In our last chapter we find Sasuke and Naruto alone in an abandoned lookout point stranded in the desert. As Naruto walks off by himself (or so he thinks) he starts fantasizing about Sasuke. When he realizes Sasuke was watching him the whole time, he runs off only to end up in a trap
"Shadow clone jutsu," is heard after the terrible screams which Naruto produced. "Naruto!!" Sasuke runs after Naruto only to find a chain of clones holding on to one another barely clutching to the spot where the chute starts. As he stares wildly at the scene, Sasuke notices one of the many Naruto clones climbing on the backs of the others towards him. As Naruto climbs upwards, the grip on the floor starts to loosen. Knowing he couldn't possibly support all the clones, Sasuke waits in agony.
After enduring the weight as long as he could, the clone clutching to the floor finally releases his grip. The real Naruto ricochets off the back of the clone he was nearest and jumps towards the floor. When he outstretches his hand to grab the floor, he miscalculates the distance and continues falling. Out of nowhere, a hand grabs his and lifts him back up to safety.
"Are you all right Naruto?" Sasuke is practically crying to Naruto now. Seeing the fear in Sasuke's eyes, Naruto hugs him tightly fearing to let go. As they embrace, they hear distant yelling. "Sasuke!" yells Naruto. "Yeah, I know, it's Sakura." They make their way back through the corridor towards where they first awoke and found Shojo, Kakashi and Sakura in search for them outside. "Of all the timing…." Sasuke mutters to himself.
Naruto quickly jumps out of a hole in the wall (probably used as a window) and runs for Sakura with out stretched arms. Seeing the impending moron, Sakura quickly smacks him in the head and scolds him for leaving Sasuke. As Sasuke walks towards them Sakura starts blathering out praises and thanks to Sasuke, but instead of acknowledging her, Sasuke walks towards Shojo and asked, "Which way to the village?"
Back on the correct path to the village, Naruto seems to be lingering behind everyone, while Sasuke is ahead of everyone. "They seem to have switched personalities," Whispers Sakura to the already absorbed Kakashi. He seems to not be able to tear himself away from the book this time, but instead, talks to her from behind the book. "Something must have happened when we got separated." Kakashi whispers back to her.
"We have arrived at the Village Hidden in the Sands," Says Shojo. "Alright! Finally!" shouts Naruto. "I was getting tired of all this sand." Immediately after saying this, Naruto notices a group of Sand Villagers heading out to meet them. The group was being led by none other than the new kazekage, Gaara. "Gaara, long time no see." Naruto rushes to Gaara, blowing past everyone else in the group and hugs him. Upon seeing this, Sasuke is enraged, but conceals his feelings being a smirk. "What's wrong Sasuke?" Kakashi had seen through Sasuke's charade and had noticed the anger behind his stare. Trying to hide his feelings even more, Sasuke replies, "Nothing, I just still don't trust this guy."
Gaara walks up to Kakashi after his warm greeting with Naruto and tells him reason behind the mission. Apparently the group called Atkatsuki has been sending out spies to all the great shinobi nations, and one is said to have been sent to the sand village also. Their mission was to help capture the spy, seeing as all the ninjas qualified for this type of mission were out of the village trying to make peace with other nations.
The resources of the village were not as plentiful as that of Konoha. Sakura, seeing as she was female, was given her own room. Kakashi was also given a separate room to keep on top his game for the mission. Naruto and Sasuke were to share a room, being of the same sex and age. (There were no doubts protests and complaints from Sakura when she heard the news). "Naruto, you're so lucky to be sharing a room with Sasuke." She groaned while on her way to her room. They were to spend a little time getting settled in.
Sasuke and Naruto entered the room and put all their clothes away. Lying on one of the beds, Naruto finally spoke. "This makes it seem like we're gonna be here a while."
"We'll be here as long as we don't catch the spy," Replied Sasuke. Sasuke turns to look at the view out of the window. Naruto seeing him standing so elegantly is relieved and happy to be in the same room as him. Taking a chance, Naruto slowly gets off the bed and walks over to the window. He slowly slips his arms under Sasuke's and hugs him passionately.