AN:
(sheepish voice). Hey guys!... so. I'm back. Again. I feel I should apologize a little for how disturbingly long this is taking me to do. The reason is because I really don't do much with fanfiction anymore. In fact, only two things keep me writing it. First, I remember that I promised, and second I remember to check on my stories to see if I'm in the mood to work on them and I see all your lovely reviews. Seriously guys, thanks so much. It means a lot to me.
Also, my laptop crashed last year and I lost a lot of my work…including any notes I may have had on this story. So. Interesting.
Anyway, you're not here for my ramblings. On with the story!
Ino stared thoughtfully at her face in the mirror, eyeliner in hand as she readied herself for her date. The White Devil was a beautiful tragedy and she was looking forward to seeing it with Kiba. He was fun and bright and earnest – exactly what she needed in her break from Sasuke. And how she needed a break from Sasuke! His presence was suffocating. Still silent, his eyes followed her everywhere when they were together. He made her feel claustrophobic, and it didn't help that she wasn't allowed to go on other missions right now. Trapped in her small apartment with Sasuke she had begun to wonder if she too might be going insane.
Huh. What would the Hokage do then?
There was a loud knock on the apartment door and she heard it creak open as Naruto announced himself.
"Uzumaki Naruto here for babysitting duty!" he proclaimed. She could hear him moving into the living room as she focused on finishing her make-up.
~l~l~l~l~l~
"You have to stop," Naruto said levelly, staring down at Sasuke where he sat reading on the couch.
"Stop what?" Sasuke asked, confused.
"Whatever it is you're doing. You're hurting her."
"You're the second person to tell me that," Sasuke sneered. "What, do you secretly have a crush on her? Too ba-"
Sasuke was cut off by a swift punch in the face, courtesy of on infuriated Naruto. The dark haired boy looked up in surprise, clutching his jaw with his free hand.
"Shut up," Naruto said in disgust, his eyes flickering orange in his fury. "You arrogant little bastard. I love Ino. She's like a sister to me. If you hurt her anymore I will talk to Tsunade myself about getting you kicked out of Konoha."
"I-" Sasuke began, but he was cut off again by Naruto.
"And stay out of Sakura's way, while you're at it," the blond boy continued. "In fact, if you're going to be a jerk you should probably just stay away from all of us."
Sasuke could only stare, wide-eyed as Naruto whirled around with a bright grin just as Ino stepped into the room.
Sasuke's jow dropped. Ino looked… Ino looked gorgeous. Well, she always looked gorgeous, but tonight was…
Wow.
"Ino!" Naruto said as he swept her up in a hug. "You look phenomenal. Kiba won't know what hit him!"
"Thanks Naruto," Ino said with a soft smile. Her hair hung loosely curled down her back and her knee length red dress was cut perfectly for her form. She pulled on a pair of silver stilettos as she looked over at Sasuke, an eyebrow quirking up at the sight of him cradling his jaw. She turned her attention back to Naruto without commenting. "And thanks for taking him off my hands."
"No worries! You deserve a break," he said just as there was a knocking on the door. "Go have fun," he said, giving her a slight push. With a grateful smile Ino opened the door and revealed Kiba, standing there in black slacks and collared shirt with a red tie. His eyes widened at the sight of Ino and he offered her his arm.
"You look gorgeous," he said. "I'm the luckiest man in Konoha."
"You're looking pretty handsome yourself," she said in return as she allowed him to lead her out of the apartment, the door closing behind them.
Sasuke lurched to his feet and started toward the door, fury in his eyes. How dare they! How dare Kiba imagine he could ever be worthy to escort Ino anywhere, and how dare Ino let him do it. Their date had to end, and it had to end now.
"What are you doing?" Naruto asked sharply.
"Stopping this ridiculous farce," Sasuke spat out.
Naruto sighed. "Sit down, Sasuke," he said tiredly. When Sasuke made no move to obey Naruto raised his voice. "I said sit down!"
Sasuke sat abruptly back down on the couch, surprised by his own obedience.
"Thank-you," Naruto said mildly. "Now, listen.
"I know you think you love Ino-" he began.
"I do love Ino," Sasuke interrupted.
"Well, no offense, but you're not doing a very good job of showing it. Can't you tell you're making her miserable?"
Sasuke stared up at Naruto, eyes wide in confusion. What was the idiot talking about?
"You haven't been around, Sasuke, you don't know us anymore. If you love Ino, you need to smarten up. You're killing her."
That got Sasuke's attention.
"I'm not killing her!" he snorted. "I'm wooing her. Eventually she'll realize she loves me and that we were meant to be together."
"No, Sasuke. She won't. She doesn't love you anymore. She doesn't love anyone anymore, or anything. Except maybe Konoha. She's one of the best damn kunoichi that we have, but she's empty and broken and you're shattering the few pieces that are left of her."
"You're being ridiculous," Sasuke began to interject.
"How would you know!" Naruto said. "Do you really not think she seems different then when we were kids? Do you not remember how warm and open she was with everyone? Her kindness and energy? Can you not see that it's gone? You did this Sasuke. Or at least you helped. And what little bit of life she has managed to scrape together for herself you seem intent on tearing away. Why?"
"She's mine," Sasuke said. "I just want us to be happy together."
"Sasuke," Naruto said wonderingly. "She's not yours. Can you just listen to yourself? I don't understand why Tsunade is having her watch you given all this crap you're putting her through. This is ridiculous. You know what, follow me." Naruto headed towards the door and gestured at Sasuke.
"Where are we going," Sasuke asked suspiciously.
"You wanted to see Ino, right? We're going to follow her. Maybe you'll understand how miserable she is around you if you see her having fun. You better not interfere with her date though. If she finds out we followed she'll kill us both," Naruto gulped.
Sasuke brushed that thought aside impatiently. She couldn't hurt them. But he did want to follow her, and so he and Naruto headed out of the apartment.
And voila. The story continues. Sort of. I'm working off vague memories that I'm attempting to adapt into a story. Sasuke really is a jerk, but if it helps, he is pretty much insane. Anyway, Reviews are loved!