Sasuke said making his mind up then and there.
They were walking through the sakura tree orchard by the stadium where the ceremony was held.
"What do you mean Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked confused.
Sasuke got down on one knee, and pulled out a beautiful ring that had a sapphire and ruby in the shape of the Uchiha clan symbol, with the engraving of 'I will love you forever – Uchiha' on the inside. "I love you Hurano Sakura, and will always love you. You are the light for my dark. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. Will you marry me?"
There was a moment of shocked silence then "YES! I love you. I thought that you would never ask."
"This was my mother's engagement ring and she gave it to me before she died and I was wondering if you would wear it." Sasuke said.
"Yes. I would be honored to wear something that means so much to you." Sakura said holding out her hand. Sasuke then placed the ring on Sakura's ring finger on her left hand.
"Well, now we have to go and tell everyone." Sasuke said with a huge grin on his face.
"Why are you asking me now when Itachi is still out there?" Sakura asked.
"I'm sick of him getting in my way of happiness." Sasuke stated simply. Sakura nodded in acceptance of the statement.
They walked back into the party.
"Can I have everyone's attention please?" Sasuke cried out over the din of the party. "I have an announcement to make." When everyone had gone quiet he continued, "I just got the best news of my life. Hurano Sakura just agreed to marry me." Sasuke pulled Sakura close to his side as he said this.
Sakura smiled and said, "Yes I did. WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!"
Everyone was shocked for a second and then burst into cheers and then came up to congratulate them.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO--- Outside Later Getting Air ---XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"Finally proposed to her teme. Took you long enough." Naruto said smiling at his newly engaged friend.
"Well, I figured that now was the best time to ask her." Sasuke replied. "That and now everyone knows she's mine."
"Sasuke she's always been yours. You just recently noticed." Naruto said. "You'd better take care of her or I'll make your life a living hell."
"I love her. Of course I'll take care of her." Sasuke said indignantly.
And with that they went back into the party to celebrate being promoted and the recent engagement.
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The long awaited ninth chapter. Sorry about the delay. I hope that you enjoy this chapter because it was very difficult to write it. It took me forever to get my creative juices flowing and then it was only coming out in a trickle until just a couple of days ago.
Please Review (no flames please.
Love,
Sakura-Girl 2005