TWENTY FIVE
War: Part IIX
"Here," Naruto said tossing Sasuke the sword, upon arriving at the location the raven had chosen.
Sasuke only nodded in reply after catching the long silver shaft. He had chosen a small clearing on the edge of the fire country, about a day's travel from Konoha. He was sitting about three feet from a small fire in the center of the clearing; Naruto sat down at the base of a tree across from him.
Naruto pulled out a small stone from one of his pouches, then slid one of his swords out and started to sharpen the blade. The two men sat in silence with only the grinding noise from Naruto's sword and the occasional popping from the small fire. Sasuke watched Naruto with a curious eye as he delicately handled his sword.
"What's your relationship with Itachi?" Sasuke suddenly asked.
Naruto's first reaction was to whip his head around and stare at the raven like he'd seen a ghost, but years of training prevented him from doing so. Instead the young blonde looked up from his sword for only a moment, then went back to working.
"I told you, he's my partner," Naruto replied simply.
"Bull shit," Sasuke called, "everyone knows Kisame is Itachi's partner."
"Wrong type of partner," Naruto shrugged avoiding Sasuke's gaze.
"Quit playing games with me," Sasuke said with a slight malice to his voice.
"Take a guess Sasuke-teme," Naruto chuckled at Sasuke's irritation.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "you're gay."
"See, you could figure it out," Naruto chuckled again.
"And you're Itachi's lover?" Sasuke confirmed.
"That's one way to put it, yes," Naruto nodded looking up from his work.
"What the hell, Naruto!" Sasuke exclaimed, "You're fucking my brother!"
"Well, yes," Naruto looked at him with an emotionless expression.
"What the fuck!" Sasuke starred at him.
"What's your problem?" Naruto asked, "Why the hell do you care who your brother is fucking anyways?"
"Because it's you," Sasuke replied.
"Because it's me?" Naruto repeated skeptically.
Sasuke didn't reply.
"You hate me and you hate Itachi, so what does it matter to you?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke kept silent. He couldn't express the reason that the relationship between the blonde and his brother bothered him so much, but it did. Maybe deep down his feelings for the two are different… Sasuke shook his head.
"Then why the hell would you set up a fight between us?" Sasuke asked, "You know I'm going to kill him. You know my goals. Why let it happen?"
Naruto just shook his head in reply.
Sasuke waited but after a while, he understood that he wasn't going to get an answer out of the blonde just yet so he decided to change topics.
"What is it of Orochimaru's are you looking for?" Sasuke asked bluntly.
"Ah, that is what we need to discuss," Naruto smiled as he put away his sword, "The snake was researching something on the Shinigami sealing technique that the third used to seal way his arms during our last Chunin exam. I am looking for that research."
"And you think that I know where that is?"
"Well, I'm pretty sure you would have a better idea than I do about where it could possibly be," Naruto smiled.
"If it is where I think it is then we need to head to the main base," Sasuke replied, "its where Orochimaru conducted all of his experiments and research. Most of the other bases are filled with failed experiments."
"Good," Naruto nodded, "lets start there then."
Sasuke nodded in reply and kept eyeing Naruto, trying to figure him out.
"Why?" Sasuke asked.
"Why what?"
"Why Itachi?"
"I don't know," Naruto shook his head, "I guess, we just get each other."
"What do you mean?"
"Its hard to explain," Naruto shrugged leading to a moment of silence before the raven continued with the questions.
"Are you just fucking him or do you actually love him?" Sasuke asked.
"I do love him, Sasuke," Naruto replied turning his attention to the raven, locking eyes with him.
Sasuke nodded, seeming to accept that answer.
It seemed odd to Naruto, for a moment it seemed like Sasuke was going to keep throwing questions at him all night until he got what he wanted. However, the raven seems satisfied just knowing that he loved Itachi.
"Does he love you?" Sasuke asked; the tone of his voice indicating it was the end of their conversation.
"Yes, I believe he does," Naruto replied.
"Just don't hurt him," Sasuke muttered under his breath intending for Naruto not to hear, but he did.
Sasuke loved his brother, and even though he literally wanted to murder him, he wanted Itachi to be happy until that time comes. Naruto shook his head. He hadn't spoken to Itachi much about his little brother. It was a sour topic for both of them, but the few times that he had spoken of the younger Uchiha, Itachi always indicated that he wished Sasuke to be happy. He loved his little brother, more than anyone; probably more than Naruto. Even if he never outright said it, Itachi thought the world of Sasuke and would do anything for him. Itachi always told him that he would die by Sasuke's hands. He would pay the price for his sins by the hand of another Uchiha. Even if Sasuke didn't know it, he was playing right into Itachi's plans.
"I'll take first watch," Naruto said.
Sasuke only nodded in reply.
000
Tsunade shook her head as she headed down the main stair well of the Konoha hospital. When she reached the bottom several heads perked up. Basically all of Naruto's comrades were in the waiting room, anxiously anticipating news of their comrades' sensei. All of the young shinobi were spread out in small groups, save for the Nara who was in the leaning up against a wall in the back corner. Shikamaru wouldn't be here if he didn't feel a sense of duty for his captain. Tsunade would deal with the Nara later.
"Tsunade-sama," Asuma called as the Hokage landed from the last step of the stairs, "How is he?"
The rest of the shinobi followed behind at safe distance, expect for the Nara who stayed back in the far corner.
"He'll be fine," Tsunade replied, "I don't know if it was by accident or on purpose but his wind pipe wasn't completely crushed. It will be a while before he can speak, let alone go back to being a shinobi."
"But he's alive," Sakura breathed out a breath that she had been holding.
"Yes, he is alive," Tsunade nodded.
"That fucking Uzumaki," Kiba swore.
Everyone stayed silent for a moment, until Tsunade spoke up, "lets move to my office. There are things we need to discuss."
Everyone nodded and started making their way to the Hokage tower.
"Shikamaru, you too," Tsunade called making everyone glace his direction.
Shikamaru only nodded and followed suit with everyone else.
Once they were all gathered, Tsunade started to explain the situation.
"All of you know that Naruto was in the village earlier this evening, but some of you may not know why. He was here for multiple reasons, but I believe his main objective was to release Sasuke for reasons unknown," the Hokage explain.
"Did he make contact with anyone other than with the group?" Neji asked.
Tsunade nodded and glanced over at Shikamaru who was still standing in the back, "would you like to explain or do you want me to?"
Shikamaru shook his head, "I will explain."
"Then proceed," Tsunade said giving him the floor.
Shikamaru took a deep breath, "Over the past few months, Naruto and I have had several secret, romantic encounters."
"What?" several people replied.
Shikamaru put his hand up, "please just let me explain everything first."
Once everything was quiet, the Nara continued, "I risked everything for some idealistic fling with a man I thought I knew. It continued on for a few months with random meetings. I thought I knew him, I thought I knew the kind of man he was, but I was wrong. He's not the same Naruto that I once knew; he's not the same man that I fell in love with. I thought I could trust him, but I can't and I realize that now. I fell in love with the idiotic, unpredictable, knuckle-head of a ninja that we all use to love, but that person is no longer there. During our meetings, I would see moments of the man I loved, but most of the time I saw an almost revenge stricken, heart broken, evil person. I was living in the fantasy that I dreamed up in my head. I had this idea that he would one day come home, but after yesterday I realized that he is never coming home. I would be waiting a lifetime for him. Even if he did come home, I wouldn't want the man he had turned into. When I found out he was alive, I did almost everything I could to love him again. My heart yearned for him, but it was yearning for the old Naruto, not the new sadistic person we see today. At first I refused to see negative aspects and only saw what I wanted to see in him, however I know now that the Naruto that I love is dead. I risked everything, my friends, my family, my job and I even put the village in danger. I was blind and I was ignorant; and I'm sorry."
"Wait," Ino spoke up, "let me get this straight. You were meeting up with a rouge ninja who is planning on destroying our village because you thought you were in love with him?"
"Yes," Shikamaru nodded.
"Unbelievable…" Ino whispered.
"That's enough reason for Tsunade-sama to order your execution," Neji stated.
"I know," Shikamaru kept his gaze down, "I am prepared for any consequences resulting from my actions. I knew better, but I was being arrogant thinking no one would ever find out."
"So, what changed?" Sakura asked eyeing the brunette carefully.
"What do you mean?"
"What made you realize Naruto wasn't the same? Aside from all the things he has already done?" Sakura explained.
Shikamaru shook his head indicating he didn't walk to talk about it, but Sakura and the others wouldn't drop the subject. Glancing up, he saw they were all waiting for his answer. Taking a deep breath he continued, "Naruto cheated on me, so to speak."
"Wait, what?" Ino shook her head not understanding.
"Late last night, sometime while he was in Konoha, he came to see me," Shikamaru explained, "that's how I knew he was here. When he came to see me, I confronted him about a gut feeling I got during the Kage Summit. He had this look of guilt and heartbreak in his eyes. When I said something to him, he revealed that he was in love with someone else. He was doing things with someone else."
"Who?" Tsunade asked curiously.
"Uchiha Itachi," Shikamaru replied bluntly.
"Itachi?" Tsunade repeated.
"Yea, the Naruto I knew wouldn't go around fucking murders like Itachi," Shikamaru said through his teeth.
It was quiet around the room; there was heaviness in the air that was almost tangible. Shikamaru felt like he couldn't breath. He just gave away his darkest secret to a room full of people he had known for a very long time; people he thought trusted him. After this, he didn't know what to think any more.
"What have to told Naruto?" Neji asked.
"Nothing," Shikamaru grunted back.
"Bull shit," Neji replied.
"Its true," Shikamaru looked up at him, "every time we met, when the conversation turned towards Konoha or the Akatsuki, he would redirect it to something that was unimportant. If I asked a direct question, he wouldn't answer saying something like he didn't walk to talk about it. He always said he knew what I was risking and he didn't want to make it worse. He didn't want to put me in that position."
"I just find that hard to believe," Neji shook his head.
"Well, believe it or not its true. Naruto never tried to get information out of me, and I didn't either," Shikamaru stated.
"So, what do we do now?" Asuma asked turning his attention to the Hokage.
"I'm still trying to figure that out my self," Tsunade replied, "Shikamaru is a damn good shinobi and it would be a shame to loose him, however I can't just let him go when he has several unauthorized meetings with a rouge shinobi."
The heavy silence came back as the Hokage debated on the course of action.
"Six month suspension," Tsunade stated, "no missions for six months, and nothing higher than a C rank for six months after that. However that wont take affect til after the war; right now we need every shinobi we can get."
Shikamaru nodded, thankful he didn't get a harsher punishment than that. He glanced around the room, surprised that no one fought for something harsher.
"I'm sorry," Shikamaru stated, "I know what I have done has erased any amount of trust you had in me. I lied to you for months. But know that I would never do anything that would harm the village or put anyone in danger. My loyalties will always remain with Konoha."
"Shikamaru, we know you well enough to know that you wouldn't do anything like that," Asuma said with a small smile, "with that said, it is true that our trust in you has been broken down, but that doesn't mean that it is all gone or that it can't be rebuilt. You admitted to your mistake and took responsibility for your actions, that alone says a lot. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say you are still a Konoha shinobi, and we will treat you as such."
Shikamaru stared at his sensei in disbelief. It didn't even cross his mind that they would forgive him. He would be forever grateful to them.
"Now," Tsunade said, "with that out of the way, lets move on. Shikamaru you can stay for this."
Shikamaru nodded and she continued, "Naruto entered the village last night for the main reason of helping Uchiha Sasuke escape, for reasons we are not aware of. I am still debating on whether or not to send a group out to search for the Uchiha, but with the war, I don't want to waste the manpower right now. I am sure at some point we will run into the Uchiha. Anyways, other than Kakashi, there were no other injuries or causalities from last night. For the rest of the discussion we are moving to the conference room, where I have called all the other shinobi with in the village, including all Genin, Chunin and Jonin. Lets go."