Blanket Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. This applies to …. Forever or when I can ear a bazillion dollars to buy the copyrights to it.
Moments before
At the Godaime's glare, Naruto immediately shut up. "You four will infiltrate one of the brothels Satake frequents. Use any method you desire. One note of advice when dealing with Satake. He seems to be quite take with anyone with beautiful eyes. For this reason, you four were chosen. Most likely he'll be attuned to you. I must repeat that you are to capture him alive. Do NOT bring him back in a state of disrepair. Stone and Leaf are to work together to gather information on Satake and his blood-line limit and his reproductive capabilities. With the low birth rates of ninjas, studying his ability is a necessity to the survival of all the villages. You are all dismissed. Prepare to leave for the mission within the week."
Chapter 2: Preparations Complete!
"Well that was…interesting… I have to prepare and let Shika know I'm going on a mission. Shall we all meet at the end of the week at the front gate?"
"Sure thing Ino. I have to go buy my stuff and help mom prepare dinner. Since it's such a long mission I should relax a bit. Sasuke-kun, do you want to come with me and join us for dinner? Of course, Naruto, you are invited too!"
"Hn. I don't think so. I'm going to train. Dobe, you coming?"
"Sasuke! What did I say about you calling me that? Don't call me Dobe! Call me the Great Rokudaime Uzumaki Naruto! Ano se, Sakura-chan, it's been a while since we've all been together and I haven't had your homemade cooking in such a long time! But, I can't come with you today either. I have to meet with Iruka-sensei. Gomen Sakura-Chan, next time, ne?"
"No problem Naruto. We've all been busy. At least we finally get a mission together again. It's been too long. Well, I'll catch you boys later!"
"Hn, I'm going to train, meet you at Ichikaru for dinner?"
"Yeah, I'll be there in a few hours."
The Academy
"Ne, Ne, Iruka-sensei, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about? I haven't seen you in ages! It's been, what, 3 months since we've gotten together? Argh, I've got another 2 month mission coming up at the end of this week, so we won't be able to get together after this. Oh yeah, Team 7 is reuniting for this mission. Of course Ino is coming too."
"Now, now Naruto. Slow down. Yes it has been a while. I called you here to ask for a favor."
"Favor? What kind of favor?"
"I need you to help with the students. Of course when you get back from the mission is fine."
"With the kids? What can I do?"
"I wanted you to give them a sorta 'pep-talk' and demonstration."
"Ehhhh, why would you want that? I understand a demonstration since I'm such a fabulous, wonderful, and great shinobi, but a pep-talk?"
"Well, it seems that with the current activities around Konoha and with the fear of impending war, many of the children are beginning to exhibit signs of unrest and anxiousness that they took on from the adults. You have a wonderful effect on people and I wanted you to just sit down and talk to them. Something like when you spoke to Konohamaru."
"But, I don't know. Konohamaru was different. I don't think I can do too much."
"On the contrary, I think just by having the future Rokudaime there, the kids will be ecstatic. Not to mention that you are one of the strongest ANBU captains. All you have to do is reassure the kids."
"Well, okay. I'll do my best. That's my ninja way!"
"Thank you Naruto. Anyways, how have you been? Would you like to join me for ramen tonight?"
"I've been good. I'm about to join Sasuke at Ichikaru later. Why don't you join us?"
"Eh? No, I think not. You two go and have fun. How are things with you and Sasuke lately. You sure seem to get along much better than when you were 13. After the…incident…I didn't think you two would be able to talk like you do now."
"Well, I thought so too. It's been 10 years since then. It took sometime after that snake-bastard incident, but we get along even better than I had hoped. We're both 23 now, so I guess we had to come to terms with it. But who woulda thought it would turn out this way."
"Hmm. I'm happy for you Naruto. So when are you two getting together?" With that, Iruka gave a mischievous wink to Naruto.
"EHHH!" Blushing brightly, Naruto stepped back and tripped over….Nothing.
"W…We aren't like that! What are you saying Iruka-nichan?"
"Well, it seems you're still the same. Never mind. But take my advice to heart and think it over. Time flies pass quickly and a life of a shinobi has many risks. Before it's too late, take what you desire. Well, I'll be off. I need to grade some papers before dinner."
""Y…Yeah. Bye Iruka-nichan." I wonder what he's thinking. I don't remember Sasuke showing any interest in me whatsoever except that of a friend. My best friend. Smiling, the blond headed off to his most favortist of places.
Hokage Tower
"Shika! Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you! You were supposed to be back hours ago! How come it looks like you just walked out of a swamp? Umm, you smell it too."
The said jounin was definitely a site for sore eyes. His face was smeared with mud and some gooey, slimy green stuff was dripping out of his hair. Needless to say, the said boy, or man, now reeked of sewage water. "How troublesome. I've been gone for 2 weeks and this is how you greet me? Tch. Women."
"So, what happened?"
"Too troublesome to say. But for future reference, don't ever get stranded near an outhouse during flood season in Water Country. Damn disgusting."
"Anyways Shika, I'm going to go on a 2 month mission at the end of the week. I thought that we could…umm…spend some time together?"
Raising his eyebrows and giving a small smile, "Sure, why not, let me get cleaned up a bit and we'll go out and eat."
Sakura's House
"Tandaima!"
"Okaeri Sakura. How was everything? Did you get all the ingredients?"
"Hai Momma! I'll be leaving for a 2 month mission at the end of the week so I have to prepare for it. I'll be working with Sasuke-kun and Naruto. It's been so long since we've been together. Ino will be coming too! I'm so excited!"
"Well, honey, that's nice. I'm glad that you and Ino are friends again."
"Hehe. Now that Ino is aiming for Shikamaru and given up on Sasuke-kun, we get along really well. I've missed our friendship."
"How are things going with you and Sasuke-kun?"
"Hmm, I don't know. He talks to me more since…that time. But…."
"Is something wrong dear?"
"He just doesn't seem to act any friendlier. He's not as indifferent as he was before, but he isn't much warmer. I try my hardest to understand him better, but I don't know if it's enough. Hmm…. I wonder…. Well, never mind, let's get cooking Mom!"
Giving her small smile, Sakura walked off towards the kitchen to prepare soup.
Training Grounds
SNAP, PUNCH, PUNCH, KICK
"Haaa, Haaa" Sasuke wiped the sweat off his face. After 10 years, one would think that he tire of such training attempts, but Sasuke thought otherwise. In fact, he found it exhilarating. Throughout the past 6 years since he returned to Konoha, it was the only action that seemed unchanged. It gave him a certain sense of peace. When he came back, things were as he expected. Hate and dissension, everything he could imagine was thrown at him. He didn't care. The only thing that bothered him the most were those eyes. Naruto had looked at him with eyes that showed Sasuke his sense of betrayal. True, after a strained year upon his return, things were hard, but Sasuke could get over it. After another 6 months, he got sick and tired of it.
FLASHBACK
"Naruto." I better get this over with. I'm tired of this. Wasn't he, isn't he my best friend? I owe him this much.
"…" Not facing the Uchiha, Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath. All Sasuke could see were the two clenched fists at his side.
"Naruto. It's about time we talked."
"Why! You've been here for over a year and NOW you decide to talk? Tch. Who do you think you are?"
"…."
"Look, if you have nothing to say than just….go away."
"Are you done Dobe?"
"Teme…."
Smirk. "Still the same." The Uchiha smiled. "I'm glad."
Naruto stared. Speechless. Pointing his finger at Sasuke, he started to back up. "What the FUCK was that?"
With a sigh, "Naruto, you and I are still the same. Even though it's been 5 years since I've left. We remain ourselves. You are still…Naruto."
"Of course I am."
"What I'm saying dobe is that we are still the same as back then. Whether we are 13 or 18, your and my relationship is the same."
"No."
A bit stricken, the Uchiha glanced away. "….. Fine." As he began to walk away, Naruto spoke up.
"Our relationship has evolved." Sasuke stopped and looked back. Naruto was looking back at him with genuine sincerity in his eyes. Sasuke blinked.
"You know what that word means right?"
"Teme…..I'm trying to be serious here." Sasuke smirked.
"Enlighten me."
"We can never go back to the way we were. We can only move forward. When…When you left, I went after you, to fulfill my promise to Sakura-chan. After I….failed…I trained with Ero-sennin for three years. Throughout those years I thought, 'Why am I training so hard? Is it only for Sakura-chan?' I thought long and hard."
Snort "I bet you did since it's so difficult for you."
Glare "As I was saying…. I thought on it. I finally understood why you didn't kill me and why you left. IF I had been in your position, I probably wouldn't have left. But then again, that's me. You are your own person. You chose a different path. You had every right and every reason to do so. I came to an understanding after that. When I came to get you the second time, I came to a conclusion. You choose your path, I choose my path."
"Then why did you come get me?"
"Hmm, why? Because I chose the scenic route. There are the straight paths like yours and there are the longer ones. I wanted to take in the beauty around me and appreciate the way, my ninja way. Like I have my way, so you have yours."
Sasuke didn't know how to respond. "Hn. Maybe idiots are wise at times."
"Yeah, so I should've told you this sooner, but I wanted you to be the one chasing me this time. What took you so long?"
"….. Just finding my way around."
Smiling, both boys knocked fists.
PRESENT TIME
I guess not all change is bad. Smiling a bit, Sasuke began to walk home.
"Maa, Maa Sasuke-kun. What's that smile you've got there?"
Looking back and putting on his old mask, "Hn. Kakashi."
"Mou, Sasuke, how mean. Here I was just wanting to greet my favorite student."
"Is there something you need?"
"Nope, nothing at all." With that, Kakashi vanished in a puff of smoke.
Turning around, Sasuke headed towards Ichikaru. "Hn."
Ichikaru
"Oi! Sasuke!"
"Hey."
"I'm starving! Where have you been?"
"Training. I told you that. What did Iruka want?"
Scratching the back of his head, Naruto gave a sheepish grin. "Hehe. He wants me to help him out at the Academy. A pep talk for the kids."
"Hn. It seems like a good thing."
Naruto stopped his slurping. "Ehh? That's it? No insult? No anything?"
Sasuke looked at hmm with steady eyes. "Kids need morale boosters from time to time. I should know. You should know. The reassurance that adults can provide are precious at a young age. You are the ideal person to give that. You are one who has that gift. Do you think anyone would be able to do what you do? To inspire those around you? Neji is one of those people. Gaara. That gaki, Konohomaru. Me."
Naruto looked at Sasuke. Seeing the intensity and sincerity in the depths of those cobalt eyes. With a genuine smile that is rarely given, he replied with absolute gratitude. "Thank you, Sasuke. I needed to hear that."
"Hn. Don't expect it again, Dobe-chan. Such a sentimental guy." With a smirk, he continued to eat his ramen.
"Bastard! Why do you have to be such a jerk? You ruined our guy bonding time!"
But as they finished and paid their bill, both were smiling. The two men knocked fists and turned around going to each of his respective home.
A/N: How am I doing? I've got a few more chapters ready. Should I continue? It's slow right now, but I wanted you to get an idea of the characters in their current state. I've thought up a few techniques for each character. I can't wait until I get to a battle. Well, that'll be in a few chapters.
Tell me what you think. My continuation will be based on the feedback I get for the next few chapters.