Nel here, hope you all are enjoying and are ready for the next chapter! FYI - Any specific story questions I will answer over PM. Thank you to all of you who have posted reviews!

xxx

A few weeks had passed since the assembly and things had finally started to settle down. The Uchiha name had virtual been restored in one day. Almost the entire village had accepted Sasuke back as one of their own, there were a few people who were still suspicious but with the Hokage's seal of approval on his return and all of the things he had done for the village there was nothing they could do about it except grumble. With time, they too would come to see that Sasuke was on their side and he wasn't the same as his predecessors. Sasuke was well on his way to restoring the honor and status to the Uchiha name. Naruto and Sasuke had been inseparable since he had moved in. When Shizune had come and told them they had finally found a place for Sasuke and brought him the key they had given it Suigetsu as soon as she left, they were happy together where they were.

Sasuke had quickly gotten placed back on team seven and in the rotation for missions. Their days were filled with secret rendezvous, and stolen glances. Every so often as one would be walking down the street or hallway an arm would shoot out from an ally or empty room and yank the other inside. So far no one had caught on to the fact that they were any more than friends and roommates, but they had had a few close calls. Sakura always seemed to know where Sasuke was and had nearly caught them in compromising positions more than once. She had a bad habit of showing up unannounced at the worst possible times. One of those times had happened just a few days ago. They had picked up some paint to redo the inside of the apartment. When they started the project, they left the windows and door open because of the fumes. They had been taking a break and having lunch, Sasuke was leaning in to kiss him, their lips almost touching when Sakura had burst in making Naruto jump and throw his drink all over Sasuke. As he had gotten up to go get cleaned off, he had nonchalantly commented that he didn't see anything in Naruto's eye. Sakura had accepted that as a perfectly good explanation for what she had just seen and proceeded to tell Naruto to be more careful and less jumpy. She said she had come to help paint. They hadn't even told anyone they were painting, how she found out is still unknown. She had spent the rest of the afternoon batting her eyelashes at Sasuke. It had been a long day.

When they weren't working, they were trying to figure out a plan to bring the other two elders to justice. So far, they hadn't come up with any good ideas. Most nights ended in frustration after hours of deliberation. They were just going to have to wait until an opportunity presented itself. They spent a lot of nights talking about their lives over the last few years. So much had happened it was fun learning about each other. Then there were the nights where they just fucked until they passed out. They enjoyed both kinds of nights in their own ways. Today was Saturday and they both had the day off. Sasuke the early bird of the relationship had already been up for a few hours, Naruto on the other hand was just barely gaining consciousness.

"I don't know how you can sleep like that." Sasuke was sitting in the kitchen; he had a fresh cup of tea.

"And I don't understand how you can be so chipper in the morning. It's unnatural." Naruto yawned and wiped the sleep from his eyes.

"Mornings are peaceful. Want some tea?"

"Sure." Naruto groggily walked over to the table and sat down in his underwear. He took a sip of the freshly poured cup of tea Sasuke put in front of him. "Do we have to do anything today?"

"I now understand why you were always late to everything; do you even own a calendar?"

"Why would I need a calendar when I have you?" Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"You're lucky you're cute. I think Suigetsu was going to stop by later this afternoon to hang out but other than that our day is clear." He took a sip of tea. "Unless of course Sakura stops by again." He let out an exasperated sigh.

"How many times has it been this week?"

"I've lost count." They were both quiet for a few minutes.

"Maybe we should tell her." Naruto suggested. "I kind of feel bad for her."

"You know what would happen if we told her, it would spread like wildfire."

"Would that really be so bad? It's killing me keeping us a secret." Sasuke took Naruto's hand and gave it a squeeze.

"I know, but we agreed its best this way. At least for now. Not only are we going to have to deal with everyone's reactions but loved ones end up as targets. You already have a big enough one on your back, let's not give the enemy any more leverage." Sasuke gave Naruto's hand a peck and changed the subject. "So, what do you want to do today?"

Naruto chuckled. "Besides you?" Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"How about we go on a date?" Naruto had his elbow on the table, his chin resting in his hand. He was giving Sasuke that special smile. It was a smile he only got when he looked at his lover. He never smiled at anyone else like this. It was happiness in its purest form.

"A date huh? What did you have in mind?"

"I've heard that there is a really pretty waterfall in the mountains to the north of the village. Supposedly there's a crystal-clear pool at its base. Not many people go there because it's hard to get too. We wouldn't have to worry about people being around. What do you think? Feel like going on an adventure?"

Sasuke was about to respond when they heard a knock at the door.

"Sasuke! Are you home?" It was Sakura. They looked at each other.

"Well, what do you say?" Naruto whispered.

"Anything is better than having to deal with Sakura." Sasuke whispered back. Another slightly louder knock sealed the decision. Naruto started quietly getting dressed. Sasuke grabbed their shoes from in front of the door.

"Hello! Are you in there?" …Hmm, maybe he's still asleep. I know I saw on the schedule that he was off today… Sakura let her hand trail along the top of the door frame until her fingers touched the key.

Both Sasuke and Naruto looked wide eyed at the door when they heard the key engage the lock.

"How did she get a key?" Naruto whispered frantically as they gathered their things.

"She probably used the one you leave over the door, idiot. I told you that wasn't a good place to put it!" Sasuke whispered back in a scolding tone. The door handle began to turn.

"I'm coming in!" Sakura announced cheerfully.

A shirtless Naruto went flying out the window, Sasuke close on his heels. As he closed the window behind them the door opened. Sakura looked around the room.

"Weird, I thought for sure he would have been home. He's always home on Saturday." She looked around a bit more and sighed; she had been hoping they could hang out today. She would just have to stop by tomorrow.

Once Naruto and Sasuke had made it around the corner out of sight they had come to a stop, they had both let out sighs of relief and then proceeded to burst into laughter.

"I guess all that training finally came in handy!" Naruto joked as he pulled his shirt on.

"That key is moving."

xxx

On her way home Sakura had run into Ino and they had started talking.

"What are you doing today Sakura?"

"Well, I had been hoping Sasuke and I could hang out, but he wasn't home." She sighed. "No matter what I do he never acknowledges me." Ino gave her a pat on the back.

"If it makes you feel any better it's the same for all of us. That's just how Sasuke is. I think he keeps his distance so that he can't get hurt again."

"I hadn't thought of it like that. I guess I can't really understand where he is coming from. Do think that's why he is still staying with Naruto even though he has his own place?"

"It would make sense; I mean they are both completely alone. They can understand each other's pain and be there for one another. It would seem that they have both matured and the time apart made them realize that they shared a powerful bond. They found friendship and family in each other. Together, those two will be unstoppable."

"I just wish he would let me in like he did Naruto. I feel like I could come to understand if he would just give me the chance."

"Have you told him that?"

"No." Sakura answered quietly.

"That may be a good place to start." Ino smiled. "I'm sure everything will work out, just give it time. He's only been back a few weeks and he was gone for almost five years."

"I guess you are right, thanks Ino, I feel a lot better."

xxx

Naruto and Sasuke had been hiking for hours through the thick mountain forest to the north of the village. It was a hot day and both of them were drenched in sweat. Naruto had taken his shirt off and wrapped it around his head, his rock-hard muscles glistened with sweat.

"You know, if you took your shirt off you could get a tan." Naruto looked over at Sasuke.

"I don't tan, I burn."

"It's all part of the process!"

"No thank you. Are you sure you know where you're going?"

"Well, if what I heard was right, we should be almost there. Just through those trees."

"You said that a few trees ago too. Getting lost in the woods is not very high up on the list of good dates." Sasuke said sarcastically.

"You are always welcome to go back; I'm sure Sakura would love to hang out." The look on Sasuke's face made Naruto laugh. That had shut him up. It took another half hour before they started hearing the sound of rushing water. When they finally made it to the clearing, they both stopped and stared. The waterfall was absolutely breathtaking. Crystal clear water ran down the side of the mountain, lush plants and vibrant flowers grew all around. It was like an untouched paradise. They were both speechless. They made their way over to the edge of the pool that had formed at the base of the waterfall, it was like glass. Naruto started stripping off his hot sticky clothes.

"I don't know about you, but I'm going for a swim." Naruto dove into the crystal-clear water. It felt good against his hot sweaty skin. He broke through the surface and took a breath. He turned and smiled at Sasuke. "Are you coming?" Sasuke answered by starting to take off his clothes. He watched Naruto floating on the surface of the water, he couldn't remember the last time he had been this happy. Even when his family had been alive, he couldn't think of a time when he had felt this way. But the past didn't matter, Naruto was his family now. He had stolen his heart. Every time Naruto smiled Sasuke fell deeper in love with him. Looking into Naruto's eyes was like looking into the depths of this crystal-clear pond, and they sparkled like the sun off the surface of the water. Not to mention his body, every inch was rock hard muscle. Every time Naruto got undressed it sent excitement shooting through Sasuke's body like an electric shock, his touch leaving him breathless. He would lose his family ten times over if it meant his life ended up here. If he could change one thing it would be that he had realized his feelings for Naruto sooner and it hadn't taken him almost ending his lover's life for them to finally come together. Naruto had a scar on his shoulder from where Sasuke's hand had gone through his arm. His only scar in fact. It was a constant reminder of what could have happened. Sasuke shivered as he thought about how different things could have been. Luckily things had gone the way they had. Sasuke dove into the water, leaving behind all the what ifs and could haves. All that mattered now was the future. Their future.

The rest of the afternoon had been full of romance and relaxation. It had been a while since they had been able to relax so freely, normally even when they were home, they were on edge, but they didn't have to worry about anyone walking in on them here. They had eaten a few snacks for lunch, they had barely been able to grab what they did before they took their leave out of their apartment window. They had even taken a little nap. Currently they were laying on a patch of comfortable grass procrastinating leaving their majestic secluded paradise. Naruto had his arms crossed behind his head, he watched as the clouds floated by. Sasuke was laying on his side propped up on his elbow. He was contentedly looking down at the face of his lover, he gently cupped the side of Naruto's face and turned it toward him. He thought he might drown in his eyes. God, he was gorgeous. He leaned down and kissed Naruto gently, Naruto responded by wrapping his arms around Sasuke and pulling him into an embrace deepening the kiss. Sasuke gave in willingly letting his body rest against Naruto's. They stayed like that for a while just enjoying each other's gentle touch and loving kisses. Sasuke let his forehead rest against Naruto's.

"I love you Naruto."

"I love you too Sasuke." Naruto ran his hand through Sasuke's hair. "I hope you realize how happy you make me. I will never let you go." Naruto let out a sigh. "I wish we could stay here forever." Sasuke nodded his head in agreement.

"If we want to make it back before dark we will have to get started."

"Always the responsible one."

"Well you certainly aren't going to do it." Sasuke got up and extended his hand. Naruto took it reluctantly and they started making their way home.

xxx

When they finally made it home it was dark, Naruto fumbled around with the key for a few minutes before he finally got the door open. They were met by a very grumpy, frowning Suigetsu.

"What the hell! I've been waiting for hours." He gave them his best "where have you two been" face.

"Sorry Suigetsu, we totally forgot. We kind of rushed out this morning." Naruto scratched the back of his head and let out an awkward chuckle.

"You didn't have to stay." Sasuke said coldly. Once they were inside, they both flopped on the bed. Suigetsu sat at the table.

"Would it kill you to be a little bit less of a bastard?" Suigetsu asked Sasuke. "You could at least pretend to feel a little bad about forgetting."

"I've never been very good at pretending."

"Or being nice. Actually, now that I am thinking about it, there are a few areas that could use improvement. I'd be happy to point them..." A pillow sailed into Suigetsu's face. He glared at Sasuke. "So where were you guys anyway?"

"We went for a hike; it took a little longer than expected." Naruto explained. Suigetsu gave him a confused look.

"You took a hike, why?" Suigetsu looked like his brain was about to explode.

"Someone like you wouldn't understand, you walk ten feet and act like you're going to die. Like that one time I had to carry you because you laid down on the ground and refused to go any further."

"You know what Sasuke, when you become part fish and are then forced to travel hundreds of miles on land, then come talk to me." Suigetsu crossed his arms. "I am almost completely made of water!"

"How about lunch on us tomorrow?" Naruto offered in an attempt to make peace.

"You think you can bribe your way back into my good graces?"

"There's nothing graceful about you Suigetsu." Naruto elbowed Sasuke in the ribs.

"Is it working?" Naruto asked. Suigetsu thought for a moment.

"I pick the restaurant?"

"Sure."

"Very well, all is forgiven. I'll see you both tomorrow, meet at my place at noon."

"We will put it on our calendar!" Naruto followed Suigetsu to the door and locked it behind him. By the time he got back to the bed Sasuke had already stripped off all of his dirty clothes and was under the blankets. Naruto did the same, turning off the light as he climbed into bed and snuggled up to Sasuke.

"I thought you said you didn't have a calendar?"

"I don't." Sasuke chuckled.

"Good night Naruto." Naruto kissed him on the ear.

"Good night Sasuke."