A/N: It's been too long again hasn't it? I swear I'm going to try and be more regular with this one... and update some of my other stories ^^;

The day wore on and Naruto followed the sun's progress across the sky for as long as he was able. But eventually the hum of the road beneath the jeeps tyres combined with a full night's training lulled him into a lethargic state. The Police radio no longer blurted out hurried transmissions; they were out of the signal range by now, high up in the mountains that separated Konoha from Suna. The highest peaks to the west towered over them, steely grey and menacing but far beneath over a sheer drop from the road lay lush fields and on the steeper slopes, expansive vineyards. Naruto had drunk in the sight of them for many hours but now he turned inwards and curled up on the sofa-like backseat.

Next to him Sasuke was already asleep, as was Hinata. The stoic boy had transferred his sword to it's original sheath and held it tightly to his chest as he slept. Naruto noticed a small red and white insignia at the top of the polished sheath, it looked rather like an uchiwa fan and Naruto knew immediately that this must be the symbol for the Uchiha clan. Neji had shown Naruto the Hyuuga family's symbol which he wore as a clasp for his cloak (an apparently traditional form of dress for the Hyuuga clan). Naruto wondered if the Namikaze clan had a symbol, he thought it might be nice to wear something so connected with the family he had once been part of.

Here in the car Sasuke slept just as tensely as he had in the city. His shoulders were hunched and his grip on his sword unrelenting, he even had small frown marks. Naruto hoped he would relax a bit at the Hyuuga's home since he wouldn't need to worry about being attacked. Neji had told Naruto it was a beautiful place but he didn't know much other than it's location in the mountains. Naruto sighed happily; his life was definitely looking up, not only did he have friends and somewhere to sleep, but he was escaping the stifling city. Snuggling down in the new jumper Sakura had brought him Naruto fell asleep with images of the dramatic landscape flowing through his mind.

When he awoke it had started raining. Tenzou had stopped the jeep in a lay-by in a flatter area of terrain than before. They were now surrounded by farming fields on one side and a dense forest of fir trees on the other. In the distance Naruto could just see a sprawling town through the rain which had started coming down in sheets.

"Who wants to get out and open the gate?" asked Tenzou.

Naruto volunteered immediately; he didn't mind a bit of rain and welcomed the chance to stretch his legs. He jumped out of the jeep and ran through the downpour to a metal gate with a no entry sign on it. It looked like the entrance to a work plant and Naruto wondered if he had the right gate... except that this was the only gate. It wasn't padlocked so Naruto tried to pull it open, but it wouldn't budge. He tugged harder and still the gate was stubborn.

"Forgot you wouldn't know." Naruto turned to find a wet Sasuke standing behind him. "Press magick into the pentacle, like you would a crystal."

"Eh?"

Sasuke grabbed Naruto's hand and guided it to the gate post. He pressed their hands over a five pointed star engraved into the top and hissed. "Do it!"

"Er right," muttered Naruto, distracted by the pressure of that long fingered hand over his.

Sasuke let go and Naruto recalled how he had been taught to charge the Kiyo crystal in his dad's dagger. Visualising the magick in his veins he collected the power in his hand and delivered a burst of magick into the gate post. The symbol glowed very briefly until the gate came loose and swung open a bit in the wind. Together they pushed it open for the jeep to drive through and then let it close again before jumping back into the warm interior of the jeep, now dripping water everywhere. Naruto shook his head like a dog and opened his eyes to find a disgruntled Uchiha glaring at him.

"What? It's not like you could get any wetter," he pointed out.

"H-here," said Hinata handing them both clean towels from the front.

As they dried up Tenzou drove them further into the deep forest. Here the trees were so close together they created a canopy which sheltered them from most of the rain, though pine needles occasionally fell onto the windshield, weighed down with water. It was also quieter here, as though they had just entered a tome or perhaps an old temple, the outside world didn't exist here or otherwise it was muffled and unimportant. As they continued through the forest they seemed to be descending into a valley. In fact the whole forest seemed centred around a great v-shaped valley and through the bottom ran a wide river, fast flowing in the direction they had come. The road followed this river for a while on a slow incline until they reached a rickety old foot bridge. Beside it was a tiny gatehouse, though there was no sign of a gate.

"We're on foot from here," said Tenzou parking up next to the hut.

As they jumped out Neji and Shikamaru came out of the gatehouse, their motorbike had gotten them here much faster than the old jeep and was now leant in the shelter of the hut.

"Good t-to be home isn't it nii-san?"

"That rather depends on the reception don't you think?" replied Neji, squeezing Hinata's hand for a moment.

"Yes... I d-do hope otou-san doesn't t-try to make us stay again," she said peering across the bridge.

"He can't make us do anything."

Naruto turned to look over the bridge. The forest was still dense and dark but he now realised he could see a collection of buildings through the gloom. It appeared they had finally arrived, he felt a thrill of excitment. Sasuke however seemed highly reluctant to proceed any further, he was looking at the foot bridge with an air of distrust.

"It's a lot safer than it looks," said Neji cheerfully.

Sasuke glared at him but the Hyuuga simply hoisted his backpack higher and walked out onto the bridge. Hinata followed him and they both crossed safely. Tenzou and Shikamaru also crossed but Naruto hung back with Sasuke.

"What's wrong Sasuke?"

"Nothing! I just don't like the idea of falling into that river!" snapped Sasuke, still looking at the drop into cold water.

"You won't fall and even if you did, you could just swim to the bank."

Sasuke didn't answer.

Naruto looked at him curiously. "You can't swim? ...Can you?"

"I live in a city, I don't need to swim!"

"Ooh..."

Sasuke turned to glare at him. "You dare tell anyone..."

"It's okay, I wouldn't do that," said Naruto hastily. "Look, not that I think you will, but if you were to fall in it'd be okay 'cause I'd jump in and save you. I'm a brilliant swimmer!"

Sasuke's eyes flickered back to the river which crashed rapidly over smooth rocks beneath them. He looked torn. "You would?" he asked in a small voice.

"Without thinking for even a second."

"You never think," jibed Sasuke, recovering a little of his usual attitude.

"I wouldn't need to think," retorted Naruto. "Now come on, everyone's waiting for us."

Sasuke grunted and stepped cautiously out onto the wooden planks, Naruto following close behind him. They crossed slowly and thankfully without incident. The forest path up to the Hyuuga house was covered in a bouncy blanket of pine needles. The rain had eased off leaving everything smelling wonderfully fresh. They soon reached their destination to see a large home stretching over the floor of a clearing which allowed for a patch of blue sky above them. Around the house, between the trees and connected by winding paths were numberous small cabins. It certainly was a beautiful place and Naruto found the setting surreal in the extreme. To think this was where he'd be living for the next few months was overwhelming.

-0-

For Sasuke, however, the beauty of the Hyuuga's home was dulled by the fact that it was the Hyuuga's home. Sasuke hadn't had a home since the death of his entire family and being here only reminded him of how the Uchiha clan had once lived together. Some coming and going but always returning to the family home as Hinata and Neji were doing now. At least at the coven he was with other people who didn't have homes for various reasons.

As they walked into the courtyard in front of the grand home a small girl with hair like Neji's came running down the front steps. She launched herself happily into Hinata's arms before turning to Neji for a hug as well.

"You're looking well, Hanabi-chan," he said politely.

"You too Neji-kun," she said with a bright smile. "Tenzou-san, my father is waiting for you in the meeting room to discuss your mission in town." Tenzou thanked her and hurried off to meet the head of the Hyuuga household. "Well that leaves Uchiha-san and Uzumaki-san and of course Shikamaru-kun."

Sasuke didn't understand how she knew who was who but thought perhaps his appearance had given him away; all the Uchiha had pale skin, dark eyes and black hair, just as her pale grey eyes gave her away as a Hyuuga. Still he found her presuming manner rather detering.

"Otou-sama(1) said to send Tenzou straight to him but he wishes to speak to you, Neji-kun before dinner. Still, that leaves you plenty of time to settle in, you and aneki(2) will be taking your original rooms in the main house?"

"Yes," said Hinata. "Does otou-sama want to see m-me as well."

"Not until dinner I think. Anyway, I'm to show these two to their cabins."

"What about Shikamaru?" asked Neji seeming surprised at the exclusion of his boyfriend.

Hanabi gave him a sweet smile, "Did you not want to share your room?"

"Well yes but... Hiashi-sama has always insisted on seperate rooms..."

"Not that that ever stopped us," muttered Shikamaru.

She smiled slyly at them, "It seems he's finally warmed to the idea, though knowing him I wouldn't push it."

Hanabi beckoned for Naruto and Sasuke to follow her and together they made their way along one of the many paths winding between the trees here. It was only a short distance to the first cabin which she gave to Naruto. She told them both about the bell which rang at meal times and the bell which rang for clan meetings. There was also an emergency alarm which could be activated in a similar way to the gate, though she assured them it hadn't been needed in her lifetime.

As Sasuke walked on with Hinata's sister she spoke again. "It's quite a surprise to have you staying here, Uchiha-san. I got the impression Uchiha's were never particurly fond of the Hyuuga clan."

"I apprieciate your hospitality but please don't misunderstand; I'm not here out of choice. My pupil is here and we need to continue his training."

"Naturally. You are welcome to use the training grounds behind the main house and you might not have noticed but there's an assault course running around the border of the cabins."

"I had noticed," said Sasuke immediatly, wanting to appear adept.

She smiled in a way that made Sasuke suspect his lie had been detected. "I'm surprised, it is well hidden after all. But I guess I should expect such things from an Uchiha." Her tone was mocking and Sasuke fought the blush rising on his cheeks.

The cabin was small but neat and clean. The kitchen had a little fridge and sink but no stove as they weren't expected to cook their own meals. There was a sofa and bookshelf in one corner, room for a large bedroll in the other and a tiny bathroom with a shower. Hanabi pointed out the bells before leaving. He was glad to be alone again, the girl was strange; she gave off the impression of someone who knew far too much for her age and it made Sasuke uncomfortable. He heaved a heavy sigh and unpacked his bag. There was no hoping that they would be able to leave soon but at least he had his own quarters and a measure of privacy.

Outside the back door of the cabin was an area of decking with a swing-seat hanging from the roof. Sasuke sat for a moment in the peace of the forest. He took a deep lungful of air, breathing in the tangy scent of pine sap which he found oddly pleasant. It was dark and cool and here, by his private cabin, and he could almost pretend that this wasn't the Evergreen Forest of the Hyuuga clan but his own space in this mad world. Memories of the Uchiha estate by the sea flowed through his mind as he let his eyes close. The high cliffs, the wide horizon and the salty air gave such an illusion of freedom when in fact they had been just as hidden as the Hyuuga's were in this deep forest. Sasuke opened his eyes.

"No, I'm a long way from home."

Sasuke glanced at the time on his phone. As he understood it they would be expected to sleep at night whilst they were here which meant dinner would be soon. Still he had enough time for a shower before then.

Sure enough the dinner bell rang just as he was stepping out of the shower. He wrapped a towel around his waist and went in search of clean clothes. He felt much fresher after his shower; travelling always left him feeling sleepy and unclean. Sasuke was just pulling on his trousers when a familiar voice calling his name announced Naruto's arrival.

"Hai hai, I'm just getting ready," said Sasuke distractedly as he picked out a new shirt.

"I hope they have lots of food, I'm starved!" said Naruto, rubbing his flat stomach.

Sasuke was just about to pull his shirt on when Naruto stopped him. "What are you wearing?" he asked curiously, cocking his head to the side.

"Er... clothes?"

Sasuke pulled his shirt over his head but as he reappeared Naruto stepped closer. "No, this," he said pulling Sasuke's necklace out of his shirt.

Sasuke let him examine the pendant, trying not to focus on how close Naruto was standing. He could almost feel the heat of Naruto's body as the new hunter examined his necklace. The increased awareness he was experiencing confused him so Sasuke buried it, concentrating hard on his own pendant. Naruto ran his fingers along the strong chain and turned the heavy silver pentacle over gently touching the shimmering crystal set in the middle. It was a Kiyo crystal of course, the pendant was designed so that the crystal emerged from both sides of the silver star resting directly on your skin and charging itself continuously making it a powerfully protective talisman.

"This is the symbol that was on the gate..."

"The symbol of a Hunter," agreed Sasuke quietly.

"Does everyone have these?" Sasuke nodded. "And you wear them all the time?" Another nod. "Why don't I have one?"

"Because you're not a fully fledged Hunter yet. When your training here is finished you will take part in an initiation ceremony and then... you will wear our mark."

"I'll be a real Hunter."

Sasuke nodded. He recognised from Naruto's tone that the idea of truly becoming part of the Hunt was an attractive prospect. He had been the same himself; eager to be part of something... to belong.

A/N:

(1) 'Otou-sama' means father, it's quite a polite form

(2) 'Aneki' means older sister, it's the sister version of aniki (older brother)

Hope it was good, don't forget to review please!

-Yasu