A/N: Hi all. Time for another update. It's official, the verdict is in. Do they stay? Do they go? Can there be jailtime? No warnings, just enjoy.

-----

Kakashi dropped them off in the cell and went to get them some food. Shortly, a messenger delivered a small amount of food as well as drinks to them. They sat and ate, surprised at how hungry they'd gotten. When they'd finished Raylin said, "I like this place. This Konoha. The people here really care about each other don't they? It must have been hard for you to leave."

"It's actually harder for me to come back, because I'm not driven by hate anymore. These people all cared for me and now I know how they feel because I care about someone other than myself for once."

"Yeah, Naruto seems happy to see you too."

"I was talking about you stupid."

"Who are you calling stupid?"

"Just come here." He smiled at her, pulling her into a hug. He kissed her forehead, and she put her arm around his back. "I don't care if I'm in jail, if I'm there with you, I'd be happy."

Raylin said, "I'd be happy with you if we lived in a cave."

"But we did live in a cave."

"Oh yeah. I was happy with you then, but I do like this better now." They sat there together and waited quietly. Kakashi returned about twenty minutes later.

"They're ready for you. Let's go."

Sasuke said, "Sure. Come on Raylin." He held his hand out to her and pulled her up. They followed Kakashi back to the large room where Hokage waited for them. They all resumed their previous positions.

Tsunade started, "Raylin, Sasuke. We have deliberated about your situation. You have indeed proven yourselves truthful. But Sasuke, there is an issue of trust with you. We don't even know Raylin, so she will be viewed as an outsider, but probably for just a short time."

Sasuke said, "I understand."

"We have decided that it is best to keep you two here in this village with us." Raylin smiled and looked at Sasuke. "But, we will have guards posted on you 24/7 until this trust thing gets better. And we have to find a place for you to stay. A place that can be guarded, and where you'll be escorted to and from everywhere you want to go."

Naruto spoke up, "Hey Granny Tsunade, Sasuke can stay with me. I have an extra room."

Sasuke said to him, "Thanks Naruto, but I don't like to be separated from Raylin. We've stuck together for a while now, and I'd like to keep it that way." Raylin nodded in agreement.

Naruto interrupted again in an effort to get his friend back and close to him, "She can stay too. I have enough room. Really. Raylin, you're welcome to stay at my place too."

Tsunade said, "Sasuke, this is actually a very good idea. Since you don't want to be separated from Raylin, staying with Naruto is acceptable to me. Just until we arrange another place for you. Do you accept this offer?"

Sasuke looked at Raylin; she looked at him and nodded slightly. "We accept."

"Excellent." Naruto just about jumped out of his skin he was so thrilled at the prospect of having his former friend staying with him. He had so many questions he wanted to ask him.

Tsunade said, "Good. Now there is the subject of services offered. Exactly what services did you have in mind that you could offer to Konoha?"

Sasuke said, "Hokage, as we traveled here, after defeating Itachi and Kissime, it came to us that we needed something to do. We both want to be useful. We possess more power between us than most armies. We can counter and attack using any jutsu. And if Raylin learns a couple more techniques, she'll probably know them all."

"What service are you offering Sasuke?"

"Akatsuke Assassins." Mumbles, gasps, grimaces.

Tsunade considered this. She said slowly, "Akatsuke Assassins. You took out two Akatsuke members by yourselves. No one else other than Sakura has taken out any of them." Sasuke looked with surprise at Sakura who caught his gaze and confidently glared back at him nodding. "And I understand there are now more members." She contemplated. She motioned to Kakashi who went to her. The two talked privately for a moment then they nodded. Tsunade continued, "You'd have to train on protocol with the Anbu black ops, and we'll get you some uniforms if you like. Kakashi will supervise you and your training, and he and Jaraiya will give you information about the other members, so you can choose your jutsu wisely. Sasuke, Raylin, we will accept your offer. Once we establish trust, you will be sent on missions to assassinate the members of Akatsuke."

Raylin hugged Sasuke; he looked at her and smiled, and hugged her right back in front of everybody.

Tsunade said, "I'm trusting you now Sasuke. You screw up or even give me a reason to think I shouldn't trust you and I'll throw your ass in jail, and keep you separated from Raylin. I hope I'm understood."

Sasuke smile sideways at her, "You are. Thank you Hokage."

Raylin said, "Thank you ma'am."

Tsunade said, "Then I'll release you into Naruto's care. Naruto, you are now in charge of these two. There will be guards monitoring them constantly, but they're your responsibility. Take them home."

Naruto said, "Yes Granny Tsunade!"

Tsunade said, "And STOP CALLING ME GRANNY! You're dismissed."

Naruto approached Sasuke and Raylin with a giant grin on his face. Kakashi walked up to them too. Sasuke sighed, closed his eyes and shook his head. Raylin just giggled. Kakashi said, "Come on you guys, I'll walk you home."

Sasuke said, "Can we stop somewhere first? I owe Naruto dinner. Ramen Naruto?"

His eyes shot open, "Your treat?"

"Yeah."

"Kakashi, we're stopping at the ramen shop. Sasuke owes me many many bowls of ramen." Naruto led the way out rattling off the different kinds of ramen Sasuke was going to have to buy him. Sasuke just reached for Raylin's hand and pulled her along rolling his eyes at her, while she smiled at him.

Sasuke wondered as he walked along with the group, Jail or living with Naruto. I don't see the difference! Then he looked over at his smiling girlfriend and thought, Ok, now I see the difference. She's worth having to live with Naruto.

-----

A/N: Winding down now. The story is almost told. Only 3 more chapters and an epilogue. I hope you're still with me.

Next up: Ramen, Naruto's apartment, and Naruto and Kakashi at their finest. See you soon!