A little hi for my loyal readers out there! And to let you know that finally, my school project is going to be finished! I'll have my week-ends again!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer : I don't own Naruto. This is just a fan, writing fanfiction about a show I admire.
Previously in Chapter 3 …
After a week of being separated, Naruto decides to pay a quick visit to his lover. Unfortunately, their time is cut short and he must leave. Upon returning back home, his rival, informs him of a new mission assignment they have tomorrow.
Soon all members are present, but this mission will be much difficult, since it's Gai's team, that's helping them out.
Can Naruto make it through without blowing his and Neji's cover?
Chapter 4 : The Challenge
Now that everyone was present, both teachers could finally explain the mission to both their respected teams.
"Kakashi-sensei? So why are we going on this mission with another team?" Sakura asked, knowing that if Gai's team was present, the mission is probably not the usual D or C Ranked mission.
"The mission we have is B ranked. Our client wants us to bring her sister and her niece back home." Kakashi simplified it for all 5 genins.
"Then why is Baa-chan sending 2 teams? I mean, it seems pretty easy to me." Naruto commented. How hard could it be to escort 2 females back home?
"Ah! This one asks good questions!" Gai gave his thumb up. His own students never asked questions that were sometimes important to know during a mission. Only his Lee would do that, but alas the poor boy wasn't here today.
Kakashi was the first who sighed. He really thought that since Lee wasn't around to encourage his odd behavior, things would be calmer and somewhat, normal. But it seems that for the moment, he found a temporary replacement…
"Right now the only teams Hokage can send out are us and Gai's. But since Gai's team is missing one member, while another has yet completely recovered, but is fit for duty." The copy-cat shinobi explained, moving on to answer Naruto's question. "Hokage felt better to send both teams to bring those two back home safely."
"So this is gonna be boring then…" The blond complained, already seeing himself, bored to death on this mission.
"Stop complaining Naruto!" Sakura scolded him. In her perspective, all he ever did was whine about the lowly ranked mission they had.
"There's more isn't there?" The young Hyuga pointed out. Although he was known to be the silent type, he sensed that there was more to just getting those two to Konoha.
Kakashi chuckled.
Funny how Neji reminded him of a certain student of his. Without realizing it, his eyes landed on the young Uchiha, earning him an immediate glare from the boy.
"The Village where our targets are, are among those that despise people having an advance bloodline. Unfortunately, the niece of our client happens to be from one of those bloodlines." Gai stated, keeping his voice as calm as possible. Truth was, he respected that some didn't like those with advanced bloodline, but what sadden him was those who took action. But those actions alone, were terrible.
To most of them, they meant nothing more than the information they studied back at the Academy, but for Naruto, those words alone reminded him of a boy.
Haku.
How Haku's own father, treated his own son like a demon, just because of his advance bloodline.
"Unfortunately, someone within the Village found out and informed the others. The last thing we heard was that she managed to escape safely, but they are still being tracked down." Gai finished, he couldn't tell them much more, this was all the information the client gave them.
"Those bastards!" Naruto growled, punching his fists together.
"Naruto …" Sakura was startled. She hadn't seen Naruto mad like this before.
"Are we sure their in our territory?" Sasuke asked, with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Hai, that's why we can now interfere." Answered Kakashi with a hidden smile of course.
"Anything else before we leave?" Gai asked both teams.
"I hope we'll have ramen to eat on this mission." Naruto let out, completely forgetting his previous thoughts and thinking more about his stomach.
Sakura could just feel her patience reaching that limit again. She just couldn't get how that idiot teammate of her could just switch moods so easily. But to think about his stomach over those poor women who are probably scared out of their minds right now. She couldn't hold it anymore and by pure reflex, she punched him in the back of his head. Hard enough, that he fell face first on the ground.
"Baka! Can't you even think about something else than your stomach!" Sakura yelled out ready to punch him again.
"Itai! That hurt Sakura-Chan!" Naruto yelled out , patting the bump on the back of his head
Naruto tried desperately to plead his case, while Sakura wanted to hear nothing of it. Looking at them, Tenten couldn't help but laugh a little. At least this trip might not be so bring after all.
"We never know what may happen so whatever happens don't act on your own or get separated from the group." Kakashi warned all five young students. Even though they were strong, it was better to stay together in case anything happened.
"Act on your own." Sasuke repeated, setting his eyes on the blond boy, "That means you Dobe." Sasuke gladly pointed out.
"WHAT! Take that back you bastard!" Naruto yelled out, wanting nothing more than an apology from this one.
As if Uchiha Sasuke would ever apologize…
"Baka. Like I'm going to do that." Sasuke shot back, grinning at the situation. Although he would never admit it, calling Naruto an idiot and seeing how the boy always reacted, sometimes made missions less boring. Well, it kept Sakura off his back for a while anyway.
"That bastard …." Naruto growled when the boy turned his back on him, following the group that was heading out the Village.
Naruto's closed fists were shaking, but he was thankful that he was the only one left behind, as usual.
"Don't let his words get to you." A familiar voice spoke right next to him.
"Neji?" He was surprised. Normally he was always left behind, alone.
"Besides, even if you are an idiot. You're my idiot." The young Hyuga smiled, knowing that his blond needed to hear some good words.
Hearing those words coming out of him, Naruto couldn't help but smile.
The moment they all stepped out of Konoha, both teams wasted no time, heading out to the last known location that both females were seen. Gai and Kakashi took point, while the students lined themselves behind their teachers.
Sakura, being a good teacher's pet, tagged closely behind both teachers, but always kept an eye out behind her to get a glimpse at Sasuke. Unfortunately for her, standing right next to the young Uchiha, was the one she labeled an idiot on her team. She was so focused on Sasuke, that she hadn't noticed that Tenten and Neji stood right behind her own teammates, guarding the rear of their entire group.
'Can't Naruto ever stop glaring at Sasuke-kun?' She asked herself, knowing that there was yet another argument coming between the boys.
'That bastard.' Naruto thought, glaring at the boy beside him.
'That dobe.' Sasuke thought, doing the exact same thing as the blond.
Both snapped out of their glaring competition when they heard someone giggle.
"They're funny to watch. They quarrel like a couple." Tenten pointed out with a smile.
"Couple?" Naruto and Sasuke yelled out, both turned around to face Tenten.
The group halted, hoping the argument would soon come to an end. But sometimes, such small distractions was good for the team's moral, calming their souls.
"I heard rumors that he was loud, but none ever said he was this entertaining." Gai smiled. He always enjoyed seeing young genins expressing themselves, 'enjoying their youth' as he would say.
"Mah mah." Kakashi tried to calm them down, knowing that even though the young girl meant it as a joke, he was well aware that both boys would make a huge deal out of it. "Now if you don't stop arguing now, you'll only prove us that her words are right" Well that didn't come out like he wanted to… But then again, this is Kakashi.
"WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!" Both shouted at the same time, but then, glared at each other for saying the exact same thing.
But before the argument could go any further, someone gave them all an order.
"All of you shut up." Neji ordered them all, his eyes focused on the right side of their group.
"You can't just order us around!" Sakura intervened, preparing to knock the boy on the head, but her teacher, blocked her path. All she could do now was listen and observe, like the others.
"Do your thing Neji." Gai gave his thumb up to his student.
"Byakugan." Neji whispered, the veins around his while eyes appeared.
Neji focused his eyes on the right, detecting not one, but 8 distinct chakra signatures.
"There's three figures running away to my right and in front of me five other persons." Neji reported, keeping his eyes on all 8 targets.
"What do you think Sasuke?" Kakashi asked for his student's opinion.
"It's obvious that the group of 5 are the attackers." The young boy explained.
"But, the client said it was only two, her sister and her niece. So who's the third person?" Sakura asked.
"An enemy." Tenten answered, readying herself for battle.
"Most likely." The young Hyuga agreed.
"Naruto and Sakura come with me. We'll go after the small group. If you agree Gai, you take Sasuke and your team and go after the bigger group." Kakashi proposed to the other Jounin.
"Good plan." Gai complimented his rival.
With that confirmed, both team separated, each going to their destination.
Team 7, minus the young Uchiha, ran ahead, hoping to intercept the mother and child according to Neji's prediction.
'Why couldn't I be in the same as Sasuke?' Sakura whined. Each time there was a mission, when the team had to divide, she was never paired with Sasuke.
'This mission still bites, I can't be with him. Although at least I'm not with that bastard!' Naruto thought, following behind Sakura.
Kakashi quickly led the way, carefully taking note of anything out of the ordinary in order to pinpoint their targets exact location. And just as expected, they heard someone scream.
They were trapped like rats. No where to hide and no where to run. Their attacker had them, but what they feared most, was that he knew it.
"You little bitches gave me and my pals quite a good run, but now it ends." The man spoke, standing no less than 2 meters away from his targets.
The mother's instinct took over, without thinking twice, she grabbed her daughter, and covered her child with her own body. She tightly closed her eyes, not wanting to see what awaited them.
"Die you demons!" The man yelled out, ready to kill the two girls.
"Kage Bunshin No Jutsu!" Naruto yelled out,forming the final seal.
Seconds passed, and the mother looked above her. She was surprised to look that her attacker had been overrun by multiple clones of a blond boy in an orange outfit.
"It's not nice to attack women." Kakashi he said, forcibly removing the sharp object from the man's hand.
"You people don't understand their demons! They must die!" The man shouted at the top of his lungs. He looked at both trembling forms that were still on the ground, disgust could be seen on his face.
That look, Naruto knew all too well. And such a small girl should never get to see it. He did what he thought what best, he stood between the female and that vile man's sight.
To everyone's surprised, the young blond growled.
"I hate bastards like you the most!" He yelled out, leaping in the air to punch the men right in the face.
The Naruto clones disappeared the moment Naruto's fist met the man's face. Soon after, his body hit the ground, unable to do anything more, with Naruto standing right above him, daring him to try anything.
"I'll go make sure no one else is around …." Naruto snarled, leaving the small group before anyone could tell him otherwise. But the truth was, if he stayed right now, he only wanted to beat that man to a bloody pulp.
"Naruto!" Sakura started but Kakashi stopped her from pursuing the boy.
"It's best to leave him alone for now Sakura." Kakashi told her. Truth was, he felt that the boy needed time alone.
Normally, shinobi are suppose to keep their emotions in check, but in this case, the man had used harmful words, words that the Villagers used on Naruto since he was a child.
Naruto kept his distance, but stayed in visual contact in any case he was needed for anything. In the mean time, Kakashi and Sakura took care of the girls, reassuring them that they were finally safe.
"Don't worry, we're here to help you. Your sister wanted us to pick you up." Kakashi explained to the sister, smiling behind his mask.
"So you're a good man?" The little girl asked, staring up at the silver Jounin.
"Hai." Kakashi answered.
Now that the girls were ok, Kakashi carefully explained the entire situation, while they waited for the other team to report back and join them.
Neji led the way. After all, he was the only one who could make out their position as they moved and predict where next the bandits would go. His teacher, stood beside his student, waiting for the proper signal.
His student suddenly stopped.
"They'll reach us in less than 5 minutes." The boy informed them, releasing his technique.
Tenten approached with a smile.
"How about welcoming them." She suggested, flipping her kunai in the air.
Examining the landscape, each picked their hiding places . Tenten and Sasuke hid among the trees, both having the upper hand from above, while Neji, and their teacher, hid behind stacks of bushes.
Holding their position, it only took minutes before they finally made visual contact with the small group of attackers. Now all they had to wait, was for them, to be in the right position, for Tenten to do her thing.
'Now!' She though, grabbing a fistful of kunai, and threw them at the small group of bandits.
A small rain of kunai descended upon the group, but none landed on the males. Her initial intention was only to get their attention, while blocking their way.
"Show yourself!" The leader yelled, obviously pissed that someone dared to interrupt them during their hunt.
"Why are you boys in such a hurry?" Tenten asked, walking out of her hiding place and jumping back on the ground.
"Keh! It's only a girl, both of you kill her!" A man ordered, pointing to two of his man.
Armed with only farm tools, they ran forward, thinking this would be an easy task, given that it was just one pathetic little girl. Strangely enough, Tenten wasn't one bit worried. Who would be? She had the well known Uchiha Sasuke looking out for her.
"Katon Ryuuka No Jutsu" Sasuke yelled out, performing the specific hand seals to that Jutsu.
A fireball flew through the leaves, cutting off both men as the flames grazed their clothing. But it was just enough to lit them in fire.
"I'm burning!" The two men yelled out as they rolled on the ground to extinguish the fire on them.
While the two rolled on the ground, the others were stunned, wanting nothing more than to run for their pathetic lives. Too bad for them, Gai and Neji finally stepped out, cutting off their escape.
"And you call yourselves men. How pathetic." Neji commented, crossing his arms over his chest. To this point, it was obvious that these so called men, were nothing more than scared farmers.
"Unless you really want to get hurt, I'd advise you to forget about the two women and leave." Gai suggested to them, waiting to see which path they would take.
Seeing how the odds were against them, the farmers joined the other two that managed to stop the fire. Not wanting to stay around any longer, they grabbed their partners and fled the scene.
"Should we really let them go?." Tenten asked, worried that perhaps those farmers would continue their pursuit once they knew that they were safe and no shinobi were there to stop them from their goal.
"If they know what's really good for them. They won't even consider coming back." Gai reassured them. They were just farmers after all. "Now let's catch up with Kakashi and the others."
While the group waited for Gai's team to join them, the mother, felt that it would be most polite to introduce themselves, since they had time.
"Forgive me Kakashi-san. I haven't introduced myself nor my daughter. My name is Kodora and my daughter is Midori." Kodora informed Kakashi and Sakura with a smile.
Her daughter, still hid behind her mother's legs, barely showing her cute little face.
"Midori. That's such a cute name!" Sakura smiled, bending a bit forward. She was being as nice as she could, just so Midori would feel safe.
Midori smiled.
Although she remained behind her mother, it wasn't by fear anymore, just out of shyness. While Sakura became friendly with Midori, Kakashi, by routine, his eyes scanned the forest around him, wondering when Gai's team would finally rejoin them.
And just like he predicted, they finally arrived.
"I guess it was easier than expected." The one-eyed Jounin let out, knowing too well that Gai would brag about how easy it was.
"They were merely normal men just acting out of fear. The moment Sasuke spit out fire, they ran away." Gai mentioned with a laugh.
"Nothing less to expect from Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cheered out, more than happy that it was Sasuke who got rid of them, or so she told herself.
"A waste of chakra." Neji let out, not caring if everyone heard. One should never use his chakra or jutsu unless it really matters. Using them on a bunch of idiot farmers was simply stupid in his mind.
Sasuke did hear, but resorted into simply glaring for a moment. That Hyuga wasn't worth the effort, besides, knowing Sakura, he knew well that the girl would make a big case out of it. No point in going into a pointless argument.
"Don't say that about Sasuke-kun!" She scolded the Hyuga with her words, but unlike Naruto, she didn't dare to try and lay a hand on the boy's head.
"If we would have been in real danger, that move could have cost him the victory in battle." Neji pointed out. They were all taught this back at the Academy. But he figured that her lust for the Uchiha erase any rational thought in her mind.
Before the argument could go any further, the other girl noticed something that the others hadn't. Naruto wasn't present with Kakashi.
"Where's Naruto?" Tenten asked. It was unusual for the group to not stay together, no matter what the mission.
Scanning the area, both boys noticed that Naruto was no where to be seen.
"Don't tell me that baka found a way to loose himself in this forest." Sasuke commented, knowing that the idiot was stupid enough to actually do it.
'Baka? I'm beginning to think you're the baka.' Neji angrily thought. It was just amazing at how Naruto's team seemed to treat his blond in such a way. But more surprisingly, that Naruto never tried to defend himself that much.
"Naruto is over there." He pointed the direction. Although he couldn'T see his student anymore, he could still feel the faint chakra of the Kyubi. "And it's best to leave him alone for now." Kakashi warned everyone.
Seeing how he could feel Kyubi's chakra more than the usual, it meant that Naruto wasn't too happy at the moment. It was just best to leave him alone for some time.
"Like I had the intention to go talk to him anyway." Sasuke scoffed, crossing his arms.
His teacher chuckled. It only amused him to see how Sasuke tried to lie about his concern for Naruto, but unlike the others, Kakashi didn't buy it.
"Night will soon fall, and we can't sleep in the forest while we have such a beautiful lady and her daughter with us." Gai mentioned , his eye focusing on a certain student of his.
'Why does he always look at me like that?' Neji asked himself. He was a shinobi, not a house detector.
"There's a Village not far from here. That's why I was running there to begin with. I'm sure the Inn director won't mind letting all of us stay there for the night." Kodora mentioned with a low voice, unsure if it was ok for her to speak.
"I could sleep outside, but you ladies, deserve better accommodations." Gai lifthed his thumb up and gave his best shining smile.
"You never cease to surprise me…" Kakashi mumbled to himself, knowing that this was just the beginning of Gai's flattery over the young girls.
"Now that everything is decided, we'll follow you're directions Kodora-san's." Gai was being more energetic than usual.
"Sasuke, get Naruto and tell him we're leaving." Kakashi ordered his student. The sooner they moved, the sooner they could all get the rest they deserved.
"Ask Sakura." Sasuke really didn't want to be to one to have to go get that blond teammate of his.
"I asked you." He stood by his decision. "Now be a nice little soldier and get Naruto." The Jounin teased.
Each time he gave an order concerning Naruto, Sasuke always refused to follow it. So he found another way, to make sure that the boy, had no other choice, and teasing was the best way, Plus he always found it so amusing.
Naruto sat on the ground, more relaxed than he was earlier today. He simply watched the forest, seeing how the leaves danced in circles because of the win that passed through from time to time. Completely oblivious that a certain dark haired boy, was standing right behind him.
"Come on Dobe, we're leaving." Sasuke ordered him around. He really didn't want to spend more time explaining the why if he didn't have to.
"H….Hai" Naruto replied. Startled at first that he didn't detect his rival's present, but he simply complied with the order.
Getting back up on his feet, he patted his butt, getting the dust and soil off his pants. Not even looking once in his rival's directions and eyes, naruto headed back on his own, leaving a confused Sasuke behind.
'He didn't even react when I called him a Dobe…' Sasuke thought. Even though he didn't want to admit it, he was getting worried about his rival.
Within an hour, they finally arrived at their destination. Kodora led the way in a small building that looked like some sort of Inn. The Konoha shinobi all followed, without saying as much as a word. Somehow, it seemed that the woman knew exactly what she was doing.
Entering what seemed like a lobby, a tall man waited at the desk, smiling upon seeing Kodora and Midori.
"I'll be right back, so stay put." Kodora informed them, quickly walking ove the desk. Both she and the man in question kissed each other on the cheeks, before they began to talk. A conversation which no one could hear.
"This looks like an Inn." Sakura whispered, her eyes scanning the entire room.
"It is!" Midori cheerfully told her with a smile.
"It was obvious before we even stepped inside." Neji let out, leaning against the doorframe. His eyes closed, but he still felt the glare that the pink haired girl gave him.
It's not that he hated the girl, he just didn't like how she treated Naruto and how she thought she was more intelligent than everyone, especially him.
'Show off.' She thought, wanting nothing more than to his the boy. The more time passed, the more she really didn't like that Hyuga.
"We can stay here for the next few days. An each of you will have your own rooms." Kodora informed them with a smile. She knew that even though they were shinobi, it was always nice to have some privacy.
"A few days?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow. It was only for the night they were staying, weren't they?
"Hai. I've just been informed that there's a storm passing by tonight, and those usually last a few days around here." She finished.
"May I ask how you were able to get a room for each of us?" Gai asked, purely curious. Usually in these missions, they had to share beds while others slept on the wooden floors.
"Oh forgive me. The owner of this Inn is my brother in law. I knew that by coming here, that we would be safe from those people." Kodora smiled. "I'm sure you're all hungry right now so please, follow me." Kodora stepped aside, showing a door.
"You're really too kind." Gai flattered her. He was known to be extra nice with women who had children.
"Mama's always nice when it's cute boys." Midori let out before running into the other room, not wanting to be scolded by her mother for saying words like that before the very men and boys that saved their lives.
"Midori!" How embarrassing that was. Her own daughter saying such thoughts out loud, and in front of their guests. "Please forgive her. She doesn't always know when to not speak."
"I thought it was cute." Tenten whispered in Sakura's ear.
The group headed in silence in the other room, while two boys kept a close eye on a certain blond.
Greeting them in the next room was a feast. A long table, decorated with a nice variety of meals from different customs. From the well known rice balls, each with different flavors, to pork chops glazed with barbecue sauce.
"Please take a seat." Kodora stood out of their way.
"This is the first time that I've seen so much food on one table." Sakura couldn't believe her eyes.
Kakashi chose the right side of the table, team 7 following closely behind, while Gai, with his two students, took the left side. Each properly sat, gazing at the food they would soon eat. This surely beat those stupid ration packs they ate during mission time.
"You didn't have to go through all this trouble for us Kodora-san." Gai let out, doing exactly what Kakashi had feared. He was flirting with the girl, showering her with compliments.
"It's the least I can do after all the trouble you went through." She waved her hand, trying to hide the small blush that appeared on her cheeks.
Then, Naruto suddenly stood up from his seat, catching everyone's attention.
"Gomen, although it looks delicious I'd rather go rest now …." Naruto apologized, bowing before the lady, before making his escape without a sound.
"Eh! Did Naruto actually just refused to eat and was being polite at the same time?" Sakura shouted, saying out loud what many thought. This was very unlike the Naruto they knew.
'Naruto never turns down food.' Neji noted, but kept his exterior calm. He remained seated politely before the many dishes, but eyes closed.
"What's wrong with Dobe?" Sasuke asked. To this point it was obvious that something happened while they were off kicking farmer's asses.
All stared at Kakashi. He was his teacher, so him of all people should be aware of what exactly is going on in that little blond head, to make him act in this bizarre way. But before the one-eyed Jounin could even speak, a small voice spoke.
"Naruto-kun protected me and mama because that bad guy tried to hurt us. He kept saying we were demons and we should die and go to hell. Naruto-kun was very angry and beat the bad guy." Midori explained to the surprise of everyone. But when all eyes turned on her, she immediately hid behind the large chair.
"Midori I think it's time for you to go sleep …" Kodora said , dragging her daughter out of the room.
With their hostess gone, some couldn't help but wonder why such words had affected Naruto so deeply. Only the two Jounin knew the real reason behind the drastic change of behavior.
"Don't worry, by tomorrow Naruto will be fighting Sasuke again just like nothing ever happened." Kakashi replied with a smile, seeing how Sakura had looked at him with worry.
Sakura smiled back feeling better that it was probably just a teenager phase, even though they were just 13, some went into a phase earlier while others were much later.
"Shall we eat?" Gai proposed to the group, wanting nothing more than to enjoy such good food made by a beautiful woman.
They all ate, but a certain Hyuga was still preoccupied about his lover running out like that.
'It kills me that I couldn't just run out and follow you…' He thought, eating as fast and politely as possible. The sooner he was finished eating, the sooner he could find out the real and more understandable truth of what happened with that idiot of a farmer.
Once the door was closed, the boy couldn't help but quickly kick off his sandals, and search for the soft bed he would sleep in for the night. He didn't care that he hadn't changed, he was just too exhausted to bother taking off his jumpsuit and slip into something more convenient for the night.
He fell onto the bed, his face buried in the thick feather-like pillow. Remembering that man and his words, he felt like crying again, even though they were not directed at him. But still, he was called monster daily back home. And his only escape was usually missions.
He supposed that fate wasn't on his side today.
"'Kuso! That bastard had no right to say such a stupid thing!" Naruto growled to the empty room, angered that such people could say such things when it wasn't even true.
After what seemed to be an eternity, they all finally finished their meals. Seeing how it was getting late, no one was much up to have a conversation. All they wanted was to get some nicely earned sleep in a warm bed.
"It's getting late, I think it's time we all go get some sleep." Kakashi suggested, leaving for his own private room. He was just grateful that he didn't need to share one with his rival.
Everyone said their goodnights, and soon, the young Hyuga was the only one left standing in the middle of the hallway. Once he was sure that the coast was clear, he silently made his way at the end of the hallway, hoping to find his beloved in one of those rooms.
Activating his ability, he peeked into the possible 3 rooms, searching for that specific chakra. Usually, any human had the same chakra color. Blue. But in Naruto's case, it was slightly tainted in a dark orange.
And there it was.
The only thing that was left now, was to sneak inside and surprise the blond.
Slipping in, he silently closed the door behind him. He stood still for a few minutes, just enough time to get his own sandals off, and for his eyes to adjust to the darkness in the room.
He concentrated, finally noticing where the bed was placed, thanks to Naruto's quick breathing. He walked over to the bed and then sat on the edge of it. He smiled. He always found it funny how Naruto would fall asleep with the covers over his head. The boy leaned forward, slowly pulling the cover down and off the blonde's face.
He always looked so angelic when he slept.
"Gomen for not coming sooner ….The mission was easy, but not being able to even feel your touch was the hardest thing for me…" Neji whispered, the tip of his fingers slightly touching those sensual lips.
"It wasn't your fault Neji." Naruto replied, tilting his head to get a better view of his boyfriend.
"How long were you awake?" Neji asked, a bit shocked since he had been really silent form the moment he stepped in the bedroom.
"Since you opened the door." He smiled.
"Then why are you shaking?" The young Hyuga asked, noticing how the bed was slightly shaking form time to time.
"Because I'm cold…" Naruto answered, joining his hands together to warm them up.
"You should have said so earlier then." Neji let out, sliding under the covers to join his lover.
Seeing how he still had his thick beige pull with fur on it, Naruto couldn't help but be drawn closer, but that could also be because Neji had his arms wrapped around his waist already.
"Is this a little better Naruto?" Neji softly whispered, his own hands seeking more heat, and that was to feel the burning skin of his lover.
Naruto couldn't help himself but blush. No one had ever touched him in a way that left him wanting more of it. Without even realizing it, he found himself closing his eyes and gave into the temptation.
"Mmmm." He half moaned, feeling so much more relaxed than minutes ago.
"You like that huh?" Neji noticed, continuing his attacks on the poor boy.
His hands slid up and down, wanting to feel more of this soft skin, and he was rewarded. The blond had made the mistake of tilting his head aside, leaving his delicate neck completely at his mercy. Before Naruto knew it, Neji was above him, licking his neck and nibbling at it.
But suddenly, the whole situation changed.
One moment, Neji was in control and top, the next, Naruto was above him, and he was lying on the mattress. Their lips locked together into a fiery kiss as hands roamed over each others bodies. Grasping for air, they stared at each other, trying to catch their breath before locking lips again. But this time, the kiss deepened as their tongues battled it out for domination.
Breaking the kiss, Neji lifted Naruto's chin.
"As much as I want to continue, if we start to make noise people will wake up …." Neji whispered in such a sensual voice, giving him a quick peck on the lips.
"Yeah. I guess I just have to be patient." Naruto mumbled, a bit angered that it had to stop because of their living situation at the moment.
Sharing one last kiss for the night, Naruto rested his body beside his lover, using Neji's chest as his personal pillow. Not that the boy minded.
Morning finally came, as the Leaf-nins, well those currently awake, gathered around the kitchen for their breakfast meal. Kakashi and Gai were the first to take their seat, while they waited for the rest of their students to join them.
The moment both Jounin seated themselves, Kodora entered the kitchen, holding out a tray with a pot of coffee and many cups.
"You're very early this morning, Hatake-san." She greeted him, kneeling next to the man. "Would you like a cup of coffee?" She asked, just about ready to pour some in a cup if he agreed that is.
"You're very kind. Thank you." He replied, smiling underneath his mask.
She smiled back, pouring the hot liquid into the cup and carefully setting it in front of the Jounin.
"I'll be back with breakfast in 15 minutes." She informed him, leaving the tray in the middle of the table for any other who would want to drink coffee.
As she left the room, Tenten arrived, scanning the room for any other presence besides the two Jounin. She silently sat next to her sensei, noticing that the other Jounin was looking at her.
"Where's Sakura?" Kakashi asked. The girls had slept in the same room, he expected both of them here at the same time.
"She's still getting dressed and brushing her hair." Tenten answered, noticing that Neji had yet showed up, just like Team 7.
The door opened once more, and a pale boy joined them at the table.
"Good morning Sasuke. Did you sleep well?" Kakashi asked, putting his cup back on the table.
"Hn." The young Uchiha replied as usual, preparing to close the door behind him, until he heard his teacher.
"Well since you're in a good mood Sasuke, why don't you go get Naruto so he can join us for breakfast?" Kakashi asked his student. Honestly, sometimes he just had fun playing with those two boys.
His fingers twitched. He was barely awake and that teacher of his was already on his back about Naruto.
"Is something wrong Sasuke?" The Jounin asked, noticing how his student hadn't even tried to either ignore or simply tell him to shove it, his order that is.
"Everything is fine." And then the boy left.
After a few minutes of walking in the hall, Sasuke stopped in front of Naruto's room and placed his hand on the doorknob. His eyes narrowed when he felt something.
'Something's different. that dobe isn't alone right now…' He noted, now more intrigued than ever into opening that door and finding out what was really going on.
TBC
There you go, only 11 more chapters to go before this is really done and over with. I doubt it can ever get better than it will. Well only if you count the mistakes I might of made …
Please leave word, or any kind of encouragement. They really help out when times are tough for me!
Ookima