Standard Disclaimer applies. SasuNaru, Yaoi, OOC and unbeta-ed. ChoujiIno

Chapter 9: The new pillar

With his golden locks fluttering softly in the wind, Naruto took a deep breath and stretch his body. Staying in the office for almost a day just wasn't his thing not only because he had spent almost his life outside training and doing the actions but also because outdoors was and always would be his element. But he had to get used to staying in the office and working on paper works because from this day on forward, he was now Rokudaime – Konoha's hokage.

He watched the bustling village he had sworn to protect as the day's almost-surreal event came back to him.

-FLASHBACK-

Naruto woke up feeling emotionally tired after one particular mission. He opened his left eye when he smelled something sweet from the other side of the bed. He smiled when he saw a big bouquet of red roses lying on Sasuke's side of the bed. He then started thinking of romantic candlelight dinner for two and soaking in the tub together. He sighed dreamily.

Deciding to get some cocoa before sleeping again, he casually walked towards the kitchen, unmindful of his naked state. When one was married to a pervert, walking naked around the house would become as natural as breathing.

He grabbed a cup and poured himself a drink before he returned to their bedroom, totally ignoring the incessant ringing of the doorbell. He didn't feel like entertaining guests or seeing anyone except his husband who by now was reporting to the old hag.

He placed the mug on the bedside table and settled back in the bed. He smiled in victory when the knocks stopped. He was about to drift to sleep when he heard tapping on the window on the left side of the room. He cursed the bird for doing that and swore that if it won't stop any second now, that stupid winged-animal would find itself grilled. Much to his pleasure, the noise stopped and an annoyed voice came.

"Naruto."

The blonde's reaction was instantaneous. He flung the blanket aside, grabbed the kunai under the pillow and stood up, ready to defend and attack. But all see saw was an annoyed Shikamaru and a gaping Ino.

"Why didn't you answer the door?" he asked. A second ago, he had been wondering why he was tasked to wake up the blonde and not Sasuke who was doing some other errand and now he knew. Naruto, who had returned to his sleepy state when he saw that his guests weren't a threat, looked too cute for Sasuke's sanity.

"Sleepy and tired," was the other man's reply before he took noticed that Ino was goggling at him. Smirking he said, "Wouldn't Chouji be heartbroken when he learns that you are drooling at my form?"

Ino flushed in embarrassment and half-shouted the best blow she could come up with her state, "What would Sasuke say if he finds out that you are naked so early in the morning?"

Grabbing a robe, Naruto replied, "Who do you think put me in this state?"

Ino blushed redder.

"So troublesome. Naruto, Tsunade-sama summons you," Shikamaru said, wanting to get this done and over with. Besides, he never like the idea of being scolded by the Hokage for bringing the blonde late and all because these two were arguing for trifling matters.

"Didn't the old hag know that today is my rest day?"

"Just hurry up."

"Fine… fine…. Just let me have a quick shower" Naruto said as he started grabbing a pair of his uniform and muttering about inconsiderate leader, all the way to the bathroom.

Ino looked around the room, the thought that she was in Sasuke's bedroom echoed loudly and flashed brightly in her mind. Although she had given up on the dark-haired ninja, it wouldn't hurt if she had something that could be taken as a remembrance right? Right. Definitely. She stopped the urge of rubbing her hands together as she started considering what she could take.

Shikamaru noticed the glint in those pale blue eyes and knew it meant trouble. He quickly weighed which was more troublesome: stopping her from whatever goal she had and getting bruised all over or dealing with a pissed-off powerful couple. Cursing under his breath, he dragged his female friend towards the window. "We'll wait outside," he shouted over his shoulder.

- SasuNaru is love -

As implied by the lazy ninja, Naruto walked into one of the meeting rooms in the Hokage tower, all the time wondering what he did to be scolded not only the Hokage herself but also by the elders.

"Uchiha, Naruto, stand at the middle," Tsunade commanded in her strong voice.

"What did I do, old hag?" he asked in confusion as he followed the order. He thought it was totally weird when Tsunade just smiled leniently at him instead of blowing at him for the insult. He felt like he had walked into some play of which he had no idea what role he was playing. His 'big sister' stood in front of him and placed a hand on his left shoulder.

"From this day forward, Konoha's welfare is in your hands. You are now known as Uchiha Naruto, Rokudaime."

Naruto gaped. Did he hear it right? Did she just refer him as the Rokudaime? And while he tried to digest the announcement, he watched like a mere observer, instead of participant, as Tsunade draped on him a white long coat. The coat had a painting of red to orange flames licking at its edge, both sides of the coat bear the village symbol and on its back were the Kanji characters of rokudaime in perfect and elegant calligraphy. He glanced at the elders who were nodding at him approvingly then at Tsunade.

"Sandaime and Yondaime are proud of you, Naruto. I'm sure of it," she whispered, not fighting the tears that fell on her cheeks. The male blonde gathered her in his arms.

- SasuNaru is love -

When Naruto walked into the rooftop of the building to present himself to the villagers gathered down below, he saw all of his close friends and his husband there waiting at him. No, not friends because they were not smiling at him. In fact when they saw him, they, as his subordinates, all bowed in reverence and obedience. He looked at the far side of his left and saw Jiraiya, giving him a thumbs-up sign and he mirrored it.

They all watched him as he walked closer to the railing and looked down at all the villagers, ninjas and civilians, gathered to pay respect to their new hokage.

"The new pillar of Konoha," Tsunade proudly announced in her loud voice. Her announcement was welcomed with loud applause.

When the inauguration was over, Naruto turned around and this time he found his friends smiling at him and crowding around him saying their congratulations. He looked at the two of the five faces carved on the Hokage mountain.

Old man, father, I finally made it. From here, I'm going to be the best Hokage Konoha will ever have, he thought mentally. And he thought he heard two voices whispering to him that he would if he strives for it.

-END OF FLASHBACK-

"Slacking on your first day of work?" he heard Sasuke as he felt arms wrapping around his waist. Naruto leaned against his mate's chest and said, "I just wanted to watch the sunset."

"It had already set five minutes ago, dobe. We have to head home now before our guests arrive."

Naruto nodded, suddenly remembering that their friends were celebrating with them not only his promotion but also for their first wedding anniversary. So much for romantic candlelight dinner for two, he thought.

Turning around to face Sasuke, Naruto grinned. "Thank you for the flowers, Sasuke and happy anniversary too!" then he leaned up to give him a sweet kiss.

I didn't like how this turned out to be but this was all I could come up. I'll make it up for the next chapter.

Next chapter summary: Between kicking enemies' butts and taking the first step of discussing their marital problems, Naruto and Sasuke will choose the former anytime of the day. The two had slipped into a habit in finding their work as a sanctuary from their dying marriage because neither one of them was courageous enough to bring up the topic. Is it time to say good-bye?