Sasuke slowly opened his eyes. He was in a hospital bed. He felt… different.

"Oh Sasuke-kun! Thank kami you're awake!"

"Oh my precious little boy! Are you all right?"

He slowly focused and saw both Sakura and his mom were smiling down at him. "Sakura? Kaasan? Where am I? What happened?"

"You are in Konoha hospital son." His mother said gently.

"You were missing and so we went looking for you." Sakura explained fearfully. "We found you knocked out and with a strange mark on your neck. We tried to wake you. I tried to use my medical ninjutsu but you wouldn't wake and I could tell your condition was serious. We decided we had to get you here for treatment. Kurenai carried you on her back the whole way." She was desperately sorry. "I tried to heal you but I couldn't! When we got here the Hokage helped you as much as she could but said you would have to live or die depending on your own will. I knew you would be all right Sasuke-kun I knew it!"

On instinct he tried to reach out for chakra. Normally when he did so it would fill him like a stream of water filling a bucket. But now it came to him in a flood. Oh the delicious power! It came and it came and kept coming like an endless river. Both Sakura and his mother gasped. He held out his hands and saw black marks appear on them.

"Son!" Mikoto cried out. "What's happening?"

"Sasuke-kun are you all right?"

He looked at her and sent her a smile she had never seen before. "All right? Sakura I've never been better!"

XXXXXXXXXX

By the time Tsunade had arrived to check on him Riyuki and Kurenai were there along with Sakura and Mikoto. The two Uchiha adults were having a quiet but heated argument in the corner while Sakura and Kurenai were standing beside Sasuke's bed looking worried.

"Anyone care to tell me what happened?" Tsunade asked. Immediately five people were talking quickly and at full volume. "Hold it! Hold it! Just one person please!"

"It's really very simple Hokage–sama." Sasuke spoke. He'd been awake long enough to know exactly what he wanted to say. "I spotted this weird looking ninja in the village we were in. I decided to follow him in case he was a sound of sand nin. I followed him to a small clearing and was about to confront him when I felt a horrible pain in my neck. The next thing I knew I woke up here." He gave her a smile. "I wanted to make sure I was completely fine so I tried to mold some chakra. That's when I discovered my amazing good luck! Whatever happened to me has made me far more powerful than I was before!"

She frowned at him, not really surprised that he would see it that way. "So, it's just as I suspected. You have a curse seal mark on your neck Sasuke. As surprising as it may be it seems you had a run in with Orochimaru."

"Orochimaru?" Riyuki said in disbelief. "Then why was he spared?"

Tsunade answered. "That seal has a 90 percent fatality rate. The snake bastard must have thought he would die and it would be just like him to leave someone to a slow and painful death."

Sasuke smiled. A 90 percent fatality rate? The bastard didn't mention that. But what does it matter now? "Well I guess I beat the odds then and I just got an incredible boost to my power!"

"Sasuke! That seal is evil! Just like everything else that monster has ever created!" Tsunade informed him. "As soon as I can get in touch with Jiraiya I am going to have him place a suppressing seal over it."

"Suppress it? Hokage-sama I don't want it suppressed! With the power it gives me I can be one of the village's greatest ninja! Let me use this power to serve the village and you!"

Tsunade shook her head. "No Sasuke! It will be suppressed for your own safety. That seal's power is unnatural and would slowly corrupt and taint you."

Riyuki spoke up. "Do you mean in the same way the Kyuubi's unnatural power will corrupt and taint Naruto?"

"WHAT?!" Sakura shouted. "What are you talking about?" Of the people present she was the only one who did not know.

Kurenai and Sasuke both looked at him in surprise. "Riyuki," Kurenai said. "Do you realize you have just broken the Sandaime's law and committed a capital offence?"

"That law has been repealed Kurenai. Everyone now knows the truth." Ryuki replied calmly.

"It's true." Tsunade confirmed. "Since the battle and his rather large part in it hiding the truth has been impossible. It has become common knowledge both within and without the village."

Sakura's mouth was hanging open. "Wait! So Naruto is the Kyuubi?! He's…"

"I'll explain it to you later." Kurenai assured her.

Sasuke grinned. "Does that mean that some of the Kyuubi's power came out during the battle?"

Tsunade frowned. "Quite a lot of it did. You don't seem surprised how did you find out?"

Mikoto answered. "His older brother informed him four years ago before…"

Sasuke nodded quickly. "I've known for awhile. But any way since his power finally came out does that mean people have been demanding he be exiled or worse?" Sasuke couldn't help but sound a little smug.

Tsunade sent him a hostile scowl. "Hardly! They bow and cheer for him now! They finally recognize him as a hero!"

"Naruto? A hero?" Sasuke could not believe it. What was wrong with people? How could they not understand that a power like the Kyuubi's could not possibly be contained?

"That's not all," Riyuku added. "He has also been promoted to Jonin."

"WHAT?!" Sasuke practically shouted. He glared at the Hokage. "I can see what having friends in the right places can do for a person."

"Watch your mouth Sasuke!" Tsunade shouted back. "Naruto earned his promotion! He, Jiraiya, and Sarutobi were the great heroes of this battle! He killed the Kazekage and at least three hundred enemy ninjas! He broke the Suna army and helped bring the battle to a swift end. And whether you have a petty jealousy of him or not he is a hero and a Jonin."

Sasuke bit down on a bitter reply having had his nose rubbed in how much Naruto had accomplished. Despite his newly gained power he felt Naruto once again leaving him behind.

"There is no denying that Naruto did an amazing job during the battle." Riyuki acknowledged. "But of course that was because he had the Kyuubi's power at his disposal. I did not see it myself but those who did all agreed that the Kyuubi's chakra held a powerful taint of evil. Can we trust that Naruto will have the necessary strength to keep it under his control?"

"Of course we can!" Tsunade answered immediately. "I know Naruto will be able to handle the Kyuubi's power."

Riyuki smiled and sprung his trap. "Yet you do not trust Sasuke to control the power he has received. Where precisely is the difference? If you feel safe to leave Naruto with the Kyuubi's chakra, then how can you object to Sasuke using his new power?"

Tsunade frowned. Because Naruto is the most special of special cases! And because he actually acts out of a sense of love and duty. Where Sasuke follows his own ambitions. That's why I trust Naruto and not Sasuke. Unfortunately she couldn't come right out and say that. And unfortunately any argument she chose to make would be based on the fact that she trusted Naruto but not Sasuke with the burden.

Seeing her pause Riyuki pushed on. "Sasuke and I both wish for him to keep the seal mark and use it for the good of the village. Just as Naruto is able to use the Kyuubi's tainted chakra. Please allow him to use Orochimaru's tainted gift."

"I want to suppress the curse mark for his own good as well as the village's! It would damage his psyche over time."

Riyuki shook his head. "I have faith in my nephew's will and strength of character. He does not want the seal suppressed and neither does his clan." Mikoto looked troubled but remained silent. "And unlike a certain other matter the Uchiha clan has the highest interest in this. We absolutely insist Sasuke be left as is."

Both of you are pompous idiots! She knew this would be a mistake. Unfortunately she couldn't really afford to antagonize the clan too much. She let out a deep sigh. "Very well, as the clan insists I will leave the mark as is. However I hold you and the Uchiha clan responsible for his actions!"

Riyuki bowed to her. "Of course."

Sasuke smiled. He had won.

XXXXXXXXXX

Three days had passed since Sasuke's return to the village. Shikamaru stood in the Hokage's office with some other leaders of Konoha's clans. Uchiha Mikoto, Hyuga Hiashi, Aburame Shibi, and Inuzuka Tsume were all present as was a certain annoying blonde. He grinned at his friend. "Shouldn't you be in your room right now? I mean I wouldn't want you to get in more trouble."

"My mom considers this a duty so it's o.k." Naruto grumbled.

Shikamaru grinned. "Does that mean you have to go straight home afterwards?"

Naruto sent him a flat look. "Yeah."

Shikamaru chuckled. "You know Naruto you have got to be the first Jonin in history to actually have his mom ground him." He eyed his friend a bit specutively. "Anyway shouldn't your mom be doing this?"

"She's training her team right now. She said I should do it, that it would be good experience for when I'm clan head." In turn Naruto eyed his lazy friend. "Why are you here Shikamaru? Isn't Yoshino clan head now?"

Shika sighed. "Yeah, she is. But she's still having a really rough time dealing with dad being gone. Right now she is staying with the Yamanaka's, they're sort of helping each other with the loss."

"So your mom just left you all alone?"

Shikamaru smirked. "You make that sound like a bad thing Naruto. Any way it's not like she's left the country or anything. If I need to see her I know where she is."

Tsunade entered being trailed by Shizune. It was one of the handful of times she wore the robes of her office. She looked to be in an excellent mood. Being able to avoid a continuation of the war with Sand had made her happy. And having been shown a couple huge trunks stuffed with ryu notes hadn't hurt either.

"I want to thank all of you and your clans for agreeing to house and care for the hostages. As you all know there are still some hard feelings running against Suna. Even so I hope you will remember that I want these people to be well treated. They are not our enemies. They are not our prisoners. They are honored guests and I hope you will treat them in that manner. They may be here for a very long time. It is quite possible that they will never leave. Please make them feel welcome."

In short order the hostages were led into the Hokage's office. Shikamaru felt his heart skip a beat. He hadn't thought he would ever see her again. Yet there she was not ten feet away. She looked very different. He'd thought her previous hairstyle very strange (consider the source) but now she had it cut very short like a boy's hair. She was dressed in a black kimono just as the children were. She was also missing that cocky attitude and smile he had come to like so much. Now she looked very somber and serious. Well he could understand why. It couldn't be easy leaving family and friends behind. When she spotted him there was a quick flash of surprise and … guilt? She immediately broke eye contact and looked to the floor. He wanted very badly to talk to her but knew he needed to wait.

Naruto did not miss the little interaction. As the Hokage officially welcomed them to the village Naruto whispered to his friend. "What's with you and the girl?"

He took a deep breath. This was going to be sooo troublesome he could tell. Girls, by their very nature were troublesome, but Temari was sure to be a whole category unto herself. But he couldn't help feeling something for her. "We sort of hung out together the week before the finals."

Naruto gave him a very surprised look. Shikamaru had to be the absolute last guy he would ever imagine chasing a foreign kunoichi. For one thing he had stated his opinion of girls loud and clear many, many times; they were loud and bothersome (except for Hinata.) For another thing… "Isn't being with a girl like that a little too troublesome for you?" Naruto whispered.

Shika sighed. "You would think so." He decided to let the subject drop there for the time being and Naruto spared him an inquisition.

The welcoming ceremony was brief and each of the hostages was assigned to the clan that would be responsible for them. Temari was assigned to Namikaze while a little eight year old girl named Alysa would go with Nara. Naruto remembered the girl well from both their original run in and from the battle. She clearly remembered him too and looked a bit nervous. She had flirted with him a little but having seen dozens of his clones come after her with bloodlust in their red eyes had changed her opinion of him.

She offered him a formal bow. "Naruto-dono I thank you for taking responsibility for me. I assure you I shall behave properly and respectfully at all times."

Naruto gave her a smile. "Glad to hear it. Just so you know I don't bear you any grudge. I understand you were doing your duty as I was."

She nodded. "I do understand that and I bear you no hostility, despite what you took from me."

His smile disappeared. "Did I kill someone close to you?"

She nodded but kept a placid look on her face. "My male parent (she refused to call him father) and my brother Kankuro were both killed by your wind jutsu."

"I am sorry." Naruto said quietly.

Temari shook her head. "You were defending your home from invasion. I understand and truly do not blame you."

"Are you all right Temari?" Shikamaru had been standing right there listening. His words were low but the look in his eyes was filled with emotion.

She blushed just a little bit as she nodded. "I am fine Shikamaru. Are you all right?"

He sighed. "Yes, but I lost my father."

"Not Shikaku!" She reached out and put a comforting hand on his arm. "Oh Shikamaru I am so sorry!" And though she was not the sort to normally do so she put her arms around him and hugged him. "I am so sorry."

He put his arms around her as well. "I'm sorry too Temari."

They remained in each other's arms for a short while. "Do you hate me?" She whispered to him.

He pulled back just enough to look in her teal eyes. "No, never."

She swallowed a bit. "When we said good bye. I wanted to tell you but I…" Her voice just sort of trailed off.

He nodded. "I know." He said simply.

While the two of them had been hugging Naruto had gotten a little grin on his face and sauntered over to his godmother. He spoke to her quietly. She looked at the two who were hugging and chuckled. She nodded to Naruto who crossed the room again. He put a hand on the shoulder of the little girl named Alysa. She looked up at him nervously.

"All right, we're trading." Naruto said.

"What?" Shikamaru and Temari regretfully pulled apart.

Naruto gave his friend a knowing grin. "The Hokage says it's fine if we exchange assignments. I'll take Alysa here and Temari can go home with you."

"Can you do that?" Skikamaru said in surprise.

"It's all ready done." He turned to the little girl. "Well Alysa my name is Namikaze Naruto. You'll be staying with me and my mom and our friend Haku."

Despite looking nervous the little girl bowed to him. "Yes Naruto-dono. I promise that I shall behave myself and be a proper guest at all times."

"Just Naruto is fine. Come on I'll take you to your new home."

"Naruto," Shika said. "I owe you one."

He had a good laugh. "Yeah you do."

XXXXXXXXXX

As they walked through the streets people made way. Some bowed, some cheered but they all looked on proudly.

"Is this how all clan heads are treated here?" Alysa asked.

Naruto shook his head. "No, I'm not a clan head, and this is only since the battle. Before that as many people hated me as liked me."

"Why?"

He looked at her. She would find out eventually. "I am a jinchuuriki and possess the Kyuubi."

She stumbled but quickly righted her self with out help. She looked up at him paling.

"There is no need to be scared. I possess the demon but I am not him. I am my own charming self." He tried to give her a reassuring smile.

She slowly nodded. The only jinchuuriki she had ever heard of or seen was Gaara of course, and he was the stuff of nightmares. Naruto seemed as different from Gaara as night and day. "Naruto, may I ask you a question, and please forgive me if I offend."

He lifted an eyebrow. "Ask me anything you like."

She swallowed. "Have you ever… murdered anyone?" She knew that was not a good question to ask, but she really needed to know.

"Murdered?" he said in surprise. He shook his head. "I'm a ninja. I've killed. I've killed an awful lot actually after the battle. But I've only ever killed in defense or in the line of duty. I have never murdered anyone and never would."

She believed him and nodded. Maybe all jinchuuriki were not the same.

XXXXXXXXXX

She felt a huge relief arriving at the Nara household. Many of the people on the street had sent her harsh looks. Shikamaru had put an arm around her protectively and sent his own glares back. If he had tried to do that a couple weeks before she would have pushed him aside and smacked him with her fan. For that matter if people had given her looks she would have glared right back and asked what the problem was. Now things were different. She knew why so many of them looked at her with hate. She would have to accept it. She was no longer kunoichi. She had surrendered her fan and all her weapons to the ANBU who had escorted her. Upon arriving in Konoha she had surrendered her hitai-ite. She had to behave like a hostage now, not like a ninja. No violence and no running away.

"Where is your mother? I want to offer her my condolences."

"She's staying with some friends right now. If you want we can see her tomorrow."

She gave him a surprised look. "So we're all alone?"

"That's right."

"I see." For the first time in quite awhile a grin touched her lips. She leaned in close to Shikamaru. "Well in that case I guess you had better go ahead and take advantage of me."

He immediately stiffened and took a step back. His face was as red as a ripe apple. "What?" he said in panic.

He saw just a little of that cocky girl he had liked so much. "I said you should take advantage of me… by letting me make you a nice dinner. Unless you actually know how to cook?" He quickly shook his head. "I know where the kitchen is, relax and I'll make us something to eat. Then after that we can play some shogi." With that she strode into the kitchen as though it were hers and he was the guest.

He stood there in there living room for a bit and slowly came to really understand that this girl was going to be living here with him. He was going to see her every day he was in the village. She would probably end up becoming close friends with his mother.

"Oh Kami what have I done?"

XXXXXXXXXX

Two cloaked figures stood on a hill overlooking the ruins of what had once been the south wall.

"Not long ago it was at the height of its glory, now look at it." One of them said quietly.

The second one looked over to the first. Such sentiments were a rare thing from him. He sent his partner a toothy grin. "Is that sadness I hear in your voice? Do you still have some feelings for your old home?"

The other looked at him blankly over a high collar. "No," the answer came in the familiar dead tone. "No feelings at all."