Title: Reunion of Shadows
Author: Lisea18
Rating: T will be M later
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, I'm making no money from writing this

A big thank you to Lady Valtaya who was my Beta for this story!

Author's note: English is not my first language, so please forgive my mistakes.

Adding the votes on y!gall, and aff, the result is this fic will remain KakaSasu. However, those who voted for 2 and 3 don't be too sad, I will make a KakaNaruSasu oneshot one of these days (it's a promise).

Reunion of Shadows 8

If you asked Kakashi how this mess had happened, he wouldn't be able to explain. He had awakened with his back leaning on his couch, Sasuke's head on his lap, Naruto's head in the raven's one and Sakura's head on the blonde's one. Most of them had still their legs, or at least a part of their body, curled under the Kotatsu, keeping them warm. Cushions propped his back and were scatted all around them, creating a nice cocoon and preventing all of them from awaking to backaches or other delights of this kind.

He knew Sakura had appeared sometime during the night, scowling deeply but had ended up staying with them. Naruto had convinced her to have fun and celebrate Sasuke's return and freedom. They had pulled out the Kotatsu around that time, along with drinks and food whose remains still sat on it. Kakashi sighed as he noticed the two neatly folded Hokage robes; Sakura had brought them with her, explaining a Hokage had to look good all the time, so he had to have at least two spare robes. She had drilled into his mind that he was aloof enough as it was and that she wouldn't tolerate him not wearing them or having them wrinkled.

Since when had he let his team get the better of him? He couldn't tell her off though… not when she was mourning Tsunade's death. Another heavy sigh escaped him as he noticed he had slid his fingers into Sasuke's hair, and was combing them gently. The young man was asleep but the movement behind his eyelids let the copy nin know he could wake up any moment, he was still aware of his surrounding and on guard. Like most ninjas who lived long enough to know nowhere was safe and that betrayal waited just around the corner- it was sickening because Sasuke was only 16. At the same time it was touching to see proof that he still trusted them.

Kakashi combed the strands of dark silk and he smiled fondly. He didn't deserve such trust from his team, especially not from Sasuke, who had endured so much suffering, partly because he hadn't been a good enough teacher to protect him from Orochimaru. However he couldn't help feeling happy to have him back, to have his whole team safe and close to him. He let his grey gaze sweep over his students, he was so proud of them. Even if he had made mistakes, and they had been parted… in the end, everything was well. Obito would be proud wouldn't he? It scared Kakashi to think he had let people get close to him once again, especially since the raven whose breath warmed his lap was becoming more than simply precious.

Naruto cracked opened one blue eye, he didn't have to blink sleep away; he had been awake for a while now but didn't want to move from his comfortable spot on Sasuke's outstretched legs. Furthermore, if he moved, he would disturb Sakura. Instead he used this opportunity to savour the smile on Sakura's face, and the closeness of his long lost team-mate.

Kakashi had been the only one pronouncing Sasuke's name without getting depressed- he had said it as if it meant nothing… but now that the raven was back, the change in him was perceptible. Their usually aloof teacher seemed at peace with himself, which hadn't been the case after Sasuke had left, even if he took pains to hide it.

The blonde bit his lip as he took in the gloved hand buried in the dark mane, fingertips gently massaging the scalp in what seemed an unconscious action. He had never thought Kakashi's feeling were… Younger, he had cursed because the copy-nin had chosen to train Sasuke; he had thought it was favouritism but soon understood it was only because they were more compatible. After his training with Jiraiya, he had been pleased to see the extent Kakashi would go to train him, just like he had Sasuke. But now… now he knew even if there was no favouritism in his teaching, it wasn't true about how he felt for them.

Naruto closed his eyes again and breathed in Sasuke's scent. He had no words to describe it, and he wasn't going to compare him to flowers or other girly stuff. He let his fingers press a little more against that warm clothed skin, enjoying the proximity, the fact it was allowed. A pang of jealousy made him curse mentally as he couldn't evade wondering if he would have the right to stroke Sasuke's hair like Kakashi was doing. It was unfair the man had all Naruto had ever wanted: he was Hokage and he had Sasuke's affection, if not love. And it was stupid of him to think that, Kakashi had nothing to do with the situation and Naruto knew he was too young to be Hokage yet. So he was going to be happy for them.

Sakura began to move and sat, rubbing her eyes and giving him a sleepy smile. Then she saw the clock and jumped to her feet.

"Kakashi-sensei! You should be at the Hokage tower already!" she exclaimed, grabbing a robe and almost forcing the grey-haired man inside it.

Sasuke had sat the moment he had felt Sakura move, and so Naruto had been forced to sat too. He stretched and stood but felt his legs wobble.

"Hey Sakura-chan you're heavy, you killed my leg!" he whined before clopping away from his now pissed pink friend.

Naruto was pretending to nurse a bump on his head, because really Sakura hadn't whacked him hard enough to hurt. He saw Sasuke quietly stretch and shake his leg, trying to have blood flow back in. The blonde grinned happily, knowing it was one of Sasuke's well hidden kind sides. He would have to thank Sai for showing him just how much Sasuke had cared for them… Because at first, Sai had been what Naruto had thought Sasuke was: a bastard that only cared for himself. But even when he kept insulting Naruto, Sasuke had always come to save him; he had always watched his back and cared for his team.

"Everyone out, come on we can't afford to have Kakashi be later than he already is," ordered Sakura, hands on her hips.

They all obediently left and Sasuke was smirking as they waved Kakashi and Sakura away. Naruto turned to his friend to find him already walking away.

"Teme! You could wait for me!" he accused, running after the raven.

"Ramen?" replied Sasuke, eyeing him above his shoulder.

Naruto's grin nearly spilt his face in two as he pounced on Sasuke. He draped an arm around his shoulders and was shrugged away, and glared at… like in the good old times.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

They had been working on rebuilding Konoha for most of the day. They bickered and randomly fought when Sasuke couldn't take Naruto blabbering any longer or Naruto couldn't take Sasuke sending insults or "hn" his way. In fact they simply used that pretext to relieve their muscles by another activity than rebuilding and cleaning up the wreckage… and truth be said, they were having fun.

"Watch out bastard!" screamed Naruto, letting a huge stone fall right where Sasuke was.

"You dork," began Sasuke already moving out of the way only to have a huge hand block the stone, a long shadow covering him as brown eyes gaze worriedly at him.

"It's ok Juugo," reassured Sasuke, not surprised as he had felt them approaching.

Them including Suigetsu, the latter playfully sneaking around him in half liquid form. Finally he materialized, leaning on his team leader, his pointy teeth on his ear.

"How mean Sasuke, you could have waited for us to be released. We had to ask that idiotic Karin where you were so we wouldn't wander helplessly in Konoha," pouted the water-nin, moving away as the raven slapped his arm away.

"She's with that pink-haired girl, working at the hospital," replied Suigetsu at one raised eyebrow.

That was all Sasuke needed to know, and he went back to his work, Naruto jumping to his side, nodding to the two new arrivals. Juugo gazed at the blonde then his leader, already seeing the links that were there… even the one-sided ones. It wasn't his business so he simply set to work.

"Hey Sasuke, why are you wearing a turtleneck?" suddenly wondered Suigetsu, sitting on a stone and drinking from his beloved bottle of water.

"He doesn't want Naruto to hit on him," dead-panned a voice from above them.

The four of them raised their heads to see Sai, legs dangling in the air. He waved at them, one of his fake smile firmly set on his face. Suigetsu tilted his head.

"Hit on him? How interesting!"

And that's how they found out that they could be friends… or at least be a good team to piss off both Naruto and Sasuke. Hell had started when Suigetsu had wondered if the raven had in fact something to hide, like a hickey. That lead to the water-nin trying to make the Uchiha take it off. Sai had joined, saying he was sure Sasuke had put it on to prevent Naruto from ogling him. And that since Sai was Naruto's friend, he should help him fulfil his heart's desire, especially since with a small penis, he didn't stand a chance by himself. Of course that had lead to Suigetsu wondering about the blonde's masculine attributes and so on.

After such a day, Sasuke wanted nothing more than peace and quiet. Since his team had nowhere to go, he had invited them into the Uchiha estate. He gave them the keys to three houses (he knew better than to put them together). He picked houses rather far from his own, so he could have his privacy and silence, Juugo's was the closest, in case he needed him to control his murderous rage. He had lent a hand in the cleaning but had left as they went shopping for food.

He dropped his things and sighed, the layer of dust having him do so lifting before slowly settling back. He wasn't in the mood for cleaning everything; his bedroom would be enough for now. Fortunately he had kept his deceased mother's habit, putting clothes in garment bags, as well as bedding. This way it was still clean and bugs and other insect pest didn't damage them.

Sasuke frowned as he felt eyes on him. He doubted he was being paranoid, but then it was surely an Anbu keeping an eye on him in case he went rampant or something. It seemed the new council was still as big a pest as the old one. He shrugged off the feeling and set to cleaning the room, keeping a weapon close to him; a ninja could never be too careful.

When he was done, a bath seemed more than appealing. After getting rid of the cockroaches, he would have to do a very thorough full cleaning, since his house had been abandoned for so long. He had water, but it was dirty at first, then it cleared as it ran for a while. He made sure to close the window and the shutter, he didn't mind an Anbu trailing him, one peeping at him was another business altogether. He drew a warm bath, and while it was filling, took a nice hot shower and washed his hair (1).

As soon as he was out of the shower, he used a tiny bit of chakra to dry his hair. The ends naturally took their usual spiky form, the electricity in Sasuke's body made sure of that. He grabbed his sword that he had kept at arm's reach all this time and settled it near the bathtub. He slid inside, closing his eyes in pleasure as the warm water engulfed him. As much as he loved to bask in this relaxed state, he was dead tired and really needed some sleep. He dragged a towel over to him, causing a loud clatter when his sword fell on the floor. Sasuke cursed but as he was bending to retrieve it, the window shattered.

Forgetting his weapon, he swirled in the water. Chidori Nagashi already chirping around him as he blocked the sword attempting to behead him, instead it cut a deep gash in his arm. Without his chidori, he would have lost the limb because the shocked attacker swore and dropped his weapon into the water.

Another blow was sent his way by another assailant, Sasuke jumped out of the bath to evade it.

He was now facing both of them; the first one still crouched on the windowsill. He snorted as he saw a trail of blood escape his nose, so much for Naruto's sexy no jutsu. Sasuke lunged, grabbing his mask and twisted, forcing the intruder to make eye contact. This one was done for.

Of course his comrade was already moving, slashing at this chest. Sasuke jumped back and cursed as he saw the man touch his partner's forehead with the tip of his fingers, he felt the surge of chakra. He had broken the genjutsu. In a continuation of his movement, the masked man was already back to attacking. The men were good, especially this one.

Using a thread, he brought his sword to him, parrying their attacks. The injured anbu suddenly vanished but the Sharingan found him immediately. Sasuke gave a cry of surprise as all the water drops clinging to his body suddenly turned to ice, piercing his skin. Fortunately he had the reflex of surrounding himself with fire, but some had already drawn blood. No mortal wounds but he needed to end the fight fast; he was loosing too much blood and his tiredness wasn't helping.

The ground shook as a doton jutsu was used on him, stones materializing from nowhere and burying him alive. He let them do so, feigning surprise as the anbu close to him jumped out of the way. Sasuke closed his eyes and concentrate, building chakra. Amateratsu blew all the stones out of his way, effortlessly blasting them and the intruders through the wall and sent them sprawling into the garden outside.

Knowing he couldn't kill them if he didn't want the council going berserk, he focused his chakra and put out Amateratsu. Dazed and nearing chakra exhaustion, Sasuke fled. He didn't go to his team, knowing they were probably being attacked as well. He had to trust them to get rid of the Anbu on their own. He had to warn Kakashi before the anbu accused him and his team of attacking them.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Naruto had left at least one hour ago, after bringing ramen to his teacher and his guard dog, ie Shizune. He had been a nice interruption but also a tiring one. Kakashi eyed Shizune with hate. Yes hate. It was past midnight and he wanted to go home and read, or sleep- anything but staying here to deal with stupid papers that could wait for tomorrow. But the dark-haired girl was making sure he dealt with most of them, seemed like Tsunade had traumatized her. Oh he could have ditched her… and he was going to, like, right now, or would have, if yelps from the corridor hadn't drawn his attention and then the door slamming opened.

The first thing his hopelessly perverted mind noticed was how fucking damned beautiful Sasuke was. Especially all naked like that, nature had been more than kind to him; he was simply perfect. Then he noticed the beaten and bloody state his ex-student was in. In a blink he was at his side, noticing just how pale the teen was, sweat glistened on him, especially on his forehead. He had lost lots of blood, and some of it was definitely coming from his eyes, otherwise his injuries weren't that serious but he seemed abnormally tired.

"I was attacked by anbu, maybe from root… If you're lucky they are still at my house." stated Sasuke, blinking to keep himself awake, Amateratsu had drained him, more than anticipated it seemed.

At Kakashi's incredulous look he added: "Just look for the big hole in the bathroom wall…"

That brought a lazy smile on his teacher's face, well according to his twinkling and curved eye. Sasuke frowned, pissed but didn't move, Shizune was healing his arm, he didn't want to disturb her. He was feeling hot and dizzy, maybe he had pushed his luck with Amateratsu- not that he would let Kakashi and the medic know that.

"I know Sasuke, I doubt you would be running around naked otherwise," chuckled the Hokage, fighting himself not to pinch or slap that pretty ass.

Sasuke didn't give Kakashi the pleasure of blushing, it was a trivial matter. People had tried to kill him, would have certainly put the blame on him since he had kicked their ass, so being naked was the last of his worries. However he was grateful as Shizune gave him a cloak to cover himself. He blinked once again; it seemed he had difficulties concentrating. He was feeling so hot, as if fire was coursing through his veins. He wiped sweat from his forehead and didn't even notice the worried looked Shizune was giving him.

"I demand to speak to the Hokage!" ordered an angry voice, the door slamming open to let one of the council members enter.

He was tall and in his late 50's, scars marred his body but he didn't hide them as Ibiki did. It was strange because you could almost wonder if it didn't form a bizarre drawing. Some of them were painted in colours, none had ever asked why; most assumed it was the important ones. Simple dark cloths clung to his body and made his make up appear less exuberant.

"Alraune," greeted Kakashi, languidly leaning against his desk, but eyes sharp.

The man had strolled into his office confidently and was now standing in Kakashi's face, only far enough back to avoid looking blatantly disrespectful.

"That Uchiha you are so concerned with protecting, just attacked two Anbu, they came to the council, beaten up and badly injured to report it! They had been keeping an eye on the teen because they believed him too hot-headed and –"

"Don't mistake me for Naruto," Sasuke growled, obediently holding his arm up for Shizune to cure all the injuries the ice had made.

The man sharply turned on his heels, visibly shaken by his presence. He narrowed his eyes slightly then sighed.

"Well, since you're here, give us your version of the story," he said, glancing at Kakashi as if to ask for permission, even if he had already taken the liberty of acting.

"If I had attacked them, they would be dead. I already gave my version to Hokage-sama," simply answered Sasuke, stubbornly hiding how worn out he was.

"And butt naked, mind you," added Kakashi, his beloved porn in front of his eyes, a clear warning that the discussion was already over.

The grey haired man gave shrug and let his visible eye grin at the glare he received. Alraune shook his head and went for the door.

"I see you have things covered already. What shall I do with the two men?"

"Send them to the hospital to be tended to," replied Kakashi, waving him away without pulling his eyes off his favourite literature.

The door closed and before anyone could react Kakashi had send a bird to the medical yard and another to Ibiki. He had to know if it was only two stupid Anbu trying to show off by taking down the Uchiha, or if it was something more serious… like Root or a powerful family trying to take out a future rival.

He was a huge threat to the established power structure in the village, to be taken out or won over as an ally. There was no doubt Sasuke was going to have an influential position soon. He came from one of the most respected and feared families in the world (even now, few people knew the dirty secret behind the fall of his clan). He had the Sharingan, was the Hokage's former student and remained close to him, plus, he was the future Hokage's best friend… Not to mention being one of the more powerful ninja in the world.

"He's all patched up," announced Shizune, surprised by the seriousness of Kakashi's expression, despite the book opened in front of him.

"Good," congratulated Kakashi, turning back to his paper work, the sooner it was done the better.

"But he was poisoned; don't worry, I gave him a generic antidote," she turned to Sasuke. "But keep an eye on your body, if you feel anything out of the ordinary, come to me."

Sasuke nodded; keeping the coat he had been given and stood up to leave. It explained why running around naked hadn't fazed him as much as it should; he had been a little delusional from the poison. A smirk graced his lips as the familiar voice of his teacher ordered him to meet him at his house. He didn't add for safety purposes but it hung in the air, unsaid. Sasuke had to admit, he hoped that it wasn't just for that...

-To be continued-

(1) In Japan you have a shower out of the bath, because you have to be clean before taking a bath, the bath is only to relax (and can be with your whole family etc).

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