AN: Guess who's back?! Anyways, all my data got destroyed so I had to rewrite everything from scratch. Oh well, it allowed me to expand a bit. Though trying to remember the ideas I had while writing 5 different fics simultaneously is kinda hard.

- In unrelated knees I have a FB page for this account now! Link in my bio.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

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"The stone has arrived with an unexpected guest. Has the idiot moved yet?"

"No... and I told you we're not calling him that."

"Oh, like you're code name was any better. What kind of code name is 'golden prince' anyway?"

"Sasuke!"

"I just don't get why you are so interested in him."

"I could say the same thing to you."

"Uggh, fine! But I still think he's an idiot."

Content with expected results, Hinata continued her observation of Naruto's apartment from a building roof a little ways away. Her friendship with Sasuke was an unexpected accident. It shocked many people (and angered many fangirls) to learn that the kind and shy Hyuga heiress was on good terms with the last Uchiha, especially since he was a loner who didn't speak to anyone. Honestly? It surprised her sometimes too.

Not to mention the way it began was kinda weird and awkward.

Three months ago.

Hanabi had been curious to see why her older sister had been leaving the compound so frequently. She had been watching Hinata watch the blonde for a while now. Being so focused on her sister, she was completely shocked when she was picked up by the back of her shirt and came face to face with the last Uchiha. After studying her face for a few moments he simply smirked.

"Hn."

The next thing she knew she was being dumped in front of her sister (who was very surprised herself).

"This belong to you?"

Hinata could only blink in confusion as she tried to find her voice and reply.

"S-sasuke! Hanabi?! W-what are you two doing here."

"I caught this one spying on you. I'm assuming you know her?"

His explanation completely sidestepped his own suspiciously similar actions (which weren't stalking!). Before anyone could see if Hinata noticed this little detail, Sasuke was was dragging them both to the ground like their lives depended on it. He followed up by speaking in a whisper.

"Quiet... he almost spotted us."

Sure enough, Naruto was shouting in their general direction.

"Hello!... Is there anyone there?!"

That got the three of them silent as they laid prone in the shrubbery. Naruto, for his part, thought he heard something while practicing the taijutsu moves his brother showed him two weeks ago. He looked around for a few minutes, trying to notice any details that might indicate anyone else was there (like big bro taught him). After a few minutes of nothing, he scratched the back of his head.

"Huh, I could've sworn I heard someone talking."

He began to wonder if his big bro was right and they really were being watched constantly. In the end he simply shrugged and resumed his training.

Present Time

Sasuke later explained he saw her following Naruto (much to her embarrassment and horror) and decided to investigate (conveniently leaving out the fact that he'd been following (not stalking!) her for a while). After assuring that he wouldn't tell, he suggested that they worked together as he was curious about Naruto's older brother from Iwa. She'd been hesitant and it took her a few days to finally agree to his assistance. It hadn't escaped her notice that he was surprisingly patient waiting for an answer (cough*morelikeforgot*cough).

How he got his hands on military radios (or why he felt the need to) remained a total mystery. That they were beginning to rub off on each other was just starting to be noticed by those around the duo (mainly by those who had interest in their character). She was gradually becoming more assertive and he was less brooding than usual. Not enough for everyone to notice but Hinata's father had seen the small difference.

Initially, the ANBU teams that were in charge of keeping watch began tailing them as well. It was their job to ensure that the jinchuriki was safe from serious harm no matter their personal feelings (he was a military asset after all). After a few weeks of investigation they deemed the pair to be harmless and resumed their work.

Kurotsuchi had been yapping away like an overexcited puppy pretty much the entire way. It was so bad that Deidara couldn't tune her out and was actually relieved when he had to sign in at the gates of Konoha. The paperwork gave him an excuse to shut her up and someone (anyone) else to talk to. Didn't hurt he was on friendly terms with the newest guards.

"So, Izumo, Kotetsu...you guys still here?"

It had been close to a year and the duo had been there since they turned chunin. This was a fact the blonde Namikaze just had to make fun of (especially considering the week he's had).

"Ha, ha, laugh it up beat, we won't be here forever. Just get the papers signed and go on your way, you're interrupting my nap."

"Yeah, I'm sure they're just lining up all the super awesome assignments for you two."

"I don't mind if they don't."

"I'm four years younger and I still get better work than you two."

"This is really important work here and must be carried out with the same professionalism as any other task... besides, we don't have to chase that damn cat anymore."

"You mean this mythical "demon-cat" that supposedly doesn't age I keep hearing about?"

And just like that, his temporary reprieve was ended.

"Oooo! There's a demon cat here?! Can we go see it?! Can we?!"

The two guards had gotten their revenge and were reveling in it. Deidara could only facepalm at his mistake.

'Great, now I'll never get any peace and quiet... oh God, what if she tells Naruto...don't think about it'

What he didn't know was that the civilian population had actually come to appreciate his presence in the village. It was a simple equation really: (More blonde Iwa nin = Less Naruto)= good thing. None of them really knew why it happened or where their blonde went during these periods of time but just accepted the gift as it was.

It didn't escape his notice that they were being followed as they traveled through the market (the brat always forgot to do his grocery shopping and probably had rotten food in fridge and nothing but instant ramen).

'Either Konoha is getting lax in their training or someone new has taken interest. It must be amateur hour here.'

"Well, here we are. Listen, just shut up and don't do anything stupid. I get enough headaches from him alone, I don't need a crippling migraine."

With that Deidara was knocking on his little brother's door. Kurotsuchi did as told and was just looking around at the building his little brother lived in. She immediately concluded it was a dump.

The door flew open and a little hyperactive ball of orange crashed into the taller blonde.

"Big bro! You came!"

"Off course short stuff, I sa-"

"Hey! No fair! How come he gets to call you that when I can't?!"

Yeah, the Tsuchikage's granddaughter was pointing at the duo accusingly.

"Uuh, maybe because I'm actually his big bro?"

"Hm, I guess that makes sense."

Her stance, facial expression, and the way she turned away with her arms crossed (not to mention the fact she grumbled her sentence out) told everyone she still wasn't okay with it. Naruto, for the most part, was just confused as hell.

"Um, big bro, who is she?"

Before the one asked could respond the one in question jumped in (changing into a rather proud stance).

"The name's Kurotsuchi and I will take my granpa's place as the Tsuchikage one day!"

'Oh God, what have I done?'

Apparently enthusiasm was contagious among the youth because the smaller blonde responded in kind (with a suspiciously similar stance).

"Well, my name is Naruto Uzumaki and I'm going to be the Hokage and gain everyone's respect!"

"Oh yeah?! Well I'm gonna be a better Kage than you!"

"Nuh-uh! I'm gonna be the greatest Kage ever! Believe it!"

It sucked being the adult in the situation but somebody had to do it (plus, he couldn't take much more of this).

"Shut up both of you! I doubt either of you are going Kage. The day that happens is the day I shave my head, yeah."

That stopped the argument dead in it's tracks, though not for the reasons desired. Evidenced by the fact that the chilchildren both looked at him in suprise, then at each other, then back at him with giant mischievous grins.

"You promise big bro?"

"Yeah Big bro, we're going to hold you to that?"

He stared at them with a raised eyebrow for a moment (they're fast unity suprising him) before shrugging it off.

"Sure, whatever."

The dual fist pumps (one punching the air the other pulling in tight) and excited expressions were the first clue he did something terrible.

Years later he'd come to regret his words.

"It's about dinner time anyway, how's about I pay for as much ramen as you can eat, yeah?"

Naruto's face lit up like it was Christmas. Now it was his turn to be the over excited puppy.

"Really?! Really?! Are you serious?!"

Deidara just chuckled a little ruffled his little brother's hair.

"Of course I am, it Is almost your birthday, isn't it?"

The younger blonde jumped up in excitement.

"Yes! I have the best big brother ever!"

He completely unaware of the effect this had on a certain Uchiha on a rooftop across the way. Sasuke had to turn away as the statement opened up a very touchy emotional wound. It just wasn't fair, why did that idiot get to have this? The look on his face was a of anger, frustration and (most importantly) sadness. Hinata could only look on in concern. She actually pieced together a while ago the reason for Sasuke's interest in Naruto and his brother. It was a complicated combination of jealousy, longing, and reminiscing. Every time he saw the duo interact he was reminded of that bond he once shared and desperately wanted again. She also knew he resented the blonde for having such a caring older brother. While she wanted to help him (it was her nature to care after all) she had no idea just how to it. All she could do for now was remove them from the situation.

"U-um, Sasuke?"

"Hn."

"M-maybe we should leave before we get spotted."

He took one long last look at the trio before nodding.

"You're right."

And with that, they were gone.