Ok, so this is the possible start of a one shot sequence that I'll possibly update as I get to it. Not quite a coherent story, but it'll be ok.
The pairing's not where I'd normally go, but it worked better for the plot I had than any other pairing I can reasonably write.
Don't own Naruto, but the three nameless genin in this one shot are mine.
It was their anniversary, and she fussed around the house. She'd set the table for two, and she was expecting him home soon.
I'll be home for our anniversary.
He'd yet to break a promise, so she knew he'd be home soon.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
She bounded over, expecting to see him at the door with flowers or chocolates or some other gift for her.
I'll bring you a gift.
Instead, her team mate stood there with hollow eyes and pasty skin.
"Is something the matter?" she asked, clutching the doorframe for support.
"Ino…" he said weakly.
She went pale, knowing something was wrong.
"It's Naruto."
I'll be fine.
"What happened, Choji?" she asked.
"They were ambushed on their way back." Choji explained, "Naruto was protecting his team."
"Where is he?" she asked desperately.
"The hospital. The Hokage is with him now."
"His team?"
"All under observation. They took some hard hits."
"It was a C-rank mission for genin. How'd they end up in that kind of fight?"
"Wrong place, wrong time. Naruto did his job as a sensei and protected them."
Ino glanced back at the table set for two and said, "Take me to him, Choji."
Don't worry about me.
--ooo--
There were more wires and tubes visible than flesh. His hair was matted and the colour of the dried blood that was all through it, with only streaks of the beautiful sunny blonde that she loved to run her fingers through.
Three genin, only twelve and a half years old, sat in the waiting room with her.
"Will Sensei be ok?" the girl asked.
"Sure he will." the taller boy declared, "He's Sensei. Nothing stops Sensei."
"Don't be so sure." the shorter boy said, "Even the best ninja fall eventually."
"Don't say that." the taller boy hissed, glancing at the girl sitting next to him, her eyes covered by a bandage. It was unlikely she'd ever be a ninja again, not with the limited sight she would have now if she had any sight left at all. With the injuries all three had sustained, it was doubtful if any of them would ever be fit to be ninjas again.
"Ino, since you're here," Sakura said, coming over, "the results from your test came in."
Ino turned to Sakura, waiting for more bad news.
--ooo--
"He is no longer physically among us, but he will always remain with us." Tsunade said at the funeral, "Although our sun has set, let us keep his light in our hearts and minds."
Ino didn't look good in black, everyone knew that, but today it seemed most fitting that she of all people wore the colour of mourning.
"You didn't keep your promise, Naruto." Sakura whispered to the dead youth's coffin, "You didn't make it back for your anniversary."
"No." Ino insisted, "He did make it back. He even brought me a gift, just like he promised."
She glanced at the diamond ring on her finger, found in Naruto's pocket after he died the day after their anniversary. This was the gift he'd wanted to give her, and her reply would have easily been yes to the question that would've accompanied the ring.
Three genin stood to Ino's left, the three students Naruto had taken on six months ago and left a profound effect on.
The girl was working to overcome her blindness, the taller boy was recovering nicely with therapy, and the shorter boy was left with only a few scars where they had thought he would lose all sensation in his left leg. The three of them would be ninja again in no time, and intended to take the first chunin exam they could rather than follow another sensei's orders.
"He gave you more than one gift, you know." Sakura replied.
Ino's hand fell to her still-flat abdomen.
Yes, she decided with a smile, his other gift would be with her for a very long time to come.
I never want you to cry because of me, Ino-chan. If I ever make you cry, I promise to make it up to you. I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy again.
Although he'd never know it, Naruto had kept every promise he ever made.
He came home, although not how he intended to.
He gave her two gifts, although one he'd never known about.
He made her cry, but he made her happy again with the thought that a piece of him would always be there with her.
I'll love you forever, Ino-chan. I promise.
She never doubted for a minute that every promise he made, he'd keep.
Note to self: never listen to The Last Post while contemplating a one shot.
I'm Australian, so I'm currently celebrating ANZAC day. (Google it if those terms if they mean nothing to you).
So, later.
Reviews appreciated, but not required.