Author: Talais
Title: Naruto's Aniki
Chapter 5
Disclaimer: Don't own, Don't sue.
paring: Naruto and Sasuke.
on to the Fic.
____________________
The last day was long, Kakashi had noticed that the two boys in his group were acting differently, //It's almost as though they 'liked' each other.// Kakashi laughed at that, and his students stared at him, "Nothing, just thinking." Kakashi said. //The day those two like each other is the day after Sakura decides Sasuke isn't going to ever return her love.//
They had buried Zabuza and Haku facing east, so that their spirits could watch the rising sun. It made Kakashi happy to know that his students knew the value of a proper burial; he just hoped that he would never have to attend any of theirs.
For Sasuke the last day was filled with arguing with himself. He wanted to know what had happened at the hot springs but he couldn't ask. //I'm sure Naruto doesn't have a brother, or any family. So who did he mean by his Aniki, and how would he have let him out to try the hot spring?// These thoughts had made him miss things he normally wouldn't, like Naruto coming over at each break to talk. The little ninja had startled him four times today.
Naruto was worried about Sasuke, //He's never startled, what's the matter with him?//
~~He is trying to figure out what went on last night, but he doesn't want to ask, he wants you to tell him.~~ Naruto shook his head, it wasn't the first time today that his Aniki had tried to get him to tell Sasuke about the seal. //I can't, if I tell him he will hate me.//
~~If you don't then you are lying to him, and when he finds out he might hate you anyway.~~ Naruto tried to tune his Aniki out, //Then lets hope he never finds out.//
They stood watching the sun go down seeming to sink into the sea. Sakura spoke and the beauty of the coming night seemed to shatter. "Is that all we are? Are we just tools?"
Kakashi waited, //How can I answer that?// "Well that is a question each shinobi must ask themselves sooner or later. The answer can only be found by you, and it will reflect in everything that you do, and the jobs you take."
Silence filled the dusk, and it was a quiet word from Naruto that released the tension. "I am no tool, I am me, and I will be Hokage someday." Kakashi smiled, it still amazed him that a few words from Naruto could have such a calming affect on his team mates, even Sasuke. //You are an interesting ninja Naruto.// Kakashi thought to himself.
"Pack up! We're a month over due at home and we are leaving now." Kakashi said, settling his pack on his shoulders. "It takes a week to get to Konohagakure, I mean to be there day after tomorrow, so you all had better all keep up."
"Hai!" Naruto's loud and happy voice came back, Sasuke just nodded and Sakura groaned. //Maybe Sakura will break an ankle and we can put her down!// Sasuke smiled at the thought, even if he knew it would never happen. He grinned at Sakura while thinking about of knocking the girl out of a tree.
Sakura saw Sasuke smiling at her and blushed, //Hell ya! Sasuke is smiling at me!//
Naruto watched Sasuke smile at the pink haired ditz. He thought that Sasuke was planning something mean for her, //Maybe I can get him to tell me what it is, I wouldn't mind pulling a prank or two on her!//
Sasuke and Naruto worked together easily, seeming to anticipate what the other needed and had it prepared when asked. //Maybe they do 'like' each other.// Kakashi thought as he watched the two boys interact.
It wasn't so far fetched now that he really thought about it. They had both suffered as young children and neither had family or friends; Naruto because of the Kyuubi and Sasuke because he pushed them away. Sasuke was an introvert, Naruto an extrovert. Naruto grasped at any hand reached out to him, weather good or bad. Sasuke pushed them all away, saying he only sought his revenge. They were as different as two sunsets, and as similar as the stars. They were like two faces of the same coin.
Kakashi decided that he would have to watch them closer, and help them along if they needed it. He almost felt sorry for Sakura, she seemed completely oblivious to the whole situation. "Ready?" Kakashi asked, as he saw the last of the tents folded away.
"Hai." the three genin said, shouldering their own packs. Kakashi leapt from the ground and seemed to fly through the trees, his students following close on his heals.
*
Sasuke could feel his muscles burning as the night dragged on. It was hot enough that he had pulled off his high necked sweater and stowed it in his pack. Naruto had his orange coat off and had tied it around his waist. The boy's t-shirt was soaked with sweat but Naruto left it on. Sasuke could tell the boy was working hard, he could see the tattooed seal when ever they jumped from tree to tree. Sakura was two trees behind them, Sasuke had almost left his shirt on at the thought of the girls eyes boring into his body, but the heat was worse than her leering at him.
"Sensei, Stop!" Naruto called out, and spun around. Jumping past Naruto, Sasuke turned and saw why the other boy had stopped. Sakura was breathing heavy leaning on a tree a good 20 paces back.
"I just need a rest." Sakura panted.
"No time, we were supposed to be back a month ago." Kakashi came back to stand with his students. "We have to move."
"I can't! My legs feel like rubber!" Sakura wailed.
Kakashi wanted to smack the girl, //If she can complain that loudly then she should be good for another hour yet!// Kakashi sighed, there was no way around it, he was going to have to carry her.
"I can carry her for a while." Naruto said, "If we find trouble sensei will need to be able to react."
"BAKA! I don't want you to carry me!" Sakura shouted, although she turned longing eyes to Sasuke, who had a light sheen of sweat covering his well defined chest. //He looks like a god.//
Sasuke flinched, starting to regret taking off his shirt, //Maybe it isn't so hot after all.//
Naruto stepped between Sasuke and Sakura. Spreading his arms he looked her in the eye and said, "Sasuke wont carry you, I will. I don't want you on my back anymore than he does, but we have to keep moving. It is either me or we leave you to catch up on your own!"
Kakashi waited, not saying anything. He could carry Sakura; she wouldn't get in his way too much and he couldn't leave her behind. He hadn't wanted to carry the girl, but he wasn't about to put more strain on either of the two boys unless they asked for it. He was proud that the team was stepping up to the task.
Sasuke stared at the back of Naruto's head, letting his vision take in the boys back, //I don't want to carry the girl, but I don't want her on Naruto any longer than she has to be. She doesn't deserve to ride on his back, that's my....// Sasuke stopped in mid thought. //When did I start thinking of Naruto as mine?!//
"Naruto we can share the task, I'll take her for an hour then you can. That way we won't get overly tired." Sasuke shrugged at the blonde boy when he turned to stare at him. "It means the other should probably scout ahead so we will have plenty of warning if something should happen."
"See! Sasuke will carry me!" Sakura smiled, she seemed to appear beside Sasuke in a blink.
Naruto caught her arm before she could get on Sasuke's back and asked. "Fine, who scouts first?"
Sasuke thanked Naruto in his mind, //I didn't think she could move that fast.// "I'll take point, you take the extra luggage for the first hour." Sasuke grinned at Naruto when he heard Sakura grumble about the injustice of it all.
"Good, are we already to go then?" Kakashi asked, "Sakura, when we get home you and I are going to do some endurance training, the boys seem to have tons of stamina compared to you." Kakashi filed away the blush that blossomed on Sasuke's cheeks. //Maybe I wasn't far off after all. I don't think I am the only pervert in the group Sasuke.//
Sasuke watched Sakura climb onto Naruto's back, she complained that it was too hard and bony. Sasuke had to resist the urge to pull her off. He knew how warm and safe Naruto's back was. Naruto jumped to the next tree and it was a second before Sasuke realized they were heading out.
"Sasuke-kun do you want me to carry you?" Kakashi asked, offering his back in jest.
"No." Sasuke stared flatly at his teacher, //He is a pervert! Now if Naruto had asked..... STOP IT!// Sasuke knew about puberty. He had been going through it for the last two years or so and hated it. His voice was changing and things were growing, usually when he least expected them too. He had stopped wearing jogging pants three years ago. One trip to the board with a tent in his pants was enough embarrassment for anyone. Sasuke had read that your hormones caused it all, that they were all out of whack, but he had always thought that he would like girls. He wanted to like girls, but Naruto was the only one that made his body react that way, and Sasuke was starting to become resigned to the fact that he liked boys. //Well not boys, Naruto.//
Sasuke had to move. He had to get his mind off of the blonde ninja that seemed to push everything else out of his head. He tried to think about his brother. Avenging the deaths of his clan had always consumed him before. He had to have a wife if he was to rebuild his clan, but now even that had no hold on the picture of a beautiful blonde boy, his skin tanned as though the very sun had kissed it. Sasuke had to readjust himself as he moved through the trees. The picture of a naked Naruto in his head made running nearly impossible. //I wonder if he tans without clothes? he doesn't have any tan lines?// Sasuke forced his mind to the task at hand. He would never hear the end of it if he missed something.
Sasuke passed the rest of his team and nodded to Naruto as he went by. He would protect his friend. He could do that, even if that meant that he had to carry Sakura. Sasuke was starting to think that he would try to do anything for Naruto, anything to see that smile. //He always smiles, but it looks fake to me sometimes, like it's painted on. Why soes he cover his pain with that smile? I will make him happy.//
Kakashi noted that Naruto had almost the same look on his face that Sasuke did when he had to deal with Sakura. //Is he upset that he has to carry Sakura, or is he mad that Sasuke wants to too?// Kakashi decided that either just made the idea of Sasuke and Naruto likeing each other more plausible.
The pace stayed the same, and Kakashi thought that it might have even picked up a little. Naruto seemed to move as well with Sakura as he did without her. //If I can carry her without getting tired then Sasuke won't have too. And I know she is going to try to fondle him!// Naruto blushed as he remembered that he had fondled his dark haired friendwhen the boy was passed out. //Well it was different than mine, I just wanted to look at it!// The blush covered his whole face now and he nearly missed a step for the growth in his pants.
If Sasuke ever found out that Naruto had done more than just change him into his sleeping pants, Naruto didn't think that his life would be worth much. Naruto tried to think of something else, as the hardness in his pants was getting painful now. Sakura shifted against his back and he wondered how she could be tired. Oddly enough, when his thoughts turned to Sakura his erection went away. //That's odd. Usually it starts when I think of her...//
Sasuke was back within the hour to take Sakura. He looked as calm and uncaring as usual except that his scowl seemed a little deeper. "My turn Naruto. Watch the north bank of the ravine ahead." Sasuke said giving a rough map of some landmarks they would be passing. "The south bank seems stable, becareful."
"Alright, I'll be careful, unless you want to keep scouting." Naruto shrugged, "I wouldn't want to screw something up" //Not that I would, I am better than Sasuke at scouting, I just don't want Sakura to ride on Sasuke's back.//
"You won't." Sasuke said. he turned around to let Sakura climb on his back. "Ready?"
Naruto nodded, a smile pulling at his lips. //Sasuke said 'you won't' like it hadn't even occurred to him that I might!// Naruto would have been smiling if he hadn't noticed Sakura trying to feel Sasuke's chest. ~~I told you that he acknowledges you.~~ Aniki's voice seemed to smile which made Naruto smile.
In his excitement, Naruto used too much chakra on his first jump and ended up missing the tree he had meant to land in. He caught the branch of the next and carried on, face infused with red. ~~He said you wouldn't screw up. Lets not try to prove him wrong. It's only a complement, don't get too excited about it.~~
Kakashi made a mental note of Naruto's spurt of energy, //If an off handed compliment makes Naruto that hyper I wonder what would happen if Sasuke kissed the boy?// Kakashi moved the group on for another three hours. By the time they stopped it was past midnight and the moon was starting to set, "Get some sleep, we move out before dawn."
Sakura was reluctant to get off Sasuke's back and found herself dropped on her ass. "I was getting off Sasuke!" she shouted, //Man he is so rude sometimes!//
"Not fast enough," Sasuke replied, Naruto came over to talk to Sasuke about the route they would be taking in the morning, and which areas were bound to be troublesome. Kakashi laughed to himself. As always the boys had turned scouting and carrying Sakura into a competition of who could gather the most information and who could carry Sakura further in an hour.
Kakashi was impressed by the detail that Naruto could collect in his scouting and the distances they travelled when either boy carried Sakura. It had made them both look for more, giveing a more detailed report without all the unnecessary talking. They were starting to become good reconnaissance ninjas. It couldn't have been going better if Kakashi had planned it. Naruto was naturally observant, but had a hard time remembering, and Sasuke seemed to lack the staying power that Naruto had. This made both try to match the others area of skill. It seemed that they were pulling it off too.
//If you were to want a balanced team, I don't think you could get better than Sasuke and Naruto, one to hold the other back when needed and the other to push forward no matter what.// Kakashi nodded, Iruka knew what he was doing when he had made this team up. He would have to give Sakura some extra training when they got back though. She was making the team do better by having to cover for her end, but in a fight she might not have Naruto or Sasuke to help her.
"I want to leave early, so turn in quick and be ready to go when I call you." Kakashi said as the three students ate a cold meal of bread, smoked fish and cheese. "We are half way home. I mean to be there tomorrow."
"Hai!" Naruto chirped, Sasuke nodded finishing his last few mouthfuls of bread before Naruto. The blonde ninja pushed the last of his own bread into his mouth and swallowed, trying to catch up to Sasuke. Naruto ended up gagging on the hard bread.
Sasuke was there in an instant thumping Naruto's back. Kakashi noticed it was only after Naruto had stopped gagging and was chewing properly that Sasuke called him an idiot for not chewing in the first place.
Kakashi watched as his students went to bed, Sakura was grumbling about how unfair it was that she would have to ride on Naruto's back and how sore she was. //She thinks that she is sore now!// Kakashi chucked, Naruto was going to sleep too, //Did no one ever teach these kids that after running that hard you had to stretch?// Kakashi wondered if Iruka had forgotten some of the basics.
"Naruto!" Sasuke called
Naruto looked over his shoulder to see Sasuke standing out side the tent the two shared. //Wonder what he wants?// "Yeah?"
"You want to do some stretches with me? I want to be able to move in the morning." Naruto looked at Sasuke funny wondering what he meant. //Why wouldn't he be able to move in the morning?//
~~He doesn't have my healing powers.~~ Aniki said to Naruto.
"Oh, right." Naruto said, moving to join Sasuke in his stretches. Kakashi joined the two boys as they stretched muscles that had been used to exhaustion. Naruto noticed that he did seem to be able to move easier after stretching, and sleep seemed to come faster.
Dawn found the ninjas running through the trees. Naruto carrying a complaining Sakura and Sasuke on point. By the middle of that day they were back in the Konohagakure forests, and the students felt as though they were home again.
As the bells rang for the final courses at the academy the four ninjas of group seven passed through the gates of the village of the hidden leaf. Sakura started to squirm immediately "Put me down Naruto!" she shouted as they passed through the gates.
Sakura found herself falling the three feet to the ground as Naruto released her to drop on her ass. "Why'd you drop me?!" she yelled as she rubbed her now sore butt.
"You told me to, and I'm hungry." Naruto grinned at Sasuke. "Are we done sensei?"
Kakashi nodded, "I'll head over to the council and explain what took so long, you can go and have something to eat." Their sensei disappeared, leaving the three students in the street.
"Alright!" Naruto jumped into the air punching, "Now to get some ramen!" The brightly dressed ninja had disappeared around the corner of the street leaving Sakura and Sasuke standing there looking at where the boy had been standing.
Naruto stopped and turned around, sticking his head around the corner he asked. "Anou, Sasuke?"
"Yeah?" Sasuke looked up startled, // I thought he had left already. This is bad! I am getting to be as jumpy around Naruto as Sakura is around me!// Sasuke swallowed hard, he definitely did not like that comparison. It just seemed to close to the truth.
"I just thought that maybe you'd like to go. I mean if you weren't busy or anything," Naruto fidgeted with his hands, a nervous habit. "I just thought... Ah never mind you don't..."
"Go where?" Sasuke asked a little confused.
"Why would Sasuke want to go with you Naruto, not every one can eat ramen all the time." Sakura's voice had become annoying again.
// Not that it isn't always annoying, it's just at a higher pitch.// Sasuke smirked at his observations. "Shut up Sakura. Yeah I'll go, maybe Iruka- sensei will be there, he can buy." Sasuke smiled again when Naruto laughed at his poor attempt at humour.
The two boys went around the corner in the street leaving Sakura alone. Limping the pink haired ninja went home, trying to figure out why Naruto and Sasuke seemed to be getting so friendly towards each other. She didn't think it was a bad thing, but she didn't like it too much either. Sasuke was always aloof but now he was cold and worse Naruto didn't seem to be sticking up for her anymore.
As the two boys walked Naruto pulled out a small booklet, and thumbed through it. "What's that Naruto?" Sasuke asked looking over the smaller boy's shoulder.
"Eh?" Naruto looked around at his friend, "Oh this? This is a schedule of Iruka-sensei's movements. Lets see it is Tuesday so his classes end..." Sasuke listened to Naruto run through the tasks their old teacher did on a Tuesday. After a few small calculations Naruto lead Sasuke to a corner about three blocks from the ramen shop. "He should be here in about 5 or 10 minutes." The little blonde said, squatting down to wait.
"How do you know all that?" Sasuke asked dropping down next to the blonde. He could see the little book clearly now and it was filled with a detailed layout of the scarred teachers daily plans.
"I followed Iruka-sensei for three or four months, this way I always know where he is and have a better chance for getting free ramen." Naruto said it with such a strait face that Sasuke had to believe him.
Sasuke wasn't just too sure that Naruto's information was correct; the boy might be trying to show off. Sasuke was hungry but he wanted to see if Naruto's information gathering was correct. They didn't wait long before Naruto was up on his feet.
"Come on, we have to walk so that he won't see that we're waiting for him." Sasuke had heard foot steps but he hadn't seen his old teacher yet. Sasuke shrugged and got to his feet following Naruto. .// That can't be the sensei, can it?//
"Naruto, Sasuke, I see you're back from your mission!" The kind voice of their academy teacher reached Sasuke's ears. The boys stopped and waited for the teacher to catch up to them. "I was just heading over to the ramen shop, I don't suppose that either of you are hungry?"
Naruto and Sasuke's stomachs both gave loud growls at the thought of food. "Well it sounds like you're hungry, come on my treat. You know it's funny; I always seem to bump into you when I am headed to any ramen shop." Iruka laughed, "if I didn't know better I would say you were waiting for me."
Naruto laughed nervously, "Yeah that would be crazy." Sasuke just shook his head, thinking about the effort that Naruto must have spent into tracking his sensei.
Iruka turned to Sasuke rather surprised that the distant boy would actually be hanging around with Naruto. "Are you going to join us?" Their teacher asked.
"Yeah sure." Sasuke shrugged, when the teacher turned around to walk off though Sasuke stared daggers at him, ,// You would be joining US, not Me joining You!// Sasuke sweat dropped, he was jealous. He was never jealous. //Naruto wanted to eat with Me, YOU are just the money source!// Sasuke couldn't help it, the idea that he was the tag along just seemed to piss him off.
Quickening his pace Sasuke placed himself between Naruto and his old teacher. //And I don't care what anyone thinks!// Sasuke glared at anyone that even seemed to look his way. Iruka tried to ignore the ki that seemed to be emanating from the dark haired boy, but it was violent and definitely directed towards him.
It wasn't that Sasuke didn't like Iruka. He had been an excellent teacher; Iruka always seemed to go that extra bit for his students. Sasuke had even had a few private lessons on advanced jutsu from his scarred teacher. Sasuke could even respect the teachers decision to remain a chunin and a teacher rather than advancing to the jounin level. Iruka was definitely one of Konoha's elite ninja's; but now when Sasuke looked at his teacher he saw not only a teacher, but a rival for Naruto's attention.
Sasuke was starting to wonder how one person, a boy his own age, could take his life and turn it on end, seeming to knock it out of whack. But it wasn't out of whack really, Sasuke was starting to look at things differently, as though he were seeing things for what they were for the first time. No, Naruto hadn't made his life all confused, he had brought stability to it. Now his goals were not drifting around waiting for the possibility of finding his brother, the were anchored and they seemed to bend around the blonde boy that was walking beside him.
Title: Naruto's Aniki
Chapter 5
Disclaimer: Don't own, Don't sue.
paring: Naruto and Sasuke.
on to the Fic.
____________________
The last day was long, Kakashi had noticed that the two boys in his group were acting differently, //It's almost as though they 'liked' each other.// Kakashi laughed at that, and his students stared at him, "Nothing, just thinking." Kakashi said. //The day those two like each other is the day after Sakura decides Sasuke isn't going to ever return her love.//
They had buried Zabuza and Haku facing east, so that their spirits could watch the rising sun. It made Kakashi happy to know that his students knew the value of a proper burial; he just hoped that he would never have to attend any of theirs.
For Sasuke the last day was filled with arguing with himself. He wanted to know what had happened at the hot springs but he couldn't ask. //I'm sure Naruto doesn't have a brother, or any family. So who did he mean by his Aniki, and how would he have let him out to try the hot spring?// These thoughts had made him miss things he normally wouldn't, like Naruto coming over at each break to talk. The little ninja had startled him four times today.
Naruto was worried about Sasuke, //He's never startled, what's the matter with him?//
~~He is trying to figure out what went on last night, but he doesn't want to ask, he wants you to tell him.~~ Naruto shook his head, it wasn't the first time today that his Aniki had tried to get him to tell Sasuke about the seal. //I can't, if I tell him he will hate me.//
~~If you don't then you are lying to him, and when he finds out he might hate you anyway.~~ Naruto tried to tune his Aniki out, //Then lets hope he never finds out.//
They stood watching the sun go down seeming to sink into the sea. Sakura spoke and the beauty of the coming night seemed to shatter. "Is that all we are? Are we just tools?"
Kakashi waited, //How can I answer that?// "Well that is a question each shinobi must ask themselves sooner or later. The answer can only be found by you, and it will reflect in everything that you do, and the jobs you take."
Silence filled the dusk, and it was a quiet word from Naruto that released the tension. "I am no tool, I am me, and I will be Hokage someday." Kakashi smiled, it still amazed him that a few words from Naruto could have such a calming affect on his team mates, even Sasuke. //You are an interesting ninja Naruto.// Kakashi thought to himself.
"Pack up! We're a month over due at home and we are leaving now." Kakashi said, settling his pack on his shoulders. "It takes a week to get to Konohagakure, I mean to be there day after tomorrow, so you all had better all keep up."
"Hai!" Naruto's loud and happy voice came back, Sasuke just nodded and Sakura groaned. //Maybe Sakura will break an ankle and we can put her down!// Sasuke smiled at the thought, even if he knew it would never happen. He grinned at Sakura while thinking about of knocking the girl out of a tree.
Sakura saw Sasuke smiling at her and blushed, //Hell ya! Sasuke is smiling at me!//
Naruto watched Sasuke smile at the pink haired ditz. He thought that Sasuke was planning something mean for her, //Maybe I can get him to tell me what it is, I wouldn't mind pulling a prank or two on her!//
Sasuke and Naruto worked together easily, seeming to anticipate what the other needed and had it prepared when asked. //Maybe they do 'like' each other.// Kakashi thought as he watched the two boys interact.
It wasn't so far fetched now that he really thought about it. They had both suffered as young children and neither had family or friends; Naruto because of the Kyuubi and Sasuke because he pushed them away. Sasuke was an introvert, Naruto an extrovert. Naruto grasped at any hand reached out to him, weather good or bad. Sasuke pushed them all away, saying he only sought his revenge. They were as different as two sunsets, and as similar as the stars. They were like two faces of the same coin.
Kakashi decided that he would have to watch them closer, and help them along if they needed it. He almost felt sorry for Sakura, she seemed completely oblivious to the whole situation. "Ready?" Kakashi asked, as he saw the last of the tents folded away.
"Hai." the three genin said, shouldering their own packs. Kakashi leapt from the ground and seemed to fly through the trees, his students following close on his heals.
*
Sasuke could feel his muscles burning as the night dragged on. It was hot enough that he had pulled off his high necked sweater and stowed it in his pack. Naruto had his orange coat off and had tied it around his waist. The boy's t-shirt was soaked with sweat but Naruto left it on. Sasuke could tell the boy was working hard, he could see the tattooed seal when ever they jumped from tree to tree. Sakura was two trees behind them, Sasuke had almost left his shirt on at the thought of the girls eyes boring into his body, but the heat was worse than her leering at him.
"Sensei, Stop!" Naruto called out, and spun around. Jumping past Naruto, Sasuke turned and saw why the other boy had stopped. Sakura was breathing heavy leaning on a tree a good 20 paces back.
"I just need a rest." Sakura panted.
"No time, we were supposed to be back a month ago." Kakashi came back to stand with his students. "We have to move."
"I can't! My legs feel like rubber!" Sakura wailed.
Kakashi wanted to smack the girl, //If she can complain that loudly then she should be good for another hour yet!// Kakashi sighed, there was no way around it, he was going to have to carry her.
"I can carry her for a while." Naruto said, "If we find trouble sensei will need to be able to react."
"BAKA! I don't want you to carry me!" Sakura shouted, although she turned longing eyes to Sasuke, who had a light sheen of sweat covering his well defined chest. //He looks like a god.//
Sasuke flinched, starting to regret taking off his shirt, //Maybe it isn't so hot after all.//
Naruto stepped between Sasuke and Sakura. Spreading his arms he looked her in the eye and said, "Sasuke wont carry you, I will. I don't want you on my back anymore than he does, but we have to keep moving. It is either me or we leave you to catch up on your own!"
Kakashi waited, not saying anything. He could carry Sakura; she wouldn't get in his way too much and he couldn't leave her behind. He hadn't wanted to carry the girl, but he wasn't about to put more strain on either of the two boys unless they asked for it. He was proud that the team was stepping up to the task.
Sasuke stared at the back of Naruto's head, letting his vision take in the boys back, //I don't want to carry the girl, but I don't want her on Naruto any longer than she has to be. She doesn't deserve to ride on his back, that's my....// Sasuke stopped in mid thought. //When did I start thinking of Naruto as mine?!//
"Naruto we can share the task, I'll take her for an hour then you can. That way we won't get overly tired." Sasuke shrugged at the blonde boy when he turned to stare at him. "It means the other should probably scout ahead so we will have plenty of warning if something should happen."
"See! Sasuke will carry me!" Sakura smiled, she seemed to appear beside Sasuke in a blink.
Naruto caught her arm before she could get on Sasuke's back and asked. "Fine, who scouts first?"
Sasuke thanked Naruto in his mind, //I didn't think she could move that fast.// "I'll take point, you take the extra luggage for the first hour." Sasuke grinned at Naruto when he heard Sakura grumble about the injustice of it all.
"Good, are we already to go then?" Kakashi asked, "Sakura, when we get home you and I are going to do some endurance training, the boys seem to have tons of stamina compared to you." Kakashi filed away the blush that blossomed on Sasuke's cheeks. //Maybe I wasn't far off after all. I don't think I am the only pervert in the group Sasuke.//
Sasuke watched Sakura climb onto Naruto's back, she complained that it was too hard and bony. Sasuke had to resist the urge to pull her off. He knew how warm and safe Naruto's back was. Naruto jumped to the next tree and it was a second before Sasuke realized they were heading out.
"Sasuke-kun do you want me to carry you?" Kakashi asked, offering his back in jest.
"No." Sasuke stared flatly at his teacher, //He is a pervert! Now if Naruto had asked..... STOP IT!// Sasuke knew about puberty. He had been going through it for the last two years or so and hated it. His voice was changing and things were growing, usually when he least expected them too. He had stopped wearing jogging pants three years ago. One trip to the board with a tent in his pants was enough embarrassment for anyone. Sasuke had read that your hormones caused it all, that they were all out of whack, but he had always thought that he would like girls. He wanted to like girls, but Naruto was the only one that made his body react that way, and Sasuke was starting to become resigned to the fact that he liked boys. //Well not boys, Naruto.//
Sasuke had to move. He had to get his mind off of the blonde ninja that seemed to push everything else out of his head. He tried to think about his brother. Avenging the deaths of his clan had always consumed him before. He had to have a wife if he was to rebuild his clan, but now even that had no hold on the picture of a beautiful blonde boy, his skin tanned as though the very sun had kissed it. Sasuke had to readjust himself as he moved through the trees. The picture of a naked Naruto in his head made running nearly impossible. //I wonder if he tans without clothes? he doesn't have any tan lines?// Sasuke forced his mind to the task at hand. He would never hear the end of it if he missed something.
Sasuke passed the rest of his team and nodded to Naruto as he went by. He would protect his friend. He could do that, even if that meant that he had to carry Sakura. Sasuke was starting to think that he would try to do anything for Naruto, anything to see that smile. //He always smiles, but it looks fake to me sometimes, like it's painted on. Why soes he cover his pain with that smile? I will make him happy.//
Kakashi noted that Naruto had almost the same look on his face that Sasuke did when he had to deal with Sakura. //Is he upset that he has to carry Sakura, or is he mad that Sasuke wants to too?// Kakashi decided that either just made the idea of Sasuke and Naruto likeing each other more plausible.
The pace stayed the same, and Kakashi thought that it might have even picked up a little. Naruto seemed to move as well with Sakura as he did without her. //If I can carry her without getting tired then Sasuke won't have too. And I know she is going to try to fondle him!// Naruto blushed as he remembered that he had fondled his dark haired friendwhen the boy was passed out. //Well it was different than mine, I just wanted to look at it!// The blush covered his whole face now and he nearly missed a step for the growth in his pants.
If Sasuke ever found out that Naruto had done more than just change him into his sleeping pants, Naruto didn't think that his life would be worth much. Naruto tried to think of something else, as the hardness in his pants was getting painful now. Sakura shifted against his back and he wondered how she could be tired. Oddly enough, when his thoughts turned to Sakura his erection went away. //That's odd. Usually it starts when I think of her...//
Sasuke was back within the hour to take Sakura. He looked as calm and uncaring as usual except that his scowl seemed a little deeper. "My turn Naruto. Watch the north bank of the ravine ahead." Sasuke said giving a rough map of some landmarks they would be passing. "The south bank seems stable, becareful."
"Alright, I'll be careful, unless you want to keep scouting." Naruto shrugged, "I wouldn't want to screw something up" //Not that I would, I am better than Sasuke at scouting, I just don't want Sakura to ride on Sasuke's back.//
"You won't." Sasuke said. he turned around to let Sakura climb on his back. "Ready?"
Naruto nodded, a smile pulling at his lips. //Sasuke said 'you won't' like it hadn't even occurred to him that I might!// Naruto would have been smiling if he hadn't noticed Sakura trying to feel Sasuke's chest. ~~I told you that he acknowledges you.~~ Aniki's voice seemed to smile which made Naruto smile.
In his excitement, Naruto used too much chakra on his first jump and ended up missing the tree he had meant to land in. He caught the branch of the next and carried on, face infused with red. ~~He said you wouldn't screw up. Lets not try to prove him wrong. It's only a complement, don't get too excited about it.~~
Kakashi made a mental note of Naruto's spurt of energy, //If an off handed compliment makes Naruto that hyper I wonder what would happen if Sasuke kissed the boy?// Kakashi moved the group on for another three hours. By the time they stopped it was past midnight and the moon was starting to set, "Get some sleep, we move out before dawn."
Sakura was reluctant to get off Sasuke's back and found herself dropped on her ass. "I was getting off Sasuke!" she shouted, //Man he is so rude sometimes!//
"Not fast enough," Sasuke replied, Naruto came over to talk to Sasuke about the route they would be taking in the morning, and which areas were bound to be troublesome. Kakashi laughed to himself. As always the boys had turned scouting and carrying Sakura into a competition of who could gather the most information and who could carry Sakura further in an hour.
Kakashi was impressed by the detail that Naruto could collect in his scouting and the distances they travelled when either boy carried Sakura. It had made them both look for more, giveing a more detailed report without all the unnecessary talking. They were starting to become good reconnaissance ninjas. It couldn't have been going better if Kakashi had planned it. Naruto was naturally observant, but had a hard time remembering, and Sasuke seemed to lack the staying power that Naruto had. This made both try to match the others area of skill. It seemed that they were pulling it off too.
//If you were to want a balanced team, I don't think you could get better than Sasuke and Naruto, one to hold the other back when needed and the other to push forward no matter what.// Kakashi nodded, Iruka knew what he was doing when he had made this team up. He would have to give Sakura some extra training when they got back though. She was making the team do better by having to cover for her end, but in a fight she might not have Naruto or Sasuke to help her.
"I want to leave early, so turn in quick and be ready to go when I call you." Kakashi said as the three students ate a cold meal of bread, smoked fish and cheese. "We are half way home. I mean to be there tomorrow."
"Hai!" Naruto chirped, Sasuke nodded finishing his last few mouthfuls of bread before Naruto. The blonde ninja pushed the last of his own bread into his mouth and swallowed, trying to catch up to Sasuke. Naruto ended up gagging on the hard bread.
Sasuke was there in an instant thumping Naruto's back. Kakashi noticed it was only after Naruto had stopped gagging and was chewing properly that Sasuke called him an idiot for not chewing in the first place.
Kakashi watched as his students went to bed, Sakura was grumbling about how unfair it was that she would have to ride on Naruto's back and how sore she was. //She thinks that she is sore now!// Kakashi chucked, Naruto was going to sleep too, //Did no one ever teach these kids that after running that hard you had to stretch?// Kakashi wondered if Iruka had forgotten some of the basics.
"Naruto!" Sasuke called
Naruto looked over his shoulder to see Sasuke standing out side the tent the two shared. //Wonder what he wants?// "Yeah?"
"You want to do some stretches with me? I want to be able to move in the morning." Naruto looked at Sasuke funny wondering what he meant. //Why wouldn't he be able to move in the morning?//
~~He doesn't have my healing powers.~~ Aniki said to Naruto.
"Oh, right." Naruto said, moving to join Sasuke in his stretches. Kakashi joined the two boys as they stretched muscles that had been used to exhaustion. Naruto noticed that he did seem to be able to move easier after stretching, and sleep seemed to come faster.
Dawn found the ninjas running through the trees. Naruto carrying a complaining Sakura and Sasuke on point. By the middle of that day they were back in the Konohagakure forests, and the students felt as though they were home again.
As the bells rang for the final courses at the academy the four ninjas of group seven passed through the gates of the village of the hidden leaf. Sakura started to squirm immediately "Put me down Naruto!" she shouted as they passed through the gates.
Sakura found herself falling the three feet to the ground as Naruto released her to drop on her ass. "Why'd you drop me?!" she yelled as she rubbed her now sore butt.
"You told me to, and I'm hungry." Naruto grinned at Sasuke. "Are we done sensei?"
Kakashi nodded, "I'll head over to the council and explain what took so long, you can go and have something to eat." Their sensei disappeared, leaving the three students in the street.
"Alright!" Naruto jumped into the air punching, "Now to get some ramen!" The brightly dressed ninja had disappeared around the corner of the street leaving Sakura and Sasuke standing there looking at where the boy had been standing.
Naruto stopped and turned around, sticking his head around the corner he asked. "Anou, Sasuke?"
"Yeah?" Sasuke looked up startled, // I thought he had left already. This is bad! I am getting to be as jumpy around Naruto as Sakura is around me!// Sasuke swallowed hard, he definitely did not like that comparison. It just seemed to close to the truth.
"I just thought that maybe you'd like to go. I mean if you weren't busy or anything," Naruto fidgeted with his hands, a nervous habit. "I just thought... Ah never mind you don't..."
"Go where?" Sasuke asked a little confused.
"Why would Sasuke want to go with you Naruto, not every one can eat ramen all the time." Sakura's voice had become annoying again.
// Not that it isn't always annoying, it's just at a higher pitch.// Sasuke smirked at his observations. "Shut up Sakura. Yeah I'll go, maybe Iruka- sensei will be there, he can buy." Sasuke smiled again when Naruto laughed at his poor attempt at humour.
The two boys went around the corner in the street leaving Sakura alone. Limping the pink haired ninja went home, trying to figure out why Naruto and Sasuke seemed to be getting so friendly towards each other. She didn't think it was a bad thing, but she didn't like it too much either. Sasuke was always aloof but now he was cold and worse Naruto didn't seem to be sticking up for her anymore.
As the two boys walked Naruto pulled out a small booklet, and thumbed through it. "What's that Naruto?" Sasuke asked looking over the smaller boy's shoulder.
"Eh?" Naruto looked around at his friend, "Oh this? This is a schedule of Iruka-sensei's movements. Lets see it is Tuesday so his classes end..." Sasuke listened to Naruto run through the tasks their old teacher did on a Tuesday. After a few small calculations Naruto lead Sasuke to a corner about three blocks from the ramen shop. "He should be here in about 5 or 10 minutes." The little blonde said, squatting down to wait.
"How do you know all that?" Sasuke asked dropping down next to the blonde. He could see the little book clearly now and it was filled with a detailed layout of the scarred teachers daily plans.
"I followed Iruka-sensei for three or four months, this way I always know where he is and have a better chance for getting free ramen." Naruto said it with such a strait face that Sasuke had to believe him.
Sasuke wasn't just too sure that Naruto's information was correct; the boy might be trying to show off. Sasuke was hungry but he wanted to see if Naruto's information gathering was correct. They didn't wait long before Naruto was up on his feet.
"Come on, we have to walk so that he won't see that we're waiting for him." Sasuke had heard foot steps but he hadn't seen his old teacher yet. Sasuke shrugged and got to his feet following Naruto. .// That can't be the sensei, can it?//
"Naruto, Sasuke, I see you're back from your mission!" The kind voice of their academy teacher reached Sasuke's ears. The boys stopped and waited for the teacher to catch up to them. "I was just heading over to the ramen shop, I don't suppose that either of you are hungry?"
Naruto and Sasuke's stomachs both gave loud growls at the thought of food. "Well it sounds like you're hungry, come on my treat. You know it's funny; I always seem to bump into you when I am headed to any ramen shop." Iruka laughed, "if I didn't know better I would say you were waiting for me."
Naruto laughed nervously, "Yeah that would be crazy." Sasuke just shook his head, thinking about the effort that Naruto must have spent into tracking his sensei.
Iruka turned to Sasuke rather surprised that the distant boy would actually be hanging around with Naruto. "Are you going to join us?" Their teacher asked.
"Yeah sure." Sasuke shrugged, when the teacher turned around to walk off though Sasuke stared daggers at him, ,// You would be joining US, not Me joining You!// Sasuke sweat dropped, he was jealous. He was never jealous. //Naruto wanted to eat with Me, YOU are just the money source!// Sasuke couldn't help it, the idea that he was the tag along just seemed to piss him off.
Quickening his pace Sasuke placed himself between Naruto and his old teacher. //And I don't care what anyone thinks!// Sasuke glared at anyone that even seemed to look his way. Iruka tried to ignore the ki that seemed to be emanating from the dark haired boy, but it was violent and definitely directed towards him.
It wasn't that Sasuke didn't like Iruka. He had been an excellent teacher; Iruka always seemed to go that extra bit for his students. Sasuke had even had a few private lessons on advanced jutsu from his scarred teacher. Sasuke could even respect the teachers decision to remain a chunin and a teacher rather than advancing to the jounin level. Iruka was definitely one of Konoha's elite ninja's; but now when Sasuke looked at his teacher he saw not only a teacher, but a rival for Naruto's attention.
Sasuke was starting to wonder how one person, a boy his own age, could take his life and turn it on end, seeming to knock it out of whack. But it wasn't out of whack really, Sasuke was starting to look at things differently, as though he were seeing things for what they were for the first time. No, Naruto hadn't made his life all confused, he had brought stability to it. Now his goals were not drifting around waiting for the possibility of finding his brother, the were anchored and they seemed to bend around the blonde boy that was walking beside him.