Conversation between friends

After all that confusion in the room, TenTen decided it was too much for her to stay in that room with Naruto. So she took her serum and went for a walk. In order not to leave her alone and in order to continue the matter that had been interrupted, Sai proposed to accompany her, leaving Sasuke and Naruto alone in the room.

The brunette looked for a chair to sit on, he was willing to stay there for a long time. He had already abandoned his guilt for having hurt the other, however looking at him now it was impossible to feel nothing. Because of his absence, he was lying there in that hospital bed. Due to their lack they were not yet in Konoha. There were so many other things that it was hard not to fall into the abyss of bad feeling.

He needed to come to himself. How much longer would you keep brooding over that? Uzumaki was fine. Up there, he smiled in that way that only he knew how to do. There was no room for grief or bitterness in that environment.

"Are you okay, Naruto?" He asked cautiously, afraid that his friend might wake up with some kind of anger or hurt directed at him. He was not one of those things, to keep it when something bothers him, he was scandalous Naruto Uzumaki, however he just didn't know.

"Why is that face tied up, Sasuke? Of course I'm fine. Do you think your weak chidori would be able to kill me? No way. I'm brand new. I hope you took the opportunity to hit me, because it was the last time it happened. " The blonde smirked and that brought a smile from the other too, even if small. Nothing was different, you should know. Naruto was simply Naruto, one of the simplest people he knew.

"Save that stupid little smile, you would never be able to beat me in battle."

"Always so convinced." And, even beside the most silly, loud and lively man she knew, they could contemplate a few minutes of complete silence. There was nothing more to be said or agreed and there was nowhere where Sasuke wanted to go further. So they stayed like that, each with their own thoughts.

In the Uchiha's mind, everything went smoothly and without complications. They would return to the village and everything would be calm again. They would be sent on some missions, he hoped for many outside the country, but he would be able to accept receiving something from the country of Fire himself. Gai and Lee would never change, just like he and TenTen. They would continue to wait a long time for the other two to arrive, while talking about the most banal things possible, about how hot the weather was or complaining about the other two companions. They would have tea from time to time and it would speed up the renovation of the construction of their new home in their family's district.

In the next mind, a little more complicated, Naruto tried to put the pieces together than he knew so far. He was not known to be the smart master, but if he tried, he could get where he wanted to go. He remembered TenTen and Sai talking about Sai liking Sasuke, and when he heard it, he thought it was some kind of dream. Why, in reality, when could something like this come true? It was almost impossible. Almost.

Afterwards, Sasuke had hugged Sai. Okay, there was a plausible explanation, he probably wanted to prevent the two of them from falling, but there were so many other ways to do that and the first one he chose was a hug? Uchiha Sasuke had already been smarter. Or actually ... was there a chance, even if minimal, that he wanted that, so he took no other action? Well, Sasuke was Sasuke, they could expect anything from him. But, likewise, Naruto was Naruto and curiosity was a trait in his personality; I could never smother it.

"So ..." began the clear-eyed man, feeling nervous and anxious at the same time. The desire to know consumed his being, but at the same time he was a little afraid; it was impossible to know what the other's reaction to the question would be. I met. He could pretend not to listen and just leave as if nothing had happened, he could be upset and upset with him for asking such a personal question, or he could just ignore it and say it was just a bunch of bullshit. So many different possibilities ... but Naruto needed to know. I would never be able to have a peaceful night's sleep if I didn't put out the reason for my restlessness. "What's going on between you and Sai?"

Sasuke's face expressed a giant interrogation and Uzumaki swallowed because anything could follow. The brunette tried to understand what he had been asking, processing the information purely and simply because he did not believe that those words had actually been spoken aloud. Why was everyone feeling that something was going on between him and the pale guy?

Okay, they had been quite partners, even in a strange and unusual way during the fight. But that meant absolutely nothing. I needed him to be able to win the battle and that's what happened. What else could be "rolling"? Then, of course, they settled their differences and stopped hating each other; it in no way meant that they were suddenly in love with each other, anyone who thought that would be stupid. Really, was he the only lucid one in the middle of that mess?

"What did you say?" It gave Naruto a chance to withdraw his question. But he didn't seem in the least willing, he even came back with an even more personal and invasive question.

"Do you like him?"

"Are you delusional? Are you paying attention to what you're saying?" The Uchiha said the words almost as if he had been offended; that was how he felt. How could they mistake their "kindness" for a member of another team for something else? They no longer hated each other and the end. There was no hesitation.

"Are you sure you have no interest at all? You hugged him just now!"

"Naruto, you're starting to piss me off." And what did he think? Who had embraced him because he wanted to? Oh, of course, I was dying to go around with people I hated until recently. He loved touches, as he loved. Naruto knew him so well! Joining the Gai team and dealing with the whole fact that the other three members wanted to play it all the time did not mean that everyone could do the same; he had gotten used to it and that from a distance meant he would go around doing it out of his own free will. If the blonde paid at least a little attention, he would realize that he never took the initiative in relation to physical contacts, much less reciprocated; he just accepted what he received.

"I think you should give love a chance!" What a fucking chance ... Okay, now I was really upset. It was clearly the wrong choice to remain on the premises. Should I just get up and go? He was under no obligation, after all. Who did Naruto think he was supposed to be questioning him and giving "advice" when he hadn't even asked for them? Nosy, as always, at least this was nothing new.

"You don't think anything, mind your own business." It was short and dry, with a subtle touch of rudeness. Maybe that way he understood that he shouldn't say anything about it. But, well, Uzumaki was dealing with stubborn Naruto after all. If he thought it was going to be easy to get rid of, he was totally wrong. For the owner of Kyuubi was really willing to find out everything that was going on between those two and, of course, to support, despite finding that combination a little strange. Sai was his close friend, after all, whatever made him happy made him happy too. And, well, if he liked Sasuke, to be happy he needed to be reciprocated. Which meant that he needed to pull every precious piece of information out of the other, to know if there was a minimum of interest or real possibility of romance. He had gone completely into cupid mode.

"You never see more than a foot in front of you when it comes to love, just like with Sakura-chan. Give Sai a chance, I'm sure, -ttebayo!"

"You need to make up your mind. Either you push me towards Sakura or Sai. Don't try to favor both sides at the same time." Naruto didn't know what to say to that. The other had a point, but he needed to fight back somehow to continue the matter; he would never again be able to call the loser in front of Sasuke, even if it was just a simple conversation.

"W-well, Sakura-chan is already gone ... she doesn't even like you anymore, she touches herself." The brunette looked at him with a discredited expression. Had I really heard that? How nice it would be not to have the ability to listen at times. He let out a loud breath, would he never give up on that stupid, futile conversation? He calmed down and said his next words slowly, so that the other finally understood his point.

"You are the one who has to touch yourself and stop meddling in the lives of others. It doesn't concern you, end of conversation."

"But ... We are friends ... w-well, friends give loving advice, right?" Drama that time of the championship? I couldn't believe I was being the victim of such a low game ... but I wouldn't budge.

"Naruto, understand, if I needed any advice, I would ask. Since it didn't happen, I'm fine, thanks." He believed this to be the end of the conversation, but he had underestimated Uzumaki's persistence.

"You don't like men by any chance? If you don't like women and you don't like men either ..." The blonde put his hand on his chin in thought, trying to come to a conclusion about what Sasuke would be in that case. He didn't give a damn about Sakura, he didn't even look in her direction, and he had never seen him interested in anyone else either ... His thoughts were cut off by the angry voice of the man sitting next to him.

"It's not like that, dobe, it's not a matter of whether you like it or not ..."

"So, do you like men?"

He put his hands in a cross under his chest, afraid to speak the words that prowled his mind. "Did you like me already? All that stalking and teasing ..." Sasuke snorted, why, seriously, was that the first thing the idiot had thought of? It was impossible to be angry with that innocent mind.

"Why would I like someone stupid like you? Go back to the world! Surely you are still not in your normal state if you are talking such nonsense. Besides, it would make more sense to say that you liked me, in the face of all that persecution when I left Folha. " Jinchuuriki turned red like a chili ... what kind of conclusion was that? It was obvious that he didn't like Sasuke, how the hell had he come to that conclusion? They were best friends, of course I would go after him like crazy, to save him! He was going to start arguing when he noticed something in the other's speech.

"Óóóó" He covered his mouth, as if making the discovery of the century, actually hiding a malicious smile that had sprung on his face. "So you like men."

"It is not something we choose." The dark-orb ninja shrugged nonchalantly. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to run after all the men. I would like you to understand that."

"But why not Sai?" Uzumaki was like those little children who wanted to know why; hated that.

"I will not enter this discussion with you again!" He countered, convinced.

"It's okay that he has some problems with dealing with feelings, which actually suits you a lot ..."

"Are you going to make comparisons? I'm leaving." Suddenly, it made a lot of sense why the companion TenTen could not stand to be in the same room as the baka anymore.

"Wait." Naruto looked distressed to see that the other did mention leaving the room. Wasn't he being as subtle as he thought he was? "I didn't mean to offend. I meant you guys agree. So why not give it a try? You've been alone all this time and ..."

"Who was it that said I was alone?" The smile of debauchery singing, one that only that member of the Uchiha clan knew how to give, did not go unnoticed by the other ninja.

"Oh no." He covered his mouth in horror, thinking he was faced with the truth of what was really going on there. "Are you with Gai-sensei? I was a little surprised that you were so close, so that was it ..."

Sasuke couldn't believe how imaginative Naruto's head was, he was scared. How had he come to that absurd conclusion? "Your head is more damaged than I had anticipated. It is obvious that I am not with Gai-sensei, honestly, what world are you living in these days?"

"So, with Lee?" He tried the other one again. And again it failed.

"I'm not with anyone, Naruto. It was just a way of saying it. I can't have a decent conversation with you, impossible."

"Would it be ... TenTen? But you said you liked men ..." The blonde made a shocked expression as soon as he suddenly realized something that made a lot of sense, including what made the most sense at that moment. "Maybe you're already having an affair with Sai behind our backs? You were the only person left!"

He was disappointed, but not surprised. The patient had always been stupid that way, why did he believe, for a minute, that something had changed? At least it continued in the same way.

"I'm not having an affair with anyone, big-headed." He explained patiently. "I don't need it right now. Satisfied?"

"Why don't you try to talk to him?

"Talk what, Naruto? How is the sky blue? Call, we don't know each other well enough to hold a conversation for more than two minutes." It was not a total lie. They had had conflict whenever they talked, it was always discussions or something about the mission. Even if he had some kind of interest, which he didn't, there was nothing to talk about. Seriously, I couldn't believe that people thought he might like that guy ... they were all crazy.

Of course, he knew how to be useful when they needed him and had perfect timing, they both had a sync during battles. He was also a little adorable and even funny in a way a little cute when his face turned pink in that embarrassing way, he wanted to laugh just remembering the scene, it had been inevitable to provoke him. Other than that, there was nothing about him that was even remotely interesting.

"Am I feeling an interest?" Again a malicious smile broke across the bedridden's face, reaching the clear eyes.

"I give up. I'm going, I'll be back later. I'm going to ask Sakura to have her head checked, there must be something wrong. No, wait ... it's okay, you were always an idiot anyway." And then Sasuke just got up and left, as Naruto had "expected" him to do from the beginning. That was a known reaction. But frustrating.

"So, S-Sasuke ... Wait!" He watched desperately as his companion walked out the door without even looking back. "At least try to get to know him better." He screamed, desperate to be heard. He hoped the other would decide to follow his advice.

Some runners nearby, TenTen and Sai walked side by side, the brunette was talking non-stop, still extremely offended by what had happened earlier in the room.

"I don't believe Naruto grew up and remains that same idiot as always ... can you believe it? I thought people would grow up and start to get more sense of some things ... honestly, what does Hinata see in him?"

He left, with nothing to say, just nodded. Suddenly, a flustered Gai appeared, running towards them with a strangely, or not, cheerful expression.

"Good morning, dear student. Good morning, Sai. I have great news, I am so excited that I came here upside down to restore my youth fire to ..."

"Tell me what it is, Gai-sensei. I'm getting anxious."

"We managed to get a boat back to Konoha. Thanks to Kami the currents are very smooth and they said that we will get home safely! It would be dangerous and even exhausting to go on foot because they are still injured. Furthermore, the commander said that we will arrive in two days! It usually takes three days, but it looks like we're in luck ... and then, are you excited to go home? "

"When do we leave?" Sai asked, unsure whether to be relieved or worried. The mission was their only link to Sasuke and, when they returned to Konoha, who knows what could happen? Your chances, already low now, would certainly drop to zero. With so many more interesting situations and other missions to be done, they would not meet as often.

"As soon as possible. I've already arranged all the roles with the Raikage, Lee is packing our things and Sakura is getting the last details right so I can release you and Naruto ... have you seen Sasuke around? We need to be all ready to leave."

"The last time I saw him, he stayed in the room to talk to Naruto ... I don't know if he's still there, you know how unpredictable he is." TenTen commented casually. It felt good to finally be coming home. The sooner the better. He thought for a moment about what he had said, and suddenly a light went on in his head. Really, really, had he left Naruto and Sasuke alone in the room, talking? What if the baka said something about what she had heard? He wouldn't be able, right?

She turned around suddenly, ready to go straight to the bedroom, rip Naruto's tongue out, if necessary, but Sakura appeared in front of her before she had a chance to do anything about it.

"Where are you going? Ah, Gai-sensei, I was really looking for you! I just met Sasuke and sent him to the room to meet Naruto and get him ready to leave. So you can also get organized to go, I'll just say goodbye to all the staff and meet you at the port. TenTen, do you feel better already? I left some separate IV bags to take in case of emergencies. Okay? I'll also give you your clothes back so you can change. Come with me. And you two "She pointed to Gai and Sai, who seemed to be ready to obey any order" meet Naruto and Sasuke in the room, here and we'll go next. Organize everything so we can get out as soon as possible, we won't be long. Come on, TenTen. "

The brunette, with no other choice and dying to get rid of that horrible outfit she wore from the hospital, followed the kunoichi with pink hair. The remaining two did not stay long at the site, ready to carry out the tasks for which they were assigned. In general, everyone was anxious and happy to be coming home; it felt like forever since they left. And now, finally, they would be returning. Thanks to Kami, with the mission accomplished, thus restoring the commercial relations between Water and Fog.