Author's Note: Hey guys, sorry it has taken me so long to update. I have had some crazy things happen to me in the past couple months, not to mention my time-consuming internship. To make up for it, I posted an extra-long chapter. As always, let me know what you think. I patiently wait for your feedback.

P.S.: I added a little bit of Kakashi's perspective as a bonus. You're welcome.

Pairing: SasuSaku

Chapter 14: Reunion Over Ramen

Sasuke watched as Sakura finished healing the long cut on his shoulder. The glow around her fingers subsided and as she lifted her hand, Sasuke instantly noticed that the cut had completely vanished, not even a faint scar left behind. Along with the wound, the pain vanished as well. He tried hard not to move away when she reached for his blackening temple and left eye. Her headbutt had nearly knocked him unconscious, and Sasuke couldn't imagine how he must look after such a blow. Sakura's own forehead was quickly darkening and Sasuke frowned at the bruise. Damn woman and her reckless strength and large forehead.

Sasuke's eyes widened when Sakura reached out and tenderly brushed his bangs away from his left eye. For some reason, it unnerved Sasuke for her to see his Rinnegan, and he suddenly wished the swelling was much worse so it would completely cover it. If Sakura sensed his unease, she didn't let on and instead cupped his chin firm with her other palm.

"Sorry about that," she commented quietly. "The good news is that your skin and Rinnegan match now."

Saskue just scowled at her. "Hn," he deadpanned. She thought she was so clever.

But before the relief of her glowing green fingers could brush against his rapidly swelling goose egg, Sakura suddenly swung around at the sound of someone landing on the branch beside them. On instinct, Sasuke stood immediately and placed himself between Sakura and the three ninja that had just joined them, reaching for the katana at his waist.

Sasuke relaxed when he recognized the familiar porcelain animal faces belonging to the Hidden Leaf's Anbu.

"What do you want?" he spat towards their lofty location.

The ninja exchanged glances before each taking on displeased positions, crossing their arms over their chests.

Sakura moved ahead of him then and quickly asked, "Is there something wrong?" As if she didn't know the answer to that question already.

One of the Anbu, a petite kunoichi with a fox mask, gestured to their surroundings with the wave of her arm. "We were sent here to investigate the disturbance occurring in this area, but we didn't expect the source of such a problem to come from the Hokage's very own students."

The taller, lanky Anbu spoke next, pointing at Sasuke's position on the opposite branch. Sasuke glared at him when he said, "Him maybe. But not you, Haruno-san."

Sakura just rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "Ha ha. Well you see-"

She was promptly interrupted by the third Anbu, who swiftly pulled a kunai from his weapon's pouch and aimed it at Sasuke.

Sasuke's skin prickled and he sneered at the man, who was now walking towards them. The Uchiha's hand itched for his sword again. This bastard. Did he really think that he could possibly take him on? Anbu or not, Sasuke would not let this ninja near either of them.

"No-no!" Sakura exclaimed, waving her hands back and forth, "Just some training."

Sasuke scoffed and stood up straighter. Training, his ass. Like anyone would believe that after looking at the destroyed wasteland around them.

One of the Anbu-the tall one-let out a laugh. "Looks like you were the winner, Sakura." Sasuke frowned. Or maybe they were gullible after all.

Sakura giggled and Sasuke shot her a look of annoyance when she said, "You guessed right!"

"We'll report to the Hokage what we have found here," the female Anbu said formally, unwavering from her serious persona. She disappeared then, the tall Anbu following her cue and vanishing as well.

The third Anbu remained, the one who had directed his kunai in Sasuke's direction. The ninja had bright orange hair that reminded the Uchiha of Jugo. Burn scars covered his exposed right arm, and Sasuke's stomach knotted when he realized why the young man had been suspicious of him. This ninja must be one of Chino's burn victims that Sakura had mentioned. Although Sasuke wasn't directly responsible for this man's injury, Sasuke couldn't help but feel guilty.

The young man was watching the both of them intently, and Sasuke noticed how Sakura was focusing her gaze slightly away from him. Why was that? For some reason, the behavior bothered him.

"There's something else you might like to know, Haruno-san," the man finally spoke softly. Sakura raised her eyes to him and Sasuke's glower vanished when he heard the ninja's next words. "Uzumaki Naruto has returned to the village. He's looking for you."

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Kakashi tried not to roll his eyes at the blonde ninja who was furiously "suggesting" that Kakashi treat the three of his former students to Ramen at Ichiraku. Ever since Naruto had returned with the rest of his Kumogakure-bound caravan, Kakashi had had zero silence. It had been 15 minutes of non-stop questions about Sasuke. When had he returned? Why now? Why hadn't Naruto been told about this while he was away? Where was Sakura? How come she didn't try to contact him? Finally, to get the kid to relent, Kakashi mentioned ramen in an attempt to detour his thinking. Now, Kakashi found that he was being driven mad over a new topic. Ramen, ramen, ramen. It would never end.

"It will be like old times!" the ninja elbowed him for the fourth time. "I can't remember the last time we all ate together."

This is one of the many times that Kakashi was appreciative for the mask concealing his face. Naruto would have little idea how big of a frown he was shooting him. Ever since Kakashi had become Hokage, it seemed that everyone believed for some reason that he was loaded or entitled to whatever he wanted as if nothing had a price where the Hokage was concerned. When, in fact, neither was the case. Every time someone ran into him, it was "Oh it's the Hokage! He wouldn't mind treating us!" This was especially true concerning Guy, Naruto, and believe it or not, Choji. Sometimes, Shikamaru was a part of this freeloading gang. This was just one of the many downsides of being Hokage. Kakashi couldn't wait for retirement. He was getting to old for all of this stuff.

After a few seconds, Kakashi relented against Naruto's pleading and sighed.

"All right," he finally agreed, reaching the bar that announced ラーメン一楽 across the hanging tapestries. "But only just this once since it's a special occasion."

Naruto guffawed and marched into the ramen bar. Kakashi couldn't hold back the smile that came so readily to his lips. The Rokudaime was also looking forward to this moment. It had been too long since he had rendezvoused with the former members of Team 7. Well, the last time since they weren't trying to all kill each other, that is.

And just as Kakashi had that thought, a silent Anbu with orange hair appeared beside him. It was one of the trio from the team he had sent to deal with a situation that had been reported on the outskirts of the village.

"What did you find?" he asked the young man quietly so Naruto couldn't hear him above his loud conversation with Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku.

"Your students, actually."

Kakashi's eyes grew wide. "What?"

The Anbu nodded once and continued, "They claim they were training, but it seems like they were trying to kill each other. They should be here any minute."

Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. After a few seconds, he said, "Thank you. You're dismissed," and the Anbu vanished into the air.

Kill each other? Kakashi had never expected such a thing to happen between those two. When he had gotten the dispatch that there were earth tremors coming from the Uchiha district, he had crossed his fingers and sent a squad of Anbu out to investigate. Without a doubt, his first suspicion was of Sasuke, but as he contemplated, Kakashi just didn't understand why the Uchiha would be causing such havoc. He was more likely to believe some random ninja with anti-Uchiha philosophies was suddenly making an attack on the land. But now, it seemed his previous assumption was closer to the mark. Kakashi wasn't sure what role Sakura had to play in this, but from the report, it seemed she was the one responsible for most of the devastation. Why would they want to kill one another? Surely, it wasn't as serious as it seemed.

Only a few seconds later did Kakashi notice the two familiar figures of his students making their way down the main street. They caught sight of him immediately and made their slow way towards him. When they stopped a few feet in front of him, Kakashi crossed his arms at the sight of their disheveled outlines and bruised faces. Sakura's forehead was darkening, but it was nothing compared to the explosion of color that was blooming across Sasuke's left temple and eye. He had a large knot that was growing bigger by the second. It was a small injury considering the many Sasuke Uchiha had probably had in his lifetime, but it still looked murderous.

Sakura was grinning guiltily at him, blushing and looking appropriately sorry. Sasuke stood without any shame whatsoever, looking at Kakashi with little interest.

Kakashi scowled at the two of them, hoping his mask wouldn't conceal too much of what he was hoping to communicate. "You two have some explaining to do."

Sakura started to speak but was instantly cut off when Naruto bounded back out of the ramen shop. "Sakura-chan!" he yelled, coming towards their group. "Sasuke! Good to see you!"

"Took your time getting here," Sasuke said indignantly as the ninja bounded up to him.

Naruto slowed in his greeting when he caught sight of his dark-haired teammate's current state, looking intently at Sasuke's rapidly swelling face. "What the hell happened to you?!" he exclaimed.

Neither Sasuke, Sakura, or Kakashi spoke first.

Naruto continued, "Who did that to you Sasuke? Who'd you fight?! Where's the other guy? I bet he looks worse!"

Two other sighs matched Kakashi's as the three of them shared the same thought about their blonde friend: What an idiot.

Naruto's imagination ran away with him as he rambled on, slapping Sasuke on the back of the shoulder. "It had to have been somebody really strong for them to have to be able to hit you like that! Who was it?!"

Kakashi looked over at Sakura who was practically boiling now. Naruto's stupidity was unchallenged sometimes.

Naruto elbowed Sasuke with a smile. "Don't tell me you sparred with Lee while I was gone! I can't believe I missed that fight!"

Sasuke scoffed and turned his head, "There's no way in hell I'd let that loser get one on me."

Kakashi shook his head. He felt like they were both missing the point here.

"Kiba?! No, wait, it must have been Kakashi!" Naruto pointed at his white-haired sensei.

"Unlikely," was Sasuke's blunt reply and Kakashi couldn't help but flash the Uchiha an affronted look.

That's when Sakura lost it. She grabbed onto the fool's collar and began to thrash him about angrily. "I'm going to give you a black eye to match, if you don't stop being such a blundering idiot! And here I was excited for you to come home!"

"Wha- Wha-" Naruto yelled, his head whipping around violently. "What did I do, Sakura-chan!?"

She dropped him, stepped over him dramatically, and stormed into the ramen bar, leaving the rest of her team behind. They all winced when they heard her sit roughly down at the bar and angrily place her order.

Kakashi helped Naruto up, whose eyes were like spinning saucers. "What did I say," he asked nauseously.

"Apparently," Kakashi locked eyes with Sasuke. "Sakura is the one who got the better of Sasuke."

"What?!" Naruto snapped out of his daze. "Sasuke, you bastard! You fought with Sakura?! Why the hell did you do that?!"

Sasuke glared at him as best as he could with one eye. "She attacked me, you loser."

"What did you do! Why I oughta-!"

"Enough," Kakashi intervened, grabbing Naruto from behind and pushing the two of them through the tapestries and into the ramen shop. Sakura sat on the far right, creating enough steam to compete with the ramen she was viciously slurping down. Kakashi took the seat beside her when Naruto and Sasuke froze in their spots. They both looked at him gratefully as they took the two seats left of him.

"Hokage-sama!" The ramen-maker exclaimed, marveling at the four of them. "What a surprise. I haven't had the opportunity to serve this motley crew in quite some time!"

"Yes, it has been awhile," Kakashi replied kindly, offering him a smile. "My treat tonight," he added, gesturing to the three of his ragged students.

Naruto seemed to forget his anger and shouted at Teuchi that he wanted "three orders of extra-large Pork Miso Ramen with extra pork!"

After they ordered, Naruto began to ask Sasuke question after question about his travels, to which Sasuke grunted in reply every now and then. Kakashi noticed that Sakura's mood seemed to lighten considerably at the familiar chatter between them. Then, Naruto told them all about Kumogakure and how he had gotten to battle with Killer B and how Lady Tsunade threw a fit about his resulted injuries.

"I guess I shouldn't have been so reckless," Naruto added, rubbing the back of his head, "but it was totally worth it!"

At that moment, Sakura suddenly stood and said, "Lady Tsunade! She must be back, as well. I need to see her immediately!"

She stood up quickly and said, "Please excuse me!"

Naruto stood and yelled after her as she ran out of the shop, "Wait, Sakura-chan! We only just got here! We haven't even-"

"Just let her go," Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder. "A lot has happened."

"Like what?" he demanded, looking between the two of them.

Kakashi didn't miss how Sasuke had suddenly stopped eating, and was watching the swaying draperies that Sakura had just run through. He caught Kakashi's eyes and turned back around.

"And besides," Kakashi continued, ignoring Naruto's question. "I think there's something Sasuke has been waiting to talk to the two of us about, anyway."

Sasuke frowned when the two of them placed their gazes onto him.

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Sakura dashed towards the hospital in the darkness. How she had any energy left after fighting Sasuke, was a mystery to her. The lights from the shops illuminated the street, making it easy for her to avoid people and place leveled steps. Sakura needed to see her teacher. She needed to apologize for the mess she made of everything while she was away. She needed to tell her what happened from her own mouth. She just needed someone to talk to about this.

Sliding through the glass doors of the Hospital's front entrance, Sakura was instantly met by her own pupil, Kirai. "Sakura-sensei?"

"Did Lady Tsunade come here?" she demanded, avoiding the worried gazes from her co-workers and staff.

"She's upstairs, ma'am, but-" Kirai began, but didn't get the chance to finish before Sakura was bounding up the stairs.

Any minute now and she would see Tsunade. She would tell her how she didn't think she was up to being the head of Konoha's medical core.

When she reached the top of the stairs, Sakura could hear the Lady's voice coming from down the hall. Sakura didn't stop. She walked until she reached the last door.

"It's still a little early," Tsnuade was saying, "so I'm surprised we can see anything at all."

Without hesitation, Sakura opened the door and walked inside. "Lady Tsunade-," she began, but stopped short when she saw what was happening before her.

Hinata was in the room, as well. She was laying down on a cot, with her shirt lifted. Tsunade was standing over her, placing a white probe on her abdomen. On a screen, half-concealed by Tsunade's body, there was a black and white image displayed.

"S-Sakura?" Hinata gasped, sitting up.

"Sakura?!" Tsunade chided, "You know better than to barge-"

"I'm so sorry!" Sakura blurted, covering her eyes, "I didn't mean to intrude!"

"No, it's okay." Hinata smiled shyly. "Come see, Sakura."

Sakura's knees wobbled at the scene, and she was suddenly overcome with emotion. "Hinata, are you- You're -?" She couldn't say the word. She couldn't make herself believe the image that she had caught a glimpse of on the LCD Display.

Tsunade grabbed her hand tenderly and brought her over to them. "Here," she said, handing Sakura the ultrasound's transducer. "See for yourself. You need practice with this new machine anyway."

Sakura tenderly placed the probe back onto Hinata's belly and began searching. Tsunade pointed to a little black circle that moved onto the screen. "It's barely visible, but it's there. Congratulations Hinata. You're going to be a mother."

Tears of joy flooded Sakura's green eyes, spilling onto her cheeks and running down her chin. "Hinata," she cried. "I can't believe it! I am so happy!" She hugged the dark-haired girl firmly, and tears sprang to Hinata's eyes as well.

"Does Naruto know?" Sakura suddenly asked, pulling back to look at her friend.

"Took him long enough to figure it out," Tsunade interrupted, "but he knows. He found out on the mission. The ultrasound just confirms it."

"Poor Naruto," Hinata mewled. "I have been unbearable to him the past two weeks."

"What do you expect from a pregnant woman who's dealing with morning sickness while traveling?" Tsunade comforted. Sakura giggled, picturing clueless Naruto try to make sense of his struggling and temperamental wife.

After Hinata left, Sakura followed Tsunade to her office. Sakura had butterflies in her stomach and had been too distracted by Hinata's news to remember her previous train of thought. It was Tsunade who brought it up.

"I head what happened," the Sanin said quietly. "Kakashi wrote me."

Sakura froze at her words, the delight suddenly sapped out of her. "I- I failed."

"Sakura," Tsunade exclaimed, turning to her student and wrapping her in an embrace. "You are not to blame for any of it."

A new wave of tears returned to Sakura's eyes as she gripped tightly to her sensei. "What do I do? It's so hard. What did I expect in rescuing these children and bringing them here?"

"It's still developing Sakura," her sensei reassured her. "You can't let this one incident overshadow all the good that has come from the Mental Health Clinic you've developed."

"But I've been distracted- I didn't do enough." Sakura had to make Tsunade understand that if she hadn't been so preoccupied with thoughts of Sasuke, then maybe she could have done more.

Tsunade sat with her on a bench in the two chairs adjacent from her desk. "According to Kakashi, you have been doing more than enough in my absence. Sakura, don't put so much responsibility on your shoulders. You are human."

"But you-" Sakura refuted, wanting to tell her how Tsunade could have been able to save the child if she would have been here instead.

"-are also human," Tsunade finished for her. "Hell, when I was your age, I abandoned the Leaf Village and went off to occupy myself with gambling and liquor. You're doing more than I ever did."

Sakura looked down at their joined hands. Tsunade always had a way of making her feel encouraged. Even when she failed repeatedly, Tsunade was always there to support her, even if it was considere tough love.

"Maybe that's what you need," Tsunade added.

Sakura shot her a confused look and Tsunade continued. "A vacation."

"Oh no," Sakura exclaimed. "I couldn't leave you here! Not after having started the Mental Health Clinic. That's my responsibility."

"Psssh, what are a couple of kids that I can't manage?" Tsunade laughed. "Seriously, go on a vacation. Go represent Konoha and open other Mental Health Clinics in other villages. You know, like you did with the Sand Village. Get a little drunk while you're at it. It's good for the soul."

Sakura didn't know what to say. She couldn't leave the village now, could she? Not when her patients needed her. Not when she just got the Mental Health Clinic established. Not when Sasuke, the love of her life, was now here. She frowned as her thoughts turned again to him. For how long? How long, now that Naruto had come home?

"Speaking of liquor," Tsunade's voice grew angry. "I heard about what you did! You owe me a new alcohol collection!"

Sakura clasped her hands together in apology and blushed at the recollection of her drunken behavior. "Forgive me Lady Tsunade! I wasn't myself-I-"

"Did you get drunk?" Tsunade asked bluntly, cutting Sakura's explanation short.

"Maybe a little," Sakura replied, face red in embarrassment. She was going to get walloped in the head any minute now.

The blonde Sanin just grinned instead. "Well then it was worth it! I'm so proud of you. You're becoming more like me every day!"

Sakura grimaced. Maybe she did need a vacation.

Suddenly, Tsunade grabbed the girl by the chin. "Heavens child, what happened to your face?!"

Sakura smirked. "I did it! I told Sasuke how I felt about him. I gave it to him loud and clear."

Tsunade beamed proudly and then placed her palm gently on her student's forehead, fingers glowing. "It's about damn time."

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Sasuke and Naruto sat on the roof of the Hokage's tower, looking down at the glowing lights of the village. After Sakura had left them, Kakashi, Naruto, and he had walked here so they could speak in confidentiality. Once they were enclosed within the Hokage's office, Sasuke had begun to tell them everything he knew about Kaguya, including what new information he learned from Chino in regards to Kaguya's army.

"What do you mean 'a force more powerful than herself'? What does that mean?" Naruto asked, pacing the room.

"I'm not sure," Sasuke affirmed. "My theory is that Kaguya didn't create the White Zetsu to fight the allied shinobi in the war. I believe there's something bigger out there. Something more dangerous."

The three of them exchanged glances. Kakashi sat in his chair, hand under his chin in quiet contemplation. Sasuke had secretly been hoping they would be able to debunk his theory, to dissect it and find that it was faulty and find it untrue. But neither of them said anything and stared back at Sasuke with fearful eyes.

Finally, Kakashi spoke. "You're saying that you think there's more of the Otsutsuki clan out there that we don't know about? And that they pose a threat to the village?"

"What about Toneri?" Naruto suddenly asked, and Sasuke looked at him with confusion. "I mean, he was an Otsutsuki that came to Earth in order to get the Byakugan. Could he have been the threat she was so afraid of?"

Toneri. Yes, Sasuke remembered that name being mentioned by Kakashi through correspondence. He was one of the direct decedents of Homura Otsutsuki, a son of Kaguya who colonized the moon. Toneri was the one whom Naruto, Hinata, Shikamaru, Sai, and Sakura had to chase to the moon in order to rescue Hinata's little sister, Hanabi. Toneri had been defeated and was left on the moon to ensure it never approached Earth again.

Sasuke walked to the window to think, his back to Kakashi and Naruto. Toneri couldn't be the threat if he was a descendent of Homura. According to Hagoromo, the Sage of Six Paths, Kaguya had begun to prepare the White Zetsu Army long before her sons betrayed her. She had to have been afraid that someone more powerful would come after her chakra. Her sons inherited chakra, so neither of them, or their descendants, could be the force she was afraid of. There had to be someone else. Someone much more worse.

Sasuke had relayed this to them, and watched as they exchanged glances.

"Should we arrange a Five Kage Summit?" Kakashi asked.

"No," Sasuke had replied quickly. "I want to do some more investigation myself, first. I could be wrong about all of this so there's no reason to alarm everyone just yet."

Now, after this conversation, he and Naruto sat on the top of the Hokage's building. Sasuke gazed down at the village below him which was glowing with evening lights. He was amazed at all the technological advancements that were starting to be incorporated into the village. Electricity had made a huge development, and was becoming more common in the typical household. Sasuke wondered what the future of this village might be in just a few years.

Naruto, who was leaning his back against the railing next to him, peered up at the faces carved into the mountainside. He was looking at the 4th Hokage's face with a strange acuteness, as if he was trying to tell the deceased man something important.

After a few seconds, Naruto turned back around, and rested his elbows on the railing. "So, how long are you staying?"

Sasuke smirked. "You know that I can't stay. I've stayed long enough waiting on your slow ass."

Naruto laughed for a second before resolving into seriousness. He had a tendency to do that whenever it was just the two of them. "So what's the plan?"

Sasuke didn't mind letting Naruto in on his next steps. Despite his idiocy, sometimes Naruto could offer helpful council. "I've requested permission to return to Sunagakure to pick up my search there. I'm waiting for clearance from the Kazekage."

Naruto nodded. It seemed he didn't have any better suggestions. After a second, he just said, "Don't stay away so long, this time. Don't forget where your home is."

"I'm staying away to protect it," was Sasuke's blunt answer. He didn't understand why Naruto and Sakura couldn't come to terms with this one simple fact.

Naruto chuckled, as if the conversation should stay lighthearted. He changed the subject. "Your face looks awful, Sasuke. Did you insult her? I try to avoid Sakura's bad side. She's going to murder me with that monster strength someday, I'm sure of it."

The Uchiha grunted in response. Sasuke didn't know what to say. He'd rather not tell Naruto the nature between his fight with Sakura earlier this evening. He was just glad Naruto was finally back so that he could leave this damn place. He was tired of the mental war that was going on inside his head, here. The village was contagious, and he needed to get away from it.

"What's going on with you two?" Naruto asked directly and Sasuke flinched.

"Nothing that concerns you," he spat out icily. His left cheek was beginning to swell and Sasuke winced at the pain he felt when he talked.

Naruto frowned at him, becoming more intent by the second. "What did Kakashi mean by 'A lot has happened'?"

Sasuke shot him a glare. "Just mind your own business, loser."

Naruto was determined to get some answers, but his voice softened. "Is Sakura okay? Just tell me that."

Sasuke came up short. The insult he had prepared died on his lips. Sasuke wasn't sure whether Sakura was okay or not. He had tried to help her after her incident with the death of her patient, but Sasuke wasn't the ideal person for that sort of thing. If Naruto had been here, he would have done a better job. Now that Tsunade was back, Sasuke was sure that she was probably the one who could help Sakura the most. Sakura had practically stormed out of Ichiraku to find the blonde Sanin.

"I think so," was all Sasuke could offer. Naruto just nodded.

After a few seconds, Naruto stretched and put his arms behind his head, smiling, a familiar gesture Sasuke had seen a million times. "Hinata and I- we're going to have a baby."

Sasuke turned to look Naruto squarely in the face. His teammate was grinning so wide, Sasuke thought his lips would split. Sasuke couldn't believe his ears. Not only was Naruto married, but he was expecting a child, now? How could that be? Sasuke couldn't imaging the knucklehead with a miniature Naruto on his shoulders.

"Congratulations," Sasuke said, adding a bit of kindness to his usually monotoned voice.

"I'm happy Sasuke. I'm going to have a family!" He clapped Sasuke on the shoulder before adding, "You know, I want to see my friends happy, too."

Sasuke felt joy, jealousy, and sadness all at the same time. He knew what Naruto wanted for him- wanted for Sakura. What must it be like to come home to someone every night? He remembered Sakura's words to him earlier today: "All I would need to know is that you love me back." His heart ached. Sasuke's mind wandered suddenly and he couldn't shut out the images of raven-haired children playing at his own feet. But then those visions changed from laughing children to screaming ones, and Sasuke shuddered at the thought. What if they were taken from him? What if, because of who he was, his family would be targeted and killed? He couldn't even think about such things. A family would only cause him pain.

Sasuke stood up straight, and walked over to the large claw-like pillar jutting up from the rooftop and leaned his shoulder against it. He turned his back on Naruto. "I don't want a family."

Naruto didn't move closer, giving Sasuke his space, but he crossed his arms over his chest and spoke louder, "You think you're fooling me with that, but I know you Sasuke. I may be clueless about a lot of things, but I know you're not such a heartless guy anymore. I know you care. I can see it on your face. It's not going to kill you to open your heart."

Sasuke's temper flared like the inferno inside of him and he turned on Naruto, raising his voice, "And then what? What happens when I lose those close to me again? What will keep me from the darkness? From choosing the path of revenge?"

"I will," he answered seriously—almost invincibly. "I'll stop you."

Sasuke just shook his head. He knew that the minute someone killed someone he cared about. . . again, there would be no stopping him. Instead, he asked, "How can you promise that nothing will happen?"

Naruto walked over to Sasuke then, and gave him a slight shove in the shoulder with his fist. There was a confidence in Naruto's eyes that Sasuke recognized. It was the same look that had once annoyed the hell out of the Uchiha, but eventually saved him. "If you believe in my dream, then fight for the future we have striven for. Help me ensure the peace of the next generation, and nothing will take your family away from you, Sasuke."

Sasuke looked down at his feet. Kaguya's face flashed in his mind and Sasuke's sudden hope at Naruto's words dwindled. It was like a viscous cycle. Sasuke had to kill this new danger in order to guarantee the peace Naruto talked about. To do that, Sasuke would have to give up his personal life here in the village so he could find and eliminate the threat of the Otsutsuki race. No matter how he looked at it, Sasuke would have to fight for this bright future that Naruto envisioned, but have no part in it.

Itachi's words came into Sasuke's mind, and they beat throughout his body with every drum of his heart. "Self-sacrifice. A nameless shinobi who protects peace within its shadow. That is a true shinobi."

"I'll fight for this future," Sasuke stated, unwavering in his firmness. "My resolve to protect this village is stronger than ever. In order to do that, I can't share in your happiness, Naruto."

Naruto sighed and looked down at his feet, as if he had said the wrong thing and wished he could take back his words.

Sasuke walked to edge of the building once more, and peered over the side again at the home he was giving up. Without looking back, he said, "I'm leaving tomorrow."