A/N: Heyyo! Michi-Chan here. Haha. Sorry if I have long periods of time before I update. I have a lot going on. Plus I don't get a lot of time on the computer anymore cuz my mum locks the computer up O.O no joke. I only get like an hour a day… soo. Yeah. Enjoy!

Chapter I

Traveling, Baling, and Tents

Sasuke, Naruto, and Shikamaru were on a mission out in the forest. They were sent to be watch dogs over a small village named Ushiro. This town was strange. It seemed to have sand, leaf, mist, sound, and other ninja mixed together. Somehow, they all got along quite well. Yes, the town is very peaceful. Of course, they hadn't actually seen it for themselves yet. They were only informed of it after being assigned the mission. So why are they watching it? They all had wondered that very question. Kakashi told them:

"All though it's peaceful, that doesn't mean that something won't happen. We have a lead that some of the Akatsuki may be there at Ushiro."

When Kakashi had mentioned the Akatsuki, the Uchiha had stiffened.

'My brother… Itachi! He could be one of them there!" Sasuke thought to himself. No one seemed to notice his stiffefying. Sasuke forced his heart to slow down. He needs to be calm.

Naruto glanced at the now-calm Sasuke for a while.

Sasuke turned his eyes to Naruto, 'Why is he staring at me?' He wondered in his head. "What do you want baka?"

Naruto looked away, "Nothing."

"Whatever." Sasuke sighed 'He really is an idiot.'

Naruto looked over at Shikamaru lazily lying under a trees shadow.

"Alright! Let's go you guys!" Naruto punched the air and started running, carrying half of the stuff.

"What a drag. I can't believe I'm stuck with you two." Shikamaru stood up, "Alright, let's go Sasuke." He threw a tent and Sasuke's bag at him and picked up his own and the food plus water supply and began running after Naruto.

Sasuke caught the items easily and slung them over his shoulder and carried them on his back. He started running and soon caught up to the other two. Naruto blabbed the entire 3 hours while Shikamaru and Sasuke tried to ignore him. At last, Shikamaru spoke up, "We should stop for the day. The sun's starting to set. Sasuke and Naruto, set up camp in a nice spot. I'll watch and make sure no one attacks us or something."

"Okay! Come on Sasuke!"

"Huhn." Sasuke muttered as the baka jumped around looking for a spot, obviously not realizing that the very spot they were standing, and jumping, on was perfect. Sasuke sighed, shook his head, and started to set up the tent.

"Hey, Sasuke-san! You found a spot!" Naruto pointed out. "Good work!" Naruto started setting up the other tent 20 feet away.

"You are such a baka." Sasuke said.

"Hey! I heard that!" Naruto glared at him and then laughed. "I can't stay mad at you! Believe it!"

Sasuke sighed for the millionth time today. Shikamaru chuckled.

'Even though Naruto is a complete retard, he's the closest person to me and well, my best friend.' the Uchiha thought.

"Yo, did you guys realize we have two tents, not three?" Shikamaru randomly pointed out.

"Ohh! I call sharing a tent with Sasuke-san!" Naruto shouted and ran over and hugged his leg.

Sasuke's eyes grew wide and looked over at Shikamaru, "Shika-sann… please make him share your tent!" He pleaded to him.

"Sorry, I'm by myself. Plus, this might be interesting." He smirked and continued to sit against a rock.

"Yay!" Naruto shouted.

"oh no…" Sasuke mumbled and tried to shake the Uzumaki off. "Get. Off!" Naruto clung tighter and Sasuke viciously shook his leg and flung the baka off. "Stop messing around." Sasuke growled and continued working on the tent, almost finished. Naruto pouted and went back to putting up the second tent.

20 minutes later

Finally, they finished the set up of their temporary camp. Naruto's stomach growled.

"Ahh! I'm hungry! Someone cook something!"

"Sasuke-san, if Naruto cooks, he will set everything on fire. And I'm not cooking. So it's up to you." Shikamaru said, as if it were obvious.

"Ugh! Fine I'll make some rice." Sasuke didn't want to cook. Even if it was something as simple as rice!

"Don't' forget the ramen too!!" Naruto beamed.

"Ack!! Okay!"

Sasuke found some nearby sticks and started a fire and threw a pot of water on the fire. Waiting for the water to boil, Sasuke pulled out his manga, Shiroshitsuji (Black Butler) volume 3, and started to read, Naruto was chasing a firefly, and Shikamaru was lying down, presumably taking a nap. The water started to boil after a few minutes, so Sasuke grabbed three ramen cups and filled them with the now-semi boiling water. Naruto was grabbing for it, but Sasuke slapped his hand away.

"Baka! You'll spill it or you might burn yourself! Plus, it's not ready yet." Sasuke growled at him.

"Fine." Naruto huffed and sat down, crossing his arms. 'Sasuke's actually watching out for me! So to some degree, he kind of cares!' Naruto began thinking to himself.

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A/N: Ohh! Cliff hanger?! Sort of! Haha. I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as I can, but for now, review? It makes Shika more of a part to the story/plot thing!

Shikamaru: … you're kidding? Why am I even part of this?!

Michi-chan: Because… I don't know… sorry ^^;

Naruto: OMG! A butterfly! *runs after it*

Sasuke: …