A/N: I'm back with a slightly longer chapter.
Disclaimer: All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Thousands of gray stones dotted a grassy field. In every direction, he looked he saw more gravestones

"We died because of you," said a familiar voice. "I died because of you."

Naruto turned. Neji stood across from him in the cemetery, still in his battlefield gear. Behind him were other shinobi. Faces he recognized from the battlefield. Faces he recognized from his class at the Academy.

"You died protecting me," he replied. "I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?" scoffed Neji. "I died. No apology will bring me back."

Naruto didn't bother to reply because he knew Neji was right.

"Take care of Hinata for me," said Neji.

Naruto awoke in a cold sweat, his frog cap slipping off his head. Neji's funeral was today. As he walked to the shower, he caught his reflection. His hair was as blonde as ever, but as long as his father's now. His markings were the same as was his lightly tanned skin. His eyes were different. They were the same bright blue, but they showed experience and loss, similar to how Kakashi's had been. He winced at the thought of his MIA teacher.

"Time to get ready," he said to his stepping out of the shower, he dried himself and began to dress. When Naruto had just gotten his pants on, an ANBU appeared with a scroll.

"Thank you," he said taking it with a faint blush.

The ANBU vanished leaving him with the scroll.

"YOUR MISSION IS TO ESCORT UCHIHA SASUKE TO THE FUNERAL. YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO LEAVE HIM IN THE CUSTODY OF ANYONE EXCEPT HARUNO SAKURA. REPORT TO TSUNADE FOR BRIEFING BEFORE."

Naruto put on his shirt and left. As he left his apartment, he noticed Lee leaving Tenten's apartment wearing rumpled clothes, his dark hair askew. When he arrived at the Hokage Tower, Tsunade was in her office already. She was wearing a black robe under her Hokage robes.

"Your and Sakura's mission is to escort Sasuke today," said Tsunade. "I sealed most of chakra away and took all his weapons."

"Then why do you need us?" asked Naruto.

"Sasuke is not a free man yet," she answered. "He cannot go anywhere unaccompanied. He must be with you or Sakura at all times today."
"Okay." he said. "What will happen to Sasuke?"

"He will have to face a tribunal," replied Tsunade. "I doubt the charges will stick."

"What about the others?"

"They can stay inside another day."

Naruto left the office and went downstairs. He found Sasuke in the library, clad in all black except for a silver band on his wrist, a chakra seal.

"Hiding from someone?"

Sasuke's eyes flashed red.

"Shut up dobe," he replied.

"Come with me teme," replied Naruto. "I'm your babysitter today."

"Why?" asked Sasuke.

"We're going to a funeral," responded Naruto. Sasuke dropped his haughty demeanor for a second.

"Whose?" he asked.

Naruto felt a catch in his throat.

"Neji," he whispered. "Time to get going. I was supposed to meet Hinata in 10 minutes."

"Dating her at last? Only took you ten years to see she liked you," taunted Sasuke as they left the Hokage Tower.

"Teme."

"Dobe."

Some passing shinobi smiled. This was a sound they hadn't heard in four years. Naruto and Sasuke walked down the street to the Hyuga compound.

"You interested in anyone?" asked Naruto.

"Hn."

"Your teammate from Sound?" he guessed.

"She's annoying."

"You used to say that about Sakura."

"She is annoying," responded Sasuke.

"But not as annoying as Karin?"

"Hn," replied Sasuke.

They were nearly at the compound. They would reach their destination in minutes.

Naruto knew to take that as a yes.

"My sexy jutsu never worked on you," he taunted.

"Blondes aren't my type," he replied coolly.

"Sakura's single," Naruto replied.

"Hn."

"So you like Sakura-chan. Just ask her out."

"The Hokage decides my fate," replied Sasuke. "Asking out her apprentice is a bad idea. "

"So you've thought about it," responded Naruto. "Wait until after she clears you."

"Dobe"

"Teme."

"That's a familiar sound," said Sakura. She and Sai were waiting outside the Hyuga compound, leaning against a tree. She wore a black dress, a dark headband replacing her forehead protector. Sai wore black pants and a dark long-sleeved shirt. She had a hint of a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. Sasuke's dark eyes narrowed slightly.

"Those are their nicknames for each other?" asked Sai.

"Yup," said Sakura.

"So it's a personal nickname Ugly?" inquired Sai.

Naruto saw Sasuke's hands form fists subconsciously.

"Don't worry," he muttered to the Uchiha. As he whispered those words, Sakura punched Sai, knocking him to the ground. Sasuke smirked at Sakura. She smiled brightly.

"We're going to be late," said Sakura as Sai picked himself off the ground. He dusted off his clothes and caught up with the group easily. They were already at the compound.

Hinata greeted them at the gate. She greeted Naruto with an embrace. Sasuke and Sakura exchanged glances.

"My father wants to see you," said Hinata."Only you," she added upon seeing the rest of the group. She shot Sakura an unapologetic look.

"Teme, stay with Sakura and Sai."

"Hn, Dobe."

Naruto followed the Hyuga inside. She paused for a second before taking his hand. She leaned in as if to kiss him.

"Father wants to ask you a favor," she whispered. "Show no fear."

"I won't. Believe it," he responded. Hinata gave him a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

He stepped into Hiashi's office. His black robes were nearly identical to Hinata's. Naruto didn't bother to sit. He was too busy calculating exits.

"You were someone who my nephew regarded highly," the Hyuga clan head told him.

"I was?"

"You changed his heart after that battle. You changed mine too," he said. "You fought him to teach him a lesson for harming Hinata-chan. I trust you to take care of her now."

"Yes," he said with a strange déjà vu. Last night's dream rose in his thoughts.

"Also I want you to say a few words. Nothing long, just a few minutes."

"Yes," he said, remembering Hinata's request.

"Go return. I'm sure your teammates are saving you a seat."

Naruto went out to the courtyard. Hinata was sitting in the second row, an empty seat to her right. Next to that empty seat was Sasuke, Sakura and Sai.

"You okay?" asked Hinata as Naruto took his seat. He grabbed her hand. She blushed.

"Your dad asked me to say a few words," he responded as he admired her manicured nails.

"Did you agree?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Good."

"Know what you'll say?" asked Sasuke.

"No," he muttered.

"Dobe."

"Teme."

"Boys," muttered Sakura two seats down.