Mother's Day, w00t!
So I'm home from a hard nights' work and I finally get home eager to see my dad off before he left on his next truck-driving excursion and I missed him by like 5 minutes *cry*. Oh well, he'll be home Thursday night. heheh. I fixed up my myspace again and got this nifty new mp3 thingy, so instead of trying to find songs worthy of my myspace I can just upload my own. Ha! lol.
So I'm going to test out this lj-cut thing I've been hearing about with a chapter of a story. If it works I'm going to use this site to post my stories for my friends who like to read my fiction... but because Adultfiction.net is down *beats AFF.net with a large stick* they can't. This is just easier.
So while I go eat some breakfast enjoy the first chapter of Catalyst.
Catalyst
Shikashinigami
Author Notes: I do not own Naruto... Thus ends my disclaimer.
Chapter One... Seraphim
Gray masses of clouds huddled over the village of Konohakagure. Rain trickled softly out of the clouds as many of the village’s aspiring students gathered in the town’s center, idly chatting about what they planned to do after the long weekend, or about what they had done last weekend.
Or about what they did yesterday... the kind of idle chatter that makes you feel at home in a crowd. Well, sort of.
"Sakura?"
"SA-KU-RA!"
Ino shrugged. What could she do... the girl was zoning out again. She smacked Sakura over the head and quirked her now twitching eyebrow. It seemed Sakura was zoning out a lot lately. A lot! Though, she never shared with Ino what it was she was thinking of.
Of course Ino hadn’t figured out that if she’d have followed Sakura’s gaze she would have found out immediately. Ino merely placed blame on the newly induced stress of the upcoming Jounin exams.
Meanwhile, Naruto was perched on the top of the fence bordering the outcropping of the small monument placed in the center of Konoha. Leaning back, letting the rain play over his face he shook his head as the water ran in enticing streaks down his face, scattering the droplets around him.
Sakura blinked. She was doing it again... staring at Naruto like that. She glanced at Ino with an apologetic air as she rubbed the small bump forming from the blonde’s fist. "Sakura! What’s with you, you aren’t listening to a thing I say." She crossed her arms... obviously demanding an explanation. Sakura blinked and sighed. Ino was her best friend and confidante...
She shrugged. What the hell...
Ino looked vaguely like she had been insulted by Sakura’s lack of sharing and Sakura huffed, deciding against her better judgment and the chance of Ino interfering. Pulling Ino by the hand she led her away from the gathering, upon glancing around she determined they were far enough away from the gathering even Kakashi would not be able to hear her... had he arrived yet.
"Ino..." she started, glancing around again. Letting her voice fall lower as she continued. "Have you noticed... well, Naruto lately?" Ino blinked and then blinked again. "What do you mean?" Sakura sighed, and looked a little lost for a moment. "Sakura? Do you have a crush on Naruto?" Sakura looked again at Ino and scrunched her nose. She pushed some hair back from her face and glanced at her old friend again.
Ino looked back when she noticed Sakura zone out again. Finally realizing the cause behind the pauses. She followed Sakura’s gaze. Naruto was sitting up on the fence surrounding the monument... Ino blinked, her attention catching, he looked different somehow...
Sakura watched as he pulled one leg up setting his foot on the fence, keeping his balance easily. His hair had grown a bit longer and was now plastered to his face lingering in his eyes that were glancing now toward the ground, lidded orbs of ocean blue. His headband was pulled down around his throat... out of his way.
Naruto felt strange, like someone was watching him or something. He glanced around looking for the culprit though it seemed no one was... wait, nope just a nasty look. He shook his head again. This time in disbelief. All these years... he was nearly nineteen after all, and a few of the more stubborn villagers still looked at him as though he were a disgusting bug that needed to be squashed quickly.
That must be where the feeling was coming from...
Ino blinked and nodded when Sakura looked at her, "he’s kind of well, good looking. Isn’t he?" Sakura blinked, surprised she hadn’t been developing insanity... Ino had actually agreed with her! It was weird though... he wasn’t even wearing his customary bright orange, just a black shirt with some khaki pants. She had never noticed he began dressing differently... then again, she hadn’t seen him in a while either. He seemed to be busy all the time. Mostly with more advanced missions. Everyone knew he was pretty much the strongest ninja in the village... especially with his teachers... and the Kyuubi didn’t hurt either.
Another figure wandered through the crowd stepping into Ino and Sakura’s line of sight. Another leader of the town’s bishounen this time with black hair...
It seemed a white tee and black pants fit Sasuke as much as Khaki fit Naruto. They glanced at each other and Sasuke hopped up on the fence next to Naruto. Ino looked again at Sakura who had a confused look plastered across her face. Ino wasn’t sure she should console Sakura, or slap her, to snap her out of her mini trance.
Naruto looked at Sasuke and said something, Sasuke smirked and Naruto looked back up at the sky closing his eyes against the beating rain.
Ino turned back to Sakura shaking her slightly to rid her of that confused look. Sakura blinked and looked at Ino again. "Ino... you like Shikamaru right?" Ino nodded looking a little confused herself at the odd question.
Sakura smiled... and looked down, "it seems that Naruto’s crush broke off at an unfortunate time."
Ino looked downright shocked. Even since they had been Genin Naruto’d had such a big crush on Sakura and she had blatantly refused him every time, after he and Sasuke had finally became Chuunin though, after Sasuke had been dragged back remorsefully by a broken and battered Naruto, that had ebbed away quickly as Naruto found other things and people to keep him company. Most of his time was spent with Sasuke, his best friend and he occasionally went out with the ever so quiet Hyuuga Hinata.
A twinge of jealousy shot down Sakura’s spine and she suddenly realized the irony of her situation, even a wet Sasuke in a white tee shirt did absolutely nothing, one glance at Naruto though... she sighed dejectedly as Hinata walked over to them and began talking. Naruto smiled and nodded... Sasuke actually laughed.
If only Sakura had known the content of their conversation.
"Naruto-kun, uh Sasuke-kun? Are you going out on Saturday..." A small blush grazed her face, as Naruto nodded and Sasuke laughed. "Your welcome to come with us if you like Hinata..." Naruto had leant closer to her and put on his sexy grin. Hinata blushed even more furiously. "Uh..." she coughed. "I’d rather not." Sasuke smirked and allowed himself some open laughter. A few people around turned and looked with wide eyes.
Ino watched Naruto flirt with Hinata and got a little red herself, it seemed Naruto had reached Sasuke’s level of... well, the appearance of. How could she put this... he had become one of those guys girls worshiped as a sex god.
And poor Sakura had noticed.
"Well, that’s interesting..." Shikamaru nodded in agreement with Shino’s statement. He ran a hand through his hair and stuffed it back into his pocket. "Yeah... interesting." He glanced back at the threesome and wondered just what exactly was going on. Watching Ino’s expressions carefully, it looked as though she had realized something... but what was the question.
It kind of irked Shikamaru how quickly Naruto had changed... he had always been part of the outcast group. Now he was, well... he was a good student, he had learnt every technique the two Senin had to teach him... he hung out with Sasuke and he had even exchanged his customary orange with more subdued clothing, now he was being labeled, Shikamaru had heard many girls in the village say this, as a walking, talking, breathing, sex god. Just like Sasuke. And Shikamaru had seen him in action.
A few weeks ago a girl had approached him. "Naruto-kuunnn" She wiggled the best she could. Shikamaru had nearly laughed out loud at the sight. "Would you like to come to my party this weekend? Everyone will be there." Naruto leant closer to the girl and smirk closing his eyes slightly. "Everyone...hmmm?" He glanced behind him as he felt Sasuke approach. Shikamaru stopped at that thought.
He swore that Sasuke had looked angry when he’d first walked up... angry at that girl. Shikamaru shrugged. Naruto had answered with "and when is this party of yours... Mitsuki-channn." Shikamaru rolled his eyes and relived surprise again Naruto had nearly purred that phrase out. Causing the girl to melt right there on the spot. You could practically see the hearts in her eyes. "Saturday..." Sasuke walked up behind Naruto radiating dangerously with the anger he had built up and Naruto smirked. Allowing Sasuke to speak for him. "Naruto is... busy on Saturday..."
A sudden cloud of smoke in the center of the gathering had caught the attention of all those gathered, breaking Shikamaru’s concentration. Though now that he thought of it... on every such encounter Sasuke had always been lingering near Naruto... strange. He was an incredibly protective best friend, Shikamaru just knew something was off.
The smoke cleared away to reveal none other that the notoriously late Hatake Kakashi.
"Good afternoon everyone." He said in his usually emotionally lacking voice as he waved slightly, his eye curling into the resemblance of a smile.
"I’ve come to deliver your first orders for the Jounin exams..." He shoved his hands in his pockets, glancing around.
"You will all be put into groups of four. Each group leader with then be given orders specific to their own group... You are dismissed until tomorrow."
Groans reverberated through the crown, they had waited in the rain for an hour to receive a minute of orders.
Kakashi smirked under his mask... only three of the Chuunin could tell. "Iruka-sensei will present tomorrow’s orders along with Kurenai-sensei and Ibiki-sensei."
Naruto smiled slightly at the prospect, he hadn’t seen Iruka in a while wouldn’t he be surprised... he chuckled slightly and glanced at Sasuke.
"Shall we?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow and smirked as he jumped down off the fence. "Is that an invitation?" Naruto laughed causing Sasuke’s eyes to close a little, he could drink that laugh forever... "Let’s just go."
Sasuke grabbed the front of Naruto’s shirt and tugged firmly, pulling Naruto forward. He slipped off the fence and landed easily on his feet. A few of the girls surrounding the area sighed dreamily at the interaction and grace of the two... and a few of the boys tried to call attention back from their girlfriends...
Naruto smirked and slid his hands into his damp pockets walking easily next to Sasuke. Hinata caught up on the other side and smiled at the two. Naruto loved having Hinata around, she was kind and excepted their relationship. She even enjoyed doing things with the couple. She thought they were cute. Sasuke enjoyed the fact that just being around Naruto made the girl happy, he could understand that train of thought completely. Hinata was... very sweet. Sasuke liked the girl.
Shikamaru and Shino walked over to where Ino and Sakura stood, gossiping no doubt. Ino noticed them out of the corner of her eye shoving Sakura softly to wake her out of the trance she’d gone into watching the two leave. "Oi, Shikamaru," She hugged him and greeted Shino also. Sakura nodded to each respectively bowing slightly and Shino did the same.
"Are we still on for dinner tonight Ino?" Shikamaru asked, slipping his arm around the blonde girl. He looked at her as she nodded smiling sweetly. "Where do you want to go?" Ino shrugged taking on a contemplating look. "I’m not in the mood for anything really expensive..." She had an idea. She turned around walking backwards. "Sakura are you going home right away?" Sakura looked up nodding. Shikamaru looked at Shino who nodded as well, he shrugged.
"I’ll call you okay Sakura?" Sakura nodded, turning off onto her street as Ino and Shikamaru turned in the opposite direction. Shikamaru waved and Shino disappeared, he lived on the border of town and he wasn’t happy wet... naturally he’d want to hurry home.
"Shikamaru... there’s something I wanted to ask you..." Shikamaru looked down as Ino put a hand to her chin, thinking. "Hm?"
"Have you noticed anything... well, odd about Naruto lately?" Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Let’s talk about it once we get back to my place." She nodded and continued her contemplation as they walked. Leaving Shikamaru to do some thinking of his own.
Sasuke listened on as Naruto and Hinata talked on about whatever things came into their minds. Sasuke was glad Naruto had a friend as good as Hinata. Sasuke had thought it rather funny how people perceived Hinata as Naruto’s girlfriend and he as Naruto’s best friend when it couldn’t be farther from the truth. He smirked as Naruto said something that had made he and the girl giggle.
Shikamaru handed Ino a towel to dry her hair. He was glad she had grown it out again. He loved her hair, he had almost fainted when she had cut it off during the Chuunin exams. He glanced at her as she toweled her hair dry, he felt strangely possessive when she wore his clothes, she claimed she liked the smell of his clothing... which was weird, sweet but weird.
He smiled softly as he watched her, remembering what she had asked earlier he decided to prod a little more.
"So what were you saying earlier about Naruto?" He asked, toweling his own hair dry, Ino looked up. Distracted for a moment by the sight of her Shikamaru with his hair down. She sighed softly before responding. "Oh, well haven’t you noticed he’s been acting weird lately?" Shikamaru leaned back into the couch, draping the towel over his head. "Well, besides the whole attitude shift and his wardrobe... not really. Why do you ask?"
Ino turned leaning sideways into the couch. "Well..." She poked him in the cheek. "You have to promise me you won’t tell anyone... not even Shino." He glanced sidelong at her, drawing a cross on his chest. "Cross my heart..." Ino nodded. "Well, Sakura... she has a crush on Naruto." Shikamaru blinked. "That’s too bad, it’s a little late for that don’t you think?" Ino nodded grimly.
"She zones out constantly when he’s in her line of vision. She just... stares at him. The sad part is even today in the rain with a very wet Sasuke near him, and you know how much she liked Sasuke, she couldn’t even pay attention to me talking to her." Ino sighed. She felt kind of bad for Sakura. "On top of that, it’s obvious he’s involved with Hinata..."
Shikamaru, thought about that. "Yeah... you know I’m not so sure about that..."
Ino stared at him for a bit before retorting, "what do you mean?" He shrugged, "did you ever notice how Sasuke is always somewhere lingering near Naruto... he’s completely possessive." Ino blinked, "but he’s Naruto’s best friend... it’s typical he would be possessive, and it’s not like we know how Sasuke would act around friends, because until Naruto he didn’t really have any."
Shikamaru let his head fall against the back of the couch. "True..." He glanced at Ino, "you thinking what I’m thinking?" Ino blinked, "you’re actually going to let me snoop." Shikamaru smirked. "Only when you let me help you... I’m just as curious to find out what’s really going on."
Ino laughed... ‘yeah, right like they’re actually together...’ She nudged closer to Shikamaru and rested her head on his shoulder. "You mind if I spend the night. I really don’t feel like going back into the rain..." Shikamaru smirked and pulled on her hand gently, standing. "Not at all." She hit him following him to his bedroom. "You perv..." She smirked and shut the door behind her.
Naruto put a hand to his chin, scratching softly while digging through his closet. "Hmmm..." Finally he decided he would look at the weather before he chose what he would wear. He walked to window and peered out. Looking around, it was nice out. It was sunny, and warm... with a nice breeze. Perfect. Not that he really put much thought into it you see, but it was Friday and the instructions for the exams the following Monday were to be given. Not to mention, he had the weekend off...
Finally deciding, he pulled out a black sleeveless shirt and a pair of jeans that Sasuke had given him. They looked a little worn but, they were really comfortable.
He went into the bathroom and ran a hand through his hair... unruly, but oh so sexy. He grinned at his reflection and winked once before leaving the room, laughing. He put on his beloved necklace, as was heading down the stairs of his apartment... well, it was more like a house... but he called it an apartment. After all a house was somewhere you lived with your family...
You see when Naruto turned eighteen, he was given what his father had left to him... erase that. The Fourth Hokage’s money and house... he inherited it. And what a nice surprise that was. It was only a year ago... but he’d bought some new clothes and a few things to fill his new place to live. His apartment was falling to pieces anyway, and he figured he deserved a little luxury after a life of scorn and mal-contempt. So he gladly excepted what his father had left him.
He hopped up on the counter of his kitchen grabbing an apple from the dish of fruit that sat on the counter-top and shoved it in his mouth... because although, it was his favorite meal... he didn’t eat raman 24/7 contrary to popular belief.
A brief tap on the door caught his attention. He raised an eyebrow taking another bite, before stepping off the counter to answer the front door. He walked through the living room and into the entryway, opening the door to a slightly outraged looking Sasuke. Naruto raised an eyebrow and stepped aside, granting Sasuke entrance. Before closing the door and swallowing.
He smirked at soft mutters of ‘deranged fan-girls and rabid salesmen,’ and held back a light laugh. Sasuke never did have much luck with going unnoticed through the streets of Konoha. Respect had nothing to do with it. People could be crazy when they were star-struck.
Sasuke turned and took a deep breath, before he spotted the amused looking Naruto eating an apple. He sighed, and made an apologetic gesture. "Ready?"
Naruto blinked. "You came to pick me up?" ‘Ohhh how sweet...’ Sasuke eyed him. ‘Haha, like he was going to say that out loud’. Naruto had a sneaking suspicion Sasuke had expected him to make some smart-assed comment... but, was relieved when he didn’t.
"Let’s go then." Naruto grabbed his flak jacket off the stand next to the door, slipped his sandals on, and they were off.
Half way to the center of town, a faint ‘Naruto-kun’ caught Naruto’s attention and he turned in the direction of the voice, only to find one Yamanaka Ino running toward them. Naruto sweat-dropped as Sasuke made a disgruntled sound in the back of his throat.
"Naruto-kun." Ino stopped short and walked the last few feet to where they stood, "are you heading to the meeting place?" Naruto nodded while finishing off the last of his apple, tossing it in a waste receptacle near them, and Sasuke made a noncommital grunting sound... causing Naruto to roll his eyes.
"Say... Naruto-kun. I have a question for you." Ino batted her eyelashes at him, Sasuke growled softly in the back of his throat before turning and beginning to walk. Naruto chuckled softly and turned motioning for Ino to walk with him. "What would you like to ask Ino-san?" She smiled... "No need to be so formal Naruto-kun."
Naruto blinked at her... deciding her motives were in vain and Sasuke waaaasss still listening. "Well then, Ino-chan. What is it you’d like to ask?" He grinned at her and Ino took a deep breath before steeling her nerves. "Do you still have a crush on Sakura?"
Naruto blinked, surprised at the bluntness of her outburst. He sighed, "er... no. I don’t. Why do you ask?" He looked at Ino, who was concentrating much to closely on the ground in front of them, trying to ignore the fact Naruto looked quite pleasant that day. Naruto looked up at the clouds while Ino came up with her answer. He should join Shikamaru in his cloud watching again sometime soon... or maybe Sasuke would...
"Well, you see... Sakura-chan has sort of... well. I can’t really say. But, you like Hinata-san now, huh?" Ino interrupted. Naruto glanced at her... a little put out by that glint in her eye. She was up to something... He glanced at Sasuke who had his head down. He too, was wondering how Naruto would answer.
"Yes, I suppose I do like Hinata-chan... she’s very sweet, you know." Naruto grinned and rubbed the back of his head, itching that ever-lasting scratch.
Sasuke smirked to himself. ‘Clever Naruto... clever indeed.’ Ino would never guess he was indicating he liked Hinata as a friend, she would hear what she wanted and report back to Sakura accordingly. He took a deep breath and inhaled the summer air. It was a much nicer day than the one before... although, he really... like the rain. He considered again, making his and Naruto’s relationship public... he’d have to think over it carefully first.
"Well then, I’ll see you later Naruto-kun." Ino waved and walked away with the information she had come for. Naruto meanwhile walked a little faster to match Sasuke’s stride and murmured...
"They can never just say ‘hi’ can they?"
Sasuke shook his head slightly. "Women, never give up Naruto..."
Naruto shivered a little at the thought of having a fan club like Sasuke had... his had only just began forming. His future was therefore, destined to be hell... unless...
Sasuke, catching onto Naruto’s train of thought, derailed it in a moment. "Not yet, Naruto... not yet." Naruto sighed dreamily and Sasuke laughed. Swatting playfully at the blondes head.
The meeting area was already decently crowded when Sasuke and Naruto took their places on the fence near the monument. It was theirs... they had sat in the same place yesterday and no one would dare, challenge the claim. Well... that is almost no one.
"Hey, fox-boy! I was gonna sit there!" A high pitched yap, gave away the identity of the person immediately. "But, Kiba..." Naruto hopped off the bench and strode too close to Kiba... "If you wanted to sit next to Sasuke." He whispered in Kiba’s ear... "you’d have to fight me first." Kiba felt heat rise in his face and swatted Naruto away, who laughed quite merrily. Sasuke smirked as Naruto hopped back up next to him.
Kiba shook his head... ‘two completely different styles of grace.’ Naruto feral and Sasuke swift precision. He was looking forward to their next sparring session. They always attracted quite a crowd. The guys taking notes and the girls drooling all over themselves.
Much to Sasuke’s dismay a quiet ‘ahem’ pulled them from their friendly conversation. Naruto turned to see Sakura standing near Sasuke and felt the back of his neck bristle before she took a step toward him. He saw Sasuke’s frown out of the corner of his eye, undoubtedly wearing a frown of his own.
"Sakura-chan... How have you been?" She took another step and Naruto got a weird feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Na-Naruto-kun can I speak with you for a moment?"
Naruto put on a blank expression and turned toward Sasuke slightly before he felt a light tap on his arm. "Naruto-kun..." Naruto grinned and turned. "Hinata-chan!" He smiled brightly at her and she smiled, happy to be treated so kindly. Sakura’s expression diminished slightly before Naruto turned back to her. Motioning for her to follow.
He walked to the outskirts of the meeting group before beginning to speak. He felt Sasuke’s eyes, and Hinata’s Byuukugan and almost grinned at the way his friends protected him. "Listen Sakura... Ino talked to me earlier... which was strange... and now your calling me Naruto-kun... which has redefined strange. What is going on?"
As he waited for an explanation he had the joy of watching red creep up Sakura’s neck and into her cheeks. "Listen... Naruto-" She hesitated. "-kun... I know I haven’t been very kind to you... but," he turned slightly... and she looked up to see Sasuke glaring at her... she gulped and continued. "-but, I’ve realized how wrong I was and now I’d like to know if you would accompany me to the movies this Saturday... I-" A voice cut her off. "Naruto... is busy on Saturday..."
Sakura looked up to see Sasuke standing next to Naruto... while Naruto looked at him oddly. Sakura brushed it off as the protectiveness of a best friend... but, she started to continue... "well, maybe then-" Naruto cut her off this time, as he turned away, he folded his arms behind his head and looked sidelong back at her. "You had your chance Sakura-chan." She heard him say something else before he vanished in a puff of chakara induced flames, "you blew it... it’s too late."
Hinata looked at her apologetically before walking back over the area they had been before near the fence, sensing Sakura with her byuukugan she watched her turn and run away with vigor. She’d be in trouble for missing the meeting... Sakura wouldn’t likely become a Jounin this year.
Naruto took a deep breath before whining... "Saaasssuke... that was scary. I thought she was going to kill me." Sasuke, shook his head in dismay... Hinata and Kiba laughing while Akamaru, jumped up on his leg in a way meant to comfort him. Naruto grinned and ruffled the puppy’s hair. "Akamaru..." he sobbed dramatically... " you’ve always been there for me." Sasuke smacked him in the back of the head and they all laughed again.
A pair of eyes watched the event closely... Shikamaru turned... "you should go make sure Sakura’s alright." Ino nodded and turned in the direction Sakura had gone. Shikamaru wandered toward the gathering. And listened in.
"Na... Shikamaru... you shouldn’t eavesdrop." Shikamaru sweat dropped as he turned to a Naruto bunshin behind him. He grinned at the original. Naruto... it seemed had gotten smarter...
Maybe, this would be more difficult that he thought.
Before Shikamaru could get too deep in his revelations, there were three puffs of smoke and a moment later three instructors. Iruka sensei held up a sheet of paper, and silence fluttered through the small crowd.
"I will call out the teams and team captains. Captains first." Iruka, held up the sheet in front of him as he began to call out names.
"Hyuuga Hinata, Yamanaka Ino, Inuzuka Kiba, and ...Akamichi Chouji" He paused and continued to the next team.
"Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura and Nara Shikamaru." Naruto groaned inwardly, he’d be stuck with Sakura...
"Abarame Shino...
They sat patiently through the rest of the listings...
Sasuke and Naruto exchanging secretive glances, while Hinata and Kiba rolled their eyes.
After the teams had been announced, Ibiki-sensei had given the team leaders the folders for their tests and were given the small list of rules, before they were dismissed. Naruto, Sasuke, Kiba and Hinata. Walked together... deciding the prospect of ice cream on such a beautiful day, sounded better than going their separate ways. Hinata, had the daunting task of finding Ino and Sakura... and wanted a treat before the task.
Amazingly... Kiba had decided he would treat.
Which made Naruto suspicious and two bickered the entire way to the ice cream shop.
Hinata and Sasuke stayed back and grinned softly at the two morons... both grins affectionate.
They walked up to the ice cream shop and placed their orders, waiting for the keeper to finish making them. Sasuke turned to Naruto and nudged him, indicating behind him.
Naruto turned to see Sakura sitting on the bench next to Ino who was patting her back comfortingly.
Naruto rolled his eyes, and Sasuke smirked. Having no sympathy for Sakura, he’d given her 12 years to come around and she’d blatantly refused each of his advances. He wasn’t about to give up Sasuke for her. She’d have to kidnap him first. He shuddered at the thought... if Sakura was a member of his fan club, then... he shook the thought from his head. That was stupid... ‘stop thinking’...
The lady who had their ice cream handed them each their orders and Naruto dug in happily. As he followed Hinata and Kiba through the park. He had forgotten about Sakura and Ino sitting on the bench there...
As he walked he heard a soft sigh and a familiar hand draped around his waist as Sasuke also dug into his ice cream cone.
Ino looked up to see the group walk by... she blinked at the affectionate conversation that Kiba and Hinata were carrying on, Akamaru resting comfortably in Hinata’s arms as she ate her ice cream with one hand. Occasionally sharing with the puppy. She saw Naruto and Sasuke lagging behind them and did a double take when she saw Sasuke drape an arm around around Naruto’s waist.
‘No way...’
Ino watched Naruto closely as he made no effort to neither remove Sasuke’s arm or flinched at the contact... more surprisingly Sasuke looked quite content with touching Naruto... Sasuke didn’t like contact, with anyone... but...
Ino shook her head softly, glad Sakura wasn’t paying attention... she’d have to talk to Shikamaru later... this was a very... interesting development. And a really, sexy one too.
If there was something going on... they would have to join fan clubs and start stalking the couple... what an impact that would make...
Ino ushered Sakura up off the bench after the group had passed and back to Ino’s apartment. Ino made some tea and they sat in the living area and talked quietly. After an hour or so Ino had Sakura calmed enough to sit comfortably.
"Sakura... perhaps, you should look else where, um..." Sakura looked up at her and Ino smiled softly. "I know it’s difficult to hear. But, Naruto has... moved on." Ino looked at the carpet, a seemingly interesting spot on the floor. Sakura nodded barely and turned to Ino. "I think your right... Ino, I know your right. It’s obvious Naruto has..." she paused. "Found someone... but, I need time I think." She sat quietly for a moment, before she giggled.
Ino stared for a moment before giggling softly herself... both realizing the irony.
Later that night, Sakura left Ino’s house, after having a nice meal, Ino was a surprisingly good cook, and chatting for most of the evening. Sakura felt better than she had in a long while. She even greeted Lee when he said his usual ‘hello Sakura-chan’. He stopped and grinned widely before turning on his way.
Sakura laughed softly and went back to her house...
She sat for a moment contemplating, before picking up the phone and dialing the number that she had memorized. It rang twice before there was a breathless, "hello?"
"Naruto-kun, it’s Sakura... um. I wanted to apologize for my actions earlier... it should have obvious to me that you were-" There was mumbling on the other side of the conversation and Sakura stopped for a moment, sure she had heard Sasuke talk... "Naruto?" Naruto came back on before she could confirm the voice. "Sorry, Sakura-chan... I accept your apology, um. Perhaps we could have lunch sometime, ne? I don’t want to have to stop being friends."
Sasuke crawled up Naruto and buried his head in the crook of Naruto’s shoulder, leaving a mark in the trail of kisses he left. He grinned when Naruto sighed softly, content. He caught the blonde’s lips in a passionate kiss, when the phone rang.
Naruto huffed and turned to answer, "Hello?" Sasuke smirked at the way the blonde was breathing more harshly than he should have. Naruto’s eyes widened and he put a hand over the receiver. "What is it?" Sasuke said worried, Naruto shook his head softly, "It’s Sakura-chan... she wants to apologize." Sasuke shook his head and made himself comfortable next to Naruto, and the familiar heat the kyuubi holder gave off.
When Naruto hung up Sasuke went back to what he’d been doing... Naruto grinned and pushed Sasuke off, laughing... "stop! That tickles you know!" Sasuke huffed and fell back onto Naruto’s bed as the blonde got up pacing around a bit. "Do you suppose she’s up to something?" He glanced at Sasuke who shrugged.
"Who knows..."
Meanwhile Ino walked over to Shikamaru’s apartment. She was immensely relieved Sakura had given up so easily... when they’d been younger they had fought so voraciously after Sasuke-kun. But, if Sakura’s feeling ran deeper than that physical attraction they had called love, when they were younger. There was a chance Sakura... really just wanted Naruto to be happy.
Ino knocked on the door to Shikamaru’s apartment before hearing grumbling from inside. Shikamaru opened the door and stepped aside to let Ino enter. He grinned after he’d closed the door. "What have you got for me?" Ino blinked before recalling the park. "Well, Sakura-chan and I were sitting in the park, you know near the fountain..." Shikamaru nodded "Well, Naruto, Hinata, Kiba and Sasuke walked by. I looked up but Sakura didn’t... which was good. Because, Naruto and Sasuke were walking near each other and Sasuke put an arm around Naruto’s waist... Naruto didn’t flinch or make any move
to indicate he didn’t like the gesture.
Shikamaru nodded. That was what he had suspected. It was Hinata at all Naruto was dating... it was Sasuke. So that meant...
Both Ino and Shikamaru together looked shocked...
"So Hinata is... Naruto’s best friend? And Sasuke..." Ino grinned... this was great she had to let everyone... well, her fellow fan club members know!
Shikamaru shook his head... "you won’t tell anyone until we know for sure..." Ino pouted "but-" Shikamaru shook his head again.
Girls are so bothersome...
So I'm going to test out this lj-cut thing I've been hearing about with a chapter of a story. If it works I'm going to use this site to post my stories for my friends who like to read my fiction... but because Adultfiction.net is down *beats AFF.net with a large stick* they can't. This is just easier.
So while I go eat some breakfast enjoy the first chapter of Catalyst.
Catalyst
Shikashinigami
Author Notes: I do not own Naruto... Thus ends my disclaimer.
Chapter One... Seraphim
Gray masses of clouds huddled over the village of Konohakagure. Rain trickled softly out of the clouds as many of the village’s aspiring students gathered in the town’s center, idly chatting about what they planned to do after the long weekend, or about what they had done last weekend.
Or about what they did yesterday... the kind of idle chatter that makes you feel at home in a crowd. Well, sort of.
"Sakura?"
"SA-KU-RA!"
Ino shrugged. What could she do... the girl was zoning out again. She smacked Sakura over the head and quirked her now twitching eyebrow. It seemed Sakura was zoning out a lot lately. A lot! Though, she never shared with Ino what it was she was thinking of.
Of course Ino hadn’t figured out that if she’d have followed Sakura’s gaze she would have found out immediately. Ino merely placed blame on the newly induced stress of the upcoming Jounin exams.
Meanwhile, Naruto was perched on the top of the fence bordering the outcropping of the small monument placed in the center of Konoha. Leaning back, letting the rain play over his face he shook his head as the water ran in enticing streaks down his face, scattering the droplets around him.
Sakura blinked. She was doing it again... staring at Naruto like that. She glanced at Ino with an apologetic air as she rubbed the small bump forming from the blonde’s fist. "Sakura! What’s with you, you aren’t listening to a thing I say." She crossed her arms... obviously demanding an explanation. Sakura blinked and sighed. Ino was her best friend and confidante...
She shrugged. What the hell...
Ino looked vaguely like she had been insulted by Sakura’s lack of sharing and Sakura huffed, deciding against her better judgment and the chance of Ino interfering. Pulling Ino by the hand she led her away from the gathering, upon glancing around she determined they were far enough away from the gathering even Kakashi would not be able to hear her... had he arrived yet.
"Ino..." she started, glancing around again. Letting her voice fall lower as she continued. "Have you noticed... well, Naruto lately?" Ino blinked and then blinked again. "What do you mean?" Sakura sighed, and looked a little lost for a moment. "Sakura? Do you have a crush on Naruto?" Sakura looked again at Ino and scrunched her nose. She pushed some hair back from her face and glanced at her old friend again.
Ino looked back when she noticed Sakura zone out again. Finally realizing the cause behind the pauses. She followed Sakura’s gaze. Naruto was sitting up on the fence surrounding the monument... Ino blinked, her attention catching, he looked different somehow...
Sakura watched as he pulled one leg up setting his foot on the fence, keeping his balance easily. His hair had grown a bit longer and was now plastered to his face lingering in his eyes that were glancing now toward the ground, lidded orbs of ocean blue. His headband was pulled down around his throat... out of his way.
Naruto felt strange, like someone was watching him or something. He glanced around looking for the culprit though it seemed no one was... wait, nope just a nasty look. He shook his head again. This time in disbelief. All these years... he was nearly nineteen after all, and a few of the more stubborn villagers still looked at him as though he were a disgusting bug that needed to be squashed quickly.
That must be where the feeling was coming from...
Ino blinked and nodded when Sakura looked at her, "he’s kind of well, good looking. Isn’t he?" Sakura blinked, surprised she hadn’t been developing insanity... Ino had actually agreed with her! It was weird though... he wasn’t even wearing his customary bright orange, just a black shirt with some khaki pants. She had never noticed he began dressing differently... then again, she hadn’t seen him in a while either. He seemed to be busy all the time. Mostly with more advanced missions. Everyone knew he was pretty much the strongest ninja in the village... especially with his teachers... and the Kyuubi didn’t hurt either.
Another figure wandered through the crowd stepping into Ino and Sakura’s line of sight. Another leader of the town’s bishounen this time with black hair...
It seemed a white tee and black pants fit Sasuke as much as Khaki fit Naruto. They glanced at each other and Sasuke hopped up on the fence next to Naruto. Ino looked again at Sakura who had a confused look plastered across her face. Ino wasn’t sure she should console Sakura, or slap her, to snap her out of her mini trance.
Naruto looked at Sasuke and said something, Sasuke smirked and Naruto looked back up at the sky closing his eyes against the beating rain.
Ino turned back to Sakura shaking her slightly to rid her of that confused look. Sakura blinked and looked at Ino again. "Ino... you like Shikamaru right?" Ino nodded looking a little confused herself at the odd question.
Sakura smiled... and looked down, "it seems that Naruto’s crush broke off at an unfortunate time."
Ino looked downright shocked. Even since they had been Genin Naruto’d had such a big crush on Sakura and she had blatantly refused him every time, after he and Sasuke had finally became Chuunin though, after Sasuke had been dragged back remorsefully by a broken and battered Naruto, that had ebbed away quickly as Naruto found other things and people to keep him company. Most of his time was spent with Sasuke, his best friend and he occasionally went out with the ever so quiet Hyuuga Hinata.
A twinge of jealousy shot down Sakura’s spine and she suddenly realized the irony of her situation, even a wet Sasuke in a white tee shirt did absolutely nothing, one glance at Naruto though... she sighed dejectedly as Hinata walked over to them and began talking. Naruto smiled and nodded... Sasuke actually laughed.
If only Sakura had known the content of their conversation.
"Naruto-kun, uh Sasuke-kun? Are you going out on Saturday..." A small blush grazed her face, as Naruto nodded and Sasuke laughed. "Your welcome to come with us if you like Hinata..." Naruto had leant closer to her and put on his sexy grin. Hinata blushed even more furiously. "Uh..." she coughed. "I’d rather not." Sasuke smirked and allowed himself some open laughter. A few people around turned and looked with wide eyes.
Ino watched Naruto flirt with Hinata and got a little red herself, it seemed Naruto had reached Sasuke’s level of... well, the appearance of. How could she put this... he had become one of those guys girls worshiped as a sex god.
And poor Sakura had noticed.
"Well, that’s interesting..." Shikamaru nodded in agreement with Shino’s statement. He ran a hand through his hair and stuffed it back into his pocket. "Yeah... interesting." He glanced back at the threesome and wondered just what exactly was going on. Watching Ino’s expressions carefully, it looked as though she had realized something... but what was the question.
It kind of irked Shikamaru how quickly Naruto had changed... he had always been part of the outcast group. Now he was, well... he was a good student, he had learnt every technique the two Senin had to teach him... he hung out with Sasuke and he had even exchanged his customary orange with more subdued clothing, now he was being labeled, Shikamaru had heard many girls in the village say this, as a walking, talking, breathing, sex god. Just like Sasuke. And Shikamaru had seen him in action.
A few weeks ago a girl had approached him. "Naruto-kuunnn" She wiggled the best she could. Shikamaru had nearly laughed out loud at the sight. "Would you like to come to my party this weekend? Everyone will be there." Naruto leant closer to the girl and smirk closing his eyes slightly. "Everyone...hmmm?" He glanced behind him as he felt Sasuke approach. Shikamaru stopped at that thought.
He swore that Sasuke had looked angry when he’d first walked up... angry at that girl. Shikamaru shrugged. Naruto had answered with "and when is this party of yours... Mitsuki-channn." Shikamaru rolled his eyes and relived surprise again Naruto had nearly purred that phrase out. Causing the girl to melt right there on the spot. You could practically see the hearts in her eyes. "Saturday..." Sasuke walked up behind Naruto radiating dangerously with the anger he had built up and Naruto smirked. Allowing Sasuke to speak for him. "Naruto is... busy on Saturday..."
A sudden cloud of smoke in the center of the gathering had caught the attention of all those gathered, breaking Shikamaru’s concentration. Though now that he thought of it... on every such encounter Sasuke had always been lingering near Naruto... strange. He was an incredibly protective best friend, Shikamaru just knew something was off.
The smoke cleared away to reveal none other that the notoriously late Hatake Kakashi.
"Good afternoon everyone." He said in his usually emotionally lacking voice as he waved slightly, his eye curling into the resemblance of a smile.
"I’ve come to deliver your first orders for the Jounin exams..." He shoved his hands in his pockets, glancing around.
"You will all be put into groups of four. Each group leader with then be given orders specific to their own group... You are dismissed until tomorrow."
Groans reverberated through the crown, they had waited in the rain for an hour to receive a minute of orders.
Kakashi smirked under his mask... only three of the Chuunin could tell. "Iruka-sensei will present tomorrow’s orders along with Kurenai-sensei and Ibiki-sensei."
Naruto smiled slightly at the prospect, he hadn’t seen Iruka in a while wouldn’t he be surprised... he chuckled slightly and glanced at Sasuke.
"Shall we?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow and smirked as he jumped down off the fence. "Is that an invitation?" Naruto laughed causing Sasuke’s eyes to close a little, he could drink that laugh forever... "Let’s just go."
Sasuke grabbed the front of Naruto’s shirt and tugged firmly, pulling Naruto forward. He slipped off the fence and landed easily on his feet. A few of the girls surrounding the area sighed dreamily at the interaction and grace of the two... and a few of the boys tried to call attention back from their girlfriends...
Naruto smirked and slid his hands into his damp pockets walking easily next to Sasuke. Hinata caught up on the other side and smiled at the two. Naruto loved having Hinata around, she was kind and excepted their relationship. She even enjoyed doing things with the couple. She thought they were cute. Sasuke enjoyed the fact that just being around Naruto made the girl happy, he could understand that train of thought completely. Hinata was... very sweet. Sasuke liked the girl.
Shikamaru and Shino walked over to where Ino and Sakura stood, gossiping no doubt. Ino noticed them out of the corner of her eye shoving Sakura softly to wake her out of the trance she’d gone into watching the two leave. "Oi, Shikamaru," She hugged him and greeted Shino also. Sakura nodded to each respectively bowing slightly and Shino did the same.
"Are we still on for dinner tonight Ino?" Shikamaru asked, slipping his arm around the blonde girl. He looked at her as she nodded smiling sweetly. "Where do you want to go?" Ino shrugged taking on a contemplating look. "I’m not in the mood for anything really expensive..." She had an idea. She turned around walking backwards. "Sakura are you going home right away?" Sakura looked up nodding. Shikamaru looked at Shino who nodded as well, he shrugged.
"I’ll call you okay Sakura?" Sakura nodded, turning off onto her street as Ino and Shikamaru turned in the opposite direction. Shikamaru waved and Shino disappeared, he lived on the border of town and he wasn’t happy wet... naturally he’d want to hurry home.
"Shikamaru... there’s something I wanted to ask you..." Shikamaru looked down as Ino put a hand to her chin, thinking. "Hm?"
"Have you noticed anything... well, odd about Naruto lately?" Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Let’s talk about it once we get back to my place." She nodded and continued her contemplation as they walked. Leaving Shikamaru to do some thinking of his own.
Sasuke listened on as Naruto and Hinata talked on about whatever things came into their minds. Sasuke was glad Naruto had a friend as good as Hinata. Sasuke had thought it rather funny how people perceived Hinata as Naruto’s girlfriend and he as Naruto’s best friend when it couldn’t be farther from the truth. He smirked as Naruto said something that had made he and the girl giggle.
Shikamaru handed Ino a towel to dry her hair. He was glad she had grown it out again. He loved her hair, he had almost fainted when she had cut it off during the Chuunin exams. He glanced at her as she toweled her hair dry, he felt strangely possessive when she wore his clothes, she claimed she liked the smell of his clothing... which was weird, sweet but weird.
He smiled softly as he watched her, remembering what she had asked earlier he decided to prod a little more.
"So what were you saying earlier about Naruto?" He asked, toweling his own hair dry, Ino looked up. Distracted for a moment by the sight of her Shikamaru with his hair down. She sighed softly before responding. "Oh, well haven’t you noticed he’s been acting weird lately?" Shikamaru leaned back into the couch, draping the towel over his head. "Well, besides the whole attitude shift and his wardrobe... not really. Why do you ask?"
Ino turned leaning sideways into the couch. "Well..." She poked him in the cheek. "You have to promise me you won’t tell anyone... not even Shino." He glanced sidelong at her, drawing a cross on his chest. "Cross my heart..." Ino nodded. "Well, Sakura... she has a crush on Naruto." Shikamaru blinked. "That’s too bad, it’s a little late for that don’t you think?" Ino nodded grimly.
"She zones out constantly when he’s in her line of vision. She just... stares at him. The sad part is even today in the rain with a very wet Sasuke near him, and you know how much she liked Sasuke, she couldn’t even pay attention to me talking to her." Ino sighed. She felt kind of bad for Sakura. "On top of that, it’s obvious he’s involved with Hinata..."
Shikamaru, thought about that. "Yeah... you know I’m not so sure about that..."
Ino stared at him for a bit before retorting, "what do you mean?" He shrugged, "did you ever notice how Sasuke is always somewhere lingering near Naruto... he’s completely possessive." Ino blinked, "but he’s Naruto’s best friend... it’s typical he would be possessive, and it’s not like we know how Sasuke would act around friends, because until Naruto he didn’t really have any."
Shikamaru let his head fall against the back of the couch. "True..." He glanced at Ino, "you thinking what I’m thinking?" Ino blinked, "you’re actually going to let me snoop." Shikamaru smirked. "Only when you let me help you... I’m just as curious to find out what’s really going on."
Ino laughed... ‘yeah, right like they’re actually together...’ She nudged closer to Shikamaru and rested her head on his shoulder. "You mind if I spend the night. I really don’t feel like going back into the rain..." Shikamaru smirked and pulled on her hand gently, standing. "Not at all." She hit him following him to his bedroom. "You perv..." She smirked and shut the door behind her.
Naruto put a hand to his chin, scratching softly while digging through his closet. "Hmmm..." Finally he decided he would look at the weather before he chose what he would wear. He walked to window and peered out. Looking around, it was nice out. It was sunny, and warm... with a nice breeze. Perfect. Not that he really put much thought into it you see, but it was Friday and the instructions for the exams the following Monday were to be given. Not to mention, he had the weekend off...
Finally deciding, he pulled out a black sleeveless shirt and a pair of jeans that Sasuke had given him. They looked a little worn but, they were really comfortable.
He went into the bathroom and ran a hand through his hair... unruly, but oh so sexy. He grinned at his reflection and winked once before leaving the room, laughing. He put on his beloved necklace, as was heading down the stairs of his apartment... well, it was more like a house... but he called it an apartment. After all a house was somewhere you lived with your family...
You see when Naruto turned eighteen, he was given what his father had left to him... erase that. The Fourth Hokage’s money and house... he inherited it. And what a nice surprise that was. It was only a year ago... but he’d bought some new clothes and a few things to fill his new place to live. His apartment was falling to pieces anyway, and he figured he deserved a little luxury after a life of scorn and mal-contempt. So he gladly excepted what his father had left him.
He hopped up on the counter of his kitchen grabbing an apple from the dish of fruit that sat on the counter-top and shoved it in his mouth... because although, it was his favorite meal... he didn’t eat raman 24/7 contrary to popular belief.
A brief tap on the door caught his attention. He raised an eyebrow taking another bite, before stepping off the counter to answer the front door. He walked through the living room and into the entryway, opening the door to a slightly outraged looking Sasuke. Naruto raised an eyebrow and stepped aside, granting Sasuke entrance. Before closing the door and swallowing.
He smirked at soft mutters of ‘deranged fan-girls and rabid salesmen,’ and held back a light laugh. Sasuke never did have much luck with going unnoticed through the streets of Konoha. Respect had nothing to do with it. People could be crazy when they were star-struck.
Sasuke turned and took a deep breath, before he spotted the amused looking Naruto eating an apple. He sighed, and made an apologetic gesture. "Ready?"
Naruto blinked. "You came to pick me up?" ‘Ohhh how sweet...’ Sasuke eyed him. ‘Haha, like he was going to say that out loud’. Naruto had a sneaking suspicion Sasuke had expected him to make some smart-assed comment... but, was relieved when he didn’t.
"Let’s go then." Naruto grabbed his flak jacket off the stand next to the door, slipped his sandals on, and they were off.
Half way to the center of town, a faint ‘Naruto-kun’ caught Naruto’s attention and he turned in the direction of the voice, only to find one Yamanaka Ino running toward them. Naruto sweat-dropped as Sasuke made a disgruntled sound in the back of his throat.
"Naruto-kun." Ino stopped short and walked the last few feet to where they stood, "are you heading to the meeting place?" Naruto nodded while finishing off the last of his apple, tossing it in a waste receptacle near them, and Sasuke made a noncommital grunting sound... causing Naruto to roll his eyes.
"Say... Naruto-kun. I have a question for you." Ino batted her eyelashes at him, Sasuke growled softly in the back of his throat before turning and beginning to walk. Naruto chuckled softly and turned motioning for Ino to walk with him. "What would you like to ask Ino-san?" She smiled... "No need to be so formal Naruto-kun."
Naruto blinked at her... deciding her motives were in vain and Sasuke waaaasss still listening. "Well then, Ino-chan. What is it you’d like to ask?" He grinned at her and Ino took a deep breath before steeling her nerves. "Do you still have a crush on Sakura?"
Naruto blinked, surprised at the bluntness of her outburst. He sighed, "er... no. I don’t. Why do you ask?" He looked at Ino, who was concentrating much to closely on the ground in front of them, trying to ignore the fact Naruto looked quite pleasant that day. Naruto looked up at the clouds while Ino came up with her answer. He should join Shikamaru in his cloud watching again sometime soon... or maybe Sasuke would...
"Well, you see... Sakura-chan has sort of... well. I can’t really say. But, you like Hinata-san now, huh?" Ino interrupted. Naruto glanced at her... a little put out by that glint in her eye. She was up to something... He glanced at Sasuke who had his head down. He too, was wondering how Naruto would answer.
"Yes, I suppose I do like Hinata-chan... she’s very sweet, you know." Naruto grinned and rubbed the back of his head, itching that ever-lasting scratch.
Sasuke smirked to himself. ‘Clever Naruto... clever indeed.’ Ino would never guess he was indicating he liked Hinata as a friend, she would hear what she wanted and report back to Sakura accordingly. He took a deep breath and inhaled the summer air. It was a much nicer day than the one before... although, he really... like the rain. He considered again, making his and Naruto’s relationship public... he’d have to think over it carefully first.
"Well then, I’ll see you later Naruto-kun." Ino waved and walked away with the information she had come for. Naruto meanwhile walked a little faster to match Sasuke’s stride and murmured...
"They can never just say ‘hi’ can they?"
Sasuke shook his head slightly. "Women, never give up Naruto..."
Naruto shivered a little at the thought of having a fan club like Sasuke had... his had only just began forming. His future was therefore, destined to be hell... unless...
Sasuke, catching onto Naruto’s train of thought, derailed it in a moment. "Not yet, Naruto... not yet." Naruto sighed dreamily and Sasuke laughed. Swatting playfully at the blondes head.
The meeting area was already decently crowded when Sasuke and Naruto took their places on the fence near the monument. It was theirs... they had sat in the same place yesterday and no one would dare, challenge the claim. Well... that is almost no one.
"Hey, fox-boy! I was gonna sit there!" A high pitched yap, gave away the identity of the person immediately. "But, Kiba..." Naruto hopped off the bench and strode too close to Kiba... "If you wanted to sit next to Sasuke." He whispered in Kiba’s ear... "you’d have to fight me first." Kiba felt heat rise in his face and swatted Naruto away, who laughed quite merrily. Sasuke smirked as Naruto hopped back up next to him.
Kiba shook his head... ‘two completely different styles of grace.’ Naruto feral and Sasuke swift precision. He was looking forward to their next sparring session. They always attracted quite a crowd. The guys taking notes and the girls drooling all over themselves.
Much to Sasuke’s dismay a quiet ‘ahem’ pulled them from their friendly conversation. Naruto turned to see Sakura standing near Sasuke and felt the back of his neck bristle before she took a step toward him. He saw Sasuke’s frown out of the corner of his eye, undoubtedly wearing a frown of his own.
"Sakura-chan... How have you been?" She took another step and Naruto got a weird feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Na-Naruto-kun can I speak with you for a moment?"
Naruto put on a blank expression and turned toward Sasuke slightly before he felt a light tap on his arm. "Naruto-kun..." Naruto grinned and turned. "Hinata-chan!" He smiled brightly at her and she smiled, happy to be treated so kindly. Sakura’s expression diminished slightly before Naruto turned back to her. Motioning for her to follow.
He walked to the outskirts of the meeting group before beginning to speak. He felt Sasuke’s eyes, and Hinata’s Byuukugan and almost grinned at the way his friends protected him. "Listen Sakura... Ino talked to me earlier... which was strange... and now your calling me Naruto-kun... which has redefined strange. What is going on?"
As he waited for an explanation he had the joy of watching red creep up Sakura’s neck and into her cheeks. "Listen... Naruto-" She hesitated. "-kun... I know I haven’t been very kind to you... but," he turned slightly... and she looked up to see Sasuke glaring at her... she gulped and continued. "-but, I’ve realized how wrong I was and now I’d like to know if you would accompany me to the movies this Saturday... I-" A voice cut her off. "Naruto... is busy on Saturday..."
Sakura looked up to see Sasuke standing next to Naruto... while Naruto looked at him oddly. Sakura brushed it off as the protectiveness of a best friend... but, she started to continue... "well, maybe then-" Naruto cut her off this time, as he turned away, he folded his arms behind his head and looked sidelong back at her. "You had your chance Sakura-chan." She heard him say something else before he vanished in a puff of chakara induced flames, "you blew it... it’s too late."
Hinata looked at her apologetically before walking back over the area they had been before near the fence, sensing Sakura with her byuukugan she watched her turn and run away with vigor. She’d be in trouble for missing the meeting... Sakura wouldn’t likely become a Jounin this year.
Naruto took a deep breath before whining... "Saaasssuke... that was scary. I thought she was going to kill me." Sasuke, shook his head in dismay... Hinata and Kiba laughing while Akamaru, jumped up on his leg in a way meant to comfort him. Naruto grinned and ruffled the puppy’s hair. "Akamaru..." he sobbed dramatically... " you’ve always been there for me." Sasuke smacked him in the back of the head and they all laughed again.
A pair of eyes watched the event closely... Shikamaru turned... "you should go make sure Sakura’s alright." Ino nodded and turned in the direction Sakura had gone. Shikamaru wandered toward the gathering. And listened in.
"Na... Shikamaru... you shouldn’t eavesdrop." Shikamaru sweat dropped as he turned to a Naruto bunshin behind him. He grinned at the original. Naruto... it seemed had gotten smarter...
Maybe, this would be more difficult that he thought.
Before Shikamaru could get too deep in his revelations, there were three puffs of smoke and a moment later three instructors. Iruka sensei held up a sheet of paper, and silence fluttered through the small crowd.
"I will call out the teams and team captains. Captains first." Iruka, held up the sheet in front of him as he began to call out names.
"Hyuuga Hinata, Yamanaka Ino, Inuzuka Kiba, and ...Akamichi Chouji" He paused and continued to the next team.
"Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura and Nara Shikamaru." Naruto groaned inwardly, he’d be stuck with Sakura...
"Abarame Shino...
They sat patiently through the rest of the listings...
Sasuke and Naruto exchanging secretive glances, while Hinata and Kiba rolled their eyes.
After the teams had been announced, Ibiki-sensei had given the team leaders the folders for their tests and were given the small list of rules, before they were dismissed. Naruto, Sasuke, Kiba and Hinata. Walked together... deciding the prospect of ice cream on such a beautiful day, sounded better than going their separate ways. Hinata, had the daunting task of finding Ino and Sakura... and wanted a treat before the task.
Amazingly... Kiba had decided he would treat.
Which made Naruto suspicious and two bickered the entire way to the ice cream shop.
Hinata and Sasuke stayed back and grinned softly at the two morons... both grins affectionate.
They walked up to the ice cream shop and placed their orders, waiting for the keeper to finish making them. Sasuke turned to Naruto and nudged him, indicating behind him.
Naruto turned to see Sakura sitting on the bench next to Ino who was patting her back comfortingly.
Naruto rolled his eyes, and Sasuke smirked. Having no sympathy for Sakura, he’d given her 12 years to come around and she’d blatantly refused each of his advances. He wasn’t about to give up Sasuke for her. She’d have to kidnap him first. He shuddered at the thought... if Sakura was a member of his fan club, then... he shook the thought from his head. That was stupid... ‘stop thinking’...
The lady who had their ice cream handed them each their orders and Naruto dug in happily. As he followed Hinata and Kiba through the park. He had forgotten about Sakura and Ino sitting on the bench there...
As he walked he heard a soft sigh and a familiar hand draped around his waist as Sasuke also dug into his ice cream cone.
Ino looked up to see the group walk by... she blinked at the affectionate conversation that Kiba and Hinata were carrying on, Akamaru resting comfortably in Hinata’s arms as she ate her ice cream with one hand. Occasionally sharing with the puppy. She saw Naruto and Sasuke lagging behind them and did a double take when she saw Sasuke drape an arm around around Naruto’s waist.
‘No way...’
Ino watched Naruto closely as he made no effort to neither remove Sasuke’s arm or flinched at the contact... more surprisingly Sasuke looked quite content with touching Naruto... Sasuke didn’t like contact, with anyone... but...
Ino shook her head softly, glad Sakura wasn’t paying attention... she’d have to talk to Shikamaru later... this was a very... interesting development. And a really, sexy one too.
If there was something going on... they would have to join fan clubs and start stalking the couple... what an impact that would make...
Ino ushered Sakura up off the bench after the group had passed and back to Ino’s apartment. Ino made some tea and they sat in the living area and talked quietly. After an hour or so Ino had Sakura calmed enough to sit comfortably.
"Sakura... perhaps, you should look else where, um..." Sakura looked up at her and Ino smiled softly. "I know it’s difficult to hear. But, Naruto has... moved on." Ino looked at the carpet, a seemingly interesting spot on the floor. Sakura nodded barely and turned to Ino. "I think your right... Ino, I know your right. It’s obvious Naruto has..." she paused. "Found someone... but, I need time I think." She sat quietly for a moment, before she giggled.
Ino stared for a moment before giggling softly herself... both realizing the irony.
Later that night, Sakura left Ino’s house, after having a nice meal, Ino was a surprisingly good cook, and chatting for most of the evening. Sakura felt better than she had in a long while. She even greeted Lee when he said his usual ‘hello Sakura-chan’. He stopped and grinned widely before turning on his way.
Sakura laughed softly and went back to her house...
She sat for a moment contemplating, before picking up the phone and dialing the number that she had memorized. It rang twice before there was a breathless, "hello?"
"Naruto-kun, it’s Sakura... um. I wanted to apologize for my actions earlier... it should have obvious to me that you were-" There was mumbling on the other side of the conversation and Sakura stopped for a moment, sure she had heard Sasuke talk... "Naruto?" Naruto came back on before she could confirm the voice. "Sorry, Sakura-chan... I accept your apology, um. Perhaps we could have lunch sometime, ne? I don’t want to have to stop being friends."
Sasuke crawled up Naruto and buried his head in the crook of Naruto’s shoulder, leaving a mark in the trail of kisses he left. He grinned when Naruto sighed softly, content. He caught the blonde’s lips in a passionate kiss, when the phone rang.
Naruto huffed and turned to answer, "Hello?" Sasuke smirked at the way the blonde was breathing more harshly than he should have. Naruto’s eyes widened and he put a hand over the receiver. "What is it?" Sasuke said worried, Naruto shook his head softly, "It’s Sakura-chan... she wants to apologize." Sasuke shook his head and made himself comfortable next to Naruto, and the familiar heat the kyuubi holder gave off.
When Naruto hung up Sasuke went back to what he’d been doing... Naruto grinned and pushed Sasuke off, laughing... "stop! That tickles you know!" Sasuke huffed and fell back onto Naruto’s bed as the blonde got up pacing around a bit. "Do you suppose she’s up to something?" He glanced at Sasuke who shrugged.
"Who knows..."
Meanwhile Ino walked over to Shikamaru’s apartment. She was immensely relieved Sakura had given up so easily... when they’d been younger they had fought so voraciously after Sasuke-kun. But, if Sakura’s feeling ran deeper than that physical attraction they had called love, when they were younger. There was a chance Sakura... really just wanted Naruto to be happy.
Ino knocked on the door to Shikamaru’s apartment before hearing grumbling from inside. Shikamaru opened the door and stepped aside to let Ino enter. He grinned after he’d closed the door. "What have you got for me?" Ino blinked before recalling the park. "Well, Sakura-chan and I were sitting in the park, you know near the fountain..." Shikamaru nodded "Well, Naruto, Hinata, Kiba and Sasuke walked by. I looked up but Sakura didn’t... which was good. Because, Naruto and Sasuke were walking near each other and Sasuke put an arm around Naruto’s waist... Naruto didn’t flinch or make any move
to indicate he didn’t like the gesture.
Shikamaru nodded. That was what he had suspected. It was Hinata at all Naruto was dating... it was Sasuke. So that meant...
Both Ino and Shikamaru together looked shocked...
"So Hinata is... Naruto’s best friend? And Sasuke..." Ino grinned... this was great she had to let everyone... well, her fellow fan club members know!
Shikamaru shook his head... "you won’t tell anyone until we know for sure..." Ino pouted "but-" Shikamaru shook his head again.
Girls are so bothersome...