A Change of Heart

"Come in," Tsunade's voiced bounced on her office's walls as Naruto peeped through the door. Obediently, Naruto plopped down on a chair.

Tsunade entwined her fingers under her chin, resting her head.

"I'll go straight to the point," Tsunade said calmly, "well you see we decided to keep Sasuke alive."-- With this Naruto's face was covered with his vital smile and expecting eyes— "and we're still arguing whether or not we'll have him guarded by you."

Naruto's face rose—and then suddenly fell at the same time.

"But…" Naruto began in a soft whisper, "you decided not to, huh? Since… I wasn't able to take him back here… so…"

"Well, yeah. Actually that was the question raised by the other council members. But I told them that you'll prove yourself this time. I'm going to give you Uchiha Sasuke, Naruto. So take good care of him. I'll take him back when he's ready."

"Wait," Naruto called after Tsunade, who was already leaving her office, in a surprise tone, "does that mean…?"

"That means he'll live with you. Your mission is making sure he doesn't go away again, and that he doesn't do any harm here in Konoha."

"That's it?"

"Yeah."

"You… you're not making fun of me, are you?"

"Naruto, if you don't want to take this mission then just honestly tell so! No need to go around in circles!"

Naruto nodded in agreement. When Tsunade left, Naruto felt a whip of fear; excitement, doubt, and hope cloud his heart.

--

Naruto raced downstairs from the Hokage's office as soon as he saw Tsunade walk out of the building from her office window. He sped past his favorite Ramen Restaurant, past the Hospital, past the Academy. All he could think of was Sasuke.

Alright! Naruto's mind screamed, that stubborn friend of mine is back! I'm so excited to see him again! I'm sure we'll have some fun just like before! And wait till he sees my new technique! I'm sure his jaw will drop when he sees my special attacks! This is gonna be fun! As he was thinking about this, running still towards his house, he realized he was scurrying through the old training post, where Kaka-sensei's first task was conducted. The blonde nin suddenly halted and walked slowly to the three rigid posts planted on the ground. He crept nearer, desperate for the memoirs they have.

He smiled as he faintly touched the middle wooden pillar; memories flashing back, like pictures in a film. Yes, he thought, those were the good ol' days. How stupid of me… how stupid of me not to cherish those moments at that time! I never knew it will come to this… that those memories are the only things that keep me going, for Sasuke's sake.

Suddenly, after a couple of minutes, his smile gradually withered, his heart already changed, a feeling of restlessness washing over him. Sasuke, after all, is different now. Are those good memories still going to come back to life? Will Sasuke ever be able to smile again, or at least grin, just like before? How is his life going to be alright, even with Naruto's help, if wherever he goes whispers of 'traitor!' could be heard?

Am I really strong enough to help Sasuke?

Now that Sakura is gone, he is allalone to help his long lost friend. Sakura… how she loved Sasuke so much! He bowed his head down in sadness and weakly knocked it at the small timber, laughing. "Of course! I am Uzumaki Naruto after all,the future Hokage! What is there to fear?" And before long he stopped talking to himself, for he knew, not even those words could comfort him from his worry.

Slowly he raised his head again and headed to his house. His head hung low, questions, like worms, eating his mind, leaving him only with a gust of distrust to himself.

--

It seemed like hours but only actually took him minutes to get to his house. As he scrambled upon the front steps, his heart thudded in excitement as he heard that all-familiar voice.

"Took you long enough, dobe."

Naruto turned around in search of the voice's beholder, and to his expectation, Sasuke was standing before him. With a bag slung over his shoulder and a katana, sheathed, arranged on his waist, he stood, bearing the same face he had before.

"Sasuke!!" Naruto shouted, not knowing if he should hug him or slap him or whatever was an appropriate welcome.

"Hn." Was all of Sasuke's reply as he calmly walked past Naruto and opened the door. Sasuke smirked; a thing he hadn't made for too many years. He did not turn his head to face Naruto as he declared, "Still the loud, stupid dobe who doesn't lock doors."

"Yeah," Naruto answered back, "And still the proud, snobbish Uchiha who went away." Sasuke then went on ahead inside the house, as Naruto stood by himself outside. Things are going to be alright after all… his mind muttered.

Next Chapter:

Naruto takes Sasuke out, to meet Hinata and other friends! What will his reaction be??

--

No, this is not yaoi XD I would never write such a thing!

I'm kinda having a hard decision on who will have Hinata in the end… can you guys help me out? Onegai…?

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Hugs and hershies XOXOXOXOXOXOXO