So, okay, it's kind of short. But I'm going to get the last chapter up shortly. I'm off to type it up now...

Chapter 3: The Signal

It was two days after the boys had checked into the hotel. They had wandered about, enjoying each others company, without their past hostility. They talked for hours. They hadn't ever thought they could get along so well. But, no matter what they spoke about, one thing hung over their heads.

The signal.

Naruto sat on the balcony. He was enjoying the feeling of sunlight on his face. He tilted his head, a tiny smile crossing his face, when he heard the familiar small steps of his friend.

He walked to the railing, which Naruto was sitting on. His feet were dangling over the edge. Sasuke clambered onto it, settling himself down rather close to him. Naruto tilted his face toward the sunlight. He felt that Sasuke wanted to say something.

It's strange, he thought. One week ago, we hated each others guts. Now, we know what we're thinking, without saying a word. Usually. Naruto could feel Sasuke studying him.

"Do you know what time it is?" The boy asked, finally.

Naruto breathed in deeply, not opening his eyes as he answered.

"Nope."

"Do you know what day it is?"

Naruto shook his head.

"Nop-" He jumped, turning his head, shock in his eyes. "Sasuke! What do you think you're doing?!" With his last question, the Uchiha had almost casually placed his hand on Narutos leg. A little high on Narutos leg. He looked down at the hand. It was halfway between his knee and hip. Sasuke was looking anywhere but at Naruto.

"It's noon, on the fourth day of the week," he mumbled. Naruto was about to complain, but Sasuke was too quick. Before he could even blink, the other boys cool hands were on both sides of his face. They looked into each others eyes for a second, before Sasuke leaned toward him, kissing him gently, as though he was afraid he would break. Sasuke pulled away much too soon.

"I…" Sasuke was at a loss for words.

Naruto looked musingly at him, a sly smile on his face. I…liked…that!

"You're a good kisser."

Sasukes brow furrowed. He looked like he wanted to make some sort of argument. Narutos hand touched the side of his face.

"Hey, I, ummm…"

Naruto leaned closer to the other boy. Hesitantly, he brushed a kiss across his friends lips. One of Naruto's hands went behind the dark head of hair.

"I-"

"Shut up." He said.

Sasuke looked surprised. Naruto thought for a moment. What am I doing?

"We need to make this look good." He said, more to convince himself than Sasuke.

Why am I really doing this?

At one point, they had turned to face each other, and Naruto took advantage of this, leaning toward Sasuke, kissing him. It was nothing like the small kiss they'd shared less than a minute ago. Sasuke's arm wrapped around his neck as his back hit the railing.

Finally, they parted.

Since when were we sitting on the ground on our balcony? He thought. They'd been sitting on the railing. Naruto realized Sasuke was staring at him. Neither boy had ever kissed or been kissed quite like they just had. Naruto grinned, giving his friend a quick peck on the cheek.

"Ahem…" Someone cleared their throat behind them.

Naruto turned around, Sasuke looking over his shoulder. A fair haired young man stood just inside the room they shared.

"I was wondering if I should just come back later. That was just supposed to be a signal, not…well, what it was."

"It was nothing!" Naruto and Sasuke said quickly.

"I bet." The man said doubtfully. "Answer this. Does nothing usually last for, hmmm…an hour?"

Naruto turned back to his dark haired friend. An hour? he mouthed. Sasuke shrugged, not sure what to say.

"Yeah, you think about that."

The boys stood up, facing the man. He approached them, holding out a bag in his hands. The man rolled his eyes at their puzzled expressions.

"You sure took your sweet time getting here. Apparently, it was long enough for you to forget your mission." He looked at them again. "The scrolls?"

"Oh…right!" Naruto said, scratching his head in embarrassment. The man shook his head.

"There are five here," he said. "My son met me in the square a while ago and told me the sixth had just arrived. My wife wouldn't let him carry it to me, though."

The two boys looked at each other. They were going to leave this village early than they'd thought.

"I will let you know where I live, and you two can come get the scroll later tonight, if you'd like."


So, what do you think? Any thoughts on what is going to happen next?