The Life of A Lamb Among Lions [Yaoi] [SasuNaru]

Chapter 8: When Temptation Strikes

No matter which way Naruto looked at the map, it made no sense to him. There were a couple of blue and green patches colored in pencil, a hell of a lot of sketchy grey lines and what Naruto suspected were the names of certain places written in illegible cursive script. Tch..! Not to mention the fact that I have a massive headache! He looked to Sasuke, who was standing some steps in front of him fiddling with the compass, and wondered if the boy was still angry with him. Sure he left without saying anything, but that couldn't have been enough to make Sasuke angry, could it? Not to mention he actually looked for me. And Naruto couldn't deny that that simple fact made him a little happy.

"You figured it out yet?" Sasuke's voice interrupted his thoughts. There was no hint of anger.

"Uh..yeah" He lied, fearing that calm Sasuke would go AWOL on him. He looked all around him, trying to figure out where to go, but there were only tall dark trees surrounding them and accompanying sounds of small animals scuttling on the floor and birds flying over head. Behind them was the gate they had just come through. Anko and the rest of their group were no longer in sight, having gone to complete their own hikes. He strained to look around, feeling his head pound uncontrollably. What the heck's wrong with me..? Is it because of the hot spring?

"We just have to go straight ahead" He said after a minute, ignoring the pain and taking the lead so he could feign confidence in his words. Sasuke looked to him warily but still followed. Their footsteps crunched on the bark and leaves below them, disturbing the stillness of the eerie forest. There was something clearly strange about the place- it was as if it had a will of its own, responding to their every move with gentle rushes of wind, teasing them. The branches of trees swayed and insects chirped. Naruto began to feel a little fear creeping upon him as he trod cautiously, gripping the map tightly and feeling a great urge to run away. But he kept on, for the sake of his male pride, stomping louder through the forest to shake off any fear he had.

"Oi!" Sasuke whispered loudly, grabbing Naruto's free hand to stop him. "Quiet! Who knows what's in here"

"W-what's in here?...There's nothing in here!" Naruto tried to reassure himself. As if in response, they could hear more forceful gusts of wind rustle the branches above them and the ever-present scuttling of little insects getting louder and louder. Naruto unknowingly gripped Sasuke's hand tightly. "It-it's just straight ahead. I'm sure." He stammered, walking quickly through the forest, still forgetting that he was gripping Sasuke's hand for dear life as he did.

Sasuke smirked. "Dobe." He whispered lowly, from behind Naruto, his lips close to Naruto's ear.

Naruto stopped, feeling a shiver ripple through his body as Sasuke's cool breath teased his ear. "Huh?" He attempted to say, but the word wouldn't come out. ...What's wrong with me? He turned his head around to see Sasuke raising his eyebrows at him and then looking to their hands which were still very much entwined in one another. Holy Fuck...! Naruto immediately let go, almost jumping away from the contact as though he had felt an electric shock. "Uh..I'm sorry..I didn't mean to..." He started, then chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head.

"You okay...scaredy-cat? Sasuke teased, smiling lightly.

Naruto huffed in response. "Fine, thank you" He said, attempting to take the lead again but Sasuke stopped him, putting a hand on his shoulder. The blonde-haired boy tensed up.

"You don't have to act tough." Sasuke said softly from behind him, tentatively reaching for Naruto's hand. "I'll...take the lead" He continued, slowly, almost hesitant. Naruto could hear his voice like it was a soft song in the distance. What have you done to me, Sasuke? He thought, and let himself be charmed by Sasuke's tranquil voice and cold fingers which slowly wrapped around his own.