i'd still choose you. naruto uzumaki x reader

✤ He Knows

Chapter 23

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Sakura gently wiped away the salty drop of water from the glass in the frame she held. Her eyes scanned over each detail taken. Her own giddy smile, Naruto's glaring, (Y/N) grinning as she held Kakashi's book she stole from his pocket, the frantic look in Kakashi's eye as he noticed the book in (Y/N)'s hands, and Sasuke's glare looking back at Naruto's own.

A sigh fell from her lips as Sakura's shoulders sulked and she looked out of her balcony doors. The moon seemed to be brighter tonight. The village was beautifully illuminated by the moon that looked only a few centimeters from being a full moon. Sakura wondered if Sasuke was looking at the moon too. Or maybe wishing on the same shooting star that sped by.

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"A shooting star." Naruto whispered in the small sleeping bag he placed a good distance between himself and Yamato/Kakashi.

Naruto closed his eyes, thinking about how things used to be when Sasuke was still around and (Y/N) wasn't going behind his back. Memories of his team on those long missions came into his mind, only wishing he could go back to those times.

The sound of a branch snapping brought Naruto from his missed memories as he sat up quickly. Naruto's blue irises looked into the trees far from the little camp set up in the middle of the training grounds.

Faint whispers could be heard as two figures came into view. They were dark, shielded by the dark cover of the forest as they ran along the edge.

Naruto pulled himself quietly to his feet. As quietly as he could, Naruto ventured to a lonely standing tree close enough to the two moving figures so that he could hear their whispers before attacking. Rumors had already spread around the village that the Akatsuki were becoming active once again.

With ease, Naruto managed to make it behind the tree without being seen. He took quiet breaths as he peered around the trunk of the tree he hid behind.

Relief and disappointment suddenly flew throughout Naruto's body. He was beyond grateful the figures weren't actually the Akatsuki. Though he was arguably upset he wouldn't have an opportunity to show it to the members of the dark group.

Instead, he was let down as his eyes fell upon the all too familiar long, white hair belonging to the pervy sage himself. The sage was accompanied by an upset (Y/N) who continuously walked away from the man.

"Will you leave me alone? I thought you had a mission to continue on." (Y/N) scoffed.

Jiraiya crossed his arms with a glare. "You think I wanna be here?!" He whispered aggressively. "I do have a mission to continue on and I heard about you almost leaving the village out of nowhere?! You care to tell me what the hell you're thinking?!"

(Y/N) turned on her heel quickly, now facing the sage. "Oh, so instead of asking me calmly what's going on, you believe the rumors you most likely heard in one of those creepy bars full of women? You're so mature!"

"Don't try to put this on me." Jiraiya said, his voice suddenly low. Almost sounding like a threat.

When Sasuke left, Jiraiya wasn't personally affected by it. Jiraiya never had a connection with Sasuke. The only thing he ever really cared about in that topic is how Sasuke would help Orochimaru or how Sasuke leaving hurt (Y/N), Naruto, and Sakura.

The drunken man at the bar slurred the words that (Y/N) Hatake had been planning to abandon the village with Orochimaru's lackey; Kabuto. Jiraiya had never taken his hands off of a woman so quickly. Never having really told anybody, Jiraiya had grown quite fond of both Naruto and (Y/N). He'd be lying if he were to say he wasn't worried sick.