Before you read, I wanted to clarify something because of a review I got. I never stated whether this was a Gaara/Naruto fic or Sasuke/Naruto. In the spirit of creating something suspenseful, however present that may be, I left out that information so you, the reader, could discover what is happening on your own. The summary to this story really only states what happens in this first chapter. Had I written the entire story beforehand then I could have come up with a better summary. As it is, I hope you are not misled or disappointed. Please, enjoy.

It was Naruto's favorite sort of afternoon. The sort of day where nothing goes wrong. The sky had a perfect ratio of clouds to sunshine. There was just the right amount of fresh wind blowing. Every pool was inviting and every tree provided perfect shade for a nap. Unfortunately for Naruto, he could not take advantage of the beautiful day. There was far too much work to be done in his hometown of Konoha. Naruto had recently been dubbed a hero by every friend, neighbor, and stranger in the city. And with good reason too, he'd saved everyone's lives just moments prior to collapsing from exhaustion. Just about everything was wrong in Konoha. Several villagers were injured, their Hokage, the wise and strong leader, was in a coma, and the entire village was destroyed. A wide, gigantic pit now lay in the center of the village where Naruto battled Pain of the Akatsuki. Wreckage and rubble from homes and businesses lay strewn everywhere.

Near the battlefield, the villagers had set up tents to tend to the injured. A guarded tent contained the unconscious Fifth Hokage, Tsunade and a separate tent contained the recovering Naruto. All around people were starting to gather wood to rebuild their home and a debate was ensuing with the higher ups over the possibility of a new hokage. Despite the destruction and chaos, the villagers maintined an air of hope and determination. They awaited the return of Tsunade from her coma and worked hard to rebuild their homes and keep their neighbors safe.

Near sundown, Naruto began to stir in his tent. His attendant tried desperately to keep him resting but stubborn Naruto would hear none of it. After scrambling to escape, he headed back towards the bustle in town to help only to be shot down and sent back to his tent. His cries and pleas did nothing to gain him approval and so he stormed off to a high cliff to at least keep watch over Konoha. He set up his tent, made a little fire, and sat down to observe his friends at work. This type of work never was suited to him and after a few hours he began dozing off. He grumbled and complained about nothing and stood and sat and kneeled and groaned to himself of his boredom. Naruto readjusted his sleeping bag to stick out just enough from the tent so he could still see the village below and lay in it to rest. After a few minutes, his exhaustion caught up with him and he blissfully slept.

As Naruto slept soundly, a noise came from the forest. But the rustling in the trees did nothing to disturb him. The blood red eyes peering from the foliage might as well have been on the other side of the world for Naruto was not aware he was being watched. A cloaked figure emerged from the dark of the trees and quickly snuck into Naruto's tent. Upon entering, he noted that Naruto still slept messily and looked like a child, definitely not like a hero. He would have observed him longer but time was short and dear. A slender pale finger prodded Naruto's chest repeatedly and casually. Naruto stirred and whined but made no attempt to wake up. A perfect finger stuck Naruto on the forehead this time, and with more force, just before he jolted upright screaming and cursing at the encounter.

Sasuke removed his hood to reveal his face and swiftly put a hand over Naruto's mouth to ensure he would not be caught in Konoha.

"Mrfffmmhhmrrrmm," was all Naruto managed to get out through Sasuke's grasp.

"Shh...I'm not here to kill you." His eyes darted around before meeting Naruto's, "I've got something to tell you." He let his hand drop.

Naruto stared at him, stunned and expectant.

"I'm sure you know I've killed my brother." Naruto simply nodded and waited.

Sasuke continued, "After our fight, I was going to destroy Konoha...but I suppose I'm too late."

At this, Naruto blurted out, "Why would you want to destroy KONOHA! All our friends are here, Sasuke! When are you going to come home?!"

Sasuke simply flicked him on the forehead and muttered an insult before continuing. "There's too much you will never understand. But that's why I'm here. I need you to come with me."

Now Naruto was really confused. "Go with you? Where? I can't leave, look at the village! What's this all about, Sasuke?"

Frustration rose over Sasuke as he fought not to strangle his 'friend'. "Listen, there's nothing here for me. You're the only one I have any ties to. So, come with me."

Naruto looked positively pleased, but as his armed was grabbed and pulled after Sasuke stood up, his smile faded. "I can't go with you. Konoha is in ruins. This is my home. I have to help." He looked away. "Even if I could leave with you, I wouldn't."

At this, Sasuke sat clumsily back down. He glared at him, awaiting an answer.

"Sasuke, you don't know what's going on in my life. You're not the only person I care about. I can't abandon everyone and disappear."

"I'm the only one that matters! You've spent all this time trying to get me to come back and here I am! So, let's go. I'm tired of this."

Naruto simply said no. In his mind he wished Sasuke would come around.

"What is so important about all those people?! They hated you! And you stay for them?

"Let me catch you up on what you've missed. You'll see why our friends are worth it."

"I doubt it."

Naruto started up his little fire again and began his story.

"After you left and we failed to get you back...I left to train." Sasuke simply stared with no particular emotion on his face.

"I was gone with ero-sennin for about two years. I sure learned a lot...not all of it useful...But that's where one of my important bonds was formed."

"Okay, so you got a new teacher, big deal." Naruto scowled.

"Anyway! After I came back home I found out everyone else had been training and getting stronger too. Man, Sakura is scary! Her and I took on Kakashi you know...we caught the bells!"

"So two years of training and you finally completed your first genin training? That's verrryyy impressive." An even bigger scowl.

"Had you been there you would have seen how scared Kakashi was!" Naruto gleamed triumphantly as he recalled the pleasant memory. His joy, however, was not entertaining Sasuke nor was it changing his mind. Nevertheless, he carried on.

"I didn't get much time to catch up because Gaara got kidnapped..." Sasuke looked annoyed at the mention of Gaara.

"He tried to kill you and almost destroyed the village, yet you went and rescued him. What an idiot."

"Hey, you've tried to kill me too! And you wanted to destroy the village! I would still put my life on the line for yours. That's my ninja way!"

"Yeah, yeah. So you went to Suna. What then?"

"Our team and fuzzy brow's team worked together to bring back Gaara. In the end we lost this cool old lady...but she saved Gaara's life and Sakura said she died happy so I guess that's good. All the villagers were really excited to have Gaara back."

"That doesn't have anything to do with you." Now Naruto was growing frustrated.

"Well let me get there! Sakura and granny were the ones who kept Gaara safe, but after we got back to Suna, Gaara and I got really close."

"You mean he got close to try to kill you?" By now, Naruto was losing his patience.

"Uhg no Sasuke! Gaara loves me he would never do something like that, it's in the past." Sasuke looked amused.

"Oh, he loves you?" Naruto flushed and tried to hide his embarrassment.

"I mean like a friend! We're just really good friends now and he wouldn't go back to his old ways." Sasuke eyes him suspisciously and motioned for him to go on.

"And then there's Sai. Sai joined our team after we saved Gaara and at first he was really weird but now he's starting to act more normal and he's really begining to fit in"

Sasuke asked to feign interest, "He's the one that draws right?"

"Yeah, he kind of reminded me of you at first, but now he's really cool!" At this, Sasuke twitched a little, clearly annoyed.

"Right...is that all? Sasuke really didn't care to hear any more about the dumb villagers Naruto associated with.

"Well everyone else you already know, basically we've all become great friends. And I found out earlier today that Hinata loves me! But I think she was just saying that because of the fight..."

Sasuke's twitch became a bit more visible, "Oh does she? And do you like her back?"

Naruto flushed again, "No, Hinata's great and all but I have GaaraAAAaaaa to thank for the person I currently like...yeah."

A devilish smirk grew on Sasuke's face as Naruto tried to make up something to cover up what he'd said. "Oh?" Sasuke hassled, "And who's this person you like?"

"Uhh...well...she's not from here..." Naruto was a perfect rose color and starting to sweat despit the cool air.

"Would she happen to be from Suna?" Sasuke continued smiling.

"Yeah...she is..." At this point he would have prefered Sasuke killing him rather than putting him through this torture.

"Well, that's great. I'm passing through there to get a few supplies. You're coming with me, I don't know anyone in Suna."

Having said that, Sasuke whisked out of the tent and disappeared in the dark of the trees leaving Naruto alarmed and worried.

.

After a good night's rest, Naruto awoke to a busy and bustling village. He came down from the cliff where he'd slept to help rebuild. He stopped in Tsunade's tent hoping he wouldn't find her laying in bed still, but there she was. Still in a coma. Sakura, his medical nin teammate, ran into him as he was walking away from the Hokage's tent.

"Naruto! I've been looking everywhere for you!" She looked worried and very upset.

"Sorry, I was standing guard all night." He answered, even though he'd been in a tent half the night and asleep the other half.

"It doesn't matter. Listen, if Tsunade doesn't wake up they're going to appoint a new Hokage! And I doubt it will be you. No matter how much the villagers like you, the higher ups don't think you're ready."

"Hmph, I'll show them! I'm gonna build a whole street of houses today! Then they'll see how dedicated I am!"

Before Sakura could reply, Naruto jolted off in search of wood. She went off to try to find someone to help her convince the elders that Tsunade should remain Hokage. Or at least find a better replacement than Danzo. Everyone in Konoha was busy building or cleaning or caring for another person. Yet, in the distant high up trees, Sasuke lurked; watching Naruto run around attempting to build houses.

As night fell and the villagers finished up their work, Naruto ran off to find Sakura. Everyone had gathered around the middle of the tents to relax and share food. There, several villagers argued that Naruto should be Hokage, or that they should wait for Tsunade to recover. Most everyone agreed but, ultimately, the decisions was not theirs. Naruto thought this would be a good time to bring up going to Suna, he DID want to know what Sasuke was up to. He also really did want to go to Suna, but he didn't want everyone to know why.

"Listen up everyone!" After a few moments of dispersing chatter, the attention was all on Naruto.

"I know you all want me to be Hokage, so while Tsunade gets better I'm going to Suna to try to get support from the Kazekage, Gaara, and their elders. Maybe if their village sees your point of view the elders will change their minds. And if Tsunade comes around it will at least have given us time for her." He waited.

The villagers started up their chatter again, faint arguments heard throughout the crowd. Sakura was the first to ask, "Do you think it's safe to leave the village right now?"

Several onlookers joined in at this. But Naruto was surprisingly well prepared. "I can take on Akatsuki and no one yet knows that Konoha is weak right now. Besides all our ninjas are home. Everyone will be safe. And once the Kazekage knows about the situation he certainly won't let anything happen to any of us."

The crowd murmured in agreement until someone shouted, "What if they see you're gone and appoint someone as Hokage!?"

Everyone stared at Naruto and waited. No one really wanted Tsunade replaced or for Naruto to fall out of the village's good graces. After noticing the look of wonder on his face, Sakura spoke for Naruto. "Kakashi-Sensei will prevent any rash decisions as long as possible. If anything he would probably be chosen over anyone else."

At this the villagers began to relax again. After brief discussion, mostly everyone agreed to let Naruto leave. He spent the remainder of the night amongst his friends before returning to his tent on the cliff to wait for Sasuke. While he waited, Naruto sat on the cliff to look at his home. He had to come back. No matter how much Sasuke might refuse to, he absolutely had to come back.

"It would have looked cooler if I'd been the one to destroy it. Pain obviously didn't do a good enough job, there's already houses back up." Naruto jumped a bit, obviously startled.

"Okay, I'm ready, Sasuke! Let's go!" Naruto could hardly contain the excitement of once again traveling with his old teammate.

They ran through trees in strained silence. Naruto wracked his brain in search of something to talk about. He opened his mouth every few minutes but would see Sasuke notice through his peripheral and would immediately shut it again. Embarrassed, he turned away and pretended Sasuke wasn't there. Still at a loss on how to communicate, Naruto sped up his pace and awkwardly passed his companion. It seemed in all the time they'd been apart, Naruto could not remember how to interact with Sasuke apart from asking him to come home. Furthermore, he could feel the renowned Uchiha eyes piercing into his back. Whether it was his imagination or not, he didn't know. All he could feel was that he was being watched. Naruto began to turn left and right repeatedly as though trying to find someone other than Sasuke who could be giving him this feeling. Almost frantically, he jumped sideways from branch to branch searching through the leaves. Still the eyes were on him.

"You look paranoid."

Sasuke's cool, calm voice startled him. He missed a step and fell face first onto a branch beneath him.

"Ahahaha yeah..."

"I'm in no rush. Let's stop here for the night."

"I can keep going! No point in wasting time, I have a lot of things to do once I get back home."

"Fine, a break then. We're not being followed." Naruto scowled but invited the time to rest. They sat up against two adjacent trees and leaned back. Sasuke merely sat while Naruto prepared to eat an apple from his pack. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the sight of the apple.

"I'm surprised you eat anything that isn't ramen."

He bit into it and mouth full, retorted, "I didn't want to make a fire yet." Naruto opened his pack wider and aimed it towards Sasuke's line of view. Inside were 4 packs of instant ramen. Sasuke simply sighed.

"Do you have another apple?"

"No, I don't even know how I got this one. I'm not really hungry, though, so I'll cut it in half."

Sasuke reached out and took the apple then commented, "Don't bother." He took a bite opposite Naruto's then tossed it back.

Naruto didn't react and simply bit and tossed, bit and tossed. After the apple was finished they just sat there enjoying the feel of the grass below them. Sasuke, cool as ever, almost curled his lip at noticing that Naruto's scent faded into the smell of the leaves in the wind.

Sasuke announced the break over. The two quietly stood to continue their travels. Over the silence, Naruto had finally thought of something to say, "So, Sasuke..."

"What?"

"Was that pink haired girl your girlfriend or something?"

He sighed, "No."

"I didn't think so. Who was she then?"

"Why do you care?" Sasuke didn't look annoyed so much as curious; almost as though he were playing a game.

"Well, she was traveling with you. I'd like to know more about what kind of friends you have."

"Karin wasn't my friend." Now he seemed less curious and definitely more frustrated. "She was a good sensory type and healer. However, I don't need her anymore. Satisfied?" He pointed a slight glare towards Naruto.

Naruto grumbled, "Jeez, still a jerk..."

The rest of the time until reaching the first of the sand was spent in silence. That is, until Naruto shouted, "Sand! We're almost there, Sasuke!"

Sasuke simply nodded. After a good while, Sasuke sensed someone. He switched on his blood red Sharingan eyes. "Naruto. Someone's coming." But Naruto had no reaction. He kept running and seemed to completely ignore Sasuke's warning.

"Hey, idiot. I said someone's coming towards us."

"I know, jerk! It's just a Suna guard."

"So what? We gave no notice of our travels. Plus I'm wanted everywhere."

Naruto couldn't help but laugh. "Gaara wouldn't hurt anyone who's with me! We're fine!"

An annoyed look came over Sasuke. He drew back his Sharingan but kept his guard up. He probably shouldn't greet a ninja on the offense anyway. But he wondered how Naruto would manage to keep him out of prison.

Sasuke's thoughts were interrupted when a Suna ninja appeard before them.

"Naruto, you know you are always welcome here but I cannot simply let you in while you are accompanied by Sasuke Uchiha."

Sasuke readied himself for a fight, but Naruto lay his arm before him. "Don't worry," he said with a huge grin and walked off to speak with the ninja.

Once away from Sasuke, Naruto spoke up, "Listen, I know Sasuke is wanted but he's my friend and I know Gaara will understand once I get the chance to speak to him."

"I'm not inclined to make that decision. He could be a threat to our village."

"Trust me. Gaara probably already knows we're both here with his sand. I'm sure he would have sent more than just you if he were worried, or he would have come himself."

"Fine, I'll trust you. But I must take his weapons."

Naruto waved towards Sasuke. "Hey! It's ok! Just give him your weapons and they'll let us go talk to Gaara."

Sasuke's eyes widened a little in surprise. "Fine." He walked briskly over and glared at the ninja as he reluctantly handed over everything sharp. He could still kill him even without all that stuff anyway, he thought.

Naruto and the nameless ninja ran side by side while Sasuke ran behind them. This time Sasuke's eyes watched the Suna nin cautiously.

As they approached the village, Naruto's eagerness began to show more and more. Most of the guards greeted Naruto happily; others murmered about the Uchiha. Although he didn't show it, Sasuke was surprised with how well known and liked Naruto was around here. After some time walking through the village, they arrived at the Kage's building. The group entered quietly and were motioned to wait while the ninja spoke to two comrades standing guard near a door. "Please allow me to escort these two visitors to Gaara-sama." One simply stood aside while the other winked at Naruto and whispered a welcome back. Naruto smiled Bashfully. They walked through a long corridor before arriving at another door. The ninja turned to them, "Please wait here while I inform the Kazekage of the situation." He turned back, went into the room, and swiftly shut the door behind him. Naruto grinned widely while Sasuke waited impatiently, still expresionless.

Just a few moments later the ninja exited and, while walking away, told them it was ok to enter. Naruto bolted into the room and shouted, "Surprise! I'm here Gaara!"

Almost as expressionless as Sasuke, Gaara replied, "Hello, Naruto, Sasuke. What brings you two here?"

"Well, you see-" Sasuke cut him off, "I made him come with me."

Gaara turned to face Sasuke, "Oh?"

"I need a few supplies from your village but I assumed I would be treated with hostility if I came alone. This is easier."

Naruto looked a little annoyed. "That's pretty blunt."

"Hn."

Gaara sat up from his desk and walked towards them. "This is fine with you, Naruto?"

"Haha, yeah. It's no big deal. Besides I'm definitely bringing him home after this!"

Sasuke almost grinned.

"Very well then. Let me show you to some free rooms." He motioned beside him, "Sasuke, your weapons are all on that chair over there. Let's go."

Gaara escorted them to a different part of the building and found a room for Sasuke first. "Sasuke, you can stay here. Allow me a few minutes to inform my guards they're not to harm you." Sasuke waved a careless farewell and shut himself in the room.

Gaara and Naruto continued further down several corridors. "Naruto, I hope you don't mind your room is next to mine."

Naruto grinned shyly, "No, not at all."

"Please get settled in while I speak to my guards, then come to my room. I wish to speak about Sasuke. I will let Sasuke know he's safe on my way back." He led Naruto into the room then left.