Chapter 2: The Path to Follow

"I hope you're ready Naruto," Sasuke said, slipping his bag over his shoulder and looking at me.

"Why wouldn't I be? This is a serious mission, I'm not gonna be like I always am." I responded. I wasn't in the mood for this shit and yet Sasuke had decided to act up again. I always found it funny how they considered me to be immature.

"You? Acting serious? That'll be the day." Sasuke said.

"Dick." I whispered under my breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

We carried on, exiting the cave through a metal door. I covered my eyes as sun shone down onto me. It blinded my eyes as I had gotten used to the darkness of the caves and the dim lights the candles gave off in there. The pond by this hideout was filled with fish that rose in and out of the water. As we continued to move, the shadows that the green, leafy trees created covered us and the hot summer sun could no longer bathe us. I cracked my neck and walked beside Sakura. She had decided to this time remove her hair bands, letting her long pink hair go down to her shoulder blades. An Akatsuki cloak covered most of her body but she was still beautiful regardless.

"Hey," I said as she noticed me.

"What's wrong?" She asked turning to me.

"Nothing, just felt like talking." I replied.

"So, have you read up about our targets?" I asked.

"The first one is in Kumogakure and his name is Killer Bee. He's a lightning style user and he's the adoptive brother of the Raikage, so capturing him ought to be hard." Sakura answered. Sometimes I wish I had her memory and intellect. I had gotten better over the years but my sheer stupidity always poked it's head through the cracks whenever I tried to shove it back in.

"The other one is in Konohagakure and he's the Third Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru. From the information Zetsu's gathered it seems he's shown quite the potential. He a master of the fire release and summoning jutsu. He's around 16 or 17 by now." Sakura continued.

"Interesting. You think it'll be easy to catch them?"

"Nope. That's why Zetsu advised us to go undercover, slip right under their noses then capture Konohamaru and Killer Bee when they least suspects it."

"You mean to infiltrate the village?"

"I don't like it that much either but...we don't really have a choice." Sakura bit her lip and looked at the ground.

"Something troubling you?" I asked.

Sakura looked into the forest. Her eyes seemed to scan the surroundings, she even stared at Sasuke's back for a while. Then she spoke, "Don't you ever think about being free? You know...not being a member of the Akatsuki?"

My expression must have gave her an idea of what I thought. She shook her head and turned away, "Never mind. You don't understand."

I immediately hurried to say something, "No! I mean, I do. I get it. But...come on, Sakura. It's ridiculous. This guy took us in when we desperately needed him. He raised us, trained us. He made us who we are today."

"Naruto, I'm not stupid. Surely you know that by now. I've realized that but...I don't remember a thing about my childhood before Lord Tobi took us in. What if it's all a lie? Maybe he's just using us so that we could work for him now. Maybe he kidnapped us."

I remembered the nightmare I had a few days ago. Was it real? If it was why did I see it now? What did it mean?

"Sakura-"

"Hey," Sasuke said. He paused and looked at us closely. "What are you two

whispering about?"

"It's none of your business, Sasuke." Sakura answered. I was surprised by her tone. Something must have happened between them. I felt some sort of tension or awkwardness between their interactions. Maybe they had an argument.

"I just want to know, Sakura. For all I know you could be plotting about how you're gonna escape from me and go make out somewhere."

"Really, Sasuke? You know good well I'm not looking to get into a relationship."

"And why is that? Is it because of me? Didn't you get the message last time?."

"I hate you."

"The feeling's mutual."

I saw something snap in Sakura, like the chains that were holding her back had been broken, "You think you're so fucking great, don't you? Like you're better than everyone and everything. Well you're a liar and a fucking asshole! You're completely inconsiderate towards others and you treat them like shit. I'm tired of you attitude and how you treat me. How you treat everyone."

Sasuke's eyes went wide and then he squinted at Sakura. His hands were fists and it seemed as if he was gonna hit her. If he was then I would stop him.

"You gonna hit me again?" I took in a deep breath at the remark. It seemed like Sakura was being sarcastic but the comment seemed to slap Sasuke right in the face. Did he really ever hit her? Sakura reared her hand back and punched him in the face. She then continued to walk, deliberately hitting Sasuke's shoulder.

I was caught off guard by the attack and I stared at Sasuke for a couple of moments. He looked at the blood running down from his mouth for a few seconds, then wiped it on his cloak and looked at me.

"Damn, Sasuke." I said. "I can't even bother to insult you right now."

I ran and caught up to Sakura. When I reached her side she didn't even lift her head to acknowledge me. She just continued to walk in silence. I put my hand on her shoulder but she pushed me off and sped up her pace.

I ran a hand through my wild blonde hair and sighed. Sasuke was now following behind me, but I noticed the distance he put between himself and Sakura. I took a deep breath and shook my head. I thought this was going to be some stupid little bijuu hunt. Now it's turning into something like a TV show. More importantly, if this was how things were gonna turn out, working together would be a pain.

By the end of the day we had reached Hideout #2. It was our first stop on the map where we could rest and plan for the next day. I doubt at this point any planning was going to happen. Sakura removed her pack and dug around for a few minutes, searching for a key.

"Damn it, I don't have one." Sakura mumbled. She looked at me.

"Ask Sasuke." I regretted the words as soon as they slipped my mouth. Sakura glared at me but refused to look at Sasuke.

But he moved forward without a word and found the key slot which was a tiny crack in the wall of rock. The wall split for us and revealed a metal door with several golden locks.

Sasuke opened that one too.

We stepped inside and I searched for the switch to turn the lights on. I didn't know how this place could make electricity but there were a lot of thing Zetsu and Lord Tobi could do we didn't know about. I remembered what Sakura had said about Lord Tobi and immediately felt a level of curiousity, but I ignored it and continued.

I found the switch and flipped it to the on side. The lights flickered but sure enough they worked. I slid my bag off my back and set it on the floor. This place seemed to be anything but a cave. Although the walls were mostly rough stone, the floor was a thick, cold metal and the furniture was either oak or leather. The entrance was a dome shaped area that broke off into a hallway. From there you could take a left or a right. One would lead to the rooms and the other would lead to the kitchen.

My stomach rumbled, telling me where I should go first.

After I gathered some courage I spoke up, "Anyone want somethin' to eat?"

"Help yourself, Naruto. I'm going straight to bed." Sakura answered. She walked down the hallway and took a left, her heels pounding on the ground. I noticed the dents in the metal she made when as she walked away. Man was she mad.

I stared at Sasuke awkwardly. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck in a room alone with him but here I was. Unless I wanted to go to bed on an empty stomach I had to eat something, and going to bed wasn't very appealing either. The nightmares were becoming more frequent and if anything I wanted them to end.

"Do you mind making me tea?" Sasuke asked. I was shocked by the politeness he showed. I hoped Sakura's punch had shaken him because he damn well deserved it.

I nodded and said, "Sure."

We walked together to the kitchen. It was the same thing as the other room but more rectangular. Wooden cabinets, a sink, counters, a stove, and a fridge stood against the wall. I opened the cabinet first and found the teapot, then heated up some water. In the meantime Sasuke pulled out a chair and sat down. His fingers intertwined and he seemed to be in deep thinking. As long as he didn't speak I was fine.

But he did anyway, "Am I really...do you think I'm-"

"An asshole? A jerk? A player? A big bully? Other words that would land me in hell for sure? Yes, you are." I answered without looking back at him.

"That wasn't what I was asking," He said. I could tell he was being serious by the, "I'm going to kill you" tone. "I meant to ask, do you think I act-"

"If this is about Sakura just say it. I know you like to be subtle and all but let's just cut to the chase." I stated.

He sighed and whispered, "Yes."

"Well you came to the wrong guy," I said. "I'm not good with relationships."

"Yeah but maybe even you can shine some light on the situation. Cause I'm lost and I don't know what to do."

My heart exploded with joy. Sasuke Uchiha was asking me to help him, with GIRLS! My day could not possibly get any better.

"Well what did you do to make her so mad?" I asked, trying to hold in my delight.

Sasuke rubbed his forehead and leaned back in his chair, "It was last week, after Tobi told us about the hunt. I told her that I was done and she got mad. She thought what we had was 'real' and that she wasn't just another piece in my little game. So I said she was clingy and whiny and she was just like any other girl. Then she slapped me and ran away. She's given me the cold shoulder ever since."

"But is she a piece in your game?" I asked. I hated that Sasuke had fooled her and played with her. But I needed to know if what they had really was true.

"She was. But now..."

"It's different, huh? That's sick, Sasuke. Sakura loves you. It's not some stupid little kid crush. It's true love. I don't know if you can't see it but I can." I found the words coming naturally. My heart was probably pouring out everything that made me wish Sasuke didn't exist. "And every time I do, it..." I stopped before I got upset too. But Sasuke knew what I was gonna say.

"Listen, Naruto. I know how you feel and I won't get in your way. The only thing I'll do is apologize." He said, "I can't believe I'm saying this but your right. I just wished I'd seen it before. With other girls it's just attraction and the fun of having someone drool over you. But with Sakura things are different. I don't know if she'll accept my apology, she can be very...stubborn. But I'm serious, I won't take it any farther with her."

I shook my head, giving him a half smile. The guy actually did care, "Nah, I'd rather her be happy with you then wonder what it would be like with you."

The tea pot whistled and I turned the fire off. I poured some hot water into a cup and placed a tea bag I fetched from my bag into it. I placed it in front of Sasuke but he pushed it away.

"Naruto, you should've known by now that I was lying." He said with a smile. I immediately grew frustrated. "I only wanted your opinion. But I do have to say, and I really mean this."

He got up and turned down the hallway toward the bedrooms, "Thanks."

As I picked up the tea and began to drink it myself I thought about Sasuke and Sakura. I found myself laughing at the whole situation. A girl was all it took to change the air around here. it felt like a tiny bit of the weight on my shoulders had been lifted.

But it was quickly replaced when I went to sleep later that night.