Nel here, thought I would give this a try. Hope you all enjoy. I'll try to update at least weekly. Comments welcome. =]
THE IGNORANCE OF LOVE
IN that moment he knew. He knew that it was love, no question. Why had it taken him so long, why hadn't he realized it sooner. He was such a fool. The light slowly disappeared as he sank deeper into the water, and slid away from his soul as the love of his life walked away.
xxx
Naruto awoke to light shining in through his now open blinds. I thought I closed tho…his thoughts trailed off when he saw the man standing beside them, the only thing showing was his right eye, the other hidden behind his leaf village headband. A mask covered the rest of his face from the nose down. His silver white hair looked painfully florescent with the bright backdrop of sunshine gleaming though the window.
"What the hell Kakashi!" Naruto shot him a grumpy frown.
Kakashi responded with a good morning in his usual laid back demeanor. He gave him a slight smile before continuing, not that you could tell. "We have a mission."
"But it's my day off!" Naruto groggily sat up in bed, although sleep was becoming a distant memory at the thought of having a mission.
"Duty doesn't take breaks, Naruto." Kakashi replied coolly.
"Finneee." Naruto grumbled as he reluctantly wiped the sleep from his eyes and began getting out of the bed. His already unruly blond hair was completely disheveled, his walrus night cap clinging on for dear life. His bright blue eyes, deep as the sea, had the spark of life shining in them. They brighten even more when he noticed breakfast on the table.
"I made you breakfast, eat up, and then meet us at the front gate so we can get this mission over with." With that, Kakashi disappeared from the room.
xxx
Naruto scarfed down breakfast, showered, brushed his teeth, got dressed, and rushed to meet his comrades down at the front gate. He tied his head band with the leaf insignia around his forehead in hopes of somewhat taming his messy hair. His unzipped black and orange jacket blew in the wind as he hurried through the streets. As he neared the gate he could already see Sai, Sakura, and Kakashi waiting for him.
"What? Did you not have time to comb your hair?" Sakura remarked, "Idiot." She muttered under her breath.
"Glad you could make it Naruto." Kakashi added.
Naruto decided to ignore Sakura's comment and looked at Kakashi instead. "So, what is this mission anyways, Sensei?"
"I'll explain on the way." And with that, the four of them were off full speed ahead. As they jumped from tree limb to limb Kakashi began explaining. "Our mission is to gather intel on the Akatsuki. Ever since Sasuke killed Orochimaru, we have been able to concentrate more efforts into figuring out exactly what the Akatsuki are planning. We are not to engage if at all possible. Got it Naruto?" Kakashi shot Naruto a knowing glace when he said the last part.
"Yea, yea, I got it." Naruto was already lost in thought. He was thinking about the possibility that they might run into Sasuke. Rumors were that Sasuke had joined up with the Akatsuki, but Naruto didn't believe that, not for a second. Sasuke could be dense, and a complete bastard at times, but even he wasn't that stupid. Was he? Naruto couldn't even stomach the thought of that being the case. He shook his head and brought himself out of the nightmare of a thought. He would get Sasuke back.
They continued the journey in silence, each person lost in their own thoughts. Before they knew it the sun was setting, throwing beams of yellow, orange, and pink light across the sky. The few rays that were able to cut through the dense cover of trees cast the forest floor in an other worldly light. Animals of all types were out foraging for their dinner creating a truly peaceful seen. Even so, the four ninja moving silently though the trees didn't feel peaceful in the least. They were heading into enemy territory, always having to be on guard in case of attack. At best, they were jealous of the animals that didn't have a care in the world accept which leaf to eat or where to find the best grubs. The sound of Kakashi's voice brought everyone out of their thoughts.
"I think we have gone far enough for today, let's stop and make camp for the night." At that, they all made their way down to a nearby clearing and began setting up for the night. Naruto volunteered to take first watch; he didn't think he could sleep if he tried.
xxx
Water dripped quietly onto the cold stone floor in the corner of Sasuke's dark room, if you could even call it a room. It was more of a glorified hole in the wall, likely created as the rocks in the mountain shifted. The constant drip had become almost nonexistent to Sasuke, it had dripped like that since day one. A black cloak, with red clouds outlined in white was slung over the singular chair in the room. It sat in front of a desk with a candle burning on it, casting eerie shadows on the wall; it was almost completely burnt out. Sasuke sitting on the edge of his bed clutched a photo in his right hand, his left clenched into a tight fist. The longer he stared the more his blood boiled. It was what kept him going, by whatever means necessary. Three smiling faces looked back at him from the photo, his old team mates, but one in particular made him seethe. The goofy, blond haired, idiot, smiling as if he didn't have a care in the world. Sasuke would become stronger than him; no matter what it took he would surpass Naruto.
"Naruto..." Sasuke muttered under his breath. "I'll kill you."
xxx
The sun was almost completely down by the time Naruto got situated in a tree to start his watch. Kakashi was using what little light was left to read, Sai was drawing, and Sakura was staring off into space, her pink hair perfectly framing her face. Even when she was upset she was pretty. Naruto had had a crush on her since the first time he saw her. He would protect her, no matter what. Even if she never loved him back, he would keep her safe. If only he could get Sasuke back, then team seven could be complete again. He had promised Sakura he would succeed, and as he has said time and time again, he doesn't go back on his word. What are you doing Sasuke…why won't you just come back to us, it's where you belong. Why can't you see that? Naruto's thoughts were interrupted by Sai tapping him on the shoulder. 4 hours had gone by already? He realized that he had been clenching his fist as he thought about Sasuke.
"Thinking about Sasuke again?" Sai asked quietly. Naruto's eyes widened slightly.
"Yea…how did you know?"
"You always get that distant look, and if what I have read in books is correct, the expression you get on your face is one of sadness."
Naruto couldn't help but chuckle. "I guess all those books have taught you a thing or two after all." He gave a big stretch as he stood.
"Do you really think you can bring Sasuke back?"
"Without a doubt." His voice sounded more confident than he felt. "I'm going to turn in, night Sai."
"Good night Naruto."
Naruto hopped down from his look out post and lay down on his sleeping pad. As many thoughts as he had circling through his head sleep still quickly overcame him and the world went black.
