Sasuke followed Naruto through the village of Konoha. He accepted all the stares and hateful comments from the people. He did, after all, leave them for their enemy. He was there and idol but now they saw him as a traitor. He knew this but it didn't change what he had to do!
"Sasuke," Naruto looked back at him as they aproached the Hokage tower. "you know you don't have to do this."
"Yes, Naruto. I do!" Sasuke said with as much authority and determination as that one time, so long ago, when Naruto and he had fought. Naruto sighed and gave him an understanding look. They continued through the village, around the hokage tower, and back to the main gate. It was like a parade. People shouted and screamed at them. Some shouts were praise that their beloved hokage was safe at home. Others were shouts of joy to see thier last Uchiha home again. But most were shouts of hatered for either the Uchiha traitor or the demon child.
Sadly, Naruto had become used to this kind of treatment. It was the same through out his whole life. But Naruto could tell that it hurt Sasuke deep. Even though he was taking it, even thought he showed nothing on his face but an expressionless mask, even though he walked in silence and claimed it was what he had to do, Naruto knew how it hurt him to be hated by those who used to hold him above every one else. Naruto knew that pain, all too well.
The two boys finished the rounds and returned to the small apartment in the Uchiha compound that used to belong to Sasuke. It had been cleaned and taken care of, thanks to Naruto.
"Sasuke," Naruto said with the authority of a true hokage. Sasuke felt sudden respect and stood straight up. He turned to face his old rival. "Sasuke," Naruto's voice softened and he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck like he used to. Sasuke couldn't help but smile and the sight.
"Naruto, I'll be.."
"Sasuke, thank you! You saved me. And even if everyone in this village hates you, I'm still your best friend. Believe it!"
"You're still using that stupid phrase, usuratonkachi?"
"Don't call me that! I'm your hokage!" The two of them laughed. It felt good to laugh. Especially after everything that had happened. After all the people they had lost. The ones they had loved and admired. Kakashi, Sakura, Lee, Sai, and many others. They were gone now! Gone forever! But they could still laugh, even if it was just for a moment.
"Sasuke, I'm leaving three ANBU with you to protect you."
"I can protect myself, Naruto."
"I know that, better than anyone probably, but it makes me feel better to know that you will have them with you. Think yourself lucky to get the ones I picked."
As Naruto walked out, Kiba, Shino, and Neji walked in. Sasuke growned.
"You were the best he could pick?!"
"Shut up, Uchiha!" Kiba barked, "We didn't have to do this you know!"
"Yea, yea. Whatever." Sasuke went about settling in. Kiba yelled at him about being ungrateful. Neji and Shino watched in silence. Naruto walked back to the Hokage tower to finish paper work. Villagers still through hurtful comments and other various things at him, but he ignore it. It was Tsunade's wish for him to be the next hokage. It had been his dream too but never like this! Naruto wished, at that moment, he could just die and give the people of Konoha what they really wanted! Little did he know, that in the crowd, some one else had that same wish.