Disclaimer: Naruto and all associated characters and materials are property of Masashi Kishimoto and Shonen Jump.

Welcoming
By: Nanaki BH

Naruto slept next to Sakura that night, his snoring the only sound in the forest aside from the crickets. While they and their squad leader dreamed peacefully, Sai lie with one eye open, his thoughts too complicated than to allow him to sleep. Everything that had happened recently made him question all he'd done with his life. Was it a mistake to distance himself from other people for so long?

He turned on his side and looked at his companions. That's what he decided to call them for now, at least in his head. The word "companions" didn't force him to dedicate himself just yet to the word "friends". Even though the two of them had so many problems, they could still rest easy. How could that be?

Yamato stirred and grumbled quietly. At least there was someone Sai felt he could relate to a little more. Yamato was in ANBU too so it was possible he knew of the sort of things that were demanded and expected of him. Maybe somewhere in his dreams he was still haunted by those expectations himself.

"Yamato-sensei," he said, just to see if he'd respond.

He opened his eyes as if he hadn't been sleeping at all. He made a small noise to ask what was wrong but Sai could only frown, finding himself suddenly feeling more depressed than he thought he was.

A silence passed and Yamato lifted an arm to welcome him to lie closer on the cold earth.

Without much thought on it, Sai abandoned his sleeping bag and slipped under Yamato's. The thoughts all fled from his mind and all he could do was slide his arms around him and press his cheek to his sensei's chest. His heart beat slowly and evenly and Sai's eyelids finally slipped closed, lulled by his heart's comforting pace.

He felt Yamato's hand at the back of his head and he may have only imagined it, but he could have sworn he felt his lips being placed softly to the top of his head.

"Good night," Yamato whispered.

His breathing beginning to slow, Sai whispered, "Thank you."

Author's Notes: This one was for #24, "good night" on 30kisses. I had only one page in between two fanfics in my notebook so I decided to try to write the shortest story I possibly could on that one page. XD Hopefully it's not too bad for something so short. Hope you enjoyed reading!