getyouasenju - Tumblr blog

getyouasenju · 3 years ago

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Time Warp

Part 3 to "Better in time" and “Time Bomb”

Part 1, Part 2

Word Count: 7.4k

Warning(s): Angst, cheating, swearing, and possibly some spoilers??? (idk man)

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I let out a breath as I pulled the window covering down and leaned my head against the door. I rolled my eyes before swiftly closing them. I expected the idiot to be in a happy relationship by now, our romance long forgotten. At least that would’ve forced me to get over him, but no- here we were, arguing in a hospital hallway for fucks sake.

"Lovers quarrel?"

The smug voice reached my ears prompting another eye roll. I turn around smirking, "You wake up from a medical induced coma and the first thing you do is make a smart ass comment? Typical." I cross my arms, smiling as I made my way over to the bed. "I mean, what's a show without some commentary? and you two seemed to be putting on a pretty good one out there." He says with a smirk on his bruised face.

"Careful, smirk any harder and I might have to call the medical staff in for some pain medication." I teased as I finally took my original seat by his bedside. He laughs but it's cut short by a groan of pain and I furrow my brows, visibly upset that he's hurting. He glances in my direction and snorts. "Don't get all uptight, I'm alright." he spoke softly, trying to ease my guiltiness. I let a breath go and shook my head, "Yeah, I know.. but I'm still not all too happy about my baby brother being injured, especially from a hit that was supposed to be for me." I finish, narrowing my eyes at him.

"You're only older by like.. two minutes!"

"Omi! That is so not the point!" I bring a hand to my forehead, "You're my baby brother, Omi- I should be protecting you. This is my mess not yours." No matter how much reassurance I got, I will still uneasy. Omi was my only family left and the thought of him being taken away made me nauseous. I leaned in and grabbed his hand. "Seriously, don't put yourself in danger for me." I scold the boy.

"Why (Y/N), why do you always do that?" His sudden outburst caught me by surprise. "What... do you mean?" I asked slowly in confusion, not fully grasping what he was going on about. I let go of his hand as a frown spread across my face. "Act like.. this!" he emphasizes, waving a hand in my direction. I cross my arms, feeling insulted at his choice of words. "Act like what? a concerned sister? because if thats what you're getting at- It'll never stop, so you can just get over it. now." I sternly tell my sibling. He shakes his head, irritation clearly evident.

"No, not that- (Y/N)." He pauses bringing a hand up to his face in frustration. Let out a huff of breath he turns his head to me and smiles sadly. "You don’t have to walk around like the weight of the world is all on your shoulders. Sometimes you have to let others look after you- or you’ll tear yourself apart. You constantly tell Karui and I how you couldn't live if something happened to us, but how do you think we would feel if something happened to you, huh?" He sat up, slightly groaning in pain, I move to hit the call button, but he holds his hand up in disagreement. "You know- I wasn't the only one that ran to your defense in that battle. You do know that right? There are so many people here that care-"

"Really Omi? You can't be serious right now. Cut the crap, you were just arguing with Naruto before the attack. You think the people care about me here? Ha! We are going back to the Cloud and away from this mess!" I didn't know what had gotten into Omi, but wasn't laying injured in a hospital bed enough for him? His laughter took me by surprise as my eyes widened.

"If you think returning to the Cloud will fix all your problems, then maybe you suffered more injuries than I could've ever prevented."

"It is my home! How dare you!" I scream, my eyes watering up at his harsh tone.

"You were miserable there! I won't watch you wither away because you're running from your problems!"

"I didn't run, I was pushed!"

The screeching of the chair filled the air as I quickly stood up, clenching my fist as my tears threatened to spill."I can’t fight with you both of you today." I whispered.

"I will be back tomorrow, get some rest. Little brother."

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I dreaded the walk back, since when was Omi a ‘rational’ thinker? I could kick a rock and that boy would think I’d cause an earthquake! As I opened the hospital doors and the cold air hit my face, I sighed in relief. I dragged my tired legs through the familiar path to my apartment. The village had made a quick effort in repairing the damage, I could barely tell there was ever even an attack. I kicked at the dirt, dragging my feet as I kept my head down, slowly making my way home.

Finally reaching the apartment, I stuck my key into the knob- only to find it already unlocked. I immediately rolled my eyes, anticipating another argument with the persistent blonde, how the hell did he beat me here though? I pushed the door open, my eyes darting around until they landed to a spot on the couch. Her long black hair fell down her shoulders as she sat gracefully on my couch, her hands crossed in her lap.

“Let me guess, Naruto gave you the key?” I was instantly pissed, playing musical chairs with my keys now? From my delightful conversation with Naruto to my loving reunion with my brother, I beyond was done for the day. I just wanted to go to sleep, and instead- I’m greeted with an intruder. “I may have borrowed it.” her voice was soft, but held a sense of inner confidence. I could tell she had been preparing herself for this, which only added to my irritation- because I wasn’t prepared at all.

“Hinata, I don’t have an issue with you. Let’s not make one, okay?” I told her outright. I specifically tried to keep the issue between Naruto and I, but it seemed that the harder I tried to keep everyone out of it, the more they were ultimately sucked in. “You know what? How about I take that key off your hands so everyone can stop having field day in my place, mkay?” I step forward, spotting the key and snatching it from the coffee table. I turn, walking to the nearest drawer and tossing it in there, craning my neck and raising a brow in Hinata’s direction as I hear her clearing her throat.

“I came to talk to you.” she said it so simply, like everything is just so sweet and I didn’t like that shit at all.

I promptly slam the drawer shut in annoyance, “About Naruto I assume? Listen, if you came to have a woman to woman talk, It’s not going to happen.” I was so sick and tired of everything being about Naruto, it was giving me a migraine. “If you wanted to talk about him with me- It should’ve happened way before you two did what you did.” I walk towards her crossing my arms across my chest. “So what is it? Want my recommendation for the next color scarf you’re knitting for him? He looks great in orange.” I remark, stopping a couple feet near her. The silence filled the air around us as I stood there staring her down. When she failed to respond I rolled my eyes. “You let yourself in, you can let yourself out.” I sneered at her. I was going to let her off the hook, but somehow she managed to insert herself back into my life. As I turned by back I hear her speak up.

“I’ve loved him since we were kids.”

I stopped dead in my tracks, not daring to turn around to face her. The words ringing in my head. “But he never saw me, he never got it.. but on that mission I felt like he finally saw me, like he knew my feelings- that he felt it too.” I kept staring forward, slowly shaking my head in disbelief, what did she gain from this? Naruto and I were already broken up, I was already at my lowest, I was leaving! “So I kissed him.” and that was my breaking point. I whipped around opening my mouth, but she beat me to it, “And.. and It felt real, and I felt like we had a chance and-” She stopped abruptly her voice trembling slightly before continuing. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, I didn’t mean to disrespect your relationship. I just- I love him so much. I just wanted him to see that.” I bring a hand to my forehead, feeling the heat rising to my head. “(Y/N), I’m so sor-”

“That. Is. Enough!” I finally exploded. “Hinata, seriously- what does apologizing do?” I threw my arms up in defeat. “I’m not going there with you. What’s done, is done. You never owed me any loyalty but- fuck! you at least owed me so fucking respect! Some decency! Fuck disrespecting the relationship Hinata! You, Naruto and all your little fucking friends disrespected me!” I let out a deep breath as my frown deepens, “Every single thing I’ve done- every little fucking thing I’ve done for this village, a village I wasn’t even born to, was disrespected- do you understand that?” I hissed out.

Hinata quickly stood up from her spot on my couch, ignoring my last remark and I clenched my fists as I watched her step closer to me before speaking up once again, “But it all changed when you left.. because when you left he fell apart.. all I did was confuse him!” I scoffed and add an eye roll along with it. “Yeah, because he realized I wouldn’t sit on the back burner for him. Let him be confused, I don’t care. If he had decided to be with you, then I wouldn’t be a second thought to you.” I wanted to be alone. now. “Hinata, you should go- really, and just forget about this- because I sure will,” I point between the both of us, “Seriously, you need to leave- before we say some things we can’t take back.” The insults rested on the tip of my tongue. One more push would send me tumbling over to the dark side, things were bound to get nasty. I couldn’t hold my peace forever. She slowly nodded her head, making her way to the door, placing her hand on the knob before pausing, “Naruto always does the right thing, and i think happened was just his way of trying to make it up to me, even though his heart clearly wasn't mine to hold. If you leave- for good this time, he will never recover, he has already has lost so much.”

“Well.. then I’m so very glad that he has you to comfort him.”

and with that, she slipped out the door.

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Alone at last, I straighten out the spot on the couch that was previously occupied, being slightly over-aggressive with the pillows out of my own anger and frustration. I turn the lock on the door, before scurrying to my bedroom. I had lost all sense of any appetite, so I decided to turn in for the night. Since when was my life this dramatic? I was a simple girl from the cloud, always laughing and having a good time. I felt like a shell of the girl I used to be, everything felt so repetitive, and more so- my fault. Yeah, fuck that feeling- this was not my fault. How dare she blame me for their mistakes, he’s lost so much huh? Well apparently I didn’t mean that much to him anyways.

By the time I made it to my bedroom, I was angry all over again. My apartment was supposed to be my safe haven, but it seemed to be my own personal hell lately. Everything bad seemed to be happening here, a revolving door for trauma to enter and leave as it pleases. I groaned as I thought of speaking with the Hokage, would he even let me leave? I had been gone for three stupid months already- he had granted me that much, but to leave for good? I’m going to have to beg on my knees and vow to never pick up another shuriken for as long as I lived. My mind flashes back to what Omi had said. I might of been miserable, but being here is unbearable. I missed him and it sucked. It really fucking sucked because didn’t deserve it. I mean who tells their girlfriend that they need time to sort out their feelings, the idiot, the nerve. At this point I don’t even think the boy even knew what love even was- and he fucking kissed her, the bastard!

Naruto was my first boyfriend, my first kiss- my first everything. So maybe it was me who didn’t know what love was. Maybe I needed to branch out and find out what I wanted, and it surely wasn’t a daily headache. Or- maybe when the shinobi world was in complete and utter shambles, it just wasn’t the time or place to find love. I flopped back onto my bed, wincing slightly as my bruised ribs came in contact with the mattress. I raised my arms and placed them behind my head, lost In my scattered mind. He has such a way with words, he even has Omi on his side now, but he’s never seemed to say the right thing to me. I turned my head to the side when it came into my line of view- the trashcan overflowing with crumpled up papers.

“I wrote to you everyday.”

“Did you even read what I wrote you?”

And I knew that I shouldn’t. I knew that I really shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help but to be curious- it was three months of hell. Sure- I was happy to be home, but I still had things lingering in the back of my mind of course, things left unsaid. The letters piled up everyday, I had no clue how he was sending them so fast, but they were there. It was so incredibly hard to toss them. I held the first one in my hands for the whole day before I threw it out, I barely glanced at the others to save myself from the pain. I threw my hands over my eyes and squeezed them shut, debating with myself before huffing and pulling myself up into a sitting position. I tug myself up and off my bed as I approached the small wooden desk across the room.

Just get it over with, geez!

I grab the overflowing trash bin, lifting it up and dumping the contents onto the desk in one motion. I snatch the first crumpled up piece of paper, the chair screeched as I pushed it back and made myself comfortable before I proceeded to ruined my day for the fourth time. I uncrumple the first paper, smoothing it out as best as possible as the chicken scratch handwriting came into view, typical Naruto. I squinted as tried to make out the writing.

“(Y/N),

I know you need your space and I’m giving it to you, but please come back. You said you wished you never met me and right now, I’m wishing that I never met myself either, I can’t even look in the mirror. I didn’t want to leave your house that night I swear. I didn’t want to leave you distressed, but I knew my presence was making it worse, (Y/N), I-”

I strained my eyes trying to read more of it, but it was cut short, the end of it scribbled over and smudged. I shook my head, grabbing another crumpled up paper and starting again.

“(Y/N),

It’s been two months and I haven’t heard a word from you- but I’ll never stop writing, not until you come back- you belong here. I’ve been staying in your house because it reminds me of you, I still have your key. I had to beg Chōji to write to karui and ask how you were, I know I shouldn’t of but I needed to know you were okay. If you don’t come back soon I’ll-.”

Damn it! He didn’t finish this one either, identical scribbles and crossing out of words at the bottom of the letter. With a frustrated breath, I crumple the paper up once again and toss it back into the bin, snatching a new one up in replacement. And he knew about Chōji and Karui before me! I balled my fist as I placed and elbow on the table and lean my head into it as I start to read again.

“(Y/N),

I need you to understand this whole time thing. I’m an idiot, I didn’t mean that I needed time to think about my feelings for you, (Y/N). I have been in love with you since I was 16. Being Hokage is no-”

I crumpled the paper up and tossed it to the floor, pausing before sweeping the rest of the letters back into the trashcan with the back of my arm. Now- that letter wasn’t finished, don’t get me wrong, there was more to read but I didn’t want to hear it. My frustration started bubbling up as I cross my arms and frown deeply. If I had to hear the word time again, I was going to explode. This was pointless and I shouldn’t of wasted my energy. I stood abruptly, sending the wooden chair back as I walked over to the light switch and flick it off. It had been three months, but my muscle memory guided me to my bed as I snuggled up and turned in for the night.

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It was warm and the sun was shining brightly, the village was lively as everyone stepped out to enjoy the warmth. Children giggling and weaving through the busy adults as they chased each other through the streets. A stark contrast from the events occurring the week prior. I smiled waving to the little ones as they ran around me, blushing, laughing and waving back to me. I stopped, turning my head and watched them run off. So careless and free, no troubles. In a way, I guess I envied them. As they disappeared into the crowds I regained my concentration, turning my head back around before pausing,

“What do you want, Nara?”

I sharply question the man who was now blocking my path and my sunlight. I scrunched my nose, quickly fanning my hand in front of my face. “Geez, do you have to smoke right here? Doesn’t take a genius to know smoking is horrible for you.” I remark to the raven haired man. He flicks the cigarette to the ground, stomping out the light. I begin to protest to his littering before he snatched the bud up and tossed it in a trashcan that I hadn’t even noticed beside me. I cross my arms and raise a bow before I repeat myself, “I said, what do you want Nara?” I hissed out, annoyed that he was in my way- why is someone always in my way!

“If you’re on your way to beg the Hokage to leave, there’s a slim chance in hell that’ll ever happen. Your vacation time is over.” He bluntly remarked to me. I immediately drop my arms in irritation. Of course he knew what I was doing, the annoying little prodigy. “You know a lot of things, don’t you shikamaru?” I let the bitter words leave my mouth, slightly narrowing my eyes at the man. “And it wasn’t a vacation, I was home. And I plan on being there again, permanently. Plus- it’s none of your concern.” I made sure to lace my annoyance in my tone. He’s surely sticking his nose in my business right now. Where was this energy after that mission? He lets out an annoyed sigh and my frown deepened. Why was he annoyed? He was the one harassing me!

He studied my face for a moment before letting out a sarcastic snort, “You have no idea, do you?” I face swirled into confusion as I clenched my fists, I didn’t appreciate the surprise, or his tone. “Move.” I demanded, taking a step closer. When he failed to respond I push my way around him. I made it about three steps before he called out to me, “You know, Naruto is supposed to be the seventh.” I whip back around, “Excuse me, but- what the fuck, does that have to do with me?” I shouted, “Good for him! Is this what you interrupted my day for?”.

“Kinda gonna be hard to be the Hokage when you’re in the cloud.”

I froze, that idiot. My mind was racing as I thought back to the letters. “If you don’t come back soon I’ll-.” And that’s what he meant, if I didn’t come back soon- He’d follow me.

I put up a brave front, hiding my shock and annoyance behind a blank stare. “And what would you like me to do about that Shikamaru?” He looked at me, seeing straight through my facade being the smug genius that he is. “Naruto might be an idiot sometimes, but I’d trust that guy with my life.” I rolled my eyes, unbelievable. “So he’s a good shinobi, but a shit boyfriend- is that all?”. We stood there, glaring hard at each other as we waited for the other one to break.

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I balled my fist before I slammed it against the door a couple times, waiting a few seconds before repeating the process. As I waited at the idiots door, my impatience and anger grew intensely. I could hear his lazy foot steps approach the door. He swung it open and I didn’t even give him a chance before I forced my way inside the apartment. I looked around, finding many things missing- just as I expected, he was packing! I shook my head, my fear and anxiety creeping up on me. How could he do this? I turn to him as I let out a hopeless sigh. “What are you doing?” I demand. His eyes dart around my face as he tries to gauge my reaction. “I’m packing.”

“How could you be so.. selfish!” He had taken one home from me, now he wanted to take another? Did he not understand that I was trying to get away from him? “You are not coming to the cloud, you belong here. This is just delusional- you think Kakashi is going to just let you up and leave?”

“That’s what you did.”

I let out a defeated sigh, as I looked at him. “I can’t be your second choice, Naruto. You can’t force me to be your second choice!” He stepped forward, clinching his fists as he tried to force eye contact. “It’s not like that.” He stressed to me. My lip curled, my anger swelling up once again as I tried my best to contain myself, “Being hokage is your dream,” I close my eyes, losing my fight with my anger as the bitterness starts to seep out. “Don’t throw it away.. especially not for a girl you didn’t give a second thought about while you were sweeping another one off of her feet.” I let the angry sentence roll out my mouth before I even knew it.

“I wasn’t sweeping her off of her fucking feet!” He growled at me, throwing his arms up. I could feel his entire demeanor changing and I instantly stopped speaking. He huffed, backing up and running his fingers through his hair and over his face in frustration. “I always try to do the right thing, even when everyone in the village hated my fucking guts.” He rambled to himself, but I refused to back down from him, I exploded right back at him.

“Then you should’ve been the one to tell me about the kiss, I shouldn’t of had to hear it from Ino. Do you realize what that did to me? Then you ask me for time, but refuse to give me mine?” I understood his struggle, I understood where he came from- how far he’s come- I really did, but that doesn’t excuse his behavior and how much I was hurting.

“So what?!” He yells out, causing me to shrink back a little, slightly frightened at the tone and volume of his voice. “What do you want me to do? Marry Hinata? Is that what you want me to do? Do you want me to be with her? You’re telling me that this would make you happy?” He roughly questioned me with balled fists and a heavy frown upon his face.

His words frightened me, my chest hurting at the thought of that truly happening, “You think this is easy for me, Naruto? Because to me, it feels like you seem to think that somehow I’m the one getting off easy. Leaving is as hard as being left! How dare you hold your relationship with her above my head!” I roughly wipe at my cheeks, smearing the salty tears across face as I tried to hold it together, he was fighting dirty. Noticing my tears, his expression softened as he unclenched his fist moving and moved closer to me. He lifted his hand, swiping his thumb across my cheek and searching my eyes. He let out a sigh, but doesn’t say anything. slowly, he leaned forward- but at the last minute, I turn my head as his lips land on my cheek, my tears now flowing freely down my flushed face. He quickly dropped his hand as he stepped back with a crestfallen look upon his face as he observed me.

“I don’t want to be the reason you’re crying, I hate being the reason you’re crying.” He stressed, running a hand down his whiskered cheek. “Hinata visited me.” I let out in a low whisper as I fiddled with my fingers. He frantically pats his pants pockets, realizing the key was missing and panicking. “(Y/N)- I promise I didn’t give her the key. I just wasn’t thinking about it with the attack and everything, ya know? she must have swiped it, I’m so sorry-”

“Just stop, please I-” I took a deep breath, “I know you didn’t give it to her, she told me you didn’t.” I crossed my arms, tucking my hands underneath as I took a step forward. “She said something that struck me.” I started. nervously tilting my head, “She said that you always do the right thing, even if your heart clearly isn’t in it.” I shook my head, a slight frown gracing my face. “And it didn’t sit right with me.” I could see the confusion cross his face. “Because the Naruto that I know, the Naruto that I loved- you see, he put his heart into everything he did. He’s the most passionate person that I have met- so make it make sense to me. Naruto. What happened?” I demanded.

“I could count on one hand the number of people who have told me that they loved me and meant it.” He confessed to me, taking a seat on the couch and gesturing for me to join. I hesitated, but eventually I sat down. He eyes my hands and I knew he wanted to grab them, I folded my arms once again, tucking them away. “When we were on that mission, and Hinata said she loved me, I knew she meant it- and yeah we kissed and it was wrong. I had you waiting back at home for me, It shouldn’t of happened- but it caught me off guard.” He paused, trying to gauge my reaction before he continued. “But the thing that scared me the most was... that when she said that she loved me... I wasn’t surprised, it was like I knew it deep down. Yeah, It was unexpected, I never even thought of her in that way, I love you... but it was like somehow I knew she loved me and I repressed it, I didn’t understand it and I wanted to.” I was shocked, was he trying to confess his true feelings for her right in front of me?

“Naruto, thats enough- really.” I really wanted him to stop, I couldn’t take much more.

He continued right over my words, “And I’m not saying that I felt bad for her, because that’s not why it happened but- I wanted to give her a fair chance of sorting it out without hurting you, but it was already too late and I didn’t know how to say it. My intention wasn’t to be with her, I just.. It took me back to my childhood, maybe I wasn’t as alone as I felt.” He let out a sigh, “I don’t know how to fix this, but I desperately want to. When I told you I needed time, it was selfish. I asked for time- space, and I didn’t give you yours. I knew I coming I acted like it was my decision when it was yours, I was the one that stepped out on you, intentionally or not.” I stayed silent, watching him nervously fiddle with his hands. He reached forward, testing the waters as he slowly grabbed my hand. “If you don’t want me to follow you to the Cloud, I’ll respect that and I’l be here waiting, ya know? I always thought I was good with words, but when it comes to you- I am absolutely at a loss for them.” He concluded.

I shook his hand off of mine, dropping my shoulders in defeat and letting out a quiet, yet frustrated groan to which he widened his eyes at. I balled my hands into two tight fists as I took a shallow breath. I looked up at the ceiling as I tried to pull my tears back. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see him reaching for me as I jerked back, “Don’t.” I let out, grimacing as I hear my voice crack. I quickly stood, feeling the energy in the room shift.

“Bullshit.”

I didn’t think his blue eyes could get any bigger than in that moment. “I don’t believe you.” A hardened expression on my face as I stared him down. “You’ve embarrassed me in front of all your friends- in front of the entire village. Looking at me with pity, like I was the other woman, like they just knew this was coming, so don’t sit here and try to feed me this bullshit.” By this time, I was fuming. It felt like that night back in my room and I was fighting the urge to just run.

“I need someone who chooses me first. I need someone who doesn’t care about hurting feelings when it comes to me, and you’ve shown me that you are not that person.” I turned my back to him, the way I felt he had during this whole fiasco. “You didn’t need to say the right thing, you needed to do the right thing. Maybe you did the right thing for yourself, but it wasn’t for me.” I sighed, dropping my arms and spinning back around. “I’ve seen you do it so many times- every time, but you couldn’t do it for me and that hurts. It hurts so much, god I’m so fucking angry! I don’t know how i’m even speaking to you!” I bit my lip, watching the now motionless boy sit before me.

I take a look around me, taking in the boxes once again. “What do you expect to happen here, Naruto? You follow me home and we play house while we forget about how you fucked me over?” I shook my head in disbelief, that wasn’t happening.“If you didn’t want to hurt me, then why didn’t you tell me about the kiss?”

No answer.

“If you didn’t want to hurt me, why was I not your first choice, first thought?”

Nothing.

“And if you really fucking loved me, why would you ever ask for time to think about it?”

Silence, but I had my answer. You don’t think about love, you feel it. If you have to think about feeling it, then maybe you never really felt it at all.

“And if you were so fucking ready to follow me to the ends of the earth, then why the fuck is that goddamn scarf in that fucking box!” I turn around, knocking the box over. As the items tumble out, the long red, handcrafted, homemade symbol of love falls sprawled out on top. I could feel the hot tears rushing to my eyes as my vision blurred. “I sat in that apartment- I sat there for weeks Naruto! Wasting away, imagining that you would come running back to tell me it was just a fluke! I was ready to beg you, like I had done something wrong. I couldn’t even recognize myself in fucking the mirror!” I shake my head at the thought of those weeks, how weak I was- how desperate I was.

“I’m so afraid that If I keep waiting for you, I’ll be waiting forever.”

“I’m right here.” He finally spoke out to me, quiet and broken. I shook my head, “No- no you’re not, and you’ve been gone for a long time.” I dropped my head, swiping at my hot tears and blotchy face. “And maybe it should stay that way.”

“Goodbye Naruto.”

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Two years later.....

I sat sideways on the wooden chair, my arm resting on the back while I held my chin in my palm. Legs crossed gracefully in the carefully chosen emerald dress, I swirled my wine in my left hand as I smiled. I watched as Chōji spun Karui in circles with that stupid smitten look on his face and I let out a little chuckle as I observed the same look on Karui’s. I glance to the left as I see Omi and Samui joining them on the dance floor, the alcohol induced flirtatiousness evident to me. I smiled even harder.

I was happy, the past two years had been rocky, but there were so many new beginnings right around the corner. My best friend was married and was bound to start a family with her new husband soon, the world was somewhat peaceful and the stress of being the maid of honor had rolled off my shoulders, thank god. Karui was nothing close to a bridezilla, but who wanted to fuck up their best friend’s wedding? Not me, no thanks! I keep watching for a bit as the dance floor filled, and promptly turned back around to my table, finishing my drink in one last gulp and adjusting my dress when I felt the tap on my shoulder.

“Hey.”

I tilt my head up, my eyes taking in every detail before me. The perfectly tailored dark grey suit, shining shoes and a boutonniere that matched my dress exactly. My eyes trail further up to the neatly combed blonde hair with those intense blue eyes. Of course he was here, he was one of Chōji’s childhood friends. Karui had kept the bridal party pretty small. She had Samui and I, while Chōji had rightfully selected Shikamaru and Naruto as his groomsmen. We had walked down the aisle together.

“Do you want to dance?” He asked me and it pulled me out of my thoughts. I pondered it for a second before I decided it was harmless. I stood, taking his hand as we joined the rest of the guest on the floor, Karui throwing me a sly look as I wave her off. Omi tossing me wiggly brows and I roll my eyes. I had made peace with the situation a year ago, I could be civil for a wedding.

The music changes to something upbeat and I throw my head back and laugh as I see Omi busting out shameful dance moves. The music dies down, but I enjoyed myself and the company. Laughter filled the air as the groomsmen and bridesmaids took turns giving their speeches. Nervously fidgeting until it was my turn to speak.

I stood slowly as all the attention turned my way. I lift my hand and softly wave to the guest as I turn my body towards Karui and her new husband.

“Um-” I let out a sort chuckle as I compose myself, a round of laughter filling the air. I let out a deep breath, “I’ve known Karui for a long time- basically my whole life. Sometimes I wonder if her, Omi and I were supposed to be triplets.” I smile as I hear the laughter again. Maybe I’m not so bad at this whole public speaking thing. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that Karui.. You’re not like a sister to me, you are my sister- you’re family. You’ve been there through everything and for two kunoichi- that can be a lot, trust me.” This time I was laughing before I got a little serious.

“When we lost-” I stop, holding the microphone away as I fanned my face for a second, and sending a reassuring smile back at Karui, who had turned a little concerned. “When we lost our parents, I thought Omi and I were alone- but Karui, you made sure we never were. You were always there, so I am so grateful that you included me in one of the most beautiful moments of your life.” I turn my gaze to Chōji, “Thank you for taking care of my sister, I know that you’ll always treat her well and that’s all I could ever hope for.” I smiled as Chōji turned, pressing a kiss to Karui’s temple.

“But if you so much as make her feel anything less than the absolute princess that she is, I won’t hesitate to show you just how precise my lightning release is.”

I smirk as Chōji pales and Karui slaps his shoulder. The room burst into laughs as I take a small bow and giggle out a “Thank You” and a “congrats!” into the mic. Soon, the reception was over and the couple said their goodbyes before making their long awaited. dramatic- but beautiful exit.

I pushed my hair behind my ear as I fulfilled my last duty as the one and only maid of honor- cleaning up- or more so making sure that all the food was stored properly, probably per Chōji’s request. I had just finished boxing up the wedding cake, and had made my way over to the tables, carefully taking down the center pieces and saving the flowers.

“Need some help?”

I didn’t even need to look up to know who it was.

“Sure, bridal party duties include the groomsmen too.” He did his classic neck scratch and let out a short “cool.”

With the two fo us working, it didn’t take long for the venue to get cleaned up. The food was properly stored and ready to be sent to the couple new home, the flowers properly packed to be kept for a lovely keepsake and the chairs were stacked back up and put away. We were now doing the last two person fold on the table cloths. When we finished and had officially tossed them all into the respective box, I let out a tired breath.

“Thanks Naruto, that was definitely going to take me all day if I had to do it alone.” Luckily, we weren’t responsible for the transportation of all this shit- that was up to Chōji’s clan members. Karui just didn’t trust them to properly take everything down- and I didn’t blame her. They could be somewhat heavy handed. I could feel him staring a hole into my head and I knew the small talk was coming soon. I had no idea how I managed to avoid it this long.

“Go ahead and ask me already.” I let out, crossing my arms over my chest as I took in his widened bright blue eyes and the small blush on his cheeks. We hadn’t talked much since that faithful day in his apartment, just briefly while fulfilling our wedding duties. We were nineteen, and here we were at twenty one. I was over my teenage days and more than willing to embrace my twenties. “How have you been?” ahh there it goes, the dreadful start of a conversation between two exes. I wasn’t buying into it though.

“I’ve been okay, how are you? Did you enjoy the wedding?” He shrugged his shoulders, stuffing his hands into his pockets, “Yeah it was beautiful, but it was really hard.” I snorted, “Tell me about it, being maid of honor was harder than any mission I’ve ever seen sent on. There was so much shit to do- and look-” I let out a short giggle, “We’re still here after the whole thing playing clean up crew!” I continue to laugh until I noticed I was laughing alone. I gave him a puzzled look and he shook his head.

“Don’t get me wrong- I am very happy for the newly weds, but I can’t stop the what ifs that are running through my mind.” I crossed my arms, I knew where this was going. I just knew he would pull some shit like this.

“That was supposed to be us.” It felt like a punch to the gut, my entire demeanor changed, and he noticed as I stiffed.

“Yeah, It was.”

My admission must have shocked him from the widening of his eyes. I placed my hands on my hips and quirked an eyebrow. “What?” I dryly asked back. There was no need to play games, we were too old for that. “I just-” He stumbled on his words before I continued. “I’m not going to avoid it. I always thought we were going to be the first in the group to get married, but things didn’t work out that way. So yeah, I guess in a way that was supposed to be us, but it’s not.” I say softly, as I watch his cheeks redden. I glanced at my watch and realize how late it had gotten.“Naruto, I’ve got to go now. Thanks for the help- really, but it’s really late and I-” I stop shortly and look up, feeling his eyes burning a hole into me, “I should get back to my apartment..” I finished.

He simply nods as I give him a small nod as I turn to take my leave. The clicking of my heels echoing in the empty ball room as I distanced myself from him.

“You know,” I stop, halfway turning my body in the direction of his voice.

“I like to think that in another world, that in another timeline- you and I end up together.” He speaks out to me.

I nod, smiling softly as I wrap my arms around myself,

“If the me in that timeline loves you just an ounce as much as I loved you in this one...” I turn back around and continue my exit.

“Then yeah, I’d like to think that to be true as well.”

⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – :

Long time no see! I might do an epilogue to this, maybe. Thanks for sticking around for this! I have an idea for a kakashi fic so stay tooned! Lets see if I can successfully revive this blog!

Master list

#naruto uzumaki #naruto uzumaki x reader #naruto #naruto imagines #naruto image #naruto x reader #anime imagine #Naruto x reader angst #naruto angst

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