Now for the conflict to present itself!

At the gates of Konoha, the young shinobi stepped up to its vast doors, tipping his hat downwards to cast a shadow over his face. He waited until the guard yelled down what he always did. "State name and business in Konoha Village!" The strong masculine voice said. It was gruff, almost like Asuma but the young shinobi doubted that such a great Jounin would be demoted to such a job.

"Uchiha" The man tipped his hat up to greet the man with his eyes. The same black raven hair hung in front of his face but the Hidden Grass forehead protector was gone. Naruto scratched it a long time ago and even to this day, Sasuke refuses to wear one. "Sasuke." The young man finished with a smile.

"My business...? To report to the Gondaime that there is only one Uchiha left now." The Sharingan brother was kept alive for two reasons; both would help the Akatsuki member feel better. The Sharingan-User greeted the guard with a slight smirk. It's been almost half a month since he spilled his brother's blood all over a river. It was strange... but gratifying. Itachi left his younger for two reasons

The first reason was to see Sasuke suffer, to watch him struggle to get stronger and only to fall under the pretenses of using the Mangekyou Sharingan. Itself was incredibly straining on the human body. But it was what happened afterwards that is truly terrifying. Everybody that falls under you, everyone that dies because you used the Mangekyou Sharingan... they come back. Not in the ghostly sense, but in the mental sense. An image of them is portrayed in your mind, their blood being spilt over and over and over again. Their vital fluids spraying all over your face, this would've been fun to Itachi. But even this sort of violence gave him a twinge of remorse, and his heart ached ever since he killed his best friend.

The second reason also related to the first one. Itachi wanted to die but he would never stoop so low as to kill himself. He left his younger brother alive so he can let the one who truly hates him, someone who would sell their own soul just to see Itachi's skin being ripped off and then beaten by his own bones. Sasuke did just that.

Sasuke snapped back into reality as he walked into the village of his home. It's been a good three years... or was it four? He really didn't remember. Though technically not a ninja of the Hidden Leaf village, he still holds allegiance. He was the personal hunter of the Missing-Nin; Uchiha Itachi. He didn't know what would happen now, would he just lay back and rest for the remainder of his life? Get a strong wife and revive the Uchiha clan?

"No." Sasuke said to himself. He continued to walk, his feet guiding him to the Hokage's office. That life would be boring, incredibly boring. He continued to think about that when he saw Naruto. His old friend... and quite possibly the only friend he still had. Sakura... No. He shook his head again at the thought of the pink haired kuionichi. Sasuke didn't feel up to Sakura like a friend...

He started to greet his old friend, wondering what kind of conversation would happen. He then saw Hinata by his side, the young timid girl that had always admired the demon-fox child. It was rare to see such a loud person with such a timid one. But it still made Sasuke smile his same old smirk. He continued to walk but slowed his pace so he could examine the two. They sure did look like they were on a date. Eating ramen side by side, talking to each other, joking with each other. He could've sworn he saw Hinata's small palm rest on Naruto's. It wasn't a hallucination either as Sasuke saw it again but this time it stayed. Hinata's fragile palm continued to stay on his old friend's hand. Suddenly, a movement that quite possibly surprised Naruto himself, the blonde haired ninja gripped the girl's hand and smiled gently.

Sasuke smirked and turned around. They needed their time alone and he wasn't one to interfere with their blooming relationship. He continued to walk through the streets of Konoha, his hat covering his face but the older ninjas had probably sensed his Chakra the moment he walked into the front gates. He felt his old teacher's eye on him for a moment, but it disappeared after awhile. Typical Kakashi; he would never show his face unless it was needed.

Sasuke walked into the Hokage office and left an envelope for the Gondaime. He wasn't in the mood to talk with the Sannin and would much rather see how things have been going on without him. He had heard that Naruto would easily become the Sixth Hokage at his rate. He was getting stronger and stronger, much faster than Sasuke. It was because of this he was afraid of the blonde-haired ninja. His growth was ten times that of Sasuke.

"Naruto..." Sasuke sighs and walk to his old friend, still eating and talking (mostly talking, surprisingly) with Hinata. Tapping the young man on the shoulder, Sasuke asks politely. "Hey, can you help me find the young Uchiha man in this village?" He made sure his hat cast the shadow over his face.

Naruto turned around and smirked. "He's right in front of me." Flicking off the cone hat, Naruto laughed. "It's good to see you back buddy!" He continued to laugh with Hinata chuckling slightly.

"Much more... courageous I could say. Hinata sure has grown." Sasuke thought to himself. His eyes scanned over Naruto, he still wore the same outfit, just slightly modified to fit his new height and build. "How about we finish off where we left off eh... Naruto?" Sasuke says, focusing his eyes on his rival.

"Sorry, can't go right now."

"What? Did Naruto just back down a challenge from me?" Sasuke almost took a step back in disbelief but he refrained the reaction. "Any particular reason?"

"Hinata-Chan and I are having too good a time, even fighting you wouldn't be as fun." Naruto smiled at a crimson Hyuuga girl and turned around. "Come meet me at my place later tonight Sasuke, I'll pummel your sorry ass then." Naruto cocked his head back for his usual smile. "I promise it."

"Alright then Naruto, I'll go check up on the others then. It's been a long time." Sasuke expected better treatment from his dearest friend but he was quite busy and even the cold, frigid Sasuke could understand.

Sakura picked up the objects on her list. Her mother had sent her to buy groceries again, it was boring, but it was a chore that she must do. She picked food item after food item. An apple there, noodles there. Sakura didn't even know why she needed a list. Her mother made the same thing practically every night.

"Sakura, how have you been?" a very familiar voice said. It was dry, like it had no emotion but the words themselves proposed a different type of meaning.

"Sasuke-Kun!" The young girl twirled around to meet her old teammate. He had deserted her, left her alone, all to search for power and vengeance. He left the young girl's heart to break. Yet she couldn't stop smiling whenever she saw a picture of him. He was now standing in front of him, with the same trench coat that Itachi had worn before. He had obviously killed him for it.

Sasuke smirked back. He never smiled. It was always a smirk, or a nod, or a grunt of acknowledgement. Sasuke dug into his pockets for something. He drew out his old forehead protector, skill scratched by Naruto's attack. "Still have it, I promised you I would never throw away right?" Sasuke said with the same smirk.

To Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke and her own forehead protectors symbolize their times together. When they were still teammates. Sakura smiled and was very tempted to hug the Uchiha. She refrained, as her heart at the moment couldn't take any more rejection. She smiled again and then shook her arm, indicating the shopping bag. The smile was fake, very obvious but Sasuke had no experience seeing these things. He would assume she was busy, just as she planned.

Sasuke nodded at the unspoken good bye and walked away. He stepped into the hollow grounds of his old neighborhood. The Uchiha house and all it's splendors was still there. The Hokage was very gracious in letting in stand, but under strict Anbu watch. He could feel the Anbu's eyes on his back but when they realized whom it was, they disappeared. It was... almost comforting to be in his house again. He looked into each room, remembering the good times, then the bad. Finally he looked into his brother's room. It was barren, everything was gone, Itachi had taken everything, and what he couldn't take Sasuke burned the second he got the chance.

Sasuke reached inside of his newly claimed coat. He had to admit; whoever made this was a brilliant tailor and ninja. There was a special type of Jutsu made on the pockets to expand slightly, and to hide it from plain sight. There would be no bulge in the coat's breast pockets even when you have several kunai in them. He drew his brother's forehead protector; it still shone with the same dull brilliance. Even in death, Itachi somehow reminded the younger man that he was a genius. Itachi, an Anbu captain at age thirteen. Though he didn't rise through the ranks as quickly as the famous Copy-Nin Kakashi, he was stronger than the Jounin in every way.

Smiling, Sasuke knew that whom he killed was not his brother, his brother died many years ago, the night that he was overcame by his lust of power. Many say that Itachi always hid that side of him, but Sasuke knew. He had always known that Itachi was a righteous, honorable man. But somewhere down the path he became corrupt with his lust of power, and killed his best friend for it.

A single tear dropped from the young ninja's face. Something that he almost did, kill his best friend for power. Sasuke shook his head and looked up through the small window. He clutched the forehead protector and tossed it into the room. He would decide what to do with it later. Though Sasuke no longer lusts for power, he does want one thing. Sasuke wanted something that had ate at him for years and to this year still causes his heart to wretch in pain.

He needed to kill a final person to make his life full. As Gaara would say, to prolong his purpose of his life, which in the end will make his life. Sasuke's eyes closed calmly, Chakra stirring within him. Naruto had to die, for then Sasuke can truly be the best. His eyes snapped back open, the fully developed Sharingan dots swirling his pupil.

He would not kill to become stronger. He wasn't going to kill Naruto just for the Mangekyou Sharingan (though he must say, it was quite the bonus.) He was going to kill his dearest friend to prove himself to be the best. He was quite the candidate for the next Hokage, if Sasuke can kill him, he will truly be the best. Sure everyone in the village already sees him as one of the best, an elite ninja that surpass even the much older ANBU ninja.

But to Sasuke, the only way to become truly powerful was to surpass the only person who had ever truly surpassed him. Sasuke saw Naruto with his own eyes grow more powerful than him. In a short year, Naruto's growth had put him in a place that Sasuke was pushing himself to be. He scratched his way to where Naruto stood, and when he barely stood up, Naruto had already disappeared forward. His growth was incredible and Sasuke needed to beat his friend.

That was years ago and this was now. Sasuke smiled smugly. Naruto and him had one last battle. But he'll let him enjoy Hinata's affection for now.

Naruto and Hinata were walking down the street now. Sure the blonde-haired ninja was still confused, but he was relishing the moments he was spending with Hinata. It was almost routine, for the past week, he would wake up at around six in the morning, sneak Shikamaru some ramen (he's been denied all his favorite foods for trying to 'escape' his captors clutches too many times). He then would go back home, sleep for another four hours, wake up, eat ramen and do his usual morning training. But something trained suddenly. Sakura and Hinata took turns sitting in and helping him train. The two girls had an unspoken agreement; they would both take turns to be with the young ninja. Soon he started breaking his training early to hit the down with his female companion, eating ramen and talking with each other.

Naruto had a feeling of intense happiness almost constantly now. He could never stop smiling; it was a lot of affection that he was feeling. But it wasn't the usual affection and recognition like from Kakashi-Sensei and Iruka-Sensei. It was different, it was more... It was warmer that was for sure.

Naruto shook off his thoughts and continued to talk to Hinata until they arrived at the Hyuuga main house. "Well I'll see you later Hinata!" Naruto said, waving good-bye as he started to run.

Hinata was about to wave but realized she had to do something. It had taken so much courage, so much power to summon up the words but she had to do it. "Naruto-Kun... could you please come here?" She was determined to show her love for Naruto, to win him over.

"Yea Hinata-Chan?" He said, jumping over to her side. "What is it?" He asked.

"I just want to give you a good-bye present."

"Ne! Ne! What is it Hinata-Chan!" Naruto loved presents, it showed affection and that was what the young boy really craved his whole life.

Hinata opened her arms slowly and wrapped it around the warm ninja's body. She could feel his warmth again. "It feels... so right." Hinata thought. She hugged her crush, bringing her body closer to Naruto.

Naruto could remember the images of his kiss with Hinata, his kiss with Sakura and the confusion that followed. A part of him wanted him to move so he could avoid the confusion and pain that would follow. Yet another part of him wanted him to stand there and just embrace Hinata.

Hinata pulled back and her eyes looked deeply into Naruto's own cerulean orbs. Even without the Byakugan, the young Hyuuga heir could see into her crush's eyes, she could see his dreams, his hopes and his true self: A boy wanting attention. Attention that Hinata was glad to give. She leaned slightly forward and closed her eyes, hoping that Naruto would comply. Her heart was beating like a jackhammer, if Naruto pushed her away or was too stunned to ask anything, she would jump off a bridge.

Naruto's head bent down, feeling Hinata's warm breath and Chakra. She felt so nice, so warm and delicate yet strong at the same time. Her training was truly doing wonders for her body. Physically and mentally, Hinata was a true woman now. Their lips met, this time, both wanting it so badly. Hinata's heart jumped in joy as she felt the young boy's saliva mix with her. It was soft at first, their lips and tongue enjoying the slight taste of each other's mouths. Then it became heated, Hinata felt something she had never felt before in her delicate life: Passion. Intense passion.

Naruto's hands went around the young girl's head and pulled her in closer. Their tongues fought for dominance inside their mouths. Neither yielding or succeeding, not that it mattered. They both were in an eternal bliss. Though seconds were passing, it felt like hours, eternities were fading before their eyes as pure passion took over the two.

A slight cough in the background disrupted the whole moment. A good minute into their passionate kiss, Neji had walked up from the road. The Branch house was across the dirt road from the Main house and Neji was just coming from the training grounds.

Neji admired Naruto, he could defy the impossible odds, odds that Neji used to call "fate" and Naruto never gave up. Even if it looked like everything was hopeless, even if he's dying, even if the young ninja had every bone in his body broken, he would persevere and fight on.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Hiashi-Sama will see you two if you guys keep on doing it. Try your house Naruto, or maybe when Hiashi-Sama is gone." Neji said with a smirk. "And Congratulation Hinata-Sama" With that he walked into his home.

Naruto and Hinata had broken apart, blushing madly. Their cheeks burned with an intense fire (one Gai-Sensei would call 'The Burning Flame of Youth!'). Naruto smiled and hugged Hinata one more time. He felt powerful, almost invincible. He kissed her on the cheek and started home. There was an unspoken good bye that left them both speechless. It was almost... spiritual. As if their Chakra mixed and they knew what each other was thinking.

Naruto couldn't stop smiling during the entire run back to his apartment.

Hinata felt like she was walking on heaven when she was readying herself for bed. She almost stepped into the toilet for a shower. Her cheeks were painted with a slight shade of red and her heart was speeding at an irregular rate. She was so happy; it was like her dreams had come true. No... her dreams had come true.

Temari had Shikamaru under her little finger. It was almost amazing how well she was doing this. It was her first time; her father was intent on keeping her 'pure' until a proper husband can be found. Her 'loving dad' is dead and she threw all that 'purity' trash out the window.

Shikamaru didn't even know what was happening anymore. His mind, being highly trained and intelligent was holding some sort of sentient thought but his body was not responding.

Ino was zipping across town, ceiling by ceiling. She had the strangest feeling about Temari and Shikamaru. Like Temari was really going to attempt... it. Yes she could feel it. She thinks... no she knows that Temari is trying to seduce her dear Shikamaru. She wasn't going to sit idly by though, hell no. She was going to smack that stupid Sand bitch down.

Ino found her target between two buildings, the dark alley proving great cover from civilians... but not from a trained ninja. Ino quickly drew one of her kunai and flung it down. The metal weapon flew true and hit the ground, startling Shikamaru and Temari.

"Ino! Thank KAMI!" He broke through, his mind seeming to resume control, or at least his mouth. His body seemed to still comply with Temari's hands, and was almost guiding her head back to his own.

"Damn it!" Temari scowled. She found them; all she needed... was five more minutes. Maybe not even. But here she was, the stupid princess had spoiled her perfect plan.

"Alright Temari, if you try something like this again, I'll make sure you'll wake up one morning with no clothes in a village composed of mostly horny men!" Ino threatened. "You can't hide from me forever! I'll catch you with my Jutsu eventually!"

Temari scowled again. It was true, as great a warrior she was, she'll eventually fall to Ino's Jutsu. It was a silent move, one that even Temari can't detect until it's too late. Her scowl faded as she kissed Shikamaru once more, making sure to leave her taste imprinted onto the young ninja's lips.

"I'll see you guys later..." Temari said, trailing a finger off Shikamaru's face while she walked off. Her walk wasn't the usual gruff and heavy walk of fighters but more like the walk of a graceful model. Shikamaru couldn't help but follow Temari out of the alleyway.

"Shikamaru!" Ino said in a worried tone. She jumped down and examined her love's body. "Did she do anything to you? Are you hurt?"

Shikamaru shook his head and shook it off. "Come on, let's go home." He walked passed her and started home. I'm sure you'll need plenty of energy to make my day as troublesome as possible." He cocked his head back, his face plastered with the same crooked smile.

Ino smiled too and ran after her best friend and her future husband. She will make sure she'll be the one standing at the altar.

AN: I won't be able to update much anymore as my Internet has gone a bit haywire. Please bear with me. I was only able to update this on my friend's computer. I actually finished this fic about a week ago.