Chapter 2 (Meeting new people)
Sasuke left the gravesite and continued back in the village, knowing that his parole officers were back. He didn't care as he walked with his head down, wasn't really paying attention to the people around him. Until someone bumped into him hard enough that both fell to the ground. He looked up fiercely.
"Watch it!" He snapped rudely.
"I'm sorry." replied a girl. Her voice was smooth and friendly.
Sasuke took a good look at her. She had shoulder length silver and red hair, soft, but bright, green eyes and tan flawless skin. Her outfit consisted of a dark red midriff, with the right sleeve missing, a matching mini skirt paired with fishnet leggings. She happened to be barefoot as well. He inwardly admitted that she was a little cute.
She stood up quickly and held out her hand to help him up. When he grabbed her hand, he noted her skin was smooth and soft. She smiled at him similar to Naruto, but more feminine. That's when Sasuke noticed that her figure resembled Naruto's 'Sexy Jutsu' she was just a little more bustier.
"I didn't mean to bump into you. I just wanted to get back to the hotel before my friend woke up." She said excitedly. "He can get kind of whiny when he's hungry."
"It's fine, just be more careful." He said low.
She was about to leave when Sasuke heard a few voices approaching. Kiba and Shikamaru were walking up with the two older Sand Siblings, Temari and Kankuro. Sasuke didn't want to talk to them at the moment so he tried to look occupied. He decided to talk to the girl more.
"What's your name anyway?" He asked. "I guess your visiting."
"Oh. My name is Zael Rose." She said happily. "And actually my friend and I are trying to find a place to live here. What's your name?"
"Sasuke Uchiha." He replied back. 'Damn. I can't think of anything to talk about.' he thought angrily to himself.
"Hey Sasuke!" Kiba called as they got closer. "Who's the cutie?"
They walked up and stopped right at Sasuke and Zael. He inwardly growled at them and just wished that they'd go away. He didn't need the two couples here. It was a known fact that Temari and Shikamaru were together and only a few people knew that Kiba and Kankuro were together.
"Hi!" She said just as happily. "I'm Zael."
They proceeded to introduce themselves and Sasuke used the small amount of time to leave. He walked around the Hotel and stopped for a brief time. He saw someone staring at him, through the window and curtain. Normally, he wouldn't care but the person appeared to be around his age (18-19) blonde and blue-eyed. Sasuke swore that he was looking at Naruto. It only lasted for a minute, though it felt like forever, because the other person let go of the curtain as he turned around.
Sasuke was in a daze for the rest of the day after that. He couldn't think straight at all, just went through the motions of his days. Was it really possible Naruto was back?
'No,' Sasuke thought. 'Just my mind playing a cruel trick.'
(Konaha Hotel)
Zael walked in her room, seeing her friend turned to face her after staring out the window. She smiled lightly at the blue eyed blonde as he approached her slowly. He looked at her right in the eyes solemnly, but eventually smiled back. Zael could see the intense sadness in Naruto Uzumaki's eyes. And she felt sad herself.
"Naruto." She said quietly.
"It's ok, Azaelia." He cut her off. "I'll be fine, just can't wait until night falls."
"You gonna visit him?" She asked him seriously. "I won't stop you, but be careful."
He smiled and nodded his head before sitting on the bed. Zael followed and proceeded to tell him about her day so far. Since no one knew Zael, she was able to walk around the village. But she had snooped around as well. She told him what she learned about his friends, which put a smile on his face. She had met all of them except for his old teachers and Gaara. It was long before Zael wanted a bath.
"You need to be careful for this." He warned, being uncharacteristically serious. "If anyone saw…"
"I promise to be careful." She reassured him. "No one will know." She smiled devilishly before leaving.
Naruto watched the door then laid down on his bed. He wasn't big on the fact that foxes were more tired during the daytime, but he couldn't really control that part. He sighed when a memory hit him. Today was the day both genders could share the hot springs.
'Shit. Azaelia, please don't get carried away.' Naruto thought as he closed his eyes.
(Hot Springs)
Zael smiled as the lady at the counter lead her I. Her smile was a little sly after being told today was for both genders. She was kind of hoping to be alone, but bathing with males was pretty ok to her. When she first got there, she was the only one. She soaked in the water for a good while when she heard approaching feet. Thanks to her overdeveloped senses, she knew it was three people coming and all of them male. (Thanks to her nose.)
She sat up a bit and sniffed the air, after backing up against the rocks. Two of the males smelled of each other and sex, but the other was single and had never been touched. She heard the lady warn them about her already being there and that they were fine with it. The door slid open and Zael smiled shrewdly to herself. All were rather cute, especially the one who was single.
Of course, she didn't know who he was as he was one of the few people she hadn't met. But that didn't matter. One of the other two was his brother, which she knew by scent, and she figured who he was rather quickly.
"Wow, I get some company." She giggled innocently. The two she knew smiled back at her.
