I'm not very good at juggling a busy life with writing several stories, but I finally had a whole day off and wrote most of this chapter! I should let you know that it's a bit angsty, but hopefully not too bad? Hopefully everything makes sense haha... Plotting is hard.

Anyway, it's my birthday on Wednesday but I probs won't update anything else until then, so happy birthday to me in advance lol, I'm getting old *peace sign* It's true bc I'm having a life crisis at least once every week hah. Almost as old as Viktor yay! I never thought I would relate so much to a Russian man but here we are.

But yeah, I hope you like the chapter! Lots of plot set-ups ahead...

Chapter 36: The calm before the storm

xxx

For some reason, Naruto wasn't waking up. Biting into his cheek, Sasuke stared down at him, rolling back on his heels. He'd changed, double-checked his backpack, and poked at Naruto approximately once every two minutes. It was strange, but Naruto looked peaceful, his breathing even and his skin at normal temperature.

Maybe he was just tired? Honestly, Sasuke was more worried about Naruto's reaction to waking up and realizing Sasuke hadn't said goodbye than about something being wrong.

Undecided, he pinched Naruto's cheek, pulling at it but getting absolutely no reaction out of him.

Really strange.

Heaving a sigh, Sasuke resigned himself to writing a note for Iruka to check on him later, turning towards the door to leave.

He made it two steps before glancing back, analyzing the sleeping man. It wasn't a clone. The extra little beat they shared was calm and steady. Nothing seemed amiss.

Backtracking his steps while telling himself that he was, in fact, not doing what it looked like he was doing, Sasuke ran his fingertips along Naruto's hairline. He pushed a few strands aside, leaning down until he was close enough to feel soft breaths against his face.

"Try not to be stupid while I'm gone," he muttered, lips twitching at the irony of it.

Naruto always did stupid things, but it wasn't necessarily bad that he did. Though it was a miracle he'd survived without Sasuke for as long as he did.

Now that he thought of it, it was kind of a miracle that Naruto was alive at all. Both of them, actually. Sure, life as a ninja was dangerous, but most ninja died by the hands of people who didn't really care who you were. You were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and too weak to protect yourself.

The two of them, on the other hand, had been targeted, had suffered, had actively been put and had put themselves in situations that all things considered should have ended up with them dead.

It made the past year with Naruto all the more precious for being so calm. He could understand that Naruto was reluctant to let him go on this mission, because who knows what sort of trouble would arise from it? Sasuke wasn't eager to wake up the enemy either, but he'd always hated waiting.

Besides, it could be just a regular mission. Maybe.

Holding back a sigh, Sasuke figured he'd been crouched in front of Naruto long enough. Slowly withdrawing his hand from Naruto's face he stood up, walking backwards until he reached the door.

There was something heavy in his throat, but it was different from what he'd felt in the past. Leaving Naruto was something he was used to associate with ripping out half his heart, letting it bleed until his chest was numb enough that he could keep walking with his back turned.

This was more like a slow ache, breaths a little ragged, heart a little shaky; a reluctance that spoke more of missing what he had than denying what he could have.

Maybe it was better that Naruto was asleep. Sasuke couldn't tell what expression was on his face as he turned and left the house, dropping by the kitchen for that note first. It felt foreign, an unfamiliar arrangement of muscles that he couldn't remove even when he scrubbed his face with both hands.

Letting out the sigh that had been building up once he'd left the house behind, Sasuke took a moment to tilt his head back and stare up at the sky, still dark with night even as the first sliver of dawn peeked from behind the horizon. It struck him then, the thought that this was the first time he was heading out for a mission with something pulling at him to stay.

There had always been something pushing him away from the village, ever since his family died, ever since Itachi had left. Like the anchor connecting him to Konoha had been ripped from under his feet, and hurled into the unknown. He'd been chasing it, turning desperate to destroy the cause for his pain when nothing he did could bring that feeling back, the feeling like he belonged.

And yet, now, Naruto was…

He could picture it clearly in his mind, Naruto throwing a new rope around his waist and digging his heels in, refusing to allow Sasuke a complete break. Not like an anchor, not like his family had been to him, but maybe like a weed that refused to be pulled out and thrown away because it kept growing back each time he tried.

Yes, Naruto had rooted himself in Sasuke's heart, taking over piece by piece, unrelenting and unapologetic.

And Naruto was waiting for him to return.

Taking a deep breath, Sasuke prodded at the teleportation mark through his uniform. The fact that it was there, existed at all, was proof enough that Naruto had succeeded. Though, Sasuke didn't mind, did he? Instead of fighting the weed with a rake and shovel, he'd begun to water it, cut down the tall grass hiding it from view to let it bathe in the sun.

He shivered, feeling that soft ache inside his chest again. When had Naruto taken over so completely? He didn't want to admit how easy it felt to give in, how Naruto's mouth breathed life into the plant, how his touch coaxed it to grow, how his smile was like the sun in and of itself filling Sasuke up until he thought he might burst.

He didn't want to go.

The thought startled him, made him pause a moment longer. What were you supposed to do when you'd found something better than the past? Sasuke didn't know. He only knew that Naruto held his heart in his palm, and the idea wasn't as terrifying as it should be.

Which, in itself, was more terrifying than anything else.

xxx

It was quiet. The kind of quiet that pressed down on your shoulders like a heavy weight, sucking the words out of your throat before they even thought to form.

It was dark, too. No matter how many times he opened and closed his eyes it stayed dark, but the ground felt smooth underneath his feet as he walked.

If he stretched his hand out in front of his eyes, he couldn't see it. Not even the shape or movement, and there was no flutter of wind on his face if he fanned himself.

He supposed it should be worrying, but Naruto felt numb as his feet carried him forwards. For all he knew he could be wandering in circles, but his feet were steady and his pace certain. Somehow he knew that he was walking somewhere, closing in on a destination with no hurry or need to know how much time was left until he reached it.

Something in the back of his mind nudged at him, trying to catch his attention, but there was a fog inside his head that kept it from properly reaching him. A whisper that told him come here, this way, stay below the surface.

So he walked, the air a smooth caress over his bare legs, twisting and twining around them.

It had been dark for so long that when he saw light in the distance he almost felt like he'd forgotten what light was. He kept his pace slow, the light flickering softly as he neared it. When he was close enough to recognize the flutter as the movement of flames he could feel anticipation build up inside him. This was his destination, and whatever waited for him was important.

He sent a stray thought to Sasuke, but it was gone as soon as it had appeared, wisped away like smoke.

Still, it made him frown. There was something he'd forgotten, wasn't there? Again, the whisper called out to him, smooth as silk in his ears, brushing along his cheeks and lips. Come here, stay, follow the light.

He found he couldn't resist it, the air pressing down heavier on his shoulders and neck until he gave in with a shudder. The voice was right, he needed to know what the light was. He needed to know what was so important. That small nagging thing was unnecessary, and he dismissed it.

Whatever it was waiting for him seemed pleased with that, some of the pressure letting up. So numb and comfortable, putting one foot in front of the other, until he stepped into the circle of flickering light and found an old woman waiting for him.

At once the fog in his head cleared, but when he turned around there was nothing there, only unyielding darkness that wouldn't let him through.

"Please, sit," the woman said, her voice the same as that sweet whisper from before.

"I have to go to Sasuke," he disagreed, heart hammering inside his chest even as the pressure of silence tried to numb his mind again.

"You will see him again," she told him, eyes milky white and hair even paler, matching the flames.

There was something about her that Naruto recognized, despite her wrinkled age and non-descript robe.

"I'd like to see him now."

She smiled, motioning with a frail hand for him to sit, and he found himself following the suggestion whether he liked it or not.

The flames lessened in size, allowing him to meet her gaze over them. He couldn't feel any warmth emanating from them, though they weren't cold either.

"Patience, my child. Something both of you seem in need of."

"Who are you?" he asked, afraid to avert his eyes but uncomfortable when meeting hers.

As if sensing this she closed her eyes, tilting her head to the side.

"You should use your questions more wisely," she chided him, holding out her hand, palm upwards. "I am many things. But you are not here to meet me, you are here for me to meet you."

"What?"

Her hand dropped, one eye peeking open to stare at him.

"What is most important to you?"

The answer fell from his lips before he could think it through.

"Sasuke."

"And what is most important to Sasuke?"

He bit his lower lip, hesitating.

"I'm not sure," he said eventually, glancing down at the eerie flames instead. "I wish it was me."

"Do you not think it could be you?"

Again, he worried his lip between his teeth, swallowing thickly.

"Well, his family-"

"Is in the past. As is yours."

Naruto blinked at her, startled. Of course they were in the past, but that didn't mean Sasuke didn't think of them as more important than anything.

"If Sasuke returns to your world with you, he will die."

He choked, clutching at his chest, wide-eyed in disbelief.

"What?" he wheezed, still half numb to emotions. "That's…"

"If he returns with you, he will die," she repeated simply, and the flames flickered as if caught in a breeze.

"I won't let that happen," he gritted out, fingers twisting in the fabric of his shirt.

"It will happen."

She opened both her eyes, and then a third one in the middle of her forehead, bright red and dotted with black tomoe. Caught in her gaze, Naruto desperately tried to breathe, the pressure returning, overwhelming.

"Understand, child, that the universe does not compromise. Your souls are entwined, your fates the same."

"I don't believe in fate." Naruto stood up, pushing against the pressure, staring down at her. "I make my own path. I always have."

She stood up as well, the flames rising with her until they reached her chin.

"You are brave," she said, holding her palms out to the sides, "but I know what you are up against. You do not. And I am telling you that it will kill him."

Her right hand rose, her left lowering slightly.

"Yin and yang, shadow and light, moon and sun. When imbalanced, conflict arise. When one disappears, both are lost."

She brought her palms together, the flames gone for a moment as if blown out by a strong wind, then fluttering to life at the ground again, slowly returning until Naruto could discern her face again.

"If Sasuke is more important than the world, let him stay here."

Naruto couldn't speak, watching the dancing flames until he saw they were different from before. These flames were warm, colored yellow and orange, bright and crackling. They felt like chakra, and when he reached a hand out to touch them, he knew who had made them.

"I don't understand," he forced out, the words clumsy on his tongue, flames licking up his hand and arm.

"You will," she said, and when he looked at her, he found her eyes closed, face serene again. "Sasuke left these flames for you. Will you keep it burning?"

He eyed her warily, still not understanding, but she motioned to the ground where he could make out the shape of a stick from which the flames sprung up.

"The stick?" he asked, marveling at the flames twisting around his arm like snakes.

"Nothing burns forever," she told him, "but that does not mean the time between now and the end is insignificant. Not to those who experience it."

"So," he started, licking his lips and slowly bending to pick up the stick, surprised at how cool it felt against his skin. "The world is ending?"

At this she smiled, a thin, dangerous thing that cut through the mist in Naruto's head and filled it with bright light.

"Not yet, I hope."

xxx

Menma was, to say the least, not happy about the third Uchiha on the team. It was bad enough to go on a mission with Sasuke's father, now he also had to suffer through the company of the other Sasuke.

Once introductions were over the atmosphere turned stiff, Menma dragging his feet as he followed the others out of the village. Was it karma? He didn't want to be here, didn't want to force his eyes away from the soft hairs at the nape of Sasuke's neck again and again.

It was all too easy to recall how it felt, to run his fingers through those dark strands, to press his lips to the corner of a lazy morning smile.

When Sasuke glanced back at him, his thoughts quickly snapped away from the memory. This Sasuke had different eyes, a different posture, was different in so many ways that he might as well be a different person altogether. Where his Sasuke – though not his, but how else would he separate them– had a soothing presence, a cheerful and cheeky smile that was as endearing as it was annoying at times, this Sasuke felt untouchable both physically and mentally.

And there was that itch, too, that feeling creeping up his spine he'd felt that first time at the mock tournament. This Sasuke felt wrong, felt like a threat, and while logically he knew it should be the opposite, there was no getting around the stomach-churning feeling whenever he laid eyes on him.

On another note, a note Menma really didn't want to think about if it weren't for the fact that it defined his current life, Sasuke's presence was also a blessing. He knew that he was walking towards something inevitable, the reason for his sort-of goodbye to his Sasuke as well as the lingering hugs he'd given his parents last night. Sasuke was strong, possibly stronger than Menma, as small of a comfort as it was.

He wasn't sure when he'd ever see Konoha again, and yet he couldn't bring himself to look back before they entered the forest and lost sight of the wall surrounding the village. Instead he kept his gaze trained on the dirt path underneath his feet, with the occasional glance up at Sasuke.

Fugaku and Naori were talking quietly with each other, now and then coaxing a reply out of the otherwise silent Sasuke. They didn't seem bothered by him trailing behind, and for that he was thankful. He wasn't sure if Fugaku knew anything about his relationship with Sasuke, but he had no illusions that the chief of police would enjoy his company. And Sasuke? Well, considering the humiliating loss he'd suffered against the other, Menma wasn't precisely going to strike up conversation.

"I think that's enough warming up," Fugaku announced, loud enough for Menma to hear. "We'll be heading down to the Land of Tea, which shouldn't take us more than two or so days of running. Let me know if you need any breaks before we stop for lunch."

Thinning his lips, Menma gave a curt nod and gathered enough chakra under his soles, following the others up onto the massive tree branches overhead. Running was good. It allowed him to push down the thoughts swirling in his head, and to ignore the ache in his chest in favor of straining muscles.

If only it didn't feel like he was running towards his end.

xxx

Waking up was disorienting, and Naruto spent a few moments trying to make sense of the knocking on the door. One second he'd been talking to Kaguya, and the next he was sitting up in bed, bright sunlight flooding in from the window.

"Naruto?"

Iruka peeked in through the doorway, concern etched on his face.

"Yeah?" He pushed the covers off, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "What is it?"

"Sasuke left me a note to check on you," Iruka said, and he might as well have slapped Naruto across the face.

"Oh," he let out in a small breath, the world stopping for a second as he remembered that Sasuke was leaving for the mission this morning. Had left already, judging by Iruka's words. "Why didn't he wake me up…"

"The note said you were impossible to wake," Iruka told him, pushing the door open the last bit to enter. "How are you feeling?"

Naruto stared at Iruka, stared at the door behind him, stared at the corner where Sasuke's backpack had stood last night.

"I don't know," he replied, staring down at his hands instead, fingers twitching. "What time is it?"

"Around ten. The Kazekage should be arriving soon, if you feel up to it."

He swallowed, remembering Iruka mentioning yesterday that he would take the kids to watch the welcome procession, but it mingled with the memory of white eyes and darkness and Sasuke's flames.

Rubbing his face again he nodded a few times, trying to shake off the weird pressure on his shoulders.

"Let me take a shower and I'll be right there," he said, pushing his hair back from his face once Iruka left and drawing in a deep breath.

So Sasuke hadn't been able to wake him up, which wasn't too weird considering he'd been talking to, well, it must have been Kaguya. This world's Kaguya, to be precise, and he wondered if Sasuke would want him to teleport right over and let him know. He couldn't be too far away yet, but something held him back.

What was he going to say, anyway? Yeah, sorry Sasuke, you're stuck here indefinitely. Something caught in his throat, something heavy and painful at the thought of Sasuke not coming back with him. He gripped the front of his t-shirt, twisting the fabric, curling in on himself. He pulled his legs up to his chest, forehead dropping to rest on top of his knees. It would be okay, right? They would fix whatever was going on, and then there wouldn't be a problem. They didn't even know how to get back, so it was silly to even think about what would happen when they did.

And yet, the thought of having to go back alone…

I'll just not go back.

He bit the inside of his cheek, forcing himself to inhale slowly through his nose, out through his mouth. It was fine. Sasuke was fine. He would find a solution, just like Sasuke said. Sasuke believed in him, and Naruto would carve a path by force if he had to. They'd been through worse before. And besides, Sasuke would be safe here, with his family, if it took him a while to figure things out.

Whether he went back or not, he couldn't help the prickling feeling taking root in his body at the thought of leaving Sasuke behind, throat burning with pain.

We'll work something out, Kurama murmured, but Naruto could tell even the fox wasn't so sure about things anymore.

He'd felt so sure of himself when he talked to Kaguya, but now he couldn't find the same strength. Sasuke had left this morning and Naruto hadn't been able to hug him goodbye.

Pressing his palm over the spot where he could feel their beat connecting them he spent a few minutes simply listening to it, convincing himself that there was nothing to worry about.

It almost worked.

Eventually he gave up, dragging himself into the shower, still feeling on edge. Not that feeling on edge and being upset over something related to Sasuke was new, exactly, but that didn't make it any better. All he wanted was some peace and quiet, and even though the past year had been peaceful he hadn't been able to really relax. There was always something going on, always something to learn, always someone to argue with. In a sense, fighting a war was much easier than organizing peace.

He wasn't sure how suited he was for it, honestly. Yes, he wanted to be Hokage, and yes, he wanted to turn things around and make the world a better place, but it was also so… tiring.

Staying here had been a relief from that pressure, and maybe that's why things had developed with Sasuke, because he actually had time to think about it. Maybe it had been good for Sasuke, too. He hoped so at least.

Knowing he shouldn't keep Iruka waiting he tried to be quick, despite the urge to stand underneath the showerhead until the hot water could flush away every single problem in his life. Maybe one day he could shower together with Sasuke… Focusing on pleasant thoughts instead, Naruto almost didn't notice the small note left on top of the box with their new clothes.

Breath catching in his throat he snatched it up, unable to help the grin spreading across his face as he read Sasuke's neat writing.

That dream better be important and not some crap about ramen. I'll see you soon. And don't even think about using the teleportation mark for some stupid reason, usuratonkachi.

He carefully folded the note and got dressed, only hesitating a moment before snagging Sasuke's baby blue shirt rather than picking one of his own.

If he kept the note in his pocket, well, no one needed to know.

xxx

Despite how hollow he felt, and despite how he was well on his way to a thrumming headache thanks to the crowd and general noise level, Sasuke felt better standing in line with Sakura. She was good at distracting him, good at pulling him out of his head whenever he got stuck thinking about him again.

There was excitement in the air, people all dressed up and street vendors selling refreshments. It was rare for other kage to do official visits outside of chuunin exams, but it was also rare to choose a new kage, and therefore the visit was certainly not unexpected. All the ninja clans were gathered nearby the Hokage tower, but Sasuke stood at the edge of his own clan together with Sakura. Despite the fact that her father had been a hero after the short time he'd been Hokage she kept a low profile, something he was thankful for. He could spy Itachi and Obito standing over by the entrance to the tower, discussing whatever it was Hokage candidates discussed together with Anko.

Honestly, he was glad for the distraction even if he wasn't in the mood for being in public. As long as he could lay low and no one found the need to introduce him to the Kazekage he'd be fine. Hopefully his mother and Itachi were enough to represent the clan. There was supposed to be a dinner later that night with all the important people, something Itachi had complained about on the way.

"How much longer do you think?" Sakura asked, standing on her tiptoes to try and see over the heads in the crowd. "I heard Gaara grew up really hot!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes, because who cared?

"You know, Sasuke said that in their world, Gaara is actually the Kazekage."

Sakura gaped at him, hands coming up in front of her mouth.

"Wow! That's incredible! Hot and important."

"You're gay anyway," he pointed out, not sure why he disliked her awe.

"I have to think about my friends," she scoffed, crossing her arms. "Ino has been single long enough."

"And you think Ino would be a good match for Gaara? Have you even met him?"

"The question, my dear Sasuke, is if the guy is good enough for her. Besides, he might be gay. We could take him out partying!"

"Or we can ignore him and do something better with our time."

She gave him a pitying look he didn't appreciate, squeezing his hand.

"Come on, you need to do something fun to take your mind off things. What could be better than a party? We can have it at my place if you don't want to go out."

Heaving a sigh, he scowled as someone bumped into him. There were excited whispers in the crowd now, and he figured the group from Suna was getting closer.

"I'd rather not be social," he muttered, wishing the whole thing was over soon if Sakura was going to be like that.

Her reply was interrupted by loud protesting, an all too familiar voice carrying over the empty street behind them.

"-like I said, I'm here with Iruka, so there's really no point in-"

"The Uchiha clan has their spot right up here, now move along, I have better things to do."

"I'm not an Uchiha!" Naruto protested, flailing his arms, but the guard kept making shooing motions at him.

It would have been funny if his face didn't remind him of Menma.

"There they are, see? Look, I get it, I'm not from around here either, but us cousins from the countryside need to stick to the rules, you get me? The Kazekage will be here any second so get in line!"

"Oh my god," Sakura breathed next to him, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. "Why the hell would that guy think he's Uchiha?"

"Don't know, don't care," Sasuke gritted out, resolutely turning his back again to face the main street.

"Oi, Naruto!" she called, waving her arm when Sasuke glanced back at her. "Over here!"

The guard gave Naruto a look that clearly said I-told-you-so, despite the fact that Sakura was certainly not Uchiha either. It seemed as if Naruto gave up once he caught sight of them, jogging over with a scowl on his face.

"What the hell, that guy was such an asshole!"

"I'm more surprised he mistook you for an Uchiha? You look the exact opposite, after all."

Sakura snickered, but to both their surprise Naruto flushed red and squirmed a little.

"I, uh, kind of accidentally borrowed Sasuke's shirt? And it has the clan symbol?"

Sasuke stared at him, then down at the pale blue (very tight but Sasuke was not thinking about that) shirt he wore. It didn't precisely look like something the other Sasuke would wear, but what did he know?

"Whatever, you can find Iruka later," he dismissed him with.

"Hey, Naruto! Do you know the Gaara of your own world?" Sakura looked eager, and Sasuke had to wonder just how badly she wanted to play matchmaker. "Is he nice?"

"Don't answer, she's trying to set people up with him."

"And what's so bad about that?"

They glared at each other, Naruto chuckling awkwardly.

"Well, he's a good friend of mine. But he wasn't very friendly in the beginning, I guess, so I wonder what he's like here…"

"Well, I hope we get to find out!" Sakura went back to trying to look over the small crowd, most likely cursing the average height of random Uchiha clan members.

"Seriously, why do you care so much?" Even though he probably didn't want to know, Sasuke couldn't help asking. "You don't like guys, and I'm kind of sure Ino wouldn't want to date a public figure anyway."

It was Sakura's turn to blush, and she tugged at her hair like she always did when she didn't want to admit something.

"Oh, well, you see, I heard that his sister is…"

"Oh, come on!" Sasuke scrubbed at his face, suffering from too many sleepless nights to deal with this. "You're trying to set someone up with Gaara so you can flirt with his sister?"

"So what," Sakura defended herself with, pouting at him. "Do you even know how cool she is? No, of course you don't! There's only room for one blond in your life!"

She threw her hands in the air, exasperated, and Sasuke was one second from grabbing her and flinging her into a wall or something when Naruto laughed.

"Really? Temari? I mean yeah, she's pretty scary, but I don't think I could see her with anyone besides Shikamaru. They're like, half married."

Cue both Sasuke and Sakura giving him incredulous stares.

"Married?" Sakura echoed. "To Shikamaru?! That's so, I mean, I can't even, Sasuke?"

"I have no idea what Temari is like but yeah, that's messed up."

"Hmm, I guess they haven't met here…" Naruto tilted his head, frowning, and Sasuke had to look away from the too familiar image.

Sadly it meant his eyes landed on Shisui instead, the man barely concealing an amused grin as he weaved through the crowd towards them. When their eyes locked, Sasuke felt a shiver of trepidation run down his spine. If Shisui was coming for him, then it definitely couldn't be good.

"Little cousin~" Shisui sang as he came near enough, squeezing between an elderly couple and the shop wall behind them. "Why are you hiding in the crowd, hm?"

"What do you want?" He tried to keep the words neutral, but some of his despair must have shown on his face because Shisui's grin broke out in full.

"No need to look so scared, Charasuke! I thought you'd be happy to know we found you an oh-so-important task! You wanted more responsibility, right?"

If looks could kill… Still, murder was a crime, and Sasuke had heard enough unpleasant stories about prison to keep out of there.

"I hate you," he gritted out instead through clenched teeth, still not over what had happened during that night-meeting. "And whatever it is, I decline."

He could feel Naruto and Sakura's worried gazes on him, but Shisui merely shrugged.

"Too bad, our esteemed Hokage already agreed. Come on, they'll arrive any minute now."

"No," he blurted out, digging his heels in when Shisui stretched a hand out. "I'm not going anywhere."

"It's really not that bad, okay? Someone just needs to guide Gaara around while the adults have a boring meeting."

"Sakura can do it."

"Yeah! I'd love t-"

"Nope!" Shisui popped the word, looking as amused as ever, but Sasuke wasn't so sure it was real anymore. "Now let's go, before someone has the idea to ask Neji. No one wants a catastrophe like that."

Sasuke could only agree. Not that it made him want to go, but Shisui had already taken hold of his arm and all but dragged him through the crowd. Why they didn't just take the back roads was beyond him, but as soon as they reached the base of the tower he could spot the Kazekage entourage in the distance.

"Are you at least going to tell me why?" he muttered to Shisui, pointedly ignoring Itachi despite standing next to him.

"Hmm, well, it was a last minute request. Someone his age, a guy preferably, pretty if possible…"

"There is no way they said that."

Shisui grinned down at him, and he could hear Itachi's discreet cough next to him.

"Unfortunately, little brother, those appear to be the exact words used. Along with a list of things he'd like to do."

Sasuke felt his heart sink inside his chest. Sure, he'd been desperate for a distraction, but that did not include playing date to some Kazekage son who was probably awful company.

"I hate you so much," he groaned, eyeing the approaching group and wishing he was anywhere else.

Preferably in bed, alone, with a box of tomatoes to keep him company.

"Sorry kid, but duty calls."

Shisui patted his back, and didn't look sorry at all.

Asshole.

He kept his back straight and stood waiting as the Kazekage slowly made his way over, ignoring the looks he got (except from Neji, that look he returned with a smug smile because he deserved it) and generally trying to keep himself together. Hopefully Gaara wasn't too bad. As long as he didn't flirt with him, because Sasuke didn't think he could handle that right now and be nice about it. Maybe Gaara just didn't want to join the meeting and didn't care if Sasuke was fun company or not.

When the Kazekage finally got close enough for him to discern faces, Sasuke blinked in surprise at bright red hair on the kage's right side. Not what he expected, but he supposed the guy wasn't too bad-looking. Probably a little shorter than him, slender build (which was good, he was not feeling up to hanging out with some muscle guy out to shred his self confidence), and wearing the telltale full body robes they wore in Suna to protect from the constant wind and sand.

He kept his eyes trained on the guy as they approached, uncaring of how rude it was to openly stare. He would be polite when talking, sure, but no one had (yet) told him to be nice.

There were greetings, introductions, a speech or two by the Hokage, and suddenly they were all being shuffled inside the Hokage tower. Nawaki flagged him down once they were inside the lobby, and he reluctantly headed over to the Hokage's brother. Sure enough Gaara was there already, pale green eyes meeting Sasuke's for a short instance as he shuffled closer.

"There you are, Sasuke. This is Gaara, the Kazekage's youngest son. Gaara, this is Sasuke, youngest son of the Uchiha clan leader. Now, why don't you go sightseeing or something and return on time for dinner? It's at five. Have fun!"

And just like that, Sasuke was left in awkward silence.

"Hello," Gaara murmured, bowing slightly. "Sorry to inconvenience you."

Well, at least he had the decency to be sorry. Sighing internally, Sasuke plastered a polite smile on his face and bowed back.

"No need to be so formal. So, where do you want to go?"

As it turned out, Gaara was an easy to please tourist. He'd been to Konoha once before, when he was a child, so Sasuke filled him in on what had changed. They visited the shrine, the Hokage mountain, the training grounds (Gaara declined a spar), the arena where the chuunin exams were held every fifth year, and had lunch at a small fish restaurant. Eventually they ended up walking aimlessly around the market, Sasuke trying and mostly failing to make small talk as they inspected the stands.

It was strange, because Gaara was very polite, but always kept his distance. In a busy place such as the market there would always be people bumping into you at one point, but he took great care to avoid being touched. Maybe he just didn't like being touched, it wasn't Sasuke's place to ask, but Gaara didn't seem like it made him uncomfortable. He just avoided people, almost as a reflex.

"Do you want to go somewhere else?" he asked a few minutes later, when they'd reached the other end of the open square, noticing how consideration flitted over Gaara's otherwise carefully neutral face for a second. "There's a park nearby, we could buy some dango and eat there?"

"I'd like that," Gaara said quietly, and it was almost the longest sentence he'd gotten out of the other ninja in the hours they'd spent together.

Not that Sasuke minded talking usually, but he was in a mood and Gaara wasn't helping to lift the initial awkward atmosphere. At least eating didn't require talking, and they sat down on a rickety bench overlooking an arrangement of planted flowers, though only a few stubborn ones still bloomed. Sasuke quietly hoped he wasn't expected to join in on dinner, though he knew Sakura had to. One of the 'perks' of being the daughter of a previous Hokage. Which probably meant that if Itachi won the vote, Sasuke would have a whole new set of responsibilities just by being closely related to him. Fantastic.

"I should apologize," Gaara broke the silence with, dango eaten and trash put away. "I'm sure you had better things to do."

Sasuke blinked at him.

"Well, I didn't exactly offer to guide you around, but it's okay."

"Yes, well, it was still nice of you." Gaara placed his hands on his lap, fingers nervously picking at fabric. "I rarely get to visit other villages, so I'm happy I could. I don't know anyone here except Menma, but he mentioned you once so I thought I'd ask for you. Since they told me he's away on a mission."

Definitely more words than Sasuke expected to hear, but the cold washing over him at the mention of Menma's name made the surprise short-lived.

"Oh."

"I hope you don't mind!"

"It's fine, really."

"And-" Gaara bit his lip, appearing to struggle with words. He was almost tearing at the fabric of his robe now, and Sasuke felt the urge to reach over and hold his hands still. "I wanted to apologize because- I think-"

When Gaara ran a shaky hand through his hair, Sasuke found that the kanji drawn in red ink on his forehead was the one for love. Gaara's hair was long enough that it had been mostly covered until now, and Sasuke wondered if he was self-conscious about it because he hurriedly patted his hair down again once he seemed to realize he'd shown it.

"I think," Gaara continued after a deep breath, "that my father is trying to set us up? I'm sorry you must hate that."

"I… wasn't aware this was a set-up."

"Oh. Um. Sorry then. I know you're with Menma but he kind of told us not to tell anyone so…"

Menma talked about him? With other people? Like Gaara?

"So how do you know him anyway?" he asked, avoiding the other thing because he was over it, seriously, he's so dead to you, and tried to focus instead on the way Gaara seemed to shrink in on himself under Sasuke's attention.

"Oh, we're, I mean, I'm also a jinchuuriki? So we have those meetings? There was one just two months ago."

He wasn't sure what to say to that. It made sense for them to know each other, but he still wasn't sure why Menma had mentioned him. Maybe because no one else at those meetings was from Konoha? While Sasuke might have wanted to put something more permanent as a label on their relationship, Menma had been very clear that there would be no mention of 'boyfriends' or 'lovers' around people they knew. And well, now he knew that Menma had never thought of him as anything important, anyway.

"So what did he say about me?"

If Gaara noticed the feigned nonchalance he didn't comment, only blushed and gnawed at his lower lip before replying.

"Some of the others were complaining that it's so hard to find and keep a lover when you carry a bijuu, but he said it was easy to be with you."

Gaara must have misinterpreted his complete shock as something else because he hurried to explain, turning towards Sasuke with wide eyes.

"I don't know anything about it because I haven't tried, but they say that ever since the bijuu lost consciousness it's been almost impossible for jinchuuriki to have relationships, but I know that Menma's parents somehow work together and there was an argument if it was possible because they're from the Uzumaki clan… What do you think?"

Sasuke had no idea what to think.

"We never really talked about that," he said, swallowing down the lump in his throat.

"Because some others said it wasn't because they were Uzumaki but because there was something special about Menma's dad and about you. That you had compatible chakra. Or something. And that it's really hard to find someone who can deal with your bijuu chakra when you're…"

Gaara trailed off, a furious blush taking over his face.

"I don't know, it's just what they were saying."

The memories came rushing back to him, then, flooded his mind and fitting possible puzzle pieces together.

"Aren't you going to touch me then?" he'd mocked Menma with, after yet another fight, after they had somehow ended up kissing in the middle of things after Sasuke had teased and teased finally broke through, and Menma had jumped back right after as if pushed. "Or am I not good enough for you?"

Menma had looked so torn, and Sasuke had thought it was just about the fight, about Menma still not wanting to admit his attraction. His lips had been tingling almost unpleasantly, and when he closed in on Menma again he'd felt the charge of electricity in the air between them, though he'd chalked it up to a feeling of victory.

"You act tough but you don't even know how to kiss, is that what gets you so angry? Too scared to get laid?"

"Shut up!" Menma had yelled at him, but Sasuke had kept going, kept moving until he'd caught Menma against a wall and pushed him up against it, breathless from the scorching heat wherever they touched.

"I can shut up," he'd purred against Menma's mouth, because this was the one thing he was really good at, and Menma fell easy prey to him once he'd been caught.

Afterwards, Menma had spent a long time just lying still and staring at the ceiling of their hotel room, barely reacting as Sasuke showered and went to get them food. Was this why? Because they were compatible, because Sasuke had goaded him to admit his attraction and touching him had felt like burning up, like Menma's touch had been branded onto his skin and wouldn't disappear no matter how much soap he used.

Had it not just been Sasuke, then, who felt like their bodies melted into each other, who felt like once undressed they bared their souls to each other in a way he'd never imagined could happen.

But if it wasn't just sex, if it wasn't just using Sasuke for convenience, why did he throw Sasuke away like he meant nothing?

"I don't understand," he whispered, startled when Gaara shifted beside him.

"Some people think that the other person just needs to have resilient chakra, or be from a clan that has a strong bloodline limit," Gaara said, avoiding Sasuke's eyes. "So that the other person won't be consumed by the bijuu chakra. My father thinks like that."

Sasuke frowned down at the ground, trying to make sense of his thoughts. He wasn't sure why Gaara was telling him all this, well, aside from apologizing for the apparent matchmaking going on, but it certainly made him question Menma's motives.

"Okay. Um, thanks for telling me."

Gaara nodded, back to fiddling with his hands. He seemed to have exhausted his amount of words for the day, content to sit in silence as Sasuke mulled the new information over. Menma had told him many things, but he'd never mentioned this particular aspect of being a jinchuuriki. And this coupled with the fact that the village had been spying on Menma, something he might have known…

He didn't know what to think, but he knew he couldn't take Menma's words for the truth just like that anymore. And he'd come to see him yesterday, hadn't he? He hadn't seemed like he never wanted to see Sasuke again, more like…

Like he never would see him again.

Clenching his fists, nails digging into his palms, Sasuke struggled to force air down his lungs. He could have asked Menma, could have stopped and thought about it, because it hadn't made sense but Sasuke had been hurt, and now it might be too late.

"I think we need to go, it's almost five," Gaara mumbled, standing up to brush his robes off.

It still hurt, and he desperately wished that the past few weeks had never happened.

"Yeah, I'll walk you there but I'm not going."

When Gaara seemed like he was about to protest, Sasuke abruptly stood and headed for the tower, chest stinging with pain.

If anything happened to Menma, he wasn't sure he'd ever forgive his family.

xxx

Itachi wasn't happy, coming out of the meeting. First of all he wasn't happy about being a Hokage candidate, but he was even less happy about this meeting, which he would have been forced to attend regardless.

"You look… not happy," Shisui said as they reached one of the balconies, escaping for a brief break before dinner.

"Your observational skills are astounding."

Shisui snorted, slipping his hand into Itachi's, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. It did wonders for the tension in his body, even if he'd never admit it.

"I try."

They stood there for a while, looking into the distance, Shisui's cheek on Itachi's shoulder.

"Things aren't going to be easy, are they," Shisui added, as if continuing his previous sentence and not leaving it with minutes between.

"Again with the observations," Itachi murmured, sighing heavily. "I'm not sure I'll ever forgive you for nominating me, by the way."

"But you still love me."

"I wonder…"

Shisui hit his arm, pouting, and it was enough to draw a small smile from him. It slipped as soon as he remembered the meeting, however, a hundred options fighting inside his brain and none of them helpful.

"Do you think-"

"Shh," Shisui hushed him, squeezing his hand. "Let's not think about it right now. We'll figure something out. You'll just work yourself up if you think about it too much."

Easier said than done, but Shisui knew him better than he probably knew himself.

"Yeah," he said, releasing another sigh. "Yeah, sure. Of course we'll figure something out."

For once, Shisui didn't comment on his pessimism. All he did was move a little closer, hair tickling Itachi's chin, offering what little comfort there was to give.

It would have to be enough.

I hope all of this seems thought-out because you know me, the master of winging it :) It will probably take me a while to update again because of the end of the semester coming up and all those other fics, but I will try. As for Gaara, we don't know what his road to ninja alternate self is like, so I went with artistic freedom again. I hope it wasn't too weird.

Next chapter we'll get some more Menma POV and probably lots of other stuff that I haven't really decided yet. I do want you to know though that this isn't the end of the fic, haha. When is the end, you ask? Wish I knew~