Four Months Later

People were healing, the world slowly getting back to normal after the two day war. Naruto had gone to Konoha afterward, to make sure his loved ones would be okay, Gaara had insisted as much when he saw Shikamaru and Naruto's obvious reluctance to be separated. Reassuring him he would be just fine. So Naruto came back to Konoha, he had still stayed clear of the people, using henge to hide mostly because they all swarmed the "hero of the leaf" and he still couldn't let go of his tension and defenses completely. Kakashi had signed up to become the next Hokage whenever Tsunade was ready to pass the hat, nobody protested his candecy. He had been awol a week after returning to the village and Naruto knew, it was because of the loss of Gai and Obito (for a second time). Itachi had been cleared of all charges and declared a hero of the leaf also. So he and Sasuke had decided to start cleaning up the Uchiha Compound, offering Naruto a house within their walls. Itachi didn't seem to mind the loss of his eye and adjusted to it with seemingly little to no difficulty. Naruto had tried to help with rebuilding, helping Shikamaru and his friends with their Clans funerals and such until he couldn't be around so many people any longer. Shikamaru and Naruto had decided to wait, give each other time to do what was needed, Shikamaru for his clan. And Naruto had decisions to make. He had wracked his brain on how to make it work with Shikamaru, but his struggle to be in the village had only brought him to four outcomes.

One, Naruto would stay and eventually snap or resent Shikamaru.

Two, they try long distance and Naruto didn't think he could do that.

Three, Shikamaru leaves with him and then resents Naruto for taking him from his home.

Four, they end it before it truly begins.

He groaned feeling depressed about the whole thing. The funerals, inheritance and rebuilding was almost done and Naruto was dreading the conversation with Shikamaru. Because it was going to hurt, in a way he had never dealt with before.

"It is supposed to be three in the afternoon" came a bright cheerful voice pulling Naruto from his spiralling mood. Blinking and looking to the source of the bright small pool of chakra. His heart leapt up his throat at the sight of the green clad man, before his mind reminded him, it was Lee, and his hope was replaced with sorrow. He felt guilty even thought he knew, even thought Kakashi had told him. Then he realised the forest was dark and his shadows had shrouded the small space into darkness. Naruto sat up and pulled them in before reaching up to tug on the stud, and sagging at the empty lobe. Right, Sakura had used it to buy time. He internally frowned as his mood soured more. He hated not having that constant feeling of Shikamaru's chakra, but also the stud itself.

"Sorry, I have a dilemma" he apologised and the man stepped forward and sat crossed legged opposite him.

"Well, we sensed as much" he chuckled and Naruto blinked at him

"We?"

"The Hokage had sent me for you. She wishes to speak to you and a number of people have been concerned with the... aura you have been letting off out here" he explained and Naruto nodded. Not so subtle after all.

"Sorry, well I will head to go see the Hokagé now. Thanks Lee" he smiled half heartedly before teleporting to the Hokage tower. He took a breath outside the door, calming his mind and stepped into the room. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as he tensed freezing halfway through the door. Sat in two chairs next to Tsunade was an old couple he vaguely remembered. The elders. Stood off to the side at the window was Kakashi too.

"I thought you two would have died by now" he said disprectfully, giving no shits about manners. The man only chuckled whilst the woman frowned but said nothing.

"Please, take a seat, Naruto" Tsunade said gesturing to the chair opposite her but he only closed the door and leant against it. Kakashi's mask tightened on his chin and Naruto imagined he was pressing his lips together to refrain from smiling. Tsunade sighed and let her hand fall onto her desk.

"There has been a meeting, regarding you" she spoke and Naruto only looked at her raising a single brow and she took it to continue "as you are aware, Kakashi is next to be Hokage, and we have to have someone lined up in case of early death" Naruto narrowed his eyes before turning to glare at the elders. Kakashi was at his side immediately placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"It is no threat, it is a contingency that has always been in place. A second choice and a protégé if acceptable. Jiyraiya was the second and Sakura the protégé" he explained and gestured to Tsunade "however Sakura has no interest in the job and frankly" he hesitated

"I do not think she could handle it" Tsunade admitted and Naruto was beginning to get a sinking feeling in his gut.

"The council and daimiyo all agree that you would be the best choice, after myself" Kakashi said softly squeezing his shoulder in comfort at the way Naruto tensed

"Me?" He asked emotionlessly because he wanted to scream at them. Are they fucking stupid? Why would they think I would ever accept it? "You're joking right?" He blurted and saw three faces with stern seriousness.

"You practically single handedly saved the world, and defeated Madara" the woman said to which Naruto glared his upper lip curling back as he barely contained the growl.

"It wasn't just me! Kakashi, Gai, Sasuke, Gaara, and multiple others made it possible. Itachi, Shikaku and Shikamaru helped the others defeat the giant Buddha using Yamato and saved his life! Sasuke is strong why not nominate him?" He asked trying not to spiral into panic. The way Tsunade glared at the desk and the two elders jutted out their chins in defiance, had him sensing some disagreements.

"You are Lord Fourth's child, you successfully took control of the Kyu-" the woman cut off at Naruto's growl eyes widening

"Kurama" Kakashi supplied calmly "and he didn't take control of him" Kakashi corrected and the woman nodded

"You're the perfect candidate, and you are close to Kakashi which means he can teach you everything you need to know, and you have Shikaku who is more than happy to support you until Shikamaru takes his place"

Naruto ignored the pick up of his heart. Shikamaru? Right, Shikaku is somewhat an advisor to the Hokage had been since the Old man. It makes sense Shikamaru would likely take that mantle too.

"Let me get this straight?" He said exasperated and pinched his nose "you want me, the kid who was severely abused, traumatised and cast out of the village to be the protector of it? I can't even be here without constantly being aware of my movements and the civilians so I don't accidentally kill them"

Tsunade cleared her throat, catching his attention

"We understand the difficulties, Shikaku had raised his concerns with the explanation of an incident with his wife" she said softly and Naruto internally winced "we can work with that, help you. The hat won't be passed down for years anyway. But you would need to become a Shinobi of the leaf" she warned

"And we expect you to have some chi-" the old lady began before yet again cutting off at the glare from Naruto

"You are the ones who want me, maybe you shouldn't set bullshit conditions like it'll make my decision any better" he cut in his voice sharp and threatening. He didn't miss the smirk from Tsunade.

"Perhaps you two should stop talking" Kakashi advised stepping between them to block them from Naruto's view. "I think you'd be a great Hokage. And I support the choice for you to be a candidate so I ask you consider it and we will work on your issues" He bent down a little to be level with Naruto "But" he emphasised "I don't want you to force yourself to take it for us. Its your choice and I will support whichever choice you make. Even if it means you leave"

"Kakashi" the man hissed but nobody listened to him. Naruto felt his pulse points at the intensity if his heart beating

"It's not the same as when you ran away, I know you'll be okay, and I hope you'd keep in touch this time"

Naruto felt like his heart grew two sizes as the love he felt for this man swelled in his chest. He was giving him his blessing and it meant more to Naruto than even he himself realised. So he only nodded because he didn't trust his voice to speak.

The sun would set soon so he made his way to the Nara compound knowing Shikamaru would be back soon. They spent all his free time together but it was more to just be in each others presence, he didn't have a solution to their predicament. He hated and loved the way he softened around Shikamaru, how he would melt into the man's embrace, even if it felt odd. To be so relaxed with someone else. But it was becoming something he craved and he wondered if it was enough to make them work. Even if he stayed would he even be a ninja? He was pretty sure the Hokage position was not something he would accept. He wondered why the elders didn't consider Sasuke, clearly there was an issue. The way Tsunade and the elders looked at each other was evidence enough. He leapt over the rooftops, avoiding the still busy streets until the concentration of buildings lessened to make room for empty land, between the Nara compound and the village. He liked this space between it, trees, a river and it was always quiet. A good place to let go of the anxiety and stress before reaching somewhere better. Halfway through it he halted sensing a now familiar and warming chakra. Looking down to the bank sat at the base of a tree the flash of pink caught his eye. She was sat cross legged, her hands resting on her knees and her eyes closed. He had come to like Sakura in their time together. She seemed loyal, brave and not afraid to tell you to get back in your place if you overstepped. Even if it was to someone who could likely kill her easily enough. That confidence and bossiness will either save her life or be the end of it. Though now with the seal on her head, and immunity to genjutsu, he remembered, she'll likely be hard to kill. Sensing she was busy he kept on his way.

He sat in the back garden, waiting again for Shikamaru against the same tree from before he left to train. He couldn't stop thinking about the offer, and it terrified him. He couldn't think here and he knew what his next step was going to be, he just hoped Shikamaru would understand.

"What is it?" Came the soothing voice before he pushed Naruto forward to get behind him and pull Naruto back against his chest

"What makes you think something is wrong?" Naruto asked taking a deep breath and leaning his head on Shikamaru's shoulder

"I can tell" he took Naruto's hand and weaved their fingers together over the back of Naruto's hand. He sighed and pouted truly wishing he wasn't about to do this to Shikamaru, again.

"I'm leaving for a while" he whispered hating the way Shikamaru tensed underneath him, his hand tightening over his. The stop in the movement of his chest "its not like last time. I just... I can't think here. I can't breathe unless I'm here, the house, the forest. And now-" he cut off glaring at the floor

"Tell me" he whispered his cheek pressing onto Naruto's head

"They want me to be next in line after Kakashi to be Hokage. If I stay and show my loyalty as a shinobi here first"

"Idiots" Shikamaru hissed and Naruto couldn't help the soft laughter that escaped his lips. They sat in silence for a while "I was so close too" Shikamaru groaned causing Naruto to look up to his chin

"I know" he whispered a heavy, painful ache taking place in his chest

"What about us?" He asked and Naruto closed his eyes in resignation "I imagine you've came to the same conclusions I did, maybe more"

The way his hand clenched over Naruto's was heartbreaking, even if he had wanted to he couldn't stop his free hand lifting to cup the back of Shikamaru's neck, his hand grasping the loose hair at the nape of his neck.

"I hate this" he admitted turning his head to put his lips on Naruto's temple

"I'm not ready to give up" Naruto admitted it didn't seem to matter it was painful or possibly just not meant to be "I'm hoping... time away, some place I feel safe without just you and the others... I can find a way to..." he trailed off tightening his hold on the man. Shikamaru let go of his hand turning it over as his other came round to place a small box in his palm.

"Maybe next time I give you a gift... it won't be before you runaway"

Naruto's hand fell from Shikamaru's neck as he stared wide eyes at the box. He didn't need to open it to know, he could feel it and his throat closed up, his eyes stung.

"You didn't have-"

"I wanted to" Shikamaru interrupted "I know you won't ever need it, and it may be stupid but-"

"I need it" Naruto almost yelled closing his hand over the box and bringing it to his chest, as if he was going to take it away. He quickly opened it and took out the stud, with almost twice as much chakra as the last. Without hesitation he took the clasp off and forced the dull metal into his right lobe, the pain nothing. He immediately felt right again, balanced, steady. He sighed a small laugh leaving him "I always need you" he admitted and tried not to focus on how cheesy that sounded. But it was true, his entire life, he had had Shikamaru. From the night he brought him here(the night his life began for him), to the months that followed, to the day he ran. And then he had him in the stud, in the shadows. The shadows eventually lost the feeling of Shikamaru, his own taking over, only the small amount in the pendant. But the stud... it never faded, it never lost its feeling and he had hated not having it these last months. "You didn't need to do this again"

"I wanted to" he shrugged "when will you go?" He asked softly

"Tonight"

"Can you just..." Shikamaru wrapped his arm over Naruto's waist holding him a little tighter "stay the night?" He asked and Naruto felt his heart drop at the feel of warmth on the back of his neck "please?" The lips brushed against his skin. A shiver ran through him as his body felt like it was burning up.

They had decided to not go there, kisses here and there, holding each other only. Making sure not to get carried away. If Naruto couldn't handle it they didn't want that pain. This was new, and Naruto wasn't sure he could deny Shikamaru anything at this moment. So he nodded, holding his breath, focusing in the warmth on the back of his neck

"Okay" he choked out bringing his hands over Shikamaru's arms squeezing them slightly. Lips pressed against his neck again and he stayed there a moment before he pulled back

"Have you eaten?" He asked and Narutos shook his head, a little afraid to move. Was there a moment? Was he expecting them to take the next step? Not that Naruto wasn't up for it he just didn't want to screw anything up "want Ichiraku's?" Shikamaru asked and Naruto smiled turning to face him.

"Yes" he chuckled he had had it a lot in the times after the war. Teuchi had twisted Yamato's arm to build him a stand as soon as he was able. He was one of the first stalls open. And after his hair was finally completely natural he had gone a little enthusiastic in feeding him. And Naruto had gotten pretty emotional at the fact he remembered him. It was quickly becoming his favourite food again.

"You're a bad influence, Kiki and Azai are there almost everyday" Shikamaru smirked as he stood up and pulled Naruto with him.

"Yeah, I had told them about it when we were kids, she probably looked for it when she figured out this was where I came from" Naruto shrugged and wasn't too surprised. He tried to recreate it, it was a disastrous failure.

The goodbye was hard, neither wanted to let go but Shikamaru was supportive. If anything the hardest part for him was to have him not go off on his Dad for putting Naruto's name forward. Naruto understood it, and he had asked about the odd feeling about Sasuke he picked up.

"The council are paranoid and judgemental old coots. That and Sasuke defacting to Orochimaru for a short time. The fact that he and Itachi are big reasons the leaf is as good as it is now don't seem to account for anything" Shikamaru had explained and Naruto had scoffed at the thought. How could a guy who left to learn to kill a 'traitor' be less applicable than the one who left and had only saved them because of two people who happened to be there? The one who was more likely to accidentally kill a civilian? The one who wasn't even sure he had any loyalty to the people as a whole, instead of a few.

He didn't understand their thinking.

Maybe they are still thinking about control? You are still my Jinchurichi, you have the chakra of all of my siblings, and you are on good terms with all of my siblings Kurama suggested. Naruto landed on the next branch in surprise, that hadn't occurred to him. That'd piss him off. Shaking his head he continued on to Suna.

-

Gaara was leant against his desk, arms folded against his chest as he levelled Naruto with a hard stare

"So you ran away" Gaara stated

"I absolutely ran away" he agreed and Gaara almost smiled "Are they insane?"

"They're devious is what they are" Gaara stated "And I am not pleased they're taking your connection to Kakashi for granted"

Naruto looked at him confused and Gaara sighed "They're trying to entice you to stay, and hoping to manipulate you into wanting it. Be glad they don't know about you and Shikamaru" he actually smirked and Naruto looked at him confused. Because he hadn't actually had time to explain to Gaara that Shikamaru was the one he spoke about before the war. And he wasn't there for the public kiss "some ninja from here saw" he explained and Naruto shouldn't have been surprised "now I understand why you practically fled the room when he was here"

"I did not flee" Naruto denied "I just didn't think it'd be a good idea if he knew I was here" he pouted "and I didn't know what I'd do if we were in the same room" he admitted.

Gaara's lips quirked a little more and Naruto groaned. There was a knock on the door and Gaara gave permission to walk in

"Hattori? You finally home?" Temari's voice called and Naruto smiled at his fellow blonde.

"Undecided" he shrugged "some choices to make"

"You really suit the blonde. Can't believe the red isn't natural" she commented flicking his fringe "I'm never calling you Naruto" she deadpanned and he nodded not at all surprised

"That's cool, the family who took me in still call me Hattori too"

"What is it, Temari?" Gaara asked and she straightened up as she gave her report before she was sent on her way. Once he had signed the report he sat back in his chair and then looked back up to Naruto.

"You know you're welcome to stay. Your room. is still set up"

Naruto nodded and leant against the wall folding his arms

"How did you do it?" He asked, Gaara had gone through the same abuse, worse even. His own Father treated him like nothing more than a weapon, outright blamed him for his mother's death, sent assessing after him on top of the abuse from the villagers. Naruto remembered him deciding to take his father's place. Temari didn't want to be confined to the village, Kankoro wanted to focus on his puppets. Gaara had decided he wanted to do better, and he changed their minds, so well in fact even before the war you would never have known the hatred they had. Even from the kidnapping he had seen the effort the people made to help Gaara, the desperation to help their Kazekage. He didn't even seem to hate them, or begrudge them.

"I had you" he answered shortly and Naruto frowned confused "you were their the whole time after the Chunin exams. You stuck by me, helped me, and told me that people do stupid things when afraid. I saw it after that, and decided I needed to change it. And my Father was gone, my relationship with my siblings improved without his influence"

"So you had a good support system?" Naruto summarised

"Yes"

"Do you think that would be enough?" He asked Gaara and tried to ignore the look of grief Gaara couldn't hide.

"For you? I think it would. You've never been so lost in the darkness as I was. I'd caused so much pain and you have never done that. Only ever received it. I felt as though I had to redeem myself, you have nothing to redeem. You remained good, and never blamed all people"

"I don't know what to do" Naruto admitted stuffing his hands in his pockets. Gaara put his arms on his desk, clasping his hands in the centre.

"You need to figure out what you want"

"I know what I want" Naruto frowned

"Then you know what to do" Gaara said

Naruto frowned and wanted to glare at the man "work at it, make it a reality. You're the most stubborn man I know. And you deserve everything you want. If I could give it you here, I would but... let's face it you've never called Suna home. And I'd imagine you've never called anywhere you've been home"

"It's not like I don-" he cut off as Gaara held his hand up

"I understand" he assured Naruto "but as we parted at the battlefield... I had never seen you as at ease as I did when you were stood next to Shikamaru"

"What? You think the leaf is my home because of Shikamaru?" He scoffed and Gaara bowed his head and shook it looking at his desk.

Idiot Kurama breathed, Naruto didn't get it, he said Shikamaru? Why would he not be talking about Shikamaru's home? That's the leaf, right? His heart was beginning to pound in his ears as his mind caught up with what Gaara was saying. Right, that makes sense he supposed. Even before he ran away, he was at ease with Shikamaru, and he had wanted to stay in the compound.

"Naruto?" Gaara's voice pulled him from his thoughts

"I get what you're saying but... I almost killed his mum. What is the point of me being there if I am so on edge, ready to kill anyone who isn't someone I trust if they moves too fast?"

"The fact you are conscious of that possibility and want to avoid it is enough. You're already trying" Gaara told him and Naruto glared at him as he recalled the very same advice. Advice he had given Gaara when he was turning himself around.

"Really? You're spouting my own bullshit to me?"

"It was true. I was an animal, Naruto. If I can do it for myself you sure can. Especially if you love him. You're incredibly selfless deep down. You hide it, and you pretend you're neutral to the world" he looked at him with a look Naruto had never seen on his face, pride? Love? He couldn't tell. "But you are in fact the most loyal and loving person I've ever met, to a damned fault"

Naruto frowned as Kurama agreed eagerly but Naruto wasn't sure he believed them. Gaara stood, stepping away from his desk and slowly pulled Naruto into a hug, firm and tense, Gaara had never given a hug.

"I'm selfish. I want you to stay, I want to watch your back but I know you have people who would do anything for you. I saw it. Felt it with that mind link. You're my brother, blood or not and you have gone long enough walking through the motions. You deserve a home, happiness and love. And you've already found it"

Naruto lifted his arms to wrap around his brother, because he was. Life threw them into the darkest parts of it, and they had found each other in it, bonded over it, they'd always be connected that way. But Gaara had made it to the lighter side, and Naruto had never minded, until he heard Shikamaru's scream. He'd truly been happy for Gaara, that small part of him that inevitably wished he had that chance was barely noticeable. But now? Now it wouldn't stop, to the point his own issues are what's standing in his way. But he couldn't figure out how to let them go. Dispite Kiki's advice it wasn't so easy to put into action. Sure he wanted to live his life, stick it to those who treated him like an animal. Gaara stepped back to look up to Naruto

"You've never lost your humanity, I imagine that this process is going to be smoother for you. Even now I still have moments that... anger is under the surface and I have to remember I'm not that man anymore" Naruto nodded remembering such occasions, Gaara would halt, take a moment or two more than usual before reacting. Naruto had those small doses of kindness from his loved ones, the biggest being the day he ran and he guessed that was what separated him from Gaara.

"It's only been a few years, I know that will leave you one day" Naruto comforted him. Gaara waved him off

"That's not my point" he said "Naruto, do not let your fear ruin this for you. Do not run from the chance you've been given"

"You think I should accept the hat?!" Naruto asked eyes widening

"No. I mean the rest of it. If in time you choose to take it I will be proud to call you my fellow kage but none of those who love you care about that. They just want you home"

Naruto felt a lump in his throat and had to ignore how nice that actually sounded. He'd thought he had been okay, not having a home, he had places that he knew he could always go. Was this what homesickness was? Was he missing something he never had?

You had it. Just not for very long Kurama told him and he knew Kurama was talking about his three months at the Nara Compound.

He knew Gaara was right too, Kakashi and Shikamaru had both said as much. And he knew his parents would be happy to see him happy in the village they invisioned.

'Start slow' Kiki's voice rang in his ears and he frowned the conversation in the woods coming back go him.

"Take your time, but please, take what I've said to heart and don't let your fears win" he said and Naruto nodded

"I will. Thank you Gaara" he nodded and then someone knocked and the door opened.

"The council is ready, my lord" Matsuri came in smiling brightly "welcome home Hat- uh Naruto"

"Hattori is fine, how've you been?"

"Oh I have been good" her eyes darted to Gaara and then to her feet. Naruto smirked shaking his head before looking to Gaara. Poor girl, he was still neutral as he thanked her and said he was on his way. She blushed and then left quickly.

"What about you? Found anyone you want yet?" Naruto asked and Gaara looked at him blankly.

"Me, no. I have long accepted I won't find that"

Naruto shook his head, how had he so easily seen through Naruto and Shikamaru but not the girl who was so obviously in love with him. And Gaara cared for her more than anyone else beside his family. He had made it clear it wasn't the same as his affection for Naruto. That it was different but he didn't know how. Naruto hummed before nodding to Gaara

"I'll see you for dinner" Gaara said as he left to go to his meeting.

I got there the next chapter is already in the works and hopefully won't be too long to update this time