A/N sorry about the wait. i tried to make it longer, but this is about my limit. I've been trying to make sure i get to the points i want to in this story. also pacing. I suck at it. sorry...

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---oo0O0oo---

Finally, Naruto had calmed down and they started to wonder where Kakashi and Sakura were when a shadow loomed over them. They looked up to see who appeared to be the captain walking up to them.

"Hey! Are you two part of the group we're taking to Snow Country?" he asked.

"Yep!" Naruto chirped as they stood up.

"Well, the other two better hurry because the tide don't wait for no one," he warned them as he turned and walked back up to the ship.

"I hope they're hurrying," Naruto said worriedly.

"Kakashi is always late, it doesn't bode well," Sasuke predicted. Minutes passed. The tide was dropping lower and lower and all too soon, the captain came back.

"I'm sorry lads, I have to head out now. There's no waiting any longer," he told them apologetically. Naruto and Sasuke look towards each other.

"What should we do?" Naruto asked.

"We'll go now and Kakashi and Sakura will just have to catch up somehow. The mission comes first. Kakashi will assume we went on ahead," Sasuke replied. Naruto nodded and they followed the captain onto the ship. As the crew went through the preparations to cast off, the two ninja kept watch on the road that led to the port for their teammate and sensei. Just as they passed the first inlet buoy, Naruto finally spotted them.

"There they are, Sasuke!" he shouted. The captain was walking by at this time.

"I'm sorry boys, I can't turn her around now, we'll run aground."

"That's okay!" Naruto assured the man. "They'll catch up to us." The captain was about to explain that this ship was faster than any small boat they'd get to come after them when he watched the two run straight off the end of the dock and continue running right on top of the water. In no time, Sakura and Kakashi had caught up to the ship and jumped aboard.

"Ninjas…" the captain muttered as he stalked back to the helm.

"HEY! You're late!" Naruto yelled with a big grin on his face.

"Shut up, Naruto!" Sakura yelled back knocking him lightly on the back of the head. She didn't know why Sasuke scolded her earlier, but she wasn't about to test it. Instead, she decided to be a little nicer to Naruto. "And thanks a lot to both of you for ditching me with this lazy guy," he complained pointing at Kakashi. "You'd have been miles off shore by the time we got here if it were up to him."

"Ma…Sakura, that's not true," Kakashi argued weakly.

"Hmph" was all Sakura replied before chasing after the captain to find out where to stash her belongings before they got too salty on deck. The other three just shrugged and followed after her, not seeing what the big hurry was. It turned out there was only two very small cabins available below deck which were instantly snatched up by Sakura and Kakashi. Naruto argued that Sasuke and himself should get the cabins since they were actually on time, but quickly decided to drop it when he saw the looks he was getting. The captain offered them hammocks in the hold, but after only a few seconds of watching the swaying back and forth, both boys politely declined and decided to rough it up on deck.

"It'll be damn cold up here by morning," the captain warned them. The both shrugged it off, it wouldn't be their first time sleeping outside in the cold. And it beat the hell out of those swinging hammocks. But it was hours away from dusk yet so the boys tossed their stuff in Kakashi's cabin and they all looked for something to busy themselves with. Sakura was near the stern shamelessly flirting with a cute sailor, Kakashi found a comfortable place to sit and enjoy his perverted orange book, and Sasuke wasn't looking for Naruto. The blonde had disappeared after they put their things away and Sasuke swore to himself he was only checking the ship out, not searching for his inexplicably annoying teammate. After his second round of the upper and lower decks he was getting frustrated. He could no longer fool himself, he wanted to know where the idiot disappeared too. His irritation must have showed on his face because as he passed by Kakashi for the third time, the silver haired jounin looked to Sasuke and then up significantly. Sasuke followed his gaze and sure enough, there was Naruto, sitting atop the spreaders of the tallest mast. Sasuke threw a glare Kakashi's way for figuring out what he was doing and then ran up the mast to join the blonde at the dizzying height.

"Hey, what's with you and tall places?" Sasuke asked as he sat down on the other side of the mast. Naruto jumped at the sound of his voice but didn't answer. "Seriously, you're always on top of Hokage Mountain."

"What's with you and all the annoying questions lately?" Naruto retorted.

"Naruto in a sullen mood? Never thought I'd see the day," Sasuke remarked stroking his chin with mock seriousness. Naruto couldn't help but grin.

"Sasuke in something other than a sullen mood? Hath Hell frozen over or something?" Naruto teased back.

"Perhaps," Sasuke smirked at the blonde. They sat there in silence for a while before Naruto spoke up once more.

"Answer for an answer?" he offered. Sasuke nodded once and waited. "It's always quiet in high places. You're always above all the daily troubles you face down there. It's… more peaceful," Naruto answered. He waited a moment and then prompted his teammate. "So what with the questions anyway?" Sasuke turned and faced the blonde before responding.

"I feel I know nothing about you. The real you that you hide away," he spoke truthfully.

"And you want to know the real me?" Naruto asked startled.

"Hold it. You have to answer another one for me first," Sasuke stalled. Naruto looked irritated, but he stated the rules so he'd stand by them. "Why do you show up so early to training?" demanded the dark haired ninja. Naruto sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Sometimes, I've no where else to be." he replied softly. "Most of the time, really."

"That's it? That's reason? After all this time, it's cause you've no where else to be?" Sasuke responded incredulously. Naruto nodded. "Why not just sleep in then? You look tired enough when I get there, you could use the extra rest."

"Do you want to know?" Naruto replied.

"Huh?" Sasuke was confused, he'd just asked, of course he wanted to know.

"The real me, do you want to know the real me?" Naruto insisted. "It's you turn again."

"Yes," Sasuke answered with out hesitating as he leaned forward so they were looking at each other around the thick mast. Naruto smiled and then returned his gaze towards the horizon.

"People don't like me," Naruto began. "You must have noticed this before."

"Because of all the pranks you pull, no doubt," Sasuke reasoned. Naruto sighed and looked down at the crew scurrying about the deck far below.

"No. The truth is, the villagers would hate me no matter what. I only pull the pranks to keep you guys from bugging me about why."

"So what does that have to do with not sleeping in?" Sasuke asked.

"Well, I said I've no place else to be, and that's pretty much why. I got kicked out of my apartment a while ago, so the nights I don't crash at Iruka's, I just wander around and come to the bridge early. And Iruka has to be at the academy so early and I don't want to get in his way so I leave before him those mornings." Naruto shrugged and picked at some lint on his sleeve. Sasuke stared at his blonde teammate incredulously.

"Wait. You mean to tell me you've got no place to live?" Sasuke asked hesitantly. Surely he had misunderstood. Naruto just nodded in affirmation. "For how long? Why didn't you tell anyone?" The dark haired chunnin demanded angrily. The blonde just continued to pick at the lint on his sleeve and refused to make eye contact. "Answer me damnit!" Naruto looked up at this and cleared all expression from his face.

"Its my turn, Sasuke," he said calmly, referring to the 'answer for my answer' game they were playing. Sasuke motioned for the blonde to ask his next question. "Is it really all that important to you where I spend my time between missions?"

"Yes Naruto. Everyone needs a place to call home. What worries me is that it was allowed to happen at all. How did no one know this was going on?"

"I always change the topic," Naruto smiled. "I've gotten really good at steering conversations to my advantage."

"You know that won't work on me anymore, right?"

"Yeah," Naruto conceded. "But what's the big deal about having a stinky old apartment or not anyway. We always sleep out doors on missions." the blonde reasoned.

"Are you serious? You can't sleep outside all the time!" Sasuke felt like he was talking to a child. "You're not some wild animal." Naruto flinched at this and quickly looked away. "What? What was with that reaction, Naruto?" Sasuke accused his teammate. Naruto refused to turn back and face the other boy. "Don't just ignore me Naruto." the blonde continued to simply sit there in silence, but Sasuke could tell he wasn't being ignored somehow. But why would he react so visibly to what I just said? Sasuke pondered. He must know that even if people treat him poorly it doesn't make him any less human. So why did he look so hurt?

Time passed. Neither boy kept track of it. Sasuke sat patiently while Naruto struggled over whatever it was that troubled him. Finally, he turned back towards the dark haired ninja.

"I am." was all he said before hopping down off the mast and landing softly on the deck. Sasuke continued to stare at the place is friend had just recently occupied. I am? I am what? What is he talking about? What was it I said exactly? Sasuke sifted through his memory until he recalled his exact words. 'You're not some wild animal' That was it! That's the only thing that could make sense, but... Why would he respond like that? That's absurd. He can't really believe that…can he? Where would he get an idea like that? Sasuke was brought from his contemplation however when Sakura began yelling at him madly from the deck.

"Sasuke! Dinner's ready! C'mon!" she shouted. Sasuke dropped down beside her without comment. "Naruto's acting like he hasn't eaten all week again," she complained. "You'll be lucky if there is anything left by now." Sakura led the way to the galley while Sasuke followed behind silently. Sure enough, once they reached the ships kitchen they found Naruto has sucked up to the chef and was pigging out on the ramen he'd convinced the jovial old man to whip up.

"Hey guys! This chef is the most incredible guy ever!" the blonde exclaimed. "Look at this ramen! Its so…amazing!" Tears were threatening to fall as the blonde worshipped the chef but inhaling the bowl.

"What a freak…" Sakura commented quietly.

"Ahh! I haven't had anyone appreciate the world's perfect dish called ramen in so long!" the chef cried out with exuberance.

"Make that two freaks," Sakura corrected. She began to walk towards the blonde when she noticed that cute sailor she'd been 'talking' with earlier stroll in. "Kiyo-kuuun!" she squealed as she sped over to latch onto his arm.

"Three freaks," said Kakashi as he appeared out of nowhere reading his little orange book. Sasuke looked at his sensei and was tempted to call him out, but decided against it. Is everyone insane? he thought to himself as he moved over to sit next to Naruto instead. The blonde eyed him suspiciously as he slid his bowl away from Sasuke. Yes.

---

After dinner the four Konoha ninja moved up to the top deck and took in the view. The sun was setting and the colors reflected on the ocean were truly a sight to behold.

"Ahh…its so romantic," Sakura sighed. "I can't believe Kiyo-kun is busy working."

"He is a member of the crew you know, Sakura," Sasuke advised.

"Yeah, but if you want, "Kakashi leaned over putting his book down momentarily, "you and I could-"

"That's it!" Sakura screamed as she pointed at her sensei. "You've just crossed the line! You officially too perverted now! I'm going to bed and I'm going to forget all about this." She stormed off towards her bunk scaring various sailors out of her path.

"Well, I still have Sasuke and Naruto to play with," Kakashi shrugged and turned towards them only to find they had mysteriously disappeared as well. "Students have no respect for their teachers these days," he sighed as he returned to reading his book and headed towards his own bunk."

---oo0O0oo---

"That was too close!" exclaimed Naruto as he and Sasuke escaped to the bow. "I swear he's getting worse in his old age or something." the blonde slumped over the rail and let the spray wet his hands. Sasuke agreed whole-heartedly. "Hey, the seas have gotten a lot rougher since we left, do you think there is a storm or something?"

"No, I think its just a lot rougher the further north we go. Remember last time?"

"Yeah, its gonna suck up here tonight without our stuff." Naruto commented slouching further over the rail.

"What do you mean with out our stuff?" Sasuke asked

"I don't know about you, but there is no way in hell I'm going to get my things out of Kakashi's cabin after that display!" Naruto said looking scandalized.

"Good point." Sasuke concurred. They stayed at the extreme front of the boat for a good twenty minutes, until they were both sure Kakashi had gone below deck. As they returned to the top deck they noticed that most of the sailors had also escaped below. Curious about the lack of sailors, they questioned the nearest crewman.

"It's gonna be iced over up here by morning boys." he told them. "Most the crew hides out below unless their needed. On trips like this it's a skeleton crew at night. In fact, I'm headed down there myself. I suggest ye do the same, there's plenty of hammocks in the hold." he offered as he opened that hatch and disappeared into the ship. Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other and shuddered.

"Swinging hell-hammocks? I rather freeze," Naruto stated. Sasuke looked torn however.

"Iced over, Naruto. That's damn cold," Sasuke offered. "That's deadly cold, you know."

"Well, if you're too pampered, I'll understand if you can't handle it up here," Naruto taunted him.

"I don't think you understand, if you get frostbite you're finished. You're fingers turn black and fall off."

"I'm not stupid, Sasuke. I don't get frostbite," Naruto brushed him off as he searched for a suitable resting place.

"What do you mean you 'don't get' frostbite? How could you possibly know- oh." Sasuke realized suddenly, Naruto had probably spent many nights out in the cold. "But why are you immune to the cold then?"

"I have a constant body temperature of something," Naruto reasoned as he found a folded up sail cover near the stern of the ship. "And I heal really fast, so that might have something to do with it. It doesn't mean I don't get cold, I just don't die from it." He unfurled the canvas cloth and held it up to Sasuke. "This is perfect. It's thick so it'll keep out the wind and oiled to keep off the water." Sasuke looked at him dubiously. "So, are going below deck or will you rough it out here?"

"Fast healing is great and all for you, but what's going keep me from getting hypothermia up here?" the dark haired boy questioned. Naruto sat down against a large stack of cargo boxes that protected him from the wind and folded the sail cover around him like a burrito.

"I don't bite, Sasuke, " he replied as he made room for his teammate. Sasuke gave in and sat down beside him.

"You seem to be making a habit of sleeping on me," Sasuke remarked as he made himself as comfortable as possible while being so close to his teammate. He still hadn't been able to quite shake that feeling he got last night before Kakashi burst in with the mission scroll. Being this close made it all the more difficult to ignore. "If it happens much more, I might think you actually like using me as a pillow," he teased.

"What makes you think I don't?" Naruto grinned and joked right back as he snuggled into Sasuke's side wrapping his arm over him.

"Idiot," Sasuke said fighting the flush threatening to rise to his cheeks.

"Bastard" Naruto returned, but he didn't let go. Neither did Sasuke push him off. It's only for the warmth Sasuke told himself. That's all.

A/N

do you think i should continue? I'm struggling to make this original. I have some (what i think are) original ideas, but they are really tough to get out. i guess its taking longer than i thought to get to the major plot points... as i said this is my first fic ever of any kind. unless you count my comic book... anyway. I've been feeling down, so if you feel like cheering me on it would be appreciated. - (i'll continue no matter what, don't pay attention to that depressing first statement right there...) and remember! check out my deviantArt page! (if you want)