Chapter Three:

Nightcap

Mito's dark pools locked on the blonde as she slowly approached the Ramen shop. Looking up, she saw a dark-haired man grab Naruko by the arm. At first, the blonde looked in complete shock at the man who caught her off guard. However, she leaned in to hear what the raven-haired man wished to say as he tilted his head to whisper something in her ear.

Mito watched the exchange between them frozen in disbelief. It did not take a genius to know he was the reason she never showed up last night, but as Mito's eyes dropped to the man's back, they narrowed at that prominent Uchiha crest on the back of his flak vest.

As soon as Mito shut the front door she chose then to berate the blonde.

"What happened to you? I thought we had an understanding Naruko, and what happened to your clothes?"

"I blacked out is all. But see! I'm still alive and nothing bad even happened. As for the clothes I brought them."

She sighed, "I thought you were ready, but you still don't have a handle on overexerting yourself."

"I do! I just got excited, that is all. Please don't revoke my outdoor privileges."

"I'm sorry you just need more practice-"

"That's Bullshit! I had enough practice! I'm tired of practicing. I hate this place and these walls. I want my old life back!" Tears were streaming down his face.

"You'll get to go outside next year."

"Next year?! Why are you punishing me? I did nothing wrong!" His voice cracked at the thought of spending more time behind these damn walls.

"I'm not! I'm doing this to keep you safe." The image of that Uchiha man taking ahold of his grandchild's arm and whispering in his ears flashed in her mind, was it Naruko wearing his clothes did he really pass out? She locked him away, so he was naïve to the world.

"I rather die than remain another year trapped behind these walls." His voice was eerily calm and quiet.

"Don't say such things." In a wave of her hand, she walked away from him not wanting to hear much more.

He sighed, "I'm tired. I'm going to bed." He walked past her to go to his prison.

"Bed? Naruko it's only mid-day." She called after him, but he was already gone. During the last few years cooped up at home he and Mito would play board games together, but as he got older and his need for the outside grew, so did his sadness and rebellion.

He was at that age where he wanted to explore his surroundings and make friends that were his own age, and just have fun and enjoy life.

Discarding his jacket and scandal before plopping on his mattress face first his arms and legs spread out like a starfish. He would count down to the very second when he would leave. He realized where they were planning to meet.

All I need to do is stay awake until then...

Little did Naruto know that it was easier said than done. He opened his eyes to a pitch-black room and a foggy mind it took a second before he jump up from his bed.

"Shiiiit what time is it!" He took ahold of the room clock next to his bed. It was 11:30 at night. Panicked, he looked around the room for his sandals, and in a hurry he slipped them on. He walked over to his bedroom window, popped the screen out, and climbed out as a rush of adrenaline hit him. He could not contain his smile when his sandals touch the earth. He would just head back to Uchiha's section.

There were a few people out but not that many and it was eerily quiet during the night as he marched down the village street. The cool night air filling his lungs he needed this. When he got close, he saw someone leaning against the wall of the Uchiha province, their arms were crossed.

"Took you long enough." Sasuke had pushed himself off the wall with his foot meeting Naruko halfway.

"Heh, I kinda fell asleep," She answered coyly.

"I am not surprised." The raven had taken off. "Let's see if you can keep up."

"Oi, no fair you didn't even give a warning!" she started off after him.

"This is your warning!" He called from over his shoulder while taking to the rooftops. The blonde doing the same. Sasuke was testing the blonde's endurance and he wanted to know how far he could push Naruko. He was heading in the direction of the front gates of Konoha. He did a front flip off the rooftops landing in the front. Naruko jumped down next to him.

"Pfft, show off." The blonde said while rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. "Where are we going, anyway?"

"The forest, so there would be no interruptions."

"Ooo, are you planning on seducing me?" She teased.

"Shut it." His annoyance was evident.

She snickered at that. The blonde's harmless flirting had no effect on him. Naruto would admit seeing people's reactions when he did was entertaining. He was kind of glad Sasuke was no horn dog.

This would be Naruto's first time leaving the shelter of Konoha and the first time he would be out in the wilderness. He could feel his heart pounding as the gates opened. After looking back at her, Sasuke gestured with a jerk of his head for her to proceed.

When Sasuke realized Naruko wasn't budging and started to gnaw on her lower lip nervously. Her blue pools dart around. He could sense her unease and so he felt the need to guide her. He held his hand out, "Come on." Naruko had focused on the raven's offered palm, for a second before hesitantly taking a hold.

His arm was tingling with heat as they ran out the front gates, their palms joined. Naruto glanced back as his home that was gradually getting further away. Once they found a clearing the night sky was in full view it was so clear out that even the moon looked so detailed. Naruto could make out every crater,

The blonde noticed when Sasuke let go of his hand the warmth was gone. "This seems like a good spot."He said giving the quick once around.

But Naruto did not hear him all he saw were fireflies, "Sasuke look." The blonde had jerked their finger in the direction of the glowing green balls of lights.

"..." The raven turned to see what Naruko pointed at. He saw plenty of those small bugs. They didn't matter to him or, more accurately, he didn't consider them at all. Until now."Can I just watch them for a little bit?"

"Suit yourself, but it's cutting into your training." She stuck her tongue out at him. He watched the blonde snicker as one came near her hand.

"Oi, Sasuke look!" She was laughing at the light it created on her upturned palm.

"I'm standing right next to you. I can see. You ready?"

"Five more minutes! Pleaseeee"

"Whatever."

This time the blonde had run out to the swarm of them.

Surprisingly Sasuke could not bring himself to be annoyed. The experience would probably be brand new and exciting for her if she was really locked up in her house. He sat down watching the blonde. This was not how he planned the night, but he did not mind her company. His eyes winded when she turned back and was covered with those things.

"They like me!"

"Or they want to mate with you." He countered.

"Oy, can you blame them?" She laughed.

"You are a strange one."

"I know," She replied and turned her back to him. She tried shaking them off, but they weren't budging. She tried again but this time waving her arms up and down real fast.

"Dammit get off of me!"

"Do you need help? I can always use my fireball," he said smugly.

"Ha ha, very funny asshole."

Sasuke decided to get up from his spot coming closer, just the raven's presence made the bugs fly off.

"Thanks." However, Sasuke had waited long enough he struck with a front snap punch straight for her diaphragm but she was barely able to block it.

"What the hell!"

"Your training begins now." His voice was cold. He did not hold back he was going to test her. He was going to bring her to her breaking point. She had a lot of catching up to do.

She gave him a wide berth striking and temperance stance.

He smirked at least she knew one stance.

What Sasuke learned that night was that she lashes out like a feral feline and that she did not give up even when he kept winning.

Naruto had collapsed on the grass below he was bathed in nothing but sweat. It felt amazing. His eyes were squeezed shut but there was an undeniable smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. All those days were locked away and he was free. The fresh air all of it brought a tear to his eyes. This was by far the best night of his life. He turned to look at the raven she was sitting on the side of him, one leg drawn up to his chest. He found himself wondering what the raven was thinking as he stared off into the night.

"Thank you."

"Hmm?" He turned his dark pools on her.

"For doing this for me."

That seemed to snap him from his thoughts.

"We won't be able to do this too often. People will catch on seeing us going off into the wood together and they will start to talk."

"Let 'em! See if I care." Naruto had plenty of dirty old men asking his grandmother for his hand in marriage whenever his grandmother would let him go out with her.

"Do you want your aunt to find out?"

she huffed, looking away, "So this is the end?"

"No, but we must be a little more cautious." The raven said in his normal calm cadence.

"We should head back?"

"Can we stay here a little while longer? I don't want this moment to ever end," Sasuke locked eyes with pleading blue ones.

"Five minutes then we go."

"Kay."

It was her smile. That smile made Sasuke feel unnerved. He turned his head away. The silence engulfed them.

Five Hours Later

Naruto woke to a bright blue sky overhead. What no no no no morning already it can't be! He sat up to see Sasuke lying beside him, he had an arm draped over his face. When did they fall asleep? And most importantly what time was it?

The only thing going through his mind was did his grandma know?