You closed your eyes, hoping with all your might that it wasn't Kakashi-sensei. Then you turned slightly and found yourself face-to-face with none other than Sasuke Uchiha.
"Huh?" you asked, too surprised to give him a proper greeting. "What do you want?"
His eye twitched and he pursed his lips. "We would both do…better if we…worked together," he managed through his gritted teeth, spitting out each word as if the effort was killing him. It seemed a severe blow on his pride to stoop so low as teaming up with a girl. You almost laughed out loud.
"Excuse me?" you raised your eyebrows incredulously. He gave you a scathing glare.
"You heard me the first time. Don't make me repeat myself."
You pondered his offer. "But why me?"
Sasuke's jaw dropped. "What do you think? Do I look stupid enough to work with a deadlast like Naruto?" He gestured to the clearing, where the said deadlast was currently dangling upside down by his leg.
"Sakura?" you persisted.
He scowled. "Seriously, [Name]. You are so dense sometimes."
A singsong voice suddenly called out, effectively cutting off the retort bubbling to your lips. "Oh Sasuke-kun…I found you!" Sakura climbed carefully over a tree branch and hopped down beside you. Her green eyes flickered over Sasuke and you uncertainly.
"Hey, [Name]," she greeted, suspicion leaking into her cheery tone.
Before you could return her greeting, Sasuke interrupted. "Don't try to change the subject [Name]. What do you say?"
If you agree to work with Sasuke, go to Chapter 46.
If you agree, but suggest to include Sakura, go to Chapter 47.
If you refuse and go find Naruto instead, go to Chapter 48.