A/N: Fun chapter, hard to write actually. Enjoy!

Oh yeah, I mentioned Raido here who is a Jounin in the anime/manga with a small role (has a scar on his face.)

Japanese Fun: 'Ohisashiburi' A little formal, but basically means "long time, no see"; 'Chotto' literary meaning "a little", Japanese use it as a polite interruption, like "wait a second"; 'Betsuni' means "Oh, nothing"

Disclaimer: Alas, Naruto will never be mine

Chapter 24 – Closer

The stifling tension left the group as Uchiha Sasuke, the person responsible for their standoff, exited the scene. In the afterglow of relief, they looked around at other almost unsure of what to do next. Kiba was the first to break the silence as he plopped down on to a nearby tree root. "Tch...I'm stiff all over from that one," the feral looking nin bellowed. "Now Naruto, you want to tell us what this is all about." Akamaru padded over to lay against Kiba's leg and his canine gaze fixed icily on the tall blond ninja whom his master addressed.

The rest of the group fell at ease as well. The sound of metal sliding against leather and cloth echoed in the clearing as kunai and shuriken were returned unspent to pouches and holsters. The leaf nins spread themselves out loosely and a space formed around Naruto. They all expected an answer to Kiba's question and more. Hinata gave her boyfriend's hand a brief squeeze before moving to stand beside Tenten. Sakura who had been Naruto's backup in the release of Sasuke moved over with Hinata. Neji seemed dazed as he watched Sakura put distance between them. He grimaced for the moment before moving off to the opposite side. Choji was the last to settle himself as sat near Kiba and he popped open a fresh bag of chips.

Naruto gave Shikamaru a knowing glance, which the shadow copy specialist read immediately. He replied with one of his own.

"You think we're in this together Naruto," he thought as he stared at him with stony eyes, "but the entire mess we just had to go through was because you got too complicated and tried to keep everyone in the dark until the last moment."

Naruto caught the look Shikamaru was giving him and his shoulders dropped. With a sigh, he realized he was on his own here.

Naruto scanned the familiar faces before him. These were friends, loved ones and teammates, people whom he had shared tight spots and companions who had saved his skin countless times. In front of such an audience Tsunade's dire warnings of utmost secrecy fell to a tiny buzz in the back of his skull

"Maa, maa," he began with a big grin, "it's not as bad as you think it is. The Hokage received a message from Orochimaru saying that he wanted Sasuke and that big flaming scroll delivered to him or else he would destroy the village."

"How is this not bad, Naruto," Tenten asked dryly with a raised eyebrow. A couple of the others nodded in agreement.

"You see," Naruto started to say, "It all started with Tsunade finding out that Uchiha Itachi was not actually dead..."

"That's not this issue here," Neji interjected, "Whether or Tsunade-sama failed in her mission to kill Itachi is irrelevant. We just let that psycho's criminal younger brother walk out of Konoha…"

"Neji! Sasuke's not a criminal." Sakura cut in. "Naruto just said this was part of the Hokage's plan..."

"And what was he before!" Neji shouted back, "An escaped nin whose selfish behavior almost cost the lives of every person here." It was Neji's turn to look around at the others and each one looked back with grim nods at the truth.

"A man," Neji said gravely, "who is marked as the next host for Orochimaru to possess… and make him grow stronger."

Shikamaru saw Naruto getting angry. "I agree with you Neji," he thought, "But we left this up to Naruto remember."

"Now whose off topic Neji," Shikamaru said loudly cutting him off while stifling a yawn. "We were talking about the tomorrow's attack not how Tsunade faked Sasuke's escape."

Choji and Kiba looked at each other in confusion and a bewildered look flitted through the glade.

"Naruto-kun" Hinata said, almost startling herself that she was the one speaking, "when our team was headed to the North Gate we ran in Anbu who were pursuing Sasuke."

Naruto's grin reappeared as he saw that Shikamaru had already figured it out. "Those Anbu are being led by Namiashi Raido. He was only other person Tsunade included in this mission and she told him to make it look real. In fact, I bet they are already returning to the village now with Sasuke's fill-in."

"Fill-in?" exclaimed Kiba.

"Someone is using henge no jutsu to pretend to be Sasuke," said Sakura as a smile of appreciation at the ingenuity came to her lips. "Who is it Naruto?" she asked crossing her arms; her mind was already firing away at all the possibilities. "It would need to be someone strong, young, able to hold the jutsu for an incredibly long time... and was outside of the village before Sasuke escaped."

Shikamaru decided to be over his irritation at Naruto as he joined him in the center of the group.

"Listen, I'm sure that Naruto can't reveal that information even if he knows, "Shikamaru said, receiving a small hurt look from Naruto as he stole the limelight, "but more importantly we all need to be prepared for tomorrow. Naruto delivered to me a message from the Hokage stating that with the most of the senior ninja on the trip to Lightning Country the job of coordinating the defense of Konoha would fall on our shoulders. "

Exclamations of disbelief erupted from the clearing. Shikamaru let their cries od protest roll over him as he shoved his hands into his pockets and then removed them quickly. It was a annoying habit of his from childhood, something he did when he was about to say something emotional or embarrassing.

"You are all great ninja," he stated plainly looking at each of them. "You are all Konoha chuunin and have each proven yourself capable of leading the teams and finishing missions. More importantly, you all have what it takes to defend the village. The Hokage believes in us and I believe in us." Shikamaru paused as he caught his breath a little, speaking like this made his blood rush. "How troublesome," he thought.

They all stood a little straighter, a few clenching fists as Shikamaru's message struck a cord.

"When the alarms start sounding tomorrow we will organize our battle plan and launch our counterstrike. We'll fight until we end Orochimaru's threat to the village... once and for all."

"Y-Yeah!" barked Choji as Shikamaru finished. His eyes were blazing as his yell shook his entire body showering a displeased looking Akamaru with potato chip crumbs.

Everyone turned in shock towards the massive ninja, who at nineteen years old towered over them all, even Kiba. With them all staring at him intensely, a pinkish color flooded Choji from the neck up. Raising his index finger in the air the large man twirled it daintily. "Woo," he cheered in a more subdued tone.

Laughter exploded from the group. They laughed so hard tears came. Naruto guffawed hanging on Shikamaru's shoulder and as he recovered, he said softly, "Thanks."

"No problem," replied Shikamaru as he wiped moisture from his eye with a last chuckle.

The mirth ended their little summit and the group walked slowly back home. Without anyone really in charge they strolled along taking their time. They were in pairs of two or three that broke and reformed at whim. As teenage soldiers, they rarely had such freedom from their duties. Today, the forest was cool and pleasant and no one wished tomorrow to come any faster.

Sakura dropped back from Naruto to walk with Choji. "Ohisashiburi, Choji. Do you still regret your choice to become a medical ninja?" Sakura, Hinata and Choji had been a hastily made team for their trip to Hidden Sand Village for their Chuunin exam. In that time Tsunade had trained each of them a medical ninja.

"Ohisashiburi, Sakura," Choji greeted her. "I don't at all. I'm very happy with what I do for my team."

Sakura, who came up only to his chest, patted him on the arm. She always was happy to see another person excel in medical techniques. She seemed to view every medical ninja in Konoha as her personal charge. A endearing and sometimes annoying habit she learned from Tsunade.

"Where have you been hiding all this time?" she asked him, "I've seen everyone else on your team around the village, but you."

Choji's eye shot upward as he fumbled for an answer.

"Ask him about Matsuri Sanada," came a loud whisper. The voice came from Tenten who peeked mischievously at Sakura from the other size of Choji. The refrigerator-sized ninja looked at the petite kunoichi in horror.

"How did you...?" Choji sputtered.

Tenten stuck her tongue out at him and giggled as she skipped off to talk with some of the others. Choji turned back to Sakura who was now peering up at him curiously. "Hmmm… Matsuri Sanada" she said, "That's Matsuri Tsuna's older sister. She runs a hair salon near TenTen's house." Sakura saw some the pink reappearing in Choji's cheeks.

"Oh, someone's got a girlfriend!" she squealed hugging his arm.

"Chotto, Sakura," poor Choji exclaimed as he appeared ready to pass out.

Hinata found herself walking with Kiba and Akamaru in a familiar and yet oddly reminiscent silence. "How are you Akamaru?" she said as she decided it was easier to start with the beast than master. She scratched him behind the ears in his favorite spot. The soft-spoken girl was rewarded for her good memory with a whine of pleasure.

"We are both fine," Kiba said wryly, responding for his dog. Hinata felt the need to repress a smile as she took the hint that Kiba felt ignored. "You still need to be the center of attention, Kiba-kun," she thought wistfully.

"I glad you're doing well," she said politely. "I've heard a lot about how successful your team has been. You must be very happy."

Kiba puts his arms behind his head, giving her a toothy grin. "Yeah, that's cause I'm the strongest guy on the team, which you know helps when all the other guys slack off."

"You don't say," Hinata replied trying not to laugh. It was just like old times. Hinata almost expected Shino to walk out of the bushes with his bug collection box to make some dry remark about Kiba's bragging.

"I still think Akamaru pulls your weight Kiba... and he still can't talk "

Hinata felt Naruto's presence just to her other side and looked up to seem him grinning roguishly. Naruto always got jealous when he saw other guys talk to her, particularly Kiba. Hinata knew she should scold him, but as she felt his arm wrap around to her shoulder a surge of delight passed through her. The fair-minded kunoichi decided it was enough to keep focused on her conversation with Kiba as she leaned just ever so slightly into Naruto's chest.

Kiba wasn't pleased with Naruto nosing into his conversation. He now sported an expression that matched Naruto. "Don't listen to him Hinata," he said. "Akamaru knows lots of words. Akamaru, how do you say Naruto's name?"

Akamaru tilted his head up to look at the three nins and in two clear syllables he barked, "Baka!"

"Oh!" Hinata said with surprise as she started to laugh putting a hand over her mouth.

Naruto's left eye began to twitch. "Hinata…" he said wounded.

"Sorry, Naruto-kun," she apologized.

Kiba was holding his sides as he tried to hold in a belly laugh. "Hey Akamaru, tell Hinata the other ways to say Naruto's name!"

"Oi!" yelled Naruto as Hinata protested, "Kiba-kun!"

In front of the others Neji and Shikamaru walk in comparative silence, a state which seemed to suit both just fine. Neji's solitude was forcibly ended however as he felt a feminine hand tucking something lightly behind his ear. Tenten popped beside him appraisingly her handiwork. "Hi!" she greeted him brightly. "I think you look prettier now."

Neji carefully touched what she had hung on him and realized it was flower. The flat line of his serious mouth curved upward. "I've never worried I was ugly," he told her letting his smile grow.

Tenten's eyes lit up. "When we were younger Neji," she mused silently, "I used to work so hard to get that smile." It was funny. She had known since she was twelve she would end marrying a guy on her genin team. Of course, if you asked that younger version of her which it would be, the answer would have never been Rock Lee. Tenten was in love with Lee now and was amazed how deeply he loved her in return. As she watched the drama between Sakura and Neji unfold she found she couldn't help how she reacted. It wasn't jealous so much, as she just want to protect him. Tenten had watched Lee fail to win Sakura's heart years ago and at present she didn't believe Neji would fare any better.

"You're a big boy now Neji," Tenten thought, "I just don't want to see you get hurt anymore."

"Tenten are listening?" he asked, "Can I take this off now?"

"Ah? Yeah!" Tenten half-shouted coming back to reality. "I mean no! You wear white, you don't tan, and with those pale eyes you need some color!"

Neji plucked the stem from his ear and twirled it gently in his fingers. It turned out to be a spray of buttercups. "Yellow's not my color," he told her, "Maybe you should try this on Nara." Gesturing over to the guy who walked parallel with them a good five steps away.

"Oi!" Shikamaru said them, "I didn't ask to part of your conversation."

"Stopping being such an oji-san Shikamaru," Tenten shot back folding hands on hips. "Don't worry, Neji. I have his girlfriend working to change his lack of taste in clothing."

"Oh? I never knew you were so obedient, Shikamaru," Neji said.

"Tenten lives in a fantasy world," said stilling look up at the sky.

"Ok, then," she said lifting her chin. "When was the last time Ino said she liked what you were wearing?"

Shikamaru finally turned to look at them. "I don't know!" he grumbled. "I don't keep track of that!"

Tenten shook her head sadly, "You see there's the problem."

Shikamaru came as close to pouting as Tenten had ever seen him. "She told me I look good in my flak jacket. "

"And how old were you?" Tenten asked patiently.

"Fourteen," he said quickly.

Tenten voice became saccharine. "And how old are you now?" she asked.

Shikamaru paused slightly dumbfounded, until it hit him where she was going. "Shut up!" he yelled.

Now it was Neji's turn to shake his head. "I guess you have your work cut out for you, Tenten," he said.

"I know," she sighed, "It's sad really, but since you two are obsessed, anti-social geniuses it's no wonder you've ended up this way."

Both men became mirrors of stony expressions.

You know Neji," said Shikarmaru, "I was really enjoying the conversation we were having before Tenten butted in."

"I quite agree," he replied.

Tenten watched them in surprise as the quickened their pace to distance themselves from her.

"Hey!" he shouted at their half-fleeing figures, "You didn't have a conversation! You two were just ignoring everybody!"

The group wandered through the Forest Gate back into Konoha as the long shadows of the afternoon painted the landscape. They had wasted most of the day on the way back slowing their pace trying to forget for a little while what tomorrow would bring.

Tenten and Kiba said their goodbyes first as their houses were nearby while the rest trooped back towards the center of town. The two were almost neighbors, but had never spoken much to each other even growing up. Akamaru barked and nudged at Kiba home to hurry home as it was past his supper time. They chuckled as they heard Kiba yelling from a street away, "Layoff, Akamaru! You act like I starve you!"

Choji was the next person to peel away from the pack. "See you tomorrow mina," he said, turning to his best friend, "Don't worry Shikamaru tomorrow we'll show them."

"You said it, Choji!" Shikamaru said grinning. The mountain-sized nin strolled off down the street as they all turned to continue heading home. Sakura had stayed at the intersection and was staring down the street where Choji left them. Naruto turned back. "Sakura what are you doing?" he asked. The pink haired kunoichi ignored him and after a bit came hopping back to them. She was giggling as caught up to them.

Naruto shook his at her peculiar behavior while Hinata moved over to her "Daijobu?" she whispered. Sakura leaned in to whisper back, "Choji turned back towards where Tenten lives…Matsuri Sanada!" Both girls shared a smile. They had come to learn a lot about Choji when they became chuunin together. He was a kind person with a heart as big as he was. He truly deserved all the happiness in the world.

As the group continued along in a smaller pack it became more and more obvious to Shikamaru that Neji and Sakura were avoiding each other. The fact they had even got this far without an argument was a minor miracle as he could see it. He crossed fingers hoping the truce would hold just when it began to deteriorate.

"Well, this is where I turn," Sakura said to them. She was smiling politely to them all and avoiding Neji's scowl at the same time. She turn to go home and after a few paces to turn back.

"Aren't you going home too, Neji?" she asked, knowing that he had to turn down that same street too.

Neji wore an icy expression. "I do. I'm waiting for you to go a little farther and then I'll go. I don't want to force myself on you."

Shikamaru was surprised how hurt Sakura looked from the comment. Neji was just being Neji from what he could see. The guy was angry at her. "Of course, Sakura just watched Sasuke go of to his almost certain death, so she's been bottling it up too."

Sakura's eyes became watery, but hardened. "You don't have to be mean."

"You're right," he stated smartly. "I also don't have to watch you make mistakes."

Naruto hissed under his breath as he saw the effect of Neji's comment on his old teammate. Sakura was motionless like carved stone as Neji passed her heading off down the street home. Shikamaru suddenly felt really bad. "I sort of agree with Neji," he thought, "Sakura's in love with a lunatic, but then, she isn't the most stable girl. Geez, whatever, why does that guy need to be right all the time?"

Naruto seemed to share the other man's sentiment as he asked Hinata too low for Sakura to hear, "Why does he do that?"

Hinata looked up to see his disheartened expression. It was something she recognized well and it was one of the many reasons she loved him. For Naruto, there were certain hurtful, painful things that people said or did to each other that he just could not understand and refused to accept.

Hinata hugged the arm of his she had been holding a little tighter. "Neji-niisan just wants to protect her," she said softly in his ear, "but he doesn't handle failure very well either."

Shikamaru didn't like watching Sakura stand there with a vacant, numb expression.Another thought crossed his mind, "She doesn't have anyone to go home to...that sucks... oh, whatever." He opened his mouth not sure what was going to come out.

"Hey Sakura," Shikamaru started to say awkwardly, "I know it's short notice and all, but if you want, you can come over to my house for dinner. Ino always makes too much and, uh, I know she'd love the company."

Sakura was unreadable as she searched his face for a reason. Here her lazy, antisocial, normally grumpy captain was being a nice guy. His kindness took her off guard and the tears of rage she had held back till now fell slowly down her cheek at the gesture.

Sakura sniffled with a laugh at herself. "Thank you Shikamaru, that sounds wonderful," she said wiping at her eyes. Naruto and Hinata smiled at him approvingly, which made him feel embarrassed.

"Alright let's go! I'm already late. Ino hates it when I'm late!"

"Whipped," Naruto coughed into his hand.

"What did you call me!"

"Betsuni," Naruto muttered averting his eyes.

Hinata made a face and turned to Sakura. "You know it's really nice when a guy tells people he's worried about his girlfriend." She knew Naruto was listening as she went on, "I wonder if Naruto tell people he's thinking about me."

"Hey, Hinata!"

Hinata turned back to him acting surprised, "Oh, Naruto, I'm sorry! I thought you were talking to Shikarmaru still." Naruto enfolded her in a bear hug. "I tell everyone I miss you all the time!" he yelled practically echoing down the street. Hinata gave Sakura a glance with an adorable impish expression and Sakura quickly hid her smile with her hand.

Shikamaru watched the whole thing go down. Being with Ino, whose ability with the "guilt trip" techinque was "Kage" level, this simple manipulation appeared mere child's play.

"Whipped," he coughed into his hand.

"What?" said Naruto giving him a funny look.

"Betsuni," he said quickly looking at the sky.

The edge of the molten sun was slipping down behind the outer walls of Konohagakure as the four remaining nins came to Shikamaru's apartment building. He could see the warm light coming from balcony window and even caught faint sound of water running in his sink as it drifted from an open window. "Home," he thought contentedly meaning a person not a place. He and Sakura said their goodbyes to Naruto and Hinata and began the troop up the three flights of steps to his door.

It was as they started to the second flight that Shikamaru hit upon an excellent idea.

"Sakura!" he said excitedly looking at her with such an alien look of glee that the woman contemplated running.

"What?" she said fearfully.

"We can play Go!" he yelled

Sakura made a face. "No, I don't like board games."

Shikamaru threw his hands up. "But you're not bad!"

Sakura moved past him so she could get to his apartment faster. "I only played you once!" she said. "When you tricked us all saying it was training for some mission."

"I know, I was bored then," Shikamaru said dismissively, "but you show potential!"

Sakura renewed the climb up as she answered. She had learned long ago that when dealing with the mentally deranged it was important to keep moving. "I'm not playing," she told him. "Besides, you'll never let me win."

Shikamaru looked dumbstruck. "What fun is that!" he spouted, "Besides, I let people win."

"Who!" Sakura asked in disbelief.

"Ino," he replied smugly.

"How many times?" she dug suspiciously pausing on the steps to look back at him.

Shikamaru's smug look faltered. "Once," he told her.

Sakura resumed her assent. "I'm not playing," she informed him.

"Come on!" he whined.

"No," came the deadpan reply.

"It's an order," he tried in a commanding tone.

"Ha!" snorted Sakura still climbing, "Now I am ignoring you."

"Please!" he pleaded, "I hate playing with myself."

"Sounds like a personal problem Shikamaru, you should tell Ino," quipped Sakura giving her medical opinion, "...and no."

Hinata and Naruto listened to the banter fade as they walked along the road where it led to the small bridge that ran over an irrigation ditch. They stopped at the middle and waited watching the sun's final breath cool in the far horizon. They were quiet after that walking togther closely in the final approach to Naruto's abode.

Hinata loved being with him like this. Naturally a boisterous person, Naruto had told Hinata once that being with her made him finally appreciate silence. The steps seemed too few as they came to the stairway that ran around up the side of the building to Naruto's apartment. Not that Naruto ever took the steps to his "penthouse" as he called it.

Naruto turn to her and moved into kiss her goodnight as she turn her head to the side letting his lips land on her cheek.

"Hinata?" he asked with concern.

The pale, lithe girl seemed nervous. "Naruto," she said unable to look at him, "Don't you want to ask me something?"

Naruto looked down at her with complete confusion. "Uhhh, Are you are ok about tomorrow? Cause listen I'm sorry, I really couldn't tell anyone, I was just glad..."

Hinata eyes were very big as she interrupted him. "Not that… anything else," she sad softly leaning into him.

Naruto put his arms around her in a reflex, but his gaze was still tilted toward the rooftops as his brain was wrestled with her question. "Well let's see... I asked you before if you wanted to go out for dinner and you shot that down. And I asked you before if you were ok and you said yes. 'Cause like I said, I didn't expect Sasuke to go all 'dark avenger' on me again and …

Hinata stared up at him was trying not to get mad as Naruto's little discussion moved even farther from what she wanted.

"We could have dinner at my place… but you know I can't cook..."

Hinata jumped in seeing her chance. "A, Actually," she said grabbing onto the lapels of his jacket, "I figured we could grab something afterwards, when we'd be hungry."

Naruto's eyebrow lifted. "Afterwards?" he said still groping for a clue.

Hinata laid her head on his chest with a sigh, "Naruto-kun…don't make me say it."

Naruto looked down to gaze her eyes. He found the answer there and the realization made his heartbeat a little faster. "Oh," he said as a blush appeared and sweat formed on his brow.

Hinata had the most tender smile. It always made him feel warm all over. He never was worried she'd judge him or hate him for what lived inside him. He never felt stupid or awkward around her either, even if he knew he was acting that way.

Naruto's blush faded as the warmth of her smile infused his being.

"Hinata," he said, his voice gettng that little catch in it she found irresistable, "Why don't you come to my place? Maybe we'll order ramen later." The blond-nin scooped her off her feet before she could respond. Whatever Hinata had thought say was lost to the wind as Naruto jumped up to his door in a single leap.

Hinata reminded herself to thank Ino for all her advice.

TO BE CONTINUED

A/N: I had mild writer's block on this chappie (which the world's oldest excuse). The next one, chp 25, almost wrote itself and should be out soon!

This one wasn't just filler, IMHO. The reason these people are all so close is because of their shared experience. It sort of overlays and transcends their martial and competitive relationships. (Sorry if that was too wordy!)

And yeah, I'm a big fat liar about quick chapters, the people I'm living with are insane and they plague me, though they are great source material! (For instance, I watched this girl put her hand through a wall and thought, "Gee, I bet that's how Tsunade does it!" – and honestly, you never can tell who went to karate when they were a kid until it's just too late!) Whatever, alas, I now need to move out of the house I share and get an apartment. Ugh! Annoying!

peace out,

BN