Hi there! This is the second chapter and I'm enjoying writing this fic a whole lot even though I've only received one review for the first chapter. I really do need your opinions so please let me know what you think.

Excuse any errors and R&R!!!


Chapter 2

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When the sun rose over the mountains, both Sasuke and Naruto woke up with it to see Iruka and the other man called Kakashi coming their way with what looked like more apples. Sasuke ate as hesitantly as he had before but he did not try to bite at the fingers that held the food.

"I think he's a lot calmer now," said Iruka. "Do you think it would be alright to let Naruto show him around?"

"I don't know," said Kakashi. "What if Sasuke leads him away?"

"Naruto is not going to let Sasuke take him away from here," said Iruka. "Not when he gets these…"

Iruka took something from his pocket and fed it to Naruto, who seemed very excited about the food, making Sasuke wonder what Iruka was giving him to make him so happy.

"You're always spoiling him with those fishcakes," said Kakashi. "You even feed him ramen."

"And he loves it," said Iruka with a laugh.

Sasuke looked in Naruto's direction, seeing how the other chewed the food slowly, as though trying to keep it as long as possible and he smacked his lips wanting to taste what it was. What was it he was being fed?

"You want one, Sasuke?"

Sasuke's head turned at his name and saw Iruka with his hand held out to him. "It's good."

Sasuke eyed the small item in Iruka's hand, sniffing the air to pick up on what it could possibly be. He moved closer to the hand, sniffing up close and licked it, finally taking up the thing and he chewed it slowly. Whatever it was not grown but it did not taste too bad. He couldn't understand why Naruto liked it so much though. Naruto nickered at him excitedly, wanting to know if he liked the food. What Sasuke now realized was that the food had the same name as what Naruto was called. He wondered why that was so.

"Hey, Naruto?" said Iruka. "After you show Sasuke around how about we go for a ride?"

Naruto nickered happily, blowing as he nuzzled against Iruka's shoulder and neck. It really annoyed Sasuke of the fact that not only did Naruto seem to understand the men but that he treated them so well. "Let's go to the gate."

The two men held onto the rope and tried to lead them to the gate but Sasuke was having none of that. He was not willing to have the men lead him too. He pulled on the rope even though it made him uncomfortable. Naruto and the men looked back at him.

"He's really stubborn," said Kakashi.

"At least he's not really wild," said Iruka. "We wouldn't even have been able to have him stay in here with Naruto."

Iruka tried tugging at the rope again but Sasuke refused to move. Naruto got irritated and took the rope from the man, tugging on it himself not too gently but Sasuke bit the rope and tugged right back. He was not going to allow Naruto to make him seem submissive in front of the men. Naruto snorted at him almost pleadingly, tugging his head in the direction of the gate and then let go walking away. When the rope reached its limit, Sasuke decided to give them what they wanted and walked alongside Naruto until they got to the gate, albeit not too willingly.

"Well, Naruto knows how to make him behave," said Kakashi. "It seems there won't be a problem letting them out after all."

Iruka opened the gate and Naruto walked outside with Sasuke following him. He did not understand. Were they allowed to be free?

Sasuke could not believe it. Before even giving a warning, he shot off at high speed, wanting to get away while Naruto tried to catch up with him they ran for quite some time and Sasuke found that he had missed this, running in the wild and feeling the wind in his face and mane as he ran. He and his brother always raced and it felt so good to do it again but he was abruptly stopped when dead weight pulled him back, nearly choking him.

He looked behind him to see that Naruto had stopped and was sitting staring at him with what could only be described as a smug look. Sasuke growled, completely annoyed at him. He asked him if he didn't want to leave and be free but Naruto just nickered, laughing at him as he came closer to him. Naruto told him he didn't want to be anywhere else. Jiraiya, Iruka, and Kakashi took care of him and he loved them just as he would another horse from a herd. He then asked him where else would he get fishcakes from.

Idiot. He was staying for the men's food. Food he was named after at that.

Sasuke blew in frustration and defeat. He knew his leg was not fully healed yet and the run had tired him out. There was no way he would be able to drag Naruto anywhere he did not want to go. The horse in question got up and tugged the rope, wanting Sasuke to follow him. Not sure where they were going, he followed Naruto, trusting he knew where he was going.

He ran with Naruto, appreciating the fact that he was not going too fast. Naruto really knew his way around and carried him across the fields and over the hills where he felt he could see around the world. From there, he could make out where his herd probably was and felt a pang of sadness for leaving his brother. Maybe he should not have left and stayed with him, but he liked being with Naruto so much now. He sighed softly, torn between wanting to go back home and staying in his new one.

Naruto nuzzled his neck and blew gently and for the first time, Sasuke returned it, returning the gesture as he sniffed Naruto's mane, noticing how it smelled just like fruits and the very sunshine he reminded him off and blew softly as Naruto pulled away, looking at him with soft eyes that matched the sky. He could safely say they were friends now.

Naruto bit the rope and tugged once again, letting Sasuke know he wanted to show him other places that was special to him.

They both travelled through trees and pastures, enjoying the cooling breeze until they reached where Naruto wanted to show him.

Sasuke never knew such a place could exist. The grass was rich and thick with the water from the spring and the pool, the air was so clean, and the trees were flourishing with life and almost bent with fruit, shading them but allowing streaks of sunlight to warm the area. He was accustomed to the forest and river back with his herd but here felt so serene, so unbelievably still, as though time had stopped just for him to enjoy the chasm his friend had decided to share with him.

Naruto led him over to lush grass and they ate. It tasted so delicious that Sasuke found it was quite hard to stop eating. Naruto nickered at him, finding it amusing he was eating so quickly but Sasuke didn't care, ignoring him as they ate.

He then noticed Naruto was looking up and did so as well to see what had caught the other's interest. Naruto was looking at some apples longingly and Sasuke snorted. Didn't he get enough apples at home?

Nevertheless, seeing Naruto want something so much moved Sasuke in ways he couldn't understand and he knew Naruto could not reach the fruit because he was a little smaller than Sasuke was.

Not even thinking about it, Sasuke reared on his hind legs and snatched an apple between his teeth before he was grounded again. Naruto looked at Sasuke in wonder when he pushed his muzzle towards him, offering it to him.

Naruto took it from his lips with his own and then went back to eating. Naruto then whinnied around the apple to catch Sasuke's attention and he looked up to see Naruto was offering the apple back to him. He didn't fully understand until he tried to take it but Naruto bit it in half, taking a piece for himself and bent his head again without a sound.

Sasuke looked at him for awhile before reaching up again to get another apple that was a little higher and then caught Naruto's attention so they could share again. He liked sharing with Naruto as he had shared some of his life with him.

He did not know what it was but the other drew him in completely and Sasuke found he didn't care.

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The sun had just passed overhead when Naruto led him away to the edge of the pool. From where they were, Sasuke could tell that it led to a river and before he could wonder where it led, Naruto was stepping in, beckoning Sasuke to follow.

Sasuke went in, testing the depth of the water but Naruto assured him he had been in the water many times before. Sasuke trusted him and they both went further. Kicking their powerful legs, they swam around and Sasuke found the water was very relaxing, cooling him nicely. He closed his eyes, feeling the sun on his face as he tilted his head upwards, only to have his nose filled with water.

Blowing harshly through his nose, Sasuke glared at Naruto who swam not too far from him, looking innocent and pretending he had not done anything but Sasuke was not going to let it slide that easily and filled his mouth with water, squirting Naruto right back. Naruto sputtered and when he recovered the war was on. They splashed and cantered through the water as they chased each other. Sasuke had not had so much fun in a very long time.

They finally gave up and breathed heavily to calm down and then Naruto was on the move once more, leading Sasuke down the river. It did not need much effort as the small current carried them most of the way and Sasuke had not even been thinking about where they were going until he saw the familiar barn. Naruto had brought them back home.

Sasuke shook his head, trying to clear the thought of home from his mind. How had he come to calling this place his home?

The river had led them behind the barn and they came out, dripping wet and slightly shivering from the crisp wind. Before they could get near the barn, Iruka and Jiraiya were running in their direction.

"I knew I heard you out here," the older man said. He was carrying a different kind of covering this time; it looked fluffy and quite warm. Jiraiya rubbed down Naruto with it, making the colt blow in content and then Iruka came his way with one as well. From the looks of it, Naruto was happy to have someone dry him off so he let Iruka dry him off as well, liking the warmth.

Next, they took something else that looked like a small porcupine to Sasuke that scared him at first, but Naruto let him know that they were going to brush him and that it would be fine.

Sasuke flinched at the first few strokes of the brush but then calmed down to allow the younger man to do it properly. He supposed what they were doing was not so bad after all. They sure knew how to make there pets feel nice.

Only, Sasuke would never bring himself to think he was a man's pet any time soon.

When they were done, and Jiraiya and Iruka were satisfied they left. Sasuke thought they were gone for the rest of the day when Naruto led him around the front where the two men were coming through the huge door. They were carrying something else now and whatever they were made Naruto very excited.

Jiraiya laughed at his antics. "I see that swim you had didn't tire you out at all," he said. "Always so full of energy."

Iruka put the items on the ground and untied the rope, releasing Naruto from Sasuke and he shook his head, relishing in the momentary freedom. Iruka patted Naruto before leading him to his owner, who strapped some more restraints on him.

From where Sasuke was standing, they looked even worse than the rope. He had straps over his face that ran to his mouth and then something was thrown onto his back and secured there. It did not look like something Sasuke would have done to him in the near future.

"There, all done," said Jiraiya and he hopped up onto Naruto's back, settling his behind to get comfortable. He patted Naruto's head and tightened his legs, kicking him with his heels gently. Naruto started to walk and then broke into a trot going in a tight circle before he was led away. Sasuke watched them go as Iruka steered him back through the gate to the paddock.

"Okay," Iruka said with a set face. Sasuke wondered what he was so determined about. "I will try to ride you."

Sasuke snickered. He was learning the language of men at a rather rapid rate and he knew that Iruka had not just said what he thought he had. There was no way he was letting Iruka anywhere on his back.

"Damn," Iruka said to himself. "I must be spending too much time around you horses because I could have sworn you just laughed at me."

"Are you talking to the horse?"

Iruka looked around and Sasuke looked around him to see Kakashi coming their way. Iruka scratched his cheek in what Sasuke realized was nervousness or probably embarrassment. He was starting to learn the body language of men.

"I wasn't talking to the horse," said Iruka defiantly. "I was talking to myself."

"Do you think that is any better?" asked Kakashi. Another man came out of the barn and it made Sasuke cringe.

He knew he was a man but the first thing Sasuke thought when he saw him was 'snake.'

He was so pale compared to the others and looked so clammy, Sasuke had to wonder if he got any sunlight at all.

"Ah. Orochimaru is here," said Kakashi. Sasuke could tell neither of the men liked this 'Orochimaru' any more than he did. "He said he wanted to see Sasuke."

"Yess," the man hissed as he leered at Sasuke. "I heard about you capturing a horse and I had to come see since Kabuto said he was a mustang." Orochimaru looked Sasuke up and down. "Such a fine horse; mustang definitely. Kabuto was right. However did you manage to catch him and keep him here?"

"A lot of hard work," said Iruka stiffly.

"Hmm," sounded Orochimaru as he walked around Sasuke, running his cold fingers along his shiny raven coat. He patted his legs. "So strong and very fit. You won't happen to be selling him?"

"No," said both men and Orochimaru smirked.

"Are you sure you have the final word?" asked Orochimaru. "If I give the right price, Jiraiya may sell him. After all, we're old friends."

"He didn't sell Naruto to you," said Kakashi. "What makes you think he'll sell Sasuke?"

"Yess, well the old idiot is too attached to that horse. Such an energetic animal should be on the track, not getting fat on fishcakes and ramen."

Iruka glared at him. "How would you know what we feed him?"

"Kabuto never leaves any details out from work," Orochimaru answered. He turned around to go back inside. "This sun is way too hot. I'll wait inside for Jiraiya to get back."

The three watched as the pale man walked away.

"That man makes every hair on my body stand up," said Kakashi with a disgusted look on his face. "I swear he and Kabuto are more than what they let on."

"They same way we are?" asked Iruka quietly.

Kakashi shuddered and then laughed. "I'd hate to think so but those two are just plain weird."

The taller man looked over to where the stacked up items were. "You're going to attempt to ride Sasuke?" he asked.

"Yeah," said Iruka. "We have to start somewhere and since Naruto brought him back home without any trouble, it shouldn't be that hard."

"But Iruka, he's not even broken yet," said Kakashi.

"Just watch me," said Iruka. "I've seen Jiraiya do it. It can't be so difficult to do, can it?"

"I don't think that's a good idea," said Kakashi. "But whatever. I need a good laugh."

Iruka ignored Kakashi, who went to sit on the fence and led Sasuke a short distance away.

"Don't mind him," said Iruka. "He has no confidence in me no matter what I do unless it's in the bedroom… or stables…or barn… or storeroom. He wouldn't even let me top! Oh why am I explaining to you anyway?"

Iruka brushed him down once more, probably to have him relax. "Here now," he said. "Just take the bit."

Sasuke held his head down to avoid it, shifting his head this way and that.

"Just take it!" said Iruka a little irritably. "Don't go behind it."

Sasuke snorted at the tone and snatched the bit away, tossing it as far as he could.

"Why'd you do that?!" said Iruka as he ran to retrieve it but was sent running for it again when he tried to get Sasuke to allow him to get near his mouth with it, the blanket dropping off. Sasuke rather liked playing with him. It was fun to see the usually kind and quiet man frustrated.

When he came back for the third try, he came back with a vengeance. "Please," he whispered harshly. "I can't have Kakashi laugh at me and if I get to ride you, Jiraiya will be impressed."

Sasuke stared at him blankly before snatching the bit once more to throw it away but Iruka held onto it and soon they were playing tug-o-war. That was until Sasuke sent both Iruka and the bit flying.

Laughter could be heard and Sasuke turned to see Kakashi hanging on the fence, trying to keep himself up while he laughed. Sasuke did not appreciate him laughing at Iruka's efforts and ran at him quickly and silently and butted him right off the fence without a warning.

He snorted at him in triumph as Iruka had a turn to laugh at him. He walked over to Iruka and stood still, waiting for the man to make another move. Why not enjoy himself with the man?

Iruka came at him with another approach this time, going for one of the heavy thing that was put on Naruto's back. Iruka called it a saddle. The man took up the blanket and shook it, dusting off any rocks and pebbles that might have been stuck on it. When he deemed it was clean again, he carefully and slowly tossed it over Sasuke's back.

Sasuke waited patiently for Iruka to put on the saddle on his back, noting how heavy and hard it was, but at least it was not uncomfortable. That did not matter however, for as soon as Iruka tried to climb on, he was flat on his back. Iruka sighed in defeat.

"I give up," said Iruka. "I probably have more bruises than I can count."

The gate opened and Naruto came in with Jiraiya trotting over to where they were and Jiraiya got off and unstrapped everything, leaving Naruto bare once more.

"What's with the long face, Iruka?" asked Jiraiya.

"He won't let me ride him," said Iruka.

"Because he shouldn't have to let you," Jiraiya told him. "You have to take control while making him feel praise to have you on his back."

Like Sasuke was going to let Iruka or anyone else control him.

"How about you give it a try?" asked Kakashi, who came up.

"It's too late to do that now. I'll do it and show you sometime though," said Jiraiya.

"Are you sure you can break him?" asked Kakashi.

"I never really broke Naruto, did I?" said Jiraiya. "He just really liked fishcakes and let me ride him for it." With that statement, he gave Naruto something from his own pocket, which Naruto ate happily. "He doesn't let anyone else who works here near him."

"Speaking of which, Orochimaru's waiting for you inside," said Iruka. "This time he's not here to try to get you to sell Naruto I think. He's here to ask about Sasuke."

"That snake," growled the older man. "I told him time and time again that I won't sell Naruto. I'm not going to sell Sasuke either."

The three men picked up the bridles and left Sasuke with Naruto.

Sasuke noticed he seemed tense and when asked, Naruto explained that Orochimaru had wanted to buy him off Jiraiya from long ago, even planting one of his assistants at Jiraiya's barn to keep an eye on him. Naruto didn't trust the man at all and felt as though the time was coming when something terrible was going to happen. When the presence of the pale man had disappeared, both their spirits lifted a little and they spent the rest of the evening running around the paddock and eating apples.

Jiraiya had not bothered to try to ride him, saying that he needed time to get used to everyone. Jiraiya was a good man. He did not believe in breaking a horse but rather allowing the horse the chance to get used to the surroundings and those around them first and so far, it had worked, even if it didn't on Sasuke right away.

Several weeks passed and Sasuke and Naruto got even closer. Naruto even taught him about the ways and cultures of the men and their language so he could fully understand what they said. The only time they were separated was when Jiraiya came to ride him but Sasuke still had not allowed anyone to ride him yet. He did not want anyone riding him around even though he was happy living with them and appreciated that they took care of him.

He still snapped at them, though it was playfully and he still liked teasing anyone who came near him that wasn't the usual three men he was accustomed to.

He especially did not like Kabuto. He moved differently compared to the others. He was always sneaking around and asking about Sasuke's progress; if anyone had managed to ride him yet. Orochimaru stopped by as well, stalking around the barn as though memorizing every step he took. Sasuke and Naruto did not like it one bit.

Sasuke woke up to the rising of the sun and saw that Naruto was already up eating. He nickered a good morning and ate as well and then they went to get water. Sasuke was feeling a lot better than he had been feeling before and was ready for the day.

He hoped they would be allowed to go outside again so he could spend time with Naruto alone. He was really starting to like the idea of the other horse near him.

Right now I feel - just like a leaf on a breeze
Who knows where it's blowin'
Who knows where it's goin'
I find myself somewhere I - I never thought I'd be
Going 'round in circles
Thinking about you and me
And how do I explain it when I don't know what to say?
What do I do now - so much has changed?

Was it strange that Sasuke wanted to be close to Naruto? Was that accepted? He knew that Iruka and Kakashi would be considered mates and they were both male, but where did he and Naruto stand? He wanted to be as close to Naruto as possible and it both intrigued and scared him because he had never felt an urge so strong.

Nothing I have ever known - has made me feel this way
Nothing I have ever seen - has made me want to stay
but here I am - ready for you
I'm torn and, I'm fallin' - I hear my home callin'
Hey - I've never felt somethin's so strong - oh no
It's like nothing I've ever known

The sound of footfalls cut into Sasuke's thoughts and both he and Naruto turned to see Iruka and Kakashi coming their way, the latter with a rope in hand. Naruto nickered, welcoming the men. Iruka took out two fishcakes from his pocket and fed them to both Naruto and Sasuke, laughing when Sasuke nipped at his fingers. They were tied to the rope and soon Sasuke and Naruto were racing out of the paddock, ready to run over the hills.

They could not really race as they wanted since they were attached to each other but they still tried. It was so good to run in the wild like they were and eat until they were full then to swim in the cool river. It reminded him of the first time they had done it and Sasuke knew that he would not forget that day.

Now you're the one I'm looking for
You're the one I need
You're the one that gives me - a reason to believe
Following a star - has lead to where you are
It feels so strong now - this can't be wrong now

He truly felt as though he was home and he now knew why. Wherever Naruto was would be home for Sasuke.

He knew he was going to find a better place when he left his herd and he had. There was no other place he would rather be and he knew that he belonged there with Naruto. He had followed the sun and part of it had dropped right out of the sky just for him and as long as he had Naruto then he would be alright.

But of course fate tested them.

That's the end of chapter two, I hope you liked it.

If you have not read A Happy Ending ( now a completed fic), Hina hime, or Hinata the Vamp (all of thee are het SasuHina fics) please do.

Until next update…

Ja ne!

Please review, I love it when you do!