Natsuhiboshi/ Nagariboshi: Red star, shooting star

OV: Stars in the night sky burn brighter together.

AN: Well, this is the last chapter for this story. I made it 15 chapters, heh, in fifteen days…Go figure!! LOL 

- -- -- - --- - - -- - -- --- -- - -- - - -- - - -- -- - -- -- --- --

Life continued on as it always does. Naruto settled into the normal routine of paperwork, mission assignments, finances, and the variety of other pending disasters that always seemed to accumulate for the Hokage. Sasuke settled into being second fiddle to Naruto. It was actually easy to do, as much of the animosity and competitiveness between the two men had faded along with Sasuke's curse seal. Juugo settled into his role as assistant to the two men he was coming to think of as family.

On this certain day, Naruto was busy signing invitations for the Chuunin exams which were to be held in Konoha again this year. He wrote out the next invitation and set to address the envelope. He gave a little start to realize it was Gaara to whom he was writing. He hadn't seen Gaara since that fated night of his Inauguration. He mused over Gaara knowing about his relationship with Sasuke.

Naruto looked over at said Achromiatic man and grinned. Sasuke was busily examining mission requests. He had discovered he enjoyed the rhythm of reading a request, determining various dangers involved, and assigning a rank to it. He had the opportunity to learn a lot about the villages, countries, and lords for whom they performed these missions.

He felt the weight of Naruto's stare and looked up. He blushed at the raw desire he saw on his blonde's face. "Do you always have to look at me like you can't wait to devour me?" he pouted.

Naruto grinned nefariously, "Can't help myself. You do taste sooo good." He teased laughing.

Sasuke muttered something about later that night, and bent his head to his task. Naruto followed suit however he was now distracted by thoughts of what the night would hold for him. He addressed Gaara's invitation, smirking when he thought that if the Kazekage did come he wouldn't be sharing his preferred seat alone with Naruto.

The morning passed in this way, only broken by a respite for lunch that Juugo brought over for them. Naruto considered the big man. Juugo had proved to be an excellent cook, and he never complained when Naruto and Sasuke would leave their clothes lying wherever they tossed them in the heat of passion. He would just clean them up with a grin and shake of his head.

Naruto voiced his most recent consideration, "Juugo, I have been thinking. You are a Ninja, and the menial labor you have been put to in our family is beneath your skills." Naruto watched to see what effect his words would have on his large housemate.

Juugo merely shrugged and queried, "What of it?"

Naruto smiled at him. He looked over at Sasuke; he knew he wouldn't want to be left out of this either. "Sasuke, I know you like being here and the work you are doing. But, do you ever miss the thrill of being a Ninja?"

Sasuke surmised where this conversation was headed. "Naruto, I don't know if we're ready." He stated simply looking over at Juugo.

Juugo had already determined what was being discussed. He looked at his first true friend. "Sasuke, I think I'd like to try. Just to go through the training and see if I'm able, if I'm any good at it. I mean, without the curse blood. I know I would be just like everyone else, and I'd like to see how good I could become."

Sasuke wanted to say something, but he realized Juugo had a valid point. What was he capable of now? He had left Konoha to gain power; he had returned and had lost the source of most of that power. He wondered just how strong he too could be on his own. "Yeah, you're right. The only problem is I think there would be some who would treat us differently. They'd have a grudge because I left and returned, and might look unfavorably on Juugo as well, because he's my friend. Or else they might go too soft on us because they know I'm your partner and Juugo is a part of our family."

Naruto looked at the two men amusedly. "Well, if you're willing to try, I have a Jounin who would be willing to test you, and train you if he deems you worthy."

The silent exchange between Sasuke and Juugo was interesting for Naruto to watch. Abruptly they turned to face naruto simultaneously and announced their decision. "We would like the opportunity."

Naruto smiled, "Okay, you'll begin first thing tomorrow morning at dawn. I will be observing your testing, and will help determine if you are fit for training. If I see any signs of relapse, Sasuke, I will request that the testing stop. I won't have you getting sick on me again. Juugo, if it looks too much I will stop yours too. Understand?"

Sasuke glared at Naruto, "I really hate it when you treat me like I'm weak. I'm Not WEAK!" he spat the last word.

Naruto looked at him impassively. "I am aware of your strength, and I consider you to be Jounin level, or better."

Sasuke bit back the retort he was thinking of, "You don't think I'm weak?"

Naruto shook his head at his Uke, "No. I just won't allow you to be placed in harm if I can help it. I know once you pass training, you will be assigned missions. I will be a large part in assigning those missions, and I know I will be unable to show favoritism. So I want to be sure you are fully healthy and capable to complete the missions you will be assigned. For your sake; and for the rest of your team."

Juugo looked at Naruto, he knew that this applied to him also, he smiled. Someone who cared enough about him to want to protect him. He had never thought he'd ever have anyone, and now he had two people.

- - - - - - -- - --- - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- -- - - - - - -

The next morning dawned bright and clear. Naruto awoke to find him self alone in bed. He pouted.

Sasuke strode into the room with only a towel wrapped around his waist. When he saw Naruto's adorable pout he had to go kiss him. "Good morning." He purred.

Naruto grinned. He was glad Sasuke was excited about this day. He turned toward the outer rooms when he heard Juugo clunking pans in the kitchen. "Might want to remind him to go easy, you won't want to eat a lot before training." He commented as he rose to go do what he had just suggested.

Sasuke raised his voice and hollered, "Juugo! We won't want to eat a big breakfast!"

Naruto flopped onto the bed holding his ears, who knew Sasuke could be so loud!? Sasuke flopped down beside him rolling with laughter at the predicament he had put Naruto in.

Naruto took the opportunity to swipe Sasuke's towel. He stood over the now naked man and brandished the towel at him like a weapon. He threatened to rat tail him if he didn't submit. Sasuke pleaded defeat, and Naruto declared himself the victor. For his prize the pale man twined his body with Naruto's almost bare one, reveling in the feel of their flesh against each other. He kissed him deeply. Untwining limbs both men slid out of the bed and grabbed in the closet for clothing.

Naruto slid his boxers off, and pulled clean ones on. He slipped on his orange pants and a black mesh top. Sasuke slipped into boxers and a tight pair of black, standard issue Konoha Ninja pants. Naruto eyed the effect appreciatively as Sasuke pulled on a fishnet top and covered it with a royal blue high collared shirt. Naruto was transported back in time to when Sasuke used to wear a shirt just like it. They had been so young then.

He slid his arms around the man he loved, and kissed him. Then he helped Sasuke strap on his kunai and weapons pouches.

They walked into the kitchen and smiled at Juugo. He was dressed in dark charcoal grey pants, similar to Sasuke's. He had on a long sleeved mesh top and a loose fitting olive green wrap style top over it. He also had his weapons pouches strapped on.

"Good morning!" Naruto and Sasuke chorused in unison.

Juugo sat bowls of oatmeal in front of them and they ate quickly.

Soon they were waiting at the old training grounds team seven had used as Genin. They watched a colorful sunrise.

"Ah, Hokage-domo! Sasuke-san, Juugo-san." A familiar voice greeted them.

Sasuke spun around, taking in the masked, silver haired Jounin, with his forehead protector askew over his eye. "Kakashi!!!" he exclaimed.

Juugo just looked at the man.

Naruto looked at Sasuke, "I couldn't think of anyone better to train you. He has Sharingan and he's a great Jounin."

Kakashi blushed beneath his mask, at the compliment, "Shall we begin the testing?"

Sasuke was first. Kakashi had set the grounds up as an obstacle course. There was a rock wall twenty feet high, a lagoon that was deep enough to easily conceal the bottom, a mud pit, and various terrain changes. It was to his advantage that he had mastered all the basic elemental Jutsu. He had also prepared a few surprises.

Sasuke observed the layout. "Can I use Sharingan?"

"I expected you too," came the reply.

Sasuke headed for the starting line. "Sharingan!" He took off. He raced up the rock wall; kunai were flying at him from three different directions. He dodged and twisted, using his own kunai to knock any that got too close away. He jumped off the top of the wall and ran over the lagoon. He carefully avoided the edges and direct center of the water; he could see some chakra disturbance there. When he had made it two-thirds of the way through he was shot up into the air by a water dragon. He flipped and spun around to face the animated water. He sped through a series of hand seals, "Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" He sent a grand fireball to vaporize the serpent.

He set back to running across the lagoon quickly recovering the ground he had just lost. He reached the other side without further incident, and raced off to the next obstacle; a series of differing terrain types and features. He could see several traps with his Sharingan, and worked to avoid these. He jumped from ledge to ledge up a steep cliff made of earth, just when he thought he'd reached the top trees shot out of the ground trying to capture him. He could see chakra flowing through them and knew they were being controlled by someone. He tried to sense where the attacker could be but his chakra blended into the background scenery too well.

He abandoned trying to locate the attacker and instead tried to predict the pattern of the trees appearance. He was soon jumping into thin air where he knew the next one would spring up. He gave a mighty leap off one of the trees and somersaulted through the air. He landed in a patch of sand. Suddenly he was facing a fierce sand storm, and kunai and shuriken made of sand were hurtling through the air towards him in the low visibility of the swirling sand.

His Sharingan could tell him when they were coming and he raced through the writhing storm. He broke through to the other side and found himself in a clearing. There was something peculiar about this clearing, and he soon discovered what. He walked, but never got anywhere. "Katsu!" he broke the Kori Shinchuu no Jutsu, a genjutsu that caused the victim to wander aimlessly.

He saw the opening of the clearing just ahead. He leapt through and found himself in nothing. There was no earth or sky; he could not tell if he was standing on something or not, it felt as if he were sinking, yet he could see nothing to stand on. He tried to dispel it, but it wasn't necessarily a genjutsu. He looked around with his Sharingan, but could detect nothing out of the ordinary.

A thought came to him, and he dispelled the Sharingan. He was standing in quicksand, and had sunk up to his hips. He focused his chakra and began to climb out of the loosely packed arid sand. He gave a mighty jump and freed himself from the muck. Good one, Kakashi, I had to withdraw my Sharingan…a hint to not get too comfortable using it.

He looked to his left; there was a simple mud pit with a rope bridge over it. He grabbed the hand rope and began to slide his feet along the lower one. He hadn't made it two feet before the mud began to bubble as if something were emerging from the deep. "Sharingan!" he called out. He could sense a mass of chakra within the mud. He kept pacing across the rope bridge, keeping an eye on the mud below as he went. The chakra core kept getting higher and higher, Sasuke could see the mud rising with it.

Suddenly a burst of shuriken came flying at him from below. He increased his chakra to his feet and whipped out a kunai to deflect the shuriken. The mud began to raise faster, the chakra mass glowing brighter. He curled his limbs in close to his body, then released the energy with one quick movement. He landed on the far end of the bridge grabbing the hand rope with one hand, one foot on the lower rope. He leapt off the bridge onto the terra firma below.

He looked back over his shoulder. The chakra mass was receding. He figured out its trap. It was drawn to the chakra he had been using to keep his feet securely on the foot rope.

Ahead of him was an apparently open field. He could see guide wires with his Sharingan; and followed them to the exploding tags they would set off if touched. The wires were spread in such a way that there was nowhere to place your foot without hitting one.

Sasuke debated this trap. He finally decided that some of the tags had to be dummies. He just had to figure out which were which. He studied the wires and tags for a few minutes. Eventually he thought he had it figured out. He began to cross the field; he wasn't rushing and kept looking around him carefully. He was a third of the way through when he felt a tension under his foot. The soft Hsssst! warned him that he had somehow hit a live wire. He looked around desperately with his Sharingan looking for a way through. He had underestimated the pattern. It had changed not even half way through. He could see the new pattern, but he also knew he had only a second or two to get past this tag that was about to blow. He noticed spaces in the tag pattern where there were dead wires and tags; 'holes' in the new pattern. He leapt from 'hole' to 'hole' rapidly.

He stopped just as he heard the tag blow, he still had a third of the field to get through, but the pattern had changed again. He leapt to the last 'hole' he could see, and jumped as far as he possibly could. It wasn't quite far enough, and he heard another hssst! beginning at the same time as he began to feel the heat of the explosion behind him. He jumped again and was clear of the field, but the explosion threatened to engulf him if he didn't move.

He took off running trying to survey the landscape as he went. He heard kunai flying at him and looked to where they had come from. He deflected them, but there were more on the way. He kept moving forward, deflecting kunai as he went. The fireball was consuming the leaves and trees around him, and still kunai were flying towards him. Finally with a mighty leap up into the trees he raced clear of the fire. He chanced a look over his shoulder and saw the heat shimmering in the air. That one was close, I'm getting pretty worn out…I wonder how much farther it is through this.

He sped through the trees, leaping from branch to branch. Suddenly there weren't any more trees; he was at the top of a huge waterfall. A few feet from the bottom of the falls there was a ledge. He had leapt through not expecting the trees to just suddenly give out. Now he found himself falling. He tried to stop himself by directing chakra to his feet, but the water was rushing too fast to get a good surface to run on.

He fell as if in slow motion, the ledge was getting closer and closer. He actually had time to consider why there was a ledge at the bottom of a water fall. He also pondered where this water fall had come from; he had wandered the forests around their training grounds pretty thoroughly when he was younger. He assumed it must be one of those forgotten memories that still reared their ugly head once in a while. He would have been surprised to know that it was created by Yamato for Naruto's elemental training.

He was only a few meters from the ledge when an idea hit him. He flipped so that he would hit the ledge with his feet and directed a large amount of chakra to his feet. He braced himself. When he hit the ledge he jumped. The chakra cushion helped absorb the blow, but he still hit pretty hard. He flipped once and landed more softly on the ledge. He flopped down on his back gasping. He had to rest for a minute before he could continue.

When his breathing had slowed some he stood up ready to continue on. That's when he heard a series of blasts from above him. They were a little far away, like they came from the field with the exploding notes. Suddenly he knew what had happened. They had sent Juugo after him after a pause. It would prevent Sasuke from accidentally giving the big guy any hints about what was ahead for him.

He heard another explosion and without a second thought began to race up the earth cliff on the side of the waterfall. He wasn't thinking about the test anymore, he was thinking about his friend. It seemed to take him forever to reach the top, but finally he did. He began to race back through the trees; Sharingan activated looking for chakra that would signify Juugo's presence. He was dodging kunai and shuriken without even thinking about it anymore.

Soon he saw the big man; he was jumping from tree to tree, dodging the projectiles flung at him. He hadn't fared quite as well as Sasuke had. There were rips in his clothing and cuts were visible on his arms and face. His olive shirt was also singed in a few places from the exploding notes.

"Juugo!" Sasuke called to his friend. Juugo smiled when he saw Sasuke. Juugo's shirt was smoking still from how close he had gotten to the explosion. They were now moving together each only having to deflect half the weapons now. Sasuke warned Juugo about the sudden drop off coming up, and they both jumped down from the trees and raced over the ledge using their chakra to run straight down the earthen wall that Sasuke had previously ran up.

They reached the ledge panting and stopped there to rest. Once they had both caught their breath they jumped off the ledge and began to run back towards the training grounds. They knew they were closer, and that motivated them to keep running.

Working together they were able to get over a series of rolling boulders and logs that threatened to crush them as the descended a steep slope. Next was a deep canyon. They could see Naruto and Kakashi sitting on the posts that Naruto had been tied to during the bell exercise. The two men looked at each other trying to surmount this final obstacle. It was too wide to jump. They could run down one side and back up the other, but they wanted to just finish this test already.

Sasuke studied the canyon with his Sharingan. He was looking for any weakness. He saw something that he found curious. He couldn't see the drop off with his Sharingan. He tentatively stepped out over the space where the canyon should be. He almost fell face first. Juugo grabbed his shirt and pulled him to safety.

Naruto looked up and saw the two men working together. He arched his eyebrow, "Looks like Juugo caught up to Sasuke," he said to Kakashi.

"Actually Sasuke went back to help his friend. Juugo set off the exploding tags and Sasuke went back to make sure he was okay. They have been working together since then, but the test was actually set up that way. Let's see if they can figure out this last bridge." Kakashi explained.

Sasuke thought about this last obstacle. "Juugo, come here, please," he called.

Juugo approached warily. "What's up?" he asked.

"I think I figured this out. We have to work together. Kakashi set it up so that we'd eventually have to work together. I think if we step out at the same time it will work," he said confidently.

Juugo looked at him; he seemed sure of himself. "Okay, let's try it," he agreed.

They stepped out into the void at the same time. Sasuke at first thought he had been fooled, but then his foot connected with something solid. He looked over and saw Juugo also firmly stepping on nothing. They crossed over the canyon with ease.

Feeling a bit cocky, Sasuke strolled leisurely to where Naruto and Kakashi were waiting. Fifty meters away something whizzed past his face and he ducked out of the way just in time. He only just recognized it as a shuriken by the glint of metal. Juugo hadn't been quite as quick, but being taller it had barely caught the front of his loose shirt.

"Jump!" Sasuke commanded.

Juugo didn't hesitate; the both jumped, landed, and immediately rebounded up into the air again. Sasuke landed softly directly in front of the post Naruto sat atop. Juugo landed in a one kneed position in front of Kakashi's.

Kakashi was smiling; Sasuke could tell by the way his eye crinkled up. "You both passed," he said. "Congratulations, meet me here tomorrow at noon to begin training." He was gone in a puff of white smoke.

Naruto hopped off his post. "So how was it?" he enquired standing within millimeters of Sasuke.

Sasuke didn't answer. Instead he pulled him into a tight embrace and kissed him. He grabbed Naruto and wrapped himself around the blonde. They stood there making out for quite a while. Juugo was happily distracted by a group of squirrels and rabbits that had crept out of the forest to talk to him. With the cursed blood gone he had an even closer bond with animals.

Eventually the pair who had been trying to devour each other; or so it had seemed, broke apart. Sasuke finally answered Naruto's question, "It was a great workout, but no where near as fulfilling as a night of hot sex with you," he admitted honestly.

Naruto had the audacity to blush. He was usually the one who initiated such nights.

---- --- --- --- -- -- -- --- --- ---

That evening Naruto sat outside on top of the Hokage building staring up at the dusky sky of just after sunset. Sasuke eventually joined him. They lay down on the stone bench and snuggled as the first star came out.

"That reminds me of you, Naruto"

"Mmm? Nande?"

"It looks red. That's you, my red star. The light that guides me and keeps me on course."

Naruto snuggled closer pulling Sasuke up into his lap. They sat in silence watching as more stars appeared.

"You ever notice how when there is one star it is nice, but only when there are many stars can you really appreciate their light?" Naruto queried.

"Yeah, you're right. Stars in the night sky burn brighter together. They shouldn't be alone." Sasuke replied linking his fingers in Naruto's and pulling the hand closer to kiss it.

There was a sudden bright star flashing through the sky.

"That would be you then, Sasuke. My shooting star."

"Why? Shooting stars are dying stars… I don't get it."

"Because, you make a wish on a shooting star and appreciate it forever for its beauty. I will always hold you dear, and you are my dreams and all I could wish for all rolled into one."

"Oh… I love you, Naruto."

"I love you too, Sas--Uke," chuckling, "Ow! That hurt!"

"Mmm. Here let me kiss it and make it better."

"Ooohh, Sas--u--ke! That's not where you hit me…Ooooh"

Mischievous laughter.

"Someone could see us."

"So we should charge for the show… "

"Hmmm… Rooowr!!!"

"Hey…now who's being naughty!"

"Too many clothes…"

"UMFF…that was my head."

"OOH, which one?"

"Pervert… "

"Let me make it up to you…"

"OH! Nah-rooOOH-TOOOHHH!!"

"I love it when you scream my name."

------------ ----------- ---------

So life rolls on for our star crossed lovers.

Yay, it's finished!!! THE END!!!

So …we leave Naruto and Sasuke training, working, living, loving.

I think I should hook Juugo up with someone in the next one. Hmmm, I think I got an idea, Muahahaha!

Well if you stuck with me to this point, thanks!! I had a great time writing this. It was my first and as such will be the measure of all to follow. Even if you didn't like it, Sumi masen! I wrote it for me! LOL

In the indomitable words of J.R.R. Tolkien…

Tenn omentielva enta!!

(That's Quenya, elvish high speech, for 'Until next our paths shall meet!')

-Kneise