I finally updated

I finally updated. In this chapter there will be a lot less that happens (close to nothing actually), but don't think the story is a love-triangle between Sasuke-Sakura-Thiago. Please don't think that. I tried to make it clear that Thiago and Sakura are merely friends. Hopefully you enjoy this chapter and continue to keep up with the story. (Warning: The chapter is really short.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

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Amazon: The Waters of Secrecy

Chapter Two: Neji

The morning after I had discovered the strange words etched upon my skin the powerful storm, which had been earlier forseen, chose to strike. Rain fell in a torrent outside as thunder boomed and lightning flashed, and like the previous morning, I lay wrapped in the small furs that had been left unpacked for the journey soon to come. It was a pointless action. For instead of the lasting chill that settled upon me the day before, I found the air in my room to be warm and humid; strange when it was raining outside.

Sweat covered my body causing the furs to stick to my skin in an itchy mess. It was uncomfortable beyond words. But for some reason I couldn't bring myself to move. Even though I knew I had things to do and not much time to do them I continued to lie perfectly still. Perhaps I was exhausted from the events of the day before – absently my fingers roamed over the freshly wrapped wounds; as well as the words above my hip, the healing flesh throbbing as I touched it – or then again, maybe it was the dark mass of furs across the room that scared me into not moving.

Warily I glanced at the bundle; watching as it shifted ever so slightly. It stopped moving abruptly before starting up again, only to repeat the process.

As I looked on in annoyance the thing let out a quiet groan. Then it began to thrash wildly.

'What in the world?" I wondered.

More than just a little disturbed I finally decided that it was time I got started. As quietly as possible I slowly began to rise from my bed. With light steps I stalked across the room easily avoiding the dark bundle and all of the problems that undoubtedly came along with its presence. Sweat rolled down my back, but I ignored the feeling. The last thing I needed was to draw attention to myself with unnecessary movem– "Where are you going?" I froze.

"Sakura, where are you going?" I unwillingly turned to face the owner of the voice.

Wrapped in the bundle of thick furs sat my only obstacle.

Sasuke.

Why was he here? Simple. My father had decided that any Uchiha who had helped search for me should be given shelter for the night. "It would be rude of us not to offer some form of gratitude, and besides a storm is approaching," had been Tuku's reasoning.

So, it was decided that the royal princes of the Uchiha – Itachi had come as well – would stay with the royal family of the Nowye. Sasuke in my room: "It's only proper," my father had said, and Itachi in our sitting room.

"Well?" Sasuke's voice broke me from my reverie. Said person now watched me from his temporary bed with the eyes of one caught in the clutches of paranoia. The darkness of the room only served to make his eyes even more unnerving.

He searched my face as he waited for an answer, obviously questioning my intentions – the nervous part of me wondered what reason he had to question them in the first place.

His eyes flickered downward, and I remembered what I was wearing. I felt very much exposed in my sleeping shawl, but thankfully he noticed my discomfort and averted his gaze so that we were once again looking into each others' eyes.

"Well?" He asked again, shoulders tense.

"The sun hasn't even risen yet. Why are you up?" His voice was harsher than before; his eyes more frantic.

"I thought I would start the fire," I lied deftly.

In truth I had actually been planning to sneak back to the clearing so I could get my bag. The plan had been to leave before anyone woke up and return before my absence was noticed. But of course I had failed before even starting. "Our fire wood should be soaked by now," I looked toward the roof where rain pelted harshly before returning my gaze, "so I thought I could try to dry some out before breakfast."

The following silence was torture. Sasuke continued to watch me; his eyes never leaving my own.

"That's a good idea," he finally said nodding. I almost jumped for joy, the grin spreading across my face was impossible to hide. "I'll come with you." My life was over.

"No," I said a bit too quickly. His gaze hardened. "You don't look well," I tried to explain. "You should stay here." But as I said it I realized it was true.

His face was pallid, and the sweat on his brow had nothing to do with the humidity that hung in the air.

"Are you alright?"

He blinked as though surprised. "I'm fine."

"It looks like you might have a fever," I said, moving to bring my hand to his forehead. When I felt the skin on his forehead I surmised that he really did have a fever. His temperature was way too high. Before I could further diagnose him Sasuke pushed my hand away.

"Sasuke?" I asked.

Once more I reached to feel his forehead. My hands barely touched him before trembling ones pushed them away.

"I'm fine," he whispered again. "But you shouldn't go out so early in the morning, especially by yourself." I took note of his subtle change of subject.

"I—I do this all the time." It was another lie. But Sasuke still hadn't moved from his position on the floor and I didn't want him following me, especially with a fever.

"You do this all the time?" He said with an eyebrow raised skeptically.

"Yes, I do." He watched me for a bit longer before moving to get up.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"What does it look like?"

I stared at him blankly, stupidly hoping that my silence would change his mind about coming. Sasuke sighed– the sound was an insult to my intelligence. "I'm coming with you," he said slowly. I vaguely wondered if the slowness of his speech was due to the fever or if he was just being rude.

"Wha– why?" I spluttered. He glared at me. I was trying to stall for time. What could I say to dissuade him?

"Sakura," Sasuke sighed again, "I just think it would be safer if we both went."

"Both?"

"… Yes…It's safer for two people to go out into the forest opposed to only one." Along with those words came an idea. I remembered the look he had given both Thiago and I in the clearing, almost as though we were guilty of something. I stopped the grin that threatened to spread across my face hoping that this would work.

"If it's me being alone you're worried about then you might as well go back to sleep. Thiago and I always collect firewood together."

At the mere mention of Thiago's name Sasuke went rigid.

Knowing that my ill-devised plan could easily backfire, I quickly grabbed the bundle of clothes I'd put out the night before, and headed out the door. Sasuke would most likely follow, so I had no time to waste.

In the front room where Itachi should have been sleeping I found a neatly folded pile of furs instead. Not really caring about the elder Uchiha's whereabouts I only hoped that I wouldn't run into him.

Rain drenched me as I sprinted out of my home and around the web of huts that made up my village, but it was a warm rain and I easily ignored it.

Frantically, I twisted to see if Sasuke was following me or not causing me to loose my balance and fall.

I pulled myself up before heading in the direction of Thiago's hut. I was definitely making this up as I went.

First I had to warn Thiago about Sasuke before I left the village. That way if Sasuke confronted him Thiago wouldn't be caught in a lie.

Mud flew as I skidded around one final corner before reaching Thiago's hut. The cozy wooden structure was a bit similar to mine, but was shaped sort of like an "I" instead of a "T". Like in my home, the top line was the front room where eating and family time occurred. The second longer line was a hallway with Thiago's room on the left and his parents' room on the right. The last line was a second hallway which made all the difference. Because Thiago's father, Miguelle, was the village's fisherman the hut had a separate room where fishing supplies were kept. The room was narrow and parallel to Thiago's and it took up half of the second hallway. The other half of the hall was the entrance to Miguelle and his wife's room. (While Thiago's room door was on the main hall his parents had to turn a corner to enter their chambers.)

I slowly lifted the grass curtain that served as a door, making sure the obstruction didn't make too much noise. Once inside I waited. It didn't sound like I had woken anyone up.

The hut was dark. It was pure familiarity that stopped me from running into anything, so it was with ease that I made my way down the hall before turning in to Thiago's room, which, like everything else, was sparsely furnished –a bed of furs, a table for clothes, and a washing basin. I knelt at his side before roughly shaking him by the shoulders.

"Thiago," I whispered harshly, "wake up."

Said boy opened one eye before groaning in what could only be described as torment. "Sakura, what are you doing in my room?" He asked exasperated. "What are you doing in my house?" As he spoke he lolled his head back as if by mere will alone he could make me disappear.

"I need your help," I told him. "But first, do you mind if I change here?"

He turned his head to look at me, "And why are you only wearing a shawl?" I began to get irritated. He still hadn't answered my question.

Sensing my hostility he nodded his head before turning to face the wall. "So what's up?" He asked. It was random, but then again what would you do if your best friend showed up one morning asking to change in your bedroom.

"Nothing really, I'm just avoiding Sasuke."

"Avoiding Sasuke?" I could imagine his annoyed face. "Sakura, the sun hasn't even risen yet. What could he possibly do to make you have to avoid him now?"

I pulled my long dress over my head before placing my arms into the proper holes, "He's … clingy."

"Clingy?"

"Yes, he wants to follow me everywhere," I was exaggerating.

Silence.

"I'm done."

Thiago turned back to face me. "And where was he trying to follow you to so early in the morning. You know no one is allowed outside before the sun rises."

I sighed, "Look, I've already wasted enough time. I'm just here to ask you a favor."

Thiago considered me for a moment before shrugging. He probably figured that by playing along he could get back to sleep sooner.

"I told Sasuke that you and I were going out to dry wood for breakfast."

He blinked. "If you think I'm getting up to dry firewood you're insane."

"Listen," I hissed. "I told Sasuke that you and I were going out to dry firewood, but the truth is I have something else to do." Thiago raised his brow. "So if before I return Sasuke comes looking for me, just tell him that we finished a while ago and that you don't know where I went. Can you do that for me?"

"Well-"

"Thiago!" I whispered.

"Fine, just hurry up and leave. I need my rest."

With a quick bye and a smile I retraced my steps out of the hut and into the storm outside. My eyes quickly scanned the empty mud-ridden roads. The coast was clear. Now all I had to do was reach the clearing, get my bag, avoid being eaten, and return home before my absence was noticed, or better yet before Sasuke found Thiago.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice the dark eyes that watched me as I went.

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The clearing was just how I remembered it – muddy, damp, and filled with smooth-barked trees. As I trudged over to the large hole in the ground, the squelching sounds of my steps were loud and annoying.

I stared at what was left of the wall I'd used the day before. The pelting rainhad reduced the soil to mud making it impossible to climb down.

'Maybe I can find another way in.'

A glance to the brightening morning sky banished such thoughts. If I was going to get home on time I'd have to use this entrance.

Grudgingly I sat down beside the hole, facing one of the earthen walls. With a deep trembling breath I pushed myself over the side into the chasm.

I let out a shriek only to have the air knocked out of me when I struck the ground below. A quiet groan escaped my lips as I rose, nursing my rear. 'This place isn't good for my health,' I thought.

"Alright, let's get this over with."

I reached the fissure on the other side of the rock, half expecting it not to be there; luck seemed to be against me today. But thankfully it was there.

However as I began to squeeze through the opening I noticed something; etched right into the stone wall were the words "Something To Give" just as they had been carved into my skin.

Not sure what to make of it I squeezed into the fissure, more warily than before, and quickly made my way through the tight space. The tunnel appeared to be much shorter than yesterday, and it wasn't long before I found myself within the room-like chamber leading to the crawlspace.

Aware of how little time I had left, I crawled vigorously towards the vine-strewn exit. If I hurried I could probably get back to the village by breakfast, and with that thought in mind I broke through the green curtain.

Now, there are many things I expected to find once I entered that clearing. One of which was the possibility of discovering the pool to be a mere figment of my imagination. I even expected to find Sasuke– maybe he had followed me after all. But what I didn't expect was to be tackled.

On reflex I screamed. Strong arms slammed me against the limestone with inhuman strength before calloused hands wrapped around my throat cutting off the high-pitched sound.

"What are you doing here?" A voice hissed.

I struggled to look up at my attacker; my eyes widening as I took in the almost colorless eyes that glared back. He wore brown furs and leather, simple but well made – perfect for this kind of weather. Cinnamon brown hair tickled and stuck to my face, and it was all I could do not to faint. It was the flower boy.

I stared at him. He seemed to realize he was choking me to death when I didn't, or I should say couldn't, answer him. Quickly he released me causing my head to drop hard against the limestone.

"You really shouldn't be here," I heard him say. His voice held a hint of anxiety. "You need to leave now!"

With a groan I rolled over, bringing myself to my knees. "Why should I?" I asked in defiance. Truthfully I didn't want to stay long, I couldn't stay long, I was just angry because he had cost me a head injury… twice.

"Leave," he said more harshly, "and don't come back here again."

I turned my head to glare at him. "Look, I don't know who you think you are, but I don't have to listen to you. I can stay here if I want."

He shook his head as if I were a child, but he didn't try to force me to leave.

I looked up and found that the sun was almost up. I was running out of time.

"I'll leave if you want me to," I said urgently, "but I need to find something first."

He considered me for a moment before nodding slowly. "What are you looking for?"

"My bag," I said.

Without a word he turned and walked to the same tree I had hidden behind. I thought I heard him mumble something along the lines of "I knew she would be trouble" but I wasn't sure.

For a second he disappeared behind the trunk, but just as soon as he'd left my line of vision, he returned to it. I smiled when I saw my bag hanging from his arm.

"Here," he dropped the bag at my feet, "now leave."

"Fine," I said tartly. My bag in hand, I prepared to run for home. But once again something unexpected happened.

In a flurry of motion Flower Boy was beside me, pulling on my arm and forcing me away from the crawlspace. I tried asking him what he was doing, but a quick blow to the stomach left me breathless, and before I knew it I was being shoved into a crevice made by the large tree's roots. What was with this guy?

He crouched next to me covering my mouth. "I think you were followed," he whispered.

'I hope I was followed, psychopath.'

He grunted before backing away from me. "False alarm," he seemed annoyed.

I stared at him in wonder. He really was insane.

"What are you talking about?" I asked quietly.

The flower boy ignored me. His eyes darted back and forth frantically as he slowly turned his head.

"Excuse me--" I stopped. What was his name? Definitely not Flower Boy. "What's your name?"

That got his attention.

"What?"

"What's your name?"

He stared at me for a moment with those pale and pupil-less eyes, "…Neji," he said.

"Oh…well Neji what was that about?"

"Get ready," he said.

"What?"

"Get ready," he hissed. "If you plan on leaving here alive you don't have much time to do it!" I blinked. "I won't be able to save you a second time." As he said it he picked a small white flower from the bark around us and stuck it in my hair. The frown on his face along with his earlier actions made the gesture unromantic. But somehow I knew that it wasn't supposed to be. "Keep that with you," he said, referring to the flower in my hair. "Can you swim?" Somewhere in the distance a tapir cried out. I was beginning to get scared. What was going on? "When I say go, jump into the water and head for that wall," he pointed to the flower-covered wall where I'd first seen him, "Once you reach it dive down and you'll find an opening there."

"Get ready," he said again. I could hear voices in the distance. The sound fluctuated. Rising and dropping to inhuman pitches. Chanting.

My heart thudded in my chest as I realized that Neji wasn't crazy. Something was really going on. "What do I do once I reach the opening?" I almost shrieked the question; I was finally taking him seriously.

"Don't worry. You won't have to do anything," he smirked. I felt my cheeks go warm. Well this had never happened before. I quickly decided that my lack of "girl talk" with Kagali was affecting my hormones.

"Go!" He suddenly yelled.

I stumbled as I ran, question after question racing through my mind as I went.

I felt something whiz by my ear, and I sped up. Neji yelled somewhere behind me, and my chest clenched painfully at the sound.

When I reached the pool I dove into it, quickly resurfacing when I remembered the currents. I pulled myself through the water, and in no time I reached the stone wall and dove down again. Like before the water was murky, but this time it was worse. Debris was everywhere from the storm.

With some difficulty I swam further and further down. Where was the hole?

Like clockwork the opening appeared, and I instantly understood Neji's words. I really didn't have to do anything. There was a natural suction drawing me in and I let it.

The water flung me about violently crashing me against the rocky walls. My hands flew to the flower in my hair, holding it in place.

My body ached from both my old and new injuries as well as the painful pressure of the water. The constant thrashing made me gasp and I took in water. But before I could panic I was flying through the air hitting the water below me hard, crying out as the liquid flew up my nose.

The water was clearer here, and if it was even possible it seemed familiar.

I resurfaced with a splash, spit dribbling from my mouth. "Uhh," I groaned.

"Sakura," I looked up to see Kagali waving from the bank. "What are you doing out there?"

No way. The waterfall by our village led to … that place?

"Kagali?" I swam slowly to the bank. My body ached with every stroke. "Answer me one question." She gave me a confused glance. I hoped she hadn't seen me fall from the waterfall. "Did I miss breakfast?"

She laughed. "That's just like you, always worried about your stomach. It seems like whenever we meet here you ask about mealtimes," Seeing my tired face she decided now wasn't the time for joking. Besides, she might not have known it but I wasn't worried about not eating. I needed to know if I could still sneak back home unnoticed. "Breakfast isn't for another hour or so."

I pulled myself out of the water, missing Kagali's disturbed glance. "I still have time then," I mumbled.

"Sakura, you look awful." I didn't find that hard to believe. "Come on let's head back. We'll get you cleaned up."

"My family can't know I left," I told her. I used her shoulder to pull myself up.

"I know. Thiago told me." She looked down at my hand. "What's with the flower?"

The flower Neji had given me was clutched tightly in my hand. He hadn't told me why but he had asked me to keep the small gift with me. I sighed. I had been so caught up in everything that I'd forgotten to ask about the words on my hip. What did they mean?

Kagali and I stood silent for a moment; she was waiting for an answer and I was just pondering.

"Come on," she said again. "Tonight is the gathering, and then tomorrow we just… hang out, and then finally we'll be on our way to the second village."

"Aren't you excited?" She asked when I didn't respond.

"Kagali," she looked expectant. "There's something I need to tell you… but not now, later… tonight. I need to tell both you and Thiago something."

She nodded, obviously not thinking much of what I'd said. I didn't blame her. I rarely had anything important to say, and I often overreacted. But what was going on?

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Okay this chapter was much much shorter than the first (Only 14 pages), and that's because I'm lazy and uncreative. And yes I know it was choppy and rushed, but please flame me if you feel you still have to. I just sorta needed this chapter to add somethings into the story. So if you have any complaints please just either review or e-mail me. (Am I allowed to post my e-mail address? If not please tell me so I can take it down.)

Anyway, Who was watching Sakura? And what happened at the … place?

Important Questions: (1) The place where Sakura has been meeting Neji… what should I call it?

(2) Is my writing is repetitive?

Once again sorry. Please R&R.