Misery Loves Company

Author: Ladelle

Rating: M

Comments: I UPDATED QUICK-LIKE SO MAKE SURE YOU ALREADY READ 9!!

Thank you so much for all of your reviews, and I'm sorry that I'm just getting a chance to respond today. Busy busy, I tell you. But I was so excited to write this next chapter that it all just kind of...came out. Which is always nice. I loves fast updates as much as the next reader, for sure!

Chapter 10:

Neji was a good friend, and above that he was sincerely polite. That's why Naruto understood why no knock sounded when his friend's shadow hovered outside of his door, as Neji waited for Naruto to invite him in. It wasn't normal for Naruto to feel as irritated as he was, or as desperate.

The weight of everything was already beginning to take a toll, and he hadn't even made it a month into his citizenship program. Images of Sasuke frayed at his mind and memories of Itachi made him want to pull out his hair. He was so close to the two things he wanted more than anything, not to mention he hadn't even had an opportunity to settle anything he had resolved to fix years ago.

He opened his door and Neji looked surprised, but his eyes were direct and solemn, trying to read Naruto's emotions. After the long haired brunet closed the door and locked it, he stood straight and let out a breath. "Let it all out," he said, and as quickly as the recommendation came Naruto was pacing the room, his voice quiet and distressed.

"I haven't even seen my son, Neji—my son!"

The comment caught Neji off guard, simply because he expected some sort of outburst concerning Raidou or Suigetsu, but he simply nodded, letting Naruto rant. It was rare that Naruto ever let his emotions show, which meant that his concerns were genuine.

"I mean, I didn't come back because I wanted to make things worse. I thought they'd be better, for one," Naruto stated, waving his hand in the air for emphasis, "and I honestly, really wanted to make things right between Sasuke and I." He paused and frowned, visions of Suigetsu running through his mind. He quickly ushered them out, sighing.

"Then I had this fairytale image in my head—" Naruto rambled on as he sat on his couch, "where everything would be understood and I'd find Kiba and finally meet this kid of mine…" he let his words fade again and then shook his head before turning his attention back to Neji.

"But I knew that things wouldn't be that easy. I was excited to see you again and to work here—to be welcomed, you know, unlike last time. But the more and more I think about it, the more and more I understand that—"

"Naruto—" Neji interjected, afraid Naruto was going to say something like he wished he had never come at all—

"—that I belong here. And that's why I am so frustrated!" Naruto ran his hands through his hair with a growl and let out a long sigh before he melted back into his couch.

"I sacrificed a lot to be here, whether Raidou thinks so or not! I'd never help the Akatsuki—ever!" his lips curled into a pout and then into a frown, and from the corner of his eye he could see that relief had swept over his partner. He collapsed onto the couch with a thud and groaned against the leather, finished with his outburst.

"I'm sorry," he apologized.

There was a long pause where Neji took him in, and a smile crossed a once concerned expression. Neji shook his head and almost laughed, and Naruto assumed it had something to do with the fact he was sprawled on his couch like he had halfheartedly given up on life.

"Are you laughing at my misfortune? Why would you laugh at my misfortune?" Naruto asked, and he groaned. Neji laughed a little louder, and Naruto peeked up at him, confused. Neji really laughing was even more of a rarity then him being upset.

"It's just," Neji tried to form his words between chuckles, "he really thinks you and I are… well, you know," he seemed almost embarrassed to say it.

"Dating?" Naruto filled in, and it actually made a smile cross his lips, considering the implication. Had he and Neji looked that close? He supposed they did, considering they had managed to become close friends yet again. Plus they were partners, so they were around each other for most working hours as well. Naruto frowned.

"Oh well," he concluded. "I'm still angry but… oh well."

Neji stepped forward into the living room and sat across from Naruto in a fashionable bowl chair that looked practically new. His demeanor became more serious as he settled into it, and Naruto glanced up before pulling himself into a sitting position. Neji obviously had something important to say.

"Naruto," he said smoothly, "we need to figure out what we're going to do." His tone was more concentrated than Naruto had expected, but the blond nodded anyhow, feeling the same discomfort in himself.

"I know," he stated calmly. His dispute with Raidou had put him in a thinking mode, and feeling as though Sasuke knew he was back the entire day had left an impression on him as well. The fact that it had scared him—to the point of hiding in his dorm—made him feel the most uncomfortable.

"Sometimes I wonder if I imagined things," he said, referring to moments between him and Sasuke he could reminisce on. Neji raised an eyebrow, and shook his head.

"Definitely not. Uchiha… he liked you, Naruto," he admitted, and Naruto noticed that it was a struggle for him to say.

"I was really scared today when I thought he knew," Naruto confessed. "Thinking of seeing him made me feel like running away." It was an awkward thing to admit, considering Sasuke was the one true reason he had returned. It was as if he had forgotten how brutal the future world was, and just how complicated he and Sasuke's relationship had been.

"What are you saying?" Neji asked, shaking his head. "You're the most energetic and confident person I know. If you start losing your edge now, there's no hope for the rest of us."

Naruto cocked a grin at that statement, but it didn't shield the fact that in actuality, he had no idea how to confront Sasuke. How to explain everything that had happened, how to start over… nothing was simple anymore.

"Hey Neji," Naruto said, his mind taking a different path. The brunet glanced up, eyes quizzical. "Hmm?"

"It's just because I have this feeling, so don't get worked up," he started, and Neji raised an eyebrow like he didn't understand what the old-school phrase meant. Naruto had gotten used to the confusion, so he ignored it altogether and continued. "Even if the Akatsuki manages to get a hold of me again, I wouldn't tell them anything. Even last time, I never really planned on it."

Neji looked appalled and Naruto waved his hands in defense. "I'm not saying I plan on getting captured. I'm just saying that even if I do… I wouldn't ever put my life before someone else's."

Even if the station tried to deny it, Naruto knew the Akatsuki were a big deal. Capturing one member was nice, but it didn't amount to much, especially because Kisame had been in the public intentionally. Itachi had been clever once before, and Naruto was positive that the group had even more influential members than the one he was looking to settle a score with.

"You better not get captured. The last time was bad enough," Neji said, and when Naruto chuckled a bit, Neji let out a defeated sigh.

"They know who you are, Naruto," he said, almost as if he had a guilty conscience. The blond glanced around, confused.

"Who? Who knows what?"

Neji cleared his throat. "I told everyone before I followed you up here," he explained, "I told them why you're so important."

If Naruto thought things in his dormitory couldn't get any more complicated or awkward he stood corrected. He was appreciative of Neji for protecting him but in the same light wasn't sure what to say.

"I just want to be an ordinary guy," he explained, and the brunet nodded.

"Don't' we all?" he sat forward and pulled his hair back into a ponytail before speaking again. "No one is normal. We're all different. You have an amazing gift and it would be unfortunate if you threw it away just because you don't like the attention."

Naruto had always thought that Neji was full of good advice, but this particular comment made him smile a little more honestly than usual.

"It's not that I don't like the attention," he laughed for a minute, "but it works two ways. I don't want to end up dead just because I can solve a few logarithms other people can't."

Neji smirked and opened his mouth to respond, cut off almost immediately.

A knock sounded on Naruto's door and two head's jerked to the side, both somewhat anxious. Neji looked a little more nervous than Naruto, and the blond just stood up from the couch looking resolute. He had made the commitment long ago to remain faithful to his ambitions, and not Raidou or anyone else was going to scare him out of them.

He walked to the door and opened it, narrowing his eyes a minute when the person that stood outside of his door was no one from his dorm at all. It was a small man from the main office; one Naruto had only seen once or twice running errands for Morino. He frowned.

"How can I help you?" Naruto asked politely, although he really hoped he couldn't because he wanted to stay and chat with Neji. The man nodded and spoke.

"Morino needs to see you," he said and when Neji stood up from the couch casually, the man's eyes narrowed and he added, "only you."

Naruto wondered what on earth he could have done this time and felt bewildered, as usual. He turned to catch the expression on Neji's face and was surprised to find that it was almost skeptical, something that made him feel momentarily uncomfortable about the request.

"Uh, yeah, I'll be there in a few minutes," Naruto responded, and when the short man raised an eyebrow at him the blond frowned.

"Can't a guy change his clothes?"

Naruto closed the door after the messenger nodded, looking a little embarrassed. When the door was closed Naruto gave Neji a confused expression before disappearing into his room and donning a new shirt. He had been hot in his current one due to getting worked up in his argument with Raidou and as he exited his room, Neji was standing by his door.

"I wonder why he wants to see you," Neji said. "He spoke to you when we got back, didn't he?"

Naruto nodded and shrugged. "Maybe Raidou went to speak with him," he guessed, although he hoped that wasn't the case. He didn't want to be lectured twice about anything, and he didn't want his chances of staying on the force ruined by miscommunication.

The two left the apartment and were surprised to see the messenger waiting diligently outside, almost as if he were meant to be an escort. It made Naruto and Neji exchange glances again before continuing down the hall, and down the staircase that descended to the main lobby. Naruto avoided the gazes he was receiving from the housemates that had decided to linger after the dispute, his mind focusing in on why Morino needed him—and so urgently.

He waved a hand to Neji, signaling that he didn't need him to follow any further, and jogged towards the messenger, disappearing out the twin front doors.

Neji stopped at the movement, a nervous feeling brewing in his stomach. The week had turned sour suddenly, and he couldn't help but feel like something else had gone wrong. He glanced over to Haku and Kotetsu who were both watching Naruto's retreating figure with interest and curiosity.

"Did any of you go to Morino about earlier?" Neji asked, and Haku's eyes leapt over to him and she shook his head. Neji made the tone of his voice firmer. "Any of you?"

Kotetsu stood from the couch and pocketed his hands. "No, why would we?" he asked, and continued with, "Raidou went to his room and Zabuza went to the training field… and the rest of us are just hanging around here."

Neji nodded slowly and looked out the glass doors again, frowning. Morino was never this demanding.

"Why did Morino send an officer for him?" Haku asked, and Neji felt a strange sort of comfort in the fact he seemed worried. Though he still frowned as he answered.

"I don't know," Neji replied honestly, and Haku stood up, looking a little nervous to speak again.

"Is what you said…" he started, "Is what you said true? About him being, well... the 'one'?"

Neji let out a deep breath before glancing over to Haku and nodding, before deciding to head over to the main building himself. If something was wrong, he wasn't going to wait around to find out.

"Naruto would never admit that he's as important as we all say," Neji explained a little halfheartedly. "The truth is, he's the only person to ever escape the Akatsuki. That makes him even more valuable to them. Although what's most important," Neji said directly, "Is that no one knows he is here."

"The nickname," Kotetsu remembered, and Neji frowned, remembering just how well that had worked.

"Don't' worry about it," Neji said and he took off through the double doors, anxious to fight the fleeting feeling of apprehension in his chest.

The main office looked more threatening than usual, and Naruto supposed it was because he was a little nervous to go inside. The short man in front of him was doing an amazing job pretending like he had returned with some sort of prize and it made adrenaline rush through Naruto's veins. Something wasn't right.

He could feel it.

He followed the man down the familiar hallway that led to Morino's office and watched as the messenger knocked, a grunt from inside signaling that they were allowed to enter. The man didn't open the door though, only held his hand out in some sort of polite bow that implied Naruto should enter. He frowned but slid past the errand-boy, taking a deep breath before he slid inside.

The door clicked shut but Naruto didn't hear it. His attention was riveted on the fact that he and Morino weren't alone in the office and that the third party was none other than Deidara; just seeing the so-called double-agent made Naruto blush slightly, but not enough for anyone to notice.

What caught Naruto off guard even more than the other traveler was Morino's expression however, which was as cold and absolute as it had been the first time Naruto had ever had the pleasure of meeting him. His eyes looked regretful however, and the feeling in the room made Naruto's blood run cold and skin prickle with anxiety.

"Naruto, have a seat," he directed, and Naruto suddenly felt like it was the worst idea in the world. The polite part of himself drifted towards one of the guest chairs and the adrenaline-inspired part of himself told him to stay standing—to be prepared to run at any moment. He felt stupid really; he didn't even know why he seemed to be in trouble.

After Naruto sat down somewhat reluctantly, Morino folded his hands in front of him, placing his weight on his elbows over his desk. He looked thoughtful, as if the words in his head couldn't quite organize themselves properly.

"Naruto, there isn't an easy way to say this," he began, and as if he was taking too much time drawing out the conversation, Deidara folded his arms across his chest.

"Danzo's on his way here. To be honest, I would have never guessed that a shrimp like you was worth any of the trouble you've caused," the long-haired blond said, and Naruto's eyes widened before he jumped up from his chair, blood racing to his cheeks in confusion and anxiety.

"What?" he almost demanded, and he was staring down the other traveler brutally before reverting his eyes to Morino, hoping his superior's face would reveal either more about the situation or hint that none of it was true. He wasn't that lucky.

"Naruto, when I told you Deidara worked under the police," Morino explained, "I didn't really think to mention that Danzo is his superior. I honestly didn't think things would turn out this way… and I certainly don't even know how they managed to link your name to the event," he finished, and Naruto's mind was going hundreds of miles a minute.

He took a hasty breath and absorbed what he could. Danzo knew he was back and was on his way. Shit.

"What does that mean?" he asked, and then amended, "What does that mean for me?"

Morino's hands were still entwined in front of his lips, showing Naruto that it wasn't anger that was keeping him looking defensive, but caution. He was smart enough to know that Morino and Danzo definitely didn't see eye-to-eye anymore, and that the third figure in the room with them obviously had him on edge.

"I don't know," he answered, and Naruto couldn't help himself from stepping forward and placing his palms onto the desk. His voice was loud and impatient—Gods, a part of himself was now wishing that Sasuke had found him earlier. Now it looked like… like Sasuke would never know about him at all.

"You have to know," Naruto said forcefully. "I only need two more months. Two more. What—I mean, I can't be sent back, so what would my punishment be?"

Morino didn't speak, and again, he looked too cautious to answer. From behind Naruto, the eager and less-than-sympathetic voice of Deidara pulled through.

"You'll go to jail, of course," he said it as if it were the most predictable answer in the world. "And probably lose all of your rights to apply for citizenship again. I'm surprised you had the energy to pull this off, really," this new traveler was really starting to agitate Naruto, "I mean, not only did you attempt to override the due process for a visa, you also became employed in the process. That's a form of money laundering—and from a police institution, tsk tsk."

Naruto felt the charges weigh on him and whipped around to Morino. "What is he talking about? Employment was required for the visa, right?"

Again, Morino didn't answer. Why the hell was he being so fucking quiet?

"What's wrong with you!?" Naruto slammed his hands on the desk, searching for some kind of—well, anything from his captain.

"He won't say a word, trust me," Deidara crossed his legs and looked content and smug, expressions that made Naruto want to leap across the room and start a fist-fight. "He's got to save his own position now. Isn't that right?"

Naruto followed the blond's gaze to Morino's face, and noticed that his expression, while calculating and irritated, looked very much threatened. But it made sense, and Naruto's heart seemed to drop straight into his stomach, his hands shaking with both suppressed rage and bitter defeat.

Is this how it was going to end? After everything, Morino was just going to sit back and let Danzo climb up and down him again? Naruto was angry.

"This is exactly how it happened the first time," Naruto rebelled, "and you're just going to let it happen the same way again? Come on, you're a commander! Say something!"

Morino didn't budge however, and Naruto began to feel the onset of a panic. He couldn't do jail. He couldn't do without freedom, without the friends he had made—without Sasuke. It was then he realized that he hadn't been afraid to see Sasuke, or afraid that Sasuke had seen him.

Merely that… there was a fear inside of him that was centered on considering that Sasuke wouldn't want him. Now, more than ever, he realized that that option was unacceptable. He had vowed to make Sasuke want him, damnit, and not Danzo or any stuck-up traveler was going to stop him.

He stepped forward, about to let his anger take some sort of physical form, when a knock sounded on the door. It seemed to startle everyone, and Naruto's blood ran cold as ice when he imagined it was Danzo. A wave of relief spread over him when Neji's familiar figure stepped inside, looking surprised.

Surprised, and knowing. Naruto could read Neji like a book.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to speak with both Morino and Uzumaki," he said informally, and he turned his attention to Morino, his eyes narrowing. "It's about the case you assigned us; it's really very important," he added, and Morino glanced from the newcomer to Deidara before nodding.

"It can't be helped," he said smoothly. "Can you please step out for a moment?"

Deidara raised an eyebrow, looking disbelieving. Morino spoke again, this time with more power in his tone. "The cases I have my agents working on are not for public hearing," he stated, and it was enough to make Deidara reluctantly stand up and leave the room, leaving one warning hanging in the air.

"If you try something funny, don't hesitate to think that I won't use force on any of you."

When the door slid shut, Neji stepped forward to them both, his voice low and impatient.

"What the hell is going on?" his voice came out as a hiss, and Naruto almost growled into a whisper. He thanked God Neji had come to check up on him.

"Danzo knows I'm here," he said bitterly, "And Morino's just going to sit back—"

"Sometimes saying nothing is more valuable than saying everything that comes into your head," he let out, obviously frustrated. "If I lose my job here as commander, how the hell do you expect me to have any say in getting you out of jail and re-admitted into a citizenship program?"

Neji glanced between them before looking shocked and upset. "What? No—there's no way. Danzo should have no say in this whatsoever!" His whispering was becoming aggressive.

"You think I don't know that? He's got the entire city under his finger," the commander said. "And Deidara—I don't trust him. I don't know what to do."

There was a small bout of silence before a knock sounded on the door, obviously Deidara attempting to cut their conversation short. Neji stood up straight before glancing between the two, looking cornered, but determined and confident.

"I'll figure something out," he shook his head. "Fight fire with fire. How long until he gets here?" he asked, and Morino looked hopeful, but not so much as to smile. He, above anyone, knew the extent of Danzo's power and reach.

"Maybe a half hour," he said, and from behind them the door slid open and Deidara trotted in, reclaiming his seat. Naruto glared at him and Neji saluted, typical fashion, before leaving.

Neji didn't have the opportunity to give Naruto a look of comfort, but Naruto knew that would be asking too much. He was in a serious situation and it was all he needed for Neji to be detained as well, considering he was his only hope. Although what Neji could possibly do to rescue him from Danzo's wrath was beyond him. And as much as he trusted Neji, he couldn't help but feel like retaliation was hopeless.

"You may as well sit down," Deidara said, and Naruto raised an eyebrow. Just because Morino had to be calm and stoic didn't mean he had to as well.

"I'd prefer to stand," he stated simply, deciding not to imply that Deidara's figure was girly and thin and that he probably needed to sit more than Naruto did. He snorted. Whether Morino believed it or not, he did have some self restraint.

"Suit yourself," Deidara played with a loose strand of his hair. "I suppose you'll get a lot of sitting time at Rikers, anyhow."

Naruto bit his lip. While he had some self restraint, it wasn't a lot. Minutes passed while he kept to his own thoughts, and the room remained silent. There was nothing to say, really. Only time to wait.

Neji flew out of the station, his head spinning. He couldn't believe that any of this was happening. Even though expecting Naruto would make it the full three months was naive, making it only a few weeks seemed suspicious. And Danzo had a great deal of power; with the right excuses, he could to anything.

And in the end, it all came down to Naruto and what he was capable of.

Neji cursed. There was only one thing he could think to do; one person he could think to turn to. The only person who had enough power and influence to turn the tables on Danzo. It made his stomach tense and his resolution falter, only because he was about to open a pandora's box. He pulled his icon to his lips and commanded a number, and waited patiently for the line to connect.

"Hello?"

Neji bit his lip. "I have no right to ask you for anything," he said slowly, and clenched his eyes closed. "But I need your help. Naruto...needs your help."

His palms were sweaty and his mind was racing. After all, the person he had called was the last person anyone would want to know that Naruto Uzumaki had returned.

After at least fifteen minutes had passed, Naruto had effectively paced a pathway in the carpet, something that was slowly eating away at Deidara's patience. He had told Naruto to sit down again, only to be met with a cooler remark around the lines of, "If I sit next to you I stand the chance of catching 'bastard'," which effectively made the other traveler snort and shut up.

When a thump sounded against the door Naruto knew that his worst fears had come to life, and when the scrawny and emaciated figure of Danzo entered the room, cool and collected, he almost felt his disposition wane. Almost.

In fact, he was surprised that instead of feeling fear, the pure anger he had felt years ago when Danzo had been responsible for sending him back to the past bubbled underneath his skin. His teeth clenched together as the old man looked him over, his expression bitter and threatening.

"Naruto Uzumaki," he stated, and the door slid shut behind him. "What a pleasure," if the sarcasm in his voice had been rain, it would have flooded a small country in its wake. Deidara looked pleased that the older man had arrived, and stood up, dipping his head in some sort of half-formal welcome.

"It's too bad I can't say the same for you," Naruto replied coldly. He didn't care about restraint anymore. And if he had been the only person on the line he would have used his recently acquired defensive skills for a better and more productive use.

"Hmm. Charming, as usual," Danzo said and he turned his attention, obviously bored, to Morino.

"And I see you're wasting no time in begging me to be fired," cold words slated old and chapped lips, and Morino's disposition narrowed.

"Directing foreigners to citizenship applications is hardly illegal," Morino stated, and Danzo's eyes flared.

"It is when it's him," he sneered, and Naruto rolled his eyes.

"My intentions here are purely innocent, I can assure you," Naruto knew the old man wouldn't believe it, but it was the truth. Danzo glared at him with eyes colder than Itachi's had been.

"Oh, is that so?" He questioned. "So tell me, just how did you manage to get here this time?"

Naruto was taken aback, unwanting to admit that he had built another time machine. He frowned. "Does it matter? I'm not going back," he deadpanned, and Danzo looked irritated.

"Of course not. If we sent you back you'd just keep popping up. I'd rather incarcerate you for the rest of your miserable little life until you realize just how much you are not wanted here." The words were awfully cold for someone who apparently only disliked him for being skilled in the sciences.

"You're the only one who doesn't want me here," Naruto glared, and Morino stood up, trying to resolve the situation before it escalated.

"What are you here for, other than to verify that he is, in fact, here?" he asked, and Danzo raised an eyebrow, looking almost offended that Morino was asking anything of him at all.

"He's as much a danger now as he was then. Communicating with the Akatsuki? In a public arena? Ridiculous. Don't think you can try and convince me he's only playing one side," Danzo said, and Naruto scoffed.

"There is only one side," he said with frustration. "Why would I ever trust the Akatsuki? Much less work for them?"

Danzo narrowed his eyes and looked unconvinced. "You have a grudge against our department, that's obvious," he said, and Deidara filled in the rest.

"And you told Kisame that you wanted to feed the Akatsuki confidential police information," he explained, and Naruto's eyes widened.

"That was a ploy—to get him to follow me. You're the one who made it necessary that I lie," he threw back, and Danzo held up his hand and sighed, treating Naruto like he was more of an annoyance than anything else.

"It would be easier if you just agreed to come peacefully," he recommended, and Naruto felt that original swell of panic race through his veins and make his head throb. He glanced over to Morino who looked perfectly miserable, unmoving and unable to say anything in Naruto's defense.

"I won't go with you," Naruto said, standing firm. "I shouldn't have to. Like every other traveler, my papers have been submitted. I am and have been working diligently, and I haven't spent any of the money that I have earned. If laundering is the problem, then just take it back; I don't want it. Unless you have a reason to arrest me, I'm not stepping one foot out of this room."

Danzo's eyes narrowed and Deidara's widened, the latter obviously surprised and shocked that Naruto had the audacity to make such a determined comment. But Naruto had been fooled once by Danzo; once, and he wasn't going to fall for it again.

"Your recommendations as a traveler applying for citizenship are biased. Morino and Hyuuga would probably lie about anything to keep you here, for God knows what reason," Danzo said. "If you were employed by someone you had no previous connection with the maybe—"

"What a load," Naruto interrupted. "If I hadn't been employed under them you still would have done this," and from behind him, Morino grunted. It was his way of telling Naruto to calm down, and the blond hadn't even realized that he was so frustrated that he was shaking.

The door jerked open and made Naruto jump, surprised that whoever had burst in didn't even knock. Naruto was surprised to see that it was Neji, and he looked out of breath and frustrated.

"If you take Naruto Uzumaki from this facility, I'll turn in my badge before you can even manage to blink," he said, and Danzo rolled his eyes, looking more irritated than before.

"That's Morino's problem. There are several others who could take your place," he stated, and Naruto felt his emotions flare. Neji had always stood up for him. Morino blanched.

"You can't leave the team because of something like this," he said suddenly, looking firm and Neji looked confident in his decision.

"Naruto is the only reason I came back," he emphasized, and Morino still looked to be searching him, trying to figure out if he had come up with a way to keep Naruto there.

Naruto wondered too. Unless…

…unless Neji was stalling for something.

Morino seemed to draw the same conclusion. Neji needed time for whatever he had planned.

"I've given you a lot of opportunities, Hyuuga. Are you sure this is what you want?"

Danzo looked content as the two bickered, but Naruto could tell there was something false about it. He was almost jealous at how well the two seemed to understand each other, reading body language that only commander and lead officer could pull off.

"You don't understand," Morino interrupted a comment from Neji, effectively silencing him. "He needs someone who doesn't know him to vouch for him," he explained, and as if on cue, there was a shuffling in the hall and the world seemed to stand still.

Naruto turned his attention towards the door as two more people came in, his eyes widening. The first was someone familiar, but someone who looked worlds different in a well lit room rather then a strobe-lit club.

Suigetsu was certainly deviously handsome, and his eyes were almost as threatening as Danzo's.

But Naruto's eyes didn't linger on the club owner for long.

It was the person that entered behind him.

Time stood still.

Sasuke Uchiha had never looked so perfect. Everything Naruto remembered about him radiated like déjà vu—from intelligent narrowed eyes to soft hair that framed a perfect porcelain face—even the expensive suit and simple tie that hinted he was someone to be dealt with.

Those familiar charcoal colored eyes wandered over Naruto for a split second, that empty expression never faltering. Naruto's heart had climbed to his throat and his breathing had slowed, and this time his hands were shaking from some unknown emotion—not fear or anger.

The moment was cut short when Danzo's voice cut through the silence like a knife.

"What the hell is this? Everyone, out," he demanded, but Suigetsu's voice was like liquid fire when he spoke.

"I'm understaffed and I heard a traveler here needed a new job," he said, and Naruto whipped his attention to Neji, wondering why and how he had managed to pull of this stunt. Or how he had even known the situation would have come down to employment.

Neji's eyes were glued to Sasuke though, looking less lively by the second. It took a minute for Naruto to realize that Sasuke and Neji had never really gotten along… so what he had sacrificed to call Sasuke and make Sasuke believe him was probably more than any pride a man could spare.

"Oh, isn't this convenient," he muttered, and Suigetsu dropped a handful of papers onto Morino's desk. "All he needs to do is sign," Suigetsu said, and he glanced at Naruto, his expression turning from something cocky to something close to jealousy.

Naruto searched for some sort of direction from Morino, but it was Neji who ended up answering his silent plea for guidance. "Sign them, Naruto."

Naruto glanced from Morino to Neji and then from Neji to the pile of papers on the desk. Everything was happening so fast, but he could only trust what Neji had done for him. He stepped forward and Deidara blocked his way, placing a hand over the papers.

"You're going to be arrested tonight," he said, and Naruto felt his temper flare.

"I think you're outnumbered," he said casually, and after a minute, what Naruto had said became devastatingly clear. Even Danzo had noticed, and his frown grew.

"Fine," he said with irritation. "Let him sign those papers. It's not like this will be the end. After all, he's got a time machine hidden somewhere."

This comment made both Suigetsu and Sasuke glance over to Naruto, but the blond made an effort to pay it no mind. He just wanted to sign the employment papers and move on. And when Deidara moved out of his way, that's exactly what he did.

"I'll be seeing you around, Morino," Danzo said threateningly enough, and Deidara looked like his pride had been completely shot. It wasn't until they disappeared from the room and the outer lobby door of the station was heard closing that Naruto realized just how quiet the room was.

Morino was sitting at his desk as though he felt like he didn't belong, and Naruto was leaning over the paperwork as though he was reading it, when in actuality his thoughts were completely focused on how long it could be before he turned around to face the one person he was deathly afraid to see.

From the back of the room, Neji snorted. "Morino, we have things we need to discuss," he said, and the commander wasted no time in jumping up and pacing out, giving Naruto an examining glance. From behind him, Naruto heard Sasuke's voice, and he closed his eyes, letting the familiar sound invade his senses.

"Suigetsu, please go with Morino and Hyuuga," it was exactly like Naruto remembered it, only ten times better because—well, it was real.

When the door clicked closed Naruto let out a shaky breath and stood up straight, wishing there was a way he could have mentally prepared himself. He had intended on meeting Sasuke when he was secure in the future—and had definitely hoped above anything else that it wouldn't be in a situation like he was in. Why was Sasuke always saving him?

"You can't look at me?"

Naruto froze at the words before regaining his composure and turning around, meeting those onyx eyes with a confidence he had mustered from nowhere.

"Sasuke—" he didn't even know what to say. Where to begin. He only knew that name. Sasuke.

The dark haired figure raised an eyebrow at him, but Naruto could see something else swirling in those shadowy eyes. It was as if they both had so much to say, and not a clue how to get the words out.

Naruto burst.

"I was going to see you, I swear! Once I got citizenship I was going to find you—I was going to explain everything. I was working really hard for that—"

"Naruto," Sasuke interrupted, and the sound of his name made the blond quiet almost immediately. He couldn't even count how many times he was imagined hearing his name coming from Sasuke's lips again. He wanted to savor it.

He just continued to gaze at Sasuke, afraid to keep talking.

"Naruto," Sasuke said again. "Why are you here?"

Naruto felt the rush inside of him dampen as Sasuke lost that curious look in his eye and replaced it with something cold and distant. Naruto frowned, not sure of how to answer the question.

"Why am I here?" he asked and he glanced around, somewhat confused. "I needed a job—" he began but Sasuke's voice interrupted him again.

"I don't care about your ridiculous job." His voice was icy. "Why are you here in the future?"

Naruto paused, inwardly thinking that this wasn't the way he had pictured their reuniting to happen. He had expected something more exciting, more romantic—more like when they had found each other in the airport. He frowned.

"I came back here…" he felt like an idiot, but he hated to lie, "...for you."

There was something in Sasuke's eyes that made Naruto nervous and when the brunet spoke next, it was as though everything involving Naruto's power of restraint had dissolved.

"If that was your only reason," Sasuke stated before his slender fingers brushed the doorknob, "then go back."

If Naruto had thought the world had stopped before, this time, it completely fell apart.

a/n: I know the majority of you probably want to murder me...but it really wouldn't be any fun (and wouldn't help my plot in the least) if Naruto didn't have to fight for the guy.

If I was naming chapters I'd probably call the next one 'Confrontations' because Sasuke and Naruto are going to have it out. Oooh, the excitement.

Another chapter I'm looking forward to writing. So hopefully it will be out super quickly as well!

Thank you all for reading and again, I'm sorry that I haven't been as diligent in responding. I think it's because I post a bunch of chapters at once and get overwhelmed, LOL.

Anywho, I love you all.

OH! Naruto Spoilers!

OMG Iruka is an angel! And Naruto...OMG...I never thought I would see the day where he would cry. It was heartbreaking. Although I have to be honest, it's left me much more hopeful for his future. It's always hard to tell if in the end Kishi plans on making Naruto the ultimate sacrifice...but with Iruka saying that Jiraiya knew he'd be the next hokage...it leaves me a little more confident that not everything is as it seems. Especially with Sasuke. I swear to God, I still think that he's got something up his sleeve. He has too. Naruto can't love an idiot.

He's too good for that.