This is a prequel of Current of Destiny parings are SasuHina, NaruSaku and SuiKa in the events prior to NejiTen's story. Sorry NejiTen doesn't appear in the prequel only the main story. Naruto is Kishimoto Masashi art, story etc...I own nothing.

Better

Sasuke looked over the items laid out for him on the futon. The room he was given was a tiny office space. There were books and scrolls but nothing that could be used as a weapon. The tiny windowless room offered no chance for escape and it was dark. Off to the side was a small bathroom with only a small window used for ventilation.

This is the cozyist prison I ever saw.

A hidden place known to only few people and a part of the peace treaty. It wasn't hidden to him he recognized the fire symbols right away. Not surprised at all he was now officially being watched by the Hyuuga clan. He was fine with things as long as he wasn't bothered too much.

His guard turned on the light and closed the door behind him. The ANBU mask hid the man's identity but Sasuke was sure he recognized him as Sai. Sealing jutsu took away the majority of his threat but it was really unnecessary as he didn't plan to do anything against Konoha.

Gathering the towel and toiletries laid out for him he headed for the shower. After a refreshing shower he changed into the simple civilian clothes set out for him. It was the first time in a long time he did not have his clan's symbol on his clothing.

Hearing the muted voices outside the door he noticed he was far from alone. He couldn't blame them they were being cautious. Other than the muffled voices it was silent. Perfect for sleeping he thought as he drifted off on the simple futon.

A knock on the door woke him. His guard came in followed by Naruto. Naruto had to be the reason he was in the comfy prison. He couldn't imagine after all he'd done Konoha would welcome him with open arms. His annoying blonde brother of a friend was the village hero and held some sway over people lately.

"Sasuke you're finally back in the village," the blue-eyed happy-go-lucky blonde said.

"Obviously," Sasuke said still laying back on the futon eyes staring at the ceiling.

Why am I avoiding eye contact? I really don't feel like looking at the dobe. Or hearing him and that loud voice…but it is nice to finally let go of all the confusion, vengeance and hate. Maybe I can just go back to being Sasuke of Konoha…Yeah right.

"So you're going to give me the silent treatment eh teme," Naruto said sitting down on the floor facing his friend.

Was he ready for this yet? How could he face him like this after all he did? Didn't the dobe realize not long ago he tried to kill their teammate not to mention all the times he tried to kill him.

"Come on Sasuke I'm not really used to sitting still and I am definitely not the quite type I-

"Leave then," Sasuke said turning to stretch out facing the wall.

He heard Naruto's exasperated sigh and then silence. Naruto stayed quite for a while then started talking about everything. He talked about his training with Jiraiya. He tried to catch his friend up with everything that went on while Sasuke was gone. He went into detail about every one of the rookie nine and Team Gai. Finally after it was clear that Sasuke didn't want to talk, Naruto left with promises to return soon.

No it wasn't as if he didn't want to talk it just felt awkward to him. He had to cut all ties with these people and suddenly here he was among them pretending as if it didn't hurt all the while knowing what happened to his brother.

Missing You

Naruto missed Sakura. For weeks he had gone to party after party. He attended fancy dinners and ceremonies. Then there were the funerals. The sad occasions were the only time he really saw Sakura. Each time he saw her she looked miserable and he missed her smiling face. Things had just been so wrong starting with his failures convincing the Raikage to pardon Sasuke.

'…But why?...Why tell me?...If this is a joke it's not funny…Sakura.' He said these words just moments after feeling the greatest joy imaginable he doubted she would ever give up on Sasuke.

'It's just that I finally woke up. I can't continue to love a rogue Shinobi criminal. I'm not a child anymore…I can separate reality from fantasy. So Naruto…you can forget your promise to me…you can stop chasing Sasuke…' she said these words after moments before declaring her love for him.

'What's happened to you Sakura? You just suddenly start liking me…?' He questioned memories of their younger days flashed through his mind.

Sasuke…wasn't it always Sasuke.

Roaming the village the blonde greeted his admires absently while lost in memories.

As he passed through the streets of the village lost in thought he called to mind Hinata. She was a great friend. He felt elated to have such a close friend who believed in him. At the same time he was terrified that he could lose said friend. He just was in love with Sakura he always had been and for his personality he figured he always would be.

Mumbling to himself about his predicament he jumped to the rooftops. Taking in a view of the new Konoha he decided to sneak away from his new fan club and head to see his best friend Sasuke.

I need my friends more than they know. Iam so glad I'm not alone anymore.

Sasuke sat meditating in silence when the door to his "prison" swung open dramatically. He didn't even bother to open his eyes knowing immediately the hyperactive ramen addicted blonde would come through.

"We have to get you out of here teme," Naruto announced as if he stumbled on a very important discovery.

Sasuke opened his eyes but was silent as he observed his friend leaning against the wall. Naruto looked deep in thought and that amused the raven haired man.

"Silent treatment again," Naruto grumbled arms crossed glaring at Sasuke.

Sasuke said nothing and continued sitting there apathetically. He didn't really care about much of anything lately. Being stuck indoors doing nothing was something he was used to with Orochimaru and his endless caverns and underground hideouts but at least he could train. Bored to death he enjoyed the times Naruto came to talk.

He could live without the rest of those who visited. Sakura who tried to kill him didn't seem like she wanted to be there not that he gave her much to want to stay. Kakashi wasn't about to indulge Sasuke with details about his personal life or even lecture him about the past so they really had nothing to talk about which was a comfort.

His other new teammates he did not know. One was a Orochimaru experiment the other one of Danzou's operatives. He was amused that this Sai character was supposed to take him out as in kill him but somehow Naruto managed to change his mind. Of course he could somewhat remember both Yamato and Sai from their brief encounter when they tried to bring him back to the village.

After a long silence Naruto suddenly spoke, "So that red-haired girl seemed really into you…you two have a thing going on," he questioned holding up his pinky finger.

"Hn," he said and smirked at the memory of Karin. Karin, Juugo and Suigetsu had all gone their separate ways after the war. Truth be told he had no idea where any of them were he figured Taka's members were in prison somewhere just like himself. Then again maybe given the alliances Suigetsu was returned to Kirigakure to be dealt with. As far as Juugo and Karin were concerned…who knew.

"Is that a yes, did you finally get down to business and become a man while you were gone teme?"

Have you idiot, I doubt it.

"She's no one and just as annoying as Sakura. You think I'd be chasing after the likes of her with my goals dobe?"

"That's right…only now let me get this straight you suddenly want to lead this village after running from it and ready to destroy it. Meanwhile take the number one Hokage candidate…me I've talked about becoming Hokage," scratches his chin in thought with a pause for emphasis, "Oh my whole life! See now that we're talking…hey wait Sakura-chan isn't annoying don't talk bad about our teammate she…we both tried so hard to bring you back."

The idiot was still carrying a torch for his teammate of course there is no way he managed to have sex with anyone.

"What with all the time I was gone you couldn't seal the deal with her…Oh right she hates your guts right," dark eyes danced in amusement.

I don't have a thing to brag about but this is just too much fun.

Naruto ignored the game and asked, "Why give her hope and come back to the village?"

"I don't hate Sakura," he said seriously looking at his teammate he stood up and leaned against the opposite wall mimicking his friend's pose. "I just don't feel that way about her and as far as the village is concerned you should know…I have my reasons."

Stuborn pride won't let me say it out loud. You've always understood, dobe.

"Team seven means nothing to you?"

Well I guess he doesn't understand after all…damn it…

"Take a look around. Things have changed…so open your eyes. In everyone's eyes I'm the traitor and to any others they'd rather I disappeared…the only alliance I have is Team seven and since Itachi…

You're the only family I have anymore.

"Saskue…teme you do still care," Naruto exclaimed and headed towards his friend as if to hug him.

Sasuke jumped away and gave him a warning glare. "Dobe don't be weird."

"Ha ha ha like I was serious teme."

"Hn."

Yeah he still understands.

"Heh heh. This is great…you know I won't stop til I find a way to get you out of here. Itachi did so much he should be recognized."

Sasuke didn't know what to think about that. The very village that ordered the slaughter of his clan and the village his brother protected with his last breath always saw Itachi as a traitor in the same way he did as he took his life…no Itachi died of illness…I shouldn't have…

"If I get out of here I'll take care of those things about my family…the clan," he said.

"When you get out of here you can," the blonde corrected. His ever-present grin intensified.

It would take a lot more than words and promises to redeem the clan in the eyes of the village. It would take a lot more than words and promises to redeem himself in the eyes of the village.

I really don't care about any of that. The only goal left is Naruto becoming Hokage.

The soon to be Hokage grinned mischievously and asked, "So what about that girl you spent so much time with…are you going to rebuild your clan, eh?"

"Not with the likes of her!"

"Ino?"

"Not in this lifetime."

"So in the next lifetime, that makes no sense teme!"

"Hn."

"So maybe Sakura-chan has a chance?"

"Hell no."

"Oi geeze teme Sakura-chan is too good for you anyway," the blonde said glaring at the scowling Uchiha.

"Hn."

"O-Oh you're still into Hinata!"

Silence. His memories got the best of him and he blushed. Hating that his face betrayed him he pretended to busy himself with a scroll on the futon adding, "You remember something like that?"

"Well too bad for you she is into someone else he he."

It wasn't like I thought I had a chance anyhow…not anymore…maybe I never did.

"Figures she'll have to marry and build up her clan," he said his face normal now he went back to indifference.

"That bothers you I can tell," Naruto said suddenly in his face.

Sasuke fought the urge to push Naruto out-of-the-way figuring that would make his feelings that much more obvious to the blonde dunce. Instead of giving any reaction to Naruto's revelry he ignored the excited blonde and lay back on the futon.

"Yep I knew it," Naruto said sitting on the futon next to his friend, "so tell me all about it."

He figured it out and now he'll never leave me alone.

"She's part of the reason I came back," he said sarcastically.

"Really," Naruto said missing the sarcasm.

If Sasuke allowed himself to picture a future and he rarely did these days…he could honestly see himself with Hinata.

"Well let's just say she doesn't annoy me," Sasuke said.

But she's not for me. The moment I turned towards the path of avenger I lost the future I could have had. No even before that I cut off all ties with Hinata. Besides she fell for my best friend.

Memories of his childhood floated in his mind. The times he cared and felt so free…The times when Itachi teased him about his little crush on the bluenette and his blushing angry denials. All the memories were needless now as he was an adult and could face up to the reality of the situation. The time of carefree youth had passed.

"This is the longest we've spoke together in a long time…it is good dattebayo," Naruto said.

"You're an idiot and I'm just bored."

"Whatever you say Sasuke. So have you seen Sakura-chan lately," Naruto asked.

This again.

"She's been here every couple of days or so."

"Oh."

"You really are an idiot."

"What for?"

"If even she can talk about you to me you should see she's moved on."

"She talks about me," his blue eyes widened a bit surprised.

"Hn."

"Well Hinata is nice but she never talks about you. Looks like I win. Maybe I'll tell her-

"Shut it dobe."

"What the hell Sasuke teme you said it yourself she-

"There is zero chance of that ever happening so leave it alone moron." The dark aura filling the room sent a shudder through Naruto. His friend was really far gone. Sasuke was confused about why he was reacting to this at all. He was an adult now not some lovesick kid so he shouldn't react so strongly to Naruto's teasing. Who cares what the dobe tells her.

"Wow you really still like her teme. Who knew?"

"If I ever get out of here I'd like to kick your ass," Sasuke said.

"Well when you get out of here I'd love to see you try it," Naruto said grinning he jumped up, "I'm outta here places to go people to see. People like my friend Hi-na-ta."

"Just leave dobe."

"See ya teme."

"Hn."