THIS CHAPTER IS ABOUT 10,030 WORDS! All because I received so many awesome reviews from the last chapter! I HOPE THIS WASN't CONFUSING! I LOVE YOU READERS AND REVIEWERS!
Thank you to all that commented the previous chapter, I'm so happy!~ But one comment confused me... someone asked, How would someone in the Naruto universe use a fork? I don't really get why that was asked but I think I'll answer it for FUN! LOL at least that person gave time to comment, so I'm just HAPPY!
People use forks therefore people in the Naruto universe use forks as well, and they use it the same way we do, lol!
My information containing the word 'Fork' is irrelevant and possibly wrong.
I don't know anymore but that's my answer, feel free to voice your opinions. Hahahaha! I am so bad at explaining something like that, feels like I'm trying to explain the entire universe and the laws of physics to a 2 year old kid, I'm sorry, anyways... I'm wrong about whatever I just said so ignore me.. hahaha! Now let's go on with the topic about the Story...
Recap:
"Like brothers..."
"What are you trying to say?"
"You should be glad Naruto took you back, when all was lost. None of the people of Konoha, not even your other friends would have taken you. Naruto on the other hand, feels strongly that he can bring the old you back, I had little faith in him. As time goes by that faith grew, I learned to believe in him..."
Naruto looked from a distance, standing on top of a branch eying the Uchiha. He sighed and turned away headed back to the office to do the paper work he had been assigned to hoping something would work out right.
(After Sasuke was brought to his room)
Naruto stretched his arms and legs including his back, it felt stiff after carrying the Uchiha to his room. Boy, was he heavy. Naruto was exhausted, he felt his eyes drooping and seeing Sasuke fast asleep didn't help. He wanted to lie next to the Uchiha and just snore his way out of work but he couldn't do that.
It's too suspicious.
He had to work even if he knew he'd pass out doing it, he sighed. He doesn't know how much more he can take with everything in his surroundings moving all at once.
He yawned and quickly sat on Sasuke's bed, tired of his legs shaking.
Naruto was sitting on the side of Sasuke's bed and Naruto was jotting down notes. He placed it on the bathroom door, checked to see whether the items were all in place, he then checked the closet where Sasuke's new clothes were and placed the money right next to it.
He took out a picture frame with Sakura, Sasuke, Kakashi and Naruto in the picture. Naruto smiled at it, it was a great time that he spent with Team 7, he glanced at Sasuke sleeping peacefully.
He wished that Team 7 have the best reunion ever including the other teams. Naruto dusted out the remaining dust in the frame and placed it on the top shelf, knowing the Uchiha will eventually reach out for it.
"Glad I have the picture frame placed there." Naruto thought. "It was pretty much all I can get from the rubble. It was during that time when I defeated Pein rather Nagato, and that was when everything in the village was destroyed. The Uchiha compound no longer existed and Baa-chan refused to let them rebuild it and the only picture I managed to get was this, I wished I could have gone back in time to get the other pictures of Sasuke's family. At least that would make him a little happy..."
"But i guess, he has a new family now." Naruto smiled and turned to the sleeping Sasuke. "I guess that's us..."
Naruto rubbed the side of his temples after writing a really long letter to Sasuke. He was sitting on the kitchen chair leaning against the table with his elbows, he sighed. His work wasn't cut out for him. He stood up and checked to see if everything was in place, before he left the kitchen he placed the note on the fridge.
The other note was already placed in the bathroom, he walked to the living room and eyed the stairs with clones with a henge jutsu were at. He smiled, he was worried about Sasuke so this might help. He took a second glance at everything and left holding on to a small notebook with schedules written.
"I might not be home early today after all, I haven't even got time to rest after that battle with Sasuke." Naruto thought while he rubbed his eyes. "I can't let the others see me like this, If they found out then I will most likely have difficulty in making things right again... I need a vacation sometimes."
Naruto slowly walked away from his house, locking the door shut and making as minimal noise as possible. It was the only way to prevent Sasuke from waking up and going on a rampage.
He walked in the streets of Konoha eying the note full of schedules and jobs he had to do at the same time he was greeting the people that came near him, waved at him and spoke a hello. He quickly entered the Hokage's office with no time to spare, he sat on his desk and looked at the pile of papers sitting on top of it.
"Now I know what Baa-chan feels... " He sweat dropped. "Sakura-chan must really hate me... I think she wants me dead."
He took another look at his schedules.
"Why did she jam everything up this week?" Naruto sighed. "I guess she might not have been paying attention or she could have done this on purpose. I don't know what to do anymore?"
There was a schedule for teams of genins, chunins and jounins in need of doing a mission. He needed to assign those, next was finishing all the reports on his desk and filing them orderly. He also needed to fix the papers for Sasuke's return and also the news concerning the events with Madara Uchiha.
There were also the events of the upcoming chunin exams for the genins, and the jounin exams for the chunins. He had to assign some chunin's the head over to the different villages and talk about preparing the said event. It wasn't going to be easy, he was also forbidden by Sakura to use clones.
She told him back then that using clones to do work was only being lazy, and that a Hokage should do it on their own. He also promised never to use clones unless it's necessary, it was his ninja way.
"Che, if only I didn't agree..." He bit his lips, as he muttered.
Naruto ruffled his hair and placed his head down on the table. What the hell was he suppose to do? Or more importantly which work does he have to do first? He wanted to get on with doing the paperwork for Sasuke but that would only raise suspicion in his end, besides he's already assigned Shikamaru to help him out with the meeting with the Kage's.
A sharp sensation ran through Naruto's body, he heard a 'wooosshhh' sound behind him through the window. He smiled, he knew that feeling anywhere and he placed an elbow on the table and his palm on his chin.
"Come out, I know you're there..." Naruto coldly said. "No reason to start spying on your dear student..."
"Always putting yourself above others...but still think equal of them."
"It's the way I work, I'm not doing any competitions. I became strong to protect my friends, if they think I'm above them then they think wrong, I'm off neither." Naruto smiled. "No come out, I hate talking to you like this, feels like I'm talking to a shadow, it's creeping me out."
"Agreed..."
Someone appeared in front of Naruto's desk, a man with silver white hair and a mask which he's always seen. That look in his face and that jounin outfit made it predictable who the person was. He had a dull but serious look in his face, he meant business. Naruto didn't mind as he spoke before his sensei did.
"Nice to see you again, Sensei..." Naruto smiled. "I assumed you were out taking long walks in the park or more over reading that book of yours, I heard you were on a temporary leave and you were working for the ANBU for some time now. Does it have something to do with you being here...?"
"Oho!" Naruto teased. "I'm right aren't I? You won't be visiting me without having something to do with missions. So what is it about?"
"That is true, working with ANBU gives me something to do. Now that your Hokage, Sakura's your assistant and Sai... well, you grew up so fast leaving nothing more to do." Kakashi plainly said, missing the times they spent together.
"Yes that is true."
"You were all so 'cute' back then." Kakashi managed to say staring through the window.
Naruto chuckled. "So what brings you here Kakashi-sensei?"
"I think you know what brings me here Naruto." Kakashi spoke in a serious tone. "I know you're Hokage now but since I'm your Sensei, I believe I have the right to know what you were up to yesterday night. Sakura told me everything since she came crashing on me in the streets last night, I swear she almost killed me with that crash."
"What did she say?" Naruto worriedly said.
"She said you didn't even come to the party, she explained to me about you and the Kazekage having an important meeting. Also told me your dating Hinata, congratulations on that, but she was really fuming at Hinata about you. Poor girl. She was really mad at you but she slipped past it by giving you this work load, apparently she's still fusing."
"Sakura-chan fought Hina-chan? It wasn't serious was it? Nobody got hurt?"
Kakashi shook is head.
"That's a relief, Hina-chan only told me a few details but nothing else, I actually did most of the talking while she stayed silent. Guess I should apologize to Sakura-chan and see to it later on that I talk to Hina-chan about that incident..."
"You better do that later but for now I'd like to talk..."
"I know you were intrigued by my sudden disappearance without consulting my friends." Naruto smiled. "You were also wondering about my real whereabouts and the truth lying behind the cover up story we made, isn't that right? You were watching me, Hina-chan and the others enter the gate, weren't you."
Kakashi stayed silent wanting to hear more of what Naruto knew what he'd been doing.
"You've been watching and silently coming up with patterns and information, You were piecing up certain events and timeliness and people involved, am I right? There's no use hiding that from me, believe me I've been doing that for some time now and nobody even knew what I was up to, and the only way they would find out is if I tell them."
kakashi stared in amazement. He didn't know what to tell Naruto next, it was like he knew everything he'd been doing and what confused him is that Naruto didn't do anything to stop it. He smiled under his mask, glad that Naruto couldn't see it.
"Why didn't you stop me from gathering information then?" Kakashi wondered.
"It's mainly because I wanted your help with something and I wanted to know how much you'll go just to get it. Your smarter than Shikamaru so you've probably solved every clue I gave just the same time as he did."
"As a matter of fact I have with the clues of dispatching my fellow ANBU friends to a certain mission that was clearly covered from top to bottom. I figured something was fishy from the start of yesterday."
Naruto couldn't help but be amazed at how great his teacher is, even during his possible old age. Nothings changed with him, Kakashi-sensei is still there to look out for them. Kakashi stood there waiting for an answer from Naruto, which Naruto took time to think about what he will say to his teacher. Good thing that Naruto matured over the years that came by and he was able to give a decent comeback.
"You asked some of the ANBU I had spoken with..." Naruto sighed. "You've also asked the ones I dispatched and tied together their mission all in one. You've figured that I would only dispatch them for important reasons, and keeping my friends out of it, you found that it was on my personal level of interest."
"That's right."
"Just as I thought..."Naruto rubbed his temples, having a mental thought of his teacher snooping around doing business. He had to finish this conversation and fast, he still had lots more to do.
"Anymore you'd like to speak with me about Sensei?"
"Yes, I've asked them and they were keen enough to keep their mouths shut for the respect they have for you being the Hokage but with the looks on their faces I had a feeling the missions you gave them were very top-secret, classified. I had to find out to stop you from doing something reckless but I was too late..."
"It is classified, I don't want word to go out yet, if it did it would only cause me more trouble than what we experienced in years. Now, Kakashi-sensei, with all the snooping you've done what information or rather conclusion did you get from your find? Can you also elaborate them? I know you hate me for talking to you like this, but as hokage I..."
"I completely understand," Kakashi plainly said as he stared through the window. "But once I tell you, you must confirm my questions. If you do not then things won't go so easy from here on."
"That's good to hear, I promise I'll tell you what I know, now can you tell me about you've discovered so we can clear the whole matter?" Naruto smiled. "I assure you, my actions were wise... now what is it?"
"I somehow knew you were going to get together with your friends, Sakura asked me to come with but I refused her offer and told her that it wasn't my place to crash in with the next generations. She politely smiled and left, that's when I came to find you and ask you something about Sakura. I found it confusing for her to start a party with you."
Naruto listened.
"It had caught my attention." Kakashi said. "That's when you suddenly vanished from sight with only Hinata knowing of your whereabouts, I refused to question her seeing to it that I might be suspected. Later I found out about the ANBU's you've talked with and they spoke nothing to me but sad reply's of apology."
"I also heard from Sakura about your mission with the kazekage and I can't comprehend whether it was true or not and I had to start thinking that it was some kind of cover up that Hinata must have thought to keep you hidden. I learned that the only thing you'd keep hidden from your friends is 'Sasuke'."
Naruto flinched, Kakashi had caught it.
"I'm close or rather I hit the chord." Kakashi chuckled. "Now May I know your end of the bargain as to why you brought that man back here, he destroyed half the lives of these people, ruined the name Uchiha as well. I saw you at the gate with another man in a black cloak, he wasn't talkative that much and I suspected him to be Sasuke. I later went to your house to confirm it..."
"Alright you got me..." Naruto whined, he stood up from his seat and turned to face the window.
"So..."
"I'll tell you this, I allowed you to spy on me." Naruto smiled at his sensei, Kakashi couldn't believe it.
"You knew... from the start..."
"I've gotten used to sensing chakra around me and mostly chakra inside the whole village. I also used the orb sometimes when I try to find someone, I caught on to you this morning. I also sensed Sakura and Ino so they know I came back. I knew you were hiding somewhere watching my every move if I ever slip up, you have rights to messing with me..."
Naruto continued.
"I noticed you stop by my house and listen in on the conversation and I don't really mind, cause the more people close to me understand the situation, the better. I brought Sasuke back in order to change his life and turn it into something meaningful, He's changed. The way I got to him so easily when we fought last night was a shock even to me, he allowed me to take him back."
"He didn't question you about what you've done for him and the village?"
"Sure, he questioned me along the way but he never really complained, we were both tired facing each other like that, tired of how we always fight and neither is winning and what not. So he came back with me, and now I'm trying to find a way to talk with the Kage's on how I can lift Sasuke's punishments and let him live."
"What are you going to do then?" Kakashi asked. "If they don't approve?"
"I won't stop bothering them about it, I risked my life for Sasuke and for the village. Peace remained between the countries after the war, I have a feeling they might at least agree with me after everything that's happened. trust me, I'll find a way."
"I know you'll find a way." Kakashi sighed in defeat. "Are you sure Sasuke has really changed?"
"Positive. Why?"
"I don't trust him anymore, none of us do anymore. Even Sakura is confused whether she still loves him or not. I just don't like how things were going between them."
"is that so? You trust me right? I trust Sasuke, he's back to his old self, possibly more social than before. I know it..."
"I will see to it personally then, I wanted to speak to him after a long time now, I wanted to speak and embark my words to him that I wasn't able to before and during the war. Will you allow me to go? If not then I'll crash into him myself."
"Sure I won't stop you from confronting him about the matter, it needs closure like everything else in the world, i needed to confirm it as well, which is why your still here Sensei." Naruto grinned.
Kakashi stood there patiently staring at Naruto talking...
"I needed help to see if Sasuke will be willing to stop his stubbornness and let me help him, I wanted to ask you a while ago and now that your here, I want you to watch over him. See if he does what I told him to do, and stay out of trouble..." Naruto looked away thinking about Sasuke.
"Where is he now?"
"He's in my house, sleeping, he passed out on my couch when the others left. He's just as exhausted as I am, I'm just keeping myself awake and running just so I can finish the work I've been placed through. I'm just tired, I might pass out later on. So you have to hurry cause I'm losing patience...It's rare for someone to see me like this..."
"Quite the contrary..."
"Fine, you can go after Sasuke... I don't mind."
"You allow me to go, but If I try and attack him out of anger, will you stop me? I won't hesitate to attack him if I find out he was a threat like before, If I try and kill him for the better of the village, will you stop me?"
Naruto bowed his head, and took a seat on his chair. He took some time to think about what Kakashi had told him, was he going to allow Kakashi to kill Sasuke without his permission.
Will he stop his Sensei?
"No." Naruto said seriously.
"No?" Kakashi repeated.
"No, I won't stop you, if you think it's for the better of the village then I won't interfere. If you think it's the right thing to do, then by all means, do it. Besides, I think it's best if you handle it than I do. I always think irrationally sometimes, so my judgment might be clouded at some point. that's what others told me, it kinda rubs off on you at some time."
"Good enough answer. I shall be taking my leave then." Kakashi spun to his heel. "Thank you for the talk."
"Wait..." Naruto was now in front of Kakashi.
"What is it?"
"Don't tell anyone, I'm still figuring out how I can broadcast this to everyone once I get the other Kage's approval. I also want you to take my clone, he'll be my eye."
Naruto used the Kage bunshin no jutsu and made one clone appear next to them.
"Are you sure?" Kakashi wondered. "You know I can dispel that at any moment."
"Kakashi-sensei, he'll be following you around and will be watching from the distance just so I know what Sasuke's answer to you might be. Don't worry, he'll just be watching, no interfering or meddling in. Promise."
"It's agreed then." Kakashi placed a hand on the real Naruto's shoulders. "You've grown to be a fine young man, just like Minato-sensei and Kushina-sama. You really have grown mature."
"Thanks."
With those words, Kakashi poof-ed away and so did the clone and they were off to the Namikaze estate where Sasuke was sleeping. It had been about an hour with the talk.
(inside the office)
Naruto rubbed his eyes.
It had been a full 2 hour skip, and Naruto was working on the papers on his desk. Filing them with the proper rank, top reports that needed attention and mostly what type of report it is. He knew it was suppose to be Sakura's job to file them but he'd rather not complain just as long as he's in peace, he's fine with it.
Naruto yawned and rubbed his eyes.
"You're only going to irritate them if you keep rubbing them." A voice coming from the door said.
"I'm not rubbing them..."
Naruto looked up to see Hinata approaching him. She was smiling, her hair was shining from the rays of the sunlight coming through the window. She wasn't in her usual outfit, she was in a purple dress with a flower at the side and had only one strap to the left and had a small bag at the side.
"Hina-chan?"
"He...hello, Naruto-kun. I'm sorry I came back again, I wanted...to see you..."
"I-it's... F-fine.. ehe.. hehe..."
Naruto couldn't help but stare and blush at the same time and Hinata felt a little uncomfortable with the way the dress swirled when she walked, she was also a bit shy with Naruto seeing her like this. Naruto blushed furiously at her, she was gorgeous.
"You look... beautiful Hina-chan. I like the dress..." Naruto smiled. "You look... pretty."
"T-thank you, Naruto-kun."
"Is there something you want to tell me Hina-chan?" Naruto wondered. "Is there a special occasion that I should know about?"
"N-no...Naruto-kun." Hinata blushed.
"Are you sure?"
"Y-you see...Ino-chan and Kiba-kun, found me outside... your estate... and they... said I should... c-come... see you again. Ino suddenly dressed me up like this... and told... me to... ask you out... I said that I don't want to bother you... Naruto-kun... I know you've been busy with work..."
"It's fine Hina-chan..." Naruto smiled. "They did a really good job, to be honest. I kinda like the idea, with you being here."
"I'm not bothering you?"
"No, your not." Naruto chuckled. "You actually made my office spring back to life just by coming here. I'm just happy to see you, besides staring at a pile and doing work is irritating me."
"R-right... I'm glad to... see you to... Naruto-kun."
"I'd like to have another date with you today, but I'm afraid I can't go out with you, too much work to handle. Sakura's on leave today, she also went on leave early for tomorrow and the day after that. I have to do twice the work load I have to do. I really want to escape this though and come with you... Honest!"
"Can I help you then?" Hinata smiled at him and blushed a little. "I think it would give you enough time to do the rest of your work when your finished with this one. I'd be happy to help. I mean... I don't have anything else to do... and I... came here to see you."
"Are you sure?" Naruto wondered.
"I... am..."
"I have so much to do, I don't want you to get involved, you might get tired."
Hinata went closer to Naruto, she went behind the desk now facing him and placed a hand on Naruto's hand and she smiled. The smile felt enchanting and Naruto couldn't help but blush, he never really felt this way before with Hinata. He was usually the one that made her blush.
"Please..." Hinata insisted. "I... want to help you, at least... spend time with you... if that's alright?"
"I'd love to..."
Naruto stood up from his desk and raised a hand to Hinata's neck. Pulling her into a gentle kiss, his hands trailing down to her waist. He pulled her closer as their bodies meet, Hinata blushed while Naruto was gently kissing her from her lips to her neck and back again to her lips.
He started fiddling with her hair while he slowly pulled her into another fast kiss and gently slowing down for her to catch up. Both of them blushed. She started shaking but Naruto pulled her into a hug, and Hinata hugged back breathing heavily. She wasn't used to this yet, and so was Naruto.
She could see him thinking second thought whether to touch her or not.
"Keep going!" Someone yelled.
"Wha...?" Naruto stopped and so did Hinata. They look around to see who they were. The voices seem familiar, Hinata turned to the window and her face was in shock. Her eyes widened and her hair and body was shaking.
"We wanna see more action!" The first person yelled.
"Wohoo! Ata girl Hinata!" Someone else shouted.
Naruto spun to his heel to see Kiba and Ino on the window practically laughing and staring. Naruto's face turned red and so did Hinata, they were watching the whole time. Naruto bowed his head down, his fist went into a tight clench. Naruto faced them, eyes turning into daggers hitting both Ino and Kiba.
"Oh no!" Kiba stopped laughing. "Ino... I think we should get out of here."
"What and miss the whole fun?" Ino smiled. "I want to see more action."
"You two are going to regret ever spying on me..." Naruto cracked his fingers. "One... two..."
"Time to bail Ino!" Kiba shouted as he pulled Ino's hand and tried dragging her but Ino won't bulge.
"But it was getting on the good part!"
"three." Naruto said.
"I mean now!" Kiba shouted.
Naruto rushed to the window and opened it, within those few seconds they were gone. Hinata was starting to apologize to Naruto, she felt so embarrassed, which Naruto just brushed her off telling her it was fine and that he'll personally deal with those two later.
Naruto motioned his hand to signal Hinata to come sit with him, Hinata hesitated for a while but then took a seat right next to Naruto using the other chair, and she started picking up some documents to arrange as well. It went silent for a moment, the encounter with Ino and kiba left them an awkward moment.
Hinata wanted the silence to stop if they were going to keep this relationship working. She took a deep breath and faced Naruto, Naruto stopped and looked at her.
"How is Sasuke-san, Naruto-kun?" Hinata wondered.
"I don't know, it's been 2 hours. I think he's still asleep...I..."
"..." Hinata stared.
That's when Naruto felt a sudden burst of memory through is head. And he could see the Uchiha turn around and head the other way, the other clone's with the henge jutsu were also poof-ing away. One by one, they were all so fast. It seems the Uchiha really wanted to get out of the house. Naruto rubbed his temple, adjusting to the wave of the clones memories.
"Naruto-kun?"
"Actually Hina-chan, he's pretty much awake now. I left him a letter to tell him what he has to do, he's already headed the right direction, all he needs to do now is get out of the house..."
"..."
Naruto rubbed his head.
"I think I made a mistake." He muttered.
"What do you mean Naruto-kun? Are you alright?" Hinata leaned in closer to her.
"Not really, because I left so many clones with the 'henge jutsu' in the house and their all dispelling one at a time, the surge of memories is kinda frustrating on my part." Naruto sighed. "He looks pretty pissed off with what I did, Kakashi-sensei on the other hand, I don't know yet. He hasn't punched my clone yet."
"Kakashi-sensei knows about Sasuke-san?" Hinata tilted her head to Naruto.
"Yeah, I sort of told him everything. He was practically spying on me, he volunteered himself to watch over Sasuke while I'm doing some work. He's probably outside my house waiting for Sasuke to do his errands."
"I see..."
Naruto yawned, his eyes were drooping, he reached out to rub his eyes again and Hinata grabbed it, holding onto his hand with both her hands. She stared at him for a moment, Naruto tried focusing his tired eyes to hers.
"What did I tell you Naruto-kun?" Hinata frustratedly said, but there was still worry in her voice.
"Don't rub my eyes... I know." Naruto smiled.
(meanwhile in the Namikaze Estate)
It was quiet in the Namikaze estate, the streets were practically empty and the whole place was silent. Two men were standing just outside the estate waiting. The other one was pissed and the other looked a bit calm.
"Tell me what's wrong?" The calm one spoke. "You know I've been wondering for quite a while now."
"Oh yeah, you tell me!" The angry one said. "Waiting and waiting...che!"
"mm..." Kakashi muttered.
"Why is it taking him so long to get out of the house?" The Naruto clone muttered to Kakashi.
"He's just getting dressed he's pro..."
"What the hell has he been doing?" The clone Naruto ignored his sensei. "I know he's awake and I'm positive, I just felt the other clones disappear too. Grr... I'm storming in there."
"Don't... you're only going to make matters worse."
"What am I suppose to do then?" The clone frowned. "I hate waiting."
"Naruto told you to keep watch, you're keeping watch, that's all. You're him, you should know that."
"Ah, but that isn't fun. I missed the good times." The clone crossed his arms and scowled at his sensei.
"Be patient. He''ll be out any minute now." Kakashi went back to reading his book.
"Oh yeah, your not so patient either. Look at you, you're reading the perverted book of yours. And how many times have you told me that -teme is going to be out any minute now, you've been telling me that for half an hour now!"
"The original Naruto is much more mature than his clone, He did this on purpose to annoy me." Kakashi sweat dropped. "Blah,blah,blah, that's all he could keep yapping about."
"When I get my hands on him, I swear..."
Kakashi was leaning against the fence in front of the Namikaze estate, waiting for the Uchiha to come out. The clone was sitting on the ground next to him waiting as well. Both of them were starting to get impatient. That's when both of them heard a 'clicking' sound in the front door.
"Oh no!" The clone stood up and used a henge jutsu and made himself into a frog.
"That's the best disguise you can think of?" Kakashi sweat dropped. "That's pathetic."
"Ribbit!" The clone spoke. "Be glad I'm not here to kick your ass!"
"Oh well, he's here now."
He could see the Uchiha walking towards them, but he seems to be in a dazed state that he can't even see the ones in front of them. That's when he raised his head up and saw Kakashi leaning against the fence.
"You?"
"Who else would it be Idiot?" Clone Naruto thought. "Surprised aren't we? Bet you didn't expect sensei to start giving you the talk."
Kakashi looked from his book and started speaking.
"Not even a hello to your former teacher?" He said, his voice musing. "I can't still believe that Naruto was able to pull through to you, I can't... I doubted you even had the heart to come back to Konoha, I guess, I was wrong."
"That's the best you can come up with Sensei?"
Sasuke clenched his fist.
"Please don't start fighting... please..."
"You decided long ago that you wanted to kill everyone in Konoha, what changed your mind that you came crawling back here like your still one of us?" Kakashi said coldly.
"You're pushing this too far Kakashi-sensei!"
"Ribbit!"
"Everyone almost died because of your recklessness, You aided the enemy during the 4th war and lost yourself to power. What happened now? Are you still that same person we were forced to reckon with?"
"I'm dead."
"Of course, I'm here to see for myself if something has changed in you. Naruto told me everything this morning, said you calmed down and changed your views, but in the end the decision is seeing it for myself. I can't let you walk around Konoha knowing you still have revenge in your eyes. Do you still long for power? Because if you do, I won't hesitate on attacking."
"Naruto said he won't stop me from attacking you if I want to, that's to say what my views of you still are..."
"I don't want to fight you, and I don't want to fight anyone else anymore. Just leave me alone... I have something I have to do... "
"That's good to hear..." Naruto clone sighed, rather croaked. (He's a frog. XD)
"This is going to be a really long day!"
(a few minutes passed.)
The conversation lasted for a while in the Namikaze estate and left with Sasuke storming out and Kakashi to follow. The Naruto clone stopped his henge jutsu and returned to his original look and started following the two. A few more minutes passed and he could see that Kakashi had stopped Sasuke.
Naruto stood on top of a large tank of water, and he hid himself perfectly in the shadow, but was close enough to hear them through the alley way. He listened closely.
"Why am I not surprised? Your taking short cuts, why is that?"
"Of course he's taking short cuts, I told you he can't be seen. What the hell are you doing Sensei? This wasn't part of the deal. Questioning him will only irritate him even more."
"What do you want?" Sasuke glared. "Can't you see I'm busy here?"
"I'm here as your guide or more likely your watcher, i want to know where exactly you are headed. I have my orders from Naruto to watch you, and I promised him that I won't keep you out of sight."
"Promised? Since when did you promise to me?" Naruto clone thought.
"I'm only doing some errands that Naruto wants me to do." Sasuke plainly said, wishing Kakashi would stop asking.
"..."
"Can I go now?"
"Can we talk?" Kakashi said softly.
"What?" Sasuke was shocked.
"For only a moment and then I will stop watching you."
"..." Sasuke didn't know what to say. Was it a trap? What was happening?
"Training ground 41." Kakashi said as he disappeared.
"Fine... have it your way... "
Kakashi appeared next to Naruto near the tank, both of them watched as Sasuke turned the other direction and headed his way to Training ground 41. When they saw him headed that way, both of them rushed to head there first.
"Sensei, Why training ground 41?" Naruto asked. "What's so special about that place that you can't talk to him here about?"
"It's the training ground where I first passed you 3 as genins."
"Oh, I remember that. But why talk there? There's nothing but painful memories in that place..."
"I have a plan, besides, there's nobody using the training grounds today." Kakashi jumped on top of the houses and so did Naruto. "It's the best way to keep talking without worrying about someone interrupting."
"A plan? Like what? And even if you have a plan, things won't be that simple. You and Sasuke fought each other before, and i don't think he still has respect over you as our sensei. I mean, he's long forgotten about that..."
"You'll see when we get there."
"Fine ignore me, don't tell me then."
(Sasuke reached training ground 41)
"Generosity." Naruto heard Kakashi said.
Naruto was hiding behind the trees on top of a branch, listening on the conversation.
"It was your generosity and love for a friend that made you help Naruto back then, you cared for your friends even if you don't show it. And now you are desperately clinging on Naruto's friendship, restoring that bond, clinging to his kindness and learning from it as well. Naruto became a great ninja, because all he could see was you in front of his eyes."
"That is true." Naruto thought. "He was always in my eyes, I really wanted to bring him back and be stronger than him. We were rivals after all and to this day, were just probably friends. Hn... I'm starting to sound like that -teme!"
"Like brothers..."
"Like brothers..." Naruto repeated in his head.
"What are you trying to say?"
"You should be glad Naruto took you back, when all was lost. None of the people of Konoha, not even your other friends would have taken you. Naruto on the other hand, feels strongly that he can bring the old you back, I had little faith in him. As time goes by that faith grew, I learned to believe in him..."
"You can be a jerk sometimes Sensei, but that's just what makes you, you."
"And it helped me become a better person instead of just relying on some false thread of hope. Just like you, you were relying on a small thread of hope that once you've finished with your revenge things would be peaceful, but its not. It's how it works actually..."
"You saying I need to accept the facts?"
"Not just the facts Sasuke, were talking about everything you've gone in life... It isn't easy to admit your emotions, cause I know your a stubborn bastard, but hey... you can break down anytime."
"I'm saying you need to accept the truth and stop denying everything that's right in front of you."
"..." Naruto could see Sasuke fighting whatever he has inside of him. It's like he really wants to hurt Kakashi, but he knew he couldn't and Naruto was sure he wouldn't.
"Do you still long for power?" Kakashi said.
"He's over that... I know it. Please speak up... Sasuke... tell him you don't need power anymore."
Sasuke took steps backward.
"I want to confirm it... the things Naruto had told me. Do you still long for power?"
"Sasuke!" Naruto punched the tree next to him, and his fist was deep inside the tree, he was glad Sasuke was shouting and it covered the sound of his punch.
"Stop asking me the same question over and over again, I told you already I don't want to fight anymore. I'm tired, I'm exhausted, If Naruto told you everything that happened, their all true. I'm sick of the life I'm living... it feels like a living hell... I don't... know why I'm telling you this but I can't take it anymore..."
"..."
"All the questions, all the mistakes I've done, quit reminding me... give me a break!"
"I see. Guess this is where Student and Master impart there words to each other, and leave things that are better left unsaid until the next encounter. I was the one that thought you the chidori and it was you that made it your own technique and skill. You've improved it to an extent that I cannot comprehend anymore and no longer recognize as my own. Remember what I thought you? What are the words I imparted you while training you?"
"To protect your friends..." Sasuke mumbled.
"Sasuke..."
"Yes. Those are the words I told you before we started training, have you ever seen yourself defend anyone with the technique." Sasuke lowered his head even more. "It's not too late to change, I'm starting to see something in you that I was proud of..."
"What?"
"This is the words I impart to you that I never told anyone, not even you friends. I know it was favoritism, I always spoke highly of you when it comes to power and when it comes to the best. I doubted that Naruto would become a good ninja, and I always thought that you would one day rise to my level, now look at you... you've succeeded even higher. The reasons were unjustified, one was because I saw potential in you, potential to be great. You are determined but determined to kill and have revenge, that was one problem I wanted to take away. And the next was... I saw myself in you... I could see it all the time during our time together, I was lost too... but a friend pulled me back to where I was suppose to be. And from that day on, I cherished the second life I was given and this is now my third..." kakashi chuckled. "Tell me now as my student, that you will actually use the power you have to protect your friends..."
"I..."
"Tell me what I'm trying to imply to you, if you truly understand."
Naruto watched, wondering if Sasuke truly understood.
"Your saying that your friend saved you from your own destruction and your telling me that Naruto saved me from mine and that were the same, I know... I can remember what you told me before... You lost people you love too... I get that..."
"What else?" Kakashi said wanting him to keep going.
"I know what you mean." Sasuke said sternly. "I've been given another chance, to change things. I'm... working on it..."
"That's good to hear..."
"Guess that's it... nice job Sensei, you really know how to worry a guy with all that good ninja bad ninja stuff." Naruto smiled. "Guess it's time to disappear. And return to the real Naruto, more work to be done in the office."
poof! He was gone.
(now in the office)
Hinata had already said her goodbye when the paperwork was finished, Naruto didn't want to depart with her but he never really had a choice in the matter. He still had a lot of work to be done. He's now in one of the rooms where he has to assign the missions to the genins, chunin's and jounins.
His eyes were almost watering from the tiredness sweeping on him. To his left was Iruka, his sensei ever since the academy, he was always there to help with the arrangements of the missions, from what rank to give. To his right was Tsunade, she still looks like the way she looked before, but she was getting older by the day.
Both Tsunade and Iruka were looking at the exhausted Naruto, he wasn't complaining or anything, something he learned when he became hokage. He had dark circles showing under his eyes, and they were closing and opening. It was irritating Naruto as he started rubbing his eyes again but he was stopped by Iruka.
"Naruto, is there something you'd like to tell us?" Iruka worriedly said as he sat back down letting go of Naruto's hand.
"Not really..." Naruto yawned.
That's when it hit him, the serge of memories from his clone. He gathered all of it, he smiled knowing that all went well with Kakashi and Sasuke and no fighting occurred. At least one of his worries were gone, but now his worries were only just beginning.
He was getting tired.
"Eh..." Naruto muttered, clearly doesn't want to be bothered. He focused his attention to Tsunade who clearly wanted to be answered. He eyed her and then muttered again.
"What is it baa-chan?"
"Come on kid." Tsunade said. "You look like a mess, we heard you've been on a mission and had problems concerning Suna, it wasn't anything serious was it? You might as well tell us while your here, I'm the 5th hokage and I might as well know."
"I'm just tired, I slept late last night, and had to wake up early to get back home. Temari and Kankuro are being escorted around the village by Shikamaru, learning about Madara Uchiha's whereabouts but that isn't really helping anyone. He's been silent for a while now."
"That's not good news at all." Tsunade huffed.
"First thing in the morning and I have to endure all the pressure." Naruto annoyingly spoke. "Sakura-chan kinda bailed on me this morning just when I got back, I haven't seen her yet."
"Still trying to get a date with my student?" Tsunade laughed. "When will you learn? By the way, I haven't seen Sakura since the other day, you must have pissed her off. I heard she's avoiding you by staying at the hospital."
"I'm not trying to get another date with her. I gave up on asking her out months ago." Naruto yawned. "And she's not avoiding me, she's just attending to some other business she wants to take care off. I'm sure she never meant to give me the work load she had planned."
"Really?"
"Yeah really... and I'm dating Hinata now and were going slow, anyways that's not all about Sakura-chan, she bailed out on me as in she took a temporary leave for three whole days. Since no one would take Sakura-chan's job, I had to work double my shift and had to cover hers. That's kinda one of the reasons why I look like this."
"You're dating the Hyuuga mistress?" Iruka shouted. "Since when? I haven't heard about that!"
"Since the other day, why do you look surprised?"
"I'm shocked too." Tsunade smiled.
"I don't know, it's too sudden for you! How would Hiashi-sama approve of this." Iruka wondered.
"I don't know, just don't tell anyone. You're the first few to actually get confirmation were dating. I don't want word getting out yet, besides I'm happy that way. I don't get beat up." Naruto felt like his head was dropping.
"Eh..."
"What's wrong with that?" Naruto pouted. "You should really listen Sensei, I think your getting old and growing deaf. hehe..."
"Alright about Sakura's leave..." Iruka said.
"That might explain Shizune's theory." Tsunade wondered.
"Theory?"
"I heard from Shizune that Sakura was at the hospital this morning doing numerous kinds of shifts, and she's not leaving the hospital to do work in the office. Shizune asked her and told her that she wanted to stay in the hospital and that you can handle the rest."
"Eh, I can handle it but she's seriously going to kill me one day." Naruto sighed. "Good thing Hina-chan helped me with the paper work. Now I have to do this and sort out the rest of the reports on my own."
A knock came to the door.
"Here's the first team to arrive to get the mission..." Iruka smiled. "Better look lively Naruto. They will be flooding faster than you know it. It's going to be a long day."
"Eh, I'm just giving them their mission, no need to get worked up." Naruto fixed himself up on the chair.
Another knock came to the door.
"Enter."
For the rest of the day, Naruto had been doing all kinds of work. Papers were being thrown on top of his table every hour, teams were flooding his office coming in with reports. Some damages in Konoha were being arranged and fixed. Naruto had also been going in and out of his office and headed to the fighting stadium where everything will be prepared.
He talked with the other jounins that will be doing the observing and the testing. He made sure everything was safe with the chunin exams so that nothing drastic will happen. He then went back to doing reports and giving missions to the genins, chunins and jounins. Talking with the other Elders about the Kage's demands and other political stuff. He also talked with the ANBU to get security within the perimeter in Konoha.
For the whole day Naruto was exhausted to the bone.
His friends would see him walk by looking like a total wreck, but he just ignored them. Naruto's eyes were red from his constant rubbing and they had dark circles under his eyes. His arms and legs were shaking from exhaustion.
His friends were really worried and they went to see Sakura. She was also exhausted, she had been doing all kinds of operations, clinic duties, managing the hospital.
When her friends consulted her, she said that she was busy and that she placed her work load on Naruto because she promised the other medic ninja's she'll be working day shifts for 3 said she was sorry but she didn't know that Naruto had other things planned, everything was a mess.
So it wasn't really on purpose.
Hinata wasn't doing so well, seeing Naruto look like that made her stomach flip, she wanted to help again but that would only make Naruto mad in her opinion. He was working more than he should and he's going to get sick doing it. She was watching from afar worried and thinking about Naruto.
(night time)
Sasuke was waiting in the living room for Naruto. He had bought some clothes and arranged them neatly in his was wearing the clothes he had this morning thanks to Naruto. He'd wear the new clothes tomorrow. He had nothing better to do in the house so he just took some books from his study table and started reading them.
"Where is that dobe?"
He furiously waited for Naruto to return home, but now that it was almost 3 in the morning, it was time to get some sleep. Waiting anymore was useless as Sasuke muttered it. He wasn't used to staying up this late anymore.
"Guess he's not coming home."
Sasuke was a bit pissed, Naruto was telling the truth that he might not be coming home. Sasuke closed the light to the living room and tried to walk to the stairs when he suddenly tripped on a rug and dropped the book he was holding.
"Damn it!" He cursed. "Why now?"
It was dark and he couldn't see where the book had dropped, he went down on his knees and reaching out his hands and started touching all over the floor. Hoping he'd get a feel of the book. That's when he heard the door opening, it must be Naruto.
He heard someone yawn and hit him in the side and the tumbled on top of him.
"Ow! What did I...?"
"What the hell?" Sasuke shouted.
"Sasuke, is that you?"
"It's me you idiot! Get off!"
"Why are you on the ground?"
"Get off me! You're heavy!"
"Answer my question."
"If you don't get off me, when I count to three I will..."
"Shut up! It's your damn fault this happened" Naruto whined. "What are you doing on the floor anyways? You blocked my path way!"
"I'm finding the book I dropped! Now get off me!"
"It's your fault in the first place -Teme!"
"Whatever now get off or I will push you off of me!"
"I'm getting off you!"
Naruto slowly got off of Sasuke and went to the light switch and opened it. The book was right next to the couch, sasuke frowned and picked it up, he dusted off the dirt on his clothes. He eyed Naruto for a moment before questioning him.
"What happened to you?" Sasuke looked at him.
"Don't..."
"I'm just asking."
Naruto looked like he'd been beat up. His hair was a mess, his whole entire feature was bent. His eyes were squinted from the sudden burst of the light and he was slightly shaking.
"What happened?"
"Work."
He went pass Sasuke and headed upstairs as Sasuke followed from behind.
"Since when has work been an obstacle for you, I've never seen anyone work and look like you especially coming home in 3 in the morning. You look like you've been buried to death, killed by suffocating then raised back to life and walked among the living."
"Very funny, I never knew you to be the humorous type." Naruto yawned. "I'm going to bed, I need to work early tomorrow. Sakura-chan gave me her work schedule and I have to finish them. Good night."
Naruto said no more and entered his room. Sasuke eyed the door before entering his own room, Naruto didn't complain or anything or neither did they talk about the events of today. Just work...
"He's going to get himself killed one day." Sasuke yawned as he turned to his bed and closed his eyes.
SASUKE-KUN! WAIT! PLEASE! DON'T LEAVE ME! I'LL ABANDON THE VILLAGE AND COME WITH YOU!
"Sakura... do you still love me?" That single question popped into Sasuke's head before he slowly drifted off to sleep.
please read:
I had a great time doing this chapter, there's a lot of meaning here. I focused more on Naruto on this chapter including the questions you guys might have concerning Kakashi and Naruto watching from the distance.
Also, I felt a wave of pity for Naruto, I mean he's putting himself for all the trouble. He's getting really tired and I have plans for him being tired, so in the next CHAPTER YOU WILL SEE NARUTO MORE EXHAUSTED! MWAAHAHAHA! I'm evil, but I love Naruto, and I have a plan to fix things.
I might... let the others know about Sasuke.. OhhH! SPOILER? NO! hahaha! I'm just teasing... just be on the look out for the next chapter! XD MWAHAHA!
If you have questions I will be willing to answer them just as long as their related to the story!
PLease review thank yoU! XD