Chapter 9 – Chasing Naruto
He was standing in the depths of the forest, listening intently. He was very quiet, and hiding his chakra at the best of his abilities. There was no sensory type ninja in this squad, so they couldn't detect him.
They were in the forest surrounding a village in the Fire country. Yamato, Sai, and Suigetsu. It was a strange squad, but the mission was very basic; escorting a young woman back to her village. Sasuke didn't know the details, and he didn't care.
From what Yamato and Sai had been discussing while changing their guarding shifts, Sakura had stayed back at the Leaf for her duties at the hospital, and Kakashi was gone on a secret mission on his own.
But Sasuke wanted to know what was keeping Naruto back. He had been wandering around the Leaf village for weeks, but he hadn't seen Naruto leave once. He had wanted to sneak in a couple of times, but they had reinforced security greatly, and he didn't want to risk getting caught. There was still a price on his head, of course.
When it was Suigetsu's turn to keep guard, Sasuke approached him. He hadn't been too sure about Sai's reaction, but he was certain Suigetsu wouldn't make a big deal out of it.
Thankfully, he was right.
"Oh it's you!" Suigetsu exclaimed, but in a low voice as to not wake the others. "You scared me, for a moment there I thought I might actually have to do something on this mission."
Sasuke let out a light chuckle. "So you're doing easy missions for now?"
He went to sit in front of Suigetsu. The latter looked at him with amused eyes.
"Yeah, gotta prove my loyalty and all." He glanced behind him at the sleeping girl. "I suspect she paid a good price, and that greedy Hokage woman accepted to send good ninja like us just to escort her. Anyways…" He paused, took a gulp from his bottle of water, and looked back at Sasuke. "What about you? Finally got your memories back?"
"Hn…" He glanced away.
"Must have been hard." Suigetsu said simply, and Sasuke was glad that he didn't elaborate on the subject. When the silence dragged on, Suigetsu spoke again. "Naruto's making an idiot of himself in Konoha."
Sasuke looked up at his silver-haired friend. "Why do you say that?"
He shrugged. "He's telling everyone that you changed, and that you don't want to destroy Konoha anymore."
"Well that's kinda the truth… Why would that make him an idiot?"
"Cause no one believes him." Suigetsu chuckled, and pointed at Sai's sleeping form with his thumb. "Except this guy. But I suspect that's just because he likes Naruto."
"…You might be right." Sasuke said, remembering the bath episode.
"I also believe it's true," Suigetsu continued, "I mean you do seem different."
He raised a delicate eyebrow at his friend. "Different?"
"I don't know," he scratched his silver hair thoughtfully, "Maybe it's cause you're not trying to kill anyone. And you sure talk more."
"Yeah well that's because you're pretty much the only one I can talk to."
"Aww!"
"There's a price on my head I mean, I don't know how any of the others will react. Of course there's Naruto, but I haven't seen him out of the village in a while so…" He trailed off in what he hoped was a subtle attempt at getting more news about Naruto.
It had probably been too subtle though, because Suigetsu just smiled teasingly.
"Price, huh?" He grabbed the hilt of his huge sword. "Maybe I could capture you!"
Sasuke blinked and his eyes turned red and black.
"Wow!" Suigetsu crawled away from him. "I was kidding!"
"I know," Sasuke said in a low voice.
"Then… why are you going all sharingan on me…?"
"Genjutsu, if the others wake up they won't see me." He explained.
"You did that on purpose!" Suigetsu said accusingly, "To scare me!"
Sasuke smirked. "Maybe."
"You evil bastard."
There was a silence, and then Suigetsu randomly began rambling on how much he hated Karin.
"… She steals my things all the time! She's horrible, man! But there's nothing I can do about it. They stuck us three together cause apparently they're out of free apartments, and oh…" He sighed in despair, "I'm so sick of her! The other day she put some sticky shit in my hair while I was sleeping, and it took me forever to take it off! I mean, who does that?"
"Well… have you tried talking to her?" Sasuke offered, not knowing what else to say.
"No. But I think she's sexually frustrated and needs to get laid. She likes Sai now. I suspect that's because he's the guy that looks most like you in the village."
"He doesn't look like me."
"I dunno man… girls sometimes…"
"…"
"Those people are all so fucked up! They're all friends, but like, it's so weird…"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Sasuke asked.
"Let me explain," Suigetsu chuckled. "Karin, just like another girl named Ino – I thought she seemed cool at first, and she's hot, but she's completely retarded – they like Sai, but would prefer you. Now Sai, just like freaking everybody and their mother, likes Naruto…"
"What do you mean everybody and their mother?" Sasuke asked.
"Oh, you want a list? There's this other girl that I thought was cute, Hinata, but apparently she's been in love with the guy even before she learned to speak or walk. Then there's this pink-haired doctor girl. She's always with him. I think she loves both you and him… probably has fantasies of a threesome every night…"
"…"
"Anyways," Suigetsu laughed, "Sai of course. And then there's the Kazekage! I saw them together the other day, he was visiting Konoha. And he was like, standing a little too close if you know what I mean!"
"Gaara, really?"
"Yeah!" Suigetsu exclaimed. "He was telling him how great a Hokage he would become, and that they would be able to share Kage tips and anecdotes, and see each other more often…"
"How do you even know all this?" Sasuke raised a brow.
"I get bored man I like to spy on people. You know, hiding in puddles and stuff."
"You're weird."
"Sue me."
"So what, you're gonna tell me there are even more people who like Naruto?"
"Yeah! That guy with pale eyes, long black hair, Hinata's brother, or cousin…"
"Neji Hyuga?" Sasuke exclaimed in disbelief.
"That's the one. I swear, they're all gay! It should be called the Hidden Gay village."
"Why do you say Neji likes Naruto?"
"Well I was training with Jugo, and next to us Naruto and Neji were training, and Neji was taking every opportunity to pin Naruto down, to touch him, it wasn't really subtle… Why do you wanna know all that?" He suddenly asked.
"…"
"Maybe I should add you to the list!"
"Shut up."
"So you do like him too!"
"You're the one who started talking about those things!"
"Me thinks you've got a crush on fox-boy."
"Fox-boy?"
"Karin nicknamed him that."
"…Whatever. Tell anyone and you're dead."
"Your secret's safe with me." Suigetsu said with a little smile, but Sasuke knew he was sincere.
"Actually… I wanted to know why you're replacing him in the team."
"He's doing the juunin exams right now." Suigetsu answered.
"Juunin, huh? I didn't even know he was a chuunin."
"Oh that's because the Hokage gave him a special permission to skip the chuunin exams and go straight to juunin." He explained.
"I guess that makes sense, he's really powerful." Sasuke said.
"Hey not that I don't enjoy your company, but I'm really tired, I think I'm gonna wake Yamato soon."
"That's fine." Sasuke shrugged.
An amused smirk curled around Suigetsu's lips. "You want me to tell Naruto a message for you? To give him a love note, or a flower, perhaps?"
"Oh shut it."
"Hey I'm just trying to help you out!" Suigetsu exclaimed.
Sasuke stayed completely silent and still. Yamato had woken up.
"Who the hell are you talking to?" He asked Suigetsu.
The latter jumped and turned around. Then he glanced back at Sasuke, and seemed to remember that he had cast a genjutsu.
"My imaginary friend!" He told Yamato. "He's awesome. Keeps me company when I'm lonely."
"…Right." Yamato rolled his eyes. "Don't you think you're a bit old to have imaginary friends?"
"Hey no judgment man! I can have an imaginary friend if I fucking want to!"
While Suigetsu argued with Yamato, Sasuke graciously jumped in a tree, landing on a high branch without a sound. It would be easier to escape without being heard from there.
"Bye imaginary friend!" Suigetsu exclaimed. At least he wasn't dumb enough to look up in Sasuke's direction.
"Will you be quiet now?" Yamato asked Suigetsu.
"Yes, boss."
Sasuke couldn't help but smile at his silver-haired friend's antics. Then he ran away, wandering aimlessly as he had done for the past few weeks.
So not only Sai, Sakura and Hinata, but also Gaara and Neji, huh? Damn, such competition…
xxx
Naruto, Sai, Neji, Tenten and Lee were celebrating at a little local bar because Naruto had successfully passed the examinations to become a juunin.
Sai and Neji had both paid him several drinks, and Naruto was starting to get a little bit drunk. Sakura had come with them and stayed a bit, but then she had left, disapproving of their under aged drinking. As for their other friends, they were all gone on missions. Sai had just come back from a boring escorting mission – so he had said himself – and had been able to join this little celebration.
They suddenly put a slow, romantic song in the bar, and a few couples made their way to the little dance floor.
"Neji, do you want to dance?" Tenten asked, hopeful.
"No, I'm gonna stay here with Naruto." The brunet said. He put his hand on the blond's shoulder, and squeezed gently. "I'm very proud of you, Naruto. You have become such a great ninja. Have I ever told you that you shattered my beliefs, and proved to the world that we create our own destiny?"
"Uh yeah a couple times…" Naruto laughed. He shifted a little on the bench to get further from Neji.
"I can dance with you if you want Tenten!" Lee exclaimed enthusiastically.
"No it's fine…" Tenten put her elbow on the table and rested her head in her hand.
Meanwhile Neji's hand had fallen from Naruto's shoulder at least, but only to be replaced by Sai's arm.
"Ah, Sai, what're you doin'?" Naruto slurred, feeling trapped in between the two clingy guys.
"Being friendly," Sai smiled.
"Then stop being friendly!" Naruto exclaimed.
"You heard him Sai," Neji said harshly. Sai removed his arm from around Naruto's shoulders.
After that Sai and Neji entered a glaring contest, with a confused Naruto in the middle.
What the hell was up with these guys?
Neji eventually stopped staring at Sai to glance at Naruto instead. "Would you like another drink?"
"Uh no I'm good. It's my first time drinking so…"
Naruto frowned as Neji got up to order him another drink.
He turned to look at the others. "Did he hear what I said?"
"Maybe Neji is becoming deaf." Lee said.
"More like becoming gay," Tenten muttered on a depressed tone.
"What was that Tenten?" Lee asked.
"Nothing. I think I'll just go home now."
"Yeah me too!" Lee exclaimed. "Congratulations again, Naruto!"
"Yeah thanks," he smiled, watching as the two walked away. "Maybe I should go home too…"
"After this last drink." Neji said, putting said drink in front of him.
Naruto shrugged, thinking that one more drink couldn't hurt. So he drank it all at once, made a face, then felt heat rising to his face as he glanced at the two guys sitting a little bit too close.
"Okay guys stop acting weird. Why do you want to get me drunk anyway?"
"I read in a book," Sai said, "that alcohol makes people talk about their feelings."
"My… my feelings, what the hell?" Naruto exclaimed. "Guys seriously I want to go home."
They didn't move. This was getting creepy.
"Guys I think I'm gonna be sick."
This time they moved away, letting him get up. It wasn't even a lie. That last drink hadn't been such a good idea. He lost his balance a little, so Neji and Sai each took one of his arms and helped him walk.
xxx
Sasuke had finally been able to sneak in Konoha. Unfortunately he had been too late for the juunin exams. But when he located Naruto's chakra, he was glad because he knew right away that Naruto had succeeded; he was with some friends celebrating at a bar.
He had taken the appearance of a random anbu guard he had seen while sneaking in. But it was just a precaution; no one had seen him. He was keeping a low profile, just staying near the bar and waiting for Naruto to come out. He wanted to at least see him.
But when Naruto did come out, Sasuke frowned. Neji and Sai were helping him walk, and it looked like the idiot was drunk. But, Sasuke thought, maybe it wasn't entirely his fault if he was drunk. Damn these guys. Sasuke felt possessive now. Improvising, he transformed into Sakura. Time to see if he had some acting skills. He was supposed to be good at everything, wasn't he?
He walked firmly towards them, and stepped in front of the three guys.
"What the hell is going on here?"
"S-Sakura-san," Neji said hesitantly, "I thought you left earlier…"
"I did," he improvised, "but I decided to come back because I was worried. Naruto just how much did you drink? You're not even 20!"
"That's why we were walking him home…" Sai started.
"I can walk on my own!" Naruto suddenly exclaimed, moving away from the two others. But he fell on his knees and hands. "Shit… or maybe not."
Before Neji and Sai could move, Sasuke – still in the form of Sakura – grabbed Naruto's arm and pulled him up.
"I'm gonna bring him to the hospital!"
"But, Sakura…" Neji started.
"You guys leave now." He clenched his fists and glared at them.
They looked scared, and then nodded and walked away. Sasuke smirked. Kids stuff.
"Sakura-chan…" Naruto said sheepishly, "you're not gonna hit me are you?"
He quickly led Naruto to the empty alley behind the bar. Scanning the surroundings, he detected no one nearby, except for some sleeping villagers in their houses.
"What the hell?" Naruto mumbled, focusing his efforts to stand straight.
Sasuke transformed back to himself.
"Hi," he said, amused, his voice also back to normal.
"Sakura-chan! Why did you transform into Sasuke!"
Sasuke laughed. "It's me you idiot."
"I don't believe you." Naruto went to lean on the brick wall and frowned.
He was really cute even if he was evidently drunk. His mid-length blond hair was all messy, and it was falling in his eyes since he wasn't wearing his headband. He was wearing his orange pants, but with a simple black t-shirt.
"Sasuke would never smile like that." He said. "It's not cool what you're doing, making fun of me like that. You know I miss him."
"You do?"
Okay so maybe he was taking advantage of the situation. He stepped a little closer, so that there was only a couple feet separating him from the blond.
"Yeah," Naruto whined, glancing down at his feet, "so much…"
"Just how drunk are you?" He chuckled, stepping even closer.
"It's my first time drinking, it's not my fault, and Neji and Sai kept encouraging me to drink more…"
He leaned even closer, and when Naruto finally looked up to meet his eyes, he seemed to realize his mistake. Blue eyes widened and he almost lost his already vulnerable balance in shock, but Sasuke caught him by the waist and arm and held him up, pulling him closer in the process.
"Fuck, it's really you."
"It's really me."
"Fuck," he repeated, and then hugged him.
Sasuke was surprised at first, but eventually he slid his arm on Naruto's back to hold him tight. He breathed in the sweet scent of his hair, and let himself enjoy this moment.
"I missed you too." Sasuke whispered in his ear.
It wasn't like him to get emotional, but Naruto just had this effect on him.
When he pulled away, the blond frowned slightly. "Did anyone see you?"
"No." He shook his head.
"But… it's dangerous for you to be here."
"It's worth the risk."
Naruto smiled, looked at his lips, then at his eyes. "Can I kiss you?"
He chuckled. "Why are you asking for permission?"
Naruto closed his eyes as their lips touched. Sasuke did the same, and enjoyed the kiss very much even if Naruto's taste was pretty much hidden by alcohol. Naruto made little moans through the kiss, and suddenly he got more passionate. When Naruto started grinding against him, Sasuke pulled away, frowning, and holding Naruto's shoulders.
"Slow down Naruto, you're drunk."
"Sorry," he whispered. "I think drinking so much made me hornier…" he blushed.
Sasuke couldn't help but make a little laugh. Drunken Naruto was so cute and funny.
"It does that to everyone dobe."
"Oh…"
"So, you're a juunin now huh? That's bad ass."
"I know right?" Naruto smiled proudly.
They were still holding each other, but neither pulled away. It wasn't awkward, it felt right, actually. To Sasuke, anyway, but he could tell Naruto felt the same.
"Hey you know what? I think there're people who like me… like… they ask me on dates and stuff. I'm popular now…"
"So I've heard," Sasuke said, amused.
"No wait I wasn't finished!" Naruto protested, locking eyes with him. "It's not cool! And you know, I used to be jealous of you, cause you were so popular before. And now, I have fan girls man…" He shook his head in despair. "Some girls from the village they come to me and say I'm their hero and all that…"
"Why does that make you so depressed?"
"Cause I can't like them back! All these people…" he sighed. "I always have to turn them down. Cause there's already someone I like."
"And who would that be?"
"You know." Naruto blushed and buried his face in his chest. "Stop making fun of me…"
Sasuke chuckled and kissed his hair. But he was barely standing, and it was probably better if he went to sleep.
"Let's get you home."
Naruto nodded, his eyes half-closed. Sasuke put his arm around his shoulders and they started walking.
"I should probably transform into someone else," he said thoughtfully.
"Not Sakura that's just weird…" Naruto muttered.
"Who then?"
"There's no one in the streets, just stay yourself…"
Sasuke didn't reply. They continued walking slowly, and he helped Naruto every time he tripped. He kept his guard up, so that he would sense any shinobi approaching before it was too late. But none of them came near enough to see him, and they reached Naruto's apartment without trouble.
Naruto immediately went to collapse on his bed. Sasuke followed him just to make sure he was okay. Standing next to the bed, he smiled fondly. Naruto would be fine, he just needed to sleep this off. He was about to walk away, when Naruto grabbed his arm and yanked him forward with impressive strength considering his drunken and almost passed out state.
"You're not going anywhere." He muttered, opening his blue eyes slightly.
"Okay…" Sasuke chuckled.
Funny thing was, a bunch of ninja were looking for him out there, since he was one of the most famous rogue ninja and he had escaped Konoha for the second time. But they would never think to look for him right in the middle of the village.
"I guess I can stay the night," he whispered, wrapping his arm around Naruto.
"You better be here when I wake up this time," the blond muttered without opening his eyes.
"I will."