The Hidden Heart of the Nausicaa Forest

I do not own Naruto. This is a complete work of fiction. Enjoy.


Chapter 8 – Trail of Light

"Wake up! Wake up! I said wake up!" Sakura punched Naruto awake.

"Ah! Ouch! Sakura-chaaan that hurt. What you do that for?" Naruto, now fully wake, clutched his head in pain. "Because you were screaming in your sleep and it was getting annoying"

"Oh, sorry about that. I was having a nightmare"

"About what?"

"I was walking around Konoha and noticed that everyone was looking at me funny. They started laughing and pointing at me. I glance down and realize I was in my underwear. All my clothes were gone! I began to scream and that's when you woke me up. Phew, good thing it was all a dream. I know that would never happen to me".

Sakura look at Naruto like he was the biggest idiot alive.

"Uh...Naruto-"

"I mean I would die of embarrassment if that ever happened"

"Naruto"

"Imagine Sasuke running around half naked." Naruto laughed.

I wish he was, instead of you.

"Naruto!" Naruto stopped laughing and acknowledged the pissed pink headed girl.

"Um...what is it?" Sakura scrutinized him and did a hand gesture towards his body.

Naruto did not take the hint. "Is there drool on my face?" Sakura fell flat on her face.

"No, you idiot! You are in your underwear!" Naruto took a while to register this.

"Of course, I'm in my underwear. I always am. Wow, Sakura, even an idiot would have known that"

If looks could kill.

Why? Why me? What have I done to deserve this?

"Uh, Sakura-chan. You don't look so good"

"Sakura-chaaaaaan?"

Kill me please.

ﻌᴥﻋ

Ino stretched her arms as she woke up. Another day and still no Neji or the others. Ino sighed. She stood up and noticed Sasuke wasn't there. Probably looking for more food. She sat back down and thought about what happened these past few days.

Went to a freaky forest, got separated from the others. Got together with Sasuke and made out with him. Ino blushed at this. She could imagine Sakura's face if she ever found out. Everyone else would be shock that Sasuke had express some type of feeling towards someone, let alone a girl. And Neji...he would...he would. What would Neji do? Would he be upset? Do I feel guilty for doing this...no, he cheated on me first...didn't he?

Her dream last night was about Neji she remembered. It was always about Neji. Recently she has been having a lot of dreams that included him for some reason. Did she miss him that much?

"I see someone's finally awake" Ino snapped out of her thought and looked up to see Sasuke. He had a bunch of strange nuts and berries in his hands. He sat next to Ino and offered her one. "It's okay, they are safe to eat. Plus, they're delicious." Ino hesitantly grabbed one.

She debated whether she should take a bite or not. Sasuke smirked and shook his head. He disrupted her thoughts by gently pulling her face towards his, their lips inches away. Ino's face turned red. Why am I blushing? We already kissed before, it's nothing new. But why is it that he always manages to make my heart pound so fast.

Sasuke searched her eyes before letting go of her face. He turned his head away and took a bite of a fruit. Ino sat there dumbfounded. That's it, no kiss? She quickly turned her flushed face away from him. Why didn't he kiss her, did she do something? She quickly dismissed that thought and sadly took a bite of a square shaped nut.

Mmmmmmm, tasty.

They finished eating the fruits and were now headed off in search of the others. There had been an awkward silence between them the whole time. Ino desperately wanted to know what was wrong but didn't have the courage to ask. She kept glancing at Sasuke occasionally. When he didn't look back she gave up. They walked side by side through the strange forest. Every now and then a weird animal would pop up here or there. Ino stuck up her bottom lip with frustration.

He won't even look at me. I shouldn't be taken this shit anyways. I'm a Yamanaka for Pete's sake and people don't get away that easily when playing around with my feelings. He is pisses me off!

From the corner of his eyes Sasuke watched Ino. For some reason he liked toying with her. It amused him to see how easily you could piss her off but what he really liked was the way her soft lips pouted that way. He was desperate to devour those lips but he held himself back.

For some strange reason, he wanted her to tell him about her relationship with Neji. He remembered that she had a crush on him not the Hyuuga. Had she giving up so easily on him and went to the next best thing. That really pissed him off. He was an Uchiha after all and he didn't like losing to anyone even over a girl. That was one reason you could say but mostly, its fun messing with Ino's head. Sasuke smirked to himself.

ﻌᴥﻋ

Hinata and Lee examined the item they had recovered earlier with confusion. They were shocked to see it on the tree and not where it was supposed to be. Either way it provided some help/clue.

"Well this could only mean that... Naruto must be close by and not wearing any clothes." The sudden proclamation caused Hinata to blush.

"Ah…um, I-I think he may have some clo-clo-clothing on. Ju-Just not these." She pointed at the orange coat, and one ninja shoe they had found.

"You are right Hinata. Why didn't I think of that? You are truly a genius!"

"I d-don't really think it-it takes a genius to fig-figure that out." She played with her fingers while she blushed at his remark.

Me? A genius...never.

"Come on Hinata. If Naruto is close by this is your chance to use your Byakuugan and look for him before he gets far away".

Hinata nodded. Lee picked up Naruto's clothes and walked towards the trees. Hinata started to follow Lee but she stopped half way to look back.

"Come on Hinata. There is no time to waste" A soft wind blew Hinata's hair.

Naruto, please be alright.

With that thought said she ran to catch up with Lee.

ﻌᴥﻋ

Neji sighed in exhaustion. Things had gotten worse. Neji hadn't found a clue to the other's whereabouts and he was becoming exhausted. He hadn't slept since they were separated. He didn't want to risk getting attacked by something. Neither did he trust the fruits he had found. One in particular had a very alluring, sweet smell that he tried his best to refrain from eating. It gave Neji a bad feeling.

"I wonder how everyone else is doing…"

Neji stopped walking and sat on a large rock. "Hopefully better than me".

He stared at empty space. He placed his fist under his chin while he twirled a kunai in his left hand. Ino...what have I done wrong...sometimes I regret everything that happen between us. Being with you...was forbidden. But I risked it to be with you. Why? Why did I bother being with you!?

Neji stopped twirling the kunai and clutched it with anger.

I want to know...why you suddenly stopped showing up at are meeting place. Why you look at me that way. I want to find you. But I can't. I used to much of my chakra.

"Damn it Ino!" Neji threw the kunai will all his strength to a tree but missed. He noticed a faint glow between nearby rocks.

It was a flower. It looked familiar.

Neji recalled Ino' words, the Yorugao helps you find that which you lost and love most.

Neji ran his fingers on the flowers petal. A silk like thread materialized. The boy was surprised, it led to the trees. He followed it all the while Ino's words echoing in his head. It would help you find what that which you lost and love most. He followed the thread until there wasn't any more to follow. His eyes scan the area, just more trees, but he could sense something familiar.

"She must be near. Just one more time, Ino." He opened his eyes. "Byakugan!"

He searched the forest for the last time. He searched but found nothing. Just when he was about to give up his eyes spotted two people. "I finally found you but…"

He glared at the raven hair boy next to Ino. "Sasuke…"

ﻌᴥﻋ

Tenten stared at the hole. Kiba had just told her some seconds ago that Ino was down there. But she couldn't believe it. If Ino is down there then that must mean...Neji and Lee...must also be down there.

She inspected the edge of the hole. "Are you sure she's down there?"

"Yep. Akamaru wasn't lying when he told me that he could smell her scent coming from down that hole" Kiba told the brown haired girl.

"So what do we do now?" Tenten thought about it. There was no way they could just jump in the dark hole. They didn't even know where it could lead to and how deep it was.

"We can't jump in if that's what you are thinking" Tenten gave Kiba a knowing look. He frowned at how she already thought he had no self control and could careless how they got down there. Which was exactly how he was feeling like doing, he just wanted to give Ino that letter and get it over with.

But wait, if Ino's down there than that means...Hinata!

Now he really wanted to go down the hole as fast as he could and didn't care how. However, Tenten grabbed him before he could.

"Whoa, Calm down. I didn't think you would actually do it. Are you crazy? We have to find a way to get down there without getting killed! Think before you act!"

Kiba pulled away from her. She was right he thought, which pissed him off even more.

"First we gotta think this through, because if we don't then who is gonna give that letter to Ino. And even though you don't care about the letter we also have to think about the others. If they're down there and are in trouble, we have to be careful so we don't mess up and waste too much of our chakra so we could find a way to rescue them. Got that?"

Kiba slowly nodded his head. He didn't want to look at her for making him feel like an idiot who couldn't do anything. Pretty much like Sakura. But he wasn't going to be a Sakura, not now not ever. He was going to show everybody, including Tenten, that he didn't need help. He could do it by himself.

And that's when Kiba threw himself in the hole clutching onto Akamaru yelling at the top of his lung "Wahooooooo!". Tenten stood there with disbelief, with her mouth wide open and her eyes white with shock, the wind blew past her. She snapped out of her trance like state.

"Wait you idiot! I said we have to think this through. Didn't you hear a word I said!?" Apparently not or else he wouldn't have thrown himself down a dark hole that could possibly kill him.

"Now what am I supposed to do?"

ﻌᴥﻋ

Ino kept on walking alongside Sasuke but she was getting tired. She was about to start whining when suddenly Sasuke stopped. Blue eyes were fixated with the back of Sasuke's head. "Um...Sasuke? Is something wrong?"

He didn't respond, he examined her from the corner of his eyes. I can sense it. It's definitely his chakra and he's very close. He turned around completely, now facing Ino. He had a plan on his mind that would make the Hyuuga down right pissed.

He smirked to himself. Heh, I wonder what Neji would do if he saw me kissing his precious little Ino. Ino's eyebrows furrowed. What!? Why all of a sudden? That bastard if he think I'll forgive him that easy.

When Sasuke's lips were close to her own, Ino pushed him away. She was about to yell at him for even trying to think he was going to get away with playing around with her when all of a sudden she sensed his chakra. Her eyes widen and all her current anger washed away. Ne..Neji? He's close by but… I get it now. Why Sasuke was suddenly going to kiss me. Oh my gosh, I hope he didn't see.

She shut her eyes tight expecting Neji to come bursting with anger from her almost kiss with Sasuke. Luckily for Ino, Neji didn't see anything. He had taken off Byakugan as soon as he had finish glaring at Sasuke and went straight after them.

Neji landed with exhaustion in front of a tree and collapse against it. Ino rushed to him with concern expression on her face at his worn out appearance. Neji panted, taking a while to talk. "Got any food?" Ino stopped in her tracks. From all the things he could have said he chose to say that? Well he must be really hungry looking like that. Can't really blame him Ino thought. She took off her pack and took out one of the fruit she was eating earlier and gave it to him.

He took it from her and while he did, Ino felt a sudden jolt go through her arm. She pulled back quickly. Neji raised an eyebrow and studied her then the fruit. "Yea it's safe to eat" Ino said not looking at him. In the background Sasuke's hair covered his eyes. He was looking down at the ground with a weird smirk covering his face.

ﻌᴥﻋ

"Wahooooooo!" Kiba went down the dark hole and he held Akamaru close to him.

'Remind me why you threw yourself down a hole, but more importantly why did you took me with you!?'

"But isn't this great Akamaru? The wind in your fur, while you fall down a giant dark hole that could lead anywhere even to your death. Haha...uh...not really smart was it?" Akamaru shook his head. 'Godhis an idiot...'

Kiba couldn't see anything at first while falling but the deeper he fell the more he saw this light shining below him. "Hey look Akamaru maybe if we're lucky we would survive". 'Maybe I would but not you. Maybe you're only useful at preventing my death...hmmm...better for me!'

"Um, falling is getting kind of boring. Are we there yet?" Akamaru sweat dropped. Luckily before Akamaru could bite the crap out of Kiba, they started to see trees that could probably save them from direct contact with the ground. "Finally I can see the ground. Here we go Akamaru! You better pray we survive this! "

'I hope you do survive this just so I can beat the shit out of you to teach you a lesson!'

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

'Wooooooofff!'

Ino, Neji, and Sasuke looked up at the same time. " Did you here that?" Ino was sure she wasn't her hearing things.

"Sounded like someone screaming" Neji squinted at where the scream came from.

"It also sounded like a dog was screaming" Sasuke raised an eyebrow. All three surveyed one another. What the hell was going on?

All Kiba remember was falling through trees, landing miraculously on bushes, rolling out of the bushes and looking up to see none other than Ino Yamanaka, the girl he almost killed himself to deliver a letter to. "Wow, that was fast"

Kiba grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head while Ino, Neji and Sasuke gawked at him. Shocked by his tumbling entrance, how was he even alive?

Kiba gave Akamaru a triumphant smile. "And you thought we were going to die. Ha, I showed you and Tenten that you don't always have to think ahead. You see I found her, strangely, in less than a chapter". Akamaru covered his face with his paw.

"Ki-Kiba? What the fuck are you doing here!?" Why is he here? disturbing the sudden moment of me finally finding Neji and confronting him about him cheating and maybe telling him about me and Sasuke. I kind of had everything planned in my head. And now this dog boy comes into the picture fucking up any chance of making this go my way! Kiba looked at the blonde. "Oh, yeah...um...why am I here again?"

All three fell on their face. Neji stood up and cleared his throat. "Anyways, Did you just say Tenten? Is she here too?"

"Yea she is but she's still up above finding a way to get down here without getting killed and such" All three sweat-dropped.

"Um, Okay...but you still haven't answered my question. What in the world are you two doing here? And you better not say the same thing as before 'cause I'm not in the mood!"

Kiba stood up and dusted himself off. He walked towards their camp took a fruit and lay down beside a tree. He then took a bite out of the fruit while he closed his eyes. I don't have time for this idiot! He's pissing me off! I swear if he says another stupid shit!

He then slightly opened one eye. "Eh...I don't feel like explaining everything. I'm tired right now ask me later" Inoichi was about to beat the living shit out of him. She stomped her way towards him, steam coming out of her. Both Neji and Sasuke backed away feeling the dark aura around Ino knowing not do or say anything that would make her go off.

"You stupid stinking dog boy! You really piss me off you know! Tell me why the fuck you and Tenten are here or else!" Kiba disregarded the pissed off blonde oblivious of the danger he was in. He took another bite of the fruit with a still slightly opened eye he asked "or else what?"

Oh great he just had to ask. Neji prepared himself with what was coming. Ino's hand turned into a fist, her other hand grabbed Kiba's collar which caused his hood to fall back. She lifted him up which scare the shit out of the guys. "Oh shit. What the fuck?" Kiba struggle against her tight grip. Neji and Sasuke stood there shocked. I'm never messing with Ino both thought as they at the very pissed off Ino.

Oh damn it. I shouldn't have asked I should have been more careful. She's probably on her period. Oh Wait! I don't give a shit I'm not letting a girl make me look like a wimp.

"You stupid bitch let me go!"

Neji shook his head in displeasure. "It's his funeral."

"Can't take it back now," stated Sasuke as he watched with amusement.

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!"

'It was nice knowing ya kid' Akamaru glanced at Ino. 'She must be on drugs or is just her time of the month or something'

Several punches and kicks later, a bloody and broken Kiba laid on the ground. Akamaru, Neji and Sasuke shook there heads at him while Ino cooled down. " Now like I said before, why are you here?"

Kiba peered at her through one of his messed up eyes. Painfully taking out the letter Inoichi gave him to deliver to Ino. "A letter from your dad, he wanted me bring this to you…ok? damn" Ino took the letter and Kiba collapse as soon as she did. Ino stared at the white envelope. What? A letter? From Dad? And even having the trouble to send both Tenten and Kiba so I could get it… What could he possibly be trying to tell me? Well I'll never know just standing here staring at it.

Ino slowly opened the envelope, took out the letter and read it. From Neji's and Sasuke's point of view, they saw Ino tense up but then she suddenly dropped both arm. Her right hand was holding what she had been reading. The letter in her hand was shaking a lot as was she, while her left hand clenched in anger. If Ino were to turn around they would have seen the expression covering her face. A combination of pure shock, anger, confusion and…What the hell have I gotten myself into…