Chapter 3

Naruto's voice dragged Sasuke back to the present. The Jinchuuriki's eyes were soft, a smile on his lips as he asked, "Have you decided, Sasuke?"

Sasuke hesitated for a moment. "That depends on whether you were able to do what I asked."

"Of course," Naruto said seriously. "I haven't told a single person what actually happened during the war. I've kept our secret, Sasuke."

After scouring every inch of his face for any hint of a lie, Sasuke sighed. "In that case, I've made my decision. Naruto, I've been alone ever since the last time we met, and I've done a lot of thinking during that time. So, Naruto, I would like you to capture me. I'm here to surrender."

Blue eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? Are you sure? I mean, I'm happy, but…you aren't planning anything bad, are you?"

"Don't get me wrong, I still hate Konoha for ruining Itachi's life and destroying my clan." Sasuke said coldly. "However, I want to respect Itachi's will. That's why I'm going to face my crimes, and make amends for what I've done."

Unreadable emotion flashed across Naruto's face as he eliminated the distance between them, pulling Sasuke into a rough embrace.

"I'll make sure you get a fair trial. Believe it or not, I actually have a lot of influence now." The blond whispered, his voice shaking so much it was difficult to understand him. "I'm so happy, Sasuke. I'll finally be able to tell everyone the truth about what you did during the war."

"Whatever, dobe." Sasuke said, smiling despite himself. "Let's just go before I change my mind."

"Before that," Naruto said, stepping back to level Sasuke with an intense look. "Things are going to be pretty crappy for a while, Sasuke. I think it's best if you forget your pride for now. It'll make things easier on everyone. But don't worry; I'll make sure to protect your pride until this is over."

Sasuke hesitated, eyes mapping out the contours of Naruto's face. Since the last time they had seen each other, the blond had definitely matured. His cheekbones and jawline were sharp and strongly set, the hollows of his cheeks touched by shadow. His spiky, unkempt hair had gotten longer, falling around his face in a way that drew attention to his eyes. Sasuke felt slightly overwhelmed as he realized, with a rush of gut wrenching confusion, how handsome Naruto was. The ache blooming deep within his chest grew, sending shards of undefined need shooting through his veins. His fingers trembled from the force of it.

Finally, he managed to smirk. "Alright, Naruto. But remember, this is Uchiha pride you're talking about. Keep that in mind!"

Naruto nodded. "Sorry, Sasuke, but this will go a lot smoother if you're unconscious."

Before he could react, Sasuke felt a sharp pain at the base of his neck, and the world went black. But he could still sense a warm, bright presence, which wrapped itself around him like a blanket. As he had done so often over the past year, Sasuke mentally kicked himself for believing, even for a moment, that he was alone.

"Naruto."

"I don't believe it. What on earth is going on?"

Shikamaru jumped in surprise at the change in Neji's tone. He squinted his sharp eyes, trying to will a Byakugan into existence as he asked, "What do you see? What happened?"

"I think Sasuke may have just surrendered."

Shikamaru scrambled up from his relaxed position, dark eyes wide with shock. "How can that be? What's going on, dammit?"

"See for yourself." Neji said, shutting his eyes as a gust of wind ruffled his long bangs.

A presence appeared behind Shikamaru so suddenly that he jumped. It was a presence warmer than the summer sun, at once both comforting and inviting, and yet dark with the threat of immeasurable power. Shikamaru spun around, stepping back as a gasp escaped from his throat. Naruto, infamous for his incredible unpredictability, stood before them with Sasuke cradled carefully in his arms. Despite his obvious efforts, the blond couldn't keep a smile from appearing on his face. They stood, utterly dumbfounded, as Naruto shifted Sasuke so that his head leaned more comfortably against his shoulder.

For a moment, Shikamaru was distracted by the strange paradox of seeing hands capable of shattering mountains with a single punch hold someone with such gentleness. He shook his head, rubbing his temples furiously against the headache pounding in his ears. Shikamaru searched desperately for the right words to say, an endless selection of lectures passing through his mind. Finally, he managed to find the words that summarized the thoughts of every ninja within the near vicinity.

"Naruto, what the hell?"

To his immense irritation, the blond smiled wider. "I've captured Sasuke."

Neji's deep voice came from beneath his ANBU mask. "Naruto, you can't just calmly walk into the village carrying a wanted and extremely dangerous criminal bridal-style."

Naruto laughed. "I know, I know, loosen up Neji! I'm taking him directly to prison before reporting in to the Hokage. We wouldn't want him waking up before he's properly restrained, you know?"

Neji sighed. "Please allow an ANBU escort, at least."

"Sorry, Neji, but things will go a lot smoother if I get him out of the open as quickly as possible. You can meet me there."

"Wait, Naru-!" But Naruto was already gone.

Shikamaru exhaled exasperatedly, shoving his hands into his pockets. "He never changes, does he?" He couldn't help but smile when Neji crossed his arms, obviously disapproving of Naruto's actions.

"Perhaps he needs to be reminded that we both outrank him, Nara."

Shikamaru laughed. They both knew that when it came to Naruto, rank wasn't a factor. "I knew Naruto was ridiculously strong, but the difference in their power shouldn't have been that big, right? I mean, he was only gone for about ten minutes."

"That's what I don't understand." Neji said, shaking his head. "They didn't even fight. It truly seems that Sasuke Uchiha surrendered."

"I find that hard to believe." Shikamaru said, looking back towards the village. "But anyways, we won't know anything until we talk to Naruto. You go ahead and follow him, and I'll report in to the Hokage."

"And I'll take my time." Shikamaru thought with a grimace as he strolled away. "Tsunade will go insane after hearing this."

Naruto ducked to avoid the desk that was flung towards his head, watching with wide eyes as it exploded through the door behind him, sending shards of wood flying through the room. Shikamaru, who stood with Neji and Sai at the side of the room, flinched as Tsunade's voice assaulted their ears.

"YOU KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, DIDN'T YOU, NARUTO!"

They watched as Naruto straightened up, turning to face his Hokage with a guilty smile. "I didn't know that it would happen. I was hoping it would, though."

The assembled ninja watched with a mixture of fear and amusement as Tsunade's face turned a deep shade of red, veins popping in her forehead. "Where is Sasuke right now?"

"He has been imprisoned, Tsunade-sama." Neji said, while Naruto nodded. "I ensured that all the precautionary methods were in place. His chakra has been completely sealed, and he is unconscious for the time being."

"I see." Tsunade said with a sigh, sinking down into her chair. She closed her eyes, fighting to regain her composure. Finally, her lashes lifted, and her amber eyes fixed themselves onto Naruto. "I would like to know what's going on, Naruto. You know that I try to trust your judgement when it comes to Sasuke, but bringing a dangerous and extremely powerful ninja into our village…what were you thinking?"

Naruto rubbed at his head, turning his eyes towards the ground. "I knew that Sasuke would approach the village on his own, though I didn't know if it would be to destroy it or to return to it. That's why I haven't spent the past year looking for him, because I knew that if I just left him alone he would show up some day."

He looked up then, eyes burning with intensity. "Itachi once told me that Sasuke could easily be dyed any colour, and that's why it was so easy for people like Orochimaru and Akatsuki to use him. My hope was that he would be able to find himself without the influence of other people, and it seems my hopes were realized. I think that, for the first time, we're seeing the true Sasuke. He returned to the village to surrender."

"As I thought." Neji whispered, eyes wide. "So he truly surrendered…"

Naruto nodded before returning his attention to the Hokage. To the surprise of everyone assembled, he lowered himself into a respectful bow. "Granny Tsunade, all that I'm asking for is that he gets a fair trial. If everyone is able to listen to what he has to say, I think they'll see that he isn't who they think he is."

Tsunade studied the top of his head carefully, her frown transforming into a smile as she said, "Stand up straight, Naruto. I think I'd be willing to make a deal with you."

Naruto looked up curiously, a smile returning to his face as he rose to his full height.

"Naruto, everyone in the village is well aware that you will be the next Hokage." Tsunade began, fitting her fingers together under her chin. "It's true that you're extremely capable as a ninja, however, you are an idiot."

"H-hey." Naruto mumbled, blushing as Sai burst into a fit of laughter.

"It's the truth." The Godaime said bluntly. "At this point, I cannot approve of you succeeding me as Hokage."

Naruto opened his mouth to retort, and then seemed to think better of it. He settled for a frown instead, keeping his voice level as he asked, "So, what's this deal then?"

Tsunade smiled. "I would like you to take part in a 'Hokage Training' program."

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Hokage Training? Cool!"

"You will be taking private lessons with myself, Kakashi Hatake, and Shikamaru Nara. To the world, you are already a symbol of peace; so all that remains is for us to teach you how to be a leader. This training won't be easy for you, Naruto! If you agree to this, then I will do everything in my power to ensure that Sasuke Uchiha is treated fairly!"

The blond raised a fist, face set determinedly and eyes sparkling. "I'll do it! If I'm going to be Hokage, then I want to be the best Hokage ever!"

A collective sigh of amusement and relief breezed through the room.

"I accept you determination!" Tsunade said, nodding. "On top of this, you must continue taking on missions, as well as fulfilling your duty as a peace ambassador with the other villages. Do you still think you can accomplish this?"

"Of course." Naruto said. "Though, I wish I could go without an escort on those peace-missions. It takes so much longer when there's a group of us."

"Ah, that reminds me." The Hokage said, standing suddenly and walking over to one of the filing cabinets lining her office. "There has been an overwhelming number of Jounin who have stepped forward requesting that you receive an honorary promotion in rank."

Naruto looked towards his old schoolmates in confusion, only to see them smiling. "What does that mean?"

"It means it would be ridiculous to ask you to take the Chunin exams at this point, and you have more battle experience and skill than some of the Jounin. So, even though we aren't doing this the proper way, your rank will be raised from Genin to Jonin. If you accept this, you will be able to take on high-ranking missions, and complete them alone."

Rubbing his nose self-consciously, Naruto managed a shy smile. "It feels a bit weird not doing this the normal way, but as long as nobody has a problem with it, I suppose I could accept, you know?"

Tsunade nodded curtly. "Alright then, it's settled. But if you don't mind, I'd prefer not to stand on ceremony. Since we have three Jounin present at the moment to act as witnesses, I'll appoint you with your new rank now."

"Eh? Now?"

The Hokage rummaged through her files until she pulled out a thick scroll. She made her way over to the wreckage of her desk, tossing chunks of wood aside until she procured a pen. Tsunade knelt then, unrolling the scroll along the floor. The three ninja standing by the window edged closer to see what was written there. Beneath the official documentation that was required for a Chunin to have their rank raised to Jounin, hundreds of names were written in Shizune's neat script.

"Granny, what's with all those names?" Naruto asked, recognizing several ninja from other villages.

"Ah, well," Tsunade said as she scanned the scroll. "When news got out that you were unable to complete your Chunin exams, I started getting letters requesting that your rank be raised. Many of those letters came from shinobi in other villages."

Naruto crouched down to get a better look at the names, eyes shining with emotion.

"Here we go," Tsunade said as she reached the end of the scroll. Her hand moved quickly as she signed her name, and then passed the pen over to Naruto. "Sign you name on the line under mine."

While Naruto scribbled down his name with shaking hands, Tsunade gestured to Shikamaru. "And I'd like you to sign as the witness, Nara."

Shikamaru sighed as he stepped forwards, kneeling beside Naruto. "How troublesome," He said, as he accepted the pen. As soon as he had finished signing his name, Tsunade whipped the scroll out from under them, rolling it quickly.

"Great, that's done. Now, all of you get out of here. I already have a lot of work to do, and thanks to Naruto and Sasuke it probably just doubled. Naruto, I'll send someone to inform you when your new rank becomes official. Then it's up to you to get the Jounin uniform and what-not."

"Yes, Ma'am!" The four ninja said in unison, bowing slightly before filing out of the office, climbing over the ruined desk.

Before he left, Naruto turned back, a wide grin on his face. "Thank you, Granny."

The air became steadily colder as Naruto descended the steps towards the high-security cellblock. Tiny streams of cool water chased one another down the tiled wall, pooling on the stone steps. As Naruto neared the door at the bottom of the staircase, the two guards on duty saluted formally. "Naruto-sensei! Congratulations on your capture of Sasuke Uchiha!"

"Yeah, thanks." Naruto replied with a grin. "Has he woken up yet?"

"Yes, sir, he came to just a few minutes ago. Though, he has been silent since then."

"I see. Keep up the good work."

"Thank you, sir!" The guards saluted again before unlocking the door and holding it open until Naruto had passed through.

Naruto's pulse pounded in his ears as he walked through the silent hallways, following the faint trace of cold chakra until he was standing outside a quiet cell. A pair of dark eyes gleamed in the light from the hallway as Sasuke raised his head.

"That chakra of yours is something else, Naruto." Sasuke said, smirking. "I could feel you coming from a mile away, and I'm not even a sensory-type."

Naruto laughed, rubbing his head. "Yeah, I've heard that before. You wouldn't believe how much the sensory-types complain about it, you know. Apparently I give them headaches."

Sasuke allowed himself a soft laugh, before his face hardened and he asked, "So, why are you here?"

"Right," Naruto nodded, catching on to his mood immediately. "I've spoken to Granny Tsunade, and managed to make a deal with her to ensure that you'll get a fair trial."

Relief flashed over Sasuke's face, the tension draining out of his body as he approached the bars. He smiled faintly, allowing himself to feel slightly hopeful, as he looked up at Naruto's face – and froze. That confusing, painful ache began to throb in his chest once more, his mouth going dry. Naruto's eyes, usually bright and open as the sky, were shadowed by emotion that Sasuke couldn't name.

Sasuke felt heat coursing through his body as those striking eyes, reflecting the lamplight, raked slowly over his body. It suddenly occurred to him that, maybe, Naruto was feeling the same thing he was: a confusingly strong need, an unprecedented desire that sparked between them like electricity. Sasuke diverted his eyes, sucking in a slow breath to calm himself.

"Get a grip." He admonished himself. "It's just Naruto."

Attempting to distract himself from his inner turmoil, Sasuke asked, "Any idea when the trial will be held?"

"Not yet, but I'll come and tell you as soon as-"

"No, don't bother." Sasuke cut across him, his eyes saddening. "Actually Naruto, I don't think you should come to visit me again before the trial."

"What?" Naruto exclaimed, his voice echoing around the silent halls. "Why not?"

"Because you're giving me a heart attack, moron." Sasuke thought bitterly, wincing around his painfully pounding heart.

"Think about it, dobe." Sasuke said with a frown. "At this point in time, you're one of the most powerful people in the village. People will get suspicious if you come see me too often. And what if the trial happens to go our way and I'm released? Then, people will say that the jury was too afraid to upset you or something like that. No, it's definitely best for you to have as little involvement as possible."

Naruto folded his arms, a deep frown forming on his brow. "I understand what you're saying, but I don't like it."

"Don't complain, you idiot-blond." Sasuke replied with a slight smile. "I'm the one who'll be down here bored, remember?"

After a moment of silence, Naruto lowered his gaze. "Sorry."

Silence stretched out between them, neither knowing what to say. Sasuke took the opportunity to sneak glances at the blond through his lashes, drinking in the sight of him in the dim light. He looked like a statue, something crafted from marble that was meant to stand in a museum. Sasuke let his eyes flow along the tendons in Naruto's muscular neck, his gaze falling hungrily onto Naruto's chest. The shirt he was wearing was way too small for him: it bulged and stretched over every glorious rise and fall of muscle.

As Naruto reached up to push his gold hair away from his face, his shirt rode up, revealing a thin patch of tanned skin. Sasuke swallowed nervously at the sight of two thick veins, lacing past Naruto's hipbones and vanishing into his pants. Sasuke's heart skipped a beat, his stomach twisting with warmth.

"What the hell is wrong with me?"

Apparently oblivious to Sasuke's scrutiny, Naruto sighed and turned to walk away. "Remember not to be a prick, Sasuke." He said, looking back over his shoulder. "This is the last time you'll see me until the trial, just like you want. But, I'll be out there fighting for you Sasuke, so make sure you do your best too."

After his footsteps had faded, Sasuke lowered his head into his hands, pulling at his hair as he rattled out a deep sigh. Taking a few steps back, Sasuke lowered himself onto the uncomfortable prison bed. He followed the path of Naruto's bright chakra until it suddenly disappeared far above him, outside the walls of the ninja prison.

"It's just because he said he loved me." Sasuke assured himself, not believing himself even as he thought it. "He's the one who's always touching me. I'm just confused."

But there was nothing confusing about the decidedly southern path his blood was taking. And as the memory of those unreadable, shadowed eyes consumed Sasuke's vision; he curled in on himself, whispering hoarsely.

"Shit…"

Naruto reappeared on the figurehead of the Fourth Hokage that loomed over the village. He bent down, bracing his hands on his knees as he took a steadying breath. Every nerve ending in his body was tingling. Sasuke had never looked at him like that before. It had taken all of Naruto's willpower to turn and walk away from the waves of tension that had been radiating between them.

Although he had realized a long time ago that his feelings for Sasuke went far beyond the normal limits of friendship, he had never in his wildest dreams imagined that Sasuke could feel the same way.

With a deep sigh, he settled into a meditative position, attempting to calm himself by allowing his consciousness to roam. As he collected natural energy, he sensed a familiar chakra approaching. He turned as Kakashi appeared in a puff of chakra smoke, his hands in his pockets and silver hair ruffled from the wind.

"Yo, Naruto," He said with a wave. "I just got back from my mission. It wasn't long before I heard the news."

Naruto nodded, turning to look back out over the village as his old sensei came to stand beside him. His tone was strange as he said, "A lot happened today, you know."

Kakashi examined him for a moment, his dark eye lightened to silver-blue by the sun. Recognizing the look of uncertainty on Naruto's face, he asked carefully, "Are you really okay with all this? With Sasuke, and your advancement in rank? Not to mention this training program Tsunade's concocted."

Naruto smiled, suddenly grateful that he wasn't as transparent as he used to be. His voice was low and calm when he replied, "Even if I wasn't, it seems that this is the way things are going to be. Besides, I've never really done things the normal way."

Kakashi laughed, unable to ignore the truth in that statement. He watched as Naruto lowered a hand to the smooth stone beneath them, shutting his eyes.

"Kakashi-sensei, I know I'm no good at these sorts of things, but-" He levelled the silver-haired ninja with a serious look. "If it's possible, I'd like you to teach me the sealing techniques that my dad used."

"The Fourth's Sealing Jutsu?" Kakashi said in shock. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," The blond replied with a firm nod. "If I'm able to master it, then it's something that I'll be able to make good use of. You can teach it to me as part of my Hokage Training, can't you?"

Kakashi hesitated. "Well, I can't really deny you the Jutsu, since it was perfected by you father, but-"

"Great!" Naruto interrupted, jumping to his feet. "Let's get started then!"

"Easy, Naruto. I just got back from a mission, you know. And you have to leave for the Sand Village tomorrow morning so you can escort Sakura home." He stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder. "I understand that you want to do something, Naruto, and that you really need a distraction right now. But don't worry; you'll be busy enough as it is. Time will pass more quickly than you think."

Naruto managed a soft smile, turning his face towards the wind as it ruffled his hair. Kakashi found himself amazed, as he was so often lately, by how much Naruto had come to resemble his father. He suddenly found himself missing the loud, spiky haired brat he had met years ago in the academy.

"Hey, Naruto," He said, smiling beneath his mask. "How about you let your sensei treat you to some ramen? I'll give you your first leadership lesson while we eat."

"Ah, there it is," Kakashi thought as he watched the face of his old student light up. "There's that good old, Naruto smile."

A/N: Edited!