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Sasuke was trying to keep his hyperventalation to a minimum. The last thing that Naruto, or himself for that matter, needed was for him to go into a shock of some form. Sasuke closed his eyes as he tried to steady his breathing so that it would become more regular. It appeared that they were going to be staying there for a while longer seeing as how neither he nor Naruto knew where the two people were that were following them. Sasuke was fine with that. He was glad that he was at least safe here rather than being dragged back to a palace where he would be forced to marry someone that he detested with every fiber of his being.
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Naruto frowned lightly at the sound of Sasuke's breathing. He knew his friend would more than likely be more comfortable if they switched places so that Sasuke was by the front of the cave, but that wasn't possible. Naruto needed to be in the front in case the enemy came back. If he was behind the Prince, it would make it harder to defend the both of them. "I'm sorry... I'll try to find somewhere more comfortable to hide next time." he said, hoping the news might help calm him down.
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Sasuke was hearing what the blonde was saying, but the majority of his energy and mental strength was going towards keeping his breathing in check. "Naruto, do not worry about me," he said. "I am just glad that you are doing this for me. Please do not concern yourself with me, for I am fine." Sasuke was becoming more accustomed to the area that they were in so at least it was becoming easier for the bluenette to believe his own words.
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Naruto nodded, although he wasn't convinced. He knew Sasuke was uncomfortable and he hated the fact that he was the one who put them in this small cave. But because of that, they managed to avoid detection from the enemy for the time being, so it really wasn't that bad of thing, right? He kept his attention focused on outside the cave, listening for any sign of the enemy nearby. After its been quiet for a while, he turned his attention to Sasuke. "I'm going to have a look around. You need to stay here until I get back and don't come out for any reason." he said, moving towards the entrance of the small cave.
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Sasuke heard that Naruto was going to go and walk around to make sure that the coast was clear before he wanted the bluenette to come out of his hiding spot. Before he could stop himself from doing this he reached forward and pulled the blonde towards him as he kissed him lovingly on the cheek. Pulling away from the blonde immediately he looked at him and said"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. Be safe, I will wait here until you arrive."
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Naruto wasn't expecting to have Sasuke pull him closer. And he expected it even less to be kissed on the cheek. A light blush spread across his face before the blond could stop it. "Don't worry about it.." he muttered, embarrassed all of a sudden. He didn't know why though. He shook it off though, needing to stay focused on the task at hand. He shot an encouraging smile at Sasuke before leaving the cave quietly and heading off into the trees, staying low and out of sight.
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Sasuke saw Naruto's form go around the corner to get out of the cave. He wanted to join him in searching. He wasn't that much of a weaking, he could take care of himself, however, his naiveness was what would be his undoing. For gods sake he trusted Kakashi and look how that ended up. Sasuke waited as Naruto had requested in the cave praying for his safe return.
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Naruto searched through the general area before looking in a wider area. There didn't appear to be any signs from the enemy and no noises could be heard that sounded like footsteps, other than his own, and voices. So he smiled lightly as he headed slowly and quietly back to the cave to retrieve Sasuke. There was a village nearby that had an inn they could stay at for a bit to get a little more rested before heading back out. Plus it had a nice hot spring, so he was looking forward to relaxing for a few minutes. He squated in front of the cave entrance and peered inside. "Sasuke? The coast is clear, so we could go now." he said, still being sure to keep his voice down low, just in case. "But we'll have to stay quiet as a precaution."
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Sasuke was closing his eyes after the blonde left him to wait for him. He had been fine with being placed into such a small area, but as soon as Naruto left his claustrophobia had come back with a vengeance. He steadied his breathing and almost went flying out of the cave to the entrance to get out of he confining cave. Managing to clamber out of the cave he looked at Naruto as he dusted himself off. Looking at the blonde he gave him another hug as he looked towards the expanse of the forest in front of him. "Lead the way,"said Sasuke as he looked around again.
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Naruto nodded and led the way through the trees towards the village. He hoped Sasuke would stay as quiet as possible, even though he was sure the enemy wasn't nearby. That didn't mean he wanted to risk them being caught though. He kept his ears open for any sound that sounded like it didn't belong, but so far all he heard were their own footsteps. He relaxed some but not completely as the town came into view. He knew he wouldn't be able to relax completely until he was absolutely sure that Sasuke would be safe.
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Sasuke followed closely behind Naruto as they made their way through the underbrush as they made their way to hopefully somewhere safe. Stepping over through some of the underbrush he stepped on a twig and it snapped loudly. Sasuke looked over at Naruto and whispered the words "Sorry," as they continued to walk through the forest. Coming to a clearing he saw a village by a river, and sighed as he glanced at the village. It look so quaint.
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Naruto froze when there was a loud snap heard behind him. He turned quickly and sighed in relief when it was just Sasuke stepping on a twig. But he looked around quickly and hoped that if the enemy was nearby that they would just think that it was an animal that made the noise. Naruto stood up completely as they reached the edge of the village. "I hope you don't mind staying here until tomorrow. There's an inn here that we could stay at tonight so we don't have to sleep on the ground again." he said, looking over at Sasuke and hoped that he didn't mind.
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Sasuke didn't mind at all that they would be staying at an inn with a hot spring. He had always wanted to go and stay at an onsen, but his father told him that it was beneath him to mingle with the "common filth" of the normal townspeople. Sasuke would always roll his eyes at this. How was he supposed to rule over the people and help the people of his nation if he didn't understand how they lived and worked so he could accommodate and help them? To be completely honest Sasuke was downright excited about this turn of events even given the circumstances that the two of them were currently facing. Sasuke nodded his head as he looked at the blonde as he said,"I don't mind, this is fine."
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Naruto nodded. He was actually really excited about staying at the onsen. But he shot a glance behind them into the forest one last time for any sign of the unknown enemy. It probably wouldn't have done any good, seeing as how he had no idea what they looked like. But he was sure he'd be able to tell if he ever saw them if they were the enemy. "Alright! Let's go!" Naruto exclaimed, leading the way through down towards the inn. He kept his attention focused though. He wasn't going to relax until he was absolutely positive that Sasuke was safe. Once in the inn, he went up the lady at the front desk. He told her they needed a room and she smiled as she led them to the room.
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Sasuke followed Naruto through the winding streets until they came to a stop in front of an inn. Walking through the sliding doors he was immediately assaulted with the fragrant smell of sakura blossoms. It was rather refreshing. He stood back as he watched Naruto go up towards the front counter and talk to the hostess that was there. The woman walked out from behind the counter and led them down the hallway to a room. Sliding the door open she looked at them and said"Please enjoy yourself. The hot springs are to your left when you leave the room. Enjoy the water, and if you need anything don't hesitate to ask." The woman bowed and walked back towards the entrance of the inn. Walking into the room he flopped down on one of the futon beds and sat there for a while as realization finally hit him on what he was doing. Sasuke knew that he had run away from home, but the realization that this was what his life was now came crashing down on him like an ocean wave. He looked up at Naruto as he smiled as he went towards the closets as he got some towels out. "Come take a bath with me, we might as well enjoy it before we have to move on."
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Naruto smiled lightly at the woman who showed them their room as she walked away before going into the room and dropping down onto one of the beds and laying back. It felt good to lay down after sleeping on the ground in a cave. His eyes had drifted shut, even though he hadn't been planning on sleeping, but they opened at the sound of Sasuke's voice. He sighed lightly as he nodded. "Yeah. That sounds great." he said, standing up. The hot water really would feel nice and he didn't want Sasuke to go there alone. Who knew what type of people would be in there. He smiled as he went over to the closet and pulled out a towel for himself. "Let's go."
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Sasuke saw that Naruto was laying down. He had a brief thought that he should let the blonde lay there, but then decided that it would do both of them good especially after staying in that cave the whole night. Sasuke continued to walk down the hallway until he could hear the quiet kerplunking sound of one of the bamboo deer chasers**. Walking out into the open air bath Sasuke inhaled the steam into him and sighed. This was indeed going to be fun. Walking towards the water he stripped out of the shorts that he was wearing as he slipped into the water. The water was indeed hot and as soon as his sore muscles hit it he hissed out a sigh of pleasure.
((A bamboo deer chaser is one of those things where the water goes in the one side, fills, and then the water dumps out, and it smacks backwards making a hollow thunking sound.)) |
((Ah. That's cool~))
Naruto smiled lightly when they stepped outside for the open air bath. He was glad that there was nobody else out here right now. The sound of the water plus the noise from the bamboo deer chaser, he had to admit it was a very relaxing atmosphere. He stripped down and stepped into the hot water, sighing in relief as he settled into the water. The hot water definitely was a good way to relax his muscles and he struggled to keep his eyes open. He had fallen asleep in a hot spring before and vowed not to ever again. "This is nice." he said, glancing at Sasuke. |
Sasuke sighed as he went to the deeper part of the hot spring so that only his head was above water. He was a little shy to be completely naked in front of someone, especially someone that he found attract- wait no! Sasuke shook his head trying to rid himself of the images of him and Naruto lying on a bed together. It was immoral and not right! It was improper for him to like a good friend like that. Sasuke decided that he was thinking crazily because of the temperature of the water. Glancing over at Naruto he could feel his cheeks beginning to flush. Maybe, Naruto wouldn't notice, or if he did would chalk it up to him just being very warm.
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Naruto leaned against the edge of the hot spring, allowing himself to relax for now. But he didn't let his eyes drift shut, like they were wanting too. He needed to stay alert for the most part while they were here. He didn't want to risk having an enemy attack while he was out of it. He glanced at Sasuke and was surprised to see that his friend's face was flushed. But then again, they were sitting in a hot spring. Hot water did tend to make a person's body hot.. So that must be it! "This is nice, isn't it?" Naruto asked, sinking lower into the water.
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Sasuke looked at Naruto as he asked him how the water was. Sasuke nodded as he averted his eyes from the blonde that was sitting near him. Sasuke was grappling with his emotions. Yes, he did like the blonde. He wasn't sure though if he liked the blonde more than as friends though. Maybe, he did. He wanted to be near the blonde but every time he wanted to be near the blonde his father's words echoed in his ears telling him that what he was thinking in his head was sin. That he should like who his father tells him, and to marry who his father tells him too regardless of if he was happy or not. "Yes, it is quite nice," replied Sasuke as he tentatively looked at the blonde from under his dark bangs.
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Naruto watched Sasuke as his attention seemed to shift every few seconds. Was something bothering him? Should the blond ask what it is? But what if it was about him? Was he uncomfortable with him being here in the hot spring with him? Naruto saw no reason for him to be uncomfortable. After all, they were both guys. He bit his lip as he dropped his gaze to glance at the water for a second, listening to the different sounds of the hot spring, while he decided what he should do. After a moment, he sighed as he lifted his gaze to look at Sasuke. "Hey... Are you uncomfortable with me being in here?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
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Sasuke looked at the blonde as he let out a hasty no before he looked at the water again with an even deeper blush on his face. Of course there was nothing wrong with him being in the same hot spring as the blonde. It would be worse if one of them had been a guy. However, it wasn't the fact that he was in the water with another male, the problem was the male just happened to be named Naruto. Turning to Naruto again he looked at the blonde and smiled as he said,"No there is nothing wrong. I am just thinking of all the things that happened and how we arrived here."
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Naruto was silent for a few seconds. That made sense. A lot has happened to the both of them. Running away has been the eay part. The problem was staying hidden from the men that Naruto knew was chasing them. But what didn't make sense to him was why Sasuke's face was so red. It couldn't have been because of the water. What if he was getting sick? Naruto was going to check his temperature when they got out of the water. There was no point in checking it now since both of their bodies would be hot because of the water. "I see... I'm thinking we should stay here for as long as I think we're safe." Naruto said, relaxing once more. "At the smallest sign of danger, I'll get you out of here."
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Sasuke looked at the blonde and nodded his head at his response. The blonde did have a point. If Sasuke was going to stay in the water any longer he was going to turn into a prune. Standing up he walked back over to the shallower water as he got his towel and replaced it around his waist. He rang out his hair to get the excess water out of it as he waited for the blonde to get out as well, that is if he wanted to.
Meanwhile the two people that had been trailing them made their way to the town that Naruto and Sasuke were at."Danna," whined the blonde."I'm tired." The other figure looked at the taller one and rolled his eyes as he said"Well we are here now, maybe we will get lucky." The other figure nodded as they made their way into the town. They had to find a place to stay for the night. Both of them were sick of sleeping out in the woods, and a bath was also in order as well. |
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