Chapter 2: Endangering The Mission:
The terrain was rough, the weather unpredictable. But they'd been told as much. The only problem either boy expected to encounter was this…signal.
Naruto thought their instructions over. The two boys were supposed to arrive in the village and check into a specific hotel. Then, on the fourth day of the week, they were supposed to appear, at noon, on the balcony, posing as an openly…gay…couple. Then the family would know what they looked like and to contact them, because they had arrived. Naruto shuddered at the thought.
I wonder what he's thinking, Naruto thought as the boys walked. Sasuke hadn't said a single word to him since they'd left. And that was almost a day and a half ago.
"So," he said aloud. There was no reaction from the Uchiha boy. He cleared his throat, concentrating on the ground beneath his feet. "So, that was a dirty trick, whoever thought of it. You know, about this signal." That was good. Something they had similar thoughts on.
"Hn," was the only sound he heard. Naruto desperately wanted to break the silence hanging in the air. Don't get me wrong, he thought. I hate him! But I can't stand this quiet. It's killing me.
"Are you going to be like this for the entire mission?" Naruto asked. For a moment, he thought Sasuke wasn't going to answer.
"Yes," was the short, anything but sweet, response he received.
"Oh." Great! This is just wonderful! I'm stuck with the guy, and he isn't going to talk to me for who knows how long. Naruto briefly thought about asking to turn back. No! Then he'll have another thing else to use against me. Naruto stopped trying to make conversation, for now. He turned his eyes skyward. The sun was starting to set. He paused for a minute. Does it look like it's going to rain?
"We'll stop here for the night."
Naruto looked around. Sasuke didn't wait for his approval. He just put his bag down and started setting his things up for the night.
Okay, Naruto thought. Whatever you say. He was glad. All this walking had actually made him tired. Or maybe it was just the tension between the two boys.
As Naruto began to set up his things for the night, Sasuke made a small fire.
At least he has some human feelings. He's acknowledging that it's going to be cold tonight.
Naruto began preparing them a small meal. In the advancing gloom, Naruto watched Sasuke. He had walked to a tree, and now sat with his back to it, leaning forward slightly. His hands were clasped together and his elbows rested on his legs.
He's brooding again, Naruto thought. Again, he found himself wondering what the boy was thinking about. He had to be in very deep thought for his dark eyes to look a thousand miles away, as they did.
A short time later, he called out to him. Sasuke blinked, then turned his head to look at him.
"Your food is ready." Naruto said. The dark haired boy stood up wordlessly. They ate in silence. They cleaned up when they were finished, and then laid down by the fire to sleep. Still, not a word was spoken. This quiet was really getting to Naruto.
"Sasuke," he started, "tomorrow could we-"
"Good night, dobe."
"Stop calling me that!" He cried into the darkness. Sasuke didn't say a word. Naruto glared for a moment at nothing in particular. "Good night. Teme." He said after a little while.
He could have sworn that he heard Sasuke snort from the other side of the fire.
Naruto woke to a flash of lightning and a peal of thunder. He sat straight up. He could practically feel the electricity in the air. Another flash of light and a crashing sound, almost simultaneous, made him jump. Seconds later, he heard a soft patter…rain. It swiftly became a downpour. Something cold grabbed his arm, making him jump, again.
"Naruto! Grab your things and follow me." He did as he was told, slinging his belongings over his shoulder. He hurried after Sasuke, who wasn't quite running. Yet.
A flash of lightning revealed what Sasuke was hurrying towards. A cave, halfway up a rocky incline. It wasn't steep, but it definitely wasn't an easy stroll.
Almost there! Naruto thought, triumphantly. He took a step and his arms flailed about wildly as his feet slipped on the wet rocks. He tumbled head over heels down the slope. When he finally hit the bottom, his head struck a large rock and darkness crept across his vision.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Sasuke dropped onto the dry ground in the cave. He closed his eyes, catching his breath.
"Dobe?" He called. The blonde was being way too quiet. He opened his eyes, looking around. He wasn't there. Sasuke stood up uncertainly.
"Naruto? Where are you?" He must have slipped, he thought immediately. Sasuke rushed to the mouth of the cave. One step outside, though, and a bolt of lightening shot into the ground.
One more step and that would have…Sasuke couldn't stop his body from shaking. I can't go out in that! Stupid Naruto! Now I'm…scared…for him. Sasuke stared off into the night.
"Naruto…?" He breathed, hours later, when he finally began to drift off to sleep.
Naruto slowly opened his eyes.
How did I get here? He wondered. He was staring up at a rock covered ceiling. I'm in that cave! Did…he turned his head. Sure enough, as he'd guessed, Sasuke sat against the wall, within an arms reach. His chin rested on his chest. He had fallen asleep. Was he looking after me?
Naruto felt a tickling sensation in his nose. No matter what he did, he was going to sneeze. Great! He thought. An inhalation of breath later, and it was over. He'd sneezed an even four times. Still recovering, he saw Sasuke had his head up, looking around. Naruto was surprised to see just how exhausted he looked. Finally, the dark eyed boy turned his gaze to Naruto.
"You're awake," he said, his voice hoarse. "Finally." He turned to the side, picking something up and then offering it to him. "Drink. You're probably thirsty."
Naruto sat up, taking the container. It was almost empty. He took a small sip and then held it out to Sasuke. He sounded like he needed it. The other boy shook his head.
"You need it more than I do."
Naruto knew he looked troubled. He opened his mouth to ask a few questions, but Sasuke interrupted him.
"You have been out of it for about three days." He paused, clearing his throat. "I went out after the storm had passed and found you. After that, I carried you up here," Sasuke looked at him as though trying to read his mind. "Yes," he said softly, "I did stay by your side the entire time."
Naruto was stunned by this.
"But why?"
Sasuke took a moment before answering.
"Because I can't do this mission by myself. Without two guys to give the signal, this mission fails."
Naruto looked into Sasuke's eyes. They were cold and unemotional.
"Right." Naruto said, looking at the ground. He heard a rustling sound, and looked back at Sasuke. He was lying down, closing his eyes.
"I need…" he started to say. Naruto waited for him to continue, before realizing he had fallen asleep.
Sasuke opened his eyes. He looked around for Naruto. The blonde wasn't there. He wasn't sure exactly how long he'd been asleep.
I feel so…so weak. He forced himself to sit up. What was that sound? He was swaying slightly, the cave swimming before his eyes, so he closed them again. That was when he heard the sound of something whistling through the air. He barely had enough time to move, before he heard the sound of something hitting the cave wall and skittering away. As he opened his eyes, something grabbed him by the neck, pulling him to his feet and shoving him into the wall. He gasped at the impact.
I can't breath! He thought, panicked. I'm too tired to fight back! Dimly, he was aware of this huge brute of a man pulling a kunai out from somewhere he couldn't see. Sasuke felt the blade being pressed against his stomach. Desperate times call for desperate measures, he thought. Naruto! Save me!
Naruto had left the cave earlier that morning. Sasuke was getting his much needed rest, and Naruto didn't have the heart to wake him. After all, he had basically saved his life, hadn't he?
After finding a place to refill their water supply, Naruto went about finding the things the boys had dropped on their mad dash to the cave. True to his word, Sasuke must not have left his side throughout those three days, because nothing had been collected.
Naruto was walking back to the cave when he saw a figure disappear into it. What? What do I do? He carefully put down all the belongings he had collected, then he hurried up to the mouth of the cave, peering into it. A large man had Sasuke by the throat, slowly choking the life out of him. And, as though just waiting for an excuse to use it, he was holding a kunai to his belly.
Time to return your favor. Without another thought, Naruto pulled out one of his own kunai, throwing it at the man, hard. It struck his right shoulder and he yelped in surprise, dropping Sasuke into a wheezing heap on the ground. The man spun around, and, to Naruto's surprise, dropped to his knees.
"Please," he said, "Please don't kill me!"
Sasuke looked up, a pained look in his now glassy eyes. The two boys eyes met, and then Naruto nodded.
"Get out of here," he said. The man hurried to his feet, rushing to get away. Naruto stopped him before he left the cave. "I want my kunai back," he said, holding his hand out. The man swallowed, but obeyed the young ninja.
Naruto approached Sasuke, crouching down beside him. He helped him sit up against the wall. His breathing was becoming more regular. Naruto placed his hand on Sasukes shoulder. The tired boy rested his head against the cave wall. Dark eyes met blue once again.
"Can we get away from here, now?" Sasuke said, voice raspy. "We've spent too much time here already."
Naruto nodded, helping him to his feet. Together, they left the cave.
Naruto almost couldn't believe it.
I've been talking to Sasuke for almost an hour, and he hasn't tried to bite my head off yet! Granted, Sasuke was doing more listening than talking, but still. I'd be willing to call off this stupid rival thing. He's not so bad when he isn't trying to be so much better than you.
Naruto stopped talking, the smile on his face sliding away, when he looked toward Sasuke's face. He wasn't looking in the blonde's direction, and didn't seem to be paying any attention. Well, from what Naruto could see, anyway. He clenched his jaw, fighting down the upset feeling and waves of anger he had started to feel. But all of these emotions dissipated when the dark haired boy turned to look at him, slight confusion and…interest…in his eyes.
"Dobe? Why'd you stop?"
Naruto tilted his head.
"Sasuke?"
"Hn?" Naruto wasn't finding this response as annoying as he used to.
"Before we go any further, can I ask you a question?"
Sasuke frowned, the confusion that was uncharacteristic of him clouding his eyes.
"Can we call off this rivalry?"
The expression didn't go away. Naruto held out his hand.
"Friends?"
Sasuke looked at his extended hand. To Naruto's surprise, Sasuke turned wide eyes on him.
"I've never…" He cleared his throat. "Definitely."
They clasped hands, shaking them in agreement. Naruto grinned widely.
Now it was time for another surprise. Sasuke, the person who Naruto had never, ever seen happy, smiled. If possible, Naruto began smiling wider.
"You know," he said, "you have a really sweet smile."
Sasuke didn't seem to know what to do with this information.
"You should do it more often."
Sasuke looked away, biting his lip.
Is he blushing? Naruto shook his head.
So? What do you think so far? I have two more chapters to go. I have them all hand written, too, so it is just a matter of getting them typed up.
So, for anyone who has read (hopefully, if you're reading this you read everything else), Chapter 3 is called 'The Signal'.
