Author: Shimizu Asuka
Title: Never Forget Me
Chapter: One: Twelve Long Years
Summary: It's been twelve years, but now Naruto is going to see Sasuke again. He is engaged to Sakura, but is there still love between Naruto and Sasuke after their long time apart?
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Naruto walked out of his house in Tokyo with his fiance, and childhood friend, Sakura. He was driving to his hometown, where he had grown up. It was kind of painful, but he was going to visit his parents graves, and some of his old friends. It was Konoha, an old fashioned village that still practiced ninjas and shinobi. There were other small civilizations around it as well. Naruto was amazed at how as the world around them changed, yet they still stayed the same. He wasn't really excited to have all the memories flood him when he stepped through the gate of the village, some things were hard to think about.
'Sasuke...'
He could hardly bear to think about Sasuke. It had been a long time ago, and he was going to marry Sakura in a few weeks, so he couldn't linger on the past. He thought about what his life would've been like if he hadn't left Sasuke, and thought about it every night for twelve years. It didn't help him at all. In a weird way he hoped Sasuke wasn't still living there, in Konoha, it would be so difficult to see him again after so long. Naruto didn't know if he could handle it yet. It might not be such a good idea.
Sakura was all ready to go, so Naruto got in the car and started the engine. It was going to be a long drive.
-
The road was almost devoid of traffic by now, as they were getting close to Konohagakure. Not many people visited there, as it was not a very popular or a welcoming place to tourists and strangers.
'Oh Sasuke, I hope that I can see you again... One more time... Just one more time before I force myself to forget everything I love about you...'
"Naru-baby, whats wrong? You look lost," Sakura said in a sugar sweet voice.
"Its nothing. Just thinking."
'Sasuke, she thought, why do you still own his mind even after its been so long?'
Naruto continued to drive until they got to a lot. It was empty, and very small. It was for the occasional visitors. Naruto and Sakura grabbed their bags and started walking towards Konoha.
They reached the gates and they found Kiba guarding it. He did a double take of Naruto and Sakura walking towards the gate. He smiled when he saw them, he'd heard Hokage-sama say something about it, but he didn't think they'd be coming so soon.
"Naruto, Sakura. I didn't think you'd be here so soon," Kiba said hugging them one at a time. He stepped out of the way and let them enter the village
It looked almost exactly the same. There was a little more technology around then there used to be, but not much. Naruto could remember walking in through the gates and going straight home for raman and sleep.
He looked down an alley that he only walked down once. It had been dark and he didn't exactly know where he was going. He had met some less then happy boys. They called him many names and beat him up. Sasuke had found him a few hours later and took him back to the Uchiha Estate. Then he had cleaned up the wounds and laid Naruto down to rest. He used the utmost care. As if he thought that Naruto would break. He murmured words of comfort as Naruto cried to Sasuke about what they had done. He only looked at Naruto with care, never judgingly, never critically.
Maybe that was why he had fallen so hard and fast for Sasuke.
Naruto went to the hotel room that him and Sakura had rented for their stay. After they dropped off their bags they went to the Hokage's office.
Tsunade was there behind the desk with a lot of paperwork there. Apparently things never changed. Naruto looked into her face, and it didn't look like she had aged at all in the twelve years that he was gone.
"Naruto, I didn't expect you so soon. I'm glad to see you look well. As well as you Sakura," Tsunade said getting up and shaking their hands. Naruto ignored the hand and hugged Tsunade. She seemed taken back. But relaxed after a moment.
"So I guess you found the place alright."
Naruto nodded and took Sakura's hand.
"How have you two been?" she asked the couple.
"Engaged," Naruto said looking at Sakura with love. Sasuke or not, he would always love Sakura.
"Oh really? That's big news. I'm glad you two are happy. What are you doing exactly?"
"Naruto's a big shot lawyer, and I'm a nurse in the best hospital in Tokyo," Sakura said finally getting a word in the conversation.
"A lawyer? You've done well for yourself Dobe."
Everyone looked at the door. And there was the last person Naruto wanted to see.
"Sasuke..." Naruto whispered as Sakura felt the need to say, "Sasuke! So good to see you," she ran and gave him a big hug.
"So you two are engaged?" Sasuke asked with coldness in his eyes.
"Yeah," Naruto said quietly, looking at the floor. Naruto couldn't bear looking at Sasuke. It was so hard after so long.
"Congratulations," Sasuke said with a small smile.
"Sasuke is in training to be the next Hokage," Tsunade said with pride. You could tell that she had warmed up to him a little since Naruto had left. She used to hate him, but now they seemed to be friends. In the shallowest sense of the word. They were cordial. But nothing more. You could tell that something about Sasuke didn't sit right with the Hokage, but it was nothing important. Nothing to keep him from being the next in line for Hokage.
"Really? Thats awesome Sasuke. Congrats to you too," Sakura said with much enthusiasm.
"Thank-you. Tsunade-sama, do you have the papers for me?"
"Yes Sasuke, they are right here," Tsunade said grabbing a stack of papers and handing then to him. He took them, nodded to the three of them, and then made to leave. "Don't you want to reunite with your former teammates Sasuke?"
"No thanks. I have a lot of work to do," Sasuke said sounding detached.
"I'll expect those tomorrow afternoon then Sasuke."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Sasuke bowed before closing the door.
Naruto was speechless. He hadn't wanted to see Sasuke, not yet, it was still too soon. He knew that nothing good would come of seeing his old lover again. He could only stare at the door that Sasuke had exited. Sakura took his hand and sqeezed it to get his attention.
"So you will just be visiting around?" Tsunade asked them sounding serious.
"Yes, we were planning on getting the word out to our loved ones that we are getting married soon," Sakura said noticing that Naruto wasn't himself. Not again. Stupid Sasuke, he was always ruining things. Her and Naruto's lives were great. They were happy and in love. Nothing would stop them from getting married. She loved Naruto with all her heart.
"Okay, and how long do you think you'll be?"
"About a week," Naruto said coming out of his trance. He just wanted to go.
"Great, I'll talk to you in a while then. It's great to see you Naruto, and you too Sakura, I'm glad to see that my training helped you," Tsunade said shaking their hands again. But once again Naruto hugged her.
"Good to see you too Baa-chan. You don't look a day over 50. See you around." Naruto smiled as he saw the expression on her face as the realization dawned on her.
-
Sasuke couldn't help but think of Naruto. He was taller now, his hair was a little less blonde, and he looked like he hadn't been working out much. Being a lawyer and all, he didn't exactly have to. He had been wearing a simple red t-shirt and jeans, but he had never looked better. Unless you counted the time Sasuke saw Naruto's body as they were making love, the one and only time twelve years ago. He had fallen in love with Naruto's body. And he hadn't forgotten. He hadn't had another lover, and he hadn't wanted one. The only person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with was Naruto. He didn't want a woman. If he couldn't have his Naruto then he didn't want anyone. He would be the best damn Hokage he could be. And he would be happy enough.
-
Naruto and Sakura went to Iruka's and Kakashi's place. They were living together, no surprise. They knocked on the door and it took Kakashi a while to answer. When he did, his face lit up. Or his only showing eye did.
"Naruto? Sakura? I didn't think I'd be seeing you today. Come on in," Kakashi said opening the door so that they could come in.
"How have you been?" Sakura asked.
"We have been good," Iruka said coming out of the kitchen with coffee and assorted cookies.
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto said as he hopped up, waited for him to set down the tray, and then he hugged him. Kakashi's lone eye arched and Sakura smiled. Iruka was glad to see Naruto again after so long.
"Naruto, how wonderful to see you," Iruka said holding him at arms length to look at him. "You look great... and happy."
"Thank-you, may I introduce you to Mrs. Naruto Uzumaki to be," Naruto said gesturing to Sakura.
Kakashi and Iruka looked at each other and smiled after a moment. It wasn't supposed to be this way. What had happened to Sasuke who had been joined to Naruto's hip twelve years ago?
"Congratulations," Kakashi said looking very happy for them. Then everyone but Naruto started talking and he zoned out for almost an hour.
It was when Sakura nudged him that he realized it was time to go.
"Come on, its getting late, we should go have dinner and then go back to the room for the night, Naru-baby."
"Okay, we'll see you later Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei!"
"Bye, Naruto, Sakura, have fun."
-
Naruto and Sakura were walking to the restaurant when Naruto wanted to go off to where he always used to go when his mind was full. The same place Sasuke used to go too.
The riverbank. Then he told Sakura that he was just going to go back to the room and that she should go visit with Ino.
"I don't want to lose you Naruto."
"You won't lose me Sakura, I love you." He said and then kissed her lightly. Then Naruto proceeded to go to the riverbank.
"Naruto, why don't you love me like you do him?" Sakura whispered to the wind, letting two tears fall from her eyes.
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To Be Continued
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