Chapter Two
Adapting to the Environment

Great trees shot up into the new white-blue sky, adorned with vines and flowers of all kinds, creating an instant jungle. Underneath their feet there was suddenly white ground, and that ground rose up into the air, soon towering over the trees. Behind them, a door appeared, and around the square of ground that rose, a black iron fence jumped up. Far in the distance, icy spikes stabbed the sky and created mountains of deadly white pillars. Far to the right, a fiery volcano grew from the ground, spitting smog into the air. For a moment, nothing else happened.

Then, ever so slowly, a single pole rose from the center of the jungle. At the top, an enormous flag unfolded, white with large red letters spelling out 'SANCTUARY.'

Then, everything stopped. And the two men experienced true silence.

Naruto didn't like it. "Okay, I know it was some hidden part of your personality that made the ice-spikes. And it was probably mine that made the volcano. But where did the jungle come from?"

"Perhaps a combination?" Sasuke frowned. "What does it matter? We need to figure a way out of here."

"Well, I think we should try to get to that sanctuary flag." Naruto bit his lip nervously. "Because if this world was created from our personalities…yeah, we need to get to the sanctuary."

Sasuke glared at him. "There's something you're not telling me."

Suddenly, a loud roar echoed through the empty skies.

Sasuke's eyes widened and Naruto automatically dropped into a fighting stance.

"Is that enough info for you?" Naruto growled, walking over to the door. "We have to get out of here."

"That's not nearly enough information for me, dobe, but I will concede that we need to get to safer ground."

"Then let's go, teme!" Naruto dashed through the door and down the stairs.

"What did you just call me?" Sasuke stormed after Naruto.

They went down one flight of stairs before reaching a door. It was metal and had a small window, just at eye-level.

Naruto reached for the handle, but Sasuke grabbed his wrist.

"Wait, Uzumaki. Lets see what's behind this door before we open it."

Naruto paused, his eyes widening. Then he nodded, and they both peered through the little window.

"Hey," Naruto frowned, glancing at Sasuke and then back through the window. "This is the office."

Sasuke paused, not daring to look at Naruto. "…Yes."

"…so are we gonna go in?"

"No."

"What?" Naruto's eyebrows raised at the snarled refute. "Why not? This is my floor! I wanna see what I look like!"

"Dobe, you're right here." Sasuke glared at Naruto for questioning his wishes. How dare he?

"Yes, but the office isn't a part of my soul. So this must be here because of you. Which, logically, means that however you see me, your impression must be here."

"That's ridiculous." Damnit, dobe, why can't you leave well enough alone?!

"Tch, whatever. I'm going in."

And before Sasuke could pull him back, Naruto was through the door, striding purposely towards his cubicle.

"Fuck!" Sasuke ran after him, hoping he would be able to explain when he caught up.

--

Glossy, shimmering golden locks stood up in haphazard spikes that somehow still looked soft to the touch, framing a golden-toned face. The face was smiling widely with snow-white teeth and the big blue eyes twinkled mischievously. There was an impression of shining sparkles surrounding him and as he laughed into the cell, you could tell his laugh was genuine.

He was gorgeous.

"Holy shit, Uchiha." Naruto gazed at the impression of himself, awestruck at the beauty his employer saw in him. "Is this really how you see me?"

Sasuke scanned Naruto's face carefully for any signs of anger or disgust before answering. "Yes, but this is only half of the image."

Naruto turned to look at Sasuke's face. "What do you mean?"

"Watch." Quickly dusting off his suit, Sasuke stepped into the cubicle and fixed his best icy glare on his 'employee.' "Is that a personal call, dobe?"

Naruto's eyes widened as, right before his eyes, the sparkles faded from the golden-toned man and the golden skin turned dull. The mischief ebbed from the now half-lidded and shadowed blue eyes, and even the smile disappeared. The golden spikes seemed to flop as if exhausted, and that exhaustion showed in his voice as he said into the phone, "Sorry, Mr. Uchiha's here. I'll call you back." And he hung up.

"Uzumaki," Sasuke drawled slowly at the once-brilliant man. "I heard you wanted to see me?"

"Yes. I wanted to tell you that I've found a new job, so I'll be quitting in two weeks—you know, the required heads-up time."

"I know, Uzumaki." Sasuke whispered, his eyes closed.

"I also wanted to invite you to my wedding next month. I'll send you an invite, ne?"

"Thank you, Uzumaki." Sasuke stepped back from the cubicle and started walking back to the stairs. Naruto trailed after him, watching his face carefully. Sasuke had on a 'blank' face that he had never seen before, and his eyes seemed a bit shiny.

"…Mr. Uchiha?"

"Are you coming or not?" Sasuke's voice was sharper than normal, so Naruto quietly followed him as they walked silently down the 12 flights of stairs.