Chapter Five
Naruto frowned deeply as he packed his bag, pondering his upcoming mission and its possible outcomes.
Haku and Zabuza had been one of the many things that had shaped his early career as a genin, their deaths finally impressing upon him two very important things. The first was, the life of a shinobi was not all roses and cool missions as civilians made it out to be. He'd known this subconsciously for years, having lived on the darker side of things since being kicked out of the orphanage, and yet seeing Zabuza slaughter Gato's men so savagely made it sink in. The other was, there were no ends a person wouldn't travel to for the people/person they cared for. Haku had demonstrated this perfectly when he had stepped in front of Kakashi's chidori despite knowing he wouldn't live. Zabuza, of course, cemented it by attacking an army in retaliation of Gato disrespecting his apprentice's body.
He didn't want to see them die again.
Strong arms wound around his waist, a head full of raven hair lying on his shoulder and he smiled slightly.
"They'll live, Naruto-sama."
He turned, wrapping his arms around the older male's neck.
"I told you not to call me that."
Sasuke chuckled and buried his face in his master's neck.
"You did." He replied softly, lips brushing the soft skin and Naruto shivered, pressing closer to his mate.
"So why do you?"
"Because no matter how much you wish to believe otherwise, I am yours. You are my Hokage, my Master, and my Mate. My life is yours to do with what you will and has been since the day I pledged my clan and its future to you."
Naruto didn't respond for a moment knowing anything he said would be negated or turned against him to prove his raven's point. At the same time, Sasuke was right. The Uchiha, humbled by both his brother's undeserved death and Naruto's unwavering belief in him, had returned to Konoha and pledged his line to Naruto's as protectors before they'd even entered their relationship, in thanks for Naruto stopping his execution. No matter how much he denied it, he owned Sasuke and his clan in every sense of the word. Sighing, the blonde turned in his taichou's arms and looked up at him. Warm onyx eyes gazed back and he smiled.
"Well I suppose I can't argue with that, can I?"
The older male smirked at him and kissed him chastely. "Why would you want to?"
Sasuke sighed softly as him and his master arrived at the West Gate to find Sakura and Tazuna already present, the former looking up as they arrived, jade eyes full of concern.
"Naruto, you seemed pretty pissed earlier. Are you alright?"
The blonde smiled at her, cyan eyes softening.
"I'm fine, Sakura-chan."
The girl frowned but nodded hesitantly, while Tazuna snorted and took another swig from his bottle.
"Where's that sensei of yours?" He jeered. "He's late."
Naruto felt his eyes narrow at the bridge builder and he couldn't' help but compare the man before him to the kind but abrasive old man that had stood with Inari to fight off Kaguya's forces to protect the wave. Compared to that man, this one was severely lacking and only Sasuke's solid presence at his back and the knowledge that the man was hurting kept him silent on the matter. Instead he shook his head and leaned up against the gate, slipping into a light doze.
Around him, Sakura and Tazuna started to bicker about one thing or another, Sasuke silent, but he could still feel the former ANBU captain's amusement. Five minutes passed then a poof of smoke appeared, alerting them to Kakashi's arrival.
"YOU"RE LATE!" Sakura shrieked and Naruto sighed, blue eyes sliding open and full of annoyance.
"He's always late." He pointed out and his friend pouted.
"I know but this is a mission. A big one." She responded and the kitsune bit back a smile.
Sometimes he wished he had that kind of innocence and naivety. A C-rank could hardly be called a big mission, not after all the S-ranks he'd taken before he became Hokage. Still, even knowing what he did and having done what he'd done, it would be nice to leave this village of ghosts if only for a short while.
The relief in Sasuke's eyes as they began walking out of the gate told him his lover shared his sentiment. He glanced back at the looming Gates of his village, feeling a slight twinge of anxiety building in his chest.
He hadn't left the village once since returning to the past four months previous, unable to bring himself to step outside the safety of its fortified gates. In his present, or his future as it stood, he hadn't returned to his Konoha when he finally returned after being named Hokage. No, he had returned to destruction and pain. To the smell of charred flesh and the faint echoes of dying screams, the result of a goddess' rage.
He couldn't shake the image of his village burning from his thoughts and he couldn't help but feel that if he left, there would be nothing left when he returned.
A feather light touch drew his gaze forward and he was met with fierce onyx eyes.
'Not this time,' They promised. 'Not this time.'
A small smile quirked his lips and he shook of the melancholic mood that had over taken his thoughts, Sasuke's determination sparking his own.
It was time to stop brooding about what had happened and start focusing on preventing it. He couldn't dwell on the past anymore.
Things would be different this time. They had to be.
He glanced back at his village, proud and majestic behind her tall gates and he smiled.
Konoha was strong and she was fierce. She would be standing there when he returned.
And Kaguya wouldn't get be around for a while yet, he had enough time to think of a way to make sure Konoha remained standing this time. Joining Sasuke at the front of the formation, he gently bumped the older boy's shoulder to let him know he was okay, heart soaring at the tiny quirk of the lips it earned him.
They would be okay.
For now, they needed to focus on the present. Starting with Saving Haku and Zabuza.
TBC…
