Broken Promises

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Smint45: I’m glad you liked! I wanted to get across that it’s not just lust; it’s a need, and something he’s driven to. No Shika has no clue he’s making it worse. He thinks he’s helping. Well and he’s hot for Naruto so… heehee
Foxydragon: I am a Shika/Naru fan I think Shika’s laid back take on life is a good contrast to Naruto’s… let’s call it enthusiasm for life. LOL Naru/Neji doesn’t do much for me and neither does Kiba/Naru I think they’re so much alike that a relationship between Kiba/Naru would be quite… violent. He’s not been a hoe. He returned to a friend who he trusted. Sex with Gaara isn’t about sex it’s sort of the way they show one another they’re loved. I’ll go into detail about Gaara and Naruto’s sex later in the story so I can’t give it away here. Other than that he’s only made out with Shika. And he was ALWAYS faithful to Sasuke.
Sadie237: Yeah, Sasuke was NOT about to stand by and have Shika get what he’d fought for. There was also a part of Sasuke, the part desperately in love with Naruto that knew deep inside if his first time with Shika was in the woods while hungry like that, the blond would never forgive himself or Sasuke and he’d done enough to damage things with Naruto. Yeah things were getting out of hand, Shikamaru helps send too many comrades out with high chance of death too often and watching that between his friends is something he cannot accept. Again more of this in chapters to come, man you guys are getting pretty far ahead of me. ;0)
JtheChosen1: Thank you and you ain’t seen nuthin yet. LOL

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Chapter 10 – Day Two

Naruto could feel Shikamaru’s eyes on him as they raced through the tree tops. Kakashi had suggested they drop down and walk some but both Naruto and Shikamaru had refused wanting to get back to the village as quickly as they could. Finally Kakashi had forced a halt for a rest. Separating himself from the rest of the group Naruto drank from his cantine. Using the back of his hand to wipe his mouth he shook his head but smiled a little. “Shikamaru you have no sense of self preservation do you?”

Sighing the shadow nin leaned on a tree next to his friend. “I trust you Naruto. I’m not scared of you or Kyuubi.” He shrugged. “You’re my friend. I’m not leaving you alone like this, I don’t know where you’ve been all morning but I know it’s not a good place.” When Naruto looked at him in shock he continued. “What worries me is that this place you’ve been all day is inside you.”

Looking down Naruto shrugged. “It’s not anything you need to worry about Shika.” His voice was low and quiet. There was shame in his tone and it only further irritated the brunette but he knew this wasn’t the place for that talk. “You want something to eat?” Shikamaru reached into his ninja pack and then handed the blond a rice ball with red spice on it. “Gaara said you like this.”

Naruto grinned at his offer and took it quickly. “Yeah, this is Sweet Sand it’s great.” He pulled apart off and offered it to Shikamaru. “It’s really good, try some.”

Sasuke glared watching the two other ninja talk. When Naruto fed the Nara heir he was drawing to the end of his ability to hold his temper. It was as if Shikamaru were trying to show him all he had lost, to show him what he was never going to win back, and what he would have to watch Naruto build with another. The idea broke something deep inside him and he wasn’t sure if it was his heart or his mind.

When the break was over Shikamaru and Naruto took to the tree’s once more forcing the others to do the same or be left behind. But only an hour into their start back to Konoha the sky blackened and it began to rain which became a full storm in minutes. The winds picked up violently and sheets of stinging water fell over them and Kakashi finally forced them to stop when he spotted a cave entrance and saw lightening flash. Soaking but furious at the early stop Naruto entered the cave. He stripped down to his shirt and pants and began pacing. Sakura gathered twigs and dried leaves from the cave floor quickly building a small fire to warm the space as the turn in weather caused a shift in the air cooling it uncomfortably especially for the group who were soaking wet. Once the cave was better lit she and Kakashi set about gathering up more burnable materials adding them to the fire until it was big enough to warm the space and cook on.

Sighing Sakura pulled her tent and set it up as a screen to change behind. Kakashi had his book up and was leaning against a far wall but couldn’t seem to keep his eye from straying to the shadow of his changing teammate as it danced against the canvas. In the dryer clothing Sakura came out sighing. Then set her wet things out to dry and knelt to start some tea. Today has been trying, from the fight this morning, Shikamaru’s interference in the fight, then his return with Sasuke shirtless, the practical flight home that both Naruto and Shikamaru insisted on making followed by a damn rain storm. Today she decided, sucked. She was going to warm herself with tea, eat a small dinner and then Sakura was going to bed until she had to take watch.

Kakashi went behind Sakura’s make shift screen and changed into dry pants and turtle neck before coming out and ordering each of the boys to do the same. Sasuke did so immediately, he hated being wet and cold. Naruto crossed his arms and glared at his team leader. “I’m fine. I just want the storm to pass so we can…”

Kakashi looked up and with a tone of authority he told Naruto. “We are camping for the night Naruto. Change, have some tea and settle down.” The order in the words was obvious.

Becoming more furious Naruto went to the mouth of the cave and sat on a rock watching the violence outside. It was so much like the wild anger burning inside him. Shikamaru shook his head and moved to Naruto’s pack squating down he rifled through it and pulled out a white shirt and pair of pants before heading to the cave entrance. “Either you go change or I drag you there and change you.” He told Naruto with a smirk. “Don’t make me do that, it’s way too troublesome and I’m tired from keeping up with you Uzumaki.”

Glancing sideways Naruto raised a brow and then from nowhere laughed. The sound was clear and honest and bounced off the walls of the cave. When he heard it Shikamaru smiled and felt a wave of relief wash over him. Leaning in and bumping his head against his friend’s shoulder Naruto nodded. “Alright Shika, alright… I wouldn’t want to put you out. Make you DO something.”

“Damn right, now get up… you’re freezing. Stupid troublesome pain in the ass. You get sick and I’m gonna let Ino and Kiba take care of you.” He muttered heading back with the blond to the screened off area and taking the clothing from over his shoulder he ‘handed’ it to Naruto by smacking him in the face with it. He laughed at the pout he was given then shook his head.

“What I get sick and you torture me? How does that make me better?” Naruto called as if he and Shikamaru were alone.

While Naruto changed the shadow nin pulled his tent out and started set it up calling back to Naruto. “It’s won’t but it will make me feel better.” He smirked when Naruto squawked out an indignant, “Hey.”

When he exited from changing he was in a thin white cotton shirt with his bright orange swirl on it and a pair of blue cotton pants. He had a better assortment of cloths thanks to having been on leave in Sauna. Glancing at Shikamaru he moved to his bag, “Stupid, you can’t sleep in that.” He pulled out a t-shirt and pair of shorts. “Go put these on.”

“I have a change of clothes Naruto.” He muttered blushing a little.
“That stupid mesh shirt and vest? How will that keep you warm?” Cocking his head to the side he frowned.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes but headed to change into the cloths he’d been given. “I wear a shirt over that pervert. I’m not wondering around the village half naked.” Once done he threw his cloths over a rock to dry then did the same with the rumpled mess Naruto had left in the changing area. The two continued to bicker while moving around each other. Shikamaru set up the tent, then Naruto set their matt’s up inside, Shikamaru pulled out the pillows and blankets and handed them into Naruto to finish making up a sleeping area. He turned and went to get some of the tea and boiling water raising a brow at Sakura’s slack jawed wide eyed stare. He didn’t say anything to her but took tea and some boiling water back to the area he and Naruto had made their temporary home. “What the hell are you doing, Baca?”

Naruto was digging through Shikamaru’s pack. “Looking for more of those rice balls, I’m starved all of a sudden.”

“So you’re going to steal my food?” One hip cocked out and he glared down at Naruto.

“It is not stealing! It’s involuntary sharing.” The blond looked over his shoulder smirking. Then he took the cup of hot tea that was offered to him. Watching, Shikamaru reach into his larger pack of supplies and tossed a cup at Naruto. His face went slack and dreamy eyed, “Shikamaru Nara I think I love you!” He whispered in pure adoration. “You brought me RAMEN!”

Rolling his eyes Shikamaru couldn’t help but snicker. “Here give it to me, I’ll put the hot water in.” He snatched the cup, opening it up and pouring some of the boiling water in then handed it back to the already pouting Naruto. This time he laughed when the pout returned to a look of pure joy. “I don’t think it’s me you love Naru, it’s the ramen.” Naruto responded but his mouth was too full to understand. Sitting down the Nara pulled out his own cup of noodles and began eating once the water had done its job.

Sasuke felt ill as he watched the scene unfolding. He’d never let himself think about what had been happening in the house where Naruto had been staying. It never really occurred to him that the house was anything more than a place to shelter from the elements. He’d certainly never considered it a home for the blond, but here he sat watching Shikamaru pull Naruto from his darkest place, his own mind. Then the brunette had gotten him to change and talk and smile. When Naruto had offered Shikamaru a change of clothes it had been automatic, natural and though he put up a token argument the other man hadn’t really batted a lash, in fact he’d already been moving to change as he argued. Then they had set about creating a private room from themselves, together working in complete sync with one another to accomplish their task. Shikamaru looked so comfortable in Naruto’s cloths that it made Sasuke’s eye twitch. The dynamic was so different. He had been the protector, the seme in their relationship for the most part. He’d never thought about it, it just had been the way it was. Sure he bottomed but who wouldn’t sex was amazing either way and sometimes it was the only option. Naruto needed to be in control when the nine tails got the better of him. No the way of things was almost always with him as seme and Naruto was his precious uke. There was no question in watching Naruto and Shikamaru how the dynamic worked there, Naruto was the seme and though they hadn’t reached the point yet Sasuke was sure Shikamaru would be the uke. Grinding his teeth he couldn’t stop himself from breaking their little fantasy of playing house.

“We’re in a cave, why the tent, Genius?” The name was said with obvious sarcasm.

Looking up mouth full Naruto glared at his ex. Before he could respond Shikamaru just shrugged as if board and told the Uchiaha. “Big cave, bigger storm, even with the fire it’s still drafty in here… Genius.” He smirked as he finished then took another bite before finishing. “And if Naruto gets sick Kiba has to take care of him… not sure who that’s more punishment for.”

“Aww, Shika I changed! You wouldn’t REALLY make me suffer at Kiba’s hands. I’d go in with a cold and die from malaria!” Naruto whined, while Shikamaru shook with laughter. Sasuke just glared at the two realizing they’d easily slid back into their own little world. Turning away he hated the look of pity he saw on Sakura’s face. He wanted to hit her, yell at her, and hurt her as much as she had hurt him. This was her fault too but she’d lost a friend and it wasn’t the same. She didn’t have to watch the person she loved most in this world behaving as if she didn’t exist. She hadn’t watched a mating dance in the sand knowing it wouldn’t end until her lover was sating himself in another’s bed. She didn’t have to watch him falling for another person right in front of her eyes. He heard the rustling and looked, knowing he didn’t want to because he knew what he would find and despite knowing he still felt the rice he’d eaten as supper trying to climb out of his stomach. Naruto had climbed into the tent with the other boy and there was some shifting and whispers before things settled down. The shadows were enough to let Sasuke know that the two lay spooned together as they settled down. Logically he knew that’s how it was going to end, Naruto was a snuggler and whoever was beside him would become his plushy. He’d learned that at thirteen the first time he’d shared a tent with Naruto.

Standing he looked at his team and swallowing to ensure his voice was neutral told them. “I’ll take first watch. Sakura can take the last, Kakashi do you mind taking the middle? He took a double watch last night so we should let him sleep.” There was no doubt who the raven meant or that he’d purposely choose to leave Shikamaru out of the rotation for obvious reasons. When they nodded Sasuke moved to the front of the cave to keep watch. He just needed this fucking hell of a night to end. In the dark night the wind whipped his bangs across his eyes and he was close enough to the opening to have tiny sprinkle of splattering rain wash against his face to help hide the tears he never intended to cry. The storm raged outside his vision but it matched the turmoil inside his soul as he desperately sought a way to win Naruto back.