Broken Promises

Chapter 20 : New Beginnings

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Kudichan: I love Neji/Shika its one of my favorite pairings. Sorry its been so long with this update and I hope it doesn’t disappoint. I needed to make a few tweaks to my original plan… and once more I fear I might have extended this some more.

Sadie237: Yeah I wanted to get some things covered to move on in the story and get to a point where I could start to fix Naruto & Sasuke. Also to help bring the other couples closer. OH! *hugs* I’ve missed you guys… and this fic too honestly. I thought someone needed to be there for her. To help he get through this too. They both did something wrong and Sakura has been taken out of exile but no one is listening to her side of things… the team have been badly injured and I don’t know if or how they’ll stay together.

Loveusender: Naruto has made up his mind to give Sasuke a chance to make it better. He really can’t promise more than that… who could when they feel completely betrayed? Sasuke will hold on I did promise a happy ending. Don’t worry Hon. I’m working on it. Just stick with me ok?

JtheChosen1: I’m very glad you enjoyed it and very, very glad you left me this feedback.

Valmasy03: LOL I will not give anything away other then the promise of a happy ending.

Midnight Essence: I’m glad you are happy! I got a brand new Kureig for getting married. It was a great reason to get married! LOL It make me SO happy… oh and the hubby too! Naruto is right, if he took the coffee maker Shikamaru would be devastated. I hope we are starting a new level I hope it lives up to expectations.
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Training wasn’t just awkward, it was uncomfortable and even Kakashi could feel it. Four days of relatively no progress had been his limit.

“Enough. We are one of the requested teams. Do you know what that means in a village full of shinobi?” Kakashi crossed his arms furiously glaring at his three team mates. “It means if we don’t get this act together, I have to go to the Hokage and request MY team be disbanded.” His eye brow was ticking slightly.

They didn’t know what to say. They’d seen all sorts of side of Kakashi but never the side that was angry, especially not angry at them. “Sakura… Sasuke. The truth is you should both be ashamed of yourselves. I’m ashamed of you. I had hoped our years together would have taught you better. Would have you value your team more than your hormones.” He shook his head when they looked away. “And Naruto, I understand and believe you have every right to be hurt. If you requested a transfer off of this team I could respect that. What do you gain from exile though? Exile from them and your team? If you wanted to be gone you would be, but you are here. So it’s time to start acting like a team.”

Turning Kakashi walked away calling back over his shoulder. “You don’t have to forget what’s been done, but you do need to forgive. When you’re ready to act like a team, come find me.” Then he was smoke.

Mouth open eyes wide Naruto looked from the disappearing smoke to Sasuke and Sakura. “Did we just get a lecture about growing up and acting like a team from Kakashi?”

Sakura and Sasuke blinked in shock before the pink haired girl started giggling and then bent she was laughing so hard. “Of… of ALL the people to lecture us about maturity… HIM?” That comment had Naruto start laughing as well.

“This is ridiculous. I do need to train.” Sasuke sighed. “I bet Neji’s too tired to be of any use.” His words were muttered but his mouth was slightly pinched. Neji had become a friend and the bastard was getting laid regularly. If Sasuke didn’t have sex soon he might kill someone.

“What? Why?” Sakura frowned, looking between the two boys.

“I uh, got my own place because Shika started seeing Neji.” Naruto smiled happy for his friends. “And Shikamaru is a complete horn dog. If Neji can walk after a week with him, he’s made of… fox demon.” The blond blushed laughing a little.

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. “Hn.”

“Are there even any straight guys LEFT in this village?” He arms crossed and Sakura sighed. “Its like a plague.” Now she was pouting.

“Hey, hey its going to be ok. I’m sure you’ll find someone, great who will… love you for just how and who you are.” Naruto stuffed his hands in his pockets he’d always hated seeing an upset Sakura.

“I… thank you.” Looking up Sakura swallowed. She hadn’t said it yet, she’d been too afraid. “I am sorry Naruto. What I did was unforgiveable. It was selfish and stupid and… and I feel horrible for it. I just needed to say that’s to you.”

Naruto frowned a little, looking at the grass beneath his feet. “Thank you. For apologizing it, it does mean something to me. I’m not ready yet to go back to how things were. But I do… I do want to try to get there. You were my best friends. We almost died for each other a number of times.”

Sakura grinned a little at the hope Naruto had given her. “I’m… I’m going to put him some extra time with Lady Tsunade. I’m still in trouble and I could use the training.” Waving she headed off smiling for real. It wasn’t perfect but they were talking.

“Walk me home Teme.” Naruto sighed turning toward the road. Sasuke fell into step with a smirk on his lips.

“Nothing better I’d like to… hey you’ve moved into your new place right?” Sasuke glanced at Naruto through his bangs.

Looking over Naruto blushed. He hated when Sasuke looked so cute and sexy. “Why?” Hesitating he added. “Yes I moved yesterday. Neji, Shikamaru, and Kiba helped.”

“Hn. It bugs me they’ve all seen your bedroom and I haven’t… it bugs me more that you’ve got a bedroom.” Sasuke sighs. Then he looked ahead and changed the subject before Naruto could respond. “I haven’t gotten you a house warming gift. I thought I could buy you a coffee maker since Nara stole yours. Maybe even something easier to use?”

Smirking Naruto looked up at his building. He wasn’t ready to take Sasuke in but, but he wouldn’t mind more time with Sasuke. “Coffee maker shopping… I think you’ll have to buy me ramen.”

“Ramen?” Sasuke smirked. It was dinner and he was taking it. “It’s a date Uzumaki.” He wanted to reach out, hold the blond’s handbut he knew it was too soon.

“Eh! No I didn’t mean…well, you’re buying.” Naruto huffed blushing. Letting Sasuke lead him to the appliance shop. He saw the range, three full aisles of coffee makers. “This is just… unsettling. This is why tea is good. A kettle, that’s all you need.” Shaking his head sighing.

“Come on Naruto I promise nothing like mine, we can even make it easier than the one you got for your birthday.” Sasuke chuckled a little. They looked them over, Sasuke reading, actually reading what each did and how they worked before coming back and stopping before a maker. “This one. It’s Dobe proof.” He grinned glancing at Naruto, who was blushing adorably. “You aren’t going to let me up to set it up for you, right?” Sighing Sasuke didn’t wait for Naruto to shake his head.

Sasuke grabbed it up, he turned and grabbed three different boxes and then two boxes of tea. Once purchased they left the store and it was dark out. Sasuke held the bag as they walked to Ichiraku’s for dinner. Sliding onto a stool next to Naruto they smiled and ordered. Before their ramen was served Sasuke pulled the coffee maker box up.

“alright this is going to be very easy. See this little clear bit. You pour water in there. You wait for the little instruction on this blue screen to say ‘ready’ you put one of these cups in.” Sasuke opened one of the boxes he’d purchased. “They’re premeasured sealed, perfect then close the lever and hit the button that is the right size cup you’d like.” He chuckled a little. “I’ve gotten you a breakfast blend coffee, two boxes of chocolate, one dark one milk. Also two boxes of tea, one green and one a spice.”

Naruto stared in wonder. “Wait… how long have these been around.” He looked at Sasuke suspiciously. “How long?” He glared suddenly. “And you have that horrible thing… monster that I can’t even USE?” Crossing his arms he turned back toward the counter. “I hate you.”

Sasuke’s heart sped up and he turned back after putting the maker away. ‘I hate you’ from Naruto always lead to so much more. It had since academy, since their first kiss. The bowls appeared and Naruto whimpered. “Oh, Sasuke… I love you.” He broke the chop sticks and quickly started devouring the ramen.

“I love you too Naruto.” He sighed starting to eat. He saw Naruto hesitate then continue eating. Once more his heart started beating fast. Why did the Dobe always have this effect on him? And why didn’t he ever want it to stop?

Naruto ate five bowls before stopping, Sasuke ate three and stopped but watched Naruto. Sasuke lifted the bag and paid. “Come on.” Naruto blinked at Sasuke in surprise. “You said I could walk you home.”

“Oh, right.” Grinning at Sasuke he nodded and they headed back toward his new apartment building. “Are you, ok with this Sasuke?”

Thinking for a moment he shook his head. “I’m fine with it Naruto. I broke your trust I need to earn it. I’m ready for it. And I never really wooed you, courted you. It started during sparring then spiraled into the relationship we had. It was an amazing relationship and could be again if I get this right. I want to get this right and…” Sasuke looked at Naruto he grinned. “If you need to be courted I’m happy to.”

“Why don’t you just start with walking me home?” Naruto was blushing.

“That’s how this date is ending. I bought you a present; I took you to dinner… now I’m talking you home.” Sasuke stilled as they reached to door of Naruto’s apartment building. He held the bag out and smiled. “I had a good time. Thank you.”

“Isn’t that what I am meant to say?” He grinned back with sparkly blue eyes. Naruto help what happened next, it was natural for him, instinct… it just felt right. Leaning in he pressed his lips to Sasuke’s then pulled back. “I’m… I’m so.” Sasuke’s fingers pressed to his lips.

“Don’t say sorry. Never ever apologize to me for something like that.” Smiling softly Sasuke took a deep breath. “Good night, Naruto.” Turning away was the hardest thing Sasuke had ever done but he was smiling on his own walk home. That Maybe had just turned into a YES.

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Well... I'm honestly worried about this chapter... I fairly sure its complete rubbish.