Standard disclaimer applies. Unbeta-ed

Chapter 9: The Tree on Top of the Hill

It was one fine Saturday midmorning. Since the road that Naruto took would reach Sasuke's house first, he decided he'd visit Kiba later on in the week. It was mid-autumn. The dried dead leaves decorated the road. It took Naruto 2 and a half hour of driving.

'Maybe we'll have early winter this year.'

"Naruto-san!" Sae exclaimed in excitement when he opened up the door. The little boy thought it was odd when he heard car engine on the front yard. "Come in!" he chirped.

"Otousan! Naruto-san is here!" he informed his old man. "I'll get you some tea, Naruto-san."

"Just plain water is fine, Sae."

When Sasuke came into the living room, Naruto smiled softly. Just last night he dreamt of the guy. Open up Sasuke, let me in this time…

"Naruto?" Sasuke tried to locate where the other man was.

"Here, in the living room."

"You're staying here again, Naruto-san?" Sae asked when he placed the tea on the coffee table in front of the two adults. His black eyes trailed on the large bag at the door.

"Un!" Naruto grinned widely. "And look what I brought too!" he lifted his left hand.

There was a silence. "I can't see, moron. I'm blind." Naruto chuckled nervously at that. "What did he bring, Sae?"

"Uh… a big travel bag and … a sleeping bag?" Sae was confused. Sasuke's forehead furrowed, sending silent question to the blond.

"Yup! So Sae doesn't have to sleep in your room anymore, Sasuke. I'm taking a month's break and I was thinking of staying here, if you don't mind." Naruto turned to Sae. "And I won't steal your bed no longer, Sae-kun!"

A vein suddenly ticked in Sasuke. He looked at Naruto sharply. Not only Naruto who sensed this but Sae too. "What are you indicating at, Naruto?" Sasuke's jaw clenched.

"Well, it only makes sense, right?" Naruto looked confused. Why was Sasuke so heated up?

"You can't just barge into our home and pretended like you've always done this." Naruto could read the warning tone in his voice even if Sasuke didn't raise his voice.

"I'm sorry if you thought I was invading in your life, Sasuke. But I did say when I was here a couple of month's ago that I'd be coming home for a break. Or did you forget about that?"

Sasuke gritted his teeth. He was quite aware that Sae was there and the little boy must be puzzled to see the other side of him like this. "Let's go outside, Naruto. We'll discuss this out there," Sasuke strode gracefully, despite the fact that he's legally blind.

"What's gotten up your ass, Uchiha?"

"Who do you think you are?!"

"Your best friend, that's what I think I am. Or don't you agree with me on that as well?" Naruto challenged him.

Sasuke chuckled darkly. "My best friend? You have some nerve to claim that, Uzumaki. After 10 years, now you suddenly grace us with your presence and pretend like past 10 years have never happened?!" He knew his voice was getting a pitch higher, but he couldn't help it. Naruto had always evoked so many different emotions in him.

Naruto's eyes widen and there were hurt inside. "Damn it, Uchiha! I knew it! You've never forgiven me, have you? And now you're using that to rub it all over my face again? Just say it, Sasuke. Say 'Naruto, I don't want you in my life anymore, get lost!'"

Sasuke's jaw clenched. Yes, he wanted so much to say that. But he's a grown man now. They both were and that was a childish act. Sasuke took big breath to calm himself down.

"Say it, Sasuke, and I'll never 'intrude' in your life anymore!" Naruto lashed out again. His heart begged his mind to stop but the words came out before he could stop it. He waited for Sasuke to say it, but he dreaded it. He dreaded it so much that he felt he could threw up that instant.

Sasuke was no better. He was having a battle within himself. Why couldn't Naruto just stop coaxing him? In a way, he wanted Naruto to just go. His sudden presence in his- no, in their life tipped the balance he just got. But he knew deep inside him, he didn't want Naruto to go. Now that he knew the blond was still alive, still had the same character, he didn't want to go through the pain again.

In short, Uchiha Sasuke was afraid. And because of that he shut everything else out.

"Is Sae peeking at us from the door?" Suddenly Sasuke asked in low voice.

Naruto turned his head and there he saw a young boy looking scared at the door. Naruto sighed. "Yeah…"

So his instinct was right after all. Sae who had never seen his father lashed out at someone in anger must be confused and scared. He had always known as cold and calm in front of the public but calm and affectionate with Sae.

"Sae…" Sasuke turned and walked forward a few time. The little Uchiha walked in fast pace towards his father. Naruto looked at how Sasuke kneeled down when he assumed Sae was near him. He saw how affectionate Sasuke placed his hands on the boy's shoulders and talked to him softly. Sae wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and nodded at his father's words. He was near, but not near enough to hear Sasuke's gentle reassurance.

"Should we take this… discussion somewhere else?" Naruto asked worriedly.

Sasuke nodded and he helped the man into his CRV.

"Tell me, Sasuke. Say whatever in your mind right now," Naruto said after a while. He drove aimlessly.

Sasuke huffed. "You really are an idiot sometimes, you know? I don't think you travel overseas help much in that department."

"Did you ask me to drive you around so that you can insult me behind Sae's back, bastard? Because that's low, even by your standard. And we've established I'm exactly that- an idiot a long time ago didn't we?" There was a hurt tone in there somewhere, Sasuke was sure.

"Yeah, and we've established I'm a bastard too, remember?" Came a sarcastic reply.

"Turn around, Naruto. You're heading in the opposite direction." Sasuke said after there was no reply.

"Oh, and I supposed you know where we're going?"

"I do. Turn and drive into the town-"

"How the hell-"

"No, let's not go into the town. Drive to my old home." Sasuke smirked. "I'm practically blind, Naruto. But I'm no idiot. There's a specific bump in the front gate that I purposely placed before I got blind and after many times Iruka drove me around, I knew exactly how it feels. The turn after that indicated which direction we're going- left into the town, right into the highway."

Naruto then chuckled, amused. "You can still amuse me, Uchiha. That has never changed."

Yeah… like how you can still make me mad with just your presence too, Naruto.'

There were minutes of silence after that. Then Naruto slowed down when he saw the Uchiha's old residence and parked the vehicle at the side of the road, making sure it wasn't blocking the main road. "We're here."

"Let's go to the spot where we used to hang out."

"Okay…" Naruto looked at the small gate and asked Sasuke if it's okay to just go in. This was after all no longer the Uchiha property, but someone else. Sasuke said that it was okay. He came here at times with Sae and the new owner let them be.

That itself surprised Naruto. He didn't know that Sasuke would still come here.

"Just close the gate firmly again." Sasuke reminded him.

When they reached atop the same hill, under the same tree, Naruto looked around. It was still the same, yet, it had…. changed…

"What do you see, Naruto?"

"Uh… there are a few houses around, I see. Oh, are those horses?"

"Gekkou family breeds horses. They needed a good land and I happened to have one back then. They let the horses out around this time. They are really gentle if they come close, so don't be afraid to touch them if you want."

"Oh… Whose houses are those- I mean, on the left side from your old place?"

Sasuke shrugged. "I don't actually remember their names but the Gekkous was having financial difficulties 3 years ago I think. They sold that part of the land."

"I see… one house got a really beautiful garden…"

"Wait till spring then. They got beautiful tulips."

Naruto awed at the scenery. The grass was still green despite the tell tale that winter was coming. That was the beautiful thing about Western Australia; winter was not as cold as other places. They still get sun during the days that the rain didn't decide to fall. The wind might get a bit chilly, since it's the inland anyway, but the warmth from the sun was just lovely.

"Anything else?"

"Uh… that's about it, I guess…"

"What about this tree?" Sasuke tilted his head upwards, as though he could see the dried leaves falling.

For the first time, Naruto realized that the tree that had witnessed each and every second of their past activities at the exact spot looked… older. The wrinkles were more and the large roots that protruded from the Earth grew thicker.

"It has changed too, doesn't it?"

"Yeah…" Naruto whispered in agreement. What Sasuke was trying to say to him finally came slowly into his mind. It was still the same; them, this place and everything else around them. But they are not quite the same, Naruto added.

Not quite the same, indeed. There were subtle changes, for the goodness or maybe lack of it, but changes nonetheless.

"I see what you mean…"

"You can't just pretend that everything's still the same, Naruto. There's 10 years gap to be filled and it was filled with things that we didn't expect."

Naruto gulped. "Does that mean you don't want me here anymore? I insist on staying for my break whether you want it or not, Sasuke."

Sasuke sighed; the persistent Naruto. That hadn't changed too.

"Just… give me time to wrap my mind around it first. Come back… tomorrow… or the day after."

The blond but his lips. Maybe he could stay the night at Kiba's place? Or maybe Iruka's?

"Can I bring a mattress this time?" Naruto asked as he dropped the Uchiha and took his travel bag into the CRV.

"I'll think about it."

"Thanks, Sasuke…" he said and left. Sasuke shook his head, a nagging headache rose from the back of his head.

000

"Naruto!" A surprise Kiba opened up the door. "Come in, mate!" he ushered the blond inside, taking the bag into his own strong hand from Naruto.

"Fancy a beer?" Kiba asked.

"Sure," was the only reply. While he was driving into the town, Naruto thought it was best to stay at Kiba's place for the night. He after all had promised Kiba to stay a few nights here.

Kiba handed him the bottle of beer. "So, finally got the break to grace the town of Greenbushes with your presence, huh, Naruto?" Kiba snickered, but there was a mischief twinkle in his brown eyes.

"Shut it, Kiba!" Naruto growled. That made Kiba laughed loudly.

"Glad that part of you didn't change! You intend to sleep here tonight?"

Naruto nodded. "And maybe tomorrow night too," he added.

Kiba quirked an eyebrow. "What about the Uchiha?" While on his way to the small town, Naruto had actually told Kiba that he's coming home but he'd probably spend the first few nights at his friend's place first before coming and bunking at Kiba's place. It turned out to be the other way round now.

"He… needs sometime to wrap his mind about the idea that I'm home now…" Naruto mumbled darkly. Stupid Uchiha and over thinking, over analysing everything!

Kiba snorted. "Oh yeah… and then coming to me as your 'best friend' when he dumped you, huh? I'm always the second choice, ain't I? That's a weird way to define 'best friend', Blondie…" he chuckled when he saw Naruto's disbelief face.

"We were six, Kiba! Don't tell me you still hold on to that?!" Naruto then smirked. " 'Sides, you're the one who came running to me begging to become my 'best friend'."

Kiba blushed in embarrassment. "Like you said, I was six. Forget it, okay?" Naruto laughed at this.

"But look at you now, mate! I'm not surprised that even the calm and collected Uchiha needs a few moments to rethink about you…"

"And what's that supposed to mean, Dog-breath?!" Naruto glared. "And don't give me more lectures about changes and stuff. I've had more than enough already. I got it, okay? I'm not that dumb anymore…" Naruto pouted.

The brunette chuckled good-heartedly. "Naruto, I'm not going to talk about that but look at the way you dress and compare it to how I do, or how Sasuke dresses. We're at a completely different level even though we came from the same roots." Kiba saw the sunny blonde's face changed. "And don't even dare try to deny it," he warned.

Naruto pouted more.

Kiba grinned. "And as much as we like you, Uzumaki, give us some time to get to know you again. Let us trust you once more."

The blonde pouted more, if possible, but he mumbled a question that made Kiba burst out into another laughter; "Since when have you become so bright?!"

The farm owner then switched on the t.v., lowering down the voices. They sipped their drinks in silence, once in a while barking laughter at the funny scenes or throwing comments at the movie that they were watching.

"Oh, I forgot to give you this," Naruto rummaged his travel bag after the movie came to the end. He then passed an A4 sized paper with different signatures on it. Kiba's eyes widen.

"Awesome! Naruto, my man, thanks heaps!"

"There are a few more of my friends who are not on there. But they are in different kind of business anyway. Sabaku Gaara's the owner of Sabaku Group of Companies. His sister's Temari, the one who started AkaSuna Design and Kankurou's his brother, stylist and make up artist."

"You're kidding me?" Kiba laughed when Naruto shook his head and told him how he had met Gaara 10 years ago.

"You little shit! Of course I know who Sabaku Gaara is! He's always featured in the business magazines. Man… you should have gotten his autograph for me!"

Naruto looked at his friend funny. "You read business magazines?"

Kiba looked insulted. "Hey! I've got a business degree and MBA, okay?"

"You did?!"

"Mate, looks like you haven't really known the real Inuzuka Kiba! Of course I did! I just came back here last year. My dad would be killing me if I lazed around and do nothing up till now!" he smirked.

Then Naruto looked around. "Speaking of that, where's your family?"

"Sis's a vet in the city. She comes home once a week. She took Akamaru with her yesterday though because he was sick. My parents are travelling around the world- second or third honeymoon or something like that."

"And you're looking after the house?"

The brunette nodded. "Looking after the house and the farm. Actually, I don't really live here."

"Huh?"

"When I came back last year, I wanted to help my dad first. And then I proposed to him about setting up a ranch up here. We have another piece of land. It's still on planning, but mom was adamant I learn to live independently, as though my living in uni for 6 years alone did nothing for me. So I moved out. You're lucky my parents are not around."

"So where do you live now?"

Kiba shrugged his shoulder. "Next door." He signalled the general direction on their left.

Naruto looked puzzled, but as realization hit him, he laughed, slapping Kiba's shoulder, hard. "Kiba! You sneaky bastard! You mean that little sorry looking of a hut is your new place?!"

"Hey! I built them with my own two bare hands!"

"It's still a hut, Kiba."

"It'll get better. After I got the right material- When I got the money that is."

"So start working!"

"I'm getting paid looking after the house and the farm!" Kiba wriggled his eyebrows and grinned stupidly. Naruto just laughed.

"C'mon, I'll show you to your room. Mom and Dad will be gone till mid-winter, so you can stay here whenever or how long you'd like too. I'd have no complaint at all."

They went out for ramen in Bridgetown that night.

"Oh, and this girl, Haruno Sakura, she has the most beautiful face I've ever seen. I dotted on her when I first met her. But she's a registrar, training to be a plastic surgeon. That girl is another genius 'sides Gaara. She got into uni like, when she was 16, and when she was doing her internship, she already knew what she wanted to be. Cool, huh?"

"Seems like you have quite a lot of good friends, Naruto."

"Yeah. They are a bunch of good people. Tenten joined us last year. You remember Rock Lee, our senior in middle school?"

Kiba nodded.

"Turned out he was adopted by Maito Gai; you know, the scriptwriter? Yeah, him. So he's now a scriptwriter too. I think he wrote a couple of self-motivation books too. Yeah, so, Tenten, she used to be a reporter in different newspapers but now she writes for a fashion magazine. She's Gai's adopted child too."

"Funny how it's a small world, huh?" Kiba commented.

"Yeah..."

"What about you? Have a girl yet? I thought you'll be the type to you know, settle down early," Naruto snickered.

"Look who's talking, man! I'm a country boy, Naruto. You're a celebrity. Surely there's someone who caught your eyes?"

"Enough about me, Dog-breath! Let's talk about you. So, who's the lucky girl, huh? Huh?" It annoyed Kiba back then, and it still annoyed Kiba now when Naruto used that tone.

"I'm being serious, Blondie. There no one. Probably there was someone back when I was in uni. But we didn't get along fine in the end."

"Why? 'Cause you smell?" Naruto laughed stupidly. Kiba almost choked. "Like you don't!" Naruto only laughed louder, almost drowning his comment of 'So, it's true?!"

"That's not funny, Uzumaki…" Kiba glared.

"Take it easy, puppy. I'm just joking!"

"Still not funny, man…"

"Alright! Alright! I'm sorry, alright?"

"Is that even a genuine-?"

"Take it or leave it, Inuzuka," Naruto warned. "Fine…" the other man mumbled.

"Seriously now. Why did you two broke up?"

Kiba shrugged. "She's a city girl. I'm a country boy. That difference alone didn't make the chemistry to last long…"

"I can't see how it can't work out," The sunny blond said after a while.

"It's easy for you to say when you've practically grew up here, Naruto. For someone who has been living in the city all their life, country is just another interesting place to visit. Not to live in."

He took minutes to let that sink in. Then suddenly Naruto asked, "You think… it's easy if it's the other way round?"

"Don't know. I had no troubles, I guess. We sort of learn to be independent here. Some city kids are spoilt, that much I can say while I was in uni. I guess it depends on one's preference. I've always wanted to come home and help managing the farm."

"Kiba, my boy…" Naruto slung his arm on Kiba's shoulder. "You have truly amazed me with your insights today. I wonder what else has changed?"

Kiba smirked. "I can kick your ass at pool."

Naruto's blue eyes narrowed at the claim. "No, you can't!"

"Oh, yes, I can now, Uzumaki! I've practiced a lot! And I learned from the best too!" his smirked had just gotten larger.

"Don't tell me-"

Kiba nodded. "One and only. I had past 10 years to practice against him. How good do you think I've been?!" Kiba wriggled his brows, much to Naruto's annoyance. "Oh, don't sulk, Naruto! I'm sure I can give you some tips."

"Bring it on, Inuzuka! Uzumaki never backs down!"

"That's the spirit!"

On the surface, Naruto looked confident. That was an easy task, of course. But deep down, he was sweating. Sasuke was really good back then because he was good at reading angles and physics. If he taught Kiba all his tricks, Naruto wouldn't have any chance to win.

Back then, they used to snoop into the nursing home or private elderly residential complex's games room and played pool. They volunteered to be part-time caretakers of course, but their definition of caretaking of elderly was guiding the elderly into the games room and made sure that nothing bad happened. Of course, when they said made sure that nothing bad happened; they could always do that while playing pool, right?

Those activities had to stop when the Inuzukas smelled their tricks and prohibited them from being volunteers anymore. Since Sasuke was under the guardianship of the Inuzukas, he's categorized under prohibition as well. And Naruto couldn't possibly have fun all by himself, right?

The solution? A year before Naruto left, the Inuzuka family bought a pool table, and they resumed their past time activity- of course with the bickering and yelling.

And Akamaru's barking at the exciting atmosphere.

They were playing the second game that night when they got back and an irritated Naruto at his obvious loss in the first game -and now- only made him making more mistakes. Damn Kiba and Sasuke's tips!

"Chill out, Naruto. I was on the receiving end back then whenever I played with the Uchiha," Kiba grinned lopsidedly.

Naruto growled. "Not helping, Kiba!" Kiba only laughed.

Towards the end of their game, Naruto was already exhausted. But he was curious about something. Not wanting to wait anymore, Naruto asked, "Oi, Inuzuka. Did you go to Sasuke's wedding?"

"Yeah," Kiba replied after taking his turn. The ball that he aimed went into the pocket. Naruto pouted.

"What was it like? Was there a lot of people?"

"Not really. I think he intended to keep it small. It was only done here at the local chapel. I think there were only our family, Iruka-sensei, Sarutobi-jiisama, Konohamaru, Udon and Moegi."

"That's it?"

"Yeah. I wasn't sure if he really intended to tell us anyway. But he was still 17 and those under 18 are not allowed to marry under this state's law. You know that?"

Naruto shook his head, a bit stunned at the fact.

"Figured," Kiba muttered and that earned him a glare. "But the girl he was marrying was two years older, so by law, they could get marry. Sasuke had to have Dad's permission though. He was his legal guardian."

"Oh… Itachi wasn't there?" The brunette shook his head as a 'No'.

"It's a bit hard to comprehend," Naruto said after their game finished. Kiba won both games.

"The fact that I won?" Kiba chuckled.

"No, idiot! Sasuke's marriage." Naruto thwacked the other's head. "That and Sae, I guess."

"That hurts, y'know?" Kiba rubbed his now-bruised head. "Well, get use to it. Uchiha loves Sae a lot, that much I know. That little kid of his is his first priority," Kiba added.

They then agreed to call it a night. Naruto looked really tired, so sleep came to him in matters of seconds after he put his head on the fluffy pillow.

'First priority, huh?' With that his eyes closed.

The two men woke up late the next day- bordering noon. They ate early lunch and then Naruto helped Kiba at the farm. All in all, it was a tiring and sweaty day.

They spent the night drinking and watching countless of movies. Naruto chirped in comments or tales about the actors or actresses whom he met if they were in the movie. Kiba just added his own analysis of the said actors/actress/scenes. They slept late again, but both were happy with their productive day.

The next day, Naruto decided to go to Sasuke's place after picking Sae up from the school. When the former asked if he could borrow a mattress, the brunette looked amused and puzzled at the same time.

"I'll let you know one day. Just hand me the damn mattress."

"Just make sure it's cleaned when you return it to me, Naruto. Mom's gonna flip if it's dirty," Kiba added with a smirk.

The tanned face flushed, reading the lines. He then gave a wicked smirk. "If it's dirty, I'll just buy you another one!"

Kiba gaped, but Naruto laughed and drove off.

TBC