II

Lady Tsunade was rapping her fingers on her desk, and then she sighed. She turned her chair to look out into the mildly cloudy, blue sky that was so frequently hanging over Konoha. It was a day of hard work for her, and waiting this long for Kakashi had not been on her agenda.

Shizune knocked at her office door.

"Lady Tsunade, those you've requested have arrived," she said.

Tsunade replied, "Send them in, Shizune, and make it quick. They're thirty minutes past the time I asked them to be here."

The door opened and two men walked in and stood in front of the Hokage. Tsunade turned her chair around and slammed her hands on her desk.

She said, raising her voice, "Kakashi, Iruka, I told you to be here thirty minutes ago. Do you know how much business I have to deal with every day without worrying about my subordinates putting my schedule back?"

Kakashi scratched his head and laughed a bit.

He said, "I'm sorry, Lady Hokage, I was on my way when I saw someone threatening an old woman, and I had-…"

Tsunade said, "That's enough, Kakashi, you can give me your excuses later. I summoned you here to talk about Sasuke, not waste any more time. He is being kept in the Konoha Hospital, or that's what I hear from Sakura."

Iruka stepped forward.

"Yes, he is," He said, "Yamato and Sai are also being kept there and given treatment for minor wounds. I'm sorry I acted without your permission and admitted Sasuke into the village, Lady Hokage, but I was the one who was present when their team reached the village gate. Kakashi came across us and helped me get them all to the hospital while we sent Sakura straight to you."

"Kakashi," Tsunade said, "is the jutsu Sakura used on Sasuke still effective?"

"Yes, Lady Hokage, and I also completely sealed off his curse mark to make him unable to use its power. He's recovering very quickly from Sakura's jutsu, but I believe we still have a few days before he can move or use any chakra. I believe it'll be best if we could have a member of the Hyuuga clan disrupt his chakra pathways so that he won't escape as soon as he's conscious," Kakashi said.

He put his hands in his pockets and looked off into space.

"If we can suppress his chakra and have him interact with friends, maybe we can win him back," he said, "especially if Naruto agrees to spend time with him while he's being brought back into village life. If what I heard is correct, his hesitation to kill Naruto is what allowed him to be subdued and captured by Team Kakashi, and without the ability to use his chakra Sasuke will be effectively harmless."

Iruka shook his head.

He said, "I don't know if letting Naruto stay around him would be a good thing for either of them. He talked to me not too long ago about having…affection for Sasuke more than could be considered discreet. Even if it brings him back into the fold, I wouldn't want us to defend Naruto from something worse later and alienate them both from Konoha."

"We know, Iruka," Kakashi said, "I noticed it over the course of their training and time as teammates; I informed both the third Hokage and Lady Tsunade of my observations. Even if it's taboo, I don't know how else we could convince Sasuke to stay with the village and stay away from Orochimaru. They would defend each other well as a team. In fact, they'd be happier, if it works."

Tsunade chewed on her thumb and furrowed her eyebrows.

"It is a taboo, but I am the Hokage," she said.

Iruka looked between them and said, "You can't be serious? This'll force us to remove them from the village if the elders or any of the…"

"Damn the elders, Iruka, and the people will all make it to live to another day if these two ninja are together. They could very well become the greatest assets to our village in recent memory," she said, "Even if it's taboo, it's be best for Naruto, Sasuke, and especially Konaha."

Iruka said, "Lady Hokage, what if Sasuke defects again as soon as he can use chakra? I don't want anything bad to happen to Naruto, his life has been hard enough, and we don't know what Sasuke is like after three years with Orochimaru."

Tsunade said, "I understand, Iruka, but it's something we have to find out. I will not let Orochimaru have Sasuke again, and I see this as the best way to do it. That's my decision as Hokage, and it's final."

Iruka and Kakashi stood up straight and said, "Yes, Lady Hokage."

"Kakashi, I want you to go to the hospital and check on Sasuke. I'll send Neji Hyuuga there to meet you. Iruka, give Naruto his new mission. You're both dismissed," Tsunade said.

Kakashi turned and walked out, Iruka taking just a moment longer as he stared off into space with a slight frown before leaving. Tsunade turned her chair back around and looked out the window again. She closed her eyes and slumped down as Shizune stepped into the office.

"Lady Tsunade, would you like me to go ahead and send Neji Hyuuga to Konoha Hospital?"

Tsunade let out a sigh.

"Yes, Shizune," she said.

She rubbed her temples as the door shut behind her, readying herself for more paperwork.

Naruto was walking home from the hospital on one of the narrow roads winding its way between the colorful, multi-story buildings of Konoha, his blond hair disheveled and carrying his orange and black jacket. The sun was beating down and made it hard to wear a jacket, so he just had his black under-shirt and pants on. He could not remember falling asleep. He only remembered watching Sasuke, lying face-up and his eyes shut, and his mouth was hanging slightly open as he breathed. The breath had been almost a whisper for how quiet and low it was. Naruto had thought that pale face surrounded by dark, messy hair was beautiful. That was the word he had settled on. He stopped and held up his hand, smiling. When he woke up with Sasuke's hand over his he did not know what to do. He tried to chalk it up to Sasuke moving in his sleep. He wished Sasuke had done it on purpose, but having a sword pointed at him a few days ago by Sasuke made it unlikely. He heard rapid footsteps and turned around to see Iruka, in his full jonin uniform, running after him and waving his arm to get Naruto's attention. Naruto smiled and waved at Iruka.

"Hey, Iruka sensei, what are you running after?" he said.

Iruka said, "I've been looking for you, Naruto, the Hokage gave me a mission to assign to you."

"Old Lady Tsunade? What does that cranky grandma want so soon after I'm back from my last mission?" he said.

Iruka stopped, bending over and panting. Naruto thought he must have run right from the Hokage building.

Iruka said, "Naruto, she assigned you to watch over Sasuke while we keep him here in the village."

Naruto furrowed his eyebrows. The choice confused him, even though it excited a vague hope in the back of his mind. He did not know why Tsunade would pick someone still classified a genin to guard Sasuke.

"Why did she choose me?" he said.

Iruka looked up at Naruto.

"Don't you remember what you told me about how you feel for Sasuke?" he said.

"No," Naruto said, "or, well…I remember that, but what do you mean? I couldn't keep him here all on my own without any backup."

"She wants you to keep guard over him because you're the one he couldn't kill, because you care so much about him. The Lady Hokage hopes you can bring him back into the fold and protect him from Orochimaru's influence. That's the plan, anyways," Iruka said.

Naruto stared at Iruka with his mouth hanging open. A strange mixture of pride and nervousness filled him, but the pride won out. He had brought Sasuke back and would save him. He wanted to run back to the hospital to see Sasuke again right now. He looked back at Iruka and shook his head, then he smiled.

"I'll do my best, if that's my mission. I'll do my best to make sure he won't leave Konoha again," Naruto said.

He noticed Iruka still looking back down toward the ground. He crouched down and put his hand on Iruka's shoulder, and Iruka shook his head.

"Naruto, I opposed this measure, but the Lady Hokage believes she can protect you from anything bad that could come of this. I haven't accepted it yet, and of course it's just hard to let you go, as your old teacher," Iruka looked up a little and smiled, "but I'll protect you with all of my strength and help you save him. I hope the best for you, Naruto, whatever my reservations. The village'll be here for you. I'll be here for you," he said.

"He'll come back. I know Sasuke is still in there, Iruka sensei, and I'll find him. Believe it. Thank you for helping me," Naruto said.

Naruto held out his hand and Iruka grabbed it, letting Naruto pull him up. Iruka nodded to Naruto and smiled. His old sensei still looked out for him, and Naruto was glad. He would not disappoint Iruka.

"Get back to the hospital, Naruto, you have a mission to complete," he said.

"Yes, sensei," Naruto said as he nodded back.

Sasuke saw his room immediately when he woke up, and could not feel his body. The white covers did not cover his dark hair, pale face, and upper body, covered by a white hospital gown. He held his right hand in front of his face and slowly closed then opened it to search for some feeling, but it was numb. He felt something that made him sit up when he tried to activate his sharingan. Sasuke could not manipulate his chakra. He heard the rustling of pages and saw Kakashi, in his jonin uniform with his mask and tilted headband, close and then stuff his copy of Icha-Icha Paradise in his flak jacket.

Kakashi said, "So, you're already awake, Sasuke? It shows your great strength of will and chakra that you managed to recover so quickly from Sakura's jutsu."

Sasuke glared at Kakashi.

He said, "What did you do to my chakra?"

Kakashi said, "We had Neji disrupt your chakra pathways or at least divert them so that you can't effectively utilize jutsu. I also placed a seal on your curse mark with the help of Yamato, which altogether should render you harmless to everyone else."

Sasuke grabbed the opposite side of his bed from Kakashi and tried to roll out. He breathed consistently and controlled his facial expressions so he could think clearly and get out, and he thought he could walk despite the numbness. After a few tries he finally managed to push out of bed and fell hard on the ground, barely bracing himself with his forearms. Sasuke reached up and grabbed the bed to stand up but feel down. He had to use both arms to pull his upper body over the edge. Kakashi was now looking at him, his eyebrow raised.

He said, "Your nervous system hasn't fully recovered from the jutsu, but if you want to go for a walk, someone's on his way to help you."

Sasuke clenched his teeth and fell completely off again, and he had to push himself against the wall to keep from falling flat. He did not know what Kakashi wanted, talking nonsense to him and watching him fall. He heard the door creak and turned his head so he could see who was coming. Sasuke saw the blue eyes first, then the yellow hair, and then finally the familiar orange.

"Naruto…?" he said.

Naruto stopped in the doorway and stared down at Sasuke. Sasuke thought the blank expression showed surprise.

"Sasuke…you're awake," he said.

Kakashi said, "Naruto, Sasuke's having some trouble standing, but I think he wants to go for a walk. Could you help him get around?"

Naruto nodded and walked closer to Sasuke. He bent over and reached out with his hand, but Sasuke scooted away from him. He did not want to walk around under someone else's power, especially Naruto's. He had spent the last three years suppressing his bond with Naruto. He did not want to lose all the distance he had forced on himself.

"No."

"I'm assigned to keep watch over you. Come on, Sasuke. Just lying on the floor like that won't prove anything. Let me help you."

Sasuke knew Naruto would not give up and would drag him out of there. He would have to tolerate being with him for now. Sasuke turned and held out his arm, and Naruto reached down to put it over his shoulder to support Sasuke, who was barely able to stand on his weak legs.

"Damn, Sasuke, you're pretty light for someone your size. Did Orochimaru not feed you very well?"

Naruto laughed a little, but it died quickly. Sasuke didn't say anything and turned his face away from Naruto's. He would talk as little as he could, no matter how hard Naruto tried.

Kakashi said, "Naruto, I have an idea to help you start your mission. How about you take Sasuke to get some new clothes? The clothes he came in are ragged, and he probably won't like wearing his hospital clothes for long."

Sasuke was shivering and hugged closer to Naruto for warmth. It was a reflex he could not stop because of mental and physical fatigue, and he told himself not to let himself do things like that again. When Sasuke felt Naruto tense and tighten the grip of his arm around his back he knew Naruto would interpret it as more than an involuntary search for warmth.

"Yes, Kaka sensei," Naruto said, "I'll find the best clothes I can. There's a store nearby that I buy from all the time."

Sasuke could see Naruto grinning. He kept his blank face and looked away from Naruto, and he felt his legs strengthen with blood circulation. He would have to play along with Naruto until his chakra and physical strength had recovered. Sasuke felt Naruto tug at him and start turning towards the door. He followed all of Naruto's movements and made small, halting steps that were getting surer. Naruto loosened his grip a little and Sasuke nearly fell right outside of the door. Naruto caught him and pulled him up.

"Hey, idiot," Naruto said, "Don't trick me by trying to stand on your own. I'll help you until you can really walk without falling and killing yourself."

He squeezed Sasuke and laughed. Sasuke suppressed his anger.

He said, "Hn."

Sasuke heard pages turning in the hospital room as he and Naruto started to walk down the hallway.

Sasuke had decided he did not like wheel chairs. Naruto was pushing him down the unpaved streets at a quick walk and not even slowing down when there were ruts, making Sasuke shake around and nearly fall. He almost reconsidered leaving the floor of the hospital. The wheelchair came to a stop and Naruto leaned over Sasuke's shoulder, and Sasuke gripped the chair tightly and slid forward to the edge of the seat.

Naruto said, "This is the place!"

Sasuke looked in the window display of the small shop, decorated with red, faded letters that were painted on so long ago they were flaking off, and he realized it was a thrift store, showing off what had been left behind by other ninjas. He gave a slight frown without thinking and resumed his blank face when he saw Naruto looking down at him.

"What's wrong, Sasuke?" Naruto said, "This place is really great, and it's a good bargain."

Sasuke said, "Hn."

Sasuke felt the chair rotate and braced himself as Naruto started pushing, but contrary to expectation he pushed Sasuke without going too quickly. The coolness of an electric fan blowing above relieved the heat of the sun that had been beating down outside as soon as they crossed the threshold. There were several racks of clothing in the center of the room and on the sides, but no one sat at the desk, which was covered in dust. Wood made up the floor, walls, and shelves, like all the other buildings in Konoha. Naruto sighed.

He said, "The owners should check on their store more often. The clerk always leaves early for lunch and doesn't even close the door."

Sasuke did not think security was an issue in a store that sold other people's old things, but he did not bring it up. The less talking the better. Naruto pushed him to the back, past rack upon rack of musty clothing, and picked up a white loincloth off of one of the thick shelves pushed to the back wall that he inspected thoroughly, looking at it closely. Then Naruto held it in Sasuke's face.

"Hey, Sasuke," he said, "I'll pick a loincloth for you. Is this good?"

Sasuke looked away and stared at nothing in particular. There was a sign over the shelf that said "new" in fat, white letters against black, so he did not care. As long as no one else had used it.

He said, "Hn."

Naruto had walked up to the shelf and laid the cloth on top. He looked down at Sasuke and back at the shelf, scratching his chin. He reached in and grabbed another one as Sasuke focused on his breathing to try to not pay attention, because he knew Naruto was just trying to re-establish familiar contact. He would not give in.

"You know, you're just a little skinnier than me, but not by much. I think you could probably use the same size," he said.

Naruto shook the loincloth off before tucking it into his jacket. He folded his arms and raised an eyebrow, and Sasuke stared back without a word.

"Sasuke," he said, "that wasn't very nice. I'd like some gratitude for buying you new clothes, especially clothes as nice as the clothes I wear."

Sasuke did not say anything, averting his dark eyes from Naruto, who pushed him to another rack and another rack, picking out a shirt, jacket, pants, a utility pouch, and sandals. Tension filled Sasuke's body more and more as they went through the store, until he suddenly grabbed the wheels of the chair and made it screech to a stop, making his chaperone pay attention to him. He had to tell Naruto off before he got the wrong idea. Sasuke kept his voice even and quiet.

"Why are you buying me clothes?" he said.

Naruto looked down at the floor.

"I don't want to be here. I want to be out there, getting stronger to fight my brother. Don't fool yourself, Naruto, I'm going back to Orochimaru as soon as I can use jutsu," Sasuke said.

"Sasuke…" Naruto said.

"No, don't say anything," Sasuke said, "Stop trying to hold me back. You make me weak by keeping me here. Our friendship keeps me from what I have to do to fulfill my destiny as a member of the Uchiha clan. I'm rolling around in a wheelchair while Itachi insults my family name just by living, Naruto. Do you understand?"

Naruto silently pushed him to the front counter and pulled out his green, frog-shaped wallet to leave the money for the clothes. Sasuke twisted around to look at him, but Naruto would not look into his black eyes.

"You have nothing to say, Naruto?" Sasuke said.

Naruto set the money on the counter and put his wallet back in his pocket. He met Sasuke's eyes and turned the corners of his mouth up in a small smile.

He said, "Sasuke, I understand that you want revenge, but there's more to life than killing Itachi. You had close bonds with your family, but I never had a family or anyone like that when I was young. Still, I managed to make friends and found other people that kept me from giving up. I won't let you go until I convince you that this village is your home. And I wanted to say this a long time ago, but…I-I need you here."

Naruto put his hands on Sasuke's shoulders and let them settle there. Sasuke's instincts told him to wriggle away, but he just sat there, looking up at Naruto. He let his shoulders relax.

Naruto said, "I need you here, Sasuke…"

Sasuke felt a warm feeling fill his whole body and turned away from Naruto to stare straight ahead. He found himself not able to think; Naruto didn't move for a long time. When Naruto stood removed his hands Sasuke had cheeks a light shade of red, his mouth slightly open, and had to shake his head to wake up. Sasuke felt Naruto's hand run brush his hair behind his right ear, and he frowned and leaned forward to get away from it. It was a fight to do even that. He had forgotten how what these feelings were like when they had first affected him, some time after he had joined Team 7. Naruto's sudden laughter made him clench his jaw.

"Now let's go to my place and you can try your new clothes on," he said.

Sasuke had barely any time to grab hold of his chair before they flew out the door.