KONOHA'S FINEST

Stretching his arms high above before lacing his fingers at the back of his head, Naruto grumbles some sort of dissent that's not entirely discernible. Not that it matters anyways, it's not like his complaining and whining will get anything actually changed in this particular assignment-- Hinata speaks and it almost goes unheard, but a glance out of the side of his eye has him frowning. She's weird sometimes, yeah, but... he's never known her to profess any kind of hurt without it being serious. For a moment, he remembers her resilience during the Chunin Exams long, long ago. That alone has him turning to face her with concern flashing in the depths of his gaze-- a single hand comes to rest on her shoulder as he squints at her face. "You sick, or something?" She doesn't look like she's running a fever, but what the hell does he know? Sakura or Old Lady Tsunade would be a better judge of anything like this. All he knows to look for is a red face and some excess sweating. "C'mon. Let's get you to sit down. Maybe once you're feeling a little better, we can check more things out." A job like this would be hard with only one of them present, when the risk of being caught in this jutsu ran high. With an arm around her shoulders, he gently guided her to a nearby bench and encouraged her to sit down before crouching in front of her, head tilted. "Take a break if you gotta. We can take a minute for that. You don't need to push yourself too hard, alright?" @byakuganheir

His survival instincts are perfectly fine, thank you very much. Naruto opens his mouth to retort before their target makes his move and Tenten issues her orders-- he doesn't particularly like the idea of separating, but the both of them can hold their own in any sort of battle. It'll be easier for him to corner someone trying to escape than it would be for her, at least... thanks to those shadow clones of his. A firm nod is what he gives to her before hopping on to the next roof. He's already lost some time, eyes squinting as he tries to spot the cloaked man once again. Thankfully, a dim light from a window illuminates the stranger and Naruto smiles to himself as he perches atop a tall pole, far above the target's field of vision. Another vial in his hand, except this time, there's another person that opens their door to greet him. A quick exchange and only a few words before they part, the door shutting and leaving their mystery man in the shadows once again. Where was Tenten? How much further did they need to follow? He was clearly distributing some kinda weird concoction. Naruto frowns as his lower lip juts, brows knit as he hops along in the same manner that a toad would. "Man, c'mon..." @theweaponsmistress

Presentable? He (she?) nearly scoffs at Shikamaru's offering, but doesn't turn it down-- after all, it is a little chilly here, even if he's managed to tie his jacket around his now-feminine waist. The cloak hides a majority of the upper half of his Sexy Jutsu, at least... but doesn't that defeat the purpose of a jutsu being called 'sexy'? Whatever. He'll figure out the logistics of that one later. When the arm is offered to him, Naruto narrows his eyes before staring at the side profile of his friend's face. Now, this is the part he didn't exactly think all the way through: having to pretend to be a couple meant doing couple things, which meant he actually had to really play the role of a woman in this scenario. There's no choice but to acquiesce when their target remains close by, looping his arm with Shikamaru's. "Tch. Can't she move faster?" Naruto quietly hisses through clenched teeth, the smile he's trying to wear looking more like a pained grimace than anything else. The woman doesn't seem to have caught on, and that can be attributed to his genius (but also kind of stupid) idea. "I don't want to be in this jutsu longer than I have to, -ttebayo!" The target in question seemed to be simply perusing some of the stalls along the street-- nothing interesting, nothing out of the ordinary. Some of them sold street food, some of them had trinkets and toys... but it still doesn't feel like she's particularly caught by anything offered. "... D'ya think she's waiting for someone, maybe? Or biding some time? Ugh. Can't you just. Y'know. Go talk to her? Use your stupidly big brain? I don't know!" @deercove

The flash of blinding light has him wince for only a moment, but the dark shadows illuminated over Sasuke's face has his breath stop-- as if those features he'd remembered from so long ago were frozen in time just as much as this cave was, as if that same scowl was directed at him when they were mere children. It passes as quickly as it comes when the blade presses to the side of his neck, but there's another thing between them that hasn't changed. Naruto's obstinate qualities. Sasuke's stubborn insistence. A clash of personality and mind. He doesn't move as the blood drips down the side of his neck, and his pupils dilate for only a moment as he stares down his friend-- he can stab him if he wants, he can slice his arm off, whatever he likes. It doesn't do anything to the bond they share; severing his flesh doesn't sever something intangible. Unfortunately for him, his greatest weakness stands right in front of him... and he acquiesces to step back, though his hand shoots out to grab Sasuke's wrist to keep their close proximity- it causes his breath to come a hint faster, heart hammering hard enough to feel the drum of his pulse in his ears. The closest they've been in years, he notes with a sharp pain in his chest. "Nothing will happen to me." The stare that bores into the Uchiha's face holds a fire that's always been present, burning ever brighter here and now. The flame that's always returned his rival's stare, never once extinguished in their distance. "I don't care what you think of me." A lie, one that sears as the words come up and out of his throat and dance across his tongue. He's only ever cared about what Sasuke thought, he's only ever wanted to be acknowledged by him, he's only ever wanted to be seen as strong in the eyes of those he admired. "I'll fight with everything I have if that's what it takes to stop you. If you think I'll roll over and die, you're wrong!" Sure, there's plenty of time to train, and they could exchange fists right here and right now. But... This time is more valuable than anything else. Where they have no choice but to face each other, where Naruto can remain in his presence for just enough time to talk. Just enough time to remember, just enough time to etch the lower tone of his voice and the more mature features of his face into memory. "If time doesn't pass here, then you're stuck with me, I guess." He sounds more smug than anything, the lopsided grin on his face evidence enough. With a grunt, he struggles against the other boy's strength in an attempt to leverage the blade only an inch or so away from his neck to press closer, brows furrowed and teeth bared. "Now, you don't have a choice but to talk." Or at least listen. Whatever. Same difference. "... You remember what it felt like, right? What it felt like to bicker with each other even though we had each others' backs through every mission. Every battle." His grip loosens ever so slightly, gaze downcast as his voice wavers by only the slightest. Naruto nearly hates the memories that flood into his mind, each one a knife that twists further and further into his gut. Yet without those memories, what would he have left of Sasuke? "What it felt like to push each other to the limit? To get better, side by side? When you're this far away, sometimes I think I've forgotten." As if he could ever. @reflamme

The sword that hangs above him like a makeshift guillotine has him swallowing hard, throat bobbing with the effort. It's only instinct for sweat to bead at his brow at the calloused acknowledgement of his presence, and even as Sasuke begins to walk away, he knows that it's only the other's mercy that spared him in that moment. If Sasuke wanted to kill him-- he could. But he didn't. But he won't. Whatever nonsense his friend wants to spew is fine and dandy, but it's the actions underneath that speak so much louder than his words. Naruto scowls at his back as he scrambles to his feet, pausing only to dust off the knees of his pants before grumbling about his not-so-warm welcome. He's always spouting off about no-good-Naruto, just a Hokage wannabe with no grit to back the claim up. Whatever. Whatever! ... Why does it bother him more when it comes from Sasuke, rather than anyone else? Damn it. "Eh?! I didn't come to chase you! That's not all I do, -ttebayo." His lower lip juts and his brows furrow as he steps a bit closer, crossing his arms over his chest in his best display of annoyance and indignation. "What are YOU doing here? I'm the one who should be asking questions! You came to check out the creepy freaky time-stopping cave first!" Ugh, that nonchalance has always made him want to shake him like he's a can of coins. Maybe he'd get his points across then. "You know me better than that. Don't act like you don't." He doesn't have to elaborate, because he knows what he says is true-- empty words thrown around, the assumption that Naruto would ever give up on his dream.... it's a poor attempt at emulating some sort of apathy. "... Just like I know you. Just like I know that one day, you'll come back. One way or another." For the first time in a long time, he's able to flash a smile in Sasuke's direction. "'Cuz we're still friends. Always will be. Y'can't take that away from me, no matter how hard you try." Sentimentality aside, Naruto stands on his tip-toes in an attempt to look over Sasuke's shoulder from a distance. He's definitely not tall enough, though. "What are you doin' here anyways? Do you really believe in the stories about this place?" @reflamme

He scrambles to keep up with Tenten's movement, scrabbling his way up onto the roof in pursuit-- he hadn't expected her to move so quickly, but in a way, he's glad. No more standing around, no more sitting at the corner of a wall and waiting for something more than walking to happen. She's right that there's a possibility that the guy isn't a spy, but... ugh. Naruto's lip juts out in his frown, eyes narrowing as he glances down into the alley below. "Lady Tsunade? Pfft. Ain't scared of her! Even if she is freakishly strong!" Half a lie, he is kinda scared of her when she's mad. Regardless, the point is moot, because he knows his companion is correct. As expected, the guy continues to hurry along. He does, however, skid to a halt, and Naruto does the exact same on the roof. With frantic hand motions to stop Tenten's advance, he crouches near the edge and peers over into the darkness. There's just enough light from nearby lamps for him to make out the silhouette that seems to be... opening some sort of box welded to a wall? "The hell is that?" He mumbles, head tilting in curiosity as he tries to discern more of what's going on down there. The figure reaches into his cloak to retrieve what looks like a very small vial before placing it into the box as he quickly looks around to ensure nobody's catching him. Once the guy is sure, he closes the door quietly and shuffles along-- this time, faster. "... Should we check it out? We might lose him if we do, though." @theweaponsmistress

Oh hell yeah, they get to leave now- WHAT? "What do you MEAN we can't take her back without her bow?!?!" And to top it all off, Neji says some weird crap about his Byakugan not working, and to be frank, Naruto doesn't buy it at all. Scrutinizing eyes survey him from head to toe, then back up again, and... an injury from a mission? Hah. As if something like that would hold Neji back-- Naruto's been on the receiving end of his ire on several occasions, and he knows that man well enough to know that nothing would stop him. "NUH UH! NO WAY! You're just sayin' that so I have to go crawling through the bushes and you don't!" He crosses his arms over his chest as he huffs, narrowed eyes flitting over to the bushes. There's thorns in there, but they weren't as sharp as Tora's claws.... but he knows he's lost this argument before it even begins, and Naruto can do nothing but sulk and throw his arms up in the air before stomping over to the foliage in question. He does stop to throw a nasty look over his shoulder, though. "I won't forget this, -ttebayo!" And for good measure, he sticks out his tongue and slaps his butt dramatically. If he could fart in his general direction, he would. "Fine. FINE. I've got this. No problem. Let's see...." He can't see shit. So only one thing to do, and he disappears into the greenery as he drops to his knees and shuffles around. Every so often, a curse or an 'OW' that emanates from the shadows-- and his hands card through the leaves and dirt in an attempt to find the thing. But... from what he can see, there's nothing even close to resembling a bow down here. "Neji! Hey! I don't see it down here! I'm lookin' and it's just-- leaves. And dirt. And some more leaves." The dawning realization that this may be much, much longer of a mission than he wanted causes him to let out something that sounds like a choked sob as his head pops up above the hedge. ".... It's not here. Seriously." @hiyaaku

Back flattened against the nearest wall, narrowed eyes settle on the shadowy figure that flits to and fro down a secluded alley-- it's late into the night, far later than anyone should really be wandering around the village at this hour... and much less in a manner that suggests they don't want to be found. With a quick movement, Naruto crosses the street in order to get closer to their target, huffing when he's forced to wait when the stranger makes sure to look around them. "Ugh, what's taking them so long?" He manages to whisper, the gentle breeze hopefully hiding his words as he leans closer to Tenten. This guy hadn't done anything alarming yet, other than... well.... look suspicious. Didn't show up to any sort of weird place, hasn't hurt anyone, and just happens to be out at like. 2am. Which sucks, because that's when Naruto should be sleeping. "We gonna keep waiting? Why don't we just-- you know-- ask the guy? Why do we have to keep this all secretive?" He knows that their target might make a run for it, but they'd be faster, anyways. Or so he assumes. "We're gonna be here into the morning..." Ah, well, complaining seems to do the trick. Because their shadowy mysterious dude looks over his shoulder before hurrying along, seemingly picking up the pace. "... D'ya think he knows we're here?" @theweaponsmistress

"Gah!" Eating ramen was easy. It was great! Super quick, sometimes you'd choke on a noodle if you weren't careful, but your stomach would get full reaaaaal fast. Which is why Naruto always ate it so quickly, to shovel as much into his belly before he actually felt full. Can't kick butt on an empty stomach, after all. Making ramen, however, was not easy. Not at all. He hated these stupid, slippery noodles that kept making him slice his fingers with this knife-- in fact, the amount of things he had to throw away from contaminating it with blood was pretty crazy. How much money had he cost Ichiraku from this venture alone? How many bowls would he have to buy in the near future to make up for his blunders...? Either way, not the problem right now. Dropping the knife on the counter, Naruto heaved a big sigh as he looked at all of the bandages that had covered a majority of his little cuts-- but now, another one was added to the pile. There had to be an easier way to do this, and... pressing his fingers together in a hand-sign that was all too familiar, he did what he always does: summon a shadow clone. The puff of smoke gave way to another him, and he figured that maybe holding the noodles down with his clone would be a start. "Okay, yeah, like that. Stretch 'em out.... maybe they won't roll this time!" @ashesburned

Pretend only once? Naruto knows that to be a lie well enough- from all the times that Sasuke had proclaimed he'd been pretending and 'playing' during their moments together as Team 7; blue eyes narrow as he bites down on the inside of his cheek, frustration welling forth at the nonchalant attitude. Far beyond the normally aloof demeanor, now a complete detachment from anything that ever made them friends to begin with. To Naruto, these precious seconds together are everything. To know that Sasuke is a step further away from Orochimaru's plotting, even if it's temporary-- and to speak face-to-face, though they're in opposition. To Sasuke, he wants to believe that there's some amount of happiness buried deep within. Some amount of relief to know that Naruto is alive and well. Is that too much to ask for, though? As Sasuke brushes past him, Naruto's gaze settles on the ground in front of him. If he wanted, that katana could go straight through him-- there's no doubt in anyone's mind that Sasuke could kill him if that was his desire. It takes only a split second of thought for him to whirl on his heel and march after the other boy, fists balled and one hand shooting forward to grab the fabric of his shirt that settles on his shoulder; a rough tug is his attempt at forcing Sasuke to turn around, both from a desire to be seen and heard... yet also to see the face that eluded him, haunted his dreams, and comprised some of his greatest regrets. "You! Y'think it's gonna be that easy to walk away? Huh?!" His lip curls as he stomps closer, his grip tightening with every word. "Actin' like we don't know each other? Like you don't care, or never cared about any of us?!" Naruto's never once been mindful of his volume, and this moment is no exception- he can feel his pulse skyrocketing, he can feel the anger spurring him onwards, and he can feel the desperation of wanting something to change right here and right now. "I know better! You're not fooling me, you never will! I made a promise to bring you back-- and you should know better than anyone else that I don't go back on my word, Sasuke." @reflamme