Ascending (Sequel to Rock Bottom)

Chapter 21 - Where's Gaara?

Love that pic!! it's so artsy ;D

 Team 7 ate their dinner in silence around the fire. Gaara was nowhere to be found, and both Naruto and Kakashi were itching to know what had happened. It must've been pretty bad if it could scare off the Kazekage.

Suddenly, Naruto stood up. "Well, I'm gonna hit the hay 'ttebayo. Sasuke, you coming?" Sasuke nodded and soon followed Naruto into their shared tent.

"Only one sleeping bag! Who set this up 'ttebayo? They must have been worse at math than me!" Sasuke clenched his teeth at the Naruto's statement, an action that didn't go unnoticed by the said blonde.

"Oh well, I guess that only leaves one option..." Naruto began, making Sasuke smirk triumphantly, "Sasuke! You're sleeping outside! Hopefully, the wolves don't mistake you for a duck and eat you dattebayo!"

The smirk promptly fell from Sasuke's face, "Hn, no." Sasuke sat down on top of the sleeping bag, crossing his arms stubbornly.

"Sasuke," Naruto said warningly as he watched his teammate unzip the sleeping bag. Sasuke paid him no mind as he began to slip inside, "Oh no you don't!"

And with that, Naruto suddenly squeezed himself inside the sleeping bag, trying to push out Sasuke in the process. However, the ex-Uchiha had already zipped the sleeping bag closed.

"What are you doing, Naruto!" Sasuke said with annoyance as the blonde squirmed next to him.

"I'm stuck! Lemme out, Teme!"

"Well I'm stuck now as well, the zipper is on the outside and my hands are stuck." Naruto's wriggling didn't stop, and Sasuke groaned as the blonde rubbed against his lower region.

"Will you quit it, Naruto? Let's just sleep." Naruto stopped moving, much to Sasuke's relief. But then he started again, "Naruto, stop!" he said, louder this time. Sasuke knew Naruto didn't mean it, but he could feel a hand down there, and if this kept up he wouldn't be able to control himself.

"My nose is itchy," Naruto said as he continued to try to get his hands free. But he was soon stopped when Sasuke used one hand to hold his wrist still, and the other to scratch his nose.

Naruto sighed in relief, but soon let out a yelp when he felt something warm on his lips. With widened eyes he looked down, only to see Sasuke kissing him. An arm snaked to the back of his neck, and another around his waist, forcing him closer to the ravenette.

A blush adorned his face, but he couldn't find the strength to do anything to push Sasuke away. He felt fire wherever the ravenette touched, and couldn't help but love it. Soon he found himself shyly kissing back too.

Suddenly, Sasuke felt two hands push against his shoulders. He let go slightly so that he could face Naruto's flustered expression and parted lips. It was adorable to him, but the words that left the blonde's lips were not.

"U-um, look, Sasuke. We really shouldn't do this...I mean, I'm a guy, and you're a guy, and-"

"So what?" Sasuke interrupted, "I like you, Naruto. More than I've liked anyone before. So unless you don't want this. I don't really see a problem." Naruto blushed even more and bit his lip nervously. And Sasuke almost swooped in and planted his lips on the blonde right then and there.

Then he felt two arms slide around his torso, and a small "I like you too," from Naruto. That alone was enough for a genuine smile to force its way onto Sasuke's face as he captured Naruto in another warm and passionate kiss.

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[MEANWHILE]