Author's Notes:

Welcome back to another chapter of Dreamers! I'm so excited about some of the upcoming chapters. Now that we finished the Pain Arc, you'll start seeing some chapters from me instead of the canon/ me. Those are probably my favorite because they don't take as long and because I have more freedom to do with as I please. Anyway, I'm excited to see what everyone has to say. I also have been going through some of my old work recently and making some changes and updates. So, for anyone following me and they see that those stories were updated, it was just me making some changes. I can't wait to hear what you guys think of these upcoming chapters! Drop me a review for your chance to win this month's contest!

I'm also excited because yesterday I updated an epilogue for my first one-shot in years to honor my 11th Anniversary as a Fanfiction writer. I can't believe that it's been 11 years already and I'm still going strong. I do hope to eventually write an actual novel one day or post some of my poetry someday, but that conversation for another day. And my anniversary couldn't come at a more opportune time. Due to some changes, I'll have a lot of freer time to hopefully post at least once almost every day or once a week! So be looking for more updates for the time being! So stick with me because there's more love to give! Love you guys!

Reviewer Shoutout: Jnaruko & I-Love-Trucks1

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Chapter 54: Rebuilding from What Remains

Naruto's P.O.V.

(3 Weeks Later)

"Naruto, are those documents finished yet? I thought I said I wanted them on my desk today by noon?"

"Um, um, hold on. I know they're right~ Here they are, Granny!" I yell as I hand her the documents she asks for.

She looks them over for a few moments before handing them back to me, "Wrong! Do them again!" she yells as she throws them back at me.

"What's wrong with them? I did them just like you taught me!" I argue.

"For one, you dated them wrong, and two you just approved for sea turtles to commit murder! Learn to proofread before handing in your documents! Again!"

I glare as I watch her pour her second cup of sake with her feet up on her desk, "Ya know, Granny, I'm starting to think you're just using me to do all your paperwork while you sit and drink and shirk your Hokage duties,"

"Ha! You think I need you to do that? I can do that just fine on my own. But fine, brat," she laughs before taking a drink and staring at me intensely, "I'll humor you. Why do you think I'm using you to do all of my Hokage duties while I goofy off?"

I grunt as I set the documents on my smaller desk beside hers before sitting down in my own chair, feet on top of my desk, and arms crossing over my chest, "How about it's been three weeks since I started studying under you and all you have done is yell at me that everything I do is wrong, throw things at me, or threaten me while you get drunk,"

"So? You act like you're the only student I treat like this. Ask Shizune and Sakura how I trained them, and you'll see that you're not getting no special treatment. At least all you must learn from me is how to do paperwork and sit in boring meetings all day,"

"Are you serious?" I just look at her with an eyebrow raised. When she doesn't answer me, I sigh while rubbing my face, "You've got to be the worst sensei ever. And that's saying something because I had Kakashi who would show up late to every meeting when I was a genin, claiming he got lost on the "Road of Life","

"Naruto, you wound me with your words," Granny and I tun our heads to see Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke, and Captain Yamato walking into the office, "And here I thought I was always a great sensei to you guys. Right Sasuke?"

"Please don't drag me into your pity party," Sasuke says while walking over to my desk and picking up a random document, "Why did you approve for sea turtles to commit murder and date it wrong?"

"Give me that," I growl while snatching the document back, "It's been a long day, ok? What are you guys doing here anyway?"

"Well It's 5 pm and we have done our duties in helping rebuild what we can in the village for the day," Kakashi-sensei answers coolly.

"Besides, I asked them to come here. Because of the hard work, everyone has done, the rubble from both your old apartment and the destroyed Uchiha Compound has been cleared. I figured both Sasuke and you would want to try and salvage what was left," Granny explains.

"Was there that much rubble that it took so long to clear it all?" Sasuke asks.

"Unfortunately. I'm sorry Sasuke, but your entire clans' compound was destroyed and since Naruto's apartment was on the top floor, some of his stuff was buried during Pain's attack. However, we did what we can. I have asked Kakashi and Captain Yamato to help you both with this task. Naruto, you're free to dismiss your clones when they are done with their tasks. You're dismissed for now,"

"Thanks, Granny," I say while standing and stretching.

We leave her office and make our way through the streets. With everyone working together, the village is starting to look more like its old self again. In no time, our village should be standing tall again. I lace my fingers behind my head as we continue to walk.

"Where should we start?" Sasuke asks.

"We should do Naruto's apartment first. He did have less stuff, but I wouldn't be too optimistic," Kakashi-sensei.

"Yeah, I kind of figured. There isn't much I want to save anyway. All I really had were clothes, some scrolls, my plants, and ramen. I just hope my ramen, scrolls, and plants are ok," I sigh.

"Really? Ramen? That's one of the things you want to salvage. Why am I not surprised?" Sasuke groans.

"Come on, Sasuke. You should know who I am by now," I grin.

"It doesn't matter. I already told you that you're on a diet anyway. You've become too heavy to carry,"

"Hey! I told you it's all muscle! Everyone knows that muscle weighs heavier than fat. Plus, wouldn't you rather have me dripping in all this sexy muscle instead of sloppy fat," I smirk while flexing my muscles and rubbing my six-pack of abs, "It takes work to get and maintain these muscles,"

"You're so conceded. Besides, I'm pretty sure some of that weight also comes from each of those tails. How heavy are those things?" Sasuke asks as he points to my eight tails.

"Um, last time Granny and I weighed them they were like about 5 pounds each, I think?" I say while lifting one up and picking some dirt from them.

"You have to have them weighed, Naruto?" Captain Yamato asks in curiosity.

"Yeah. Because I'm the first Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki that has unlocked Kurama's power, Granny and Pervy-Sage have been helping me monitor my abilities and physical differences. So, I must have my tails weighed every month or so, do physical and mental exams, and all kinds of other tests. They're a bitch to clean every night though,"

"Hm, interesting. So, what else can you do with them? Or do they have a mind of their own?" Kakashi-sensei questions.

I can lift them and use them to carry things or close doors like everyone else. I recently found out I can carry a small child up to about 15 pounds without difficulty using about two to three tails. But because they're so heavy to keep all eight up all day, I tend to let them drag on the floor, so that gets dirty easily. Sometimes sleeping sucks though, depending on the position I'm in. But they can sometimes give away my emotions depending on how I'm feeling. Every night, I must spend an extra 30 minutes in the bath just to make sure they're clean too,"

"Mush to my annoyance because of the mess he leaves behind," Sasuke groans.

"I told you I was sorry!" I yell.

"Wait. You said each of your tails weighs about 5 pounds each, right? So that means you have about an extra 40 pounds added onto your backside. How much do you weigh the total?" Captain Yamato asks.

"Um. Last time I was weighed I was at a total of 160 pounds with my tails. So, without my tails, I would be about 120 pounds,"

"I can't believe I've been lifting your heavy ass all over the Fire Country," Sasuke groans again with his arms crossing.

"Oh, shut up, Sasuke. You act like you wouldn't have done it anyway," I smile while lining in close to his face.

"Alright kids, we're here. Come on Naruto, let's see what we can salvage," Kakashi-sensei says as we arrive as the rubble site.
There was caution tape surrounding the site. I could feel my smile and heart drop. I lift the tape and walk through the rubble. Actually walking through and standing amongst the rubble makes it a reality: my home was gone. The apartment I had since I was a child was destroyed. The years I spent here alone after Kurama disappeared and the one week we shared before he disappeared. The first time Sasuke and I confessed our love for each other, our first kiss, every moment after, the last night Sasuke and I spent together before I brought him back to the village… it was all gone. I clench my fist tightly, my claws digging into my palms. Fangs biting into my bottom lip to stop me from crying. I can feel my body shaking with all my raging emotions. Suddenly, a hand on my shoulder stops me. I turn to look at Sasuke's worried glance. I take a few deep breaths before wiping away a few tears.

"I'm alright. Come on," I say softly before continuing forward.

We rummage through the pile but there wasn't much to save. I was able to find my "Sasuke" box with some of our pictures, plushies, and some other souvenirs from our old dates. I also find a few scrolls that could be salvaged, but that was about it. I wasn't too hopeful. However, I was happy to at least know that those memories were saved. Once we were finished, I sent a clone to take my belonging back to our apartment. Sasuke comes over to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. I cover his hand with mine, squeeze it, and offer a small smile of my own. Kakashi and Captain Yamato stand in the background, just watching us quietly. When I'm ready, we make our way to the Uchiha Compound. Just like how Sasuke was there for me, I know I must pull myself together so I can be there for him. Unlike me, Sasuke had a family he knew, so this will be harder for him than for me.

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Just like when we arrived at my old apartment, I can feel Sasuke's mood drop and his emotions set in. He looks around to see that not one of his clans' homes was saved. Everything had been destroyed. I could feel the painful memories form for me too. When we were first dating in our younger days, we would spend a good amount of time at Sasuke's family's home. Seeing it just as demolished as my apartment hurt us both, especially him. I couldn't imagine seeing the home he shared with his entire clan, the same place he lived through their massacre and was forced to live in his family's home alone until we got together destroyed. I offered a comforting hand as he did me, but I don't think it was enough. Even with my hand on his shoulder, his body wouldn't stop shaking. Without being right next to him, you couldn't see how bad he is shaking. I released some of my alpha aura and scent to surround him while linking our tails together. It seems to ease him more, but he still takes a few more calming breaths.

"Sasuke~"

"I'm fine," He takes a step forward and out of my reach. I go to call for him again, but he stops me before I can even get his name out, "I'm going in alone. Stay here, please,"

Kakashi-sensei, Captain Yamato, and I turn to look at each other. The two of them just shrug before sitting on a nearby bench. I turn back towards the Uchiha Compound's entrance and sit down, awaiting my mate's return.

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After a while, a dirty Sasuke emerges with a lone box in his hand. I wanted to ask if he wanted to save anything else, but the look on his face already gave me my answer. Instead of saying anything, we just watch him. He approaches us.

"Sasuke~"

"Thank you for your help today. Come on Naruto. Let's go home," Sasuke says, interrupting Kakashi-sensei.

I just nod to our two senseis before following my mate's home.

Once we get back to our apartment, we both shower after unpacking our boxes in "Sasuke's room". Neither of us talks as Sasuke makes dinner. I continue to let out my Alpha aura and scent to calm him. It seems to work, but he doesn't say anything. I don't push him but instead, wait for him to come to me. We eat in silence too. I offer to do the dishes. Sasuke just nods emptily before making his way into our bedroom. To make ourselves more comfortable, we merged our two beds together in my room and turned "Sasuke's room" into a storage room. After I finish the dishes, I got into the bedroom to see Sasuke sitting on the bed, staring at the full moon hanging high in the sky. I walk up to him, climbing on the bed and position myself so he's sitting between my legs. I wrap my arms around him and rest my head on his shoulder.

"Wanna talk about it?" I finally say.

He remains quiet for a few moments before taking a deep breath, "I didn't think it would be this hard. But seeing all my clan's homes destroyed. Seeing the place where my clan once lived together before they were murdered. The place where Itachi and I were happy before the Leaf Elders made him their slave. Where I was forced to live alone after watching my clan be slaughtered like animals. And then where you and I started to make a new life… It's all gone… I didn't think it would hurt this bad. I kept telling myself that there's nothing left for me there anyway, but… I was wrong…"

I feel a hot tear fall on my arms as his body shakes. I tighten my hold on him while rocking us. I wrap him up in myself until he finally stops and kisses our faded mating mark, "I know it hurts. I felt something like that when I saw my apartment destroyed. I don't know exactly what you felt, because I didn't have a family to live with, other than Kurama. But I had you. My apartment held my most loneliness of memories and memories of you. I know it hurts, but you're right about one thing,"

"What?"

"There's nothing left at either place for us. We have this new place, although temporary. We have a fresh start. We still have our memories. Those places may have been where we created them, but we'll always have our memories of us together. And now, we can create new ones. I'm not going anywhere, and neither are you. I love you, Sasuke. We're in this together. We have so much more time to make more memories. I have more plans for us. So, don't be sad about your clan's compound and I won't be sad about my apartment. Let's make the next place our new home, ok?"

Sasuke doesn't say anything for a while. I was worried that I might have said something to offend him. I finally let a shaky breath out when he nuzzles against me. I turn my face and gives him a loving kiss. It is a quick one, but one with all the love he needs. We stare into each other's eyes for a moment before putting our foreheads together with our eyes closed. I can feel his calming breath against mine.

"I love you and thank you," he says quietly.

"I love you too," I smile.

I don't know how long we stay like that. But it doesn't matter. All that matters now are the new memories waiting to be created and our bright future ahead of us; with our two boxes sitting side by side in the other room as the foundation.

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To Be Continued…