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Dark Soul: Thanks for the reviews people! You know that I always appreciate them! Here's the next chapter, I am glad you enjoyed the previous one.
Sasuke: So lets get to it.
Dark Soul: Ok, well, guess we should get the chapter. Read on...
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Watching Your Back
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Chapter 5 - By Myself
[... Naruto's POV...]
I screamed. Freezing cold water was soaking my hair and running down my face. I looked up to my attacker. Sasuke. He had a frown on his face. I glared at him.
"Why did you do that?!"
He smirked. "You wouldn't wake up dobe. I called you a million times, even screamed in your ear. When you didn't wake up, I had to poor water on your face."
"Yah right! Well, you could have done it nicely!" I said standing up.
"What? Let tiny drips fall on your face? That would surly wake you up," he said with sarcasm.
I growled. "Sasuke you ...." I mumbled words under my breath.
"You what?" he asked.
"Nothing! Now lets go!"
I knew that it was an odd morning. Sasuke was talking to me more than usual, but then again, he was annyoing me more than usual.Was I like this all the time? No, I couldn't be.
We were on our way back. Sasuke knew that we were getting back early this morning, but for some reason, he didn't sound very happy when he told me. I had asked him what was wrong, but he said nothing. He was a bad liar.
We put on our dry clothes before leaving, but I swear that someone was watching, even though I couldn't see them. It had to be Sasuke. Not like I had a problem with it, he could look at me if he wanted and maybe I could-No! I couldn't think like that! Bad Naruto!
The forest was covered in splotches of light, the leaves in the high branches trying to hide the light from the sun. Everything seemed cooler like this. All quiet and calm. Just the two of us, walking through the forest like two friends on a journey together. I know, odd. But I considered Sasuke as a friend. Especially after last night. But then again, after last night, I didn't know what to call him. I had already tried to talk to him about it, but the words just wouldn't come out. I didn't have the courage to say it to him, like so many others things. The way that he felt me last night, the way I felt him, was it real? Or was he pretending and waiting me to ask so that he could make fun of me and then tell the village? I had my doubts though. It was Sasuke. And I had never known Sasuke to do such a thing.
Problem was, I didn't even really know Sasuke. Everyone saw him as the quiet, cool type. Not a care in the world and everyone is inferior to him. But maybe, he was different. Maybe he hid his real self from everyone...just like I did at times.
"Naruto..."
Maybe he was hurting inside like I was.
"Naruto..."
Maybe...he was just like me.
"Naruto!!"
I looked over at Sasuke. He looked quite agitated. I tried to figure out why.
"Why did you-" I looked at his face. "Oh! Sorry Sasuke! Just was thinking and you know, when you're thinking, you..."
He lifted an eyebrow. "I just wanted to say that we're back."
I looked in front of me. He was right! There was the Hidden Leaf village, right before my very eyes! I was home at last. We were home. I smiled at Sasuke. I saw a weak smile form to his lips. This made me happier. Even if it was just a little smile, but coming from Sasuke, that was alot. I walked towards him and felt my face turn a little hot.
"Sasuke. I just wanted to say...I mean...what I mean is..."
"Yes?"
I grinned. "Thanks. If it wasn't for you, I would be dead."
"No," he said.
"Really? You don't think-"
"Only in a day," he added.
I squinted my eyes at him. He smiled in delight at my anger. I had just then realized that I had never seen him smile so much before. Even more amazing then that, I had never seen Sasuke smile until a day ago!
"Just kidding Naruto. Now let's go. I am sure that sensei is wondering where we are." Sasuke said.
I quickly ran in front of Sasuke and was going to race into the village, when I noticed that Sasuke was taking a while. As soon as we had gotten inside the village, I stopped and looked at Sasuke. He had a troubling look on his face.
"Something wrong, Sasuke?" I asked worried.
He looked me straight in the eyes. "Don't you think that if Kakashi was worried, he would have found us by now?"
I looked at the ground and let that sink in. I was surprised myself. I was surprised until I heard a scream. I looked up. I saw Sasuke with an unhappy look on his face and a girl with pink hair with her arms around him. A man with a mask on stood a few feet away from the scene, shaking his head.
[... Sasuke's POV ...]
I saw Naruto start to ponder over my words. I was going to say something to him, but I immediatly choaked when a pair or arms wrapped around my neck and a body was close to mine. Pink hair flew in my face. Sakura. Sakura?!
'Oh great' I thought.
"Sasuke! You're ok! I am sooo glad! I thought you were hurt! Are you ok?" she practically screamed in my ear.
"Get off Sakura," I commanded.
She immediatly did so and looked at me smiling. I just put my hands in my pockets and shrugged as usual. I glanced at Kakashi who was jut a few feet away. He noticed my look and decided to join at last.
"I assume we are done with the greeting? Naruto, you can come over here." Kakashi said.
Like a trance had been broken, Naruto looked over at us, wide eyed. "Oh..uh..yah!"
He quickly walked over and smiled at Sakura and Kakashi. Kakashi frowned at him. I could see it through his mask.
"First of all, I am glad that you too are all right and you got here safely. Second of all, I want to thank you Sasuke for going out and retrieving Naruto. Knowing how sick he was, I am sure that he would have had a hard time getting back by himself."
I saw that Naruto was upset by this. I was wondering why, until I realized that it could have been because of what Kakashi said, him having a hard time and also thathe would have had to get back by himself. No one would go after him. But that would never happen. I would go after him, whether someone was trying to stop me or not. Nothing could stop me from getting to him. Nothing.
"All of that said," Kakashi continued. "I just have one thing to ask you Naruto."
I saw Naruto look up at Kakashi will a bitter smile on his face. "Yes, sensei?"
"Why would you go out into the forest while you were sick? Any more actions like this and I'll make sure that I work you harder than anyone else in this group for a long time."
Naruto nodded and Kakashi put two hands on his hips.
"Well, I guess that we should get back to training, but since I am sure that it has been tough for the two of you these past days, I will cancel todays classes and we can have a day of rest."
I growled. Like we had a hard time...or maybe...maybe Kakashi knew that we had gotten back easily and that it wasn't much trouble. But then why would he cancel? He was never usually that sweet on us.
"Yah!" I heard Sakura say. "Now we can do something together Sasuke!"
"..."
I saw Naruto look at me, but Sakura was in my face. He knew I was busy, he smiled and walked away. I knew that smile was a fake. I could tell by his twitching lips. I frowned. If Sakura had just...
"Sasuke."
I looked at Kakashi.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Relieved, I nodded and walk towards Kakashi.
"Sakura?" Kakashi asked. "I need to talk to Sasuke alone."
She nodded. "Sorry sensei. See you later Sasuke!" she said and ran off.
I turned to Kakashi and he looked down at me with smiling eyes. "Shall we?"
Kakashi and I started to walk around the village. I didn't understand why we were walking through the streets and he was being so quiet. I thought that he wanted to talk to me, but for some reason, it was like he was waiting for me to speak.
"Sensei?" I asked.
"Yes, Sasuke."
"You wanted to speak with me, did you not?"
"Yes, Sasuke. But I was wondering if you had anything that you wanted to ask or talk about."
I didn't want to admit it to the sensei. What would he think of me then?
"Sasuke," he said putting a hand on my shoulder. "Anything you want to ask. It will just be between us."
I nodded and took a deep breath. "Sensei. I was wondering why you didn't go looking for Naruto and I when we were gone for that long."
Kakashi sighed. "You see Sasuke, I wasn't worried about you two. I knew that you would take care of each other and return when you were ready to."
'Ready to?' I thought. 'What did he mean?'
"And," Kakashi said looking me straight in the eye. "Is there is anything else?"
I shook my head.
"Alright, then I'll be going now. Have a good day. I also want to thank you Sasuke."
I looked up at him, confused.
"I want to thank you for caring for Naruto. There are few who would have done what you did for him. Don't stop your kindness just because you're in the village now, in fact, you should go and talk to him now, he didn't look happy when he left." he winked. "Don't worry, I know."
Kakashi then walked away from me. I was confused by all he had said. Most of it made sense, but was he trying to tell me something? And what did he know? Could he possibly...I shook it off. Maybe he was right. Stoppng by Naruto's didn't seem like a bad idea. He did look sad before he left for home. Maybe I could change his mood.
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Do you know what's going to happen next? I am sure you do. Well, guess you'll just have to wait! That's just how psychotically evil I am. Heh heh = P
Dark Soul: Thanks for the reviews people! You know that I always appreciate them! Here's the next chapter, I am glad you enjoyed the previous one.
Sasuke: So lets get to it.
Dark Soul: Ok, well, guess we should get the chapter. Read on...
---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---
Watching Your Back
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Chapter 5 - By Myself
[... Naruto's POV...]
I screamed. Freezing cold water was soaking my hair and running down my face. I looked up to my attacker. Sasuke. He had a frown on his face. I glared at him.
"Why did you do that?!"
He smirked. "You wouldn't wake up dobe. I called you a million times, even screamed in your ear. When you didn't wake up, I had to poor water on your face."
"Yah right! Well, you could have done it nicely!" I said standing up.
"What? Let tiny drips fall on your face? That would surly wake you up," he said with sarcasm.
I growled. "Sasuke you ...." I mumbled words under my breath.
"You what?" he asked.
"Nothing! Now lets go!"
I knew that it was an odd morning. Sasuke was talking to me more than usual, but then again, he was annyoing me more than usual.Was I like this all the time? No, I couldn't be.
We were on our way back. Sasuke knew that we were getting back early this morning, but for some reason, he didn't sound very happy when he told me. I had asked him what was wrong, but he said nothing. He was a bad liar.
We put on our dry clothes before leaving, but I swear that someone was watching, even though I couldn't see them. It had to be Sasuke. Not like I had a problem with it, he could look at me if he wanted and maybe I could-No! I couldn't think like that! Bad Naruto!
The forest was covered in splotches of light, the leaves in the high branches trying to hide the light from the sun. Everything seemed cooler like this. All quiet and calm. Just the two of us, walking through the forest like two friends on a journey together. I know, odd. But I considered Sasuke as a friend. Especially after last night. But then again, after last night, I didn't know what to call him. I had already tried to talk to him about it, but the words just wouldn't come out. I didn't have the courage to say it to him, like so many others things. The way that he felt me last night, the way I felt him, was it real? Or was he pretending and waiting me to ask so that he could make fun of me and then tell the village? I had my doubts though. It was Sasuke. And I had never known Sasuke to do such a thing.
Problem was, I didn't even really know Sasuke. Everyone saw him as the quiet, cool type. Not a care in the world and everyone is inferior to him. But maybe, he was different. Maybe he hid his real self from everyone...just like I did at times.
"Naruto..."
Maybe he was hurting inside like I was.
"Naruto..."
Maybe...he was just like me.
"Naruto!!"
I looked over at Sasuke. He looked quite agitated. I tried to figure out why.
"Why did you-" I looked at his face. "Oh! Sorry Sasuke! Just was thinking and you know, when you're thinking, you..."
He lifted an eyebrow. "I just wanted to say that we're back."
I looked in front of me. He was right! There was the Hidden Leaf village, right before my very eyes! I was home at last. We were home. I smiled at Sasuke. I saw a weak smile form to his lips. This made me happier. Even if it was just a little smile, but coming from Sasuke, that was alot. I walked towards him and felt my face turn a little hot.
"Sasuke. I just wanted to say...I mean...what I mean is..."
"Yes?"
I grinned. "Thanks. If it wasn't for you, I would be dead."
"No," he said.
"Really? You don't think-"
"Only in a day," he added.
I squinted my eyes at him. He smiled in delight at my anger. I had just then realized that I had never seen him smile so much before. Even more amazing then that, I had never seen Sasuke smile until a day ago!
"Just kidding Naruto. Now let's go. I am sure that sensei is wondering where we are." Sasuke said.
I quickly ran in front of Sasuke and was going to race into the village, when I noticed that Sasuke was taking a while. As soon as we had gotten inside the village, I stopped and looked at Sasuke. He had a troubling look on his face.
"Something wrong, Sasuke?" I asked worried.
He looked me straight in the eyes. "Don't you think that if Kakashi was worried, he would have found us by now?"
I looked at the ground and let that sink in. I was surprised myself. I was surprised until I heard a scream. I looked up. I saw Sasuke with an unhappy look on his face and a girl with pink hair with her arms around him. A man with a mask on stood a few feet away from the scene, shaking his head.
[... Sasuke's POV ...]
I saw Naruto start to ponder over my words. I was going to say something to him, but I immediatly choaked when a pair or arms wrapped around my neck and a body was close to mine. Pink hair flew in my face. Sakura. Sakura?!
'Oh great' I thought.
"Sasuke! You're ok! I am sooo glad! I thought you were hurt! Are you ok?" she practically screamed in my ear.
"Get off Sakura," I commanded.
She immediatly did so and looked at me smiling. I just put my hands in my pockets and shrugged as usual. I glanced at Kakashi who was jut a few feet away. He noticed my look and decided to join at last.
"I assume we are done with the greeting? Naruto, you can come over here." Kakashi said.
Like a trance had been broken, Naruto looked over at us, wide eyed. "Oh..uh..yah!"
He quickly walked over and smiled at Sakura and Kakashi. Kakashi frowned at him. I could see it through his mask.
"First of all, I am glad that you too are all right and you got here safely. Second of all, I want to thank you Sasuke for going out and retrieving Naruto. Knowing how sick he was, I am sure that he would have had a hard time getting back by himself."
I saw that Naruto was upset by this. I was wondering why, until I realized that it could have been because of what Kakashi said, him having a hard time and also thathe would have had to get back by himself. No one would go after him. But that would never happen. I would go after him, whether someone was trying to stop me or not. Nothing could stop me from getting to him. Nothing.
"All of that said," Kakashi continued. "I just have one thing to ask you Naruto."
I saw Naruto look up at Kakashi will a bitter smile on his face. "Yes, sensei?"
"Why would you go out into the forest while you were sick? Any more actions like this and I'll make sure that I work you harder than anyone else in this group for a long time."
Naruto nodded and Kakashi put two hands on his hips.
"Well, I guess that we should get back to training, but since I am sure that it has been tough for the two of you these past days, I will cancel todays classes and we can have a day of rest."
I growled. Like we had a hard time...or maybe...maybe Kakashi knew that we had gotten back easily and that it wasn't much trouble. But then why would he cancel? He was never usually that sweet on us.
"Yah!" I heard Sakura say. "Now we can do something together Sasuke!"
"..."
I saw Naruto look at me, but Sakura was in my face. He knew I was busy, he smiled and walked away. I knew that smile was a fake. I could tell by his twitching lips. I frowned. If Sakura had just...
"Sasuke."
I looked at Kakashi.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Relieved, I nodded and walk towards Kakashi.
"Sakura?" Kakashi asked. "I need to talk to Sasuke alone."
She nodded. "Sorry sensei. See you later Sasuke!" she said and ran off.
I turned to Kakashi and he looked down at me with smiling eyes. "Shall we?"
Kakashi and I started to walk around the village. I didn't understand why we were walking through the streets and he was being so quiet. I thought that he wanted to talk to me, but for some reason, it was like he was waiting for me to speak.
"Sensei?" I asked.
"Yes, Sasuke."
"You wanted to speak with me, did you not?"
"Yes, Sasuke. But I was wondering if you had anything that you wanted to ask or talk about."
I didn't want to admit it to the sensei. What would he think of me then?
"Sasuke," he said putting a hand on my shoulder. "Anything you want to ask. It will just be between us."
I nodded and took a deep breath. "Sensei. I was wondering why you didn't go looking for Naruto and I when we were gone for that long."
Kakashi sighed. "You see Sasuke, I wasn't worried about you two. I knew that you would take care of each other and return when you were ready to."
'Ready to?' I thought. 'What did he mean?'
"And," Kakashi said looking me straight in the eye. "Is there is anything else?"
I shook my head.
"Alright, then I'll be going now. Have a good day. I also want to thank you Sasuke."
I looked up at him, confused.
"I want to thank you for caring for Naruto. There are few who would have done what you did for him. Don't stop your kindness just because you're in the village now, in fact, you should go and talk to him now, he didn't look happy when he left." he winked. "Don't worry, I know."
Kakashi then walked away from me. I was confused by all he had said. Most of it made sense, but was he trying to tell me something? And what did he know? Could he possibly...I shook it off. Maybe he was right. Stoppng by Naruto's didn't seem like a bad idea. He did look sad before he left for home. Maybe I could change his mood.
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Do you know what's going to happen next? I am sure you do. Well, guess you'll just have to wait! That's just how psychotically evil I am. Heh heh = P
