That night unfolded in hundreds of stories beneath the night sky, as Naruto told Sasuke his adventures. Time seemed to suspend it's march, allowing them to talk until the early light of dawn kissed the sky. Sasuke observed, what seemed to have been just mere hours had transformed the boyish mage into a man, and even though he had not lost his childish mannerisms and the naive glint of his eyes he knew that he had been changed, by his experiences and his journey, and so after hours of talking the blonde had fallen silent, his chest rose slowly as he fell asleep in the soft grass. Sasuke scoffed, raising into the air to keep a watchful eye as the mortal boy slept.


Naruto grumbled in his sleep when the rays of sunlight fell on his eyes, Sasuke laughed quietly as the branches from the trees obeyed the mumbled request and grew over the mortal boy to shield him from the sun. With his pale long fingers he removed a strand of golden hair away from the boyish face, he pressed his palm over the beating heart and pulled put a long black feather from within the mortal boy but a tan hand grasping his wrist stopped his movement.

"I believe you are taking something that belongs to me" - Naruto mumbled groggily. "you gave that feather to me, the night i parted" - Sasuke snorted

"You do not need my protection anymore, if my senses don't betray me, you are far stronger that i any other creature"

"It is not for protection that i still carry that in my heart" - Naruto blushed, pressing the lone black feather back in his chest, Sasuke placed his hand over the beating heart once again, he leaned in closer until their foreheads touched.

"Then tell me why" - he whispered, their lips touching slightly, Naruto blushed harder, he stumble upon his words, trying to get them out. "Still very easy to tease i see" - Sasuke joked.


After a brief momemt of rest Naruto fel the sound of the waking village beckoning him back. As he strolled through the mountain and cobblestone pathways a sense of nostalgia filled him. Everyone in his path greeted him happily as they recognized him, the children enveloped him in warm hugs and the older man nodded in recognition.

At the heart of the village, old man Sarutobi, the village chief, was awaiting for Naruto with open arms.

"Welcome home" - the chief said. "Please come join us this afternoon, we didn't know you were coming back and you deserve to be welcomed like a king and everyone is dying to hear about your adventures"

xx

That afternoon the village square became the gathering place of everyone celebrating Naruto's return, they invited him to partake in a feast of home cooked meals, laughter and melodies, the joyful ambiance was something he had dearly missed as his two previous mentors were not very social. That sense of belonging was something he had missed all these years.

As the festival continued a small group of children dragged Naruto to a bonfire, they wanted to hear his stories so Naruto transported them to a realm of monsters and battles of magic and adventure, with animated gestures and quite the theatrical skill Naruto conjured a few images to captivate the children and a few adults that wanted to listen. He performed a few tricks here and there and the children bubbled up, laughing and screaming as objects flew around and fireworks took form. Giggles and amazement became the symphony of the night.

eventually, as the day grew into night everyone bid farewell, the children only left with a promise he would come back with more magic and stories another day. Naruto finally made his way back home, to the old wooden cabin he had known as home for most of his life.


He opened the door slowly and upon crossing the threshold his mother's magic and spirit filled him, when he was young he had never felt his mother in the house, but today, after all his adventures and all his growth the house felt different.

"Mother, I'm home" - he whispered, the magic around him felt like a warm hug. He was rediscovering his home, some nooks and crannies that had eluded him before he had awakened his power. Now it was time to make that place his own, his desire to follow the footsteps of his teachers made a clear path for his future.