Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters.

A/N: Wow, 18 reviews for the first chapter. o.o Wasn't expecting that, thanks guys! Makes an author happy. XD I'm not used to using this style of writing, those who read OoaK know what I'm talking about. It just felt rushed and awkward. But here's chapter two!

---

Chapter 2: Surprises

A shadowed figure ran through the trees quickly, arms hanging behind his back. He's been running for hours now, but he wasn't even breathing harder. He smirked to himself; the training had paid off. But now that's over.

Pulling to an abrupt stop, the figure jumped up onto the tree branch directly above, and looked down at the large village a few miles away. He shifted his gaze to the Hokage mountain and the four faces carved into it. But he wasn't here to sight-see.

He smirked again, crossing his arms over his chest, as he allowed an orange-and-black-clad blonde ninja enter his mind. He jumped down from the tree and continued to Konoha. I'm looking forward to seeing you again, Naruto.

---

"Dead?" Naruto repeated, his eyes instantly widening in shock. "Do you know where Sasuke is?" Sakura had her hands covering her mouth, wondering what could've happened. When she glanced at Sai his face was emotionless as usual, but a corner of his mouth was quirked up, just a little. She almost didn't notice it.

Tsunade shook her head, leaning back in her chair. "We don't. It's highly possible Sasuke is the one that killed them, and the only guess we can make right now is that he went to go after Itachi."

"That's insane," Sakura whispered, lowering her hands. "Itachi and Kisame aren't trying to get Naruto right now, so that might mean they're with the rest of Akatsuki. Sasuke can't fight them all; he's strong, but not that strong."

Tsunade just shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid there's nothing we can do until we find out his location. I just thought you would like to hear this." The four team members nodded, walking out.

"Let's try to find him!" Naruto said after they were back outside. Sai's eyes flashed briefly, but he just continued walking as he if he didn't hear Naruto. Sakura shook her head sadly.

"We can't; not until we find some kind of clue as to where he's going. It'll be completely hopeless until we do, guessing will get us nowhere." Kakashi hadn't said a word yet; he seemed to be deep in thought.

Naruto was about to break away from his team to go home, but a hand fell on his shoulder. "Meet at the bridge tomorrow morning," Kakashi said. They all nodded, and went their separate ways.

---

Naruto, Sakura, and Sai once again waited over an hour for their sensei. They were used to it, though. When he finally appeared, Naruto and Sakura pointed and yelled, "You're late!" It was obvious their minds were elsewhere; it was more a habit than anything.

"Naruto, Sai, pair up. Sakura will partner with me, I'll get us a mission to do tomorrow," he said, not bothering to give them one of his stupid excuses. They were all a little out of it today.

Giving him no warning, Naruto immediately jumped at Sai, who was caught off guard and managed to jump out of the way, at the same time raising his leg to kick out at Naruto, who twisted away and landed on the ground, crouching.

They took turns attacking, defending, and dodging, every once in a while getting in a few hits. Naruto still got surprised when he glanced over to watch Sakura and Kakashi; Sakura was, to put it bluntly, pretty much useless two years previously. But now she's strong; she even defeated one of the Akatsuki, Sasori, with the help Chiyo.

Taking advantage of Naruto's lack of attention, Sai punched him in the way, sending him flying into a tree. Naruto growled and stood up, wiping off the blood that came from his busted lip. "That's enough for today," Kakashi said, breaking through his concentration.

Naruto nodded and exited the forest, heading towards Ichiraku. A shadow appeared next to him and when he looked over, he saw Sai. When he noticed Naruto looking at him, he smiled. Naruto just sniffed and sat down on a stool, ordering miso ramen.

"Your fighting still has room for improvement, Naruto," Sai said, smiling innocently when Naruto sent him a half-attempt of a glare. "You need to…," he paused, thinking about what Sakura said, but shook his head. "You need to forget about Sasuke."

Naruto tensed and glared at him, baring his teeth slightly. "What's that supposed to mean?" he growled, threatening to snap the chopsticks he held in half.

"We tried to get him back. But I think he made up his mind; and it's final. I just don't think there's any use in going after him only to go back empty-handed again, and again."

"I thought you wanted Sasuke back," Naruto continued to growl, finally releasing his poor abused chopsticks and setting them across the top of the bowl.

Sai hesitated, opening his mouth and closing it. Then he turned to Naruto and smiled, who didn't miss a thing, and before he could give any excuse Naruto stood up, slamming his hands down on the counter and making the other customers jump.

"So you lied about wanting Sasuke back? He means everything to us, he's my best friend! And he will come back, whether you like it or not." With that he strode off to the forest to take out his anger on some poor, innocent tree stumps.

I should've just killed him like I was assigned to do. Sai shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut. Even to me, that sounds selfish. But I still don't want him anywhere near Naruto again. He stood up, paying for their ramen, and followed Naruto to the training area.

He leaned back against the tree, perched on a branch, and watched as Naruto threw kunai after kunai at a target that was on a tree stump. He hit the mark almost every time; when he didn't, it was right next to it.

"I'm not an idiot, go away, Sai," Naruto snapped, not even looking at him. Sai just sighed to himself and jumped off the branch, landing lightly on his feet.

"Do you…love him?" he asked, and Naruto was caught so off guard with the question he completely aimed wrong, sending the kunai flying past the stump and into the trees behind it.

"…That's none of your business," he muttered, walking up to the stump to get the kunai back, trying to hide the blush on his face.

"So you do?" he asked; his voice came out calm, but he was clenching his jaw and fists, an odd emotion running through him. What am I feeling? I wish I knew more about these emotions.

All Naruto did was give a slight nod, but Sai still caught it and sighed through his nose. "Do you think you'll ever love anyone else but Sasuke?"

Naruto's shoulders tensed at the odd question. "What are you trying to say?" He turned around to face Sai, but when he did he was nose-to-nose with him. He blinked in surprise, but before he could do anything else, Sai's hands are wrapped around his waist and tugging him closer, his lips gently placed on his.

It wasn't a needy or passionate kiss; just a gentle one, Sai trying to communicate all his feelings and what he wants and means through it. Naruto didn't respond; he just stood there, eyes wide open, shocked. That's when he saw a figure leaning lazily against a tree, scowling at the scene.

He pulled away and breathed, "Sasuke…" Sai winced and narrowed his eyes, not even trying to smile.

"Is he all you think about? Let him g-"

"No…Sasuke…" With that he pushed Sai aside to stare at the person, who stood up straight and walked closer to the pair so he could be seen better. He was glaring at Sai, who took a step back; almost nobody could be unaffected by the Uchiha glare.

"Having a good time?" he sneered, never taking his onyx eyes off Sai. He was still dressed in those Orochimaru-like robes they last saw him in.

"Sasuke," Naruto whispered, walking closer to him slowly, and his eyes finally snapped off Sai and to Naruto. "We heard from Tsunade-baachan that you left, and that Orochimaru and Kabuto were-"

"I killed them," Sasuke cut across him, shrugging nonchalantly, and smirked once again. "They couldn't be trusted." It was obvious that was all the information he was going to give for now, and Naruto was still slightly wary, not sure if he was here on peaceful terms or here to try to kill him again.

"I'll be staying at your place tonight," he said; a statement, not a question. "It's getting late, so I'll see the Hokage tomorrow morning."

Naruto couldn't help but grin. "So…you're staying?" Sasuke just nodded, his arms crossed over his chest, and Sai scowled. Sasuke's eyes snapped back to Sai. He stared hard at him, then flicked back to Naruto then back to Sai, giving him a silent warning to stay away.

Without another word or gesture to Sai, Naruto and Sasuke walked back under the shadows of the trees and disappeared. Sai just sighed and leaned against the worn stump and looked up at the moon, preparing to challenge the so-called great Uchiha Sasuke.

---

Yikes, another small chapter. x.x Not sure what my problem is, but this just comes out…small. Meh, I'll try harder for chapter 3. Anyway, please R/R!