From that day onwards Konoha was hit by a shocking change in its normal routine.
All the Rookie 9 and Team Gai started hanging around together a lot. So far nothing very shocking, if not for the fact that Uchiha Sasuke was now hanging out with them, and they mostly chose to have their gatherings when Uzumaki Naruto was away on missions. They also started asking weird questions such as symptoms of fatal diseases to Shizune and Tsunade, or how long does a ninja have before losing his chakra abilities to Kakashi and other sensei.
By the end of the first week after Naruto went on a two week mission to Suna as an ambassador of Konoha, all of the teens were convinced that Naruto had a terminal disease caused by chakra depletion. That was until Tsunade heard some of them mourning and others crying and saw a completely apathetic Uchiha, and lost her patience.
The countries near the Fire Country had a sudden heat wave originated by an outburst of blonde-sannin energy. And all the dramatic teens scared as hell for their lives, once their ideas were corrected, had to do D-rank missions for the rest of the fortnight and rearrange the training grounds as Tsunade saw fit. It was a blissful week for the village since its troublemakers were busy plotting ways to kill the Godaime between the cleaning of Hokage tower and the grocery shopping for all the civilians who asked for it.
After that, all of them learned their lesson and started to be more careful about the place of their meetings.
Now that Naruto's life was not in danger, some of them lost interest in the story, well Neji and Shino did, claiming this was too childish for them. Shikamaru hadn't even bothered in the first place.
Even so, they all knew Neji was very worried. He and Naruto had became very close after the Uchiha's departure. Sakura guessed all the emotionally retarded bastards were drawn to the blond disaster. Ino and TenTen agreed.
Sasuke publically had said the same as Neji and Shino, but Sakura knew better… again… and with a very well placed blackmail about some snuggling with a blond, she got herself a partner in the investigation.
When Naruto got back a week later, he went straight to Ichiraku's to compensate a two week period of healthy food, thanks to the Kazekage. Gaara can be a bitch.
But he never got in. As soon as he reached out to pull the curtain, he was welcomed with a sight that made his heart stop for a second. Sasuke and Sakura were there, eating together. 'I thought he didn't like being alone with her.' – Naruto thought. And they were having a hushed conversation with their heads brought close. It seemed they were on a private date.
"Naru-chan, you're back."
Naruto was still frozen at the sight, but he snapped out of it hearing Sai's voice. He didn't know why he suddenly felt so cold and like the air was taken away from him. He was also having a minor panic attack. He felt like hyperventilating. So composing his best façade since his childhood, he turned o Sai so fast that the Uchiha, whose head snapped to the older raven hearing such a intimate nickname, didn't catch the hurt in the blond's eyes, which disappeared quickly.
"Sai!" – Naruto yelled, using his act of loud and annoying blond. – "What the hell with the nickname?!"
"I think it's appropriated. After all, you are dickless, a girl's nickname only suits you."- Sai answered mechanically, but he could very well tell that the blond was not okay, and he just knew the Uchiha was the one to blame.
"You fucking bastard! I'll kill you!" – and they engaged in a minor sparring session, in the middle of the food stand.
Which made the younger raven start to release a killer aura that made mothers usher their kids inside their houses. The Uchiha was getting just a little fed up with the wannabe replacement. 'Bastard' was his nickname! And he was the only one that got to spar with Naruto. So, very Uchiha-like, he just lift his nose, got up and left.
'Looking very upset for his spoiled date.', Naruto reckon.
Sakura watched the exchange, her brilliant mind working a mile per hour. They were both jealous, possessive idiots. That made things a lot easier. It was time to take her best friends' happiness in her hands.
'Kukukukuku!' Her evil laugh would have made Orochimaru proud, and regret he spent his time with an emotionally retarded Uchiha incapable of a proper evil chuckle.
Still lost in her own world of machinations, she left the stand without a word, unwilling making Naruto sure of his suspicions.
Sai watched as Naruto lost some of his light at the exit of his teammates.
"What's on your head?"- he asked.
Naruto looked at Sai as if measuring him. Funny thing is that he concluded, although he couldn't really trust Sai on missions, he trusted him with his feelings.
"I think Sakura and Sasuke are together."
"And why is that bothering you?"
"I don't know."
"Do you want me to help you figure that out?"
"…"
"Maybe you are afraid of loosing them as friends since they are now a couple." – that's what Sai said, but he couldn't help but think how much of morons these two boys were.
The Anbu raven had figured out they had feelings for each other the first time he had seen them together in Orochimaru hideout. And the two involved were still dense as rock. Well he wouldn't be the one to break the news to them, especially since he was the one who loose the blond to the other raven.
Then he felt a sudden burst of chakra. The Uchiha was around and was angry. Ah, tough luck. Sai noticed Naruto was talking and directed his attention to the blond jounin, not hinting at Sasuke he had sensed him. Predictably, said raven left shortly after, his anger still lingering in the air.
"…he tells me I should tell him about my love life and then does something like this." – Naruto was saying. – "This is stupid. They are my friends and I should be happy for them."
"Maybe you are jealous." – remember what Sai thought before about not breaking the news? Forget it. Those two are annoying. Everyone knew they belong to each other, except themselves.
"Of what? My crush over Sakura is long gone."
'But your crush on Sasuke is here to stay.' – Sai thought but didn't say anything.
"Come on, I would be jealous of what? It's not like I'm in love with one of them… Maybe of their friendship…" - haha! He already realized he was jealous. Sai was feeling victorious. – "If Sasuke ditch me for Sakura I would be mad." – but he said nothing about Sakura. Chibi Sai was doing the champion's dance on the big Sai's head. He nodded as encouragement. – "Well, I guess all the guys get like that when their best friend gets a girlfriend." – the big balloon in Sai's chest just blow off; there were now two other Chibi Sai to hold the first one down, who was hell angry and who was trying to launch himself at Naruto.
"Naruto, come on…"
"I mean it, Sai." – the blond said, ending the discussion. –"I don't believe Sasuke would ditch his best friend for a girl. He likes me, and he has liked me the longest, and that is not something I can say about just everyone. And I know I'm the same for him, and I will not loose this bond or make him choose to loose it."
Maybe Naruto was not as dense as Sasuke. Because seeing his hurting expression and his sad smile, Sai got the impression Naruto was well aware of his own feelings, but not willing to risk loosing his most precious person over some crush. Sai new it was not just some crush, though.
It was time to go to the pink haired menace for some counselling. He couldn't tell her everything, but he was sure he could convince her Naruto needed Sasuke right now, even if he was denying the problem.
- Time lapse -
That evening, Sakura showed up at Naruto's apartment, wearing her baby-pink yukata with red sakuras and a red silk obi sash adorning it. She smiled brightly, ignoring his cold stare.
"Come on, Naruto, go dress up. Sasuke, Sai and I are going to take you to the summer festival in the neighbour village." – he crossed his arms. – "Don't act like a brat on me. I had to deal with that Uchiha preparing this surprise, so you are coming. In fact that's what we were discussing this morning at Ichiraku's." – that seemed to bring him back to life.
"Oh, okay. Thank you Sakura-chan!" – and he left to go dress himself in his ceremony clothes.
Meanwhile, Sakura was thinking. Sai had hinted that something was wrong with Naruto. She had to find out what. She hoped the villagers were not targeting him again, or else. Besides, if Sai was correct, and he was as smart as her, Naruto knew of his feelings towards Sasuke, but was afraid to make a move.
At this point, Naruto show up in his dark blue yukata with yellow thin swirls at the ends. He put on his dark blue sandals, and offered his arm, which she took gladly.
Outside Sasuke was waiting for them with Sai, and as soon as the blond and the pinkette showed up they left. It was a short walk to the next village; it would take twenty minutes, maximum.
Shortly, Sasuke and Naruto fell into step, like always. Sai and Sakura walked a bit ahead of them, and Naruto ended up admiring Sai's figure. He walked like Sasuke, with a deathly precision. He was wearing, pretty much like Sasuke, a black yukata and black sandals, although the younger raven had the Uchiha fan on the back. The Anbu and Sakura looked really good together. She was 'colour' and he was 'black'. It was like they completed each other.
"Why don't you take a picture? It lasts longer." – he heard Sasuke say.
Realizing that Sasuke had understood who was the object of his thoughts, he blushed and rubbed the back of his head embarrassed.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't ogling her. I was just looking at Sai. I wouldn't make a move on Sakura-chan. First of all, because she would kill me; and second, because I wouldn't make a move on a friend's girlfriend, even though I officially don't know she is your girlfriend."
Sasuke just blinked stupidly at the untruthful implications of what Naruto had just said.
"She is not my girlfriend." – it was all he managed to say.
"Don't be stupid, Teme. I saw you two on your date, remember?" – Sasuke said nothing, just stared. – "This morning?" – the raven was still silent. – "At Ichiraku's?" – and then something light up on Sasuke's brain, just to get angry at the blond.
"You are so stupid."
"Teme, don't call me names."
"Well, you are! That was NOT a date."
"It wasn't?"
"No! ...and why would you think that? Because we were together? You weren't here, so she and I had a mission together and ended up having lunch together.
"Oh."
"That's right: 'Oh'. You fucking moron. Why do I have to explain myself anyway?! If you like Sai so much, why are even bothering with her?! Don't annoy me until I talk to you again." – that sounded a lot harsher that he intended, but Naruto had had the insensitivity to tell him he 'was just looking at Sai'! Stupid, insensitive blond! So, reinforcing his point, Sasuke just walked ahead. And he didn't speak to Naruto the rest of the evening.
Sakura and Sai were surprised. What could Naruto possible have done to make Sasuke, who was crazy about his blond, act like that?
Well then, it was up to Sai to cheer his friend up, since the Uchiha couldn't do it. And so, with a quick warn to Sakura, he disappeared in the crowd. Regardless of his old feelings for the blond, they were still friends and it killed him to see the blond so lost a few nights before. He had been so confused that he decided to talk to the Hokage and now she, Jiraya, Kakashi, Iruka and Sai were trying to help the blond. It was Sai's turn.
A few hours later, Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto were sitting on a food booth, in this order, and Sakura was making all the conversation for the three of them, trying to ignore the tension between the boys.
The three teammates gaped at the familiar figure of their newest teammate coming forth with a garland of pink sweet-peas. Sai looked around, and spotted the blond mob of hair he had been looking for. The older raven smiled brightly and handed the flowers to Naruto. He gave a peck on the other's cheek.
"It's my turn." – he said.
Naruto received the red flowers and opened the card.
'Sweet-peas have a fragrance like the universal gospel, yea, a sweet prophecy of welcome everywhere that has been abundantly fulfilled.'(1)
I'm not blind to your grace and beauty. You teach me how to love and to live. I was not the chosen one, but I still chose you. Maybe not the way I wanted, but definitely forever…
Sai
Sakura turned to each teammate at time, taking in the close-to-tears Naruto and the homicidal Sasuke. She hoped the youngest raven could control himself, or they would have a Sai's blood bath.
Naruto grinned and launched himself at Sai in a bone crushing hug, feeling moved by Sai's gesture and vulnerable from his fight with Sasuke. Whistles and cat calls could be heard while Naruto thanked Sai for his friendship. The raven did his best to reassure him that the hope was not lost and that all of his sensei and the Hokage were going to find a solution.
"Thank you, bastard. I appreciate it. You should have kept your mouth shut, though."
"Don't give up, Naru." – Naruto wished it was Sasuke telling him how loved he was and that everything was going to be just fine, because then he would sure believe it. As it was, he just nodded and thanked once again.
Under the Sharingan gaze of Sasuke, they hugged for a long time. Suddenly the avenger felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Sakura looking at him sympathetically.
"You should have told him." – she whispered.
Sasuke looked at her wide eyed.
"Told him what?"
She leaned back looking at him surprised, while the Uchiha turned his hateful gaze at Naruto and Sai now whispering lowly.
He kept getting furious with the others' intimacy and he hated Sai and Neji, but still hadn't realised that it was jealousy? Was he ever going to understand that he was in love with his best friend? For God's sake! Normal friends don't smother each other's frowns and they don't snuggle while sleeping, at least not with the intimacy those two had. The chemistry was so touchable that everyone knew what was going on.
Sakura shook her head disapprovingly. It would be useless to set them up if they don't even suspect that what they feel for each other is love. On another hand, she was worried about Naruto for real now. And she was going to figure out what was going on, even if she had to do it behind her friend's back.
Sasuke get up and left, leaving a sorrowful Sakura, a victorious Sai and a depressed Naruto, motion only visible on his blue eyes, which darkened a shade at the loss of Sasuke.
-A really big time lapse -
A week after the festival, Sasuke was still brooding.
He was at the moment laying on his couch on his stomach, doing zapping trough the channels, his mind lost wondering why he had gotten so mad at Naruto for liking Sai. He was not homophobic. He knew that, because he hung out a lot with Kakashi too. He was so angry, even now that he knew his anger was not rational.
He had spent a week brooding and he came to a surprising (?!) conclusion: his anger for Sai was not induced by personal discrepancy. He didn't like him, but he didn't like a lot of people and it never gave him the desire to see the other suffer. And it never made him get angry with the blond, as it has happened many times in the last few days. Even getting this far, Sasuke refused to think about this anymore. In a very Uchiha-like manner, he just ignored the situation, hoping that it would go away. Scary monsters and powerful shinobi he could defeat; but loving a blond was just too much…
He hadn't seen said blond since that day. For some very well known reason, the blond was avoiding him and spending too much time with Sai. That meant the Uchiha only got out of the house for missions and even those were not very frequent.
He was missing Naruto so much and they only hadn't seen each other for five days and thirteen hours and forty-three minutes… not that he was counting.
Not seeing much else to do, it resumed his brooding.
He had gotten jealous of the other friendship many times before, with Neji and Kakashi and Jiraya but lately he had gotten more vicious about it. He needed the blond so much, more than normal friends do. He saw the blond as his anchor, his light, his everything.
With his last thought, it hit him. Had anyone been watching him and it would be laughing at the way his eyes comically widened and his mouth hanged opened, as he had his epiphany.
He was in love.
For someone who never had anyone to love for a long time, he hadn't been able to understand that this was not fraternal love. However, he just knew that it was the right conclusion. He was in love with his best friend, with that blond, powerful, talented, hot, amazing angel.
And then said angel knocked on his door.
Not knowing who it was, Sasuke walked at the door, in his pyjamas, which he hadn't take off since yesterday… morning. He was pretty sure his hair was a mess and he had bags under his eyes. Grimacing at the idea of someone seeing him like that, he just put his best emotionless, holier-than-thou face and opened the door.
Naruto took in the raven's appearance. What the hell had he been doing these past few days? He looked sick, and Uchihas never look sick, not even when they fight a nine tailed demon, they still look like royalty.
Now, Naruto was concerned. Trying not to sound sad or hurt, which was what he was feeling, he addressed the Uchiha.
"Hey, teme!" – he said, punching Sasuke playfully on the arm. – "We have a mission. It's S-ranked, perfect for two hot jounin, such as us."
"Hn, dobe." – and he turned around to go prepare himself to see the Hokage, leaving the door open so that Naruto could enter the house.
Used to this kind of invitation, Naruto let himself in. The raven was still in his cold self though, and Naruto was not used to that, but we have to understand Sasuke because in his head he was having a panic attack. How was he supposed to act? Should he apologize for his behaviour right away? Should he confess? His head immediately screamed against the idea, his fear of losing the friendship being greater than the need for something else. He just needed Naruto around, the rest was history.
Naruto went to the fridge and grabbed and apple, and then proceeded to make himself stupid in front of he television. Fifteen minutes later, Sasuke showed up, showered and dressed, looking like the emotionless himself again.
They left the house, opting for walk to the tower.
"Why are you mad at me?" – never one to left things unsaid, Naruto started. – "What did I do? Don't tell it's because of a misunderstanding 'cause I won't buy it." - Sasuke just sighed, thankful for the blond's inability of enduring an awkward silence.
"I don't know." – liar.
"…"
"It's just…" – he considered his next words. – "When you said you were looking at Sai, it made me angry. Do you like him? – 'I wouldn't like to loose you to another person. It would kill me to see your happy face directed at other than me. I want you o look only at me.' Sasuke wanted to say, but he didn't. Instead he said: – "Of course that if you are happy then I'm happy." – he finished with a chuckle, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"You are really the idiot you claim me to be."
"Usuratonkachi! Don't push your luck…"
"It's true, you really are stupid." – Naruto said smugly. Stupid raven, getting mad over stupid misunderstandings, making the blond stupidly depressed and thinking stupid things.
"How come?"
"Yes, I like Sai. Very much in fact, but no one will ever come between our friendship."
There was a time when Sasuke would be thrilled to hear such a thing, but now was kind of a bitter victory. He already knew that. He wanted more. He decided to ignore his new knowledge for the sake of his mental sanity.
They walked a bit I silence, noticing the people who waved at them, greeting them, and the ones who glared and ushered their kids away. Sasuke was still brooding over the fact that Naruto hadn't denied his relationship with Sai.
They arrived at the Hokage tower. Bouncing happily trough the well known territory, Naruto made a few detours to greet his friends, always with Sasuke on his tail. The other shinobi just laughed at those two, always bickering and picking with each other.
"Naruto! Our meeting started ten minutes ago and you are working on your social life?!" – said a very angry Tsunade, appearing at her office doorway when she had hear her favourite brat talking to Shizune. – "And you, Uchiha, since you are the only one who can, do control that blond mess!"
"You lie! No one can control the awesome, most unpredictable, super ninja Naruto!" – the blond said, doing a thumbs up pose.
"Come on, dobe, let's hear our orders and then get it over with."
"Okay." – Naruto agreed happily and followed his friend inside the office. Tsunade sweat-dropped. 'I rest my case.' – she thought.
Both teens were sitting in a chair in front of Tsunade's desk, while the Godaime was taking her seat. She cleared her throat and was looking at them lost in thoughts. The boys adopted their professional attitude and were patiently waiting.
"This is a very dangerous mission." – she said. – "I wouldn't send anyone bellow Anbu, but were short on staff and we already lost two teams for this." – Naruto tighten his grip on the arm of the chair. – "I do believe though you are at Anbu level. You just lack discipline." – it was meant to be a criticism, but she couldn't hide the pride in her voice. – "Something will most surely go wrong, but I think you are my best choice."
"How come, baa-chan?" – Naruto asked. He and Sasuke were now staring at her.
"I already told you-"
"Please, Hokage-sama, we need to know everything." – Sasuke put in. Mumbling about smartasses, Tsunade answered.
"I need someone powerful, talented, with amazing chakra reservations and excellent at genjutsu. But more importantly, I need someone whom I can trust blindly."
Both boys just nodded their comprehension. There was a leak in the Anbu force.
"You will leave the town tonight at 23.00. No one knows where are you going and there is no registration of your mission. Only Shizune and I know about this." – she handed them a scroll. Sasuke took it, and Naruto let him. He knew how good the bastard was with strategy. – "Your objectives, destination and other information are on this scroll. Protect it with your lives. You know the procedure." – yes, they knew: if they got caught, burn anything regarding the mission, even yourself.
Adopting their jounin's persona, the teens were leaving the Hokage's office, when said Hokage called back.
"Hey, brat! When you came back, I will have a present ready for you." – 'Please, do come back.'
It was about ten to eleven in the night. Two lonely figures exited an apartment using the window. They were wearing cloaks and masks, not Anbu ones, because they were not Anbu, but a cloth mask meant to hide their identities. Kakashi would have been proud. Only their shadows were seen moving.
They finally reached the gates and left their home village.
As soon as they landed on all fours, the taller figure snorted.
"Tell me, dobe, if the purpose is to stay hidden, do you think your hair will help you hide in the sky? Maybe you're planning as posing as the sun…"
"Shut up, Teme! Besides, I would never dye my hair. I like the blond." – 'Yeah, so do I.' – Sasuke thought.
"By the way, moron, where are you going?" – Sasuke asked, when he saw the blond head down the road. The raven had the map and the destination, and he had been hell bent in not letting the other know, so Naruto didn't know the way.
Apparently, the blond had forgotten. Rubbing the back of his head, shamefacedly, Naruto returned to Sasuke's side.
"Usuratonkachi."
And off they went, bickering and bantering all the way to Water Country.
For further notice, sweetpeas mean 'Goodbye, thank you for a lovely time.' I think it's appropriated for Sai last romantic gesture.
1. Written by Rev. W. T. Hutchins and lightly modified by me.
I would also like to know what did you think about time lapses? Because I've been looking for later chapters and it gets really frequent. Does it make sense? does it annoy you? Please send some feedback...
Thanks for reading...
