Broken Promises

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Ecdragon00: I really love the Kaka/Saku pairing… I think she could keep him in line. (I tend to go Kaka/Iru) He is a perv but sometimes with a girl who’s been picked on, ignored, and hurt by guys she’s liked most of her life… getting perved on can be… invigorating. Sasuke is going to have to do something he’s never had to do before; he’s going to have to work for it. He is a genius, he is beautiful, he is rich and he’s trained very hard but he was born with natural talents too… winning Naruto’s forgiveness is something he’s going to have to work at. Shikamaru has always been shown to be a loyal friend and a really good friend; there is little doubt in my mind that he would have done much of anything different (ok maybe not spooning) if he weren’t romantically interested in Naruto. He wants what’s best for his friends and he wants them to be happy.
Sadie237: You got it in a nutshell. A lot of the last chapter was a mallet to the head for Sasuke. His wake up call to the fact that this isn’t an easy fix as well as the fact that if he doesn’t start working at it, there are other people waiting for him to screw up who will take his place. I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. I love that you feedback with new thoughts on each chapter. I really appreciate it. Feedback helps me write faster, makes me want to write more to see what you’ll say next. LOL
Smint45: Hee Ramen! I needed to ensure that Naruto still was Naruto, what better way than Ramen?! Yes, I’m being evil and mean to Sasuke, but don’t worry he’s gonna get allies soon! I have plans for Shika, that reunion will help him feel so much better. *evil grins*

REMEMBER FEEDBACK is like feeding a stray dog, do it once and they’ll keep coming back for more! Feedback to an author and they’ll write more and more just for you. ;0)
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Chapter 10 – Returning

The third day of travel had been completely anticlimactic. There were few words spared between the five travelers, even during breaks, and the pace was fast each suddenly more desperate to be home then before. Only a short mile from the gates team Kakashi was joined by another team consisting of Neji, Kiba & Akamaru, Tenten and Shino. Kakashi had cocked his head a little surprised at the makeup of the team and filed it away for later exploration. He noted that Kiba and Shino joined Naruto and watched surprised as Shikamaru fell back with Neji and Tenten. The other Rookie had built a small wall between Naruto and Sasuke, whether by design or simple coincidence Kakashi couldn’t be sure but the effect was the same either way. Naruto had relaxed and was traveling while he joked and laughed with the two members of Team Gai while Sasuke fell back behind he and Sakura putting distance between himself and the others, which surprised the copy nin. He’d never known Sasuke to back down form a possible fight but perhaps he was learning to choose his battles more wisely.

Upon entering the gates the ninja slowed but all were making their way toward Hokoge tower to report and head home. Suddenly there was a flash of blond and Naruto thudded to the ground, blinking at the sobbing girl on his chest. “Eh, Ino? Is that you, hey...” He looked worried and sat up knees bending so Ino could he pulled against his chest. Quickly he looked around for Shikamaru. “Hey hey, it’s ok… come on tell us what’s wrong, Ino.” He was rubbing her back trying to calm the dramatic girl down and looking more and more freaked out. He hated when girls cried, especially Ino and Sakura. When that thought hit him Naruto’s eyes widened and he looked up at the pink haired girl, hurt and worry were evident in her eyes as she watched from a safe distance. She’d destroyed everything he’d had, his team, his relationship, his belief in his own worth and until that moment he hadn’t considered what he had done to her or how much she might have been hurting and likely for much, much longer. His attention was redirected as Ino started to speak rather than just jabber through a mixture of sobs and whines.

Naruto cocked his head, like a confused puppy and blinked. “Ok ok… he? Who’s he? He did WHAT?” Naruto looked around furiously. Standing up he pulled Ino to her feet and without a second thought turned and handed her off to Sakura. “Sakura take her to Shikamaru’s place, make her some tea and don’t let her out until we get back. And try not to knock her out ok.” He pushed his key to the house he shared with Shikamaru into Sakura’s gloved hand and turned away.

Blinking her hand closed around the key in it. Tears building up, it couldn’t be that easy, this had to be some sort of trick. She was watching her blond teammate move to Shikamaru and was about to ask Naruto something when Ino’s face fell on her shoulder crying hard and shaking with the force of her upset. Sakura looked down and put a hand around Ino’s shoulders, when the blond girl didn’t throw her off or yell at her Sakura relaxed, who’d have known how much she’d miss Ino. “Come on… let go to Naruto’s place… I’ll make us some tea and… and we’ll wait for him to get back.” Surprise still evidential when Ino nodded, Sakura looked to Kakashi. “You’ll explain to Lady Tsunde for me?”

“As soon as I understand, sure.” He nodded and gave her a quick salute of goodbye. Turning his good eye back on the display before him he sighed and waited.

Naruto moved to Shikamaru’s side and nudged him hard. “Thanks for the help with YOUR teammate.”

“Eh, you looked like you were handling it ok.” Though his words and tone were said in their usual draw but there was a hard edge to them.

“You understood her?” Naruto’s face was darkening. Shikamaru nodded eyes darkening.

“Wait YOU understood her? It was all squeaks and clicks!” Kiba demanded moving around so he could look between Naruto and Shikamaru. “What the hell is going on? Why is Ino blubbering?”

Sighing Shikamaru shook his head muttering about troublesome women being the death of him before looking at Naruto. “We should get to him before Choji finds out. He’ll kill where we’ll just hospitalize.” When Naruto nodded the blond and brunette took to the rooftops. Shino and Kiba looked at one another for single beat before taking to the roof tops in pursuit. It had taken them a second to realize what they would do if someone made Hinata cry like that and then they’d decided to help Naruto and Nara.

Kakashi reached out and just managed to stop Neji and Tenten, “It would be best if the four of us at least showed up to see Lady Tsunade… don’t you think?” He gave Neji a pointed look toward the rooftops. Neji stiffened and nodded, “Give them a head start before she can send others after them.”

With those words the Hyuuga genius’ mouth softened and he nodded with more certainty. “Of course, we wouldn’t want Lady Hokage to worry why we hadn’t come yet.” He started walking once more in the direction of the Hokage’s offices with his fellow shinobi.

Sasuke had watched and nearly moved in front of his lover when he saw the blond blur heading right for him. Realizing it was Ino the Uchiha was surprised to see her hugging Naruto as if she expected him to protect her from everything. Why Naruto, why not go to Choji or Shikamaru. That thought made his eyes darken, perhaps she had come for Shikamaru because wherever Naruto was at is where you would find the Nara brat. Noting the two boys reaction to the girls inelegant sniffing and sobbed words Sasuke saw Naruto looking at Sakura. He saw the blue eyes soften and stiffened, there was no way in hell that was happening. No Naruto wouldn’t do that to me the raven told himself over and over. When Naruto stood and handed Ino off to Sakura and then gave their teammate his house key Sasuke felt as if he’d been stabbed with his own blade. Sakura had been forgiven, just like that. The worst part is that all of their friends recognized it and accepted it. Sakura’s punishment had ended while Sasuke remained in purgatory. When Naruto had run off with the three other men to defend Ino’s honor he felt numb and silently followed the others.

They’d debriefed and waited a beat later Tsunade looked up and then her hand slammed down. “Now that you’ve finished, and don’t think I don’t appreciate such detailed mission reports that explain almost nothing, where is the Gaki?”

Kakashi scratched the back of his head, “He... I mean Naruto that is Ma’am went to…”

“A young man in our village insinuated Ino was… less than virtuous and then made advances on her that were less than appropriate. Had it been Hinata, he would already be dead.” Neji’s voice was calm cold steel. “Sakura has taken her to Shikamaru’s home while Naruto, Shikamaru, Kiba and Shino explain the mistake to him.”

Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “You LET Naruto and KIBA go after a civilian who insulted and assaulted their friend?” She was screaming at Kakashi.

“Honestly, I think its Shino and Shikamaru he should be worried about. Naruto and Kiba will beat him… the other two will ensure he understands for the rest of his life what he did wrong. Torture of the mind is more effective then torture of the body.” Sasuke interjected with no emotion in his voice at all. He was almost gone, managing to hold it together long enough to get this meeting over with.

“Shut it Uchiha, you’re still on my shit list.” Tsunade was calling for her ANBU when her window darkened and she stilled. “You’re LATE Gaki.”

“Well that’s a nice welcome home Baa-chan.” He snorted sitting on her window much like Ero-sennin. He started swinging his legs as if he were 12 not 22 years old. “I had some stuff to take care of. So what’s so important you had to send four people after me?”

“Don’t you know how to use a door, Brat?” She rounded arms crossed under her breasts. “This is your HOME. Weren’t you going to be our next Hokage?” A perfecting manicured blond brow rose. She turned as the other three missing nin entered, through her door. “See Naruto it’s not so hard to come in through the door.” The nail pointed.

“It’s not as fast Baa-chan.” He gave a wide smile and she noticed she had the look of a man who’d been in a bar fight. “And you wouldn’t get to yell at me if I did.” He gave her a wide bright smile, the likes of which only Naruto could bestow. Sasuke had to look away, Naruto’s smile made him want to be faintly ill which warred with the part of him that wanted to throw the beautiful man onto the desk and take him right then because of how good he always looked after a proper tussle; flushed, panting, stripes of dirt across his face and eyes shining bright with excitement.

“Don’t call me Baa-chan, Squirt.” It didn’t matter that he was taller now or that she loved him as if he were her own. “You can’t spend all your time playing in the sand with your little friend.”

“He’s the Kazekage, show some respect.” Naruto glared.

The blond sennin snorted. “The kind of respect you show me… or him?” She held her hand up to stop his next words. “I know, I know… you’re different.” Sighing Tsunade fell into her chair. “Both team leaders have given their debriefs. All of you go home and I’ll see you in two day’s time. You’re on 48 hour rest.” Shooing them out of her office she waited for the six other ninja to leave before turning to look at Naruto. “You can’t let him run you out of town.” Her words were softly spoken.

Sighing the blond man looked down. “I know but I needed the time away. Gaara is good for me.” When Tsunade’s eyes widened with obvious question. “No no! Not like permanently… not like Sasuke.” He swallowed sadly. “Gaara has a thing for someone else.”

“There are others Naruto. Lots of other people who would like a chance to love you.” She pushed.

“I can be happy but does anyone really deserve to get only part of me? Does someone deserve to love all of me and not get the same in return? It’s always been Sasuke, I know it… he knows it. Hell the whole fucking village knows it.” Naruto was looking down now at his sandal clad feet. “The worst part is knowing I’m hurting him. My being with another person would hurt him and part of me still can’t do that. Even after what he’s done I don’t want to hurt him.”

“Naruto you can’t live your life like that. You have to open yourself up and love again. If you don’t you’re going to end up empty. It might hurt him but if he really loved you it would hurt him worse to watch you do that to yourself.” Tsunade was up touching his shoulder.

Swallowing Naruto took a shaky breath. “You never opened yourself back up.”

Smirking she shook her head. “You don’t know that Brat. I’m just more discreet. As Hokage I have to be any relationship would put the other person at more risk then he puts himself already. I send him out there, knowing he might not come back.”

“That has got to suck.” Naruto whispered wondering who her mystery ninja was. “I’m tired Baa-chan, I’m gonna head home. See you later ok?” Smiling Tsunade nodded and kissed his forehead, then watched him jump down from her window.

“You could have just told him. I don’t mind him knowing.” Arms wrapped around her from behind. She leaned into the muscled chest and breathed him in smiling. “Even if the last thing I do is dying in your arms, I will always come back to you.” He promised placing a gentle kiss to the curve where he neck met her shoulder.

Once he was home and cleaned Naruto went into his room and slid into a pair of black cargo shorts and bright orange tank top. He could hear laughter in the living room so he moved toward it and grinned when Kiba called his name out and tossed him a beer. He sat on the sofa behind where Shikamaru had taken up a space on the floor. The ponytailed man leaned into Naruto’s legs never breaking stride in his story. Neji watched and swallowed, his brows moving in confusion or possibly irritation Naruto wasn’t sure which because Neji was hard to read sometimes, but there had definetly been a reaction. Testing his theory Naruto lightly let his leg drape over the Nara’s shoulder a small sign of possession no one else noticed but the Hyuuga did because his lips tightened. Irritation, Naruto decided it was definitely irritation.

“So I ask if Gaara and Naruto were going to spar again. Being Naruto and Gaara I think they were gone before I finished the question.” Rolling his eyes Naruto took a long pull off his beer. “And they have this really hardcore fight… I think it was one step away from sparring and really trying to damage one another.”

“I’ve seen them spar they do not appear to hold much back.” Shino nodded his own beer in his hands; jacket discarded but glasses still on.

Nodding Shikamaru continued his story. “Any how they spar and Gaara ends up pinned, AGAIN and at that point we all decide to leave.” Kiba has a look on his face half appalled and half desperate to hear the rest. “The next morning we’re all meant to be leaving and I’m waiting in the entry when Gaara comes traipsing down the stairs in leather pants, a mesh shirt and that red fucking jacket. He looks hot, don’t look at me like that Kiba… the little fucker was practically slinking down the stairs.”

“He does that… he’s a tease. He likes to get reactions from people anything that’s not fear.” Naruto interjected watching his friends.

“But he’s covered in bite marks and hickey’s like Naruto’s marked him all over and that mesh shirt left nothing hidden to eye.” Shino was now looking down peeling the label off his bottle. “Naruto calls him a slut when he comes down the stairs and GAARA of the sand… one of the scariest bad ass shinobi I know laughs and enjoys it. The others show up and Uchiha looks ten seconds from putting chidori though him and Naruto does the coat up for him, because he’d refused to do it when he realized Uchiha was coming there. In retaliation he pulls Naruto down into a kiss, not a little kiss but the works. Sakura looked like she was ten seconds form a nose bleed and Kakashi, I think he had a nosebleed but that stupid mask hid it. And just as we’re leaving he kisses me the same way!” At those words Kiba bursts out laughing and shaking his head accusing Shikamaru of making the whole thing up. While Shino’s head whips up brow furrowed mouth frowning at the Nara heir. Neji’s eyes darkened and he was swallowing something down.

Finishing his beer Naruto cataloged the two reactions wondering if both men were interested in Shikamaru. Then he felt shock at the odd sensation of jealousy the settled in his stomach. He’d never been jealous with Sasuke, possessive yes but jealous no. He knew Sasuke could be incredibly jealous and usually without reason. So he wondered why he was feeling this now and why for Shikamarum maybe because things with Shikamaru weren’t like with Sasuke. Sasuke and Naruto were practically predestined as if they’d imprinted on one another early in life and their bodies were just waiting on their minds and hearts to get there. There was some uncertainty with Shikamaru Nara and Naruto found that he wasn’t as sure he’d get his man if he went after him, not with competition like Neji and Shino. Finally after getting a second beer for himself and answering the door to the pizza delivery boy he settled back on the sofa. Naruto spent the next twenty minutes backing Shikamaru up before they descended into conversations about missions, movies, girls and boys… finally ending the night after three hours of video games.

Naruto and Shikamaru cleaned up and went to bed. He hesitated at the door and the blond wondered if his friend would want him back in his bed. After seeing Gaara and learning his secrets he wouldn’t blame the other man if he had changed his mind. “Naruto, I’m not sleeping in the guest bed. Get in here… we both sleep better this way.” Seconds later the blond slid into the cool sheets and pulled Shikamaru against him. This did feel very good and that meant it was probably very wrong. He didn’t want to hurt Shikamaru but he wasn’t ready to give him up either. “Stop thinking so loud. We’ll talk tomorrow. Gaara pretty much laid it out for me. So we can talk about it tomorrow.” Tomorrow, Naruto sighed closing his eyes, he could handle that.

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Simmer down guys... I never said she WAS forgiven, I said form Sasuke's POV she had been and it had happened very easily and felt it was unfair. Naruto is still Naruto though and he doesn't like hurting people. Forgiving and not punishing are two different things.