A Bittersweet Reunion

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, not at all

Hey guys, Happy Valentine's Day (to those that celebrate it)! Sorry it took a while, I've been feeling sick and out of it. So, I made this chapter a tad bit longer.

Tomorrow (or today, it is currently 2:00 am soo…), I am going to be posting chapter of a new story: Falling through Memory Lane. It is also a SasuNaru story but with a fantasy twist (elves, dwarfs, and whatnot). Come and check it out if it is you kind of thing. :)

Thank you Moonlit Queen and KH Freak 813 for reviewing! :D

One of the used guest rooms in the castle echoed with chatter. Inside a petite Sakura sat in a large wooden chair in between a circular mirror and a bright window. She wore a yellow gown with a short fur cape to keep her warm, her pink hair flowed past her shoulders and down the middle of her back. Close behind the backing of her chair stood Naruto. His blond hair had grown and hung close to the bottom of his ears, his red tunic wrinkled as he lifted his arm to scratch his tilted head. His tan face dawned a bewildered look as he starred at the mass of pink strands in front of him. Grabbing a fistful and lifting it above the girl's head, then he gathered another in his other hand and twisted it. A growl like screech blurted from the girl's mouth as she yanked back her hair. An abrupt turn of her head revealed an angry scowl. "Naruto!" she yelled.

"What?!" He lifted his arms up defensively, "You know me! I have no knowledge what so ever about hair!"

"Well I'm older, I'm sixteen and you are a little fifteen year old." She huffed with an arrogant manner, "Therefore, I am in charge and you have to do what I say."

"By three months!" Naruto yelled while holding three long fingers up to her face.

"That's three months more of life experience than you." She replied with crossed arms and squinted eyes.

"We'll be the same age tomorrow!"

"Well today is not tomorrow, back to work." She beckoned.

With an exasperated groan, Naruto picked back up her hair to twist and loop in a ridiculous style. A tiny creak could be heard from the bedroom's main door as a small face peeked in. "A-ah, i-is this a b-bad time?" A mousy voice asked.

"No, you may enter, Hinata." Naruto calmly said with his azure eyes focused on his forcibly given task. He stood, studying the strange hairstyle he created. Sakura's hair was parted in fourths, the two on the side of her face were tied together above her head and the other two were in the clutches of the blonde.

The maid entered with a tray filled with bread and cheese, two small glasses of water sat on opposite corners of the platter. White sleeves from an underdress could be seen under a black sleeveless kirtle. Her long black hair swept over her shoulders and fluttered as she set the silver tray on the nearest flat surface. Pale eyes under dark eyelashes glanced at the other two teenagers, captivated by the beautiful royalty. Feeling the stare, both Naruto and Sakura turned their heads to the servant. The sudden attention surprised the raven causing a heated pink to erupt on her cheeks.

"W-what are you doing?" She sheepishly inquired.

"Naruto is supposed to be doing my hair for Sasuke's arrival…" Sakura verbally attacked her host's son. Her green eyes widened as an idea popped into her pink head. "Oh! Oh!" A smile stretched on her face as she examined the maid, "Why don't you replace this dimwit?" she stood from her seat and walked over to Hinata. She clasped the maid's hands and led her over to the chair, kicking the blond out of the way. She seated herself once more and turned her head away from Hinata, "Make me beautiful!" she gleefully stated.

"Y-yes mam…" The raven stuttered, gently she picked up a brush from the table where the tray sat. "So you are doing this for Prince Sasuke?" She asked softly, not wanting to get scolded for delving into matters that weren't hers.

"Well of course!" Sakura exclaimed as if she were surprised the question needed to be asked. "I must look as gorgeous as him! He has such dark hair, he is quiet which means he is too shy to talk to me." She gushed.

Naruto rolled his eyes, pondering how in the world the arrogant bastard is so popular. "I am so much better than that jerk…" He thought to himself as he grabbed some cheese from the platter. "How long has it been since you last saw that bastar-ah-Sasuke?" He questioned with a cheese filled mouth. He leapt onto the bed, landing on his back and stared at the green canopy over the bed.

"I have seen him every year, his family comes to our kingdom around spring time. Why?" She replied while observing a blushing Hinata braid her hair.

"WHAT? I haven't seen that jerk in FIVE years!" He sprung up, cheese crumbs flying onto the floor and rug. "Why did he visit you so much? You both used to come and hang out here every summer, why didn't he just come with you to visit me?" "That asshole is really stooping low to get Sakura's heart, stepping behind my back to spend time with her… Gaah." He fumed in his thoughts.

A high pitched bell echoed through the halls, the servants were being called to the great hall. Hinata looked up, having completed a bun made of braids, at the sound and gasped. "I must leave immediately! All the servants are being called for greetings…" She grabbed the nearly empty platter of snacks and dashed for the door. Suddenly, she turned around and bowed her head. "May I leave mam, sir?" She asked under hanging hair.

"Yes, you may." Sakura replied, analyzing the maid's movements. Once she had left, the pinkette turned to Naruto with wide eyes, "That must be Sasuke!" she squealed. After she jumped up from her seat, she pushed Naruto out of her chambers. "I have to change dresses! Out, scoot!"

The blond sighed and turned to go down the hall. Stopping at a large window overlooking the front yards. The same black carriage Naruto saw nine years ago, rode through the gates. He had never noticed the blue coloring to the coach's roof, the glossy-like coat shimmered in the sunlight. With another sigh and a shrug, he headed for the stairwell dreading the upcoming events.

The great hall was already decorated with brightly colored tapestries for the arrival of Sakura's family. Grand fabric cushions were draped on the chairs for the guest's comfort, most of the colors being red and orange. Tsunade stood in the middle of the hall, overlooking the tidying made by the servants. Her long blonde hair was tied into loose twin ponytails, which hung down her back. Over her dress she sported a long black cloak with fur laced on the inside, the dark color bringing out the green tunic she wore underneath. She turned her head to the sound of close footsteps, a strange looks twisted in her eyes. A slim finger pointed at her heir as she stormed up to him. "What do you think you are doing?!"

"W-what? I'm coming to help greet the guests." Naruto replied with a surprised tone.

"You are in such unacceptable clothes! Go and change into the new clothes we just got tailored for you." She forcibly turned the teen around and gently pushed him back towards the hallway, "Go on, shoo!"

"Whatever, grandma." He twisted his head and stuck his tongue out to the queen. Naruto staggered back when Tsunade threatened him with her fists. The blond teen rushed back to his room while the queen bore daggers into the back of his head.

He walked down the hall towards his chambers, his face lighting up and darkening as he walked in and out of window lights. Naruto thought about his new guest, what was he like? Is he still as much of a jerk as when the blond last saw him? It had been five years since Sasuke's family stopped coming to their kingdom. Previously, the Uchiha family had been coming with the Haruno family every summer or spring time. Then one year they informed Jiraiya that royal matters prevented them from visiting for a while, never came back until now.

Tan hands pushed open the large wooden doors, revealing an embellished chamber. The canopy bed and curtains were decorated with orange silk with a white trimming. A red outfit lay on his bed, an orange pattern sewn into the sleeves. He walked over to it and started to get changed, afterwards he fixed up his mass of spikes in the mirror nearby. Once deciding that he looked handsome enough to surprise Sakura, he started back to the great hall.

The four new guests stood in the entrance of the great hall, still greeting each other. Sakura tried scooting close to the newly arrived guests but was drawn back by her mother. The pinkette's father stood tall and extended a hand to the Uchiha king, a welcoming smile appeared. Jiraiya and Fugaku both crossed their arms and had reluctant auras toward each other. Both wore their hair in ponytails, Jiraiya's bright white color completely contrasted with Fugaku's black hair. Mikoto and Tsunade were beside one another sharing stories as they walked over to Mebuki. Kizashi stayed back, observing the humorous situation in front of him. A tall young man held a stance behind Fugaku, his long black hair was tied into a ponytail, small lines accentuated his dark eyes. He glanced at Naruto seemingly analyzing his appearance. "Itachi!" Jiraiya bellowed happily, welcoming the Uchiha son he hadn't seen in years.

A younger male stood next to Itachi, his hair was much shorter than his brother's and was spiked in the back. Naruto studied his features; high cheekbones, sharp eyes, his skin was pale in comparison with Naruto's tan skin. The blond sighed inwardly at the fact that the raven was taller than him, great… His dark eyes turned to the blond, and familiar smirk found its way on the pale face. Much like their first meeting nine years ago, Naruto walked towards his guest and happily said, "Sasuke, it has been a while!" he shined a bright grin.

The smirk on Sasuke grew and he stated, "Hi, idiot."

Naruto's eyebrow twitched and his smile faded fast. "Who are you calling an idiot, duck butt?" He yelled while shaking his fist.

"Now, now you two. There will be no fighting, only merriment." Tsunade exclaimed as she dragged her glaring son away.

The group transitioned into the large dining hall, the long table was decorated with exotic fabric. Shiny silver dishware and pitchers lined the top of the table. The host family sat at the corner of the table, Naruto sat next to his mother. The Haruno family was seated next to Naruto and the Uchihas were placed across from their hosts. The blond boy's face screamed "God damnit" as he scowled at the young raven seated across from him. Sasuke sat back in his seat and let his smirk grow.

After the cooks brought out the meals, mainly consisting of large meats, the three families started to chat. "So trades are down with the kingdom to the far west, their textiles are priced much higher than the last season." Fugaku started discussing. Kizashi nodded in agreement, adding in the information that he has gathered on the subject. The economic and political discussion continued among the adults and Itachi. Naruto drowned them out with his thoughts and glanced upwards from his dinner. Looking over the raven in front of him, a strange feeling burned inside his chest. A fluttering sensation warmed the blond as he further analyzed his guest, he silently admitted how handsome the raven was (though he would never actually admit it). Dark eyes noticed the ocean blue staring at him, the side smile returned to Sasuke's face. Naruto turned his head away to try and hide the slight pink tint appearing on his tan skin.

"So, are you excited Naruto?" Mebuki asked, bringing the blond out of his strange state.

"H-huh?"

"Tomorrow, your sixteenth birthday celebration!" She reminded him.

Naruto smiled brightly as he remembered the plans for tomorrow, the arrival of the Uchihas pushed the thought right out of his mind. Tomorrow was the day of his small celebration and he brimmed with anticipation. Mikoto giggled at the sight of the child-like giddiness, Sasuke stared at him as well. The young Uchiha felt something stir inside his chest whenever the idiotic blond smiled so brightly. This feeling was foreign, making the raven worried and confused.

They excused themselves after the sun had long set, leaving to prepare for the night. Naruto walked back to his chambers while stretching, a large yawn morphed his face. Opening his door halfway, he stopped to look out the window opposite of his doorway. The full moon shined with brilliance and elegance, small cloud cover could not mask its light. The blond moved to the window frame and observed the sky and its many inhabitants. His tan hands rose to gently feel the scars on his cheeks. From the end of the hall, a tall figure surveyed the scene. The shadows of the corridor hid the identity and existence of the person from the teen.

Shaking himself from the trance, Naruto turned and entered his bedchamber. Another strange feeling twisted inside him, though this one was less gentle. The mixture of fear and sadness churned from his head to his stomach. Tonight was filled with laughter and new, strange sensations. He pushed the thoughts out of his head and readied himself, plans of celebration took place within his mind.

Oooooo! :O

I will type up and upload chapter 3 no later than Tuesday, I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday :D

Hope you enjoyed!