"Ahhh~ I just love having a loooong soak at the end of the day~"

"Himura-san you sound just like an old Baa-chan!"

"Misaki-chan, when one has been in the world as long as I have you start to appreciate the smaller things in life as the finer things."

"Hi-san we're all the same age..."

"Physically maybe Emi-chin, but I prefer to think of myself being wise beyond my years."

Sasuke and Naruto froze at the sound of the impending female voices. They dove for cover under the misty soap-filled water and hoped that the steam from the baths would keep them hidden long enough to preform the transformation. As the silhouettes of three women slid into the water Naruto managed to change but Sasuke, not being used to exerting so much chakra in one day could not complete his transformation. He sent Naruto a panicked look, using his eyes to indicate to his crotch. Naruto understood almost immediately pulled the towel he had been using from around his body and thrust it at Sasuke.

"Ah!" exclaimed one of the girls pointing to the area in which Naruto and Sasuke were bathing.

"H-hello there," Naruto said rigidly, nudging Sasuke repeatedly with his elbow.

Sasuke pulled the towel around him making sure everything was covered before rising slightly and uttering a stiff greeting.

" My name is Naru and this is Sasu – er – Satchan, We-"
"Ahhhhh~ you must be those Konoha-nin!" interrupted the girl who had pointed.

"Misaki-chan, it's rude to interrupt people," the taller woman stepped in front of the petite Misaki-chan "I do apologise for our friend Konoha-nin, please forgive her"

"err... no problem.." answered Naruto nervously.

Misaki bounded forward pushing Himura-san out of her way so that see was free to cut in front of her and face Naru directly. She grabbed Naru by the hands and grinned.

"Naru-chan ne?" she asked sweetly.

Naruto tried to pull back slightly but Misaki held her in such an impassable grip that she could not move.

"Yes... you are... Misaki-chan?" Naru replied forcedly.

Misaki beamed with delight, "Yes yes!!! I'm so happy you know my name! I didn't even tell you! You're so cute Naru-chan!!" she squealed.

The tall sandy haired Himura-san glared at Naru mirroring the look the half-transformed Sasuke was giving to Misaki-chan who remained oblivious as she was fixated on Naruto. The third woman, Emi-chan, smiled knowingly and touched Himura on the arm. Himura's heavily lashed green eyes settled on her and she let Emi pull her away from the new nin. Misaki whipped round and pouted at the sight of her companions leaving her without an audience.

"Huuuuuuuuuyu~" she sulked adopting the cutest look she could muster, "Hi-chin~ Emi-pyon~ don't leave me."

The two kunoichi remained very deliberately ignorant to her. Misaki turned her attention onto Sasuke – noticing with pleasure the aggravated look that appeared every time she moved closer to Naru. She placed her arms around Naru's shoulders and perched her chin on the top of one, looking directly into Sasuke's eyes, an evil grin of realisation spread across her face.

"Naru-chin! Naru-chin!" she exclaimed pulling Naruto round in a circle, "Why don't you sit with me at dinner tonight!"

"Err... that's..." Naruto searched for an excuse whilst Misaki gazed up at her expectantly. It was less of a question and more of a command. Her look was seemingly innocent enough, but there was something beneath it – something quite sinister and threatening that made Naruto feel obliged to comply.

"Yay!!!!!!" Misaki squealed swinging him round some more.

Unable to suppress his annoyance any longer, Sasuke pulled Naruto from Misaki's shoulder death-grip. He stepped in front of Naru and glared profusely at Misaki, Naruto gazed at him in surprise.

"Sasuk-Sa-chan, Wha-" he questioned in bemusement.

Sasuke and Misaki opened their mouths, both on the verge of spurting something confrontational at the other when-

"That's enough Misaki," Emi cut in. Her face hard and her eyes stone-cold.

Misaki glared at her for a moment, then knowing there was nothing she could do when Emi thought that she'd gone too far, she pouted and sighed – defeated.

"Fi~ne," she whined, managing to give the word two syllables.

Sasuke did not relax though, he remained in front of Naruto, so tense that all of the tendons in his back were visible. Naruto's stomach somersaulted wildly as he noted this, he found himself transfixed by the beauty of it, he studied each dip and curve – the smooth outlines of every muscle. Sasuke was unaware of how intensely he was being observed, for his sight was still fixed upon the three suspicious kunoichi.

Himura-san rose and turned to head out of the baths, Emi did the same – neither said a word. Misaki watched them, still sulking, she let out a little wail as the two woman began to pull on their clothes continuing to ignore her. She jumped out of the water and stomped over to them, yanking her clothes over her head – all playfulness gone. She was a spoilt child denied the shiniest new toy in the play ground – but still determined to obtain it. As Misaki followed Himura and Emi through the door she spun around to face Naru and Sasuke for a final time. As she turned the transition of her facial expressions was not fast enough – the smile did not reach her eyes in time. This shot a shiver of fear down the spines of the two boys and even when the door shut behind her neither boy could fully relax.

*

"Are you sure about this Hinata-san?" Sakura whispered as they crept silently down the spiralling stone steps. The air was moist and freezing due to how far underground they were, if their breath was condensing in front of them it was impossible to tell as there was hardly any light at all. The dim paraffin lamps which hung halfway up the damp, moss laden walls were spaced out a few meters too far apart. Hinata took a couple of seconds to reply, her mind was fully focused using the Byakyugan to bring them closer to that heartbeat.

"Please follow me Sakura-san," she answered with timid assertion.

They proceeded with making their way down towards the mysterious heartbeat, Hinata concentrating so hard that she was oblivious to the familiar face that was coming into view.

"What are you two doing?" Fuyuki questioned – more surprised than suspicious. Her arms were laden with fresh fruit and vegetables, she was obviously taking them down for storage.

"Ah!" exclaimed Sakura, a look of guilty embarrassment decorating her features, "We were just... just-uh-exploring!"

Fuyuki smiled kindly at them, "I think it would be best if you left your exploration until you had an attendant to supervise you – the tunnels down here go very deep, it's extremely easy for one to get lost."

"We understand," chorused the other two girls bowing low then dashing up the stairs as fast as possible. They stopped only when they reached the top and fell onto their knees, panting uncontrollably.

"Th-uh-hah-thank god it was Fuyuki-san that found us," spluttered Sakura, Hinata nodded in agreement. A sudden chill filled the air around them. The hairs on the backs of their necks stood right on end – something evil was approaching. A thundering battle aura unlike anything they had ever experienced. Both girls turned their heads, the rest of their bodies frozen with fear and exhaustion. The sight that greeted their eyes was most terrifying, nothing could have possibly prepared them for the wrath of an angry Uchiha in a mini-skirt.

"SA-KU-RA~" Sasuke growled looming over her shaking with fury.

"Sasuke-kun...Eh-ehehehehe~ " She laughed nervously whilst cowering in fear, "eh-enjoy your b-bath?"

Getting more of the Sasu/Naru in there =3 lol – how'd you like my juxtaposition in there? "timid assertion" yes it was deliberate haaha. Please Review – but constructive criticism if you want to criticise, please, as ever I am very fragile about my writing =)