So here's chapter 2, sorry for the long no-post, a lot of things came up.

Read and Review if you get a chance.

Here's chapter 2, hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer - I don't own Naruto

Bold and Italics = Thoughts/Flashback etc.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2: Standing Still

"Ino don't leave me..." Naruto pleaded. Ino said nothing and continued to get dressed with that solemn look on her face. Naruto jerked back and forth but to his dismay he couldn't move. "Ino, why can't I move?! Where are you going? You can't leave me here...I need you..." Ino started to make her way out his home. "Are you even listening to me?! Ino I love you!"

"Goodbye Naruto" she slammed the door behind her shattering the room around him. Naruto fell into the darkness.

"NO!" Naruto yelled as he shot up from his bed. "Christ...it was just a dream" he wiped away a tear with his hand. "Ino...you'd laugh if you could see me now..."

Slowly Naruto got out of bed and made his way into his kitchen, only to see Sakura trying to make her way out of the front door.

"Hey? What's up?" Naruto called to her, he needed her here, especially after the dream he just had."Why are you here so early?"

Sakura turned around and grinned "I was planning on making you breakfast before we headed to the Hokage's office, but I heard you yelling...so I tried to make my way out quietly." Sakura frowned as she saw the tear streak on his cheek. She walked over and pulled him into a hug. "Are you alright Naruto? I...I heard you yelling her name..."

Naruto shook his head "I don't know...I thought I was over her. When I was out there…my thoughts drifted to you guys from time to time…but Ino plagued my mind. It was only until; I guess about a month or so ago that I began to think of her less and less. That dream though...it was unreal, it's the first time I've had a dream so vivid. I'm sorry you had to hear it."

Sakura shook her head. "It's alright, let's just forget about it. Still want breakfast?"

Naruto smiled "Definitely."

He followed Sakura into the kitchen and sat down at his table like he did the day before, as she began to cook. He began to tap his finger against the table as his mind raced. He wanted, no, HAD to know more about Ino. How was she? Did she ever talk about him? Was she still with Sai? He shook his head to rid himself of these thoughts. Just thinking of them together made his stomach turn.

"So...how is she?'

"Who?"

"Sakura, come on."

She sighed. "She's good, she's been running around with me these past months getting everything ready for the wedding. I think she's more excited than I am."Sakura paused. "She has been in a bit of a slump lately, she… ruined a bunch of flowers at her shop, something about cutting them wrong, she was crying when she was trying to explain this to me, so I don't understand it myself. Beyond that I guess everything is fine."

"Ruined flowers, huh?" Something seemed strange about that, but Naruto couldn't put his finger on it. Ino was a pro at being a florist; it was her life's work, why would she or what made her, do something careless like that? Naruto felt Sakura wasn't being completely honest with him, but what would she gain by lying to him? Naruto shrugged. "Good to hear...I guess."

"I know what you're thinking Naruto…and yes, she asked about you a few times."

"That's funny. Why would she ask you how I was? Up until recently, everyone thought I was out of contact...which can only mean you told her, didn't you?"

Sakura dropped the spatchula; it was now obvious she had said too much. "I'm sorry." She put his plate in front of him. "It slipped one day while we were talking..."

"So does she know I'm here?"

"No, I haven't told her. To be honest I haven't told anyone, Sasuke being the only exception."

"Wonderful…"

"Do…do you plan on seeing her?"

"I don't know. I try to think about, but my mind goes numb, I can't think of anything and I end up frustrated and confused. What do you think I should do?"

"Really, I don't know either. I don't know how she'll act. The thing is she's my maid of honor and the wedding rehearsals are tonight, so you're going to see her one way or another today. Which, by the way, is another reason I wanted to make you breakfast. Rehearsals start this afternoon at the church, don't be late."

Naruto became frustrated "Ugh!" He stood up and began to walk to his room. "I'm gonna get ready so we can go."

Sakura sighed as she continued to eat. "Stop overreacting Naruto, it won't be as bad as you think."

"Bullshit…" he said to himself.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting to Hokage Tower was harder than Naruto predicted. Even though he convinced Sakura to move as fast as they could, they were still stopped along the way by fellow villagers happy to see Naruto safe and sound. Within seconds of stepping into the tower Shizune came over running and hugged Naruto. Please God, no more hugs...

"Naruto I can't believe you've finally arrived! It's so good to see you!" Naruto laughed "Tsunade is waiting for you, come with me." Naruto and Sakura followed Shizune to Tsunades office. Shizune knocked lightly on the door."Master Tsunade, Naruto and Sakura are here to see you"

"Well send them in already." she yelled back.

"I've got some errands to run, but I'll see you two around" Sakura smiled and walked in. Shizune leaned in and kissed Naruto on the cheek. "I'm glad you back safe...If you got some free time and wanna catch up, stop by see me" she winked as she walked away. Naruto began to blush from Shizune's sudden display of affection. He knew what she was aiming at, hell anyone would, but she was no Ino, and having meaningless sex with her wasn't going to help anything...right now atleast. Naruto walked through the door smiling. "Time to put on the ole game face."

"You miss me Granny?"

"Naruto please..." pleaded Sakura

Tsunade laughed "Everyday brat" she got up and hugged Naruto. Okay, no more after this one..."I know this is rude but Shizune just brought me enough paperwork for two days. Mind if we catch up later? I'll see you at the wedding rehearsal. Sakura, I know you're still on leave, but could you keep an eye on Naruto for me?" Tsunade smiled as she sat down and began her paperwork.

"Of course, thank you Master Tsunade. Naruto lets go get some ramen, my treat" she smiled.

"How can I say no?" he replied. "Later Granny."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I can't believe that girl!"Naruto yelled angrily as he made his way into his house. To his surprise, another guest was waiting for him. The raven haired man sat on his couch with his legs crossed and resting his head on his hand. "And here I thought I was going to be waiting here forever."

"Shouldn't you be at the church?"

"I heard you got in last night" Sakura, you can't keep anything to yourself, can you? "I suppose you were going to make a surprise appearance tonight?" Sasuke got up and walked up to Naruto.

Naruto took a step back. "You're not going to hug me are you?"

Sasuke gave him a quizzical look. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Naruto gave a sigh of relief. "Nevermind."

Sasuke put his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "I'm glad you came back, you're the only person I wanted as my best man."

Naruto laughed. "Geez what happened to you while I was gone? This doesn't sound like you at all."

Sasuke turned around and made his way to Naruto's window. "Whatever..."

Naruto continued to laugh. "Sasuke relax, I'm just kidding around. Look, I'll change and we'll over to the church, okay?" He left his friend in the living room and made his way to his bedroom.

"What you're wearing is fine, it's only a rehearsal."

"Yeah I know, but still."

Naruto could hear Sasuke chuckle. "Oh I get it, you're getting all prettied up for-"

"Wrong!" he yelled from his room, cutting his friend off. "That's not it at all, why would I do anything for that annoying brat."

Sasuke flashed a small grin as he chuckled. "Whatever you say, just hurry up dummy."

Naruto walked back into the living room. "Okay, let's go."

Naruto walked next to Sasuke quietly with his hands in his pockets. Nervousness swallowed him as the church came into sight, Naruto kept his head down. He hated this situation, if he only ignored the message from Sakura about that wedding he wouldn't be walking straight into the worst situation ever. He didn't care about Ino being there, after what happened earlier he could care less about her. As for everyone else, Naruto was still unsure where he stood with everyone. The last he saw of them they were in good spirits and as far as he knew, were still in the dark about his incident at the wedding. Time had passed though, someone had to have spoke of it, what other way could they explain my sudden absence? Sasukes voice broke his thoughts.

"So, are you gonna tell me or what?" he said.

"I don't understand."

Sasuke chuckled. "Of course you don't dummy." He stopped and grabbed Naruto's shoulder. "What's your problem? There's definitely something wrong with you. Spill it."

Naruto sighed. "Am I that obvious?" he walked over to a near by bench. "It started when Sakura treated me to lunch."

------------------------

Naruto smiled as he sat down at the table. "I haven't had ramen in soooo long, thanks again Sakura!"

Sakura lightly giggled. "Not a problem, besides I haven't had ramen since you left."

Naruto cleared his throat. "I was thinking about what Tsunade said, you don't have to babysit me all day. I'm sure you're swamped with wedding things."

She smiled. "I wasn't going to, but thanks." Sakura took a deep breath. "As for the wedding you're right, I'm still swamped with what feels like a million things still left to do. I'm suppose to meet up with Ino later and decide on a few more details. I don't know what I would do without her, Hinata and Ten Ten."

Naruto tapped hid fingers against the wood. "Listen Sakura…about Ino…I"

"So here you…are…" the feminine voice said behind him.

Naruto froze, he could feel her cerulean eyes search him, proving to herself that she wasn't imagining this. He looked at Sakura and saw the awkward look in her eyes, this was something that was going to happen at some point tonight, but Naruto was sure that the two hoped it would have gone differently. Finally Sakura broke the silence.

"Ino! Hi!" Sakura yelled nervously. "What are you doing here?" she was desperately trying to make this situation better…Naruto gave her points for trying.

"Sakura…it's alright…" Seeing Naruto smile made her relax. Slowly Naruto got up and looked deep into Ino's eyes. "Um..Hey Ino… It's been a while"

"You." Ino said as she stood there. "What are you doing here?"

"We'll hi to you too." He said sarcastically.

Sakura sighed "Oh god…"

"Sorry, but just saying "Hey Ino, no long time no see" isn't good enough!" Ino yelled.

"Okay first off, I never said "Long time no see", and two, what exactly should I say?"

"Oh! Let's see, how about "Ino I'm sorry for being a jerk and leaving! Or even "Ino, I never meant to hurt you, and I'm back to apologize!"

"Wow. Do you even hear yourself? Why should I apologize to you? What have I done to you to make me want to apologize? And don't say it's because we kissed."

"Naruto, Ino…please, not here." Sakura pleaded to her friends.

"Sorry Sakura, but this idiot needs to know he can't just waltz right back into our lives and think everything is going to be ok! And if my memory is right, which it is, you kissed ME, TWICE to be correct."

"If you think a little harder sweetheart you'll seem to remember we did a lot more than kiss." Ino and Sakura blushed from Naruto announcing their sex life aloud. Naruto on the other hand didn't care, he was worked up now." If MY memory serves me right, this whole thing started with YOU coming to ME. I guess I should be mad at Shikamaru for dumping you off on me." Naruto felt his mind scream at him. He went way too far and he knew it. Hell, the looks on Ino and Sakura's faces were of ones he has never seen before. He had to get out of this. Fast. "You want to truth Ino? I came back for the wedding, NOT for you…" Naruto took out his wallet and threw down some money. "Sorry for ruining lunch Sakura, but I think it's time I left."

She nodded her head. "Okay, just um, please be on time for the rehearsals."

He grinned. "I will…I'm only going for a walk, I promise I won't run away" Naruto exited the shop.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sasuke shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you said that too her. Don't get me wrong, I'm not surprised you managed to be back for no more than twenty four hours and have already found a way to put yourself in, yet again, another stupid situation."

"You don't think I know this?! I never meant to cause any sort of problems while I was here. God I can't believe I said those things to her… How the hell am I supposed to fix this?"

Sasuke gave out a light chuckle. "I don't know what to tell you, I really don't." He continued on their walk. "Besides what else can I say? I've warned you plenty of times." He sighed. "You're an idiot, you know that?"

"Among other things, yes." Naruto replied.

Naruto could feel his hands begin to shake as they drew closer to the church, and it was taking everything in him to NOT run away. Besides, even if he did run, he knew Sasuke would be on him and would do nothing less than hog tie him and carry him into the church. He laughed at how pathetic he sounded. He promised himself a long time ago that he wouldn't be this weak…this vulnerable, again.

"Don't even think about it." Sasuke said.

"What do you mean?" replied Naruto.

"If you run, I'll kill you. Sakura made me promise to bring you, by any means. Don't test me" Sasuke smiled.

Naruto sighed. "Damnit."

Once again the two were at a stand still. Naruto stared at the church doors and thought back to the last time he was here, and like then Ino flooded his mind, "Damn that girl, why couldn't this be easy" Naruto said to himself. He couldn't believe that a place of love and happiness has brought him nothing but a beaten heart and bruised face. He sighed in frustration.

"Alright. Let's do it."

----------------------------------------------------------------

And that's chapter 2. Sorry again that it took waaaaaay to long but it is what it is. Until chapter 3.

1 up