Author: Talais
Title: Naruto's Aniki, chapter 3
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any thing that is part of the Naruto world, I know it sucks.
Parings: Sasuke and Naruto, no sex yet.
On to the Fic
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Leaving Tazuna-san's house wasn't hard for Sasuke; it was never hard to leave for him. Sasuke never really was anywhere, he tried to leave nothing that would point to him, no sign of his passing. He prided himself on being able to leave no impression on people good or bad, a ninja must stay hidden. Sasuke lived separated from the outside world. //I like it like that.// Sasuke said to himself. He didn't like the fact that it sounded as though he was trying to convince himself.
As they left the small town you would have never know that the last heir to the Uchiha clan had stayed here for almost a month. Naruto on the other hand seemed to have left a mark every where. Everyone seemed to come to the blonde boy and thank him, and wish him well.
A lot of the girls hugged him and kissed him on the cheek causing both parties to blush and the girls to giggle. Sasuke struggled with the desire to punch each and every one of the girls that came near Naruto. //Why am I so mad? Does it really matter that Naruto is getting kissed?//
Sasuke hadn't had to deal with girls wanting to kiss him; he had simply stepped away before they could close in. Although he noticed very few even tried. Sasuke thought it had something to do with the fact that Sakura was following him, playing with her Kunai.
Finally they reached the edge of the bridge. In the five days Sasuke had slept the townsfolk had rallied and finished the massive bridge. Tazuna came to the front of the crowd. "Thank you for protecting us, you are always welcome back to my home." He shook all of Team 7's hands grinning at them. "Because of you we now have our bridge, a bridge of hope!"
There was a thunderous cheer from the people standing behind Tazuna, as the four ninja walked away. Behind them they pulled a small cart with two caskets on it. "Tazuna-san, what will we name the bridge?" A man shouted out from the crowd.
Tazuna thought for a while then said in a loud voice that easily carried to where Naruto and the others were. "I think we will call it Naruto Bridge, it will be blessed to have such a name. It is a name that is going to become super famous!"
The cheering started again and Sasuke just shook his head. //I struggle to stay hidden, leave no mark, Naruto seems to try to make the biggest impression he can.// Sasuke grinned to himself, Naruto was interesting.
Naruto fought tears back; he wouldn't cry in front of Inari, he couldn't. Sasuke just shook his head at that too. //Naruto, you care too much. A ninja must hold himself aloof, untouched by the outside world.// Sasuke knew those words. He had lived by them, but now for some reason they seemed empty.
The first day of traveling was set at an easy pace; Kakashi had Sasuke and Naruto going through katas and other exercises. It was to increase blood flow and re-establish an even flow of chakra to all parts of the body. By the end of the day both Naruto and Sasuke were feeling better. Five days of inactivity had caused stiff muscles; by flexing Sasuke could tell that he was ready to fight again.
Kakashi decided on a campsite just before dark and told Sakura and Sasuke to set up the tents and start something to eat. He wanted to talk to Naruto alone for a few minutes.
Sasuke watched as Kakashi and Naruto walked into the surrounding forest. "I wonder what Kakashi-sensei wants with Naruto?"
"I don't think he said." Sakura said. Sasuke hadn't realized he had spoken out loud. He must have looked confused because Sakura asked if he was feeling well.
"Aa," Sasuke muttered, //what's going on. I never say anything I don't want to.// "I'll set up the tents, you start something for supper." Sakura nodded as Sasuke took the bundles of cloth and polls and started to set up the tents.
*
Once Naruto and Kakashi were a ways away the Jounin stopped, turning to his young student Kakashi said, "Naruto, I need you to take off you shirt for a second."
Naruto stared at his sensei, //Take off my shirt? Why would I do that?// "Why?" Naruto asked, //Kakashi isn't a pervert is he?// That thought made Naruto decidedly uncomfortable. The young genin started looking for possible ways away from his sensei.
"I'm not a pervert Naruto, if that's what you're thinking." Kakashi chuckled as Naruto froze. "It's your seal; I need to check it. In the fight with Haku I felt the Kyuubi's chakra; I need to make sure the seal is still holding."
Naruto nodded, he took his shirt off, Kakashi touched his stomach and Naruto could feel a tingling as his sensei delved the seal with his chakra. "I would have checked this sooner, but you wouldn't come away from Sasuke, and I didn't want him to wake up and see this."
Naruto nodded, he had been told that he shouldn't let people see his chakra released mark. Naruto waited as Kakashi finished his examination. "It looks like it's still holding fine. Naruto do you remember the fight at all?"
~~Say no~~ Naruto paused in his answer to his teacher, and changed what he was going to say. "No, I just blanked out, or something." Naruto decided to try to stay as close to the truth as possible, he wasn't very good at lying.
Kakashi looked at the blonde boy in front of him, trying to see if he was lying. Naruto felt his sensei's eye measuring him. He had the strange feeling that the covered eye could see no less detail simply because it was covered. Naruto felt like Kakashi knew that he had lied, he started to say that he had released the Kyuubi, when Kakashi tossed him his shirt and whispered. "We have a visitor, I think it is Sasuke." He put his fingers to his lips motioning Naruto to be quiet.
Naruto spun around, Kakashi had been using chakra to check his seal and so it stood out against his tanned skin. Pulling on his shirt quickly he hoped that Sasuke hadn't been close enough to see anything.
*
Sasuke moved with the speed of a cat, careful to make no noise as he tried to find his teacher and friend. He found them about a hundred paces into the woods, and saw Kakashi touching Naruto's stomach and the boy turning away quickly. //Why was Kakashi touching Naruto's stomach? For that matter why was Naruto's shirt off?// Sasuke decided he would have to go closer to hear what they were saying.
"Sasuke I thought I told you and Sakura to make camp." Kakashi said quietly startling the Uchiha heir.
Sasuke jumped missing the next tree branch and barely catching it with a hand. Hanging there he looked at the log that was beside Naruto that had been Kakashi. //Damn he surprised me.// "Camp is set, I thought that I should come and get you and Naruto, Sakura almost has the food ready." //Why were you touching Naruto?// Sasuke asked in his head, eyeing his teacher up slowly. //Is he a pervert? I know that some of the other teachers 'like' their students.//
Kakashi jumped to the ground landing beside Naruto, he waited for Sasuke to drop down beside them. //Why do all my students think I'm a pervert?// Kakashi wondered shaking his head. //I guess it is just their age.//
Back at the camp Kakashi saw that the meal was nearly done and directed Naruto and Sasuke to finish helping. Sitting down he pulled out his favourite book, Icha Icha Paradise.
Sasuke watched his teacher pull out the perverted book he always read. //Maybe he is a pervert!//
"Problem?" Kakashi asked looking at the dark haired boy staring at him.
"No, nothing." Sasuke answered, he turned back to his chores.
Kakashi sighed; he just couldn't understand why they all thought he was a pervert. Opening his book he forgot about Sasuke and the others, he was still observing them, but now his attention was to the latest story in the book, it was a really good story.
Kakashi was halfway through the story when Naruto started shouting that supper was ready. //Will that boy ever learn to be quiet?// As Kakashi made his way to his students he checked the lines of chakra that he had set out. Anyone that touched those lines would alert him. They were in the Water country and although they were allies it was always better to be safe.
After the meal Naruto asked if he could go look around. Kakashi knew the area fairly well and agreed. Sasuke and Sakura joined the brightly dressed ninja. All three wanted to see what this forest had to offer in way of amusement.
The three took off, jumping from tree to tree, silence held, except for Naruto's constant stream of comments on things. Sakura's inner self was shouting //NARUTO! Leave Sasuke and me alone, can't you see we want to talk!// On the next jump she planned to land next to her love, but Sasuke landed on the other side of Naruto. Inner Sakura fumed.
Sasuke wasn't sure why he had jumped onto Naruto's other side, away from Sakura. It just seemed that she emitted an aura that made him uncomfortable. //She had to be the most annoying girl I know.// Sasuke smiled to himself as he listened to Naruto shout about how he had never seen a certain bug, or how that bird lived in the forests of Konoha. //I never noticed, but he really is observant.//
The sun was starting to set making the clouds brilliant golds and reds. The three genin stopped. Landing on a large branch high off the ground. "It'll be dark in an hour or so, maybe we should head back." Sakura suggested. //It might be a romantic walk Sasuke.//
"Hey Sakura-chan, you want me to take you back? It might be romantic!" Naruto bounced beside her, excited that he might get to walk Sakura to camp. It was odd though, even though he wanted to walk Sakura back he wanted to stay and explore Sasuke too. //With Sasuke, I want to explore WITH Sasuke.// Naruto corrected in his mind, he was making a lot of those mistakes lately.
"Naruto I can take care of myself, so buzz off!" Sakura sneered.
Naruto looked down at his toes. //Why is she always so mean? I get it Sakura; you only want Sasuke, that bastard. He always gets in my way!// Naruto wanted to shout at Sasuke, to tell him that Sakura was his girl, and it was his fault that she always treated him like dirt. //If Sasuke wasn't here Sakura would like me!//
~~If Sasuke wasn't here you would only have me again. ~~ Naruto bit back the curses he was going to shout at Sasuke when Aniki's voice spoke in his mind. //That's right, Sasuke is my friend.// Naruto found himself blushing and he could feel the big grin spreading on his face. he had to get use to having a friend, a real friend, that everyone could see.
"What are you smiling at Baka?" Sakura shouted //Ugh, why does Naruto always get in the way?// turning to Sasuke she smiled, "Sasuke-kun would you like to walk me back to camp?"
"You just told Naruto that you could walk back yourself" Sasuke said, "Why would I bother?"
Bringing her arms up; she rested her chin on her hands, fluttering her eyelashes, "Mou, I guess I will see you back at camp then." Inner Sakura: 'Damn it! Look at my eyes damn it, aren't they beautiful!' Sakura remembered the advice her mother had given her, `When you flutter your eyelashes people will look at your eyes, and you have beautiful eyes Sakura.`
//Yes it's working, he's looking at my eyes, now he will reconsider and walk me...// Sakura's thought was cut off when Naruto tugged on her sleeve.
"Anou, Sakura-chan. Do you have something in your eye?" Naruto asked, worry evident in his voice. // Why is she blinking so funny? Maybe she got some sand in her eye or something.//
There was silence for a few seconds, Sakura just stared at Naruto. Trying to kill him with her gaze. Sasuke broke the silence as he doubled over laughing, holding his sides. Stress veins popped out on Sakura's large forehead, and Naruto could feel an overwhelming ki radiating from the pink haired girl.
"Naruto no BAKA!" She shouted, and ran the other way, jumping from tree to tree back to the camp.
Naruto looked confused, //What did I do this time?// "Sasuke what's so funny?" Naruto had a sinking feeling that he was the brunt of a joke, or that he had made a fool of himself again. //It's not fair, why can't I make Sasuke think I'm cool?//
Sasuke finally got control of his laughter, but he wasn't able to wipe away the smile on his face, //I don't think I have laughed like that in years. Only you can make me laugh like that.// Sasuke thought. "Naruto when a girl does this." Sasuke blinked his eyes in imitation of Sakura. "She wants to show her eyes off, it doesn't really work."
"That doesn't make any sense." Naruto grumbled. "Sasuke has beautiful eyes, I never really noticed before, but you don't blink funny." //Well I might not understand why Sakura blinks like that, but at least he tried to explained it to me.//
Sasuke nearly fell out of a tree for the second time that day. //Naruto likes my eyes? Maybe it does work.// Sasuke blinked again and watched as Naruto stop looking around to stare at his eyes. "Ah, thanks." //Why do I care that he likes my eyes?//
Naruto was smiling again; he liked having Sasuke as a friend. "So you want to keep looking around? I think there is supposed to be a river around here, Kakashi-sensei told me about it." Naruto pointed in the direction that the river was supposed to be in. "He said there are really nice fish there, maybe we could catch some for breakfast."
Sasuke nodded, "I have to make breakfast tomorrow, and fish would be nice. I wonder how green Sakura will go when we gut the fish." Sasuke smiled he wasn't sure why but he enjoyed tormenting the girl. //I'll ask her to gut them, she will probably think I am falling in love with her or something.//
When the boys found the river; Sasuke could just make out the far side of it. Deep and wide it was slow moving. Sasuke turned to see where Naruto had gone to, when a flash of blonde hair and tanned flesh zip by him.
Naruto jumped into the air and belly flopped into the water, Sasuke flinched. //Doesn't he know how to dive?// Sasuke had to wipe a trickle of blood away from his nose when he realized that Naruto was naked.
"Sasuke, come on in." Naruto called, his head coming out of the water, he held up a large hook waving Sasuke to join him. A thought occurred to Sasuke then, //I can see if he really is bigger than me.// "Come on Sasuke, it will go faster with two of us!" The blonde dove under the water and a moment later came up with a fish.
Sasuke's blushed as he thought of seeing Naruto naked, the blonde boy thought Sasuke was just being shy and called out. "Come on, I've already seen what you got, it ain't no big deal!" Naruto laughed at his own joke, laughing harder as Sasuke glared at him.
Walking back to where Naruto's clothes were Sasuke pulled off his own. //I'll show him,// Sasuke thought. //I'll see him too!// Sasuke's face went red again at the thought of the naked boy.
"This is a dive Naruto!" Sasuke called out as he jumped into the air and dove, into the ice-cold river, as graceful as a swan. Sasuke's head broke the surface of the water moments later, //Holy Shit it's freezing in here!// Even his mind seemed numb. All thought of comparing with Naruto were gone from his mind, he could feel everything shrinking. //How can he be swimming in this?//
"You're not cold are you?" Naruto called.
"I can stay here longer than you." Sasuke said, giving his friend a flat stare. Sasuke knew that Naruto was his friend but he just couldn't let the smaller boy show him up. So they fished; Sasuke's hand felt like it had frozen around the handle of the fishhook he was using. The one good thing about the river was that it was teaming with fish, and large fish at that.
The boys had six or seven fish in a quarter of an hour and decided that that should be enough. Climbing out of the river Sasuke turned to watch Naruto. //I can laugh at his shrinkage at least. // Sasuke grinned mischievously.
His grin was wiped away as the blonde boy climbing from the river suddenly turned into nothing but smoke. //A clone?!// The bushes rustled and Sasuke heard peals of laughter, as Naruto stepped out.
"NARUTO!" Sasuke yelled
"Sasuke, you're even smaller than I remembered!" Naruto pointed at Sasuke's numbed member. Sasuke leaped for his clothes and pulled them on hurriedly. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it." Naruto was having a hard time talking because he was laughing so hard. "Kakashi-sensei told me about this river; it is fed by glaciers."
//It was a clone! He tricked me!// Sasuke wanted to be mad, wanted to shout at Naruto and tell him he was an idiot, but he couldn't. //He got me, and good too.// "Ha ha, very funny," Sasuke's teeth chattered "Now lets go back to camp." Sasuke couldn't make himself be angry at Naruto for pulling that prank, but he was cold and he wanted to sit by the fire.
They collected the fish, Naruto was still laughing and Sasuke joined him, now that he could feel his body again. The fish were large, a good five pounds a piece, and so going back was taking longer than either boy thought it would. Naruto surprised Sasuke again by cloning himself into four and handing them his fish.
Sasuke smiled, letting the clones take his fish too, //I bet Naruto just doesn't want to carry them.// Sasuke wasn't sorry to be relived of his burden, the cold had sapped his energy and he was still weaker than usual from the needles. In an hour they reached the campsite, the clones dropped the fish and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Naruto! What have you been doing to Sasuke?!" Sakura's voice made Sasuke's spine crawl. "He looks frozen! If you..."
"Shut up Sakura, I'm fine." Sasuke cut her off, "We just went swimming in the Ice River." //God she drives me nuts! What I wouldn't do to strangle her with that ridiculously long hair!//
Sasuke smiled to himself as Sakura looked at him with hurt eyes, //That's right, stop liking me. Please!// The smile disappeared though when he looked at Naruto, //Why's he look confused?//
Sasuke did a quick replay of everything that had happened since getting back to camp. //Nothing that doesn't normally happen. Sakura yells at Naruto, tries to comfort me. I tell her to mind her own business and Naruto yells at me to be nicer to 'Sakura-chan.' So why is he so confused?//
Sasuke would have been looking as confused as Naruto if he hadn't schooled his face to its normal complacency. After another moment of silence it hit Sasuke what was out of place. //Naruto didn't tell me to be nicer to Sakura!// Sasuke's mask of emotionless ness was replaced by a stunned look.
*
Sakura watched the two, Naruto trying to think, and Sasuke just standing there, he looked so cool!
The silence stretched for a while, and Sakura thought that Naruto should have had smoke coming out of his ears. Something was bothering the two of them but she couldn't say what.
When Sasuke's face went all startled though Sakura started to worry that Naruto's dumbness was rubbing off on her precious Sasuke. "Naruto go away, your dumbness is infecting Sasuke-kun!"
Sasuke turned to tell Sakura to be quiet when he was startled for the fourth time that day. "Oh Shut up Sakura!" Naruto shouted. The silence that followed seemed to hang in the air. Even Kakashi looked up from his newest volume of Icha Icha Paradise looking somewhat surprised.
//She always puts me down, I've had it, I don't need her anymore. Sasuke wants to be my friend, she just wants Sasuke.// Naruto grabbed the fish and stalk off to clean them, a little rougher than absolutely necessary.
Sakura just stared at the spot that Naruto had been standing in only moments before. //He just told me to shut up! And he didn't call me Sakura- chan!// She was left alone, Sasuke had followed Naruto. To be away from Sakura before he ended up laughing at her. Laughing was still new to Sasuke, he hadn't known your face could get sore from smiling and laughing. Not that Sasuke did much of either.
Sasuke almost felt sorry for the pink haired ditz. //Almost.// Sasuke smiled, why he felt happier that Naruto didn't seem to be hung up on Sakura anymore really didn't register with him.
Kakashi watched the scene with a half smile, idly wondering how long Sakura was going to stand there with her mouth open. "Sakura, you're going to swallow a fly standing like that." The teacher said a smile in his voice.
Morning came and with it the smell of freshly cooked fish. Naruto stretched as he sat up, looking over to the smell of the cooking fish. Last night he and Sasuke had cleaned the fish. Naruto smiled at the memory of Sakura nearly puking when he showed her how to cut open the belly and pull out all of the contents.
Sasuke had kept his head down, intent on his own fish. He didn't want to end up laughing at Sakura again. He contented himself on hearing her gag as she ran away from the two of them.
After they ate, Sakura not touching the fish, they pulled down the tents and packed everything back on the carts that carried the remains of Zabuza and Haku.
Kakashi set Naruto and Sasuke to scout ahead; leaving the planning to them and helped Sakura pull the cart. Sasuke took control quickly, "Naruto you take the left, and I'll take the right. We circle back every half-hour, to report to Kakashi-sensei. If you find something, or suspect something is wrong whistle like the Kono bird, and we will meet back with Kakashi to figure out what to do."
Naruto nodded, everything made sense. "Why the Kono?" Naruto asked quickly.
"It only lives in Konohagakure, so we will know that it is one of us and not just the wildlife." Sasuke explained, "Ready?"
"Hai!" Naruto was off like a shot, and Sasuke moved as quickly in the other direction, Kakashi nodded. //Very smart boys.// Kakashi was proud of his students, they would make fine ninjas. Someday.
Naruto was a little disappointed when nothing exciting happened that day. They were in a different country, //Shouldn't we be seeing other ninjas?// Naruto decided that maybe they would see some tomorrow and grinned at the idea of showing Sasuke how cool he was.
When he met up with Sasuke they heard Kakashi shout that the camp was set and to come in for the night. Turning the two friends headed into camp. When they got there they saw that the tents were already pitched and Kakashi was cooking. Kakashi had said that on missions it was always best to share chores, that way no one felt that they had to do everything. It still surprised Sasuke that Kakashi would cook though.
"Find anything on your side?" Sasuke asked as they walked in to sit down beside the fire.
"Yeah, there is a nice river over that next rise, wanna go for a swim?" Naruto laughed as Sasuke turned a light shade of red. He wanted to think pink, but he didn't think pink and Sasuke seemed to go together.
"Baka!" Sasuke thumped Naruto on the head, wondering if he would ever hear the end of him falling for Naruto's trick.
"What about your side. Mine was all trees and rock outcroppings." Naruto tried for a serious face, //No need to piss him off, although it was funny.//
"No, nothing." Sasuke was glad they were having a safe trip but he was getting bored after all the fighting they had done in the last few weeks. "You want to go spar?" Sasuke asked, "There is a clearing about half a mile out, with a lake beside it, we could go for a swim afterwards."
Naruto nodded. "Alright, but don't cry when I kick your ass!" //Shut up! Why do you always have to try to piss him off!// Naruto scratched his head, "I mean yeah, it'd be fun."
Sasuke stared at Naruto, //Well we are friends.// "This way." Sasuke said and ran into the woods, Naruto close on his heals.
Sasuke faced Naruto, the two boys were sweating, it had originally been decided that there wouldn't be any jutsu, simply hand to hand combat, but after a few minutes that had changed. Naruto had become faster than Sasuke remembered, and his Sharingan had come out, causing Naruto to clone himself. Fighting one Naruto wasn't that hard, fighting four was pushing his limits.
As they clashed again two of the four Narutos disappeared, the other two landing solid blows to Sasuke's torso. The three bodies flew apart and landed in separate heaps, the last clone dissipating. Standing up Sasuke and Naruto were breathing hard, and sweating freely. "Well you want to go for a swim?" Sasuke asked, he could fight more, but they still had another day of travel and he didn't want to end up to tired when they needed something.
"Alright." Naruto answered, "I'll race ya!"
Sasuke cursed as the hyper boy turned and ran towards the cliff edge, it was a 15 foot drop to the small lake but it was deep so jumping wasn't going to matter.
Naruto tossed his coat off and started to pull his shirt off, and his heart sank. //Shit, I used chakra in the sparing match.// On Naruto's stomach was the swirling seal that held the Kyuubi in his body. It would take an hour to go away. //Damn it, what am I gonna say to Sasuke?//
Sasuke stopped when he passed Naruto noticing that the boy was tucking his shirt back in, "What's up?" Sasuke asked; his shirt in one hand. "You can't swim or something? I know you can't dive worth a damn, or at least your clones can't!" Sasuke meant it for a joke but Naruto's face seemed to fall.
//Sasuke I can't go swimming right now, I can't let you see the seal.// Naruto wanted to scream, he felt like he was going to cry. //I want to go swimming with my FRIEND!//
"Naruto, if you don't know how to swim I'll teach you, it isn't hard." Sasuke didn't think that was the problem though, //his clones know how to swim, he has to too.//
"No that's not it; I can swim." Naruto went silent, //I want to tell him, but what am I gonna say? 'My seal is showing, the one that holds the Kyuubi from destroying everything, I'm not supposed to show anyone so that is why I can't go swimming with you.' yeah that would be just great!// his inner voice dripped with sarcasm. "I'm just tired; I guess I used more chakra than I thought. I'll head back to the camp, you go on." Naruto hoped Sasuke would believe that lie, he didn't want to lie, but he was afraid what the truth might do.
Sasuke just stared at Naruto, //Too tired! I never thought I would here that from him!// Sasuke shrugged, there had to be a reason, but Naruto would tell him if he wanted him to know. "We don't have to swim, come on we can head back."
Naruto put his hand up to stop Sasuke, "No you go on. I just need to rest. Anyway you look hot. I mean all sweaty, so you should go swimming!" Naruto felt like hitting himself, //You look hot! What the hell am I saying?//
Sasuke grinned, //Perhaps he needs to settle something else down!// "So I'll catch you later then?" Sasuke slipped out of his shorts and boxers in one motion. Smiling at Naruto's shock he turned and dove off the cliff, //Baka!// He chided himself, //Now you need to settle yourself down, what are you thinking!//
Naruto watched Sasuke for a second from the cliff. Sasuke seemed almost like a fish in the water, his movements even more graceful than normal. The fact that the water seemed to enhance the pale skin of the dark haired ninja had nothing to do with it, or so Naruto tried to tell himself.
~~I'm sorry Naruto.~~ Aniki's voice startled Naruto into almost falling off the cliff. He must have made a noise because Sasuke looked up to where he was watching him. Naruto waved and ran off, breathing hard.
//What are you sorry for?// Naruto asked. He liked being able to talk to his Aniki outside the dream, he had been thinking about his first friend a lot lately.
~~It is because of me that you can't go swimming with your friend. Because the Kyuubi is sealed in you.~~ Naruto nearly fell out of the tree he was jumping from, Aniki was the Kyuubi. Naruto had guessed but this was the first time that Aniki had ever admitted it. Naruto was worried now, it didn't make any sense but he was. Now he knew that the voice was the Kyuubi's. //What will Sasuke think of me, if he finds out I made friends with the demon?// ~~I'm sorry.~~
Naruto realized he didn't care what anyone thought about his friend, because he knew Aniki. The Kyuubi; to all those that hated him, Aniki to him. "It's alright, maybe Kakashi-sensei knows a way to hide the seal so I can go back and swim with Sasuke."
He really did want to go swimming with Sasuke, but his first friend needed him too. It was nice to be needed. //Aniki, where are we?// Naruto had stopped in a tall tree. He hadn't been paying attention to where he was going and now he wasn't sure where he was.
~~I think camp is the other way.~~ Aniki's voice chuckled in his head, ~~you are fun to be with.~~
Naruto turned around and started to head in the direction that his Aniki had suggested, he had only gone a few paces when he caught a glimpse of reflected light. //What was that?// he thought.
Naruto made his way over to the light and saw that it was a hot spring; the air seemed filled with steam and a faint smell of flower blossoms. The hot spring was a large pool constantly running over, the stream that lead away from it looked to head in the direction that the lake was in. //Probably goes to the lake, I should go tell Sasuke about this! // Naruto stopped though, his seal was still visible, //I'll bet Sasuke will follow my tracks when he's done swimming, and by then the seal will probably be gone. Aniki, You want to go for a dip?//
~~Aa, I'd like that, I just wish I could feel it, like I use to. It's been so long since I have felt anything.~~ Naruto smiled at the reminiscent voice of his Aniki.
//I have been thinking about that.// Naruto said, that was one thing he loved about his Aniki, when he said he had an idea, or that he had been thinking Aniki didn't laugh or make any jokes, there was just an anticipatory air. It was Aniki waiting to hear the idea or thought.
~~Thinking about what?~~ Aniki asked.
//Well I'll show you, but if it works you gotta promise to behave.//
There was silence then a cautious, ~~You have my word.~~ Naruto nodded.
Concentrating his chakra into the correct shape he formed the katas he had learned what seem so long ago now. "Kage Bushin no Jutsu!"
*POUF* Next to Naruto stood another Naruto, cloned to the last detail, right down to the seal around his navel. He had never tried to duplicate the seal in any of his other clones before. //I hope this works.// "Aniki, can you move into the clone?"
There was silence, Naruto felt a moving in his mind, a shifting, and then. "You are an interesting ninja Naruto." His Aniki's voice didn't resonate through his mind; instead the clone beside him had spoken. It sounded funny, the Kyuubi's voice coming out of the cloned Naruto. The voice was power and strength and Naruto thought it just sounded odd coming from his lips.
Everything looked the same on the clone, except the eyes. When Naruto looked he could see eyes the colour of blood, no longer the deep blue of the sky. Naruto loved those eyes, //They look like Sasuke's eyes.//
Title: Naruto's Aniki, chapter 3
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any thing that is part of the Naruto world, I know it sucks.
Parings: Sasuke and Naruto, no sex yet.
On to the Fic
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Leaving Tazuna-san's house wasn't hard for Sasuke; it was never hard to leave for him. Sasuke never really was anywhere, he tried to leave nothing that would point to him, no sign of his passing. He prided himself on being able to leave no impression on people good or bad, a ninja must stay hidden. Sasuke lived separated from the outside world. //I like it like that.// Sasuke said to himself. He didn't like the fact that it sounded as though he was trying to convince himself.
As they left the small town you would have never know that the last heir to the Uchiha clan had stayed here for almost a month. Naruto on the other hand seemed to have left a mark every where. Everyone seemed to come to the blonde boy and thank him, and wish him well.
A lot of the girls hugged him and kissed him on the cheek causing both parties to blush and the girls to giggle. Sasuke struggled with the desire to punch each and every one of the girls that came near Naruto. //Why am I so mad? Does it really matter that Naruto is getting kissed?//
Sasuke hadn't had to deal with girls wanting to kiss him; he had simply stepped away before they could close in. Although he noticed very few even tried. Sasuke thought it had something to do with the fact that Sakura was following him, playing with her Kunai.
Finally they reached the edge of the bridge. In the five days Sasuke had slept the townsfolk had rallied and finished the massive bridge. Tazuna came to the front of the crowd. "Thank you for protecting us, you are always welcome back to my home." He shook all of Team 7's hands grinning at them. "Because of you we now have our bridge, a bridge of hope!"
There was a thunderous cheer from the people standing behind Tazuna, as the four ninja walked away. Behind them they pulled a small cart with two caskets on it. "Tazuna-san, what will we name the bridge?" A man shouted out from the crowd.
Tazuna thought for a while then said in a loud voice that easily carried to where Naruto and the others were. "I think we will call it Naruto Bridge, it will be blessed to have such a name. It is a name that is going to become super famous!"
The cheering started again and Sasuke just shook his head. //I struggle to stay hidden, leave no mark, Naruto seems to try to make the biggest impression he can.// Sasuke grinned to himself, Naruto was interesting.
Naruto fought tears back; he wouldn't cry in front of Inari, he couldn't. Sasuke just shook his head at that too. //Naruto, you care too much. A ninja must hold himself aloof, untouched by the outside world.// Sasuke knew those words. He had lived by them, but now for some reason they seemed empty.
The first day of traveling was set at an easy pace; Kakashi had Sasuke and Naruto going through katas and other exercises. It was to increase blood flow and re-establish an even flow of chakra to all parts of the body. By the end of the day both Naruto and Sasuke were feeling better. Five days of inactivity had caused stiff muscles; by flexing Sasuke could tell that he was ready to fight again.
Kakashi decided on a campsite just before dark and told Sakura and Sasuke to set up the tents and start something to eat. He wanted to talk to Naruto alone for a few minutes.
Sasuke watched as Kakashi and Naruto walked into the surrounding forest. "I wonder what Kakashi-sensei wants with Naruto?"
"I don't think he said." Sakura said. Sasuke hadn't realized he had spoken out loud. He must have looked confused because Sakura asked if he was feeling well.
"Aa," Sasuke muttered, //what's going on. I never say anything I don't want to.// "I'll set up the tents, you start something for supper." Sakura nodded as Sasuke took the bundles of cloth and polls and started to set up the tents.
*
Once Naruto and Kakashi were a ways away the Jounin stopped, turning to his young student Kakashi said, "Naruto, I need you to take off you shirt for a second."
Naruto stared at his sensei, //Take off my shirt? Why would I do that?// "Why?" Naruto asked, //Kakashi isn't a pervert is he?// That thought made Naruto decidedly uncomfortable. The young genin started looking for possible ways away from his sensei.
"I'm not a pervert Naruto, if that's what you're thinking." Kakashi chuckled as Naruto froze. "It's your seal; I need to check it. In the fight with Haku I felt the Kyuubi's chakra; I need to make sure the seal is still holding."
Naruto nodded, he took his shirt off, Kakashi touched his stomach and Naruto could feel a tingling as his sensei delved the seal with his chakra. "I would have checked this sooner, but you wouldn't come away from Sasuke, and I didn't want him to wake up and see this."
Naruto nodded, he had been told that he shouldn't let people see his chakra released mark. Naruto waited as Kakashi finished his examination. "It looks like it's still holding fine. Naruto do you remember the fight at all?"
~~Say no~~ Naruto paused in his answer to his teacher, and changed what he was going to say. "No, I just blanked out, or something." Naruto decided to try to stay as close to the truth as possible, he wasn't very good at lying.
Kakashi looked at the blonde boy in front of him, trying to see if he was lying. Naruto felt his sensei's eye measuring him. He had the strange feeling that the covered eye could see no less detail simply because it was covered. Naruto felt like Kakashi knew that he had lied, he started to say that he had released the Kyuubi, when Kakashi tossed him his shirt and whispered. "We have a visitor, I think it is Sasuke." He put his fingers to his lips motioning Naruto to be quiet.
Naruto spun around, Kakashi had been using chakra to check his seal and so it stood out against his tanned skin. Pulling on his shirt quickly he hoped that Sasuke hadn't been close enough to see anything.
*
Sasuke moved with the speed of a cat, careful to make no noise as he tried to find his teacher and friend. He found them about a hundred paces into the woods, and saw Kakashi touching Naruto's stomach and the boy turning away quickly. //Why was Kakashi touching Naruto's stomach? For that matter why was Naruto's shirt off?// Sasuke decided he would have to go closer to hear what they were saying.
"Sasuke I thought I told you and Sakura to make camp." Kakashi said quietly startling the Uchiha heir.
Sasuke jumped missing the next tree branch and barely catching it with a hand. Hanging there he looked at the log that was beside Naruto that had been Kakashi. //Damn he surprised me.// "Camp is set, I thought that I should come and get you and Naruto, Sakura almost has the food ready." //Why were you touching Naruto?// Sasuke asked in his head, eyeing his teacher up slowly. //Is he a pervert? I know that some of the other teachers 'like' their students.//
Kakashi jumped to the ground landing beside Naruto, he waited for Sasuke to drop down beside them. //Why do all my students think I'm a pervert?// Kakashi wondered shaking his head. //I guess it is just their age.//
Back at the camp Kakashi saw that the meal was nearly done and directed Naruto and Sasuke to finish helping. Sitting down he pulled out his favourite book, Icha Icha Paradise.
Sasuke watched his teacher pull out the perverted book he always read. //Maybe he is a pervert!//
"Problem?" Kakashi asked looking at the dark haired boy staring at him.
"No, nothing." Sasuke answered, he turned back to his chores.
Kakashi sighed; he just couldn't understand why they all thought he was a pervert. Opening his book he forgot about Sasuke and the others, he was still observing them, but now his attention was to the latest story in the book, it was a really good story.
Kakashi was halfway through the story when Naruto started shouting that supper was ready. //Will that boy ever learn to be quiet?// As Kakashi made his way to his students he checked the lines of chakra that he had set out. Anyone that touched those lines would alert him. They were in the Water country and although they were allies it was always better to be safe.
After the meal Naruto asked if he could go look around. Kakashi knew the area fairly well and agreed. Sasuke and Sakura joined the brightly dressed ninja. All three wanted to see what this forest had to offer in way of amusement.
The three took off, jumping from tree to tree, silence held, except for Naruto's constant stream of comments on things. Sakura's inner self was shouting //NARUTO! Leave Sasuke and me alone, can't you see we want to talk!// On the next jump she planned to land next to her love, but Sasuke landed on the other side of Naruto. Inner Sakura fumed.
Sasuke wasn't sure why he had jumped onto Naruto's other side, away from Sakura. It just seemed that she emitted an aura that made him uncomfortable. //She had to be the most annoying girl I know.// Sasuke smiled to himself as he listened to Naruto shout about how he had never seen a certain bug, or how that bird lived in the forests of Konoha. //I never noticed, but he really is observant.//
The sun was starting to set making the clouds brilliant golds and reds. The three genin stopped. Landing on a large branch high off the ground. "It'll be dark in an hour or so, maybe we should head back." Sakura suggested. //It might be a romantic walk Sasuke.//
"Hey Sakura-chan, you want me to take you back? It might be romantic!" Naruto bounced beside her, excited that he might get to walk Sakura to camp. It was odd though, even though he wanted to walk Sakura back he wanted to stay and explore Sasuke too. //With Sasuke, I want to explore WITH Sasuke.// Naruto corrected in his mind, he was making a lot of those mistakes lately.
"Naruto I can take care of myself, so buzz off!" Sakura sneered.
Naruto looked down at his toes. //Why is she always so mean? I get it Sakura; you only want Sasuke, that bastard. He always gets in my way!// Naruto wanted to shout at Sasuke, to tell him that Sakura was his girl, and it was his fault that she always treated him like dirt. //If Sasuke wasn't here Sakura would like me!//
~~If Sasuke wasn't here you would only have me again. ~~ Naruto bit back the curses he was going to shout at Sasuke when Aniki's voice spoke in his mind. //That's right, Sasuke is my friend.// Naruto found himself blushing and he could feel the big grin spreading on his face. he had to get use to having a friend, a real friend, that everyone could see.
"What are you smiling at Baka?" Sakura shouted //Ugh, why does Naruto always get in the way?// turning to Sasuke she smiled, "Sasuke-kun would you like to walk me back to camp?"
"You just told Naruto that you could walk back yourself" Sasuke said, "Why would I bother?"
Bringing her arms up; she rested her chin on her hands, fluttering her eyelashes, "Mou, I guess I will see you back at camp then." Inner Sakura: 'Damn it! Look at my eyes damn it, aren't they beautiful!' Sakura remembered the advice her mother had given her, `When you flutter your eyelashes people will look at your eyes, and you have beautiful eyes Sakura.`
//Yes it's working, he's looking at my eyes, now he will reconsider and walk me...// Sakura's thought was cut off when Naruto tugged on her sleeve.
"Anou, Sakura-chan. Do you have something in your eye?" Naruto asked, worry evident in his voice. // Why is she blinking so funny? Maybe she got some sand in her eye or something.//
There was silence for a few seconds, Sakura just stared at Naruto. Trying to kill him with her gaze. Sasuke broke the silence as he doubled over laughing, holding his sides. Stress veins popped out on Sakura's large forehead, and Naruto could feel an overwhelming ki radiating from the pink haired girl.
"Naruto no BAKA!" She shouted, and ran the other way, jumping from tree to tree back to the camp.
Naruto looked confused, //What did I do this time?// "Sasuke what's so funny?" Naruto had a sinking feeling that he was the brunt of a joke, or that he had made a fool of himself again. //It's not fair, why can't I make Sasuke think I'm cool?//
Sasuke finally got control of his laughter, but he wasn't able to wipe away the smile on his face, //I don't think I have laughed like that in years. Only you can make me laugh like that.// Sasuke thought. "Naruto when a girl does this." Sasuke blinked his eyes in imitation of Sakura. "She wants to show her eyes off, it doesn't really work."
"That doesn't make any sense." Naruto grumbled. "Sasuke has beautiful eyes, I never really noticed before, but you don't blink funny." //Well I might not understand why Sakura blinks like that, but at least he tried to explained it to me.//
Sasuke nearly fell out of a tree for the second time that day. //Naruto likes my eyes? Maybe it does work.// Sasuke blinked again and watched as Naruto stop looking around to stare at his eyes. "Ah, thanks." //Why do I care that he likes my eyes?//
Naruto was smiling again; he liked having Sasuke as a friend. "So you want to keep looking around? I think there is supposed to be a river around here, Kakashi-sensei told me about it." Naruto pointed in the direction that the river was supposed to be in. "He said there are really nice fish there, maybe we could catch some for breakfast."
Sasuke nodded, "I have to make breakfast tomorrow, and fish would be nice. I wonder how green Sakura will go when we gut the fish." Sasuke smiled he wasn't sure why but he enjoyed tormenting the girl. //I'll ask her to gut them, she will probably think I am falling in love with her or something.//
When the boys found the river; Sasuke could just make out the far side of it. Deep and wide it was slow moving. Sasuke turned to see where Naruto had gone to, when a flash of blonde hair and tanned flesh zip by him.
Naruto jumped into the air and belly flopped into the water, Sasuke flinched. //Doesn't he know how to dive?// Sasuke had to wipe a trickle of blood away from his nose when he realized that Naruto was naked.
"Sasuke, come on in." Naruto called, his head coming out of the water, he held up a large hook waving Sasuke to join him. A thought occurred to Sasuke then, //I can see if he really is bigger than me.// "Come on Sasuke, it will go faster with two of us!" The blonde dove under the water and a moment later came up with a fish.
Sasuke's blushed as he thought of seeing Naruto naked, the blonde boy thought Sasuke was just being shy and called out. "Come on, I've already seen what you got, it ain't no big deal!" Naruto laughed at his own joke, laughing harder as Sasuke glared at him.
Walking back to where Naruto's clothes were Sasuke pulled off his own. //I'll show him,// Sasuke thought. //I'll see him too!// Sasuke's face went red again at the thought of the naked boy.
"This is a dive Naruto!" Sasuke called out as he jumped into the air and dove, into the ice-cold river, as graceful as a swan. Sasuke's head broke the surface of the water moments later, //Holy Shit it's freezing in here!// Even his mind seemed numb. All thought of comparing with Naruto were gone from his mind, he could feel everything shrinking. //How can he be swimming in this?//
"You're not cold are you?" Naruto called.
"I can stay here longer than you." Sasuke said, giving his friend a flat stare. Sasuke knew that Naruto was his friend but he just couldn't let the smaller boy show him up. So they fished; Sasuke's hand felt like it had frozen around the handle of the fishhook he was using. The one good thing about the river was that it was teaming with fish, and large fish at that.
The boys had six or seven fish in a quarter of an hour and decided that that should be enough. Climbing out of the river Sasuke turned to watch Naruto. //I can laugh at his shrinkage at least. // Sasuke grinned mischievously.
His grin was wiped away as the blonde boy climbing from the river suddenly turned into nothing but smoke. //A clone?!// The bushes rustled and Sasuke heard peals of laughter, as Naruto stepped out.
"NARUTO!" Sasuke yelled
"Sasuke, you're even smaller than I remembered!" Naruto pointed at Sasuke's numbed member. Sasuke leaped for his clothes and pulled them on hurriedly. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it." Naruto was having a hard time talking because he was laughing so hard. "Kakashi-sensei told me about this river; it is fed by glaciers."
//It was a clone! He tricked me!// Sasuke wanted to be mad, wanted to shout at Naruto and tell him he was an idiot, but he couldn't. //He got me, and good too.// "Ha ha, very funny," Sasuke's teeth chattered "Now lets go back to camp." Sasuke couldn't make himself be angry at Naruto for pulling that prank, but he was cold and he wanted to sit by the fire.
They collected the fish, Naruto was still laughing and Sasuke joined him, now that he could feel his body again. The fish were large, a good five pounds a piece, and so going back was taking longer than either boy thought it would. Naruto surprised Sasuke again by cloning himself into four and handing them his fish.
Sasuke smiled, letting the clones take his fish too, //I bet Naruto just doesn't want to carry them.// Sasuke wasn't sorry to be relived of his burden, the cold had sapped his energy and he was still weaker than usual from the needles. In an hour they reached the campsite, the clones dropped the fish and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Naruto! What have you been doing to Sasuke?!" Sakura's voice made Sasuke's spine crawl. "He looks frozen! If you..."
"Shut up Sakura, I'm fine." Sasuke cut her off, "We just went swimming in the Ice River." //God she drives me nuts! What I wouldn't do to strangle her with that ridiculously long hair!//
Sasuke smiled to himself as Sakura looked at him with hurt eyes, //That's right, stop liking me. Please!// The smile disappeared though when he looked at Naruto, //Why's he look confused?//
Sasuke did a quick replay of everything that had happened since getting back to camp. //Nothing that doesn't normally happen. Sakura yells at Naruto, tries to comfort me. I tell her to mind her own business and Naruto yells at me to be nicer to 'Sakura-chan.' So why is he so confused?//
Sasuke would have been looking as confused as Naruto if he hadn't schooled his face to its normal complacency. After another moment of silence it hit Sasuke what was out of place. //Naruto didn't tell me to be nicer to Sakura!// Sasuke's mask of emotionless ness was replaced by a stunned look.
*
Sakura watched the two, Naruto trying to think, and Sasuke just standing there, he looked so cool!
The silence stretched for a while, and Sakura thought that Naruto should have had smoke coming out of his ears. Something was bothering the two of them but she couldn't say what.
When Sasuke's face went all startled though Sakura started to worry that Naruto's dumbness was rubbing off on her precious Sasuke. "Naruto go away, your dumbness is infecting Sasuke-kun!"
Sasuke turned to tell Sakura to be quiet when he was startled for the fourth time that day. "Oh Shut up Sakura!" Naruto shouted. The silence that followed seemed to hang in the air. Even Kakashi looked up from his newest volume of Icha Icha Paradise looking somewhat surprised.
//She always puts me down, I've had it, I don't need her anymore. Sasuke wants to be my friend, she just wants Sasuke.// Naruto grabbed the fish and stalk off to clean them, a little rougher than absolutely necessary.
Sakura just stared at the spot that Naruto had been standing in only moments before. //He just told me to shut up! And he didn't call me Sakura- chan!// She was left alone, Sasuke had followed Naruto. To be away from Sakura before he ended up laughing at her. Laughing was still new to Sasuke, he hadn't known your face could get sore from smiling and laughing. Not that Sasuke did much of either.
Sasuke almost felt sorry for the pink haired ditz. //Almost.// Sasuke smiled, why he felt happier that Naruto didn't seem to be hung up on Sakura anymore really didn't register with him.
Kakashi watched the scene with a half smile, idly wondering how long Sakura was going to stand there with her mouth open. "Sakura, you're going to swallow a fly standing like that." The teacher said a smile in his voice.
Morning came and with it the smell of freshly cooked fish. Naruto stretched as he sat up, looking over to the smell of the cooking fish. Last night he and Sasuke had cleaned the fish. Naruto smiled at the memory of Sakura nearly puking when he showed her how to cut open the belly and pull out all of the contents.
Sasuke had kept his head down, intent on his own fish. He didn't want to end up laughing at Sakura again. He contented himself on hearing her gag as she ran away from the two of them.
After they ate, Sakura not touching the fish, they pulled down the tents and packed everything back on the carts that carried the remains of Zabuza and Haku.
Kakashi set Naruto and Sasuke to scout ahead; leaving the planning to them and helped Sakura pull the cart. Sasuke took control quickly, "Naruto you take the left, and I'll take the right. We circle back every half-hour, to report to Kakashi-sensei. If you find something, or suspect something is wrong whistle like the Kono bird, and we will meet back with Kakashi to figure out what to do."
Naruto nodded, everything made sense. "Why the Kono?" Naruto asked quickly.
"It only lives in Konohagakure, so we will know that it is one of us and not just the wildlife." Sasuke explained, "Ready?"
"Hai!" Naruto was off like a shot, and Sasuke moved as quickly in the other direction, Kakashi nodded. //Very smart boys.// Kakashi was proud of his students, they would make fine ninjas. Someday.
Naruto was a little disappointed when nothing exciting happened that day. They were in a different country, //Shouldn't we be seeing other ninjas?// Naruto decided that maybe they would see some tomorrow and grinned at the idea of showing Sasuke how cool he was.
When he met up with Sasuke they heard Kakashi shout that the camp was set and to come in for the night. Turning the two friends headed into camp. When they got there they saw that the tents were already pitched and Kakashi was cooking. Kakashi had said that on missions it was always best to share chores, that way no one felt that they had to do everything. It still surprised Sasuke that Kakashi would cook though.
"Find anything on your side?" Sasuke asked as they walked in to sit down beside the fire.
"Yeah, there is a nice river over that next rise, wanna go for a swim?" Naruto laughed as Sasuke turned a light shade of red. He wanted to think pink, but he didn't think pink and Sasuke seemed to go together.
"Baka!" Sasuke thumped Naruto on the head, wondering if he would ever hear the end of him falling for Naruto's trick.
"What about your side. Mine was all trees and rock outcroppings." Naruto tried for a serious face, //No need to piss him off, although it was funny.//
"No, nothing." Sasuke was glad they were having a safe trip but he was getting bored after all the fighting they had done in the last few weeks. "You want to go spar?" Sasuke asked, "There is a clearing about half a mile out, with a lake beside it, we could go for a swim afterwards."
Naruto nodded. "Alright, but don't cry when I kick your ass!" //Shut up! Why do you always have to try to piss him off!// Naruto scratched his head, "I mean yeah, it'd be fun."
Sasuke stared at Naruto, //Well we are friends.// "This way." Sasuke said and ran into the woods, Naruto close on his heals.
Sasuke faced Naruto, the two boys were sweating, it had originally been decided that there wouldn't be any jutsu, simply hand to hand combat, but after a few minutes that had changed. Naruto had become faster than Sasuke remembered, and his Sharingan had come out, causing Naruto to clone himself. Fighting one Naruto wasn't that hard, fighting four was pushing his limits.
As they clashed again two of the four Narutos disappeared, the other two landing solid blows to Sasuke's torso. The three bodies flew apart and landed in separate heaps, the last clone dissipating. Standing up Sasuke and Naruto were breathing hard, and sweating freely. "Well you want to go for a swim?" Sasuke asked, he could fight more, but they still had another day of travel and he didn't want to end up to tired when they needed something.
"Alright." Naruto answered, "I'll race ya!"
Sasuke cursed as the hyper boy turned and ran towards the cliff edge, it was a 15 foot drop to the small lake but it was deep so jumping wasn't going to matter.
Naruto tossed his coat off and started to pull his shirt off, and his heart sank. //Shit, I used chakra in the sparing match.// On Naruto's stomach was the swirling seal that held the Kyuubi in his body. It would take an hour to go away. //Damn it, what am I gonna say to Sasuke?//
Sasuke stopped when he passed Naruto noticing that the boy was tucking his shirt back in, "What's up?" Sasuke asked; his shirt in one hand. "You can't swim or something? I know you can't dive worth a damn, or at least your clones can't!" Sasuke meant it for a joke but Naruto's face seemed to fall.
//Sasuke I can't go swimming right now, I can't let you see the seal.// Naruto wanted to scream, he felt like he was going to cry. //I want to go swimming with my FRIEND!//
"Naruto, if you don't know how to swim I'll teach you, it isn't hard." Sasuke didn't think that was the problem though, //his clones know how to swim, he has to too.//
"No that's not it; I can swim." Naruto went silent, //I want to tell him, but what am I gonna say? 'My seal is showing, the one that holds the Kyuubi from destroying everything, I'm not supposed to show anyone so that is why I can't go swimming with you.' yeah that would be just great!// his inner voice dripped with sarcasm. "I'm just tired; I guess I used more chakra than I thought. I'll head back to the camp, you go on." Naruto hoped Sasuke would believe that lie, he didn't want to lie, but he was afraid what the truth might do.
Sasuke just stared at Naruto, //Too tired! I never thought I would here that from him!// Sasuke shrugged, there had to be a reason, but Naruto would tell him if he wanted him to know. "We don't have to swim, come on we can head back."
Naruto put his hand up to stop Sasuke, "No you go on. I just need to rest. Anyway you look hot. I mean all sweaty, so you should go swimming!" Naruto felt like hitting himself, //You look hot! What the hell am I saying?//
Sasuke grinned, //Perhaps he needs to settle something else down!// "So I'll catch you later then?" Sasuke slipped out of his shorts and boxers in one motion. Smiling at Naruto's shock he turned and dove off the cliff, //Baka!// He chided himself, //Now you need to settle yourself down, what are you thinking!//
Naruto watched Sasuke for a second from the cliff. Sasuke seemed almost like a fish in the water, his movements even more graceful than normal. The fact that the water seemed to enhance the pale skin of the dark haired ninja had nothing to do with it, or so Naruto tried to tell himself.
~~I'm sorry Naruto.~~ Aniki's voice startled Naruto into almost falling off the cliff. He must have made a noise because Sasuke looked up to where he was watching him. Naruto waved and ran off, breathing hard.
//What are you sorry for?// Naruto asked. He liked being able to talk to his Aniki outside the dream, he had been thinking about his first friend a lot lately.
~~It is because of me that you can't go swimming with your friend. Because the Kyuubi is sealed in you.~~ Naruto nearly fell out of the tree he was jumping from, Aniki was the Kyuubi. Naruto had guessed but this was the first time that Aniki had ever admitted it. Naruto was worried now, it didn't make any sense but he was. Now he knew that the voice was the Kyuubi's. //What will Sasuke think of me, if he finds out I made friends with the demon?// ~~I'm sorry.~~
Naruto realized he didn't care what anyone thought about his friend, because he knew Aniki. The Kyuubi; to all those that hated him, Aniki to him. "It's alright, maybe Kakashi-sensei knows a way to hide the seal so I can go back and swim with Sasuke."
He really did want to go swimming with Sasuke, but his first friend needed him too. It was nice to be needed. //Aniki, where are we?// Naruto had stopped in a tall tree. He hadn't been paying attention to where he was going and now he wasn't sure where he was.
~~I think camp is the other way.~~ Aniki's voice chuckled in his head, ~~you are fun to be with.~~
Naruto turned around and started to head in the direction that his Aniki had suggested, he had only gone a few paces when he caught a glimpse of reflected light. //What was that?// he thought.
Naruto made his way over to the light and saw that it was a hot spring; the air seemed filled with steam and a faint smell of flower blossoms. The hot spring was a large pool constantly running over, the stream that lead away from it looked to head in the direction that the lake was in. //Probably goes to the lake, I should go tell Sasuke about this! // Naruto stopped though, his seal was still visible, //I'll bet Sasuke will follow my tracks when he's done swimming, and by then the seal will probably be gone. Aniki, You want to go for a dip?//
~~Aa, I'd like that, I just wish I could feel it, like I use to. It's been so long since I have felt anything.~~ Naruto smiled at the reminiscent voice of his Aniki.
//I have been thinking about that.// Naruto said, that was one thing he loved about his Aniki, when he said he had an idea, or that he had been thinking Aniki didn't laugh or make any jokes, there was just an anticipatory air. It was Aniki waiting to hear the idea or thought.
~~Thinking about what?~~ Aniki asked.
//Well I'll show you, but if it works you gotta promise to behave.//
There was silence then a cautious, ~~You have my word.~~ Naruto nodded.
Concentrating his chakra into the correct shape he formed the katas he had learned what seem so long ago now. "Kage Bushin no Jutsu!"
*POUF* Next to Naruto stood another Naruto, cloned to the last detail, right down to the seal around his navel. He had never tried to duplicate the seal in any of his other clones before. //I hope this works.// "Aniki, can you move into the clone?"
There was silence, Naruto felt a moving in his mind, a shifting, and then. "You are an interesting ninja Naruto." His Aniki's voice didn't resonate through his mind; instead the clone beside him had spoken. It sounded funny, the Kyuubi's voice coming out of the cloned Naruto. The voice was power and strength and Naruto thought it just sounded odd coming from his lips.
Everything looked the same on the clone, except the eyes. When Naruto looked he could see eyes the colour of blood, no longer the deep blue of the sky. Naruto loved those eyes, //They look like Sasuke's eyes.//