Disclaimer: Naruto isn't mine. I jus' use the characters for my perverse pleasure.

The next morning Naruto awoke from a very favorable dream. Sasuke, was the star of it. One where Sasuke actually smiled, and showed warmth towards him. Without leaving his room, he knew he was gone. Sasuke had left him, while he was sleeping. He had slipped away, either early morning, or late at night. Knowing the boy, it was in the middle of the night, when it was still raining. He had bothered Naruto saying he didn't want to get caught in the rain, only to disappear into the rain itself.

He didn't know how long he just lay there, daydreaming about Sasuke. Sasuke smiling, holding him. Naruto took a glance at the clock and quickly rolled off the bed, landing on his behind, before scrambling to his feet. 'NOT GOOD.'

"I'm late!"

He ran into the bathroom, deciding there was no such thing as not having time to was his face, and brush his teeth. When done he quickly dressed in his jumpsuit, pulling on his shoes, and he was off. He was tying his head protector on his forehead, as he ran through the streets of the Leaf Village. Arriving at the bridge, out of breath, he moved towards Sakura and Sasuke.

"Ohayo Sakura-chan." He said, still gasping for breath.

"You're LATE!" She glared at him, practically grinding her teeth together.

Not even bothering with replying he sat down across from Sasuke, who seemed to ignore his presence. Sasuke opened his eyes, to meet Naruto's'. Black looking into blue.

"Well I don't know about you Sasuke-kun," Sakura said sitting next to him. Leaning against him she practically radiated 'crush'. "But I'm tired of people always being late, at least you and I managed to arrive on time."

"Hn." Was her only response.

Sakura grimaced then turned to Naruto, "And what was your reason for being late?"

"I overslept." He replied, rubbing at the back of his head. "Honestly, I had such a long night, I didn't get much sleep."

He was rewarded with a whack on the head, via the glaring pink haired girl standing over him. "That's a pathetic excuse."

"Sakura leave it, I'm the one to blame. I was over at Naruto's last night to talk over some things."

Both Sakura and Naruto were stunned of Sasuke's' protective answer. Sakura, who was seething at Sasuke's answer, sat back down; giving both males the cold shoulder. Naruto and Sasuke just stared at each other. Naruto in curiosity, and astonishment. Sasuke in warmth and protectiveness. Naruto backtracked, warmth? Sasuke? Obviously he was only imagining things. He didn't even know if Sasuke could show that emotion..

"You're late!"

Neither of the boys had even heard Kakashi appear.

"Well you see, there was this little kitten that was lost.."

"Liar!" Came Sakura's scream.

Kakashi rubbed the back of his head, his one visible eye closed happily. It opened to lay upon Sasuke and Naruto, sitting across from each other. He highly doubted either knew he was even present. Sakura practically threw herself at Sasuke, lacing her arms through one of his. Both boys finally looked away from the other, Sasuke to look at Sakura, Naruto to Kakashi. Both boys' cheeks were stained pink.

Later

Naruto had gone straight home after training, claiming he was going to go sleep. Sakura was tagging along after Sasuke, talking about random things. He didn't even know Shikamaru and Ino had shown up, until the two females were screaming at each other. Inner Sakura was calling Ino many things, none to appropriate. He nodded to Shikamaru, then continued on his way, unknown by Sakura and Ino.

As soon as he got home, he stripped and got into the shower. He stood there for a few minutes, letting the warm water run over his tired body. They had given up trying to do the contest Kakashi had come up with, everyone knowing Sasuke and Naruto too well. He closed his eyes, immediately seeing blonde hair. He saw Naruto, sweaty, from God knows what. But what was running through Sasuke's mind, was more than training. He wondered what would happen if he hadn't stopped at kissing Naruto as a thanks. Sasuke inwardly smacked himself, 'NO.'

When he climbed out, he moved into the bedroom, not bothering with light. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he then grabbed another towel, and scrubbed at his hair. It wasn't very dark outside, but he was ready to head to bed. He was still worn out, he had gotten no more sleep after he woke up the night before. Going to his dresser, he pulled out his black shorts. He remembered the orange shorts that he had yet to return, along with the shirt. They were still in his sink. Closing the drawer, ridding his memory of the orange color, he grabbed boxers out of another. Pulling his clothes on, he climbed into bed.

Naruto's home

When he arrived home, he immediately put water on to boil for his ramen. He ate quickly, stuffing his face. He pulled off his kunai holster, laying it on the table next to his bed. He stripped, and showered, brushed his teeth, and got ready for bed. Before actually climbing into bed, he moved into the living room. Laying down on the mat he had set up, he began his nightly exercises: 200 sit ups, 400 push ups.

Heading back into the bedroom, wiping sweat off of his forehead and body, he wondered why he bothered to shower first. Noting to get a shower before he headed off to training in the morning, he climbed into bed, turning off the light.

TBC (maybe)