Finally starting to get things back together again. I've taken way too long with writing this up, even though three quarters of it was already finished back in November. I hope there are still people who will read this fanficiton, as I do plan on updating more regularly from now on.

Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me, and sadly never will.
Warnings: None for this chapter

Naruto couldn't help but feel the need to start pacing. The old man seemed very serious. He gulped, trying to find a way to hold his tears back. Was there no hope for him at all? Somehow the Sandaime must have spotted his tear filled eyes as he was walking towards the boy.

Sarutobi wrapped his arms around Naruto's small frame and immediately Naruto's mask slipped. He clutched the older man's shirt like a lifeline as he sobbed.

Not being able to watch the scene without a familiar twinge of pain Sasuke turned away. He'd never seen Naruto cry before, not like this anyway. Muttering a goodbye he briskly made his way back to his own apartment.

A few minutes later Naruto sobs stopped, with a sigh Sarutobi kneeled down and looked Naruto in the eyes.

"Don't let that get you down, we'll find a way to make this work ok young one?"

Naruto nodded wiping his tears away. "Yeah, yeah. Now get up before your legs give out old man. Wouldn't want it to be my fault you become crippled."

The Sandaime stood up, gently patting Naruto's head. He laughed as the young boy crossed his arms over his chest and pouted.

"Use your jutsu again to conceal your appearance for now. We shall wait until the time is ripe to show your true self to the world." Sarutobi watched as he did so. "Go home and rest. You must be tired."

With a bright smile Naruto nodded, turning around to run out of the office.

The Hokage moved back to his desk and sat down. "What am I going to do with that young man?"

Naruto was happily slurping up his ramen. It had been at least a week since they had gotten back from the Wave country. Life had been slow though. Kakashi showed up for training once a few days ago announcing that he had something to prepare so they got the week off.

Not that Naruto minded. A feminine figure sat down next to him, timidly ordering some miso ramen. The blond gennin looked to the side, grinning with his mouth full of ramen.

"Fahkoe!"

Haku gave him a smile. "You should finish whatever is in your mouth before you talk to someone. It is rude."

Naruto swallowed his food. Of course Haku had been right, Naruto knew that. He had manners too, but just didn't use them.

"How've you been doing?" Naruto asked.

"Fine. The Hokage and his family are very kind to Zabuza and me. We still get stared at wherever we go to… But Zabuza is getting a new outfit or something."

The two of them chatted for awhile. The ramen bowl pile on Naruto's side only seemed to keep getting higher while Haku had had enough with one bowl.

They talked about their week, what they had done and what they still wanted to do. Naruto laughed as Haku told him how Konohamaru had reacted to Zabuza the first night.

"So the boy jumped behind the Hokage screaming-. 'Aaah! Don't let the evil cow butcher get near me!" Haku made a funny face causing Naruto to laugh harder.

Eventually they held a quiet conversation about how Naruto was getting around and how the jutsu was working for him. The blond explained how he let his jutsu drop every night so he could get used to his new attachments.

Haku smiled as Naruto told him his own funny story how he had been making his dinner the night before. Apparently cooking water and uncontrollable tails didn't really mix well.

"Why don't you come by my place?" Naruto asked when he noticed Teuchi had started to listen to their whispered conversation.

"I'd enjoy that."

Haku paid Teuchi for both him and Naruto, which the blond had been grateful for. He was lead through the village until they came into a lesser part of the village. Naruto pointed out his apartment to him.

They climbed the filthy staircases, Haku startled when a wooden board came loose from the wall and fell onto his head. Muttering an apology Naruto shoved the board back into its place.

"It might not seem like much, but it's still home to me." Naruto opened the door of his apartment.

Awed at the mess in the small one roomed apartment Haku stepped inside and took his shoes off. He looked around. It seemed… Typically Naruto.

"I like it." He said.

Naruto grinned as he showed Haku around, tossing his mess into a closet in an attempt to make it look neater. Haku followed him and picked up things that Naruto forgot and tossed them into the closet when the blond was preoccupied with other things.

Setting Haku down on the couch Naruto went to the kitchen to get something to drink for him.

"I have milk, water or tea!" Naruto shouted.

Haku chuckled behind his hand. "I'll have whatever you're having."

"Milk it is."

Haku listened as Naruto began rummaging through his fridge and his cabinet. His smile fell as he looked around the rundown apartment. It was hard to believe that Naruto had to live like this all his life. If it were him, he would have done something about it eons ago. It was then that he made the decision that he would help make Naruto's life better. And he was planning on starting here.

It was a nice afternoon and Haku was enjoying it immensely. He learned a new game which Naruto called 'I Spy'. He found that he was pretty good at it. Naruto stopped playing after a while, insisting that Haku had eagle eyes and that it wasn't fair. Haku had only chuckled behind his hand.

They sat and talked for a while and Naruto even changed back into his new form. Haku watched as his tails flicked from side to side.

"Isn't it a weird feeling though? I think that if I suddenly had something protruding from my bottom, that it would feel very strange." Haku mused as he reached out to feel one of the tails.

Naruto let out a soft squeal and the tail flicked away from Haku's hand. "That tickles…" The blond mumbled with a red face. He looked away. "It is strange, but I guess that I've always been strange. Something like this is just the cherry on top."

"You shouldn't worry about it. I don't think different of you because of it. Plus, I'm sure that your friends don't really mind either."

The brunet smiled as he placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "If you ever have any problems, you know that I'm here for you right?"

"I know." Naruto said with a smile.

Short, I know. Please review!