Iruka sensei looked around the shop frantically, making sure the room was as empty as he believed. "A little louder, Naruto, I don't think the fire village could hear you."

"But, Sensei, I can't! Not kill him! I mean, it'd be one thing just to beat him, but... to kill Sasuke? But I owe him so much! He gave me everything I needed to come this far! I- I-"

"Can't do it? Don't lie to yourself, Naruto. You know you can try. Either way, the next few days will be do or die for either of you. Besides, its like I said: I've been training you in particular for the past 23 years for a reason (A/N: it is 20 years in the future from where the show is now, but keep in mind, for those of you who forget, Naruto had to train for 3 years instead of the usual one to become ninja...right?). Now you're doing this, if for no other reason than to make meaningful a fifth of a dear friend's life span, and the entirety of your own."

That practically sickened Naruto: Now he had to choose between himself and one friend, and another, dear, dear friend and team mate! It wasn't fair, but still, Iruka sensei was right. He couldn't not do this, after having come so far, after destroying all who stood in his way, jumping every hurdle. He would do it. "Okay... I'll do it. Where do I start, Iruka?"

"Well, overall, that's for you to decide. But I would start by watching him. Get a good idea of how is day goes, where he's least protected. Strike there, and strike fast. You do have to defeat him in combat, make yourself known before violent conduct is performed, but that doesn't mean you won't have the element of surprise. Make yourself known the moment before it happens, so it can be quick, and it can be painless. Don't let him suffer, Naruto, and you won't, either. Not for long, anyway."

For once, Naruto remained silent. He knew of Sasuke, all his strengths and weaknesses: his ability tro sense large amouns of chakra in people, like his own, making stealth to watch him difficult; his fire jutsus, learned from his father before his family was destroyed, and, most importantly, his sharingon, able to copy any jutsu Naruto performed, and devastating when used properly. And Sasuke did, indeed, use it properly.

"Don't be afraid, Naruto. I'll be with you. When the need arrives, I'll help you. but remember, the battle itself has to fought ALONE for it to be true. I cannot assist you there."

"Yes, Sensei." Naruto stood and left the shop.He had every intention of doing just as Iruka sensei had said, but to fight again, possibly going to his death, would first mean tying up some loose ends.

>>>>>Sakura

Sakura hurried about their home, eagerly putting everything just as Naruto liked it after coming back from a mission to another village. Naruto would be in a good mood, tonight, she knew, because the mission was a success, and not one person in his team was lost, they having destroyed the lightning village's ninja easily in defense of their latest client. Tonight, everything would go according to plan, as was so rare in the village, and the night would end with herself and Naruto making love (which I won't go into detail to...pervies!), something she had missed sorely for ten months now. She heard the ring on wind chimes on the door of the house, something Naruto had put up for defense of the building, but Sakura enjoyed for the signal that her beloved had returned. (A/N: Some have prolly noticed that Sakura's a bit... different... well, she goes through a bit of a change in the prequel to this, to be written after this is finished, and until then, please bare with me... k?) Sakura rushed to the front of the house, through their large training room she had helped Naruto build, in which she sometimes let herself be swept away in nostalgea from her days as a ninja before retiring to be with their child (A/N:YAY!), and to care for the estate in Naruto's absence. A squeak of "Yay, Daddy's home!" told Sakura that Katsuo (A/N: That's japanese for "victorious child" in japanese, for those of you not hip to the lingo. lol), their son of four years, had already arrived at the scene. Sakura stepped through the drapes seperating the training area from the guest's lounge, into the room Naruto had just stepped into: a small one, with little decoration, save a coat rack, a small mirror for guests to inspect their appearance before making themselves known, and a rug on which guests lost their footwear. She saw him, triumphant and relieved (though looking slightly worried about something, she noticed. Not wanting to push any issues that could spoil the night, Sakura continued her observation), and was pleased to see there was not a scratch on him, and was astounded, as always, with how much naruto had changed since there days as Genign. He wore the same outfit he wore back then, but now with many notches in his headband, representing the number of ninja he had killed in battle. She noticed new notches, at least four, and grinned at the fact that noone in the village hidden in the leaves would have to get the news that their husbands or wives would not be returning this day. Naruto had finally cut the whiskers from the Fox from his cheeks, symbolically showing that he had finally overcome the Fox, and one eye was misted over, blind from a lightning bolt that had nearly killed him five years ago. Naruto was more muscular than he was when they were training, and his hair had began to grow out, and turn from blonde to a slight gray around the ears. A beard had begun to sprout from Naruto's chin, witch Katsuo fondly called the "tickle patch", so named for the tickle the small patch of fur always left when Daddy kissed his cheek before and after missions.

"Daddy! You ah home! YAY!" Being only four years old, Katsuo had not yet mastered some parts of speech, such as the "L" or "R" sounds. "I missed you!"

Naruto bent down and kissed his son's cheek, enjoying Katsuo's giggle at the touch of his tickle patch. "I missed you too, son. Especially your cute little laughter." Naruto never coul;d resist the cute , self-unknown charms of his son. "Now, Sakura, how have things been in the village while I was gone?"

Typical Naruto, Sakura thought, kissing him after he stood up. He thinks the village just can't get by without him! Oh well, I love him anyway. couldn't tell you why... "It's been great! There was a small incident with a hunting party, but that was just a boar hunt gone bad. There weren't any casualties, but one of the hunters is still in the infirmary. Poor guy."

"Good to know everything's alright. What's that smell? You haven't been cooking again, have you, Sakura?"

"Why, yes, in fact I have," Sakura said, knowing he was only joking, and playing along. "And Katsuo helped, so you're eating everything given to you, isn't that right, Katsuo?"

Sakura laughed silently to herself and slipped a wink to her son, who winked back, and said "That's wight! Daddy's eating it all!" Katsuo started laughing softly as Naruto made a face.

>>>>>>>>>>Naruto

Could this night be any more perfect? Everything was cooked to perfection, and Naruto got to listen all night to Sakura and Katsuo, she telling him the details of the hunting accident, and the role she happened to play in it all (her having been asked to fill in for one of the missing guard ninja), and Katsuo about the new friend from the other side of the village he had made, and how he'd been practicing with the wooden kunai and shuriken Naruto had made (without blades or edges of course. Naruto may be impulsive, but he wasn't no idiot!), and after Katsuo had been put to bed, Sakura and he had made love, something he had sorely missed for longer than he could remember. Well, there was one thing that would have made the night better... Why Sasuke? aaaaahh! This will be the hardest thing I've ever had to do, believe it! "Sakura?"

"What is it, love?" Sakura asked, shifting herself to get behind Naruto and begin massaging him.

GAH! She's not supposed to do that! not now! She- She knows I can't resist that! "It's- It's Sasuke. He's given me another mission. I have to leave tomorrow."

"WHAT?" Sakura stopped massaging Naruto as he turned to face her. "But- but you just got back!"

"I know, love, but Sasuke- Lord Sasuke- (Naruto often called him that when he was alone, or with Sakura, as a jealous mocking)- is too stubborn to listen to anyone. Even me!" Naruto hated having to lie to Sakura, but he had no choice. Just like Sasuke before me, I am Lord Sasuke's most trusted adviser. If he happens to be assassinated while I am "on a mission", then noone will revolt against me, and I'll be Hokage! Assuming I can do it...

"But how can he do that!" Sakura was getting annoyed by all this: Even if noone was hurt in the last mission, Sasuke could have at least given them a day or two to rest up!

After Sakura mentioned this to Naruto, he replied, "It's a mission to the village hidden in the stones. You know how he is. The village hidden in the stones happens to be our greatest ally, and He can't afford to not help them right now. They say it is of the utmost importance." Naruto said it slightly sickenedly. Not to try and make Sakura better believe it, but because he had to spit out the words to keep up the lie. I'm so sorry, Sakura, but it'll be worth it in the end, believe it! I'll finally get the ultimate respect I deserve, you'll stop being called "the fox's wife", and Katsuo will have it a lot easier! Please forgive me, Sakura, but if you knew what I had to do, you'd never forgive me! With this, Naruto lay down on the bed, sighing deeply. "Sakura?"

Sakura sighed as well. "Yes, my love?"

"It won't take long, I promise. it will only be a few days, and then- then I'm yours forever!"

This shocked Sakura. "You really mean it? But how, unless you-"

Yup, retire from being ninja! I've been ignoring Katsuo and you for too long. I'll join up with the hunting party, so I can be here everyday!" So now, the timing will be perfect. I'll be "away on a mission", Sasuke gets assassinated, and I "reluctantly" take the job as Hokage. I never wanted to do things like this, but I have no choice.

"Oh, I can't believe it! I thought I'd have to deal with this forever! Oh, Naruto, I'm so glad! But then, how will we...?"

"Don't worry about that. I'll get a job with the hunting party and we won't have to worry about that at all. Everything's going to be alright. Believe it!" Naruto rolled onto his side then, and kissed her. softly at first, but then more deeply, passionately. they made love one last time, and drifted into a sound sleep.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Well, that's it for chapter 2, folks! sry it took so long to get it up, my computer's been stupid the past week or so. this took about 4 days to qrite, and I really hpoe you guys are enjoying reading this as I am writing it! well, don't just stand (sit) there, review!