TWENTY ONE
War: Part IV
Naruto stretched out his chakra into a thin layer to spread across the base in order to locate the man he was searching for. He clicked his tongue when he couldn't find the chakra signature he was looking for. Sighing, he pulled his chakra back and sent a signal out to their leader. It would be a few moments before Pein would appear. Looking, Naruto noticed the base was quite empty, aside from the large statue in the center of the main room. Seeing how Naruto had gotten back later on in the evening, no natural light was filling the room, so touches around the room were light giving ample lighting.
"Uzumaki Naruto," a voice called out.
Suppressing the wince that the blonde had concluded was now a second nature reaction he turned to face the hologram situated on familiar place of the statue, "Pein-sama."
"You called?"
"Hai," Naruto placed one fist inside the other hand and bowed, "Pein-sama, I would like to request a leave of absence."
"Oh? For how long?"
"A month, to six weeks, sir" Naruto replied.
"For what?"
Naruto hesitated a moment before replying, "To take care of personal matters before we head to war sir."
A moment of hesitation gave Naruto a little worry, however it never showed. The worry all but disappeared as Pein gave a slight nod, "Your request is granted."
"Tha-"
"However, if you presence is wanted you are required to return before the time limit is up," Pein continued.
"Hai," Naruto bowed once more, "thank you sir."
Well that was easy…
You got lucky…
The Pein hologram disappeared after nodding once more. Naruto let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Now that he had that taken care of, he needed to inform one other person before proceeding with his to do list. Due to trying to locate Pein earlier, the blonde already knew where to find his beloved raven.
Taking his time, he turned to his left and started heading toward their sleeping quarters, however before he could get farther than three steps, a figure stepped out from the shadows.
"Itachi?" Naruto questioned as the figure came to view.
"You are leaving, Naruto?" the raven questioned with the expressionless face he always seemed to have.
"Yes," Naruto nodded walking up to Itachi and taking his hand, "Lets continue this conversion elsewhere, hm?"
Itachi didn't reply, only turned around and started to pull Naruto their quarters.
He released Itachi's hand and closed the door behind them, locking it. When he turned around Itachi was sitting causally on his bed giving him a very seductive look. The blonde smirked and walked over to him. Naruto placed his hand on the raven's cheek as he climbed on top.
"Itachi, I want you to know something," Naruto whispered.
"What is it?" Itachi whispered back looking into those large blue eyes.
Naruto couldn't look at his lover so he buried his head into Itachi's neck, "I want you to know that I still love Shikamaru and if I get the chance I will be with him. I don't want to hurt you, however…"
"Naruto," Itachi cut him off, "I know. I know you love him and I'm just a filling the void and your sexual desires…"
"Itac…"
"Let me finish, Naruto," Itachi continued, "even if this is all I get from you it will be enough. I love you Naruto and these times we have spent together have been wonderful, and I know deep down that I may loose you one day but as of right now I have you and I want to spend my time thinking about the moments I have you rather than worrying about when I'm going to loose you."
Naruto pulled back and looked into those black abysses of Itachi's eyes, "I do love you Itachi, I do. I don't want to think about when I have to leave you behind, so I'll savor the moments we have together."
"That's all I can ask for," Itachi said as he placed his hand on Naruto's cheek pulling him into a deep passionate kiss.
Naruto gave a soft moan when Itachi's length started to rub against him. He wanted his raven, and he wasn't going to stop until he had him. As the two lovers wrestled for dominance, Naruto's started shedding off their clothing. First their cloaks hit the floor. The blonde's hand started traveling up the raven's shirt, finding his nipple and playing with it, causing said raven to moan in the blonde's mouth. Itachi snaked his hands up Naruto shirt, pulling it off, causing them to break apart momentarily.
Itachi caught those deep blue eyes and saw the desire and lust hidden in them. He knew what his blonde wanted from him and he was planning to give it him.
oOo
Several hours later, Naruto and Itachi laid huddled close to each other. The blonde had his head against the raven's hard, exposed chest. Itachi was holding on to Naruto like he was going to disappear. If Naruto could see his lover's eyes, he would know Itachi was deep in thought. It was getting late into the evening and Naruto knew he had several things to do before he headed out in the morning, however he didn't want to move. He wanted to stay holding on to Itachi for the rest of his life if he could. Naruto mentally shook his head. Was he starting to love Itachi more than Shikamaru? No, he didn't have time to think about it now. With what he was planning on doing, he wouldn't see either one of them for at least a month and half.
"Naruto," Itachi whispered so quietly the blonde almost didn't catch it.
"Hm," was the response the raven got.
"Where are you going?" Itachi asked bluntly.
"No, you can't come with me," Naruto murmured.
Itachi chuckled slightly, "that's not what I asked."
"Its what you were thinking," Naruto replied.
"Hn," Itachi smiled slightly and kissed the top of the blondes head, "but honestly Naruto, where are you going?"
"I've got some things I need to take care of, that I need to do on my own, " Naruto sighed.
"I'm not buying it," Itachi replied honestly with a bit harsher of a voice.
"It's the truth," Naruto replied not wavering his speech even though he caught on to Itachi's voice hardening.
"So why can't I come with you?" Itachi asked.
"You sound like a child," Naruto muttered.
"You do that to me, Naruto," Itachi replied.
"Itachi, I need you to stay here, and send me information and keep me updated," Naruto whispered, "Please."
"Alright," Itachi nodded.
"Thank you," Naruto smiled and snuggle closer to his raven.
"Are you going to see him?" Itachi asked after a moment of silence.
"I… I don't know…" Naruto said quietly, "I really don't."
"I see," Itachi's voice got softer once more.
Naruto pushed against Itachi's chest and sat up to look into the raven's eyes, "Would be upset if I did?"
"I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't," Itachi replied.
Naruto sighed and looked down so that his hair was covering his eyes, "I… I thought you understood Itachi…. I…."
"I do, Naruto," Itachi placed his hand on the blonde's head, "I understand, however that doesn't mean I wouldn't be upset. If you choose to move on from me, I will let you go but that doesn't me I wouldn't be sad to see you go. That doesn't mean it wont hurt. I know you love the Nara and I have accepted that fact but it doesn't mean I won't stop loving you nor have a broken heart after you leave. You need to understand that Naruto, and if you truly love the Nara more than you do me, then go to him when the times comes, until then I will be waiting for your return. But if you decide you love me more, I will always be right here waiting for you. Know that Naruto."
Naruto looked up into the raven's eyes and saw something he had never seen before in those deep black eyes, heartbreak, sadness, hurt, and above all the others, love. Naruto couldn't help but be pulled in. He grabbed Itachi's jaw in his hand and pulled the raven's face too his for a deep passionate kiss.
If he decided to leave his raven for Shikamaru, he knew it would be very difficult to leave, maybe even to the point where one of them would have to die for him to decide and that was something the blonde didn't want to think about. For now he would let fate decide.
000
Naruto looked at the black cloak with red clouds one last time before he put it away in his amour and pulled out a similar cloak but this one was pure black and had a hood. He cursed his blonde hair that always stood out no matter where he went. He slipped on the cloak, tighten the belt around the waist and pulled on the elbow length gloves he normally wears. Then pulling out his entire collection of weapon pouches and slipped them into various places. Taking one last double check of everything, he was satisfied he was ready to head out. Naruto glanced over at his bed and noticed Itachi was still sleeping. Walking over to bed, then sitting down on the side, he watched his lover sleep peacefully for a moment, before deciding on waking him to tell him he was leaving.
Naruto placed his on Itachi's jaw then leaned down to kiss him, but he was surprised that his lover started kissing him back. Naruto smiled into the kiss, then pulled back slightly to look into Itachi's eyes.
"I have to go, Itachi," Naruto whispered.
"I know," Itachi whispered back.
"Have you been awake this whole time?" Naruto asked.
Itachi nodded, "Your'e not the quietest person."
"Eh, sorry," Naruto smiled and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Its fine. I'm light sleeper," Itachi smiled while snaking his hand around the back of the blonde's neck pulling him down for one last kiss before said blonde headed out.
Naruto pulled back after a few moments, "I've got to go."
"Okay," Itachi replied.
"I love you, Itachi," Naruto whispered.
"I love you too, Naruto," Itachi smiled and dropped his hand.
Then Naruto got up and left the base.
000
It was mid-day in the beautiful village of Konoha. It was a rare day where all the rookies had the day off and got to spend it with each other, and luckily for them it was a warm day with a slight breeze and a few clouds in the sky. The group of young adults were scattered around a small field, just enjoying each other's company. Shikamaru was lying on his back doing one of his favorite past-times, watching clouds. Choji was sitting next to him with a bag of chips, trying as hard as he can to eat them quietly. Ino and Sakura were sitting back-to-back gossiping just a little way off while watching the clouds. Hinata was sitting with Kiba who was lying on his best friend, Akamaru and Shino chatting just on the opposite side of Shikamaru. Lee was sitting abnormally still in front of the Nara just watching the clouds. Tenten was sitting cross-legged directly in front of Lee with a scroll open. Neji was off to the edge of the field, meditating.
It would seem most of the shinobi were taking it easy on their day off, with the news of the impending war spreading like wild fire, it wouldn't be long before days like these would be just a dream.
Shikamaru was thinking about the look certain blonde gave him at the Kage summit. It was a look of shame, hurt, guilt, remorse and several other emotions he couldn't; pinpoint. It was only for a second, and then Naruto glanced away so no one else would notice. Did Naruto realize he noticed all the emotion in his eyes? Shikamaru mental shook his head. Why would Naruto feel guilty? Ashamed? Remorse? What did he do? Did Naruto do something that would hurt him? Or did he think he did something? No, not with that look. Naruto looked like he was guilty of something. And it looked as if that something would deeply hurt him. But what could he have possibly done that would hurt him like that? Then Shikamaru understood. Did Naruto cheat on him?
That's when Shikamaru felt a sting in his eyes that could only be one thing. He quickly tried to suppress them with fail. He felt the hot tear run down his face. He closed his eyes and grabbed his shirt right over he heart, grabbing the necklace Naruto gave him at the same time. He felt as if his heart was breaking. Why? Why did he feel this way? He has no proof! He's jumping to conclusions! But then why does he feel so sure? Like he can feel Naruto's love for someone else. Like he caught Naruto in the act. Shikamaru felt another tear roll down his face.
"Shikamaru? Are you okay?" Choji asked when he looked over to his best and saw tears rolling down his face and clutching his shirt over his heart.
As it was silent across the small field, the words Choji spoke caught the attention of everyone there, even Neji who had temporarily stopped meditating. Unknowing to Shikamaru, they were all silently staring at the Nara. They all noticed the tears and his body position. They were all silently waiting for his answer.
Without thinking Shikamaru replied, "I feeling like my heart is breaking."
Then realizing what he said, he quickly sat up and rubbed his sleeve over his eyes to wipe away the tears.
"What do you mean?" Choji asked.
Shikamaru just shook his head, refusing to answer. He was a genius but in this state he would not be able to come up with an excuse for saying something like that. That's when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he found Ino looking down on his him with worry in her eyes. The worry only got worse when she saw his tear stained face.
"Are you okay, Shika?" Ino asked.
Shikamaru's eyes widened at the memory the nickname triggered.
"Shika?" Naruto asked as they were sitting by the river one night while Shikamaru was away on a mission.
"Hmm?" Shikamaru grunts as he lies back on his back with his arms behind his head to look up at the sky.
"Why me?" Naruto's voice suddenly turned serious.
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Shikamaru asks as he noticed Naruto's tone changed.
"Why did you choose me? I mean there are a lot of nice, good-looking guys in the village. So, why me? I'm a rogue ninja and an Akatsuki member at that," Naruto explain as he was looking in his lap.
"Well, Naruto, I've been in love with you since we were in the academy. Those feelings just don't go away when you left the village," Shikamaru closed his eyes and shrugged.
"Really? Since the academy?" Naruto glanced over at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru smiled still looking up at the sky, "Yes. When did you fall in love with me?"
Naruto retuned the smile, "hmm, well I guess it would be when we went to retrieve Sasuke, but I don't think I realized it until after we returned."
"Hmm, why?" Shikamaru countered.
"Why what?"
Shikamaru laughed, "Why did you fall in love with me?"
"There's not just one reason, Shika. There are many," Naruto whispered smiling into his lap, "what about you? Why did you fall for me?"
"Because you are the light that make my shadows stronger."
Naruto looked over at Shikamaru who was already starring at him, "Really?"
Shikamaru nodded, "really."
"Shikamaru…" a voice called to him.
Shikamaru violently shook his head, trying to shake the memory. All the memories of Naruto started flowing back, but one stood out the most and it wasn't the best one to remember.
"Shikamaru…" a voice called out from the dark.
Everyone turned back around. When they looked into the cell, they saw that Naruto had looked up. The little light there was shined off the blonde's blue eyes.
"You are better off still thinking I am dead," the voice finished.
The shock of those words spread across the rookies face, even Tsunade's face. They weren't expecting Naruto to speak let alone tell them to consider him dead. Shikamaru shook his head.
"You know we aren't going to do that," Shikamaru said.
When Shikamaru came back to reality, Ino still had her hand on his shoulder. He looked around and noticed all of his friends were still staring at him.
He didn't want to hurt me! That's why he told me that I was better off still thinking he was dead. He knew something like this was going to happen. He knew he would end up hurting me. But I was too blind and too stubborn to listen to him. I know what I need to do.
That last memory and the current feelings he was having were messing with his emotions. Shikamaru Nara rarely ever got angry, but at this moment he was angrier than he had been in a long time. He shrugged Ino off in a rough fashion and stood up. Shoving his hands in his pockets, the brunette started to walk away when Choji called out to him.
"Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru stopped as he reached the edge of the forest and looked over his shoulder slightly, "just leave me be."
Turning back around, the Nara continued to walk away, that was until a silver haired shinobi stepped out in front of him, then he smelled the familiar scent of burning tobacco.
"Something the matter, Shikamaru?" Asuma asked.
"Nothing," Shikamaru replied looking away, his angry only deepening.
"That didn't look like nothing," Kakashi said.
"I said it's nothing," Shikamaru replied so loud that it could almost be considered yelling.
Kakashi leaned down and whispered into the brunette's ear, "I bet it's about him. And if it is I will find out. So you better start spilling to all of us or it will not end well you for, Nara."
Shikamaru's eyes widened at Kakashi's statement.
So, he did see Naruto and I together. How much did he see though?
"How much do you know?" Shikamaru whispered.
"Just enough to make you look really bad," Kakashi replied then stood up straight, "So, Shikamaru, what is it going to be?"
Shikamaru glanced back at his friends; they had worried plastered all over their faces. Then glancing back at Kakashi and Asuma, they both had normal looks, and at this point they could be considered terrifying to the young Nara. But Shikamaru didn't care. He had something to do, and nothing was going to stop him. He pushed past the two Jonin and continued on his way. Now he was really angry.