Sakura charges down the tunnel, the distant pinprick of sunlight dilating before her eyes.

After years of hoping, searching–

She bursts from the darkness, only to stumble as her vision adjusts to the bright light pouring into the rubble strewn crater. Plumes of dust are still roiling and shifting on the welcome breeze, and she wants to savor her first breath of fresh air in what feels like hours— but there isn't time. She isn't given a moment. Because ahead of her, Sai is looking up at something on the horizon and her temper flares, pushing her forward.

She storms up to him, ignoring his bland look as she grabs her thickheaded teammate by the throat, "You asshole— what the hell are you doing? How many times are you going to stab us in the back—?"

"Hn. So Sakura's here, too."

That voice. She can't turn fast enough, gaze quickly scanning the lip of the crater—

At long last.

"Sasuke," she whispers, voice shaking, "…Naruto."

Sasuke's serene stare meets her own. He has a hand on one hip, looking bored, as if seeing his former teammates for the first time in three years isn't the monumental occurrence that it is. Like she hasn't been waiting for this moment since she saw Naruto off at Konoha's gates, only to receive disappointment for her trouble. The open collar of his shirt and sword at his belt mock her, and all the time they've lost.

Next to Sasuke, Naruto is far less composed. His arms are crossed defiantly, but even from this distance, she can see the way his hands shake. She wishes she had learned to read his face better, back then. Because she can't parse the look on it now. The way his brows furrow, while his lips curl in an almost smirk. The expression is completely foreign to her. She can't help the way her eyes cut back to Sasuke, who continues to watch them stoically.

Both of them are garbed completely differently from before. Sasuke wearing some kind of white, open gi top that exposes his chest, and a purple cloth around his hips held up by an obi. Similarly, Naruto's chest is almost bare, only flippantly concealed by a loose fishnet shirt, covered by a red hakama edged with black flames.

At least his baggy gi pants are still orange, at least. Something familiar in this staggeringly unfamiliar landscape.

Neither of them are wearing their hitai-ate. Of course not. But still, its her first time seeing them together, and the absence is jarring.

"You don't have to do this, you know," the new voice causes her to nearly jump out of her skin, turning to find that Kakashi and Yamato have joined them now, and her sensei sounds just as haunted as she feels, "There are other ways to get the power you're looking for."

Sasuke blank gaze slices toward their teacher, "And what would you know about what we're looking for?"

Kakashi pauses, before saying, "I'll admit, perhaps I didn't do the best job of understanding and supporting you both. I wasn't prepared when you needed me the most. But is this really the answer? Come back with us—we can make this right."

"…I don't think so," is all Sasuke says to that.

"Please," Sakura chimes in, "There are so many people who want you to come home. Don't write them off without giving us a chance to show you—"

"I don't care," Sasuke says, "Having those bonds didn't serve me before. Nothing has changed. They would only dilute my focus."

"Then why?" Kakashi breaks in, "Why force Naruto to join you, if you have such disregard for your bonds, Sasuke?"

At that Sasuke's stoic facade is cracked by a dry smirk, "You think I stole him?" he turns to Naruto, "Did I force you to come with me?"

"Nah," Naruto speaks for the first time, voice lower and raspier than Sakura remembers, "All he had to do was ask, y'know."

"…That's it?" Sakura asks, "He asks and you just what—leave your whole life behind to help him kill himself? What about your dreams? What about becoming Hokage?"

Naruto crouches, giving her a considering look— and for one brief moment, she thinks her words have gotten through—

Naruto hums, "As if someone who refuses to be there for their friend could ever become Hokage. Right, Sasuke?"

"But what about you?" Sakura insists desperately, "What do you get out of—of sacrificing yourself like this? What about the people who care about you— me, Tsunade-shishou, Iruka-sensei?"

"Enough," Sasuke says, hand falling to the hilt of his sword, and Sakura's heart nearly stops in her chest— they have no idea what these two are capable of now, "Nothing you can say changes anything. My revenge means everything to me—and Naruto's choices are his own. Whatever you've set out to accomplish here has failed."

"…Is that so?" Kakashi asks, and out of the corner of her eye, Sakura sees him push up his forehead protector, exposing his Mangekyou Sharingan. "You really think we're prepared to give up that easily?"

In the blink of an eye, both Naruto and Sasuke's postures shift to distinct battle-readiness. Sasuke grips the hilt of his sword with clear intent now, as Naruto braces his hands in the broken dirt, as if ready to spring.

"…Of course," Sasuke says, "Konoha wouldn't allow a potential weapon to slip from their grasp without a fight. This was never about Naruto or I."

In the next moment, Kakashi vanishes, appearing at Sasuke's back with a kunai held to his throat. Sakura bites back an indignant scream—that wasn't the plan—

Any protest she might have offered is cut off by Kakashi disappearing yet again, this time reappearing a few meters away, pinned to the ground beneath what looks like a writhing mass of red, violent chakra. Where he's left, Sasuke idly rubs his abused throat, but there isn't even a mark left behind.

Naruto is nowhere to be seen— until Sakura tears her gaze back toward Kakashi's attacker.

She's rarely seen anything like it— chakra so powerful it's a tangible presence.

"N-Naruto," Kakashi grinds out, distinctly pained.

Sakura blinks. Trying to make sense of what she's seeing.

"You should have just left us alone, y'know," the thing atop Kakashi growls.

Naruto. That thing is Naruto. With chakra leaking from his pores like a vicious, bloody shroud. Prominent points extending from the area around his head, and then two long, tapering protrusions, from behind, like tails.

What is happening? She doesn't understand. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

"Naruto," Sasuke finally butts in, sounding almost bored, "You should calm down."

It doesn't sound like he means it. As if he's only saying as much for appearances alone.

Naruto certainly doesn't seem to listen, regardless. The fury building on his hazy features. He looks like a stranger.

"You knew," Naruto snarls in Kakashi's face, his furious expression pulling at the thickening marks on his cheeks, "You knew all along and you never said anything."

Kakashi looks stricken.

"Naruto," Yamato says, finally wading into the fray. When Sakura glances at him, he's posed for battle, hands already flying through seals, "If not for yourself, think about Sasuke. Do you really want to see him become a puppet for Orochimaru? Don't let your bitterness be his end."

Sasuke actually snorts at that.

But at least that seems to draw Naruto's attention away from his sensei and their tense exchange.

"… Who's this guy?" Naruto snaps, the strange points of his canines glinting in the blazing sunlight as he glances at Yamato, "Listen, you bastard—Sasuke doesn't need me to make his choices for him. He knows what he's doing."

"So that's it?" Sakura asks, knowing it comes off as pleading but she can't help it, "You'd just let Sasuke-kun have his body stolen? I thought you were friends!"

Sasuke scoffs loud enough it might as well have been a clap of thunder, and the amusement that flickers over his features as he glances at Naruto has her heart fluttering in her chest.

"Friends," Sasuke murmurs, almost to himself, "You don't even know the meaning of the word."

Naruto sits, planting his butt on Kakashi's stomach as he looks over his shoulder at Sasuke— Kakashi hisses as if burned, "Aw— I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said about me, bastard."

"Who said anything about you?" Sasuke shoots back, but Sakura can see it. The fondness in his expression he's obviously trying to mask.

When was the last time she saw his face reflecting anything but scorn and bitterness? She can't even recall.

It's… strange, in a startling way. Realizing that they are friends. Not just the rivals and sometimes comrades they'd been before they left. Of course she'd know they'd been together, all this time, without her. But to see the naked proof of it before her eyes is heartbreaking. Proof of how they've grown together, even value each other—but the result is this twisted situation they've found themselves in.

Maybe Sasuke can't bring himself to trust anyone else yet, after all he's been through. Maybe Naruto doesn't know he has other options aside from Sasuke and loneliness.

"Naruto," she tries again, taking a step forward, "Please. Come home. There are people in Konoha who care about you. Both of you. We just want you to come home and be safe."

Naruto's face darkens once more, and it's frightening, behind that fog of malevolent chakra. The way his whisker-like marks carve his expression into something dark and terrifying as his attention narrows on her. And—

His eyes. They're red and slitted like a cat's. Or a fox's.

"That's funny, Sakura-chan," he says, voice a harsh rasp now, distorted by whatever power is coursing through him, "It sure didn't feel like Konoha cared about me when I was living on my own at six years old. It didn't feel like anyone cared when I couldn't afford to pay for food at the end of the month. And it certainly didn't feel like anyone gave a fuck when ya'll let me believe, for my whole life, that I didn't have a mom and dad who loved me. Who died to keep me safe. They're the ones who cared!"

Sakura can hear her teacher's startled inhale and feels her heart drop into her stomach. She doesn't know what Naruto's talking about, but obviously Kakashi does.

"Naruto—" Kakashi starts, only to be swiftly cut off by Naruto's hand at his throat as those chakra tails thrash.

"I don't want to hear it," Naruto practically roars, "I'm not some tool for Konoha to come collect whenever they feel like it. Just because I have this thing inside me—I'm a fucking person, not some dog on Konoha's leash, ya know!"

"That's not—" Kakashi's groan is cut off as Naruto uses his grip on the man's throat to slam him into the ground.

"And you knew them," Naruto sounds distraught now, "You were—they— they loved you. And you kept them from me, all that time!"

Kakashi's voice is weak, even as he reaches up to grip Naruto's shoulder, "Naruto, I—"

"And I'm supposed to believe you give a shit about me? After you—all of you toyed with me. As if I didn't have a right to know?" Naruto's voice drops to practically a whisper, "I was only ever the Kyuubi to you, wasn't I? You're just like all the others, y'know."

Suddenly, Sasuke is there at Naruto's side, hauling him off their former teacher. They don't say a word to one another, but Sakura can the tears streaming down Naruto's cheeks all the same.

Naruto looks at Sasuke, and Sasuke looks back. Neither of them say a word, but that doesn't seem to matter.

For one long moment, nobody moves. Sakura could swear nobody breathes—

Before Sai choses that very second of fraught suspense to move, quicker than Sakura's eyes can track as he appears on the lip of the crater, tanto drawn and plunging toward Sasuke's neck—

All at once another chakra tail springs bursts forth from the thick cloak, bending to block the sudden attack at the same moment the air around Sasuke erupts into a torrent of lightning, the sound of birds chirping shrill and deafening— Chidori, coming out of his entire body?

Sai drops his blade and jerks back, as he collapses in a twitching heap. On the ground next to him, Kakashi gasps in renewed pain. She's hardly ever seen him like this, so easily taken off guard and hurt as a result. Kakashi was a legend in his own right for a reason. If Naruto and Sasuke were able to challenge his power like this… what hope did they really have in bringing them home?

And why was she always so useless? Allowing other people to fight battles for her— no. Not anymore.

With a shout, Sakura launches herself out of the pit, charging a fist with chakra. Two pairs of red eyes snap toward her as she goes. There's a hiss of a blade leaving its sheath as a prong of that red chakra arches toward her— but she's already in the air, she can't dodge.

Sakura gasps as a body collides with her own midair, sending her careening off course and into the dirt a few meters away from her targets. Her lungs seize, coughing up dust.

When she looks up, Yamato is standing over her, hands already raised in the now familiar sign he uses when molding chakra for mokuton.

He glances down at her, "I'm apologize for my methods. But to be blunt, you don't know what you're up against here."

Turning, she takes in her two former teammates, standing between them and Kakashi. Sasuke looks as contained and dangerous as ever, which is to be expected. Naruto though— Naruto looks feral in a way she doesn't know how to parse.

What are they keeping from her? What is that chakra coating Naruto like sludge? Was it Orochimaru? Had he done something to Naruto to make him like this? All this time she'd been so worried about Sasuke, but what if Naruto was in as much danger here?

Though if Yamato's deathly serious gaze, locked on Naruto, is any indication, Naruto is the danger here.

As she watches, Sasuke performs a series of swift hand seals she doesn't recognize before raising his unarmed hand into the air.

Naruto scoffs. "You know it isn't even raining, right?"

"…Shut up, usuratonkachi," Sasuke murmurs.

"Now, now, Sasuke-kun," a new voice tutts as Orochimaru materializes at Sasuke side, grasping him firmly by his raised wrist, "There's no need to use that jutsu, is there?"

"…Don't touch me," Sasuke grumbles, yanking his arm away.

He glances at Naruto, their eyes meeting and holding for what feels like a fraction of a heartbeat, before the chakra encasing Naruto begins to evaporate around him like mist on the wind.

"Once again, you forget just who you're talking to, Sasuke-kun," Kabuto seems to appear out of nowhere as well.

"Try an' tell us to stop. Again." Naruto grins, grim and sharp.

Kabuto clicks his tongue, "You know better than most what the Akatsuki is up to, Naruto-kun," he turns his gaze back to Sasuke, "Surely you'll agree it's in Naruto's best interest for Konoha to hold their attention as long as possible, hm?"

"…Hn."

"Not to mention the fact that if your former comrades manage to kill any one of them, that can only increase your own chances of success," Kabuto continues to wheedle, but it's like he's speaking to a wall, for all Sasuke's apparent interest in his words.

Over Kabuto's shoulder, Naruto makes a face and a distinct 'blah, blah, blah' motion— and for a moment, Sakura's heart swells at the sight.

Whoever they are now, these were still those same knucklehead teammates of hers, somewhere deep down.

There was still hope for them. For her. For their team.

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto grumbles, striding to stand firmly at Sasuke's side, "Save us the lecture, y'know."

For the first time, Sakura realizes they are of equal height now.

The thought barely occurs to her, before Orochimaru smirks and turns away, "Now that that's settled— let's go."

And then in four plumes of flame, they're gone. Just like that.

Still on the ground, Sakura curls in on herself and cries.

Flashback to Naruto and Sasuke arriving at Orochimaru's hideout. Naruto and Kabuto instantly don't get along.

Sasuke only has a vague idea of where he's going—a pulse like a homing beacon keeping time at the base of his neck where the curse seal mars his skin.

Beside him, Naruto remains uncharacteristically silent as they wander, closer and closer to where the increasing frequency of the pulses lead them.

Sasuke doesn't know what to say, to break that stilted silence.

He'd made the offer on a whim, after all. No part of his plans had included this. But something had… compelled him. Knowing he didn't have the will nor incentive to kill Naruto, it had just slipped out. This crackpot proposal that had them both marching toward an uncertain future under Orochimaru's thumb.

He hadn't even been sure of Naruto's answer. Part of him is still surprised it was 'yes'.

An even larger part of him isn't sure whether to be grateful or chagrined. As if he's stolen something precious. But from whom exactly, he can't say.

It is what it is, now. Sasuke squares his shoulders and follows that pulse toward his goals.

Naruto never even asks where they're going. Never forces Sasuke to admit he doesn't know.

Maybe he's as afraid of the answer as Sasuke is. Maybe he doesn't care. Sasuke thinks about asking.

It's hours before that pulse becomes a hum beneath his skin. Sasuke grunts and clutches his nape.

Naruto says nothing.

Without further sign of what to do or where to go Sasuke stops, taking in the looming forest around them. There's nothing remarkable about where they are— no signs or landmarks of note to hint at their final destination. Sasuke grits his teeth.

Naruto says nothing.

They've hiked through the night. Just now, the dawn is breaking over the treetops. Sasuke assumes the Sound Four are dead. They'd have rendezvoused with him by now, otherwise. What that means for their comrades who joined Naruto in his pursuit, Sasuke can't say. Thinking about Konoha and all he's left behind just leaves him feeling empty inside. Hollow. He rubs reaches up to rub his temple, to assuage the headache he can feel coming on. His fingers meet the worn material of his hitai-ate. The emptiness within him yawns wider. Sasuke reaches of the knot at the back of his head, pulling the thing off. Hold it in his hands, dragging his thumb over the etching at its center.

Naruto says nothing.

Suddenly the earth cracks open beneath their sandals. As one they leap back, away from where the crack splits into a wide crevice. From the darkness below, a large shadow looms— in the nascent light of dawn, Sasuke recognizes stone in the shape of a snake's head, forming the entrance to a tunnel.

A shadowy figure emerges.

Beside him, Naruto sucks in a sharp breath.

"You," Naruto finally speaks, though it's more of a snarl than anything, as he points toward the interloper with open outrage.

Kabuto frowns, pushing his glasses up his nose, "Naruto-kun. I can't say I expected to see you here. Not quite so soon, at least."

The man glances at Sasuke, obviously expecting some sort of an explanation.

Sasuke considers disappointing him. But dubious caution wins out.

"There was a change in plans," he says. "Naruto has chosen to cut ties with Konoha as well."

"Hm," Kabuto murmurs, cutting a sharp look toward Naruto himself, "That might not be as simple as you think."

Sasuke expects some sort of protest on Naruto's part, mildly alarmed when none is offered. He, too, turns to Naruto, suspicion aroused by the way Naruto looks steadfastly at the ground, kicking the loose dirt awkwardly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sasuke asks, though to whom the question is directed, even he isn't sure.

"Oh, you haven't told him?" Kabuto asks wryly, "How predictably careless. Tell me, Naruto-kun—did you really think you'd be able to keep it a secret forever?"

"Tell me what?" Sasuke snaps, irritation at the both of them peaking.

"I wonder, Sasuke-kun," a familiar, sibilant voice interrupts— Sasuke can't help but stiffen as Orochimaru himself strolls casually out of the snake's gaping maw—or at least it sounds like Orochimaru, though every exposed inch of skin is wrapped in bandages, "How much did that village of yours teach you about jinchuuriki?"

Curled in his bed later that night, Sasuke's mind reels.

Jinchuuriki. Vessels for the nine tailed beasts. Rarely spoken of, but viscerally feared, especially since the Kyuubi's brutal attack on the village twelve years ago. They subject had only warranted a passing mention, during their Academy lessons— enough to instill that fear and awe, while also dismissing the idea from relevance to their lives as young ninja.

No one had ever mentioned Konoha had a jinchuuriki of it's own.

Though the events of that night had been largely transparent propaganda anyway, everyone knew what had become of the Yondaime, who'd saved the village that night. But very was said of what had become of the beast that had killed him.

To think that very same beast had been sealed inside his idiot teammate since the day he was born.

It's yet another brick to add to the pile gaining weight in his chest. Would Sasuke have still extended his offer, had he known? He doesn't know. It doesn't bear thinking about—what's done is done.

But Kabuto wasn't wrong. Konoha won't let Naruto slip through their fingers so easily. But it wouldn't be a ragtag team of genin they send this time, when they realize what's become of their cherished demon vessel.

Sasuke can't help but snort to himself. Cherished indeed.

It's a good reminder though. For all he has a demon sealed in belly, Naruto is the same person he's always been. Shunned and neglected by the village allegedly invested in his welfare. The same kid who used to wander the village alone for hours, unsupervised, when he wasn't making mischief. The thought settles something in Sasuke's chest that had been knocked loose by this revelation.

No, Sasuke supposed— for him, it changed nothing.

Though he hadn't enjoyed Orochimaru's gleeful expression, upon learning he'd acquired not only the Sharingan in his bid for power, but the Nine Tails as well. It only solidifies for Sasuke the fact that he can under no circumstances allow Orochimaru's ultimate schemes to come to pass. He'd never fully intended to, as it was. But the idea of power the likes of the Kyuubi in that man's hands is enough to make Sasuke shudder beneath his blankets.

How he is going to thwart Orochimaru's plans, he doesn't yet know. Perhaps in that respect, Naruto's presence will prove useful. There's something to be said for not having to navigate all this uncertainty alone.

As if on cue, the door to Sasuke's austere quarters creaks. Sasuke doesn't even have to look.

"Didn't they give you a room of your own, dobe?"

"Uh, yeah, but…" Naruto trails off. Sasuke imagines him hovering in the open doorway and can't help but sigh, rolling over.

"Don't tell me you're afraid now, scaredy-cat," Sasuke scoffs.

As expected, Naruto offers him a fierce scowl for that, "No."

"Then what is it?" Sasuke asks dryly, "I'm trying to sleep."

He wasn't— there was no way sleep would be coming for him tonight, but that was beside the point.

"I'm just—it's weird," Naruto huffs, "I've never slept anywhere but my own bed or outside. I can't... Shut up. It's not like you were sleeping either, y'know."

Sasuke recalls those first nights in his apartment, tucked away in Konoha's affluent, diplomatic quarter. The feelings of detachment and isolation from everything familiar and comforting, even if there was little comfort left to be found in those spaces.

"Hn," Sasuke grunts, raising the edge of his blanket. He supposes its the least he can do, considering.

Naruto is crawling in before Sasuke can blink, as if waiting too long will see the offer rescinded.

It's not so different from sleeping next to Naruto in their bedrolls, honestly. Though it's been a long time since Sasuke had shared body heat with someone like this.

It's not terrible. Orochimaru's dungeons are freezing.

After what feels like an excruciating length of time getting situated, they eventually settle under the covers. The bed isn't overly large, but neither are they and a good six inches separates Sasuke's shoulder from Naruto's back.

Already resigned to an even more sleepless night, Sasuke considers reviewing his mental rolodex of jutsu, just for something to do—but that only makes him think of Kakashi and Iruka, which doesn't do much for this whole detachment thing he's trying on for size.

He sighs to himself before he can think better of it, briefly unmindful of his bed partner.

Naruto doesn't seem any closer to sleep however, as Sasuke notes the way the idiot's shoulders climb toward his ears at the sound.

"I—" Naruto starts, barely audible for both that it's nearly a whisper and directed more toward the wall than Sasuke, "I'm… sorry."

Sasuke doesn't respond right away, taken aback by the unfamiliarity of hearing Naruto offering him an apology of all things.

He eventually collects himself enough to ask, "For what?"

"Er, you know," Naruto hedges, squirming awkwardly against the threadbare sheets, "The whole… thing. Kyuubi. I don't remember what they called it, alright?"

Ah. Sasuke should have suspected that's what this was about. Naruto had obviously been reluctant to divulge that information on his own, before. Having it out in the open now must be an uncomfortable change.

Sasuke doesn't really know what to say. How did one begin to talk about the mass of conscious, malevolent chakra stashed in your best friend's gut like last night's leftovers?

The silence stretches between them. Filled with all the tension and stress of the last twenty four hours. Sasuke knows he should say something. After everything Naruto had given up, had sacrificed to be here— and to have such a closely guarded secret revealed on top of that? What words are there for something like that?

Oh.

"Naruto," Sasuke says, reserved and quiet— he doesn't know how to do something like this properly, but he's never backed down from a challenge before, and he doesn't plan to start now, "… Thank you."

At long last, Naruto rolls over. His eyes wide as saucers and the muted light, colored like of the sky before a storm.

"What?" Naruto asks, "You better not be fucking with me, bastard, because I'll—"

"I'm not," Sasuke grumbles, "You didn't have to do what you did. You had every reason not to, probably. And yet you're here. So..."

"It's fine," Naruto says, rubbing his nose in a distinctly self-conscious manner, "I mean, you're gonna milk this jerk for all he's worth and then that's it, right? You'll be able to kick your brother's ass so we can try and go home. I'm just here to make sure you don't do something stupid to fuck it all up, y'know."

"…Sure," Sasuke agrees mildly.

As if it were that simple. But whatever helped Naruto sleep at night.

"Do you think what he said is true though?" Naruto asks, "D'you think… what do you think they're gonna do, when they know we're gone?"

If it were just Sasuke, very little probably. The village publicly put very little effort into reining in their defectors—relying on bounties and bingo book entries to do the heavy lifting for them.

But Naruto apparently wasn't your run of the mill missing-nin. His capture by a rival group or village could pose a very real threat, in Konoha's eyes.

"We'll be branded missing-nin," Sasuke answers, instead of voicing those thoughts, because it's at least an outcome he'd already resigned himself to, "As for… everything else. I don't know. I wasn't even aware Konoha had a jinchuuriki of its own until…"

"…Yeah," Naruto huffs, "What's it like being a missing-nin, do you think?"

"You are one now," Sasuke rolls his eyes, "So you tell me, idiot."

Naruto appears to think that over, "Doesn't feel that different."

Sasuke doesn't quite agree, but he doesn't dare argue. Certainly he and Naruto's experiences shared certain parallels, but in other ways they couldn't be more different. Whatever it is about being here, so far from home, in a known criminal's dungeon outpost that has Naruto so unsettled, Sasuke can't know for sure. Another part of him wonders why he isn't more rattled himself, by how events have shaken out. But it doesn't matter. This is just another step in a long trail of those necessary to achieve his goals—nothing more, nothing less.

He's worried about Naruto though, which is concerning in and of itself—because he didn't have time to worry about Naruto. He's come this far for a reason.

"It's not going to be easy, you know," Sasuke says, "Being wanted. The sort of training we will need, to face my brother. We aren't climbing trees anymore, dobe."

He knows its harsh. But Naruto needs to understand. Needs to grasp the truth of their situation and accept it, if they are to keep moving forward.

"I know that," Naruto's faces scrunches in transparent, if predictable, agitation, "You think I can't handle it, huh? I'll show you—I'll bet I make a better rogue ninja than you, ya know—"

"Shh," Sasuke hushes him before he can really get worked up, "Just—this isn't a game, Naruto. Not to Orochimaru and not to me."

"…Yeah, I know," Naruto says, more subdued this time, thankfully, "Whatever we gotta do we'll do it. That's what friends do for each other, right?"

Sasuke watches Naruto carefully, something uncertain stirring in his chest.

Was this the kind of thing friends did for one another? He wasn't sure. He'd never had a friend like Naruto before.

"Sure," Sasuke says at last, in lieu of anything else he could think to say to that, "You're a good friend, Naruto."

"That's right—I'm the best friend, and you know it!"

"Yes, fine—the best friend."

"So you just remember that when I'm Hokage someday and I need a good bodyguard, alright?"

Sasuke freezes.

Could Naruto have forgotten already? That the stupid little oath he'd been bleating about all their lives could be truly jeopardized by this decision to stay by Sasuke's side. Or could the rush of confrontation and defection be to blame for Naruto's lapse?

Was it denial or foolish hope, that kept Naruto clinging to his dreams? Would Naruto regret this choice someday, once the consequences became inescapable?

And if he did… where did that leave Sasuke?

The very idea of Naruto deciding Sasuke wasn't worth all this cuts deep. Surprisingly deep, considering scant hours ago Sasuke had been entirely prepared to leave Naruto behind, along with the rest of his life. But now… Sasuke isn't sure he wants to do this alone anymore.

All of a sudden, Sasuke is entirely too tired for this conversation.

Yanking the pillow out from under Naruto's head, he shoves it into the chatty moron's face, "It's time to sleep, idiot."

"But I don't think I can," Naruto whines before taking the pillow and thwaping Sasuke soundly with it—which Sasuke totally could have blocked, he just chose not to because he felt sorry for the idiot, "Don't you feel it, too? Like your thoughts are going too fast to sleep? I'm probably not gonna sleep for weeks, y'know."

"Hn," Sasuke offers, instead of outright agreeing with something so dramatic. Even if its probably true, "Try."

"You try, bastard."

"I am."

"Well you're doing a really bad job, y'know."

"Whose fault is that, idiot?"

They continue to bicker lazily until at some point, sleep comes for Sasuke after all, and the contrariness fizzles out of him.

For once, he doesn't dream.

Naruto never does go back to his own rooms, and Sasuke never asks him to.

17