Disclaimer – I do not own Naruto!

Sasuke hated sand. It was rough, coarse, irritating and it managed to get everywhere. Her eyes glared ahead at the sandy dunes that led to Sunagakure.

"Phew. I forgot just how hot it gets around here." Naruto spoke from her side. Sasuke resisted the urge to roll her special Uchiha eyes at such an obvious comment.

It was the desert. What did he expect?

"You doing okay? How are you not getting hot with that long cloak covering you?" He questioned her attire.

"I'm used to the heat because-"

"… You're an Uchiha. Yeah, I heard that one a bunch of times."

"Hmph."

She fumed very quietly at him interrupting her spiel. Old habits die hard after all.

Placing his hands behind his head, Naruto strolled through the endless sand with little issue aside from the sun beating down on their forms. He looked at the female to his side from the corner of his eye. Something bugged him about her recent outfit change.

After she defected from the village and he met up with her years later in a failed attempt to bring her home, the one thing that always managed to catch his attention was her outfit. For perfectly non perverted reasons of course. This older Sasuke was a lot more… covered up.

"You're not subtle at all." Naruto almost jumped at her voice. It effectively broke him out of thinking about his best friend in more revealing clothes.

'Disgusting.'

"Shut up, Kurama." Naruto spoke aloud. The tailed beast snorted in response.

"Ah. Arguing with the voices inside your head again." Sasuke let a smirk pull at her lips. Going back and forth with Naruto was as easy as breathing for her.

'Tell the Uchiha that I hate her.'

"Kurama said hi." Sasuke's eyebrows rose slightly. She knew for a fact that the Kyuubi did not like her, and for good reason.

'Dumb brat. Tell her about how you're thinking about her phase of wearing those open high collared shirts.'

'I am not thinking about her chest.' Luckily he spoke through their internal connection.

'I never mentioned her chest.' Kurama's retort made Naruto's cheeks light up.

"What's it saying Naruto?" Sasuke immediately noticed the red tint on his face. It wasn't from the heat as she would have noticed that before. Not that she was looking at his face or anything, she was just observing the environment.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." Naruto's smile was strained and if she were Sakura or Kakashi, she may have been fooled.

You don't see into someone's heart and thoughts without picking up on their poor ability to lie. Sasuke knew Naruto more than anybody else, besides Kurama.

"You're lying. I can go ask the Kyuubi myself." Her Sharingan activated and Naruto closed his eyes tightly.

"Hey, hey! That's not fair. I don't even know how you're able to get into my seal."

"Nothing is impossible for-"

"For the Uchiha." The mockery continued.

She grabbed his arm, stopping him in the sandy tracks.

"Look into my eyes."

"No!"

"Do it." She squeezed his arm with a chakra enhanced hand.

"Keep your freaky Uchiha eyes away from me." Naruto slipped out of her grip and quickened his pace towards the village led by one of his closest friends.

"My eyes are not 'freaky'."

"Your brother shoved a crow down my throat using those eyes. That is freaky to me." Naruto channeled his own chakra to his legs and took off in a sprint. Sasuke stood dumbfounded at his mention of Itachi.

"He did what… with a crow?"

She did not remember that from Naruto's memories at all.

Why was her brother putting a crow down her losers throat?

"Naruto get back here!" Sasuke allowed her emotions to get the better of her as she chased after the boy.

Naruto activated his Kurama Chakra Mode as he felt the familiar Susanoo form behind him.

Sunagakure's Kazekage stood from his desk with wide eyes. His ability to sense chakra was not one that he held much merit in, but the insane amount he felt approaching his home could be felt by any shinobi. It could also be summed up in two words.

Naruto Uzumaki.

A smile came to Gaara's face as he realized who was stopping by for a visit. It's been some time since he's seen his friend and soon to be fellow Kage.

It only took a few seconds for his office door to swing open as his siblings barged in.

"Gaara? Tell me you feel that?" Kankuro asked him quickly. Temari stood to the side with a thoughtful expression. Gaara had a feeling she understood who was closing in on Suna.

"Yes. I do believe we are going to have a visitor in our village. Will you two join me at the entrance?" They nodded easily at the request. Sometimes his siblings still marveled at the change in Gaara after one specific individual connected with him. Someone they owed a lot to for fixing their family.

"It's him, right Gaara?" Temari questioned with a small chuckle. Nobody else could throw around that much chakra and if it was an enemy they wouldn't foolishly reveal their location like that.

"Of course. Maybe he intends to show off that new arm of his." Gaara motioned towards his siblings to follow him. Kankuro scoffed at his brothers words, but not because he felt he was wrong.

"He wouldn't have to do that if the Uchiha didn't decide to throw his friendship back in his face and fight him." The puppet user cared little for the member of the cursed clan.

"Naruto and Sasuke have a complex relationship." Temari explained to her judgmental brother, although she couldn't fault him for thinking the way he does. She had her own opinions on those two.

"Oh yeah? How do you know?" Smirking at his sister, Temari refused to show embarrassment in front of her family.

"I visit Konohagakure a lot."

"Shikamaru must keep you busy huh?" Kankuro snickered at her twitching eye.

"I'm sure your hand must work for you Kankuro."

Gaara continued to smile as he heard his brothers indignant shout. He wouldn't trade the strong bonds he held now for anything.

Less than five minutes passed as they reached the entrance to the sand filled village. Gaara squinted his eyes as a golden figure raced towards his location.

"GAARA!" The chakra cloak that blazed brighter than the sun called out to the Kazekage.

Right before Naruto in all his glory could blitz towards his once upon a time fellow Jinchūriki, a gigantic shadow dropped down on to him carelessly. Gaara ignored Kankuro's quick warning to prepare for a battle.

Sasuke Uchiha practically straddled the hero of the Elemental Nations, and some can argue the scene could be considered weirdly romantic. If it weren't for the titanic armored warrior pressing its weight down onto Naruto while the Uchiha glared at him from within.

"I told you not to run." Sasuke told him darkly.

"Using your Rinnegan is cheating! You can literally switch places with sand! That is so bullshit." Naruto complained from his position under the Susanoo. Large golden chakra arms held the construct of the Uchiha clan from crushing him and everyone could see that he was barely struggling.

That's precisely why Gaara wasn't worried. He was well aware that these two were 'playing around', as Naruto and Sasuke were now connected for life.

"What the fuck are they…?" Kankuro watched with an odd expression.

"I told you." Temari shrugged as the Uzumaki and Uchiha bickered like children while using some of the strongest techniques in the world. "It's a complex relationship."

Complex was an understatement to Kankuro.

"So you're here to watch over my day to day operations?" Gaara questioned the one who shared his pain.

"If that's okay with you! I do need the experience when it comes to being in an office and managing things. I was never really good at that kind of stuff." Naruto sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. A small smirk appeared on Sasuke's face as she thought of an insult to use against him.

She had to hold in the small yelp when Naruto pinched her hard on the back. Her Sharingan enhanced glare was venomous when she turned to him and two of the sand siblings wondered if she'd use those unyielding black flames on the boy. Fortunately, Gaara spoke before another fight could break out.

"I'm sure I can spare a few days to assist my friend." Gaara noticed the way Naruto immediately brightened up. "Now, why has Sasuke Uchiha accompanied you?" He addressed the former rogue. Naruto nudged her to speak for herself and the girl locked eyes with the Kazekage. The same Kage she would have had no qualms with killing if it weren't for Naruto.

"I… want to help out among the village." If the Uchiha clan weren't experts when it came to putting on a poker face, Sasuke would look like she just ate the most bitter tasting fruit in the world.

"Hahaha!" Kankuro laughed mockingly. The puppet user expected more laughter to join him, but instead he felt the judging stares descend on him. Temari studied Sasuke intently, trying to make sense of her actions.

"Elaborate." Gaara needed to understand the situation a bit better, even if he already put two and two together.

Naruto Uzumaki truly changed her. Just as he did for various others.

What a terrifying power.

Sasuke sighed to herself and was glad Naruto's warm presence stood close to her. Opening up about her intentions to anyone but him was not an easy task, nor was it one she wanted to do. She kept these thoughts to herself, as she always did.

"Gaara. I've made mistakes and now I plan to correct them. I wanted to do this my own way but Naruto forced himself into it." She mentally added that Naruto's forced his way into her life on many occasions. All to help save her from herself.

"He has a strange ability, does he not?" Gaara didn't break eye contact with the Uchiha although he spoke about Naruto. Kurama's host scrunched up his face in confusion. "When that light is nearby, darkness stands no chance." His words were directed at the girl who he felt he shared a bond with, even if she didn't feel the same. The bond of being lost in the darkness with no way out.

"You're right." Her reply was delivered softly and Naruto's eyes shifted over to her.

"Very well. You may stay here and… help the populace while Naruto studies." That earned a loud groan from the mentioned shinobi. "Temari should be able to point you in the direction of such things. I will give you a fair warning." Gaara locked his fingers in front of his face, looking so much like a Kage in that moment. "There are many who have heard of your deeds despite helping in the war, not all will take kindly to your presence." He felt it was extremely important to mention.

Before Naruto could defend Sasuke to any degree, she sent him a hidden look that shut him up.

"I understand." Her blank face betrayed nothing.

"Good. Now before we get started on anything... Naruto, how is that new appendage treating you?" Gaara was undeniably curious about the arm created using cells from the Shodaime Hokage.

"Oh! It's great actually!" Flexing his new arm, he presented it to the group and let his chakra leak out. A controlled sphere of chakra appeared and Naruto wisely chose to not go overboard and mess up the office. "I'm still getting used to the bandages being there, but using my chakra is like second nature."

Sasuke felt her heart tighten as she laid eyes on the artificial arm.

"I am happy for you, my friend." Gaara sent a pointed look at his brother who was no doubt prepared to blame Sasuke for something. Now was not the time nor the place.

"Thanks Gaara. Kurama says you look like less of a brat now." Naruto paused and hummed to himself. "That's a compliment by the way." The red haired Kage chuckled at the words of the beast.

"That means a lot. It's decided then, you both will be staying in the Kazekage estate with me." Standing from his desk, Gaara nodded to Temari who walked closer to Sasuke. "Naruto let us begin immediately. We need to make you Hokage so we can share that drink, yes?" Gaara reminded him of their promise during the war. Naruto gave him a big thumbs up.

"You got it buddy."

Sasuke didn't think much of the wind user when she approached her. She's never cared for many people and Temari was no exception. The sister of the Kage certainly wasn't thrilled at being with her either.

"Uchiha-san, I believe the orphanage was in need of help after a request came through this morning. Would you like to accompany me to settle the issues?" Temari wasn't very keen on being friendly. She still remembers how the girl attacked the Five Kage Summit while hell bent on revenge. The look of madness on her face was hard to forget.

"That's fine." Sasuke answered dryly. This way of atonement was way different from what she had in mind originally. Stupid Naruto. Speaking of the hero, she saw his warm smile at her acceptance.

Walking out of the office, Temari turned to the previous avenger and said one last thing.

"He's done so much for my family. You better not hurt him."

If Sasuke were keener on showing emotion, she would have laughed in the girls face. This pathetic Suna shinobi threatening her? Ridiculous.

Although that feeling of superiority disappeared quickly.

'It's too late anyway. I've already hurt him too many times.'

Naruto groaned and rubbed his aching wrist as he walked down the dying streets of Sunagakure. Night was approaching and Gaara really stuck by his word of getting him ready for Kage duties.

"Ugh… did he really have to make me practice signing my name so many times? My damn hand hurts."

'At least your penmanship doesn't look like a brainless monkey started writing on paper anymore.'

'Like you can do any better Kurama.' Naruto huffed as he passed villagers who were heading home before the cold desert winds blew in.

'I am a mass of chakra. Writing is irrelevant.'

'Whatever…' Naruto kicked at the sand by his feet as he walked. 'Spare some chakra to soothe my wrists?' Kurama yawned at the request.

'Don't be such a baby. Pain builds character, you know this more than anyone.' Naruto pouted at being denied.

'You're one strict bastard, ya know?' He couldn't see it, but he knew Kurama was proud of that description.

'One female Madara approaching.'

Naruto deadpanned at the warning before seeing his teammate walking towards him slowly. Raising his bandaged hand, he waved at her. Sasuke's face looked more emotionless than usual, which easily concerned him.

"Yo. How was helping Temari and the orphanage?" He hoped she was able to do some good there.

"Fine." Her answer was almost robotic. Naruto's face dropped.

"Sasuke…"

"I said it was fine Naruto." She walked past him without another word.

She would have gotten away too, if she was dealing with anybody that wasn't named Naruto.

"Don't try to do things on your own Sasuke. Don't try to hide your problems." Naruto echoed the words to her that he shared when they were laying half dead in the middle of a broken valley. Anger began to fill Sasuke, none of it directed at Naruto. No, her anger had a different target.

Herself.

"Did Temari do something? Did she try to attack you?" Naruto placed himself in her personal space. Grabbing her shoulders, his serious face invoked feelings in her that she would prefer to keep hidden. She did not even correct him on even suggesting she could be harmed by Temari.

"No it wasn't Temari." Sasuke wanted to kick herself for revealing that there was in fact an issue.

"Who? The orphanage? The villagers?" He was so close to her face now that she bit the inside of her mouth to force any feelings away.

"No… listen Naruto. I can't do this." She took a step back from Naruto, staring at him with hesitation. Her best friend tilted his head.

"You don't need to help at an orphanage, Gaara can definitely find you something different." Naruto reassured her.

"That's not it." Closing her eyes to calm her increasing heart rate, she spoke up. "Helping others and playing nice. I'm not you Naruto. I can't do this. My journey to atone… I'm more confused than ever before." Here she goes again, opening up to this annoyingly warm idiot.

A poke to her forehead almost stopped her heart.

"You've always been pretty stupid you know?"

A lone black eye met with bright blues.

"You've helped others before Sasuke. Look at me for example. Without you forming a bond with me all those years ago, well, I don't know where I'd be right now. So don't give up because its new for you, never give up. Besides you're… um… you're… well you know…" He began rambling. A trait he inherited from his mother.

"I'm… what?" The anger towards herself started to subside, she hung on to his words like a prayer. Naruto mulled over his next words before blurting them out.

"Sasuke is Sasuke."

A crack appeared in her usual facial expression.

"AHA! You're smiling!" Naruto pointed it out loudly. The streets were now clear and neither cared to notice.

"Smiling at your stupidity." The upwards pull of her lips contradicted her words.

"Yeah, okay you tiny Uchiha. Now come on, let's go grab some food and you can tell me about the orphanage thing. Oh, I have to tell you about what Gaara made me do. Can you believe I had to write my name over two hundred times? Two hundred!" Naruto dragged her along the streets of Sunagakure. Sasuke let herself be pulled along, by both his hand and his words.

'Sasuke is Sasuke… what a foolish thing to say.' She looked up as they walked, seeing his happy face retelling the events from hours ago.

Yes, Naruto Uzumaki would always be an idiot to Sasuke.

But he was the only idiot she'd ever care about.

A/N - I love my other stories too, believe me, but this one feels so much easier to write right now. Luckily, I have a bit more time to write now with all my courses being online so updates hopefully won't take as long.

Thanks for all the feedback! I always wanted to write something that takes place at the end of Shippuden as I personally haven't read many stories explore that area. Also, female Sasuke just feels right lol.

Naruto and Sasuke obviously are connected here in a major way, but they are going to need help getting to that relationship step of course. They are both clueless as hell. Multiple characters will be helping in that regard ;)

Again stay safe and healthy!