*Authors note: first chapter is up. Please review and no flames.

*Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

*warning: sasunaru (boyXboy) don't like don't read.

chapter 1

Sasuke was traveling through the forest. Orochimaru was dead and Sasuke had long since abandoned the Sound. Itachi was dead to, and to be honest, Sasuke wasn't sure how to feel about that.
"...and what happens after you get your revenge, Sasuke!? What then? Are you going to come back or are you gonna find something else to avenge?" A voice from long ago drifted into his mind.
"Hn. Dobe." The Uchiha smirked at the thought of the blonde idiot. But that smirk quickly turned into a frown. Naruto, Sasuke new he would never repeat this out loud, in a way(a very small way, mind you), was correct. What would Sasuke do now?
His thoughts wandered to the village, he did miss some of his friends. No, he missed Naruto. He didn't know if he could honestly call anyone else in that village his friends. Most of Sasuke's time in the village was spent with Naruto. Naruto was his best friend.
Was, Sasuke thought bitterly. 'Until you tried to kill him. Right after you finally admit to being friends with the loser. Some friend you are.' Guilt welled up inside him, but he pushed it back. He was an Uchiha after all, and Uchiha's didn't feel guilt, and they certainly did not apologize.
Uchiha Sasuke wasn't sure what he'd do.

Naruto Uzumaki strolled through Konoha, with his hands stuffed in his pockets, merrily whistling a tune. A few of the villagers waved, and Naruto flashed them a bright grin.
Ever since Pain attacked, Naruto had been seen as a hero. It was different from all the hateful glared he was used to. His goal to become Hokage meant even more know that he had the faith of the villagers. But, there were promises Naruto needed to keep first. Before he became Hokage he needed to find Sasuke, and after that he needed to keep his promise to Nagato. He would find a way to bring peace to the Shinobi World.
As he strolled past the Hokage tower, his mind wandered over to Baa-chan. She had woken up less then a week ago, and had given him a huge pounding for going out to face Pain alone. Then, she had hugged him, her shoulders shaking. Naruto smiled softly as he thought of the old hag. But, a mischievous smile broke out onto his face when he had caught her sleeping with a sake bottle earlier this morning. Shizune would have a fit if she found out that Tsunade had been drinking. Again.
Eventually, though, Naruto's mind wandered to Sasuke, the stubborn bastard. He frowned. He was beginning to doubt if Sasuke would ever come back. Itachi had been dead, so why hadn't Sasuke come home? What if he nev...
"Naruto! Oi!" A loud brash voice, that could possibly rival his own, hollered.
Naruto spun around to see Kiba, Hinata, and an ever stoic Shino. Naruto flashed them a grin, his whisker marks stretching as he did so.
"Sup Dog Face!"
WHACK!
"Hey! What was that for!?"
"Stop calling me that!"
"Yeah, well then you gotta stop hitting me!"
"Do you wanna fight, Uzumaki!?"
"Um...N-n-naruto-kun, Kiba-kun? Pe-people are s-starring."
Naruto and Kiba both rubbed their necks sheepishly.
"Sorry, Hinata." Kiba said with a light blush on his cheeks. Akamaru barked behind him.
"So what did you guys need anyway?" Naruto asked curiously.
Kiba starred at him, "What? Oh! Yeah, we were wondering if you wanted to come to the barbecue place with us."
"Yosh! Alright!" Naruto exclaimed, flashing another grin and squinting his eyes.
With that they headed towards the restaurant, Naruto completely forgetting about Sasuke for the moment.

just to be clear, this is after the Pain attack. Itachi is dead and Sasuke didn't join Marada. The Kage meeting hasn't been held yet, and Danzo hasn't been elected Hokage in Tsunade's absence. Sasuke split from the rest of Team Hebi, and Naruto has Sage Mode!(yeah!)

please review.

-Midnight Rose