Disclaimer: I don't own 'em.
Summary: When Naruto returns to Konoha, he finds out that life has moved on without him, including his ex-fiancé, Sasuke Uchiha.
Warnings: Yaoi! Citrus! Boyxboy loving! NaruxSasu loving! It's all here.
Author's Note: I was so excited finishing the last chapter that I decided to start this right after. I do like one review I got comparing this to Days of Our Lives instead of Desperate Housewives. You might not know this, but (as my name might suggest) I LOVE soap operas. But I'll continue with the story instead of talking about them. Also, I was thinking today that I'm going to expand this into more than just what I thought it would be…it'll kind of be like a soap opera. I'd estimate a lot more chapters, and I don't know when it'll be done. But anyway, I hope you keep reading. By the way, there will be a lot more scene changes in this chapter, mainly because it's a somewhat special chapter.
Chapter Seven: It's My Party and I'll Die if I Want To
Because of his high status, Shikamaru was able to arrange Shiminama's party to be held in the training arena inside the Forest of Death. Sure, the trip there was spooky, but once they got there, the guests were all amazed by how well it was decorated.
There were almost a hundred rooms in the whole building, but the main party was held in the arena, not the surrounding rooms. The guest list, which was originally small, grew to many after Ino decided to show Shiminama how well the village can throw a party. So now, it was an open party, and hundreds of people came.
Among the guest list was Sai (and his boyfriend, Shuma), who wasn't very surprised to see Sakura still with Sasuke. Of course the kids were there, too. All except Ako – he was with Hikari, Koji, Kiba and Hinata. Also there were Tenten and Neji with their kids, Mishiashi and Shisho. Then there was Naruto and Gaara, and Lee who came with Might Guy. Kakashi and Iruka walked in holding hands, and right after them, Asuma and Kurenai arrived. Choji and Maya came together also, bringing Mino. Tsunade arrived with Shizune and Jiraya, who was looking pretty weak. Even the chief of the police force, Miru, was there.
Other than them, there was no one of significance in the crowd. Ino was excited that so many people came to her party, but that wasn't a surprise. Ino always threw the best parties.
While Sasuke was talking to Fushiki, Saki took the time to find Mino and Temira, and the members of Team Five hung out. Sakura left her husband with their youngest son, and was approached by Sai.
"I see you're still with Sasuke," he said.
"For your information," she said. "I'm planning on going through with it."
Even Sai had a look of surprise on his face at that. "That's funny. The last time we spoke, you were adamant that you would keep Sasuke, and now you're throwing in the towel?"
"Obviously, if someone as smart as you suggested it, it would be a smart thing to do," she said with a clearly phony smile. Her husband, noticing her absence, walked up to her and the stranger.
"Sakura," he said. "Who's this?"
"Oh, Sasuke," she said. "This is my therapist, Sai." Sai and Sasuke shook hands.
"I didn't know you see a therapist," Sasuke stated.
"Oh yes," she said. "I saw him for the first time when you left the village on that mission to protect Gaara and Naruto."
"I see," Sasuke said.
"I'll leave you two alone," Sai said, taking his leave. When they were alone, Sasuke pulled Sakura to the side.
"Why didn't you tell me you were seeing a therapist?" he asked.
"It's none of your business," Sakura said.
"You're my wife," Sasuke said.
"I have to talk to you about that," Sakura said.
"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked. Sakura looked around to make sure no one was listening in. She pulled Sasuke into an adjacent room to have this conversation in private. Fushiki had gone to play with Tenten and Neji's son, Shisho, so they didn't need to worry about leaving him alone.
Neither of them noticed when an eye made out of sand appeared above their head. They just focused on each other.
"I want a divorce," Sakura said.
"What!" Sasuke yelled. "Where did this come from?"
"I've seen the way you look at Naruto," Sakura said. "I'm not going to compete with him for you."
"You don't need to compete," he said.
"The boys and I will be moving back to my parent's house," Sakura said, ignoring her husband's previous statement. "I'll have them pack after the party."
"Like hell you are!" Sasuke yelled. "You are not taking my children from me!"
"According to law, unless there's a real reason why, I we get joint custody, but the kids live with me," Sakura said. "So yes, I'm moving out and taking them with me."
"I can't let you do that, Sakura," Sasuke said.
"It's happening, Sasuke. You don't have a say in the matter."
"I'll stay away from Naruto," Sasuke said. Sakura smiled an inward smile. "You don't have to worry about us."
"I do, Sasuke," she said. "You still have feelings for him."
"I'll forget all about him," Sasuke said. "Please, you can't take my kids from me."
"So this is for the kids, not me?" she asked.
Sasuke knew what he had to do. "No," he said. "I can't imagine losing you, Sakura," he said.
"If you want me to believe you," Sakura said. "You have to prove it."
"I'll do anything," he said.
"I want you to renew our vows with me."
OoOoOoOoO
"Do you like the party?" Ino asked her step-daughter.
"It's actually better than I expected," Shiminama said. "I didn't think you'd be able to throw such a great party."
"Thanks," Ino said. "I think."
Shiminama walked away as Shikamaru came to greet his wife.
"You really pulled out all the stops here, didn't you?" Shikamaru asked.
"Of course," Ino said. "She's your daughter. She deserves a big welcoming!"
"That's not what you said when you met her," Shikamaru pointed out.
"I was in shock," Ino said. "Can you blame me? Temari left you a wreck, and now she's back in our lives."
"She's not in our lives," Shikamaru said. "She's just Shiminama's mother."
"And if you want to see her again, you'll have to go see Temari, too," Ino pointed out. "And let's face it, Suna isn't right next door to Konoha."
"No," Shikamaru admitted. "But maybe Shiminama will come see me more often."
"I wouldn't get your hopes up," she said. "I really don't think she likes me."
"You're just being paranoid," Shikamaru said.
"No, really," she said. "And I've seen nothing but total apathy for Temira."
"Give her some time, Ino," Shikamaru said, planting a kiss on her forehead. "She needs time to adjust."
OoOoOoOoO
Ako wasn't really paying attention where he was going. Hikari was talking with Hinata about something, and it was private. Probably something about her period or something. He went to get him and his girlfriend some water while trying to avoid his mother and Lee at all costs.
He still couldn't believe she'd cheat on their father. What was she thinking, anyway? Even if she was drunk, she still had some control over her actions. He poured himself two glasses of water, continuing to think about the situation with his mother, his father, his sister's sensei, and his mother's ex-boyfriend.
He was so focused on his thoughts that he didn't realize he was walking right into the guest of honor.
"Watch where you're going!" came a loud squeal as Ako spilled both drinks on the black haired girl. "What's wrong with you?"
"S-Sorry," he said. "I'll get that." He got some napkins from a nearby table and helped dry her off. "You're Shiminama, right?" he asked.
"Yeah," she said. "What's it to ya?"
"I'm Ako Uchiha," he said. "Of the Uchiha Clan."
"Never heard of them," Shiminama said, bursting his bubble big time. He sighed, and a lightbulb seemed to go off over her head. "Wait, the Uchiha," she said, putting her finger to her chin. Ako leaned forward. "Aren't you all dead?" she asked.
"My father was the last," Ako admitted. "But the clan is being revived."
"Whatever," she said. "I have to go."
"Wait!" he said, grabbing her arm as she walked by. "You want to hang out some time? Our fathers are teammates, and my mother is friends with your step-mother."
"I don't really care," she said. "I'm only gonna be here for a week." She pulled her arm from his and walked away.
'What is it about her?' Ako thought. Sure, she was hot. Just because he was with Hikari didn't mean he couldn't appreciate another girl's body. But this was the first time he felt anything while looking at her. And her personality…well, he could learn to live with that. He momentarily forgot all about Hikari as he savored the electricity he felt running through his fingertips after touching her arm.
'What does this mean?'
OoOoOoOoO
The redhead was shocked into silence, hearing what Sakura had planned. They were in on this plan together, so he had a right to spy. But he and Naruto were renewing their vows – why would Sakura do that.
"I want you to renew our vows with me," Sakura said. Gaara heard that much. But he waited just two more seconds for Sakura to finish her thought. "And with Naruto and Gaara."
"What?" Sasuke yelled.
"They're renewing their vows," Sakura explained. "We can ask them to make it a double ceremony."
That might not be such a bad idea. If Gaara and Naruto renewed their vows with Sasuke and Sakura, then it would rub Sasuke's face in their vow renewal. The more Gaara thought about it, the more he liked it.
"Hello? Gaara?" Naruto asked, shaking the redhead from his thoughts. "What were you thinking about?"
"Nothing," the redhead replied. "I was just thinking about how we said we were going to renew our vows." He smiled, and the blond gave a goofy grin back.
"I can't wait!" he said. "I really like this party. Would you mind if I asked Ino to handle planning the reception?"
"Not at all," Gaara said with a smile. Naruto went to talk to the blond hostess, leaving the redhead to contemplate his next move.
OoOoOoOoO
"You shouldn't be here, Jiraya," Tsunade said.
"Calm down," the toad sage said to the Hokage.
"I will not calm down! You're exerting too much pressure on your body!"
"I can handle it," Jiraya said with his teeth gritted. He brushed past Tsunade who sighed.
"I have a bad feeling about this," she said to herself.
OoOoOoOoO
"This is a great party, Ino!" Tenten said to her friend. Maya, Tenten and Hinata were standing with Ino, and it must have been the tenth compliment she got in ten minutes.
"Thanks," Ino said. "Have you guys seen Sakura and Sasuke?" she asked.
"I think I saw them here earlier," Hinata said.
"The kids are here," Maya pointed out. "I doubt they came alone."
"I saw Sakura drag Sasuke outside a little while ago," Tenten said. "He had an annoyed look on his face."
"You don't think – " Ino began.
"She wouldn't do that at your party," Hinata said.
"I wouldn't have expected her to lie to Sasuke about divorce, either," Ino said.
"Please," Maya said. "We all know that if you were in that position, you'd probably do it, too."
"I'm not saying I wouldn't," Ino said. "But I wouldn't think Sakura would be smart enough to think of that plan by herself. The seeds of divorce must have been planted in her mind by somebody else."
"Who would tell her to divorce Sasuke?" Tenten asked.
"I don't know," Ino said. "But I have a feeling this plan of hers will backfire big time."
OoOoOoOoO
"Did you think about what I said, Naruto-sensei?" Saki asked, walking up to her teacher. "About Father?"
Flashback:
"Hi, Naruto-sensei," she said after he opened the door.
"Saki!" he said, shocked. "What are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to you about my father," she said. She walked into his apartment, and he stood there, shocked.
"What about Sasuke?" Naruto asked.
"Do you love him?" she asked.
"Saki, I –" Naruto began.
"If it wasn't for Mother and your husband, would you be with him?"
"Saki," Naruto said. "Your father was the love of my life, but –"
"The love of your life doesn't change, Naruto-sensei," she said.
"Are you trying to encourage me to break up your parent's marriage and be with your father?"
"That depends," she admitted.
"On what?" he asked.
"Do you love him? I mean really love him?"
"Saki," he began, but she cut him off again.
"Don't give me excuses," she said. "I know more about this situation than you'd think."
"I highly doubt that," Naruto said.
"How about I heard my father tell Master Jiraya that he would be with you 'in a heartbeat' if he thought you'd be there for him?"
"Master Jiraya?" Naruto asked.
"He came over to the house today to tell Father to get back with you," she said.
"He what?" Naruto yelled angrily.
"And that's not all," Saki said.
"What do you mean?"
"Ako and Mother would kill me if I told you. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone," she said.
"Then don't say it," Naruto said.
"But I know you love my Father, Naruto-sensei. You should hear it." At Naruto's silence, she continued. "Mother slept with Rock Lee."
"Yes, I have," Naruto said.
"And?" Saki asked.
"You're right, I love him."
"I knew it!" she said happily. "Are you going to tell him about that? Or about Mother and Rock Lee?"
"Your father knows how I feel," Naruto said. "As for your mother and Rock Lee, I agree – your father deserves to know."
"Don't tell him here, okay?" she asked. "It's a party."
"I won't," Naruto said with a smile. Saki happily walked away, content with her sensei's answer.
OoOoOoOoO
"Sai!" Ino said, hugging her old friend. "I'm so glad you came! Where's Shuma?"
"He's talking with your friend Neji," Sai replied. " And how could I refuse an invitation from my favorite pig?" he asked with a smile.
"Sai," she growled.
"I'm only kidding, Ino!" he said. "You know that. So you're okay with throwing a party for the daughter of Shikamaru and the girl who got away?"
"If there was ever a time that I needed you as a friend and not a therapist, it would be now," Ino said. "I'm okay with it. Seriously," she added at Sai's look. "She's Shika's daughter…that's enough for me."
"Whatever you say," he said. "I spoke to your friend, Sakura," he added, changing the topic.
"And?" Ino asked.
"She's getting herself into a mess," he concluded.
"If you're talking about her pretending to divorce Sasuke to trick him into staying with her, I'm totally with you on that," she said.
"She's what?" Sai asked. Ino noticed his angry expression.
"She didn't tell you that?" Ino asked. Sai shook his head.
"She told me she was really going to divorce him," Sai said. "That's an awful plan."
"Tell me about it," Ino said.
"I have to go talk to another patient of mine," Sai said. "Been good seeing you."
"You too," Ino said as Sai ran off.
"That was weird," she muttered.
OoOoOoOoO
"Can we talk to you, Naruto?" Kakashi and Iruka asked the blond.
"Sure," Naruto said. "What about?"
"We have some news, and we thought you should be the first to hear about it," Iruka said."
"What?" Naruto asked.
"We're getting married!" Iruka said, sounding way too girly.
"You're kidding!" Naruto said with a big smile. "That's great! When is it?"
"We're planning on an early December wedding – after the first snowfall," Kakashi said.
"I'm so happy for you!" Naruto said. He would have said more if Asuma and Kurenai hadn't come over to the three shinobi.
"What are you so happy about?" Kurenai asked.
"Iruka and I are getting married," Kakashi said with a smile clearly visible under the mask.
"You're kidding," Asuma said with an expression that was much less than a smile.
"When?" Kurenai asked.
"Early December," Iruka said. "You don't look happy for us."
"Well, that's the thing," Asuma said. "I just proposed to Kurenai and she said yes." To show proof, Kurenai lifted her hand and a dazzling diamond ring sat upon it.
"It seems everyone is getting married," Naruto said. "Gaara and I are renewing our vows sometime next week."
"That's great!" Iruka said, patting Naruto on the back. He turned to Asuma and Kurenai. "Have you guys set a date yet?" he asked.
"Not yet," Asuma said. "But it'll definitely be after your wedding."
Naruto didn't get to partake in the rest of the conversation because before he could say anything, Gaara was dragging him away.
"What's this about?" Naruto asked.
"When did we set a date?" Gaara asked.
"You heard?" Naruto asked. "Well, you wanted to do it so quickly in Suna, so I figured you wouldn't want to wait."
"I don't," Gaara admitted. "But before setting a date for something like this, we should talk about it.
"I'm sorry," Naruto said.
"It's okay," Gaara said. He pulled the blond into a deep kiss.
OoOoOoOoO
"This is a great party, isn't it?" Shuma asked his boyfriend as Sai walked over to him talking with Neji and Tenten. "I was just telling Neji here about your business." Sai smiled at the Hyuugas.
"There are a lot of people in Konoha who could use a good shrink," Neji said with a smile.
"Tell me about it," said Tenten, who was watching Sakura lead Sasuke back into the main hall happily. "You're Sakura's therapist, right?"
"I didn't know she had one," Neji said.
"Yeah," Sai said. "She came to talk to me about her marriage, but that's all I can say."
"I understand," Tenten said. Her gaze again traveled to the pink haired kunoichi.
"If you or any of your friends would like, they can come see me," Sai said.
"I'll keep that in mind," she said, her gaze drifting over to Ino.
OoOoOoOoO
"Gaara! Naruto!" Sakura said, dragging Sasuke by his arm to the two shinobi. "We've been looking all over for you!"
The raven and the kunoichi stood in front of the blond and the redhead, with the tension visible to anyone in a ten mile radius.
"Awkward," Naruto coughed, earning a glare from Sasuke. If Gaara or Sakura noticed, they didn't say a word.
"I wanted to ask you two a question," she said with a smile. She turned to Naruto. "Gaara told me you two were renewing your vows."
Naruto glanced at Sasuke. "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you about that." He grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well, Sasuke and I were talking," she said, and Sasuke noticed Gaara smirk ever so slightly, "and we were wondering if we could renew our vows with you?"
Naruto spit out the water he had taken a sip of a second earlier. He sputtered. "You two…want to renew vows…with us? Are you sure?"
"We're positive, right Sasuke?" she asked, nudging her husband a little too roughly.
"Right," Sasuke said. Naruto stared into Sasuke's black orbs for what felt like an eternity before Gaara interrupted their gaze.
"We'd be honored, wouldn't we, Naruto?" he asked.
"Um…sure," he said.
"Great!" Sakura yelled. "I can't wait to tell Ino! Is it okay if she plans it?"
"We were going to talk to her about that," Gaara said. "Why don't I come with you?"
The two left the blond and the raven all alone. Naruto took the initiative and led Sasuke to another room. He shut the door carefully before yelling.
"Why the fuck do you guys want to renew vows with us?" he shouted.
"Not so loud, dobe," Sasuke said.
"Don't you 'dobe' me, Sasuke Uchiha!" Naruto yelled. "You couldn't have done this at another time?"
"I couldn't have, actually," Sasuke said.
"Oh yeah?" Naruto asked. "Why the hell not?"
"Because if I didn't, Sakura would divorce me and take my children!" he yelled.
The room was silent for a few minutes as Naruto sat down. Sasuke was too edgy to take a seat, but he was glad the blond finally shut up. Finally, after a few minutes, Naruto spoke up.
"Fine," Naruto said. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," Sasuke said. "I don't even want to be with her anymore."
"Sasuke," Naruto whispered. "Please don't."
"I want to be with you," Sasuke said, ignoring Naruto's pleas. "But until you admit that you want to be with me, I won't push it anymore."
Sasuke left Naruto, confused and alone, in the room. And he didn't even look back.
"He won't wait for you forever," Jiraya said, stepping out of the shadows.
"What were you doing here?" Naruto asked.
"I was here first," Jiraya said. "It was you and Sasuke who barged in."
"Sorry," Naruto said.
"Just think about what I said," Jiraya told Naruto, and they left the room.
OoOoOoOoO
"So that blond haired guy is the Naruto you spoke of," Sai commented to Sakura after she told Ino about the vow renewal.
Ino had been more than happy to plan the party, and Sai stopped to talk to them with Shuma. He introduced them to him, before Ino made her leave to talk to Shikamaru. The three had polite conversation until Sai saw Sasuke leave the room, and Naruto leave after with Jiraya.
"Yep," Sakura said, nodding her head. "I felt really bad about thinking he would steal Sasuke from me. Even if Sasuke wanted to leave me, Naruto would never accept it."
"I'm sorry, Sakura," Sai said. "Something has come up." He left her standing with Shuma, who just shrugged his shoulders.
"He's been acting a little weird lately," Shuma said. "He doesn't want to tell me why, but it's okay."
"How serious are you?" Sakura asked the dark blue haired man.
"We're exclusively dating," Shuma clarified. "I've only known him for a few months, but we've really connected."
"That's great!" Sakura said. "I need to go find my husband now, but have fun!"
OoOoOoOoO
Maya and Choji had decided to let Mino continue to hang out with Temira and Saki, and decided to get a little more…acquainted. Luckily, they found a room with a bed just asking to be slept in…well not so much slept in, as…you get the picture.
"That was amazing," Maya panted after they were done. She laid her head on the pillow behind her, and Choji followed. He continued to kiss her neck.
"It was more than amazing," he said. She stayed silent for a few seconds, letting Choji trail kisses down her neck.
"Am I old?" she asked, out of nowhere.
"What are you talking about!" Choji asked. "You're three years younger than me!"
"Mino's already at "that age"," she said. "He's hanging around not one, but two very pretty girls."
"Ah, I get it," Choji said, ending his assault on her neck. "Your baby's growing up. If it's any consolation, he could do worse than Temira Nara and Saki Uchiha."
"I know," Mino said. "I just don't want him to end up like me," she said.
"What do you mean?" Choji asked. Mino turned around to face him.
"All my life, I've been a single mother. I can't tell you how many times I questioned my parenting because I'd been all alone. If he ended up as a single father…I'd hate to see that happen."
"Number one," Choji began, "both you and Mino came out pretty good." To emphasize this, he planted a kiss on her forehead. "And number two, there are worse things than being a single father. Number three, he's only twelve! He'd be too young to have kids!"
"I know," she said. "But it feels like yesterday I was holding him in my arms at a hospital. And now, he's a genin. He has his first group of female friends. He's getting so…"
"Grown up?" Choji suggested.
"Before I know it, he'll be a real shinobi, leaving the village on dangerous missions. He'll be settling down and starting a family of his own."
"You have a long way to go before that happens," Choji said. "Just enjoy him now while you still can."
OoOoOoOoO
Sasuke had seen that pale weirdo hanging around Sakura again, and he didn't like it. He didn't care if he was Ino's friend or Sakura's therapist – he had a bad feeling about him. He saw the ink haired man talking to a waiter and decided to confront him.
"…and do it quickly," Sai finished to the waiter who nodded. He turned around to see Sasuke standing in front of him.
"What was that?" Sasuke asked.
"Nothing," Sai said. "Just a present for Ino and Shikamaru that I wanted to give before I left. I've been feeling quite tired lately and I wanted Shuma to take me home."
"Hn," Sasuke said. "Why do you keep talking to Sakura?"
"She's a patient," Sai said. "And isn't that what you're supposed to do at these kinds of parties? Socialize?"
"With my wife?" Sasuke asked.
"With anyone I know," Sai said.
"What were you saying to her?" Sasuke asked.
"Why?" Sai asked back.
"She's my wife," Sasuke replied.
"I heard," Sai said with a smug smile. "You have it all, don't you, Uchiha? A hot wife, three wonderful kids, and a nice blond piece of man meat on the side."
"I don't know what you've heard, but it's not true," Sasuke practically growled.
"So defensive, Uchiha," Sai said with a smile. He raised his hand and caressed Sasuke's face. "You don't need Naruto, you know. You could have me," he purred seductively.
"Get off," Sasuke said, shoving Sai's hand away. "I don't want you around my wife or my children anymore," Sasuke said. "Got it?"
"Jeez, man," Sai said. "Can't you take a joke? I was just teasing you. That's who I am."
"I don't care who you are," Sasuke said. "Stay away." With that, Sasuke turned on his heel and walked away.
OoOoOoOoO
"Hey, Saki," Mino said while Temira was talking to her father. "I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?" she asked her teammate.
"W-Would you like to…well…maybe sometime this week, we could…I dunno…have lunch together?"
"Oh, you mean with Temira, and we can train after?" she asked.
"Um…no," Mino said. "I like Temira and all," he clarified. "But I wanted it to be just the two of us."
"Oh," Saki said. "Like a date?"
"Yeah," Mino said. "I mean, only if you wanted it to be." He couldn't help the blush creeping up his cheeks.
Saki didn't know what to do.
Flashback:
"Do you like Mino?" Temira asked Saki when she saw her teammate at the party.
"Uh, he's okay, I guess," Saki said. "I mean, at first I thought he was annoying, but he isn't that bad once you get to know him."
"No," Temira said. "I mean do you like him."
"Oh, you mean…" Saki said.
"Yeah," Temira clarified.
"No," she said. "I don't really like anyone that way."
"So you wouldn't mind if I asked him out or anything?" Temira asked.
"You like him!" Saki asked incredulously. As Temira's blush and nod, she continued. "No, of course not! Go for it!"
"Thanks!"
What could Saki say to Mino? Either she hurt him, or she hurt Temira. She would hate to lost Temira as a friend over Mino.
"I don't think so," Saki said.
"Oh," Mino said, dejected.
"It's not you or anything," Saki quickly reassured him. "It's just…I think we wouldn't be so great together."
If he was going to say anything, he was stopped when Temira came back. They continued to talk like a regular group of friends, but Saki couldn't help but groan inwardly at the situation. Mino liked her, but Temira liked him. This was so troublesome, as Temira's father would say.
OoOoOoOoO
"I know what you said to Sasuke," Naruto told the old sage.
"Really?" Jiraya said. "He told you?"
"No," Naruto said. "But walls do have ears."
"Then I take it that it was the Uchiha you're teaching," Jiraya said.
"That's irrelevant," Naruto said. "You know I'm happy with Gaara."
"You're married to him," Jiraya admitted. "But I don't know how happy you are when you keep glancing at Sasuke like that." A waiter passed by with a drink on the platter.
"This is for you, sir," he said to Naruto.
"I didn't order this," he said.
"It was paid for by some pale guy with dark hair," the waiter clarified. "He gave me a tip to deliver it."
"Thanks, I guess," Naruto said, picking up the drink. The waiter left and he turned to Jiraya. "Anyway, it's those kinds of things that piss me off! I'm married and he's buying me drinks!"
"It's just water, Naruto," Jiraya said. "And there are worse things than a hot black haired Uchiha in your bed." At the statement, Naruto flushed considerable, causing Jiraya to laugh. After a few seconds, laughing turned into coughing.
Tsunade and Shizune, who were nearby, came to make sure the dying man was alright. Eventually, his coughing attracted a few more people, Kakashi and Iruka included.
"Here, have my water," Naruto said. Jiraya took the glass that the waiter gave Naruto and gulped the entire thing down. His coughing fit stopped and the crowd dispersed.
"What was happening?" Tsunade asked.
"I just laughed a little too hard," Jiraya said.
"I knew you were pushing yourself by coming here," Tsunade told him. "You should have stayed home."
"And miss the shin dig?" he asked. "No way."
What happened next was mostly a blur. Tsunade, who had been holding Jiraya up during the coughing fit, let go of him, and he collapsed.
"Jiraya!" she yelled.
"Pervy Sage!" Naruto yelled.
Tsunade bent down and put her head to his chest. "He's not breathing." This attracted more of a crowd, including Sai, Sasuke, Sakura, Shuma, Lee, Guy, Kakashi, Iruka, Shikamaru, Ino, and Maya. Tsunade began CPR, but nothing worked. She lifted Jiraya's wrist to her and placed her fingers around, checking for a pulse.
"He's gone," she said.
OoOoOoOoO
The next few hours were a bigger blur. The party ended, as the police chief, Miru, forced everybody to leave. Even though it looked like a heart attack, he was forced to take statements from all the people in the area about what happened.
The paramedics put Jiraya in the back and brought him straight to the morgue. Tsunade, Kakashi, Shizune, Iruka, Sakura, Sasuke, Gaara and I all waited for the results of the autopsy. Using chakra, the process was extremely fast, and the final cause of death was a shock to us all.
"What do you mean he was poisoned!" Tsunade asked. "Who could have poisoned him?"
Naruto went through the entire night in my head. The only time he saw him eat or drink anything was the water that was meant for Naruto. But that's weird. Who would want to kill Naruto?
"It was paid for by some pale guy with dark hair," the waiter said.
"Sasuke," Naruto whispered. Only the raven himself heard it, and he faced Naruto. The look of confusion and shock was just as evident on Sasuke's face as it was on everybody else's.
And why would Sasuke try to kill Naruto anyway? He loved Naruto. He wouldn't have. Either Sasuke was the best actor on Earth, or someone else tried to kill Naruto and frame Sasuke. For enough money, someone could have paid the waiter to lie about who paid for the drink.
It must have been someone who wanted Naruto to think Sasuke killed Jiraya. The only person Naruto could think of was Gaara. After looking at his husband, Naruto shook his head at the thought. How would Gaara know Naruto would give the drink to Jiraya? Maybe it was Sakura, but she wouldn't kill Naruto or frame her husband.
'Who tried to kill me?' Naruto thought. 'And who ended up killing Jiraya?'
In the Next Chapter: Naruto tells Sasuke about the drink; Miru puts Shikamaru in charge of the investigation of Jiraya's murder; Someone unexpected shows up in Konoha; Sakura arranges for Sasuke to see Sai.
Author's Note: So what do you think? We knew Jiraya was going to die, so I might as well give it a story, right? And believe me, this will be big. Please, comment with who you think it is. Who do you think this unexpected newcomer to Konoha is? And also, tell me who your favorite original character of mine is. We have a few kids, as well as Maya, Sai's partner Shuma, and the police chief, Miru.
By the way, the way the law works in Konoha is much like America in terms of trials and police and investigations and stuff. So review! I didn't get much feedback, and that makes me sad. :-(
