Disclaimer: Naruto is drawn and written by a fantastically splendid, wonderfully cute, and very talented manga artist Masashi Kishimoto. (Obviously, I don't own it.) On top of that, I don't own the terrific song, Give You Back by Vertical Horizon, which I listened to over and over while writing this fiction.

In the Previous Chapter: Ten years ago, Sasuke – in a morbid attempt to protect Naruto from his darkness – left the injured blonde on the doorsteps of the hospital. Because of this, Hinata begged Tsunade to erase Naruto's memory of Sasuke. Trying to recollect a missing piece of his life, Naruto chases after Sasuke – who is no longer in Konoha.

Chapter Four Rating: PG13 (for language and sexual implications)

My E-mail: rosesareblue at ymail dot com (e-mail me with any comments or suggestions. Remember, there's nothing like feedback that improves an author's moral/writing.)

Give You Back

A SasuNaru Fic

by rosesareblue

That's enough

Just talking about it

Give You Back by Vertical Horizon

Chapter Four: You're the Reason

If you did not read the warning, go back and do so now. Often, people review about this problem and a simple solution is already given.

Amoto winced in pain as scorching pain wrapped more tightly around his slender ankle. The child drew his left leg closer to his chest and panted from moving against the excruciating sensation. White and black flashes altered before his dizzy eyes.

He'd overdone it. He'd wanted to make his shuriken fall directly on the target behind the huge boulder (He'd been at it all morning for god's sakes and unless he got his act together, he'd never catch up to his father at this pace!) and he'd succeeded at last. He'd twisted his leg at the last second to shift the weight on his upper body and the shuriken had neatly embedded itself into the desired target behind the boulder with a satisfying sound of tearing of wood.

But immediately his success had been followed by a crunching noise and Amoto realized the price he'd paid for the one decent shot was his ankle – which was twisted back so that his foot nearly bent onto his shins. Amoto grimaced again but felt that it was a fair trade – the shuriken success and his anklebone.

The only problem would be – how'd he get home in this state?

The dark-haired boy bit into his lip against the pain and wondered if he could will his body to move despite the broken ankle. Deciding that it was worth a shot, he pushed off the ground mightily and immediately fell face down into the dirt.

Damnit.

Tears welled up in Amoto's blue eyes and threatened to spill over. Kuso! He couldn't cry! A ninja stronger than the hokage did – not – cry – ! Amoto drew in a sharp breath and was glad his mother hadn't come with him to witness his pathetic state.

Kaa-san! His mother would be worried about him and might even come to look for him… but she didn't know where Amoto's secret shuriken training ground was. The child had randomly wandered into this abandoned clearing and had discovered the dusty targets. He'd not told anyone about this place because he'd wanted to master his shuriken skills alone… Gah! He had to get back!

His determination renewed, Amoto tried to struggle to his feet again only to pitch forward once more. The dark-haired boy closed his eyes against the impact with the dirt but none came.

Amoto blinked and realized that he was in someone's warm arms before promptly passing out from pain.

Naruto jumped from branch to branch, red chakra leaking out of him in his absolute anger.

"He's gone! I think I dozed off for a little bit and he's not here anymore!"

Sakura's words echoed in his mind as he hurried through the forest. It was so very clear to the blonde that the pink-haired woman had been pretending just now because he knew, now, to look for it. Didn't Sakura know that there'd been tears in her eyes and pain in her expression as she lied out rightly to him?

"I'm sorry, Naruto. I should have stayed by his side the whole time."

Had she always been pretending to him? Had his best friend been acting for the last ten years? She'd been rotting in a lie to protect him from Uchiha Sasuke? And Hinata – she'd kept this crucial secret from him even before they were even married – Naruto felt the guilt swell and churn in his heart and make his mind obsolete. Why hadn't he noticed something was missing? Why the fuck hadn't he done anything to save the two people he cared about the most in the world from having to live a lie for ten years?

Had he – had a small part of him –

Always adored this lie?

Naruto had to find Uchiha Sasuke. Quickly.

Sasuke glanced down at the unconscious child in his arms. The raven-haired man's gaze trailed the slickness of the small jaw, the precise angle of the chin, and the curve of the plump lips. Every detail – all of it – was Naruto's. The beauty of the sleeping child was Naruto's.

The Uchiha's mouth felt incredibly dry as he continued to just stand – not knowing what to do but stare at Uzumaki Amoto. This child only existed because Naruto loved Hinata and yet – and yet, this child was perfection, wasn't he? Yes, the child's existence was perfection. And Naruto and Hinata's love was – was –

For a minute, a crazed thought exploded in the Uchiha's mind. He'd flee Konoha – with the child! And Naruto – Naruto would come looking for his son, wouldn't he? Naruto would chase after Sasuke for Amoto… And then, maybe – maybe then, Naruto would – would –

Would what?

Sasuke bitterly shook out of his momentarily delusion. There was nothing. Sasuke could expect nothing more from Naruto. Sasuke hoisted Amoto so that the child rested in a more comfortable position in his arms and sighed. He'd return the child to the Hyuuga household – perhaps get a glimpse of Naruto again – and leave like he'd promised Sakura. There was nothing to hope for. Nothing. Nothing.

As the raven-haired man turned to leave the clearing that many years back his older brother and he had used to practice kunai throwing, he found himself facing a beautiful blonde woman.

Tsunade tugged a stray lock behind her ear and sighed. "What happened to that promise about leaving Konoha forever, Sasuke? Or, perhaps, you only care to keep promises with a certain person…"

Sasuke stiffened at the insinuation and his dark eyes grew sharp. After a long threatening pause, he spoke curtly, "I'm taking the boy back."

Tsunade smiled wryly. "You know as well as I do that Amoto is just an excuse." Tsunade took a small step toward the Uchiha and extended her hands. "I'm here to make that excuse obsolete. Give the child to me."

The Uchiha's eyes flashed red, but after a controlled breath, returned to obsidian black. A spasm of fear shot up Tsunade's spine and she struggled not to show it. The Sharingan appeared with even the slightest change in the raven-haired man's chakra – Sasuke had grown even more powerful over the years. Of course, he'd killed Itachi with this freakish strength…

Ignoring the blonde woman's out-reached hand, Sasuke started to step past Tsunade.

Tsunade dropped her lightly shaking hands and spoke quietly. "Tell me, Sasuke. Which do you want more? Naruto's love or – " Tsunade's voice dipped to a breath above a whisper. " – or his happiness?"

Sasuke stopped in his tracks as his ears unwillingly drank in the blonde woman's words.

"Because, I assure you, you can never have both."

"What are you saying?" Sasuke shifted back and spat.

Tsunade's empty smile returned, "Maybe I'll share with you an interesting lesson about the human psyche… After all," Tsunade stared meaningfully at Sasuke, "Youths know too dangerously little about how the human mind – and the human heart – works."

Sasuke glared. "Just speak."

"Let me heal the boy while I tell you – his ankle is hurt badly."

After a suspicious glance, Sasuke reluctantly placed the boy in Tsunade's arms. The blonde woman gently placed Amoto on the dirt and bent over the child, thanking the gods that she didn't have to face the Uchiha while she told her story.

"Do you care to guess why the villagers accepted a demon to be their rokudaime, Sasuke?" Tsunade ventured after a long intake of breath.

"Naruto's not a – "

"To the villagers, he was for over twenty years." Tsunade interrupted the Uchiha's outburst, bitterly. "And, you see, the human mind is nowhere as near capricious as the human heart."

The blonde woman's words stung. Sasuke glanced away and guessed, "Be-because Naruto killed Orochimaru…"

"That's one of the reasons, of course, but it took a lot more for the villagers to wholeheartedly accept Naruto…" Tsunade's voice was distinctly hollow. Though Amoto's ankle was no longer swollen now, the blonde woman continued to relay curative chakra upon the wound and refused to look up into the burning black eyes of the Uchiha.

"Another big reason would be because most of Naruto's friends hold the most respected positions in the village and their attitudes toward Naruto changed many of the villagers' thinking. Yet another would undoubtedly be Naruto's marrying into the Hyuuga clan. Of all people Sasuke, you must know of the scope of power a noble bloodline invokes."

Sasuke didn't want to know of any reason to appreciate the wench that'd tainted his blonde. So he quickly insisted, "And, what else?"

There was a long hesitation before Tsunade finally spoke. And when she did, her voice shook so much that it was hard to understand.

"B-but most importantly…m-most importantly… Th-the best way to forget a p-past love is to, is to love again. An-and the best way for-for the public to forget a c-criminal is to find another to blame. In this case, that 'another' w-was- "

The woods were totally silent – save Tsunade's voice.

"N-Naruto disappeared after killing Orochimaru – I suspect he was with you, Sasuke – and passing time h-helps to dim mem-memories. So when, when, Naruto came back – te-terribly injured – I, I, thou-thought, it was for the best to – to erase his memory of you. I ordered all traces of the Uchiha clan to be destroyed. Itachi was a traitor to Konoha. And you-you had affiliation with the Sound. People were already s-suspicious and I did nothing to hinder this type of propaganda from spr-spreading – helped it even. The villagers came to believe – believe that – that – the demon of Konoha was not the Kyuubi that rested in Naruto, but the blood of the Uchiha clan…

"Sasuke, you are the reason that Naruto could rise to become the hokage."

"Say, Tsunade ba-ba."

Tsunade looked up at the eager twelve-year-old before ducking her head to return to her paperwork. "What is it, brat?"

Naruto briefly glared at the beautiful blonde woman before wondering out loud.

"Do you think that, um, that the, er, hokage can, er – " Naruto fidgeted, looking down at his toes.

Tsunade impatiently slammed her palms against her desk. "Just spit it out, runt!"

"I wanted ta know if the hokage could, er, marry anyone he – I mean she! – she wants." Naruto said in a rush.

Tsunade stared at the blonde sourly before hissing, "Is this some implication to me to get married, because, if it is, you are going to learn the hard way why some people consider that matter personal…" Tsunade trailed off menacingly, cracking her knuckles.

Naruto paled and tried to laugh it off. "It's got nothing to do with that, I swear! I was just asking, cos, cos, I'm gonna be hokage one day and, um, I, er…"

But this was so precious! Tsunade's eyes glinted evilly as she leaned forward over her paperwork to scrutinize the blonde's crimson features as though the name of the girl Naruto had a crush on was written on his forehead.

"Sure, brat, the hokage can marry anyone he – oops, I meant she – wants." Tsunade drawled.

"Really!" Naruto's blue eyes opened wide in happiness.

"Really." Tsunade nodded firmly.

"Anyone?"

"Anyone."

"Even bo – bo – " Naruto flushed. "Even, er, bo-boring people?"

Tsunade furrowed her brow. "Why would you want to marry a boring person? Seriously, runt. Tell me what poor girl is the object of your desires."

"He's not – I mean, she – SHE! – isn't a poor…poor person." Naruto flushed again, before turning to hurriedly exit the hokage's office. "Thanks for answering my question, Tsunade ba-ba. Ja!"

Tsunade blinked after the dobe. Naruto wanted to marry… to marry…

"SASUKE! I TALKED TO THE TSUNADE BA-BA! WE CAN GO NOW!"

"Stop screaming, dobe."

"Don't call me dobe!"

"Whatever… dobe."

"TEME!"

Naruto burst into a clearing – far from the center of Konoha – and found Tsunade, standing stiffly with Amoto in her arms. At the blonde's appearance, the buxom woman smiled wearily.

"Good morning, hokage-sama."

"Tsunade ba-ba." Naruto panted, gesturing with his eyes to Amoto. "Is something wrong?"

"Your son is as accident-prone as you are." Tsunade cooed fondly. "But he's fine now."

"Ah, that's good." Naruto replied swiftly. "Listen, Tsunade ba-ba, could you take him home for me? I, er, I was going to – "

"No, Naruto." Tsunade spoke curtly. "I think you should take your son home. Take Amoto and return to Hinata."

Naruto blinked at Tsunade's slightly accented tone. After a short silence, he spoke sharply, "Was it really necessary to erase my memory of Uchiha Sasuke, Tsunade ba-ba."

The blonde woman didn't blink an eye at the abrupt question. "Yes."

Naruto drew his lips into a stubborn line and hissed, "How so?"

Tsunade lifted her chin defiantly and said clearly, as though she was reading from a book, "You entered the hospital in a critical condition. Your right shoulder bone was in splinters and the bone fractures had slit more than a few vital veins. You were missing some of your intestinal organs. Yet you somehow moved your body outside the hospital no less than twenty-six times – sometimes even leaving the Village of Konoha entirely. We tied your arms and legs to the bed and still you rubbed off the bonded skin and went to search for a man who'd already sold his soul to the devil. You seemed determined to die and the only thing amazing about it is that you didn't succeed. So, yes, hokage-sama, it was necessary."

Naruto had no words to answer the sudden flood of confessions. He opened his mouth only to close it again. Finally, after a long silence, he sighed – briefly closing his frustrated blue eyes – and came forth to take the child from Tsunade.

"You belong to more than yourself now, Naruto." Tsunade whispered. "You are the father of this child and the husband of a woman who loves you with her entire being. And – you are the hokage of Konoha. Your death is no longer your choice."

Tsunade slid Amoto into Naruto's arms. Naruto's heart was beating so loudly that it distorted his perception of reality. He realized faintly that Tsunade was crying.

"Erase the limited memory of that man you gain through this short time yourself, Naruto." Tsunade murmured. "Erase him and live."

Naruto swallowed thickly. He parted his lips, slowly, difficultly, and was about to utter soulless words when pale fingers pressed against his lips.

"Chi chi..." Amoto began softly. "Chi chi?"

"Wh-what is it, son." Naruto's voice was thicker than usual.

"That way." Amoto reached out, pointing into the density of trees. "Uchiha-san went that way."

"Amoto!" Tsunade exclaimed, her eyes flying open in surprise. "What are you – "

"He holds me so I can hear the beating of his heart, jii jii." Amoto interrupted the horrified woman and timidly met his father's blue eyes. Apprehension was shining in the little boy's own blue eyes. "So that my head rests against his left chest. So that one hand is on my head. Like you are doing now."

"Chi chi, Uchiha-san holds me exactly like you do."

"So, um, Sasuke?"

"Hmm?"

The boys were lying on the grass, a tangle of limbs. Unusually, it was not the aftermath of sex. They'd been sparring and after Sasuke had bested Naruto – 6 to 4 – Naruto had decided to evade reality altogether and lied down on the grass to do some cloud-watching. Sasuke had sprawled out next to the blonde dobe. Stray kisses had led to random wrestling and, now, both were too tired to move.

Naruto rubbed his hand up and down, brushing expertly against Sasuke's clothed thigh. "I was wondering what we were going to do after we kill Itachi."

Sasuke snorted while simultaneously spreading his legs for Naruto to get easier access. "Run around in hell?"

Naruto snickered. "Obviously, I was assuming we'd live to have a future when I asked the question."

"That's a big assumption." Sasuke muttered, concentrating on Naruto's hand moving higher up on his thigh. "Oi, dobe. Should I take off my pants or something?"

The blonde frowned, aghast. The stroking stopped abruptly. "Are you serious?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow and closed his legs around Naruto's hand. "Aren't you? Isn't that why your hand is here?"

Naruto pursed his lips and said crisply. "As if you have stamina left to screw me, bastard."

"Just because you are tired, doesn't mean I am." The raven-haired boy scoffed. "But, s'okay. You can just lie on your stomach and I'll do the work. I'll even take off your pants for you." The Uchiha added, generously.

"Shut up." Naruto grunted as Sasuke started to chuckle at the blush that claimed the tan face. "You know, bastard, you better thank kami-sama that you are goddamn sexy because you really have this major personality problem."

"You like it just as much as I do when we get started." Sasuke pointed out, a little irritably. "Why you put up such a fight ahead of time is a pain-in-the-ass mystery."

"Plus," Naruto snapped primly. "My muscles are too sore today so you can go masturbate in some corner or something, you perverted jerk."

Immediately, Sasuke dragged his body up. Propping up the squeaking smaller boy as well, the Uchiha went to work massaging Naruto's shoulders. The blonde groaned thickly and leaned comfortably back against his lover's chest.

"Sa-sasuke."

"Hmm?"

"Seriously, what are you going to do if we manage to kill Itachi and live."

Silence.

Then, "Resurrect the clan."

Naruto yawned. "Right. So, um, would that be with Sakura-chan? Or Ino?"

Sasuke stopped in mid-squeeze and frowned darkly. "Why are they in my unlikely-future-after-Itachi?"

"Having your children." Naruto said matter-of-factly and couldn't help adding, "Duh."

There was another long pause before the Uchiha finally spoke.

"Naruto. Can't you get a womb off the black market or something? Or maybe I can ride your ass while you are in sexy-no-jutsu and it'd work…"

"Sasuke, babies aren't made through 'riding asses'."

"… Er, I knew that."

"Uso!" Naruto accused, laughing. "You lie!"

"No, really." Sasuke muttered, a faint pink appearing on his pale features. "I knew that."

"Admit it, bastard, you have zero knowledge about the basics of biology."

"Coming from a dobe that somehow has multiple orgasm. Or maybe I'm just that good…"

"SAY ANOTHER WORD AND DIE!"

A smile played on Sasuke's lips as he replayed one out of the million banters he'd shared with Naruto. His mind recreated how Naruto licked his lips mischievously before blowing against the unguarded white of Sasuke's neck – how Naruto's face bloomed into a grin when the dobe somehow managed a decent comeback – how Naruto always used his right arm to circle Sasuke's neck and his left to set against the bigger boy's back when they made out –

"Uchiha Sasuke."

Sasuke's eyes flew open as he leapt to his feet and faced the man that'd slipped under his guard. The intruder stood gracefully in billowing robes, his lithe body proud. The blankness of his skin made him seem almost otherworldly. Dark lines rimmed eyes of gorgeous, brilliant green and soft crimson hair framed the starkly beautiful features with an arrogant elegance. This man aloofly bore all the signs of a man that was always meant to be different – meant to be one and only.

Gaara of the Sand.

Sasuke drew himself up and warily brought his hands up in a defensive pose. But the red-haired man gave a slight tilt of the head.

"No. My business is with the hokage."

At the simple words, Sasuke felt his throat burn with a liquid hot jealousy. Gaara didn't miss the flicker of rare emotion and made an invisible smile.

"By your reaction, I'm guessing you met the hokage by now." The red-haired man said quietly. "And the meeting didn't go well in the slightest."

"If you have no business with me," Sasuke began, hating the direction the conversation was going. "I'll relieve you of my company."

As the raven-haired man turned to go, Gaara wondered out loud, "Are you going to die now, Uchiha Sasuke?"

Sasuke swiveled around and glared at the red-haired man. "It's none of your fucking business, Gaara."

Gaara of the Sand chose to ignore the hostile words as he continued thoughtfully, "So you are going to follow Naruto's path…"

Sasuke's gaze darkened. "What are you implying?"

"Uchiha Sasuke, Naruto died ten years ago. Since then, I've never referred to him by his name. Only by what he's become. 'Hokage'."

Gaara looked up at a rather surprised Uchiha and smirked.

"It is rare for me to 'miss' an entity. Other deaths have failed to teach me that emotion – but Uzumaki Naruto is – as you must know well – a different case all together." Gaara extended a hand toward the gorgeous raven-haired man and waited for him to take him up on his offer. "So, let me make a deal with you, Uchiha Sasuke. If you promise to let me meet with Naruto in the future, I'll escort you to the hokage now. As I know it, the villagers of Konoha – even the rokudaime – must obey the last orders of the godaime. But, you see, I am the kazekage and I am immune to those orders…"

Lunch at the Uzumaki household was unusually quiet. Hinata glanced worriedly first at her husband – picking thoughtfully at his fish with no intention of feasting on it – and next at her son who was mournfully shoveling rice into his mouth. The young wife knew Naruto had failed to meet Uchiha Sasuke – and probably had already guessed that his failure had been collaborated – and she supposed that Amoto – ever precocious – sensed that there was something sorely wrong with his father's behavior.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata piped up, immediately reddening as she realized her voice was too loud and too abrupt. Hating herself for acting like she was still in the academy, she took up Naruto's soup bowl and poured more broth into the bowl, "Have some broth while it's warm. I tried a different kind of – ittai!"

Accidentally pressing her finger against the hot handle of the ladle, Hinata lost her grip on the bowl and hot liquid splashed onto her hand. Immediately, Naruto stole his wife's finger into his mouth and sucked against the scorched skin.

"Kaa-san!" Amoto exclaimed, getting to his knees. "Gah! You gotta be careful!"

"Tahs wa Iee lawyz aye!" Naruto agreed, though it was hard to understand since the blonde still had Hinata's finger between his lips.

"It's your fault, stupid! Kaa-san was trying to get your soup!"

"HWAt!"

Hinata burst into giggles at the familiar sight of her son arguing with her husband. The fair-skinned woman felt tears start to swell in her creamy eyes as she laughed. Everything seemed so normal – so perfectly normal! Was all of this… wrong? How could such perfection be wrong?

"Kaa-san? Does it hurt so much?" Amoto – who'd been staring at her face – asked, instantly worried. "Kaa-san?"

"…"

Naruto silently stared at Hinata shake her head slowly and, smiling gently at their son, wipe away the dewiness from her eyes. Letting out a quiet sigh of defeat, the blonde slowly got to his feet. Offering a hand to his wife and hoisting her to her feet when she questioningly took it, he led her toward the family room in search of band-aids. Amoto started to his feet too, in order to follow, and paused when he heard the doorbell ring.

"Why don't you see who it is, Amoto?" Naruto suggested over his shoulder.

Amoto nodded and clamored down the hallway, leaving his parents together.

"You know, Naruto-kun." Hinata chirped brightly. "It doesn't really hurt."

Naruto nodded and carefully applied salve to the woman's hand.

"I'm a ninja too and it's only a little burn." Hinata went on, animatedly gesturing with her free hand. "I was overreacting. Stupid of me, really, since it is all my fault!"

Naruto wrapped a crisp band-aid on his wife's white finger and interrupted her too-cheerful babbling by wrapping her tightly in his arms.

"Naru – Naruto – kun?" Hinata's voice was unsure – a little afraid – as Naruto's grip on her strengthened.

In his arms now was a woman that had noticed him when others had gone out of their way to ignore him. In his arms was a woman that had believed in him ever since he was some demon-fox – before he could even make a proper bunshin – before he became a ninja – before he became the hokage. In his arms was a woman that made for him the family that he never had and bore him a son that he treasured. Hyuuga Hinata embellished Naruto's past, gift-wrapped his present, and promised him his future…

Of course, it didn't change the fact she lied to him for ten years. Ten long, long years. Yet –

Tsunade's voice echoed in the blonde's mind.

You are the husband of a woman who loves you with her entire being.

Was there any question that Hinata loved him? Was there a doubt? Was there a shred of a reason to make her tremble in his arms as she was doing now? Make her fear he'd leave? For what? For who? For Uchiha Sasuke because he was wearing some piece of jewelry that Naruto probably lost during his great fight with him? For some stranger that appeared after ten long years of absence just because Amoto told him that Naruto and he shared little habits?

If Naruto had meant anything at all to the raven-haired man – where had he been for ten fucking years? Ten fucking years it took to destroy every existing memory of the said man that lingered in Konoha? Ten fucking years in which his best friend had been wrecking her own life to make Naruto's life a living dream? Ten fucking years in which his wife had been piling one scarring sin after another in her soul to protect him from a truth that'd been killing him?

If Uchiha Sasuke was so very important to Naruto – how come it was Hinata's fear and not the raven-haired man's pain that tore up Naruto's insides?

"Hinata-chan." Naruto whispered fiercely to Hinata. "I promise…"

I promise I won't leave you. I promise I won't leave you. Because I love you more than anyone else in the world, I promise I won't leave you.

His mind repeated the confession a million times but his lips – for some reason – wouldn't form the words. And – for the breath of a second that Naruto struggled to speak – a short memory flashed in his crowded mind –

"I'm not gonna let you go again, Sasuke." Naruto was crying, grabbing onto the collar of a raven-haired boy. The boy looked up at him and snarled, obvious contempt shining in obsidian eyes, "This is getting old real fast, usuratonkachi."

And Naruto had –

"Naruto-kun? Are you alright?"

Hinata stared at the blonde man tear away from her as if he'd been burnt. He's hands were trembling mightily as he tried to regain his sense of balance. As her creamy eyes filled themselves with her husband's gorgeous image, Naruto spoke in a voice that didn't seem to belong to him.

"Hinata-chan, I promise I won't leave you like Sasuke left me…"

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