Finding a Bit of Trust

Title: Finding a Bit of Trust

Fandom: Naruto

Chapter: 25

Characters: Neji, Shikamaru and Naruto

Word count: 1,237

AN: I am so close to finishing this story! So very close. Doesn’t mean that it’s close to being done being posted. Just written. :3

 

So, here’s hoping I finish this story before May yeah?

Reviews: Kuro: *blinks after the kiss* Err, you're welcome. *blinks* *staggers off*

Okamis_Pet_Kitsune: Well, I'm glad you enjoyed what I have up so far. I've been enjoying writing this story and I'm working on getting it finished while I post pre-written chapters. I've never liked reading the villagers all pissy at him when he's older, so I decided not to write it like that. I'm glad it went over well.

smint45: I don't remember if I replied to you, so I do so now. Yes, yes they are. >3

*~*~*~*

 

“I still say that she’s a sociopathic, narcissistic bitch,” Itachi snorted, shifting on his couch, laying out on it with a casual grace. Naruto sat in one arm chair while Sasuke sat on a floor cushion with a pile of papers next to him.

 

It had been three weeks since Naurto had ended up with his ears, nearly two since Sakura had escaped and Naruto and Ibiki had started to date. During that time, Sasuke had taken his place in working in the medical archives, the wedding invitations had been sent off and Itachi had been found out as one of the blonds ANBU guards. Neji and Shikamaru had also found another base, this one even older then the first base and not as well cleaned out.

 

Some of the information, distorted as it had been, had been rather informational as to what Danzo had been up to, especially since they now had the mans name. They had also found more information on the Uchiha massacre and how Orochimaru had gotten away with doing it amongst a village full of elite and paranoid nins.

 

“I’m not denying that, but I’m not going to let her run my life so much, especially with me being courted by Ibiki,” Naruto snorted, an ear flicking in the mans’ direction. I’m also going to enjoy my life, especially since Tsunade-baa-chan told the village yesterday about what had happened.”

 

“The Harunos came up to him and asked for his forgiveness for their daughters’ idiocy afterwards,” Sasuke drawled, putting aside the paper in his hands. “How the hell do you get two rather good looking people like the Harunos, both of who are stable and rather nice, and get a daughter like Sakura?” he asked, shaking his head.

 

“Could be she’s a throwback in her family. Either that or all the fangirling rotted her brain so completely that she became ugly,” Itachi mused as he watched his younger brother curse over the papers. “Father was a throwback. He kinda reminded me of our great times six grandfather actually. From what I read of the mans journals, he and father shared the same thought process.”

 

“Oh goody, our father was a single minded, prejudice jackass,” Sasuke snorted as he picked up the next pile of papers. “We knew this, so now worries.”

 

“You’re both nuts,” Naruto snorted as he picked up a pen and grabbed his notebook to continue writing out any information he remembered from over the years. At the request of Ibiki, he had started to write down every hit, insult and snide remark thrown at him by Sakura.

 

He was still working on the first 3 months after before their first big mission, nearly a week after he had started.

 

“You knew this when you kicked Sasukes ass over listening to the old council,” Itachi drawled, finally deciding to pick up his book, it seemingly more interesting then his brother cursing over paperwork.

 

“Tell me again why everyone believed that you would betray the village, Itachi-san?” Naruto asked teasingly.

”Because they were quite like sheep before,” came the dry reply. “Why Sasuke agreed to become Orochimarus ass boy, I will never know.”

 

“That’s easy, Itachi. I had an ego the size of Fire Country and they used that against me,” Sasuke said, distracted by the papers in his hands as Naruto jotted something down. “The seal also really fucked with my will power and ability to think straight.”

 

“It’s true. After the snaky one bit him, he became even more of a jackass,” Naruto hummed, getting dual snorts from the brothers. “Why did I promise Sakura that I would drag your ass back? Oh yea, because the Third asked me to keep an eye on you because kakashi was unknowing and blind, and Sakura was a fan-girl in a Genin form,” He said, voice sarcastic as Sasuke rolled his eyes and Itachi smirked as he flipped the page in his book.

 

“Shove it, Naruto,” Saskue said, the three falling into a comfortable silence between them. Only the sound of paper rustling filled the silence along with an occasional hum of thought. “So, how’s the courting going between you and Ibiki-san?” Sasuke asked as he finally stood and stretched.

 

“It’s going well. We’ve had one date but the last few days have been busy for both of us,” Naruto admitted, smiling lightly to himself. “He’s been catching up on paperwork and working on the information they had found in the places. On the other hand, I’ve been working on this memory collection, training and doing as many mini missions as I can until I’m cleared to work the academy.”

 

“Why can’t you take missions outside of the village? Don’t you usually have a group with you?” Itachi asked. He wondered if Ibiki had told him about that situation before deciding he hadn’t.

 

“Tsundae-baa-chan decided that it would be better if I stayed within the village so it’s easier for my guards to watch over me,” Naruto replied, jotting down a new date and insult.

 

“Ah, I see. It would be hard, even for an ANBU, to follow you around when you’re trying to be sneaky,” Itachi mused, tossing his book aside as Sasuke walked out of the living room. “So, who’s your guard today?”

 

“For now, you and Sasuke. I’m to stay put until either Ibiki or Sparrow and Wolf pop up,” Naruto stated. Itachi hummed, extending his senses, finding nothing unusual on the grounds. There wasn’t much outside of a few birds, a passing ANBU with the suppressed chakra of a chipmunk, and of course, an actual chipmunk that felt rather pissed about something. Itachi smirked as he moved his arm to rest under his head. “Something funny?” the blond asked in curiosity.

 

“Pissed off chipmunk,” came the snorted reply. Naruto looked up with surprised eyes, blinking a few times before he started to laugh. Sasuke chose that moment to walk back in, plate of sandwiches in hand and looked at his laughing friend.

 

“Do I want to know?” he asked dryly, giving his brother a long look. Itachi just smiled and crossed his legs, looking more and more like a lounging cat.

 

“Just told him about the pissed off chipmunk,” Itachi hummed, sending Naruto into a new fit of laughter.

 

“That chipmunk is always pissed off about something or another,” Sasuke replied, placing the sandwich plate down on the table before opening a window. A messenger bird swept in and landed next to the still giggling Naruto, ruffling its feathers slightly.

 

“Looks like a message from Ibiki,” the blond finally got out as he pulled off the small roll of paper, running a hand down the birds back. “He’s not going to be able to make dinner tonight. He has a new guest,” Naruto red, tearing off a piece of paper out of his note book and scrawling a reply. Once his reply was tucked away in the small pouch, the bird clacked her beak before taking off.

”So you’re alone tonight?” Sasuke asked, handing out sandwiches to the other two.

 

“At least until Ibiki gets back, most definitely for dinner. It’s all good though,” Naruto promised with a smile.

 

“How so?” Itachi asked, taking a bite out of his food.

 

“I get to catch up on my reading without some huge man who makes me think naughty thoughts distracting me,” Naruto purred, getting choked laughter from the two brothers.