The group of ninja had walked till night and set camp. Sakura had to pry Hakus fingers from her arm.
"Haku you're fine now," she said soothingly. Haku still stayed by her side unsure about the darkness around. Kakash set Naruto down and Neji laid Shikamaru next to the blonde. Sakura came over to tend to their wounds Haku went to follow her but she shook her head. So he sat by the fire legs pressed up against his body. Kakashi and Neji were softly talking amongst themselves. Sasuke was physically and mentally tired he walked to the tree by the fire and slumped down. He looked toward Sakura tending two the two ninja. Narutos injuries seemed worse when his shirt was off the gash from the kuni was bigger than he thought. His chest was battered with bruises Sasuke looked away as he felt himself tremble. He bit his lip as he pulled his legs up to his chest like Haku and placed his head in his arms.
"We'll make in two days if we take brakes. If we go after this rest we can make it sooner," Kakashi said as he took a canteen and handed it to Sakura.
"Either one sounds good to me," Neji said. Sakura lifted Narutos head but she fumbled with the canteen.
"Need help?" Sasuke said as he took the canteen from her hand she gave a small blush and nodded. She put Naruto's head on her lap and the raven haired teen held the canteen. They then moved on to Shikamaru, Sakura glanced over at Haku.
"He's not taking it so well," she looked back to Sasuke.
"He's been sheltered," Sasuke didn't look at her. She gave Sasuke a sympathy look Sasuke had been forced to grown up when Itachi killed his whole clan. Sasuke saw the look on her face when he looked up. It made him angry he set the empty canteen down and got up. Sakura let him go she gently placed Shikamarus head on the folded shirt. She walked over to Haku and sat next to him he looked at her.
"How are you doing, I know this is tough to handle," she gave him a pat on the shoulder. He smiled at her.
"You've been so nice, thank you,"
Naruto moved his head and moaned. Everyone stopped and looked in the blonde's direction. Naruto lifted his uninjured arm and rubbed his face he coughed as Sakura shot up.
"Naruto try not to move too much," she had a concerned look.
"Sakura...hey..." he said weakly. She gave him a small smile and he gave one back. He turned his head to see Shikamar. He strained to look at the rest of the group but Sakura pushed him down. The blast flashed in Naruto's head.
"Everyone's ok Naruto," she looked at him reassuringly.
"Everyone fine dobe," Sasuke made himself heard. Naruto mumbled a small reply.
"Teme..." Naruto trailed off as he closed his eyes as sleep took over. Sakura gave a small laugh and sat next to Haku once again. Kakashi was happy to see everyone ok he smiled to himself.
"We should get going soon," Kakashi spoke and Neji agreed. After a few minutes Neji took Shikamaru on his back and Naruto was on Kakashis back fast asleep. They began to walk into the night they would be home soon.
The sun had begun to set as the group of tired ninja neared the gate. Kakashi saw the two ninjas who guard the gate waving then he heard them shouting things at other people. They got closer and once inside the gate everyone was tired Neji and Sasuke were bent over in exhaustion. Tsunade soon arrived with a medical team behind her. Shikamaru and Naruto were put on stretchers she motioned for the rest to follow they all needed a checkup.
Everyone had been tended to Naruto and Shikamaru were in the same room resting. Tsunade had to deal with Haku at the moment.
"Alright everyone..." everyone looked at her, Neji had been dismissed earlier.
"Haku needs a place to stay until we get things figured out. Naruto and Sakura are out of the question. Haku can't possibly live in Naruto's trashed apartment. Nor can he live with Sakura...because shes a girl and I don't think her parents would be happy." she turned towards Kakashi and Sasuke.
"So any takers Kakashi...Sasuke?" she crossed her arms and tapped her foot waiting for a response. Finally Kakashi spoke and broke the silence.
"I think Sasuke should," Kakashi said. Sasuke glared at Kakashi he knew he didn't like Haku.
"Then it's settled!" Sasuke began to protest but Tsunade turned on her heels and left. Sasuke was angry where was Haku anyway?
Naruto was awake in the white room he hated being in the hospital. Shikamaru had moved but he wasn't awake. The blonde sighed and glanced out the window what time was it he? Naruto sat himself up onto the pillow he jumped as he saw Haku sitting in the chair near the door.
"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you," Haku said softly as he walked and sat in the chair next to Naruto's bed. Narutos heart beat slowed down from the small scare.
"It's fine just a little surprising," he rubbed the back of his head. Haku leaned closer to Naruto.
"I wanted to say thank you for saving me," Haku looked Naruto in the eyes.
"I'm just doing what I can it's my ninja way. Friends are friends," Naruto smiled at Haku. Haku stood up and moved closer to Naruto, before Naruto knew what happened the door to the room opened. Haku's lips were on Naruto's Sasuke stood in the door way shocked. Naruto pushed on Haku with his one good arm but Haku wouldn't budge then he pushed with both tearing the stitches open on his right arm. Sasuke charged at Haku and grabbed a hold of his shirt and yanked him off of Naruto. He pinned Haku to the ground as hard as he could. Haku grunted at the knee in his chest.
"What do you think you're doing?" Sasuke's anger built up as he rose his fist. Kakashi had heard the commotion and was now holding Sasukes arm now. Sasuke didn't resist Kakashi's grip but he got up and left the room with a glance at Naruto. Sakura rushed over to Naruto his arm was bleeding a nursed rushed in at Sakura's call. Kakashi picked Haku off the ground and they walked out of the room.
"Looks like you'll be staying with me," Kakashi said humorously. Sasuke had made it all the way home once he was in the door and smashed the lamp that was in the hallway. He came into the lonely kitchen a swiped a glass onto the floor from the counter. A tear rolled down his cheek why was he crying? What's there to cry about? The past few days took a mental toll on him he lay on his bed as another tear rolled down his cheek. He whipped the tear away angrily then sleep came soon after.
A few days had past but Sasuke never made it outside he stayed cooped up in his house. There was no point in going outside today because it was pouring rain. The raven walked to the sliding glass doors in his bedroom and stared outside. The rain made small pools in the backyard around the stones on the ground and the rain drops made ripples in the pond. Haku kissing Naruto invaded his thoughts, he clenched his fist that rested on the doorframe. He turned around and grabbed a shirt from his closet he walked into the kitchen. He still hadn't cleaned up from his little tantrum. There was a small knock why was someone here? Sasuke turned and made his way down the hall to the door. He slid the door open a crack it was Naruto. The raven opened the door wide he was a little surprised to see the blonde at his door.
"Hey Sasuke can I come it? I'm not supposed to get my stitches wet," Naruto said covered his right arm. Sasuke stepped aside to let Naruto in.
"Thanks Sasuke!" Naruto slid off his shoes when he stepped inside.
"Yeah, let me get you a towel," he made his way down the hall and into the bathroom. Naruto turned and saw the broken lamp on the floor he proceeded to the kitchen and saw the glass. What had happened... was Sasuke attacked? Naruto started to clean the glass off the floor.
"You don't have to do that." he tossed the towel at Naruto.
"What happened?" he looked up at Sasuke.
"I got mad that's all..." the raven walked past Naruto to get a broom.
"Mad about what?" Naruto asked. Sasuke started to sweep the glass into the dust pan.
"Drop it Naruto it was nothing," the raven began to get annoyed.
"It's not nothing you broke two things." Naruto was looking at Sasuke he wanted to know if his friend was all right. Sasuke dumped the glass into the trashcan then moved into the hall way with Naruto following.
"Sasuke." Naruto grabbed Sasukes arm his heart skipped a beat at the blondes touch. He smacked Narutos hand away from him but immediately regretted it. He looked back to see Narutos reaction but Naruto had no expression. Sasuke began to sweep the broken lamp.
"I'm sorry...I..." Sasuke trailed off.
"Sasuke I'm your friend you can tell me," Naruto's voice was soft. "If you can't trust me Sasuke then maybe we aren't so good of friends," Naruto continued.
"No, it's..." Sasuke turned toward Naruto. The raven placed the broom gently against the wall along with the dust pan. Sasuke ran a hand through his hair then looked at Naruto. Naruto was staring at him their eyes met. Naruto's eyes were so blue a persian blue with sky blue streaks. Sasuke had the urge to pull Naruto closer to him but he waited. Naruto took a step closer he was so close to Sasuke. The raven's heart pounded he looked away but then looked back. Sasuke took ahold of Naruto's shoulders and backed him up against the wall. Naruto winced in pain Sasuke had forgotten about the stitches. Sasuke let go but Naruto was the one to close the gap the blonde grabbed Sasuke's hand and pulled him in. Their lips connected and Naruto put his left arm around Sasukes neck grabbing some hair. Sasuke kissed harder as he wrapped his arms around Naruto's waist. They parted lips Narutos hand slid away from Sasukes hair. Naruto began to slide down the wall something wasn't right. Sasuke caught Naruto as he fell he didn't look too well.
"Naruto!" Sasuke yelled trying to get a better grip on the falling blonde. He ran to get Tsunade soon Sasuke was in the Hokages office. Kakashi was there and everyone whipped around to see Sasuke dripping wet.
"Tsunade Naruto passed out I don't know what happened!" the raven was panting. Tsunade got up and walked to the door she motioned for them to follow. They made it to Sasukes house and to the hallway. Tsunade carried the blonde to Sasuke's bed and laid him there. She unzipped Naruto's orange jacket and took off his black under shirt. Her hands glowed a light green she was seeing if everything was ok internally. She put her hands by her side and looked at the blonde's comrades.
"He's fine he just needs plenty of rest. I'm not sure why he's not healing as fast as he usually does," she sighed.
"Well I'll leave him to you. I still need to talk to you Kakashi," she motioned for Kakashi to leave for a moment. Tsunade looked at the raven and spoke in a hushed voice.
"Nothing else happened nothing strange on the mission?" he couldn't think of anything that hadn't already been said. He shook his head nothing came to mind, nothing at all.
"Alright," she looked at Naruto then turned to leave.
"Is this about the nine tails?" Tsunade stopped and turned to look at Sasuke there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"I'm not going to lie to you Sasuke it might be we aren't sure exactly what's going on," she looked at Naruto again then left Sasuke with a squeeze on the ravens shoulder. Sasuke wasn't sure what to do now their kiss played in his head he blushed but quickly shoved the thought away.
Haku was sitting alone in Kakashis small apartment the people above him were noisy it made it hard to think. Haku got up from the kitchen chair and moved to the living room. The team had betrayed him they tried to kill him along with the Hidden Leaf ninja. He clutched his fist what was this sudden betrayal about and who led them in it. He debated whether to tell the Hokage but he would surely be put in jail. Did he want revenge against his now former group yes he wanted revenge. Everything was messed up everything was wrong. Haku rubbed his chest where a bruise was now forming he only kissed Naruto to get a rise out of Sasuke. He chuckled at the memory of Sasukes angry face that raven sure had a temper. What about Naruto what was his anger like? Haku liked making people angry he liked pushing those buttons. He thought the kiss would make both Naruto and Sasuke angry but it was only Sasuke. Naruto did push him but he didn't seem angry he didn't know what Narutos emotion was. Haku got up and headed towards the door when Kakashi stepped inside. Kakashi stopped in the doorway at looked at Haku blankly.
"Going somewhere?" Kakashi was still standing in the doorway.
"I was going to talk with the Hokage...about the Shinda group," Haku spilled the beans he cursed at himself.
"You know something?" Kakashi was now suspicious.
"Yes..."
"Then I'll walk you," Kakashi stepped out and waited for Haku to follow. Haku did and Kakashi slid the door closed. Kakashi walked with his hands in his pockets what did this boy know about Shinda? They made it to the building and up the long stairs the two guards were standing outside the Hokages office. Kakashi gave a look to one of them as to say something was up. The ninja nodded slightly then waited for them to enter then looked to his comrade across the doorframe. Tsunade smiled as the two came into her office.
"Something wrong with the living arrangement?" she folding her arms on the desk. Kakashi stepped back away from Haku, Tsunades eyebrow rose questioningly. Haku cleared his throat and began to talk,
"I know about the Shinda group..." Tsunade stood slowly and walked around to the front of her desk. Shizune was standing to the side quietly taking mental notes.
"What do you know and how?" Tsunade re-crossed her arms her eyes narrowed slightly. Haku became nervous but he wanted revenge and he knew the Hidden Leaf would carry it out.
"The Shinda group betrayed me," Tsunades eyes were fully narrowed at Haku everyone was on high alert now. Haku continued, "My mission was to be escorted by some Hidden Leaf ninja then we would attack the ninja at night. Taking their belongings possibly roughing them up, but they turned on me they have a whole other plan. There are four of them without me. I never planned for this to happen. They are very skilled..." Tsunade motioned for Kakashi to open the door and the two ninjas came in and took a hold of Haku.
"Take him to Inoichi," she nodded at the ninja. Haku didn't resist he knew what would happen he would be imprisoned. This was his choice and there was no turning back at all.