47Well ... it's been a long time since I posted a chapter. A lot of things have happened which kept me from working on this story and I want to apologize. From my back injury, to computer issues, to writers block ... it's been a long journey into finishing this chapter. Sorry that it took so long! Hope it was worth the wait!
Disclaimer: I stll don't own Naruto... T^T
I also do not have a beta so sorry for any mistakes!
Chapter 7
Naruto was jarred awake by the frenetic knocking on his door. He struggled to get out of bed as he was weighted down by the arm around his chest and the leg thrown over his own. It took him several moments to register the fact that Sasuke was cuddling him to his chest like a lover and as he had attempted to free himself Sasuke's grip on him had tightened. Under normal circumstances Naruto would simply close his eyes and enjoy the utter bliss of being wrapped up in the arms of the one he loved but, 1. Sasuke was sure to freak out when he woke up, and, 2. Whoever was knocking at the door was getting even more impatient.
Their visitors impatience was what woke Sasuke up and the Uchiha shot up out of bed and ended up tripping himself as he was wrapped up in the blankets. Naruto felt his lips twist as he bit back a laugh at the look of utter befuddlement on Sasuke's face as he landed on his backside on the floor staring up at Naruto. It was too cute, and completely unlike the usually stoic Uchiha.
"It's not funny Naruto," Sasuke stated grumpily when a snort of laughter slipped past Naruto's lips, despite his attempt to keep it in.
Naruto grinned at the offended Uchiha who had picked himself up off the floor and was now headed to the door to let in their unexpected guest.
Unexpected guest was right, Naruto thought twenty minutes later as he sat staring at Ero-Sennen trying to digest what the man had just told him. Apparently Jiraiya had re-gained his memory two months ago but was investigating the head monk of the monastery that had taken him in. Jiraiya believed that the monk in question was Kurasu Kaname, an S-class nuke-nin who had one of the biggest bounties in the bingo book. A man who was believed deceased. A dangerous shinobi whom Ero-Sennen feared was up to something that could once more bring war to the Elemental Nations. People were just beginning to recover from the war that had just ended so recently and another war could very easily shatter the truce between the five shinobi villages tearing apart the delicate threads of peace that were so newly formed. Naruto couldn't let that happen.
"What can we do to help Ero-Sennen?"
Jiraiya gave the blond a small smile. "Glad you asked kid! I can't leave the monastery and follow the man around else I'll bring attention to myself, and right now that's the last thing we need. So I want you, and Sasuke over there, to trail him for me," the Sannin stated as he motioned toward Sasuke. Jiraiya looked back at his god-son and grinned at him. "Nice to see that you were able to bring him back to Konoha like you wanted Naruto."
The blond grinned back at the man, his eyes somewhat misty as he said, "Of course I brought him back! Did you think I'd fail?"
Jiraiya shook his head, amused. "I never doubted you for minute! And stop getting all teary eyed, I'm alive and kicking as you can see!"
Naruto wiped his eyes and nodded. "Sorry. It's just been..." The blond closed his eyes as he released an exhausted sigh. "I've just missed you Ero-Sennen."
The Sannin ruffled the blond's hair. "I know. I'm sorry I made you grieve for me. You've had enough sadness in your life and it pains me that I just added to it."
Naruto shook his head. "You shouldn't have gone to Amegakure on your own. Ba-chan shouldn't have let you go!"
Jiraiya sighed. "It was something I had to do. Just like you had to save Sasuke, I had to know if Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan were involved with Akatsuki. I planned to talk some sense into them if they were. I just didn't get the chance."
Naruto slumped in defeat. He understood. Had he been in Jiraiya shoes he undoubtedly would have done the same.
"So when do we start following the man," Naruto asked, changing his focus back to their mission.
The Sannin blinked at the abrupt switch of topics and eyed Naruto noting the changes that had taken place in the months since he'd been gone. He then glanced over at Uchiha Sasuke who was looking at Naruto with worry in his eyes. A great many changes had taken place in the Uchiha as well and Jiraiya wondered just what the two had gone through that had led them to each other. For the Sannin it was very easy to see the attraction each felt for the other, and it was also readily apparent that neither of them had confessed their feelings to the other and each was trying to keep it to themselves for fear of the reaction they'd get. Well, things were definitely going to be interesting. It was never boring around Naruto. He wondered how long it would take for one of them to crack. And who would be the first to confess.
"Oi, Ero-Sennin. Stop with the pervy thoughts already and tell us your plan!" Naruto demanded as he waved his hand in front of Jiraiya's face.
Jiraiya chuckled rather deviously as he resisted the urge to rub his hands together in glee. He couldn't wait to find out, this would make a great book!
Edited: 6/22/2016