Naruto sat in the darkness, listening to all that was around him. He heard a soft shrill bark. that'll be Akamaru, Naruto thoguht, knowing how the dog was always sad when Kiba left the house. It's about time Kiba got going! He got the summons from Sasuke three hours ago! Naruto, on his way to the Lord Hokage's abode, heard that Kiba was being summoned, and used a transformation Jutsu to become a small shuriken, falling lightly into Kiba's shurikin bag, thanks to Naruto's good timing and great fortune. He hoped that Kiba's massive chakra could cover his own, and make it harder for Sasuke to realize he was there. If he could see Sasuke, read his reactions to everything said about whatever was happening with Kiba- last he checked Kiba was overseeing the building of some kind of border to shelter the leaf village- than it should be no problem to see where the best time to strike would be. Naruto let himself fall between two real shuriken, and waited.
Kiba was a lot larger than he had been before, taller and much more muscular. He no longer sported the white parka, as Aakamru was to large to fit inside now, but kept a hooded teeshirt on at all times, within which he hid one of his greatest treasures: Akamaru's first litter. Akamaru was a male dog, sure enough, but recently, Hinata recieved a dog for her birthday, and she and Akamaru had fallen in doggy love. Chan, however, had died giving birth to her three puppies, and Kiba therefore kept them in his hood, where they would be warm, pulling out bottles and nursing them occasionaly, grateful to Hinata for letting him keep the pups. After all, once Akamaru is too old to go on misions, Kiba once told Hinata, they'll make great shinobi partners!
"Ah, there you are, Kiba," a wisened Sasuke proclaimed twenty minutes later, as the ninja of beast mimicry entered the room. Naruto used transformation once again, and became a small mosquito. Crawling up to the top of the bag, he saw his old friends face again: Sasuke had the same, blemish-free skin, but a deep tan from long days of training. Sasuke never wore the Hokage's robe and hat; He saw it as a way to announce superiority to the world, and make himself a target. Instead, he sported the same outfit he wore as a genin, but this new apparel had the figure of the sharingan on the front of his top, and the land of fire symbol was tattooed on his neck, hidden by the back of his headband. "I've been waiting for you. Here, sit, and have a bite to eat."
Naruto could practically taste Kiba's hungry expression. "Alright! I don't mind if I do! So, Lord Sasuke, what's on the menu?"
"Naruto saw Sasuke smile at the vigor of their old friend. "Boar. Rather enjoyably roasted too, it's quite delectable."
"Yeah... I hear poor Choji's still in the infirmary over that damn boar."
"Yes, but the medical nin say he's recovering well. Let us drink to him. He took quite the tusk, that we may feast tonight."
"Amen to that." Kiba took a drink, and got serious. "So, lord Hokage, what is it you summoned me for?", Kiba looked into Sasuke's eyes as he dug into the boar hungrily. "I gotta tell ya, I hope it's another mission. Naruto's getting all the glory, and I'm stuck here building this bridge! I mean, he even got to go on another mission amost as soon as he got back! Don't get me wrong, Lord Hokage, I know this border's important and stuff, but I need some action!"
"Another--" Sasuke closed his eyes. He understood perfectly what was happening. He opened his eyes and looked around, and said. "Yes, another mission. I just can't seem to satiate Naruto's appetite for adventure. He's gonna get himself killed one day." Or me, Sasuke thought cynically, scanning the room for any sign of distress.
Naruto caught on to the fact that Sasuke knew he was there, and crawled lower into his hiding bag. He couldn't help but notice his surprise at the fact that Sasuke made no immediate action to stop Naruto. Did he think he wasn't a threat? Did he expect Naruto to just attack wildly today? No way! Naruto wasn't the same little kid anymore! If anyone knew that, it would be Sasuke! Naruto clenched his mosquito legs in a fist-like manner, and vowed to himself to make sure Sasuke knew he wasn't some stupid genin anymore.
"Yeah, well I'm getting bored! With respect, lord Hokage, I really miss the days when Akamaru and I kicked butt together! We've been working on this border for a year and a half now, and we're getting bored!"
"You know, Kiba, you don't have to call me Lord Hokage. Call me Sasuke. And how is Akamaru?" And then, as an afterthoguht, "Besides the boredom." Sasuke smiled as Kiba responded.
"Eh, he's okay. He's getting on in age, but those medical nin are really good to himn, and say he's still got a good five years to him, if he's treated well. so, in ninja years, I'd say he's got about another year at least." Kiba smiled sadly at his own joke, and said, "Anyway, Sasuke, I can't help but wonder what you called me out here for. You know that work on the border's doing fine- we expect it finished in the next six weeks, so, whjy call me here? Is it a mission?" Kiba asked, not being able to helkp being a little overzealous.
"Sadly, no. But I have recognized your discomfort with the job I have given you, so... I've decided to make it quicker for you."
"Oh yeah? How's that?" Kiba was curious now, Naruto could tell in his voice.
"Simple. I want you to take threee quarters of my personal guard, and set them to work on my border."
"What? But Sasuke, come on! Your guard is already down to twenty people! If I took that many, you wouldn't even have enough to guard you twenty-four seven!"
"Do you think I am so meek I cannot handle any threats on my own? Not even for a mere six weeks? Even less than that, given that the extra help would make things go even faster"
"Well, no, Sasuke, that's not it! I know you're stroing and all, but even one as stron g as you couldn't take out everybody! you need your guard, so why not-"
"The only guard I need I have. I'm keeping Shino, Lee, Neji, and Tenten. You may take the rest."
"your sure? I mean, I'd be taking some great ninja from you for that..."
"I'll be fine. You just worry about protecting this country."
"Uhg... fine. You mind" Kiba held up another part of boar, knowing Sasuke would know he was asking to take it to Akamaru. "No, not at all. Give Akamaru my best."
"I will." And with that, Kiba left, Naruto leaving with him.
Gah! I hate leaving so soon, but I can't blow my cover to Sasuke. I'll find a new place to stay hidden, and just take it from there. If I'm lucky, he won't sense my chakra. Naruto buzzed off, in search of a place where he could observe Sasuke from a safe distance.
Deciding on the vent on the other side of the room, he changed into a blonde rat, and heard from the other side, "Well, there you are, Naruto. take me if you can. I'm leaving myself wide open. These next few weeks will decide a lot." And the seventh Hokage stood and left the room, Naruto cursing in rat language as he scampered acroos the vents, trying to keep an eye on his adversary. I'll be the eighth Hokage if it kills me! Naruto thought. He soon found out that was a bad choice of words.
Well,m there's chapter three for you! sorry it took so long to write, my comoputer started sucking, and I had to go to the hospital.. between that and becoming single after almost two years... I think you canb forgive me... right? GOOD! Now start writing those reviews!