A little shorter than normal. Don't be too upset though! Read on.
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Itachi frowned. Something was...off with his younger brother.
Not only did he seem to be practicing perfectly for once, sometimes he'd stop and get a small smile on his face. What happened that caused this sudden change? Perhaps it was that chase he made yesterday...after all, the boy had come back covered in an animal's scent. Though there was no scent of blood to accompany it. Maybe Sasuke had just been practicing on it? Itachi sighed, knowing full well how innocent and kind his brother was. After all, even when he practiced around here, the few times he'd actually catch something he let it go.
Well, whatever Sasuke was happy about, Itachi would have to wait and see. But until then...
"Sasuke."
The younger glanced over at him. "Yes, nii-san?"
Itachi frowned, then continued. "Make sure you don't wander off again. Master found out yesterday, but he let it go once. If you do it again, you'll only get yourself into trouble."
Sasuke frowned, then gave a nod. "I understand." He stayed quiet as his brother sauntered off to another part of their huge land complex. Sasuke waited, then turned, sauntering off into the woods. I understand, but that won't keep me away from the only friend I've ever had.
Once again, he used his keen nose to search out Naruto. He was surprised when his search not led him to inside the woods somewhere, but to a farmhouse that wasn't too far away from his own property.
Tilting his head and glancing around, he spotted the blond over in a shed. Smiling, he walked over to where his friend was eagerly working on something.
"What are you looking for?"
Naruto jumped a bit at the voice, then relaxed when he saw who it was. "Oh, Sasuke. I was just trying to untangle these fishing poles."
"Fishing poles? What are those?"
The blond finally got the wires untangled, and he turned to gape. "You've never gone fishing?!" Though he settled down at the look of crestfallen embarrassment on the raven's face. "Er, sorry. I mean, hey I'll teach you, it's easy!"
Sasuke lifted his head up, smiling a bit. "Really?"
"Yeah! Here, take yours..." He handed one of the fishing poles over, and picked up a small tool box. Grinning, he ran off. "Come on, race you!"
They both shouted and laughed as they raced off into the woods. Little did they know that someone had been watching from the window, with a frown on their face.
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"Ok, now take the worm and put it on the hook like this," Naruto demonstrated, watching as Sasuke gingerly and carefully copied his movements. "Yeah, and then all you have to do is swing the pole back like this," he showed him reeling it back, "and fling it foreward so that the line can go really far!" He watched as his landed a few feet away, then smiled as Sasuke's landed a couple inches behind his own. "Now if you feel something tug at your pole, it means you caught a fish. So use the crank to pull it back, ok?"
"Ok...so, when do the fish bite?"
"When they feel like it, so put it into the hole so the fish won't drag your pole away, and relax," the tanned boy said, leaning back and letting the sun kiss at his face. He loved being outside, it was so relaxing.
Sasuke propped his pole up, then turned to stare at his friend, who had a peaceful look on his face. "Naruto...?"
"Yes?"
The hound glanced down at his lap. "Um...well...will we be friends forever?"
Naruto glanced over and smiled warm heartedly, making Sasuke's breath catch in his throat. And the fox rolled closer and lay his head in the other's warm lap, nuzzling his leg. "Of course."
He felt his heart lift a bit, but doubt still made it's way into his heart. "Really..?"
Naruto nodded, smiling brightly. "Yes! In fact, it is a promise, and the best kind of promise is a pinky promise!" A small pinky finger was held in the air. "Now give me your pinkie."
Sasuke complied, a bit perplexed, but smiled when the digit closed around his and their hands shook in silent agreement. "Ok, then..."
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"Bye, Sasuke!" Naruto shouted, waving at the boy as he dissapeared among the hedges. The Uchiha had been so kind as to walk him home, wanting a few more extra minutes with his fox.
"Tsunade! I'm home!" The blond yelled eagerly, entering the house and smiling. But he suddenly sombered up at the sight of his mom, sitting on the couch with a worried look on her face. "Baachan? Is something wrong?"
Tsunade blinked, then glanced over at the young one, smiling gently. "No, Naruto. I'm just thinking, is all."
"About what?" He had to be curious, didn't he?
"Oh...some birds got into my laundry today and ripped my favorite shirt."
Naruto frowned, getting onto the couch and snuggling up into the old lady's warm body. "That's not very nice," he mumbled, yawning contently as hands brushed their way into his hair.
Tsunade smiled wider as her over-energetic fox fell asleep. He may of been very playful, but he was always tired by the end of the day...which reminded her of seeing her little one playing with the Uchiha boy from down the road.
I'll have to have a chat with Kakashi, and tell him to keep an eye on him... Tsunade sighed, worry seeping in again. I have no doubt in my mind that my neighbor can taint any one of those pets of his...
------TBC------
The bird/laundry thing is directly from Fox and Hound. I thought it'd be cute to add that as a minor event
R/R!