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Blonde hair drawn into two iconic tails swished through the busy village streets as their owner scanned the crowd for another notorious crop of hair. A faint blush dusted whiskered feminine features, head filled with thoughts of their companion's increasing maturity and their attraction to the soft yet sharp attributes that constituted Sasuke Uchiha. An attraction that had become undeniable, no matter the effort to squash those burgeoning feelings. Like a lightning rod, blue eyes met obsidian and watched as a soft smirk overtook that closely known face, the spotted man moving towards his mark with ease. "Usuratonkachi, I expected you to have switched by now, you've been her for a while." Naruto Uzumaki let out a huff, higher pitched than usual. "Yeah, well, that pervy sage is coming in some time today, so I wanted to have some fun before that. Last time he was here for three weeks. Three weeks without her, Sasuke! I love him, but I can't go femme-mode while he's here, you know that. I don't feel like going through that conversation again." His sensei, who felt more like an unruly uncle that would blow into town and disrupt their lives just to breeze out again, had an infamous reputation for losing all rational thought when faced with anything feminine. Naruto had elected to don this female form once when Jiraiya had been in town, Naruto's easy comfort with the fluidity incomprehendable to the man. Jiraiya could not grasp that this was still the same person, and Kakashi had done quite a number on the sannin after his gaze started to stray. Naruto decided then to simply refrain from indulging this side when Jiraiya was around. He did care for the man, but delving into this aspect of Naruto's personhood was still fresh and raw, like newly healed skin from a wound Naruto had not known he carried for so long. Finding underground communities wherever they had travelled had been her saving grace. Places where she could be free of expectation and surround herself with others that played with gender and presentation. Meeting others who were not afraid to explore their desires was a balm that knit the Uzumaki back together with each late night confessional in the company of an elder whose eyes saw what Naruto could not quite put into words yet. While Jiraiya may be a good sensei, he was not the confidant Naruto would choose for matters such as these. This was a precious treasure that compelled a sense of guardianship until it was strong enough to be bared openly. Sasuke, however, had often been his accomplice in these moments of discovery. While he did not find the same joy in dramatic contortions and exaggerations of gender, he allowed his friend to dress him up and paint his face with colors and lines that pleased some part of him. Naruto understood how to lean into the ambiguity Sasuke held while still highlighting his masculinity. He watched as Naruto talked to societally liberated kindred spirits that released the tension typically wound tight in the bonde's shoulders. If Sasuke noticed Naruto was not the only person holding a henge in the crowd that felt like an extention of authenticity or how the older members of the club looked at them both with a fondness that spoke to memories of their own past loves, he never spoke these observations aloud. They each carried burdens and secrets that they wished to shed, at least they could have a night where the music and atmosphere lulled them into another world, one filled with freedom and choice. Naruto often wondered if Sasuke's company was out of obligation as a friend to provide a sense of familiary in these spaces of exploration, while simultaneously satisfying his need to constantly prepare for the next attack. The blonde hoped it was more than simple friendship and duty that kept Sasuke close during these adventures, that a part of the other felt the same pull between them. However, Naruto would never admit to this, losing Sasuke due to developing feelings was inexcusable. No amount of secret pining for more would cause Naruto to jeopordize a future certain to have that insufferable Uchiha scowl firmly planted beside her own mischevious Uzumaki grin. Sasuke snorted and pulled on Naruto's ear, eliciting a surprised squawk from her, "Oi, asshole! What was that for?" "You were thinking too hard, didn't want your brain to fail due to overuse." Sasuke laughed at the offended huff as Naruto crossed her arms. This form might not pull any burning desire from him, but he was grateful for that. He was starting to drown in these feelings as time only provided for their growth. His heart felt like the overgrown garden they had found at their temporary home, Naruto tending it diligently while it produced so much it threatened to overwhelm them. "We can always sneak away while he's here. It's not like we don't know where to go."  The smile he gained as reward stilled his breath and sent his heart on a full sprint. No matter the form, Naruto's smile would always cause him to forget how to breathe. "I'll forgive you for the insult if you keep your promise. But it'll be a pain to sneak out, that old perv is too nosy. That's why he's so good at being a spy master, ya know." "Maybe we should have Sakura straighten him out again, he really turned a corner for a minute after travelling with her," they both laughed remembering a beraggled Jiraiya showing up on their doorstep with a furious Sakura dragging him by his neck. Apparently she had tired of his perverted ways fairly quickly and kicked his ass across the elemental nations while they journeyed to reunite with the rest of Team Seven. Although, she did take pity on him and healed him at least partially most times. They often wondered if she had truly needed an escort or if Tsunade had tasked her with torturing her fellow sannin. "Hah! Oh, I'd pay to see that, maybe I'll trick him into sparring with her so we can watch. She's had this weird pent up energy that punching Jiraiya around could probably solve." Their teammate had been more ornery that usual and Kakashi had taken to doting upon her to the point that Sakura had locked herself in her room for three days before emerging with a sheepish apology. Sasuke had his suspicions that it had to do with a different blonde back in Fire country that Sakura claimed was only a rival. He once thought the same of Naruto, maybe he owed his friend a night out where they could lament their buried feelings for oblivious blonds with hypnotically blue eyes. "God, do Saukra and I have the same type?" Sasuke wondered in horror, though he adamantly believed he had the superior of the two. He was thankful Naruto had never considered Sakura a true option for his affections, he was sure the female form would be an alluring substitue for their pink-haired teammate if her desperation were any more potent. Not that he had room to talk on the matters of pining and filling that void, although Sasuke filled it with training and secret late night adventures with his favorite person.Before he could dive any further into that rabbit hole, they arrived at their door with a familiar booming voice growing more exasperated and words muffled through the closed door. Naruto shifted back into his original body, rolling his eyes as he pulled Sasuke into the house. They observed Kakashi's faux-relaxed lounge while staring at the ceiling as if he wished it would rain down and release him from experiencing the escalating argument. Jiraiya threw his hands animatedly around and Sakura sat beside Kakashi on their newly acquired couch with a pinched look on her face. At their entrance, three heads whipped to the entering ninja, Jiraiya pulling Naruto into a quick hug before separating and resuming his tirade. "Finally! Now you can settle this. We were just discussing the merits of my research-" "He wants you to say it's okay for him to harrass women as long as writes about it afterward. I don't think I have to tell you there's only one right answer, yeah?" Sakura clearly had reached the end of her patience and had taken this opportunity to shut the conversation down completely. "Maybe instead of trying to justify your frankly alarming behaviors, you could go get us all some dinner. Or wait, maybe you shouldn't be allowed out for the comfort of others?" Sasuke tilted his head in feigned contemplation, smirking as Jiraiya's face increasingly turned red. "Too bad, kid, your brother is already on the job. You're stuck with me." "Gods, say it isn't so," Sasuke intoned as he went to sit at the low table by the couch. Everyone, including Naruto, had a laugh at the man's expense. "My own pupil laughing at me? See if I teach you any more jutsu," Jiraiya's cheeks puffed out in an uncanny resemblance to his summons. Naruto pushed the thought down before his chuckling could provoke any more irritation from their guest. "Maa, don't look so upset, you could stand to clean up your act, believe it. Besides, we don't keep you around just for learning jutsu," Naruto's comforting pulled a pleased smile from his teacher. "We also keep you around to cover the bill!" Before he could begin his next reprimand, Itachi flowed into the room, arms weighed down by bags of take-out. "I got a little of everything, anyone hungry?" The atmosphere morphed into one of appreciation as they began sorting through the gathered bounty. "Oi, where are Rōshi and Han? I miss being around adults," Jiraiya lamented. At the pointed look from Itachi and Kakashi, he ammended, "Real adults. You two are barely old enough to count, I want to have some fun." "And yet, we were both old enough to be sent to war," Itachi quipped as he calmly sipped his tea and watched as Jiraiya raised his head in surprise at his obvious disdain. The late hour seemed to be loosening the Uchiha up more than any alcohol could have hoped to accomplish. "I should think we have not been allowed to be anything but adults for some time." Kakashi hid his laugh none too well behind a cough and Jiraiya sunk lower to the table. "You see? This is what I'm talking about, your generation has no idea how to have a good time. Absolute killjoys.""Hey, we have plenty of fun! Maybe you could learn a thing or two," Naruto shot back with a sniff. He'd be nearly dead before he let someone insinuate he did not know how to enjoy himself. He had worked hard to cultivate real joy and he was proud of that accomplishment, it was no easy task. Jiraiya simply rolled his eyes, knowing that the "fun" Naruto was referring to usually came at his expense. He could only be relieved that the jinchūriki from Taki was not visiting, too. Fū found unending delight in pranking and Jiraiya had become her favorite target to Naruto's relentless enjoyment. "Sakura, are you sure about him and Tsunade? I just don't see it," Sasuke commented offhandedly as he dipped a left over gyoza into the remaining sauce, glancing up to see her pained face. Jiraiya lurched across the table to crowd into her space, much to her dismay. "What does he mean? Did she say something about me? You think I have a shot with her?" "Whatever it is she sees in you, I have no clue," Sakura mumbled around a mouth full of dango, flicking a piece of pickled ginger left behind on the table from dinner into the invading presence. Jiraiya squawked as he fell back, glaring with the intent to extract information while Sakura lazily yawned and paid him no mind. Naruto was about to jump into the teasing when a sharp pain burned into his forearm. His heart rate picked up speed and his free hand came to clutch at his heart while he turned his left arm over to inspect the seal. His fear confirmed, the usually dormant seal now an angry red and throbbing with urgency. Sasuke gripped his shoulder, whispering out the question that hung in the air at the sight of one of the linked emergency seals Naruto had placed on himself and each jinchūriki they had contacted. "Who?" Glassy eyes raised to find worried black, determination and fear found in equal measure on Naruto's face as he answered, "It's Gaara."Once the dreaded reality had slipped past his lips, it was as if his body rejected the notion of stillness, limbs flying despite the lateness as Naruto rushed to collect his perpetually ready pack and tied the straps of his forehead protector. Regardless of his mixed feelings at wearing the village's symbol, it felt wrong to jump into combat without the comforting weight of the metal tied around him. Jiraiya shook his head, already knowing there would be no stopping his student once he learned of his captured friend. Honestly, there would have been no stopping him after discovering any of the jinchūriki had been captured, Naruto had grown close to many of the others over the recent years since his aburpt departure from Konoha's walls. "Kid, I really think you should stay back, we could go-""No way! He's my friend. I'm not abandoning him, I'm leaving now!"Kakashi inserted himself at Naruto's side, hand firmly clasping his shoulder. "We will go after Gaara. Jiraiya, you should go to the others. Make sure they know that the Akatsuki have made a move and check that no one else has been captured." Naruto let out a breath of relief, his worry for Gaara temporarily clouding his mind from the possibility of his other companions suffering similar attacks. It had been a couple weeks since their split with two of the older jinchūriki and Naruto often warred between worry and faith that they could hold their own."If you're going to go, just remember that their goal is to take you, too, so don't let them. No matter what, alright?" Naruto noticed the concern weaved into his older sensei's words and the lines of his face. He softened, reminded that no matter their differences, the man did truly care for him, even if it was based on the love he still held for Naruto's parents."Don't worry so much, Pervy Sage. Team Seven is unstoppable, we'll be fine and then you owe us all ramen, believe it."The man finally cracked a smile at that, agreeing to the deal laid by his student. "Sure, you all come back in one piece and I'll get you whatever you want. I see a scratch on any of you though, and you owe me a trip to the co-ed bathhouse."Naruto scrunched his nose in distaste, "No way, old man. We'll win and Sakura will beat your ass for being a creep." His teammate cracked her knuckles, clearly ready to make good on the threat before the terms of their agreement had even started. Jiraiya paled and made a rushed goodbye, stating the urgency of alerting their absent comrades of the looming threat. Sakura rolled her eyes as the man fled in obvious terror from her wrath. She mumbled her irritated complaint, "Are we sure he still qualifies as a sannin at this point?" "And what about me?" Itachi questioned needlessly, pack already strapped to his back and ready to aid their rescue mission. Naruto cracked a small smile, a shadow of his usual grin. "I said Team Seven, didn't I? You're like an honorary member at this point. Or did the last three years mean nothing to you?" He mocked hurt, more believable considering the look had not left his eyes since the glowing seal from Gaara's distress signal appeared.Itachi tilted his head, silently grateful for the confirmation. He did not want to encroach on Sasuke's team turned family, but he had grown fond of them all and could not imagine things any differently. A ghost of a future much different than this one passed over him before he shook those thoughts away. In this life, he was with his most precious person and surrounded by people that cared for them both. He had never been more glad that two six-year-olds had befriended each other and resolutely changed the trajectory of his life that surely would have been a more tragic one than this. Luckily, it would only be a few hours before they arrived at the Hidden Sand, their temporary home was located just into the border of Wind country. Kakashi summoned Pakkun to help with tracking any whiff of Gaara's scent the dog had learned for a time like this. They did not speak a word as they zipped through the rapidly changing landscape, trees and foliage giving way to the consuming heat of the desert.As Naruto's furious tears were whipped away by the wind from their breakneck speed, Kakashi hoped they would find the other jinchūriki before the worst transpired. They did not have a chance to make it to the Hidden Sand. The sun had begun to rise from its resting place, the night revealing the rolling dunes of sand and the figures in the distance. Pakkun growled out a confirmation that Naruto's intuition had already spoke at the sight. What they had not anticipated was the enemy already facing a newly arrived foe.Kankuro was easily identified as they approached, the second figure shouting his displeasure at their arrival cutting off his chance to exit the impending showdown between the puppeteers. "Didn't expect the Leaf to come or to get here so quickly. Can you wrap this up, Sasori? I want to get out of this fucking heat, hm." Sasori refocused on the young puppet master who was currently preparing to take on the lengend before him. As far as he was concerned, this fight would be over soon enough and Deidara could wait. "Can you not handle them?" "What? Of course I can. I'll take care of the Leaf since you're having trouble finishing off just one, hm." Deidara had his clay bird lift Gaara's body into the air, removing their prize from the combat zone. At the sight of his friend's limp body being carried away, the whiskers on Naruto's cheeks deepened and claws replaced his usual short nails. His hands sent two kunai flying at the Deidara, who easily dodged them by sidestepping the blades' trajectory. The blond with his hair tied high and bangs obscuring part of his face laughed, "This must be the Nine-Tails then. Two for the price of one, huh? If that's all he's got, taking this jinchūriki will be a breeze. Right, Sasori?" "Don't get ahead of yourself," the other admonished in a gravelly tone. "If they have another jinchūriki, take the One-Tail's vessel and lure it away. I'll dispose of-""Like hell you will!" Naruto shouted and chakra bubbled ominously around him. Sasuke looked on knowing that it would take too long for him to intervene and give their enemies too many openings. He could only hope Kurama would be able to center his friend before he completely lost his control. "Can't believe I'm putting my hope in the Nine-Tailed Fox being the level-headed one right now."
"Kit! You are losing control. Center yourself or you will lose your chance to retrieve Gaara's body, as well. We need to be in Sage mode for this, can you do it or not?"
Naruto grit his teeth and exhaled sharply, stilling his body and mind while his teammates took up defensive positions. Jiraiya had taken him for a few weeks to Mount Myoboku almost a year ago to learn the art of sage jutsu. He had been compaining that Sasuke's mangekyo was too powerful and he needed a new trick, to which Sasuke had retorted that having a tailed beast was the ultimate "trick." This led to a heated debate over who had more jutsu and skill, Naruto alledging that Kurama basically counted as a summons. That tipped them into a much longer argument causing the rest of their household to retire early that night. In the end, Jiraiya had agreed to teach him, hoping that the sage art would aid him in learning to harness and fully use Kurama's powerful chakra. The fox willingly cooperated, but Naruto's chakra system was still adjusting the the immensity of raw power the fox possessed. Unintentionally, the meditation required for the training helped Naruto find a new peace inside himself that he never new he lacked. One that he needed to rely on more than ever in this emotional battlefield. Naruto opened his eyes, golden and slit with the telltale sign of his sage chakra, calling out to his best friend for his help, "Sasuke!" It is said that when high level ninja battle each other, they are able to read the other's mind, their heart. Naruto and Sasuke did not need to cross blades to know the other, they had been in sync long before they would come to fight for their lives in combat. Sasuke read his movements and activated his mangekyo, accepting the windmill shuriken tossed his way. He smirked amidst the stifling atmosphere of the fight, throwing the weapon with precise aim and nostalgia for their first signature move as a pair. "Zabuza would love to see this."Deidara dodged with a laugh as the shuriken flew past him. Naruto's bright grin held a hint of malice, mirrored in Sasuke's sly smirk. Their target had never been Deidara. As the blond Akatsuki nin turned to taunt them for their poor aim, the shuriken poofed into a clone that in turn destroyed the puppeteer currently toying with a winded Kankuro. Deidara's eyes widened as he heard the sound of destruction behind him, but before he could pivot back to his partner, Itachi appeared before him. Mangekyo activated, Itachi pushed the rogue into a world of tsukuyomi. Visions of golden light and a deity-like opponent flickered in Deidara's mind before he was safely sealed into one of Naruto's many scrolls. Sasuke caught Gaara's body as he fell, Deidara's clay now laying in useless lumps atop the sand.Kakashi and Sakura had rushed to Kankuro, Sakura beginning to heal his injuries and Kakashi inspecting the demolished body of their remaining opponent. Before he could look closely, ominous laughing came from the pile of cloth and splintered wood. He had a feeling that the lack of blood or bodily remains signalled a contuation of the fight, but he did not anticipate another body to emerge completely unscathed. Kakashi trained his sharingan eye on the enemy before him; however, in the blink of an eye, Sasuke materialized beside the man. Turning to set lifeless eyes on the new presence at his side, Sasori met the intricate pattern of Sasuke's own mangekyo. He leaned in imperceptibly and whispered, "Sleep." Sasori fell like a puppet with his strings cut, body clacking in its descent. Naruto moved to seal the final combatant, Kakashi lowering his hitae-ate to cover his eye that had summoned Obito's mangekyo too late to contribute. Naruto similarly let out a huff of disappoint at the anticlimactic ending, "Bastard, you could have left one for me, ya know. It's no fair that you and 'Tachi can use your weird Uchiha glare to take down basically everyone we come across." "I'm sorry, I thought you wanted to rescue your friend. Should we have held back and let this drag out?" Sasuke could understand the itch for battle, especially when someone you cared for was hurt. But he had trained too hard to protect his friend to stand aside so he could release a little tension through prolonging combat. Naruto lowered his head, embarrassed for complaining that he did not get to engage more with the enemy when his friend was laying a few feet away prone from whatever the Akatsuki had done to him. He was fortunate to have Sasuke, and Itachi, to help protect those special to him. Besides, he and Sasuke could spar later to have a real challenge. Kankuro finally pushed Sakura away once he felt stable, "Go, check on Gaara. Is he... Is he still alive?" Naruto observed the geuinine fear in his eyes, and for once it did not seem to be directed towards the fact that Gaara existed, but the chance that he no longer did.  "He's alive, I would know if he wasn't. The real question is what condition he's in." The emergency seals Naruto placed on the other jjinchūriki could be activated to alert Naruto directly and would continue to burn as long as the jinchūriki who activated it lived. The thought of the seal going silent plagued him relentlessly, and he hoped this information could offer some momentary comfort to the worried brother. After deciding to leave the Hidden Leaf, their diminished team lived in the ruins of Uzushio, training and rebuilding Naruto's ancestral home. There, Naruto mastered many of his father's jutsu taught to him by Jiraiya and Kakashi, while Itachi trained his own mangekyo-enhanced sharingan and taught Sasuke, as well. Naruto searched Uzushio for her secrets, uncovering some hidden knowledge, but concluding most had already been scavenged. Once Sakura arrived with a Jiraiya who looked worse for wear, they soon packed up to begin their travels. Jiraiya was sent on official missions to relay information on the Akatsuki to the other Hidden Villages, many of whom disregarded these warnings. Knowing this, he would locate the jinchūriki and slip them information and a communication seal drawn by Naruto. Team Seven journeyed across the elemental nations to meet with the eight other jinchūriki and build a network to alert each other in case of any Akatsuki activity. While some had elected to remain in their villages, others had already deserted and often joined up with their travelling crew. Rōshi and Han often accompanied them for weeks at a time and Fū would sneak away from her village to visit. Utakata had the blessing to visit freely from the newly instated Mizukage, Mei, thanks to Zabuza's successful coup. Yagura had taken some acclimating to the new balance of power, but ultimately settled into his position of advisor once he realized the years of manipulation by the Akatsuki and their continued threat to the jinchūriki. Yugito had a harder time, the Raikage keeping a tight reign on his jinchūriki, but she wrote to them often with updates on her and Killer B, who seemed unfazed and uninterested in the brewing ploy against the villages and the jinchūriki more directly.Gaara had often welcomed the group into the Sand, glad for a reprieve from the loneliness of his village. While he and his sblings had begun forging a new relationship, he could not help but long for the freedom Naruto had to see the world and build his own home away from the hatred the jinchūriki often suffered. Those visits had breathed life and hope into his jaded heart, thankful that despite first impressions Naruto and his little family still welcomed him at every turn. "We were attacked late at night, they managed to infiltrate the village and they were going to blow the entire village up. We thought... For a minute it seemed like the entire village would be wiped out." Every listened to Kankuro's report as Sakura continued her work diligently. "But Gaara took on everything, he saved the village. Eventually though, that clay bastard was able to get a bomb on him. I've been trying to catch up with them since they left with him last night. Thanks... for your help," he mumbled towards the end.Kakashi nodded as everyone turned their attention back to the body lying in the sand. As they observed Sakura's calculated appraisal, they each wondered how long it would be until the next of the jinchūriki would be targeted. Kakashi thought Obito would not be so patient now that they had taken two of their players off the board. The glowing from Sakura's hands moved to concentrate on Gaara's forehead, "He sustained a lot of damage from the attack, but he should be fine. Hopefully, he will wake up soon enough."As if commanded by her words, Gaara slowly blinked his eyes open, quickly enveloped in Naruto's crushing embrace. "Gaara! You scared the shit out of me, ya know! You better tell me you're fine, or I swear I'll-""I'm fine, Naruto. I knew you would come." He smiled as his friend released his hold slightly, looking at him with watery eyes and his signature smile. "Ah well, you can thank the bastard and his brother over there, they did most of the heavy lifting." Sasuke smirked as Gaara turned to nod in his direction, clearly peeved that the Uchiha had now earned all of Naruto's attention and subsequent admiration. "Oi, do we count for nothing?" Kankuro interjected kneeling down to pull Gaara into an awkward hug. "I've been tailing you for hours and took on one of them until your dumb friends finally showed up." "Yeah, don't forget I did all the healing. Geez, Naruto, you act like Sasuke just swooped in and handled everything himself." Sakura put up an exaggeratedly offended front, earning a groan from her blond teammate. Before he could apologize, Sasuke added, "And you helped out a bit, too, usuratonkachi." Naruto stood to confront the raven-haired Uchiha smirking at him, but Sasuke continued, low enough that only Naruto could hear, "I do accept the praise, though. Will you tell me what else you appreciate about me?"Naruto's face turned a shade akin to the typical Uzumaki coloring and Sasuke laughed internally that his cheeks, not his hair, inherited the famous red. Naruto had noticed Sasuke's new trend of teasing him in this way, having him seriously questioning if his friend had somehow figured out his hidden feelings and used this as his punishment. He was sure Sasuke would have said something if he knew, and Naruto would bet it would not be a light conversation. "Teme! We're trying to have a nice moment here, don't ruin it with your... your-""My what, dobe? Has your brain finally shut down for good?" "Gah! C'mon everyone, let's get back to the village before I end up strangling Sasuke," Naruto hid his embarrassment by hauling Gaara to his feet and setting off into the desert. "Naruto, please don't kill my little brother, I'd hate to have to end our time together on such a bad note. Also..." Itachi trailed off, causing Naruto to turn around with a questioning look. "The village is the other way, loser," Sasuke smirked, finishing his brother's statement with concealed glee. He would never get enough of riling the blond up and watching the flush rise to his face. He may never see it in the context he wished, but this was a good substitute. Naruto whipped his head to Gaara, the red-head begrudgingly admitting the Uchiha was correct in terms of direction. Sasuke's smirk only grew, a teasing smile that Naruto could not face fully. Huffing he grabbed Sasuke and began pushing him towards the village and grumbling his discontent loudly. Kakashi chuckled and lazily followed his bickering students, Sakura sighing and filling Gaara in on everything that happened while he was out of commission. Eventually Naruto fell back to wrap an arm around Gaara's shoulders talking rapidly about their latest travels. Sasuke moved to sulk beside his brother, Itachi throwing a knowing look as the younger merely scoffed. Unfortunately for Sasuke, this only prompted Kakashi to move to his other side, boxing him in between the two insufferable adults who knew his mood stemmed from the jealousy of sharing his friend with another, that the cause of these feelings was more that just friendship. Sasuke made the trip back to the Sand submerged in his own personal hell, Naruto's attention placed elsewhere while Kakashi and Itachi silently teased him mercilessly for his dejected pining. Sakura hoped their stay in the Sand would be brief. While she had grown to truly enjoy Gaara's company and consider him a friend, the longer their stay the more surly and short-tempered Sasuke would become. She preferred to avoid that side of him as much as possible for her own sanity. At least she could distract herself with the imposing Kazekage that was Temari. While she would never forget the callousness Temari displayed during the chuunin exams, the oldest Sand sibling was a welcome distraction, if only to watch the domineering woman work. Sakura definitely had a weakness for strong kunoichi, there was no denying that. After returning to the village and watching Temari's confusingly aggressive yet tender reunion with her brothers, the group recounted the events of Gaara's abduction and subsequent rescue, earning a rare thanks from the Kazekage. Naruto accepted and looked to Sasuke as he voiced the question that flashed through Naruto's mind, "No offense, but why send only Kankuro? Surely Suna would have sent more ninja after the people that nearly decimated your entire village." Temari's hand flexed as Kankuro simply looked out of the window, jaw clenched tightly. "I see Kankuro did not fill you in on everything that happened here after Gaara was taken.""They wouldn't let you send anyone," Gaara surmised quietly. Temari's face crumpled into something akin to guilt, but her eyes never left her youngest brother. "No, the council voted to 'abstain' from sending any teams after you. They stated plenty of reasons, but I'm sure you know the real one.""Even after he saved everyone, their hatred was still stronger," Naruto whispered, a painful understanding passing between the two people forced into the role of jinchuuriki. Turning his attention back to Temari, "But you're the Kazekage, how can they just overrule you like that?""It was unanimous," Temari leaned forward across her desk, elbow digging into assorted papers as her chin came to rest on her rough hand. "When I took the hat, I changed things. Thought after everything with our father, no Kage should hold so much power without the village being able to stop them if necessary. Now I think I should've just let it be. Instead I had to sit here on my ass while Kankuro went off like an idiot alone."Kankuro was too angry to respond to Temari's jab, still occupied by the reality that nothing in the past three years had significantly changed for Gaara. Naruto wondered if without the bonds he had formed with Sasuke and Kakashi, would he have be abandoned by the Leaf as easily as Gaara had been by his village? Despite the fact he now had many people that would come to his aid, the thought that he had been demonized and cast aside by what should have been his home nagged in the back of his mind. Kurama reminded him that this realization was nothing new, that was the reason they had left and begun seeking out the other jinchūriki and tailed beasts in the first place. It is one thing to know, though, and another to experience such heartlessness. Naruto sometimes wondered if Sasuke could read his mind, the other picking up on Naruto's spiralling thoughts and accompanying it with his own brand of blunt honesty. "You would think they would have at least wanted to recover their 'weapon,' seeing as that was the whole point of sealing an angry chakra deity into a baby in the first place." "Hate is irrational. Forces you to work against what even you believe to be in your best interest," Itachi murmered. While Temari and Kankuro stewed in their regrets over the events of the past day, Gaara merely smiled softly at them. "I'm lucky actually," he said, gaining their bewildered attention. "If this had happened a few years ago, I may have had no one come to help me at all. Now, I'm not alone, I'm lucky. I never thought I would be." Before anyone could grow too emotional at Gaara's sentiment, Temari summoned an ANBU member to escort the Leaf shinobi to guest rooms at the Kazekage's residence, where the siblings lived together. The three stayed to talk more, promising to meet later after everyone had recuperated.That night, the Leaf ninja were treated to a feast, Temari even bringing sake for herself, Kakashi and Itachi. Kankuro groaned that he should be allowed to partake, which only fueled his sister to deny him adamantly. During their celebratory dinner, one of Naruto's summons arrived with a message from Jiraiya confirming that all the other jinchūriki were currently safe and alerted to the looming threat. Naruto and Gaara shared in their consolation, Sasuke slumping further into his brother's side out of annoyance and jealousy. All he received in the form of comfort was a strong shoulder and a pitying chuckle from Itachi. As they began to finish their meal, a Sand chuunin nervously entered and declared that Lady Tsunade had sent a team from the Leaf that had arrived to assist with Gaara's rescue. Temari looked up disgruntled, face slightly flushed from the sake she had procured, and gestured wildly to the people seated around the table, "I'm aware, they're all fucking here, aren't they?" The young ninja paled and began to stammer, "M-my apologies, Lady Kazekage but-""Ugh, call me Lord Kazekage like every other one we've had. Tsunade can do what she wants, but I'll be damned if I get called 'lady' or 'princess' for the rest of my life," Temari bellowed with such intensity the other ninja thought the frightened chuunin might dissolve out of pure terror. "Geez, you're gonna make him piss his pants, lighten up," Kankuro elbowed the young Kage before returning to his dinner. Temari artfully refrained from tackling her brother to show him true fear, but the vein throbbing in her temple promised retrbution at a later date. Gaara regarded her as warily as everyone else but Kankuro, who was oblivious to his doomed fate. "Alright, pull yourself together. Bring me the other Leaf ninja, the ones who didn't rescue my brother.""Yes, of course. So sorry, uh, my lord," the chuunin grimaced as he spoke, certain that his Kage would demote him on the spot. Temari simply let out a laugh, "That's more like it! Now go, before I get pissed off." Naruto shot Sasuke a look that conveyed his gratitude they were not Sand ninja under Temari's leadership. Sasuke shivered at the thought, wondering how similar Tsunade would turn out to be. Secretly, he hoped they would never have to find out, although he had missed his annoyance of a cousin occasionally. Kakashi nearly gave himself whiplash as a familiar flash of green shot into the room. "Do not worry, my esteemed Kazekage! The Blue Beast of the Leaf has arrived to rescue your dear brother from the clutches of the Akatsuki. Please, allow us to request- Kakashi?" Gai pasued his heartfelt speech and request for information as he realized his friend sat blinking owlishly up at him. "Hello, Gai. It's been a while, huh?" "It's been a while? My eternal rival it has been years since we have last seen each other! What a treat to find you here. Uh, not to sound rude, but why are you here?" Kakashi cleared his throat, pointing to the redhead who was currently taking in the larger than life display and the miniature version who stood slightly behind his sensei. "Ah, you see, we came to rescue Gaara there, the Kazekage's brother."Gai knelt before Temari, tears streaming down his face, "To think, you have had two brothers stolen from you. Do not fear, we will leave at once-""Are you serious? That is the brother that was taken, the only one. Kakashi's team just got here first and rescued him already," Temari clarified harshly. Gai looked to his friend for confirmation, receiving an apologetic nod. "Well, you have bested me yet again, my rival. Let us have a new challenge to even the score." As Gai and Kakashi argued about the terms of their next challenge and Temari badgered Kankuro to stop laughing, Sakura waved the remainder of Team Three to join them. Tenten quickly took a spot next to her and began snacking on the leftover food as Neji awkwardly sat slightly behind her. Lee strode up to Gaara, falling on one knee and apologizing profusely. "Gaara! My humblest apologies for not coming to your aid quicker, though I am glad our Leaf comrades could offer their assistance in our absence. I hope you may look past this and welcome us despite our failure."Gaara observed the nearly weeping ninja bowed before him and placed a tentative hand on his shoulder. "Please, that is not necessary. Naruto and I are friends, so I called for his help. I had no idea the Leaf would officially send backup. Thank you, though, for coming to help me."Sparkling eyes met pale green, "Yes, Naruto is a strong friend to have!" Lee turned then to address the mentioned ninja. "We have not seen you since the attack during the chuunin exams. The only one from Team Seven anyone has seen is Sakura before she left to join you. Tell us, what have you been up to?" Naruto looked to Sakura, who raised her glass at him as if to urge him to begin recounting the past three years. Itachi and Sasuke met him with twin passive stares, Naruto meeting them with a fond eyeroll. He looked at the three new faces, all attentive at the prospect of hearing their tales. Naruto scratched his nose, smiling as he started, "Well, we've been doing a lot, ya know."Choosing to spend a few days decompressing while staying in Suna had been a great move in Naruto's opinion. His grumpy conterpart would adamantly deny this and in turn suggest they leave as soon as possible, but Sasuke was nearly always begging to leave the Hidden Sand. Naruto had no idea why, it was always a pleasure to visit with Gaara, his friend was always happy to see him, as happy as to stoic rehead could be.  The blond had to admit he was glad that Gai's team had come to aid them, even if they missed out on the action. Lee was currently prostrating himself in order to coax Gaara into a sparring match and Naruto thought the other jinchūriki could use more friends. "He needs to know that he's capable of forming bonds with people beyond us, the other jinchūriki, and his sbilings, especially after this. And Bushy Brows seems like a stand-up guy.""Then maybe Shukaku's vessel will move on to that little green annoyance and your Uchiha will calm down. His hovering is overbearing." Kurama grumbled in Naruto's mind. As usual when they visited Suna, Sasuke tended to stick to Naruto like Pakkun once he had picked up a scent trail. That is not to say Sasuke did not tend to stay nearby him elsewhere. After everything that had happened, his friend had become rather overprotective. Naruto understood, even if it irritated him that Sasuke almost never allowed him to go anywhere alone. However, when they were in Suna, Naruto could always feel Sasuke just behind him, often going as far as to shield Naruto with a strong arm around his shoulders. Naruto thought he acted as if Suna was more dangerous than anywhere else, despite the relative security of the village. Currently, Sasuke was sitting so close to him as they watched the exchange between Gaara and Lee that Naruto could feel the heat eminating from him where their arms nearly touched.Naruto mentally rolled his eyes as he fought to keep his face impassive in case the looming presence beside him decided to glance over, "Yeah, it's a little much, but he's just being a good friend. And Gaara's not 'moving on,' he's just making a new friend."Kurama snorted, "You're oblivious, kit. You better hope he starts being obsessed with Bowl Cut or I fear your Uchiha will put an end to him before the Akatsuki get another chance. That clan is infamous for going mad out of love."There were times, perhaps most of the time, that Naruto truly had no clue what Kurama was trying to convey. "Geez, I told you to stop the whole 'your Uchiha' thing, you're so embarrassing! Sasuke wouldn't do that, he and Gaara are, like, such good friends. Maybe too good, he's always staring at him while we're here," Naruto ended his retort disgruntled for reasons he did not want to acknowledge with Kurama. The fox may call him oblivious, but he definitely noticed how intensely the two act around each other and Naruto had to overcompensate for his discomfort every time.
"Well, your Uchiha is right about one thing, my jinchūriki is an absolute idiot."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" Naruto had to eventually tune out Kurama's mocking laughter, wondering if the old fox might be the one descending into madness. Whatever Kurama may choose to tease him about, Naruto would not let the underlying suggestion take root in his hopeful heart. Sasuke was his best friend, and if he ever lost that it would completely crush him. More than if Sasuke eventually sought after Gaara on more than platonic terms. "Which won't even happen because the bastard is probably definitely straight."Kurama's cackling became even harder to ignore, forcing Naruto to angrily shake his head, drawing the attention of the Uchiha in question. Sasuke's perfectly arched brow questioning his reaction only drew a growing blush out of the flustered blond. Luckily, the rest of his and Gai-sensei's team arrived on the training field they were currently occupying. Itachi and Sakura shared a conspiratorial look as they observed Sasuke's closeness, which he firmly ignored in favor of shifting to finally press his arm into Naruto's. He had always enjoyed messing with the blond since they were children, but lately he had found new entertainment in rattling the blond in new ways. Usually, Naruto would grow embarrassed and splutter excuses which would prompt Sasuke's more traditional taunts and jests. But occasionally, like now, Naruto would absent-mindedly lean into the touch, almost unaware he was reciprocating the soft gesture. Each time, Sasuke grew immensely satified and could not help but glance over to smirk at Gaara's irrated expression at their display. "What's up, 'Kashi-nii? You look like you swallowed expired milk," Naruto asked from his gentle recline against the smug Uchiha. Kakashi raised his brows, stunned at the open display Naruto seemed to pay no mind and elected to deal with any repercussions later. Those two could make even a man as jaded as Kakashi believe in fate, but they never skipped on the dramatics. He was sure Naruto would eventually realize his actions and begin overthinking everything, but he parked that problem for another time. The letter in his hand had indeed brought a nauseating feeling to his typically calm demeanor. "Ah, yes. It seems Lady Tsunade has sent word to us after Gai sent off their mission update.""And?" Sasuke monotonously inquired, dread piling in the pit of his stomach at the look on Kakashi's face. "Our Hokage sends her appreciation for a successful mission to aid our allies! She has requested that Team Seven return to the village to receive her official thanks," Gai proudly declared with his signature smile. The enirety of Team Seven, Itachi included, traded loaded glances at the words. A request from the Hokage, especially one that had been extremely lenient with their tenure outside of the village walls, was not to be casually disregarded. Sasuke may have considered how to either diplomatically decline if possible or to disappear from the Hokage's reach, but he knew his team would think differently. He could already feel Naruto tense beside him at the prospect of returning. The blond, however, did not hestitate to voice his disapproval, "But we've barely made any progress tracking that damn snake! Now that they've started making their move, this could be our chance to catch him." Kakashi let out a long suffering sigh, not thrilled to be subjecting his team back to village life after their brief stint of freedom. "Unfortunately, I don't think this is an 'offer' we can refuse. Besides, it is probably wise for us to take the captured Akatsuki back to the village for interrogation. Who knows, maybe we'll get some valuable information on Orochimaru out of them before we set back out to finish what we started.""You meant it, 'Kashi-nii?" Naruto's worst case scenario brain had immediately lept to them returning and never being able to leave again. Kakashi saw the fear held in those wide, blue eyes and gave him a gentle affirmation that protocol aside, he would not be trapped in the village forever. Kakashi had always been loyal, but that loyalty laid with his team now, his family. "Let's make haste, our village awaits our speedy return!" Gai boisterously shouted, hearding everyone along to collect their things and begin their journey back to the Leaf. "Hurray," Sasuke muttered sarcastically, dragging a snicker from the blond. Kakashi fell back to walk with the rest of his team while Gai encouraged his entourage to walk on their hands as a training exercise all the way back to the Kazekage's residence. Everyone hid a laugh as Lee attempted to convince Gaara to join him, the jinchūriki utterly confused at their antics. Kakashi hooked his arms around Naruto and Sasuke, pushing his way in between his two boys to Sasuke's displeasure and as a welcomed distraction from the Uchiha's proximity for Naruto. Kakashi sighed dreamily, "At least this means we'll get to see a certain academy teacher again." Naruto brightened at the revelation of reuniting with Iruka, but Sakura let out an exasperated huff at Naruto's side. "Of course that's the reason you're so okay with going back." "Oh, let him be excited. It has been quite a while, and he promised Iruka a date three years ago," Itachi reminded them. Kakashi faltered slightly at the idea he had essentially asked Iruka to wait for him all that time, and there was no guarantee the cute sensei was still available after his extended hiatus. "Just as long as they keep their 'excitement' behind closed doors where we can't be scarred for life." Sasuke had accidentally walked in on Shisui in his living room once and that was a mistake he vowed to never repeat. He may tease Kakashi, but he did not want to know anything about his near father figure's private affairs with their former teacher. A shiver wracked his body at the very thought. "Maa, cut me some slack, you act like I'm some deviant." He received deadpan looks from every member of his team, clearly reminding him of his infamous collection of Jiraiya's novels currently sealed away in his utility belt. "Touché."Once they had gathered their supplies and bid their goodbyes (tearfully on Naruto's part) to Gaara and his siblings, the collection of Leaf ninja raced back to Konoha. Naruto looked ahead to what he felt could potentially be a disaster of a return. Before he could lose himself to worry, Sasuke pulled his attention away and sent him a challenging smirk. "Usuratonkachi, don't think too hard. Wouldn't want you to fall behind.""Hah, you wish. I'll beat you there, believe it!" In an instant, Naruto's worries were washed away by the familiarity of competition with his greatest rival and friend. His heart settled as he realized there was no reason to fear returning to the village when his family could stand against any opposition and win. He may no longer be striving for Hokage, but his goal transcended the might of a Kage. He trained to be strong enough to experience true freedom, a strength that not even the Hidden villages could rival. With Sasuke and the rest of Team Seven by his side, he believed that goal was not as farfetched as he once feared.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

He anticipated the pain of the villagers' stares would resurface like an infection that could never quite be irradicated, doomed to return with a vengeance after believing it cured. As Naruto walked through the familiar yet estranged streets of Konohagakure, the most his heart could muster up was mild annoyance at the attention their readmittance through the village gates garnered from the civilians and shinobi alike.

Always on the edge of righteous anger, Naruto tugged on Sasuke's sleeve to break his preoccupation with the sneers and general disdain that had surrounded their weary group. Sasuke's eyes turned, filled with an intense hatred that had not been present in the years since they left. Naruto met this look with a deep frown, features marred with concern and irritation, both at the village and Sasuke's viceral reaction to those that hardly mattered anymore.

Gai's team carried themselves ahead, oblivious to the mounting tension from Team Seven who trailed behind them. Sakura flickered her eyes worriedly between her teammates, shooting a pleading look to her sensei and Itachi who were silently observing from the rear of the procession. Kakashi resigned himself to the role of mediator yet again, this time for fully-fledged teenage feelings.

The jounin maneuvered Sakura in between the two boys and firmly set a calming hand on a head of blond and black. "Alright, I understand we may be having some big feelings about our return," Kakashi softly whispered for their ears alone. "But we are about to see the Hokage. So let's act like upstanding shinobi that can be sent back out without question, hm? Besides, we can say whatever we would like later when we're at home behind a sound barrier. Deal?"

Three nods signalled Kakashi to release some of the tightness in his body, closed eyed smile resurrected. "Being back might not be all bad, we can take a team photo while we're here, we never did get around to that before. Luckily, none of you passed the exams so you're all still baby genin, perfect for our team photo. Maybe we'll even take up some D-ranks for old times sake."

The head of Team Seven rushed past Gai in a flash that the eccentric man barely registered until the youngest members of Kakashi's team flew by in a rage, threatening their sensei with various forms of torture if they were subjected to any D-ranks. Itachi could only smile as he watched Gai accept this as a challenge and wrangle his team into joining the chase after the white-haired ninja through the busy village streets. The sight lifted the weight that had begun to settle on his shoulders at the look in his brother's eyes. Perhaps returning to the village would do them good, let them confront these feelings before they could fester and take root any longer.

Tsunade's hands steepled, index fingers lightly brushing against her lips as she observed the shinobi standing before their Hokage. She would be lying if she said her leniency with the high-powered team that had left the village behind was not partially due to their combined strength and legacy. The primary reason, however, would be the quiet elder Uchiha that stood respectfully beside his hellion of a little brother. From their brief time travelling together after Itachi had convinced her to take the position of Hokage, the child had weaseled his way into a coveted soft spot in the sannin's heart without ever truly trying.

"Thank you for the debrief. Team Gai, you are dismissed," Tsunade waited until the indicated ninja filed out of the room. Turning back to the remaining five, she relaxed back into her chair. "Well, almost wondered if I would have to send a retrieval team to get you to come back. Glad it didn't come to that. Now, update me on your 'mission.'"

Naruto may have liked the woman, but he would not stand for the subtle imputation against their work. Especially when he knew Tsunade would not dangle jail time over his head to curb his fire and stubborn personality like the late Third Hokage. "Oi, Granny! Don't talk like we've been doing nothing!"

"Enlighten me, brat," she merely raised a brow with her words, choosing to ignore the unwelcome nickname.

Naruto huffed and recalled their trainings and network building with the other jinchūriki, even divulging their less than successful information gathering attempts on Orochimaru. "Just 'cause we haven't found him yet doesn't mean we've been doing nothing. That damn snake is hard to track down. But we'll get him eventually, now that the Akatsuki is picking up again. Right, 'Kashi-nii?"

The jounin nodded, "I'm hoping with the interrogation of the two Akatsuki members we captured, we will uncover some intel useful in finding him. At the very least, we could figure out why they want the jinchūriki and alert them accordingly. We will be ready to leave as soon as you are ready to send us, Lady Tsunade."

The Hokage smirked, amused at her shinobi attempting to persuade her into agreeing with their personal agenda to leave yet again. "Oh, but you just got back. I was thinking you could stay, take a break. I'm sure there's another team just as suited for this mission. One without a jinchūriki may make more sense, don't you think?"

Naruto paled before he started shouting, the rest of the genin joining his protests in quick succession.

"That's exactly why I should go, believe it! I'm the perfect bait-"

"Tsunade, you can't seriously take us off this mission! It's our-"

"My Lady, we've worked so hard, you have to reconsider this-"

Tsnuade held up a hand, halting the frenzied pleas cascading over each other. She pulled out a bottle of sake, glad Shizune had been sent off to put out a small fire at the hospital earlier. There was no turn of phrase, a distressed chuunin had accidently lit one of the waiting room chairs on fire after depositing an injured teammate in the emergency bay. She had learned this job forced her to take the small miracles where she could find them. "Good grief, you have to stop. I was only teasing and now I need a drink. I'll summon you when we have any new information from the interrogration unit. You are all dismissed, except Itachi. You stay."

Sasuke's eyes had always felt like a betrayal, blind to many truths before he nearly lost everything and cursed to strengthen from pain. Now, they revealed concern and fear in the face of the Hokage's interest in  his brother, who he had struggled to rebuild a relationship with that was beyond simple admiration. A piece of him would always fear the power this village and its leaders could weild over his brother.

Itachi poked Sasuke with two fingers on that worried brow, smiling at the huff expelled. Sasuke shook his head, embarassed at the annoying affection from Itachi and his own concern. He had always been jealous of his natural aptitude in everything, but now it was a comfort. If anyone should not fear a Kage, it was Itachi.

"Alright, my little monsters. Let's get dinner settled, maybe track down a certain sensei of yours. Itachi, we'll see you in a bit," Kakashi began herding his brood out of the door, faster at their incessant taunting about Iruka.

Tsunade sat in wonder as an easy laugh escaped Itachi at the group's antics. "Well, the past years must have been good to you. You seem less haunted, at least." Trying to play this as a joke did little to hide the truth. Tsunade had returned with Jiraiya at the confessions of her sensei's desire to step down and his mountain of shame since being reinstated as Hokage; however, the nail in her proverbial coffin was the look in Itachi's eyes. Blank, and yet somehow filled with despair as he requested her to take leadership of their village. After learning everything that had happened to him and his clan, it is a wonder he had any faith in this village at all. She could understand Sasuke's reaction more, Itachi's enduring faith still baffled her.

"I believe spending time outside of the village was good for all of us. It was nice to see my brother without the weight he carries here," Itachi attempted to answer as truthfully as possible, without plainly saying they each held their own resentment and disdain for this place. Itachi was an outlier, he only harbored sadness and the smallest hope for his home.

Tsunade stared as she returned to lean over her desk, chair creaking with the shift in her weight and strength. "I'm sure you're wondering why I kept you. Well, it is true that I will be sending Team Kakashi back out to continue the search for Orochimaru. However, you will be staying here."

Itachi felt his heart sink, he had grown accustomed to the loudness Naruto had regained from their travels, the brashness of Sakura's determined personality, the carefree expressions their little crew earned from his formerly stoic and angry little brother. He had grown especially attached to his old captain, they shared similar pains and fears of the people they had become as weapons of the village. He did not want to be left behind, he did not want to miss all the little moments he had come to cherish. From the moment Sasuke was born, he had been Itachi's purpose, his driving force. Now, he could add many names to that list, something he did not know was even possible for him.

"May I ask why, Lady Tsunade?"

"I want you to become one of my assistants."

Itachi raised an eyebrow, perplexed at the request. "Why me?"

She leveled him with her intense gaze, opting to bluntly state her intentions, "I want you to join as my assistant because I want to train you to become Hokage. Taking the title with little to no preparation is exhausting, consider this a gift." And a way to offload this mountain of paperwork, she thought to herself. A win-win scenario for the Hokage.

Itachi shook his head, unable to completely process her words but denying them all the same. "I'm sorry, I don't believe I am suited for the role. Surely there is someone else-"

"Do you remember what you told me, when you asked me to come take the hat?" Tsunade interrupted the refusal before it could fully form.

This seemed to rattle the Uchiha prodigy, his immaculate mask slipping for a moment, "Uh, what?"

Tsunade rolled her eyes, lips quirking into a barely restrained smile at the confusion present on the normally blank face. "We both know you have the talent required to become a Kage, Itachi. So that excuse is bullshit. When I told you I didn't want to come back to be the Kage of this village, what did you say to me?"

Itachi released a sigh, "I said, 'Perhaps the person best suited for the role is the one who does not want it at all.' But the difference is I don't deserve this." Images of his fellow clan members slain and bleeding out, crying as Itachi warned them to flee, his father battling Obito to his eventual end, flashed through his mind. He did not deserve any position of esteem.

"Why? Because you were almost manipulated into murdering your entire clan? You are not the boy you were then, and if anything this village owes you an apology. I think it's about time we had an Uchiha in charge. Sasuke wouldn't want the position and Shisui is causing me enough of a headache as it is. Trust me, I can tell you would be suited for it." Tsunade finally let her grin show, surprising the man in front of her even more. "Make this village a place where your brother does not feel burdened when he returns."

Itachi smirked at this before settling into a sad smile, "I don't think he will return here for any length of time if he can help it. I'm afraid becoming Hokage won't change that. He's too stubborn."

The Hokage barked out a laugh at that, "True, they're all little shits. Can't say I blame them, though, I spent my fair share of time avoiding this place. But Sasuke's too fond of you, anyone can tell. He won't stay away forever. So, do you accept?"

Itachi straightened himself and set his mask back in place, this time with a softly determined look adorning his features. "Of course, Lady Tsunade. It would be an honor to be trained by you."

Once they had left the Hokage's office, Kakashi had sent the trio of genin back home to settle in while he dealt with the logistics of their first dinner back in the village. Kakashi had never been very sentiental, regular trips to the memorial stone aside, and found that he enjoyed these small moments more than he would have anticipated.

He would not admit, however, that the idea of facing Iruka after his lengthy absence was absolutely terrifying. Even the possibility that Iruka had moved to someone else perturbed him, especially since he had not considered the possibility until Itachi pointed out the blunt truth of his promise many years ago.

All they had established prior to his departure was a mutual care for their students and shared enjoyment of each others company. Iruka had seemed interested, but Kakashi had no illusion that the teacher would sit by and wait for him when they had never defined anything deeper between them. Not to mention that Kakashi had been averse to building any close bonds until recently, and that surely included anything bordering on romantic. He had not the slightest clue how people developed or sustained that type of relationship, and he could only imagine Iruka would become disappointed with him and his floundering attempts at romance.

Still lamenting his pitiable position, Kakashi called on his most trusted summon to fetch the teacher in question. Pakkun sent on his way, the jounin decided to stop by Ichiraku before picking up sushi from the little stand Sakura and Iruka favored, last he remembered. 'God, what if he doesn't even like sushi anymore?'

He must have looked the picture of despair, because Teuchi sent him home with extra servings at no cost with a vow to bring his team by for a proper welcome soon. He nodded along, silently debating if leaving the village prior to their mission would be possible or prompt Tsunade to drag him back with the full force of ANBU. Depending on how his reunion with his favorite sensei went, he might risk it regardless.

Food acquired and a quick stop for dango to soothe his worsening mood, Kakashi finally made his way back through the streets of the Uchiha district to their little house on the edge of the village. The warm hellos from the residents of the district did lighten his heart, reminding him that not everyone in this village despised his self-proclaimed little brother. Despite this place often not feeling like home, inside the Uchiha's gates he knew Naruto would not feel out of place and therefore they could all relax into that freely-given acceptance.

Approaching their home, Kakashi saw the lights on once again and heard the lilting voices of his favorite people drifting through the evening air, laughter as easy as it was on their journeys. His shoulders dropped from their tense state at the realization, only to hike back up at the distantly familiar scolding from the man that had occupied his thoughts since their journey back to Konoha.

Shaking his head, he reminded himself he was an elite jounin, had faced fearsome foes in battle and pulled through every time. This could not be more harrowing than any mission he had been assigned. He braced himself with a nonchalant grin and opened their front door to step inside.

Oh, how wrong he was. He took in the scene, Naruto in the kitchen animatedly waving his hands as he recounted stories from their travels, Sasuke leaning against the counter and adding his own commentary to his friend's elaborate retellings. Sakura sat on top of the kitchen island as she dug into the remainder of the gift basket that his little terrors had clearly already laid to waste, laughing at the bickering between her teammates. Itachi was situated on one of the stools that lined the other side of the island, fending off an over-affectionate Shisui who clearly had missed his best friend. In the middle of the chaos stood Iruka, smiling softly at Naruto in between pretending to scold his student for his manners while absentmindedly petting Bull's head.

Kakashi stood frozen, an unnatural state for the skilled ninja. Eventually, Iruka's eyes slid over to where he stood in the entrance, only jolted from his prone state at the bustle of his summons circling him, nudging him further into their home. He slipped off his shoes and sliently made his way into the kitchen area, eyes never leaving the brown pair trained on him.

He would punish his students for their teasing smiles and not-so-quiet comments later, he barely registered them anyway. "I'm back," he announced more awkwardly than he would have preferred.

Iruka had trouble not blushing, he could not be sure he was successful in his attempt to avoid the embarrassed state. "Welcome back," he responded softly, hoping those words would reveal enough to Kakashi without humiliating him should the man not have been looking forward to this moment as much as Iruka secretly had been.

Naruto decided he could pick on Kakashi later, the blond had his priorities. "About time you're back. I'm starving, let's eat!"

Iruka admonished him as they began setting the table, Sasuke laughing at his reprimanded friend. Naruto's pouting did not last long as he began digging into the bounty of his favorite ramen shop. Tears nearly streamed down as he continued slurping up the food, "Oh, Ichiraku, I've missed you! How did I last so long without you?"

"Dobe, you act like you didn't eat ramen for three years. You made us stop at every ramen place across the elemental nations, stop crying into your food."

"Yeah, well Ichiraku is special, teme! I should know, I tried every ramen stand we came across and none can compare. This is the best, believe it!"

Shisui mumbled his apparent agreement around a mouthful of noodle and Kakashi chuckled, "Well, Teuchi was adamant we all come in for a proper welcoming soon, so you'll have to tell him. I'm sure he'll appreciate your review."

Naruto cheered at the prospect of another meal at the famed ramen stand, Sasuke simply rolling his eyes at the antics. He had been worried Naruto would find the adjustment back into the village difficult, but he seemed to be doing the best so far. However, the Uchiha knew Naruto had a tendency to hide his true feelings for the benefit of others, so he would have to pry a little once they were alone.

Dinner continued with light conversation and stories shared after Team Seven's departure. The travelers told stories of their adventures and Naruto was excited to share about the friendships he had made with the other jinchūriki. Iruka and Shisui filled them in on the state of the village, appreciating the changes Tsunade had implemented so far. Sasuke believed there was much more to rectify in this place, but was pleasantly surprised to hear of some of the reforms the new Hokage had passed, including raising the graduation age for the academy. Iruka had worked tirelessly with her to push that particular piece through the new village council, which consisted of more than just two elders.

Although Sasuke would have expelled them from the village entirely, the Hokage had decided that the two remaining elders from the previous Hokage's council were less than capable to head any sort of advisory role. She had formed a board of ninja across speciality and role to encompass representation from all the sectors of shinobi life. Tsunade tackled her position with tenacity and dedication to restructuring the village leadership, hoping this would lend itself to a more just future.

Perhaps his childhood and that of his friend had made him too bitter to truly appreciate this progress, but Sasuke thought he would much rather still leave this place behind and create something entirely new with the people he wished to live and grow beside. Others may find it selfish, but it only seemed right that they get a chance to build something without the tainted history of this village weighing them down.

His sensei interrupted his musings with a question his brother had dodged when he first returned, "Speaking of the Hokage, what did Tsunade want to speak with you about, Itachi?"

The questioned man set his drink down, clearing his throat before answering. "Actually, she informed me that I will not be joining you all when you leave to resume your search for Orochimaru."

Naruto felt Sasuke's blood begin to boil, his indignation pushed out between gritted teeth. "And why the hell would she say that? She can't split us up now, we're a team!"

The older brother observed the reaction, internally dreading the conversation he would need to have with Sasuke after this admission. "She wants me to stay and become one of her assistants." He could see the bewildered look in his brother's eyes, a slight twitch indicating his annoynace with this development, prompting Itachi to respond before Sasuke had a chance to voice his confusion. "She will be training me to take the position of Hokage after her."

Everyone pasued at this except Shisui who had begun to suspect something of this nature since Tsunade had talked with him about his wayward clansman. All observed the mild-mannered man as he resumed sipping his tea which had now started to cool, much like the temperature in the room at these words, much more like the blood freezing in Sasuke's veins at the very idea of Itachi as Hokage. His calm demeanor meant nothing to the brother who could read his eyes after much practice in decoding Uchiha stoicism, Sasuke gritting out, "She wants you to be Hokage. Do you even want that?"

Itachi contemplated this, taking time to formulate his response. "Despite not desiring the position, I do understand why she would choose to pass the burden of Hokage onto me. This may be the way I redeem myself for my past sins. All I have truly wanted was to see peace, is it not worth it to try, otouto?"

Ice hardened, unyeilding to even Naruto's warm hand on his at the idea of losing his brother to this village, watching Itachi slowly lose himself to the position. As great as Tsunade could be, she also had to compromise herself in order to hold that office, there was a reason she could not rid them of the plague that were the elders who had their hands still soaked in his clan's blood. Itachi had already compromised himself and his ideals in the name of this village and it almost cost them both everything.

Sasuke felt a raw hatred bubble inside of him at the thought of his brother who had just begun to recover now thrust back into subservience to the village by another Hokage. Did she even consider the price Itachi had already paid, why did his brother have to continuously sacrifice himself in the service of this place? Sasuke was sure the resentment and malice he felt now could rival that of the infamous Nine-Tails for which this village shunned his most precious person. "Do you really think this village could ever bring peace? After everything, how could you ever think this place could be anything more than a home to violence and deceit?"

"Is that not the life of a shinobi, Sasuke? The shinobi world is built upon violence and deceit, there is no escaping that," Itachi smiled that damnable melancholy smile that made Sasuke's fist itch to pummel it away, that condescending sadness his older brother had perfected like everything else.

"Maybe that's how it's always been, but maybe that's not how it has to be. Don't we all deserve something better than that?" Naruto whispered, the soft presence of hope in his voice, despite all the circumstances that sought to destroy that faint belief in brighter days, thawed the crystophene of his heart beneath the cold exterior experienced by most.

Itachi tilted his head, tell-tale of his brimming perplexity and accompanying irritation at the unfamiliar state, now cropping up twice in one day. "It's a nice thought, but violence is inherent to our profession. There is no way around that."

"Then how do you expect to find peace?" Sasuke joined Naurto in his questioning, Itachi was nearly always understandable, if a bit obscure at times, but Sasuke could not comprehend the juxtaposition of his words or how he reconciled these beliefs.

"What is peace? That is something I have often wrestled with myself. But after seeing all the brutality of our way of life, I believe that peace is the absence of war. I'm not sure we can expect to rid this world or shinobi life of violence completely."

"But is it not worth it to try?" Sakura pensively turned Itachi's words back onto him, shocking the man initially.

Itachi looked over the three faces of his brother and his friends, determination and that beautiful shining of hope written into their still growing faces, held fast by their youth. He smiled at their burning resolve, tempered by their realism but steady nonetheless, and he wondered if this was the Will of Fire the First had spoken so fondly about all those years ago. Did he even know that will would be to change everything, to subvert every known way of thought in order to envision something much different, much better than previously conceivable? His eyes met Shisui's, reciprocating the endearment laced with something more bitter at their own pasts as they contemplated the young people before them.

"So, what do you propose?" The adults watched, enraptured as these frighteningly strong genin painted glorious dreams of healing and connection, a world where shinobi not only forgot war but abandoned any fight beyond the protection of the safety and happiness they were able to freely indulge in each day as well. Iruka wiped quiet tears from his eyes, the vision so grandoise and yet so simple. Didn't they all at some point desire a happy life, only to have that dream crushed by years of battle and loss? What a beautiful dream of youth, to see those visions still as possibilities.

And as Kakashi laughed at Naruto's excitable hands nearly smacking a playfully annoyed Uchiha in the face, he thought with their strength, his little terrors might just be able to make their dreams a reality. Maybe all the rest of them lacked was the strength to keep trying.

Despite the returned geniality to the atmosphere of their shared home after Itachi's revelation and the ensuing debate over the nature of pacificism, Sasuke found himself suffocating and in need of the cool night air and placitude only their tiled roof could offer. In turn, this is where Itachi and Shisui found him, face upturned and basking beneath the moonlight with his knees tightly drawn to his chest.

"We wondered where the life of the party went," Shisui's jab punctuated with his elbow as he dropped beside his brooding little cousin.

"I'm pretty sure Naruto is still in the living room, don't know how you missed him," he deadpanned without taking his eyes from the orbital body above them, just shy of reaching peak fullness. He often felt like the moon, just reflecting the light radiating from his friend, a mere imitation of its brightness, despite Naruto's adamantine opinion that he held a shine natural to him alone. Without the sun, the moon would not be seen, and without Naruto could he ever offer anything other than darkness? Wasn't that something to lament, his complete lack of optimism and congeniality? He could not find it in himself to be anything but remorseful at the prospect of Itachi's coronation as Hokage.

"He's not nearly as excitable in your absence, little brother. I think he doesn't quite feel himself without you by his side, you have quite the effect on him," Itachi tried his hand at pulling the petulant youth from his morose disposition unavailingly.

"Quit with the teasing, what do you want, Itachi?"

Sighing and dropping the light-hearted demeanor foreign to the majority of their clan, he resigned himself to blunt conversation. "I want to know why you're sitting up here instead of enjoying the pleasure of our company." That earned him a glare, an improvement from the listless stare at the heavens he had held until then. "Fair enough, but I would like to know what is going through your head, Sasuke. I don't want anything to push us apart."

His shoulders dropped from their rigidity, slumping to reveal his troubled state. "What if... what if you being Hokage drives us apart? I just can't forgive this village, Itachi. I don't want to be here."

Ignoring Shisui's startled gaze, Itachi pried further, "Will you leave eventually?" Sasuke's barely perceptible nod gripped his heart and he was ashamed but not regretful of the subtle emotional manipulation he used to prod his sullen little brother, "And what of Naruto? Will you leave him here? He's the village's jinchūriki."

Neither expected the light sheen of tears held from falling with sheer willpower, "No, I won't leave him, I want him to come with me. I want you to come with me. Is it selfish, to want to take all of you away from here and just restart everything? Even my stupid sensei and my dumbass cousin?"

It took Shisui a moment to realize Sasuke was referring to him and he huffed his irritation at the younger Uchiha who was still upset but clearly holding back a smirk at his insult. "Okay you little shit, that was totally unnecessary. Just for that, there's no way I'm coming with you."

If either Uchiha could coo at Sasuke's pout and survive without serious injury the wrath that was promised to follow from the tempermental teen, they absolutely would. "C'mon, what is this village to any of us but a prison? A place we're forced to call home by our vow as shinobi that we made when we were kids. Am I crazy for wishing we could just be free of all of that?"

"Maybe a little," Shisui muttered before Itachi chastised him with a pointed look.

"No, it's just nothing that has been done before, not without being labelled as a rogue and hunted down, especially with someone like Naruto. That's no life of peace, Sasuke." Itachi wished leaving was a simple affair, but abandoning a ninja village was anything but simple.

"I know that, okay? But we're strong, we could put up one hell of a fight, and I'd much rather fight for us to be free than keep fighting for a village I don't even believe in and never really have."

"Kakashi really should have tried harder to curb your tendency for insubordination and rebellion, you know," Shisui was glad Naruto had taken the time to recheck and ward the entire property upon arrival at the old house. Sasuke may not care for consequences, but their clan still suffered from rumors of insurrection and betrayal, he did not need whatever ANBU were watching them to report them for his brazen relative's frustrated confessions.

Sasuke simply rolled his eyes, a signature look when it came to Shisui. Itachi drew his attention with a warning, "We have been out of the village for a long while, otouto. We've grown used to that freedom, which can make us careless. This is our home, but you need to watch what you say here."

Sasuke's anger returned with a vengeance, "This is what I'm talking about! I want to be free, not walking on eggshells to convince a village that would rather see us dead that we deserve to live. It's bullshit, I don't want to live burdened by the past of our clan, nor our own strength that causes their fear, or by the threat of the village."

He could tell this struck something in the two fellow Uchiha, deeper than he could begin to detect and it had the anger reduce into sorrowful pleading, something his father would surely view as unbecoming of a proud Uchiha. "Listen, if I could find a way for us to leave without being declared missing nin, or somewhere we could be safe, would you come with me?"

"Sasuke, we can't just leave the clan-"

"Let them come, too. I may not be the most involved clan member," Shisui snort only dug the point home, "But I'm still an Uchiha, I don't want to abandon everyone else to the hate of this village just so my family can be free of it. If I can figure out how, could you get the clan to come with us and rebuild somewhere else?"

"You're talking about treason, it's exactly what we've been accused of this whole time," Shisui argued.

"So what? Let them think whatever they like, we are whatever they makes us in their eyes anyway. They'll never stop considering us a threat to terminate, just like they'll never see Naruto as more than a weapon to be used. I don't care what they label it, all I know is I'll call it freedom. That's the only way I can ever see us having a chance at peace. Will you just think about it? Please?"

What a promise to ask of them, shinobi who had given everything in service to this blood-soaked ground, a vow to leave it all behind. How could they justify anything in the face of abandoning their former purpose? Yet Itachi could not imagine a life where he was forced to hunt his own brother for the simple act of breaking this vicious cycle in which they found themselves bound. "We'll think about it," Itachi promised for the both of them, much to Shisui's exaggerated irritation. "But I shall still follow Tsunade's orders and stay as her assistant in the meantime. Will you be alright, completing the mission and facing Orochimaru without me?"

Sasuke shoved hard against Itachi's side, toppling the graceful ninja to his and Shisui's amusement. "Don't be so full of yourself. I can handle that snake, I'm just sorry for you. You'll be stuck here while I get to brag about taking down a sannin. If he's anything like Jiraiya, though, I don't think it'll be all that hard now."

Itachi righted himself, brushing a loose strand of hair behind his ear, a testament to Sasuke's stunt and his inattention to his brother's tendency towards roughhousing after years of friendship with Naruto. "I have nothing but absolute faith in your abilities, Sasuke. I know you'll succeed."

He was quite satisfied with the pleased blushed that bloomed on Sasuke's cheeks at his praise, even more so at Shisui's teasing and Sasuke's biting responses to the overbearing presence of their playful cousin. It was his duty, however, as an older brother to both offer him a safe haven and listening ear while also proving the ultimate source of irritation. Nothing set the younger off like thinly veiled haughtiness. "I mean, I did train you after all. I expect you to be nearly at my level by now, so taking on Orochimaru shouldn't be impossible."

Itachi had never seen Sasuke move as fast as he did just now, whipping his head to level him with a glare only rivalled in intesity by the looks he had received shortly after their parents' death. Perhaps he had  become too adept at annoying his little brother.

After chasing the annoyances named Itachi and Shisui away from his refuge on the roof, Sasuke found the tranquility of the night a comforting friend, though he greeted it with a faint smile this time. Peace in this village never lasts long, though this interruption was more than welcome.

"Oi, teme! I figured Itachi would have gotten off the roof by now," Naruto laid down beside him, hands behind his head as he sprawled out. "You wanna talk about why you're still up here?"

"Can't I just enjoy being outside?" A raised eyebrow found Naruto still eyeing the sky, but his brows furrowed in contemplation.

"Well, sure, but you usually only come up here when you're thinking about something or you're upset, same as me. So which one is it? I won't even bother saying you don't have to tell me if you don't want, I know you'll only tell me if you do."

That smile that only Naruto could draw from him made its reappearance, "Hn, if you must know, I was just thinking of my conversation with the two biggest pains in my ass."

"Hey, I thought I was the biggest pain in your ass?" Naruto deplored in mock offense.

Sasuke cleared his throat as he began to imagine the type of pain he wished Naruto was in his ass, shaking his head at the unbidden thought spawned by his poorly hidden desires. "You're an idiot. You know you're not in the same category as them. In everything else, you're my one and only." Sasuke cursed himself and his haphazard confession, what little color he possessed quickly draining from his face.

"Hear that, kit? He's finally confessed, now tell him your feelings so we can move past all this pining. Quickly, I believe your Uchiha is panicking."

Naruto flushed and denied the fox and his insinuations, there was no world where Sasuke meant what Naruto hoped he did. He willed the sorrow out of his voice before he spoke, "Yeah, we all know you're an antisocial bastard and would be totally fine with just one friend. Though I am flattered I get that honor, Sakura would be pissed if she heard you don't even think of her as a friend."

Sasuke warred with gratitude and overwhelming rage at Naruto's complete obliviousness. "Usuratonkachi, you're the dumbest person I know. That includes Jiraiya."

He should not find that pout as adorable as he did, nor should it cause him pain to fall further and further for his friend who he believed would never reciprocate his feelings. Taking pity on them both, he returned to Naruto's orginal questioning, "I asked Itachi and Shisui if they would ever consider leaving the village. For good."

Naruto could not claim to be surprised by Sasuke's line of thought, though it still seemed like a faraway dream to him that they could ever leave and live that grand dream of freedom. "Yeah, and what'd they say?"

"Itachi said they'd think about it, if I could figure out a way to take the clan with us. If I can, will you come?"

"You know I'd follow you anywhere. Besides, I wouldn't mind rebuilding Uzushio. A village takes more than one clan anyway, right? No one would dare mess with combined power of the Uzumaki and Uchiha!" He smiled brightly at the idea of their own little village, a fresh start. The Uchiha were the only people save a handful of others that Naruto knew had laid their prejudice against him to rest completely. Building a village with them would not only be possible, but a welcome endeavor.

"My thoughts exactly, dobe," Sasuke smirked at Naruto who shoved his face with a lazy hand. "How are you actually feeling about being back? Kakashi made plans for us to meet up with the rest of our class and Gai's team, you ready for that?"

His answer stayed stangant, stilled in unsure waters, before he opted for the confusing honesty his answer demanded. "Yes and no and I don't know, you know? Like, I know not all of them hate me, maybe none of them really do, they did all help you with making the old man let me out of prison. I still can't help but feel like I just... don't fit. I guess I'd rather be training with you and Sakura, but seeing them again won't be so bad. Shikamaru's cool and Chouji always has snacks, and I've already met up with Gai's team. If you're there, I'll be fine."

Sasuke could accept that, especially when Naruto admitted his presence would be helpful, that he could be useful to his friend just by standing beside him. Despite his efforts, he always had a voice whisper in the back of his mind that he never did enough, could never do enough, to shoulder Naruto's burdens or to make up for the times he had caused his friend pain. The burning presence of jealousy also reminded him that while he and Naruto understood each other's loneliness, the malice they faced from their home, he would never understand how it felt to be a jinchūriki, only another container could know exactly how that felt.

Before he could be sucked into his growing resentment for Gaara's existence and rivalry for the spot of Naruto's best friend, Sakura joined them on their roof. "Okay, I know you two are practically joined at the hip, but I'm starting to feel left out. Won't you feel better that I'm there tomorrow too, Naruto?" Sakura understood the deep bond the two shared, she thought sometimes she understood it better with her outsider perspective that the two idiots clearly obsessed with each other, but her joke held some amount of truth. She saw both of them as family, as her best friends, but she often felt forgotten, a mere afterthought.

Guilt marred the two faces that had turned to greet her, Naruto reaching to pull her down between them. "Sakura! Of course I'll feel better with you there, I'm sorry I didn't know you were eavesdropping on us," he hastily continued before Sakura could retaliate for his comment. "You're like my overprotective big sister, I don't know what I'd do without you!"
Sakura sniffed, momentarily appeased with this reassurance, "And don't you forget it. If any of them even look at you wrong, I'll beat them up, don't you worry."

Naruto laughed and stage whispered to her behind his hand, "You better, if you let Sasuke do it I think the bastard would kill someone."

"Damn right I would, they've already been warned before not to mistreat you. I don't like repeating myself."

"Spoken like a true Uchiha," Sakura teased. "You know, I'm glad you're our friend, I'd never want to come across you as an enemy. No offense, but sometimes I think you're a little unhinged. Especially when it comes to Naruto." The gleam in her eye remained strong against the burning glare Sasuke leveled against her.

"None taken. By the way, it's been a while since you've seen everyone, too. Are you looking forward to seeing, oh what's her name? Ino?" Two could play this game, Sakura and Sasuke had spent enough time mourning their feelings together (albeit reluctantly on Sasuke's part) to push each other on the topic.

Before Sakura could utter a retort, Naruto piped up, "Ino's the blonde girl that you have a crush on, right Sakura?"

Sasuke's face remained passive but internally he was rolling with glee, he blessed his sweet idiot for this forthrightness so perfectly timed. Sakura reddened and screeched intelligibly, chasing a bewildered and frightened Naruto around the roof. They only stopped when they realized Sasuke had actually peeled over with laughter, their own bubbling up and joining his in a harmonious melody.

"Should we go check on them? Sasuke's been up there for a while and no one's come back yet," Iruka worried his bottom lip with his teeth after he set down the freshly brewed cups of tea for him and the elite ninja lounging on the couch beside him.

"Maa, Naruto and Sakura are more than capable of dealing with Sasuke at this point. I'll go up in a bit and they'll probably be creating some new jutsu or planning a village wide prank, normal stuff," Kakashi eyed Iruka's skeptical look, apprehension still bruising his lip. "Stop worrying so much, sensei," Kakashi's voice dropped to a whisper as he used his thumb to cease the abuse, Iruka's breath catching in his throat.

"Kakashi, the kids could come down any second," he protested half-heartedly, heart surging and twisting at the domesticity of the statement.

"Practically adults at this point. Unless that's your way of suggesting we move this to the bedroom? Very forward of you, sensei, I've only been back a few hours."

Iruka pulled away at the reminder fo their years apart. His feelings for the copy-nin had only deepened, but there was no guarantee Kakashi still felt the same. The teacher wasn't sure if he could handle a single night with the man he had dreamt about for much longer than he had been gone from the village. "Yes, it has been a while, hasn't it?"

Sensing the change in mood, Kakashi returned to his recline against the couch, eyes still trained on the man at his side. "Yes, quite a while. I'm sorry, Iruka."

Befuddlement overtook Iruka's strict features, unsure of the cause for the apology. Kakashi quickly pressed on to explain, "I never wrote. Naruto sent letters to you I know, but I never said anything. I just assumed you would wait for me to come back, but we never talked about what either of us wanted. I promised you a date, but I suppose I never asked if that was even something you wanted. So I'm sorry, for assuming. But I'll ask now. What do you want, Iruka?"

The questioned man would not be able to hide his darkening blush with a transformation or any other jutsu. He was sure no amount of cosmetics could mask it, his feelings fully on display, much to Kakashi's growing delight it seemed. "You are an asshole, you know that? Take me on that date and maybe I'll tell you."

Iruka may be to blame for Naruto's petulance, if this type of exhibit held any sway over the young boy. Kakashi laughed, a quiet, relieved sound that softened Iruka's embarrassed indigantion. "Maa, no need to get upset. How's tomorrow? Unless tonight counts, in which case I could put a sound ward around my room and we could-"

Before Kakashi could continue his only partial joking, Sakura interrupted them with her teammate hot on her heels just as Iruka feared and expected. "Sensei! The boys are being mean to me, make them stop." Well-timed tears shown in those emerald eyes, and Kakashi was notoriously weak to Sakura's imploring. She may not be his biological daughter, but he assumed this was how a father would feel about his little girl.

"Have they been teasing you too hard? Come here, Iruka-sensei and I will protect you. Boys, stop picking on poor Sakura." Sakura sunk down in between the two men, shooting a cheshire grin at the two teammates standing opposite them, returning to her tearful expression when Kakashi looked her way.

"Sensei! She's totally faking it! And we weren't being mean, it's not my fault you freaked out when I mentioned-"

"Kakashi-sensei! You see what I have to put up with? Make them be nice to me."

Kakashi wrapped an arm around her, pointing at the two disgruntled genin across from them. "Naruto and Sasuke, being back is hard for everyone. Go easy on her, I don't want our first night back to be filled with fighting."

The serious expression floored the two, drawing a slow clap from the Uchiha. "Well done, Sakura. An amazing performance, really."
"Thank you!" Sakura chirped as she shot up to leave, tacking on, "I mean, thank you, sensei. I'm feeling much better. Let's go to bed!"

Iruka muffled a chuckle behind his hand at how easily the girl had played the man, Kakashi confusedly waving them goodnight. He wondered if they would revert to their previous habit of piling into one room for the night, or if they would keep their distance now that they were older. They often had resorted to all of them sharing a large room during their travels unless they had found an abandoned house stay in, which prompted them all the take advantage of the opportunity for privacy.

"Is Naruto really okay with being back? Are any of them? They seem fine, but..." Iruka knew how easy it was to mask your hurt behind a laugh and a smile.

Kakashi slid close, the only intention to offer some comfort to the worrying man, and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "I'm sure it's not easy, but they have each other. Those three are resilient and I have no doubt they can handle anything thrown their way. Especially when they have us to catch them if they need, hm?"

Iruka sighed and leaned into the welcome touch, relaxing underneath Kakashi's consoling. He stayed a while longer, chatting softly before heading home. Their tea sat cold and untouched on the table, overshadowed in the light of their company.

When Naruto woke, he remembered exactly why he had stopped sharing a futon with his best friend. Kakashi's awkwardly stilted conversation while travelling about their maturation and expected changes had left him and Sasuke in a silent agreement to leave their comforting sleeping habits in their childhood.

However, being back in their old home had brought a sense of nostalgia to all of them, Naruto reigniting the tradition of sneaking into Sasuke's room, only to be followed shortly afterward by Sakura and her own futon. He had dove into Sasuke's without a second thought, an action he was coming to regret as he took stock of his precarious situation.

He often ended up like an octopus, squeezing the life out of his pillow in a search for comfort in his slumber, a cheap imitation of his innocent embraces with his friend as children. Now that he had Sasuke again, he had naturally gravitated to him, clutching onto him like a lifeline. His simple gesture had begun to turn not so innocent when he felt his own buried desires resurface and awaken a part of himself he was desparately begging to go back to sleep.

He was pushed so tightly against Sasuke, there was no way the other would not feel his desire manifesting and he cursed himself for the upteenth time for his inability to relinquish these feelings. Naruto slowly released his grip on the raven's shirt, attempted to extract his leg that he had somehow managed to slide in between and underneath one of Sasuke's.

Midway through his mission of extraction from his personal heavenly hell, he brushed against a hardness he had not anticipated, drawing out a groan from his sleeping friend, accompanied by a soft, subconscious moaning of Naruto's name.

The blond froze, unwilling to think further into the meaning of that moment and yet unable to move past it either. He could barely think over Kurama's roaring laughter in his mind. At the change in Sasuke's breathing that indicating his arrival into consciousness, Naruto sprung up, all care for an undetectable retreat abandoned and jolting his comrade awake harshly.

"Usuratonkachi, what the fuck..."

"S-sorry, gotta take a piss, go back to sleep!" He bolted from the room, unashamed to admit to himself and the humored fox that he was fleeing in aboslute mortification. Meanwhile, Sasuke shook his head and let the last dregs of sleepiness slip away. It was then he realized his own predicament, silently praying Naruto had not realized his current state.

"Well, well, well, get a little too cozy last night? You talk a big game about Kakashi keeping it in his pants, but you couldn't even wait for me to leave the room. Shame on you, Sasuke," Sakura goaded from her futon, wicked grin mocking him.

"I hate you, you know," he spit out accompanied by a pillow launched at the pink head.

"Not my fault you two are like this. Seriously, Naruto wasn't in a much better state than you, I really don't know why-"

"Shut. It. Too early for this," Sasuke would never plead, but this came very close in his mind.

"It's always too early for this," she muttered. "Fine, I'll let this one go if you promise to not embarrass me today in front of everyone."

"Everyone?" Sasuke's question was enhanced by the teasing lift to his brow, clearly insinuating this request was meant for him to refrain from upsetting her in front of a particular person.

"Yes, everyone. Do we have a deal?" A shake of their hand sealed their temporary contract, completed before Naruto poked his head back into the room.

"Oi, I'm hungry, let's go bother Kakashi to make us something for breakfast!" That was a cause they could all support, racing down the stairs to barge into the older ninja's room and berate him with menu items they were admantly soliciting.

Kakashi groaned before he rose and lumbered his way to start cooking for his little terrors. Halfway through the fifth dish they had ordered him to make, he realized he had spoiled them somewhere down the line. He could not come to regret it though as he watched Naruto and Sakura toss bread crumbs into the back of Sasuke's hair, prompting the boy to freeze them both in a genjutsu before pulling them out by dousing them both generously with the orange juice Kakashi had just made. Their playful screams and his monotonous reminder to not cast jutsu or throw weapons in the house could only bring a wide grin to his face, mask still left laying on his bedside table.

Once outside to burn off their spike of morning energy and to even the score for Sasuke's unpermitted use of genjutsu before breakfast, Naruto drew them all close after ensuring their sensei was still busy in the kitchen. "Okay, so, can we talk about-"

"Sensei's face?" Sasuke and Sakura responded in unison, eyes mirroring Naruto's own shock and excitement, Sasuke's was naturally more subdued, present nonetheless.

"Oh my god, he's always kept the mask on. I guess we've been travelling so of course he would, just in case, you know, but he totally had it off when we came in and just left it off! We've been trying to get a peak for years and now, just like that?? And he's-"

"Totally hot? I mean, even I can tell that much. Damn, no wonder Iruka-sensei waited for him," Sakura replied. "I thought for sure he was hiding something under there."

"Guess he was, just the fact that he's weirdly attractive," Sasuke chimed in.

"No way Iruka's seen his face if we just saw it, he's gonna freak out!"

"You don't think he saw it at all? I mean, he'd have to take it off for..." Sakura trailed off, unwilling to verbally acknowledge the prospect of Kakashi making out with their academy teacher.

"I try not to think about it at all," the Uchiha grumbled. "But Kakashi's never been in a relationship before, so I don't think they've gotten much of anywhere yet. He's an idiot."

"Exactly! Iruka definitely hasn't seen it- wait, how do you know Kakashi's never dated before?" Naruto and Sakura both turned to the flustered Uchiha at Naruto's prodding. Before Sasuke could even begin to recall the harrowing conversations of life, love, and adolescent development Kakashi had subjected upon him in a temporary moment of weakness in the form of asking the man for advice, the referenced man made a quick appearance at the threshold of their back door.

"Alright my little pups, time to eat!" His singsong call beckoned them inside, their energy turned to fussing about his tendency to mockingly infantalize them. They could tell he masked this as a joke, but truly considered them as his pack, his children, his family. He could also sense it pleased them to be acknowledged as his kids, more than a temporary team he was saddled with at the Hokage's orders.

They thanked him for the food before diving into the meal, talking around mouthfulls about the day ahead of them. Kakashi hoped for their sakes the reunion with the rest of the rookies went as smoothly as he had anticipated.

Despite years of Kurenai's tutelage and Hinata's patient guidance, Kiba had never learned to overcome his habit of immediately sticking his foot in his mouth. "Hey, look! All the rogues decided to come back. Done taking it easy out there or are we gonna have to hunt you down when you abandon the village again?"

No one dared to breath as they watched Kakashi's astute eyes narrow on the brash boy, Sasuke's own burning to engulf the thoughtlessness in flames. Before either could act, Sakura scooted around a stock-still Naruto to paint the most artificial smile on her features while adressing the comment. "Do you want to see what we've been up to while we've been gone? I don't mind to spar, unless you're nervous."

Taking the bait, Kiba huffed and motioned for them to take up their fighting stances further into the training ground where the four teams had agreed would serve as their reunion spot. Just as Sakura had poised her body for the impromptu spar, Iruka and Tsunade made their way to the grounds from the Hokage Tower. Iruka cast a worrying glance to Kakashi who rolled his eyes and beckoned him closer. The flush on the academy teacher's face was not missed by the Hokage or the other adults present.

The fight concluded mere moments later. As soon as he received the starting signal, Kiba lauched into his signature attack, spiralling at Sakura from above. His momentum was no match for the kunoichi's raw strength, fist slamming him a good three feet into the ground. Akamaru rushed to his side, whining over Kiba's unconscious body.

Tsunade let out a roar of laughter, "That's my girl!" She marched over to ensure Kiba was not severely injured and mended a few broken bones without rousing him from his knock out. For Sakura to so brutally take down a comrade, she assumed the boy deserved to remain unconscious a while longer. Akamaru drug Kiba's limp body away from the group where he could reawaken at his own pace.

Ino snickered as Kiba's form passed her, bouncing over to Sakura as she dusted herself off, "Looks like your monster strength has only gotten stronger, Billboard Brow. Is Sasuke into that sort of thing or have you finally realized you have no shot with him?"

Sakura's mood immediately soured again, "He's basically like my brother at this point, why the fuck would I want him to like me?"

Ino's bemused look caught Sakura off-guard as the blonde waved Sasuke over to where they stood apart from the group, Naruto following closely behind. "Sasuke, Sakura told me she doesn't have a thing for you anymore. I'm sure she won't mind if you and I started going out. Right, Sakura?"

Sasuke observed the frustrated look on his teammate's face, deciding to rescue her from the abissmal interaction with the holder of her affections. "You're not my type," came his clipped reply.

Ino, to her credit, remained unfazed by the harsh rejection, "Not into blondes with blue eyes?"

Sakura whipped her head up, taking in Sasuke's struggle to contain his blush at the unintended description of exactly his type, who was standing too still at his side. "Not when it's you," he seethed through gritted teeth. Ino pondered that particular reply, Sakura watching the gears turn in that smart head as she observed the Uchiha and his shadow. Sakura proceded to shove Ino back towards the main group.

"C'mon, Ino-pig, everyone's waiting on us now because of you."

Kurenai shook her head before commencing their little reunion, "Well, that sure was something. Not the welcome we had planned, Team Seven, but we are glad to have you back, even for a little while. I'm sorry, but Shino is currently on a mission and was unable to attend, but he wishes you a smooth return back into the village."

Sakura's teammates had followed to stand next to her, and Naruto leaned closer to them and whispered, "Who is Shino again?"

"Fuck if I know," Sasuke muttered, prompting Sakura to sigh at her teammates' forgetfulness, or willful ignorance on Sasuke's part.

"We have a youthful game prepared for you to reaquaint yourselves with each other's skills and talents. An invigorating way to reunite with your comrades!" Gai-sensei declared. "Now, how to split you up?"

"Oh! Girls versus boys," Ino crooned, excited at the prospect of showing off her new jutsu and exacting a little revenge on her indolent teammates.

"Even with Shino and Kiba out, there's still too many guys and not enought girls," Shikamaru drawled from his relaxed position on the ground.

Ino opened her mouth to retort, but was cut short by a bubbly Naruto. "I can fix that!" After transforming into her female form, she smiled brightly and hooked an arm each around Sakura and Ino. "Now we're even, five to five. You better watch out, bastard. We are so going to win this, uh, what are we doing?"

Everyone save Team Seven, Iruka, and Tsunade stared openly at Naruto's easy transformation, the others too used to his antics and momentary whims towards gender and expression to be surprised. Sasuke ignored the flicker of Ino's eyes between him and Naruto, praying Sakura's blonde was as much of an idiot as his. Gai recovered and flashed a glistening smile towards the center of attention. "Perfect solution! Your youthful energy is much appreciated. We'll be playing a friendly game of capture the flag. Here are the rules..."

The game ended inconclusively, as a stuttering Hinata spent most of her time trying to calm down an irritated Ino who looked ready to decimate both of her teammates, Skiamaru and Choji electing to recline under the shade of a tree and snack instead of participate. The Hyuuga heiress worried if she left to support the rest of her team, Ino may annihilate Team 10 in a fit of rage.

Sakura and Tenten had been steadily engaging Neji and Lee in an enthusiastic waltz of gaining and losing ground. They eventually abandoned their dance to observe Sasuke and Naruto, much like every other spectator. The two had completely forgone the point of the game and resorted to sparring with increasingly advanced jutsu that captured everyone's attention, even Ino joined the audience after cooling down.

Tsunade called the game once she felt the Kyuubi's chakra begin to rise and Sasuke's sharingan incur its more intricate design. Despite the fact the two could spar at a high level and never come close to hurting the other, Tsunade did not feel like writing a mission request for the entire training ground to be rebuilt.

The crew of younger ninja gathered around to marvel at the high-level spar and chat with their returned comrades. Kakashi swept Iruka away after overhearing Naruto relentlessly request the group move to Ichiraku for dinner.

"Kakashi! What-"

"Too soon for a date?" He innocently questioned, offering his arm to the embarrassed teacher, accepting it all the same.

"You're not smooth, you know," Iruka chided to hide his flush, nose high and eyes determinedly avoiding his companion.

"Oh, I'm aware. I've never actually done this before," he admitted, then clarified at Iruka's confusion. "Date."

"Oh. Never?" At Kakashi's soft shake to confirm his lack of experience, Iruka asked, "Have you ever tried... anything?"

"Ah, I've been with a couple of people, nothing serious."

"Anyone I would know?" Iruka pushed his question more gently that he did the pang of jealousy at the information down into the churning pit in his gut.

"Gai," Kakashi replied honestly, Iruka's envy forgotten in the face of the revelation, though not for long as he recalled the closeness the two men shared. Kakashi eyed him, "I can tell what you're thinking. It was a long time ago, we were young and curious. Gai learned pretty fast that despite the 'youthfulness' of it all, he didn't enjoy most of the physical stuff. I think he wanted emotional, romantic connection more than anything, and I wasn't in a place then to offer him that."
Walking leaisurely through the emptier streets of the village, Iruka mulled silently over the unveiled pieces of the puzzle that made Kakashi Hatake. Part of him preened at the fact that the man entrusted him with such personal memories, but another nagged to find answers. "You two are good friends, what's stopping you from pursuing more now?"

"You," the admission slipped between them. "Gai is my best friend, he pulled my stubborn ass through the worst times of my life. But we agreed we were better off as friends. There may be another life where we are together, but any possibilities for our friendship to turn into something else ended back then. Now, I have quite the embarrassing crush on this cute sensei I'm hoping still has a thing for me."
"Well, he's found you to be a hard one to let go of," Iruka attempted to tease before settling into seriousness again. "I'm not sure what you want out of this, Kakashi. But I don't do casual, it means something more to me."

"It does to me, too. I'll warn you though, I come with three kids. Can you handle that?"

Laughter bubbled up, infectious in the air around the two men. "I'm already fond of them, it's only a bonus. Do you think they'll take us getting together alright?"

"Judging by the amount of teasing I've had to bear, I think they're well-adjusted to the idea. I hope you plan to make an honest man out of me one of these days, sensei. They deserve a good mother figure in their lives."

Iruka's berating continued until the two stumbled, still arm-in-arm, into Ichiraku's stand to a chorus of squeals and taunts from the group they had circled back to rejoin. Naruto stood, now back to his original form, catching them up on the shenanigans they missed on their date. Iruka placed a hand over his burning cheeks, hoping his face would adjust as easily as Kakashi's brood to the mention of their newly formed relationship.

Eventually Itachi and Shisui made their appearance, dragging a former ANBU teammate and his newest apprentice into the shop with them. They were welcomed with another round of ramen, requested namely by Naruto and Chouji, while a still dazed Kiba woke to a fresh bowl offered by Sakura. He accepted with a guilty look, mumbling an apology and stiffly avoiding the topic of his shamefully quick defeat.
The collection of ninja continued to dine and socialize well into the evening, an exasperated Shizune arriving to herd the drunken Hokage back to her home for another scolding. They parted ways after Kakashi flattered Asuma into covering the bill, Kurenai consoling him on their walk home. Iruka decided to accompany Kakashi and his students back to their residence, Itachi and Shisui setting a quick pace back to the Uchiha district. The genin sent themselves to bed, warning their head of household to be careful and not stay up too late, they had training early in the morning afterall.

Kakashi had not felt so at peace inside the village as he did being taunted by his kids and laughed at by his friends, hand in hand with Iruka smirking smugly at him. The ominous unknowns of their futures were left packed tightly away in their shared consciousness, a collective agreement to revel in this simplicity for the evening.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Naruto tiptoed out of Sasuke's room, their nightly ritual reestablished; though with their lesson learned, Naruto opted to start bringing his own futon. Breathing a sigh of relief when his teammates remained dormant despite his departure, Naruto shuffled down the stairs, rubbing the stubborn sleep from his eyes.

Kakashi was already sitting in the common space, sipping fresh coffee after a happily sleepless night spent enjoying his newly defined relationship with Iruka. The shy man was adamant about the gradual nature of exploring each other and Kakashi happily obliged, savoring each revelation. The anticipation building with their slow progress was frustratingly intoxicating. The train of thought halted abruptly at the arrival of the blonde boy bounding his way into Kakashi's space on the sofa.

"Mornin', Kashi-nii. How'd you sleep?" The wolfish grin told Kakashi he knew Iruka had visited longer than usual, the man only having slipped out an hour ago to avoid interception by the throng of former students.

"You really want to know?" Playfully suggestive grin earned him a nauseated look and an accompanying hack.

"Bleh, no way. I'm happy for you both but don't wanna hear any details. It's like hearing about your parents doing it, gross."

"Awh, have I been upgraded to papa now?" Naruto's retaliatory shove confirmed their brotherly bond, but Kakashi could not help teasing the boy. "Maa, don't be so violent, Naruto. If you don't want to talk about my love life, we can talk about yours instead."
Blushing and spluttering, a now anticipated state at the mention of the topic, Naruto fumed until he realized this opportune moment. "Uh, actually... Can we talk about it? Like, hypothetically."

Kakashi's eyebrows raised, floored that Naruto relented his vehement aversion towards the topic, though not to discussing his so-called bond with Sasuke, the distinction set and complete denial from the blond of any romantic feelings for any person. "Sure, what do you hypothetically want to talk about?"

"Well," Naruto licked his lips, nervously shifting and scanning the stairs for any signs his friends were descending from their prior slumber. Convinced of their absence, he continued, "Hypothetically, if I liked someone, how would I get over them?"

Kakashi felt some unease with the direction of the conversation, Naruto had lept immediately to squashing any burgeoning feelings. "Well, hypothetically of course, why would you need to get over them? Why not ask for advice on how to tell them your feelings?"

"Because there's no way they feel the same way! He's definitely not into guys, a-and even if he was, he'd definitely not be into me of all people. And he's my best friend and I can't lose him, not over something as dumb as a crush... hypothetically!" Naruto hastily tacked on, sweating under the anxiety of saying too much.

"Mhm, well I'd say if your friendship was fragile enough to break because you care about him, then it wasn't very strong to begin with, is that the kind of friendship you're thinking about?" With the resolute shake of his head, Kakashi smiled, "I didn't think so. What's more puzzling to me is why you think he definitely wouldn't like you back. Why wouldn't he?"

The bitter laugh formed a frown on the jounin's face, seldom did such a sound come from the other, as warranted as it would be. "C'mon, Kakashi. Do I really have to spell it out?" It seems the villagers' words had cut deeper than any of them would like to believe.

The man ruffled blond locks, drawing those inquisitive eyes back to his own. "Anyone would be lucky to have you, Naruto. You know, Sasuke asked me a similar question himself a few years ago, what he should do if he was falling for his best friend. He was scared what this person's reaction would be if he found out Sasuke had a crush on him."

Kakashi recalled a painfully awkward, recently turned twelve Sasuke aggressively cornering him one morning in the kitchen to demand advice on the topic. His blush betrayed his embarassment, and Kakashi had gleefully enjoyed the snappish persistency with which Sasuke met the conversation. The man had his suspicions on the orientation of the young Uchiha and his feeling towards his rival turned friend, he had hoped Naruto's begrudging admiration now blatant devotion translated into reciprocation, though he was not completely certain until now.

However, Kakashi's statement brought an unexpected pout to the whiskered face, "So he's what, in love with this guy? Who is it?"

Blinking rapidly, Kakashi could not fathom the turn Naruto had taken, "Uh... what do you mean?"

The blond stood at that, fury writ into every line of his face. "That bastard! I thought I was his best friend, so who the hell is this other guy, huh? It's Gaara, isn't it? I fucking knew it..."

All Kakashi could manage at that point was a weak reminder to watch his language, allowing the extent of Naruto's obliviousness to settle in his mind with the frantic pacing Naruto had started up. 'Poor Sasuke, he'll have a hard time confessing. Maybe he already has and the idiot had no idea..."

Footsteps announcing their presence on the stairs, intentional to be sure, interrupted Naruto's thundering steps, anger still circulating in the air.

"Usuratonkachi, what are you so worked up about? You're stomping probably woke up the whole village."

"Definitely woke me up," Sakura grumbled as she flopped face-first into the couch, Kakashi's consiliatory pat on her crown welcoming her into the space.

"Teme! Tell me right now, who the hell is this best friend of yours, huh?"

Sasuke stared like Naruto had made the most outlandish, outrageous statement possible, which fairly could be considered so to the Uchiha. "Did something happen to you this morning? Did you lose all your memories or has your brain finally given up and stopped working altogether?"

"Sasuke, just answer me, dammit!"

"He's an absolute idiot," he replied monotonously. At the growing rage on Naurto's face and attempting to diffuse the impending explosion, he placated the irate blond, "Geez, it's you, Naruto. Seriously are you okay?"

Kakashi curiously glanced over to observe if Naruto had come to the conclusion eluded by his earlier statement, but alas, the blond seemed as ignorant as before, simply happy to hold the title of best friend, scratching the back of his head out of discomfiture for his dsiplay. "Oh, hehe. No, I'm good, just had me worried for a sec. You have to promise to tell me if you go get a new best friend though, alright?"

"Why the hell would I do that? How many times do I have to tell you, you're the only one I-"

"Get a room!" Sakura shouted into the tense atmosphere, diverting the clumsy energy between the two pining teens and redirected it towards shouting for their teammate to cease her teasing. Kakashi, always the peacekeeper, decided it was time to move their morning charades to more productive endeavors, setting them each with a task for their breakfast preparation. This did nothing to quell their bickering, but it kept them busy enough to avoid a brawl indoors. Kakashi had replaced enough furniture at their temporary homes and momentary visits to roadside inns to continue the same mistakes. Though their squabbles were always amusing, until the bill came due.

"Ramen for lunch! Ramen for lunch!"

"Naruto, we just ate breakfast, we haven't even started our training for the day, how can you be thinking about lunch already?" Sakura would never understand how Naruto's ramen-obsessed mind worked. Though she should be grateful, it probably diverted energy that would be otherwise spent on obsessing over Sasuke. Any more and she would have to break her pact with Kakashi and intervene, for her sanity's sake.

"I figure if I start petitioning now, I'll wear you guys down by the time we break for lunch."

"Or you'll annoy us all so badly we never eat ramen again," Sasuke nonchalantly suggested. The look of horror and regret cast a devious smirk across his pale features, prompting Naruto to cling and beg for him to retract his threat.

Before they could progress any further towards their preferred training grounds, a masked ANBU operative appeared in a swirl of leaves summoning them to the Hokage's office. Without hesitation the four raced to the tower where Tsunade and a handful of others were awaiting their arrival.

"You're here, good." Tsunade nodded her appreciation at their swift arrival, motioning to introduce the two unknown shinobi standing with Itachi, Shizune, and Shikaku. "These new faces are Yamato and Sai, they will be accompanying Team Seven to find and bring back Orochimaru."

"Team Seven?" Sasuke asked, the edge to his voice revealing the purpose of the question even before his eyes drifted to his brother.

Tsunade rolled her before she answered, "Yes, Team Seven as put together by the village. As in not including Itachi, brat. Now, would you like to hear the mission details or not?"

At the obedient silence she had thought this group incapable, her eyebrows raised in disbelief, shaking herself to continue and accept this olive branch from the rightfully rebellious team in her office. "So, we have finished our interrogation of the Akatsuki members and it was quite telling of their organization. There's not much loyalty to be found there, at least among the general members. Shikaku, give us a summary of the intel gathered."

A spiked ponytail jolted once in affirmation before its person began a concise summary of their fruitful extraction of information. "It did not take much persuading in the end for either to talk, which could be a sign that the organization lack comradery beyond some level of mutual gain, or could mean all the intel we gathered is being purposefully leaked, hard to say with this group. Deidara gave us a pretty lengthy, if not biased, description of the other members, I've compiled that in the mission details to burn after your review. Sasori gave us the time and place for a scheduled meeting with Orochimaru. It's our best bet to catch him, since not even the Akatsuki know where all his hideouts are located. That's the gist of it, everything else we got is in the file."

Team Seven accepted their mission details, Sakura clutching it tightly before Sasuke or Naruto could begin rifling through the meticulously detailed papers. The Hokage supressed an amused grin at the antics of the two boys who surely thought their pestering discreet. Clearing her throat, she caught their attention with a cocked eyebrow. "I expect you to leave tomorrow in order to make it to the rendevous point on time. Use some of your time to meet your temporary teammates and get familiar with each others' skill sets, I believe they will be very useful for the success of this mission."

Kakashi, ever the pragmatic captain, asked the question that stalked around the room, unacknowledged, but silently present for every shinobi's mission assignment. "Lady Tsunade, you said bring back Orochimaru, do you mean alive?"

Tsunade's face remained hard, like how she had been taught a Kage should act. However the act of Hokage had never suited her, she wondered if it ever suited anyone truly. To perform such violence and lack of humanity, a ruthless dictatorship of a military village, did any of them actually understand the life they would become consumed by when they signed their lives away at twelve years old? She let emotion bleed back into her face, displaying the weary concern she still held for her wayward and admittedly vile former comrade and friend.

"I'm saying that I want all of you to come back alive. He won't go quietly, so do what you must to make it back here, all of you. I would prefer to have him in this village alive for me to deal with afterwards, but I cannot let him continue the way he has been. It's time to put an end to his cruelty, one way or another. Whether he can be saved from himself or not isn't the priority. Understand?"

Kakashi wondered fleetingly why Jiraiya was not summoned to shoulder this task as well, but the answer arrived within the next breath, the same reason Tsunade herself could not accept such a mission, more than her bind as Hokage. The sannin shared a bond that made them a liability, to each other and to the mission, taking this burden would be announcing its failure from the start.

Team Seven each felt their own degree of gratitude toward the Hokage for her prioritization of their lives over success for the mission, some more than others, and affirmed their understanding. Tsunade bruskly waved them out of her office with the reminder to introduce themselves, though not in the presence of her or her ever growing mound of paperwork. None of them missed the bottle of sake that made its way into her tense hands immediately afterward, least of all Shizune, who could be heard scolding an irritated Hokage for her poor coping skills.

Shikaku gave a brief wish of good fortune for their task before heading further into the tower. Itachi elected to accompany them outside, he had learned on his first day to give the two women space after difficult conversations, Shizune had an odd mixture of strict correction and gentle comforting that worked well for the sannin turned Hokage, though she did not allow anyone else to witness her vulnerability. He placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, which relaxed minutely under his touch, those serious eyes still evaluating their new additions.

Kakashi suggested they moved their greetings and introductions to the famed training ground that brought Team Seven together, familiar ground for the three teens who appeared apprehensive and guarded now faced with the reality that they would be taking on this task with strangers. Once they arrived at the appointed location, Naruto recovered and plastered a bright grin on his face, despite the swirling nerves within himself. Clapping his hands, he extended his welcome to their squad, "So, we should probably introduce ourselves now, right? I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and this is Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi. They can tell you more about their skills, or we can show you, if you want. Oh! And this is Itachi, although he won't be coming with us this time, which totally sucks but he's needed here, ya know."

The dark-haired boy forced an inauthentic smile to his face, eyes closed as he responded, "Oh, I know who you are. You're the team that abandoned the village and did whatever you wanted for years until the Hokage had a team escort you back. Everyone knows who you are. Although, no one should be surprised, you live with a clan full of traitors."

"Sai-" the other man attempted to interrupt before the situation could escalate, worriedly looking between the two Uchiha whose clan had been accused, not catching the infuriated blond hurtling his fist toward the mouth that spoke those inflammatory words.

"Don't talk about my family like that!" Naruto cried as Kakashi held fast to his youngest, restraining him proving more diffcult as his emotions flared, the fox leaning into the righteous fury his host felt. "You can say whatever you want about me, but don't you dare say a word about them."

"Fine," Sai acquiesced in a bored tone, smile still held in place. "Although you don't need to hold back on my account. I can tell you're not packing anything major, you seems pretty weak and... small to me."

While Naruto processed these words and their implication, Sasuke let out a laugh bordering on deranged. All pretense fell from the other pale boy, observing the Uchiha with equal parts disdain and wariness. Sasuke allowed his laughter to simmer into his signature smug smirk, causing Itachi to shake his head at his little brother's antics. "You have no idea who you're talking about. Naruto is one of the strongest people in the village, if not the strongest, besides me."

"Oi!" Naruto objected at Sasuke's playful dig, their rivalry never diminishing through their years of friendship. Kakashi, Itachi, and Sakura leveled the Uchiha with a gaze grounded in offense, displeased with constantly being left out of the rankings during these conversations. They never quite faulted him, however, as they understood there was not much room left in the younger Uchiha's mind beyound training and Naruto, a detail they would use in the retributive teasing for these statements.

Sai continued to regard them unimpressed, "Hm, I still don't see it. What could this loser have possible done to rank so highly, Uchiha?"

The cool facade of indifference melted away at Sasuke's rage, burning anger rising at the insinuation his friend was a failure, weak. If Naruto was weak, what did that make Sasuke? Make any of them? "He killed Danzo and saved my clan from being annihilated," Sasuke sent an apologetic look to his friend as Naruto flinched from his bluntness, then turned back to the other, sharingan spinning and causing Sai to pale remarkably further. "Don't speak to me, to any of us, like you know anything about him or our team. You know nothing."

Sai wiped the sweat from his brow, caught between surprise and residual fear at the look in those eyes. He may have been taught disdain for the Uchiha clan, but he was also cautioned against their prowess and strength. Now he understood why, now he understood much more than he had been privy to prior to this meeting. "I see, then it seems I owe you my gratitude, Naruto. Perhaps we can be friends, I read that when making friends, people often give each other nicknames. Let's see, Naruto will be Dickless, Sasuke will be Freak-Eyes, and Sakura... you can be Ugly. They're fitting, don't you think?"

Everyone paused at the blatant insults, unsure how to proceed, except Sakura who smiled and approached him slowly. "Sai?"

"Yes, Ugly?"

"Shut the hell up!" She screamed as her rock solid fist connected to Sai's cheek and sent him flying across the training field and into the surrounding wooded area. Kakashi clapped lightly and Yamato regarded him with contempt, resolving to go assist their most difficult teammate back to their tense gathering. Yamato slumped as he saw all his hard preparation with the emotionally stunted boy become meaningless in a matter of minutes.

Sakura stalked back, visibly still upset despite receiving a decent amount of relief after sending the annoying addition flying. Kakashi placed a warm arm around her and she resolved to hold back the tears that threatened to form, not before Naruto sensed her distress and offered her some platitudes. "Don't be upset, Sakura. He's an idiot, you're like, the prettiest girl we know, believe it! And super strong, that was so satisifying to watch, I want to punch him next time, though."

"Let's wait to beat up our teammates until after the mission from now on, okay?" Kakashi chuckled at the dejected faces of his brood upon hearing this suggestion. "Though no one can blame you for setting him right, Sakura. Are you okay?"

"I just hate that I'm always reduced to my looks, not any of my skills or personality or anything else. It makes me feel like I'm just an accessory to this team, like I'm only here to fill the girl quota." She rested her head on her sensei's shoulder, glad to finally voice this frustration that had been building her whole life. Kunoichi were always underestimated, consistently used for their appearances and regularly underutilized in their squands. She had been lucky with her team, though these thoughts still surfaced from time to time.

Surprisingly, Sasuke cleared his throat and acknowledged her, albeit awkwardly, "Sakura, we would not be the team we are without you. You're more than our medic or our friend. We are a team of powerhouses, we're all working to be the strongest, and that includes you. You're not just our designated girl, you're an invaluable comrade and our family."

"Shut up, you're going to make me cry in front of that jackass," Sakura complained with mirth before smiling, honestly and full of appreciation. "Thank you, you guys are the best."

Yamato hauled a dazed Sai back to the group and Sakura reluctantly healed him to the point of being travel ready, promptly stomping her way to the Uchiha district. Kakashi patted his stressed once again teammate, leaving the controversial counterpart in his hands until their impending departure brought them back together at dawn. Sasuke sent a scathing look backwards at Sai, which Naruto matched, one arm hooked around Sasuke's neck and the other confronting Sai with his most offending finger extended. Itachi urged them back towards the district, hoping to avoid any further confrontations.

He could count his blessings for now, especially as their arrival met Iruka setting the table with an array of dishes prepared to send Kakashi and his kids off. A proper farewell dinner lifted the mood considerably, becoming lighter as they received visitors throughout the night wishing them well on their journey. Itachi felt full, despite the upcoming absence that was sure to leave him troubled until their safe return, the mission to Wave a looming presence in his mind, thought he focused on the quiet contentedness surrounded by warmth that had become a staple in his life. He was a blessed man certainly, when he could watch Sasuke's smile and appreciate the familial bonds once made foreign to him restored.

A trickle of guilt wound itself into his mind, partly due to the fact this felt significantly different that the bonds into which he had been born. While Sasuke would always be his lighthouse when sailing lost in the dark waters of his own thoughts and Itachi had always felt a unique and vital bond with his little brother, the family they had built for themselves felt infinitely more authentic than the blood that tied them to their parents. He had loved them, they would always be important to his person, he wept when they passed from this world, but they never inspired this sense of peace and contentment that their new eccentric melding had managed.

Another part garnered this reaction due to the unwavering belief that after all he had been prepared to exact on his clan, he surely did not deserve the calm delight of this clan of his, or rather Sasuke's and Naruto's, own creation. How could he ever merit their care and consideration when the hands they grab onto were once prepared to end his previous bonds, if it meant safety for the village. He could sacrifice everyone in the name of peace, all but Sasuke, and what kind of person deserves a second chance after such a cruel resignation?

Itachi was pulled from his musings by two fingers tapping harshly against his creased brow, a motion so familiar, but never on the receiving end. Sasuke stared with a mixture of annoyance and fondness, transferred quickly to the blond that flung a clump of rice into carefully primped hair. Itachi thought maybe family is never about what one deserves, but what you choose, every day, to create with others. His heart, once cold and distant, had already opened and vowed himself to this chaotic cohort to build between them a life and a better world. How could he do anything but choose them all in the end?

Silence was welcomed in the place of animosity, Kakashi and Yamato praying in tandem for the continuity of this stasis, proved futile with Sai's resumed pestering.

"I was raised in Danzo's organization, Root. Do you know what our graduation exam was supposed to be?"

Naruto could not contain his remark, resentful pout prominently displayed, "Be a total dick to everyone? News flash, the exam 's over so you can cut it out now."

Sai's laugh was as fake as his perpetual smile, "No, we were trained in two-man cells, from the beginning to the end. I was raised in Root, my teammate was like my brother, I had never knows anything but Shin and I together. Our graduation exam was to fight until one of us killed the other."

This had the younger members of stopping suddenly in the road, Sakura whispering her disbelief as Naruto stood mouth agape. Sasuke hissed out a sigh, "Sounds exactly like some shit Danzo would do."

Naruto hung his head, partially ashamed at his earlier words, "So, you passed, and your brother...?"

Sai turned fully to them, Yamato send a sad smile to Kakashi, the man fully aware of Sai's story as he had aided the young boy in attempting to integrate back into typical shinobi life after the Third placed him in charge of all the children manipulated by Danzo. A daunting task with which Sarutobi had not been prepared to assist, but Tsunade had given her aid after she accepted the position of Hokage. Kakashi had already been aware of his history, the main reason he had refrained from reacting poorly to the boy's deplorable social interaction with his pups so far.

"Well, that would have been our graduating exam, when Danzo decided we were ready for it. But your actions saved me from ever having to experience the worst of Root. Like I said, I owe you my gratitude. I'm... sorry for the way things started. How about we start over?"

"Eh, sure. No hard feelings, let's focus on the mission and kick some ass!" Naruto pumped a fist in the air, smile infectious within the group.

"Yamato told me that apologizing in the first step towards friendship. I would like for us to be friends, do you feel the apology was adequate?" Sai stared unfazed at the bewildered look on Naruto's face, unsure how to proceed with the confounding boy who fluctuated within a day from hostility to friendship.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Sasuke grumbled, pushing Naruto forward and silently beckoning them all to continue towards their target.

"I didn't mean I want to be friends with you, Uchiha. Just Naruto, and maybe Ugly over there."

Naruto laughed loudly to cover up Sakura's cursing, Kakashi and Sasuke now tasked with restraining her much to Yamato's disappointment. "Hey now, quit talking like that, I don't like you calling Sakura names, she doesn't like it and it's not what a friend would do. Also, Sasuke helped take out Danzo, so if you're grateful to me, you gotta be grateful to him, too. I really don't like anybody talking bad about my friends, and I definitely won't be friends with someone that treats them bad."

Sai studied the Uchiha with reservation and skepticism, but relented to Naruto's request, like so many tended to do. Sasuke hid his smug smile and settled for a light smack on the back of the blond head. "Quit being so humble, and you don't have to be friends with everyone, dobe. Like you said, let's focus on the mission first. We're not losing that snake again."

With those words they resumed their walk, pacing picking up in anticipation of the fight ahead. Like clockwork, challenges were cast and Naruto egged Sasuke into a race that caused the rest of their squad to sprint after them. Despite the irritation from their teammates at the extra exertion, they found themselves at a remote onsen and quickly forgot their exhaustion in the warm waters. A brief reprieve before their journey would lead them into conflict yet undetermined if they would prosper from their endeavors.

In hindsight, Naruto had come to realize that visiting an onsen, no matter how exceptional their purported healing and relaxing waters, was a miserable idea when attending with Sasuke while on an important, time sensitive mission. Made worse by the presence of Sai, who most likely would not have followed social conventions even if he understood them. He was certain everyone in that onsen had seen him failing in legendary porportions to avert his eyes from his friend's exposed figure, though it was Sai that decided to announce his oggling for everyone in the general area to overhear, including Sasuke's smug ears.

It was then he decided the two of them would be a nightmare if they ever overcame their intense distaste for the other. Sasuke casually, though not without hints of mischeviousness, requested Sai repeat his statement, as he had 'not quite heard it.' Naruto took it upon himself to immediately submerge Sasuke underwater to avoid any further discussion, swearing to never become Sai's friend if he did in fact repeat himself. The boy merely shrugged and left Naruto to his flustered state.

Shaking those thoughts from his head, Naruto refocused on the mission at hand, appreciating how accurate Yamato had developed his disguise as Sasori. The man was waiting for the planned meeting with the rogue sannin, as the others disguised themselves in the surrounding trees and underbrush. As he wondered if they had been deceived, a figure began to make his way onto the bridge, mirrored by a concealed Yamato.

They laid in wait with bated breath as Yamato engaged the new arrival, cloaked yet the familiar chakra causing Kurama to stir within him. Gripping his kunai tighter, Naruto observed as Yamato worked through his performance as the placid puppeteer, hinting at his growing irritation and desire to face Orochimaru without breaking character nor causing suspicion that would foil their ambush.

Soon, Naruto's breath caught as the sannin slunk out of the woods and onto the bridge, approaching his fellow Akatsuki member with a menace too sharp for an ally. Within the blink of an eye, the snake had shattered Yamato's disguise, causing the nin to retreat further from the awakened threat before him. Rage bubbled as Orochimaru taunted their new teammate, apparently a previous "experiment" of the callous man, and within an instant Naruto had abandoned his position to provide back up, heart warm as all his other teammates, even Sai, came to Yamato's defense.

"Ah, what a sweet surprise, a jinchuuriki and my prize at last returned to me. I have been waiting for you, Sasuke. Too long, but I knew you would seek me out eventually," the grin that cut the nearly inhuman face surged Naruto's fury accompanied by a sweeping nausea, the smile revealing the disgusting nature of the man poised to attack.

"We're here to stop you, believe it! Sasuke didn't come for you," Kurama's influence increased, animalistic attributes overtaking the sunshiny features of Naruto's whiskered face. The blond began drawing in nature energy, hoping to ground himself before their impending battle, not wanting to lose his control in such a critical moment.

A frown appeared before the smug air restored itself to the sannin. "It's inevitable, Sasuke will come to me of his own accord. Better to accept this fact now, Nine Tails. Though your obsession with this human is quite amusing."

Before Naruto could counter or react, Sasuke chuckled ruefully, exposing the should that had once bore Orochimaru's forced seal mark. The snake's eyes widened comically, outrage marring any calm facade once present. "Did you really think an Uzumaki seal master would not be able to undo that seal? You hold no influence over me, and I won't be manipulated into joining you. There's nothing useful you could offer me besides your capture."

Seething golden eyes turned its malice onto the mentioned Uzumaki nin, waves of malintent radiating over the group with his words. "How dare you? I marked that boy as mine!"

"Don't talk about Sasuke like you own him, especially in front of me, you sicko!" No amount of pleading or warning could force Naruto to heed them, charging forth to attack the disturbed sannin, all too happy to engage him. Kurama fought to redirect Naruto's emotions, but their hatred fused and overpowered any shreds of control left. Chakra burned and burst forth, tails whiping through the air and put the new additions to the mission on alert.

"Shit," Sasuke eloquently stated, sharingan flickering to life and analyzing the best moment to join Naruto in his assualt againt their enemy. Meanwhile, Kakashi urged Yamato and Sai to scout the surrounding area for any other pawns the sannin may have lurking while he and Sakura turned their attention to the exposed Kabuto, gleefully watching the battle.

Sasuke found his opening and clasped Naruto's shoulder as he passed him, breathing through the intense blazing crawling up his arm at the contact, now intent on capturing their target. The air in Naruto's lungs stuttered, collecting his swirling thoughts and emotions, channeling them from a wildfire into an intentional flame. As he solidified his will and centered himself, the chakra enveloping him changed in nature, oppressive heat simmering to a lifegiving warmth, golden hue radiating as if the sun had graced them to walk the earth.

Sasuke's eyes helplessly found the sight captivating, giving his enemy the chance to strike a definite blow, though his light deflected its landing with speed only the sharingan surely was capable of witnessing. "Keep your eyes on the fight, teme."

"Usuratonkachi, finally got your head in the game, huh?"

"Shut up and let's take this fucker down!" A sentiment that they could readily agree upon, the two attacked in tandem. The snake sannin had struggled with each individually, the power the new generation possessed was impressive and daunting at such a young age, but the two powerhouses fighting as if one being split in two saw his demise, elegant and swift.

Naruto sealed Orochimaru in a high-powered seal he had developed specifically for members of the Akatsuki, precautions and holdings weaved meticulously and layered to withstand the might of a tailed beast. His team thought it could be overkill, but Naruto had decided the best course was to be prepared beyond need instead of regretting his lackluster attempts later.

Kakashi and Saukra had similarly dealt with the rogue medic nin in record time, Sakura slightly envious that she had missed the more demanding fight, healing and replenishing her teammates' bodies and chakra, not escaping the encounter entirely unscathed.

Sai and Yamato rejoined them with their own capture, the shade of red sending Naruto's heart into a frenzy. He had never forgotten that shade, holding hope for the young girl he had seen with the sannin all those years ago during their unfortunate time in the chuunin exams, that he still had some family left in this world to share their grief and the mission of recovering their lost legacy. The girl, seemingly close to their age, wore terror on her face, glasses drawing attention to the wetness leaking down her cheeks as she beheld the destruction from the battle and the lack of her captor.

"Karin Uzumaki, right? That's your name?"

"Why do you wanna know, huh?" Defenses raised high and secretly praying to avoid her mother's demise, wrung of her chakra and life for this cursed ability from a dead clan. At least Orochimaru had mostly understood her limits, saw her as a novelty to also bleed dry but intent on restoring in order to extend her usefulness. She may have feared the pain and recovery, but she was always revived. Being alive must be worth something.

"Uh, well, my name's Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki. I've never met another person from my clan, so I just wanted to make sure you really were an Uzumaki, ya know?" He tried not to overwhelm her, but he knew hope was blooming on his face, uncontained and so fragile.

Surprise and skepticism, harsh evalution raking over him, unable to curb the squirming beneath Karin's calculating look. "You don't look like an Uzumaki," she jabbed, despite being aware of exactly who it was she addressed. Karin had been told the new container for the Nine-Tails was named Naruto Uzumaki, and only someone from their clan could successfully contain the chakra entity. There was no doubt in her mind this could very well be last of any family, no matter how distant, she had left.

Sasuke covered his mouth, stifling a laugh as the rest of their crew observed the interaction with a mix of humor and discomfort, the latter mainly from Yamato and Sai, as he huffed his irritated response. "Oi, just 'cause I look like my dad doesn't mean I'm any less Uzumaki than you! My mom grew up in Uzushio before she moved to Konoha, believe it!"

"Yeah, your hair begs to differ," she jabbed before sobering at the unknown future laid ahead of her. "So, what are you going to do with me now? Gonna force me to work for Konoha?"

Kakashi opted to interject at this point, sparing Naruto from any further floundering as the blond glanced back helplessly. Truthfully, Naruto had not considered how they would handle the addition of Karin, but had whispered quiet hopes and tentative imaginings of family to Sasuke during their side adventures, nervous to speak these newly born wishes too loud, lest his words spell the vague dream's condemnation.

"You're welcome to come with us, but we won't force you to do anything. I'm sure we'll find some room for you at the house, if you don't mind staying with Naruto's family that is."

"There's other Uzumaki there?" Karin had not considered the possibility of even more of their kin waiting within Konoha's walls. Kakashi winced slightly, regretful to raise her hopes for something nearly impossible at this point.

Naruto elected to steer the conversation, returning the role of relief to his embarrassed brother by choice. "No, uh, sorry about that. He meant us, well, Team Seven. Me, 'Kashi-nii, Sakura, and Sasuke, we're all family. And there's the other Uchiha, but that's kinda a long story, so don't worry about that for now. We'll get to know each other, ya know."

Karin examined the trio her kin had mentioned, regarding Sasuke with hungry eyes that Naruto immediately began to resent. "Oh, family, huh? Then is it weird if I try to get with your brother here?"

Naruto paled in absolute horror, turning lifeless eyes to his friend and hoped this obvious proposition would not entice any reaction from the Uchiha. Fate must have smiled upon him that day, for Sasuke stared back with thinly vieled repulsion. "I have a brother, and it's not him. My bond with Naruto is nothing like that. Besides, I'm not interested in you, Karin."

Recovering from her rejection quickly, she scanned over the other pale, dark-haired boy in the group, easily shifting her focus elsewhere. "Whatever, you aren't the only option," she quipped, Sai completely oblivious to her advances as she stalked closer to him.

Naruto muttered about his luck with finding family, though a part was still overjoyed at the discovery. Kakashi shook his head and beckoned them to gather themselves in preparation for their journey back through the forests to the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Karin resisted their attempts to persuade her, view resolutely trained on the distance, opposite their direction for departure.

After questioning her hesistancy, she relinquished a breath and the answer to her behavior. "One of Orochimaru's hideouts is back there, I have research and equipment. There's people..."

"We should go back, let the people Orochimaru trapped out. See if we can't find anything else useful against the Akatsuki," Sasuke spoke with a determination that left no space for argument, though there was none to be found within their core group. Yamato and Sai exchanged a brief look, silently agreeing to accompany the eccentric, headstrong crew on their voluntary quest, though not without reservation. They were still transporting one of the most notorious rogue shinobi in all the elemental nations after all, and following one of his former associates, coerced or not, back to one of his strongholds. Any experienced ninja would be highly cautious, if not immediately dismissive of the endeavor.

Naruto could admit, objectively, that releasing the people confined in the hideout, after systematically dealing with the remaining cronies, was the right course of action. What he would not state aloud was the mounting desperation that they had instead contacted Konoha to send another team to deal with the prisoners of the sannin's unethical experimentation. This mostly was due to the white-haired teen currently draped across Sasuke, sharp grin uncomfortable close to the oddly relaxed face of his best friend.

The snarky side glance Naruto sent the pair coupled with his rapidly developing jealousy and irritation bemused the rest of the party, particularly his newly recovered relative. She sidled up to him, speaking in hushed tones low enough to be undetectable to the two men currently walking somewhat separated from the main group, but easily overheard by the rest. "Oi, you're gonna start a fire with that glare. Just tell him your man is taken."

"You're right, I should- wait, what?!" Naruto caught himself, painfully reminded that he had no reason for this cloying sense of envy, that this day was bound to arrive, he had just anticipated more time before facing that grim reality where his love is officially deemed unrequited. He turned, peeved at the playfully smirking redhead at his side.

Naruto's face grew the shade Karin had wished to see earlier. Smirking, she riposted, "Oh, there's the red. Guess you are Uzumaki after all." She snickered at the scathing look shot her way.

"Shouldn't you at least wait a day before starting to make fun of me? We might be family, but you oughtta take it easy on me at first, ya know."

"Awh, but you make it so easy, feels natural, ya know?" Karin's grin caused Naruto to shrink back, grimacing at a future berated and teased relentlessly by yet another person. At least he presumed it was out of affection.

"I like her!" Sakura proclaimed with a giggle, skipping up to link arms with a shocked Karin, pulling her forward and seizing her chance to bond with another girl. She looked warmly at the other who seemed very much out of her element, if she had ever truly found hers before. "I'm glad there's another girl around finally. Naruto's pretty close sometimes, but he's still Naruto, you know what I mean?"

"Uh, no, I don't," Karin answered honestly, apprehension apparent.

"Eh, don't worry, you'll learn soon enough. Anyways, you're gonna stay with me when we get back. I mean usually we all kind of take over Sasuke's room eventually, but officially you can share my room!"

Karin let a breath escape her, then sucked in another one, pulling hope form the air and allowing it, finally, to fill her senses and soften her harsh nature born out of defense. Craning her head back, she watched her new, potentially only, family member being cajoled by his sensei and appointed older brother, while his too-obvious crush indulged that annoying, attention starved Suigetsu that had taken to him like a fish to water. She had no idea what Konoha or the future would hold for her, but for the first time, she felt a twinge of excitement at discovering what lay ahead.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Sasuke has always believed Naruto's baseline for strangeness unusually higher than most; whether a natural disposition or a by-product of the monstrous entity sealed within him, he could not be sure. However, Naruto's behavior since returning to the Hidden Leaf had taken on a heightened level of abnormality.

The Uchiha has begun to formulate a theory, one he is certain to be true at this point. While he might consider it testing his hypothesis, Sakura instead accused him of intentionally riling up their already boisterous blond. She is absolutely correct, once Sasuke came to realize the root of Naruto's increasingly irritable deportment was jealousy, he could not resist antagonizing the other. Two birds and one stone, after all.

Their dynamic had always held an element of heated exchange, though this subtle stoking of that flame pleased the, albeit subtly, equally mischevious Uchiha. He sometimes wondered if he truly was as demented as so many rumors accused of him due to his heritage, but the fumbling, red-faced reactions he gained from Naruto were deemed worth the risk of proving them right.

At the moment, he was sitting at Naruto's favorite restaurant, humoring one of their new additions and hoping the blond would come by after he and Karin finished training together. Between two Uzumaki's, there could be no resistance against the allure of ramen. Like clockwork, the two appeared in between the curtain sheltering the shop from the bustling streets, an illusion of privacy granted to the patrons. Naruto was already rushing to his appointed seat, currently preoccupied by an unaware Suigetsu and a smug Sasuke perched in anticipation on the seat beside him.

Time stood still while Naruto took in the scene, a crime in his eyes, that his best friend would take out the other boy, who had come to consume much more of Sasuke's attention than the average person after their return to the village, and for ramen no less. Naruto's mind, warped with envy, had drawn a thousand conclusions, all unknowingly incorrect and spurring him to react in ways that would settle into shame afterwards.

"Oi, bastard! What the hell are you doing here? How could you come get ramen without me?!"

A lifted brow helped hid the grin that threatened to reveal itself, Sasuke was almost certain his conclusion on their mutual feelings was correct, which only spurred him to further torture his friend in moments like this. "Should I only eat ramen with you, Naruto?"

Flailing arms gesticulated the frustration in Naruto's response, "You bet your ass you should only eat ramen with me! I don't even know why you're here with what's-his-name-"

"Hey, I'm right here!" Suigetsu frowned around a mouthful of food, prompting Karin to scold him for his bad manners and effectively distracting them both while Naruto continued his heated rant.

"Like, you've been spending so much time with him! What's that even about, huh?"

"Jealous?" Sasuke smirk could drive anyone insane, and Naruto lost any remaining composure and mentality.

"Me? No way, in your dreams, asshole!" Naruto's anger at the accusation quickly bled into insecurity, "I totally get that we're trying to be nice since we rescued them and they're staying with us and all, but you guys are always together now. It's like, did you really go and get a new best friend or something?" His head hung, face hidden behind his golden locks, a curtain pulled over the evidence of fear.

Sasuke sat for a moment, clearly caught off-guard at the depth of Naruto's uncertainty. "No, usuratonkachi, I did not get a new best friend." Sasuke tentively grabbed one of Naruto's wrists where his hands fisted at his side. "You should know by now you are irreplacable to me, where else could I find such a ridiculous idiot, huh?"

Sparkling eyes and a hopeful grin finally rose, before a low whistle and accompanying cackle from the two bystandards forgotten at their side. Naruto's face exploded that famous shade of red, Sasuke clearing his throat uncomfortably and the tanned hand was wrenched from his grasp.

"I'm not trying to steal your man," Suigetsu teased before grunting under the weight of Karin's fist. "Ow, fuck, Karin, quit that! Seriously though, Sasuke's a cool dude and I'd like to make some friends that I didn't meet in that creep's dungeon. What d'you say?" He extended his hand, which Naruto clasped with a beaming smile, internally ignoring how clammy the other's skin felt.

"Ah, the bastard can be a good guy when he wants. Besides, Karin and Sakura have already hit it off, we might as well add you to the group, too!" Sasuke would never cease to be amazed by Naruto's ability to rebound from any set backs and take new bonds in stride.

The four of them proceeded to eat lunch and resume training, trudging their way home after a long day. Stumbling through the door, they found Sakura and Itachi attempting to unwind after a long day assisting the Hokage, Sakura loudly complaining about the brutal shift in the hospital and Itachi chiming in about the overflow of paperwork.

Kakashi and Iruka were busy preparing dinner together, the former being accosted by the group of jonin that had invited themselves over, including the Uchiha clan head that nearly seemed to live there at this point. Sasuke plopped down next to his brother, Naruto taking up space in front of him, reclining against his leg. Suigetsu none too discreetly began making obscene gestures that no one but Naruto was able to ignore as he became engrossed in Sakura's retellings. Sasuke met Kakashi's gaze across the room and let a genuine smile cross his face; their house was full and it felt like home. The time when they had both struggled with the emptiness of Naruto's forced absence and their matched sense of loneliness felt so distant on nights like these.

Tsunade attempted to put on a neutral face, but everyone could feel the fury radiating off of her as she and Jiraiya observed their wayward teammate. The toad sage had return upon receiving word that his begrudgingly favorite group of shinobi had finally accomplished what he had attempted for so long. Deep down he knew it would never be him or Tsunade that finally wrangled the snake, their bonds would always impede their duty to some extent. Standing before Orochimaru now, however, had him relieved that their former friend could no longer wreak havoc as he had become prone to in every vile possibility.

"Can we hurry along with whatever pitiful excuse for an interrogation you have planned, I'm growing bored," the snake sage intoned, only ratcheting Tsunade anger higher. Jiraiya never expected to play the role of intermediary between the two, but many things had changed since their childhood.

"Listen, we can do this the hard way or you can cooperate and maybe the Hokage will show some mercy-"

Orochimaru scoffed, "Yet it is mercy that always spells this village's downfall. When will you imbeciles learn?"

His flippant disdain finally broke the last lock holding the tsunami of emotion threatening to decend from Tsunade's very being; however, it was not her brash cursing or animated expression of anger that poured into the room. More distrubing, it was the eerily calm quality of her voice and expression accompanied by suffocating waves of terror and malintent that froze her captive and companion alike.

"You want to dismiss my mercy so easily? Good, because you'll find I have none left for you. I am a healer, and by profession I am acquainted with righting the horrors a body can experience. Likewise, I know all the ways to make a body suffer. I will personally be handling your interrogation, however long that takes. Jiraiya, I want you to stand guard while I deal with this."

Jiraiya gave a stiff nod at the cold contempt, finally witnessing a spark of fear in the golden eyes he had thought to once know well. Perhaps he was wrong, he might still be restrained by their old bonds, but Tsunade seemed to be free enough from them now to carry out her duties firsthand. The door to the private holding cell deep underground clicked shut, not before he heard the echoing of Tsunade's knuckles cracking in anticipation of their coming activities.

He was a lethal ninja, a sannin; it was not as if he had not carried out similar tasks himself while hunting for information across the shinobi nations. However, this time, it took more effort to remain impassive while barely muffled sounds eminated from the room behind his back. He had never had such issue blocking out the screams before.

"Kit," annoyed frustration leak out with the endearment.

Naruto paused his lengthy ramble, pinched brows now turned to the fox whose many tails whipped about behind the steel bars. He had been furiously recounting the events from earlier that day and had just moved onto dissecting the whirlpool of thoughts always lingering in the back of his mind about his favorite, most infuriating person. Apparently, Kurama was done with his raging lamentations and inquisitions to Sasuke's motivations.

"If you spent less time thinking about if your Uchiha feels the same as you and just asked him, we could move on to more important matters."

Naruto refused to accept the term Kurama had dubbed the sounds that escaped him every time the phrase 'your Uchiha' was uttered as a squawk, surely there had to be a more dignified term for it somewhere. "Why do you- ugh! He's not mine, I mean, not that I wouldn't want- ahh, you've messed up my thoughts!"

"Not hard to do, not much to mess up," Kurama chuckled are the pitiful display of rage tossed at him. There had been far worse sent his way over the centuries, Naruto's indignant flusterings were mild entertainment, alas he indeed did have more pressing matters to discuss. "You can return to your musings about your Uchiha later, I have a proposition."

Choosing to ignore the teasing for now, Naruto frowned before shuffling forward and resting against one of the tails poking through the cage in his mind. "What d'you have in mind?"

"We have been focusing on preparing your body to accept more of my chakra, to keep it from burning your pathways and building your ability to weild it, yes?" At Naruto's confirming nod, Kurama exhaled, "I believe you to be ready to attempt taking on all my chakra."

Kurama thought he looked like a daisy sprouting from the ground in a rush of spring with the way Naruto shot from the ground. "Do you mean it's time to take the seal off?!"

The fox snorted, kits were marked by overeagerness, yet another quality that endeared him to that strange little human that had somehow befriended a demon. "Do not get ahead of yourself, brat. Once the seal is gone, you'll have access to my chakra with no restraint. Let's see if you can handle it first, shall we?"

There was no mistaking the relunctance at the suggestion, but Kurama must have seen potential in his progress and Naruto clung to this hidden praise and comforting concern. "Believe it! I can handle it, then we'll take that seal off and you'll be able to stretch those old bones of yours."

Mock growls radiated through the shared mindscape as Naruto laughed at the facade of offence being drawn up by a centuries old entity. Kurama could not hide the humor from his wild eyes, rolling them once the boy found his way back to their original conversation. He could not be sure Naruto would parse out the mutual feelings between him and the Uchiha, but he was sure Sasuke had it figured out at this point. At least they were an entertaining pair, who would have thought he would actually be rooting for an Uchiha? Naruto's particular brand of friendship was quite powerful in itself, even if he did not fully realize the strength in that.

The sun was a distant memory to the sky, still hours from being remembered, when Kakashi's senses snapped to wakeful attention. Mask firmly in place and kunai bared to the presence outside his window, the ANBU operative slipped inside and right under the grey-haired ninja's blade. The familiar mask did not convince the paranoid man from lowering his defences, hand steady and sharply pressing underneath the mask into a sliver of exposed neck. "There's only one person allowed in my room this late, and he's already here. I'll need a good reason to keep a weapon from its job."

"The Hokage sent me, Lady Tsunade requests your presence, and the rest of Team Seven, at the tower as quickly as possible. My apologies, captain," the ninja's painted mask shifted ever so slightly, giving away his gaze drifting over Hatake's shoulder to the bed where Iruka laid tense with his own kunai in hand. Then corrected, "To you both."

"Get out," was hissed sharper that any blade weilded in the room. The ANBU member nodded slightly and disappeared back into the night, leaving a frustrated Kakashi to trudge back and fall into bed with all the drama of a civilian performer.

"Is it too late to choose another profession, maybe one where the Hokage can't summon me in the dead of night for a meeting? Being a baker doesn't sound too bad."

Iruka chuckled, "I would have thought you'd go for something like dog breeding, but I don't think you'll be getting out of having to wake up the kids and get them to the tower, profession change pending or not."

The muffled groan only widened the grin on Iruka's face, prompting him to slide over Kakashi and pin one of the most dangerous nin in the elemental nations beneath him. The trust between them was strong enough to have Kakashi relaxing beneath him after initially tensing, becoming pliant as Iruka's body heat warmed him. "You're being mean, you can't remind me of my duties and then tease me like this."

"Oh, you want me to stop then?" Iruka blushed as he settled more firmly on top of the other, hands snaking underneath the toned body below him and gripping onto strong shoulders. Both struggled in some regard with intimacy, easing their fears but not their nerves. "If you hurry up, you can be back and we can... finish this?"

A suffering breath escaped Kakashi's recently clothed mouth, "The Hokage doesn't summon people for a casual update at this hour. It's a mission, and time sensitive at that." He turned to lock dark, steely grey with worried brown, eyes crinkling in mischief and reassurance. "Which means I had better find you still in my bed when I return, sensei. I want to see you before I leave."

Concern softened into something fond, the man beneath him was powerful and he would return like he always did. "Then you'd better get to work making sure your kids don't hold you up, I still have to make it to the academy on time."

Iruka worked with dozen of children, yet he had not witnessed this level of energy since Naruto had attended the academy. "You stay put, maybe lose some clothes, and I'll be back before dawn," Kakashi promised before he planted a light kiss on sleep-ruffled hair and dashed out of the room to presumably begin rounding up his brood. Anyone condemning the man as lazy clearly had not found the correct motivation, Iruka mused as he settled back into the still warm sheets.

As Tsunade concluded her summary of the information extracted from Orochimaru, she resolutely ignored Jiraiya's weighty gaze. There would be another time and place to parse through the disturbing task of interrogating their former friend, preferrably with plenty of sake available. The temptation to harshly remind him that she was not fragile enough to break mid mission assignment was only barely restrained.

"Based on the information gathered from Orochimaru and what we already know of the Akatsuki, I'm assigning four teams to handle our top priorities at the moment. Shisui and Itachi, while you both have duties in the village, it is imperative to have a strong Sharingan weilder on each team that can use and combat the Mangekyō."

At their solem acceptance, she continued, "The first team is led by Yamato with Shisui, Sai, and Shizune, who will be spying on the alledged Akatsuki hideout in Kuni. Do not engage, only confirm if the hideout is currently in use and monitor its current occupants if so. Team Itachi will be Anko, Neji, and Tenten. Your objective is to clear out Orochimaru's Southern hideout of any enemy nin and confiscate any information there. You will also provide back-up to Team Yamato should they be discovered and need to be extracted.

Shikamaru will be team captain for Sasuke, Suigetsu, and Sakura. You will be taking care of the Northern hideout, retreiving any information and neutralizing any of Orochimaru's associates. Team Kakashi, with Guy, Lee, and Karin, will clear the Eastern hideout in the same manner. Does everyone understand?"

Each team nodded quickly, and she tracked how Team Seven's eyes found Naruto, who looked slightly confused. "As for you, Naruto-"

"Erm, not to be rude, Granny, but I kind of had a suggestion before you assign me anything."

Tsunade pinched her brow and willed her mounting irritation to simmer to an acceptable level before addressing the current cause of her ire, "What is it, brat?"

To his credit, Naruto seemed completely unfazed and oblivious to his social faux pas, "Well, I don't think I should join any of the teams on the mission." This had more than a few eyes widening, everyone present had assumed he would shoulder his way into being assigned to the mission. "I've been talking with, eh, one of my senseis, and he said I should be ready to try that thing we've been working on."

Tsunade's tune had changed, she wished for sake in which to drown herself that instant. "Alright, everyone but Team Seven is dismissed, be ready to leave in three hours." After the room significantly cleared, she turned her gaze back to Naruto, "Now, tell me what the hell you are on about."

Blowing a frustrated breath that had a vein on Tsunade's forehead ticking like a clock, Naruto spoke quickly. "You see, Kurama said that I'm finally ready to try taking on more of his chakra, like all of it. But I need to be somewhere that I can concentrate and that the Nine-Tails chakra won't freak everyone out. So, we're gonna go the the Land of the Foxes and train until I get it, believe it!"

Jiraiya interjected at that, opposition and concern evident, "What, so the fox can get you to take off the seal with no one else around? No way, kid."

The insinuation struck a chord, angry in nature, "Yeah, I am going to train so that I can take the seal off. Don't talk about Kurama like you know him, I know that he's doing this to help me. Besides, I'm asking to be nice, not because you have any say in this."

Tsunade waved Jiraiya's impending retort away, "Fine. Jiraiya, give him the key Lord Fourth gave you to Naruto's seal. Brat, you had better be right about this, and I'd better see some results by the time you come back, got it?"

Naruto beamed at her challenge, promising to impress with his new skills upon his return. Team Seven was ushered out with uncharacteristic urgency from their captain, a bemused Tsunade could only guess the cause of his motivation based on the rattled ANBU that reported back earlier.

Jiraiya none too subtly moved to lean against her desk, arms crossed and expression to match. "What are you thinking? I don't care if Naruto says they're friends now, foxes are tricksters. This can only end badly. Tell him to stay put in the village like you had planned."

Tsunade shoved off her desk and turned intimidatingly, aura threatening from her falsely relaxed posture still seated. "Are you doubting your Hokage?"

Relenting, he always did lose his resolve around her. "Fine, I really hope I won't have to say I told you so. Anyway, since you're sending all the kids off to deal with the locations you got from Orochimaru, what do you want me to do, Lady Hokage?"

A roll of eyes and an irritated smile at the title, she turned her gaze more serious before detailing his objective. "Apparently, the Akatsuki's supposed leader is based out of Ame. You're... familiar with that area. Go and gather intel, I want to know who this leader is and what is going on there. Do not engage, information first."

"I wouldn't dream of engaging anybody but you, princess," he quipped with his signature cheeky grin.

"I'll consider it once I stop hearing about you harassing the women at the bathhouse. Now get out and come back with my intel," she turned back to her piling paperwork dreading the long day ahead of her and the worry she would carry until every shinobi she had sent into danger came back. Hopefully, they would come back.

"As you wish," and too quickly, she was alone again.

Every time Sasuke wore down the path with another set of practiced steps to look out over the seeming tranquility of these waters, a barrage of emotions greeted him, swirling and confusing in their variety. How many times had his younger feet carried him here, tears barely contained, as he desperately tried to prove himself worthy, to grasp any sort of accomplishment to earn the love he had not known was already there, even if it was rarely spoken?

His sandals were quickly discarded and his toes gently broke the calm of the water, slowly dragging to create rippling waves. Somehow he always managed, despite his stoic and reserved demeanor around most, to leave chaos in his wake. Well, he supposed he had help in that regard, the accomplices in question currently thumping their way down the dock to rest beside him.

"You left in a hurry," Sakura commented as she stretched her body much like a cat and began to trace intricate patterns in the lake with slender, skilled fingers capable of both healing and destroying.

"Hn, like anyone would want to stick around while they know Kakashi's in there saying 'goodbye' to our old academy teacher," his retort was punctuated by a kick, further disturbing the water and his friends' faces. Seems they had all elected to head out earlier than necessary to avoid any possible mishaps.

"Yeah, even Suigetsu and Karin were trying to get out of there as fast as they could," Naruto shivered.

Sakura, ever the mediator in their conversations, switched topics, sparing them all. "I still can't believe you're not coming with us, we haven't been apart since my apprenticeship with Lady Tsunade."

Sasuke was forced to admit that any mission, even one where he knew real benefit would come from their efforts, felt lackluster without Naruto by his side. The blond huffed out a breath, bittersweet smile weighing down his bright features. "Yeah, I'm kinda bummed about it. But it's time I figured out how to use Kurama's chakra all the way. Otherwise you guys are going to leave me behind, and there's no way I'm gonna be the weakest member of out team, believe it!"

"Oh yeah? Are you saying one of us is going to end up being the weak one, Naruto?" Sakura sat up and cracked her knuckles ominously, daring anyone to label her as weak. Naruto gulped and Sasuke smirked at his predicament before saving him from Sakura's wrath.

"As if, Kakashi's getting old, he's already the weakest member of the team." While it was partially a joke, they all knew that the time when they would surpass their teacher and guardian was close, if they had not reached that milestone already.

"Good answer," Sakura retorted. "Anyways, I'm gonna go see Ino before we head out, I'll meet you at the front gate. And Naruto, be good while we're gone and don't slack off on your training." Sasuke rolled his eyes at Sakura's tough love mothering act that she had perfected over the years, taking up the unoffered role of older sister despite them all being the same age.

"'Kay mom, say hi to your girlfriend for me!" Naruto shouted after Sakura had already started to climb the hill, assuming she was far enough away to guarantee his safety. Unfortunately for him, Sakura blurred as she made her way back down the dock with speed that rivaled Rock Lee's and none too gently shoved the blond into the lake before storming off again, face flushed but not from her physical exertion.

Sopping wet, a grumbling Naruto flopped back onto the dock, shedding out of his jacket and mesh shirt to lay exposed beside the now flustered Uchiha. For all the teasing and tormenting Sasuke had started with his realization of their unspoken mutual feelings, Naruto unknowingly tortured him with his obliviousness in moments like these. Silence stretched between them until Naruto whispered to him, a chill running up his spine. "I don't want to stay behind, I hate it when we're not together. But I gotta keep my promise, ya know?"

"Promise?"

Naruto's determined eyes, the color of open skies, bore into him. He knew the referenced promise, but relished hearing it repeated, their shared future. "Bastard, we're gonna get strong, so strong that no one can stop us. Don't tell me you've forgotten about our plans!"

"Of course I haven't, usuratonkachi. Once we deal with the Akatsuki, we can do what we want," Dark eyes stared back, trying and failing to hide the worry behind them: that after being back for so long, Naruto may want to stay in this place, that they may want different paths at the end of this. He whispered into the morning air, "What do you want in the end, Naruto?"

Eyes comically wide, if it were not for the seriousness surround their conversation, and slowly closed as a soft smile, a true smile, painted his serene face. "I always knew you were the idiot out of the two of us, despite all your genius-ness. You should've known by now, I just want to be with you, Sasuke."

Breathing, he needed to remember that basic function before he suffocated beneath the shock and happiness of that open confession. While Naruto may not know how much those words revealed, it settled something in him that he had been believing but not entirely certain was true. They had time to define these feelings further, but this was enough for now. More than enough.

"Of course I know that, idiot. We will be together always. I meant, what we talked about before, about starting over somewhere, do you still want that?"

Sasuke did not expect to be met with such anger. "I said I'm down for your plan, and I don't go back on my word. Geez, who the hell do you think I am?"

"Don't get so upset, I just wanted to make sure. You forgive too easily, I thought maybe you would want to stay here, even after everything."

"Well, it's not like I hate everyone, ya know, and I will miss our classmates. But I think it'll be nice to have a fresh start. Being out of the village doing our own thing was the best."

"Well, you better hurry up and master Kurama's chakra so we can get started already."

They continued their happy bickering and taunting until the sun had risen too high, signalling Sasuke's fast approaching departure. As he made his way reluctantly to the front gates, Naruto drug his feet beside him, dejectedly kicking a rock down the road. Emboldened by Naruto's earlier words, Sasuke reached out tentatively to twine their fingers together.

Naruto looked shocked before his grip tightened, an indiscernable look passing over his face before he inched closer to lay golden locks on Sasuke's trembling shoulder. The touch both grounded him and had him soaring above the clouds as if his summons had carried him away. One day soon, once they had left this village behind, he would confront the idiot on his shoulder and finally receive an answer for these feelings. For now, he would take this offering and hold it close, a consolation during their separation.

Naruto almost wished he had begged to go on the mission after watching the hilarious dynamic that was Karin, Lee, and Guy-sensei. While his preference would have been partnering with his long-time teammates, witnessing the boudless energy of youth slowly drive Karin mad would have been his runner-up team of choice.

For all her bellowing and attempted beatings, the two look-alikes took this in stride and believed this to be Karin's method of training during missions. He wondered whether those two would come back unscathed or if Karin would change her mind and abandon the Leaf after constant exposure to their most eccentric duo.

Eventually, the perpetually tardy Kakashi sauntered up to the gates, his pleased look too revealing of the reason for his late arrival. Karin, having been worn down by the early hour and energetic companions, barked at the unflappable nin, "You bastard! You better have a good excuse for being so damn late, and can you do something about those two?!"

Kakashi followed her accusing finger to the confused pair now racing to complete a thousand push-ups before their departure. "Sorry, I had some business to attend to before we left, but glad you've met the rest of the team. Ready to go?"

"Yeah, I'm sure Iruka appreciated your 'attending,' Kashi-nii," Naruto deadpanned. "Now I can finally get going since you decided to show up."

Eyebrow raised, "I'm sure you could have left before I got here."

"Well yeah, I could have. But then I wouldn't get to say goobye! I don't know how long anyone will be gone, so I just wanted to make sure I saw you before you left. But if you don't care then-"

It was not too often Kakashi showed physical affection beyond a gentle hand one their shoulders or a ruffling of hair, but Naruto cherished everytime that cool nonchalance was abandoned and his brother let himself hold tight to those he loved. He burrowed a bit deeper into the hug as Kakashi confessed, "Thank you for waiting for me. I'll see you again in no time, so do well with your training, okay?"

Naruto stepped back, roughly rubbing an arm over his eyes, grin scrubbed into place. "Of course, don't be too slow getting back, old man!"

Karin gave him a quick punch and an even quicker hug, bidding her cousin goodbye amongst the shouts and proclamations of Lee and Guy that they would return soon and banishing any worries left in Naruto's mind. His people were strong, and they had good shinobi at their sides.

He slowly made his way back to the Uchiha district and retreated behind the wards of their home. Stilling his body and mind, he focused on following Kurama's directions for the reverse summoning technique that would lead him to the place where the fox summons lived, the place he would stay until his goal was accomplished, hopefully soon.

Chakra twisted and unfurled, energy rushing through him at lightspeed. Without his sight, he could feel the change in chakra, the surge of power around him. Perhaps not more than his natural surroundings, but the type of chakra seemed more mystical, told of the change of place. The air felt alive and mischevious, a grin overtaking his face at the kindred spirits he sensed here.

Kurama chuckled at his reaction, Naruto carefully sniffing the warm air and feeling the dense breeze on his face, still sitting in his original posture. "Enough dawdling, kit. Open your eyes already."

Blinking through the light, he found himself in a small clearing amidst thick forest, colorful flora found over every visible inch and shadows cloaking what laid beyond this small reprieve from vegetation. More pressing, however, he found himself surrounded by foxes of all sizes, with various colors and numbers of tails. As mixed as their appearances, their reactions were as varied, ranging from intrigue to outrage.

One follower of the latter stepped forward, snout curled in irritation before growling out his interrogation of Naruto's presence, "Who allowed you to come to our homeland, human?"

Naruto frowned at the hostile reception, but before he could open his mouth, Kurama's vestige appeared by his side, silence echoing through the woods. Naruto smirked at the now humbled fox, now aware of how exactly a human had made their way into their lands.

"This is my jinchūriki, the kit and I need a place for him to train. Will that be an issue?"

All the foxes lowered themselves and offered their assistance, acquiescing to every demand made by the infamous Nine-Tailed Fox. Naruto watched in amazement as Kurama's chakra apparition disappeared and the horde of foxes led him deeper into their territory and underground to a very comfortable looking den where he would be staying. They brought heaps of blankets and pillows, along with all the supplies Kurama had requested, and left Naruto to settle and begin his training. Whoever said being a vessel for a chakra demon had no upsides?

Eventually, he would need to replace all the belongings he had thoroughly destroyed in an unsightly fit of rage, but that would have to come after salvaging his plans. Orochimaru was an unfortunate pawn to lose, and right after the Leaf had captured both Deidara and Sasori with no jinchūriki to show for it. For all his planning and searching, every single one of those vessels had slipped through his grasp, much like his remaining sanity.

Leaning over a mess of maps and plans, room barely lit enough to see, one blood red eye scanned over the materials, searching for the piece of the puzzle he needed to set his grand vision into motion. If only he could start collecting those beasts, he would be well on his way to fulfilling that dream.

Before he could curse his circumstances further, an unnatural presence sprouted from the floor. "Report," his demand made no impact on the grinning face behind him.

"Oh, you will like this. The Leaf has sent out teams to search through the remaining bases Orochimaru held and leads on our movements."

Flipping the table, while dramatic, did not require much exertion, the heavy breathing stemming from the sheer anger coursing through his body with renewed speed. "Why the hell would I like that? How does that help us?"

"Because," his irritation sing-songed, "It leaves the village without the sannin Jiraiya, Itachi, Kakashi, the Head of the Uchiha, the wood style user, and all of Kakashi's team, except for our target."

Ignoring the rage that bubbled up at the mention of his once teammate's name, he smirked behind the swirled mask. "They've left the village and their jinchūriki vulnerable." The realization settled into a plan, one that would surely right the course of events. He would take advantage of the Hokage's gamble that nothing would befall the village before her strongest shinobi could return.

Tomoe swirling into a lethal pattern, Obito began bending the space in front of him. "Come, it's time to pay a visit to our esteemed leader. I am sure he would not mind a trip to the Hidden Leaf." That village may have put up a fight with all its assets present, but he would revel in watching it fall apart quickly. Even more, to watch Kakashi return to nothing but devastation and yet another loss after he finally captured the Nine-Tails.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Stretching muscles and wearily blinking the sleep from his eyes, Naruto turned to bury deeper into the comforting warmth that mimicked waking up surrounded by his brother's pack of dutiful hounds, who were particularly devoted to nesting with their summoner's young team members when time allowed. However, the fur that tickled his nose was different, and the smells around him were somehow wilder in nature. Naruto was unsure if time passed the same in the realm of the foxes, but he had been training with Kurama for a couple of weeks and his body remembered every session, aches persisting despite his quick healing. His eyes shuttering and the soothing of collective breaths in the nest of foxes threatened to lull him back to deep sleep, but his sealed companion refused to let him rest any longer.
"Get up, brat. We have more work to do if you want to master my chakra."
Groaning, Naruto stumbled out of the den and into the humid forest clearing they had taken to using for training. He may be compatible with using Kurama's chakra, but the pair wanted to achieve complete integration and Naruto's mastery over wielding such power. The fox estimated a few more days and they would reach this goal, the jinchūriki only needing more fine tuning for the techniques and grounding his own emotions when utilizing the power. Naruto had not realized how deeply he had buried his seeds of anger and resentment, how the roots stretched almost endlessly within him, nor how difficult a task it would be to free himself of their entanglements. He had struggled with this in the past, all of the pain and isolation of his youth had taken their toll still. It was one of the hurdles that held him back from using Kurama's full strength, along with his body's need to adjust to the burden of said power. Here, alone with his bijū, Naruto had to face all his demons, including the grumpy chakra construct that proved less than helpful in reigning in his rage. Though, that was a battle Naruto had learned he would need to fight for himself. Despite the weight of that task, he had enjoyed his time in the land of the foxes. While he missed his team, the journey had reminded him of his time with the toads, and brought back the fondness of training with Jiraiya, taking time to himself outside of his little family. Besides, this only meant he could return with new tricks to use when sparring with a certain rival of a best friend. "Oi, Kurama, how surprised do you think Sasuke will be when he sees the ultimate Nine-Tails mode, huh?" his smugness at the thought of besting the Uchiha soured into embarrassment at the mocking laughter inside his mind. "If you could focus half the energy you spend thinking about your boyfriend into your training, you might be Hokage by now," this retort left Naruto stumbling over his words and cheeks heating up by the second. "Bastard old fox! I've told you a million times, he is not-"
"Hmph, continue thinking like that, but why don't you warm up during your little denials so we can start soon?"
"The toads never mocked me like this, no wonder my training with them went faster," he muttered as he began going through his stretches. In the periphery, he could sense a few of the foxes had already started to gather on the edges of the clearing to bear witness to their training. Their routine audience appeared each day, some foxes cycling through occasionally and others devoting every possible minute to their observation, watching in awe of the displays of Kurama's power. Naruto's ego inflated with their praise of his skillful handling of such might, also earning him an official contract with the foxes. Kurama scolded him every day to ensure he was humbled back into reality."You and I both know that is not true. Now, go lower and prepare for the session properly, or you will get hurt and I will have to heal you again," was the immediate reply that only betrayed how attentive his partner was to their training. Naruto quirked his lips at the poorly concealed mothering to which the fox had taken over the years, stemming from his constant company through every misery and joy. The toads had their own brand of tough love, but Naruto had enjoyed every second of their training, as insolent as he pretended to be at times. Unfortunately, his summons were not fond of each other; the toads vowed to never set foot in this territory again after Naruto's failed attempt at gathering them for a joint training session. Which is why the appearance of Shima was both unexpected and worrisome, a deep pit starting to form in his gut while he desperately hoped this would only be some casual visit. "Granny Sage, didn't think I'd see you here, you came to join in on the training?"Her eyes held a deep sadness that Naruto had seen too many times, and it terrified him. "Boy, we don't have much time. Jiraiya boy was on a mission and it... it failed. I took him and Pa back to Mount Myōboku, but they won't be any help to us now. We must go, quickly." That sinking feeling swirled until it was filled with rage. "Are they going to make it? Who could take down the Pervy Sage like that?""I'm not sure, but Jiraiya sent me to get you. It was the Akatsuki, boy, and they're headed for the village."After a long journey and the longer task of clearing out the Northern base, Sasuke's temporary team settled down to rest a short distance from the once hideout. Shikamaru's deep breaths came quickly after his threat to disembowel anyone that attempted to wake him unless they found themselves under attack. Even then, the look in his eyes told them they should endeavor to solve any issues that arise before disturbing his rest. In an effort to avoid Suigetsu losing his life due to his habit of annoying their team leader, Sakura had taken him to a nearby stream to fish for their dinner. Sasuke was grateful, this left him with a slumbering Shikamaru and an equally silent new recruit. Jūgo had pleaded to remain with them, devoted to the idea that his sanity relied on Sasuke's ability to keep his more unstable aspects dormant. Sorting through the demented research in the various laboratories found in the byzantine tunnels had eaten away more time than the initial scouting and neutralizing of Orochimaru's remaining minions. They had found Jūgo after releasing the rest of the prisoners that had fallen prey to the sannin's human experimentation. Sakura had led them through checking over each person and confirming they were healthy enough to leave and begin rebuilding their lives. Some were not so lucky, but were taken by their comrades so they too could leave that cursed place. Only Jūgo lacked any confidence or company in order to leave. The man had remained rather silent after he had attacked them and Sasuke subsequently subdued him, only pleading to stay with them. He followed like a ghost to assist in collecting all the information to be found, sealed away to take back to the Hokage. Which provided a slight shock when his low, soft voice finally called out to Sasuke as they both reclined by the fire, Shikamaru curled up a few feet away. "Sasuke, do you think that your village will allow me to stay there?"Keeping his own thoughts on the village and the hope of one day leaving to himself, he answered as honestly as possible, "If you truly believe that the sharingan will help you, it would be best for you to stay with my clan. I believe the Hokage will see that as well, so you should be able to stay with us. Besides, she may know a way to help you control your urges." Jūgo's eyes widened at the possibility of becoming free of this curse, tempted to ask more about the village and how they could possibly help him, but was interrupted at the arrival of a crow, diving quickly towards them. Sasuke readied his arm as a perch for the bird, who landed and began pulling at his hair to display its urgency. A deft hand untied the small scroll while his stomach squirmed with tension. His brother's typically careful, neat handwriting was now rushed and cramped, quickly conveying how dire their situation had turned. Sasuke lept to his feet, the crow already leaving them behind. Hauling an irritated Shikamaru to his feet, still weighed down by sleep, Sasuke turned to sprint full speed towards the river to collect their other teammates.Shikamaru fell into step, Jūgo just behind them. "You better have a good excuse for waking me up like that," Skiamaru griped, but the focused glint to his eyes revealed his trust and his nerves at the abrupt change in atmosphere. Sasuke's eyes never left the path ahead of them, though the rage and worry echoing in his veins must have shown itself on every inch of his body. "The village is under attack, and Itachi's and Shisui's teams have been held up. The Akatsuki have made their move, and they are after Naruto."This desolate place, rubble scattered on the periphery, their stage barren except for the culprit of this destruction and a weary team accompanying and equally exhausted Hokage, could not be the village Naruto remembered. But not far away he felt Karin's familial chakra, chaotically friendly, so different and yet akin to his own. On the very edge of his awareness, he felt two signatures traveling at breakneck speed towards the village, one bold and firm, the other like a twin to his own soul. At least they were safe, motivating him to finish this fight before their arrival. He could feel Tsunade's shock, both at his arrival and the shimmering chakra consuming him as a testament to his efforts. But there was something nagging at him, clawing the fear into him as he hoped he was wrong. "Granny, where is 'Kashi-nii? I can feel the rest of his team." Her silence was the answer he had wished were not true, but this was not his time to grieve. He was created to be this village's weapon, its greatest defense, and he had a job to do. He longed to be free of this role, of this objectification of his existence, but today was not that day. "Right, you go rest, I'll finish this in no time, believe it."Itachi panted around his gratefulness for their decision to reconvene with Shisui's group before returning to the village. Obito was keeping them occupied with his gathering of Akatsuki members, and unfortunately the eight of them were having quite some trouble with the three opponents. "It shouldn't be fair that two of them are practically immortal," Shisui muttered as he flickered across the battle field. Itachi figured if he still had energy to complain, it couldn't be too terrible. Obito trained his organization well, they were more than prepared to fight against the Sharingan, and Itachi was beginning to believe that this man was the most annoying person he had ever met.He barely had time to warn his brother of their situation, he hoped that the village was fairing better than Obito had alluded, but the sinking feeling every time a taunt came at him forced him to accept that the village may be significantly damaged when they returned. For now, he needed to focus on this fight, their team had already taken significant damage and one of their opponents had unleashed a series of elemental monsters to divide their attentions further. Before he could make his next move, an odd creature, somewhere between person and plant, emerged from the ground, quietly relaying information to Obito with a gruesome grin on his faced, soon transferred to its partner. Obito found his eyes, vicious glee lighting up his face. "Well well well, it seems your little brother is headed straight for that damned village. Hope you said your goodbyes, Pain won't be merciful to anyone who tries to stop him from taking the Nine-Tails. And we both know Sasuke can't sit back when it comes to him."Oh, Itachi knew that very well, and that is what made this threat all the more real. Sasuke had true talent, and a fierce determination to protect those he loved, and that could be his downfall, much like many of his ancestors fell to that curse of love that ran in their bloodline. He knew his little brother would not hesitate, perhaps not even fully realize he would give his life so readily for his precious people, and most of all for Naruto. It was time they wrapped this up, it was an older brother's duty to ensure his brother was safe, no matter how old or capable he was now. "Pain is right," Naruto thought as he increased his speed yet again, skidding over the landscape searching for an opening. "Each one of these guys has been a huge fucking pain.""Keep focused on the fight and stabilizing our chakra, kit. You can complain later." They both knew that complaining would not be the main event after this fight. That adamantly ignored grief swelled steadily in his chest, waiting for the reprieve needed to pour over and consume him.

"Focus."

Faster, sharper, more precise; the openings glared until he could reach the level needed to end his opponent. Sweat trickled down, salting his tongue through a sharp grin. "Just one to go," whispering to himself.The final opponent waited, calculating across the battlefield he had created of what had been the Leaf village. Naruto ignored the flickering chakra signatures, the ones fading out, the broken moans he could hear- "Naruto!" Out of the corner of his eye he saw Skikamaru's team arrive amidst the rubble pushed to the side of the battlefield with someone he did not recognize. It was Sakura that called out, worriedly glancing down at him as she had already started her work to heal their Hokage. Of course she could not come help, it was her duty as a shinobi tied to this village to prioritize healing, to prioritize the life of her leader. It might also be affection for her sensei, but Naruto knew each of them were trapped in the role they had to play. But in this case, it was for the better, no one else need to get in the middle of this fight, this was his task as jinchūriki, destined to stand alone. "Usuratonkachi." Their eyes met, Sasuke's cool resolve, somehow always knowing what mess of thoughts swirled in his mind. He was often jealous that Sasuke could read him so well, yet outside of sparring and facing their enemies together, Naruto always found himself guessing at what his best friend could possibly be feeling or thinking. But now all with which he could meet those familiar eyes was fear, wide open. He shouldn't be down here, I'm supposed to-"Get your head in the game, idiot." Without words the pair blurred, dancing in unison around there enemy, meeting him blow for blow. Entrancing, battle sometimes felt this way, suspended in time and for the sole purpose of thrilling its players. "Even for you two, it shouldn't be this easy," Kurama rumbled, dispelling the dream and inviting a hint of terror back where it belonged in a fight like this. As this Pain pulled new rods every time one of them was knocked away, something itched in the back of Naruto's mind, something that needed to be realized."He's just warming up, there's something else," the warning only built up Naruto's near relentless determination. "Then we just need to pick it up. I took down all the other ones, even with the rinnegan. We can do this, believe it."A moment is all it takes to turn the tides, one small adjustment and the fight can change courses, for better or worse. Lulled into a rhythm, matching each strike with a block, it is easy to be surprised when you believed you knew the next step."Two on one and this is all you can do? How disappointing," Pain murmured before giving Naruto the realization his mind had been absently searching as for why things did not feel quite right. Gravity barrelled into him, body smacking into the ground again and again as he skidded to a halt. He could hear Sasuke's labored breaths, coughing as he tried to regain his senses. Before he could dwell on his gratitude and rise to resume their combined attack, he felt himself once again at the mercy of gravity, pulled now towards his opponent, stopping short of him as Pain commanded that force to hammer him into the dirt. The immense weight almost masked the searing pain of being impaled by those black rods, hands, feet, legs. Almost, but his voice recognized the pain, crying out against his will. "Naruto!"Sasuke came rushing to his side, he always came back so Naruto should not have expected anything different this time. He tried to break free, to meet his friend ready to charge through together, but his chakra would not come, Kurama cursed inside of him and he knew something had stopped it from answering his call. Faintly he could hear Sakura shouting in the distance, their old classmates voices being drown out by her sheer dominating presence. Tears mingled with the grime and blood on his face, he wanted to scream at them all to run, but he could not get the air to fill his lungs. So filled with horror there was no room for anything else. He watched, silently, as Sasuke was lifted off the ground, pulled into Pain's orbit, squelching so loud where the rod ran through Sasuke's chest that nothing else existed. Flicked from the rod like sweeping away a piece of offending dirt, his friend's body hit the ground, but Sasuke never gave in so easily. Naruto could curse him for that, his prayers for him to just stay down would all be in vain. The Uchiha struggled to his knees, preparing to face their opponent alone again. "Sas-" Never making it back up, Pain sauntered casually, almost impassively driving that same road back through his body. Not one to underestimate his foe, he continued his task until Sasuke laid soaked in his own blood, Naruto not registering his own silent sobs, his voice still locked away. "Now you know Pain. He came back to fight for you, and I killed this precious person of yours. Can you now understand my pain? Or do you hate me, the way I have hated this village? What will you do now, Nine-Tails?" Kurama had been infamous for many reasons, for his overwhelming might and his potent hatred. All the hate he had stored up gave his chakra its own unique quality, too corrosive for anyone but the strongest to handle. Their newly accomplished, harmoniously combined chakra was still new, Naruto had yet to test it against an enemy and learn how to overcome odds like this with his will firmly holding back that hatred. Kurama may have found a friend in his jinchūriki, had come to know some sort of peace in the whirlwind that was Naruto Uzumaki. But thousands of years of hatred would not disappear so quickly, and Naruto's own hatred and desolation allowed it to roar to life again and overtake everything in its path. Chakra like molten lave oozed within him, eating away at the rods speared through his body, contorting his features as humanity was burnt away. Before it finished its consumption, Naruto's voice returned, quiet but now soft, growling with promise, "Now, I'm going to destroy you." Obito's departure is always a blessing and a curse, a tough match up for any of them, but he always cooked up something worse to follow. Shisui was never one to deny his blessings, however, and thanked the Sage for that mercy and the two Akatsuki currently sealed away to transport back to the village. Taking sock of their teams, everyone was more or less okay, fit enough to travel home at least, if not slowly. Another blessing. Sai double checked the seals with Anko, they worked oddly well together Shisui could admit. They each might be on the short list that could stand to be around the other for extended periods of time. Let the two of them irritate and entertain themselves all the way back home, another plus. Shizune was finishing up healing Tenten and Neji, Yamato was reshaping the terrain from their battle to leave as little trace of their disruption as possible, all things for which to be grateful. And Itachi... A frantic crow dived from overhead, whatever information it shared rocking Itachi to the ground, hand clutching at his heart. True to his nickname, Shisui was there to catch him before hitting the ground. "'Tachi?" "Obito was right, the village is destroyed, and Sasuke, he-" Shisui had seen Itachi cry only a hand full of times, all in dire circumstances, which told Shisui more than any words could. Itachi's mangekyō flashed brighter than it had at any point of the fight, like something Itachi could lose himself within. Flicking his forehead and drawing his ire, Shisui matched red with red, a comfort and a warning. "Stop worrying, believe in your little brother. He's too stubborn to go out like that, so have some faith in him." Their eyes faded back to black together Itachi still clutching one hand in his shirt and the other to Shisui's shoulder as they stood up. "You're right, I had better go scold him for making me worry." "Such a good big brother," Shisui cooed, but his smile gave away his sincerity. It did earn him a rather hard shove which always elicited his playful laughter. Itachi shook his head, trying to hide a grin that pulled at him to peek through despite his current fears. In moments like that, Shisui felt truly useful in a way that missions and meetings with elders never did. Getting Itachi Uchiha to smile if your name was not Sasuke Uchiha? Nigh impossible. Itachi briefed them all, and they raced over the land, injuries and restraints forgotten for better or worse, locked in a solemn competition with time and no guarantee their prize was even still possible. Would they find anyone at the end of the race or were they already too late? Shisui's stomach turned, for all his bravado to keep Itachi grounded, there was a very real possibility they would arrive to nothing but loss, and Shisui was not sure Itachi could remain himself without his brother.Sasuke would be alright because there was no other option. Pain. Yes, he knew pain, it had acquainted itself in every limb, every inch of his body. It made home in his chest but it wondered far and wide, as free in this body as he wished he could be. Breathing hurt, he did not want to suck one more breath in if it meant he could avoid that burning in his chest that spiked with every inhale. "You have to breathe, goddammit. Breathe before I strangle it out of you." Ah, so Sakura is here, she's the only medic that would threaten to kill someone while healing them. Although that tended to be reserved for him and Naruto. He and Naruto, they were doing something before this, but their sparring never got this out of hand. Surely there had been greater suffering in his mind and soul, but he had not known physical pain like this before...Pain. "Naruto," his voice broke with panic, eyes already swirling with the Sharingan and he did as commanded, breathing through that pain as he sat up to scan his surroundings. Naruto was nowhere to be found, despite the throng of faces crowded around Sakura's makeshift operating table. How much blood had he lost?"Of course that would be the first thing you say when you wake up. Not 'thank you, Sakura,' or 'you saved my life again, Sakura.'" "Where is Naruto?" There was no time to waste on Sasuke's failing manners in life and death situations. Any humor left Sakura's paling face, she must have used a lot of chakra to heal him. "After he watched you, well, he thought you were dead. He lost it, the Nine-Tails chakra completely took over. He's fighting Pain-""Where is he?" She fixed him with a look but quickened her explanation all the same, "He headed outside of the village walls, or where they used to be, and away from the villagers' evacuation route. Intentional or not, I'm not sure. He doesn't seem to be in control anymore. We have to get to him, you need to Sharingan some sense into him."Sasuke tested his balance and checked through his weapons, Shikamaru tossing over his sword. With a quick nod, he turned to head in Naruto's direction, now evident once he realized the path of destruction that would lead him there. "Thank you, Sakura, but you need to stay and recover your chakra." A firm hand shoved him into a run, "Like hell I'm staying behind, you two idiots wouldn't survive without me clearly. Besides, I don't need the kind of chakra you both do to kick some ass." Sasuke would always be infinitely thankful he was put on Team Seven. Who else could stand beside him in moments like these? Even if they could, he would not trade this team for anything. "Alright, let's go save that idiot and finish this."The ferociousness of the Nine-Tails had been taught to them, the night of the attack blanketing everything within the Leaf Village afterwards. But the calamity they witnessed was unlike anything they could have imagined. Sasuke, with his ocular gifts, was till impressed with the sheer speed at which the battle progressed. "How the hell are we supposed to get in the middle of that?" Sakura looked almost hopeless in the face of their task, so unlike her usual self. Blowing out a breath and any apprehension of the coming fight, Sasuke placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, a rare act only given to the select few considered family. "Well, you make an obstacle for him and an opening for me, and I'll figure out a way to handle the rest. Think you can occupy Pain for a bit?""I'm gonna have to either way," and her fierce resolve was back, knuckles cracking and green eyes blazing with internal calculation. Dependable, unstoppable Sakura Haruno, irreplaceable to the the core. "Basically our motto at this point. Let's go," a quick bump of fists and they were off. Sasuke watched impressed as always with Sakura's ability to bend the earth to her will, split it apart and shuffle the pieces until it formed the right board for her to play the game her way. She really should try playing shogi against Shikamaru, might give him a good run for his money, he thought absentmindedly. Sakura's plan worked out, providing enough uneven terrain to slow a demon-chakra possessed Naruto down enough for Sasuke to get into position. One last glance back saw their pink-haired kunoichi pulling out a slew of senbon and readying herself for Pain's next move. Pushing any doubts from his mind, Sasuke turned back to his friend and target, mangekyō penetrating the hatred that cloaked him. Sasuke did not dwell on the depressing state of Naruto's inner mind or how reminiscent it was of the holding cells underneath the Hokage tower that he had tried to sneak into more than a handful of times during Naruto's imprisonment there. Kurama was clearly unhappy at both Sasuke's presence and their current situation, but he did not have time for an ancient fox's ire when Naruto was curled up on the dank ground. "Usuratonkachi, you need to get up, we have a fight to finish," but no response. A voice rumbled from the edge of the room, behind an unlocked cage. "I have not been able to get the kit to wake up, it is as if he has given up."Frustration bubbled up between them, "Can't you do something? It's your chakra!" Kurama's tails thrashed at the affront, clearly on edge from the entire ordeal. Whenever Sasuke had spoken with him before, albeit an uncommon occurrence as the fox really only like Naruto, there was clear skepticism towards him as an Uchiha but a resolved neutrality, most likely thanks to Naruto's affections. "Brat, don't come here and speak to me about chakra! It is Naruto's will that gives our chakras harmony, that holds the hatred in mine at bay. If he gives into his hatred, mine will fuel it. There's nothing to be done about it.""What about the seal, can't we put it back on? And what are you doing back there anyway?" The fox had yet to emerge from his former prison, despite the open door.Hot breath and a rumbling snarl fanned over the water surrounding them, rippling out to brush past his feet. "I for one do not want to be any closer to those grotesque eyes of your than required to keep a watch on the kit. And as for the seal, if you have become a master at some point, be my guest and try your hand at fixing it. Theoretically it could be activated again, but that would take someone highly skilled in the art of sealing."That infamous Uchiha stoicism that had been crumbling finally tumbled away completely, causing all those barely restrained emotions to break forth and assault the fox. "Some help you are, what can you even do?!" Kurama growled low as his hackles raised, "Damn Uchiha brat-" "Perhaps I could help?" Sasuke would have thought this was impossible, but Naruto always attracted the strangest circumstances, so he really should not be surprised to see the Fourth Hokage standing rather awkwardly a few feet behind him. Sasuke had his own reservations about the man, but Kurama made no attempt to hide his feelings, although Sasuke had riled him up only seconds ago. "How the hell are you here?" "Ah, it's a long story," the nervous scratching at the back of his neck must be some sort of genetic trait he had passed on to Naruto, Sasuke had seen the move enough times. "But I did leave some of my chakra behind in Naruto's seal as a fail safe. Although, it really should have activated when he first tried to take the seal off. Maybe it's because there was already harmony, and therefore it did not register as a threat of the Nine-Tails overtaking him. If so, then-""Namikaze, we don't have time for your seal theory babbling, find a way to fix the boy!" Sasuke could not disagree, this was the worst possible time for someone to become distracted. The Fourth Hokage's eyes turned somber, shaking his head before explaining what they did not want to hear. "Unfortunately, I can repair the seal, but that does not guarantee that Naruto will break out of this state he is in. There is no 'fixing' a broken spirit like this."Well, Sasuke had never known Naruto to completely give up, he had been through much worse before than this, and he was about to remind the blond of that. If he needed to raise Naruto's spirits, he would threaten him with consequences so grave, he would be up in no time. Marching to loom over the despondent form, Sasuke thought of a most terrifying threat. "Naruto Uzumaki, get up or I will have Sakura come kick your ass across the five nations, and you know from Jiraiya how shitty that is." At the lack of response, sky blue eyes still dulled to a lifeless grey, Sasuke switched tactics. Releasing the anger masking his own fear, he leaned over to whisper, "I need you to come back to me, Naruto. You said you wouldn't leave me, so come back." Sasuke judiciously decided to ignore the knowing snort of the fox behind him and the muffled confused noise that had to come from Naruto's father. Thank the Sage the man was already dead, there was no way he would be able to face him after he witnessed Sasuke begging Naruto to come back like some lovesick teenager. Never mind that he was, he had a reputation to uphold.Naruto stuttered out a breath eyes welling with tears, but face eerily blank, like all the energetic Naruto-ness had drained away. "Sasuke, I failed you, how am I supposed to come back from that? I can't do anything without you, and now I'm hallucinating that you're here. I'm going insane or something, ya know, I can't-" "Usuratonkachi, did you really think Sakura couldn't heal me? I'm fine, I'm really here, you can ask Kurama. He's pretty pissed off about me using the Sharingan to get in here. Now pull yourself together because we have an Akatsuki shithead to take down."Sasuke watched as his friend started to look more like himself, taking in Sasuke as if for the first time with wide, hungry eyes. Warm hands brushed over his face as Naruto tried to parse out if he was telling the truth. "Please tell me this isn't some dream or joke. Seriously, I think you legally have to tell me if you're a ghost or something creepy like that."  Sasuke finally let a smile stretch on his face, tender finger tracing the outline with hope. "You idiot, wouldn't you be running away scared by now if I was one?"Tears started running down whiskered cheeks that looked to be in a painfully wide smile that Sasuke would never tire of seeing. "Bastard! No way in hell could you scare me off even if you were a ghost," the smile dampened a degree. "So how the hell am I supposed to know if you're really-"It was not how Sasuke imagined confessing, mid-battle with Naruto recovering from nearly giving up on everything, but their lives were anything but ideal in so many ways. He pulled Naruto forward so their forehead were pressed together, noses brushing lightly from their breaths moving their bodies subtly into each other. "Naruto, I am here and we are going to be okay. I would claw myself out of hell to get back to you, nothing could keep me away. You are my one and only, everything is meaningless for me without you. You're stuck with me, always." Sasuke moved to press his lips where his forehead had left Naruto's, muttering into his skin loud enough for only the other to hear. "I swear, I'm in love with the biggest dumbass in the world." Shaking hands pulled them together, Naruto fully sobbing now, Sasuke hoped that was a good sign. "Teme, I thought you were really gone! I feel the same way about you, ya know. You are my best friend, I couldn't keep going without you.""Oh." Sasuke's heart broke a little from the vulnerability of the moment and those sweet words with an ending that was not what he had hoped to hear. "At least it didn't ruin everything, but this isn't going to be easy to come back from either." There was no confusing his meaning, Naruto diplomatically rejected him and assured him that their friendship was still in tact, but Sasuke's heart would take time to mend. Naruto pulled back slightly to observe the now tense person in front of him. "Oi, you could be a little happier after I tell you I feel the same way, ya know." "You said I'm you're best friend, in what universe is that the same as what I said?" Sasuke deadpanned, growing irritated that he was having to explain why he wasn't thrilled at being rejected in front of Naruto's internal companion and chakra-apparitioned father, and in the middle of a battle to boot. "Uh, it's like exactly the same! Or well, I guess I mean you're still my best friend, but also I'm in love with you. You didn't get that?" Sasuke would strangle him if he did not look so cute with that confused tilt to his head. Vein throbbing, he calmly explained, "No, dobe. Plenty of people are best friends and not in love with each other. You've always called me your best friend, we've been best friends since we were kids. Why the hell would I think that meant that you're also in love with me?" "Because I've been in love with you for forever, and being in love with your best friend is like best case scenario so I thought you would just get it!" Sasuke should warn him to stop sticking his tongue out like that, but they would cross that bridge later. He hauled Naruto up to his feet while chastising him, "You're going to have to expand your vocabulary, usuratonkachi. If you refer to me as just a 'friend' again, I'm going to revoke my confession and all we'll be is friends, got it?""Hey! You-"Before Naruto could continue on his tirade, an apologetic looking Minato Namikaze cleared his throat in interruption. "Sorry to butt in, that was really touching, but I wanted to know if you still need help with the seal?" Nervous fidgeting was not something Sasuke had expected from a former Hokage, but meeting your teenage son after sealing a tailed beast into your child and promptly dying would be as good a reason as any for the nerves. Naruto glanced over him a few times before marching up and decking the man, fist sending him stumbling backwards. "What the hell! You really show up here, after all this time and just ask about my seal?! No 'hi, I'm your father, the Fourth Hokage, you know, the guy that sealed the Nine-Tails inside of you'?" Sasuke had seen Naruto full of rage before, but there was a layer of deep hurt that was inseparable from it this time, and it was hard to watch. At least, hard for Sasuke to watch, Kurama seemed to be enjoying the verbal beat down.Minato picked himself up off the ground, tight smile clearly uncomfortable at the reminder of his choices. "Yes, I put a pretty heavy burden on you-""'Pretty heavy?' You have no idea what I went through because of that! I was alone for so long, treated like a monster, and I needed you!" That hurt bobbed in his throat and clogged any more words from spewing forth. To his credit, his father looked quite ashamed, his eyes held their own deep sadness. "And you don't know how much I wish I could have been there for you. If only I had made even a small change that night, maybe things would have turned out differently. Your mother and I, we were so happy, could hardly wait to meet you." Naruto turned away, unable to bear that melancholy smile on a face so like his own. "Well, it's too late now. I don't even know what the hell I'm supposed to say to you. I don't even know you."Sasuke put an arm around his shoulders, pulling him in close, "We can leave now, if you want. I mean, we are in the middle of battle, so you really should be fast-""Teme, you are such a jerk, I'm having a really difficult moment over here!" "I know, but Sakura's holding Pain off on her own. If we take too long, well, you know how she is." Twin shudders zipped down their spines, a small grin making its way back onto Naruto's face. "Shouldn't keep her waiting then, you know." Turning to his father, Naruto took a long look before blowing a long sigh from his lungs. "Listen, I'm still really pissed at you, but I'm glad I got to talk to you, even if it was quick and mostly me yelling."Twinkling laughter, soft and bittersweet, Minato slowly walked to grip his son in a tight embrace. "You're just like your mom, she was always yelling at me. It's an Uzumaki thing, I think. I love you, Naruto, and I am so proud of you.""Thanks... dad," Naruto tested the word on his tongue, still unsure of how to feel about it, or about meeting the man that he would have called father had things been different. He almost did not realize the wetness pouring down his face until they ran into his wavering smile. The grip around him tightened further, before moving a step away, hands resting on Naruto's shoulders as his face turned serious. "Okay, now about the seal-"He shook his head before the Fourth could finish, "Nah, it's up to me to keep our chakras stable. Besides, now that the teme is done faking his death, I should be all good!" From his respectful distance from the pair's intimate reunion, Sasuke's brow ticked, not amused by the barb, "Dobe-""Anyways! We should be getting back now, Sakura really will give us a beating if we take any longer, ya know."Minato stepped back further, giving Sasuke room to stand by Naruto's side. "Alright, go give them hell." Laughter, something caught between happiness and regret, left him empty and yet satisfied with this goodbye. "No problem for me, believe it." That phrase, he couldn't know how it bloomed something complicated in Minato's chest. As Sasuke twined his fingers into Naruto's, receiving a nod in readiness, Minato called out, "And Sasuke?" He lifted a brow, Sharingan already shining in his eyes, preparing to pull them back out into the battle. "Take care of him, please." He studiously ignored the snort from Kurama. He answered, but his gaze drifted to Naruto as he replied, "Always." Awareness flashed through him as Sasuke pulled them out of the mental space and back into the destruction surrounding them. Time later to grieve, to take stock of their losses, now to appreciate Sakura's frustration of Pain's plans. "Finally! You two owe me," she shouted mid flip over the rocky landscape she had created. "She going to kill us after this," Naruto whispered, paling with the realization. Sasuke shot him a look clearly conveying how he had warned him this would be the case. Naruto refused to acknowledge it, would drag Sasuke down with him when Sakura's punishment came round.  "Need help?" Sasuke shouted as the mangekyō  blared to life, leaping to crouch on the boulder turned projectile that Sakura had launched at their enemy. "Hah, I should make you two sit this one out and watch me finish your fight, but I guess you can get in on the fun." Pain did not seem amused at their badinage, especially when Sasuke resisted his gravitational pull to land an electric strike before disappearing from sight, the fight made easier with their combined efforts."Any day now, kit."Not one to be left out, Naruto concentrated on summoning forth their chakra, where earlier had been desolation and rage, now was fierce determination and love, for his friends; for the fox jabbing him to put his lesson to good use and whose pride shined through despite his attempt at irritation; for the people he has lost; for the people he had been building bonds with slowly but surely; for Sasuke. Sasuke who was his and who he would not let upstage him, no matter how beautiful he looked reinvigorated and nearly flying across the battlefield. Golden chakra, warm and powerful, flooded through his body, wrapped him in a tight embrace and spurred him forward, so fast he saw Sasuke's mangekyō working to keep up with him. Laughing, this time full and free despite everything, he slammed a fist deep into Pain's gut, launching him far away, right into a flurry of senbon from the kunoichi perched high above them. Sakura winked at him before hurrying across the landscape she had crafted with her own fists, setting traps and finding vantage points to compliment each of their moves. Like a well oiled machine, they moved in a dance, new and yet familiar, bodies singing a harmony they had grown to recreate in each new fight. 'Gods, I love this team,' even their thoughts synched together, vicious smiles unnerving their opponent before he met his end. Sakura sprouted from the ground, pulling from her limited stores of energy, Naruto and Sasuke approaching from opposite directions, each of their fists colliding in a gruesome bump inside Pain's body before promptly exploding with the force of their chakras meeting. They each stared for a moment before withdrawing, what remained of the body dropping between them. "Did we go overboard?" Sakura lightly questioned as they kept observing what was once a fearsome foe, reduced to a pile at their feet. "Yeah, I think it's fair to say so,"Sasuke responded wiping his hand across his shirt, too filthy to save at this point anyway. Naruto nodded along, reaching a still-glowing hand down to procure one of the rods sticking out like a pin in a cushion. Images flashing through his mind had him releasing the rod and his chakra, wordlessly gesturing at his teammates to test it out as well.  Sakura looked at them in question, only noticing the draining of her chakra away with each second in contact with the strange object, Sasuke's brow pinched as he sought out the source of the visions, eyes using the connection to brush briefly into the mind of the man before being shut out. "You know where to go, usuratonkachi?" "Yep, you guys still have one more fight left in you?" "Do you even need to ask?" Sakura cracked her knuckles ominously, picking up her senbon scattered close by, silently instructing them to lead the way. "Guess not," Sasuke muttered, smirk in place before they raced off to their destination, feeling out the signature of the two waiting for them. "The Pains are down, should we extract-""No, if they can't handle a village as weak as the Leaf, we don't need them," he gritted out. This was nothing like he had planned, but he would adjust. He always did, and then he would have his perfect world. He smiled, knowing that Kakashi could not stand in his way, and he would come back just like he remembered him, before everything was ruined. "Are you sure? Maybe-""I said no! Now get out of my sight." he could feel his mind slipping, bloodthirsty and itching to destroy something, anything to quell this unknown thing in his heart. Did he even have a heart now? Obito did, once, but Obito Uchiha no longer existed in this world. Reality was a state of mind, and Obito would return in that dream world, the real world as far as he was concerned. Return with his people to live the lives they should have had. Just a little longer, he would capture each of the jinchūriki himself and bring his dream into fruition. They would all thank him, in the end. A savior of this wretched world and its despicable people, turned into a paradise. They would come to see his vision, one way or another. "Just a little longer," he repeated quietly to himself, whisper echoing off the walls that enclosed him as he continued preparations for this new playing field on his own.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Naruto's heart ached in a way he had not been able to parse out prior to meeting this broken relation before him. Nagato's body, burdened with atrophy, heaved in air as if every breath cost him something that could not be replaced. And yet he gave more to recount his life and memorialize those lost to them. Konan, steadfast and statuesque at his side, had Naruto wonder what inside them made it possible for people to endure so much pain over such a short life. He was not sure how any of them would manage it without each other. The weight of that pain didn't lessen, but the act of sharing their troubles among them renewed their strength. Perhaps that was all there was to how Nagato was able bear the ragged zephyr of life entering and leaving him, trapping him in the pursuit of living.More than for Nagato, he mourned those small nations crushed beneath the heel of the five great nations and the cyclical addiction to shinobi wars. The Uzumaki sod no more than a ruinate carcass of a thriving albeit small village. Then to be subject to that depredation once again, those loved ones found then slipping away again under the machinations of another pointless war. He grieved for a clan he had never had the chance to know, and it was Sasuke's grounding hand that reminded him of what could have been, what might come to be if this world remained imprisoned in hatred and violence."Well, what's the move?" Sakura's voice showcased her uncertainty, attuned to his own confliction.Sasuke's fingers threaded through his and without words relayed his unwavering trust in Naruto's intuition, and he was sure he could not deserve that kind of dedication. But he had it and he would be damned if he forced more violence onto anyone who craved peace and rest."You're right. Konoha is fucked up and you're not wrong to hate it. I hate it, I mean, there are people I love but the village has never done anything but hate me," and that truth was becoming easier to admit. "But I'm tired."Now that was still difficult. Shinobi are meant to persevere, to be emotionless soldiers that never waver and never tire. But he was and if that was weakness then maybe they all needed to accept this weakness and indulge it. "Aren't you tired? Of hatred and revenge and killing? Maybe I can't fix everything, but I think we can make something good for ourselves, or at least try.""It's too late, I've made my choices," Nagato seemed to admit what they all knew, his body was tired and so too was every other piece of him that was left."It's never too late to decide to live for yourself and make amends," Sasuke might regret shutting out his brother for so long, but their fumbling attempts to build their own fraternal bond were genuine. He couldn't accept that there ever would have been an expiration date on the offer to repair the bond between them. So, there might not be such a thing as a best by date to choose a new path."You have to realize that after this, there is nowhere we can go. Returning to Ame without finishing off Konoha would paint a target on what's left of that nation. You might not believe it, but we're not so heartless to condemn them all to the direct wrath of the Fire nation. And if we fail here, the Akatsuki won't be forgiving either." Unfortunately they had lost control of their once peace-seeking organization as soon as Madara had wormed his way into their ranks.The answer was so clear, Naruto couldn't help the grin that rose to his face. "Ya know, we've been talking about something for a little while, maybe it could help you, too!"Kakashi was a little upset to not have said his goodbyes to Iruka. He already knew the man would be a mess and try to cover it with prudent and mechanical tasks. Plan the funeral, ensure the right words are read, cook for the wake afterward. Somehow, even in death, he managed to hurt the people he cared about. The kids would be fine, Iruka would make sure of that. It would be one of his tasks that would preoccupy him for some time before he allowed all those masked feeling to flood over him alone. Not for the first time, Kakashi wondered if he ought to have kept himself shut off from connecting with anyone to spare them these feelings for someone so undeserving of their affections.Guy would kick his ass if he knew that was one of the last thoughts Kakashi had of himself. Oh, he would be an open mess and a part of Kakashi wishes he could see that. Not because he wanted Guy to be emotionally distraught, but because he always admired how the man wore his entire heart on this sleeve. Kakashi knew without a doubt that any reaction was a full-bodied feeling brewed from genuine care. And Kakashi selfishly wanted to see for himself the proof of their friendship. To know that in this life he was loved unconditionally even if he felt unworthy of that love.But when he thought he might finally find his eternal rest, he felt the unmistakable warmth of arms tightening and lungs heaving their grief so heavy and loud against him. He felt wetness, like rain pitter-pattering against his skin. How could he feel life when he was dying?He wouldn't question it, this final comfort. It had to be final, because he felt content to stay right here like this forever.Sakura was exhausted from healing Pain as he revived those lost in the battle after they had finished their talk. She was not quite chakra exhausted but she was hurdling very close to it. Too close if she was being honest. But she wasn't honest, not with how Sasuke's and Naruto's fretting pressed against her and ignited that stubbornness her mother had always lamented. Stubbornness was unacceptable in women as she was constantly reminded, but Sakura believed she could be anything. So in this moment she was stubborn and dishonest. "I'm telling you I'm fine, would you all leave it?!" For the record, most people would not call Sasuke's unnerving stare "fretting" per say, but Sakura had become, if not fluent, at least advanced in interpreting Uchiha. And Sasuke was undoubtedly fretting. Naruto was more expressive as usual, literally scuttling around her with his hands hovering barely an inch from every part of her during his little dizzying dance. Even depleted as she was, her grip was firm as she manhandled him to Sasuke's other side, using him as a human buffer, his fixated gaze preferable to the tornado of worry that was Naruto Uzumaki."Okay okay, we need to find Kashi-nii anyway and make sure he's fine," Naruto redirected the torrent away from her post-battle state, which was a relief until they finally located the patriarch of their patchwork family.Her stomach plummeted, shouldn't he be up by now? Shizune was propped up against what was once some store front. She was sure from Ino's reaction that her recovery was on the miraculous side. But Kakashi held by a weeping Iruka was still so limp.Weeping seemed like such an understatement, her heart contracted and shame crept all along and underneath her skin as if it was inappropriate to watch him anguish so vulnerable and open. Perhaps even more surprising was the total silence found so foreign in Guy-sensei. Lee seemed torn between crying for their lost comrade and a deep troubling over the uncharacteristic reaction from his mentor. That thousand yard stare was empty and yet simultaneously conveyed too much. Sakura, despite her love for Kakashi and her own broken heart, felt a sense of unbelonging among this mourning. Their class, their sensei, the Hokage herself and a smattering of attending ninja kept a respectful distance with their witnessing as well.Naruto walked up, silent and guarded, as if he knew this was wrong but was afraid all their efforts had somehow left out the person they hoped to save the most. People were biased like that, Sakura knew. They saved those killed, but most of them they could not muster up more that a general sense of humanity for their revival. It was Kakashi and a handful of others they had truly intended that phenomenon to benefit. The three of them knew that he should be standing again soon, tired and leaning against them before falling into bed and sleeping off the weariness of being brought back to life. And yet they all hesitated to count their eggs before the chicken proved it could lay them.She and Sasuke stood in equal measures of apprehension while Naruto bent to catch Iruka's swollen and deluged eyes. "Sensei, can I check how he's doing?""Oh, Naruto, he's, he's-" It seemed Iruka found himself diametric to their perspective, knowing Kakashi to be dead and yet unwilling to name it as such. Breath rushed out as a blond head snapped back towards them, grinning while he pointed at Kakashi's still unsettlingly prone body. Bewildered to outraged (namely Guy for some reason) expressions followed as Naruto turned back to shout, "Speak up, old man, we couldn't hear ya!"Iruka's wide hopefulness confirmed it, now shaking and begging, "Again, we- we can't hear you, Kashi.""'m I in heaven?" Sakura rolled her eyes as a breathy laugh escaped Sasuke and Naruto's sounded like a rejoicing.Iruka's crushing hug was interrupted by Guy hauling a man barely aware of his own renewed existence to his feet, or more like his feet brushed the ground in a facsimile of standing. Guy studied him with anger and happiness, a configuration so unique that Sakura committed it to memory, maybe that's how she looked at her own teammates too frequently. The green dynamo final garbled out a wet "rival" before smothering an amused Kakashi in tears and snot and all those physical manifestations of intense emotion. Much better, this was more like what Sakura had expected, she didn't care for surprises unless she knew they would be good.Turning she took in the desolation of the once village and her exhaustion settled back in full force. Sasuke offered an arm and she accepted graciously while locking eyes with a now more subdued Ino. Interesting and something she would dissect later. After a very long night's sleep.After sending off a bleary-eyed Kakashi for some well deserved rest and an Iruka primed for scolding and nursing the man leaning against him, Sasuke watched with some exhaustion of his own at the intimidating groups that had arrived shortly one after another. Kakashi had attempted to stay to support whatever conversation would need to be had, but their sensei was in no way up to sitting through any interaction, much less one of this magnitude.It seems that Naruto's seals he had crafted for the other jinchuuriki to alert him should they be confronted with the Akasuki or any other emergency situation also worked in reverse, signalling to them all should Naruto be endangered. With being nearly consumed by the malevolent side of Kurama's chakra while fighting Pain, they had all received that searing flare of chakra through the seal and immediately headed towards the Hidden Leaf. Even Killer Bee was present with two of his Kumo comrades, who were looking ragged with the energy expended to keep pace with the expediency of a shinobi of Bee's caliber.Han and Roshi were currently playing uncles with the younger jinchuuriki, Naruto receiving the brunt of the teasing for essentially summoning all of them out there. Sasuke could tell it was good-natured and yet their faces also showed how shaken they were to find Konoha of all places flattened by one opponent. At least the liveliness of their antics had kept Gaara from gravitating too close to Naruto. A smirk formed quickly at the thought that he would not have to worry so much anymore. Sasuke was a selfish bastard after all, Naruto had said so enough times, and Gaara would have to accept that Naruto was his.As if called, Gaara made his way from the continued charade amongst the others and Bee's impromptu performance to stand uneasily beside Sasuke. It was not that they hated each other necessarily, they kept an air of civility for Naruto's sake. Without their respective feelings for the same person, they may have even been friends, both appreciating the benefits of quiet companionship. But with their mutual understanding of shared yet opposing personal endeavors for Naruto's affections, this move seemed odd for the other."Sasuke," Gaara began, receiving only a sidelong look. "Once everyone has settled down, we will need to find somewhere to discuss what happens now."They both went back to observing the shenanigans escalating in front of them. Indeed, there were many factors to consider at this point. Luckily, emergency procedures had been deployed at the beginning of Pain's arrival, securing the Akatsuki members and other captured enemies. Gratefully, their house had been far enough on the outskirts to still be standing according to the preliminary scouting of the total damage to the village's infrastructure. As loathe as Sasuke was to give any credit to this village, he had to admit Tsunade had developed a robust emergency protocol that had prevented worst case scenarios and had begun addressing their most pressing concerns. However, it would be much easier once Itachi's teammate that could use wood style returned-Sasuke really should do some research to see if some shinobi had the ability to summon people with only thoughts. As the thought of Itachi and his team formed in his mind, frantic and varying degrees of injured ninja arrived, completing the return of all the teams sent to deal with Orochimaru's hideouts. He barely had any time before a disheveled Itachi stumbled up to him, two careful finger landing in between his eyes. Sasuke batted that hand away from its most infuriating position, an annoyed scoff resounding in the air around them.Before he could admonish him, Itachi let out a sound that took Sasuke a few moments to place as a sob while being crushed tightly in his brother's arms. Sasuke could lose a couple fingers and still use one hand to count the number of times Itachi had let him see this type of reaction. "Little brother, you are so foolish.""What the hell, Itachi," Sasuke attempted to worm out of the hold to no avail. He stilled at the sorrowful laughter ripping out of his usually stoic and composed older brother."I thought you were gone. You have no idea how scared I was to lose you. Thank goodness you are alright."Sasuke caught Naruto's soft gaze before he drew the attention away from their little reunion. He felt the tremors in his brother's body and finally reciprocated his touch. "I think I have some idea." Sasuke had grown too attached those precious to him, weak to the love they gave him and finally strong enough to admit he needed them desperately. If Itachi felt even some similarity to what Sasuke felt, then he could imagine the devastation a loss like that could bring."I hate to break this up, but we really should get down to business. As troublesome as all this is going to be," Shikamaru had sidled up to him, an older version looking on with amusement at his son taking the reigns and redirecting them towards work. Sasuke could find amusement there as well after spending time on a team with the laze-about, but he also knew that Shikamaru was sharp and determined, especially if he thought his friends or clan were on the line. Of all their classmates, Shikamaru had been the person Sasuke felt the most affinity for, remembering back to those troubled days of planning for Naruto's release. Yes, Shikamaru was a friend, another person Sasuke could acknowledge as an indispensable part of this life he was building for himself."The Uchiha district has some damage, but nothing too drastic. We can meet at our house, or one of our clan's halls if we need more space." Shikamaru nodded along, moseying his way to his father that stood with the Hokage. Something sparked in her eyes, Sasuke imagined she saw in him the potential for the next generation of Leaf shinobi. Sasuke wished this village would never rebuild, but there were other times for treasonous thoughts as Kakashi would say."Gaara, let's get everyone moving," finally turning attention back to the man standing stiffly and attempting to give some privacy to the brotherly display Itachi had descended upon him. With a nod, they each began rounding up the newest visitors to what could barely be called at village at the moment. Sasuke watched as the Hokage disseminated orders amongst many of the Leaf ninja present, Shisui clapping a dejected Yamato on the back as he laughed at what Sasuke presumed were exhaustingly possible orders for rebuilding shelters to house the Leaf's inhabitants temporarily.Shisui himself began pairing those Uchiha who were ready and uninjured (enough) to resume their duties with other Leaf ninja for patrols. Sakura was pulled aside to receive her orders as a medical ninja once her chakra levels began to rise. They each were given their role to play, Sasuke was just grateful his team and his brother were allowed to rest and participate in what would be a pivotal meeting before having to resume their respective duties as ninja of the Hidden Leaf. At least for now."We need to recuperate, then we can handle the Akatsuki more effectively, what aren't you understanding about that?"Their living room was packed with the other jinchuuriki, the Hokage and her assistants (namely Itachi and Shizune, although she seemed to still be recovering), Sasuke, and Shikamaru and his dad in an advisory role. Hell, the Hokage's pig was even in attendance. Sakura had taken Karin, Suigetsu, and Sasuke's new addition upstairs to get some rest. Itachi had helped set up silencing seals to keep them and Kakashi from being disturbed by the meeting. Lucky them.For all the people present, no one had reached a solution to their problem. It had been going on like this for hours, or at least Naruto felt as if it had been hours. Before Naruto could give his team's proposal, the 'conversation' had devolved into arguments about who could or should do what. Naruto had not been able to get in a word edge wise amongst all the bickering, mostly between Roshi and the Hokage. If only Bee would chime in instead of planning his next concert, it might give Naruto the chance to finally end this fruitlessness."Like hell we're waiting," Roshi rumbled from his seated position. "You can say that because you aren't the ones being hunted down! We've been waiting for years already, now's the time to strike." His eyes glinted at the Hokage while his chakra flared in anger, setting nearly all the Leaf ninja unfamiliar with him on edge. Luckily, Han was ever the peacemaker and designated Roshi interpreter with the eternal task of smoothing out any ruffling the other man caused."Roshi might be... aggressive with his delivery, but I agree. With the Akatsuki, whoever is left will be feeling desperate. They have already destroyed an entire village with only one member, who knows what they will be willing to try now. It's our lives on the line, and we're not willing to wait and see what will happen. Besides, the longer we stay together, the more attention we'll draw from all the other villages and nations. We could inadvertently be starting another shinobi war. There is no reason to wait.""To be fair, the hidden villages most likely already know about the attack and your presence here. Any damage on that front has already been done, and the nations' leaders will know soon enough as well. The issue is the Leaf is in no position to put significant effort behind hunting the Akatsuki right now.""Leave it to Shikamaru to be a total downer," Naruto thought."Unfortunately, he is most likely correct. For all your secrecy, word travels fast when it comes to shinobi." Kurama was more fed up with this than Naruto was himself. The fox kept nagging him to interject and give his idea. "If you would just tell them, we could be done with this infuriating conversation already."Sasuke seemed to concur, he was rubbing his temple in the way he did when anticipating a stress headache. Naruto hated seeing how returning to the village had worn them all down, Sakura, Kakashi, and Itachi included. He really wished all this could be over so they could seriously start thinking about Sasuke's idea-"Who said we need the Leaf? We'll handle this on our own!" Roshi was rising up along with his anger, all the jinchurriki knew from experience that no one would like to be on the receiving end of the explosion that was close to erupting.
"Yeah, you want to get in the middle of this?"
"Do you really think you can take the Akatsuki on by yourselves? You're the targets!" The Hokage had a short temper herself, and she certainly did not appreciate the tone she was receiving. Naruto could see the resulting catastrophe like a premonition, and it did not look pretty. Pain would be all but forgotten if Roshi started a fight with Tsunade.
"Someone needs to do something, and I do not think anyone here would appreciate if the plan came from me."
Naruto was getting a little tired of playing savior, but one more time today wouldn't kill him. Probably."No offense, but the villages created us to be their ultimate weapons, we may be some of the few that can defeat them, ya know. Besides, we don't need all of the Leaf to beat them. We just need a few people-""You mean you want to take our strongest shinobi when we're most vulnerable and need them. Do you hear how unreasonable that sounds?" The Hokage interrupted before Naruto could get anywhere with his explanation. He was really getting tired of this, his own frustration rising.But no one got defensive on his behalf like Sasuke, at the ready with a scathing remark that left little room for calmness. "Not all of us think of ourselves as Leaf ninja first. My priority is to ensure Naruto is safe-"Tsunade slammed he fist on their table, leaving a splintering crack, "You had ought to watch what you say, brat.""Sasuke, now is not the time for this," and for the inth time Naruto thanked the heavens for Itachi Uchiha. Sasuke crossed his arms and would later deny any pouting at being admonished by his brother. Regardless, it had the desired effect of alleviating the tension enough for the discussion to take a more productive turn. "Let's think practically. What are our advantages, and how can we balance protecting the Leaf and using this opportunity to end the Akatsuki?"
Bingo.
Naruto seized his opportunity, "Well, uh, we have Pain."Every head except Sasuke's snapped towards him. He would laugh if he thought Tsunade wouldn't strangle him. It didn't stop Sasuke from smirking, though. Smug bastard, he's so distracting-
"Stop thinking about your Uchiha like that at a time like this. Pay attention!"
"What the hell do you mean by that?" Naruto almost missed the Hokage and Roshi simultaneously yelling at him. They might be too alike to get along rather than too different. Naruto ignored the fox teasing and berating him to finally get out the plan that his team had devised with Nagato and Konan."He's our friend now! Or more like an ally, I guess. He's kind of Karin's and my cousin, so he said he'd help us take Obito and the other Akatsuki down!""Troublesome, I told you this would be troublesome." Shikamaru might be a pessimist, but sometimes he was on the money. Nobody was going to love the plan, it definitely was troublesome. But it was also brilliant, or at least Naruto liked to think so. Sasuke had his reservations, still does Naruto knows, but this is their chance to take care of the Akatsuki once and for all. The best part about their bond is that Sasuke trusts him completely, and Naruto trusts that if anything goes wrong, that bastard will have his back."So you made friends with the man that flattened your village and was trying to kill you and take your bijuu? Sounds about right I guess," Fuu remarked amusedly from her recline on the couch. Naruto loved when Fuu was around, he liked to think she was a lot like him. They always planned the best pranks. Before he could get too distracted, he resolved to divulge their plans quickly. The sooner they got started and finished off the Akatsuki, the sooner he could finally enjoy all the jinchuuriki being together."Anyway! So here's our idea."An orange-haired animation appeared, and that Obito had not expected. "Shouldn't you be dead? Or rather, shouldn't your main body be dead?""The Leaf had assumed so, which gave me quite the opportunity." Now that was interesting, though Obito knew that village's reputation for faultless perfection was a sham. It came as no surprise to him they would make an error as grave as allowing Pain to escape."So tell me, what was this opportunity?""I was able to capture the Nine-Tails." That was quite the claim, considering Zetsu had been sure that Pain was defeated and the jinchuuriki was safe and sound in the village. "I was able to take advantage while they were regrouping from the attack. You were right, they do have a careless streak.""They always believe themselves the winners prematurely and then cover up their mistakes," he mused more to himself. He returned from his thoughts, "I'll have Zetsu confirm the capture you know." He would not make the same kind of mistakes."Of course, and which base should we be heading for?" Obito took his time to answer, mulling over the options available, the best way to ensure they would not be interrupted for the inaugural ceremony. His first catch, and the rest should fall easily now that their biggest threat was eliminated. If only he could have Kakashi watch his failure to protect that little jinchuuriki brat, their sensei's son. No matter, these fakes were worthless and their suffering was only a consolation equally as fake. They would have time for true companionship in a better reality once Obito finished his mission. He would be able to be Obito again and could let go of this world's hatred that brewed inside him. A fresh start, they all needed that."Go to the base we had selected for the Sand jinchuuriki's extraction.""Understood," and with that the clone left to complete whatever task Pain had assigned it now. Obito let the relief and surprising happiness rush over him. He was sure this was happiness, as close to it as he could get nowadays, and it felt electrifying. More than that, it felt addicting to have his plans congeal back into some semblance of what they had been. The path to his goals was clearer, the madness that had begun to subsume him at the news of Pain's defeat diminished with this new feeling. It had been a bit of a runaway roller-coaster of a day for him, but things were back on track now.With Zetsu's confirmation that Pain had indeed captured the Nine-Tails and the jinchuuriki was rendered unconscious, Obito relaxed further. He could spare a moment to enjoy this. Then he would prepare the hideout with all they needed for the extraction process. He could see it, that world he longed for was so close. And to start with the Nine-Tails? Absolute perfection.