So I put up Chapter 2 right away, because I was bored and wanted to do something. If you can, review both and tell me what you think.
Chapter 2- "Dawn Breaks"
The sun crested the mountains around Konoha, spilling light over the Hidden Village. The noises of the village began to build up to their bustling level as everyone awoke and set about their daily work. For Sasuke, daily work meant yet another training session with Team 7, unless the Hokage had a mission for them, which was unlikely. Ever since Sasuke and Naruto had returned, Tsunade had stressed the re-formation of Team 7 and the emphasis on rebuilding the team's cohesiveness. The task was easier, since Sasuke and Naruto had made peace and since Sakura had decided to pursue Lee instead of the Uchiha she had wanted for so long.
Sasuke lay in bed, counting the minutes off until he had to get out of the bed and prepare for training. It had been a total of five days since Neji's appearance at the Uchiha house, but Sasuke couldn't seem to brush that feathery touch away from his jaw. It lingered no matter how many times he rubbed or showered it. It was worse than sap on your fingers. He growled angrily; Neji was beginning to get under his skin. Nothing active had happened with him in the last five days, but every now and again, Sasuke would catch him looking at him over lunch or something. It was annoying the Uchiha immensely. Sasuke had crushed the single flutter in his stomach every time Neji's pale, white eyes met his. Once that was done, he had glared back until the Hyuuga smirked and looked away. Even though Sasuke knew he had responded rightly, he couldn't shake the feeling he was losing to the Byakugan-user. He looked up at the window and noticed the sun was much higher than it should have been.
Damn it. Why am I oversleeping now of all times? I never have before. He ignored the fact that certain handsome, white-eyed shinobi was hitting on him constantly. I was not daydreaming about Neji, he told himself firmly. Throwing on his clothes and shuriken holster, he leapt through the window to the courtyard. As he turned the corner to head towards the training ground, he ran full-force into an oncoming person.
"Gomen kudasai," he muttered already moving aside.
To his surprise, the arms which had instinctively encircled him on contact didn't release. Sasuke looked up into pale eyes.
"Ohayo, Sasuke-kun," Neji chuckled.
Sasuke shifted a little, leaning back until Neji's grip on his waist broke.
"Get off me, Hyuuga," he commanded.
Neji's mouth quirked in that self-satisfied smile, "Our two teams are doing a joint scouting mission today. I offered to get you because you were sleeping late."
Sasuke edged the boy out of his way and started walking towards the bridge, not saying a word. Neji smiled his half-smile and started to follow. Sasuke writhed a bit under the heavy stare he felt.
"Stop it," he said, half-turning his head.
"Stop what?" Neji's voice was innocent and smooth.
Sasuke turned to face him, "Stop looking at me like that."
Neji looked into the black pools of Sasuke's eyes, "Does it bother you?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll stop. If you tell me you don't like it."
Sasuke's breath caught as the formerly-single flutter in his stomach multiplied as Neji edged closer, looking down at him with large, opalescent eyes. Sasuke barely felt Neji's arm slip around his waist and pull him closer. Light and dark eyes locked and did not move. Sasuke leaned his head as far back as he could but found his body made no motion when he asked it to. He swallowed. Neji leaned in a little closer…
Sasuke broke Neji's hypnotic gaze, practically stumbling out of the long-haired boy's embrace. He forced his heart to stop racing and looked back at the placid Hyuuga.
"I don't like it," he said and left.
The scouting mission was to scout out a caravan from the Grass country, suspected to hide missing nin. Team 7 was assigned to the people: how many shinobi, potential skill levels, and the various types present. Team 10 was asked to assess the territory. If the Grass caravan was a threat, could it be overtaken? By how many? Where?
Sasuke hid himself on the top of the hill overlooking the slow-moving train. He was busy counting shinobi when Kakashi crawled up next to him.
"How many?"
Sasuke shrugged, "I've counted one shinobi, possibly missing nin, since I don't see a headband, but there should be more as the caravan passes by."
Kakashi said, "I'll get Neji over here. We'll trade Naruto for him."
Sasuke stiffened involuntarily, "Why him?"
Kakashi's look was mildly reproachful, "His Byakugan will be able to detect the enemy shinobi."
Sasuke held in a sigh of relief, "Right."
Kakashi inched backwards, then stopped, "Is there something I should know about, Sasuke?"
Sasuke didn't turn around, "No."
The next thing he knew, Neji was inching his way up by Sasuke. Sasuke made to move aside, until he noticed Neji keeping a proper distance. Perhaps he accepted I'm not interested.
"So, only one so far, Sasuke-chan?"
Apparently not, "Don't call me that."
"Byakugan."
Sasuke didn't have to move to know Neji's advanced bloodline was penetrating the caravan as they spoke.
"I see two shinobi hiding in the farthest wagon. But why are they hiding from the others?" Neji said, all business now.
"Because they're not hiding from them, they're hiding from us," Sasuke realized.
Before he could signal Kakashi, the nearest missing nin (identified by Sasuke) leapt up into the air towards Sasuke and Neji.
"He sensed your Byakugan!" Sasuke said, accusingly.
Neji regarded him with burning white eyes while assuming his combat stance, "I masked the chakra, Sasuke-chan."
Sasuke gritted his teeth and started making hand seals, "Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"
The missing nin barely dodged the giant fireball attack and landed on the ground.
"Hakkeshou: Rokujuu Yonshou!" Neji said, striking the nin twice, then twice more, then four times, then eight, then sixteen, ending with thirty-two times.
The man stumbled, drawing two kunai and launching himself at the Hyuuga prodigy. Sasuke activated his Sharingan, drew two kunai of his own, and entered the fight. Between two advanced bloodlines, the missing nin faltered quickly. As he fell with Sasuke's kunai through his neck, his fist opened, and a scroll floated to the ground.
"Exploding note!" called Neji, holding Sasuke in front of him and leaping away.
The note detonated, sending a shockwave of energy after them, knocking Neji to the ground. Sasuke fell underneath him, still held by the other boy. The Hyuuga groaned a bit and sat up shakily. He leaned over Sasuke, checking him over for wounds.
"Are you alright, Sasuke?" he said.
Sasuke was about to tell Neji to get the hell off of him when he realized the Hyuuga was genuinely concerned. There was no sultry sound to his voice or flirting gleam in his eye.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Sasuke responded.
Neji looked relieved, although a bit in pain himself. Kakashi appeared in a puff of smoke.
"Are you alright?"
"We're fine," Sasuke answered, standing up.
Neji started to sit up on his own but fell backwards. Sasuke caught him as he fell onto him. Lowering him to the ground, Kakashi noticed something.
"Take him back to Konoha, Sasuke. The boy has three kunai embedded in his back."