Disclaimer: Hmmm... well, since the goldfish are currently infitrating the major cities of the world, my plan of world domination has not been fulfilled just yet, therefore, i still do not own...but i will someday! muahahahahah-cough cough-water need water! i think i swallowed my retainer...
FLASHBACK
Flowers were her life, she decided. Well, not completely true, she was a ninja first and foremost, but what really kept her going, what brought her back from the especially gruesome missions, were the flowers.
She loved their delicate features, how some hid thorns. She loved how each one seemed to have a different scent, each one individual. They each meant something different as well. Roses meant love, but different coloured roses meant different things as well.
Yamanaka Ino truly loved everything there was to love about flowers, which was why, even with her missions, she still ran her parents shop most of the time.
The bell above the door jingled, signaling a new customer.
"Hey Ino." Nara Shikamaru slouched in, leaning against the wooden front counter.
"Hey Shika!" The blond grinned at the bored expression on her friends face as he glanced around the shop. She hadn't spoken to him in close to a month now, with the both of them going on separate missions most of the time. She had been gone for close t to two weeks, only to return to find out that Shikamaru had already left on his own mission and would not be back for quite some time. "What's up?"
"I want…to buy some flowers." She raised an eyebrow. Since when did Shikamaru buy flowers? Flowers were usually a romantic gesture or given to someone in celebration or while sick. The brown haired teenager never did anything like that, ever. Must have been for someone really important, then.
"Who for, your mother?" Ino turned, scanning the flowers behind the counter critically, only the best for Shikamaru, and she knew how he was at this type of thing, therefore, she would have to take control of the situation.
"It's not for her." The lazy ninja muttered, flipping distractedly through one of the magazines on the counter.
"Oh really? Who's it for then? Come on Shika, you can tell me!" the blond grinned, leaning back over the counter. He glanced up as she leaned forwards, bringing their faces closer together. Baby blue eyes locked with dark obsidian eyes. Ino was the first to look away, turning to grab a small bouquet of Iris's from behind the counter to hide her blush. "So," she tried again, clearing her throat. "Who are they for?"
"Troublesome." Came the almost inaudible reply. Troublesome? That could only mean-
"Oh my god! You're actually buying flowers for a girl!?" She grinned at him, previous embarrassment forgotten, in favor of the fresh new gossip that lay within her reach. Wait- but Shikamaru was buying flowers for a girl, a girl that was not her. A ripple of jealousy and disappointment ran through her at the thought. Forcing her smile to remain on her face, she mentally crossed her fingers that he would not notice anything wrong. "So, who are the flowers for?"
"Someone." Okay, so he didn't want her to know, it didn't mean that she wouldn't find out! Wracking her brain, Ino tried to think of any possible women that may have caught the chunnin's eye and for potential rivals of course.
"Do they live in Konoha?" Shikamaru's eye twitched slightly as she continued with her questioning.
"The flowers?" He asked, pointedly ignoring her questions.
"Huh? Oh yeah. Well, you want something romantic, right? So how about traditional roses?" She asked, walking around the counter towards a large display of flowers.
"Sure, whatever." Reaching down, she carefully picked up a dozen of her nicest crimson roses. If these were for Shikamaru's secret girlfriend, the least she could do was support him, while secretly tracking down the other girl and breaking them up. No, she couldn't do that, all she wanted was for him to be happy and if that meant losing him to another, then so be it.
Forcing herself to appear cheerful, she straightened up, spinning around, only to hit a solid weight. Careful hands caught her as she tilted, falling, before pulling her upright.
"Oops, thanks Shika." Ino muttered, quickly realizing that she was pressed up against his chest, his hands resting on her waist. Dark eyes gazed down at her, displaying an emotion she could not quite place but sent thrills through her nonetheless. "Umm…"
"Hey Ino!" The front door banged open, startling the two as they quickly jumped apart, faces flaming red. "You okay Ino? You got a fever or something?" Kiba asked curiously, happily oblivious as to the scene he had just interrupted. Shino followed into the shop slowly after, taking in the scene with merely a raised eyebrow.
"Do you need something Kiba?" She snapped, going back around the counter and quickly wrapping the flowers. When she glanced up, Shikamaru had seemingly regained his bored expression, waiting patiently, money in hand. Handing him the bouquet, she shook her head when he held up the money. "You can pay me back by coming to the ramen stand for lunch with me tomorrow." She told him cheerfully. If there was competition, the least she could do was remind him exactly what he was missing with her. "So, Kiba, what is it?"
"The Hokage wants to see us, something bout a mission." He replied, grinning wolfishly.
"A mission? Did she say what for?"
"Nope, only that it might be a long one and that we need to track down Lee as well."
"It is prudent that we see Hokage-sama soon." Shino added in, already heading for the door.
Ino turned back to Shikamaru apologetically, to tell him lunch would have to wait, only to find he had already left. In his place was a square piece of paper with the words, 'Lunch when you get back, then.' That left something for her to look forwards to.
END FLASHBACK
"You bastard! Why'd you leave me!?" The calm before a storm. No one moved from where they stood amongst the trees, no one dared to breathe, as if to destroy the startling silence that had descended upon them all.
The hurt in Naruto's voice tugged painfully at her heart as Ino watched the tears drip down the blond ANBU's face and onto that of his old friends. Was this why the Hokage hadn't wanted Naruto on this mission? Because of the pain that he appeared to be going through right now?
"Teme! What the hell were you thinking!? I've waited years to bring you home and…you run? You selfish bastard!" No one knew what to say. It seemed that even Sasuke, who always used to have a witty comeback when it came to the blond, was speechless.
"Naruto-" She stepped forwards, placing a hand on his shoulder. It hurt her to see her friend so upset. A surge of anger seemed to overcome him as he lifted his fist, driving down onto the Uchiha's pale cheek. Sasuke just lay there, gazing up at the anguished blue eyes above him. "Naruto, come on." Ino tugged gently on his shoulder, relieved when he seemed to realize where he was and move quickly to his feet.
"Watch him." He growled, before disappearing before everyone's eyes. The silence settled in on the clearing again and not even Lee seemed to be able or want to break it.
"I need to heal your wound, Sasuke." Ino spoke quietly, keeping her voice neutral from the anger rolling inside of her. At his dazed nod, she kneeled down, working on the kunai wound on his leg, all the while he lay there, motionless.
"Should someone find Naruto?" Lee finally asked, his normally loud voice, a mere whisper.
"He needs to let off some steam, 'side's, we wouldn't be able to find him right now if we tried." Kiba said, sliding down a tree to sit at its base.
"I'll keep watch." The beetle ANBU told them, his being the only mask still firmly in place, before taking to the trees, as he too disappeared.
Ino had known there was something special between Naruto and Sasuke, but only now was she realizing just how strong their bond was. Naruto would gladly die for the Uchiha and she had known for years now, just how much he cared about the other teenager. What she didn't know was what it was like to have someone come after you, to track you down, because they weren't willing to let you go that easily, because they loved you.
Did Sasuke know exactly what he had and what he had left behind when he had left Konoha?
HhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhH
"Gaara, do you think Naruto will be okay?" The kazekage glanced up at the question, confused. Of course Naruto would be okay. He was one of the top ninja's in Konoha; there was no reason to worry about him when he had only been gone for a few hours. Lee as if sensing the confusion, continued, swinging his legs distractedly from the branch was sat upon. "I mean, with Sasuke. He seemed so sad before."
Gaara crouched down, lowering himself so he was sitting next to the green clad teen.
"Nothing can break Naruto."
"But what if Sasuke can?" Lee gazed over at him, worry written on his features. Part of him wondered if the blond shinobi realized just how loyal his friends were, or how much they cared about him.
"I do not think Uchiha would do that." Lee still appeared worried, legs swinging at almost an erratic pace.
"Naruto loves him." The Konoha shinobi stated, as though that alone should answer all of life's mysteries. "If that is love, then why does everyone want it?" Gaara shook his head, unsure of how to answer the question. How could he, when he himself did not fully understand it? It was a mystery to him.
"Love is magical and wonderful in the books. But Gai-sensei says that if you love someone you have to be yourself. That there will be fights, but as long as the good is stronger then the bad, then it will work."
That was what love was? His sister had said it was rare. His brother, that it was a waste of time and Naruto had told him once…had told him once that it was a feeling in your stomach that makes you feel sick and alive at the same time. Were any of them right? Or was it different for each person. He himself was not entirely convinced that he could feel love.
"Do you love anyone Gaara?" Lee's question startled him out of his musings. Did he love anyone? Perhaps on some level he felt love for his brother and sister, but anyone else?
"Do you?" He asked instead, while trying to figure out how to answer the question.
"I love all of Konoha!" The spandex wearing teen declared, grinning. So, there were different types of love.
Gaara turned to face his friend, only to find him gazing back. His stomach seemed to twist into knots, unable to tear his eyes away from the other shinobi's. A strange urge had come over him, one that he did not understand, but suddenly found himself tilting forwards, tilting his head ever so slightly, before-
"Hey! Naruto's back!" They snapped backwards at Kiba's loud voice.
"Thank you Kiba, we will be right there." Lee called down, blushing bright red. "Um, come Gaara! Our comrade awaits our return!" With that he slid off the branch, landing on the soft forest floor with a soft 'thump!'.
Gaara remained where he sat, watching his friend disappear through the trees. What was that? He had nearly kissed Lee, had had every intention of it. And that feeling- that could not have been what Naruto had been speaking of.
He'd worry about that later, for now; he needed to return to the others.
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"Alright," Tsunade turned to the various ninja gathered in her office. "I'll send another team. Gather Nara Shikamaru, Hyuuga Hinata and-" A tapping noise on her office door cut her off. "What is it?" She snapped, clearly unimpressed with whoever had dared interrupt her meeting.
"Hokage-sama?" Haruno Sakura stuck her head in, eyes quickly taking in the people before her. "Oh, sorry, I did not know you were in a meeting." She muttered the apology, making to back out of the room.
"What is it Sakura? When did you get back?" Tsunade asked with a sigh, slouching down into her chair.
"I just got back, and I have the scroll you sent me to retrieve." The pink haired ninja held up a small scroll, barely bigger then her hand.
"Good job." Sakura smiled at the praise, handing the scroll over to Shizune. "I want Sakura on the mission as well." She declared, not bothering to look up at the surprised expressions on the group's faces.
"Mission?" A fairly important mission too, judging by the amount of people in the room. Tsunade waved at Shizune to explain what was going on, as she dug through her desk, pulling out a full bottle of sake.
"A few days ago a team was sent out to retrieve Uchiha Sasuke. Among those people were the Beetle, Dog and Fox ANBU, Rock Lee and Yamanaka Ino. They may have joined up with the Kazekage on their way. Since then we have learned some valuable intelligence about a large number of bounty hunter's that seem to be after Uchiha, therefore, a second team is being sent out." Shock was running through her like wildfire. Sasuke? They were trying to bring him back again? Beetle, Dog, Fox- That was Shino, Kiba and Naruto, and Gaara may be with them. But were they enough to bring back Sasuke? Was she? She had long gotten over her crush on the raven-haired teenager, preferring to devote her time to becoming a medic Nin.
"Sakura?" Iruka-sensei's voice broke through her thoughts as she was snapped back to the present.
"I'll go."
"Good." Tsunade smiled. "As I was saying, along with Temari and Kankuro, I want Haruno Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, Hyuuga Hinata, Hatake Kakashi, Maito Gai and..." She glanced around; her final choice may not be one of the stronger fighters, but by far the most determined. Besides, if Sasuke did not come back, then someone would need to make sure Naruto did. "Umino Iruka."
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The other's were spread out around them, just outside of hearing distance, but still close enough in case something were to happen, Sasuke noticed dully. Just in case he was to attack Naruto or try to run. Neither of which seemed at all likely to happen.
The blond sat across from him, the anger from before gone or at least masked, by neutrality that scared him. Naruto was overly emotional; always wearing his heart on his sleeve, this…lack of interest, of emotion, worried him. Had he really hurt him that much?
"Naruto…" Blue eyes locked on his and he flinched at the ice he saw there. Apparently he had.
"Why'd you leave?" Sasuke tilted his head, staring at the clouds drifting lazily above them. Why had he left?
"I had my own mission to complete."
"Then why'd you never come back?" Why hadn't he? Because he knew he would have been branded a traitor, hated by everyone. Everyone except Naruto, a small voice in his head pointed out. "Why are these guys after you?"
"I…do not know."
"Bullshit!" The blond snapped, eyes flashing dangerously. "You're lying. You screwed up and don't want to tell me how you did." Sasuke's eyes widened slightly, sighing. Naruto was going to find out anyways.
"There was a team of shinobi around a year ago. They attacked and I fought back, they were no match for me, but it was only after did I learn that one of the members on the team was engaged to someone with a lot of power and a thirst for revenge." Some of the anger dulled in the expressive blue eyes, being replaced with something else.
"You should have returned to Konoha. I- we could have helped." The soft words floated over to him.
"Hn, dobe." Naruto seemed to jerk at the familiar insult. "I was not going to lead them right to you."
"Baka." Arms were suddenly wrapped around him, pulling him into a hug. Blond locks of hair tickled his nose; a blush staining his cheeks, before he hesitantly wrapped his arms around the other teen. "I made a promise to bring you back and I always keep my word." The words were mumbled against his shirt, barely legible. Unsure of exactly what to say, he pressed a hesitant kiss to the others temple, surprised when Naruto lifted his own mouth to meet Sasuke's. Lips moved awkwardly against each other before one tilted his head, and something inside of them sparked as they both pressed closer, grasping at each other, deepening the kiss. A low growl echoed from one of them, as Sasuke slipped his hands under Naruto's tight ANBU armor, feeling the heated skin there.
Pulling back, they stood there, still pressed up together, panting and flushed.
"You're coming back to Konoha, teme." Sasuke didn't feel like arguing at the moment, as he felt his head nodding in agreement.
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Not far away in a nearby town, a single figure sat alone at the head of a large dining table. The lights were dimmed, candles lit, casting eerie shadows around the room as the figure sipped at the red wine held in hand.
"We have found them." A shadow stepped forwards, melting away to reveal a sallow faced man, with two long scars running down next to each eye.
"Good." The crystal glass was placed carefully down on the table, mouth dabbed gently with a silk handkerchief. "Is anyone else with him?"
"A dog, a bug and a fox." A raspy voice added, emerging from the same shadows as his comrade. "A medic and one with only his ability to fight. The fox and another- they hold demons within them." The raspy voice came from a pale face with red eyes that seemed to glow in the candlelight.
"Hmm, they sound interesting. Find out if anyone is looking for them, they may be worth something." The person stood, dusting off their clothes and sweeping their long hair behind them. "I want to know if any of these people are important to him, if so, I want them. You may have the others, but I want to be the one that sees the life drain from Uchiha Sasuke after he watches that which is most important to him, die." She grinned, dismissing the two, before gathering up the bottom of her dress in one hand and gracefully exited the dining room.