Chapter 6: Journeys


"The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination."

-Don Williams Jr.


Sasuke woke up and was surprised to feel another body in his bed. He quickly looked and almost screamed. He did however jump.

"What the fuck Neji?!" Sasuke said glaring at his creepy cousin.

"You're a lovely ball of sunshine in the morning, Sasuke."

"And you're a delightful stalker."

"Touché."

"Cut the shit Neji, and tell me why you're on my bed."

"Well…you're late for the tournament. It started about 20 minutes ago."

Sasuke looked at his cousin with shocked eyes. He couldn't be late.

"How long have you been here?" Sasuke asked his cousin?

"For about 30 minutes."

"And it didn't occur to you to wake me up?"

"Didn't feel like it."

Sasuke hurriedly got of his bed and grabbed his robe, and said one more thing before heading to the bath house.

"By the way asshole, I didn't feel like telling Naruto to ask his brother to meet you."

Neji sat, glaring at the door.


Sasuke figured if he was going to be late, he might as well be as extremely late and thus, he sat in the private bathhouse. After all, he was only going to play in the championship round to defend his title. Although, he did wish to see his competition, he couldn't help the fact he overslept. He overslept because he did not wish to upset his dream that was plagued with the images of Naruto.

Soft skin.

Rose lips.

Golden hair.

Sasuke was growing hard at the thoughts and couldn't contain himself. He quickly began to stroke his member and envisioned his golden haired bimale. Yet, as he continued he couldn't finish himself off. He needed more. He needed Naruto there to be able to fulfill his urge.

He cursed he fates and wished the day was over.


Sakura sighed once again as she began to fan herself once more. The prince was nowhere in sight.

"Mother, this is so boring." The pink haired girl whined.

"Patience Sakura: it is a virtue. Besides, the emperor and his wife are here. We should introduce ourselves." Anko said, grabbing her daughter's hand.

None of them batted an eye to Ino's misfortune.


Ino cursed her luck for there was a head sleeping on her lap. Though a handsome face, it was still a face in her lap. She however, wouldn't shake the royal record keeper onto the floor. Word has it, he is in good standing with the prince, and to get on the record keeper's good side, she agreed to let him rest his head when he asked.

As a small leaf fell upon his face, Ino quickly brushed it away. And suddenly, she realized truly indeed, the record keeper's face was quite handsome.

Ino continued to stroke the cheek of the record keeper; completely forgetting her mission to impress they ever so late prince.


"Your majesties." Anko and Sakura said in unison, as they approached the booth reserved to seat them for the tournament.

"My dear, what a lovely fan…" Empress Mikoto said.

"It is…woven from the finest silk from the Chinese…if you wish, you may have it" Sakura said in a bow, presenting it to the empress.

Mikoto took it, inspecting it further. It was a rich shade of fine crimson silk, with golden etching woven into the material.

"It is indeed, my dear." The emperor replied to his wife.

"Why thank you. This must have been a small fortune."

Indeed it was. The servants pay for the month, but Sakura knew her mother had a story to cover up the high expense of the fan.

"It was nothing at all." Anko said reassuringly.

"I must thank you in some way. Ah! How about a tasting the day after tomorrow?"

"We would be honored." Anko replied.

"Wonderful. My son has always hated these tastings. Perhaps you may keep him company my dear. You seem very gracious."

"Perhaps, your majesty. Perhaps." Sakura said with a coy smile. Both her and her mother thinking the same victorious thoughts.


The tournament played out quite well. Sasuke defended his title, but untimely lost it to none other than his cousin, Prince Neji.

"Dear Cousin, you've gotten sloppy!" Neji said on the podium of the winner, as he received the prize coinage, that he would later donate to some orphanage. It was customary if a royal won.

"You know I'm distracted."

And they both knew he was. His thoughts were on his blonde…HIS blonde…and how could anyone concentrate with those thoughts?


Naruto and Gaara laid under a Cherry Blossom tree that was located about a mile away from the manor; peacefully enjoying the delightful day and the fact it was their day off. No one said a word, but none was needed.

They both needed their time to think about their journey ahead and as fate would have it, their journey will be an unexpected one.


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