A/N: Okay…so…yeah… I wrote this after writing the ending to Chapter Six. I was meaning to write a short summary of what I wanted, but the words spilled out. So now I have two complete chapters in my outline…bad Sam, bad. I wrote this extra ending before completing chapter Two and the outline (typed version) I really need to get organized. checks brain Aha! There's the reason! It was set to 'random'. resets it to chronological timeline, then glares as it wobbles Hope you 'enjoy' this. I have a thing for death it seems…
Summary: where's Sauke?
Warnings: slight Yaoi, NejiSasu. As stated before, characters slightly OOC since I don't know their 'true' personalities. Character death. Bad plot.
Disclaimer: If I was writing this manually (gasp god forbid that should ever happen) I would get a stamp that reads 'Not mine, I don't own." In capital letters.
I'm Sorry
The two teams met up again the next day. Fortunately, the storm had cleared up during the night and it was a bright day again. Neji was too concerned about what he was going to say to Sasuke to take in the beauty around him. To a casual observer, he looked the same as always.
But TenTen, Gai and Kakashi saw the tense shoulders, the fingers digging into his palm. They noticed the way he jerked his head up every time they heard footsteps approach. And they noticed the way he would drop his head, half in disappointment, half in relief when he saw who it was. Or rather, who it wasn't. The three traded concerned looks over the Hyuuga's head. None had a reason or explanation for his strained behaviour.
"Man!" exclaimed Naruto suddenly, breaking the morning silence. "When is he coming!" the blonde complained.
"Yeah," agreed Lee, "even Kakashi-sensei is here before him!"
"I'm sure he'll come soon," said Gai absentmindedly, still studying the young Hyuuga.
"But when!" yelled Naruto in exasperation. Lee looked at him in surprise. The leaf ninja had detected a note of worry in the blonde boy's voice.
"I'm sure he'll be here soon," TenTen soothed. "He probably got held up, that's all."
"But he's never late." replied Sakura quietly. "He's the first one here. Always. No matter what the weather, the tie or the day. He's never late." she repeated
"Neji, you knew him the best of us here." Kakashi stated. Neji raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Well, he trusts you the most." Seeing the looks of disbelief surrounding him – Neji included – Kakashi felt obligated to explain. "He's never let anyone lay a hand on him before." Neji felt even worse for betraying Sasuke's fragile trust. "Did you see him yesterday after training at all?"
"Yeah," Neji mumbled. 'You could say that…'
"Well," inquired TenTen, "Did he say anything to you? Do you know where he is or what might be wrong?"
Neji blushed at this, four genin and two jounin staring in surprise. Neji, blushing?
"N-no," the boy stammered, worry etched on his face. "Don't have a clue!"
Gai frowned and peered intently at his student. "Did you two have a fight?" he questioned suspiciously.
"Look!" began Neji heatedly.
"Kakashi-sensei! Gai-sensei! I found you at last!" They all turned to see a panting Iruka.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow and Gai looked curious.
"You weren't at the training grounds." explained the young man.
"No, we're still waiting for Sasuke to show up," replied Naruto grumpily.
"You mean he isn't with you! You haven't seen him at all today?" exclaimed Iruka, worry evident in his voice.
"No, why, is something wrong? Do you know where he is?" asked Neji quickly. The young chuunin frowned and shook his head, worry lines deepening.
"You'd better come with me," his voice was grim. "There's something I need to give you. And I think you should all be present."
The others looked at each other in confusion and concern. What was going on? And where was Sasuke?
A/N: okay, so I lied. I made it into a two chapters just to bug the hell out of everyone. Seriously, that is the only reason I did this. I say what a great cliffie that was (only in my demented excuse for a mind) and decided to be evil. I was originally gonna post the second part a week later…but I felt worried that people would stop reading…that's why I posted 5 at once…that and I felt you deserved it after waiting so long…
