Chapter twelve

~ Searching for Something ~

His eyes squeezed shut. Rushing into his body, such a wonderful sensation. Beating fast, his heart continued to beat even faster. Faster and faster still. Reaching the climax. Heated. Hot.

Yes, yes. More, more.

Sasuke moaned rolling around alone within his bed sheets, making the sweetest love to his imaginary partner. Sweat dripped down the side of his face. He panted, breathing hard. He groaned weakly in the end releasing the hold on what gave him pleasure.

Why am I doing this?

He asked when he came to his senses. After resting for several minutes in bed, he rolled out and glanced at the watch on his night stand. It was three in the morning. They were to depart to the outside world at five. He stood up and walked toward the full length mirror that hung on the wall next to the bathroom. He stared into it.

He placed his hand against the looking glass; he noticed that Sasuke in the mirror world placed his hand against his. Sasuke moved and placed his forehead against his. His lips so dangerously close to that other Sasuke. His closed his eyes.

"I plan on making my own."

"Your own?"

"My own group that will rival the Akatsuki"

"Huh?" Naruto gawked at Sasuke who contently looked at the sky.

"It will be called, Mangetsu."

"Mangetsu—Full moon?"

"Yes, the Akatsuki—the Dawn—are the rising sun, so I will be the rising moon, Mangetsu."

"Well, you want it so bad, I guess I can't stop you—but Sasuke, promise me one thing."

"…"

"That Mangetsu will be connected to Konoha. That it will not go away or against it."

"What's the point of making a group rivaling the Akatsuki if it doesn't have the same kind of freedom? Is that your sick idea of a joke?"

"Sasuke but!"

"The only time that Mangetsu will connect with Konoha is when you, Naruto would rise as its Hokage."

"!!!"

"I'm sorry; I can't promise you anything else."

Sasuke opened his eyes. In just a few hours I will cross the border into a new world.

I'm so anxious. I want to meet new people. New places. Find a way to satisfy myself as selfish as it sounds. But everyone feels this way, I'm sure. I will find what I'm looking for. And if I can, I'll also find my brother. And when I do…

He clenched his hand into a fist, "I'll kill him—Itachi," he gritted his teeth as he ushered the name with twisted pleasure.

The clothes fell, slipping off the heated body; nimbly he stepped into the bath. Turning on the knobs, the water refreshed the body of the dark haired youth. Head turned towards the ceiling his eyes closed. The water cascaded rippling across his skin slipping off throughout his body. He gasped out in relief taking in the cool feel of the water falling over him, a tender ever-flowing blanket.

Watching all of the boys group up as they flocked to peep at women. Their need to spy on exposed breasts, naked buttocks, desiring to finger clitorises—it's never been my thing in conversation. I'd groan and step away to be alone. My thing had always been in the face—the eyes. They must be captivating, mesmerizing. A long flowing mane of hair, a tender warm voice. Arms extending wide. A touch that is like water. A heat intense and as unforgiving as the lighted flame.

He opened his eyes slowly. He placed his fingers and ran them through his hair.

A thin body that will fit with mine. That is like mine.

He stopped his thoughts. There was a mental pause.

A man? A woman? Does it matter? No it doesn't. As long as it causes me happiness. As long as it fills up this empty hole inside me. This horrid feeling of not knowing what I once had is now gone forever…

Tenten dashed across the fields. She was shocked to find out that Lee and Neji awoke unusually early to start their training. On top of that—they left without her! She puffed up her cheeks as she continued dashing towards their training ground.

Those guys… they're gonna get a serious word from me—you'll see. In her small pack she carried around her waist was the digital camera. She didn't ask Hinata about taking pictures of Neji, but did it matter if she asked her or not? Seriously, Tenten thought, Hinata—would never get any decent pictures of him. Probably shots at horrid angles. Neji really wasn't the kind of guy up for photo shoots, anyway. He'd just lift his head and toss it proudly to the side in refusal.

Speaking of which, Neji was not at all like himself yesterday when Hinata dropped by. He even bowed in front of her! That's really, really, really huge coming from Mr. Know-it-all, King of the Gentle Fist. But I guess that's Hyuuga family issues. I can't interfere with that. Though, it'd be nice if he'd open up to us…

Tenten arrived at the location and spotted her teammates. Lee was holding down Neji's feet while he rapidly executed sit-ups.

"Come, Neji—you can do it!"

"239!"

"Up!"

"240!"

"Up!"

"241!"

"Up! You're slowing down!"

"Two…hun…red forty-two!"

"Up!"

Tenten slowed to a walk as she approached them.

"261!"

"Up!"

"Two…hu...n…red!!! Shit!"

"Keep going! Don't tell me that's all you got?! You did a thousand last week!"

"Face it Neji—you're outta shape," teased Tenten playfully.

Neji fell back defeated. His glazed eyes glared at her, "Shut up. You can't even do fifty."

"Oh brother, don't get me started!" Tenten spat back.

"Shut the fuck up," he replied closing his eyes in exhaustion, "I'm too tired to hear your voice so damn early in the morning."

"Take that back!" demanded Lee indignified, "That is no way to talk to our teammate and friend."

"Don't worry," Tenten patted Lee on the shoulder, "He's just pissed because he missed the opportunity to tell you about his perverted exploits."

"!!!" Neji bolted upright.

"Ya see!" jumped Tenten, happy to know that her old friend had a temper that was so easy to flare up, "He's afraid that I'll finally expose him—pervert, peeper!"

"Really?!" asked Rock Lee blinking in wide-eyed innocence.

"SHE LIES!" he boomed in anger. He could feel her start stripping away at his dignity. His dignity, his pride , his reputation—he valued that so much he'd give his life up for it any day. If someone would do so much as to simply tap gently on it he would explode. Tenten was well aware of that.

Lee's eyes began to shine from emotional overload, "Neji, taking a chance to talk to me about manly experiences?! I'm honored! This proves that our bond of everlasting friendship is true!"

Neji threw his bag towards Rock Lee's head. The heavy bag nearly knocked him over.

"Get a grip, would you?" He flared, "Isn't it obvious that Tenten is lying?"

"If I'm lying, then why are so tense?"

"I'm not!"

"Whatever, perv." Tenten replied with a casual wave of her hand, "I'm gonna start making laps around the field. Is Gai-sensei coming today?" She turned her attention to Lee.

"Hmm… I really cannot say. He mentioned before how caught up he was with his 'business'."

Neji's face wrinkled up slightly in irritation, "What has Sensei been doing these past few weeks anyway?"

Tenten knew. But she didn't say. Truth is, he's been shopping a lot in the black market. Truth is, Maito Gai know more about the outside world than anybody else in Konoha. He's 'youthful' that's why. He's always up and running, catching up on the latest trends.

"Let us all do laps together!" piped Lee after a moment of awkward silence.

"…"

Neji slowly stood. The muscles in his core still throbbed in pain from the sit-ups., "We're running five hundred."

"Then I will run a thousand laps! Double!" Lee declared.

Those two are going to kill me with their training, especially since Sensei isn't here to monitor them… Tenten groaned.

Skipping from the porch of the main house in the Hyuuga compound, Hinata quickly with bentos in hand headed out towards the main gates.

Today is the day Naruto leaves from the village into the outside… Naruto, I know you will be able to do anything the mission requires you to do.

"Onee-san!"

Hinata stuttered to a stop, turning around she dreaded knowing who it was. Hanabi. The nosey little sister.

"Are those bentos?" she asked with an evil smirk across her face.

"Hanabi it's early, why don't you go back to—,"

"Well are they?" she pressed. She tilted her head to the side. She wore a blue-green kosode with a white obi sash. Her hair was tied to a braid which draped over her shoulder.

"Umm…" Hinata fidgeted with the bag of precious boxed lunches.

"Is it, is it, is it, is it, is it, is it, is it, is it—,"

"YES! Yes, it is… okay? Please keep it a secret from father. Please!" Hinata practically begged with a desperate bow.

"That you're waking up extra early to give lunch to your boyfriend Naruto instead of waking up extra early for training?" Hanabi cruelly added.

"Yes! Yes, for that reason, please Hanabi."

"Hmmm… let me think about it."

"Oh, Hanabi please…" Hinata was wasting precious time.

"Only if you give me that jade comb that daddy gave you for your 15th birthday."

"Hanabi!" Hinata snapped, "You know I can't give you that!"

"Boo! No fair!" whined Hanabi. She still behaved like a little girl even though she was eleven, "Just because you're the heiress you get to have all the pretty jewelry!"

"I'll give you one of my pins," Hinata reasoned, "How's that?"

"The one that has the butterflies—both of them. It's no good if I get only one. It works better as a set."

"Deal," and they shook on it, "Remember Hanabi, go back to bed and pretend you don't know what happened to me. Hopefully I'll be back before father wakes up."

"And if he does?" the younger sister pressed loving the drama of it all.

"He won't—I hope," Hinata clutched the bag tightly.

Hanabi watched her sister rush off through the gates out into the streets of Konoha.

"You'll never get him!" She shouted after her. Apparently either she didn't hear it or she just ignored it for the ever distant figure refused to flinch not even once.

"You're not supposed to…" she whispered after she was gone. Hiding behind vases, she overheard it, her father consulting with the Hyuuga elders. Neji is Hinata's fiancé. She wasn't too familiar with Neji, but she deeply respected his skill in battle.

"Come and watch us train," he would tell his daughter, "You will learn a thing or two from him."

But could Hinata come to like Neji? And did Neji like Hinata? For all she knew, Neji was too frozen stiff and battle centered to think about romance—come think of it, her father is like that too…

"Oh jeeze," she thought out loud, "My boyfriend is going to be a sexy-son-of-a-bitch that knows how to fuck and only cares about me!" she exclaimed with emphasis.

"Hanabi."

Oh shit.

"When ya come back—you better tell us everything! Word for word!" cried out Kiba supported by the excited bark of Akamaru.

Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto stood at the gates of Konoha as they waited for Kakashi-sensei. Sai was there as well, a new acquaintance they had met over the past year. He was an unusual guy, who expressed no emotion. However, meeting Naruto impacted him so much—a boy who is overly emotional and passionate with his friends. It awoke the desire to begin to express himself. Sadly he had trouble doing so, always coming off as a selfish cold hearted jerk—a vulgarly rude one to boot. Kiba and Shino where there to see them off.

Everybody else took the time to say their farewells yesterday. Ino, reminded Sakura of the sleepover, Shikamaru, asked for anything to take off the boredom and Choji, who wanted exotic and usual snacks. Everybody else asked for souvenirs and other simple gifts.

"Here," said Shino flatly.

"Huh?" Naruto looked at his closed fist in question.

"Reach out your palm, dumbass," groaned Sasuke in annoyance.

"Oh, okay," Naruto opened his hand in front of him. Shino then dropped in his palm one small bright red ladybug.

"Huaah?" Naruto looked at Shino rather cluelessly and disappointed, "A ladybug?"

"It is a symbol of good luck," replied Shino. He suddenly turn around, "But I guess… that isn't good enough."

"Aww! Shino don't tell me you're sulking!" Kiba cried, "You know people don't get your bug stuff," he added to console him. However, that placed him in an even bigger depression.

"Is this going to track us?" questioned Sasuke staring at the insect as it flew and landed on Naruto's nose.

"And now they question my motives," moaned Shino lightly as he sighed a great big sigh.

"Shino, it's not like that really," Sakura spoke up at an attempt to save him from further despair.

The ladybug flew off from Naruto's nose and was hovering about him. It steered a little too far and Sai clapped it, squishing it between his paper white hands.

Shino felt a thousand knives stab through his already bleeding heart.

"I will never forgive you," he calmly stated in a bloody tone of voice.

Naruto shivered several times, Kiba made a face, and Sasuke chuckled. Sai always made him laugh. His abrupt, rude and vulgar behavior played before him like a show every time.

"Oh I'm sorry," Sai replied with one of his 'genuine' smiles, "It was simply in my way."

"Kiba, don't hold me back."

Kiba rapidly clutched on his arms locking them preventing any close encounter.

"Will you guys settle down?!" barked Sakura who was getting ticked off, "Man what happened to Kakashi-sensei?"

After a few moments the droopy-eyed white-haired book-reading Junín could be seen arriving with Hinata next to him. Her face positively glowed at the sight of Naruto's face.

"Sorry I'm late," came the usual excuse.

"Even for a mission like this," hissed Sasuke in quiet anger.

"Come on! We waited for thirty minutes!" Naruto complained.

"Alright, alright. My bad—but we're going okay? It's a reconnaissance mission so there is no real sense of urgency." He countered in defense, "Oh and Naruto, Hinata was so kind to bring you, Sakura, and Sasuke homemade bentos—she's even made me one," he presented a bento wrapped in a black handkerchief. Hinata shyly handed one to Naruto first and then to Sakura and Sasuke.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes noticing that Naruto's was slightly larger.

Naruto is so clueless. It pisses me off.

"Gee, thanks Hinata!" cheesed Naruto in return.

"Y-yo-you welcome, Naruto," she blushed a slight pink as she fiddled with her fingers.

"Oh, that reminds me! What do you want from the outside world, Hinata?" Naruto chimed.

Hinata's face rose in color as Naruto leaned closer, "N-n-nothing, re-really…" she replied losing her voice.

"Get her something girly!" popped Kiba randomly, "Right Shino?"

"He never asked me what I wanted," A shadow cascaded over his face.

"Never mind," Kiba mumbled.

"Women usually ask for beautiful flowered items and accessories, like dresses and jewelry," said Sai. He quoted directly from the book he was reading, How to interact – for the Socially Clueless, written by Dr. Phil.

"That's a good idea, would you like something like that?" Naruto turned to her again.

"Yes, I'd like that v-very mu-much," she nodded glowing redder and redder. It was a miracle she didn't faint at this point.

Sakura smiled, poor Hinata. Don't worry I'll take plenty of pictures of that idiot for you.

They all waved Kiba, Shino and Hinata. In that wave that she threw so energetically was her heart, her soul all her hope, that one day Naruto could return all those feelings she harbored inside her.

Sai lead Team Kakashi to the nearest rift. He knew personally where they all were especially since he was the Black Market vendor that conduced secret transactions with Maito Guy.

END CHAPTER

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- Zerolr -