Chapter 6

There was an off thing about Naruto. By nature, ninja were covert agents. They were skilled in everything from sabotage, infiltration, assassination, guerrilla warfare and espionage. Because of this, it was common occurrence that they were never seen and never heard.

Unless Naruto was around…

The man followed swiftly behind Sasuke, feet tapping against the cobblestone loudly as they dipped through various alleyways. It was easier for Naruto to be on top of a roof, but without chakra to steady his feet and boost his jumps, staying on level ground would be the best way to go.

"Be quieter, idiot." Sasuke hisses as pedestrians pass by. There's a high-pitched, feminine giggle from a beast, followed by a deep-throated croak as the couple meanders down the road beside them.

"Oi, do you think summoning animals can breed outside of their species? 'Cause I'm pretty sure that was a bunny and a toad that just walked by."

When Sasuke doesn't answer, Naruto continues.

"Would you call it a "Boad"? Or a "Tunny"?"

Though it had been only a few years, Sasuke was sure Naruto would have matured at least a little bit. He was still just as obnoxiously annoying as he'd always been—even after becoming a man. Ignoring the asinine question, Sasuke gestured towards an unoccupied building and darted across the road once it was clear.

The darkness swallowed their shadows as they nimbly stepped through the cratered shop, guided only by the moonlight that seeped through. It smelled of decay and abandonment. The shelves were stripped of all goods, ripped posters lined the walls, and everything that wasn't bolted down had obviously been moved or stolen.

"Good idea. If we take a high vantage point, we won't have to creep around this massive city in our useless bodies." Naruto says, kicking a wooden plank. It tumbled through gravel and disappeared into obscurity. A few beetles scurried away from the disturbance, their wings clicking against one another, echoing through the vast emptiness.

Pausing only for a moment, Sasuke tests out a brittle-looking step before dashing up the staircase. Beyond a hatched door was the rooftop, which was studier to walk on and smelled a helluva lot better. Naruto is beside in seconds, looking beyond skyscraper structures suited for the abnormally sized summons.

"Take the left," Sasuke says, gesturing with his wrapped hand. "I'll keep an eye on that onsen up ahead."

Something about the bathhouse did not set well with him. The first reason was that, out of all of the buildings, that one shone the brightest. It was painted in loud, gaudy colors. Florescent flashing lights lit up all around it, as if it were a bar, rather than a relaxing sauna. It was also directly across a hotel—which wasn't necessarily abnormal.

Sasuke had been around enough illicit people to know the lewd happenings of the world, however.

After about an hour, Naruto could no longer stand the boredom. Keeping his eye on the road below, he palms his hand to his chin and scrunched his nose. "So, why were you such a bastard to Sakura earlier?"

It does not take a genius to figure out what the Jinchuuriki meant. Sasuke is surprised that the dobe had held off on questions for so long. Cuffing the too-long sleeves of his robe, the man stares off into the distance. "I don't know.

"You don't…know?"

He growls. "That's what I said."

Gnawing on his bottom lip, Naruto thinks quietly. Over the past few months, there has been a change in Sasuke. Kakashi said it had something to do with the Uchiha curse—a curse of hatred—and once that had broken, the true Sasuke would make his appearance.

The true Sasuke had died right alongside his mother and father, though.

Naruto imagines that he hadn't had time to find himself. His journey of redemption was also a journey of acknowledgment. His likes and dislikes had all focused on a singular goal, and once that goal had been obtained…

Not everything was about training, or about being a shinobi. Living life away from that fact was probably hard on people like him.

"I get it. You act like you don't care, but you do. You and I messed up real bad. Sakura's always been sensitive when it comes to us. Neither of you have had a chance to talk about it."

Sasuke frowns. He hadn't talked about it because he didn't want to. "She's too reckless when it comes to us."

Naruto shrugs. "People are reckless when comrades are in danger—when someone they love might get hurt. Sakura isn't weak, and I know she looks like a child, but she's smarter than the both of us are. When she acts, she's probably already figured out every possible outcome."

A silence forms between them, and Sasuke looks up towards the night in quiet contemplation.

He was no stranger to recklessness. Often times, Sasuke's body had moved on its own, protecting without even a kunai as defense. In his youth, he'd been afraid of death—death meant failure—but Naruto and Sakura had helped him overcome that fear. Only a coward would let their friends hurt without stepping in.

Sasuke was no coward…and Sakura wasn't, either. So why was he was still so angry? He was frustrated at her for always taking too big of a risk when it wasn't necessary. He was frustrated at himself for putting her in that situation.

Interrupting his thoughts, movement from below catches the boy's attention.

A humanoid figure with long, rabbit ears dances out of the sento. She threads her arms around a slug and giggles, just like the one they'd seen on the street before. What had that one been with…a toad? It seems that they're in the escorting business.

"Look," Sasuke says, directing Naruto towards the scene.

"Huh. It's another bunny. It's a different color than that other one. She's acting really seductive…Can snails even do…it?"

Sasuke doesn't bother answering, mostly because he has no idea. It would be in their best interest to follow them, however, even if it ended up being a waste of time. Following up on all leads would help them finish sooner.

Chakra was inaccessible now, so he obviously wouldn't try to jump off the roof. Sasuke was nauseous about the vacancy in his gut. He couldn't remember how long it'd been since he'd felt so weak. His vision was subpar compared to prowess of the sharingan. The darkness of the night was so…black. The streetlights seemed too blurry. Even looking at Naruto's bright hair strained his eyes.

They might have finished this entire mission hours ago if he could just see better…

Sasuke curses himself. How hypocritical could he be? He'd gotten into a knockdown, drag out fight with his Naruto a few days ago because he relied too heavily on Kurama's chakra—a thing he had been born with.

The point of this exam was teamwork on level ground. What one member was naturally bad at, the others excelled. He had to admit, the mind behind the Jōnin Exams thought carefully to make it fair.

Naruto finds a drop-down ladder first and makes quick work of the railing, slapping his sandals against the ground loudly. When Sasuke follows suite, he makes sure to land quieter, and soon they are both sticking to the shadows cast by the enormous buildings above.

The couple swoops and swerves, both laughing under the influence of alcohol. The snail's residue leaves a track along the street, so following closely isn't much of a concern. They silently tiptoe in and out of view.

Just as Sasuke had guessed, the couple enters the adjacent hotel a few moments later.

Sasuke's scroll had been a detailed layout of whatever…building they were looking for. Strangely, the onsen didn't match the blueprint at all. He'd memorized a triangular shaped structure that was just a few stories tall. Both the bathhouse and the hotel were towering rectangles, with windowless sides and multiple points of access.

"Maybe we should just…enter the sento? We can't follow them to their room. That would be too difficult and obvious."

"We're outsiders." Sasuke says sternly. "I doubt we'd be able to get much information from any of the bathers. They're all going there for a reason—they may be in on the abductions."

Sasuke sighs, squatting down to think of the next plan of action.

"Maybe if Sakura makes a friend at her job tomorrow, she can invite them to the bathhouse?" Naruto tries again.

"Men are being targeted, idiot."

Naruto huffs in response. "I know that! I meant that she could invite a man to the bathhouse!"

That would have been a good idea, if the monsters here didn't think Team 7 was just a bunch of ugly, naked mole rats. Sakura could, perhaps, "accidentally" walk into one of the hotel rooms and disrupt whatever was going on. A mistake like that wouldn't be too out of the ordinary. She is a new worker, after all. Threading his fingers behind his head, Sasuke almost decides to call it quits for the night so he can think of a better plan.

At that moment, a familiar summon slithers by.

Aoda was almost as large as Manda was, but a billion times more respectful. He did not need to be controlled or bribed to do Sasuke's bidding. It was strange to see him in his natural habitat. Thinking on his feet, the Uchiha steps out of the darkness and beckons to his creature. "Aoda!"

Pausing suddenly, the snake's cranes its massive head towards the sound. Tongue darting out of his snout, he tastes the air and searched for recognizable scent. In moments, a piercing, yellow gaze meets Sasuke.

"Lord?" Aoda begins, barely moving his mouth. "I cannot sense, nor smell you."

That was understandable, considering his humanity had been sealed away and his chakra was completely dilapidated.

"We've been cast here under dire circumstances." Sasuke explained, stepping forwards. He was always curt, but never harsh to his summon. Manda had been quite a hassle to deal with, (may he rest in peace) and the obedient Aoda was a breath of fresh air. "I need you to help us infiltrate this bathhouse."

Without hesitation, the colossal snake opened his mouth so they could climb in.

Naruto, however, wasn't having any of it. "Oh hell no! You look just like that snake that tried to eat me in the Forest of Death! You must be out of your goddamn mind if you think I'm gonna jump willingly into that monstrosity when I don't have any chakra or weapons!"

Sasuke steps beyond Aoda's lips and shrugs. "Walk, then."

The salty scent of bathwater started to fill Naruto's nose, making it dribble uncontrollably. Anything was better than the bitter smell of a snake's mouth, though. This is just gross. Who did Sasuke think he was anyways? Huffing, Naruto's arms remained crossed as he belligerently ground his teeth.

The bathhouse was a stunning piece of architecture. The sheer height of it forced Sasuke to turn his neck uncomfortably, just so he could take in all that it had to offer. Each section had its own spring, with the boiler room being on the lowest level and the more expensive sake baths being on the top. It mirrored the onsen of their lands, except the scent of humanity was nonexistent. Herbal steam wafted through the air around them.

"That way," Sasuke ordered, ducking back under Aoda's venomous fangs.

Sasuke had already noticed that the men and woman's area was separated, and that the woman's area had little to no activity. There were only a few articles of clothing outside of their door, while the men's had piles of robes and garments.

Aoda slunk through the curtains without hesitation, slithering his large body on the outer ring of the hot spring. Many creatures filled the baths, letting water overflow onto the stony bricks below the serpent's lengthy body. If Naruto and Sasuke had been on foot, they would have easily been drowned from the powerful waves.

"Follow them." Sasuke directed to as he and Naruto peeked beyond his jaw. He was referring to a small group of males who disappeared into a black curtain, away from the main room of the onsen.

"Man, we might finish this without Sakura's help at all." Naruto whispers. His voice is cut off by a husky bellow, and both men react perfectly, lying flat onto Aoda's fangs as a mongoose approached. His teeth poked out as he spoke. He was obviously not happy to see Sasuke's summon.

"Well, I never would have thought you were that kind of guy. What are you doing at a place like this? Don't you have some humans to save? Or, did you master let you have a break?"

Naruto feels the snake clench, and his stomach drops as Aoda rocks his head back and forth threateningly. History dictated that mongooses won most battles with serpents, but this mongoose was much too small to pick a fight with Aoda. The hair on its body stands at attention, but he lets the snake through nevertheless.

Almost immediately, the scent of smoke filled their lungs. The previous room was soapy and fresh, wafting the clean fragrance of thymes and spice. Tobacco puffed from long pipes here, making Sasuke's head swim from the lack of oxygen. Massive Sake bottles were raised to the mouths of beasts, who paused only to engage in explicit talk of their upcoming rendezvous. It seemed they were in the right place. Women were to be coming out soon.

"Oh man, that's disgusting. I don't think I've even heard Jiraiya sound that bad. It's just a bunch of old perverts waiting to get some tail! Some…some bunny tail! What's attractive about a rabbit anyways?"

Aoda answers. Both Naruto and Sasuke are shifted up and down as he speaks. "I hear they've got stamina."

Naruto feels bile start to rise, but he doesn't get to think much longer. Sasuke motions towards a barricade, ignoring the exchange and focusing on the task at hand.

Thick, metal bars keep the men at bay. If Naruto and Sasuke were high-level beasts, it would be impossible for them to bypass the gait. Thankfully, they are human; all they would have to do is shimmy off Aoda and walk between the slats.

That was easier said than done, however.

Aoda's skin was slick with moisture, and a slight misstep would send them tumbling to the hard stone below. Sasuke hadn't had to worry about landing carefully in a long time—not since his childhood days. Naruto plunged expertly and tucked his chin and shoulders, rolling straight through the iron bars of the enclosure without pause. Sasuke was not as graceful, and when he hits the ground, a painful shock bolts up through his spine.

Together, both men run, letting their feet carry them into the musty darkness.

Naruto counts as he slides over wet stones, keeping a steady pace with his partner.

The opening they had entered was nothing more than an incredibly long hallway, leading farther and farther away from the bathhouse. There were about…2,000 steps in a mile, and less if they had broad strides for a civilian pace. If his calculations were right, (and they rarely were), they'd already sprinted half that distance.

The candles lined along with walls flickered dimly. Naruto was reminded of Orochimaru's hideouts. It came complete with soggy smells and creepy echoes. A rectangle of light grew in the distance, and just when Naruto increased his speed, the twine of his sandal gives way.

He opens his mouth to curse, but Sasuke plants his hand firmly across it. Dark figures started to fill the opening—women are approaching and there's nowhere to hide.

Moving stealthily, Sasuke backtracks, remembering a black circle above them a few paces back. If they were underground, surely there would be a ventilation pipe. Perhaps they could even climb up inside of it.

Naruto follows dutifully, nodding towards the small ladder a few feet above their heads. Because Sasuke is the tallest, he hoists up Naruto first. Everything is slick and gritty. Once his grip is firm, Sasuke jumps and grabs his partner's hands. Wedging themselves away from the light, they listen in silence, peering between their legs at the ground below. After a few moments, the long ears of rabbit creatures pass below, walking in a rhythmic step.

They do not speak. They do not stray. Most importantly, they do not giggle.

When the sound of their tapping feet disappears, and Naruto can no longer keep still, both men fall back down and give each other a knowing glance. They were onto something.

Their feet guide them to the bright opening ahead.

A black, triangular homestead greets them from beyond a mote of green, slimy water. The smell of the stagnant lake is almost putrid, causing Naruto to gag and heave. It's as though they're in a cesspool.

"This is it." Sasuke confirms. The blueprint of his scroll pulsated behind his eyes as his photographic memory matched up the openings of the obsidian…thing before them. It was filled with rooms that led to nowhere, and undoubtedly, plenty of booby traps.

"Well, I guess the only way in is that drawbridge, right? Since we're here, should we go on ahead?"

Sasuke narrows his eyes, taking in the underground room and all of the openings it had to offer. It wouldn't be in their best interest to infiltrate anything just yet—Sakura had the objective, not them.

He clenches his fist and points towards another sewage grate, wordlessly ushering Naruto away.

A bowl of miso soup warmed her lightly calloused hands, sore from a hard day's work. The steam swirled above the ceramic cup, becoming trapped in the kunoichi's nostrils as she inhaled its rich scent. It was midmorning now, and she'd arrived back to the shared hotel room only moments ago.

Naruto was asleep, a single leg peeking from under his borrowed blanket. Drool oozed from the corner of his lip, reminding Sakura of their Genin days. The saliva would dry and cake up, and Naruto wouldn't even bother to wash his face until after he'd had breakfast. He was twitching and mumbling, jerking his body to the left and right. He would wake soon.

Sasuke was awake. Nothing about his demeanor or looks hinted it, but Sakura was sure the man had stayed up the entire night. Sharing a bed, no matter how large it was, with someone like Naruto would probably be the last thing he'd want to do.

"How was the mission?" She asks.

Sasuke's hair was loose from the bath he'd taken before she'd arrived, and it shielded his purple-rimmed eye naturally. "We'll infiltrate tonight."

When he sits down across from her, reaching for the soup that she'd stolen from the cafeteria, Sakura can feel a lump rise into her throat. Suddenly, the steady fingers that held her broth so well began to tremble.

"So you've found what…you were supposed to be looking for?" Was that a vague enough question?

"I can get us there, yes. I know the layout of the place." His words hold a deeper meaning. "My usefulness ends there."

For some reason, Sakura blurts out her response. "You're incredibly useful, Sasuke!"

The look of bewilderment that flashes across his face is not only a rare sight, but an embarrassing one. Slapping her hands to her mouth, Sakura feels the heat rise across her face.

After being the underdog, and the "useless" one for years, Sakura could admit she became sensitive when others downplayed their importance. Obviously, Sasuke wasn't the type to think he was unimportant—ever—and even if he did, Sakura's input wouldn't make much difference. It was just a habitual response, an earnest response.

During the peculiar exchange, Naruto decided to wake.

His short, spiky locks had drooped during his rest, and his hand dove into them to scratch his scalp. Sakura greeted him and stared unabashedly as the partially nude man threw his legs over the side of the bed and stood.

"Mornin',"

"Go brush your teeth." She commands, waving her finger in the air. "Wipe that drool off your face, too!"

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto responds as he walks towards the restroom. "I know the drill. You and Hinata are always on my case."

When they were all gathered around the table, Naruto scarfed down his meal and debriefed Sakura on what had happened the night before. It was hard to understand him through his over-filled mouth, but he carried on anyways, enjoying his breakfast thoroughly.

"Sasuke and I found a drain that will take us straight to some weird, underground building. He swears it's the right one. All we have to do is go back the way we came, enter that black pyramid, and I can take over from there! It will be easy as pie, datebayo!"

Looking at Naruto with disgust, Sasuke explains further. "We were almost spotted. There's no way of telling when those rabbits will head towards the baths. It would be in our best interest to break in while they're gone."

Sakura nods. "Actually…now that you mention it, I guess I did get a bit of information this morning. I saw one of those bunnies leaving the room with a Toad—I saw him when we first got here yesterday and thought I'd better keep a close watch on them. She said she'd see him again at dusk. We could camp out and wait until she leaves the bathhouse with him again, and then make our way to the grate you both uncovered."

Naruto nodded his head, wiping the food and dried spit from his mouth. "Well then, why don't you sleep until then? Sasuke and I can prepare. We don't have any weapons, after all. It would be good to have something I can stab someone with, if I needed to."

The woman stands, gathering her dishes and rinsing them off in the sink. "It would be best if you went to the blacksmiths alone—Sasuke has made a name for himself already, and that ape would certainly recognize him."

No one disagrees.

When Naruto finally gets around to leaving, Sakura makes a show of pulling off every blanket atop the mattress and balling it up into one large, bulky cocoon. Sasuke watches as she kicks off her shoes and delves into the warmth, taking over the exact middle of the bed.

He hadn't slept. It had been a long time since Sasuke felt safe enough to rest around Naruto and Sakura. It was funny in a dark sort of way—Sasuke had been the one to try to kill them both, and yet, he is the least trusting. Perhaps he simply didn't trust himself.

A weight falls over his eyes as soon as the duvet stops moving. Sasuke rubs them, trying to keep himself awake. Not too many years ago, it was normal for him to stay up for days at a time. It must have been the transportation—along with his strange, drunken rampage that spread lethargy throughout his body.

The bed was large. From where Sakura slept in the middle, there was at least a few feet of space between. She probably wouldn't even feel him sink into the bed. Just a nap would do.

Running his hands through his hair, Sasuke leans back in the chair he sat on.

He'd almost killed her. It wasn't just a one-time occurrence, either. No, he never attacked her for the hell of it, but the result was still the same. Even if Sakura didn't mind, Sasuke would. She shouldn't be so blasé around him.

She is nervous when she speaks. Sakura stumbles over her words, and her hands shake sometimes. Every word she utters has to be thought out, because if it's not, it's as though she immediately regrets it. Sasuke can't decide if she's scared of him, or if she's not.

If she were scared, would she sleep in his presence?

The man almost groans aloud. There's too much on his mind and more important things to worry about. Unable to stay in the room any longer, Sasuke makes his way towards the window and slides the pane up. Smells of barbeque and cigar smoke enters his lungs. Sounds—slapping feet, meaningless conversations, a random clink and clang—keep him preoccupied while Naruto gathers weaponry. The sooner this part of the Exam was done with, the closer he would be to becoming a Jōnin.

Then, he'd have an excuse to keep away from Konoha. He would take every long mission Kakashi had to offer. He would travel all over the world, wherever they wanted him to go, and no one could say anything about it. Distance was necessary. Distance would keep him sane.