Okay let's move on, shall we?

I feel that when people first start to watch Naruto, they go with the obvious choice and ship NaruSaku/NaruHina/SasuSaku, because that's just what you'd expect. I had never heard or thought of the SasuNaru pairing before, so I went with the obvious ship. The first time I heard it, I denied it in everyway possible because I had been shipping the other pairings (except for SasuSaku because let's face it, that pairing will never happen). But throughout the rest of the day after I heard it, everything was clicking and piecing together.

The beautiful thing about the SasuNaru pairing is that, while the other pairings have their "moments", the SasuNaru pairing is there for the entirety of the show. It's about the relationship these two boys have, the bond they have that they can't seem to break. The choices they make practically revolve around each other, and their lives depend on what the other does.

With the other pairings, things would have to change and revolve so it could work out. But with the SasuNaru pairing, nothing has to change because it's ALREADY THERE.

That's the beauty of SasuNaru. It really is the most canon ship in the series.

/

"How much further?" Naruto asks.

Tenten sighs, "Naruto, you've asked that already..."

Naruto's silent for a moment, "How many more miles?"

She sighs again. "I guess it's a start..."

Naruto looks back. Sasuke's being escorted in the back of the group. He's been silent since they started walking again.

Sasuke feels his eyes on him and looks up. They stare at each other until Naruto runs into someone. "Oy Naruto, watch it." Kiba gripes. Naruto mumbles an apology. After another few minutes of silence, Naruto picks up his pace and walks next to Kiba.

"Neh Kiba... I don't know what I did but... I'm sorry." He starts. "If you really thought I was ignoring you, just know that I wasn't!... Everything's so confusing right now. But the worst part about it is I don't even feel scared, I just want answers... And if my mind really did get swiped...," Naruto hugs himself. "I just want to remember."

Kiba doesn't say anything. Naruto sighs and hugs himself tighter. "God, you're just like Sasuke..."

Naruto doesn't know exactly what happened, but he's suddenly in Kiba's grasp. The group stops moving. "Don't compare me to that traitor, Naruto!" Naruto stares, eye's wide and mouth agape. Kiba releases him and Naruto stumbles back. "You don't know what Sasuke did to you. It's like he tore out your heart, and now he's here to do it again... Sasuke isn't who you think he is, Naruto. He's not some good guy who looks like he's being prejudiced."

Naruto doesn't know what to say. Kiba waves to his mother, and the group hesitantly continues walking. Naruto stands still for a moment or two. Ino grabs his hand and pulls him along.

"Kiba's always been angry at Sasuke for leaving," she whispers.

Naruto returns the hold, squeezing Ino's hand, "Were... Sasuke and Kiba close?"

Ino shakes her head, "No, but I guess you and Kiba could be considered friends."

Naruto looks at her incredulously, "Could be? What do you mean?"

"Well, obviously you and Kiba have gotten closer together now... but you guys weren't necessarily 'buddy buddy' when you were here. But you two still cared about each other, you're comrades after all. When Sasuke-kun left, it hurt all of us. Sasuke-kun was a Shinobi of the Leaf. It almost felt like losing a friend to the battlefield. So Kiba has never forgiven him for leaving."

Naruto moves closer to her, and they release hands. "What did Kiba mean by Sasuke 'ripping out my heart'?"

Ino sighs, "It can be interpreted in two ways, because there are two different ways he actually did. The first is exactly how it seems, except it's not like your heart left your body..." Naruto feels a headache coming on. "You tried to stop Sasuke-kun when he was leaving, and you two ended up fighting-,"

"With like, words right?"

Ino smiles harshly. "Ah. In some sort of way, yes... Sasuke-kun jabbed his hand through you, and was going for your heart but stopped. I'm not sure why though...,"

Naruto rubs his forehead. Images flash through his mind.

Sasuke flying towards him, electricity surrounds his hand. His eyes are hard, but something flashes through them...

"... so they decided to swipe your mind. We couldn't let you go alone, so we came with you and you started a whole new life."

Naruto snaps his gaze to Ino. "Um... what?" Ino turns on him. "Maji de Naruto! You weren't even listening!"

"Sorry sorry..." Naruto murmurs, rubbing his forehead again. "Something weird happened is all..." Ino sighs and grabs her pony-tail, twisting it.

"I was saying that you totally fell into an angst coma. You missed Sasuke-kun so bad. So then, they swiped your memory and sent you to the Human World. We didn't want you to go alone, even if you had Iruka, so we came with you to protect you. Naruto... you really don't remember anything, do you?"

Naruto looks down. "No... You'd think if I did, we wouldn't be in this mess?" Ino giggles. "It's funny seeing you like this. So... innocent. You had quite the mouth on you, and you were always hot-headed... Not to mention stupid." Naruto glares at her. "Hey! I'll have you know, my only weak subject is Algebra!"

"No, no. Your stupidity had nothing to do with... well, I guess it did. Naruto, things are different in the Demon World. You want to know what you have to do to make money? Go on missions. The amount of money you get depends on the rank of the mission."

Naruto tilts his head. "So... what are the ranks?"

Ino holds out her fingers and counts them off. "D-rank, C-rank, B-rank and A-rank. D-rank is for Genin. That's like doing chores around the village. C-rank is a step up. Sometimes Genin get to do those, depending on the circumstances. C-rank missions are like, escorting people to other places. C-rank's are for Chuunin's. B-rank are for Jounin and Chuunin. B-rank's are like, spying and assassination missions. Then, there's A-rank. Those are usually assigned to Jounin. A-rank are real dangerous, they usually are for the Village's or Country's personal interest."

Naruto looks at her confusingly. "Um... What are... those words you were saying?"

Ino laughs. "Sorry, sorry! I should have told you what they were. Those are ninja ranks. First you go into the Academy, which is a big damn drag. Then you graduate and become a Genin. Then, there are the Chuunin exams and if you pass you become a Chuunin. Then Jounin... And then, for you, Hokage."

"What's the Hokage?"

The whole group stops. "Damn Naruto they swiped you good." Ino says. They start to continue down the trail.

Tenten joins in. "The Hokage is the leader and protector of the village. You could also say, the strongest Shinobi in the village."

"You know... The Demon World doesn't sound too horrible... In fact, it sounds rather organized."

Ino scoffs and crosses her arms. "What exactly do they teach you over there?"

"You went to the same school with me." Naruto deadpans.

Ino blushes and grabs her pony-tail again. "Oh! Yeah! I forgot..."

"N-Naruto-kun... we're here." Hinata says.

Naruto blinks his eyes open and lifts up his head. He had been real tired so Souta carried him on his back.

Naruto steps down and his eyes widen as he takes the scenery all in.

There's a giant green gate that's opened. A symbol, just like the one on the headbands Naruto saw, is printed on the archway of the gate. As they walk through, two men stare at Naruto. "I-is that...?" One them says. The other stands and watches even after they pass, leaning over the table. "It is!"

Naruto takes in the architecture of the village. "It's like... a modern Japanese village... Except it's huge!" He exclaims. He squints. "Does that mountain have faces on it?"

Ino nods, a bright grin expanding n her face. "Yep! Those are our predecessors, the previous Hokage's." Naruto counts how many faces there are. "So... who's the Hokage right now?"

"Well, right now it's the Honorable Hokage. The Third. Haruzen Sarutobi. He's in charge of things right now, but not for long. Tsunade-sama, the head of the medical system, is going to become the Gondaime Hokage. I'm so excited!"

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata calls. Naruto and Ino look up, they hadn't realized that the group left them behind. They run ahead to catch up.

"Sorry, I was telling Naruto about the Hokage's." Ino says.

Hinata smiles timidly. "Oh."

"Hey Hinata," Naruto says, "you're the last person who I would have thought was a demon. You're too nice."

Hinata blushes and smiles again, "T-thank you Naruto-kun... Actually, I c-come from a v-very respected clan. The H-Hyuuga Clan."

"Woah, really?!"

Hinata nods and starts twiddling her fingers. "Mm... I wonder what N-Neji-niisan will t-think when he s-sees you, N-Naruto-kun..."

"Who's Neji?"

"M-my cousin..."

Naruto sighs and crosses his arms, "This is a lot to take in, but i'm surprisingly calm... I guess... Just confused. I want to remember," He smiles. "I guess that's just because i'm so used to Demons now..." He stops walking, "I'm a Demon now..."

Lee grabs Naruto's shoulder, "Don't worry Naruto-kun! We don't have horns and donkey tails! Or hooves! In fact, we're rather attractive! With bushy eye-brows and silky hair, put together with green spandex!"

Ino's eyebrow twitches, "Gai-sensei isn't exactly what you'd call a piece of art..."

"I know," Naruto says. "I mean, that's just the way I was taught... At least, I thought it was... You guys don't reek havoc to the world. And you're all nice, and not intimidating. Well, unless you count Kiba's mom... I think we've been... Or, humans have been thinking about it all wrong. But I don't understand how we could have gotten that assumption, you know, that you guys only live to destroy humanity."

The group shares a look. Ino leans forward and starts whispering. "Sasuke-kun told you about Konoha's past, right?"

Naruto thinks about it, "Um... Yes. How those two people came together and made a peace treaty of some sort?"

Ino nods. "That was a long, long loooong time ago. When the two Clans, the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan, were fighting. The battlefield was in the Human World and the Demon world. I think the Humans labeled Uchiha Madara as Satan. His powers were Godlike. So were Senju Hashirama's." Naruto takes in every word. "You want to know something, Naruto? Tsunade-sama is the first Hokage's granddaughter."

Naruto eyes widen. "Woah. She must be really old."

They walk through what Naruto could only describe as a Market Place. The villagers stand stalk still. They stare at him with wide eyes, Naruto isn't sure if its shock, worry or fear. Maybe all three.

Ino laughs and hooks her arm with Naruto's. Tenten walks backwards, standing in front of Naruto and the others. Tenten speaks. "You'll be really surprised when you see her, Naruto!" Naruto rolls his eyes.

"I'm sure that I'm going to love meeting an old lady."

They reach a building with a red roof. It sits in front of the mountain with faces. Kiba's mother turns and faces the group. "Alright, I expect everyone to be on their best behavior! Especially you, Uchiha. I don't need any of that attitude, got it?" Sasuke stays silent. "Hm. Ikuzo!"

They lead Naruto up some stairs. They come to a level, and then take more stairs. "How high up is it?" he asks.

Ino shrugs. "I've never payed attention."

After a few more flights they reach the top. They walk down a long hallway until they reach a door. Souta knocks. There's a muffled 'Enter'.

Kiba's mother sends a warning glare before opening the door and stepping inside.

It's like any other office, except it has a large glass window overlooking the village. A figure stands by the glass, looking away from the group. "Hokage-sama." Souta says. Everyone bows except Naruto and Sasuke.

The figure turns, and Naruto is surprised to see an old man. When he sees Naruto he smiles. "My my... Look how big you've gotten." He has a kind voice, Naruto thinks the man would be a wonderful grandfather.

It's silent. Naruto flushes and then bows quickly. "U-um... Hello. I'm sorry but, do I know you?"

The old man chuckles, "Well, I wouldn't expect you to remember, but yes. Uzumaki Naruto, it's been a long time." The man walks forward and embraces Naruto. It's kind of awkward for Naruto, but he returns the hug.

"Naruto, this is the Honorable Hokage." Tenten says.

Naruto flushes even more, "O-oh! I had been so informal..."

The Hokage chuckles, "You used to be worse then that." he leans forward. "You used to call me Grandpa Hokage. You can call me that if you like, I kind of miss it."

The Third looks at Sasuke. Sasuke averts his eyes and looks to the wall. "Sasuke, i'm disappointed in y-." The Third starts.

Sasuke cuts him off. "I don't want to hear it old man-,"

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouts. Sasuke falls silent. Naruto huffs and crosses his arms. "Geez..." Naruto looks Sasuke over. "Hey, I know i'm really late, but why is Sasuke in cuffs?"

The Third raises his brows. Ino hits Naruto on the arm. "Weren't you listening to anything I said? Sasuke-kun left the village!" Naruto shrugs. "So?"

"So that's.. Ugh. I wish you had your memory back already."

Naruto looks crestfallen. "Wait, does Sasuke have to go to jail or something?"

"That's exactly what it means, Naruto-kun."

Naruto turns to the new voice. "Sai!" he exclaims. Sai smiles and holds out a folder. Naruto opens it and scans the contents.

"Abandoning one's village is a felony. Luckily for Sasuke-kun, he hasn't done anything yet except for that. So his charges aren't too intense."

"Well, how long does Sasuke have to be in there?" Naruto asks.

"Oh, not long." Sai says. Naruto sighs with relief.

"Probably around five years."

"Five?!" Naruto screeches.

Sai smiles again. "Mm. Sasuke-kun still needs to be punished, after all."

"Don't worry Naruto," Sasuke says. Naruto and Sasuke make eye contact. "I won't be in there long." It goes silent again.

"Alright. Let's go, down to the cellars for you Uchiha." Kiba's mother says.

Naruto holds out his hand. "Uh... Will I be able to see Sasuke?"

"Nope."

"W-Why not?"

Sasuke is being ushered out the door. "Geez, you really do need to remember." He says.

The door clicks shut and it's silent once again.

"Don't worry Naruto! You'll be able to see Sasuke-kun again!" Ino says. Tenten nods her head in agreement.

"What I don't understand is why Sasuke's suddenly all nice to Naruto," Kiba says. "The last time they saw each other, Sasuke tried to kill him."

Naruto fumes at that. "Don't talk as if i'm not here, Kiba!"

"Well it's true! I don't know what he's up to but it's weird. Why'd Sasuke go to you? Why now?"

Naruto looks down. "You think I can answer that? I barely know what's going on."

Kiba looks away from him, "Well if you want some kind of pity fest, too bad."

"Kiba! Stop being a jerk!" Tenten shouts. Hinata looks back and forth.

"A-ano...," Everyone looks at her. "... I think S-Sasuke-kun is f-feeling conflicted... He o-obviously has f-feelings for N-Naruto-kun...," She starts to blush, and she twiddles her fingers. "A-At least that's what I t-think..."

"If Sasuke really cared for Naruto-," Kiba says. "-then he wouldn't have left in the first place."

"B-but... Sasuke-kun's emotionally u-unstable... And h-he-,"

"Since when did you become a psychologist, Hinata?!"

Hinata flinches and hides her face. "I-I-,"

"Kiba, don't be an ass!" Naruto shouts.

Kiba turns on Naruto, "And you! How can be so comfy with Sasuke?! He abandoned the village! He's a traitor!"

"But he didn't do anything-,"

"Whatever!... This is ridiculous." Kiba stomps away. Naruto holds out his hand, but then let's it drop to his side.

"S-sorry N-Naruto-kun... I-I didn't m-mean to provoke K-Kiba-kun..." Hinata stutters.

"It's fine Hinata... If Kiba wants to be a jerk, then let him."

He looks at her, "You like Sasuke too, right?"

Hinata looks down, "W-well... Sasuke-kun and I were n-never well acquainted..."

"Then who do you like?"

A deep blush expands across her face. "U-um... N-no one i-in particular..."

"Ahh come on Hinata! You can tell me!"

"O-oh... well... I-I...," She starts fidgeting. "I-I did like... y-you f-for a w-while..."

Naruto tilts his head. "But now?"

"K... Kiba-k-kun..."

Naruto's shoulders sag. "Oh... Well... I'm sure Kiba will get over it soon. Then you can confess to him, right Hinata?" Naruto says, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Hinata's smiles up at him with soft eyes. "... Mm."

"Naruto, I want you to meet Tsunade-sama." Ino says. Naruto nods his head and follows Ino down the hallway.

The woman standing in front of Naruto was not what he expected at all.

Tall, blonde and beautiful. No wrinkles. She has brown eyes that are actually very intimidating. She has a slender body. The thing that really catches Naruto's attention is her giant chest.

She laughs, and her boobs bounce. Naruto feels his cheeks heat up and he has to force himself to look her in the eyes. 'Who knew I was such a pervert...' he thinks to himself.

"Ohh my. You've gotten tall, gaki."

"U-uh... thanks?"

'Who is she calling kid?' he thinks sarcastically.

"But you're still not taller than the guys, I see. Shame. I guess you were destined to be plowed, not do the plowing." Naruto blushes. "T-Tsunade-sama..." Ino says, a light blush on her cheeks. "I'm just having fun with him. Come here, Naruto."

Naruto walks over to her and she nearly crushes him in a hug. His face gets pressed against her boobs and he mentally sighs. 'I am starting to question my sexuality...'

Tsunade releases him and grins. "Well, are you ready to get back to work?" Naruto lifts a brow. "Work? What do you mean?"

"Get back to doing missions."

Tenten intervenes. "Wait Tsunade-sama, you do know that Naruto hasn't regained his memory right?" Tsunade nods. "Of course I do."

"Then you know that he can't just... go back to what he was usually doing, right?"

"I'm sure that if we put him out there, he would get the hang of things. Naruto was always a fast learner. And he learns best by doing, not seeing."

Tenten shrugs and gives Naruto a helpless look. "Sorry, Naruto." Naruto shrugs. "It's fine. I mean, how hard can it be anyways?" Tsunade laughs and walks past him. "Ohh, I missed you."

"I want to see Sakura and Iruka before I go anywhere else!" Naruto says. Ino takes his hand and starts pulling him back to the building they had seen the Hokage in. "Alright."

/

"Iruka!" Naruto shouts running towards him. Iruka turns and smiles. "Naruto! There you are!" Naruto's pace slows until he stops completely. Iruka looks confused.

"You're a really good actor, Iruka..." Unexpected pain floods Naruto's heart. Iruka holds out his arms. "... Y-you... I just... Iruka!" Naruto runs forward and nearly knocks Iruka down. A keen racks his body and Iruka rubs his back. "I'm sorry Naruto. I'm sorry I lied to you, but it was for the best..." Naruto sobs and the tears flow hard.

"S-So... I-I really a-am alone!"

Iruka hugs Naruto tighter. "No Naruto. Never again, I promise."

Naruto calms down a little. After a few more sobs he pulls away and wipes his eyes. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me..." he murmurs. Iruka smiles down at him.

"Naruto?"

Naruto turns to Sakura. She has her hands balled up at her sides. A sad look is plastered on her face. "Sakura? What is it?"

"I don't know what's going on... but I was scared. I didn't know what they were going to do to you. After they knocked you out, Iruka showed up and begged them not to swipe my memory... again. So... I think we're both in the same boat, Naruto."

Naruto feels somewhat relieved that he isn't the only one in this situation. Then he feels sad and angry that Sakura has to go through what he has to go through, the feeling of not knowing.

/

I think... i'm going to end this chapter here. I need to figure out how to move the story further even more, and fill some plot holes if I find any... Okay. Review please!