Title: El Bimbo

Author: sky75rk

A/N: woah… fourth chapter already yet, readers have been nothing but cold… huhu… I'm getting few responses… does it suck that badly? Grr… anyway, I'm not really fazed. I like how the story is turning out, even if the first chapters are not that good. Especially the first channel… hmp… well, I do appreciate those who take their time to review or just read this, so thanks… you guys are the best!

bloodofakiller: I'm sorry I wasn't able to reply to your review in the second channel. I did have to make it that sad. Otherwise, how will I be able to use that chapter to progress with the story, right? Didn't you like it?

And one more thing, thanks for being a constant reviewer!

ADC guys…

Fourth Channel: Turning Away

They were standing along the rooftops waiting for their target to come into view. Dressed in all black, they moved along the streets undetected, in their hands they hold the jaws of death, and in their hearts lies no conscience. One look in their eyes and then you can feel the cold, ice running in their veins, you will shiver at the thought, become afraid. Hide underneath the covers. But nothing will save you from their wrath.

The leaves rustled, the view changes, the moon rising, indicating the late hour and they still waited.

"Target spotted," an artic voice emerged, breaking the train of thoughts that bombarded his mind. "I'll go in,"

"No," another voice interrupted, an indefinite one, wavering, but calm. "I'll do it," he volunteered.

"Are you--" the first one tried to ask, but failed, when the second one vanished into the mist.

An unknown figure approached a drunken man who was laughing, stumbling about the street. He was still holding a bottle half-empty of alcohol, when he noticed. "Who are you?" he asked, narrowing his blurry eyes to stabilize his vision. No reply.

"I SAID WHO ARE YOU? WHY ARE YOU BLOCKING MY DAMN WAY?" The man now screamed.

The figure clad in black further advanced, a wire in one hand. "Be at peace," he whispered in the man's ear, and then coiled the said wire around the target's neck.

A voiceless cry resounded nowhere but in the figure's mind.

"Mission accomplished," Neji said as he handed the mission report to the Hokage.

"Excellent. Who did it?" she asked, in her subconscious she wished that it was the more experienced one who finished the job for the both of them.

A blonde head looked up. "I did," he answered and the Hokage's worries started to surface. "Any problem?" Naruto asked, glaring at the woman, afterwards, smiling. "You worry too much Tsunade-baabaa, I'm as efficient as anyone else who is experienced," he said nonchalantly.

The woman did not answer, so Neji supposed they were finished talking. He turned to exit the room, wanting to rest as soon as possible. After all, they had a long journey.

Tsunade eyed the long-haired boy before calling him again. "Wait,"

"Is there anything else?"

Tsunade took a quick glance at Naruto. She knew that the Hyuuga will not like the idea of working again after just finishing a hard mission. But it had to be done as soon as possible, or else… "I haven't briefed you yet for your next mission,"

"Another?" Neji asked. He wasn't expecting an assignment so soon.

"Yes," she replied, motioning him to return to his seat.

Neji obliged.

"What is it this time hag?" Naruto asked, still grinning; although Tsunade knew better.

"Another assassination," she said, placing two scrolls of the same kind in her table. "Here are the descriptions and the names of your target together with their photos,"

Naruto immediately got up and took both the scrolls before handing one to Neji. "I suppose this is to be done ASAP?" the Hyuuga asked, but his voice sounded more like a statement.

Tsunade nodded. "We're short of people at this moment," she said, her short explanation answering the questions in Neji's mind.

"Have you seen Naruto?" Sasuke asked the pink-haired kunoichi. He only recently learned that Naruto has already been released in the hospital. After the breaking news of the blonde separating from the team, he did not visit the boy again.

"I heard he went to another mission," Sakura answered his question. "I don't know why, but after he came back from the last one, Hokage-sama gave them another one," she added.

I guess I won't be seeing him for a while. "Let's go," he told Sakura.

"Okay, I guess we'll be leaving without telling him," she paused, thinking for a moment. "I don't think we need to inform him now. After all, we're not his teammates any longer," she added.

"…whatever,"

Both of them have just accepted a mission in Sand, wary of the fact that they will meet Gaara and his siblings. Sasuke couldn't care less anyway, if it makes the job faster to accomplish, then why should he bother?

Sasuke bit his lips. He had always wished before that the blonde be separated from his team, after he almost sabotaged half of their missions. But now, he resented it. Maybe I shouldn't wish too hard on something. He thought, increasing his speed with Sakura following from behind.

They arrived a few hours later, showing their passports at the gate before going in.

"So, you made it," a monotone accent said from behind. Both of the Konoha-nins whirled around and spotted Gaara upside down a tree. His sand suddenly enclosed his being, and then he transferred himself to the ground beside Temari and Kankuro who were in front of them.

Sasuke eyed them closely, not letting his guard down. Sakura on the other hand, approached them and started to talk. "Of course we did. You guys ready?" they all nodded.

"We still need to plan for other complications. I heard they changed the security system," Temari informed them. "We'll discuss it in our place," she further put in, walking in the opposite direction, her actions telling them to follow.

As they arrived, they directly proceeded to their plans, making sure that everything was foolproof and detailed. They cannot afford to make any mistakes.

By nightfall, they acted their part, doing each one efficiently and effectively. Before dawn, they finished; departing with the least amount of trouble. Their first one in many nights, since Naruto left.

Gaara went outside and saw Sasuke staring into nothingness. "Why isn't the idiot with you?" he asked the Uchiha, a knowing look on his face.

"Not your business,"

But the Sand-nin was not fazed. "He left you, didn't he?" he whispered, leaning towards Sasuke, his lips hovering so close to the pale boy's ear. "Just like everyone else,"

Sasuke took a step back, his eyes flashing a crimson red, without his knowledge. "What are you talking about?"

Gaara returned to his original passive expression. "As much as Uzumaki and I are the same, I can't ignore the reality that," he trailed, pointing a finger at Sasuke before continuing. "…you and I need each other even more," then he disappeared.

In the next instance, Temari came into view, a smile adorning her features. Her gaze locked onto the Uchiha's confused being. "What did he mean?" Sasuke asked the older woman.

A chuckle. "It means that he's jealous of Naruto-kun,"

"Where's Sasuke?" Naruto asked Ino when he returned from his mission. Almost a month has passed by and it was his day-off.

The heir of the Yamanaka clan stopped from watering her flowers. "Mission in Sand. They'll be back after a few days," News of their team's division had been long ago discovered.

"Thanks," Naruto said before leaving. I guess I wouldn't be seeing them for a while. He said to himself. Naruto walked inside Ichiraku's and ordered his favorite ramen. After finishing five bowls, he took out a black notebook and began writing.

"What's that?" a voice from behind asked. Naruto recognized it.

"Nothing, Neji. Just some… things," the blonde said, evading the topic. He closed the notebook and stuffed it into one of his pockets. "What are you doing here?" he queried, his memory drifting back into a few hours ago, when the pale-eyed boy said that he would just go back home and rest.

Neji ordered two bowls of miso ramen and handed one to the blonde youth, discerning the truth that he already ate five bowls just minutes ago.

"For me?" Naruto's eyes glittered at the steaming bowl and his eyes watered. "Thank you! Thankyouthankyouthankyou," he tugged on the older boy's long sleeved shirt before pulling him to a bear hug.

Neji tried to pull away, but failed when he was hypnotized by the warmth the blue-eyed boy delivered. When Naruto started eating, he noticed that he can't just wipe the smile off his face. They boy was just too happy!

Naruto finished his bowl just as Neji was only starting. He eyed the eating boy silently. "Yah know, even when eating, you really look graceful," he commented.

Neji chewed the noddles in his mouth and swallowed it. "Is that what you really think?" he asked.

Naruto nodded. "Yup. I mean, ramen is the messiest thing you'd ever eat in your life because of the soup and the slurping and everything, but you still manage to eat it without getting stained," he informed the Hyuuga with his 'as-a-matter-of-fact' look. "but yah wanna know another thing?"

Neji waited silently for the next words that will follow.

"Ramen tastes the best when you eat it carelessly, that's cause you enjoy it," he grinned, as if asking Neji to finish the soup left by drinking it directly from the bowl, and not use the spoon.

The pale eyed boy just laughed shortly. "You and your point of views," he muttered.

"What's that?"

Neji did not respond, instead drank the remaining soup directly from the bowl. When he finished, a thin trail of soup escaped his lips. Neji was not aware.

Naruto reached to snatch a tissue from the holder. "Wait, don't move," just then, he placed the tissue on the spot where the soup dripped from and wiped the mess away. "There, all better," he said, grinning goofily.

Neji smiled, his eyes softening. "Thanks,"

"Sure,"

Neji paid the old man in the store and they started walking. The night was young and their destination was nowhere. After completing five missions non-stop, Neji learned to relax around the golden youth. He still didn't know the reason for the Hokage to give those jobs all at once, but at one point, he was thankful. He felt that being with Naruto was like being saved from the past he tried to forget.

Naruto was whistling a happy tune as he smiled to particularly no one. The last job was fairly easy, and he thought that he would be used to killing by now, but he wasn't. I need to get used to this job before I cause a major sabotage in one of our missions. He told himself behind the happy tune he whistled. I need that money.

When they finally stopped, they were standing in front of the Hokage's tower. Before they knew it, Shikamaru was in front of them.

"Neji, Naruto, Tsunade-sama wants to see you,"

The two of them nodded at the same time, and then proceeded inside.

They opened the door to the Hokage's room and went inside. "I have another mission for you to be done. You will leave in three days," she said simply, then handed the scrolls to them. "I expect a full report when you return. Take care," she said simply, a worrying look cast upon Naruto when he slowly took one scroll from Neji's hand.

Neji was the first one to exit the room, Naruto telling him to just wait outside if he liked. As the door closed, Naruto dropped to the floor. "I can't do this any more Tsunade-baabaa," his voice was defeated, tired.

She sighed. "I know it's hard, Naruto. And I would like to help you more, but this is all I can do for you,"

A bowed head and a muffled reply. "I know. I should thank you I guess, but every night… every damn night…" he trailed off, his mask dropping and shattering a million pieces.

Then he stood up and left, leaving behind a Hokage blaming herself for not being able to do anything.

"Have you seen Naruto?" a dark-haired boy asked the owner of the flower shop. To his dismay, the blonde kunoichi shook his head.

"He just left for another mission," she informed him. "That's strange, Naruto just asked me the same question three days ago. He was also looking for you,"

Another mission? What is he up to? Is he avoiding me? Issues began to attack his mind once again, but he dismissed it when the kunoichi lunged herself to his left arm. "Why are you looking for that baka anyway?" Ino asked sweetly, trying her teary-eyed pout on the Uchiha, but Sasuke just looked away and detached Ino from his arm.

"None of your business," his cold voice told her off and she stood like a rock, a sad look in her eyes.

It confused Sasuke, and he didn't like to be confused. Something was definitely not right and it wasn't normal for any shinobi to be out on a mission so frequently. What the hell is going on Naruto? He asked the absent boy, knowing no one would reply.

His confusion started after the blonde confessed to him with a song. He hadn't answered yet, and somehow, he didn't know what to say. How to say it, or whether he should reject him or not. His mind wasn't helping either and his heart…

Neji finished burying the body and destroyed the remaining evidence. He glanced at Naruto who was transporting a blank look on his face. It had always been that way since they started on these assassination missions together. It was a routine, the blonde would volunteer to wipe out the victim then he would enter a trance. When they return to their journey on the way back, when Naruto thought he was asleep, he would reach blindly for his notebook and write. What he scribbles was something Neji did know.

He wanted to ask what he writes down, but he can't. He already knew that Naruto didn't like doing these missions, which added to his uncertainty. Why would he do this if he didn't want to?

However, one look in his blue orbs that usually was vast like the sky and now seemingly felt constricted, Neji could only want to take the boy into his arms and comfort him. The deep sea of emotions that swam around the blue eyes that has the color of the skies was drowning him into the void of despair, of vanquish into realizing that he is unable to console the younger boy without wanting anything in return.

They journeyed back home, his gut feeling telling him that they would be given another job soon. This time, he knew what to do.

They arrived at the Hokage's tower at the same night, this time, Naruto was handing the mission report. Neji knew what she was going to ask next. It was also part of the routine.

Who did it? Neji asked in his mind.

"Who did it?" The Hokage asked, as if taking the words out of Neji's head.

"I did," Naruto answered.

Tsunade kept silent.

"Anything else?" Naruto inquired. It was also a routine, and Neji perceived that every time the golden youth would ask the same question, Tsunade would give them another mission. It was like having a conversation between Naruto and the Hokage and he was being left out.

Tsunade closed her eyes, afraid for Naruto. The world is cruel. "Yes, there's another mission for you…"

"No,"

Tsuande opened her eyes in shock from what he heard. "What did you say?"

Neji kept his gaze emotionless. "I said no. I will not do any missions for a while,"

Naruto was incredulous. He didn't expect Neji to decline at this moment. "Wait, I think we should accept," he told the Hyuuga. I have no time to lose.

Neji shook his head, and then turned to the Hokage. "I think we deserved a break, we've already completed far too many missions. Don't you think so, Tsunade-sama?" Neji expected the hot-tempered leader to retort back and say that they should not disobey the orders of the Hokage, but he was surprised to see that Tsunade was giving him a smile.

A thankful smile.

"Yes, I think you deserved it too. I have other people who can handle this anyway,"

Naruto banged his hand on the table. "No. We can do it," he asserted.

Tsuande glared at him and he clamped his mouth. "Naruto, you should rest. You've been stressing yourself too much for your own good," she said, emphasizing the last word rather heavily. Neji wondered again why.

Naruto sighed in defeat. "Fine," he finally said, leaving the room right away.

"I don't believe that you are short on people," Neji stated when he was sure that Naruto wasn't not within hearing range. "What are you up to?"

Tsunade just dug through the paper that were scattered on her table. "I don't like how you're handling this interrogation, Hyuuga. But if you must know, I just want my best and most competent soldiers doing these missions," and at that, the subject was closed.

"Damn, why the hell did Neji have to decline?" he muttered to himself, clutching his chest. He was walking around, not really caring where he went. Then he felt someone close up behind him.

"Oi,"

"Hey Neji,"

Neji fell into step with him. He knew that the blonde wanted to know why he declined, but Naruto didn't ask. Instead, they just walked. It appears that they were entering the training grounds.

Naruto looked up, sensing the rush of chakra. A blur went whizzing past him and he saw Sasuke on the ground, panting. And on the other side…

Gaara?

What is he doing here? And why is he sparring with him? "Sasuke!" he shouted and the dark haired boy slowly turned one elegant head to look at the source of the voice.

"Naruto," he whispered and then stood up, brushing the sweat on his forehead away.

Naruto ran, smiling like crazy. "So this is where you are. Come on," he said, grabbing the pale boy in one wrist and pulling him not too gently.

Sasuke pulled away. "What do you think you're doing dobe?"

Naruto ignored the insult and reached for the wrist again and tugged. "I haven't seen you and Sakura for a while, so we're all going to bond together!" he exclaimed, tugging the pale boy away.

A hand stopped him.

"Wha--"

A fist connected with his nose. Naruto was blown away.

"He doesn't want to come with you," Gaara stated.

Neji walked briskly towards the attacked boy after throwing a glare at the Sand-nin. Naruto was recovering already, but has trouble steadying his vision.

Sasuke was angry. "Why the fuck did you do that?" he hissed.

Gaara did not answer the Uchiha, instead took his wrist and led him away.

As soon as Naruto's vision steadied, he immediately rushed to attack the offender back. However, Neji stood in his way.

"Get out of the way, Neji,"

"Let it go, Naruto. There will be other chances,"

The blonde clenched his fist and chakra began to gather in his hand. His cheeks flushed red with irritation and he flung his hand in the nearby tree. It exploded into bits of chunked wood.

"I'll get him for this," he vowed, and then he sauntered away, disappearing in a haze of puffy smoke.

Neji heaved the breath he was holding, becoming conscious with the fact that it was the first time he had seen Naruto that furious. He took a glance at the destroyed tree.

What's this? He slowly trudged to the broken pieces of wood and came across a black notebook.

Naruto's notebook.

Neji picked it up, wanting to return it to the rightful owner, but his curiosity got the better of him. He opened the notebook and read the first page.

Uchiha Sasuke. Sole survivor of the Uchiha clan. He read in his mind. Flipping a few pages, he decided that he would return the notebook later.

Maybe… maybe this will contain the answers I am looking for…

-Continued-

A/N: Woah… again… another long chapter… wowzers… what do you think was written in the notebook?

Review?