Oh wow! I've finally updated! You'll have to excuse me for the looooooong wait. This chapter is also unbeta-ed so please excuse the mistakes. This is a kind of a... well, you'll just have to read to see.

Warning: Yaoi, OOC

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters & places.

Thank you to all my reviewers and your... patience. Please keep reviewing and I hope that my next chapter will be out sooner rather then later. Again, I am deeply sorry for the delay... I got stuck on what to write on this chapter.

A Cave Some Where In Sound - Sasuke & Naruto

Damp and moist, the air clung with humid fingers to every bare skin available on Naruto's body. The cave, a dark yawning cavern of darkness, was silent except for his harsh pants and the steady drip, drip, drip of water some where in its inner depths. He breathed a sigh of relief feeling the malevolent tinge of black-purple chakra spike crazily before fading in the distance. He swiped a trembling arm over his forehead smearing dirt and pushing the forehead protector back. Wary blue eyes scanned the area squinting to better see in the near pitch black. He had gone further back then planned but if it helped to throw Sasuke off his track then so be it.

The way Naruto figured it was that he had about two or three choices: 1) give himself up to Sasuke, 2) Get out of the cave and find Iruka and risk getting caught by Sasuke, or 3) stay put until some one finds him or Sasuke left. Though of course there were pros and cons to all three choices but Naruto'd rather risk staying in place then getting jumped by Sasuke. He inhaled at the thought and shuddered. Ugh, he reeked. Remembering hearing dripping water, Naruto forged ahead with a grim set to his face. The further he traveled the darker it got. Eventually all light faded and he forged on blindly hoping his ears would not lead him astray.

Brat.

What?

What did you get us into this time?

Nothing. I'm just… looking for something that's all.

The kyuubi grumbled suspiciously. You're not still running from that Uchiha brat are you?

No. No… I'm… uh… I'm just looking for something. Naruto repeated.

So you're hiding now.

No! I'm not hiding! I told you, I'm looking for something.

The fox went silent and Naruto absently hummed to himself as he pressed forward. This reminded him eerily of the time they had chased after Sasuke. He still remember Neji and what he had said. Naruto shuddered, and thinking of Sasuke was just not a good thing right now. He blinked, was that a light ahead? His footsteps echoed eerily in the darkness as he hurried towards the soft blue glow. The dark fell away so abruptly that Naruto stood blinking a bit before he realized that he could see. Naruto scanned the area before grinning with childish delight.

The narrow tunnel had opened up into a cove of sorts. The ceiling arched above his head sparkling as if stars scattered the surface. Crystals littered the walls, jutting from the surface in jagged clusters. In the center of the cavern was a large clear pool of simmering blue-green. It was from within the pool that a startlingly bright icy blue light emanated to bounce off the crystals on the wall.

With a squeal of delight, Naruto hurriedly stripped and threw himself into the pool. There was a muted splash and oddly warm water blanketed over his head. Glittering blue eyes opened and roved around underwater. The water was so clear that Naruto had to keep reminding himself he was underwater. At the bottom of the pool lay, glittering like jewels, round colored glass-like pebbles. Naruto shifted through them, raking slender fingers through the piles and letting them drift slowly back into the ground. He let his eyes close as he curled up and shoved strongly with his legs. His head broke the surface of the pond with a loud splash that resonated through out the room.

"Hah! Try and find me now, you bastard!" Naruto crowed delighted by his discovery. The immediate concern of the raven-haired teen catching him faded into a distant hum in the back of his mind and Naruto splashed happily in the pond.

"Well, what do we have here?" A soft sinister voice murmured. Oh shit. Naruto froze and immediately sank below the surface. It wasn't until he'd unconsciously breathed in water that he realized what had happened and came sputtering back up to the surface. "A naked little fox, hmm.. What to do, what to do?"

"Turn around and leave?" Naruto offered helpfully while sinking until only his nose, eyes, and forehead up were above the surface. A slow flush made his cheeks glow in the strange hue of the room. Sasuke slid from the shadows his eyes nothing but glittering black beads. The light gave an ethereal blue glow to Sasuke's pale skin making the other teen simmer slightly. "How did you find me so quickly anyway? I made sure to set off my-"

"Little bunshin trick?" Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Did you really think I wouldn't see through that?"

Naruto laughed then abruptly choked. Blue eyes widened and rosy pink cheeks grew redder as Sasuke's pale fingers grasped the hem of his black sweater and slowly pulled it over his head.

"Wha- what are you doing?"

"What does it look like?"

He shook out raven locks raking a hand through the loose strands. Muscles, clearly defined, rippled beneath the milky hue of Sasuke's skin with his movement and Naruto gulped. Sasuke absently tucked a silver strand of hair behind his ear and crouched down at the edge of the pool his black eyes focused and following every one of Naruto's movements.

Naruto nervously drifted backwards blue eyes locked with pitch black. Endlessly the two stared at each other breathing softly. Finally Naruto's gaze darted away and his chin lowered. "You left me." He said petulantly and softly. Sasuke frowned leaning forward.

"Come here, Naruto."

Naruto pouted. "No."

"Come here, Naruto." Sasuke repeated. When the smaller teen continued to ignore his demand, Sasuke sighed deeply. "It's okay. I'm not going to do anything." Yet.

Naruto continued to pout but slowly swam towards Sasuke stopping only when his chest bumped against the edge of the pool. Sasuke threw both his arms over the kitsune's shoulders and lowered his forehead until it rested against Naruto's. His fingers immediately sunk into the wet strands of Naruto's hair as he nuzzled his nose against the other teen's. He drew back slightly meeting Naruto's trouble blue eyes.

"I need you." He said softly. Naruto frowned opening his mouth to comment but Sasuke gave him a stern look and he closed his mouth. "I need you physically, mentally, and emotionally. You are in me, the better half of my soul." His fingers tightened and he drew Naruto's face flush up against his until their lips were inches apart. "You are mine." He hissed sharingan flaring bright red before dying back to black. Sasuke pressed butterfly kisses around and against Naruto's lips. Naruto made a noise of protest. Sasuke pressed a brief but lingering kiss against Naruto's lips. "As I am yours." He finished.

Naruto's gaze lowered and he absently toyed with the hem of Sasuke's pants. "But… you left me." He whispered. Sasuke brushed back blond bangs nuzzling Naruto's face.

"Not forever and only to tie up loose ends." Sasuke replied. Naruto bit his bottom lip before exhaling harshly. Finally he heaved a tired sigh and offered Sasuke a soft smile.

"I understand. We all follow our own way." He replied. And then he scowled and playfully flicked water into Sasuke's face. "Still doesn't mean I'll be popping babies for you." Sasuke returned his scowl with a sly smirk as he shed the last bit of clothing pushing both undergarments and pants in one go. Naruto flushed a bright tomato red feeling something trickling down his nose. "You're nose is bleeding, dobe."

The kyuubi started laughing. Shut up!

Naruto's hand shot out of the water and clamped over his nose while his legs were frantically treading water to stay afloat . "No it's not!" He denied. Sasuke's smirk only grew wider as he slid smoothly into the water.

"Yes it is…" Deliberate pause, "Dobe." Naruto swiped his nose with his arm and sniffed indignantly.

"Is not." He retorted. Very mature. The kyuubi snorted. Oh shut up you fat ball of fur. While he was distracted with the Kyuubi, Sasuke took the chance and cornered Naruto letting one hand slide down the blonde's chest to rest over the seal. Naruto bit back the urge to squeal like a girl hating even the involuntary spasm of muscles under the other teen's caressing fingers.

Sasuke leaned in close brushing the tip of his nose along the line of Naruto's neck. "You know, dobe… if I were you, I'd prepare myself to be well and truly ravished." He murmured nibbling the soft lobe of the kitsune's ear.

Naruto couldn't prevent the squeak from escaping this time. The kyuubi continued to laugh at him.

The Group - Kakashi, Iruka, Shikamaru, Neji, Gaara, & Lee

Iruka poof-ed into view waving away excess smoke already tensed and ready to spring into action. Kakashi appeared less dramatically laying a warning hand on Iruka's arm.

"Iiii-ruuuu-ka sen-seeeeeeeeeei!" Came a loud pathetic sounding squeal. Orange flashed in the sunlight, blond turning gold as Naruto burst from the trees straight into Iruka's arms. "SAVE ME!" He screamed latching tightly onto the chuunin's neck. "Sasuke's being a pervert!" He screeched… directly into Iruka's ear. The chunnin winced at the volume instinctively drawing the blond closer and fighting the strong hold the younger teen had around his neck. He looked helplessly over at Kakashi.

One of the Jounin's eyebrows had vanished underneath his head band, the one visible eye widened with startled amusement. "Oooooohh…. Is that so?" And Iruka had the urge to bash in Kakashi's head for suddenly the situation had gone from dire to… Naruto being his childish self. How some one like Naruto, with such a juvenile personality had made it as a Jounin much less an member of the ANBU was beyond him. There was a swirl of sand beside them disrupting his thoughts.

"Naruto!" Lee cried. He broke away from Gaara's hold with a beaming grin. White pearly teeth flashed in the sunlight as Lee held up his thumb bracing his other hand on his hip. "Your passionate youth has helped you escape from the dark malevolence of Uchiha! You have inspired me!" He declared loudly.

Naruto stared at Lee. His suddenly stiffened and with a startled exclamation of surprise poof-ed out of existence. Iruka stared at the sudden smoke curling out from around his empty hands and he realized something.

"His chakra's gone along with Uchiha's." Neji declared calmly from under the shadows of a tree. Shikamaru lounged lazily above him legs curled up with arms hanging loosely from his knees. His head was tilted back in a lazy slant.

Iruka sighed rubbing the back of his neck. He shrugged. "One can wish that it was that easy with Naruto and Sasuke."

"Uchiha probably has Naruto by now." Gaara declared softly. Lee had slumped tiredly against the red head while attempting to still look energized. Kakashi had drawn out his little orange book and seemed deeply engaged in it once more. Neji looked unruffled leaning against the tree underneath Shikamaru.

"Well, that was a simple waste of chakra and a dead give away that we're here." Kakashi stated calmly from behind his orange wall. Iruka winced.

"Naah. It wouldn't have mattered." Shikamaru countered. "The wasted chakra yes, but if Naruto knew we were here, most likely Sasuke did too." He replied absently.

"What I don't understand," Lee started pushing himself into a standing position. His arms were braced at his sides and he looked ready to take on the world… while swaying, to the trained eye, slightly. "Is why Naruto needs to be rescued. Can't he take care of himself?"

Shikamaru heaved a long lazy sigh. Iruka rubbed the bridge of his nose and Neji looked away. "Sure." He replied. "The only problem is Uchiha. We don't really know what his intention is. Yes, we speculate that Uchiha wants to restart his clan but will he go so far as to rape Naruto? We'll never know unless we get to the two before something happens."

Lee frowned. "I don't think Sasuke would do something like that."

"Your confidence in Uchiha is astounding." Neji drawled. "Especially since I remember you declaring him to be some sort of dark malevolence."

Lee cringed. Gaara glared. "We wont get anywhere just standing here trading barbs." The Kazakage snapped. Much subdued, they continued onwards at a quicker pace.

That night's camp was set up quickly and silently. Gaara and Lee ended up taking the first watch. They sat silently together facing opposite directions.

"I… feel slightly worthless in this group." Lee confessed softly. Green eyes narrowed.

"You shouldn't." Gaara replied firmly. "Because you aren't."

"But-" Gaara's suddenly tight grip on his arm halted his words. Lee sighed gazing mournfully out into the darkness.

"People fight their own fights differently." Gaara said.

"I seem to be messing up every time I open my mouth." Lee muttered. He heaved a faint sigh. "I'll have to double my training."

"You see things others don't… that's not a weakness." Gaara replied flatly. Lee snorted but did not disagree with Gaara's comment. He did not say anything at the sudden weight against his side nor did he keep himself from soaking up the warmth from the other male's heat. If he really strained his ears, Lee could just about pick up the faint rustle of sand shifting as if restless from within the gourd propped up beside Gaara. Bristly red hair prickled the skin under his chin, but Lee didn't mind.

"I'm tired of chasing after Naruto." Neji mumbled three hours later having relieved Gaara and Lee from their watch. "It's not like it makes a difference anymore. He always finds his way back to Uchiha." And then he sighed. "But…." He frowned at the thought of Uchiha Sasuke, brooding unhappily. There was a sharp nudge against his side.

"Stop thinking so hard, you're making my head hurt." Shikamaru grumbled. He yawned arching his back in a strangely cat-like movement. Done with his ten second stretch, Shikamaru resumed his graceless slouch against Neji's side one hand finding its way back to the tight braid running down the Hyuuga's back. Absently he stroked it running pale fingers up and down its length. "I hope they elope or something." Shikamaru groaned. "At least this time it'll be permanent and I wont have to be sent after him again."

"You're just lazy." Neji muttered.

"It's not being lazy." Shikamaru protested. "It's being… indolent, idle, lethargic, languid,-"

"They all mean the same thing- lazy." Shikamaru shrugged.

"It's cloud watching, to enjoy it, one must be…"

"Lazy and ready to waste the day away."

"It's not wasting the day." Shikamaru yawned again settling deeper into Neji's side. "Quite the opposite in fact. You're enjoying the day."

Neji grunted doubtfully before giving a resigned sigh and returning to brooding about Uchiha and Naruto. When it was finally time for them to switch watch, he went to sleep with a migraine ignoring the slightly snoring Shikamaru sprawling all over his bed space.

"You're letting your emotions over come your training." Kakashi pointed out.

"I know."

"You've been a teacher too long."

"I…. Actually resent that."

"I apologize if that makes you feel uncomfortable."

Sigh. "No, it's probably true. You would think that I'd actually be sharper with all the little brats I'm teaching… but it's a tiring job- and you didn't hear that from me."

"Far be it from me to disillusion future prospective teachers."

"I… I just don't know how to deal with Sasuke anymore… not that Naruto's any easier……… I guess I don't really know why I'm even here. The rest of you can retrieve Naruto easily. Of all of you, I'm probably the weakest-"

"And the only one who knows Naruto best."

Weak chuckle. "Oh no, I'm really hitting the pity fest here. That was my momentary lapse into insanity. Wow, I was really bringing myself down."

"It happens."

"Right…. Well… I will not let my emotions over come me so easily again."

Leer. "Is that a challenge, Iruka?"

Blush. "Kakashi-sensei!"

Konoha - Shino & Kiba

Shino pondered his situation as he slinked beside Kiba towards Ichiraku. Now that phase one of his plan was complete, it was time for phase two. He blinked and his breathing slowed as he thought. He could feel the tingling of a thousand tiny feet fluttering across his skin and he mentally smiled. Soon… very soon. He reassured his beloved insects. He considered, making and tossing ideas as he went, on how to get Kiba to voluntarily kiss him. He could always pretend to be drowning… but it would not be very credible since there were no water to drown in…. Unless he dragged Kiba out to the lake, but how to make it seem as if Kiba was the one suggesting that they go?

"Oi! Old man! Have you seen Naruto around?" Shino ignored the reply already knowing the answer. He absently listened to Kiba talking wishing he could just tell the boy outright about their mating season… but he wasn't supposed to until step three. A devious smirk pulled the corners of his lips up as he considered step three and four. He couldn't wait until then… thus, he'd better get Kiba to kiss him soon. "Hey… what kind of cologne are you wearing?" It took a moment for Shino to realize that Kiba was talking to him and that they had already left Ichiraku behind. "Whatever you're wearing… it smells very good."

"I'm not wearing any." He replied absentmindedly.

"Huh." Kiba suddenly slowed, his hands going into the pockets of his coat as his shoulders slumped slightly. "You… you think maybe Naruto has really been kidnapped?" He mumbled.

Shino shrugged drawing helplessly closer to the other male. Kiba stiffened and Shino knew he had his hands clutched tightly into fists by the way his arms were tensing. "But who would do that? Orochimaru's dead. And I know Itachi's dead too."

"Uchiha?" Kiba's expression grew cold some remembered pain that Shino could only guess at. It made his heart feel funny to see it.

"Uchiha." Kiba spat.

"Kiba." Kiba's head turned at the soft sound of his name. Shino drew closer. Then drew entirely past him and into the alley between two buildings. Shino blinked after him before hastening to follow. Akamaru yipped at them and Kiba waved him to hurry up behind him. Once safely hidden from the public eye within the shadows cast by the buildings, Shino turned to face Kiba with a serious expression. Kiba stared back with a wary expression on his face.

"What, Shino?"

"Kiss me."

And just like that, Kiba's serious expression faltered growing more incredulous by the second. "I…what?!" Yelped loudly at a high pitched voice sounding very involuntary as if he couldn't help releasing that little exclamation. Kiba was blinking rapidly leaning slightly back. "W… what, huh?"

"Kiss. Me." Shino repeated slowly. One of Kiba's hand came up curling towards his body in an automatic defensive gesture as he stumbled back a step in confusion.

"Why?"

"I have decided that I am now ready to engage myself in finding a significant other. Not only do I find it prudent that I know how to successfully capture my intended but I feel that I also must have the skills to do so." He paused taking in Kiba's bewildered expression and the slightly lost look in those eyes. "You seem to have the experience," And if there was a slight growling undertone to this sentence, it was lost within the contents of the paragraph. "And I would appreciate it if you would take the moment to help me help teach me initiate a kiss." This was one of his longer speeches, not that he really went around making speeches, but he hoped that it wasn't evident he was lying shamelessly… well, in some parts. Kiba, who was still in that defensive posture, seemed to be regaining his equilibrium as he slowly soaked in what Shino was saying. Then he grinned, no, he smirked and slapped Shino on the shoulder.

"Oi, Shino! Don't tell me you've got a girlfriend in mind?" He asked cheerfully. "Who is it? And of course I'll teach you all you need to know on the intricacies of dating." And Kiba started to ramble off about dating and obtaining women. Shino ignored all of this waiting patiently for Kiba to hit upon kissing. He didn't have to wait long. "… And for kissing, you just press your lips against hers. Now softly mind you, you don't want to come off as aggressive, but not too softly or you're going to seem shy."

"Can you demonstrate?" Shino cut in. Kiba blinked then shrugged.

"Sure." He brought up a hand, palm facing his face. "Now watch and pay attention." Shino was slightly confused at this action until he realized that Kiba was going to demonstrate by mashing his lips to his palm.

"No, I meant on me." Kiba's hand froze and his head swung around to peer curiously at Shino. Shino stared back from behind his glasses, his serious expression not unchanging. The corner of Kiba's upper lip was pulled up in an 'eh' expression. It was as if he couldn't really decide if Shino was serious and joking with him. When the Aburame's expression remained unchanged and very serious, Kiba shrugged shuffling the distance to stand uncertainly a few inches away. Akamaru tilted his shaggy white head as if curious at what they were doing. Kiba's hands hovered uncertainly before settling hesitantly on the other man's shoulders. He leaned in pausing with his lips a few centimeters away from Shino's lips. He seemed to take a deep breath before settling his lips softly then more firmly against Shino's.

Shino waited patiently, liking but need more than the firm press of lips. A few seconds, Kiba seem to hesitate again before tilting his head to better settle his lips. His cheekbones bumped Shino's glasses as he exhaled blowing hot air against Shino's lips. It was all the Aburame needed before he sprung into action.

His head tilted and a hand came up to thread into Kiba's shaggy hair. The other hand came up and around the Inuzuka's waist bringing him flush up against his body. His mouth parted, tongue darting out and lave at the closed seam of Kiba's lips. It parted under the attention and Shino immediately sank his teeth into the lush bottom lip drawing it into this mouth so he could slowly suckle on the plump piece of flesh. Kiba inhaled sharply shifting unconsciously against Shino. Shino smirked smugly when he felt something hard digging into his hip.

Two minutes later and Shino broke away. His lids were lowered, one couldn't tell with his glasses though, his lips were moist and swollen feeling while his breath came out in soft pants. Kiba was no better. His lips were a bruised looking red, swollen and moist where he ran a tongue across his bottom lip as if chasing an abstract taste. His cheeks were flushed a soft pink and his eyes were a dark, the cat-like slits widened with arousal.

He cleared his throat, mouth parting. "We- well… are you sure you haven't kissed before, Shino?"

Sakura, Ino, & Hinata

"I am now a lesbian, ladies. But don't you worry. I promise never to hit on you." Ino declared clanking her teacup quite fiercely on the table top. "I heard Temari's pretty hot." She added as an after thought.

"Sunagakure Temari?" Hinata inquired.

Ino slammed her teacup against the table top again. "Yes!" She replied starting to sound quite drunk.

"I heard she's quite fierce." Sakura added. She perched across from Ino studiously ignoring the way Ino was scowling. "You know… that whole fan up your-"

"Hey! It's kinky! Or supposed to be any way!" Ino replied sullenly. Hinata leaned forward and sniffed Ino's tea. She quickly drew back with a grimace.

"You laced your tea!" She accused. Ino glared at her.

"So what!" She wavered for a second before regaining her balance. "It's not like I'm drunk." She protested slamming the tabletop with the flat of her palm. The owner of the little teashop gave them a nasty glare. They ignored him.

Sakura scrunched up her nose in distaste. "Woman, you are pathetic! There are more men out there than from that little inner circle of grade schoolers that we grew up with! Besides, you'd think that you'd feel more sisterly to that… brat-like crew." She said. "They're all immature anyway." Sakura muttered into her teacup.

"Aw, you're just angry because Sasuke left you for that slimy snake guy." Ino paused and hiccupped. "Wats'is name again? Oro-Orochimari."

"It's Orochimaru, pig-brain. And I'm not angry because I don't even-"

"Oh keep denying yourself Sakura!" Ino laughed shrilly. "I told you, I'm a lesbian now. I can't believe you're still hung up about Sasuke."

Hinata snorted softly into her teacup hiding the smile behind a slow sip. Sakura rolled her eyes. "Shut up."

"And, and, you know. I don't know why guys like you anyway! I mean, look at your forehead! You're outfit, like what are you trying to say? Ohh, I'm a manly girl?" Ino stood swaying as she roughly gestured at Sakura, "Where are your hips? You have no boobs, girl!"

"That's is enough, Ino." Sakura hissed also getting to her feet.

Ino ignored her warning, warming up to her subject now that she had the attention of the teashop. "And your hair color… it's so ugly and bubblegum pink! Who likes that anyway?"

"Aaaaaaarrrggg!" Sakura screamed. Her hands tightened into fists at her side. As Ino rambled on, Sakura drew back her fist and walloped the other girl in the eye. Ino stumbled back looking stunned. Then with a shrill battle cry, she launched herself at the pink haired girl. Hinata blushed in embarrassment trying to cover her red face with her teacup.

TBC...

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