Chapter 13: Bodyguard

"It sounds as if Naruto is regaining his past memories somehow…" Tsunade mused.

Sasuke stayed muted and firmly planted on the floor. As soon as he left Naruto at school he went to Tsunade. The young father reported the strange dreams. Sasuke wasn't sure how to take Tsunade's answer. However, he did feel a knot in his stomach. What would happen once Naruto remembered everything? Would the blond fight with Sasuke? Would he reject him as a father? Would Naruto hate him? Would he want Sasuke to return to being his teammate?

It had not been easy to build that relationship from Sasuke's side. Yes, Naruto called him Papa. Yes it got Sasuke to stay. However, that did not mean that the tiny bit of awkwardness surrounding that title was gone(since Naruto used to be his Teammate and technically was the same age as the raven). It took a while for Sasuke to get used to being called 'Father', even though his heart and feelings wholeheartedly agreed with the title. Eventually his mind accepted it fully. Sasuke was afraid to loose Naruto, not just his friend, but his son.

"How long do you estimate it will take for Naruto's memories to come back fully?" asked the raven.

Tsunade leaned forward, "From what you've told me," said the medic, "it might happen a few months from now…or even days. Honestly I don't know for sure."

"Ah…" replied the Uchiha.

"But don't worry Sasuke-san, I'm sure everything will be fine," Shizune interjected. She was beside Tsuande watching the raven along with her mentor.

"I suggest you talk to Naruto and tell him the truth. It will be less confusing and scary for him." Tsunade advised.

"Hai," muttered Sasuke.

There was a knock on the door just as the meeting was closing.

"Come in," said Tsunade.

The door opened and in came Shikamaru and Temari. Shikamaru looked at Sasuke and gave him a lazy grin.

"Hey Uchiha," Shikamru said, "haven't seen you in a while. How's Naruto?"

"He's fine, he just started the academy yesterday," Sasuke replied evenly, deciding not to tell them about the memory situation...at least not yet.

"Well that's good to hear," said Temari, "maybe Gaara will see him again soon. Once the Chunin Exams are taken care of. Me and lazy boy over here have been running back and forth from Suna to here for a while."

"Troublesome if you ask me. I don't get why I ended up escorting her." Shikamaru complained.

Gaara did come several times during the year, just to see Naruto. Sasuke thought it was a miracle that the man had changed so much from the psychotic killer he used to be. The red-head had also been a good sort of mentor for Sasuke during those moments he would visit. A few years ago Gaara had been made Kazekage as well.

'I guess Naruto has that effect on people.' Thought Sasuke.

"Is it alright if I come by later to see him?" Asked Temari, taking Sasuke out of his thoughts.

"Sure," Sasuke shrugged.

Naruto tried to do what his daddy told him yesterday. Ignore everyone. It wasn't easy. Especially with that annoying bully. Today he learned the bully had a name. His name was Keichi. The boy wouldn't leave Naruto be. Not for a moment. It seemed the more he ignored Keichi the more the annoying boy would taunt him, nudge him, and send annoying notes to his desk. It took every bit of will power Naruto had, to keep calm. Since the blond could not bring his discomfort outward, Naruto's face settled into a scowl. Well it looked more like a pout. After all, he had a lot to learn from Sasuke in order to scowl like him. As soon as break arrived Naruto sprinted out of the classroom and into a secluded part of the yard.

"Well you seem exhausted,"

Naruto blinked and turned toward the bushes where the voice had come from. There was a man. He was wearing black cloak and wearing an orange mask. Naruto frowned, "I'm not supposed to talk to strangers,"

The man giggled quietly, "I'm not a stranger if I tell you who I am. I'm Tobi!"

"Sorry mister," Naruto said and was about to turn around but the man offered ramen, which he was banned from eating. Naruto hesitated but accepted the man's offer. He sat down and ate his ramen.

"So what's your name?" asked Tobi.

"I'm Uzumaki Naruto," The blond beamed, "one day I'll be a great ninja like my Tou-chan ttebayo!"

"Oh that's cool, what's your tou-chan's name?"

"Uchiha Sasuke," Naruto replied, but he found it strange this time. This time Naruto replied before he could even think about what he would answer. Unbeknownst to him, Tobi had put something in the cup ramen.

"Uchiha huh…did he adopt you?" Tobi asked innocently.

"A-adopt? What's that mean?"

"It means, that you're not really Sasuke-kun's. He's not your real tou-chan, he took you in and raised you."

Naruto frowned, "I'm sure that's not true! How would you know that anyway dattebayo!"

"I know at lot of things Naruto-kun!" Tobi said, "trust me! Tell you what...if I'm right, you get to be my friend. If I'm wrong, I won't bother you anymore! Tobi's a good boy, he keeps his promises!"

"…okay."

"Oh and one more thing before I go," said the man his tone of voice changing completely. It was no longer innocent and playful, it was deep and harsh. He looked at Naruto with his singular sharingan eye. "Keep this meeting a secret, even from Tou-chan…"

Tobi's sharingan swirled as he hypnotized the young child. Tobi then disappeared, while Naruto looked at the bushes blankly for a few minutes.

The sun was scorching. Two figures could be seen walking amidst the endless sea of sand. One tall, the other short.

"The one who's in place here will be the first, it seems," said the tall blond, Deidara, "the one we sent to Orochimaru will have to wait. This one's turned traitor and has been talking about our movements un,"

"Can't be helped I suppose," said the short one, Sasori, "but even I don't know what will happen once the jutsu is cast. Are you sure you've got enough in that pouch? Our target is the Jinchuriki of the one-tail."

"Everyone of my jutsu is a masterpiece yeah," Deidara replied, "But just in case I brought along my greatest work un,"

Deidara took some clay from another bag and ate it with the mouth in his hand. Both Akatsuki members kept walking toward the hidden sand.