I do not own Naruto, nor do I make any money off of this.
"talking"
'thinking'
Chapter 21:
Graduation. It was nearing everyday and in all honesty, it scared Sasuke. Being in school was another reason Sasuke had used to hide his feelings. But that excuse would no longer be available in just a month. He was proud that Naruto was so smart, but that also meant that he'd be able to graduate with the others his age. Shukaku had also been able to earn the right to graduate since he no longer missed so many days. Sasuke was beginning to regret hiring the tutor that got the two of them caught up. Then again, it only made sense that Shikamaru would be able to help them. The man had an IQ of over 200 after all!
"I think we should have a party," Kurama said, interrupting Sasuke's thoughts. "We can invite all of your friends. I think the day after the graduation would be the best."
"Actually, Sakura already invited us out with the others," Naruto said. "I'd like to go with them, if that is ok."
Kurama and Sasuke frowned, though only Kurama saw Sasuke's frown. She nearly smiled at his reaction before she sighed. She didn't really want Naruto to hang out with Sakura. She knew the girl was still after him. An idea popped in her head.
"That's fine," Sasuke said before Kurama could speak. Her eyes widened briefly as she looked at Sasuke. "You should have fun." He turned towards Kohaku. "Have a good day at school, Kohaku." Standing up, Sasuke excused himself from the table, bringing his dirty dishes to the sink. He glanced at Naruto who had resumed talking to Shukaku. His eyes then met Kurama's and he forced himself to look away. Sasuke made his way to his office.
Kurama sat for a few minutes before letting them know she was done. She used the excuse that she had some work to do. She walked into Sasuke's office, not even bothering to knock. Sasuke knew she was going to come after him. She sat down making sure she was directly facing Sasuke. Neither spoke as Sasuke read through some pages before signing his name. Finally, he looked up, putting the papers aside. He folded his hands in front of himself, ready for Kurama's lecture.
"When did you realise that you love Naruto?" Kurama asked. Sasuke's eyes widened. He hadn't been expecting that.
"W-what?" He stuttered.
"You heard me," Kurama said.
"I don't know," Sasuke said. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. "But it doesn't matter."
"Why?" Kurama asked. "Because he's ten years younger than you? Because he's a boy? Those things are not important. If you love him then you…"
"Kurama," Sasuke said. She fell silent. "You know I can't."
"Is it because of Mizori?" Kurama asked. "She's been gone for nearly five years now."
"The same could be said about you," Sasuke said. "Itachi died over six years ago."
"That's different," Kurama said. "I loved Itachi. I know you didn't love Mizori like that. Besides, after what she did…"
"She gave me Kohaku," Sasuke said. "He's the most important person in my life."
"You can have more than one important person," Kurama said.
"Get out," Sasuke said. He glared at Kurama. "Just leave."
Kurama huffed. "Fine. But don't ignore your feelings for too long." She walked to the door. "Or you'll only hurt yourself more.
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"Congratulations Naru-chan!" Kohaku cheered. His speech had greatly improved over the last few months.
"Thank you, Kohaku! Naruto said. He lifted the little boy up and spun him around. Both of them laughed.
"Congratulations, Naru," Matatabi said, blushing. She held out a bouquet of flowers. Naruto smiled he took them.
"Hey!" Shukaku pouted. "I'm your brother. Where's my flowers?"
"Naru is prettier," Matatabi said. "Shu no look good with flowers." Shukaku frowned as Naruto laughed.
"Still," the blond said, kneeling down. "I think Shukaku really wanted some flowers." Matatabi's eyes widened before she grabbed a rose from the bouquet and handed it to Shukaku. Shukaku rolled his eyes but accepted the rose.
"Are you glad that high school is over?" Kurama asked.
"A bit," Naruto said. "But I'm going to miss the place."
"At least we get to see each other everyday," Shukaku said. "It is a good thing we live together."
"Lucky you," Gaara said, approaching the group.
"I thought you were with your family," Shukaku said.
Gaara shrugged. "Temari had to work and only Kankuro could come."
"Hey!" a boy a few years older than Gaara said, walking up to the group. "At least I cared enough to get the night off!" He looked at the others. "Sorry for all the trouble Gaara probably has made for you."
"Oh nonsense," Kurama said. "He's a good boy."
"Coming from such a beautiful woman, it must be true," Kankuro said. Kurama laughed while Shukaku frown. He glared at the older man. Naruto nudged him, a questioning look on his face. Shukaku just shook his head, mumbling later.
"Naruto!" Sakura called. Yumi and Fu were with her. "Congrats on graduating! Have you decided on which college you're gonna go to?"
"I haven't really thought about college," Naruto said.
"Well, I hope you think about coming to Konoha University," Sakura said. "It would be nice to be able to see you everyday."
"I'll think about it," Naruto said, glancing at Sasuke before smiling back at Sakura. "Are you ready for tonight?"
"Of course!" Sakura said. "I've been looking forward to it."
"Alright!" Yumi said. "I think it is time to get going. We wouldn't want to miss the reservation."
"Right," Naruto said. He walked over to Kurama and Sasuke. "I don't know what time we'll be home, but I have my phone on. Call me if you need anything."
"Hn," Sasuke grunted. Naruto's frown disappeared for a second before he nodded and walked back over to Kohaku, giving him his goodbye.
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"I'm back!" Sai said. He looked around. "Where's Naruto and Shukaku?"
"Did you forget?" Sasuke said. "They're out with their friends. Tonight was their graduation."
"Ah!" Sai said. "That was tonight? And here I though I got here in time." He shook his head. "But there is something more important that I need to talk to you about." Sasuke frowned. Sai had only gotten a serious look on his face two times before, once when he admitted that he was gay and that he was going to become a wedding planner, the other time being when he apologised for his part in Itachi's death. "They've found a suspect."
Sasuke dropped his glass of wine. At the noise, Kurama ran into the room. The look on Sasuke's face caused her to take a step back. "Who?"
"I didn't get a name," Sai said.
"Why not?" Sasuke asked.
"Because I know what you'd do with that information," Sai said. "And I know that if you did something, it could affect the family, especially Kohaku and Naruto." It took a few seconds, as Sasuke played Sai's words over and over in his mind before he calmly sat down. Kurama moved to take the seat next to Sasuke, awaiting Sai to continue.
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"Are you going to sing?" Temari asked as she sat down next to Naruto, a drink in her hand.
"Not sure yet," Naruto said. "I've never sung in front of so many people."
"Ah!" Temari said. "So you're scared. Don't worry. None of us will judge."
"Alright," Naruto said. "I'll do it if you sing with me."
"A duet?" Temari smiled. "Sure!" Jealousy flashed through Sakura's eyes. She watched Temari move closer to Naruto as the two flipped through the song booklet.
"What's wrong?" Yumi asked her.
"It's nothing," Sakura said, taking a sip of her drink.
"Look, why don't you just ask him out again?" Yumi asked. "He may have turned you down, but he may have changed his mind. If not, then he isn't the one for you."
Sakura slammed her hand on the table. Everyone turned to look at her. She blushed. "I-I'm going to sing." She picked a random song before grabbing the microphone and beginning to sing. Sakura wasn't a bad singer, but she wasn't that good either. Some of her friends could hear her anger in her voice as she continued to sing. Once she was done, she took her seat and tried to calm herself down.
Temari and Naruto soon took the stage. The two sang, Naruto's voice clearly better than Temari's. As the song continued, Naruto became less nervous and started having fun. Once the song was over, Temari and Naruto started talking about their next song.
Shukaku and Gaara were glad that Naruto was having fun. Temari and Naruto ended up singing two more duets together. Temari also forced Gaara to sing with her. Kankuro had laughed until he too was forced to sing. Shukaku sang after Yumi and Sek-kun, who was still blushing at having sung a love song with Yumi. Overall, everyone seemed to be having fun, except Sakura who was sulking in the corner. Her friends tried to cheer her up, but seeing Naruto and Temari together had made her very depressed.
"You know," Yumi said. "It isn't over yet. You still have a chance." Sakura looked at Yumi, saw the look in her eyes, and couldn't help but smile.