Permission To Seek

CHAPTER 26 Links to the future

**Shino speaking with Kikai**

Shino sat high in a Red Wood tree looking across the vast night sky; his rounds on his half of the camp complete he rested his mind adrift on the mission and his team. Unexpectedly, Sasuke fell in line with the mission and proved himself thus far a reliable component. That by no means confirmed the guy, in Shino’s opinion as trustworthy; he felt a pang of guilt knowing he would never fully trust his motives or agenda. Especially when it came to the people he cared for; namely Naruto. The bastard practically clung to the blonde since the start of the mission four days ago; every step of the way any task that would normally call for one person Sasuke would always volunteer to assist Naruto; or accompany him.

It is a huge distraction to Shino; he did not want Sasuke alone with his blonde, even though Naruto didn’t mind, and he appeared mildly nervous but never complained before or after the task. Shino found himself purposely assigning Sasuke task before he offered anything to Naruto; to make sure the Uchiha could not tag along or offer to do his task along with Naruto. He realized he was allowing his personal feelings to overshadow the way he treated his teammates, something he vowed he would not do. Sitting back against the tree his heart in turmoil, it took him all of two days to discontinue the close supervision of his blonde lover and allow the pieces to fall where they would. Prioritizing his mission and looking at Naruto as just another tool, to utilize for its completion.

At night, his resolve proved much more difficult he could not sleep due in part to his nervousness about the mission. He dreaded anything happening to his team and if he were completely honest images of Naruto filled his restless mind whenever he closed his eyes. He counted the days until he could hold golden-haired ninja again torturing his heart.

Therefore, he always took the first watch with one other person and the last watch with one other person, his watches would be substantially longer than his teammates reasoning it was his duty as team leader to take up the task. The night was chill, but he could barely feel the cool nip in the air as he observed the constellations high in the sky, confirming to him they are on the right path to Suna.

The mission ranked ‘B’ due to the volatile relationship that the Leaf has with the Sand; his team were acting as ambassadors, to offer some of the knowledge held in the Hidden Leaf to the Kazekage of Sunna. The possibility things could go wrong high, although the current peace treaty made that unlikely. Shino wanted everything to go according to plan; this may be his first and last mission out side of the village he wanted good memories of it. Someone moved in the nearby trees; he stood then relaxed. “Why are you awake?”

Naruto jumped the limb in front of Shino, crouching down as the leader took his seat. The bright blue eyes appeared more striking in the moon light. “I wanted to see if you would like to get some rest, I can relieve you now.” He nodded, other reasons bringing him to the bug lord the soft hum of the Kikai calming his anxiety.

Glancing at the sky, Shino surveyed the blue eyes. “It is not time yet, try to rest more Uzumaki.” He could not pull his eyes away, trying to get back to his thread of thought about the Sand at least he succeeded in maintaining a straight face.

Naruto turned away from the dark shades, frowning he sat down allowing his legs to dangle; “Why are you avoiding me?” He kept his face forward, looking toward the dark forest.

“What makes you say that?” his eyes locked to the beautiful profile.

**Kikai, alert me if anyone approaches; cause Uchiha pain if it is him**

Naruto’s face dropped as if he could see the dark forest ground below. “You haven’t…” he fell silent he did not know what Shino, had done. Then he felt stupid that he brought the subject up; ‘What can he do with me he’s the leader and this is a mission.’ “Never mind, I just….” He stopped, unable to voice the thoughts in his mind.

Staring at the moon drench face, it reminded him of their evening together in his home. The blue-white light of the night further his Angelic appearance. “I know what you mean, but this is a mission after all.”

“Yeah, this is I’m sorry;” Naruto’s voice suddenly small, almost a whisper; still not looking at the dark shades.

“Come sit with me Naruto.” Shino raised his left hand to the sad profile. Naruto stood up quickly, walking further up the limb, taking the large hand in his own. “Sit here, I want to talk with you a while.” He smiled up at the brilliant eyes as Naruto lowered himself between Shino’s legs; sitting with his back against Shino’s chest. His overlarge long jacket open he pulled the smaller male against him firmly. Folding his coat around him, wrapping his arms overtop of Narutos in an embrace.

Naruto tucked his legs up near his chest, shrinking his body down in the comfortable hold. Shino’s body like a heater; and the Kikai hums a soft tune. Naruto leaned against the firm shoulder, vaguely wondering what if someone saw them like this. ‘Shino is holding me so tightly, and now I feel comfortable enough to sleep; there is no way to look at this except for how it appears.’ He squirmed the longer he considered the issue then Sasuke flashed before his eyes, his body stiffened.

Placing feather light kisses on his brow, moaning deep from the calm feeling spreading throughout his body he reflectively squeezed Naruto tighter as he tensed. His eyes lingering on the blonde lashes, noticed the change Naruto, suddenly rigid. “Uzumaki, don’t worry no one will discover us.” He continued as the golden ninja didn’t relax; “I sent some Kikai to make sure, we are not disturbed.”

Naruto released a deep sigh, his body deflating as the tension released. Allowing all his weight to be supported by the strong arms wrapped over him; his eyes beginning to droop. “This feels nice;” Naruto whispered he sounded exhausted. “I am an idiot to think you stop caring about me.” He snuggled his face into the broad chest, half turning his body so his fetal position is surrounded by his larger teammate.

“Hmn.” Shino raised his eyebrow at the shifting body seeing the calm smile caused a shudder to pass through him inwardly wishing they were both back between the fluffy pillows. “I don’t want jeopardize this mission because my head is full of you, Naruto.” He lifted one hand lightly stroking Naruto’s hair behind his ear, the scent of the soaps long gone; replaced by a forest scent that if anything, more intoxicating to Shino mixed with Naruto’s natural scent.

Naruto lifted his chin looking up at the olive complexion his heart rate climbing with every passing moment. ‘This guy barely looked at me since we left the village, it’s almost like nothing is between us.’ “So you are saying I am a distraction to the mission.” Not fully understanding why the realization would make him feel a level of happiness inside.

“You are.” He whispered in a voice that rumbled deep in his chest enraptured by the large blue eyes.

The blue eyes closed and fluttered as Shino’s fingers raked over his scalp, resting on the back of his head. Naruto parted his lips and sighed his breath washing over Shino’s face. His heart skipped a beat as he leaned toward those full lips just inches beneath him. Shino’s mind gave into the desire in his heart. ‘Just one and I’ll feel revived enough to sleep, to dream, to move forward just one kiss from you Naruto.’

“I want to see your eyes.” Naruto said softly with a grin; causing Shino’s heart rate jumped again, as the blonde-ninja reached up removing the dark shades; tucking the stem in the collar of Shino’s shirt. “I wanted you to hold me; I haven’t been able to sleep well. Do you mind if I sleep a little here?” The innocent smile lighted his features making him appear younger; vulnerable and in need of protection.

“I’ll do more than that, Tenshi.” The low voice sent sparks of excitement down Naruto's spine; swirling in his stomach. Shino closed the gap between their lips. Pressing into the warm mouth his heart leaped in his throat. Naruto moaned his tongue peeking out to dampen the thin lips. His head falling back into the large hand tangled in his hair, cupping the back of his head, their hearts beats complimenting each other. Tightening his hold around Naruto Shino absorbed the full lips tenderly. Both youths expel gushes of air between each pause in their kiss as his tongue darts out to meet Naruto’s send shivers down his entire body. Naruto’s easily slips his arms around Shino’s waist inside the jacket holding him just as tightly. Lifting his mouth to run his lips over the blonde ninja lips savoring each second of their touch his mind swimming with images of Naruto.

“Open your eyes, Shi.” Naruto whispered; then smiled as the violet eyes met his; puckering his lips into the thin mouth.

Gazing at the vibrant eyes consuming his vision and all thoughts he realized how foolish of him, not to explain how missions should work and why they needed to keep things professional; although at the moment he was having great difficulty doing just that. On the verge of discussing the tedious details of their conduct, several things happen in rapid succession.

The Kikai warn of danger, Shino shifted to guard Naruto someone screamed in their camp and a Chakra filled wind swept through their mist.

“Get Down!” Shino yelled throwing his body on top of Naruto, blocking him from the worst of the blast. The wind so powerful he feels their bodies sliding off the tree limb. Shino lifted his head against the force, ignoring Naruto’s yells as the presser of his weight, increased by the force of the blast. Gripping Naruto tighter, Shino leaped with the push of the wind to a lower branch that allows the tree trunk to shield them, from the current of air. However no, sooner than the blast ended, Naruto leaped into action.

“Kagebunshin-No-Jutsu!” A dozen clones of Naruto scattered in every direction, literally blasting out of his grip as they multiplied. “I’ll cover you!” Were the last words thrown back at Shino, as the orange clad ninja dived in the trees.

Staring after him for a moment the wind and scream ceased, he could only hear Naruto running through the trees to the perpetrators. ‘I am going to pound him for going off like that.’ Raising his hands toward the sky.

**Find the enemy, if not able to detain feast on their carcass leave nothing behind but bone!**

The vindictive intent fueled by more than the scream from their campsite. The bright moon briefly shadowed, as at multitude of Kikai erupted from up his sleeves.

The blue eyed-ninja moved swiftly through the trees he heard his comrade before he saw him. “Naruto! Duck!” He fell instantly as if the ground gave way under him; opting to obey rather than hesitate looking for the source of the danger. Lucky he did as a huge sword whipped over his head, the blade cutting twelve inches into a tree.

The huge ninja kicked at the blonde unfortunately Naruto angry the guy nearly beheaded him, caught the foot and twisted it with a bone cracking result grinning evilly at the man. “Take that!” he yelled the ninja shouted in pain attempted to wrench his foot free.

However not fast enough Hyuga Neji leaped forward shouted “Hakke-Rokujuu-Yonshou!” *Devine 64 Strikes* Pummeling the ninja with rapid powerful two-finger hits at key points on his body centered near his vital organs. Allowing one two-finger thrust to hit between the ninja’s eyes shutting down his brain. The body fell back heavily, as Naruto leaped to his feet.

“Sankyo, Neji!” He nodded at the Byakugan white eyes as two whirling tornados passed over them both Konoha ninja gaze up as Kiba and Akamaru twisted over their heads, at lightening speed.

“KATSUGA!” Kiba shouted obliterating several hundred feet of forest and anyone in the nearby vicinity; as well as several of Naruto’s clones who did not get out of the way fast enough.

“Hey Kiba watch where you are going!” Naruto yelled then grinned as he heard the scream of a foreign Shinobi. “Great job Kiba Akamaru!” He said running to join them.

Neji, looked around, sensing the presence of others but unable to see them yet. “Where’s Sasuke!” He called to Naruto; not waiting for an answer, he raced back to the camp.

*******

Pausing only a moment longer Shino leaped from the tree heading to their camp. In the distance he heard Neji yell, soon followed by other calls, knowing his teammates were successful from his Kikai although they could not completely confirm if ‘Naruto’ is the original or a clone. ‘Please be o.k. Uzumaki!’ Clinging to that thought as he touched down on a tree, his approach silent.

**We will not assist him, let’s observe how he conducts himself**

He smirked at the scene below. In a clearing, several hundred feet from their camp Sasuke faced two rogue ninja preventing their escape. The Sharingan eyes zone in on the ninja closest to him; twirling a windmill shrunken; “You will die first, I am a genius in hand to hand combat.” He smirked, able to see every move the man would make.

“Don’t get so cocky with me brat!” He yelled hurling the windmill at the red-eyed kid.

“What are you doing?! We need to get out of here!” His comrade remarked, stepping back several feet; covertly pulling a long umbrella off his back tossing it in the air. While Sasuke easily dodged the windmill countering quickly by throwing four kunai the fifth still in his hand as he dived for the kill.

“Nice try brat!” Spat the ninja in the background; putting his hands together “Nin-Po-1000-Needle-Death!” The umbrella that soared twirling open, shooting out thousands of sharp points all directed at Sasuke.

Shino eyes followed the double team; feeling some admiration at how well Sasuke countered the move. Sasuke grinned then vanished, not actually, he moved so swiftly that his enemies could not see him; landing at the feet of the first ninja, in a crouched position kicking the man under the jaw; staying under the shadow of the ninja; the needles did not hit him. The force of the kick send the man flying in the air; however Uchiha was not done; kicking alternately with each foot, he stumped the guy higher and higher with each powerful blow; until they were both nearly thirty feet off the ground. Then in mid-air he did a roundhouse spin bringing the heel of his foot powerfully down on the ninja’s face; finishing off with the kunai in his right hand; punching the man in the heart driving him to the ground with a crash; an evil grin not unlike Naruto’s stretching his face.

Dust mushroomed where the two landed Shino shifted, finally leaving the tree, Sasuke in danger; waving his hand as small cloud of Kikai go assist. The second Sasuke forced the ninja to the ground the arms of the Shinobi snaked around him in and iron grip. His face contorted and stretched utter madness in the rubbery visage.

“That hurt.” The oblong face said a little too calmly; his legs joining the arms triple wrapping themselves around the dark haired ninja. Sasuke cried out in pain and anger his bones creaking at the assault the breath forced out of him neither notice of the thin dust cloud of Kikai that swirl around them retreating quickly as more help arrived.

“JUUKIN!” Neji cried out, jumping through the trees into the clearing; three fingers make contact with the rubber Shinobi’s head. Neji’s fingers sink in several inches as the skins elastic surface give way to the attack making most physical attack void. However, Neji’s attack, forced chakra penetrates the surface. A vicious anger surrounding him, due to Sasuke’s screams, he forced so much blue-white energy into the rogue ninja’s head, that it shuttered shortly then ballooned as his arms and legs went limp; Neji snatching Sasuke away before the head exploded.

He landed cradling Sasuke in his arms absorbing the blow of their rough landing. Flying over his teammates, Naruto charged at the back of the last remaining ninja; punching him in the back of the head, it was ineffective.

The ninja, who had caught the umbrella as it fell from the sky; whipped the folded staff around as Naruto made his final blow. The hit by the blonde landed at the expense of him impaling himself on the point of the closed canopy; the rouge laughing at the surprised blue eyes popping out in astonishment.

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Ahhhhhh! Naru-chan!!!!!! o_0 I guess I better get the next chapter for you guys xD! Oh who said "Shi" means demon, =] Wow you are right I never realized that! Nice coincidence tho ^^) Thanks for reading, see ya tomorrow xD xD xD