GLIMPSE

Chapter 2

Sasuke sighed and tried to relax when Naruto didn't respond. He lowered his sword and brought his left hand to caress his raven hair, and began to lazily scratch the back of his head.

"You're a fucking idiot."

"The hell?!"

"You heard me. I don't have time for this shit. Do what you want."

"It was YOU who came looking for me, bastard."

"Yeah? Well, my bad."

"Anyway, I told you to go home!"

Sasuke stared blankly at Naruto's face, as though waiting for something to happen. The blond swallowed.

"There's nothing to say, Sasuke. She chose you," he lied.

Naruto noticed that Sasuke's lips thinned, but ignored it as he went on.

"I guess I knew from the start that I didn't stand a chance but, uh, you know…I was stupid."

Sasuke remained silent.

"But really, go home. I have to deal with this on my own. You know? I'll get over it in a few days, but you gotta leave me alone."

After another pause, Sasuke finally nodded and said, "Fine. Be there on Saturday."

The bastard fell for it. Makes sense. I'd believe anyone who could lie like that. What the hell's happening to me?

"Don't order me around, asshole."

"Saturday, Naruto. You better be there." And then Sasuke was gone.

Still as stuck up as ever. Naruto smirked. Stupid jerk.

The blond felt his muscles relax. Whew, he thought.

A few days, huh? Yeah, right. I thought I was going to freak out in front of that jackass just minutes ago.

Naruto released a chuckle that was barely audible, his expression becoming sour. He wasn't sure how long it would take before he can start looking at him again—at THEM again—without his chest tightening because of his unfriendly feelings towards the couple, or rather, what they have. But he lied about that—which, of course, made him miserable. It wasn't that he had to lie, but the knowledge of what he HAD to lie about was what made each attempt feel like a slap in the face.

I wouldn't feel so crappy if it were something else. But it had to be THIS.

He rubbed his head angrily with both hands as he growled in frustration.

This BETTER be a temporary thing. If I have to put up with this every day for the rest of my life, I'll go crazy!

"Naruto-kun."

He stopped what he was doing and turned to look at the person who called him.

It was Sai.

I don't know if I should be glad or-

"Lady Tsunade wants to see you."

"Eh? Did she say why?" he asked lazily.

"It's likely that she has a mission for us."

Naruto snorted. He knew that missions can come at any time, especially if they were urgent, but he just wasn't in the mood to be assigned one right now.

"Fine, fine. Let's get going," he replied and started walking. Sai followed.

"How did it go?"

"How did what go?"

"Your little talk with Sasuke-kun."

He eyed his stoic companion quizzically. "How'd you know about that?"

"I heard you three just before you left him and Sakura-san. And then I followed you here to tell you about Lady Tsunade, but Sasuke-kun arrived."

Naruto blinked a few times, scratching the lower left part of his face with his left hand in confusion. "Why didn't you just tell me BEFORE I left them? You were there already, weren't you?"

Sai stayed silent for about twenty seconds, before saying, "I am unable to answer that question."

"Why the hell not?"

"I am yet to read about such situations."

Naruto didn't buy it. "That was lame, even for you. You were spying."

I suppose I let my guard down. I should have sensed him.

Sai's left eye-brow moved in a way that somehow confirmed the blond's accusation. It was very subtle, and would have escaped Naruto's eyes if he hadn't been looking closely.

"You were spying," he repeated. "Admit it!"

"I did no such thing. My hearing you was incidental. I was looking for you because the Fifth asked me to. That's it."

"Have you got the nerve to say that even though you spied on me TWICE-"

"I told you, I wasn't-"

"-that both occasions were INCIDENTAL?"

"Well, yes. And why I didn't come out the first time when I could have—as I've said—remains to be seen."

Naruto stayed quiet for a moment. "Sai, I believe I've told you this before. Read the situation first, before you make any move, you psycho, especially if you plan to use your books as your basis."

"Exactly, so you have to believe me when I say I have to read about it first," Sai answered indifferently and earned himself a dirty look.

"Smart-ass," Naruto growled and continued. "Anyway, you can't deny that you were spying, and I want to know why. And I'm not waiting 'till you've read about it! That's cheating! We both know you already know the reason, but you just want to play it safe which is why you need to buy yourself time and calculate things according to what your book says so you can answer me without giving away your real reason. You just want to make sure!"

The pale ninja decided to ignore Naruto's first five sentences and focused on the last one. "Well, I don't see anything wrong with wanting to be certain. Nor do I find it particularly odd for someone to want to be prepared. But I assure you, it isn't for the purpose of deceiving you."

Anything but that, Sai added mentally.

Naruto still looked suspicious, but decided it was pointless to keep asking and said nothing.

***

"Hey, Sakura!" Ino called, making her friend stop.

"Oh, Ino," Sakura answered, turning around. "What's going on?"

"We're having a little barbeque party at home. Shikamaru and Choji are already there, as well as the rest of Team Gai and Team Kurenai. Why don't you join us? We'll ask Naruto and Kakashi-sensei together, and I'll help you persuade Sasuke-kun!"

"I…I'm not sure, Ino. I asked Sasuke-kun if we could do something together this afternoon, but he appeared to be rather tired, and he did ask for it to be postponed."

"A date?"

"Not really. Just something I wish we could have done together today."

"Oh? And just what WAS that, you naughty girl, you?!" Ino teased.

Sakura blushed. "It's nothing like that!"

"Oh, SURE it isn't. You just can't get enough of him, can you? Now you want him to make up for all the times you spent obsessing over him and chasing after him, aren't you? Aren't youuuuuu?"

Yeah, I was obsessed with him, wasn't I…? I still am. But I wasn't the one who really chased after him…

"Hey, Sakura, don't you faint on me, girl!"

She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Ino. I'd love to come, really I would. But if he's tired and doesn't feel like coming, then I guess I should just stay home too."

"What?! Where the hell have you been?! Can't a girl have fun while her boyfriend rests at his own house?! How can staying home for him be of any help when you're not even living under the same roof? That, and you're not even married yet, for chrissake!"

Sakura's eye-brows twitched at this. "Actually…"

"Eh…?"

"Ino, I have a favor to ask. Since almost everyone we know is at your party…" She motioned for the blonde to come closer so she could whisper in her ear.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!"

Sakura just nodded, unable to stop herself from blushing. "You heard it right. On Saturday."

"You lucky bitch!"

"Heh. I'm not sure I like the way you said that, but thanks anyway."

"Damn, I can't believe little miss forehead-girl here has all the luck!"

"Excuse me?"

"Well, it's true."

Sakura wanted to ask which part was true, the thing about her forehead or her luck. But a different question came out instead. "Are you saying you still have feelings for Sasuke-kun?!"

Ino shrugged. "Well, yeah. A little. Not enough to actually try to steal him away from you though."

"I see," Sakura said as she raised her left eye-brow.

"But I bet I could."

She glared at the blonde. "Don't. You. DARE."

"Oh, no? Says who?"

"Ino!"

"Just kidding!" Ino said, trying to keep herself from laughing so hard. "You totally fell for it," she added, still giggling.

"Ugh."

"Well, are you absolutely sure you want ME to tell everyone? I mean, like you said, it'd make a lot more sense if you and Sasuke-"

"I know, but I have this feeling that something might go wrong if I keep asking him to."

"You don't think he's going to back down, do you?"

Sakura pursed her lips, obviously thinking carefully about what Ino had just asked. "No, of course not. I just figured it'd be better this way. He isn't the sort of guy who'd such things anyway. And I wouldn't want to get into an argument with him again. At least not until after the engagement party."

"Mm, tough."

"One must learn how to adjust or the relationship just wouldn't work."

"And how's HE adjusting?"

Sakura faked a smile. "Getting there," she lied. "Slowly, but surely."

"All right then. I'll go see if I can get Lady Tsunade, Shizune, and Kakashi-sensei to come. I'll ask Kiba to fetch Naruto. Be careful on your way home, okay?"

"I will, thanks. You too."

"See ya," With that, Ino was off and Sakura proceeded to head home.

The conversation that Naruto and Sasuke had that afternoon, which she had secretly listened to, didn't quite progress the way she thought it would. That, of course, was a good thing. She was relieved, but…

What if it happens again?

That was the question. It went well now, sure, but how long can Naruto keep it up?

Sakura shook her head, determined to do something about the matter instead of letting her fear get the better of her.

Sasuke doesn't know Naruto thinks of him that way. Even if he IS aware of it, there's always the possibility that his feelings for Naruto are only that of a friend.

She made a face and rubbed her temples gently with her left hand.

What am I getting all scared for? Sasuke's engaged to me. He wouldn't have proposed to me if it's Naruto he wants.

But, another voice said, what if he's just not aware of it yet…?

She straightened up. "I have to find out what he thinks of all this."

"Whose thoughts?"

She froze after hearing Sasuke's cold, commanding voice. She turned around very slowly.

"Sasuke-ku-"

"You were there."

Sakura didn't say anything. She knew exactly what Sasuke was talking about. He knew she was there that afternoon, during and after his short spar with Naruto, and was obviously demanding an explanation. She didn't find it surprising. This was Sasuke Uchiha, after all. But she was nervous nonetheless.

"Well?"

"Oh," she said dumbly, not looking into Sasuke's eyes. "I was just a little disappointed that you didn't want me to come with you, and then I felt like going to where we'd usually train in the woods. I didn't know that's where you went, too."

"Why didn't you come out or leave when you saw us?"

"I didn't want interrupt you guys."

"I know you didn't. You put considerable effort into concealing your presence."

Sakura's mind was panicking now. She had no idea where their little exchange was going. All she wanted was for it to end right then and there so she can get home real soon.

"I just wanted to know what you guys were talking about. You didn't want me to come along and I got curious. Turned out to be nothing."

Sakura waited for Sasuke to say something, but nothing came. She instead heard his footsteps as the Uchiha started walking away without so much as a good-bye.

***

Naruto groaned, arms crossed.

"Oh, enough with the whiny tone," replied Tsunade, looking pointedly at the boy standing in front of her desk. "Besides, all the other teams have had their turns."

"THAT's your reason for picking me?! How sloppy!"

"SHUT UUUP!!!" The Hokage's eyes looked almost as big as plates at that moment as she slammed her fists on the wooden table, destroying it in the process. Naruto did as he was told.

"This will be a four-man cell, " Tsunade continued, briefly eyeing Kakashi, Yamato, and Sai. "You will leave first thing tomorrow morning. Shizune, hand the documents to Kakashi."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Man, talk about bad timing," Naruto said.

"Tell me about it," Ino agreed. "This means you all can't make it to the little gathering I'm having at my house tonight!"

"Shizune and I will be there, Ino," Tsunade answered with a small smile.

"The hell you will!"

"The hell was that, boy?! You wanna fight me now?! Huh?! EH?!"

Yamato watched the scene with mild interest. "Well, I suppose we all better get some sleep. Let's go, Naruto," he said as he dragged the collar of the blond boy's orange sweater from the back.

"Hold it."

They all turned and saw Sasuke at the door.

"Why was I not informed?"

"I thought you should sit this one out," Tsunade said rather dismissively, as she sat back on her chair.

"And why is that?"

"I heard from Sakura that you have some very important things to attend to." Naruto stilled as Tsunade said this, he noticed. The Hokage continued, seeing quite plainly that the Uchiha had no intention of letting it go. "Naruto and Sai will be accompanied by two Jonins. You won't be needed."

"I'll talk to Sakura. If you're not going to let me join this mission, then you might as well ruin that very important thing that she mentioned."

"Who'd make a threat like that? Cancel your engagement if you want to, but you aren't going."

There was an uncomfortable silence.

"It's not a threat, "Sasuke finally said. "I'm just saying that allowing me to join this mission has a lot to do with the engagement." Sasuke glanced at Naruto, who was uncharacteristically quiet. "Among other things," he added.

Tsunade looked at Sasuke, then at Naruto, then back at him.

"Well," Kakashi said in his usual relaxed but indifferent tone. "I don't think it's such a bad idea. We'll get the job done faster, and he did say that he'll talk to Sakura."

Tsunade sighed. "Fine. Ask them about the details."

They all bowed and proceeded to exit the room.

Sasuke was the last to do so. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade," he said, and he too went out the door.

"Meet us at the gate tomorrow. We'll discuss everything."

"Don't be late, sensei." He emphasized the last word and Kakashi chuckled. Behind the silver-haired Jonin, Sasuke could see Naruto and Sai walking away.

This time, I'll make sure you speak up, Naruto.

To Be Continued

***

Review Responses

diaryanjo: Well, here it is. And as you can see, Naruto is yet to confess. Still, I hope you liked this chapter.

darkleaf954: I couldn't help it. I hope you didn't find chapter 2's ending as frustrating.

kit52491: I'm glad you do.

wolfchik666: I can see where you're coming from. I'm not a big fan of Sakura myself. I seriously hope Sasuke doesn't end up with her in the manga.

Vampy-Note: It is? You are? Awesome! I hope the succeeding chapters don't disappoint you.

Zandamh: There'll be plenty of SasuNaru moments, so worry not.

KagomeGirl021: Yeah, she sounds like somebody who keeps trying to rationalize everything in this story, doesn't she? Let's see if that changes.

Thanks for reading. But I'd be a lot happier if you submit a review like those lovely people up there. ^_^