A/N: It's been a while, I know! I'm sorry I've been neglecting this collection, but I haven't had any real one-shot inspiration...until this morning. And then, finally, this evening I found time to write it. Apparently, no one in this house realizes that if I don't write an idea down as soon as I have it, I loose it. Gosh...maybe someday they'll learn...


One-Shot #66
Entranced

For the second time in ten minutes, Sasuke sighed and helped Naruto stand back up. As if it wasn't bad enough their mission took them, once again, to the Land of Snow, Naruto had forgotten to pack his sandal coverings. His bare toes open to the elements and the soles slippery on the ice that had accumulated underneath the thin layer of snow, Naruto continued to grumble and pull his cloak tighter around his body.

When the cobblestone street finally came into view, Sasuke had nearly left out a yelp of joy. One look at Naruto and Sasuke saw his best friend would not share any joy he had. Instead, Naruto glared in the general direction of the small village and began walking a little faster, immediately losing his minor grip of traction and falling backwards. Sasuke's hand shot out, fisting in the heavy fabric of the cloak, but the cloak merely pulled over Naruto's head, leaving the blonde to lie flat on his back in the snow and ice.

"Shit!" Naruto hissed, trying to stand back up. His feet slipped out from under him, sending him backwards on the ice again. This time, his head hit the ice hard enough to draw blood, which immediately became visible in the pure white snow.

"Naruto!" Sasuke kneeled down, pulling Naruto's head into his lap and checking the open gash. There were shards of ice embedded in the wound, but they were slowly melting due to the heat of Naruto's blood. Sasuke tenderly tried to pull them out, but the hiss that Naruto let out made him stop. "You need a doctor, dobe. C'mon."

Sasuke pulled him to a standing position, holding on to his wobbly friend tightly. They slowly made it to the village and walked directly into a small hospital.

Two hours later they were safe and warm in a small inn, mission accomplished, and Naruto's painful and bandaged head was starting to ease up. The hot tea Sasuke bought him resting comfortably in his hands, Naruto looked toward the window. It was snowing again, and the sight would have been pretty had he not just trekked three miles in it.

Sitting on the other double bed in the room, Sasuke was trying to write up part of the mission report, knowing that if Naruto did it there would be a whole chapter dedicated to his damaged head. He glanced up at the blonde, if only to make sure he wasn't passed out, and was entranced. The Uchiha had been catching himself staring at his best friend, in a way he probably shouldn't have been, quite a lot lately. Not being one to admit he was anything but straight, Sasuke just continued to stare at Naruto when he thought Naruto wasn't looking.

Since when had messy blonde hair and deep cerulean blue eyes been sexy? Since when had whisker marks been a turn-on? Since when was the last remaining Uchiha gay? Sasuke barely caught himself before he snorted at his own question, drawing unwanted attention from Naruto.

"What's so funny, 'suke?" Naruto asked, setting his tea down on the night table.

Sasuke shrugged and motioned toward his mission report. "Just trying to figure out how to write up that you were an idiot and got yourself hurt on the easiest mission any jounin could ever have."

"Blow me." Naruto frowned. "It's all your fault anyway."

Sasuke was honestly taken back by that statement. "How is any of that my fault?"

"If you hadn't conned Sakura into cleaning my house – which was perfectly fine by the way – then she wouldn't have organized all my ninja gear which meant that I would have find my sandal coverings in time which means that I would have had them to wear here which means…"

"Yeah, yeah…I get it." Sasuke waved him off. "Just thought you'd like to be able to see your floor for once."

"I could see my floor, Sasuke!" Naruto growled. "What business was it of yours, anyway? It's not your immaculate apartment!"

Sasuke froze, his eyes slowly moving from the mission report to Naruto. "Immaculate? You better watch using those big words before you choke on one."

Naruto went to jump at Sasuke, but the sudden jarring pulled at his stitches. He hissed in pain, grabbing at the bandage. "Fu-"

"Don't." Sasuke said, grabbing his hands and prying them away. "Sakura told you to stop swearing."

"She's not here." Naruto said through gritted teeth. Sasuke pulled the bandage back slowly, seeing that the stitches were still intact.

"No, but I am. Don't swear."

"Whatever." Naruto said, pushing Sasuke's hands off of him. "I'm fine, Dr. Sasuke."

Sasuke snorted before going back to his paperwork. Naruto sat back, watching Sasuke, before slowly sinking down in his blankets. Before long, a deep and steady breathing broken up by a loud snore every so often filled the room. Sasuke looked up and smirked at the blonde on the other bed.

Naruto was lying on his side, the blankets pulled tightly around him and held to his chin by his hands. His mouth was parted as a small line of drool crept down the corner and onto his chin. The bright blonde bangs were hanging over his closed eyes, which drew his hand to brush them away only for them to fall right back in his eyes again. He looked exactly how Naruto should look, and how Sasuke had always remembered him when he was gone. A smile slowly crept on Sasuke's face, one he didn't even realize he was wearing, as he slowly got up and walked to where Naruto was. Leaning forward, he brushed the bangs away from their annoying position and placed a light kiss on his forehead.

"Goodnight, Naruto." Sasuke whispered before going back to his own bed and finishing the report he started.

Maybe he'd work up the courage to tell Naruto how he felt, maybe he wouldn't, but for now moments like these were enough to keep Sasuke entranced…and to make him wear a rare smile that only Naruto could trick him into wearing.


Fluffy goodness? Hopefully?