Chapter Four: Two Dates

I'M REALLY SORRY! It took me so long to update…between updating my other story and getting sick, I had a dump load of stuff to get done. So when I got the reviews from the last chapter, I almost hit my head on the wall because I realized that I was making Naruto more feminine then I wanted. So I tried my best to fix that mistake in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Kishimoto does… But if I did own it, that would be really cool. I own all OC mentioned the story though! Enjoy ^_^v

Hearing the door click open again, all of them turned their heads, watching the rest of Team 7 stroll in. Sasuke's head was the first to turn. Looking Naruto up and down, a deep frown started to etch its way onto his face. It didn't look like disgust or dislike, but more akin to disappointment. Naruto looked himself over. Was there something wrong? Feeling a slight nudge on his back, Ino 'accidentally' pushed him forward, sending him over to where the rest of his team was standing.

"Naruto, what are you wearing?" Sakura scrunched her face up in distaste (or jealousy whichever). She obviously didn't agree with this new sense of style.

"Well, I thought it was time for a change of clothes."

Kakashi eyed him before giving him a one-eyed smile like always. "Well you look good."

Naruto turned his head towards Sasuke, expecting some kind of answer, but for some reason, Sasuke looked like he was in a worse mood then usual. His head was turned away, facing the front where they were handing out missions, and it agitated Naruto to no end that he was being ignored. Not caring that this was Sasuke, he started to poke him in the shoulder. "Hey, hey. What do you think, bastard? Pretty sharp, huh."

Not even looking his way, Sasuke snorted. "You look even more like a loser."

Deflating at Sasuke's answer, he clenched his hands and was about to let loose an earthquake of a yell, but stopped when he caught the whispered comment. "You looked better in the orange, when you were yourself."

Naruto's eyes widened. There wasn't anything that wasn't him. Sure he love orange to death, but the clothes weren't that big of a deal. Right? Right… The hell he was right! If the Uchiha didn't like it, then he could just kiss his…

"Wow, never knew the brat had an ass like that." (Random kunoichi)

Okay, creepy. Maybe he should wear his jacket. He shifted his eyes around the room, catching more then a few strange (You know what I mean…) looks. He shuffled his feet across the floor as they moved up in the line, getting a thumbs up or a wink every few minutes from Ino. Shaking his head, he stood, arms crossed and nose scrunched, in annoyance. Team 7 made it to the mission desk ten minutes later where an anonymous desk shinobi handed then another D Rank mission.

"Ne, ne Kaka-sensei! Why can't we get a C Rank or something! Painting fences are way too easy for me!"

"Now, Naruto. Maybe another day, but for now my little genin get to do something harder then painting fences!"

Throwing the scroll over to Sakura, she slipped it open, scooting out of the way, so other ninja could get their missions. Her eyes roamed over the scroll, before she started to read out loud.

D Rank

Time Span: 3-6 Hours

Client: Feudal Lord's Wife

Objective: The Feudal Lord's Wife dropped a box of Jewelry into the Kanis River where is floated down stream. The box was found cracked open on a rock, her jewelry scattered along the river. Find all her jewelry.

Four Pairs of Earrings

Ten Necklaces

Twelve Bracelets

Twenty Rings

Two Brochettes

None of them found this mission the least bit enjoyable, except for Sakura who was thinking she'd get the chance to see 'Sasuke-kun' without a shirt. Seeing as how they didn't need anything but themselves on this mission, they headed over immediately. It didn't take long for then to run to the river. It was fairly wide, but the water was clear and it would only go up mid thigh. It reminded Naruto of The Valley's Lake, so pretty and clear. He hadn't gone there in a while, and maybe it would be a good idea to head over later that day. Saving that thought for later, he kicked off his sandals. Naruto rolled up his pants, taking his shirt off in the process.

"EWWW! Naruto put your shirt back on!"

"But I don't want it getting wet!"

"I don't care! No one wants to see you with your shirt off!"

Naruto turned red, a little embarrassed and angry at the same time. Trudging into the lake he angrily yelled back at her. "No one wants to see you either!"

A smiled stretched across his face when he heard a chocked chuckle come from Sasuke. Sakura huffed in anger before dipping into the river too. They all faced each other, counting only three of them in the lukewarm water.

"Shouldn't you be in here with us?" Sasuke shot at Kakashi, who was reading in the shade.

Not even looking up at them, he turned the page and gave a perverted giggle. "Nope."

Ignoring their lazy teacher, they went to work finding the lost jewelry. It proved a lot harder since the glare on the water from the sun made it hard to see past the surface clearly. Bending down, Naruto tried to grab a necklace that was caught between two rocks. He wriggled it, and pulled, trying his best to take it out and not break it, but it just wouldn't budge.

"Yo Sasuke! Help me with this one!"

Sasuke tossed the bracelet and rings he was holding into the bag on shore, and waded towards Naruto. "What is it, idiot."

Ignoring the last comment he pointed at the necklace. "It's stuck pretty good there. Pick up that rock, so I can grab the necklace."

Grunting in exasperation, Sasuke dug his fingers under the rock and pulled up, not even turning slightly red at the weight. Naruto pulled at the necklace one more time, successfully grabbing it from between the rocks, and moving a bit so he wouldn't get splashed when Sasuke dropped it back down. Naruto pulled any stray algae from the necklace, checking for breaks and then turned around to give it to Sasuke, so he could place it in the bag. Still looking at the necklace, he didn't notice the body in front of him. Bumping into the person's back, he sent them both toppling over into the water. He felt something under him, and if he was guessing right, then this would be awkward. Opening up his eyes slowly, he was looking at liquidly iron colored eyes, which were staring back at him. Sasuke's face was so close, and if he leaned in even closer he could smell…tomatoes? The hell was that? Before he could think anything else, he was punched to the side by a pink blur, water entering his nose and mouth. Resurfacing, he coughed it out, occasionally sneezing, but mostly ignoring the green-eyed girl yelling at him.

"You idiot! Stop getting in Sasuke-kun's way!"

Naruto just stuck his tongue out, and went back to searching for the jewelry, but he paused when he thought back to what just happened. He was on top of Sasuke. And he was leaning in. He smelt Sasuke!

"Oh god… What's wrong with me." He looked down gloomily. He took a glance at Sasuke, blushing when the other boy was looking at him at the same time. Both of them snapped their heads away, obviously discomfited at being caught staring. They finished their mission around noon like usual, the last of the jewelry found, and would be sent to another ninja to clean and polish. Poor guy…

Tussling his hair into submission, Naruto slipped his shirt back on, his tan skin already turning a darker shade. Unfortunately for Sakura, she was now sporting a nasty sunburn on her face and arms. Naruto took great pleasure at thinking how much it would sting later. Sasuke, like always, was as pale and unchanging as ever. It's like the sun had a problem with touching him or something.

"Great job everyone. Tomorrow we're joining Kurenai's Team with training, so bring extra material and weapons. Oh and Naruto, Tsunade got a letter from Jiriaya. He'll be back in a month or so."

With those final words, he snatched the bag from the ground and poofed off, leaving his students to have the rest of their day to themselves. Sakura was inching closer to a knowing Sasuke, who was moving away not so subtly. "Sasuke! Let's go have lunch together. All the training grounds are taken up, so spend the day with me!"

Naruto briefly wondered how she even knew that before a surge of jealousy ran through him. That was very unlike him, but being rash wasn't. "Sorry Sakura, but Sasuke is helping me with something today. Maybe another time."

Dragging him away from their sputtering teammate, Sasuke nodded in thanks. Laughing at Sasuke's relieved, but otherwise emotionless face, Naruto shook his head.

"You need to repay me. Buy me ramen."

"You didn't have to help me." Sasuke answered.

"Exactly, so treat me to ramen." Naruto said, a smile splitting his face.

Sasuke took one look at that face, and just couldn't say no. He felt something in the pits of his stomach, but brushed it off as hunger. Sasuke followed behind a bouncing Naruto, who was looking a little different. Yes, he had new clothes, and his hair looked like it wasn't cut by a weapon, but he looked so…so… Well Sasuke couldn't put it in words.

Entering Ichiraku's, Naruto yelled out an order and jumped onto the nearest stool.

"Would you like anything, Sasuke?" Ayame asked.

"Dumplings, and tea." He said briskly.

"Bastard! How's training going." Naruto couldn't stand silence for long, but he was used to it by now, what with Sasuke and Kakashi keeping mostly to themselves and Sakura giving him the cold shoulder more often then not.

"It's fine, but there's a lot to learn." He answered coolly.

"I'm doing pretty good myself. I'll be Hokage in no time!"

The bowl of ramen was set in front of him, and he picked up his chopsticks, a thank you already muttered out. The noodles were halfway to his mouth when Ino appeared in the reflection of one of the hanging pots. She held up a sign before jumping away, so Sasuke wouldn't see her. Eat slowly.

Catching on quickly, he ate slowly, even if it was painful.

"What's wrong with you, Dobe?"

Sasuke was curiously bent over to look at Naruto's concentrated face. "Don't tell me it takes effort out of you to eat now."

Turning red at those words, he threw Ino's words out of his mind, and started to scarf down the food, sipping the last bit up in one gulp. Wiping his mouth on the back of his hand he smiled over at Sasuke, who looked a little happier…well, as happy as Sasuke could get. Sasuke got up, drinking the last of the tea, and placing the money for the both of them on the table. "We should do this more often." He said walking away. Pushing the curtain to the side, he looked Naruto up and down again. "And you don't look half bad." Naruto felt heat start to spread, and a warm feeling touching his heart. Turning back to the front, he ordered another bowl. Ayame gladly agreed, placing the noodles in the water. "Naruto, your secret's safe with me." Ayame said with a wink. Naruto took a few seconds to realize that she probably thought they were on a date.

"N-no! It's not like that!"

"That blush of yours sings a different tune." She sang back.

Naruto had a hard time keeping her from teasing him. Great… Ino and now Ayame. God damnit, was it really that noticeable?

It was getting dark out. Naruto had been sitting at The Valley for close to three hours and still no sign of 'Atsushi'. Dusting himself off, Naruto headed towards the forest line to go back home. "Naruto is that you!"

The blonde haired boy twisted around to see 'Atsushi' emerge from behind the waterfall.

"You were behind there the whole time!"

"I was training. Why are you here?"

The question confused Naruto. "We always meet, and its been awhile anyway."

He was obviously doing a great job at ignoring the 'Stormy Night Incident' as he dubbed it. Naruto stubbornly crossed his arms and waited for 'Atsushi' to answer. Giving a slight shrug, the masked boy ran across the lake and joined Naruto.

"How's Sasuke?"

Naruto lifted his hands up into his hair, hooking his fingers together and leaning his head back. "Pretty good. He thought I looked good today."

'Atsushi' shifted uneasily at the comment. "I think you look good everyday."

Naruto turned pink, but lit on fire when he remembered that the other boy couldn't see. His heart started beating uncomfortably in his chest.

"Y-yeah. We went on a date…Well actually he just bought me ramen and we talked."

"Is that right."

Naruto almost tripped when a hand grabbed his wrist and pulled him into a run.

"Whoa! The hell, bastard! Where are we going?"

'Atsushi' didn't answer, just tugging him along the treetops. Naruto sped up a little so that he was running next to him. He tried to shake off the hand around his wrist, but it just held on tighter. They ran like that for thirty minutes; not saying a word as the sun started to settle lower in the sky. After a while, 'Atsushi' started to slow down, the sound of laughter and people drawing closer. Breaking out of the forest, they both landed in front of a bustling civilian town that neighbored Konoha. It was bright and alive with people and sounds. There were multiple paper lanterns up, and some people were even playing games.

"Gantona is having a small festival celebrating the birthday of one of their past leaders. That's why it's so busy tonight."

"But why did you bring me here?"

'Atsushi' pulled Naruto into the crowd, maneuvering himself better than even most that did have eyes. "Because I could do better than Sasuke." He said over the roaring crowd. Naruto doubted he'd ever be the same color again. "B-but I need to be back home for tomorrow's training."

"I'll have you home before midnight then."

'Atsushi' led Naruto to an outside restaurant a little farther off from the main crowd. They sat down and waved a waiter over, who was slightly intimidated by the mask, but relaxed when he saw the smiling blonde who looked like he was red as an apple.

"What can I get for you two tonight?"

Naruto, not knowing what was on the menu tried flipping through it.

"I'll have tomato soup and he'll get the spicy beef ramen. Water for both of us."

Naruto looked at 'Atsushi' gratefully and voiced a cheerful 'Thank You'. Naruto glanced out at the crowd, looking at all the faces and games. He giggled happily. This was going to be so much fun!

"What are you laughing at?" 'Atsushi' asked curiously.

"Tonight's going to be so much fun!"

The food was brought out to them a few minutes later; the two steaming bowls of soup smelling like heaven. Naruto wondered if 'Atsushi' was like Kakashi and ate his food really fast before anyone could see his face. It surprised him when the spoon went right through the mask.

"What was that? The spoon went right through your mask!"

"There's an illusion around the mouth of my mask that makes it look closed off, but it's actually an open hole. It's handy."

Commenting between slurps about how cool that was, Naruto ate everything down to the last drop. The ramen was kind of spicy, so his face was flushed and his tongue somewhat swollen from it. Naruto watched 'Atsushi' finish off the last spoonful his soup, but constantly had to push his tied back hair from falling over his shoulder.

"Why is your hair so long?" Naruto said, touching his own at the same time.

"I like it shorter, but I haven't had the time to cut it."

"My friend, Ino, cut my hair a day ago! It's not that different but she said it doesn't look so uneven now. She could cut your hair for you!"

'Atsushi' gave a nod of consideration, but he didn't look too excited about having to meet her. Slapping the money onto the table, the longhaired boy let Naruto drag him to several games. Naruto constantly lost, spending a chunk of his money on the same games, and laughing about it between every game. They had been at a fish catching game for over ten minutes, Naruto's back sore from bending over for do long. He pouted after missing another fish from the bowl, blushing when 'Atsushi' chuckled when the man asked if he wanted to try again.

"These games are probably rigged! Believe it!"

Walking over to a moving target game, 'Atsushi' gave the man behind the counter a few coins before moving behind the line drawn into the ground. "I don't know Naruto. Maybe you're just bad at festival games." With that hanging in the air, he pitched the ball he was holding at the moving target, getting it right in the center. Naruto's mouth opened and closed, clearly not believing that he had lost every game so far, and on his first try, 'Atsushi' had already won something.

Thanking the man at the stand, 'Atsushi' was given two blank dog tag necklaces. He tossed the other one over to Naruto, who was still a little flustered at the easy win. Scrunching his nose, Naruto threw it over his head, the necklace lying beside Tsunade's. "It's almost eleven. We should head back." 'Atsushi' said quietly.

Guiding Naruto back to the edge of town, he let the younger boy retell his game experience, enjoying every excited word even if he was there when it happened.

"So was that better than Sasuke's date with you?"

"Uh-h, Umm… Y-yeah. It w-was really great. Ju-just… stop saying it like it's a contest or something!" Naruto yelled back frustrated and embarrassed.

"And if it is?"

Not getting a chance to answer, Naruto was slammed against the tree next to him, the black-gloved hand covering his eyes completely. Struggling against the hold, his heart was doing flips at how close their bodies were. Something warm pressed against his lips, moving slowly and then hungrier when there was no response. Naruto put his hands on 'Atsushi's' chest, but he protest died in his throat when he felt something wet brush across his bottom lip. Gasping at the feeling, it was at that point did he realized that 'Atsushi' was kissing him. The tongue slid in, sliding over every centimeter of his mouth. He tried fighting the other muscle, but lost just as fast as when it first entered through his lips. He felt warm again like that night several days ago. Grabbing a hold of the older boy's hair, he tugged on it, silently asking for air. 'Atsushi' pulled away, only a string of saliva connecting them. Naruto breathed heavily, a dazed look in his eyes when 'Atsushi' lifted his hand from over the stunning blue eyes. The mask was back in place, leaving the raven's identity a mystery once again. But all he could remember for the rest of the night was the taste in his mouth after the kiss. Tomato…

Again I'm sorry I made everyone wait a week. I'd be pretty annoyed too, but I tried my best to write the chapter whenever I had free time. So any who…

All you extreme Naruto fans are now getting ideas about mystery boy 'Atsushi'. If you guys really haven't picked it up, I'll just say that I leave small hints in chapters that should give you some idea. But then again, for all you know it could be Orochimaru… EWWWW! That's really nasty; really bad image… I hope you enjoyed! Review!

Chapter Five: Their Advise