Title: El Bimbo

Author: sky75rk

Standard disclaimers applied.

The fate of the dove is to fly

It flies to its nest on the knoll

The gate of love is the eye

The price of its quest; the soul

-Urda poetry

Eighth Channel: Eye-Opener

Konohamaru bowed in reverence to the Hokage of the Fire country, something that he never did before. Tsunade eyed him with shocked mingled with intense curiosity, as the grandson of the former Hokage prostrate himself before her, with intention he wished to be fulfilled in his rare visit.

"Stand up, Konohamaru," she ordered at once, her firm voice sounding through the entire room, moderately loud, to show her dominance. "What is it you want?" she asked the standing kid, expecting a loud, high-pitched voice that almost seemed alike with the ones Naruto had when he was at the same age as him.

"I only want a mission, Hokage-sama," he started saying, in a low voice he did not actually use. "I know I am not in the position to ask for any without my jounin teacher and my two other teammates, but I do hope you'll tolerate me doing numerous class-D missions in the meantime, alone or not," he said in his most polite voice, his intentions crystal clear to the Hokage, who pondered over the thought for a few minutes.

Konohamaru watched her as she mulled over the request, search through the pile of stocked papers awaiting their chance to be read, before she gave him her answer. "Alright, kid. I know you won't stop bothering me unless I give in," she told him, and his face lit up. "I can only give you several class-D missions, all of which are mostly errands around town. I know that you're trying to help Naruto and I'm proud of your concern for him, but I don't like you getting all worked up and later getting into trouble or getting sick, because I won't heal you, get that?"

Konohamaru caught the scroll in mid-air and jumped towards the table and hugged Tsunade. This action caused the stack of papers to scatter to the floor. "Arigato!" he said in glee, not minding the mess he made, and then bolted out the door.

"Damn that kid, look at the mess he made," Tsunade muttered under her breath with a smile.

"Naruto," Sasuke acknowledged as he saw the blonde boy leaning on the walls of the tower.

"Sasuke," the blonde youth acknowledged back, and then started walking to the raven-haired boy. "Hey! Whatcha doin' here?" he casually asked, wearing the same grin he had way back then.

"Mission," Sasuke simply replied, walking to meet him. He stopped in front of the grinning kid, stared at him for a moment, as if mulling over something, and then proceeded to walk past him.

A hand gripped his wrist. "Wait," Naruto whispered, his voice sounding strained. "I… uh… want to talk to you, if you… want," the blonde kid was hesitant, no more wearing the same bright grin he used to greet the Uchiha. It was replaced with another, a lopsided kind-of smile, not really certain if it was a frown or a grin. Sasuke obliged.

"What do you want to talk about?" he asked in his usual monotone voice, suppressing himself to ask the questions he wanted to since the night before.

"Gaara and you… I mean… you two… are getting kind of… close?" it was an uncertain sentence, not quite sure whether it was a declarative one or an interrogative one.

"Not really," even though the dark-eyed boy's answer was vague, it was an admission to Naruto. He knew that with questions like the one he asked, Sasuke usually answered with a yes or a no, not a 'not really', which made his eyes drop to the ground in loss.

In the meanwhile, Sasuke was struggling with himself, aspiring to ask himself, but he was being held back by his mind. He just stared at the blonde boy with indifference in his eyes. It made things more difficult, especially when he was lying to himself.

Naruto raised his head again to meet Sasuke's eyes, his own blue glazing over with suppressed tears which was gone unnoticed by the Uchiha. "So… I guess, I'm… too late," he said, a finality he did not want to confess. His attitude told him to remain adamant with his emotions, but the silent admission that he never heard from those lips he longed to kiss held a greater impact on him. "Can I at least… hug you?" it was plea, it was heard from his expression, though trying to remain collected.

Sasuke did not make a move, nor answered back, so Naruto accepted it as a yes, his wiry arms wounding around the other boy's body in slow, tentative movements, while Sasuke kept his original position, his arms on his sides. Naruto rested his head on Sasuke's shoulder, burying his face on the pale boy's neck. Sasuke moved his head to the side, encountering a mop of golden locks upon his face which smelled like the sun, vibrant and vivid like the sound of a calming breeze. Swirls of different emotions pulsated through them, and Sasuke mistook it as one created in the spur of the moment, even with his face turned into a dark shade of red.

It stayed like that for minutes that seemed a whole lot more for the both of them. Naruto lifted his head and stopped when he was in line with Sasuke's ear. "I may be too late," the blue-eyed boy started to whisper oh-so gently; it sent shivers up Sasuke's spine. "But I want to be the place you return to, Sasuke. I will always be waiting. Do you remember when I said 'I'm home'?" Naruto removed his arms from Sasuke's waist, and took a step backward. "With you is the only place I can call home," he finished, a sad smile dawning on his features. "Thanks for humoring me with the hug, Sasuke. It really felt good,"

Sasuke's eyes just widened, but Naruto was not aware of it. As the blonde passed him, his eyes stayed the same, shocked and somewhat poignant, the revelation of his former teammate nailed in his mind.

I want to be the place you return to. I will always be waiting. Do you remember when I said 'I'm home'?

The dark-haired boy closed his eyes and his head bowed in helplessness with knowing that he did not have enough courage to make out what he really felt.

For Naruto.

And although he was also not certain of what he felt for the red-haired nin from Sand, Gaara was far from his mind at the moment.

With you is the only place I can call home.

Neji quickly ducked behind the nearby tree as he saw Sasuke and Naruto sauntering towards each other like they have magnets on their bodies and he smacked himself, advising himself that he didn't need to hide from them. A soft sigh escaped his lips and he stood in his place, his head peeking out from the huge trunk and he watched their movements, thinking of what they might be talking about.

There was someone in his mind that told him to go out there and divert Naruto's attention away from Sasuke, or interrupt their little 'talk'. While his rational mind warned him not to, reminding him that Naruto might still be mad at him for reading his journal. He chose to follow his rational side. He didn't want the blonde boy avoiding him. It made him… distressed. And he knew the reason why.

He continued to observe at a distance, and when he saw the sad look that settled on the blonde's face, he wanted to pummel Sasuke to the ground, hating him for making Naruto feel the anguish that should've been happiness instead.

And what blew his mind over, was when Naruto went to hug the Uchiha, and Sasuke did not make any move to break the skin contact.

All kinds of impression stirred through his body, including envy and petty jealousy and moreover, anger towards the dark-haired boy. He was aware that the pale boy did not reciprocate the feelings of Naruto or maybe he was still mixed up with himself to know and understand what he felt, but with that simple hug he consented, it was like he was giving Naruto the false hope of having his feelings returned.

He didn't notice the side of the trunk being smashed, as his rage boiled inside him.

Neji stepped back and stalked the other way, not minding whether he gave Naruto back the notebook or not. He just didn't work out the reason why the blonde still continues to throw himself at Sasuke's feet, revealing his emotions for him when he knows that he would just be refused in the end. And it was not Naruto's attitude to show his weakness to someone, particularly to his arch rival. Why is it? Why is it that Naruto can't see how much I care for him? He asked himself, but then he would just answer his question back.

It's because I'm not selfish. I don't want to be selfish. As long as Naruto is happy, then I'm happy as well.

He slowed down, glancing at his surroundings only to find out that he was nearing the training grounds inside the forest.

He saw Gaara.

The Sand nin was walking at his direction, his arms crossed in front of his chest, the look in his eyes as fearsome as before. But Neji did not feel fear, for he was capable taking care of himself.

Gaara stopped when he was five foot away at Neji, his lips curling up into a wicked smile. "Still do not have Uzumaki? That's pathetic of you Hyuuga. I thought that you would've swept that Kyuubi vessel off his feet by now and you two have lived happily ever after," he was taunting the pale-eyes boy, it was evident in his tone, but Neji did not mind. "I guess that even you can't win over a simple-minded guy like Naruto,"

"How about you? It's not as if you have Uchiha around your arms now, isn't it?" he retorted, his voice firm and resolute like his convictions.

"That's where you're wrong. You may not notice it, but Sasuke will soon be mine," Gaara's eyes glinted with desire and possession, a contrast to that of Neji's that was filled with concern and unadulterated love for the golden haired youth.

A sincere smile appeared on the soft but unyielding contours of Neji's face, and then it returned to its passive one again. "I'm not like you, Gaara. Your kind of love for Uchiha thrives on possessiveness only while mine does not. As long as I can see to it that Naruto would be happy, I would be happy as well and that's good enough for me. I'm not as selfish as you are or Uchiha,"

Gaara frowned at the comment, not expecting Neji to say those words. But he didn't care, he had his own ways. "You won't have Uzumaki that way," he informed him, his monotone voice not exposing any kind of emotion.

"I don't care," was what the Hyuuga answered him. And it was the truth.

Gaara did not trouble himself to reply, only passing by him like the strangers they were.

"So… Naruto-nii, you like Sasuke, huh?" at the question, Naruto looked down at Konohamaru at disguised shock, but his jaw still showed his astonishment at the kid for knowing this fact.

"W-what?" the blonde stuttered.

Konohamaru grinned at Naruto. "Saw yah two hugging outside the Hokage's room," he informed him. "He likes yah too?"

Naruto shook his head, sadness again overcoming his bright features. "No," he told the kid, and saw him silencing and then looking up at him again.

"Don't think about him, Naruto-nii. He's stupid not to like you," the kid enlightened him, giving him a very bright smile with a little of naughtiness dabbed in it. "He won't be happy when he comes to know his loss," he added, slapping Naruto on his back, and then skipped ahead. "The first item was lost near the training grounds Naruto-nii! We're going there first!" he bellowed as Naruto composed himself and followed the hyperactive kid that took after him.

As they neared the training grounds, Naruto felt a chakra signature that was all too familiar. He looked around and saw Konohamaru starting his mission and he signaled him that he would just walk up ahead. The kid pouted at first, saying that he can't leave him behind. But Naruto assured him and promised him to be back after a few minutes. Konohamaru sighed in defeat. He couldn't just say no to Naruto!

The chakra he felt was getting stronger and it signaled him that he was getting nearer. He jumped up the tree and camouflaged himself in the thick foliage of the leaves. He peered at the ground and saw Neji and Gaara, talking. He moved nearer, wanting to hear their conversation.

"Still do not have Uzumaki? That's pathetic of you Hyuuga. I thought that you would've swept that Kyuubi vessel off his feet by now and you two have lived happily ever after. I guess that even you can't win over a simple-minded guy like Naruto," he heard the red-haired ninja say and he sat slowly, puzzled at the meaning of Gaara's words.

"How about you? It's not as if you have Uchiha around your arms now, isn't it?" it was Neji's voice, he noted. Naruto's heart skipped a beat when he took notice that he was not entirely late to have the dark-haired shounen.

But as soon as heard Gaara's reply, his world once again shattered. "That's where you're wrong. You may not notice it, but Sasuke will soon be mine," it was domineering, a tone he never got to use around Sasuke.

"I'm not like you, Gaara. Your kind of love for Uchiha thrives on possessiveness only while mine does not. As long as I can see to it that Naruto would be happy, I would be happy as well and that's good enough for me. I'm not as selfish as you are or Uchiha," another admission, and this time, it was directed at him. I don't get it… why would he..? He asked no one but to himself, his mind traveling once again to their conversation the night before, where he said words that would've hurt the Hyuuga.

"You won't have Uzumaki that way,"

"I don't care,"

Naruto felt guilty and simultaneously, he was at point blank. He did not know what to do or act around Neji any longer. Whether he should talk about it with the pale-eyed jounin or let it pass without as much as one comment. Then again, he can't just go to him proclaiming that he accepts Neji's love for him because it will all be just a lie, and it wouldn't do Neji any good. It would only hurt him. And he didn't like hurting other people.

The golden-haired youth stealthily returned to where Konohamaru was, oblivious to his surroundings. He did not notice five other jounins going his way.

"Watch it!" at the shout, Naruto's head shot up and then returned to the ground, seeing a fellow jounin he was not acquainted with.

"Gomen," Naruto muttered, bowing his head, and then proceeded walking away. He would've gone on his way if another jounin did not block his way. "Excuse me," Naruto said, getting annoyed at them. He already said his sorry, why are they being so hard?

"I'm afraid we can't just forgive you," he man said. Clearly, he was older than Naruto was, and probably included with the list of the people who hated him. "You have to pay for your insolence," Yep, he was right.

The five of them circled him but his guard remained down. "Why can't we just let it pass like the good ninjas we are?" he asked and at the corner of his eye he can see that Konohamaru was watching him with worry in his eyes. "I already said sorry! What is your problem?"

A chuckle from yet another one he didn't know. "The matter is that you're a demon, boy. And we don't need you here,"

"Yeah, I've been waiting for the right moment to get back at you. Did you know that my sister was killed because of you?" another quipped in.

Because of the demon IN me, idiot. He countered in his mind, but he didn't make any effort to voice it out. He needed to get out of this mess, but seeing as they won't let him, he heightened his senses to aware him if ever they would try to attack.

"Naruto-nii!" he heard Konohamaru shout. He was running towards them, knowing that he wouldn't stand a chance against them, but still wanting to give it a try.

"Don't come any nearer!" Naruto shouted back and the kid stopped, fear apparent in his eyes. "I'll handle this. You better just go back to the village!" he ordered Konohamaru, but Konohamaru shook his head. "Go back now!" he told him once again.

"Aww… why don't you let him stay? Don't you want him seeing you getting beat into a bloody pulp?" the jounin he knocked down maliciously said, licking his lips. Naruto cringed, but kept his cool, grinning at them with his arrogant look.

"The one who be beaten into a bloody pulp will be all of you!"

"Why you!" and then they charged. Naruto ducked in the precise moment a fist tried to connect with his face. Naruto then gave the same person a body blow, knocking the wind out of him. He then whirled and did a roundhouse kick to the one behind him and the jounin fell back. He noticed the three others throwing several kunai and shurikens so he jumped up and did a back roll in mid-air, and then landed a good ten feet away from them.

"Is that all you've got?" he taunted them, and at that he cursed as he remembered. He wasn't supposed to be fighting with his condition!

Konohamaru also sensed this, and he knew that Naruto would have trouble fighting with five jounins. Not knowing what else to do, he scrambled and ran as fast as he could back to the village to tell the Hokage. He was too preoccupied at only getting to the tower that he did not notice someone in front of him.

They collided.

Konohamaru fell to the ground with a loud 'thud'. "Itai…" he was rubbing his ass which took his fall. He noticed a hand in front of him. He looked up.

Hyuuga Neji.

Konohamaru's eyes lit up. He saw his rescuer! The kid did not mind to take the hand which was supposedly there to help him stand up. Instead, he tugged on the pale-eyed boy's long sleeves, with panic in his eyes. "Neji-nii! Please, you've got to help me!"

Neji removed Konohamaru's hand from his sleeve, noting the tremble the fingers of the kid had. "Why? What's wrong?" he queried, his eyes still not changing from their passiveness.

"It's Naruto-nii he--"

At the mention of the blonde's name, Neji immediately jerked Konohamaru's arm. "Why? What happened to him?" his eyes darkened dangerously, as his mind repeatedly said that he would kill anyone who dared hurt Naruto.

"Jounins… five of them… ganging up against Naruto-nii," he finished, running out of breath. "You have to come now! Or else… or else…" the kid was unable to continue, and Neji stood frozen, anticipating the kid's next words.

"Or else?" he encouraged him to finish the started sentence.

"Or else… he'll die!"

Neji was puzzled. "Die? What do you mean by that? Five jounins won't matter much to Naruto. He's stronger than most of us,"

Even with those should be calming words, Konohamaru was still frantic, his eyes flowing with a knowledge of something important he did not know. "You don't understand! He'll die!" he insisted, and his arm was pulled towards the direction of the fight. He decided to follow the kid, his mind still claiming that there was nothing to worry about if Naruto was only fighting five jounins.

You don't understand! He'll die! The last sentence of Konohamaru struck him down and worry began to fill his entire soul. He pulled his arm free of the kid and ran. Konohamaru took the hint and hurried to catch up.

As the clearing came into view, he saw Naruto punching the last guy standing square in the face and the said jounin flew and hit a large tree trunk.

Naruto's eyes flickered with something his mind can't register. "Why did you bring Neji here for Konohamaru? I told you I'll be just fine," he shouted from where he was standing, he was panting, breaths coming in small amounts.

Neji faced Konohamaru. "I told you he'll be just fine," he told the kid, wanting him to admit that his suspicions of Naruto dying were wrong.

And as Konohamaru opened his mouth, he thought that it was a reply.

But he was wrong.

Dead wrong.

"NARUTO-NII!" Konohamaru screamed, his eyes narrowing with dread as he stumbled through the broken bodies of the other jounins and made his way to Naruto. As soon as he heard the hysterical scream, he stood frozen in his position, afraid to turn around and see what happened.

But his body defied him, and his head slowly turned 180 degrees, to where Naruto was supposed to be standing.

Naruto, Naruto… No, Naruto… his mouth was not functioning, and his body seemed to have a mind of his own, as he saw himself nearing the blonde youth, who was sprawled unto the ground, Konohamaru by his side, heaving deep, painful breaths, clutching his chest. NO! His mind shouted, and he came back to reality. He examined Naruto's body for any sign of wound that might have been fatal. But there was none; only various cuts and bruises that was not supposed to kill. But why is he breathing like this?

Konohamaru's voice broke his thoughts. "We need to get him to Tsunade-sama," he informed the pale Hyuuga, trying to carry Naruto's body behind him, but found that he was too heavy. At this, Neji gathered the lifted body and asked. "Why? What's wrong with him?"

The kid glared at him. "Don't ask now! We have to get him to Tsunade-sama!"

The both of them ran. Ran the fastest they could both muster, the wind rushing through their ears and their surroundings all but a blur, and they separated at some point, Konohamaru headed to the direction of the Hokage's tower while Neji took the still panting boy to the hospital.

The moment Konohamaru entered the tower, he ignored the yells of the people he bumped into and the reprimands of several chuunins and jounins in the area. He was close to the Hokage's door… so close…

A sudden burst and bang of the door snapped Tsunade's head to stare at the door. Before the sudden intrusion, she had been briefing both Sasuke and Gaara for their next mission, a rather important one, and it was her wish not to be disturbed. She was thankful at least, that she had already finished, and instantaneously, she ushered the two jounins out.

At the click of the door being shut, Tsunade glared at the still panting kid. "What do you want now?" she demanded. Konohamaru's eyes looked up and somehow, she wished, again, that she hadn't asked.

"It's Naruto-nii he's…"

"What!" Without further delay, she shout up from her sitting position and rushed out the room, the kid trailing behind her. Hold on. Just hold on.

I'll save you.

-Continued-

A/N:

Thanks a lot for my reviewers! I really love you guys for all your support!

Strawberries and Napkins, Bloodofakiller, Kisu, Tins, Sentai, Momochi Zabuza, CatC10, Death's Hand, Princess Kitana, Quaebah24, Silent Victory

Minna… review?