Well hello everyone. It's been such a long time since I've written anything, so I thought I'd give it another go seeing as how I've improved drastically. Lol

Anyhow, this is a sasunaru story. I 3 them so. They've got to be my all time favorite. Oh and they're so freaking CANNON it's not even funny. =P By the way, Naruto in Bijuu mode kicks ass. 'Nuff said. *nods*

SUMMERY: It's just after the ninja war and on his way back to Konoha, Naruto encounters Sasuke. How will their battle play out? Will Sasuke finally come to his senses? Or will they both perish on the battlefield? SasuNaru Warnings: Violence, Swearing, M/M, Spoilers

**Story set in Shippuden after the ninja war.**

**SPOILERS in this story**

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters. Those belong to Kishimoto. I only own my ideas.

In The End

Chapter 1: The Encounter
*(Naruto POV)*

I looked out over the battlefield, gazing upon the destruction carving into the land. The area expanded for miles and every inch of earth had been uprooted, scorched, or destroyed. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty at that fact, for I was partially responsible for the destruction of the landscape myself. The place would never be the same. I run a hand through my hair, sighing and closing my eyes for a moment.

"Ma…Naruto," a voice to my left said. I turned to face the owner of said voice. I see Kakashi standing about ten feet away from me looking beaten and ragged. The marks of battle were all over him and he looked as if he might pass out. About four feet to his left stood Gai-Sensei. He looked just as battered as Kakashi did.

"Yeah?" I respond simply.

"Perhaps it's time to head back home. I don't think there's much left for us here," he stated quietly. I nodded in agreement.

"Yeah…let's head home," I said with a small smile upon my lips. It'll be nice to finally be able to relax again, I thought to myself. Home…I'd been away for so long, I don't know if I'd know what to do with myself upon arriving there. There was going to be a lot of cleaning up to do after this war and I'm sure there would be a plethora of paperwork stacked upon Tsunade's desk for her to sign off on. She certainly wasn't going to be happy about that. I chuckled lightly to myself at the image of Tsunade's raging fit about paperwork being annoying and then giving up and passing out drinking.

"Naruto bro! It's time for me to go!" I snap out of my thoughts and turn to see Bee-san smiling at me. His raps were silly at times, but they always made me smile.

"Ah! Bee-san! I didn't see ya there," I grinned, moving my hand to the back of my head and rubbing it. I walked over to him and held out my fist. He grinned real big and bumped my fist with his. I smiled goofily at our gesture and closed the distance giving him a hug before backing away from him again. "We need to stay in touch! Feel free to visit me any time! We can get in some more training!"

"Yeah! Yeah! Training sounds sick! More and more should do the trick!" Bee-san rapped, laughing afterwards. "Take care yo'."

"I'll see you later ok?" I turned from him and looked to Kakashi and Gai. "Are you guys ready to go?"

Kakashi and Gai turned to look at me. "Ah! Naruto! Always so full of youth! I am as ready as I will ever be! Let us head out now!" Gai shouted out. And he was saying I had a lot of 'youth'. The guy was always energized about something.

"Hai, let's get going. We can right up a report about today's transgressions when we get back," Kakashi added to the conversation.

We packed up what we had left after the battle. It wasn't much really. Only a few weapons and scrolls for we hadn't brought much with us. After packing up, we all nodded to each other and set off in the direction of Konoha.

The trip started off slow. We weren't in much of a hurry to get back seeing as there weren't any immediate dangers looming over us. Kakashi and Gai had suffered a number of injuries that were enough to slow their movement, but not enough to cause them to have to stop. Kakashi's eye had suffered a significant amount of damage. It was still bleeding slightly under the hastily wrapped bandage covering it. Gai had a few broken ribs that caused him to wince while breathing and he was certain one of the bones in his fore-arm was broken. I on the other hand, was no worse for wear thanks to a certain nine-tailed demon. Bijuu mode certainly kept my body from being too badly injured. Only a few cuts and scratches adorned my body, though my chakra was fairly low.

As we traveled on, I suddenly felt something I'd totally pushed aside since the battle had started. My stomach grumbled in frustration with me for not filling it. I stopped advancing and perched on a tree branch near a clearing. The other two members of my group stopped too, looking at me curiously.

I grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of my head saying, "I'm hungry."

Both Kakashi and Gai laughed at my antics before Kakashi said, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to stop to eat. It is just past six." He smiled and jumped down to the ground, choosing to gather up some wood for a fire. Gai followed suit and jumped to the ground, walking to the edge of the clearing. The green clad ninja turned back to us and stated that he was going to go find dinner. We both nodded to him and I turned to sit down by the newly roaring fire Kakashi had started. I stared into it and thoughts of a certain raven haired ninja ghosted through my mind.

"Ma…Naruto?"

I looked up from my reverie, shaking my head to clear my thoughts before saying, "Yes Sensei?"

The silver haired Jounin smiled warmly at me. "I think the time has passed on you calling me sensei. I'd say you've long since surpassed me. A fact in which, I'm proud of."

I smiled a small sincere smile. It meant a lot to hear that coming from him. Kakashi and I had never really been too close, but I'd always cared about him and held a good amount of respect for him. Well, that was after I'd grown out of my childish rebellious stage and realized that I need to protect the people important to me rather than yell brashly and disrespectfully at them.

"I guess it has, huh?" I laughed softly. "Anyway, what is it?"

He looked at me carefully then said, "I was wondering how you were holding up."

This took me a little by surprise. Kakashi didn't usually ask questions like that. Normally, he just offered up advice. Though, after finding out what he did during that battle I suppose he himself had been a little rattled out of character. Hell, if my best friend came back from supposedly being dead I think I'd been tripping out. Kakashi was definitely holding out better than I would have.

"I'm ok, actually. I for once feel at peace with myself. After Kurama (A/N: That's the nine-tail's name in case any of you don't know) and I linked together in Bijuu mode, everything just seemed to click. I no longer felt out of place being a Jinchuuriki. It was like…everything just made sense you know?" I looked at him as he gazed upon me studiously. I think he was looking for any sign that I might not be ok. My answer seemed to have calmed his mind, so he smiled at me and turned to poke the fire with a stick.

"I see. I was hoping for such a result. I'm glad you've found peace. I feel as if we no longer have to worry about the nine-tails so long as you're around."

"Yeah, I guess we don't. It's weird though…because ever since I found out he resided within me, I've hated him for causing so much pain in my life. But now, we're friends. In a way, being what I am is a blessing. I know I never would have been able to come as far as I have without Kurama." I stared into the fire and smiled a small smile.

"YOSH!"

We both looked up in surprise at the sudden noise and I almost jumped. Gai had returned with dinner. I felt a little ashamed for not being aware that he was approaching us, but with my stomach growling at me I didn't care. I wanted to eat.

"I've returned with dinner!" Gai boasted, holding up a long stick that had about ten medium sized fish speared on it.

I grinned real big. "Alright! Dinner!" I went over and set up two sticks to lay the pole with the fish speared on it across. We let them cook over the fire and sat around, talking about the day's events and a number of random things. I kept thinking of how nice it was to relax like this. Things were certainly different now than they had been not but a day ago.

The fish finished cooking and we each took our fair share of them, eating them quickly. A couple of hours had gone by since we'd stopped and I was suddenly feeling sleepy. Yawning, I stretched my arms up over my head and looked at my companions.

"Man I'm beat. What do you guys say to resting here for the night?" I looked at them as they turned to each other before glancing at me.

"Hmm…perhaps we should rest before making the trek back to Konoha. I could certainly use some sleep," Kakashi said lazily.

"Yes, let us re-energize the source of youth!" Gai shouted, smiling real big.

I laughed at his antics while the silver haired ninja just rolled his eyes at his long term rival. In a way, they reminded me of myself and Sasuke. Sasuke… I wonder where he is right now? My expression dulled and became a little sad at the thoughts of my lost best friend. I really hope someday I can drag his butt back to Konoha.

Kakashi raised a perplexed eyebrow at me but decided against saying anything. "I'll have first watch," he stated quietly.

We all agreed and found a spot each around the fire and laid down, getting as comfortable as we could. I suddenly felt the toll today had taken on me and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

I awoke the next morning feeling invigorated with new found energy. I was happy that today we'd be making our journey back to Konoha and that by evening, I'd be happily back in the home I'd loved for so long. It was going to be wonderful to be back there, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds and smells.

We packed up our area, putting out the last embers of the fire and started to head out towards our destination. Our group ran gracefully on, jumping from tree to tree. The wind felt good flowing through my hair in the early morning air. I didn't used to be an early riser, but here lately it didn't seem so bad to be up in the morning.

A good hour or two went by without a hitch. No one had spoken all morning. I guess everyone just wanted to get home. That's when I felt it though. A chakra pattern to the slight left of us. It was faint and almost unnoticeable, but with my heightened sense from the Kyuubi I could feel it. I stopped dead in my tracks. I knew that chakra pattern. There was no mistaking it's familiarity with me.

The two Jounins with me noticed my abrupt stop and paused, looking at me confused.

I stared off in the direction of the chakra pattern. "It's him," was all I said in response to their inquiring looks. They stood in shock for a moment as understanding hit them at just who I was talking about.

"Naruto…are you sure?" Kakashi questioned. Though, he knew in his heart that I was dead certain about it.

"Yes Kakashi. I know that chakra pattern anywhere. It's him alright and you know what? I'm dragging his ass home, dead or alive. He can pick which one," I stated with a serious tone and a determined look upon my face.

Kakashi just nodded slightly before saying, "Understood. Do you want us to come with you?"

"No. This is my battle. I'm the only person who can bring him back," I said in a matter of fact way. My expression and mind-set was geared for battle now. This would be the final time. Either he comes back, or I kill him in the process. This chase over the years has become ridiculous in my opinion and I felt like he's made a fool of me time and time again that I hadn't been able to accomplish bringing him home. I wasn't about to let that happen again.

"Alright then, we'll leave him to you. But Naruto…be careful…please. Come back alive," the silver-haired man all but whispered. Gai had a concerned look on his face as if he was itching to say something, but he thought better of it and nodded in agreement with Kakashi.

"I promise. Come on…if I could take out Madara, don't you think this should be a piece of cake?" I said as I looked at him, my expression giving off an air of smugness.

Kakashi looked at me once more in concern before turning to Gai simply saying, "Let's go." The two leaf Jounin resumed their journey back towards Konoha. I knew they'd make it there safely.

After they'd disappeared into the trees, I turned back in the direction of the chakra. Inhaling deeply, I steadied myself before bursting forward into a full out run towards it. This is it. It's now or never. Like hell I'm going to let him say no this time. I'll beat that smug look right off his face and drag him back to Konoha if I have to. I picked up the pace as I felt that I was getting closer. Any minute now and I should be right on him.

A moment later, I burst into a clearing. It was an enormous field of tall wheat colored grass. The grass came up to my hips and it swayed gently in the breeze. I looked around and that's when I spotted him. About thirty yards away from me, there he stood. I dashed as quickly as I could until I stopped, only about five feet from him. His back was turned to me.

Panting once I'd reached him, I gasped out, "Sasuke!"

Almost agonizingly slow, he turned around to face me. His face was expressionless, as with him it always was.

"Naruto."

And that's it for chapter 1! A little short for my liking, but I think I did an ok job starting off. It's certainly written better than my other stories. lol Anywho…hopefully it won't be too long before I get another chapter up. Leave me a review and tell me what you think. =) Reviews are appreciated. Flames will be ignored.