Use-to employ for some purpose; put into service; make use of

Xoxoxo

He wasn't using him per say…

"I am not going to spy on her."

Shikamaru Nara rubbed his sleep deprived eyes, glaring at the blonde sitting beside him. When he'd called him to Ichiraku with an urgent message he'd been intrigued, but he should have known better. Naruto was an idiot, and one with the biggest case of unjustified jealousy he'd ever seen.

It had started with his teammate Ino, who supposedly spoke to Sakura about her new living arrangements a week ago. When Ino had relayed the story to him, it had seemed completely normal.

Then he'd heard the story after it had gotten to Kiba, and suddenly it wasn't so normal.

From what started as a simple, "Oh she and Sai get along great. The only issue was when she forgot to bring her cloths into the bathroom before her shower and had to steal his to stay modest. It was hilarious." Quickly this story turned into a, "I heard Sakura and Sai were getting along really well, so well in fact that she wears his cloths at night."

Then that story turned into, "They take off their clothes at night and sleep in the same bed."

Then that turned into Kiba's story, which was by far the worst.

"I heard from Ten Ten that Sakura and Sai are a couple now. I mean they shower together and sleep together so doesn't that make them a couple? A weird couple but a couple."

Naturally since he knew how the rumor progressed, and that the source was nothing like the abomination it was now, he know that Naruto had nothing to worry about. Convincing the idiot of that though was a whole other story.

"The two of you are separated. I don't think she'd appreciate you sending scouts to spy on her and attack if they see anything actually going on between her and Sai. Even if she were dating Sai, she has that right now as a single woman."

Naruto cringed at that last sentence, stabbing at his ramen viciously.

"I just can't stand the thought of anyone else having her."

"Then why did you let her go to begin with?"

"Sasuke is my best friend. I can't just abandon him now when he needs me most. I know Sakura doesn't care but this is important."

Shikamaru slammed his chopsticks down, narrowing his eyes sharply. "Doesn't care? I think you have the wrong interpretation of Sakura's feelings Naruto."

"Did you ever stop to consider her feelings about this whole thing. You brought Sasuke back without involving or asking her. She was so desperate to know you were safe that she left without orders. Then you try and force her into helping you take care of someone she both hates and loves at the same time. She wasn't ready to get close to him again. Then you brought him into the home you share, and expected things to go back to the way they were just like that."

Naruto stared down at the table, biting his lip. "Is it really so bad to want that?"

"When you are hurting someone else it is. She needed more time to accept him Naruto, and you only saw what you wanted to see. Then you made it seem like you had chosen Sasuke over her, and in a way you did. After all, you didn't go after her."

"She didn't want me to."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "I don't know much about women, but I can tell you that she was hurt when you didn't even try to get her back. You haven't even spoken to her since that day."

Naruto set his ramen bowl aside, looking Shikamaru in the eyes. "What do you suggest I do then? I can't kick Sasuke out of the apartment. He's really starting to be himself again, but I can tell his old home is still too much for him right now."

"Then why don't we start small. We know she isn't too keen on Sasuke, but he isn't going anywhere. How can you put three people in the same environment, without destruction?"

"Shouldn't I be focusing on apologizing to Sakura first?"

"No. An apology won't mean anything if you can't change the situation, at least a little. When you have things worked out, then you can apologize and offer a solution. If you rush in you'll only make things worse. She isn't going to date anyone else in the meantime Naruto."

"How do you know that for sure?"

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"I guess until you get things settled, I could keep an eye on her. Not spying, but as close as you can get."

"You're the best Shikamaru!"

Xoxoxo

There you have it! The solution next chapter! Sorry for the shortness of this chapter, but there wasn't much to put into this one anyways. As always my apologies for any grammar mistakes/spellings.

Thanks for the encouragement! Still taking suggestions!