I don't own Naruto !


It's been so long since I've worked on this story that I actually had to reread it in order to see where what the heck I was doing will it. There are some things that I don't really like anymore – I feel like the silly things I was making Sasuke do were too OOC for a long story and made him a silly character with shallow emotions.

I wanted to portray Sasuke as deeply in love. I strongly feel that if Naruto was a girl, Sasuke would defiantly fall for her. Even as a man, Naruto understands Sasuke on a level Sakura never could. Sakura's feelings are shallow, she has never understood what it's like to be on the outside, alone and I feel like she takes the little things for granted and doesn't appreciate others. Naruto understands the loneliness of not having a family and craves the comfort that having someone to come home to bring – same as Sasuke. Naruto has the ability to understand what is in a person's heart, even if they are the enemy, he also accepts people for who they are without compromising who he is. I could go on about why I would pick one over the other, but I digress.

The one thing that I am not sure about is if Naruto (fem!Naru) would accept Sasuke. She has been through a lot of emotional trauma and rejection. I don't think that she would accept love easily, simply because she is afraid of rejection, but at the same time I think it's the one thing that she truly wants more than anything. She wants someone who will stand by her even if everyone else would turn their back on her and someone who she could create her own family with. – I also regret changing Naruto's appearance and emotions regarding being "girly" so quickly but it does move the story along.

I am NOT going back to "edit" the story – not at this point. I think I have stalled enough on this story and I don't think you guys should wait anymore. I want to finish this! I will focus more on the drama and romance and skimp on the comedy.


This chapter has been edited by Diya-Chan


The first week of cleaning was very quiet. Sasuke didn't expect the experience to be quite as emotional as it was. Going through his parents belongings, Itachi's belongs had been difficult.

He could still smell his mother's perfume on her dresses.

It was hard to let anything go. Sasuke has decided to keep all the mementos, his mother's kimonos and anything of his fathers or Itachi's that would fit him. He and Naruto boxed up the rest to donate. Naruto had been surprisingly uplifting throughout the whole experience.

Naruto had asked timely questions about his family and his childhood and initially he was just responding to her questions in order to bond with her, but it kept him focused on the happy memories instead of wallowing in his misery. He felt like their relationships was developing into something more nurturing and loving. There was less clanging kunai and more laughter.

They were now on the main floor arranging the new furniture that they had purchased around the existing antiques. Sasuke was surprised by how much he loved furniture shopping with Naruto. They agreed, disagreed about what to buy and had damaged only 5 throw pillows during their impromptu pillow fight. They acted as partners and respected each other's opinions. Shopping with Naruto was, dare he say it, fun.

Sasuke had managed to keep the furniture pretty bland, but Naruto snuck in some colorful accents. The main floor now had a relaxed, but cheerful vibe.

Sasuke was arranging some neon orange throw pillows on the couch while observing Naruto in the kitchen. He was thanking his ancestors, particularly the first clan head, for the architecture of the main floor. He could easy see Naruto from any room.

Sasuke had agreed to let Naruto wear what she choose on the condition that it was not that hideous orange jumpsuit. Currently she was wearing some faded denim shorts and a beige sweatshirt with a large orange star that was probably three sizes too big, but it did look incredibly comfortable. The majority of her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail with a few wisps covering her make up free face. Naruto looked vulnerable, and far too young to have the life that she had.

It wasn't a skirt or a dress, but Sasuke thought that it was the best look for her. It was something that Naruto would wear.

Sasuke wanted Naruto to feel comfortable around him. He wanted her to know that he would be there for her no matter want. He didn't want Hero-Naruto, Girl-Naruto, or any of the other disguises that she wanted to hide behind.

He just wanted Naruto.

"Oi dobe." Sasuke said in greeting while walking in to kitchen.

"Teme." Naruto replied, without taking her eyes away from the flat ware she was trying to organize.

"What's going on with you and Shikamaru?" Sasuke asked suddenly.

Naruto paused for a second, allowing the plate in her hand to slip.

Sasuke appeared before her, catching the plate and placing it on the counter. He cocked an eyebrow as if to say, 'So?'.

"W-what makes you say that?" Naruto asked nervously.

"Sakura and Ino have been telling the village that you two are dating."

Naruto groaned, rolling her eyes.

Sakura had cornered her a few days ago with the same inquiries. Naruto had evaded most of the questions, giving her little tidbits in order to suppress her anger. It had gone on for about two hours before Ino coincidently appeared with Shikamaru. ("Oh look! It's Billboard brow with your girlfriend" – Naruto's face could not have been any redder).

Shikamaru and Naruto endured 10 minutes of their combined interrogation before Shikamaru grabbed Naruto's hand and pulled her away for ice-cream after declaring "It's none of your business if we're hanging out or not."

"We're just hanging out." Naruto mumbled.

"So are you dating?" Sasuke demanded.

"I don't know." Naruto said and she was telling the truth. She was unsure what "hanging out" meant. When Shikamaru had said it, It felt like he was confirming that they were dating, but Naruto wasn't sure. She didn't want to tell people that they were dating only to be wrong afterwards.

"Hn." Sasuke had a fairly good grasp on what was going on and frankly, he just wanted to punch Shikamaru's lights out. Sasuke hopped on the counter in front Naruto and leaned forward so they could be at eye level.

"Do you want to date him?" Sasuke asked.

"…It wouldn't be the worst thing." Naruto said.

"He's pretty weak, physically." Sasuke commented.

Naruto snorted.

"Noooo." Naruto childishly countered. "How would he be a jonin if he was weak?"

"He's … intelligent and an excellent strategist. But, if he was going up against someone stronger than him, like me, he would lose." Sasuke stated.

Naruto narrowed her eyes.

"How does your head fit through the door? Is there a special expansion jutsu on the frame?" Naruto asked in fake seriousness.

"The jutsu is for you. You're getting pudgy dobe. Must not be training enough." Sasuke said poking at Naruto's nonexistent fat rolls.

It wasn't long until Naruto had tried to grab the spray by the kitchen faucet, only to find herself struggling to get out of Sasuke's grip after he had wrestled it away from her and started to drench her with it.

Sasuke didn't think about the problem till Naruto had left for her apartment.

He had no idea what the other nin was up to, but he knew that if Naruto was entering a relationship with Shikamaru or even questioning her feelings toward him then she wouldn't be open to any other men. Naruto was loyal to a fault, Sasuke knew that she wouldn't even think about others if she was considering a relationship.

Shikamaru had to be removed.


Shikamaru stared at the board in front of him. His brain running through the various scenarios that were possible before picking up his knight and moving the piece forward.

His father quickly moved his own piece forward and the ball was back in his corner.

"Inoichi tells me that you're dating Naruto-san."

Shikamaru's brain grinded to a screeching halt.

"Something like that." Shikamaru replied shortly. His mind now divided, one side trying to figure out how to win the game and the other side preoccupied with discovering what his father was up to.

"Hmm,… Naruto-san seems like a good girl. She's always been interesting to talk to, excellent on missions." Shikaku said, never taking his eyes off of the board in front of him.

Shikamaru repressed a sigh. He had heard this exact spiel several times this week from Ino and Sakura. They would start off saying kind things before digging their claws into Naruto's character. While he agreed that Naruto would never be the stereotypical clan wife, he didn't think that she would be a bad wife. Naruto had always put others before herself even when they didn't deserve such recognition.

"But …" Shikamaru said, a hint of anger lacing into his voice.

"Nothing, I just hope you're ready to be the househusband of the Rokudaime. Your mother would like three grandchildren." Shikaku said calmly.

"I don't think that we're ther-"

"Checkmate."


Thank you all for reading this chapter I hope that you enjoyed it. I hope to have the next one out soon ! Please Review !