Misery Loves Company

Author: Ladelle

Rating: M, for later stuff.

Comments: Thank you for all of your reviews! I feel like a broken record every time I leave my comments here, lol. I just get so excited and I don't know what else to say. I'm happy that all of you are as pumped as I am and like the direction the story is taking. I really love responding to all of your reviews and hearing your thoughts and opinions; it all encourages me to update faster and write longer chapters.

I'm going to be taking this summer off school and I hope to get a lot of this written in my free time, hopefully making my updates a lot faster. I'm sorry I have to push it to every two weeks or so...I've just been really busy and preoccupied. I'll do my best to push ahead once summer hits...that's about 4 weeks from now.

I love you all and thank you again!

Onward to the third installment...

Chapter 3

Naruto pulled a hand across his forehead, wiping away a few beads of sweat that had managed to collect above his protective goggles. Small ear plugs fit snug inside of his ears, connected by a tiny wire headband that hung loosely at the base of his neck. He was hot inside a thick black jacket and his hand was beginning to jitter, not used to firing the automatic weapon it was holding.

One day.

No, less than one day, and Morino already had him running dry. Neji had called the station early in the morning to confirm some type of schedule, and they had both been surprised when Morino dictated that Naruto start his employment training immediately. And since he had been hired under Neji, the first step seemed to be police competency.

Naruto shook his hand as he let out another shot, trying to ignore the cramp that was beginning to sting from the ball of his thumb.

The gun was hot, even though he was wearing thick gloves to prevent it from effecting him. He had fired too many rounds to count, all fairly awful. He remembered shooting with Yamato and wished he had a manual, embarrassed to be in a range with other people who were practiced in what they did.

Naruto shifted uneasily as he lowered his arm, attempting to give his wrist a break. He had gone through several rounds in the course of the morning, and from around him, he could catch the wandering eyes of employed officers giving him skeptical glanced. He knew why they were curious, too.

It was obvious he was a traveler, and the fact he had been partnered with Neji seemed to attract a lot of attention on its own. When he has arrived with the brunet, it was all his co-workers could do but stare, wondering if Naruto was the person that had made waves with the Hyuuga nearly a year before. At least, that's what Naruto suspected.

If Neji had withdrawn himself so far from anything related to traveling, showing up to work one day with a blond-haired blue-eyed puppy was sure to cause something of an uproar. Especially because Neji seemed pretty popular.

A tap on his shoulder made him jerk to the side, turning quickly and snapping his weapon down as his fingers had become trigger happy. Another officer was staring at him mildly and motioned for him to remove his ear plugs. Naruto obeyed, if only from curiosity at why the other man had entered his small booth.

"Take a break. You're wearing out the rounds," he said, and Naruto raised an eyebrow. He glanced at the floor and looked at the shiny metallic cases that had fallen into a bin below and wondered if he had shot too many.

"You're too bad a shot to blow so many bullets," the other officer confirmed and Naruto let out a somewhat nervous chuckle.

"I'm not too good with an automatic," he admitted, and it was true. The pistol's reaction time was too fast—before Naruto even managed to aim the weapon would fire. Naruto wondered is he would be more of a threat to civilian life than an aid as Neji's side-kick.

"What are you used to?" The man asked, and Naruto suddenly felt very small. The man towered behind him, tall and muscular, toned arms forging themselves from a faded wife beater. He was at least a few years older than Naruto, the blond could tell, and was intimidating in his stance.

"Uh, manual," Naruto said, still taking the figure in. His comment seemed to peak an interest because the man raised an eyebrow and reached around him, plucking the gun from his grasp. Naruto hissed as his fingers released it, cramped into the grip he had created.

The officer twisted the gun around and popped the safety on after emptying the remaining round. He dropped the gun on a tray-counter behind them and frowned.

"You shouldn't be allowed to use a gun then," he said firmly, but then he looked vaguely amused. "At least until you find a manual and prove you can shoot."

Naruto shook his head and pulled his goggles off, feeling as though he had spent enough time practicing. He laughed a little before yanking his head set off and setting it on the same counter with his gun.

"Well, I'm just an errand boy, after all," he stated, and he peeled the thick leather gloves from his hands. The ball of muscle under his right thumb was a purple-red and it stung as though he had written a hundred essays by hand.

"Even if you're not from around here," the officer said, "you need to hold your own."

Even though the comment was honest, Naruto couldn't help but feel like he had offended the older man. He should have known from Neji that the police force was prideful—hell, he should have known from Morino and Danzo.

He nodded and the muscular man continued. "Especially if you're partnered with Hyuuga."

Naruto wanted to ask what that comment had meant but by the time he turned around the officer had already left and was drifting to other booths. Naruto glanced down at his belongings, all of which were due to be returned to a handler outside of the range area. He gathered all of his equipment and drifted out, trying to appear calm with the amount of awkward glances he was receiving.

As he turned the corner to place his belongings on the countertop, as if by a stroke of luck, Neji entered the facility. Naruto smiled lightly and set his belongings down, waiting momentarily while the tenant scanned them all back in. Neji came up to his side and was frowning.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he said and nodded to a couple of passing policemen from his department, "Have you been shooting the entire time?"

Naruto nodded and held up his hand, showing his bruise as proof. He hissed as Neji took his hand, examining it with concern on his face.

"Naruto," he almost reprimanded, and from behind the counter the tenant looked like a child caught with his hand in a cookie jar.

"Naruto, what on earth…" he glanced over to the gun that Naruto had been using and picked it up, throwing a glance over it.

"Why did you give him a machine pistol? And a twenty-four, at that?" Neji stared at the bulky man behind the counter, his eyebrow raised dangerously. Naruto glanced between them, wondering what silent conversation was going on. Had he given Naruto the wrong gun?

"Can't blame me if we wanted to see what he was made of," he smirked, and Naruto decided that he had been taken advantage of. Neji twisted his wrist around for the man to view the bruise and scowled.

"I should report you," he said, and before making any definite threats he tugged Naruto towards the outer lobby doors, glaring dismissively at any worker that passed. It made Naruto feel on the spot, as he was receiving most of the backwards glances from the other officers that Neji knew. He pulled back a little and as they reached the lobby of the training center, Neji eased up on his grip.

"I hate to say it, but it's going to be like this until you've worked her for a while," Neji explained, and Naruto shrugged, walking towards the exit with him.

"Did he do something wrong?" Naruto questioned and Neji gave him a disbelieving stare.

"That gun was too heavy for you. Gas operated firearms aren't used on the field and the jolt from its cartridge ignition is too much for a beginner," he looked angry for a moment before taking a deep breath. Naruto grinned and felt a little embarrassed, but didn't want to beat himself up. After all, it wasn't as if anyone had really made a motion to warn him about the advanced gun.

"I take it your station doesn't like travelers much," he assumed, and after a long silence from Neji he figured he was correct. After a moment he spoke again.

"I guess it's alright that they're angry," he admitted, "After all, I am the cause of it."

Naruto ran a hand through his hair, enjoying the lobby air conditioning against the heat still resonating fro his heavy Armor Guard jacket. It was his first gift as an underling of the great Neji Hyuuga, something that made him laugh a little. He had never guessed that Neji was so big in his department, and even though he had taken a demotion, people still saluted him and regarded him with respect in the hallways.

"You shouldn't say that," Neji said, although Naruto couldn't help but realize he hadn't denied it. "Don't let any of the officials push you around. I'll give you a list of the equipment you need so that won't happen again… though I don't think it will."

Naruto shrugged it off as he began to unbutton the sidelong strip along his waist, enjoying the feel of cool air against his cotton shirt underneath. He hadn't realized how stuffy the range was until now, and the breezy sensation was beginning to make him feel thirsty. Neji seemed to notice but he looked apologetic.

"Morino and I have come up with a better and more accurate plan for your stay. I was actually just coming to get you… so you leaving worked out perfectly."

Naruto nodded and smiled after pulling the jacket off and draping it over his arm. "As long as you guys don't have me shooting anything for a while I think I'll be okay," he said and he shook his hand to emphasize his point. Neji gave a disgruntled glare.

"I really should report him," Neji said and Naruto laughed.

"Don't bother. I owe you enough for vouching for me here… I'll make my own way." Naruto took a deep breath of fresh air as he and Neji emerged to an outer courtyard. The main office was only a few blocks away and Naruto found that fact interesting.

The police headquarters had what seemed to be its own private community, all of the buildings connected by a courtyard in the middle. It reminded Naruto of his college campus, only the people wandering were all dressed in sharp black uniforms with not-so concealed weapons.

"Is Morino upset about me being here?" Naruto asked and Neji chuckled.

"I think he was just surprised. He's more on his toes now, just to warn you," even though Neji said that, the blond was pretty sure that Neji would defend him no matter what Morino could bring to light. And the fact that Morino and Neji had worked the details out together made Naruto feel more confident about his situation.

Neji led Naruto to the main building and they both entered, turning into the busy paper-pushing area Naruto recognized from the day before. He retraced his steps to locate the familiar hallway that led to Morino's office and nodded to a couple of officers giving him a skeptical look. Neji drifted closer to him, and it brought back memories.

Neji had always been protective.

It was only a few minutes before they were in Morino's office and the chief was spouting angrily over the phone to a higher up. He motioned for Neji and Naruto to sit down, an action to which they obeyed, and Naruto closed the door beside him.

"It is my department, therefore I will take the faults," Morino snapped and Naruto knew the conversation related to him. He felt a passing wave of guilt, still disbelieving that his past had created such a commotion. It made him want to work harder to become someone recognized, and not just a troublemaker.

"And this is where we end the conversation," Morino said quickly and his thick fingers yanked the phone away from his ear, red from how hard he had the phone clamped against it. He slammed the wireless device onto his desk, taking a ragged breath before turning to look at the both of them, completely frustrated.

From beside Naruto Neji looked serious. "Was that Danzo?" he asked, and Morino gave a gruff response.

"No, thankfully. Hopefully he won't hear about this until the papers have already gone through," he admitted and the long haired brunet nodded.

"Would he stop them?" Naruto asked. It made him nervous, but it was expected. He wondered if Danzo was still a big threat to him.

"He'd try. And if he didn't succeed there he'd probably try to land you a prison term," Morino stated. "But luckily you found my office and not his." Even though Morino looked angry and sounded frustrated, Naruto could tell that the chief was working overtime on his behalf. He started to wonder if Morino did felt guilty about the deceit a year previous, and was starting to feel more confident that the whole decision had been Danzo's doing.

"But that," Morino continued, and he shuffled some papers together on his desk before withdrawing a few digital tablets from a cabinet, "is why it is extremely important that no one outside of the police force recognizes you."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, the thought never crossing his mind. "What? Why?" The idea of waiting longer to seek out Sasuke made his heart hurt.

"Because your paperwork needs to go through before Danzo knows about you being here," Neji explained, "If anything leaks before then… it will be easier for him to create impediments." Naruto's expression fell and disappointment was clear on his face.

"I know you really want to see him, but we're going to have to wait. The processing should only take about a month." Neji attempted to raise his spirits.

Morino nodded and handed Naruto a familiar tablet; one he had begun filling out the day before. "I need you to finish this before you leave. Then we need to discuss your living arrangements and pay, and also your requirements as an officer of the law."

Naruto nodded slowly, still feeling somewhat distraught, and pulled his chair closer to the desk. As he glanced over the information for him to fill out he noted that Neji and Morino had completed a good majority of it; everything involving employment and supervision. There were a few spaces left open for his old Colorado information, and he frowned.

"Should I be honest?" he asked, wondering if that was the best choice. If his history in cryogenics had affected the future as much as it seemed, he was hesitant on what to write down. Morino shrugged.

"Put what you have to," he said, and Naruto heard, save your butt. He scribbled in some information as the two officers chatted, Neji mentioning the bullying at the range. Naruto listened as he wrote.

"Was his shooting good?" Morino asked, and Neji held out a printout chart, an obvious run of his activity. Morino didn't look impressed. "And this was with what?"

"They gave him a twenty-four. That's ten rounds more than I could manage with that weight," he seemed to compliment. "I think that if you want him to have a weapon it needs to be one he is more familiar with. You should request a manual."

Morino raised an eyebrow and glanced at Naruto; the blond could feel cold eyes scanning him.

"I wouldn't even trust you with that fire hazard." He stated but he resigned himself almost immediately. "I'll look into it. More for you to supervise, though."

Neji nodded and Naruto handed the board back to Morino who scanned it readily. He frowned. "You graduated college? What degree?"

Naruto sat back in his chair and settled his jacket over his thighs, feeling the weight too harshly over his arm. "I majored in sciences…and minored in marketing."

Morino nodded and smirked. "Science for you and marketing for Uchiha, right?" even though Naruto was a little embarrassed to admit it, he nodded. "I figured it would be a good fit for me here," he admitted and it was the truth.

"Hmm." Morino said and Neji seemed more positive.

"It's good that you graduated. That looks good to the people who run visas." Neji stated.

"Mm." Naruto commented, and Morino continued to overlook paperwork, verifying that Naruto had completed everything that he needed.

"You'll need to have a medical exam and screening," he explained, "and that will need to take place in the next couple of days." He shuffled through the tablet options and turned to Neji, frowning.

"It's best that you two live separately, despite your friendship," he noted and the brunet nodded. Naruto was nervous at the thought but it made sense to him. If he lived with his supervisor, disputes could arise about either of their integrity.

Neji seemed to notice the blond's slight apprehension and smiled. "Don't worry about it. There is really nice police housing on the eastern end here."

Morino pulled up another digital application after nodding, handing it to Naruto. There was a stylus attached to the top and Naruto unclipped it, prepared to fill in more information.

"You're such an oddity," Morino said and Naruto didn't glance up from jotting down his name. "You seem to fit in here, but you have so much to learn."

Naruto glanced up and grinned, knowing that it was the truth. He wanted to know more, and he wanted to be valuable. "What am I filling out?" he asked.

"Housing application. Your pay will be chopped partially to pay the living expenses of the hall… and I'll make sure you get a single." The chief turned his attention to Neji. "I'll bunk him in 10-C. I think Zabuza will be good at keeping him in check."

This seemed to make Neji a little tense; Naruto couldn't help but notice. "In check?" he asked, holding back a chuckle. The chances of him intentionally screwing up were pretty low.

"Yes, to make sure you're not sneaking out. Neji may trust you, but I certainly don't." which was an interesting comment considering it seemed like Morino was risking a lot by helping him land citizenship.

Naruto finished entering his personal information and his eyes wandered to a section about apartment preferences. He looked baffled. "I don't know what to mark," he said, and Neji knelt in closer to view the choices himself.

Naruto felt an awkward rush as Neji's hair brushed across his cheek, his breathing hastening momentarily. Neji had always been attractive, he remembered and it was still a rush to think that he was sitting right next to him. He took in the familiar presence of his friend, feeling more at home than he had in a very long time.

"Alright, a bode is an automatic shower system so yes, you want to bathe," Neji joked, and he took the stylus from Naruto and checked the box. He continued to check others as well, "This, and this… this too… and you definitely want your own laundry equipment." He finished the selection sheet for Naruto; all that was left was a space at the bottom for Naruto's signature. Naruto took the stylus and complied, handing the tablet to Morino afterwards.

"Alright, I'll have that brought up," he said and he typed something short on what Naruto guessed to be a future IM system.

"Alright, now for pay. As somewhat of an intern under Hyuuga, your income will be based off living expenses," he was fumbling through another set of digital binders, searching for more paperwork. "You're lucky to know the both of us," Morino stated, "because for most travelers, a process like this takes months."

Naruto felt grateful. "Thank you. I really appreciate everything," he said and Morino rolled his eyes, seemingly irritated. Naruto turned to Neji. "So, is there a date where I pick up my check? Like, every other week?"

Neji frowned. "Check?" he glanced at Morino and the older man waved his hand in dismissal.

"I've never heard of it. It doesn't exist. Payroll is directly deposited into an active bank account, something else you will need to set up," and Naruto nodded. Morino handed him another board and Naruto quickly filled in the blanks, getting tired of writing the same information. When he was finished Morino shook his hand.

"Hold onto that until you get your payroll account set up." He directed, and after one last glance over all of the paperwork that needed to be completed, sat back in his chair. After a sigh, he spoke.

"Lastly, we need to discuss your requirements here." His voice became serious suddenly and it made Naruto make eye contact with the older man. From beside him Neji looked focused as well, knowing that Naruto's success was dependent on him as a supervisor.

"I'm ready," he said, and Morino may have cracked a smile. "Good."

After a moment, he began. "This agency has been up and running for a very long time," he stated and Naruto nodded. "The officers employed here have degrees in criminal justice and official training in weaponry and means of self defense. Most officials here are partnered with people who compliment them, and each task assigned is expected to be kept private until completed."

Naruto nodded slowly, taking the information in. Even though Morino said that partners complimented each other, he wasn't sure where that left him. He didn't have strong degrees like the chief had mentioned… and he was beginning to feel out of place.

"Neji has reclaimed his handling position for travelers, opening the door for a relevant position for you as his partner." Naruto glanced over to Neji in surprise, cocking an eyebrow. "You took the position back?"

Neji nodded and Morino cleared his throat, commanding their attention once more. "Because you are a traveler, it is almost too fitting," he remarked and Naruto nodded slowly.

"Cases will be given to you and Hyuuga with due dates for reports. While the both of you will be attending missions, you are responsible for making sure the reports and dispersals end up safe and sound in my hands. I'm assuming Neji will help you, but in the end, if anything is missing, it's your liability."

Neji turned to Naruto. "It's important that everything we do is documented because of time traveling issues," he explained and Naruto nodded. It sounded like a big responsibility.

"No matter which department you are in," Morino began, "There is danger. Even in this department there is danger, especially because of its nature. Travelers want to hide, and underground groups want travelers—"

"Why?" Naruto asked, and was surprised when Morino looked straight-faced. Neji answered for him.

"Travelers are somewhat exotic, I suppose," and after a moment he said, "and with everything you went through with Itachi…" and Naruto understood more. Travelers had different types of knowledge, and new ideas. He suddenly realized how lucky he had been to stumble across the people he had in the beginning, especially considering how dangerous the outside world seemed to be.

"Which is another issue I am glad you brought up," Morino said, his voice settling more on concern than demand. "Considering the fact Itachi is still outside of police custody, it is even more important that the both of you are on your toes."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "What? He wasn't caught?"

Morino and Neji exchanged skeptical glances before Neji answered.

"Itachi was the only one to escape," he said. "We can discuss it later."

Naruto stopped and let out a deep breath, wondering just how much he still didn't know. He thought that things had been left well enough handled but the more he heard the more he doubted his assumption.

"You will be assigned a uniform and you will report to the office every other day for casework. On the days in between I will expect you to participate in the training classes with your C-mates in hopes that you won't be a burden on the field. I recommend staying on the police campus when not on missions in order to remain un-noticed."

Naruto noticed that his invisibility seemed to be the emphasis. It made him uncomfortable because he really, really wanted to see Sasuke again. And Kiba, and Shikamaru, and Lee… and even Hinata. It made him feel impatient.

"Alright," he said, albeit reluctantly. "Just tell me what to do and I will do my best," he said, and Morino seemed appeased. The expression only lingered a moment before slipping into something more serious.

"Naruto," he said and the blond could tell that his statement would be important. "I'm truly sorry for what happened a year ago. But don't make my sacrifices for you here and now in vain," he added, and Naruto nodded slowly. He wanted more than anything to stay and to pursue his own ambitions.

Neji stood up beside him and stretched, a motion to Naruto that is was time to leave. He nodded to Morino and pulled his jacket and account tablet tight against his chest, surprised when a knock sounded on the door and a meager little officer poked in with a keycard in his hand.

"For the room you requested?" he asked, glancing around the room as if he had interrupted something. Neji took the keycard from him and Naruto grinned when the man's eyes scanned him, contemplating who he was.

"Hi. I'm Naruto Uzumaki," he said, and the other man took his hand cautiously, looking confused by his enthusiasm. They shook hands briefly and Neji twisted around him, making his way out of the door. He motioned for Naruto to follow, and he obeyed.

"I'll get him settled," he told Morino, and the chief nodded. As soon as they managed to get out of the office Neji took a long breath and said, "That went… well," and he sounded surprisingly content. Even Naruto felt like his conditions were fair, even though he was slightly intimidated.

"Morino likes you," Neji said, and Naruto whipped around with a raised eyebrow.

"What?"

Neji looked confused for a moment at Naruto's skeptical stare before he suddenly laughed. "No, he doesn't like you. He's never paid this much attention to anyone before… which is why I took back my position. He'll take good care of you," he finished.

Naruto felt more content with that explanation. "I agree. I think he feels guilty," and Neji chuckled.

They were quiet for a few minutes in their thoughts before Neji started towards an exit to the courtyard, prepared to show Naruto where he would be living. Naruto remembered the number, 10-C, and also tried to remember the name of the superior he'd be housing with

"Who is Zabuza?" he asked, and was surprised to see that a good portion of daylight had faded during their meeting. Yellow hues were fading to a sandy orange down the sidewalk Neji was leading them down.

"He's a higher officer. He's nice but… he can be a loose cannon." To Naruto that meant he had a temper. He frowned.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine." They approached a small residential building, one Naruto hadn't noticed before. It was sleek and futuristic and made him excited.

This would be his home. His first real home in the future.

They walked up a small set of cobblestone stairs and entered a foyer, locked from the inside. Neji help up the key card pointing to one side of it. "This side gets you inside the building," he said and he flipped the card to show the side labeled 10. "This side gets you into your flat."

Naruto nodded and watched Neji run it through the reader, two automatic glass doors peeling apart in entry. As they entered, it was all Naruto could do to contain himself.

The building itself reminded him of his dorm back at college, a huge social area sprawled out right inside the entry complete with couches, electronics, and a cafeteria. Two twin staircases rounded up to what seemed to be the housing level, and huge prism chandeliers dangled from sunlit ceilings above. Though there was no one in sight Naruto could hear music playing from upstairs and Neji motioned him forward, up the right hand side.

"You're apartment should be at the very end," he said and Naruto took in the crème colored upstairs hallway admiring it as his own. There were a few hardwood cherry doors in his hallway and he couldn't help but notice how well maintained everything was.

Neji swiped the ID and clicked the door open, and if Naruto thought his excitement couldn't grow, he was proven wrong.

"This is mine?" he asked and he drifted inside. Neji smiled and closed the door behind them, dropping the key card on a table near the door.

It wasn't huge, but it was gorgeous. Gorgeous and fully furnished. It had cherry hardwood floors and giant bay windows that over looked the police training grounds. The sun cast playful shadows on the floor and Naruto turned to Neji, feeling sentimental.

"Um, how do you turn on the lights?" he asked, and Neji laughed.

"Lights," the brunet said, and the hovering overhead fluorescents blinked on. Naruto felt a wave of giddiness and wandered forward, eager to take in the other rooms. There was a small kitchen with appliances that seemed foreign to him, and the living area had a comfy looking sofa and a flat screen television built into the wall.

He continued down the hall and noted a bathroom, and didn't stop until he made it into his bedroom. It was simple and perfect and he felt himself begin to settle.

"You're really excited," Neji said, and it surprised Naruto. He hadn't realized that the brunet had followed him down the hallway. But he couldn't deny it… seeing this place and knowing that is was his… knowing that he was on his way to staying permanently… it made him feel really good.

It was strange but… he felt at home.

"Yeah," he said absently." Yeah, I am."

Neji laughed and walked past him and into the bedroom, pulling aside a screen that sheltered a computer desk and equipment. Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"I get a computer?" he asked and Neji nodded.

"It's standard with any apartment, along with furnishings…" he said, and then, "It's an older version though."

Naruto huffed a little because the monitor was sleek and gigantic; more than his beat up Dell back home. He was completely grateful, and his ignorance and experience were bliss.

"It's fine for me," he said, and from behind him, Neji clapped his hands.

"Alright, I've got to run. I'll be by later tonight with your things… and tomorrow is a somewhat free day for you… get introduced to your housemates and do some training. If you have any problems, you can call me," he said, and he turned suddenly, digging through his pocket for something. When he withdrew a shiny white bracelet, Naruto smirked.

"Is that what I think it is?" he asked, and Neji nodded and smiled. "I thought you might have missed it," he said.

Naruto took the Icon from him and pulled it around his wrist, content. "Neji," he said, "thank you."

"Of course," Neji said, and the long haired brunet drifted back down the hallway towards the front door. Naruto followed close behind, feeling obligated to walk his friend out.

"I'm sorry that everyone seems to be out," he said in referral to Naruto's neighbors. Naruto shrugged. "I'll manage."

Neji laughed and drifted out of the doorway, turning slightly as Naruto leaned against the door frame.

"I'm really glad that you came back," he said, and Naruto watched as Neji smiled and turned around, walking briskly towards the exit. Naruto felt happy about the admission and he turned around and locked the door. He watched as the Easter colors of the sunset faded on his hardwood floor and glanced around, still at a loss for words. The apartment was so perfect, even if Neji's absence made him feel suddenly lonely.

He wondered what his first real day in the future would be like and was excited to prove himself. He wondered who he would meet…

…and wondered how long he could go without seeing the one person he had come back to see.

A/N-- Okay, so Naruto is on his way to getting settled. I had to get him worked in before I could jump into anything else...and I like the little nitch he's begun to create. And a cop. :: looks giddy ::

XD

MiLoCo Spoilers kind of ish

And as for Sasuke's boyfriend, hahaha, Oro and Juugo should be Xed out on the potentials list, haha. Everyone seems to like guessing with my plots so I'll play along, too!

Also...next chapter. Next chapter is when we will see our favorite raven again. Squeal, get giddy, jump for joy...join me. It's gonna be fun.