Chapter Two: When Reality Becomes Memories
Walking through the streets of Konoha would have to be the easiest part of the day, there are no worries about the awkward conversations that I share with Ino over breakfast. For some reason I can't really look her in the eyes directly anymore, as my mind becomes plague with what Naruto needs and how I will find myself obeying every order no matter what they are. Showing my dedication to the village, even with a run for ramen, even though he perfectly capable of doing so, going on those missions that are too dangerous and travel to different villages with him. At first I was very hesitant of actually doing these things for him, but after a while I saw Naruto in a different light, he wasn't exactly the hyperactive idiot from our school days. I believe it is one of those things that Sasuke was able to change about him, while he was still with us, while he was still alive. Maybe possibly it was his death that changed Naruto, it wasn't too longer after Naruto became hokage that he died.
Sasuke's death was tragic for the village, even though he once went off to train with Orochimaru for more power, but he found himself killing the man. It wasn't too long after that Naruto and Sakura got him to come back to village, bringing the Sharigan back to Konoha and giving Naruto a new rank and making his chance of becoming hokage even better than before. After Sasuke's return it was made known that Naruto was in love with Sasuke and the feeling were returned to him, I think he was the only one who could clam and even stand being around the blond. Thanks to Sasuke, Naruto was able to actually achieve his goal become hokage but, before he could even enjoy the title Sasuke fell ill and eventually died. From his time away, Sasuke contracted a disease that no one detected, although I believe that he didn't want anyone to detect the illness as a way to punish himself for his betraying his village at a younger age.
"Shikamaru," I look up at the person calling out my name and I see Naruto and Sakura standing side by side in front of the Hokage Tower. Sakura's face is adorned with a big smile, which confuses me because it is a smile directed towards me. It makes me wonder what the hell is making her so very happy, I tilt my head and then shake it off and turn my attention to Naruto.
"Good Morning," I say in my almost whisper and bow to him and Sakura both, this is when I notice there attire which is not dress clothing but there battle gear. "Are you going on mission Rodaime," I ask seriously, almost with a hint of excitement in my voice, for it means that without a doubt I will be joining Sakura on this mission or even trip. In fact my mind is begging that this is the case, for it gets me away from home away from the awkward conversations with Ino.
A chuckle comes across my ears, it almost a pleased sounding chuckle. "You see that is why you are genius in this village, and not because of a bloodline trait," Naruto says rather amused. "We are actually going to Suna, and you will be joining us.
In that moment I swear that I felt my poor heart stop, looking at Naruto directly into his azure eyes looking for signs that he just joking. Unfortunately I had no such luck of that, or the years, he learned that in matters of the heart there is no joke at all. It had been a long time since I had seen her, does she still remember me, my thoughts run rampant in my mind. It was rather funny to me how the night before I was thinking back to when I first met her and how I met her and now presented with the chance to see her again. I swallow down my excitement and cough a bit, "so when will we depart to Suna?"
A smile goes across Naruto's face and a chuckle is freed from his throat as he nods, "We leave for Suna, first thing tomorrow morning, because I am sure you would want to share this news with Ino."
'Ino,' that name alone sends my hopes and my excitement crashing down. My wife, I forgot all about her as my mind had illicit thoughts of another woman and being reunited with her after so long. How could I have forgotten about the woman that I vowed to be with for the rest of my days. I bite down on my lip and look over at Sakura, he jade eyes squinting looking at me with displeasure, the same way she looked at me on the day I married her best friend. I could still hear her voice behind me as I prepared myself to walk down the aisle with her best friend. "Yes, of course."
I instantly turn on my heels and start heading back home, or possibly somewhere else as I turn down a road that doesn't lead home. I hear footsteps behind me and I turn instantly to be face with Haruno. Eye to eye with such and intimidating woman as her. ""I did my hardest to convince Naruto to let you sit this mission out because of Temari," she says slowly a hint of bitterness in her voice, "but there was no way to do so." Her head goes down as if looking at her feet, or perhaps mine, I watch her clench her fist tightly, "he has come to depend on you and no matter what your lingering feeling for Temari are, he still trust you and your judgment. Although it is different for me, Naruto has fallen for you and we are going to a village where the woman you love dearly resides and serves."
She looks back up at me in the eyes and squints her eyes, tears coming down the side of her face. "She may have moved on from you and you may get hurt, but please promise not to let Naruto get to you in a moment such as that, and don't wander away from Ino," She takes a breath and then shakes her head, "she loves you and it would hurt her if you did. Let the memories be memories, don't let them be a reality for you." With that she turned on her heels and walked back into the streets leaving me there pondering and confused, I had no time to process anything that was said.
My back hit the wall as I sink down to the pavement below only one thing is in my mind, only one statement in all of that. "Naruto loves me," I whisper out in shock, blinking my eyes, sitting in an alleyway the day before I am to go on a trip to Suna about to face my first love who may have moved on. "I can't do what she said….Those memories have become my reality."
