Morning for Sasuke came as he prepared himself for another day at the Academy, moving in his usual methodical nature. With the usual task of brushing his teeth and taking a shower, he moved down the stairs of the Compound of his home, being greeted by his mother.

"Good morning, Sasuke."

"Morning, mom."

As she readied a plate for Sasuke, the boy began to eat. Within a few minutes of morning breakfast, the patriarch of the Uchiha Clan and current head clan leader entered as he smiled. "Good morning, Sasuke." But as he greeted Mikoto, she saw the flickers and embers of rage were still there, with bags under his eyes, and the few remains of alcohol on him. He had been upset, and both knew why. She could not blame him. She could still smell the faint tinge of smoke in the air, the practice field of trees outside nothing but ashes.

"Morning dad."

Breakfast was filled with only small talk of the Academy schedule of events. Finishing with assisting his mother with cleaning up dishes, Sasuke left the dining room in preparation to bring his completed homework and schoolwork.

All that remained in the dining room was husband and wife.

Fugaku stood as he sipped coffee as Mikoto wiped her hands on a towel, then spoke. "You said you had a plan?"

He nodded, "Hiruzen forbade the knowledge of the kid's true heritage from getting out. Though we can't inform him of Minato or Kushina, it doesn't mean we can't see how the kid's doing once in a while."

"You mean-"

"We tell Sasuke to invite Minato's kid over for dinner after class today and once in a while, to make sure he's doing all right. That way, the kid won't be left fending for himself. We'll get him to open up about his likes, dislikes, and his dream for the future." He also hoped that Sasuke would be able to make friends with Minato's kid. After all, their mothers were friends. He still cringed at the memory of his relationship with Minato, his anger and jealousy at the time of their Chunin Exams, and he still couldn't believe how petty and arrogant he had been in the past.

Shaking off the bad memories, he had hoped that their sons would at least form a friendship and be better than the relationship they had, at the level of their mothers and not how it had been with Minato.

Mikoto thought it over, and eagerly agreed. "That seems great! I hope they will get along!"

Fugaku nodded, and he could see Hiruzen now. "The old bastard is too much of a coward. Even Minato would be rolling in his grave right now once he saw how his kid is being treated."

"Fugaku!"

His gaze sharpened and pierced into her. "Mikoto! You know it's true! Everything that happened up to this point was because of him. Everything!"

"Our clan's removal… They made an excuse to cover it up to allow more space for the civilians, but both he and Danzo couldn't have made it clear enough that they suspected us of using our Sharingan to control the Fox to attack the village!" He could not fathom how ridiculous the statement was. If they were truly responsible, then why had they not been executed on grounds of treason before the coup? Were they aware that only Madara Uchiha himself was able to tame the Nine Tails completely, and that was only with the Mangekyo, his visual and ocular prowess being even considered folklore and legends even among their clan? Even then, why would they utilize such a tactic that would expose themselves if they ever lost control of the Nine Tails or slipped free of their Genjutsu?!

They could cover it up all they liked, but Fugaku knew it was fear that colored their actions and decisions. They were not allowed to combat the beast even if they could have counteracted the Genjutsu that was believed to have been imposed on the Tailed Beast. More lives were lost because they were forced on the sidelines and relegated to the task of guiding civilians to bunkers. More lives were lost because Hiruzen forbade them from entering the village and lending their assistance.

The Sarutobi Clan with their Fire Nature releases? Fugaku respected them, but knew that the Uchiha would have been able to halt the Beast's advances if they combined their Phoenix Flower Jutsu or any Fire Jutsu with their own natural Fire Release. It was suspicion the next that made them the primary suspects, even despite they were clearly left to the outskirts.

While that was the lesser of the crimes, as Fugaku accepted that the civilians would need the space more, it was then being suspected as them being responsible, even after the Uchiha had relented to their removal.

The coup… He didn't want to form the coup initially. Fugaku swallowed his own anger and pride and accepted their removal, but his own men, friends, and even cousins had pushed for the coup. To fight back for their rights within the village. The Uchiha had been one of the founding clans of Konoha and both them and the Senju, as Hashirama Senju himself had stated, was for equal rights for both clans. Their removal and treatment and hostility was what drove the clan for the coup. Hiruzen couldn't even admit it truthfully as the tension began to grow further and further. He couldn't even meet him face to face and admit his wrongdoings. His own inaction, his hesitation to even commit to an action, sickened him. Shisui and Itachi had joined the ANBU, though Fugaku had hoped that with their talent, that it would have given them trust back within the village. It was only by then with no other options that both had become the spies for the clan, and Fugaku knew that at that point, it was far too late to reconsider or call the coup off. His own clan would have forced him back on the position and they would have done something if he did not.

Fugaku wasn't mistaken with his own imperfections or some delusional belief that he was perfect. He knew that he had done nothing to alleviate the clan coup and even acted on his own desires, along with his less than stellar handling of Itachi, along with countless nights of pondering how the coup led up to the brutal massacre of their entire clan, giving him self reflection to his actions.

But despite all that, all his clan desired was a voice in the village, heard by others. Their rights were stripped from them, and so they acted by challenging them.

"I know." Mikoto spoke, and she had lost faith in Hiruzen as well. She had been one of the first few individuals who knew of Naruto's status, and Kushina had been her closest friend and a sister to her. Hiruzen's denial left her faith in the Hokage shakened. Though his reasoning was not exactly wrong, the refusal to let any clan family adopt Naruto was an act she could not understand, no matter his justification. "It's not fair to Kushina's son at all. She exactly wasn't treated well either when she arrived at the Leaf all those years back." Her volatile temper did no favors either, though she hardly could be blamed for being provoked by a bunch of other children, and Kushina had been an outcast early in the Academy. It was only a child named MInato Namikaze that had gotten her to open up into the person she had been now, and she could see much of her late friend in her own son, at least in regards to their tendencies to pull pranks.

"It's exactly why Sasuke will get the kid to come over for supper." Fugaku nodded in agreement. He may not have gotten along well with Minato or were bosom buddies, but he knew that Minato and Kushina would have desired for their kids, had both not perished on October 10th, for Naruto to play with Sasuke, and Minato had been nothing but respectful.

The couple hoped that their plan would work.

Sasuke came bounding down the stairs as he spoke. "Mom! Dad! I'm leaving now!"

Both parents nodded, and Mikoto spoke up. "Hold on, Sasuke! Can you come over for a second? We would like to have a word about something."

Sasuke did, arriving at the kitchen. "Yeah, mom? Dad?"

Fugaku spoke up. "You know you have been talking more with other students in the class?"

"Yes?"

"And your mother and I have been suggesting you to do so?" Fugaku questioned, wincing mentally at the image of his standards that he had placed on both his sons prior to the massacre, but it was over now, and he couldn't take that back. All he could do was try and be a better father to Sasuke, starting with how he was seen by other students and the relationship with them. Training and status was a different factor altogether; Fugaku expected his son to still uphold their clan's name, as many other clans had followed the same methods, though Fugaku certainly wasn't going to hold Sasuke up to Itachi's level anymore and push for that level of standards that was unobtainable. It was not fair on him.

"Yes?" Sasuke looked up to his father. Internally, Sasuke began to panic and question, even despite his outward appearance giving a very look of confusion and curiosity at what his father was saying.

Was his father saying to stop opening up to others?! That he couldn't talk with other students anymore?! To stop helping others whenever?! He looked at his mother and studied her face, but the look was the same. Panic set in.

Both parents caught on to their son's line of thinking, and so they gave a quick reassurance to alleviate his concerns. "You're doing fine, Sasuke! You're doing great in class! It's something else entirely!"

Sasuke calmed down, satisfied. Though he was glad that he was making both his parents proud and wasn't doing anything wrong, especially in father's eyes, he was curious. "What is it?"

Both parents glanced at each other and gave the slightest of nods, setting their plan into motion. "Can you invite Naruto after class today for supper?" Mikoto knelt down, smiling at him.

Sasuke blinked. "Naruto? I guess, but why?" He didn't mind, but he was curious as to why. His mind began formulating reasons, but he didn't take long to think, recalling the prior day of events.

His mom told him to open up more to others, and he supposed why not. Though he would not rather be in range of Naruto's pranks. They were still annoying. While he did them less, it did not stop entirely and he wasn't even sure if Naruto would attempt so this time.

But he better not try challenging me. Can he not take a hint that I don't want to fight him? Does he not understand the concept of no meaning no?

It was just his personal gripe with Naruto, if anything. He just simply wanted to get through a day at the Academy and that was it. While he would be more open and receptive to others as his parents had advised him, it was that part of him that preferred to be alone at times, and still very much desired so.

He wasn't even sure if he had friends yet either. Choji was fine. Despite the overweight Akimichi's chatter, he didn't bother him much and was the opener to their conversations, even as minor as it may have been, and didn't pry more than was necessary, and Shikamaru was just as silent, which Sasuke gladly reciprocated. Shino was alright, and Sasuke was curious about Aburame's various species of insects. But he wasn't sure if they were friends yet. Maybe they were? He was still sort of figuring that out, since he didn't really talk to anyone much before.

He also got Sakura and Ino, two girls to fawn over him, to lessen their adoration of him. They greeted him with friendly gestures and he gave a simple nod back, but their obsession with them halted to a major stop, and they also took to his advice of shuriken and kunai target aiming and training themselves in taijutsu. He no longer found them annoying, as they were less incessant, and so his effort was paying off.

Naruto? He didn't know why he hadn't come to him yet, but maybe perhaps now was the time.

"Okay! I'll invite him over!"

"That's great! Please make sure he says yes!" Mikoto beamed at him, hugging him, and Sasuke smiled back.

Fugaku ruffled his hair. "Don't forget to introduce yourself first before inviting him over, okay? Make sure he knows about the things you like to do."

Sasuke nodded, "I know that. Thank you, dad." He was sure however, that since Naruto was the one more receptive to opening up a conversation, that he didn't need to do anything, but he would try to talk just as much.

The Academy day went by in a blur. Sasuke found himself beating Kiba once more in taijutsu; he realized how much that Kiba had improved that he had never seen before, and actually had trouble against him, he needed to begin training again, having been neglecting his taijutsu in favor of honing his ninjutsu. Arrogance, he had learned from father, was the key to failure. Their clan had been arrogant like many others, even if it was rightfully earned at times, but Sasuke would learn that he was not the best. While he remained at the top, he knew that there were those far better, and those weaker could become strong. Much better. After all, Itachi-

No. Forget him. Ignore him. Don't think about him. He is not worth troubling yourself over.

Think of happier thoughts. Think of mom and dad.

Sasuke calmed himself internally in a mental struggle. Afterwards, he opened his eyes. Iruka was still teaching them the Second Hokage's Water Style Jutsus.

"Does anybody know of a Jutsu where our Second Hokage Tobirama Senju creates a sphere of water and uses it in tandem with a specific ninja tool?"

Many students glanced across each other, but Sasuke knew it immediately. He raised his hand, if to not think about Itachi anymore. "Yes, Sasuke?"

"Paper Bombs. Tobirama uses it in conjunction with its namesake, paper bombs and ninja wire, to trap and snare any enemy ninja, using his Flying Raijin to cover distances across the water to place them before releasing them. Hence why it's called Tandem Paper Bombs."

Iruka nodded. "That's right, Sasuke." The bell rang as Iruka looked up, and he raised his voice. "Class is over. Remember to read Section 6 of the Genjutsu portion and to hand in your Taijutsu homework from yesterday. As a reminder, the quiz is also next week."

Sasuke waited patiently until many other students left their homework on their instructor's desk. He briefly glanced at Sakura and Ino, until both were off; Choji dragged Shikamaru off, and Shino was one of the first few to set his homework down before departing, and until Sasuke was last.

Handing in his homework with a goodbye over his shoulder, Sasuke departed off, his task as the reminder of bringing Naruto to his home was in mind.

Scouting the vicinity once more, Sasuke found Naruto exactly where he knew where to find him. The swingset. The blonde swung his legs, watching the dispersing crowd, unaware of his sights on him.

Once more, he approached the blonde slowly, beginning to form his thoughts on how to properly greet and talk to him.

Naruto looked around as fellow classmates and students dispersed. He sighed. Typical. It was to be expected at this point, he guessed. No one wanted to play with him anymore. Even Choji and Shikamaru didn't really hang out with him much. Kiba… he didn't know.

Glancing around briefly, he wondered if Iruka Sensei seemed to be still busy with work. At least he seemed to be okay with him. Too bad the rest of the village didn't think so either.

He scoffed at the thought of them. One of them yelled at him about something, something about having his trash strewn all over, and Naruto inwardly smirked at the thought of getting him back. The dumb villager thought it was him when it was the wind from the day before. A sneer escaped his lips. They were beginning to blame him for the most ridiculous things, so Naruto decided he would up the ante of his pranks. He still had a plentiful amount of paint and balloons from before, and wondered what he could do with that. Hopefully, something far more innovative. After all, he was Naruto Uzumaki, and he would always come up with something.

Lately, however, Naruto realized how much Chunin and even Jonin ninjas had difficulty tracking him, that he didn't realize before, and could utilize to his advantage. He remembered that Iruka Sensei had told them about how ninjas utilized misdirection and stealth to their advantage and he wasn't even sure if the ninjas chasing him were dumb or forgot that simple fact, but took advantage regardless. With the use of the Transformation Jutsu and simple traps, it allowed Naruto greater ease to escape from them.

He didn't realize that connection until now. But it was something that Naruto was proud of, having at least escaped from his own village's ninjas with a level of success.

Another thing he took pride in was that he took to paying more attention in class, though with difficulty as well. Most subjects bore him, such as the history of chakra; in his defense, he was sure that nobody cared about when chakra originated. Even Kiba wasn't interested either. He, however, did try his best, and though he barely passed on a few quizzes or tests or failed by a few points, it was still far better than previous attempts where he didn't review the material ever.

With fellow students dwindling to return back to home, Naruto decided it would be best to do the same. He didn't forget that Iruka told the class of the quiz at the end of the following week, and so he decided he would at least try to study a bit before heading down to Ichiraku.

As he prepared to do so however, he noticed a figure approaching him, recognizing who it was.

His eyes widened in confusion. Sasuke? Why was he approaching him? He glanced around. No. It was definitely him. Everyone else left.

But why?

His eyes instantly narrowed in suspicion. Sasuke never approached him. To be fair, Sasuke never approached anyone. He was that guy who never even spoke a word unless it was to answer a question from Iruka Sensei. He never even talked to anyone unless they said something first. Someone else had to always instigate a conversation to get him to say anything.

So why, why the great Sasuke Uchiha, was approaching him out of the blue… out of seemingly nowhere at this time of day, right now?

He didn't understand. Was it because he saw him before? That didn't make sense. Iruka Sensei came up to him the day before and then he was gone…

What was he planning? Naruto couldn't help but think that Sasuke was planning something. The jerk was better than everyone… including him; Naruto could admit that truthfully. Sasuke was better than everyone in the class, and still better than Kiba; even Naruto could realize that the boy's taijutsu had improved from the last spar. Naruto couldn't help but envy that level of strength and admiration, at least from the girls, that Sasuke had. Of course, Sasuke didn't really care for such at all and hence why Naruto felt that smug jerk should at least revel in such. But only Gramps and Teuchi and Ayame seemed to ever support him, and Naruto couldn't help but wonder if at least Sakura or any other girl would grant him a token of a compliment or even look at him the way they did to Sasuke. He did recall a pale eyed girl from his memories, but it was so foggy that he wasn't even sure that girl existed or not. Was she even in his class?

"Hey." The voice was monotonous as Naruto glanced up at the owner. "Naruto, right?"

"Yeah… Sasuke? I'm… I'm in your class." He was sure Sasuke already knew, but he had still to wonder why exactly he was here.

The boy nodded and looked away, and so did Naruto, looking down at his feet.

Sasuke scraped the words together, but tried to rearrange them so that it sounded polite and acceptable. "Do… Do you want to come over-'' He inhaled a breath and tried once more. "Do you want to come over to my house for dinner?"

"I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to. I mean, you can come if you want-" Sasuke shut his mouth, mentally berating himself for screwing up his words. Great job. He scolded himself.

Naruto was sure this was just some prank. He pinched himself hard. Ouch! Nope. It wasn't.

But it had to be! It could not be real. Sasuke Uchiha. Sasuke Uchiha, antisocial, "leave me alone. I don't want to talk to any of you", stuck up, more silent than Shikamaru and Shino combined, the best student in their class, Sasuke Uchiha, was inviting him over to his house.

There had to be some reason, some kind of prank. But as long as Naruto had been in class, he had never seen Sasuke crack a joke or smile. Most often than not, his face was plastered in a neutral expression of indifference. It wasn't a smile and had never been a smile.

But Naruto could see no deceit in his eyes, or perhaps Sasuke was that good at hiding it. He didn't know.

"Why?"

The pair of onyx glanced up. "Huh?"

"Why? I mean, why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you inviting me?" He repeated himself to explain. "Why are you inviting me over? I mean… No one else invites me over."

Sasuke stared uncomfortably. An air of sadness permeated between them.

"Oh… Well, it's because I want to?" Sasuke didn't know what to do. Naruto looked sad, but for what? Should he apologize? He didn't even do anything wrong and if he did, he wasn't even sure what he had done. "I'm not lying."

"I didn't say you were." Naruto bit back, unintentionally harsh. His expression turned with regret. "Sorry."

"It's okay." Sasuke looked away. It was out of the blue and so suddenly after both of them having not interacted for months, not even an amicable response, he could understand. "But I mean it. I want to invite you over."

Both didn't speak until Naruto spoke up first with hesitation. "You… you mean it?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I?"

"Really?" For the first time, Sasuke saw what was akin to hope and joy sparkling in Naruto's eyes. That was something he took note of. Was Naruto that lonely before? Naruto was as loud as Kiba so he thought they might have been friends or at least hung out often, because he remembered that quite a number of times both boys had been in trouble pulling off pranks or messing around together, and he did occasionally see him with Choji and Shikamaru. Apparently not.

"Yes."

A cheer erupted from Naruto. Sasuke watched as the somber expression of his classmate switched so radically he could never have guessed that the boy was ever sad in the first place. It was somewhat frightening.

"Alright!"

Sasuke didn't know why for the next few seconds, that he felt the corner of his lips tug up, but it was comforting to see the blonde happy. He didn't know why but it made him happy as well. "Let's go. I don't think we want to keep my mom and dad waiting."

The blonde nodded, "Right."

Both made their way out of the Academy. Silence fell between them once more as both debated on what to say to each other. It was difficult for both boys, having not interacted for at least months, on what to say. For Sasuke, Naruto had issued him challenges so often before that it was refreshing to not have him challenge him for once, but that had been their only interaction. For Naruto, Sasuke had always kept his distance and to him, was stuck up, that having him be other than the very kind of person he saw him as, was something that he was still getting used to. Both were trying to get used to each other, and neither had said anything in the first few steps outside of the Academy.

Naruto noticed the glares once more from the villagers. As usual, he was used to such reactions, and so he simply sauntered with his hands at the back of his head.

For Sasuke, it only simply led to more questions.

What are they doing? Why are they glaring at Naruto? He quickly deduced it wasn't him. He hasn't even done anything yet! He stopped with his pranks, at least most of the time. What's their problem with him?

He still didn't get it. But Naruto was smiling and looked so happy right now that he wasn't even sure if asking the reason would upset him, so he kept his silence.

A question popped up in his mind as they rounded the corner of another path. "What do you like to eat?" The question popped into his head as he thought of supper, and trying to think of a conversation starter.

The blonde turned, grinning widely. "Well, there's Ichiraku! Ever heard of it?!" At Sasuke's shake of his head, he responded. "Well, it's a ramen place, and the best in the village. The owners Teuchi and Ayame are really nice and make really good ramen! You should try it sometimes! I usually get pork or miso ramen but I like everything there, but they also said they're trying out some cold ramen recently." At a step, he turned back to grin at the Uchiha. "So you never even tried ramen before?!"

"Nope." His family didn't eat out often, usually preferring the taste of home cooked meals. Since his parents were more busy with work, it became often that they rarely ever ate out at restaurants either.

"Well. I don't know anybody who hasn't tried it. Maybe you should try it! What do you like to eat?"

"Tomatoes."

"Oh. Vegetables?" Sasuke frowned at the blonde's dejected tone he took. He felt a bit insulted.

"They're also fruit, dimwit."

"What?! They're not fruit!"

Sasuke felt his eye twitch. "They are."

"I don't believe you! Prove it!"

Sasuke shrugged, "Fine. Go believe what you want to believe. But at least I have taste."

Naruto retorted back with the perceived insult of him and his taste for the culinary arts. "Ramen tastes much better than your crappy tomatoes!"

Sasuke's eye twitched once more. "At least my favorite food is healthy."

"Ramen is healthy!"

"No it isn't. I heard that if you eat too much of it, it's not good for you."

"What do you know? You never even tried ramen!"

"I know that at least it isn't good for you if you eat too much of it." Well, too much of anything is a bad thing, but Sasuke wasn't going to readily admit that tomatoes would be bad for him if he ate far too much of it. He was certain however that it was leagues more nutritious than ramen.

"You know nothing!" Naruto pouted, and Sasuke rolled his eyes.

Their walk took them closer to their home, and Naruto was the one to start the conversation this time. "So do you like to do anything?"

"Training. Why?"

Naruto looked away. "No reason. Just curious."

Sasuke glanced at him while Naruto watched the skies above. He had a feeling that Naruto specifically asked that for a reason. "Do you need help?"

"Eh?"

"Do you need help training?" His mother and father told him that in the coming years of graduation he would be placed in a team and would have to work with others. That included training. Sasuke wasn't sure if he would be placed on a team in the future with Naruto if it came to it. But she had told him that if other students needed help, he would have to lend it at times.

"No!" Naruto felt indignation. So he was just some charity case?! Anger formed at what he believed. Sasuke was the same. They all looked down on him! What did he expect?

But the anger vanished as he saw a brow raised at his defensive tone. Even then, he still couldn't help but feel angered. "Sorry. I do."

He was trying his best to improve now and it still felt like people were laughing at him. Even Iruka Sensei praised him for his improvement.

"It's fine. I'm just asking if you want to train." Sasuke led them through a passageway. "I think my dad has time to teach us some stuff if you want."

Naruto still felt embarrassed, but what could he say? "Okay. Thanks."

Their walk back home was of different matters. Naruto had told him of watering plants, and Sasuke had told him of shurikenjutsu. The blonde was far eager and excited, and as Sasuke opened the door to the Compound, he glanced at Naruto. "Can you wait? I'll go get my mom."

"Okay."

Mikoto Uchiha hummed as she prepared a fish with tomato sauce when she heard the voice of her second born son. "Mom! I'm home!"

"Sasuke!" She hugged the boy as he buried his face in her apron, inhaling the scent of food. Releasing it, she asked him. "How was your day?"

"It was alright. And I got him! Naruto's here!"

Thoughts of Minato and Kushina's son flooded through her head and she spoke up. "Is he?!" She was very eager to meet Kushina's son for the first time.

"Yep. He's waiting outside. I'll go get him!"

Naruto stood outside. Though it had only been a few seconds, he began to feel nervous. But he shouldn't be? Sasuke said he was getting his parents, but what if his parents didn't like him like the rest of the villagers.

His worries were unfounded as Sasuke returned. "You can come in. My mom's waiting."

Elation filled Naruto's soul and his worries were unfounded. Hope began to settle in as he could barely manage to contain himself as he stepped inside.

The home of Sasuke was wide and expansive, yet it was also immaculate and clean. Naruto looked around ponderously as he saw a few plants in vases and jars. He felt a bit embarrassed at the cleanliness of it, compared to his own apartment, which he would admit he didn't bother cleaning out much.

"Come on. My mom wants to meet you."

Naruto turned to look at him. Does she? But before Naruto could ask, someone stepped into the hallway. "Sasuke-! Oh!"

An ebony haired woman stepped into the hallways as her gaze fell to him almost immediately.

Naruto froze. Was it the same gaze? He didn't know. There was a mix of something. Sorrow? Sadness? Guilt? He didn't know. There was no disgust or hate like the other villagers, but he could not tell what she felt by staring at him right now. He wanted to but was unsure, his posture frozen at her stare at him.

But whatever it was, it was gone. And a smile crept up on her face, showing serenity and kindness. "You must be Naruto! Sasuke told me about you!"

Naruto glanced at Sasuke. He bowed, unsure of what to say or do. Laughter rang from her voice. It was beautiful. "Oh! You don't need to do that! I'm Mikoto! Sasuke's mom!"

"Thank you for inviting me, ma'am! Miss!" Naruto nodded, letting a smile form and letting himself feel at ease. He wasn't even sure if he was being polite or not.

Sasuke departed for a second, before he returned back. "Mom. Where's dad?"

"Your father is out in a meeting. He'll be back soon."

Sasuke nodded, turning to the blonde. "Want to head up to my room or go outside? We can do some training now if you want."

But before Naruto could say yes, Mikoto spoke up. "Oh, right! Are you boys hungry right now? Sasuke, hold on training until after dinner." Turning to Naruto, she spoke. "Are you hungry right now, Naruto?"

Naruto blinked, feeling his stomach grumble. "Umm, yes!" Mikoto giggled once more.

"Okay, go wash up! You too, Sasuke!"

Both boys immediately went to the bathroom, where Naruto followed the Uchiha to the washroom.

"Umm, your mom's nice."

"Hmm? Yeah." Sasuke nodded.

Recalling the information when Sasuke left for a brief moment, he asked him. "Your dad's in a meeting?"

"Konoha Clan Meetings. The Uchiha's one of the clans of the village." He recalled what his father told him. "It usually includes the Third Hokage as well."

Naruto's eyes bulged in recognition. "The old man?! Gramps?!" He screeched.

Sasuke flinched, glaring at him. "I'm right here, dimwit."

"Sorry!" He yelled again. Lathering soap into his hands, he spoke, lowering his voice. "But still, the old man's part of the meetings!"

Sasuke nodded, "Old man? Gramps? You mean the Third Hokage. Or Lord Third."

A proud expression crossed Naruto's face. "Ah! That's what Gramps lets me call him. Gramps or old man! He's completely fine with it!"

That was something to note. How close was Naruto to the Hokage? The more he thought of it, the more he considered that Naruto didn't really have any friends, or what he assumed given so far that no one invited him to their home until now, that he would simply stay in his home or go out to see possibly Iruka Sensei or the Hokage.

He wondered if Naruto had been that lonely. It would make sense given the pranks he pulled. But he wondered if… He shook his head.

Perhaps he was overthinking it. Naruto would be the same. This he was sure.

Fugaku strode out of the clan meeting with nothing in mind. He could still feel the stares of Hiashi Hyuga and even the Elders and even Choza Akimichi; the clan massacre was still ripe for rumors and talks, and Fugaku didn't expect it to even die down until years after. He didn't let it bother him.

There had been nothing particular of the meetings that was of any interest to him. There had only been simple talks of the Aburame clan requesting a far more versatile way of harvesting their beetles. The Izunuka clan desired a larger pen for their dogs to freely roam around and train.

He knew he could not focus in the meetings, but it was for a reason. That being today was the day that his son Sasuke would invite Naruto over.

Fugaku was eager to see the son of his former rival and once Hokage himself. While he knew that Minato was a prodigal talent, once in a generation in Konoha, it was a talent that could never be replicated. He had expected that of Sasuke, failing to realize Sasuke's own merits. Regardless, he wanted to see Naruto and see what skills he had a knowledge of, and where in regards he was lacking. All shinobi had weaknesses of course.

If Minato was alive right now, then it would be all four of them training. Maybe even Itachi and Shisui as well, had the situation with the clan not deteriorated to the point it was now.

Brushing off what ifs that would be impossible now, Fugaku made his way back home. Yet he could not help but wonder what would have happened if Minato had not perished, if neither him or Kushina had.

It would only be of another life. He thinks with a hint of solemnity.

Naruto didn't realize how starving he was until he dug in, but just about thanking Sasuke's mom for the meal.

"Thanks! It's awesome!" Naruto spoke between bites.

"You're welcome!" She watched with the same serene kindness, and Naruto decided that he liked Sasuke's mom already. She was nice and her food was great!

Sasuke ate as well, though with far more restrained and of a nature that was polite, given his heritage of the head clan's son. "Thank you, mom."

Mikoto did not eat yet, instead, watching the clock and time tick away, waiting for her husband to return, before she turned back to Naruto, smiling. "You're welcome. Naruto? What do you like to do?"

He didn't take a second to respond before answering. "Well, have you seen my paintings on the Hokage Monument?"

Mikoto hid her giggles, while Sasuke rolled his eyes. Already, Mikoto was thinking about Kushina and her tendencies to play pranks. "Well, I have indeed. Quite a number of them. What have Iruka taught you in class so far?"

Naruto shrugged, smiling. "Some of the same stuff Sasuke said. Usually basic tools, Jutsus, and other things." He pouted slightly. "They kind of bore me a bit. Especially chakra. I don't understand why we have to know its origin! It's the physical and mental energies to make a Jutsu, right? Why is it so important?"

Though he didn't want to admit it either, Sasuke silently agreed. What importance of the nature of where and how chakra came from when its use was only tied to Jutsus and the designation of the three branches of the shinobi arts? It didn't seem important in case he graduated and finally became a shinobi. He did pay attention to it, but the detail seemed so ridiculous and non applicable in a combat sense.

"He also taught us what Water Style Jutsus the Second Hokage used. Tandem Paper Bombs, I think, was one of them." Sasuke recognized it as the question that he answered in class.

Mikoto smiled, "Do you want to become Hokage?"

Naruto abruptly stood up in his seat, eyes shimmering. "Do I?! Yeah, obviously! Of course I do! Gramps is the Third Hokage and the Fourth Hokage saved the village from the Nine Tailed Fox! They're great heroes! If I become Hokage, I'll just be as great, if not better than them! I'll surpass all the previous Hokages! Naruto Uzumaki, the greatest Hokage of them all!" He proudly boasted and claimed.

Mikoto recalled a red haired girl and a blonde haired boy as they both proclaimed their dreams of Hokage. The name of Hiruzen slightly soured her attitude, especially since Naruto did not know, and he all but denied her and Fugaku the opportunity of raising her best friend's son… But upon hearing of his father as one of the people for his idolization, it raised her spirits to know that he was following in their footsteps. "Well, Naruto. You have my full support! Go for it! I'm rooting for you!"

Naruto's smile threatened to split his face, cheering loudly. There was finally someone, besides Gramps and the father and daughter pair of Ichiraku who believed in him. "Thanks, Mikoto-san! I'll become Hokage!"

"And who knows! Once you graduate, Sasuke might be placed on a team with you!"

Naruto smiled, "Yeah!" He turned to Sasuke for his support, who shrugged. "I don't mind. Graduation will be with anybody to work with to be placed in a team under a Sensei. We might get paired with anyone in our class." Sasuke truthfully did not care who he was teammates with, as his mother had let him know that it had been the standard procedure within the Academy since it was formed. Many people who were well acquainted with each other would have the possibility of not being assigned together and would be assigned with people they hardly knew.

The door rumbled open, and the voice of Fugaku spoke up. "I'm home."

Mikoto rushed over to Fugaku, giving him a kiss at the entrance point, followed by Sasuke hugging his father, greeting him and bowing in respect. Naruto was the last to arrive as he stared at the man that was Sasuke's father, peeking out of the dining table to look at the owner.

A tall man, his face was staunch and set, lines and early wrinkles on his face like the Third, adding to the strict air of the man who had a level of pride, but also control. He was dressed in a dark outfit. His expression, though amicable to his family, was set in a quiet air around him, and Naruto could definitely see why Sasuke was like him a tad bit. Yet Naruto could see that the man was commandeering and powerful.

"Fugaku! How was the clan meeting?"

The man shrugged, "Alright. Nothing of any interest." He looked down at his son, smiling. "Sasuke."

"Dad! Do you have time to teach me some stuff after dinner?! Can you?!"

Fugaku chuckled and nodded. "I'll see what I can do. First, let's eat."

Naruto stared at the family. Was this how a family was like? It was so loving and caring. Naruto never knew it at all in his life. Was it this… tender? To know that a family would always be one? Naruto felt a surge of jealousy, but he could not help himself. It formed in the hollow pit of his stomach, directed at the boy who had invited him over: Sasuke.

He could not help but think it wasn't fair, and yet he felt guilty for thinking so.

"Naruto! Can you come over?!" Mikoto's voice snapped him out of his deeper thoughts. Naruto straightened himself and walked over looking up at the tall man who was Sasuke's father.

"Hello… sir. I'm Naruto. Naruto UzumakI!"

The man did not respond, staring at him with such an intensity Naruto felt slightly uncomfortable. The man's dark gaze was on his, and Naruto found he could not look away.

He looks so much like Minato. Those were Fugaku's thoughts. The personality was Kushina, but he had inherited much of Minato's looks. Now he was face to face with the boy properly, he could see who Naruto Uzumaki was, and the legacy of his former rival.

"Fugaku. I heard a lot about you as well, Naruto. Good things."

The intense expression on his face was replaced with a calm smile, and Naruto did not feel relaxed yet. He wasn't sure why the man was staring so intensely. Did he hate him like the rest of the villagers? He didn't know. But it didn't seem so. It felt as if… he recognized him far before. It was the same with Sasuke's mom…

He didn't get the chance to think, and it was honestly confusing to try and do so. Fugaku went to the bathroom to wash his hands, and once he arrived, he thanked his wife for the meal, before all four of them dug in.

"Naruto. Sasuke told me a lot about you. Do you have any favorite subjects in the Academy? Anything you like to do?"

Naruto swallowed a bite. "Well, we're learning the usual stuff but most of it is boring. I try to listen, but all of it isn't really that interesting at all. Like some of it doesn't make any sense!"

Fugaku mentally thought of Kushina and her time at the Academy. By the glance on Mikoto's face, and her trying to stifle her giggles, she was thinking the same.

He smirked, "Well. I may have some time available. Do you want to join myself and Sasuke for some light sparring outside?" He was curious to see what the blonde was capable of so far.

"Really? All right!"

With the plan set, Naruto dug into his meal more ravenously and eagerly, as Fugaku chuckled.

Following supper, the three headed outside, as both Naruto and Sasuke assisted Mikoto with washing dishes. Fugaku watched as both stood on opposite ends in front of him in the training yard.

"Both of you, listen up. Shinobi art of combat: taijutsu only. Opponent must knock the other down. Whoever also forfeits, their opponent is declared the winner. Do you both understand?"

Both Naruto and Sasuke nodded.

With his hand still raised and both Naruto and Sasuke making the shinobi sign of combat, he glanced at both boys once more, and then brought his hand down. "Begin!"

Naruto and Sasuke immediately lunged at each other, and Fugaku could begin to pick up on how Naruto fought.

Sasuke fought with the same Taijutsu style that all Uchiha were taught. Created by Izuna Uchiha, the brother of their famed ancestor, Madara, the Interceptor Style was dubbed for its ability to bring quick and powerful strikes, placing a large emphasis on counterattacking. WIth their fabled Kekkei Genkai, it further increased the ability, due to the Eye of Insight, granting predictability and ability to read one's movements. The doujutsu fit the style like a pair of gloves, hence why it allowed many famed Uchiha of their clan to become notorious, such as Shisui, Naomi, and even his own son Itachi.

Sasuke was nowhere close to a master, or a few Uchiha Jonin from prior to the massacre, but his knowledge so far was shown on display, where he calmly parried and blocked Naruto's swings and blows, counterattacking at any openings with a few blows of his own, forcing Naruto into an awkward position of him being forced to dodge and not commit wholly to offense.

Naruto's style, if he was honest, he was sure that he was seeing a replica of Kushina's style during his Academy days. It was a style that left many gaps and openings for his own son to take advantage of, however.

A few more blows, until Naruto found his balance taken away from him, as Sasuke flipped him over, pushing himself on top of him. A swift jab to the gut to stun him before Naruto found himself pinned down by Sasuke.

Sasuke looked over at him, and Fugaku nodded. "Sasuke is the winner."

Getting off the boy, Sasuke raised his hand for Naruto to help him up. Naruto took it. "Darn it! How are you still so good?!"

Sasuke felt some sweat on his face. There had been times where he felt hard pressed to even counter some of Naruto's blows. The blonde had power, but lacked any form, which Sasuke had taken full advantage of once he had time to read his style. It had made Sasuke more ambitious to awaken his Sharingan, which had not happened yet. Still, he had hoped some time soon. Regardless, it seemed that Naruto did improve from their previous spars.

"You'll reach there, don't worry."

Naruto gazed up at him. "You're not mocking me, are you?"

"Why would I? You still need improvement but you're better than before." He paused as if to think, before he smirked. "Still can't beat me though." Though Sasuke would never admit that Naruto had forced him to put in a modicum of effort like Kiba had. He still had his pride after all.

Naruto gave a glare, though he wasn't truly offended by the boy's boast, and merely annoyed. "Gee thanks." Both boys turned back to Sasuke's father.

"Sasuke. You did fine. Keep it up." He glanced at Naruto. "Naruto. You have strength and power behind your blows, but you're not strategizing where and when to attack, which allows Sasuke to read and anticipate your movements. You're putting too much momentum. That allows anyone to read your movements." He knew in the moment in their spar how both of them fought. After all, Fugaku had been a veteran of the Third Shinobi War.

He didn't want to play favorites, but it was clear that Sasuke had been superior. Though he had seen glimpses of where Sasuke had been forced to block a few of the blows, none made their way past his guard and he still kept up well.

"So what should I do?" Naruto queried.

Fugaku was in a predicament. The Uchiha style would not suit Naruto's style at all. He rubbed his face, thinking back to Kushina. He could barely recall her fighting style, and he was sure neither could Mikoto. Even if both Minato and Kushina had been alive, they would have been able to teach Naruto, not him. Most clans often studied their own personal Taijutsu, and that included the Uchiha.

"How about we discuss it tomorrow? You can stay the night, Naruto, if you want." Unfortunately, not forever, Fugaku thought with a hint of regret. Hiruzen would know and would forbid it in order to preserve the secret of his heritage.

"Really?! I can stay over? Awesome!"

The three headed back up to the room to prepare for bed. Sasuke departed to his bed to prepare for sleep, but froze as he spoke up as he began to take a few steps away. "Dad. Can he sleep in my room?"

"Sasuke? Sure… Naruto, do you mind? If you are uncomfortable-"

"No! Of course not! Thanks Sasuke!"

"Hn. I don't mind either." He looked back at his father. "Goodnight dad."

Naruto remembered his manners. "Ah, right! Goodnight, Fugaku!"

Fugaku chuckled, "Goodnight you two." The moment the bedroom door shut behind them. Fugaku waited for a moment, staring at his son's door. Then, turning around he made his way down the hall to the single empty room, untouched for at least a couple of months.

The room of Itachi.

Fugaku stood in front of the door. He had been uncertain about giving the room to Naruto, and was glad that Sasuke offered to share his room with him. He couldn't face this room again, not without facing his own failures. Not without seeing the face of his firstborn son.

With a hand he placed it on the door. He didn't believe in religion, but he liked to believe that Itachi was out there, reading his thoughts and watching over him, Mikoto, and Sasuke.

Itachi. Wherever you are, stay safe.

Then Fugaku walked away to bed.

Though sleep came to him as easily as any other person, Naruto could not find himself sleeping. Instead, he watched the dark night of shimmering stars upon the abyss of the sky.. Sasuke had offered him his bed, retrieving a spare mattress, and he was sleeping almost immediately.

For once, Naruto knew why. The entire day since Sasuke had invited him over, he felt it had been a dream. But no matter how hard he pinched himself to wake up, no matter how much he banged his head at times, it was not a dream. It was real. But for some reason, even as happy as he could feel, he felt like something was a bit… off.

Maybe he was overthinking it. But it felt like both Sasuke's parents invited him over, simply because they knew him somehow. Sasuke and his parents did to be nice, but it felt like the latter also did it because of something else. He couldn't put his finger on it.

Naruto wasn't sure. It just seemed confusing the more he put more thought into it. And Naruto knew it would be too much of a pain to even think further and furthermore about it. He would have more questions than actual answers. A bothersome drag, Shikamaru would put it. Maybe he should sleep.

As his eyes closed, he thought of Sasuke and his family once more. Maybe they were just nice people and that was that. He had more people that cared for him now. Like the old man, like Teuchi and Ayame.

He hoped it would last forever.

Okay. Here's what I'm going to say about Canon Naruto and Sasuke's friendship.

It's toxic. Quite toxic. Without any of the anime filler to flesh out the friendship into something that was acceptable, it was a toxic relationship. If I had to compare, it's Texas and Lappland levels of toxicity, but less so than theirs because Naruto or Sasuke are mentally sound and aren't affected by magical rock cancer. And this is coming from someone who likes both but their relationship was the definition of such. Sorry Texas/Lappland fans, but it's a shit relationship and you know it. How does anybody like it is beyond me when it's literally an inverse of Naruto/Sasuke but also far worse?

But it's a fact that Naruto and Sasuke's friendship is on the level of Texas and Lappland. Except it's a toxic Bizzarro inverse. I'm not even saying this as a plight of Sasuke or Naruto characters either. Both are fine. It's entirely the writing of Kishimoto.

The thing with Texas and Lappland that it was intentional by the writers, and we know it.

With Naruto and Sasuke, that's unfortunately the failing of Kishimoto's work. He has stated in an interview that he wanted to do a mission filler arc post Land of Waves, but Shonen Jump and producers told him they wanted a tournament arc, which is how the series got the Chunin Exams. He wanted a bonding arc with Team 7, but got screwed over so badly by market demands and Shonen Jump. A large portion in the series was demanded by the market and fan wish fulfillment.

While I do like Naruto and Sasuke as friends, that was largely only because of the anime filler. Their relationship could have worked, but it was screwed so badly in the manga. It was unintentionally toxic by Kishimoto, while in Arknights, Lappland and Texas's relationship was intentional and meant to represent Lappland's unhealthy obsession with Texas and refusing to let her go. Again, this is coming from someone who genuinely likes Naruto and Sasuke as friends, but I can admit that it was toxic in Canon without the consideration of filler.

If it was fleshed out well, it would be the reason why in Canon, Naruto, and by extension, Sakura wanted to bring Sasuke back so badly, and could be much better. Studio Pierrot pretty much realized that and added a bunch of filler with Team 7 bonding.

Then again, I'm comparing an anime that's already ended and screwed a majority of its characters over to a mobile tower defense game's story that realizes its characters well and is consistent.

Hence why this story will have a large portion of Naruto and Sasuke actually bonding and when Naruto leaves the village, it will be the catalyst of events to come.

For Sakura and Ino, and especially fans of both, I have the former with massive development and change. She still has a minor crush on Sasuke as of the moment, but since Sasuke opens up more and tries to improve upon their relationship, she learns about him more and thus is less obsessed with him. They'll generally have a brother-sister-like/friendly relationship and Sakura will get over him entirely. I actually quite like their characters, and will not spoil either of their pairings.