When there are ** that means that whatever is thought or said by the characters will be explained later in the story. Enjoy!

Sasuke's POV:

"Suigetsu, I'm gonna kill you!"

"I'm sorry!"

I was throttling his neck until I noticed she was gone. Dammit. I was so close too.

I got out of the water and got dressed.

"Karin got jealous so we followed you out."

"I did not."

"I don't care."

I started walking back.

"That's not the real reason we came out here."

I gave a sharp eye over my shoulder. "Oh yeah?"

Karin pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

"When you first told me about this girl, I knew who she was. Naruko Uzumaki, Nine Tail Fox host. She has incredibly large amounts of chakra both her own and the Fox's. But there's something else. I got chakra coming from more than one being from her since we arrived."**

I rolled my eyes. "The Fox. We're done here."

"No uh Sasuke-"

"I said we're done here."

She was huddled by the fire, holding herself tightly. I grabbed a blanket and draped it around her.

"I'm not cold," she stated.

"Then why're you shivering?"

She pouted, letting me continue covering her.

I sat next to her.

When I looked over at her, she had a very sullen expression as she clutched the blanket to her body. Her eyes were dull yet focused on the flame.

"Do you think it would've been different if we weren't Shinobi?"

That's something I never thought she'd say, considering she wants to be Hokage. But then I remembered her words...

"How could I ever be Hokage if I can't save a friend?"

I don't need saving. I want her to support me. Be with me on this.

"Sasuke."

"Hm?"

"Come back to me," she murmured before she collapsed in my lap.

My chest jolted once I realized... this entire time she's been saying 'village' or 'us' she was putting it in place of herself.

She's exhausted.

She's been pushing herself and training just so I would come back to her.

I didn't think I'd be strong enough to defeat Itachi. Now I don't think I'm strong enough to be the man she wants me to be.

But if she's trying, I need to as well.

I'll do it for Naruko.

I opened my eyes with a weight on my chest. When I looked down, Naruko had her cheek resting on me.

And today is the day she wants to fight me.

Our last battle was at the Final Valley. I didn't hold back then because I didn't understand what anything meant or what I really wanted but now I think I do.

I closed my eyes again, resting my hands over her shoulders. I sighed at the feeling.

I've never held her like this. We used to grab each other to protect one another out of instinct but this is nice. I let one of my hands drift to her waist. My fingers brushed up and down her side.

She caught me by surprise at the spring. I didn't think her body would change that much in three years. But her skin and curves were all there for me to look at and she didn't care. Not like she ever has. Does that mean she shows other men her body freely if she was okay with me seeing her?

I tightened my hold on her.

What's wrong with me? I don't care. I don't. She used to do that stupid sexy jutsu when we were younger, showing off what her older adult body would look like. She was pretty close to that image. The real Naruko is better. Does she still do that? I hope not. I don't want others seeing her.

I felt her start to stir.

"Mm."

She lifted her head and smiled. "Good morning Sasuke."

I smirked. "Yeah, good morning."

Naruko rested her head back on my chest.

Her body tensed up within seconds.

She jumped away ten feet when she officially woke up.

"What were you doing underneath me?!"

"You were on top of me!"

Jeez, what an idiot. Nothing has changed.

"Come on. We've got work to do."

I stood.

"Work? I thought we were fighting."

"We are. Let's go."

I led her out into a clearing.

"Naruko Uzumaki. You've requested a challenge. I accept. Sharingan!"

She took out two kunai.

"Go!"