Author: DUDE. I have 22 people actively following this story. That gives me such warm fuzzies. But reviews give me even more warm fuzzies. So, review? Please?

Disclaimer: No. Just...no. The whole Naruto universe doesn't belong to me, per say. I just get to use it...and warp it...mwahahaha...ha...ha...errr...

Naruto had an idea, one that would indebt all the ninja villages to him. He knew he could pull it off, too.

He would hunt for missing nin.

To most, it would sound like suicide, but, hey, he had nothing better to do, and finding missing nin paid well. He should know. He'd done it before.

That decided, he went and offered his services to all the ninja villages.

At first, they were highly skeptical, but after a very convincing argument from him and just a hint of the depth of his chakra, the Kages let him. After all, it would cost them nothing, except money, and they would be able to send ninja on missions that had less of a chance of them dying.

Broaching the subject with Konoha was last on his agenda. It wouldn't be fun. How would he get in?

Sasuke...

But he might not be in town. It was worth a try, though.

Naruto waited until he was in Konoha territory, and then sent out a small, mental line to Sasuke.

---

Sasuke jumped a little bit, but his hands managed to stay steady as he cleaned and sharpened his weapons. He ignored it at first, but when he was nudged again, he followed the annoyance to its source.

Yeah?

Sasuke?

Sasuke's heart briefly stopped, before he acknowledged Naruto's voice. What?

I need your help.

Oh?

I need to get into Konoha, but I don't know how easy that'll be since the Kyuubi incident...

Sasuke paused. No-one saw your real face and body during that time. They just saw the Kyuubi. You're not easily recognizable from the time when you were a kid; I think only the people who know you best would be able to tell. I think you'll be able to come in fine. After all, you are a wanderer, and have been employed by Konoha before, right?

Yeah.

I don't think you'll meet up with too much trouble. If you do...Sasuke paused for a moment, hesitating over what he'll be saying next. Did he really want to risk his position and reputation to let someone he wanted as a lover through the gates?

Yes, he did.

If you do, tell them you're here to see me.

Alright.

That last word was a caress, and Sasuke felt Naruto's presence fade from his mind.

'Dear god...' he thought to himself as he put a kunai down. 'What the hell am I thinking?'

---

Kawao had always felt that the easiest way to get into a place was to look like you knew what you were doing and where you were going. Never show signs of hesitating or nervousness. Ninja could pick those up from forever away, so it wasn't worth trying to sneak in.

So, he approached the front gates, and after checking the travel papers he carried with him everywhere, he was allowed into Konoha. Once sufficiently far from the gate, he snickered and resettled his backpack. Now, to meet with Godaime.

That would take a little more doing. It hadn't been easy with the other Kages, and since the fifth here would have recognized the Kyuubi, they would be a little more restrictive with who saw the Godaime.

He knew one really good way of getting in. But he didn't want to risk dying. The Fox was quite capable of protecting him, but he didn't like taking chances with his life.

He stopped and looked up at the Hokage tower and sighed. Sheesh. Well, her was the real test of his "look-like-you-know-what-you're-doing" theory. He opened the door to the tower and walked in.

---

Tsunade looked skeptically at the young man in front of her, who seemed to be waiting patiently for her answer.

Her first potential response was, "Idiot! There's no way I'm letting a civilian like you handle sensitive information and missions like that!"

The second was, "Well, you are the Kyuubi bearer. You might have a chance. But how do I know I can trust you?"

The third was to kick him out of her office and forbid anyone to allow him in again.

The fourth was to say yes.

So she just looked calmly back at him.

"You do understand the risk that your proposal holds."

"Of course."

"And you still want to do it anyway."

"Yes."

"Why should I trust you?"

"You know, all the other Kages asked me the same thing."

All the other Kages?

"I told them that they couldn't. But with me being who I am, and I have been employed by all of them before and have done a good job, that that history should be testament for me."

"What makes you think you'll do a better job than one of my ninja."

"No one would expect me. Until it was too late, of course."

The feral grin that Kawao gave her made her raise an eyebrow.

"You're a civilian. You have no ninja training. How would you fight a missing nin?"

Kyuubi smiled faintly. "Don't play dumb with me, Godaime. You know who I am."

The red eyes and slight shift in voice and stance told her she was dealing not with Kawao, but with that which he held in his body.

"Why would you, who almost destroyed this village, want to help us?"

"I don't want to help you. I need something to do...and a way to those eyes."

Tsunade wasn't sure what that last part was about, But the first part made her eyes narrow.

"You don't want to help us, yet you're willing to work for me."

"To have something to occupy my mind and power. Working for you is just a detail."

"You will not betray us?"

The man's eyes shifted from red to a hurt blue. "Never."

Tsunade had a feeling that whoever was talking now was serious. She sighed and shuffled papers until she pulled out a Bingo Book and handed it to whomever was across from her. The man took it from her and flipped through the pages briefly before looking at her. The eyes were still a brilliant blue. The man bowed to her deeply, then turned.

"I'll do my best. Tsunade-sama."

With that, he walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Tsunade sighed heavily and put her head in her hands.

"Find Shizune for me," she said to the concealed ANBU. "And tell her I need a drink."

---

Naruto meandered through town, following Sasuke's chakra pattern until he managed to pinpoint it in a deserted corner of town. For a moment Naruto was puzzled until he remembered that the entire Uchiha clan(save Sasuke)had been killed by Itachi...who was apparently one of the people Naruto and Kyuubi were going to go after. Maybe he could get some info from–no, scratch that idea. He was here to woo Sasuke. Not to piss him off.

Naruto didn't bother to knock, since he knew Sasuke had picked up on his chakra pattern a while ago. He walked into the room where Sasuke was to find him putting away the last of his shuriken, having sharpened all his equipment.

"Sasuke."

"You got in without trouble."

"Yup."

"What're you here for anyway?"

"Concerned for me?"

Sasuke glared at Naruto.

Naruto grinned and walked over to him, and sat next to him, severely infringing on Sasuke's concept of personal space.

"I came here for work. And I got it, after some convincing on my part. It took some effort though."

"What work?"

"Hunting for missing nin."

Naruto abruptly found himself staring up at the ceiling, a very angry Sasuke pinning him to the floor.

"Idiot," Sasuke hissed.

Naruto grinned up at him and pulled him down so that their faces were only centimeters apart.

"Are you worried about me, Uchiha Sasuke?"

"Dobe," Sasuke snarled softly. "You'll get yourself killed."

"No I won't."

"Naruto..." Sasuke's voice held a warning note.

"I'll be fine."

"You're not a ninja!"

"I don't have the formal training, yes. But I am a ninja. Or so the forehead protector says."

Naruto tapped the scarf he had around his neck, and Sasuke looked at it.

"That's your forehead protector? Then wear it."

Naruto's eyes became sad, and evasive. To distract Sasuke, Naruto pulled the other man down on top of him, shifting slightly so that they were pressing together in all sorts of interesting ways. Sasuke's eyes closed briefly, before he opened them and, with some effort of will, managed a half-hearted glare.

"No. I want an answer, Uzumaki Naruto." His voice was slightly husky.

Naruto paused for a moment, then sighed faintly. "If you want to see why, you'll have to get it off me."

"Is that a challenge?" Sasuke asked, voice slightly cold, with the faint undercurrent of exasperation.

Naruto gave Sasuke a toothy grin. "Damn right it is. How do you want to spar to get it?"

"Hm?"

Naruto's eyes gained a slightly lewd glint to them.

Sasuke's facade dropped enough for him to momentarily stare at Naruto in horror and interest. With sheer force of will, he shook his head.

"I want to see how strong you are. Outside of the bed."

Naruto gave the slightest show of a pout, then grinned. "Alright! Sounds fun to me! Let's start now."

"What!"

Naruto pushed the other man off him and stood as Sasuke quickly caught his balance. Sasuke glared at him.

"Outside!"

"Aw."

"Do it."

"Fiiine..."

Naruto body posture was dejected, but his eyes were sparkling in mischief.

Sasuke followed him out into the main courtyard/garden that the Uchiha estate had and had to abruptly duck once he had stepped out onto the grass. He growled a warning, but Naruto just gave him a sunny smile.

"C'mon, Sasuke. We're outside now. Let's spar!"

Sasuke gave Naruto a weary smile, as if saying, 'only because you'll be a pest if we don't.' Even though he wanted to test his skills, too. Naruto was an unknown; he knew he could beat all his peers, and a few of the older Jounin. But this would test his skills and also let him see whether or not he'd wor...whether or not he'd be concerned for Naruto's well-being.

Naruto fell into a stance, and Sasuke followed suit.

"No using the Kyuubi."

"Fine."

"Ready."

"Go!"