INFATUATION

12.

"C'mon Y/n, we're here now!" Naruto shook you. You groaned, while staring up at the sky with a disturbed look on your face. "Can't.. sick.." You whined. Your arm was weakly thrown over your own stomach as you laid on the wooden floor.

"Looks like someone didn't enjoy the ride." Kakashi light heartedly teased. He stepped off the small boat, offering a hand down to you. "Come on, up we go." He encouraged. You slowly reached out to your sensei. Kakashi pulled you up with ease, and you wobbly stepped off, "Ughh.."

"Are you okay?" Naruto raised a brow as he curiously neared you. "No.." Your eyes turned to swirls as you slumped over. Who knew you'd be the type to get seasick! You fully expected Sakura to poke fun at you in this state, or even get her revenge for earlier. But much to your surprise, wasn't even looking at you.

"Okay. Take me home— And I mean, get me there in one piece." Tazuna demanded, clutching onto his bag strap. "Already..? We just got off the boat.." You complained with a frown, lazily following after Kakashi like a duckling.

Everyone seemed to disregard your comment. "I'm pumped for our next fight! I'll show off all my super cool ninja tricks!" Naruto beamed, throwing his hands in the air eagerly. He skipped ahead of you, leaving you isolated behind everyone. 'Naruto isn't taking this seriously..' You thought, 'This isn't just some silly battle.. our lives are on the line.' You then sighed. 'God.. listen to me! When did I get so boring, and serious..'  You hung your head, ashamed.

The six of you traveled into a forest, by now you were feeling much better. A small smile blessed your features as you decided to talk to Sasuke, which you haven't done in an entire day and a half. "Hi." You chirped as you appeared beside him.

He suddenly stiffened, glancing down at you. "Are you feeling better now?" Although it was a question, he didn't sound too curious. "Yep! Much." Sasuke didn't say anything afterwards, presumably expecting you to do it instead.

You eventually realized this. "It was really awesome what you did back there! You didn't even hesitate to move, Sasuke." You complimented, and he pretended not to care. "You seemed to have it under control, too." He nonchalantly said. You shook your head.

"No way. My heart was racing so fast." You placed your hand over your chest, "I was.. actually pretty scared." You forced out a laugh to not ruin the mood. But it didn't matter, because as expected Sasuke didn't speak afterwards.

"You've been a lot more reserved today, is something wrong?" You finally asked, staring up at him. He couldn't bring himself to look at you. Of course something was wrong! His confession was interrupted! He was upset, not exactly at you, but still upset. It's all he's thought about since he left you yesterday.

Sasuke gulped harshly, he could feel your eyes on him. And it made him uneasy. "No. It's nothing." He said, while shoving his hands into his pockets. It's almost amazing how he remains calm in life threatening situations, but a simple conversation with you has him shaking in his boots.

"I hope it's nothing." You gently shove your elbow into his side. "I don't like you being this quiet." He swore his heart almost leaped out of his body.

"Over there!" Naruto called out as he threw something at a bush. Everyone stopped in their tracks, believing there was another threat. He then smiled, "It was just a mouse." Naruto said proudly.

A vein popped out from Sakura's forehead as she pointed an angry finger at him. "Mouse? Yeah, right! Everyone can see through your stupid tricks! You're so obvious it's embarrassing!" Kakashi stepped up to scold him next. "Naruto, those are kunai knives! they're dangerous!"

Sasuke scoffed, unamused. And, upset yet another moment was ruined by Naruto. "Stop trying to scare me you scruffy little dwarf!" Tazuna then shouted.

Naruto goofily placed his hand on his forehead, searching around. "Is there somebody over there!? Or over there!" he suddenly threw another wild kunai at a different bush. Sakura, deciding she had enough, stomped towards him. "That's it Naruto!" She whacked him upside the head. The blond grunted in pain.

"Wha?!- Why'd you do that! Someone really is following us! I mean it!" He cried out. The pinkette placed her hands on her hips, bending down to be at his level. "Yeah right! Quit lying, and acting like a dumb kid!" She began balling one of her fists up, as if threatening to hit him again. Kakashi walked towards the kunai Naruto threw moments ago, and you followed.

"Oh, Naruto." You shook your head, saddened. The others came over too. Sakura gasped at the sight, her soft hands cupping over her lips. "Naruto! Look what you did!" She squeaked. His eyes widened, "A rabbit?!" Naruto wailed as he approached the wild animal. It shook against the tree, paralyzed in fear.

"Oh, I'm sorry little bunny, I'm sorry!" He apologized as he picked up the small white creature, and rubbed his cheek against it affectionately. "All this fuss over a rodent." Tazuna sighed, sounding annoyed. He obviously has had enough of Team Seven, and just wants to return home.

Unexpectedly, a large sword swung over your head. It spun midair until the giant blade stabbed into a nearby tree. Sasuke was quick to wrap a protective arm over your back, while everyone else ducked with their hands over their heads. "Another surprise attack..!" You squeaked, watching as someone landed on the hilt of the flying sword.

A tan man looked over his muscular shoulder to peer down at you all. You cautiously stood back up along with the others. Kakashi began taking a few steps forward, "Well, well.. If it isn't Zabuza Momochi.. Rogue ninja from the village hidden in the mist." He said blankly, acting completely unbothered by his presence.

Naruto then charged towards the foe, only to be stopped by Kakashi's outstretched arm. "You're in the way," He said calmly. "Get back." The blond then grit his teeth together. "But why?!" His blue eyes glared up at your shared sensei, awaiting an explanation. "He's not like those other ninja. He's on a whole other level."

Naruto let out a grunt of annoyance, but he decided to listen and step away. "I'll need this." Kakashi said, mostly to himself. He began reaching towards his leaf headband, which usually covered his eye. His four students stared intently. "Kakashi of the sharingan eye. Did I get that right?" Zabuza rasped out. His voice alone sent chills down your spine.

Sasuke furrowed his brows at the mention of your clan's kekkei genkai. "It's too bad, but you'll have to hand over the old man." Zabuza's eyes fixated on Tazuna. "Sasuke.." You whispered, your mouth going dry. "Did I hear him right..?" You slowly turned to stare at the boy. He nodded, his onyx eyes still on your opponent ahead. "Kakashi wields the sharingan."