SASUSAKU: TROUBLED TIMES

Earth and Snow

The weather was starting to get colder in Snow Country. It had already been 5 months since Sasuke was there for the first time, spring had just arrived then and now autumn was making its way. The first snows would fall in a few weeks. That could be a great disadvantage for both armies, because neither clan was originally from Snow Country so they were not used to such extreme conditions.

When Sasuke arrived at the camp he noticed that the mood had changed. The faces of the soldiers, both the Uzumakis and the Uchihas, were more discouraged. Sasuke couldn't see his friend or Shisui anywhere, so as soon as he arrived he headed to Naruto's tent. Upon entering the large cloth tent, there were several men, including the two men he was looking for; Naruto and Shisui. In the center of the tent was a table where the four men inside were located, leaning towards what were plans and documents. As Sasuke entered following him Obito, the four men turned towards the entrance looking at them.

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted with a wide smile, "you finally arrived, I'm glad you recovered so quickly," he said, approaching with his arms open, giving him a hug, to which Sasuke responded by patting him on the back.

"Naruto," Sasuke answered and once his friend separated from him, he greeted the others present. "Shisui," he said, addressing the Uchiha, and after addressing the two Uzumakis, "Nagato... Tetsuo..." bowing his head and responding with the same gesture.

"Come in, come in. We were studying the next strategies..." Naruto said, gesturing with his arms, motioning for them to enter and stand next to him.

"It is expected that the next attack will be in the western area. Our informants have observed a large arrival of men from other clans, some who are not from the Fire Country," Shisui spoke.

"Is there anything known about the possible arrival of Emperor Neji?" Sasuke asked and all men present turned to him.

"The most likely thing is that he is going to show up... in fact some spies that we have in Earth Country to report on any unforeseen event that occurs where Hinata and her sister are, are aware of if any unexpected visit arrives and have confirmed the possible arrival, since they have seen Hyuga soldiers passing through the Country." Naruto responded, showing concern on his face.

"Hn," Sasuke replied, not happy with the answer. That could get complicated with Neji's arrival, but he still trusted his men, the Uchihas would not bow down to the Hyuga, nor any other clan he might have, he proudly thought to himself.

At the end of the meeting Sasuke headed towards what had been his tent for the last few months, there were his two trusted men. Suigetsu had his back turned while he sharpened his katana, and Jugo was facing the door of the tent reading a book lying on the floor. When he saw him enter, Jugo quickly put the book aside and stood up to greet his friend. Suigetsu, taken aback by the abrupt gesture of his friend, turned around in surprise and stood up as well.

"Sasuke, it's great to see you!" Jugo told him as he patted him on the shoulder, and Sasuke bowed his head, closing his eyes, greeting his partner.

"Damn it, Sasuke, we thought we were never going to see you again!" Suigetsu told him in an irritated voice. "Don't give us such a scare again,"

"I'll try," he responded to his partner. And he began to arrange Suigetsu's junk in the corner that had been his place and had now been taken over by Suigetsu.

"Hehe, I'm sorry, it's just that in the end, you start accumulating things... and you know..." his friend excused himself, while Sasuke moved the junk away from him without responding. Actually, Sasuke didn't care, but he did like order, especially what was his, he liked it to be orderly and clean.