Chapter 21 - still cannot get over that I've published over 20 chapters for this story. I love how this has evolved over the past couple of years. Now about the story at this point:

So the villagers in this story are based on my interpretation of the anime/manga that the villagers were dicks - I get that that many of them were terrorized and lost people the night the fox attacked the city but SO DID NARUTO! They all just decided to be petty against a baby - because he was a literal baby when he lost both his parents simultaneously just minutes after he was born. No guardian was really appointed to him, I guess, because no one wanted to deal with him because they all decided he was a monster, and that was that. Mind you, and he didn't actually do anything wrong. So I figured if Naruto ever actually made a mistake and it became public, the villagers would once again give him a hard time. I also feel that Naruto would get down for a time.

Now don't get me wrong. Naruto has a strong spirit, great fortitude, which is one of the best things about him. I'm not trying to take that away, but I also feel like in the show, the loneliest times of Naruto's life were kind of glossed over but there would be tiny glimpses in the many flashbacks that were shown in the anime. And Naruto, he wears his heart on his sleeve but also puts on a brave face all the time, and when you're like that 24/7 and everyone hates you again and you actually feel guilty, it can be hard to maintain that facade for so long. I felt it would be interesting to explore a Naruto who just can't keep it up like he used to but don't worry, the spirited Naruto we all know and love will come back, don't worry!

It had been a month since the confrontation had between Sakura and the others. She hadn't fared well since. People started to stare and whisper around her everywhere she went, the same way they would around Naruto and Sasuke. Oddly enough, she could never manage to overhear what people were saying about her. Part of her feared what the words would be. It made her feel worse.

She kept her head down, but even the hospital wasn't spared the rampant gossip across Konoha. It was insidious and spread worse than any disease. Fitting as she kept feeling unwell over the whole ordeal. Perhaps it was paranoia, but the people closest to her, Tsunade, Shizune, and even Ino, her oldest friend, were all looking at her differently. As if they were all judging her and deemed her wrong for her actions.

But what actions? All she did was remind Naruto of Hinata and her feelings for him. All she did was nudge him towards her. It's not her fault Naruto decided to carry on an affair behind everyone's back with his old rival.

That's how she wanted to think because it was hard. It had hurt to see Naruto and Sasuke become something she couldn't be a part of. It hurt even more to realize that after all the obstacles and the impossibility, they got together. Anything but the worst pain was the one she was feeling now, where Naruto and Sasuke wanted nothing to do with her, where she lost everyone's respect and faith. It hurt to look yourself in the mirror and realize the villain you had become without even meaning to.

That's when she broke down and cried because Sakura realized a terrible truth at that moment. She was alone. She felt solitude deeply within her own soul.

She heard Naruto talk a few times in the past about his childhood and how hard it had been for him then. How desperate he was to forge friendships with anyone who would give him the time of day. She never understood the depth of his words until recently. She had never felt so isolated. She felt like an island where no other land was in sight. No hope. If Naruto felt anything close to how she was feeling, she was at a loss at how he had lived with it for years. After mere weeks she was already at a breaking point. She didn't know what else to do. She went to her former sensei, Kakashi.

She suffered the looks as she walked down the halls of the Hokage building. The same looks she'd been getting all around the village and in the hospital. It was impossible to hide. Since when did gossip matter so much in this goddamn town?

Shizune approached her after some time. The jōnin seemed unsure of how to regard Sakura. Clearly, she too had heard of the whole scandal regarding Naruto and Sasuke and Sakura's role in the ordeal.

"Hi Shizune," Sakura opted to acknowledge her presence.

"Sakura," Shizune regarded her with a mix of apprehension and pity. "What brings you by?"

"I need to speak with the Hokage," Sakura answered her. "I'm sure he's busy, and I'll have to wait a while, but I really need to talk to him. It can't wait."

Before Shizune can respond, the door to the Hokage office opens, revealing Kakashi in his Hokage robes. He spotted Sakura immediately, seeing her seated in front of Shizune. He merely looked at her, but his expression never changed once. His remained impassive as always, unfazed at the sight of his former kunoichi student.

Sakura felt trepidation at the sight of her former sensei but was filled with relief at seeing Kakashi. Perhaps, she hoped desperately, he wouldn't treat her differently because of what happened. It almost made the pink-haired shinobi want to cry in gratitude.

"Why don't you come in Sakura?" Kakashi gestured to the door, motioning for her to enter the office and gently stepping aside to make room for her to go in.

"But Lord Hokage –" Shizune started but the Sixth Hokage held his hand up, interrupting her.

"It can wait just a little longer."

She sat across from him, anxiously bouncing her knee while Kakashi carefully reviewed some documents, bearing an impassive expression. She wanted to speak, to gain his attention, but she did not know what to say nor where to begin.

"Alright," Kakashi exhaled, setting his papers aside. Turning his full attention to his former student, he addressed her directly for the first time, "what brings you by?" is what he said, and although his face was hidden by his mask as per usual, his exposed eye told her he already had an idea of what Sakura wanted to talk about.

Sakura fidgeted in her seat, biting her lip, anxious and ashamed.

"I..its…" Tears were welling, slipping down from her eyes, "I fucked up." She said it as quietly as a whisper, praying Kakashi heard her, that she wouldn't have to repeat it, hoping that what she just said would sum up everything.

"So I've heard," Kakashi exhaled a sigh. His right hand went up to his face, his fingers pinching his nose in frustration.

"They won't even talk to me," Sakura speaking of Naruto and Sasuke, disheartened.

"Can you blame them?" Kakashi asked her, eyebrow arched.

"I wasn't trying to hurt anyone," Sakura insisted desolately.

"You should be telling them that," Kakashi pointed out.

"I've tried," Sakura said.

Kakashi held up a hand, "I know. So let me guess, you came to me, expecting me to set aside some time from my remarkably busy schedule as leader of this village to try and resolve a dispute between you and your former teammates?"

Sakura's face bore a look of deep shame. Of course, it sounds ludicrous when it's phrased like that. So, he wouldn't help her.

Shizune suddenly burst into the office, "Lord Hokage," she breathlessly, "the elders have called a meeting." Kakashi shifted his eyes onto Tsunade's older protégé. The Sixth Hokage exhaled slowly. He got up and walked to the door but paused to turn back and look at Sakura, who still had her head bowed in shame and defeat.

"Do you remember where the four of us used to meet during our training sessions? Back when you first started at as Team 7?"

Sakura's head perked up and whipped around as she answered with a fervent, "Yes."

"Go there, show up no later than 11 PM. Don't worry about getting hounded for trespassing if it happens, I'll make everyone aware that its allowed this one time." The Sixth Hokage left the room before Sakura could respond.

Kakashi entered the room where all the elders were awaiting. In every meeting the copy-ninja has ever had with them, they always had an air of haughtiness. If he were being honest with himself, Kakashi was getting fed up with their need to summon him as if he were meant to be some glorified errand boy.

"Hope I didn't keep you waiting long," the Sixth Hokage said as he took his seat before the elders.

"Never mind that now," Koharu screeched at him, "we have urgent matters to discuss!"

"This business with Naruto Uzumaki," Homura shook his head, "absolutely shameful."

"What was that boy thinking, and with Sasuke Uchiha of all people!" Koharu huffed indignantly. "You realize what this means don't you? Any credibility Uzumaki may have had before concerning the Uchiha is dead in the water."

"No one will believe anything that boy will say considering the true nature of their relationship has been exposed," Homura added. It was that kind of talk that concerned Kakashi. It was idiotic, to doubt the character of Naruto Uzumaki.

"Where is this coming from? None of this is news to any of you," Kakashi stated calmly.

"It was one thing when it was mere rumors but to have it confirmed is another entirely!" Koharu screeched.

"To be frank, this is the Hero of the Hidden Leaf we're talking about. I understand Naruto made a mistake, but it was out of mere shortsightedness. I doubt anyone is questioning Naruto's after everything he's done for not just Konoha but the world by extent as well."

The elders exchanged glances and murmured amongst themselves.

"That may be," Homura said, "but this scandal is hard to ignore."

"There's nothing new here that hasn't been discussed before."

"Yes, but that was before that disagreeable public spectacle between the boy and the Hyuga girl. For Uzumaki to be a future Hokage and conduct his affairs in such a manner, makes for a terrible look. One that cannot be ignored," Koharu chimed in.

"So you wish to have Naruto's nomination for Hokage removed then?" Kakashi asked.

"We believe it is what's best for the Hidden Leaf," Koharu said.

"I disagree," Kakashi said smoothly. The elders wished to speak but Kakashi held up his head, "Furthermore, let me remind you that the role of the village elders is to advise. You have done so on many occasions. And while you perform your duties with what I'm sure is nothing less than the best of intentions, I'm inclined to believe that your words are not too credible."

"Excuse me?!" the elder woman replied, offended.

"Take a look at what's happened the last thirty to fifty years under your watch," the Sixth Hokage mentioned, "two more wars that didn't present us with any advantages in the end, more enemies than allies, a clan was massacred and as for the one who lived with the nine-tailed fox inside him," he spoke of Naruto, "nothing you did made him better. In fact, if it weren't for the actions of others, we may have very well ended up with another villain who would have actually destroyed the village. Now by no means am I saying he's perfect," Kakashi argued, "but when the village needs to be protected, when lives need to be saved, Naruto's the one to step up and put his life on the life, for no other reason but for the sake protecting everyone around him. He's grown into a remarkable young man, selfless and brave. Let this be the last time we have this conversation, because to be frank, I'm tired of being the broken record, aren't you?"

Some of the elders opted to open their mouths to speak, but once again the Hokage beat them to the punch.

"Good," Kakashi moved to exit the room, "now if you don't mind, I have a village to run. Good day." He left without another word.

"This will not do," Koharu said vehemently.

"No, it will not," Homura agreed.

"Something must be done," the elder woman said.

"It shall," the elder replied ominously. "Perhaps it is best to involve the daimyo at this point."

Further weeks had passed on since the Sixth Hokage had met with the elders and with Sakura. The gossip in the village persisted and additional discrimination towards Naruto and Sasuke ensued. Sasuke took in stride as best he could, but it was getting to Naruto more than he'd admit. It was plain as day on the jinchuriki's face, as the young man was famous for wearing his heart on his sleeve. Nobody was malicious as they were when Naruto was a small boy, but no longer did the villagers' faces brighten when the Hokage-in-training would walk in their direction. They went back to almost ignoring his presence, if it weren't for the fact they'd relentlessly whispered as his form passed by, always within earshot of the blonde, as if to shame him for his transgressions.

Naruto put up a good front when around others, but the true toll that the village-wide ostracism was taking reared its vicious head at home. The young hero was downtrodden.

He stopped talking to villagers. After all, nobody liked him anymore. No longer was he the brave hero who saved the town. He was a cheating bastard who was mixed up with the notorious Uchiha. At home, Naruto would get quiet and distant, fold into a ball in the bed he shared with Sasuke, Sasuke would silently hold his former rival in his arms, and they would slumber until the next day.

The Uchiha kept his promise and didn't raise hell, didn't cause trouble, more frequently out of caution, to avoid making matters worse for Naruto. Leaving the whole village of Konoha behind sounded better of an idea by the hour.

Today was one of the days Naruto was given off, and he was off sulking in a dark corner of his apartment. Sasuke never wanted to hover but stayed close by, in the same apartment, just so he wouldn't leave the blonde alone. It was an unspoken agreement; that as long as Naruto wasn't in an empty apartment, things couldn't be so bad. As long as Sasuke was also there, it would be okay, in the end. It was that single shred of hope remaining that kept Naruto going at this point. The only thing.

There was a knock on the door. Looking away from Naruto, Sasuke opened the door. He was faced with the lazy-ass know-it-all and the overactive ninja with the bad haircut. Great, visitors, Sasuke thought sardonically.

"Hey," Shikamaru greeted awkwardly.

"Is Naruto home?" Rock Lee asked, his trademark eyebrows expressing concern. "We have searched everywhere for him."

"He's not entertaining today," Sasuke responded snidely. He meant to shut the door, but Lee stopped him halfway. Shikamaru spoke up.

"We're not here to attack him. We just want to talk. Calmly," he stressed.

Sasuke said nothing, still fuming from yesterday's encounter. He looked warily between the two men, nostrils flaring.

"Look, I'm really sorry about what happened yesterday. Things were said that shouldn't have been said-" Shikamaru began.

"Like I said –"

"We just want to hear his side of the story," arms up in surrender, Shikamaru added quickly, "yours too if you're willing."

Sasuke remained silent once more, arms crossed with a guarded face. He seemed to ponder if letting them into the apartment was a good idea.

"No one has seen Naruto in days," Lee pleaded. "We just want to make sure he's okay."

"He's not," Sasuke said curtly. "He hasn't been fine since that day you all condemned him." Both Shikamaru and Rock Lee bowed their heads in shame.

"We're really sorry about that," Shikamaru said.

"Truly, we are. You were right. We should have given him the benefit of the doubt and not jump to conclusions with hearing Naruto out. It was shameful of us to turn against him so quickly, when he would not have done so, for Naruto is a true friend –"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Sasuke relented. He widened the door, "Just get in here." The two visitors stepped through the doorway. "Let's get this over with," Sasuke muttered under his breath. He gestured to the couch, "Sit and stay there. I'll go get him." Several minutes of coaxing later, Sasuke dragged with him a sullen-looking Naruto. Neither Shikamaru nor Lee had ever seen such a pitiful sight. There was no brightness in Naruto's blue eyes, only the dimness of misery. His hair was lifeless and shaggy, almost an entire shade darker, no longer the vibrant blonde it was before. It made Shikamaru and Rock Lee feel all the worse for what had happened before.

Shit, the lazy genius thought.

Oh, poor Naruto, Lee reflected.

"Hey man," Shikamaru said warily. Naruto made no move to acknowledge the greeting. He just kept staring at the floor. Shikamaru and Lee exchanged exasperated glances. Shikamaru squatted down, trying to look the blonde in the eyes.

"I'm sorry, Naruto," the Nara spoke. "What happened earlier shouldn't have happened."

"Gee, thank you for stating the obvious," Sasuke said sardonically, arms crossed.

Ignoring the Uchiha, Shikamaru forged on, "None of us should've said those things. I know it didn't seem like it yesterday, but we care about you. We were just concerned. But we realized we were wrong. We were wrong about everything," Shikamaru said to the blonde.

Rock Lee fell to his knees and bowed before Naruto. "Please forgive me. Forgive us, Naruto. The last thing we ever wanted to do was hurt you. We can see your suffering, and it is undeserved! We are prepared to do anything to make it up to you. All you have to do is ask."

Naruto still said nothing, gingerly moving his legs into his chest and wrapping his arms around his knees. He slowly turned his form away from his friends, leaning into the couch he was perched on. Sasuke's scowl intensified as his gaze shifted between Rock Lee and Shikamaru.

"C'mon on, Naruto," Shikamaru said. "This isn't like you. You're the annoyingly happy-go-lucky guy, always raring to go, ready to fight the good fight."

"Yes, you are a source of strength and hope, Naruto," Rock Lee added, "you are always the first to head into any problem, big or small. Do not let despair win!"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Sasuke seethed. "That's not the point. You don't understand. You've never understood because you don't know what it is to be hated or to be alone. Naruto has always been alone from the very beginning, since the day he was born. And no one ever helped him. No one. He lived the first twelve years of his life alone. He had to figure out everything a parent tells you how to do alone, like tie your shoes or make a sandwich or spend money. And the one time he makes a mistake, everyone demonizes him for it because apparently, he doesn't get to be human and make one fucking mistake!"

Rock Lee and Shikamaru looked at Naruto, who had shrunken further into himself, his grip tightening around his knees. It was like a turtle desperately trying to seek shelter within itself. They exchanged glances.

"You're right," Shikamaru, reflecting on the time he spent time with Naruto as small boys. Looking back on it now, the small blonde-haired boy was so eager to play with anyone, never wanting to go home. It now occurred to Shikamaru that it was likely because Naruto never had anyone to go home to. No one to feed him, no one to tuck him in and wish him a good sleep. It made the Nara feel hollow and guilty.

"I can't imagine living through any of the crap you had to Naruto," Shikamaru said, "I couldn't have survived it. You're stronger than me, stronger than most."

"Even the resolute have limits," Sasuke replied. Then they were all silent for a time.

"Well just tell me this: are you in love? Are you happy with him?" Shikamaru asked Naruto with a straight face. It was perhaps the most sincere and earnest Sasuke had ever seen him be. The tone in his voice must have informed Naruto as much since he finally perked up his head.

"Why would you ask that?" Sasuke said.

"Because it matters to me if Naruto is happy. Believe it or not, I care about his happiness. If anyone deserves it, it's you, man."

"Truly, Naruto, after everything you've endured, it'd be great to have some joy go your way," Rock Lee concurred.

"So, do you?" Shikamaru repeated.

A ghost of a smile appeared on Naruto's face as he shrugged.

"When did you first know?"

The smile grew a little. He started to chuckle.

"You really wanna know?"

"I really wanna know."

"You really, really wanna know?"

"I really, really wanna know?"

"You really, really, really -"

"Dude."

"I don't know. I can't really pin a moment. It kinda just snuck up on me."

"Yes, love is a sneaky bitch," Sasuke agreed. "It's not like we planned for this to happen. And once it started, we became powerless to stop it. But to be honest, neither one of us wanted to stop. Did we?" He turned to look at Naruto. When onyx met cerulean, both pairs of eyes softened for one another. It stunned both guests.

"Well, damn," Shikamaru remarked. "You two are in love."

"You'd know," Naruto said knowingly. "You're in love with Temari." Sasuke looked somewhat lost as to who Temari was. "Gaara's sister." Sasuke nodded in acknowledgment, recalling who she was.

"I'm not –" Shikamaru started but stopped himself. "Never mind," he huffed out. "What a drag."

It wasn't much longer when both Shikamaru and Rock Lee departed from the apartment. They bade their farewells, encouraging both Naruto and Sasuke to remain positive.

"It's gonna be a drag, but," Shikamaru groused, "I'll do what I can to turn public opinion."

"No one really listens to me," Rock Lee commented, "but I'll make myself be heard and speak only of your good deeds!"

After they left, Naruto was in slightly higher spirits, busying himself in the kitchen, getting his instant ramen ready for dinner. Sasuke watched him, and the blonde felt his onyx eyes on his body.

"So," Sasuke said to him. "When will you get out of this rut you're in?" Naruto said nothing, focusing on his food.

Naruto's lips watered in anticipation of his bountiful harvest of ramen finally being ready to be eaten. It was the only other highlight of his day, to eat his favorite food. It was always a source of comfort for him. Suddenly, he found a kunai launched into the foam container holding his dinner.

"Goddamn, it Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed, careful not to let the hot liquid burn his skin, as he had no choice but to set the ramen down in the sink. He scrambled for a bowl to avoid the delicious broth escaping into the drain.

"Don't avoid the question," Sasuke continued imposingly.

"Can't I eat my ramen in peace?!" Naruto shouted at the Uchiha.

"All you've been doing is lumbering around and shrinking every time you hear someone talk shit about you," Sasuke accused.

"I don't shrink," Naruto seethed.

"You don't stand up for yourself," Sasuke said. His tone had a tinge of sorrow when he made his point.

"Well, it's not like they're making shit up at this point," Naruto replied. "I fucked up!"

"As if you're the only one guilty of having an affair!" Sasuke shouted in frustration.

"I think it's only an affair when you're married," Naruto said offhandedly.

Sasuke glared at him. He exhaled, willing himself to get some patience.

"What the fuck do you want me to do anyway?" Naruto asked. "Make people like me?"

"That never stopped you before," Sasuke told him. "Why should it now? This isn't like you, Naruto. You're no quitter. Don't you dare start now," Sasuke told him.

"I'm tired, Sasuke," Naruto sounded defeated.

"It doesn't matter if you're tired. You forge on. You persevere because that's who you are. That's who you've always been. Every day you walked out the door, you faced the world no matter how cruel it was to you, your whole life, you did it, and you did it alone," It's what I've always admired about you, Sasuke thought.

"Why are you doing this, Sasuke?" the blonde asked him.

"Because you idiot, I love you," Sasuke said without pause, making it sound like the most obvious fact in the world. "I can't stand to see you like this." His onyx eyes were earnest. "You said that I saved you when you were little and inspired you to better yourself and be the ninja you always wanted to be. If I have to, let me save you again. Let me pull you away from the darkness that's threatening to take you away from me." Naruto's heart burst at the Uchiha's words. He had to be honest; Naruto always hoped and yearned for this side of Sasuke to exist, a nurturing part where the raven-haired man would be ready and able to pull Naruto out of the deepest of sorrows.

"Besides, it's my job to be the miserable one. I look far better when I'm brooding anyway,"

Naruto laughed despite his somber mood.

"I know it's hell out there, but don't let them kill your spirit. You're the best because you've never let that happen before," Sasuke said.

"I'm the best?" Naruto repeated in amazement. Sasuke quieted then, realizing his mistake. This was why Sasuke avoided comforting and being touchy-feely with a ten-foot pole.

"You, you," Naruto pointed at Sasuke, "said that I'm the best," he pointed the finger back at himself. There was a hint of a smile on his whisker-marked face. Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"I have to admit that your perseverance is your best feature. It's probably why you are where you are today," Sasuke attempted in a nonchalant tone.

Naruto nudged him, "What else is so great about me?" he pressed Sasuke for more.

Sasuke exhaled, giving him a knowing look. "Your tenacity, your fighting style, your versatility, your eyes." Naruto smiled wider then.

Sasuke lowered his gaze. "Your abs. Your butt."

"My butt?" Naruto pretended to be scandalized. "Sasuke!"

"You know, you think I'm enjoying this, but I'm not," Sasuke said to him. "My soul is dying on the inside, babying you like this."

"You mean being a loving and supportive partner?" Naruto quipped.

"Yeah, that."

"But Sasuke," Naruto whined, "I love when you're loving and supportive." He pouted. "Hold me." He teased, wrapping his arms around the raven and squeezing him tightly. Sasuke elbowed him hard in the side, but Naruto wouldn't budge, grinning like a maniac and nuzzling the Uchiha's pale neck.

"Goddamit," Sasuke muttered. Naruto was warm and making noises of content that sounded like –

"Are you purring?" Sasuke asked him.

"Maybe."

That's chapter 21, folks! Enough of this slump. Naruto's gonna take a stand for himself (finally) next chapter, just in time for some visitors.