Greetings, I'm sorry for the lack of speed in posting chapters, but there are things I go over and stuff. I started this bugger many months ago (March, methinks…), and I'm perfecting it. That, and ff.net takes forever to upload.

So. I am working on getting a Naruto category in the Anime section at fandomination.net. The upload it much smoother (perhaps instantaneous), and reviews are generally easier to manage, so…if you have the time, and you have a login there, mail category@fandomination.net, and here is their instructions.

If the section ever comes to life, I'll tell y'all, and I will post there, and you'll get my pieces faster. Most quick.

Thanks to you who reviewed again, you'll never know how much it means.

And to akeru-san : Thanks to you from my sister, you who had the courage to say what I would not let her.

One of these days I'll post the warnings again, but until I do, read them in the prologue if you have not.

Disclaimer: Naruto and all it comes with does not belong to me. It's all Kishimoto. This is fiction, don't confuse.

Part I

Chapter II

"Kakashi…" Naruto sighed.

"Hokage-sama."

Naruto frowned. "Don't call me that when we are alone." He closed his eyes. "Anyway, can you brutally murder the next person who walks through that door?"

"No."

"Aww…but I'm tired and it's the end of the day…I just wanna go home."

Kakashi gave an exasperated sigh. Even now Naruto was a whiner. Some things don't change, he supposed. "You must see them all. We must accept all missions. Even more so now that we have come out of a war."

"Yeah, yeah, I know it." Naruto pouted. "But lately there have been so many requests…and the new ninja academy course isn't producing so many genin as it should. Even you know we need more men! But this is just me being frustrated…"

They surely needed more men. Even three years after the end of the wars, they still had to rebuild their forces. Though the victors, they had not come out of their battles unharmed. Even a small tussle with Orochimaru then would deplete their forces to the point where all shinobi were busy. It had been hard times, having to battle against sound, defend against Akatsuki, as well as complete missions.

Konoha and Sound had more often than not been in a cold war with each other until about a year and a half later—about the time Naruto had joined the ANBU—when the villages began openly attacking each other. This had been part of Naruto's job in the ANBU, because he had a high-level attack with a high kill rate, he was sent in to assassinate what the higher-ups had deemed as "threats" in the Sound village. Not that he had been promoted solely for the Rasengan alone; the dire situations of war forced great development upon him, as every other young shinobi of the leaf village. One had to if they were to survive.

The war with Sound had ended in a massive attack against the Sound village, with the SanNin in heated battle with each other, Tsunade and Jiraya against Orochimaru, the only two leaf shinobi who had the ability to defeat him. Though, in the end, Itachi and a fellow Akatsuki member intervened, burning his almost dead body with the black flame saying it was their orders to make sure Orochimaru stayed dead, and to retrieve his 'token'.

The war with Sound was over, but the war against the Akatsuki organization had only just begun.

The assault against the organization had begun with not so simple spying. There was not much other than that they could do at the time, as they were strong opponents not to be taken lightly at all. Leaf created alliances, and it was only a year later the organization was successfully disbanded, and with the collaboration of other villages.

The tactics for the most part were all credit to Tsunade. Throughout the battles as well as the years after, she had proved to be a great Hokage. Her guidance had the village recovering at a considerable speed, resulting in affecting the country's prosperity itself. Naruto only had to finish her handiwork, though their forces were still at a low. As those of the Sand might say, they had to raise the ability of the individual shinobi until their forces were raised.

However, only time would cure their loss in numbers.

But, Naruto thought, time was moving ever so slowly.

Then, there was that Naruto still had trouble getting the old council to trust him—as well as the older generation, not that it mattered much. But it still pissed him off to no end; it was only so because he had the power of a demon.

And something else tugging at he back of his mind…telling him there was something going on he couldn't see…

Naruto sighed.

"Kakashi. Rub my back."

"…No."

"C'mon, you're not cheating on anyone." Naruto looked over his shoulder at Kakashi and smirked. "Right?"

Why must I always be here? Kakashi thought.

Naruto pouted as Kakashi made his 'why the hell am I even here' face once again. "Because I trust you, ya jerk!"

Kakashi sighed and said, "Naruto, that should've been the last guy. Why don't we go? I'll even buy you dinner. Maybe we can even meet up with Iruka."

"Okay—"

Just then the doors burst open, and Naruto felt his irritation rise. "Watch the doors!" He yelled as the culprit rushed in and knelt before Naruto.

"My apologies, Hokage-sama. But representatives and head of the Uchiha Clan request audience with Hokage-sama."

Naruto moaned and plopped back down into his chair. "Send them in," he said with a wave of his hand.

Four people then shuffled into the room, three ahead and one behind.

As one of the three was about to speak, Naruto cut them off. "I ask you to get straight to the point; I am late for an appointment, and you've made none."

They did their best not to scoff, barely succeeding, and begun, "As you know, the Uchiha clan has been officially re-established—"

"However, to further the Clan, there must be heir, thus, Uchiha-sama needs a wife—"

"Something needing Hokage-sama's blessing, as it is a clan marriage."

"Therefore, Hokage-sama, we ask you to approve the marriage of Uchiha Sasuke and—"

Naruto raised his hand, stopping the overwhelming barrage of words. "Sasuke, you bastard, quit hiding behind your supporters and look me in the eye."

Kakashi winced.

The three with Sasuke parted and Sasuke moved forward. "Hokage-sama." He bowed.

Naruto wanted to hit him in the face.

Somehow, in the months since Naruto had taken the Hokage name, Sasuke had been gradually distancing himself from Naruto, and Naruto had no clue as to why. Naruto hardly had time to see Sasuke himself, and as the months went by, he saw his closest friend less and less. Sakura had, of course, taken notice as well, and had confronted Sasuke, who was only cold to the subject. Naruto was left in the dark.

And now, Sasuke had the gall to come there, asking, asking, asking—for marriage. When had he met someone? Naruto had not heard of it, and surely his friends had not, as they would have told him. One glance at Kakashi told Naruto he was surprised as well. Obviously, this was a marriage for his clan, for his ambition, and would only create unhappiness, for both Sasuke and the poor woman he chose to marry—perhaps even the children.

But if Naruto refused the marriage out of care for his friend, many would despise him for 'ruining' the much loved Uchiha clan. Not to mention Sasuke himself would be angry with him, and, in a silly way, Naruto owed him, for four simple words.

I reject your offer.

The situation was precarious…

Naruto wanted to say no. He dearly wanted to yell and scream and stomp, telling Sasuke 'you are not allowed' all the way. He did tell himself for his friend, for that friend's happiness, but inside him, there was that selfish side, saying he didn't want to see Sasuke married at all, least of all to some strange woman.

Looking into Sasuke's eyes, Naruto could see it; he was leaving the decision to Naruto. I gave you your dream; will you give me mine? No matter the cost?

Naruto had thought Sasuke understood.

Of course not.

Gritting his teeth and burying the urge to kick Sasuke's bowed face, he said, "Is this what you wish?" Sasuke only looked up into Naruto's eyes. Of course. He would say nothing.

That selfish side was all Naruto heard now, and it was probably because of that that he said this now. Naruto closed his eyes and sat back. "You have my blessing."

Instead of giving in to that selfishness, Naruto would grant Sasuke the pleasure of having his wife. He could at least give his friend a dream…no, an ambition he was sure he accomplished. How naïve of me, Naruto thought, to think that he wouldn't pull something like this.

"Now go."

And maybe, maybe, this act would give Naruto the trust of the older generations…

Sasuke's lackeys bowed and left, while Sasuke lingered just a moment, then followed.

As the doors shut, Naruto collapsed into himself. Kakashi moved up behind him, and placed his arms about Naruto's shoulders.

"God, what a miserable bastard." Naruto massages his face with his hands. "How…how could he have left that decision to me?! How could he have left that on my shoulders? This totally pisses me off!" Naruto smashed his fist into the arm of the chair, cracking it through, down to the leg. "I…I thought he knew."

Kakashi knew. Kakashi knew all too well.

"I'd surely give Sasuke anything he wanted, simply because he asked for it. But there, he didn't ask for that, he left it up to me…that he left me some crappy decision with his damned happiness on the line…a test of our friendship…it totally pisses me off." Naruto stood. "Kakashi…screw dinner, let's get smashed."

+

"What a useless thing to do…"

"What? I kinda like it. I feel lighter. Hee."

"He was only your friend…"

"So what?"

"Hmm…"

"Hee hee!"

+

Naruto moaned as he lay back on the sun-warmed roof. On top of the highest building, he could see almost all of Konoha. All he had wished for these past few weeks was a wonderful, sunny moment's peace, and here it was. Warm in the sun, with a fabulous view to boot. A break.

It felt so good.

He sighed to himself. "Maybe if I had known how troublesome it would be…" Naruto shook his head. "No, it's the times…"

These past months had been eventful. There had been much activity, and for some reason seals were losing power or were in need of reinforcement. There was some unknown disturbance…but time would tell what that was. Though, it constantly tugged on the back of Naruto's mind.

Yes, it had been an eventful past months, and was not helped by his emotional turmoil. Looking to a clear sky, Naruto thought, what a perfect day for a wedding. He ran his hand over his–now fuzzy– head. Funny, he thought, that his hair wasn't growing so fast as it normally did.

Stiffening, Naruto's grip tightened on his removed hitai-ate headband as he felt a presence, and looked at the newcomer. He breathed a silent sigh of relief to see it was only a messenger.

"What news do you bear?" He said to the kneeling shinobi.

Naruto watched the flap in front of the nin's mouth quiver as he lifted his head and answered. "I bear ill tidings, Hokage-sama…" He bowed his head once more. "It seems 'the ocean is rising'."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. He was fuzzy on the subject of code, but was fairly certain what that meant…

"Go, I'll call a small gathering, and have you make announcement." And, make it clear to me, Naruto thought, too embarrassed to admit he had not memorized all codes.

Still on the roof, Naruto pressed two fingers to his mouth, and blew until a sharp whistle emerged. Looking to the sky, he left only when he saw a familiar shape soaring high.

+

Leaning against a large marker, Kakashi sat reading Come, Come Violence. Feeling a shadow pass over his face, he looked up.

Humming to himself, he stood and dusted off his pants, and began a slow stroll toward the village.

+

"You are called here to be notified of a great threat, and the village must take the greatest precautions—a water demon is awoken from the north," the messenger Nin announced at Naruto's urging.

From the resulting din burst a louder voice, "It is of no concern to Konoha, we are not a coastal in the north."

"Wrong," said Naruto. His guess had been correct. "Wani-akki; crocodile demon. Meaning, of course, it can take to land." Not that it would deter a water demon of another type…

"…A less powerful demon, but no less dangerous…" Naruto heard Kakashi murmur.

"Presumably, it's heading toward the country?"

"Konoha sato no kakure, specifically." Stated the messenger Nin.

Naruto knew what to do. What he must do. "Take all precautions, prepare for battle, in case necessary." He looked to the messenger Nin. "How far was it from the village, when you received message?"

"At the border, I believe."

"I leave now to stop it."

There was a chorus of "Hokage-sama" before one voice in particular stuck out.

"Do you really think you can handle it yourself?"

Taking the comment in all seriousness, Naruto looked at the speaker coolly. "Of course. I've dealt with demons before. The hard kind." He looked Anko in the eye. "You shouldn't doubt your Hokage." Naruto then spoke to the rest. "I asked you all to come here because you are the best, and my most trusted, with the exception of a few not present…and I realize you all probably want to be at a wedding, but I felt I should tell some before I leave. Use your information wisely…Tsunade has been informed, and an emergency executive committee has been formed—but wait for the ceremony to be over. Dismissed."

Naruto, however, was the first to disappear.

+

In a flowing ceremonial kimono, Sasuke knelt before the altar, picturesque, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

This dreaded ceremony, Sasuke thought. To achieve his ambition, he had to be ruthless…but that did not mean he had to like it. The only thing he wanted to do right now is run away, fast as he could. In a very opposite direction.

Many had gathered for the wedding of the new Uchiha clan head. Clan head, Sasuke thought amusedly. He could hardly be called the clan head. For where was the clan? But of course, it would truly come in some generations and many children. What he had pleaded of the Hokage—no, Naruto—some months before had merely been recognition of his clan—his sharingan the only required thing. It was not so long after that that he had asked Naruto for beginning the establishment of his clan—a marriage.

The sole reason he was here. Of his two ambitions, Sasuke had always thought this one, his duty to his clan, was the most harmless. Naïve thoughts of a young boy, because both ambitions were just as disastrous to those he loved. Never had he thought back then that there would be people who would grow on him, that would care for him and love him, and would save him over and over from a hell of being alone.

With his eyes Sasuke carefully traced the pattern of the kimono on his folded knee. Beneath the long sleeves, his fists were clenched. Closing his eyes, he could hear the low din of a crowd trying to keep ceremonial silence, but too excited to keep absolute quiet. So many came for this wedding, a wedding a part of him did not even want to be at himself.

There was one person, however, he could tell was not there. The one person he needed the most.

He suddenly felt that urge to leave strengthen.

So focused on staying put, he almost did not recognize the soft padding of silent feet landing next to him.

"Uchiha."

Sasuke looked at Kakashi.

"I have some news for you…"

+

Sasuke rushed to the gates of Hidden Leaf, hoping to see a spiky blonde head. He had held his wedding for this…

That idiot!

Seeing no one, he tried to think of places Naruto might be, hoping he had not left yet. Then he remembered something…

A promise…

Sasuke dashed to the right, going fast as his feet could carry him, covering the great distance in minutes. He was rushing through the tall, thick forest, until he finally broke through it to a field that spread as far as the mountains, only a few scattered trees in between. There, there he could see a single bandanna-clad head, and garb that could only be Naruto's.

Dashing toward the figure, he stopped only when they were a small distance apart.

"Naruto, you idiot, what do you expect to accomplish?"

Dammit, Naruto thought. I thought I had told them to use that information wisely. Though, Naruto could almost sigh in relief. This was the first time in so long Sasuke had talked to him in normal tones. "To save lives."

Idiot! Did he really expect to kill a demon by himself? With absolutely no backup or extra manpower? "But on your own?! You'd be an idiot to think this was so easy a thing—"

"I know." Naruto's head bowed. "Kinda like dèjá vu, don't you think?" Naruto looked over his shoulder at Sasuke. What a grim thought.

"Don't! Don't say that…you…" Sasuke trailed off, and took a good look at Naruto. "You...somehow, you're different."

Naruto looked to the field again. "Yes, I suppose I have grown up a bit."

Reaching to touch the back of Naruto's neck, Sasuke said, "No, not that…you…"

"Sasuke." Sasuke stopped and looked up to see Naruto looking over his shoulder at him once more, a sad sort of smile on his face. "I thought doing that for you might have been enough, but…" How silly to think it would gain their trust, Naruto thought.

As Sasuke watched his face, that sad expression melted away, and Naruto's eyes were suddenly burning—with conviction, with determination, with power and strength—with pure anger. With loathing. Such energy his gaze had, that Sasuke could see those eyes tinged with red.

Sasuke suddenly felt so ashamed as he never had in his life. But he could not look away from that face, a face he had thought he could read so perfectly, one he could surely read perfectly right now. That face told him that Naruto felt he did not know this person before him, who paid no mind to his happiness to fill his ambition. Just as he did not know that person those many years ago, so willing to give up all for just a little power that might help him achieve that same ambition. That face said to Sasuke, where have you been?

Then, Sasuke saw in that face loathing and despair beyond any, and he felt he was not even looking at Naruto's own face…but someone much older.

He knew his actions had been selfish. Ruthlessly selfish. But it had been an ambitious dream of his, and laying it on Naruto's shoulders had almost been a test. Would Naruto stop Sasuke, or further him, for his sake? There was no preferable outcome—Sasuke could envision Naruto weighing every outcome, putting it into consideration for his final answer. Sasuke had not known what he truly wanted, so he left it up no Naruto, without considering how the new Hokage would have felt. Sasuke could understand his disappointment, and anger…but he had never thought Naruto would have been this angry.

Sasuke shook his head when Naruto spoke, his reverie broken. "This will be the ultimate proof of my strength. That I am Hokage." Naruto smirked, a tiny bit, more to himself than to Sasuke. "Then, everyone will have no choice but to recognize and acknowledge my strength." Naruto paused for a moment before he spoke more gently, "Even more so, to protect Konohagakure, even those who hate me…especially those I love…"

Suddenly, Naruto was gone with the breeze, and Sasuke was left standing, alone.

And he heard an echo—

But somehow, there are dark clouds on the horizon.

Sasuke wondered if the thought was his.

+end chapter+

Boo yah. And there you have it.

Review, my dears, review.