Chapter 2
Neji sighed as he shut the door softly behind him. He faintly heard the rustles of papers as Tsunade went back to work (or so he hoped; for all he knew, the Hokage could be rooting around for another bottle of sake). He turned to face his companion and shook his head.
Sasuke stood in front of him, oblivious to Neji's exasperation. He cocked his head to the side when the Hyuuga simply stood there in front of Tsunade's office door.
Neji saw the younger one's confused look and sighed.
"Sasuke…."
Said Uchiha frowned and crossed his arms defensively over his chest, as if he sensed what was about to come.
"What?" he demanded, holding his head high despite the twinge of pain that ran through his bruised cheek at the movement.
Neji just sighed again as he walked past the dark haired boy and turned down a long hallway, away from the Hokage's office. He heard Sasuke follow him silently, his footsteps mirroring Neji's.
"How do you plan on writing that report?" Neji asked quietly, knowing that Sasuke could hear the whispered question.
The dull black eyes narrowed and Sasuke scowled.
"I'll think of something." He muttered, uncrossing his arms to stuff his hands into the pockets of his dirty black shorts.
"Sasuke, you can't-"
"I'll think of something, Neji." Sasuke repeated coldly. "I'm not completely helpless, you know."
Neji resisted the urge to roll his eyes, even though Sasuke couldn't see him. They were walking through the lobby now, heading towards the doors that lead out into the busy streets of Konoha. Through the doors' windows, the two ninjas could see people bustling through the streets outside; talking with friends, on errands, shopping in the market.
Sasuke kept a couple of steps between him and Neji, his onyx eyes trained on the ground. Neji's quiet footsteps were not missed by his keen ears and when he heard the Hyuuga step to the side around a receptionist's large wooden desk, Sasuke followed the sound and did the same.
Soon, they were out the doors and stepping onto the crowded streets of Konoha.
Neji and Sasuke slowly pushed their way through the throngs of people rushing through the streets. Neji lead the way, carefully picking a path through the crowd and Sasuke silently followed, his brows drawn together in concentration. It took all of the boy's will to lock on to Neji's presence and not lose it in the mass number of people around them.
Sasuke was so engrossed in this task that when a small child tripped and fell a few feet to the left, the shrill cry of surprise and pain jolted the Uchiha to a stop. His head snapped up as he scanned the area for danger.
"Honey, I told you not to run so fast." He heard the chiding feminine voice speak from beside him.
Sasuke shook his head in frustration. He had to get used to navigating through big groups of people. It wasn't that hard, really. All he had to do was follow Neji…
Sasuke's dark eyes widened and he froze, cold panic paling his already white face.
Neji… where was Neji?
Once again Sasuke's head moved from left to right, searching but not finding anything. His breath came out in quick pants as fear tried to take over.
'Get a hold of yourself.' Sasuke forcibly told himself.
He tried to calm his breathing but it was hard. There were too many people, too many bodies. Pushing, all blending together and he could find no familiar presence in the crowds. Nothing… he was lost….
"Neji…" he whispered, his hands clenching into fists. His eyes darted back and forth, unseeing. A little louder this time… "Neji!"
A firm hand grabbed his elbow and Sasuke tensed.
"I'm right here."
The Uchiha hadn't realized that he had been holding his breath until he let it out in a relieved sigh. He turned and raised shaking hands to softly caress the other's cheek.
"Neji…. I thought…."
"It's okay."
Sasuke sighed and let his hands drop. Neji caught them and held them gently. They stood there silently, ignoring the other villagers that pushed past and around their still forms.
"I hate crowds." The dark haired boy finally grumbled.
Neji let out a small chuckle.
"You'll get used to it."
Sasuke shook his head.
"I hate this. I hate being so…"
"You'll get used to it, Sasuke. I know you will."
The younger boy bit his lip and nodded, slowly untangling his hands from Neji's.
Neji smiled and even though Sasuke couldn't see it, he could hear it in the Hyuuga's voice. "Try not to lose me again, alright?" The long haired boy teased.
Sasuke shook his head.
"I'll never lose you."
And suddenly it felt as if they were talking about something else entirely. Once again, silence descended on the two prodigies.
"Sasuke!!"
The dark haired boy blinked and lifted his head. His brows furrowed.
"Is that…"
Neji nodded.
"Naruto."
The Hyuuga watched with amused eyes as the bouncing shock of orange and yellow bounded towards them. A small smile tugged at the edges of his mouth. He raised his hand in greeting as Naruto came closer. The loud ninja flashed him a grin before turning on the Uchiha.
"Hey, bastard!" the blond cried, jumping on his dark haired friend and nearly sending them both to the ground.
Sasuke started badly but he managed to hide it. He gently pushed his team mate off of him, smirking.
"Hello, dobe. I see that you've managed to survive without me, though I don't know how. Who took the responsibility of saving your ass for me while I was gone?"
Naruto mock-glared and pouted, crossing his arms over his orange clad chest.
"You definitely haven't changed, teme." He said.
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"It's only been six months, Naruto." He reminded.
Naruto shrugged.
"I know… But for some reason…" he shook his head, his messy blond locks falling over his whiskered cheeks. "Never mind..." He smiled suddenly. "Sakura will be so glad to see you."
Sasuke resisted the urge to groan in dismay. He didn't have anything against the pink haired girl, they had become closer ever since he came back from Orochimaru, but the Uchiha didn't think he could handle her right now.
Neji smiled softly at his friends' antics. Being around Naruto… One was able to forget all of their troubles, all of the darkness lingering in their hearts. The blond would truly make a great Hokage, one day.
"Yes, it's good to be back." The Hyuuga said.
Naruto grinned his fox-like grin. Suddenly, his deep blue eyes widened as he spotted a shock of pink through the crowd.
"Hey, look! There's Sakura now!" he waved his arm in the air enthusiastically. "Sakura-chan!!"
Sasuke was frowning, his features twisted up in a grimace. It was too much… Too much noise and too many people… Too much excitement and all he wanted to do was go to bed and sleep. Sleep for so long that he wouldn't remember anything when he woke up. He just wanted to forget…
People pushed pass him, jostling him back and forth, talking, yelling, laughing. Sasuke's hands clenched into fists at his sides. He couldn't take it… He hated this…. He hated not being able to…
"I want to go home." He whispered, so softly that he could barely hear his own voice.
But Neji did and Sasuke felt his concerned gaze fall upon him. He looked up with pained, dull eyes.
"I…" he bit his lip and sighed. "I can't…."
Neji's brows furrowed together as he watched his friend sway, a pale hand absentmindedly rubbing his left hip as if it itched. The Hyuuga caught Sasuke's elbow in his strong hand and brought the other close. He turned to Naruto.
"Sorry, Naruto, but I think it's time that Sasuke and I headed home." Naruto blinked at Neji in confusion.
"What? But you just got back!" he protested.
Neji laughed and shook his head.
"Yes, but right now we both really need a shower and some rest. If you'll excuse us, Naruto."
Sasuke sighed in relief and closed his tired eyes. Yes… Sleep sounded good right now.
"It's raining."
Neji paused, crouching on the tall tree branch he had just landed on. He turned white eyes to regard his younger companion silently. Sasuke was a couple of feet behind him, balancing on another branch, much the same way as Neji was. The Uchiha's face was turned towards the cloud covered sky. Neji watched, transfixed, as a drop of water- a tear or a rain drop? - slid its way down Sasuke's pale cheek in a wet river. The Hyuuga's blank eyes followed the delicate drop of water travel pass long, dark eyelashes, pale skin, full, moist pink lips…
Neji shook himself and looked away sharply at the ground below them, frowning at the erratic beat of his heart. The long haired ninja only dared to glance up when he felt the other's heavy stare on him.
Sasuke looked at him silently, the colour of his eyes impossibly black and endless. Neji swallowed and then Sasuke spoke, his voice low and husky.
"There's going to be a storm." He whispered.
"Then we should find shelter for the night." Neji responded just as quietly.
But neither of them moved, their eyes locked- black and white-, each trapped within the other's gaze, drowning.
Sasuke grumbled to himself once again as he tossed and turned underneath his blankets. It was cold now; the nights were getting longer as they passed by the Snow Country. Sasuke hated the cold, hated the discomfort it brought, the feeling that no matter how many layers you put on, or how tight a ball you scrunched yourself into, you'd never warm up. People called him a cold bastard but he couldn't really agree. He hated the cold and if he was cold, then he hated himself.
Every time he got comfortable enough for his mind to drift and fall into a light doze, the freezing temperature would suddenly pierce through him, as if reminding him of its annoying presence. He would be snapped awake again, frustrated and shivering
It had been hours since he and Neji had stopped for the night inside a small cave that sheltered them from the gusting winds and frosty ground. The two had been travelling for days now, passing through towns every now and then, but keeping a steady pace and never slowing.
Sasuke sighed in frustration and pushed himself into a sitting position, dragging his too-thin blankets around him and pulling his knees up into his chest. His eyes darted to the dark form of his companion, but once again he couldn't tell if the older one was asleep or not.
The Uchiha blew on his frozen hands and rested his head on his knees, his eyes drooping in exhaustion, but the cold kept him awake.
Neji blinked bleary eyes at the sound of cloth rustling. The Hyuuga stretched stiffly. He had been dozing lightly, wrapped up deeply in his blankets. Neji turned his head slightly to see Sasuke sitting up, curled into a shivering ball. Neji sighed and turned over to face the other, lifting himself onto one elbow.
"Can't sleep?" he asked.
Sasuke jumped, his black eyes darting sideways to meet Neji's. The long haired ninja raised a fine brow. Sasuke huffed and looked away, glaring out the opening of the cave.
There was a moment of tense silence. Finally, Neji sighed and lifted the edge of his blanket.
"Come on."
Onyx eyes stared at him incredulously. Neji rolled his own.
"If you're tired tomorrow because you couldn't sleep because of the cold, it will slow us down." He explained. "This way, we can share body heat."
'Che. How cliché.'
Sasuke still hesitated. Neji shook his head in exasperation.
"Look, it's not a big deal." A sly smile found its way to the Hyuuga's lips and pure white met endless black. The smile turned into a smirk (or was it a leer?). "Unless you want it to be…"
Sasuke glared and tried to blame the redness dusting his cheeks on the cold. He heard Neji chuckle and narrowed his eyes further.
"Whatever, asshole." He grumbled, shifting closer to lie next to the older.
Neji laughed quietly as he draped both of their blankets around them.
"Charming."
Sasuke shot one last glare at the Hyuuga before closing his eyes, warmth finally enveloping him. He was asleep in seconds.
The shrill sound of a bird's call threatened to pull Sasuke away from his slumber, but the dark haired boy didn't want to leave this feeling of comfort and security yet. It had been so long since he had woken up this way…
It was… nice…
But nature didn't seem to want to let him sleep any longer, and as the first rays of sun came up over the horizon, Sasuke slowly awoke and realized several things at once.
The first thing he noticed was that the pillow his head was resting on was, in fact, not a pillow, for it was rising up and down softly and there was a steady beat of what sounded like a heart drumming in his ears.
The next thing he noticed was that he was not alone in his sanctuary of blankets, but lying snuggled up next to another, his arm draped across a slim waist and his legs tangled with two others. He suddenly became aware of the heavy weight of an arm around his shoulders.
Then, the events of last night came back to him and his eyes flew open.
'No, definitely not a pillow.' He decided. 'Who knew Neji could be so warm?'
Sasuke felt heat rise to his cheeks when he saw what position they were in. He was practically lying on top of the older ninja, one of his legs draped over the other's. And he wasn't blushing- he wasn't, goddamn it! - it was the cold that was making his face red. It didn't have to do anything with the fact that his legs were almost between Neji's and that he could hear the other's heart and that Neji's breath was ghosting over his face, all hot and… and…
"Oh… Is it morning already?"
Sasuke stiffened and slowly raised his eyes to meet with white ones. Neji looked back at him, amusement lighting up his usually indifferent face. Sasuke blushed and attempted to untangle himself from the older ninja. Neji's hold wouldn't give though and Sasuke turned to glare.
Neji chuckled.
"What? It's all nice and warm." He brought Sasuke closer as if to prove his point.
Sasuke scowled and struggled against the Hyuuga's iron grip, but they both knew that if he had truly wanted to get away, arms wouldn't have stopped him.
"We have to get going…" he muttered, but his excuse was only half-hearted.
Neji furrowed his brows and gazed outside the mouth of their little cave. He sighed and nodded.
"I guess you're right." The white eyed teen reluctantly released his hold on the younger one and slowly got to his feet, stretching.
Sasuke sighed in relief (and definitely not in disappointment) and rose as well, turning to fold up their blankets.
Neji stood just outside of their shelter, looking at the sky.
"We should reach our target by tomorrow." He faced Sasuke and allowed a slow grin to grace his full lips. "And we'll be heading back to Konoha two days from now."
The Uchiha smirked.
"Piece of cake."
TBC
Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed. Sorry it took a while to get this chapter out but life decided to come and make itself known. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for everyone's support!
Comments are greatly appreciated.
