How Troublesome

Chapter 8: The Exasperating Entrance

Before they had a chance to do anything, the gate, which closely resembled a drawbridge, came down and two figures stepped out. They were dressed in dark slate blue outfits, pants bound with bandages right below the knee, flak jackets that hooked over one shoulder diagonally, and both of them wore black facemasks. Their headbands gleaming with the Yugakure symbol. They looked identical, except for the top portions of their faces and their height.

The taller one, with dark hair, slicked back with a single long bang handing forward, bowed. "We have been expecting you, and welcome you to our village. Please follow us," he said, voice polite and courteous.

Naruto turned to Sasuke, and smiled at him. "Okay, Sasuke. I'll see you in a few weeks."

Shikamaru watched closely. He had been wondering how the Uchiha would react at this point. According to the mission, Sasuke was only there to escort them to the Yugakure, and that was all. For some reason, most likely his high level of I.Q, although it could have just been common sense, he had the feeling that the Uchiha wouldn't just want to leave.

Sasuke looked down at Naruto, his expression stony, "I will come with you."

Naruto rolled her eyes, "No, you won't, Teme. The Hokage said that you were to accompany us here, and then go back, leaving us with the people of the Yugakure completely as a sign of... oh, yeah! Good faith!"

The two Yugakure ninja exchanged confused glances.

Maybe they weren't used to civilians arguing with homicidal looking ninjas. Shikamaru sighed, and said to them, "Don't even try to understand." They hesitated and then nodded, going back to watching Sasuke and Naruto.

Sasuke was currently glaring down at Naruto with the famous Uchiha glare. "Well, the Hokage is not always correct in her assessments," Sasuke said.

He started to say something else, but Naruto cut him off. "Don't even think about going against the orders of the mission, Teme. Now, be a good ninja, and go back. I can take care of myself!" she declared loudly, and with a stubborn expression.

Sasuke's eye twitched, and his lips thinned, but he finally looked away from Naruto's bright blue eyes. "Fine. Just take care of yourself, Dobe," he said.

Naruto puffed out her cheeks cutely, and then, to everyone's surprise, hugged Sasuke, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Sasuke stiffened, and he glared down at the blonde attached to his waist. Shikamaru swore he could see a hint of pink on the other man's cheeks, though. "Naruto, get off!" he growled.

Naruto let go and sheepishly scratched her head. "Sorry, I forgot bastards don't like to be hugged," she said cheekily.

"If you ever hug me again, I will... destroy all of the ramen in Konoha," he hissed.

Naruto went pale, "You bastard! Why don't you just kill me?"

Shikamaru sweatdropped at the conversation between the two. This just wasn't normal, although he wondered if anything to do with Naruto was normal. Probably not.

Sasuke stalked away from Naruto to the two ninja. "If you two allow anything to happen to Naruto, I will use my Mangekyo Sharingan on you, and then, if you're still alive after that, I will disembowel you and set your organs on fire," he said fiercely, flashing his Sharingan, eyes scarlet and black. Then, before they could respond, he turned to Shikamaru, and growled three words, "Don't try anything."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. He assumed that the Uchiha was talking about Naruto, and, frankly, he had never listened to his advice before and didn't intend to start now. He just slouched his shoulders and gave Sasuke a bored, "Troublesome..."