Be Careful What You Wish For

By: Poison Ivy

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

AN: Yay! Guess what? I finally found Naruto manga on the Internet! Thank you narutofan! (Just add a .com on the end of that since ff.net doesn't allow URLs) so for the past few days I have been feverishly trying to download all of them. ^^

Also, sorry for not updating sooner, but what with the manga and the fact that finals are coming up (blatantly ignores the fact that she is typing instead of studying) I haven't had a lot of time on my hands. Three tests tomorrow? Is that possible?!

Anyways, here you go. The promised longer chapter 4. Please enjoy.

Notes:

Thoughts
"Speech"
Chapter Four

~

Sakura couldn't help yawning as she walked toward the forest. To her surprise, she was the first one there.

She took a spot on a rock, and yawned into her hand again. Kakashi-sensei better not be late again, she thought to herself, not after warning me to be on time! But then, knowing him, it's more likely that he will be.

*

Sasuke walked into the clearing, apprehensive after spotting Sakura. He wasn't sure what would be worse, Sakura yelling at him, or Sakura mooning over him. For the strangest reason, he couldn't seem to get the scolding out of his head. I must really be bored, he thought idly, if I'm interested in what _she_ thinks.

To his surprise, Sakura ignored him. Completely. After a curious glance, she returned back to her state of half-sleep.

*

Sakura was slowly drifting away. Before, she wouldn't allow herself to sleep, not wanting to miss a second of Sasuke-kun's presence. Now, she didn't care.

Just as she was about to drift off into dreamland, Sasuke said softly, "Sakura?"

*

He had no idea what he was doing. He tried to tell himself that he didn't care, but the silence was unbearable. (Though he wouldn't have paid much attention to it before.) And now that he's broken it, Sasuke didn't know what to do next.

*

Sakura thought that maybe she was asleep, and was having the remnants of a dream in which Sasuke talked to her. But she was still slightly cold, and in dreams, she had never _felt_ cold. She opened her eyes, and said cautiously, "What?"

Crap. She heard me after all. "Ano…" but before Sasuke could get any farther, the village's number one hyperactive ninja bounded into the clearing, and he clammed up.

"Ohayou Sakura-chan!" he exclaimed.

"Ohayou Naruto." She muttered, still not quite forgiving him for his last prank.

"Ano…I know you're still mad at me, "he began, nervously fidgeting, "So I brought you a present! To say sorry!" he shoved what appeared to a be a thermos towards Sakura.

She took it and opened it warily. "…ramen?"

"Hai." Naruto seemed transfixed to the thermos. All morning he had debated what to bring Sakura, and in the end, decided on the thing he loved the most. (To be symbolic) But now that it actually came time to part with it, he was having serious problems giving it away. After all, he had carried it all the way there, and when his Sakura-chan had opened the thermos, the rich smell wafted into his nostrils. It was all he could do not to start drooling. Screw it, it was all he could do not to drool openly.

Sakura didn't quite know what to say. On one hand, it was sweet, the way he was willing to give up ramen (well not _too_ willing) for her, but on the other hand, it just proved to her what a one-track mind he had.

Sasuke, obviously reaching the same conclusion that Sakura had, snorted, and muttered, "Dobe."

Naruto's face fell. "If you don't like it, I can take it back." He offered, trying not to look too eager.

Sakura started out of her reverie. "No! No. It's great! I can eat this for lunch, especially if it rains today."

Naruto tried to hide his disappointment. "You really like it?"

"Hai. Arigatou."

She put her thermos away, and said to Naruto, "So what do you think today's mission will be?"

Naruto beamed. "I hope it's something really big! Then all the villagers will recognize me as the next Hokage!"

"I don't think so." Sasuke interrupted. "They won't give big missions to rookies like us, even if Kakashi-sensei is along for the ride.

"Oh." Sakura said sadly. What Sasuke said made sense, but she had been looking forward to having something really important to do.

But Naruto refused to be put out. "But Kakashi-sensei _told_ me that it was important!" he whined.

Sasuke glared. "If it was so important, then why is Kakashi-sensei late?"

Sakura realized that it was true. She had been waiting for at least half an hour.

"Meh. He's just like that." Said Naruto, ever the optimist.

"Hn." Sasuke had gotten tired of the rather one-sided argument.

And so they waited in silence.

*

"Oh come on you guys! Look lively!" Kakashi strode into the clearing, jolting both Sakura and Naruto out of their state of half sleep. Sasuke just opened one eye. It was impossible to tell whether he had been asleep or awake.

They had been waiting for 4 hours.

Sakura jumped up, angrily pointing a finger at Kakashi.

"You! Where have you been?"

"I got lost on the road of life." he said smoothly.

"Shut up!" she screamed at him, "You lie!"

Naruto tugged at Kakashi's vest. "What's our mission Kakashi sensei?"

Kakashi looked sternly at them. "I don't know if I should tell you, after the way that you guys were goofing off. Ninjas should always be on alert."

"What about punctual?" Sakura asked icily.

Kakashi cleared his throat.

"Ok. Today's mission is this. The owner of the biggest laundromat in the village, Shindou Yuki, ahs asked for our help. Her cat is missing and—"

"Hold it." Naruto held up a hand. He looked at Kakashi suspiciously; "You aren't going to ask us to look for the cat are you?"

"Um…yeah." The jounin looked uncomfortable.

"NANI?" Now it was Naruto's turn to scream at him. "You said that this mission was important! That the Hokage only trusted us to do it!"

"It _is_ important" Kakashi soothed. "Think about it. If Yuki doesn't get her cat back, she might refuse to open her laundromat! And if she doesn't open, what will happen to the village? Everyone's clothes will stink! And on missions, the smell will give us away!

"Ok." He continued, ignoring everyone's glares, "that settles it. We're looking for a tabby cat."

He handed out the walkie-talkies. "Let's split up, and don't forget to keep in touch."

*

Sasuke sped through the treetops, not really looking, and not really caring. He planned to start from the lake, and move inward, thinking that the cat wouldn't have strayed far. Unfortunately for him, he realized that someone else had the same idea.

"So, dobe, have you seen the cat yet?"

He landed beside a startled Naruto, who shook his head no.

The blonde ninja was balanced precariously on some rocks by the lake's edge, and by the looks of it, had just arrived.

Sasuke was just about to leave when Naruto's voice stopped him.

"I feel a bit bad for you Sasuke-bastard. Sakura-chan doesn't like you anymore you know."

Sasuke was about to reply that he didn't really care when Naruto continued.

"She obviously realized what a cold-hearted bastard you are, and what a great guy _I_ am." He spread his arms wide.

Pain and anger lanced through Sasuke's heart. Much as he hated to admit it, the dobe was right. Suddenly, the last few day's events made sense.

This is what you wanted isn't it? A small voice at the back of his head whispered, For her to leave you alone?

It _was_.

It took all of Sasuke's self-control to remain calm as he lazily swung a fist at Naruto's head. The blonde dodged it easily, (as Sasuke had known he would) but lost his balance and fell. (As Sasuke had also known he would.) But what he hadn't counted on was Naruto grabbing hold of his arm as he fell, essentially, bringing Sasuke down with him.

The water at the edge wasn't very deep, but without the sun's warmth, it was chilly, and Naruto and Sasuke were both soaked. They lay glaring at each other through wet hair.

Naruto broke the silence first, not yet done with his gloating. "It's too late you know, she doesn't want you anymore. She wants—"

That did it. Sasuke punched again, this time putting real force into the blow, and Naruto, surprised, forgot to duck. Apparently, he thought Sasuke too emotionless to actually hit him out of anger. Naruto took the blow right in the face, and was out like a light, sprawled in the lake.

Sasuke looked at him triumphantly for a few seconds, before reaching out a hand and fishing him out of the lake. If he didn't, he would probably have drowned himself in the foot or so of water.

*

Sakura wandered through the forest, meticulously searching every tree and niche for the lost cat. It was slow going, but her hard work paid off when she discovered the lost cat beneath a bush.

Hostile yellow eyes glared at her, and too late Sakura realized that Kakashi forgot to tell them its name.

"Sorry kitty," she whispered softly, knowing that if she raised her voice the cat would run off, "I don't have any kitty treats on me."

The cat looked exceptionally hungry.

Sakura suddenly remembered Naruto's present, and brought out the thermos.

She opened the lid and sniffed. Luck was on her side. It was shrimp flavored.

She poured some of it into the lid, and set it on the ground.

She then backed away from it, and waited.

She didn't have to wait long. The cat soon crawled out of its burrow; its fur matted and dirty. It bent toward the ramen, and without further ado, began to eat.

Sakura scooped up the cat, which made vague mewling noises about being taken away from its food at the back of its throat, but other than that, didn't struggle. Apparently, the wild life wasn't treating it too well.

She shifted the cat to one arm, making reassuring noises all the while, and with the other arm, capped the ramen. She returned it to her pocket and contacted Kakashi.

"Come on kitty. It's time to end this mission." She told it as she set off towards the clearing.

Sakura had just arrived when a very angry (not to mention very wet) Sasuke stormed in, dragging a dazed looking (and also wet) Naruto behind him by the arm. Which he dumped as soon as he entered the clearing.

Sakura blinked. "What happened to you guys?"

Sasuke glared at her while jabbing a thumb in Naruto's direction.

"_He_ dragged us into the lake."

Naruto sneezed in answer.

"Oh. Um…" Sakura didn't really know how to answer that. So instead, she held up Kitty. "Look who I found!"

Sasuke nodded, accepting what she said as a valid answer. "Good job."

Sakura was stunned. Did the dark-haired ninja just compliment her work? Without sarcasm?"

"Excellent work Sakura!" Kakashi exclaimed, walking into the clearing.

I bet he wasn't even searching, just reading his book. Sakura thought.

Kakashi walked over and scooped up the lost cat. Kitty yowled and scratched him, turning into a blur of claws, teeth, and fur. Kakashi causally held the cat at arm's length. "Hm. Spirited little thing, aren't you?"

He looked around, as if noticing Sasuke and a sniffling Naruto for the first time. He blinked. "…what happened to you guys?"

Sasuke didn't bother to answer, just jerked his head in Naruto's direction, and sat on a rock.

Naruto sneezed loudly.

"Ok. …Well, I'm going to take the cat back before Yuki freaks too much. Training is dismissed today. Ja Ne." the jounin disappeared in the direction of the village center.

Sakura looked despairingly at her two wet teammates.

"Ano…if you guys want, you can dry off at my house." She offered hesitantly.

Naruto immediately brightened. "Sure! That would be great Sakura-chan!" he latched onto her arm enthusiastically, and she tried not to wince at his wet touch. Naruto stuck his tongue out at the Uchiha heir while Sakura wasn't looking.

"…you can come too." She said, extending the invitation to Sasuke. She didn't really expect him to accept, so when he nodded grimly, she didn't really know what to say.

A drop of water resolved her dilemma as it hit her nose.

"It's starting to rain." She said with mild surprise.

"Let's go Sakura-chan!" Naruto was still holding onto her arm, and now he began to drag her off.

She threw an apologetic look at Sasuke as he followed.

~

Well that's it! Please review! The more you review the quicker I'll update!