Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
A new era in Konoha
Chapter 3
My teammate's best friend.
''It's been so long since I spoke to her normally. I just hope she doesn't feel all to bad about me ignoring her during the war.'' Naruto thinking on his way to the hospital.
''Still.''
''But how could I possibly explain everything that happened to Sasuke and me. How Madara explained everything to me at the inn in the Land of Iron where she ''confessed''.'' Always when he thought about that day his heart just wanted to scream in pain.
''And therefore the reason I was the only one who didn't saw him as a common criminal. If Kakashi Sensei allowed me to tell everyone else they might have understood.''
''He just wanted justice for his clan like I wanted recognition as a person.'' Which he finally gotten not only as a person, but also as the best shinobi the Leaf can offer.
''How Itachi actually helped me to kill him. How I actually laid down on the fact that he's at a better place now with all his loved ones without having too many second thoughts.''
''Maybe he was just blind to the light Itachi saw. I suppose he wanted for Sasuke to create a new Uchiha. One without the hate of the generations that went before them. And now the hate is truly gone. Just not the way he intended.'' Thinking about Itachi's sacrifice to save his home.
''HEY NARUTO!'' He heard a familair voice at him. He turned around and saw another certain blonde walking towards him. He was so deeply into his thoughts he walked by the Yamanaka flower shop without even noticing.
''Oh hey Ino. How's life?'' He reacted with a small sense of politeness to her. He remembered their days at the academy together and she was almost just as loud as him and with a tempers almost rivaling Sakura's.
''I'm fine. Business is running well, although not for the reasons we wanted.'' Refering to the record amount of memorial flowers bought over the last couple of weeks.
''But what happened to you? It looked like you were spacing out for a while. I'd spent the last 2 minutes chasing after you and trying to get your attention.'' She looked a bit mad at him. She wasn't used being ignored by anyone.
''Oh nothing. Just thinking about what kind of ramen flavors I should be taking tonight.'' He put up a quick smile and tried to use his hunger for ramen as an excuse.
Ino didn't want to pressure him already knowing it's about her best friend Sakura. There isn't a single thing in this world that can make him so deep in thought except for her and Sasuke. So she just played along for a while and tried to peel it off him.
''So have you talked to Sakura yet about what happened between you and Sasuke?'' She asked.
''No. Not yet. I just need to find the right moment. That's all.'' He replied to her.
''You know you will have to tell her one day. You're her teammate. Not to mention one of her closest friends. Isn't it her right to at least know what happened to him?'' Naruto shrugged it off him like a regular comment.
''She deserves it after all the 2 of you have being through trying to get him back. Doesn't it bother you've been lying to her?'' Ino looking worried towards him.
''It doesn't bother her that much. She didn't came looking for me after the war ended and that order to stay away from me was withdrawn.'' He replied.
Ino looked with a frown at him. This wasn't actually the Naruto who was head over heels for Sakura.
''Naruto listen. I'm her best friend. If there's something wrong with her I know. And I don't even have to use jutsu to find out.''
''We might have fought over Sasuke's feelings as kids, but that comes nowhere near the determination she has to fight for you.''
''With Sasuke she tried to win his acknowledgement by simply changing her appearance to his liking. But with you she actually went through one of the most gruelsome training you can find in this village to help your goal of getting him back.''
''Asking the Hokage to train you is a nut job if your trying to be just as strong as her.'' Remembering the bruises Ino had to heal after Sakura was done sparring with Tsunade as her own personal training.
''Let me tell you something. Wanna know what happened after Sakura was given that order to stay away from you?''
*Flashback*
''Forehead what's the matter? Why do you look so depressed?'' She never saw Sakura depressed unless it concerned Sasuke. And since he was considered a criminal so she thought it was about the fact he's as good as dead.
''Ino. Please let me in. I don't want to break down right here in public.'' She took Sakura's arm and they walked to into the flowershop together. Ino put up the ''Out for Lunch'' sign even though it was barely 11 am and locked the door. They went to the back where the living qaurters were and Ino was putting some tea.
''So Sakura. What's wrong? You're all depressed. This isnt like you.'' Looking worried towards her best friend. Ever since Sasuke was given a criminal status they promised to be there for each other in times of need.
''Tsunade-Sama gave me the order not to bother Naruto during the war.'' She started to sob on the couch.
''You're the only one who can break his focus. If he keeps worrying about you when he fights he leaves too many openings for the enemy to attack. Sounds logical for Tsu...'' Before Ino could finish Sakura lashed out on her.
''IT ISNT LOGICAL! I SHOULD BE HELPING HIM IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SASUKE! Even when he saw that Sasuke was trying to kill Kakashi Sensei and me, he still believed he could help him back to us. He even wants to die at Sasuke's side if needed!''
''THAT'S INSANE! Why would he die next to Sasuke if Naruto still has his dreams to pursue?'' She knew from the Konoha's 11 conversation that Naruto was making the request of facing Sasuke alone but the reason why was kept hidden. Ino spent a few seconds in a shocked like state before putting up a chuckle and saying.
''But that just sounds like him alright. Stupid but determined. Never giving up till he's dead or vanished from the Earth.''
''Yeah. He never gives up. I learned that the hard way.'' Sakura refering to the fact he doesn't give up on Sasuke even though he's considered a S-class criminal.
''Still Sakura. What is it what drives him? He's already gotten the village respect and started treating him as a hero so what was left for him? Wasn't it his dream to be respected by everyone? Why would he give it away after everything he's accomplished?'' Ino asking herself and Sakura.
''I don't now. Maybe the fact he wants to prove he's the best. That people can do everything as long as they set their mind to it. Or maybe because Sasuke was the first real friend he had.''
''Or maybe. No, just forget about it.'' Ino silently wispered.
''What?'' Sakura wondered what she was saying.
''It could be he doesn't like you anymore. Like he doesn't care about if he dies since he coudn't bring Sasuke back to us. Naruto knew how much he ment to you so he was willing to put his life on the line for you and him since the 2 of you were his only friends. And since you tried to kill Sasuke he might have thought he failed. Like he failed his destiny to make your team back to their old formation again.'' Ino answered.
Sakura looked worried at this revelation. Could Naruto lose his will to live because she considered getting Sasuke back was more important then his life?
''No Ino. I can't lose him. If I do...I don't know what to do anymore.'' Letting the tears flow freely now.
''I want him to survive. To chase his dreams. Everything I can possibly do to help him in his quests. As a friend.'' Sakura answered.
''Or maybe even more.'' She thought.
Ino knew she was speaking the truth.
But Ino knew Sakura coudn't take a single word about Naruto and Sasuke and decided to change the subject by making her a bit upset like they did when they were kids.
''So Sai told me the other day you were in a restaurant and not a single man looked at you. Is it because your forehead is bigger then your breasts?''
*End Flashback*
Naruto looked surprised, shocked and was stunned at the spot because of that statement.
''Don't you think you went a bit overboard?'' Wondering how Ino survived an onslaught like that.
''Drastic times call for drastic measures. But you owe me one!'' Still regretting the fact of making Sakura angry so she would forget about him and Sasuke. For some weird reason, an angry Sakura was worse then fighting against an army of corpses.
''I appreciate it. She cares for me, I know. But after retrospect I don't really deserve her friendship either.'' He answered depressed.
''What do you mean? If you mean by not returning Sasuke she could understand.'' Surprised at his words. Ino knew Naruto did everything for Sakura and she was the only one who could make him feel complete.
''It's because I let her believe in a lie that should have never happened. I need to tell her first before I can possibly repair our friendship again.''
''My ignorance blinded me.'' He thought when he henged as Sasuke and was trying to kiss Sakura after they were put in Team 7.
''You lost me now. What are you saying?'' More confused then ever Ino asked him.
''I need to put something right first. To show the lie I made was worse that she did to me. Then we can talk again face to face.'' Looking to the ground with a face full of regret.
''Oh shit. Ino what time is it?'' He asked in a hurry.
''11.30 am. Why?'' She questioned him.
''DAMMIT. I was planning on meeting her during her lunch break. I only have about half an hour left. Why is everybody against me seeing Sakura-Chan today?'' He thought in panic. No matter what happens, he wanted to set things right. Like he should have done in the first place.
''I'm sorry Ino, but I really have to go.'' Running away from her while looking back.
''Wait! What was it you're ashamed of around her?'' Still wondering about his embarresment around Sakura. She knew he'd got hit alot by Sakura if he did something stupid but what was it that made him so nervous all of a sudden?
Ino was determined to get the bottom of Naruto's worries.
End of Chapter 3
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