Hey everyone. So, it's been like what? Nine whole days since my last chapter? That's probably the latest I've been in updating so I apologize.

Well, I spent three days trying to type of this chapter to my satisfaction and hopefully to yours too. It seems as if Mr. Writers Block is going to catch up to me soon, I'm afraid.

But I actually already have the whole plot, from beginning to end, already set up in my head. The only problem is…I tend to lack a lot of detail. So I spend a lot of time with that, which explains my lateness in updating. But don't worry! I'm definitely trying my best! For you guys!

Oh and…

I noticed a lot of you were startled by my A/N comment on Furuba at the end of Chapter 7. You know…about the whole Kyo is a dickhead and Tohru being a pushover thing…

I just want to set a few things straight. One, I love Tohru, she's a sweetheart. But! She does whatever anyone tells her to do. And if that's not being a pushover, I don't know what is. And two, I like Kyo. But I really hate his personality. I know on the inside, he's probably really kind and stuff. But I really dislike how he presents himself on the outside. He gets annoyed at everyone easily and starts flipping out. I don't like that. Sure, he's had a rough past. But almost everyone in the Sohma family had a rough past. Like Yuki, for example. Even though he had a terrible childhood, he still is the sweetest person ever. Even though he has his moments sometimes like with Shigure, Ayame and Kyo, he never completely flips out like Kyo does. Yuki is a kind person. That's why I get annoyed at Kyo a lot. Because he makes it seem like he's the only one who deserves to act the way he does because of his past. But that's not true because a lot of other zodiac members in the Sohma family had an unpleasant past too. So yeah. That's what I think. It's okay if none of you agree with me. Haha.

Geez, I typed a lot! Hahahaha. Well, I guess I'll stop here. And let you all continue on with the story.

The confession is going to be exposed really soon. Be prepared! Haha.

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The next morning was an awkward one for the two teenagers.

After they both woke up seeing their arms still entwined around each other, for the rest of the day, Sasuke and Naruto decided to keep their distance.

After all of them cleared away their tents and got ready, the team continued to walk onward to arrive at their destination.

Kakashi seemed to notice the strange silence among the two males and decided to question it.

"Sasuke, Naruto…you two…haven't spoken a word this whole morning, anything wrong?"

Both Sasuke and Naruto, turned their heads to stare at Kakashi.

"Well…" began Naruto, with nervousness in his voice.

"Uhh…" said Sasuke with the same hint of nervousness.

"Nothing's wrong at all…" they both said in unison.

Seeing they both spoke at the same time, Sasuke and Naruto took a glimpse at each other, and then turned away quickly. And for the first time, Uchiha Sasuke blushed in Naruto's presence.

But did he blush because of the incident from the night before? Or was it only being around his best friend that suddenly gave him an awkward shyness that he had never felt before? To Sasuke, both reasons seemed wrong.

Sasuke touched his cheek, feeling the slight burning sensation in his face.

Thoughts began to rapidly enter his mind.

"What going on with me…" he thought. "Why the hell do I feel weird in front Uzumaki all of a sudden? Why the fuck am I blushing? Is it because of him? Was it because of yesterday night…?"

Feeling utterly confused and angry with himself for thinking Naruto may be the reason for this strange new feeling he was suddenly having, he kicked the ground hard, sending little grains of dirt and sand flying, as if hoping this would help him answer his questions. Obviously it didn't. He soon realized kicking the ground was not in any way beneficial for him. But his actions did bring attention to Naruto, as he turned to look at Sasuke and question him.

"Um…are you alright?" Naruto asked sheepishly.

Sasuke looked up from the ground and looked at Naruto.

And as he fixated his eyes onto Naruto's, he felt another wave of heat surge through his cheeks again.

"I'm fine…" Sasuke replied, immediately looking away.

Right at the moment, Sasuke wanted to beat himself up. He was beyond exasperated and confused with himself. Why, all of a sudden, was he blushing in front of his best friend? This had never happened in his life before, except for that one time a few years ago, when their lips were accidentally smashed into each other. But blushing was normal in that type of situation. Not where they were now…so why?

And to Sasuke's disbelief, in the back of his mind, there was already a little voice muttering something to him. Muttering, "You like him, Uchiha…you like him more than a friend…"

"No way…" thought Sasuke, arguing with that little voice. "He's my best friend, nothing else…there can't be anything else…"

Sasuke began to think about the incident from the night before. He shuddered, remembering the disturbing and loathsome nightmare he had. Being trapped in his dream, Sasuke truly felt like he was going to die. But he was finally being shook awake by Naruto, and the first thing he saw when he woke up was Naruto's gentle blue eyes.

His eyes shone with kindness, worry and genuine care. A few seconds later, he found himself being tightly embraced by his friend. During that moment, that simple hug felt comforting beyond belief for Sasuke. It, for some reason, calmed him down. Itmade him feel safer than he ever felt before in his life. It made him feel safe from the person that was after him. The person that was still after him.

So why then? If the simple embrace they shared the night before had felt right for both of them, why were they not speaking to each other today, at this moment?

Why did it feel so awkward? Why, all of a sudden, confusion began to stir in Sasuke's mind? And how could he even possibly think that he might…somehow…be liking his best friend more then just a friend?

Starting from that day, it was not only Uzumaki Naruto who kept lovesick frustrations bottled up inside, but Uchiha Sasuke had began the process as well.

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As noon began to approach, the team of four finally arrived in Country of the Wind.

"We'll probably get to Sand in a few more minutes…" informed Kakashi to his subordinates. "You guys better behave", he added with a smile.

Naruto glared at Kakashi. "We're not children, Kakashi-sensei. You don't need to treat us like we're a bunch of clueless idiots."

Kakashi sighed. "Whatever you say, Uzumaki…"

Upon almost arriving at the Hidden Sand village, Sakura piped up with a question.

"Kakashi-sensei! Um, I was wondering…do you know why Tsunade-sama would ask us to do this mission? Of delivering this message to Gaara? There are tons of other shinobi back in our village that can do this mission. Is there a specific reason why she chose us?

Naruto, who heard Sakura's question, was glad she asked it. Because, he himself, also wondered why Tsunade would choose them out of hundreds of other ninja to complete this mission.

Seeing that Kakashi wasn't answering her question, Sakura decided to ask again.

"Sakura, I heard you the first time…" Kakashi said mildy.

"Okay then…" said Sakura. "Is there a reason?"

Kakashi was silent for a moment. Then he spoke.

"Yes, Sakura. There is a reason. A significant one too. But it doesn't actually involve you, so why are you so curious?"

Sakura glared at Kakashi. "Geez, I didn't know my question was this hard to answer. Forget it then."

Kakashi sighed.

Naruto then spoke up.

"Answer Sakura's question, sensei" said Naruto eagerly. "I was wondering the same thing too. If going on this mission doesn't concern Sakura…then…it has to concern one of us right? Since you said there was a reason why only we were chosen to do this mission."

Kakashi turned his head around to look at Naruto. His expression looked as if he was debating whether or not he should give the reason to the blonde haired teenager.

Kakashi then ran his fingers through his silver hair. "Yes, you were right, Naruto. We were specifically appointed this mission because of a certain reason that concerns one of us…"

Naruto continued eyeing his sensei. "So, tell us then! Why were we appointed to his task? Who does it concern?"

Kakashi turned to face forward again, his hands in his pokets.

"Well…" Kakashi slowly began. "You do you know we have to go see Gaara to deliver him a letter right?"

"Mm-hmm" replied Naruto.

Kakashi continued.

"Um, well. This letter isn't the only thing we're delivering…" said Kakashi calmly.

All three teenagers eyes were now focusing on their sensei.

"What are you talking about?" asked Naruto impatiently.

Kakashi opened his mouth, beginning to finish his explanation. "Well, we're sort of delivering you, Naruto. Escorting you as well as the letter…"

The expression on Naruto's face was now beyond puzzled. "Where the heck is he getting at?" thought Naruto.

"Escorting me…to Gaara?"

"Yes" answered Kakashi. "Apparently, Kazekage-sama wants to see you."

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Uh, yeah. If none of you know where this is heading, dont worry. You'll know soon enough. Aha-ha-ha-ha!

And if any of you are wondering who was in Sasuke's nightmare and what that person was trying to do to Sasuke..you'll probably find out in Chapter 10. Or something. But you all probably have an idea already of who it was. I gave a lot of clues in this chapter...

Until next time thennn. wooo.

REVIEW, YO!