Understand Me

Disclaimer: I own neither Naruto, nor any Naruto-related characters. Nope, not mine. I don't claim them as my own... though it would be nice.

Moving on.

Summary: It's said that no one can ever see and understand all the sides of a person. Love is reserved for a lover; hate is directed towards an enemy; compassion, jealousy, fear, lust, disdain. A well of emotions, faces, and we only see a select few. Just sometimes, those faces change. For better or worse is to be discovered in time.

Pairings: Sasu/Naru, more will come.


- "" are for speaking. [ "Words" ]
- '' are for thoughts. [ 'Thoughts' ]
- ~*~ indicates a break in scenery, time, view point, etc. [ Somewhere. ~*~ Somewhere else. ]


Now, let's get started, shall we?


Chapter One: Playful Combat

A proud little nightingale sang its morning greetings to the rising sun, full of melodious chirps and passionate trills that rose like a soft breeze through the treetops. For minutes the beautifully-complex composition continued, spreading and coaxing other aviates to follow its example, much to a certain Hyuuga Neji's delight. The young shinobi held a fondness for birds. In many ways he was like a bird, though caged and wary, unlike this carefree and bold creature before him. Unexpectedly, the song became somber in tone to weave in a few dark-chorded notes, before warbling back upwards in full force.

Then suddenly, the lone nightingale reached its climatic point and the songs died away. 'Rather abruptly', the Hyuuga thought. His pearly eyes narrowed slightly against the yellow-green dappled light that seeped through the forest canopy, drowning out all other hues beneath the organic stained glass.

Backing against the thick tree trunk was a reflex action, as was his need to crouch lower upon the crooked branch some fifty feet in the air.

He could feel the presence now.

'No wonder the songs stopped', came a chiding inner voice. Well, whoever it was, they were no threat to him. Already the chakra signatures were recognized as familiar, someone from Konoha. They were stronger than most, so they were ninja like himself.

Physically relaxing into his previous position; back leaning against the veined bark and one leg lazily hanging in mid-air, the other stretched along the branch's length, Neji waited for the singing to reinstate its soothing atmosphere. In silence he waited.

His little kindred didn't resume its singing. Who ever the ninja were probably frightened off the lovely nightingale, which left him now alone and oddly restless.

With a soft "humph" the proud Hyuuga stood and took his first leap into a whole mess of mental turmoil. He was heading towards the familiar presences, dampening his chakra flow until it was practically untraceable. As he sprang forward once more a soft chorus of sounds threatened to make him miss the next branch and land rather harshly on the ground below. Luckily for him, the ninja didn't seem to notice the slight grappling sounds his sandals made against the tree bark, trying to keep balance.

Shortly thereafter the coverage lessened into what he assumed was a clearing up ahead. Where the two ninja were...

Neji stopped and crouched within the protective foliage, lightly parting a batch of leaves to peek through and see... a sight he'd never expected to see in his entire life.

Milky-white optics widened at the scene presented before them, the calculating flatness having dissipated in the Hyuuga's surprise. Rarely did he ever become surprised, especially not enough to literally make his jaw drop. Yet here he was, weakly containing the blush that lightly tainted his high-cheekbones... but then, who wouldn't be surprised?

Grappling in the center of a wide clearing were two figures, both easily recognizable as Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto. It wasn't the fact that they were skirmishing that surprised the Hyuuga. Oh no, it was the fact that stray kisses, caresses, and gropes accompanied the aggressive maneuvers and lustful moans.


~*~


It was turning into a wonderful morning by Naruto's standards. He'd woken up refreshed and ready to start the day, full of energy to the point of combustion. "Bright eyed and bushy tailed." the fox had commented, much to Naruto's vexation, seeing as the damnable fox was right in its observations. Stupid, annoying Kyuubi-fox.

He had his morning ramen, or three, as was customary when he had a big mission that day. And now he was 'sparring' with Sasuke, getting in a few teasing kisses between attacks. How he loved to tease the Uchiha and watch him become all flustered. 'He's so cute when he's angry.' he thought with a vulpine grin just as mischievous as the demon he housed within.

"Ah, so you recognize my superiority, Sasuke-bastard.", Naruto declared with a wide grin, standing above the glaring Uchiha who lay panting on his back. 'If looks could kill...' the blond chuckled nervously, dropping on his knees to straddle the other's waist. "No reason to be a sore loser, Sasuke." he murmured, pouting childishly at the raven-haired boy before leaning closer to cup his jaw. "Besides, remember what I get when I win?" Naruto wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, bending down to nip at Sasuke's nose and lick at pale pink lips.

"I have to say, that is tempting." Stepping out of the forest-line, Sasuke smirked at the scene of Naruto molesting his Kage Bushin, a fact the blond had been oblivious to until now. "Should I leave you two alone?" he continued with a satisfied grin, watching as Naruto's face turned beet-red at the log he still straddled.

Wishing that he could disappear as easily as the Kage Bushin, Naruto scratched the back of his head, incredibly embarrassed and relieved no one else was around to see his mistake. It only took a moment for the embarrassment to subside and another childish pout to take its place, "You really are a bastard, Sasuke." Somehow or another, he'd turn this into Sasuke's fault.

Sasuke only chuckled at the blonde's absurdity, crossing his arms and stepping closer to the upset teen. "Come on, dobe. Let's head back."

"But we weren't done." he protested, the blush of embarrassment fading at the prospect of having to forfeit their sparring session. Damnit, he wanted to pin the pale, raven-haired boy and--

"I know. Our mission isn't until later, but I need to finish packing." He nearly smiled at the dejected look on the blonde's face. "You can tag along if you'd like."

Naruto beamed at the proposition, hopping off the log and following Sasuke towards the village. 'He actually wants to spend time with me.' the blue-eyed dobe realized... "Hey! Don't call me that, teme!" Naruto shouted the insult upon remembering the one directed at him, stomping alongside his companion with loud thumping steps, though he wasn't nearly as angry as he let on.

Smirking at the blonde's delayed reaction, Sasuke smoothly pocketed his hands and leapt into the nearest tree, setting a leisurely pace for the journey back.


~*~


In the abandoned clearing a tree branch stirred, Neji's lean form landing in a graceful crouch on the ground. If he hadn't seen it himself, he never would have believed it to be true. Quite frankly, he wasn't too sure that the whole thing wasn't some odd dream; but then, why would he be dreaming about Sasuke and Naruto?

No, it wasn't a dream.

Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto were... lovers?