Naruto shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked through the village, looking for something to do. He'd spent much time in the Hokage office, doing nothing but paperwork, in training to succeed Kakashi-sensei, and he needed a break.
He blinked as he saw Ino and Sasuke walking his way, holding hands. His heart fluttered and he started to blush as he recalled what he and Ino had been doing in secret for the past few weeks together.
Ino was smiling happily as Sasuke draped an arm around her. She noticed Naruto and slightly grinned at him. He smiled back shyly as Sasuke stopped to speak to him.
"Usuratonkachi." Sasuke gave him a simple greeting, oblivious to the signals Ino kept sending his way. She made him nervous.
"What's up, Teme! It's been a long day, 'ttebayo." He grinned brightly and glanced towards Ino, who was signaling for him to make an excuse to get her away from Sasuke. He sighed and turned back to Sasuke. "Uh, can I borrow Ino for a minute? I need to .. show her something .. over there." He pointed towards a nearby store.
Sasuke shrugged and Naruto pulled Ino off. Once his back was turned, he dragged her behind the weapons shop.
"You are way too obvious, 'ttebayo!" He nervously twiddled his thumbs. "I can't keep this up for much longer.
"Sorry, I just wanted to tell you to come to my house later." She whispered and winked up at him, reaching up to kiss his cheek.
He shivered and nodded, heading back over to Sasuke with her at his side. "Thanks for showing me, Naruto." She said innocently, entwining her fingers with Sasuke's again. "I'll make sure to let Kakashi-sensei know." She added.
Sasuke dipped his head in farewell to Naruto. He shook his head and walked in the opposite direction. "She is way too good at lying." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as his face flushed.
Later that night, he sat at the end of Ino's bed as she hugged him. She was wearing an oversized T-shirt, Sasuke's T-shirt. It made him want to scream, but he sat quietly, until both of their stomachs dropped as they heard Sasuke's voice.
"Ino!" He called. "Can we talk?" Ino hopped off of him quickly, shooing him him away, hoping he'd have time to hide. He rolled off of the bed with a thud and began frantically searching for his clothes. By the time he found his pants, she had already placed herself back on the bed with her legs crossed. She rolled her eyes as he fumbled with his zipper after slipping them on over his shorts. He dove into the closet to search for his jacket just as Sasuke walked silently into the room.
"Found it, 'ttebayo!" He shouted triumphantly, jumping out of the closet and swinging the jacket over his head with a huge grin. He heard Ino sigh as she hid her face in her palms and he came face to face with Sasuke.
"Naru-?" Sasuke froze. "Ino ... what is this ..?" He asked, glaring at Naruto. She sighed again and lifted her head to face him. "This idiot forgot his jacket earlier when he came to see Sakura." She made up the lie quickly and flawlessly. Sasuke shook his head as Naruto, still staring Sasuke in the eyes, slowly slipped on his jacket.
"As much as I want to believe you Ino, I know how good of a liar you are." Sasuke slowly dragged his gaze away from Naruto and turned to face Ino, who's falsely innocent gaze was unwavering. "I was out training with Sakura all day." He growled taking a step towards Naruto.
She stood up and walked over to him, draping her arms over his neck. "I didn't say she was here. He came looking for her earlier and set his jacket down, when we started to talk about where she might be. He left it here and I tossed it into the closet. He just got here and found it himself." She stood on her toes and kissed Sasuke's chin. "Don't get the wrong idea, Sasuke-kun." She whispered into his ear.
Naruto took the opportunity to slip out of the room and her apartment. He quickly made his way home and collapsed onto his bed. He thought about Sasuke being with Ino tonight, rather than him. He grumbled and angrily went to sleep.
He woke up fully at about noon, feeling an unidentified weight on top of him. He shifted and popped his head out from underneath the covers to see Ino lying on him.
She smiled down at him. "'Sup, boy." She teased, poking his cheek.
"What are you doing here?" He growled at her.
She pouted and slid underneath the blankets with him, snuggling close. He didn't realize how fast his heart was beating.
"Ino, don't start something you can't finish." He hissed through clenched teeth as he fought his desire for her.
She pouted again. "I just thought I should start coming over to your place, so we don't get caught."
She smiled and bit her lip. That smile made him weak. He reached over and poked her lower lip, making her giggle. He wrapped his arms around her and asked the question that had been nagging him since last night.
"So did you and the Teme .. you know ..?" He blushed, looking away.
She tilted her head to the side and chuckled. "What does that matter? Even if we did, he's my boyfriend." She kissed his cheek.
Of course, no direct answer. He sighed and played in her hair. He had no idea why it bothered him so much. He and Ino were strictly friends with benefits, nothing more. She'd made that clear. He did enjoy their cuddle sessions a little too much, he realized that. Even now, it felt so good to just hold her.
Getting impatient, Ino looked up at him and pouted. "Is this all we're gonna do? Cause I can do this at home."
He swallowed and squished her face with his hand. "Ino .." He huffed. "Just .. I just want to hold you, 'ttebayo."
She raised an eyebrow and a slow smile crept across her face. "You're jealous of Sasuke, aren't ya!" She hopped up, playfully punching his shoulder. "You're being possesive and it's bothering you that I spend more time with him. That's it, isn't it, you big dope!"
He looked away and ran a hand through his hair. He wasn't ready to admit anything. He silenced her before she could hail him with anymore questions by pressing his lips to hers and pulling her closer to him. Hearing her giggle, he felt more comfortable and sighed. It seemed that nothing was better than this closeness, even if Ino didn't feel it.
Naruto frowned as he watched Sasuke fawning over Ino's growing belly. 'That's mine.' He thought to himself. He hadn't spoken to Ino since the night she had figured out that he felt something more, which was about six months ago. She had abrubtly stopped talking to him and coming over and he'd had no idea why until Sasuke started to gush about Ino being pregnant. Now, she didn't even look at him, as if nothing had happened at all, though when she did, the look in her eyes always warned him to stay away.
He stood up and sauntered over to her and Sasuke, feeling bold. She wasn't going to keep treating him like this, he'd get her back. They both looked up at him, with Ino, of course, glaring daggers at him. He spoke before either could.
"Ino, I'm happy for you and all, but I think you need to tell Sasuke the truth, 'ttebayo." Fear flashed in Ino's eyes and he chuckled darkly before walking away. He was more hurt than anything, missing the feeling he'd felt with her.
"Naruto, wait! I can't chase you, idiot." Ino hobbled after him. "What do you mean?" She asked in a lower voice. "Tell him what? That the kid isn't his? Or that you screwed his girlfriend?" She frowned and he shook his head.
"Don't act like you didn't seduce me first, 'ttebayo!" He growled in a low tone. "We never would've been in this mess if it hadn't been for you! All I'm saying is, I just think you should tell him before you have a kid with whiskers. He's gonna find out anyway and he deserves to know the truth." His words came out harshly and he started to walk away once more.
"Not like my kid would wanna take after you anyway!" She shouted after him, annoyed. He glanced back, furrowing his brows.
"You weren't saying that when you were spending all that time with me every night for 6 weeks." He pointed an accusing finger at her. He ran back over to Sasuke, grabbing his shoulders ad bowing his head. "I'm sorry. So, so sorry. I can't even explain how sorry I am. I fell in love with her and she was just playing with me the whole time, I see that now, 'ttebayo." He sighed and resigned to walking away again.
Ino clenched her fists, her eyes widening at his words. She slowly turned to Sasuke who was glaring at her. He'd obviously already heard every word they'd exchanged.
"Sasuke, He- he's lying." She fumbled, quickly. But, he wasn't listening to a single word, backing away from her.
"Stay away from me." He pointed and warned her, before walking after Naruto. "Usuratonkachi!" He called after him. "Finish telling me what happened." He asked, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"I- I can't do this alone.." Ino pouted at Sasuke for extra effect, seeing as it usually got him to do what she wanted. He flashed a cold glance at her and she flinched.
"Honestly, I can't even blame you, dobe." He shook his head, ignoring her as he caught up with Naruto, who had been waiting for him farther ahead.
Ino's eyes widened as they both disappeared. Sasuke's reaction had been everything but expected. Then again, what did she expect? She'd brought it on herself and she knew it. Naruto hadn't been an accident.
She pulled her knees up to her chest and cradled her head in-between them, her belly's size making it awkward. She sat alone for what seemed like an eternity, tears streaming down her face though she didn't make a sound. She then sat upright and placed a hand on her stomach. "Father or not, I'm gonna love you unconditionally. I won't let you pay for my mistake." She told her unborn child, new resolve filling her. Feeling at peace after shedding tears, she smiled sadly and headed home.