Next chapter will be the last chapter posted on here. There will be a chapter 19 posted on Wattpadd & Archive of Our Own but since it will be pretty much just smut & fluff I won't be posting it here.

Chapter 17: Moving On

Ino sighed, frustrated with her life. She had tried to go on a date with on of Kouki's friends, but it went horribly wrong. Just like every other date she'd been on since her and Sai had broken up. At first she thought it was her, but now she was thinking she just needed a change. Her boss had talked to her about an opportunity that had opened up in another city. It was certainly a promotion, but she had thought that she didn't want to be away from her friends. She was having lunch with Sakura. She felt little bad about not inviting Hinata, but she wanted to talk about her date and that would just make the other woman feel bad about setting it up in the first place. "So, men suck."

Sakura chuckled, "That bad?" They had just ordered food and were drinking cocktails while they waited for their food. It was Saturday afternoon, so they could just relax and not have to worry about going back to work after lunch. "What happened?"

"I honestly don't even know," Ino admitted. "I was so bored the entire night that I just kind of spaced out. Then he lied and said he forgot his wallet so I had to pay the entire bill," she huffed.

"How do you know he was lying?" she asked, feeling a little bad about being amused.

"It fell out of his pocket when he pulled his cell phone out to show me something," she rolled her eyes. "He quickly picked it up and acted like nothing happened," Ino was annoyed. She didn't mind paying or splitting the bill, but to lie about it made her upset.

"Is that why you didn't invite Hinata?" she asked.

Ino nodded, "I just don't want her to feel bad. It seems like every guy she sets me up with is just a bust. I know she really likes Kouki and they're happy, but his friends are the worst." Sakura nodded in agreement. "Maybe I just have bad luck with men or he's just introducing me to the desperate ones. I mean, I guess they're single for a reason."

Sakura shook her head, "I'm sorry, but you know there's someone out there for you, you just have to keep trying."

"I know," Ino agreed. "But, I don't think I'll find it here."

"What do you mean?" Sakura was confused. She never thought about Ino actually leaving. The other woman had told her about the job opportunity, but she had made it sound like she wouldn't take it.

"I think I'm going to take that job and transfer," she told her. "I need a change of scenery, I've pretty much been in this city my entire life. I just think maybe it's time for something new," she explained, hoping Sakura would understand.

"You can't let some guy make you leave," Sakura argued.

"It's not just him," Ino told her. "I see hi around, but it doesn't really bother me. I just feel like In need to be on my own for once. I need to find myself." She wasn't quite sure how to explain it to her. Sakura was happy living in the same city, she didn't really understand why Ino would want to leave. "You found what you want here, but I don't think I will. I want to try something new. Meet new people."

"You better not replace me," Sakura knew she wouldn't be able to convince the blonde to stay. Once Ino had made up her mind, it was hard to change it.

"I could never," she promised. There was a moment of silence before Ino decided to change the subject, "How are things with you and Lee?"

"About that," Sakura started hesitantly. "I haven't told him this yet, so you have to keep it a secret," she told her, to which Ino just nodded. "I'm pregnant and before you ask, yes it's his."

"I wasn't going to ask that," Ino laughed. "So, when are you going to tell him?"

"Soon, I just don't know how to tell him. We were just making progress on us and now it feels like I'm trapping him with a baby," she told her, concerned as to how Lee may react to the news. His family already didn't trust her now, they would probably hate her once they heard she'd gotten pregnant before they got married.

"I'm sure he'll be thrilled," Ino said with a smile. "He loves you or he wouldn't have stayed with you after what happened," she reminded her. It wasn't often that they talked about what happened considering it almost destroyed their friendship.

"Well, if he leaves me can I join you?" she somewhat joked.

Ino laughed, "Sure, but we both know that won't be an issue." She smiled at her, "Are you going to try to get married before the baby?"

Sakura shrugged, "I'm not going to push for us to get married right away. I want us to get married because we want to, not because of a baby. You know what I mean?"

Ino nodded, "I get it. I think everything will be okay."

NS

Itachi and Kurama had been going on dates, but they weren't necessarily official. Kurama found them to be in a weird space in between friends and boyfriends. They kissed sometimes, bu neither ever introduced the other as their boyfriend. He thought they were done with dancing around each other, but it seemed like Itachi had other plans.

They were at lunch at their usual spot. Kurama made him come to lunch at least once a week, usually during the work day to make sure he'd get out of the office. This time it was Saturday and it was their third lunch date of the week. "What are we?" the red head finally asked.

"What do you mean?" Itachi asked between bites of food.

"You know exactly what I mean," Kurama sighed. "Are we just in this dating phase or are we actually boyfriends? We never put a label on it and I honestly don't know what to think."

Itachi looked at him, clearly confused, "I thought that's what you meant when we said we'd try this."

"What? But you said we'd take it slow. I thought that meant we were just somewhere in between," Kurama reminded him.

Itachi hummed, "So, taking it slow means we're not boyfriends?"

"That's what I thought," Kurama confirmed.

"Oh, well I guess saying we'll try meant you're my boyfriend. You better not have been going on dates with other men," Itachi told him.

Kurama shook his head, "No, for some reason I really like your dumb ass."

"I'm thinking insults are your idea of terms of endearment," he responded, an amused smirk on his face. "We really should have the kink talk. Degradation isn't one of mine."

Kurama shook his head, "You mean I can't call you my slut during sex?"

"Not unless you want it to stop and never have sex with me again," he responded.

"How about being rough?" he asked. "Can I at least be a little rough with you?" he hadn't expected the conversation to take this turn.

"I don't have long hair just because it looks good," Itachi told him.

"Why am I not surprised that you like your hair pulled?" he laughed, wondering how far he could take the conversation. "You're always so in control, I bet you like when someone else takes control in the bedroom."

"You keep this up and lunch will be over real quick," he responded.

"If it leads us back to your place then I certainly wouldn't mind cutting lunch short," he told him. "I'd say mine, but yours is much closer." They stared at each other for a moment before Itachi signaled for the waitress to bring their check. "I'm going to ruin you," he warned.

"Let's hope you can do what you say," Itachi told him as he was handed the check.

"You'll find my mouth is good for much more than just talking," Kurama winked.

Itachi bit his lip as he stared at him lustfully, "Can't wait to see what it does." Kurama went to grab his wallet to pay for part of the bill only to be stopped by the other man. "I got it this time."

"Fine, but it's my turn next time," he agreed.

Itachi pulled out cash, setting it on the table. "Let's go," he said, not bothering with getting the change. He was far more interested in getting Kurama back to his place.

NS

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Naruto asked as the pulled up to the cemetery and parked. "We can turn around and go back home."

"I'm sure," Sasuke told him, opening the car door.

"Let me help you," Naruto quickly got out and ran to the other side of the car to help Sasuke get out. As much as Sasuke didn't want to admit it, it was still a little difficult getting around on crutches. "We can just visit your parents', we don't have to go to his."

"I want to," Sasuke told him. Naruto didn't understand why Sasuke wanted to visit Orochimaru's grave, but Sasuke needed to see it. It still didn't feel real after all these months that the older man was gone. He hoped seeing his tombstone would help make it feel real.

"Okay," Naruto agreed reluctantly. He'd do whatever Sasuke needed for him to feel better. They silently made their way to where Orochimaru had been buried. There hadn't been a ceremony for the man. He had been buried in a prepaid plot with a simple headstone.

"He's dead, but it still feels like there was no closure. No justice," he told Naruto as they stood in front of Orochimaru's grave. "He got off so easy. He got to die while we all live with the memories of what he's done," he said. "How is that fair? Shouldn't he have to live with what he's done?"

Naruto didn't know what to say. As happy as he was that Orochimaru was dead, he understood why Sasuke would feel that way. "At least he's gone now. You own't have to worry about him ever coming back again. You don't have to go through the trial and fear that he'll get out," he reminded him.

"I know, it still just don't seem fair. I have to live with these nightmares while he's just gone," Sasuke frowned as he stared at the headstone.

Naruto pulled him close so Sasuke could lean on him, "Things will get better and no matter how long it takes, I'll be here for you."

Sasuke nodded, "Thank you."

"You never need to thank me for being here for you," he told him. "I love you."

"I love you, too," he responded. "Can we, uh, go to see my parents now?" he asked. It'd been a long time since he'd visited their gravesite.

"Of course," Naruto said, helping him make his way across the cemetery to where his parents were buried. When they go there he stepped away, "Do you want me to give you some space?" Sasuke nodded as he stared at the graves. "I'll be right over there, just call for me when you're done."

Sasuke watched as Naruto walked away. He turned back to the graves, "I'm sorry it's been so long. I asked Naruto to bring me here, but now I don't even know what to say." He looked back to Naruto for a moment before looking back at the graves, "I wish you guys could have met him. I think you would have liked him. He's helped me a lot."

Naruto watched from a distance as Sasuke talked to his parents' graves. He wondered what he was talking about, but knew it was really none of his business. If this was what he needed to get closure, then Naruto could wait patiently. He knew it was going to be a long journey for them, but they'd figure it out.