Naruto sat across from Sasuke, a fire between them. Naruto couldn't stop looking at him, after all these years, they were going home. Sasuke noticed Naruto looking at him and smirked, "What dobe?" he smiled. Naruto just got up and walked over to him and embraced him. Sasuke held him tight and ran his fingers through Naruto's hair. Naruto buried his face in the nape of Sasuke's neck, breathing in his scent, making sure he was truly here. Naruto sat down next to him and leaned his head on Sasuke's shoulder. Sasuke wrapped his arm around Naruto's shoulders. "I hope I'm not dreaming this time." Naruto said. "You aren't." Sasuke whispered. "How am I supposed to know that?" Naruto asked. Sasuke turned Naruto's face to look at him. "Let's try this again…" Sasuke whispered, his voice actually shaking. He pressed his lips softly to Naruto's. Naruto felt the heat rising in his chest, his heart beating so fast he couldn't keep up.
Sasuke was feeling warmth fill him, he hadn't felt any warmth for such a long time that the feeling was foreign to him. Sudden need consumed him, he pulled away from Naruto, looking deep into his eyes, searching for the same need. Naruto's eyes were shining, the eyes that Sasuke remembered from so long ago. He suddenly pulled Naruto into his arms and kissed him harder, the years of pent up need for each other was finally being set free.
Naruto's fingers tangled in Sasuke's hair, Sasuke pressed Naruto closer to him. Sasuke felt Naruto shaking in his arms and pulled away, Naruto was crying. "Naruto, what's wrong?" Sasuke asked. "You just…you don't understand how long…" Naruto choked on his words. Sasuke wiped the tears from Naruto's eyes. "For the first time in so many years, I feel like I can breathe again." Naruto cried. Sasuke pressed his forehead to Naruto's and looked into his tear filled eyes. "Naruto, I'm here, I have you. Please stop crying." Sasuke choked out. Sasuke was finally realizing how much pain he truly caused Naruto. He wouldn't let him hurt anymore, especially by him. "Don't go…" Naruto cried into Sasuke's chest. "I'm not, never again." Sasuke whispered.
/~***~\\\\\
"Tsunade!" Shizune yelled. "What is it?" Tsunade asked. "Gaara just sent a message from Suna, they found Naruto, and he's alive!" Shizune yelled. Tears filled Tsunade's eyes, "Call Sakura, she needs to know!" she yelled. "My lady, Gaara reported that Naruto is also with Sasuke…" Shizune whispered. "What?" Tsunade asked, stunned. "They are on their way back to the village, together." She smiled. Tsunade smiled back at her.
Moments later Sakura burst through her door. "Is it true?!" she yelled. "Yes, it's true." Tsunade smiled, wiping her tears. "He's with Sasuke, they are coming back together." Tsunade smiled. "What?!" Sakura yelled. Sakura was angry, she didn't want Sasuke to come back, no one did. "You aren't mad?" Sakura asked. "I'm only happy for Naruto, because he needs him and you know that." Tsunade said, looking at her. Sakura sighed, she knew that was true, but she didn't know exactly how she would take it when Sasuke walked through that gate.
/~***~\\\\\
The gate to Konoha was in view and Naruto stopped and sighed. "Why are you nervous?" Sasuke asked. "Because I don't know how they are going to take it." Naruto said. Sasuke grabbed Naruto's hand and squeezed. Naruto looked up at him and smiled. "We have each other to help get us through it." Sasuke smiled. Naruto took a deep breath and they walked forward towards the village, hand in hand.
The walk seemed like hours, Naruto's heart was racing, Sasuke squeezed his hand even harder. Naruto closed his eyes and tried to calm down. He was afraid of his friends reactions most of all. The hurt that Sasuke had caused made them angry. When he opened his eyes, he stopped abruptly. All of his friends and even Tsunade was standing at the gate, staring, their eyes drawn to their hands. Sakura's fists were balled up and shaking. She couldn't take it anymore, she ran forward, fist raised.
Naruto caught her fist in his hand, he stood in front of Sasuke protectively. Tsunade pulled Sakura back from Naruto. There was silence for a long time. "Naruto…" Tsunade spoke softly. "I'm so glad you're okay!" she said and wrapped her arms around her. Naruto smiled and hugged her back. "I'm fine." Naruto said.
Sasuke looked at all of his old comrades and how much they have changed. Sakura was strong now, he knew she hated him now, and he didn't really care. Tsunade's eyes looked heavy, probably with worry over Naruto. Out of everyone there, Sakura was the angriest, the others looked almost sad. No one except Tsunade was happy for Naruto, which angered Sasuke.
"So …" Tsunade began. "Are you armed?" she asked. Sasuke removed his sword and dropped it on the ground. Tsunade was surprised. "I'm prepared for the worst." Sasuke said. His voice made them all shudder, it was foreign to them. Naruto went to Sasuke's side and just stared at the others. "Naruto…" Sasuke whispered. "They have every right to be angry with me." Sasuke said. "They aren't just mad at you Sasuke, they are mad at me too." Naruto said, grabbing his hand again. Sakura couldn't take it anymore, she walked away, tears filling her eyes.
