Here's the latest instalment of FL! Sorry it's a bit late, time has just seemed to fly by lately! Hope you's enjoy it!
Chapter 20. Naru POV
I twiddle my thumbs while I wait for Tsunade to finish whatever papers she's dealing with. I went to the bank earlier on to sort out access to the money my parents had left me. I couldn't believe the amount that had built up. I opened a new bank account with them and transferred some money into my old bank account to access if needed. I was blown away by the amount, but I don't want to go crazy with it. I also got myself a cheque book so I that could write a cheque to the school for Sasuke's re-sits and also to pay off the remainder of the money I owed to the student finance company from last year. Fugaku was home this morning as he had the morning off, which only happens once in a blue moon apparently, so I sat down and explained the trust fund to him. He was really pleased and admitted he remembered my father saying something to him once about it many years ago. I asked him to keep it to himself for now and that I would tell Itachi later when I see him, as he had a morning lecture, and also if he knew if there were any cheap apartments to rent at the moment. Although he's not in that kind of business, he does have a lot of acquaintances and told me he'd make a few phone calls when he got to work and would let me know later on. I hugged him before I left and even though he was stiff, he is the Ice king after all, I saw a slight smile on his face.
"Sorry about that. I forgot you were coming in to see me. What was it you were wanting?" Tsunade tidies her papers up before focusing on me.
"I just came to give you this really." I hand over the cheque for Sasuke's re-sits. "I didn't know who to address it to so I'll let you sort that bit out." She looks at the bit of paper for a few moments before looking back up at me.
"Naruko, this is..."
"I went to the bank this morning to sort out the trust fund my parents left me. I wanted to get this done as soon as I could so that Sasuke could definitely take his re-sits."
"This is a lot of money to pay all at once." I smile and shake my head at her.
"Its money I didn't know I had so it's not really making a difference to my pocket." She finally puts it into one of her desk drawers and smiles back.
"He's a lucky lad, that kid. And he's grateful, you know. Though, I still don't know why you're doing this for him. I know you're close to the family, but not everybody would do this even if they were family." I look down at my hands, thumbs twiddling again.
"I did some stupid things after my parents died. I never finished my compulsory education, didn't go to college until I moved back here to sort myself out. I don't want him ending up like me and regretting the choices he's made."
"You really care about him." I lift my head up, not expecting what to see but she's smiling so I give a weak one back.
"Yeah I do. The Uchiha's are my only family now. I'd do anything for them." I push thoughts of caring about him more than I should to the back of my mind. Best not to dwell on that kind of thing...
"Okay, you can all go now. Don't forget to check the exam timetable on your way out." Packing my stuff into my bag, I link arms with Kiba as we leave the lecture hall.
"I can't believe exams will be here soon." We catch a quick look at the timetable and groan at the same time at the sheet of paper. Two before Christmas break and three after. Only two months till the first one, best start revising now; it's a good job we just handed our last assignment in for this term.
"Never mind exams, I can't believe you're rich now!" I nudge him in the side.
"Shh, keep it down will ya." He mumbles a sorry.
"Does this mean the next night out is on you, foxy?" Neji walks beside us and I send a smile his way.
"Yup I guess it does. Though this time I'll be keeping an eye on what I drink." Kiba nods in agreement.
"Same here. Don't want a repeat of what happened last time." Neji gives us both a weird look as we exit the building.
"What happened last time?"
"Nothing."
"You don't want to know, dude." We speak at the same time, though Neji's confused look slowly turns into a smirk.
"Ohh, I get it. That kind of 'nothing' happened, eh?" Damn him for being so clever. "Hey Naru," he leans in closer and whispers in my ear, "how bout I walk you home next time?" He moves away, smirk still present, and I laugh.
"I don't think Tenten will be happy with that." He shrugs his shoulders as he spots his girlfriend waiting for him.
"It was worth a try wasn't it?" He gives us a wave as he sets into a jog to go meet her. Apparently they've been together since they were kids and although he jokes around and likes to tease/flirt with me he'd never cheat on her. I don't think he would even if he was really drunk.
"I am sorry about that you know." We unlink arms as I punch in slightly in the arm. He pretends it hurts and I laugh.
"And I told you not to be." We head towards the car park and I see Hinata waiting by his car, she's smiles and gives us a slight wave. "How's things going with Hinata by the way?" I look at him just in time to see him turn his head away to hide the blush across his face.
"Fine. We're going out this weekend actually."
"I'm really pleased for you, Kibbles. She's a lovely girl." He smiles down at me and wraps his arms around my shoulders, squeezing me slightly before letting go. I know it means a lot to him that his friends approve of who he's interested in.
"What about you?" I sigh and shake my head.
"Honestly, I'm thinking of giving up on him. I still love him, he's my best friend. But we're arguing so much lately and he's probably gay anyway, right?" I laugh trying to make a joke out of it but he just looks away from me.
"Yeah. Probably." Before I can ask why he's acting strange we reach Hinata so I say goodbye and let them be. He's started taking her home as our lectures are at similar times. As I head towards the other car park where I'm meeting Gaara, I can't help but wonder why he suddenly started acting weird. I'll have to remember to ask him next time.
"Kit." He hugs me and I can't help but let myself sink into his arms.
"Racoon." We let go and smile at our old nicknames we gave each other back when we first met. They became more like pet names than nicknames once we started dating. We make our way to the park across from campus; he tries to hold my hand but I pretend not to notice and shove both hands into the back pockets of my jeans. We sit down on one of the park benches. We sit in silence for a few moments though I still enjoy sitting with him; I didn't realise how much I actually missed him.
"I'm leaving tomorrow. I would have stayed longer but something came up and I've gotta get back to sort it." I don't ask what came up, even when we were going out I ever asked what he did whenever he would disappear; it's probably better not to know. "Come back with me." I can't help the sad smile that appears.
"You know I can't..." I feel him stiffen beside me but I don't look at him.
"Yes you can." He turns, pulls his leg up underneath him so he's facing me and holds my hands in his. I let him though I know I shouldn't, the feel of him still so familiar to me. "You could transfer to Suna University; I've already checked and they do a course similar to yours. Come back home, Naruko. Come back with me."
"Konoha is my home." It comes out as a whisper but he still hears me and drops my hands, standing up angrily. I still don't look at him; I can't bring myself to see the pain in his face again.
"No, Naruko. Your home is with me, in Suna."
"I can't go back there, Gaara. I thought you understood that." He puts his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look up at him.
"No I don't. I get it that you're scared of Orochimaru. But I can protect you. I love you, Naruko. Don't you see, I'd never let him get to you again. I'll look after you." I shake my head.
"I can't, Gaara. You know I love you too but..." He shakes my shoulders slightly.
"But you're not in love with me." He makes it sound like a statement not a question and I feel the tears build up because he's right. I'll always love him but I'll never be in love with him.
"Naruko?" We both turn to the side to see Itachi and Dei standing a little bit away from us. "Is everything okay?" I just nod, not trusting my voice at the moment. Gaara glares at Itachi before turning to look at me again.
"It's because of him isn't?"
"Gaara, please don't." He takes his hands off me but holds my gaze.
"He's the reason why you can't love me back the way you should, isn't he? I bet he's even the reason why you left me, is that it? You didn't break up with me so that you could escape Orochimaru, you left me so that you could be with that bastard?" My legs shake as I stand up letting my backpack fall to the floor. I reach out for his hand but he steps out of the way. The tears start to roll down my cheeks.
"Don't do this, Gaara. That's not why I left, you know that. You even agreed it was best to move away from him." He turns to glare at Itachi again. It hurts me to see him so angry. And it's because of me...
"I bet you just forgot about me as soon as you got here. You wouldn't let me have your address or phone number, but as soon as you want something, it's okay to contact me again? Don't you realise how much that hurts, Naruko?" I reach out again, he lets me this time and I cling to his t-shirt. He's still facing Itachi but his eyes are on me.
"I'm sorry. I was so scared, Gaara. I didn't want to risk him finding me through you."
"How long?"
"What?" He sneers at me. I flinch but I don't move away.
"How long did it take you to sleep with him? It's alright as long as you're close to someone right? That's what you used to be like. Doesn't matter who, so long as..." Before I realise what I'm doing, I raise my hand and slap him. We stand in silence and I finally step away.
"How could you?" My voice is raised slightly, and I'm glad it's only the four of us around. I push him in the chest and he staggers slightly. "You know I only used that when there was no other option." I feel a bit of déjà vu as Itachi said something similar not too long ago. I watch as his face physically softens. He reaches out to me but I move back, the back of my knees hitting the bench.
"Kit, I'm sorry..."
"I'm gay." We both turn to look in his direction. I look back at Gaara.
"See? He's gay, I wouldn't just... wait a second." I face Itachi again. "You're what?"
"Naruko..." I turn to Deidara.
"You knew." He looks down slightly and I can't help but get angry, almost forgetting what we were just talking about. "You knew. All this time. Even when you were hinting at it, you knew didn't you?" He nods but doesn't look at me. Turning back to Gaara, if it wasn't for the situation I would have laughed at the shocked look on his face. I pick my bag up, slinging it over my shoulder. I cup his cheeks in my hands forcing him to look at me. "I'm sorry I hurt you Gaara. I never meant to, you do know that right?" He nods.
"I didn't mean to get angry..." I shake my head and give him a slight smile.
"I'm sorry I can't love you the way you want me to. I wanted to, believe me. Every day we were together I thought it would develop further. I wish it had. But even if it did, I had to get away. Too many bad things happened in Suna, Gaara." I lean in closer, pressing my lips against his own. Letting go, I walk past him to stand next to Itachi though I look straight ahead.
"And I'm sorry I ever thought that you could confide in your best friend. I've told you things I never wanted to think of again and you couldn't even tell me this." I start walking away
"Naruko..." I ignore him and just keep walking. I don't feel like going to the Uchiha home yet and I can't go to Kiba as he's probably still with Hinata. I head towards Kyuubi and wonder if he'll let me work the early shift instead. Or both, anything to distract me.
Well there you go. I feel like the "I'm gay" bit was a tad bit rushed but I didn't want to drag it out too much neither. I'll probably upload the next chapter later on in the week cause I don't like leaving it like this for too long!