Can't Help Myself 2.0

.11a

The temporary team made their way through the forest. They were all unsure what will happen once they find Sasuke so that question lingered in the back of their minds. 4/5 of them don't even like him.

Naruto was that 1/5. Of course they were obviously not on the best terms, hence what happened a few days ago with their quarrel. Despite that, he still considered Sasuke as a fellow comrade. Knowing Sasuke was going down a dark route, he couldn't bear to see him do it.

"Just what is that stupid Teme thinking?!"

No matter, he'll make sure to get him back.

Lost in his thoughts, he missed his friends shouting at him.

"Slow down!!"

"We're supposed to stick together, this doesn't look like sticking together at all!"

He felt something small and hard hit his head, snapping out of his headspace at an instant. Choosing to stop, he landed on a tree branch and waited for the rest to catch up.

He rubbed the back of his head, scowling at whoever threw that rock at him.

"That hurts ya know!!" he yelled out angrily. The three other boys landed on the same branch as his, Kiba walking up to him and roughly messed around with his hair.

"You need to pay attention to your surroundings! You can't just go upwards by yourself!" Kiba nagged, adding a little more pressure that caused Naruto's head to lower down.

"Ack! Stop that! I'll pay attention now so stop it Dog Breath!" he whined out, snapping his head to the side so that Kiba would stumbled forward.

They both stuck their tongues out at each other.

Neji chuckled at the sight, "You guys are like brothers."

"We do not!"

Unnoticed to Neji though, Shikamaru was ever so slightly glaring at him. Lips going downwards as his arms were crossed against his chest.

Choji simply spectated, his hand covering his mouth as he gasped faintly. Eyes widening in realization at his best friend's reaction.

Kiba was the first to retract, smiling at him alongside the others. They were glad to see him being playful like usual, they were worried that the news of Sasuke would sour his mood.

Afterwards, they were back onto the road. With trees becoming less and less, they decided to walk down the path. Naruto was now slightly ahead of them, humming quietly to fill in the quiet surrounding. He realized that his friends were behind him and thought he was going too fast again.

He turned his head around to tell them to hurry up but then quickly turned back.

Now carefully glancing at them instead, we watched as they whispered something that he couldn't hear. Actually, it was more like they were trying to exclude him from their conversation.

He watches as Kiba and Choji whisper something to Shikamaru, pointing at Naruto and laughing at whatever was being spoken. Neji also joined, saying something made Shikamaru loudly say "Huh?!". Surprising them all at his outburst before Kiba and Choji raised their eyebrows up and down.

Shikamaru sighed out, looking annoyed and covered his mouth while whispering something back. He took a look at Naruto, causing him to quickly look away, a tugging feeling in his heart.

What are they talking about?

Why did they keep looking at him while whispering?

Just then, they all sensed something coming their way. Quickly examining their surroundings, they spotted shurikans flying out of the trees and heading towards them.