At three in the morning two 19 year olds crossed through the barrier into the city of Konoha. One was leading another that was tied up and blinded. As they passed the sentry the first nodded in greeting. The guard raised a hand and also nodded.
Usually, protocol would've required for the party to state their name and business, even anbu, like this party. For safety or security, the sentry didn't know or for that matter; particularly care. He just let them pass because he knew even though the face of the leader was masked, who it was. The bright, spike blonde hair stood out well in the night.
The anbu mask was a fox, enough of a reason to know who this was. His business was plainly stated not only by the guard's previous knowledge of Naruto's intentions, but also because the man who was bound and blinded behind him was irrefutably Sasuke.
Naruto was grateful that Shikamaru had let them pass without incidence. Everyone knew, especially Naruto, that Sasuke was a pretty big deal in Konoha.
Of course he was.
Sasuke had left the village not only the most powerful individual his age but also the most important. As the second to last heir of the Uchiha line, he was of great concern to Sandaime, maybe not as much of a concern to him as Naruto was, but still pretty damn important.
Needless to say that when he abandoned the village to go with Orochimaru, the Tsunade and the power-holders sent countless missions in attempt to retrieve him.
All failed.
Sasuke was very powerful, not even Naruto could beat him...but somehow, Sasuke was with Naruto, entering the village in the little hours of the night.
Shikamaru should have reported this but he knew that Naruto was probably tired, probably had no bad intentions, and he would probably reveal his catch in good time. He knew they would tell Godaime eventually. Mostly Shikmaru didn't care.
Naruto had no plans to show Sasuke off, he wasn't ready to. Also he didn't know if Sasuke was ready to be shown off.
He led Sasuke through the dark streets without sound and without conversation. There had been no conversation at all the entire time. Naruto had talked, but Sasuke didn't.
Nothing.
Just the angry glare. It made Naruto lonely...
He was very glad, ecstatic that he had captured him, but this happiness was short lived due to Sasuke's lack of enthusiasm. When Naruto got closer to the village he told Sasuke he was going to tie him up; mostly for show... Sasuke said nothing and let Naruto tie the ropes around his wrists, and giving him a disdainful glance while he tied a white cloth over Sasuke's eyes...
Thank God Sasuke wasn't staring anymore, it freaked out the blonde to see his former teammate's eyes filled with such malice for everything.
They wound their way to Naruto's apartment building. Naruto took out his key, merely out of habit, he had discovered house keys were useless in a town full of Ninjas. Usually he just broke into his own home. But tonight he put the worn out key into the lock and twisted. The door opened and they walked in, welcomed by a rundown hall and some stairs. They had to go up three flights of stairs to reach Naruto's apartment.
He groaned; he was worn out and would probably have to let Sasuke see to get up them.
He reached over and yanked down the fabric blinding Sasuke. His eyes hadn't changed.
Naruto stubbornly ignored it, grunted, and began plodding up the stairs. Sasuke followed. His expression was somewhat amused, but Naruto couldn't see it.
The pair arrived after three rests, one on each floor. If Sasuke had needed them, he didn't give any indication. But Naruto needed it so he sat down on the last step of each flight while Sasuke stood.
Waiting.
Staring.
When the blonde would finally feel able to move on he would stand up, glare back at Sasuke and turned to go up the stairs again.
"Yeah, yeah..."
They got to his door and he dug through his pockets to find the other key and was unable to do so. The other pocket also was empty.
"Hold on Sasuke..." He murmured, searching his pack, "I cant find my keys."
Naruto found no keys, though in his search he came across some pins. He proceeded to pick the lock. It took less than two seconds.
"Ha!" Naruto blurted out at his tiny victory. He was grinning widely as he turned the knob and threw upon his door. The hinges squealed as it slammed into the wall and bounced back a little.
Not much.
Honestly there wasn't that much that was expected, so Sasuke wasn't surprised. There was a kitchen, a bed , and a table with four chairs. Though why there were four, Naruto let alone Sasuke, had no clue. Sasuke assumed they were bought as a set. No one went to Naruto's house and only a few had ever been there. Iruka had come over on occasion for low-rate, generic ramen, but mostly to try to prove to himself that he meant something to the Uzamaki boy.
When Sasuke left, all this stopped and Naruto's house became foreign territory to everyone but the inhabitant.
The bathroom was off the main room, also it had a door that didn't look like would pass any land lord's test. Luckily the land lord was one of the people that thought Naruto needed to be killed because of what he was. She never stopped by.
Naruto reached over to the wall and flicked a switch and the lights came on blaringly. They were usually dim but both of the boys' eyes had adjusted to the seemingly unending night.
"well...uh...yeah...I gotta pee." Naruto said blandly, "Do whatever."
He headed towards the miserable excuse for a can, closed the door and turned on the single bulb located on the ceiling.
Sasuke stood. He looked at the closed bathroom door, a cursory evaluation of the space, then to the closed front door. His hands were still tied together. He registered this, moved his hands around a few times and the twine fell to the floor. The material had left red scrapes on his wrists. He rubbed them and reached his hand to the front door. His pale fingers rested on the bronze knob. He gripped the handle. His knuckles began to blanch. His face scrunched up in anger and confusion.
He wanted to leave. He didn't belong here, and this was wrong. Naruto was trying to save him.
He was beyond salvation.
But Sasuke wanted to stay too. He needed to leave, he had to go.
He just couldn't.
He stared at his hand, so close to opening the door.
The bathroom door creaked open, the toilet flushed. Naruto came out and stopped where he was. He watched Sasuke. Naruto's mind began to look for options. Should he stop Sasuke? Could he stop Sasuke? Should he call out, verbally reprimand him?
Naruto said nothing just watched, perplexed and downcast. He stood up straight and rested his hand on one of the chairs.
Waiting.
Time passed. Both minds raced.
Naruto became more confident knowing if it was taking up so much time for Sasuke to plan his course of action he had to be somewhat reluctant about leaving.
Naruto pulled out a chair and quietly sat. He put his hands behind his head and continued to wait for Sasuke. Naruto could see him quivering a bit.
Sasuke abruptly let go. It appeared as if the door had released him.
"Thanks," The word felt strange to Naruto after so much silence, he didn't stutter though, "fff... I dont know about you but am f'ing starved..."