Previously-

“Yay! I get to see Gaara again!” Naruto said excitingly, “I’ll have to thank baa-chan later for this.” Naruto said while walking off, so he could go home to get ready for the mission tomorrow.

Sasuke felt a pang of jealousy when he saw how excited Naruto was to see Gaara, but decided to just push it aside, as he too went home to get ready for the mission.

Chapter 2- To the Sand Village!!

Naruto POV.-

I woke up extra early today so I could have enough time to get ready. I first decided I should take a shower, then I put on my regular orange jumpsuit, grabbed my stuff, and headed to Ichimaru’s for some ramen as breakfast.

Once I had finished off about 12 bowls of ramen, I decided I should probably leave for the gate. When I got to the gate, I saw that Sasuke and Shikamaru were already there. I checked my watched, which read 6:57 A.M., so I knew I wasn’t late.

“What are you guys doing here so early?” I asked.

“Well, unlike you, usuratonkachi, Shikamaru and I got here awhile ago so that we could plan a strategy.” Sasuke said, with that usual overly-annoying smirk plastered on his face.

“Well exxxxccccuuuussseeeee me for waking up at an actually reasonable hour.” I said sarcastically.

Normal POV.-

“Hey, hey. Come on you guys. Can’t you go one mission without bickering the whole way there? This mission is already troublesome enough. I don’t need to hear you two fighting all the way there as well.” Shikamaru said with a long sigh, “Let’s just get going already. The faster we get done with this, the better.”

“I agree. I don’t want to be stuck with chicken-butt hairstyle over here any longer than I have to.” Naruto said while pointing to Sasuke.

“What was that you-” Sasuke began as he gritted his teeth.

“What did I just say. NO FIGHTING! Man, are you to bothersome.” Shikamaru said again with another sigh.

“Hn.” Was all Sasuke said as he began to walk toward the sand village.

“Hmph.” Was all Naruto said, as he too began walking.

‘Finally some quiet.’ Shikamaru thought as they all began their two-day journey to the Sand.

-------------Skipping to nightfall of the first day-------------------------

Still Normal POV.-
“Sasuke. Naruto. I think we should stop here for the night.” Shikamaru called to the two who were purposely walking ahead of Shikamaru.

“What! But I could keep walking for two more miles at least!” Naruto whined.

“I think we should stop and camp here for the night. And since I’m the leader, I get to decide. Now, Sasuke, I want you to set up the tents, and Naruto, you go gather firewood while I set up fire pit.” Shikamaru said demandingly. And for the first time since the three had left the village, Sasuke and Naruto both did what they were told without even one complaint.

Naruto POV.-

“Wood. Wood. Wood.” I thought to myself until I had as much wood as I could carry. I then, slowly, made my way back to the other two, careful not to trip over anything.

“Here Shikamaru. I got lots of wood for ya.” I called as I came up to Shikamaru.

“Good job Naruto. You can put those over there.” Shikamaru said, while pointing to a blank area, “You can just rest for a bit if you want Naruto. I’m almost done.”

After I had put the wood down, I decided to go over to Shikamaru to watch him.
He was busy making a big circle with rocks.

“What cha doing Shikamaru?” I asked curiously.

“Well, if I put rocks around where the wood’s going to go, then the rocks will prevent the fire from spreading.” Shikamaru explained calmly as he put his last rock in place.

“Woah! That’s so cool. Wow Shikamaru. You really know your stuff.” I complimented Shikamaru as I stared at the circle of rocks.

“Well…gee…thanks Naruto.” Shikamaru said, as I noticed his cheeks turn a little red.

Sasuke POV.-

“Here Shikamaru. I got lots of wood for ya.” I heard Naruto say as he returned from gathering wood. I had long finished setting up the tents so I had decided to unpack my sleeping bag.

After I was done I decided to go check on Shikamaru and the dobe.

“Woah! That’s so cool. Wow Shikamaru. You really know your stuff.” Naruto said while staring at the circle of rocks Shikamaru had made.

When I heard Naruto compliment Shikamaru like that, I felt this pang of jealousy. Kind of like when I saw Naruto get all excited about seeing Gaara. This time, I felt like I just wanted to punch Shikamaru in the face and say, “Stay away from him! He’s mine!” Wait! WHAT!!?? He’s mine?? Where’d that come from. I’m not…no…I couldn’t be…well maybe…but…could I actually be in love with Naruto!!?? I mean, I knew I always thought more of him than anyone else, and I knew that I had stronger feelings for him than the others but, I thought it was because it was brotherly love. Not…LOVE LOVE. Gawd, am I confused. I don’t think I’m gay…I mean Uchiha’s aren’t supposed to be gay, but then again…Itachi has Kisame, so he’s gay, but how am I supposed to rebuild my clan if I’m gay??? Oh Kami, what should I do!!??

Normal POV.-

While Sasuke tried to decipher his feelings for the young blond, the very same blond was heading of to sleep, when he noticed…

“Shikamaru…Why is there only two tents?” Naruto asked nervously.

“Oh! Well Kakashi said that you two wouldn’t mind sharing a tent.” Shikamaru said casually while getting into his tent, “Well, night.”

‘Damn you Kakashi-sensei.’ Naruto thought while clenching his teeth upon entering Sasuke and His tent.

When Sasuke saw Naruto enter his tent, he quickly snapped out of his thoughts as a huge blush ran straight across his face, “Na…Naruto. What...what are you doing in my tent?”

“Kakashi told Shikamaru that we should share a tent.” Naruto said as he too blushed.

‘Damn you Kakashi.’ Sasuke thought as he stared at the blond. Naruto stared back at him as they realized that there was only one sleeping bag as well.

That’s when they both thought the same thing, “KAKASHI IS SO DEAD WHEN I GET BACK!!!”