Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki were on the same team. In a rare moment of cooperation, the two walked along together peacefully.
Well, perhaps peacefully wasn't the right word. Sasuke Uchiha felt as if his heart were about to leap out of his chest.
He really would get to meet that girl named Karin today. He was a little excited.
And so his footsteps pattered faster and faster!
"Huh?"
Naruto Uzumaki clearly noticed the distance between them growing. To keep either of them from getting separated, he had no choice but to speed up and follow.
He looked at Sasuke Uchiha in confusion. Why was he running so fast?
But just as he caught up, he noticed the slight upward curve of Sasuke's lips.
"That stuck-up Sasuke can actually smile?"
Naruto Uzumaki found it strange. Sasuke Uchiha, who was usually so cold and wore such a sour expression, could actually smile?
Didn't he usually just give a slight nod? Why was he positively beaming now?
"Hey, Sasuke..."
"Aaah!"
They jolted!
Before Naruto Uzumaki could finish, a woman's scream interrupted him!
Both stopped and looked toward the sound, a little concerned. Was someone in danger, or was it a trap?
Splash, splash...
They were already close enough to the river to hear the splashing. Sasuke Uchiha grew uneasy. Could it be the woman he wanted to save?
"Help! Someone, please save me!"
The cries for help continued.
"Let's go take a look. We have to go to the river sooner or later anyway."
"Wouldn't that be a little dangerous?" Naruto Uzumaki asked cautiously.
"How will we know unless we look? Besides, we need to fetch water, and there's only one river!"
Sasuke asked Naruto beside him somewhat hesitantly. Normally, he would simply have made the decision himself, but this time he