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Chapter 28: Traces of the Past

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As the convoy slowly made its way through the dense forests just in the outskirts of Konoha, Naruto's fear and apprehension are slowly replaced by a sense of nostalgia as he looked out through the carriage window. The mere knowledge that they'll be visiting the Land of Waves and looking at the familiar route that's winding up before them enough to bring forth memories of the past, of times where Sasuke and him had been so close to each other that nothing can separate them. He leaned back into his alpha's chest, enjoying the feeling of warm strong hands playing through his hair as he closed his eyes.

As his alpha's warmth and scent surrounds him, his mind drifted off to those innocent days where him and Sasuke would constantly fight each other after their academy days fueled by their intense rivalry. Of course, Sasuke at the time was heavily escorted by the Uchiha police corps. But despite his escorts, they somehow find their way towards each other beyond the watchful eyes of the Hokage to-be's watch dogs; training and competing with each other whenever they could.

Of course it had been common knowledge then that when Itachi took his oath as the village's new Hokage, Sasuke would be marked as his successor. The political restructuring that the Uchihas have done is strongly authoritarian in nature. And as more and more Uchihas filled the seats of the council, either through clandestine manipulation or other means, it is becoming more and more apparent that only an Uchiha can be given the title Hokage.

Naruto didn't know back then the pressure that fell on Sasuke's shoulders- the pressure to become even better than his older brother who has worked tirelessly to not only ensure the Uchiha's dominance within the system, but to placate dissent and maintain order amongst not just the clans but other societal institutions in the village.

While at such a tender young age, Naruto was naïve to the ways of politics, and so treated Sasuke just like any other while his classmates would turn to him with ardent worship befitting that of royalty. Maybe it was what initially gravitated the young alpha to the omega. For Naruto had no parents to teach him how to respect societal norms or the rules of politics. And so he treated Sasuke normally. And Sasuke was able to be by himself at the omega's side- to be a child without any worries or pressure.

Looking back at it now, Naruto mused that him and Sasuke have only grown closer during the earlier times of the Uchiha's reign. That was the time when Sasuke's workload would increase. Because aside from his lessons at the academy, he would receive lessons and coaching beyond the ninja arts; preparing him for his time as ruler of the village. But despite for his busy schedule, he would actively seek out Naruto, the only person where the alpha could be a child- not as an Uchiha royalty, nor as his brother's future replacement, but just Sasuke- a child in need of another child to play with and spend his carefree days outside.

So even when they became genin in teams together, Naruto always felt that Sasuke had protected him, looked out for him and cared for him. Their mission to Wave have been the turning point of their friendship. It had been a careless clerical error, a result of the chaotic transition of powers that caused their team to be assigned a B ranked mission rather than the standard C or D for fledgling genin teams. But during their mission, they were faced with strong enemies beyond what your average genin were supposed to handle.

But Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura were able to pull off the mission, albeit with scars and wounds that have been otherwise fatal were it not for Naruto's last minute activation of the Kyuubi's power after seeing his best friend taking a blow for him.

Following that mission, they have grown close and that had been the start of their early, albeit secret relationship; with Sasuke realizing that what he felt for his best friend was beyond that of platonic love.

"Dobe… I want to be strong so I can protect you." Naruto recalled himself nearly melting at his friend's intense gaze as the other boy held on to him. But fierce blue eyes defiantly glared back as he flipped their position with now the blond boy on top of other as he sat on his friend's chest.

"That's MY JOB teme! I'm the one who will protect your sorry ass, you better believe it!" And Naruto recall Sasuke smirking back before soft warm lips ascend to meet his forehead.

"I'll hold you to that Usoratonkachi." Sasuke smiled, a genuine one, strangely feeling warm and fuzzy as he let the heat from Naruto's thighs surround him.

"You better. Because from now on, I promise to be with you always, bastard. You won't get rid of me that easily!"

Naruto would grin before pulling the other boy closer. "Wrong spot, teme! Now kiss me properly." He'd say before capturing the young boy's lips with his own. Warm, soft and so uniquely Sasuke. The feelings and taste would invade Naruto's mind, and even through his adult years it would continue to permeate his dreams and thoughts.

Wait… this memory feels a bit… too real.

Golden eyes snapped open to see his alpha's closed eyes just mere inches from him. The pressure on his lips light but the warm and wet appendage playing on them sending shivers throughout his body. This is definitely too real to be a memory.

Clawed hands reached up to soft black hair and only then was he realizing that this is not just a nostalgic memory trip. He's back in the real world and his alpha was kissing him. He gasped as he pulled away for air, eyes still wide as he looked at his alpha's smirking and confident face.

"What the hell, Sasuke?"

But the eyes that looked back at him were so full of love that it instantly relieved Naruto's momentary panic and surprise.

"Sorry, Naruto. You just look so cute and sexy all curled up with me. And when you murmured your promise from all those years ago I can't hold back myself. Wasn't it you who told me, that I kissed the wrong spot and that I should kiss you properly?" A teasing smile sent a heated blush up to the omega's face.

Naruto sputtered, not realizing that he spoke his part of the dream loud enough for Sasuke to hear.

The alpha caressed his cheeks tenderly, and a satisfied smile replaced his teasing one before giving the omega's forehead another kiss.

"I'm glad you still remember it Naruto."

"How could I forget, Sasuke? You were my only family back then." Naruto admitted. It's true though. Through those years Sasuke had been the constant that drove Naruto to his goals. Even when they separated his promise to his alpha was what kept him going. Despite Naruto's headstrong personality, he has always placed Sasuke's wishes above his own. And so even when Sasuke left him, he continued to hold his alpha's words with utmost devotion; even when those words hurt him and even as Sasuke told him to stay away from him when they last saw each other. "I would never forget our bond Sasuke. It's too precious to me."

The omega was drawn into a tight hug as grateful pair of blue eyes met his determined golden ones.

"I'm so lucky to have you with me, Naruto. I promise to cherish you from now on. I'll never leave your side again."

And despite the embarrassment that colored Naruto's cheeks, he was able to sneak a satisfied smile as well. "Good. Because you won't get rid of me that easily now, Sasuke."

"I wouldn't doubt it, dobe. Will you promise me one thing, though?"

The omega looked at his alpha, confused but urged him to continue with his eyes.

"Would you promise me that no matter what I say from now on, you would never leave." And in that moment a wide smile brightened Naruto's face.

"Now that's a request I'd have no trouble following, alpha." Naruto's voice became deeper and huskier as his alpha dove in once more for a heated kiss.

"Thank you, Naruto. I love you so much and will continue to do so even from beyond."

"Hey! None of that talk, teme. I'll die before I'll let anything happen to you." Naruto met his alpha's intense yet teasing gaze with equally challenging eyes.

"I'll be the one protecting you Naruto! I'm your alpha!"

"No, teme! I will, you better believe it!" Naruto defiantly looked up to his alpha, a strange feeling of familiarity at this situation. They used to have this argument all the time too. And while it usually resulted to no clear winner, it always end in them locked in a heated kiss, with them in each other's arms.

Which is precisely what's happening now as the omega felt his alpha's hands around him tightened possessively. Their ride to Wave will be filled with banter and sensual touches. With just the two of them, they're blind to the world outside, wrapped up in each other's embrace.

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Sarada felt a playful elbow stabbing her from the side. Finally fed up with it, she glared at the other male only to be met with a mischievous smile.

"What is it Menma?" She snapped at the other male.

The smile widened as he signaled her to the carriage before them. "Look!" Her dark-haired sibling inconspicuously led her to the carriage's side. And as she looked up, she saw through slightly parted curtains of the carriage windows that Naruto and her papa were kissing each other.

A blush crawled its way to her cheeks and despite her embarrassment, she held a satisfied smile in her face. After staying so many nights with Naruto and his family, she is more and more open to the idea of the omega being her mother. And seeing Naruto in the arms of the Hokage brings a strange sense of satisfaction in her chest. After all, if her mama is in the arms of her papa, it won't be long until Naruto will truly become her mother. And she for one isn't opposed to the idea, having felt first-hand the warmth and love that emanates from the crimson-haired omega.

She felt Menma's arm snake his arm around her shoulders before pulling her close to him. What the-? Sarada was surprised at the sudden motion before a low husky voice tickled her ears.

"When can we become like them, Sarada?"

Her blush intensified as she pulled away from the other male before she punched him at the back of his head.

"What are you saying, doofus! You're my brother, you idiot!"

"Itte- that hurts, Sarada-chan!" Menma nursed his bruised head but his playful smile never left his face.

"Correction, we're only half sibling, neechan." Her embarrassed sputtering only sparked to widen the playful grin on her brother's face. As for Menma, a strange feeling was bubbling in his chest. He liked teasing his half-sister like this. But he wonders, is it really just teasing?

Himawari, on the other hand, could only look on, though there's a small amount of jealousy in her eyes. Wait, when did she started liking Menma anyway? She had to put a stop to it somehow.

"Sarada-chan, Menma-kun! We're on a mission!" She reminded her teammates.

"Sorry, sorry." Menma just grinned back at her. But his eyes never left Sarada who's now looking away from him.

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Itachi sat alone in his carriage as his cool calculating eyes regarded the report in his arms. Although he had been excited with this relationship with Wave, he had always been suspicious at the suddenness of their acceptance of his proposal. Before they left, Shisui had handed him a report.

And in it, he learned that Wave has just lost its daimyo with no real heir in sight and there have been strange attacks documented through its trade routes. It is entirely possible that Wave is crumbling under the weight of its own success and thus needs the protection of a real ninja village as opposed to a few hired samurai.

A confident smile graced his face.

Before this week ends Wave will probably be under their sphere of influence. And judging from Sasuke's behavior, the older Uchiha knows precisely who it is that will do the job for them perfectly.

He leaned back and relaxed in his seat for a bit. It appears that he would have no need to worry about getting that country to submit to his demands after all. Despite for its financial success, military might is still superior and more important.

That's the main reason why he brought so many garrisons with him after all. He had an inkling that Wave had been in dire need of a security force for quite some time and this report had just confirmed it.

If anything else, convincing them to a favorable contract would be much easier. Well, a favorable contract to him and Sasuke, that is.

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"Sasuke-sama, we're nearing the Land of Waves."

An ANBU alerted him by the window and Sasuke peeked through the small opening to confirm it. He nudged at the sleeping omega on his chest rousing him up; his breath hitching at the sight of the younger male's vulnerable look.

"Naruto… We're close." He whispered to his omega's ears.

"Five more minutes, Sasuke." The omega whispered into his chest and Sasuke nearly melted as his omega's face tickled his slightly exposed neck as the other man unconsciously suckled on it in his sleep.

"D-dobe!" Sasuke nearly moaned as he felt his omega's soft lips on his neck. "Wake up!" He whispered as he tried to even his breathing. Thankfully, his voice was enough to draw Naruto from his sleep because if this continues, the alpha wouldn't know what to do. Already, he can feel his arousal growing and it would be embarrassing if something where to happen in this carriage.

"Sasuke?"

The alpha breathed a sigh of relief. Having his omega so close to him was beyond what he could handle.

"We're about to arrive at the Land of Waves."

"Oh… That was quick." Naruto whispered, having no clue what he had just done to his alpha in his sleep.

He was greeted with an amused chuckle.

"Really now? You were asleep for hours, Naruto. Were you that tired?"

Naruto shook his head.

"No… Just comfortable." He sleepily admitted as he finally rubbed away the last traces of sleep from his eyes.

This seemed to have satisfied the alpha, happy that his omega has become more and more comfortable with his presence and has even relaxed easily against his chest to the point of sleeping against him peacefully throughout the trip.

He glanced outside and an imposing bridge greeted his view. He signaled to his omega to look outside and Naruto looked at the bridge that draws nearer to them. Its sign was legible even at this distance.

"So, the Great Naruto bridge huh?" Sasuke teased his omega, his voice ringing through their carriage. The sight of the long imposing bridge was truly something to behold. It is obvious that the Land of Waves have grown more prosperous ever since the completion of that bridge.

Naruto blushed at the honor given him. But he still gawked at the massive bridge in front of them.

"Woah! They definitely spruced up the entrance, Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed as he admired the structure. "I wonder if we can meet Inari and Tazuna-san, again?"

"I wouldn't doubt it. They'll probably be among the council that we'll be meeting soon. Excited?"

Naruto grinned, his eyes obviously telling his alpha that he can't wait to look around the town that connects directly to the bridge.

Sasuke returned the smile. You had no idea what I have planned for you, Naruto.

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Preview for the Next Chapter:

Naruto looked at his alpha in shock. What did he just say?

"I said, I want my omega installed as your new daimyo. That's the condition. Do you accept?"

The elders murmured amongst themselves as they contemplated the Uchiha's offer.

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A/N: Oho. We're finally at the Land of Waves and this little story is nearing 90k words. I can't believe it's nearly two months since I started this fanfic. So thank you to everyone who's still supporting this fanfic. And thank you for your support, suggestions, reviews and inspiration. As always, feel free to point out what you like or don't like about it. It's always been a pleasure reading your suggestions and thoughts on this little world we're building. :)