Can't Help Myself 2.0

.10

Their little happy moment didn't last very long when news broke out inside the village. Words were spreading fast, gossips had began, and rumors.

Naruto stood inside the Hokage's office, heart racing inside his chest as he waited for Tsunade to speak. He wasn't the only one here, Shikamaru, Neji, Choji, and Kiba were also summoned here.

All of them had neutral expressions on their faces, the atmosphere was so tense that Naruto felt dizzy.

"As you may all know," Tsunade began speaking, "Uchiha Sasuke had made a run for it in order to, quote on quote, 'seek vengeance.' As a betrayal to Konoha, we have discovered that he is meeting up with Orochimaru."

Of course they all knew, news spread like wildfire within a span of 2 hours. Was it shocking to the people who knew of his goal? Not at the slightest but they didn't think it would happen so soon.

Shikamaru took a glance at Naruto who was standing two people down from him. Him and Sasuke had been together through thick and thin together. They'd quarreled a lot but when it came to fighting, their cooperation and teamwork was unstoppable.

Naruto had a almost blank expression. Squinting closer though, his eyes were more downcast and the blues looked more clouded. That worried Shikamaru.

"You four are assigned to bring him back or make sure he never steps foot into the village again. You shall make a decision on what comes for him. Shikamaru, you will be leading everyone so I expect great things," Tsunade assigned to them, tidying up her papers and laying them back down.

Shikamaru nodded his head, "Yes Hokage-sama."

"Good. Everyone else follow along to his instruction and come back in one piece. Now go and prepare your things."

Tsunade dismissed the group. They all bowed their heads before walking out of the office. Shikamaru was the last one to exit. He closed the door behind him gently before turning towards the direction Naruto was going.

He needed to make sure Naruto was feeling alright about the whole ordeal, the back of his mind kept nagging at him endlessly throughout the meeting.

However, he stopped himself from walking up to him when he noticed Neji speeding up to walk beside Naruto. He watched as Naruto burst out into laughter immediately, shoving the smiling Hyūga softly as they continued walking together.

Shikamaru felt his heart dropped a bit weirdly, watching as the two walked farther away and down the hall.

Shikamaru didn't want to disturb their little happy atmosphere and turned the opposite way to walk home. He was going to see them soon anyways so he can talk to Naruto when they meet. No biggie.

He's telling himself it was no big deal, yet, the way his mind was becoming less coherent as he replayed the scene of how Naruto was laughing with Neji. The way Neji was staring so softly at Naruto. His stomach turned uncomfortably, it was as if someone was twisting his stomach around.

He understands what he's feeling, and he hates that he does.

"I'm being stupid.. jealous over something like this?" Shikamaru quietly scolded himself, slapping his cheek in order to get rid of this unpleasant feeling. Why is he even jealous in the first place? Because he wanted to be the one to walk Naruto home? Because he wanted to be the one to cheer him up?

He groaned out, annoyed at himself for being so childish. Naruto needed someone to cheer him up and Neji happened to be that person, that's all it matters.

. . .

"Ugh!"

He can't stop thinking about it!

He wished this whole thing didn't happen, then he could've been able to ask Naruto to go with him to their hideout or wherever. As long as they were together, he didn't care where.

Either way, he's going to have to force himself to push his feelings aside. He's been assigned as the leader, he needs to map out the best plan in order to succeed with the mission.

For the sake of Konoha.

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When night time struck, the temporary team were quick to meet up at the front of the gate. They all mentally prepared themselves as Shikamaru explain his plan to them, at least what he had so far.

They all understood what their role was and decided to finally leave.

As they walked past the gate, Naruto heard someone shout his name and turned his head around. There stood Sakura, staring worriedly at him while holding onto a wrapped box.

"What are you doing here?" Naruto asked, tilting his head in confusion. Sakura ran up to him, holding onto the back of his hand and placed the wrapped box on his palm.

"Stay safe, okay?" Sakura said quietly, pulling her hands away and stared at Naruto's face. She looked like she wanted to say more but is choosing not too.

Yet Naruto smiled softly at her, understanding her unspoken words.

"I'll do my best to bring him back."

Sakura huffed out a soft sigh, smiling back at him.

"Don't worry about that, Naruto. All I care right now is you and everyone returning safely so go kick his ass!" Sakura cheered, grabbing onto his shoulders and turning him around. She then shoved him forward. "But if you can.. please let him know that I care."

Naruto glanced back around one last time, seeing her raise a thumbs up and giving him an encouraging nod.

He gave her a thumbs up as well before running up to meet the others who were waiting for him.

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