AlexandriteSky: Hello everybody! As many may already know, the lack of updates for this fanfiction is due to my desire to finish up some of my other ones, such as These Games We Play and My Reflection In You. However, I was touched by some of the reviews for this fic, and thus I wanted to write another chapter as a giant thank you and also to show that I have not forsaken this brain child! For those who have already forgotten the plot, I apologize deeply, but I hope that this chapter can still maintain interest for when I come back to complete it!
"Okay!" Naruto announced cheerfully, shifting his bag from one arm to the other. "Let's stop here for the night."
His declaration was met with open stares.
"What!?" Sasuke exclaimed incredulously. "We still have half a day left before the sun goes down. Do you have any idea how much ground we could cover in that time!?"
After finally agreeing to be their guide, the enigmatic blonde had rushed them to leave Konoha City as quickly as possible, fearing that news of the earlier day's events would be leaked and attract unnecessary attention to the group. He had taken them to an obscure shop to grab a light breakfast before herding them through the front gates, barely giving them time to adjust to his pace before setting off for the next city.
A few hours later had found them at the entrance to Hacho City, another small village similar to Konoha in construction that specialized in fresh herbs and spices. In spite of the numerous quirks in his personality, Naruto had proven himself to be a reasonably efficient navigator, and they had arrived earlier than Sasuke would have expected by looking at a map.
Why was he now trying to slow them down?
"Oi, don't be so hasty, bastard!" the blonde's hands shot upwards in submission. "Live a little, won't ya? Don't you like exploring new places?"
Metal glinted as Sasuke drew his blade and pointed it at the other male's neck.
"This is not a game." He hissed, while Kakashi and Sakura flailed at his side.
"Maa maa, let's put the sword away, okay Sasuke?" the older man said with a sweat drop.
"I-I'm sure Naruto has his reasons." Sakura joined in. Together, they turned to gaze at the blonde expectantly, who sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"Geez." The blonde pouted. "There's seriously nothing worse than a handsome man without a sense of humor. If you improved your personality, bastard, I bet you'd be real popular!"
A giant vein throbbed in the raven-head's forehead, and Kakashi quickly interrupted before things could escalate.
"Why don't we stop teasing Sasuke for now, neh Naruto?" his eyes arched upwards. "I'm also curious as to why you think we should remain in this city – is the next one not only a few hours walk away?"
"Fine, I'll just have to endure the injustice." Naruto sighed woefully before sapphire eyes sharpened into seriousness. "If you really must know, there are a few reasons. First off, Hacho City is the last trade city that we'll be passing through for quite a long time; since we left Konoha in such a rush, it would be best if we stocked up on supplies before we leave. There are a lot of herbs sold here that are good for cooking and medicine that can't be found anywhere else in the region."
"…Tch." Sasuke begrudgingly sheathed his sword, but continued to listen.
"Plus, you guys have had a rough night, so it would be best if you all rested your bodies before we get to where we're going next." Naruto frowned. "Tonika Village tends not to be…stranger friendly."
"Hmmm…" Kakashi sounded, rubbing his chin. "From what I remember, Tonika Village is known for being almost entirely self-sufficient, correct?"
"Yeah." Naruto snorted. "Though that's just a fancy way of saying that it's a village for mercenaries and bounty hunters, all whom would be more than happy to sweep our cute princess off her feet."
"That won't happen." Sasuke growled. "I won't let it."
Not again. He promised.
The blonde regarded him for a moment before turning to Sakura and resting one hand on her shoulder. "You're so lucky, princess, to have such a dependable bodyguard at your side." He sniffed over-dramatically while wiping at an invisible tear. "Won't you tell Sasuke to protect me too?"
Sakura giggled while Sasuke spluttered indignantly at her side.
"I'm sure Sasuke would take care of you if the need arose – you're our one and only guide, after all." She responded. "But, aren't you selling yourself a bit short?" her lips turned downwards in an accusatory frown. "I vividly remember you being able to take care of yourself quite well, Naruto."
Naruto smiled coyly. "Can't a princess dream of being sheltered by her loyal knight?"
Once again, he found himself at the mercy of Sasuke's blade.
"You are not a princess." He growled. "And I am not a knight."
"Yes, yes." The blonde gave a cheeky grin as Kakashi reminded the other male to put away his weapon with a roll of his eye. "I'm starting to regret returning that sword to you, ya know." Naruto continued, placing his hands on his hips.
Sasuke ignored him, forcing his eyes away from the way one pink lip jutted out beneath the other.
It would be useless to deny the blonde's attractiveness, but the raven-haired compared his beauty to the songs sung by the sirens of myth. Every lean, supple limb and demure gesture served only to send his victims spiraling to their downfalls, with flashes of bronze skin and sly smiles as his bait.
As if sensing his thoughts, the blonde dismissed him with a snort.
"Let's go check in at the inn." He suggested. "The villagers here are nice, but I still think the less we're seen the better."
Sakura pulled her hood tighter around her face.
The blonde led them down a few streets with practiced familiarity, his voice light as he offered tidbits of information on the different stands and shops that they passed. Influenced by his upbeat nature, Sakura stopped more than once to finger a few trinkets while Kakashi and Sasuke trailed protectively behind, and she was more than happy to allow the blonde to point out a few specialty goods.
"We're moving too slow." The raven-haired male grumbled, glancing around them anxiously.
"Yes." Kakashi agreed softly. "But she looks happy, doesn't she?"
Sasuke glanced at his charge and took note of the delighted sparkle in her eyes as Naruto handed over a wooden carving for her to see, an expression that he hadn't seen in a long time.
He nodded begrudgingly.
"Still." He murmured. "I'd rather see her alive."
Kakashi glanced at the younger male with something akin to pity, which went unseen by the other. The raven-haired male seemed to forget that he was the same age as the two teenagers in front of him; hardship had destroyed his youth and jaded his soul.
The silver-haired returned his gaze to in front of him, observing how Sakura giggled as Naruto whispered something into her ear.
Kakashi thought that the blonde was good for the two of them, despite his flawed personality. Sakura seemed to light up when exposed to his vibrant temperament, and even Sasuke's usually impenetrable mask crumbled in the face of the blonde's antics. The silver-haired male hoped that Naruto would be able to bring back some of the joy that the two had so cruelly been denied.
You're right, Iruka. He thought, putting his hands in his pocket.
He's a good kid.
They all are.
After a few more minutes they finally reached the inn, much to Sasuke's relief. He and Sakura hung back while Naruto approached the counter, lips spread in what Sasuke now recognized as his smile specifically crafted for business transactions.
"Yo!" the blonde greeted the shopkeeper simply before laying down a few copper coins. "My friends and I are looking for a room for the night."
The pudgy man glanced over their group with a frown.
"Only one room?" he asked, sweeping the money into a box. "I'm warning you now – It's going to a tight fit."
"Not a problem." The blonde immediately replied.
"Hmmm…" the other man hummed. "And you're sure you won't complain?"
"Positive" Naruto shrugged. "We've got too far to go and too few to spend; a little discomfort is nothing. Unless you're feeling charitable?" he finished with a wink.
"Wha-" Sasuke started. The blonde knew that they couldn't risk spending the night in separate rooms – there were too many dangers, as proven by the prior day's events. He was stopped, however, by Kakashi's hand, and the silver-haired male shook his head in reply to Sasuke's questioning glare.
"Tch. I'm a business man, brat – not a saint." The innkeeper snorted. "You get what you get, and I won't be giving anything more."
Naruto responded with a knowing smirk.
"Sure thing." He leaned back with an easy smile.
It wasn't until the other man's greedy eyes lowered that Sasuke realized they had been under suspicion. The addition of one extra member was making them even more conspicuous than before; any stranger would naturally wonder why they were so adamant in sharing one room.
The raven-haired male clenched his teeth as Naruto cheerfully twirled the newly acquired keys around his finger while leading them to their designated room.
He was starting to grow tired of being one step behind.
"Naruto. Do you know the things that humans need to survive?"
The blonde child paused, brow wrinkling at the question.
"Food." he answered curtly. "Water."
"And?"
"…"
"What about love?"
"Love?" Naruto scoffed.
"Is what I have said so strange?"
"No…" the child hesitated. "It's just…"
The woman released a tinkling laugh. "You do not believe me. I do not blame you."
She wrapped her arms around the small child, pulling him close to her breast. "Did you know?" she smiled. "Humans are social beings. We shed our claws and fangs in exchange for stronger bonds, and it is these bonds that give us strength."
"Naruto, your world is still small. You have yet to feel the heat of another person; nor experience that warmth which nurtures the soul. And that is why-"
She pressed her lips to the crown of his head.
"-You cannot save me."
Naruto awoke with a start. He shivered as he glanced wildly around at his surroundings, assuaged only by the sight of the two figures sleeping near his side.
Panting, the blonde wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Just a dream.
He stared down at the trembling hands in his lap.
A dream, but…
The blonde bit his lip.
It was so cold.
Sasuke jumped as Naruto suddenly rose to his feet, a bizarre look glinting within sapphire eyes. The blonde was devoid of his usual charm as he reached for a bottle of water at the head of his tatami and poured its contents on his head, blonde hair glistening even in the darkness.
"Sleep." The raven-haired male spoke up. "You still have three hours until your turn at watch."
The blonde looked at him with an unfamiliar expression, appearing for a brief moment to be startled by his presence. Moments later the blonde's composure was regained, and obsidian eyes widened as Naruto turned towards the door, gingerly stepping over Sakura's sleeping form.
"Where are you going?" Sasuke demanded harshly.
The blonde's lips curled into a sultry smirk. "Where do does one usually go at this time of night?"
Sasuke could hardly believe what he was hearing. "You can't seriously be considering -" he began, his voice sticking to his throat when Naruto's innocent smile confirmed his doubts. The blonde seemed to glow as he bathed in the moon's gentle light, and sapphire orbs glittered with an emotion absent earlier in the day.
"Sorry Sasuke." Naruto spoke with a hint of remorse. "But you can't stop me. I'm like a lizard – I need a warm body against me or I'll freeze to death."
"I won't allow it." Sasuke growled. "Do you really think that you can continue such vile habits while in our company?"
"So then, Sasuke." The blonde responded, cocking his head to the side. "Will you be holding me instead?"
The raven-haired male froze, his heart drumming painfully against his chest.
"Y-You're sick." He hissed. "There's something wrong with you."
The blonde's smile faded and for a moment he looked…
Hurt?
Was the loud, capricious male even capable of such? He seemed like the type who could brush off any insult like water on oil.
Sasuke blinked, and the expression was gone.
"…I see." Naruto stated simply. "Maybe you're right."
Sasuke watched the other male move to leave with discomfort gnawing at his inner skin. Once the blonde's hand touched the knob to the entrance he hesitated before glancing back.
"Just remember one thing, Sasuke." Naruto's voice was cold. "You are the ones who need me."
The door shut behind him, blanketing the room in shadow once more.
"Don't worry." The blonde murmured from the other side of the door. "I'll be back in time for my shift."
Sasuke stared in front of him with a hard gaze as Naruto's footsteps faded into the distance, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.
He was absolutely livid.
"Leave it, Sasuke."
Surprised to hear Kakashi's voice, Sasuke's gaze instantly flitted over to see the silver-haired male facing way from him on his tatami.
"How?" the raven-haired male demanded. "How can you possibly be okay with his behavior?"
"You should know better than anyone, Sasuke." Kakashi reminded.
"Know what?"
The older man sighed.
"Every man bears his own burden. Some just hide it better than others."