Springtime in a Youthful Garden
By GLORIOUSGREEN
Author's Note: My sincere apologies, my most devoted readers, for my delays in posting. No excuse is acceptable, missions or no, and I shall post 10,000 more words as punishment!
lordess-stewfu – It does indeed make my day joyous to know that you have so thoroughly reveled in my little tale. Of course, I shall continue to write!
ichaichasilver – Thank you for your many reviews and e-mails! Your dedication to my work is as Thrilling as it is Wonderful. As to your suggestion of throwing shuriken at my head for motivation…To create such a superbly difficult training program was most kind!
flame gazer – The thought that the Great Ninja Sharingan Kakashi would be filled with such envy reading my story has renewed sparks of creation bright enough to light a new world of Youth and Beauty. Thank you!
10x2 – Indeed, you have read well. Clothes shall get ripped. Such always occurs in the course of duty and the intensity of training, and none of Konoma are Vulgar enough to train with less than the Fierceness of Brilliant Pride!
BranchHousPWNZ – Why should 10x2 not read this story? Should we not all celebrate every beautiful commemoration of Youthful Friendship available?
senkoed – Wince? Yes, I suppose literature of such a high caliber is indeed advanced for the untrained mind. But I promise you, although it may seem impossibly difficult, if you practice constantly such Magnificence Of Expression can flow from your tongue as well!
TheClosetPervert – I am honored that you think my work worthy of such a legendary author, but I assure you, I am not he!
UchihaPink – Sasuke and Naruto certainly must embrace! Why should Uchiha Sasuke mind? Such Manly Affection is the way of Eternal Rivals.
Dana – Ah, yes, I also look forward to the progression: the autumn that will inevitably follow summer always brings such delightful surprises despite the sadness of the far spring and encroaching winter!
Speaking of progressions, I fear I have written too many words already, but let me simply add in one more word of thanks to AgeNtSPaNdEx for being a most patient and fabulous beta. You are like the wax to perfect and impossibly straight teeth.
Now, on with the story!
Chapter Three
Sasuke wiped the perspiration beading just below his forehead protector with the back of his hand. Feet moving as silently as owl's wings, he jumped from rooftop to rooftop toward his destination, navigating with the ease of youthful remembrance. Konoma was his home, after all, despite the years that had separated him from its beautious sights. And, tonight was a night of great perfection.
Sasuke smiled. He could still feel the hardness of Naruto's body, trembling ever so slightly with excitement, beneath his hands. His rival had indeed been awaiting his return most strenuously. That body boded well for the quality of their bouts to come. It had been a while since Sasuke had been beaten into full submission…
No…his mind must not wander, Sasuke scolded himself silently. He must not lose sight of why he had come to Konoma. He had been charged with a task by the Green Beast himself. A last mission. For a moment, tears that threatened to spill from his eyes before Sasuke could choke them back. He dared not let a single tear fall yet. That would be enough to trigger a river of despair, and now was not the time to mourn that Great Man.
The weight of the Great Emerald Heart nestling warmly in his hand had never felt so heavy. Sasuke tried to think, instead, of the glory that would surely follow such successfully completed orders.
Narrowing his eyes, he scanned the area ahead and made out his goal. The grey bulk of the building looked ordinary enough beneath the moonless sky, but this building held a special secret. A secret easy enough for the Uchiha heir to spot, even without activating the skill for which he was famed.
A window with lacey white curtains framing a single potted plant smiling at the outside world.
Sasuke swallowed convulsively, and tucked away his kunai.
It was time.