Narusaku – A Little Too Not Over You

Introduction:
It’s been a year since Sasuke returned and for some very unexpected reason, everyone in the village has taken him back in with open arms. Except Naruto that is.

Naruto was expecting to have Sakura run up to him and hug him to death for bringing Sasuke back for him, wrong. She ran straight towards Sasuke and took him to the hospital leaving a very disappointed and extremely injured Naruto in the middle of the road at midnight. Ever since, Sakura and Sasuke have been dating but Sasuke still refuses to kiss her, as said by Ino.

Naruto has been training and working himself to death every night alone. He’d run over to the training grounds at the brake of dawn and be sent to hospital at the end of the day just to escape again to train the next morning.

Sasuke has been avoiding Naruto as much as possible and none of the Rookie nine, not even Naruto, know why. Every time Sakura tries to see what’s wrong with Naruto at the hospital, Sasuke is always there to pull her away.

Sakura on the other hand has no problem dating Sasuke, yet, even thought he hasn’t been letting her see her best friend. She still cares a lot about the knucklehead but doesn’t show it, not even Ino can tell and she usually can.

Now, Naruto is sitting on his bed looking out the window at around 11 p.m. Tsuande has refused to let him train for a month and has AMBU on the look out to make sure he doesn’t. The only problem with her plan is that with all that training, plus the sage training Naruto went through in the past, he could get through a hundred AMBU black ops in just a few seconds, but let’s not tell her that. Oh and everyone’s 19, just so you know.

Ch.1
Naruto P.O.V.

I’m looking out the window, for what? Has my life really become this boring? Maybe because everyone’s been hanging at clubs together and I never get asked to join. Nah.

I laid my crossed arms on the window sill. My hair’s gotten so long these days, I can barely see with it in my eyes. I ran my hand through my hair for like the thousandth time tonight, I should really cut my hair to a decent length. Not like anyone really cares about how I look these days though, anyone but Tsuande. I swear if that old bag uses her saliva to hold my hair back again, no more sake for a year.

Knock, Knock

Who the hell could that be?
I got up from my bed and walked over to my door “Who is it?” I asked before opening it. I waited a few measly seconds before they replied “Tax collectors” what the fu*k? I swung the door open “What the fu*k do you mean by tax collectors? What fu*king tax do I ha…Kiba?” I glared at my frightened friend for a minute before saying anything “What the hell Kiba?”

At that he burst into laughter. I stood there waiting for a few minutes, glancing at my wristwatch every now and then, waiting for him to calm down and FU*KING SHUT UP ALREADY “HAHA…HA…haha…ok…ha…sorry ‘bout that…oh god…the look on your face…haha…priceless” he wiped away an invisible tear. I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow “sorry, sorry…I know…childish” I shot him a crooked grin “you think” I gave him a friendly shove.

After laughing at the infantile greeting, we both shared a whole bottle of sake “so what brings you here, man?” I asked. No one’s really spoken to me in awhile. Maybe because I’ve been avoiding everyone to go train. I’m truly a baka, now.

He lay back against one of my new leather sofas “well, it’s just that, you know. You haven’t been hanging ‘round for a while and c’mon. Can’t a man go visit his friend without a whole explanation?” well I was half right “yeah he can” I said smiling slightly. He smiled with me then bursted out screaming “hey, I forgot. Ino’s having a party thrown for Sakura’s birthday today. She told me to invite you” WHAT.

I was on my feet in a second, nearly spilling the sake all over the floor. I ran, placed the bottle on the kitchen counter and ran to my bedroom window calling out to Kiba in a rush “thanks for reminding me dude. Have to get her a present. See you there” I jumped out and landed in the middle of the street, frightening a few villagers. I ran at a normal speed towards the market place.

I was just turning the corner when I sensed an AMBU op on my tail with my nature chakra. I smiled to myself then in the blink of an eye I was behind him. He didn’t notice ‘til he lost me, scanning the area for me until he found me behind him “miss me” I smiled then was behind him again with a kunai to his throat “listen man. I’m not escaping to go train, ok. I’m just going to buy a birthday present for a friend. Stop chasing after me or so help me god, I’ll slice your throat open. Tell Tsuande-obaa-chan that I send my greetings and that I promise to keep away from the training grounds. Oh and I promise I won’t hesitate to kill you”

His heartbeat was racing, and I knew I had him where I wanted him. I leaned in to whisper in his ear “and I always keep my promises” I held another kunai to his back. I smiled in response to his nod and disappeared into the darkness of night.

I ran for a while looking for an open store ‘til I spotted an open jewelry shop down the road. I ran at top speed to get there before it closed “hey, hey. Don’t close yet” I held the door that the man was trying to close “excuse me sir, but we’re close” I looked into the store to see some of the most beautiful jewelry shining through the glass of the door I was holding “please sir, I have money. I really need to get something for a special friend, please, anything” he looked up to see me serious. Please, please, please. He opened the door wide open “ok but you have to clean up the shop for me tonight” “sure”

I disappeared in the blink of an eye and returned to the counter “done” I called out to him showing that I had already picked out my choice of jewelry “in a rush are we” he said taking his time to walk over to me “yes, yes, yes. Now can you please move faster” he ran over to the counter and I paid him the exact amount of money. I was just about to run out when he called after me “don’t forget you said you would clean up for me” “oh yeah” I ran out leaving a cloud of smoke behind. A clone appeared and started cleaning the shop.

I finally reached my apartment and ran in to change into something appropriate. Some blue faded jeans, black t-shirt, orange button down shirt, and dress shoes. Some colon and a few minutes of hopeless brushing of my hair, which refused to tame. DONE.

When I was heading towards my door I noticed that Kiba had left a note on my coffee table. I picked it up to see the name of the club the party would be at. I can’t believe I completely forgot that I didn’t even know where the party was supposed to be.

I was out the door in a flash, running as fast as I could towards the club. When I was just outside the door, Kiba turned around and noticed me coming up “hey man, over here” I walked at a normal pace to the entrance. Once inside I could here everyone singing Happy Birthday “Happy Birthday dear Sakura, Happy Birthday to You” everyone was clapping and that’s when Kiba took the chance to make my appearance noticed “Hey everyone, Naruto’s here”.

I looked around to see a bunch of smiles directed towards me. I didn’t smile back because there was only one person I was here for. I searched the whole place ‘til I found her on the stage behind a pink-icing covered cake with sugar cherry blossoms. She was so beautiful. Her long pink hair that she decided to grow back was in curls all the way down her back. She was wearing a spaghetti strap, I think, light green dress. The dress was perfect, lining her curses in the sexiest and most beautiful of ways.

And that’s when I saw them. Those beautiful jade green eyes, wide and surprised, staring down at me. She smiled my favorite smile and waved at me “Naruto, Hey.” But then she was being dragged across the stage. I saw Sasuke holding her wrist in a tight grip, pulling her out of the club. I could only make out what they were saying “Sasuke-kun, where are we going?” “It’s getting late. We should get home” “no, we just got here. Let’s stay, I really want to” “No Sakura. Let’s go”

I was blocking the back door in a second “let go of her” he glared at me with his emotionless black eyes “get out of the way dobe. Who ever said that you can tell me what to do” I shot him the same deadly glare “the fact that you don’t own her, that’s what. If she wants to stay, let her. It’s her choice. Oh and you better do it quick, it’s getting late, don’t want to miss your bedtime. Right little Sasuke” I ruffled his hair, getting a few low laughs from everyone in the club, including Sakura that was giggling.

He let go of her and glared back at me “oh yeah Naruto. You know it’s midnight right. Guess you forgot your bedtime was four hours ago” I gasped in shock and mockingly put my hand over my mouth “oh my god, Sasuke. How did you know my bedtime was at eight?” I said sarcastically and everyone else caught on “are you a stocker?” I whispered loud enough into his ear for Sakura to hear. She started laughing so loud she had to cover her mouth.

“Wow Sasuke” I started again. I stepped back, giving him enough space to leave “I didn’t know you were that good at math. Congratulations, you beat me there” I mockingly threw my hands into the air “maybe if I paid more attention like you back in the academy years, I’d be gay now, too. Bet you’d like that wouldn’t you” I playfully elbowed his ribs gaining yet another round of laughs “you can leave screaming like a schoolgirl, now. If you want to you know” I said walking back into the club with Sakura behind me with a tight grin on her face, probably trying really hard not to laugh.

I took her hand and brought her over to all the presents, glancing over my shoulder to see Sasuke was glaring at me. I let go of Sakura’s hand and put my arm over her shoulder, I swear I heard Sasuke hiss behind me. Using my other hand, I gave him the finger behind my back so he can see it clearly, and that’s when he left. I grinned to myself and continued to walk with Sakura to the presents.

I lead her towards a chair Ino had set in the circle of presents “hey Naruto” she said and gave me a hug “hey yourself” I said looking at her way too revealing top “you should put a coat on, it’s pretty cold tonight” I whispered into her ear “silly Naruto” she playfully pushed me away “that’s the plan” she said and pushed me back further “now move back, everyone wants to see her presents, not just you”

After about twenty beautiful presents and a not so beautiful green jumpsuit from Lee and Gai, it was my turn “don’t forget mine Sakura-chan” she smiled up at me “yours? I don’t see anymore presents” she said searching the floor “ah, but mine’s a surprise. Close your eyes” she closed her eyes “ok but please don’t shove a pie in my face, got it” I gasped for effect again “how did you know I was going to do that” her eyes snapped open “what?!?” “Just joking Sakura-chan” I said laughing.

Once she closed her eyes again, I pulled a black velvet case out of my pocket and everyone gasped. I opened the case to a small pink cherry blossom-shaped diamond with two green leaf-shaped diamonds molded into the sides. I pulled it by the silver chain and closed the case “Sakura, you lucky bitch” I heard Ino call from inside the crowd “what? What is it?” Sakura asked. I leaned in and whispered into her ear “oh you’ll see” I lifted the chain over her head and bought it back down “hold your hair up for me, please?” I asked in a whisper. She pulled her hair up and I slid the chain around her slender neck and clipped it on in the back “Happy Birthday” I whispered in a low, husky tone into her ear.
She opened her eyes and looked down at the diamond hanging off the chain around her neck “oh my god” she turned around and jumped me “thank you Naruto, thank you, thank you, thank you” she hugged me in a deadly grip “can’t…breath” I choked out “oh sorry” she got up and helped me to my feet “thank you Naruto” “yeah, yeah. I heard it the first time” she frowned “but it’s not like I don’t love it when you say that” I said giving her my own hug “awe Naruto, that’s so sweet” Kiba said patting his short eyelashes in an attempt to look like a little girl, that is so freaky “shut up Kiba” I chased him for the rest of the party.

When the party was over, everyone started to leave, wishing Sakura a wonderful birthday “thank you, thank you” she repeated over and over to her guests. I smiled as she shook everyone’s hands. She turned to find me behind her “oh Naruto, didn’t see you there” “it’s ok. How ‘bout I walk you home, you might be strong but that’s a lot of presents” I gestured toward the stack of boxes still inside the club “sure thanks” she smiled and lead me back in to help.

We were now just outside her apartment door when I put all the bags down “thanks again” she said blushing “no problem” I said putting my hand on the doorframe as she searched for her keys. She found them and put them in the slot but didn’t open the door “Thanks Naruto for everything. If you didn’t help me back there with Sasuke I wouldn’t have been able to open my presents” “it’s ok. My pleasure” I said smiling. She hugged me “you always did care” she pulled away slightly, still in my arms, I looked into her eyes “never said I didn’t” I whispered looking into her jade eyes.

She leaned in a little, I could feel her breath against my lips, our lips barely apart “it’s getting late” she said and pulled back “you should head home and get some sleep” she said turning her head away, as if she was in an awkward situation. Well it was an awkward situation for her. She already has a boyfriend, who refuses to kiss her. Now her best friend is inches away from kissing her, while she still has that boyfriend, the boyfriend that she wanted to have for over eight years. Pretty awkward for me, too, seeing as I referred to her boyfriend as a brother. Who do you see kissing their brother’s girlfriend, jerks right? I don’t want to be a jerk, although he already is one.

I let my arms fall from around her waist “yeah, it is getting late” I ran my hand through my hair, AGAIN “let me just help you bring these in” “ok” she said quietly. She reached for the knob but the door flung open “what took you so long?” SASUKE. I looked to Sakura to see she was also confused “Sasuke-kun? What are you doing here?” “What are you talking about Sakura? I told you I was staying over” Sakura glared at him “no you didn’t” “well I am now, get in before you get attacked by a fox” he glared at me.

“What did you just say Sasuke? Don’t make me bitch-slap you, asshole” “bitch-slap me? The only bitch her is you” “listen here bastard. Shut the fu*k up before I fu*king kill you” I screamed in his face “kill me? Please like you can lay a finger on m-” “BOYS” we both looked at Sakura “don’t make me slap the both of you silly. I’ve had enough of your god damn fighting” she turned to Sasuke “what you did at the club and what you said just now were both uncalled for. I have the right to do whatever I want whenever I want and you don’t choice for me. And there was no reason for you to say that about Naruto. He’s the one who stayed with me at the club and helped me over so stop acting like an ass”

She turned to me “and you Naruto, you didn’t have to raise your voice, although what you said at the club did help me out, you didn’t have to scream at him now” she stepped back away from us and dropped her head “I-if…all y-you’re…going t-to do…is fight. Y-you can b-both…l-l-leave” she looked up with tear-filled eyes “if y-you’ll e-excuse m-me…I n-need to g-get some s-sleep” she went inside and slammed the door leaving both of us out.

Sasuke glared at me then left “dobe” he whispered as he left. I backed up against the hallway wall across from her door and fell to my knees. She was right. I didn’t have to scream, damn temper. I put my elbows on my knees and held my head up with my hands as I fell asleep outside her apartment.