Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ I'll Cover You ❯ Life Support ( Chapter 10 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

tsukiraven: Hullo, hullo. Welcome all to I'll Cover You, chappie 10!! give yourselves a pat on the back for making it this far.

Sakura: Yay! Finally, a milestone! --pats self on back--

tsukiraven: Yes, yes, job well done.

Iruka: Y'know...

Kakashi: Yes, my wonderful Iruka-koi?

Iruka: I still don't think you're my Kakashi. Kakashi's never this nice, not even if I'm in a near death position.

Kakashi: (Thinks: There are lots of other positions I like better...) Iruka, how can you say that. You know I love you.

Iruka: I'm still suspicious....

Kakashi: Well fine, I'll be suspicious too.

Iruka: What do you mean?

tsukiraven: Oi vey....

Kakashi: I don't think you're really my Iruka.

Iruka: What?!

Kakashi: Yup. Iruka's more accepting, and sweet. And my Iruka would never pass up an opportunity for sex.

tsukiraven: (To Sakura) Yeah... his dream Iruka.

Iruka: Yes I would! I pass it up all the time!!

Kakashi: So you're saying you don't want me anymore? You don't find me physically attractive? --sniff--

Sakura: Ohhh... A low blow. Gotta hurt.

tsukiraven: --nods and eats popcorn-- What a show, what a show...

Iruka: How could you say that, Kakashi? You know I love you! There's never a day I don't think about you!

Kakashi: Well... prove you're Iruka. Say something that only you would know.

Iruka: Well.... --whispers in Kashi's ear--

Sakura: oO! What?! What are they saying?

tsukiraven: Agghh! If this was TV I could turn up the volume!

Kakashi: --pulls away, grinning and blushing under his mask-- That's my little closet pervert.

Iruka: --winks--

Naruto: oO;; There are so many ways that that has scarred me for life... I'll just pretend that they were exchanging recipies.... recipes... --fetal position--

Gai: Do not fear, young Uzumaki! Iruka Umino and my Number One Eternal Rival For All Eternity have finally found love in the springtime of their youths! --cries manly tears--

Naruto: Noooooo!!! I don't wanna think about them...them...

Sasuke: (helpfully) Getting into each other's pants?

Naruto: NOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOO!!!

tsukiraven: Hehe... I love scarring people. n.n So, here's the deal:

I changed the time dealy. I know in the books it only takes three days to get to Suna, but here it takes a normal, chuunin level nin a month to make the journey. Capice? Capice.

I don't own Naruto. I'm sorry it had to come to that.... As always, enjoi.


I'll Cover You: Chappie 10
Sometimes, there can be too much of a good thing, my darling Iruka.

Whenever Mizuki speaks like that... I feel as though he's insincere...

It was hot. And it was dry. There wasn't even an ounce of humidity! Just dry heat. And sand.... Oh God, the sand...

How could anyone stand this? Naruto wondered miserably as he trudged through the seemingly endless desert. How?

'Suna was only supposed to be a month away! Damn! I told old lady Tsunade that we could be there and back in a moth, but the way this is going, it'll take two! It's already been so long, I've lost track of the days."

Naruto groaned, looking back to where Sasuke was. Stupid bastard didn't even seem to sweat. And Sakura-chan was even farther behind, face red and eyes tired.

Naruto gazed more intently at Sakura. She was so beautiful, the way the sun reflected off of her shining hair was captivating.

Sakura fingered a short fringe of her bangs.

"Oh! now Sasuke-kun won't notice me!" She sighed, pouting slightly. "He only likes girls with long hair."

"I like you Sakura-chan! Forget about Sasuke-teme!" His complements were thrown back at him along with a punch to the nose.

"Don't insult Sasuke-kun!" Viridian eyes snapped with anger.

Naruto backed away nervously. "Ano saa, ano saa. I'm just saying that I think your hair is beautiful Sakura-chan!" Naruto stuck his lip out, all tough guy. "And is Sasuke-te--... er, if Sasuke can't see that then it's his problem."

Sakura blinked, letting a shy hand stray to her hair again. "You really think so?"

"Yeah! I do! y'know, maybe after the chuunin exams are over, we could go out on a da--"

"Finish that word and you're dead Naruto."

Sasuke-kun this, and Sasuke-kun that. Grr... It was always Sasuke! Naruto be more like Sasuke. Naruto, you should train like Sasuke. Naruto, respect Sasuke. Naruto, treat Sasuke like the superior he is. Naruto, shove an icicle up your ass like Sasuke does. That way, you can imitate him perfectly!

'Hehe... Icicle ass....'

What did Sasuke have that he didn't? He had looks too, right? He was just as strong, just as determined, definitely more nice, and what did Naruto get? A group of girls who hated him and a village that would just as soon see him dead.

'Nice Uzumaki. Nice.'

Naruto got saddled with Kyuubi. Sasuke got his Sharingan eyes.

Naruto got whisker shaped scars, Sasuke got his flawless good looks.

Naruto got hate mail, beatings, muggings, attempted murders, and shifty glances.

Sasuke got love letters, hugs, attention, fangirls, and dates.

It wasn't fair!!

Naruto was going to be Hokage, the greatest ever!

Sasuke was gonna end up as some cashier working for five bucks an hour scraping gum off of the undersides of tables at McRamen's. Yes... that's more like it.

"Dobe, watch where you're going."

Naruto's head snapped to Sasuke at the Uchiha heir's words. "What did you say teme?!" Naruto turned around and walked backwards so he could meet Sasuke's gaze. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Cool obsidian eyes met cerulean eyes. "Exactly as it sounded... dunce."

A vein popped in Naruto's head. "What?!"

"Dunce," Sasuke smirked. "Watch where you're going, Naruto...."

"Sasuke... TEME!!!"

"Dobe."

"Bastard!"

"Dumbass."

".... Teme!"

"Naruto! Look out!" Sakura's shout brought Naruto to attention, and as he swung around, he noticed a cliff behind him.

He noticed said cliff just as he happened over the edge.

---

"Naruto, be more careful next time." Sakura bandaged a scratch on Naruto's arm.

"Ow! Sakura-chan, can't you just heal this?"

"I'm saving chakra, stop being such a baby. It's only a scratch." Sakura sighed, giving the band-aid one last squeeze. "If Sasuke-kun wasn't there to save you, you'd be dead right now. Be grateful!"

Naruto growled. Always Sasuke!
---

Sasuke stood outside, letting the cool breeze of the desert night wash over his features. If he focused his chakra directly, he could sense anything. He could sense everything.

The details of the grains of sand beneath his feet.

The texture of the hard rock meters under the sand.

The cracked walls of the cliff Naruto had stumbled over.

The hidden oasis five miles to the north-east of their camp.

The scolding look in Sakura's eyes.... her kindness and warmth.... her smile....

"Sasuke, I love you!" Sakura pleaded, eyes wide and desperate with tears. "Please, I'll do anything! I'll help you in your revenge, just please don't leave!"

Sasuke shifted. Why was she making such a big deal out of this? She was just like all of the other fangirls.... wasn't she? His mouth answered for him. "No, this is something I have to do."

"But you're going to Orochimaru for help!" She sobbed hysterically. "That's not on your own, he wants to kill you! You won't make it out alive Sasuke!"

"I'll be fine. I'll kill Itachi."

Sakura wiped her eyes, attempting to stop the flow of tears. "Don't do this Sasuke. Don't leave me...."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Typical girl. "How can I leave you if we've never been together?" Sakura flinched as if she'd been burned.

'Stay away from me, Sakura... If I let you help, you'll only end up hurt and probably killed.'

"I'll scream," Sakura declared, shaking all over. "I'll scream for help. You'll never get away. Don't make me, Sasuke! Sasuke?"

Sasuke was gone from her vision. Moments after his disappearance, Sakura felt hot breath on the back of her neck.

"Sakura... Thank you." Sasuke brought his hand up and pinched a nerve in the back of her neck, sending her instantly into unconsciousness. Sakura's eyes widened as she crumpled to the ground, falling into the security of Sasuke's arms.

Lifting her effortlessly, Sasuke placed her on a nearby bench. She had said something about this being a special place for them.... Nothing came to mind.

Looking one last time at her sleeping form, Sasuke resigned himself to the swirling darkness.

What was it about her? Sakura....

"Sasuke-kun?" Sasuke jumped. Sakura was standing beside him, moonlight reflecting off of her face and hair. She was indeed very beautiful. How could he have not noticed her next to him? How long had she been there exactly....?

"What?" Sakura flinched, and Sasuke mentally berated himself for biting at her.

"I was wondering if you were okay. You've just been out here for so long I was getting worried...." She let her voice trail off.

Obsidian eyes trained themselves on the kunoichi's form. "It's nothing." 'Why can't I tell you to go away?'

Sakura peered curiously at him. "Sasuke-kun, what are you staring at?"

Sasuke jumped, grateful that the dark night was hiding his slight blush. "Your hair." 'Smart one, Uchiha.'

Blink. "My... hair?"

'Cover it up!' "Yeah. Your hair in the moonlight. It looks," Sasuke struggled for a word. "Nice."

Sakura smiled slightly. "Really?"

"Yeah. Pretty. I like it short." Sasuke took a deep breath. Talking to girls was troublesome. Shikamaru knew more than they gave him credit for.

Sakura's smile grew until she glowed. She glommed onto his arms happily. "Thank you, Sasuke-kun!!"

"Gah! Sakura, get off!"

"Hey guys! Sakura-chan, what's taking you so long to get Sasuke-bas--" Naruto walked onto the sand covered hill just in time to see Sasuke fall over with Sakura against him. His cheeks flushed angrily. "Am I interrupting?"

Sasuke glared at Naruto. 'What right does he have to walk up here and start acting all possessive. Like he owns her or something.' "No, dobe," Sasuke said smoothly, setting Sakura upright.

Sakura blushed and scratched her cheek. "Ehehe... Sorry Sasuke-kun."

"It's okay."

Naruto glared at Sasuke, who glared right back. This went on for quite some time (actually, it was only a few minutes) before Sakura sighed, quite loudly, snapping both boys out of their reveries.

'Boys can be so stupid!' Inner Sakura raged.

Outer Sakura had the decency to look slighly offended.

Naruto grinned and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry Sakura-chan. I got carried away. I won't kick Sasuke's ass in front of you, I have mercy."

Sasuke glared. "Like you could dobe. A D-minus ass like yourself could never get the better of me."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"

"Can you both be quiet!" Sakura shouted. Both men stared at her. "You're always argueing!" Sakura flopped back onto the cold night sands. "Just relax and watch the stars."

Sasuke and Naruto stared at each other before looking at Sakura. At once, both deflated, anger leaving them. They settled onto the ground on either side of their female teammate.

Moments, long sweetly silenced moments passed by, the three teammates laying quiet in each other's company. None thinking of any conflicts, just of the heavens' beauty layed out before them like a picture.

A beat. "Sakura-chan?"

"Yeah Naruto?"

"Do you think Iruka-sensei is doing okay?"

Sakura flipped onto her side, gazing at Naruto with veridian eyes. She smiled. "I'm sure he's fine, Naruto. Kakashi-sensei's probably taking good care of him."

Naruto smiled back. "Yeah, Kaka-sensei better do a good job! He'll get it if he doesn't."

"I'm sure they're all right, Naruto."

Sakura looked over at Sasuke in suprise. "The Uchiha heir continued to look up at the sky as though he hadn't said anything. The slight smile on his lips was the only thing that gave any hints.

Slowly, Sakura dared to link an arm through Sasuke's. He looked at her in suprise, shook edging into acceptance and tolartion. Maybe even affection.

Turning slightly, Sakura repeated the same process with Naruto. He was more eager, scooching over to Sakura in the meantime. Sakura lay happily between her two teammates, he best friends in the whole world, and wished for a happier tomorrow.

"They're doing great Naruto, I can see it." Sakura stated happily.

"Yup," Naruto smiled at her. "Iruka-sensei's yelling at kakashi for trying to sleep in."

Sasuke smirked. "Kakashi-sensei trying to convince Iruka-sensei to buy him dinner."

Sakura giggled. "Kakashi-sensei trying to seduce Iruka-sensei."

Naruto howled with laughter. "Yeah, but he does that all the time!"

---

"ACHOO!!"

Iruka wrapped his arms tighter about the boxer-clad man tucked in next to him. "Are you okay, Kashi?"

Kakashi nodded, moving willingly into Iruka's warm embrace. "Yeah I'm fine. Just a sneeze."

Iruka grinned cheekily, freshly washed hair pressed to his face. "Someone's talking about you."

Kakashi grinned back, giving Iruka's rear a slight squeeze. "Who would do that now, Ruka-love? Get some sleep, we're leaving for the onsen first thing tomorrow morning."

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

tsukiraven: Ta da! A super fast update directly from Ra--

Naruto: Tsuki-san!

Kakashi: The crazy authoress.

Sasuke: The lying, hangover causing witch.

Sakura: The rabid fangirl.

Iruka: The almost birthday girl.

Gaara: ....

Gai: The girl in the springtime of her youth! --sparkle--

Jiraiya: Someone who looks up to me! (And who could blame her?)

Tsunade: The medical jounin.

tsukiraven: ...I was gonna say Raven. But okay! Yes, it is a super fast update from whatever nickname you may have for me! And the next chapter will be the attempted lemon! Yay for effort! Thanks for the loverly reviews, just like food for a starving authoress soul. Keep 'em comin'! See you next time, and peace out!