-AN-

And we're back, not as full of energy as usual, but here all the same.

-Story Start-

"Muahaha! Who in their right mind would trust you with council duties! The Hokage has to have finally lost her marbles." Kiba's loud voice echoed in the rear garden of the Uzumaki home. A party was in full swing to celebrate the Uzumaki's latest good fortune and while the sun had long set, the teenagers and adults had settled in to relax and properly congratulate the Uzumaki head.

Who was regretting inviting Kiba along for this party, instead trying to pull away from the arm slung over his shoulder, "You're just mad your mom refuses to give up her seat just yet."

"Damn right I am! I could run the clan just as well as she can." Not that Kiba would say that aloud back home. Or within earshot of his mom. She was still majorly scary when she wanted to be.

On Naruto's other side, Shikamaru relaxed slumped in his seat as the three looked out over the garden were the assembled girls were chatting and enjoying drinks of their own. "More like Tsume would spend years beating you into the ground so you'd run the clan just like her." Not that Shikamaru was looking to take the mantle of clan head himself anytime soon. He saw how tired his father was everyday. That seemed like way to much of a drag.

Naruto eyed a happy looking Anko swaying back and forth with an arm over an uncomfortable Sakura's shoulders. Ino was chatting away with an interested looking Tenten while Hinata seemed to be paying attention as well but her smile never seemed to reach her eyes. All in all, it was a good way to end the day. Arms snaked around his shoulders and warm lips caressed his cheek, "Hey Mai, kids asleep?"

"Finally. Thought I'd bring a new round of drinks." Coming around the boys' table, Mai set down another bottle of sake with a smile, another bottle in her free hand that she was most likely going to drop off with the girls. "Do you need anything?"

"Nah, we're good." Naruto watched Mai leave, eyes especially watching the sway of her hips as she move. A fact not missed by the other men around the table.

Quiet until now, Neji gave Naruto a level look that didn't give away just how he really felt about this more open Naruto, "So. A civilian woman, that's what you're into?" He'd made some long strides to mending the relationship between himself and Hinata-sama over the years. Seeing her hopes crushed was unfortunate but most likely necessary.

Naruto shrugged, "Well, it's more like I'm into-"

"Oh we know what you're into." Kiba's voice practically oozed with smug as all eyes turned to Mai joining the group. Anko, Mai and Ino all ended up sitting close to one another, Mai and Anko especially close. "Lucky dog you."

"You are a massive pervert." Naruto gave Kiba a bored look before thinking about it some. "And keep your eyes to yourself, before I pound you."

"Says the man building a harem. You're the biggest pervert of us all." Kiba wouldn't back down on that, because rebuilding a clan or not, three women at once? That was a real man's dream!

Lee held up a glass from next to Neji, teeth shining bright in the low light provided by lanterns, "Naruto's youthful fires merely burn brighter than ever! He has enough love to share with them all."

Coughing into a hand, Naruto nodded, "Yeah that's, one way to put it." Sighing and seeing Neji was still watching him, Naruto finally poked the bear a bit, "Look, about Hinata…"

Neji held up a hand, sighing and offering Naruto a more neutral smile, "It is not your responsibility to cater to Hinata-sama's feelings. She never approached you about them, and this was the price." All eyes once more turned to the assembled women behind them, "That said, please don't tell me you plan on adding her to your chaos." Neji just knew Hiashi-sama would blow a gasket if such an event occurred. The Hyuuga princess added to a harem and not in the lead? Yes. The Clan Head's meltdown would be epic.

A chuckle as some relief filled him, Naruto shook his head and raised his own glass to toast the men around him, "Nope. I think my chaos needs people built a little different." Here Naruto gave Kiba a sidelong look, "Like say, a certain Inuzuka heiress." Messing with Kiba for oogling the girls? Always worth it.

"Touch my sister and I'll skin you alive." There was a growl in Kida's voice that didn't go unnoticed by everyone else.

"Who said I'd be the one touching her?"

"Com'ere you asshole! That's my sister you're talking about!"

"You're right, maybe I should hit up Tsume instead."

"I'll rip your heart out Uzumaki!"

"You wanna go Kiba!? Let's go!"

Still within earshot but further away from the boys, the group of girls all turned as a brawl broke out between Kiba and Naruto. Collectively they all sighed, while Tenten turned bored eyes to the Hyuuga of the group, "Can't you control that mutt?"

"Kiba-kun is just…passionate."

Anko rolled her eyes as she finally released Sakura from under her arm, "That's a nice way of saying he's a blowhard." They all watched as both young men rolled around on the grass, fists and feet flying. Did Kiba just bite Naruto? Did Naruto just bite him back? "Ugh, let me go break it up." Who would have thought she'd be stopping a fight instead of joining in. Times really were changing.

A thoughtful look on her face, Sakura stood up first, placing a hand on Anko's shoulder to stop her, "I've got this, I need to chat with Naruto anyway." And then she was gone, chakra wafting off of her form as the girls watched on with curiosity.

Ino giggled as Sakura walked away, "Taking bets on who gets launched first?"

Tenten shook her head, "No bet, Kiba for sure." Just as she was saying it, Kiba's body was tossed through the air like a ragdoll with a yell of indignation. Though no sooner had he hit the ground that Naruto received a fist to the noggin in return. Their final view of the man was being dragged back into his house by his teammate, followed by prayers from the assembled boys. "Good luck to him."

Having been mostly quiet until now, Hinata looked between Anko and Ino. Those two were known variables to her at least. Ino was flighty, bright and gave off a carefree aura most of the time. That she had apparently won herself a spot within Naruto's heart hadn't fazed her so much at first. Ino's usual love interests burned hot but quickly. Anko on the other hand was different. No one had expected the older torture specialist to ever settle down, and with Naruto of all people? Even Hinata could see that there was a deeper connection there that would not be swayed easily, much as she didn't want to admit it.

It was the third member of the trio that was completely out of the blue for her. This Mai woman, while homely, was an unknown. She already had children! Children that on the surface looked a lot like a certain blonde troublemaker that to anyone not paying attention would have rumors flying. Hinata did pay attention though, and already knew that they were not his, but the resemblance was there, and that was enough. "Ano…"

Tenten however was oblivious to the turmoil Hinata was in, instead raising a glass to the assembled trio, "So, what's next on your agenda? With Naruto joining the council and taking on more responsibilities, what will you three be doing?" Then there was an exaggerated wiggle of eyebrows, "More little feet to run around maybe?"

Ino, Anko and Mai all exchanged looks before it was Anko who shrugged first, "No real plan honestly. Gonna take missions like crazy and start saving up money. The Uzumaki shrine needs rebuilding." She still wasn't convinced about motherhood just yet. She hadn't ever even considered something like this ever. Though with Naruto, it could be different.

Ino nodded along, "Plus we still need to get settled in completely. Naruto's warned us that thanks to Lord Jiraiya's work there are threats out there that we need to be ready for. So training and the like for all of us." She didn't plan on being uber strong like Naruto, but having more skills wouldn't be a bad thing.

"Most of us, I am still not a ninja." Mai gave a bashful smile as the attention turned on her. "Though, I do have, plans, of my own to get to."

Anko was already nudging her in the ribs, "Oh you dirty girl you. Already looking to contribute to Uzumaki numbers are ya."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't deny it either."

Ino rolled her eyes while covertly watching Hinata. While the girl didn't look like she was on the verge of a breakdown, she certainly wasn't happy. Maybe she should have done something sooner, fortune favors the brave in the end. "Kids huh? I mean, one day that would be nice. After I've built up a nice career for myself and enjoyed being young and hot."

Anko rolled her eyes at the younger kunoichi, "You break Naruto's heart and I'll come hunt you down."

Flipping her hair over a shoulder, Ino pushed her chest out slightly, "I'd never do that. But it's nice knowing I can flaunt how hot I am now. Boys can look, but no touching. Naruto would beat them into a crater." She'd have to make it loudly clear that she was off the market from now on. Hmm, maybe something steamy with Naruto out in public?

Mai giggled, "They'd be lucky if he even left that much."

Through it all as the assembled girls continued to gossip, gears began to turn in Hinata's head. She had supported Naruto and believed in him all this time, and now these trollops swooped in when his life started to improve? No, she would not stand for this. Maybe it was time to act the part of Hyuuga Princess. She would have her dream, one way or another.

Inside the house Naruto had easily broken away from Sakura, walking off towards the kitchen to prepare snacks while Sakura tagged along behind him. Naruto wasn't in the mood for the conversation he had a feeling was coming, but Sakura had been in a mood for a while now. He had figured she would have been elated with Sasuke back, but apparently that wasn't the case. As he crossed into the brightly lit and colorful kitchen, Naruto sighed and started to root through the fridge, "So what's up Sakura. You got something on your mind?"

"That obvious?" Sakura admired the larger kitchen as Naruto continued to rummage about inside his fridge. Leaning against the center bar and laying a cheek in hand, she tried to word what she wanted to say. How did one go about apologizing for ignoring a good friend for, years? "Where do I start?"

Not able to read her mind, Naruto shrugged as he came free with materials for a monster of a sandwich. "The beginning usually helps."

"That's not…" Sakura paused as she could see the smirk on Naruto's face, "You ass."

"Aw you're looking at my ass? Should I warn the girls you're horning in on me?" This was good territory. Easy and playful. How they usually were.

This time she couldn't stop the roll of her eyes, "Like I'd want anything to do with your specific brand of crazy. No thanks. I choose life." Sakura and Naruto shared a chuckle as said boy set about making his sandwich while the party continued on outside. But ice sufficiently broken, Sakura powered on. "I'm sorry."

That raised Naruto's eyes to watching his teammate, "Huh? What for?"

"What, for everything I guess. For being a shitty teammate, a shitty friend. Pick a reason really." Sakura watched Naruto give her a look she couldn't quite read right away, before balking as he shrugged and went back to his sandwich. "I'm being serious you lunkhead."

"So am I. You're my teammate Sakura, there's nothing to forgive." He had followed through with his promise and now was moving on to improving his life. She didn't owe him anything nor did he expect anything from her in return.

"So me ignoring you for a week after Sasuke's return is just what. Considered normal?"

Naruto paused again as he thought about that. Was he a little irritated that Sakura had been with Sasuke all this time? Sure. But did he also understand? Yes. So there was another shrug as he went back to his masterpiece, "Not normal, but understandable. He hasn't been back in years, of course you'd spend time with him. Things are going alright over there yeah?"

Sighing as she should have expected Naruto to be this way, Sakura decided to let it go. If this kept their friendship on the steady then she was happy for it. "I don't know if alright is the word I'd use. But it's been determined he's going to have his chakra sealed. From there he'll be allowed to take up residence back in the village proper for now. As for returning to ninja duties, that's up to the Hokage."

Which knowing Tsunade, wasn't going to happen anytime soon. "Well, at least he'll get out of that cell."

"Yeah." Silence dropped back on the two, Sakura lost in her thoughts about chances long gone while Naruto finished off the now nearly half foot tall creation packed with meat and every dressing he could think of. "Naruto?"

Swallowing the saliva building in his mouth, Naruto looked up to his thoughtful teammate, "What's up?"

"Are you happy?" Sakura couldn't fully meet Naruto's gaze now, but knowing that he was searching her. Probing for just what she was getting at. If she had an answer herself she probably wouldn't feel this tightness in her chest.

The question wasn't something he had to think about at all, "Yup. In fact, I can't think of a time where I've been happier than this." Hell, these last two weeks have been some of the happiest in his entire life. If he had to put up with his childhood again to reach this point, he'd do it every single time. "I have a family now, or at least, I'm building one. Can't ask for much more."

Smiling and huffing, Sakura finally pushed away from the bar with a smile, "Good. You better treat them all right, cause I'm looking to be a good auntie one day. I plan on spoiling your kids."

Naruto huffed as Sakura seemed to relax, an easy smirk on her face finally, "Yeah could you not. Focus on your own kids will ya."

"Who says I can't do both?"

"I thought I was the annoying one?" A chuckle built in Naruto's throat as the pair turned to leave for the backyard again.

"Maybe you need a dose of your own medicine. In the form of your own hyperactive spawn." Sakura linked her hands behind her back as she sauntered away.

"You wouldn't." Naruto sure hoped she wouldn't.

"Try me knucklehead."

-b-

It was the next morning, and having taken enough time off to settle his home and get things situated, Naruto was now back meeting with his team today. Inverted and counting past one hundred for his push ups, he tried to clear his mind of what the rest of his day might entail. Standing on his raised feet, Gamakichi relaxed and kept a neutral balance to not throw off his bro. The team had just finished morning drills, but Naruto still felt like he had energy to burn.

Off to the side, Kakashi sighed while Sakura shook her head, "Do you have to show off even after training?"

"I'd like to think you could do it too if you really wanted." Naruto's reply was quick, though he did augment his arms with chakra finally, launching himself and Gamakichi into the air to flip upright. Kichi landed first, while Naruto landed on the larger summon's head in a cross legged position. "Now that was showing off."

Rolling his eyes Kakashi motioned to Sakura who was standing next to him and Sai who was doodling under a nearby tree. "We don't have any missions for today, but we'll have a long term assignment in a few days to the border with Taki. Make sure to prepare."

Sakura nodded glumly. That sounded like a patrol mission, never fun, "Got it sensei."

Grinning and saluting his superior, Naruto was kinda excited to be out of the village for a few days. "Hear ya loud and clear Kakashi-sensei." They both watched as the man shushined away, leaving the three teenagers alone, though Sai was already folding up his drawing pad and standing quietly.

"I'll be off then. See you tomorrow."

Naruto was already holding up a hand, "You could be a little more social you know."

"Hmm, maybe tomorrow." Waving over his shoulder as he left, Sai made his retreat away from the Team Seven duo. Maybe he'd visit the south hills today, they were always a good spot for bird watching.

Now left with just the two of them, Sakura turned hopeful eyes to Naruto, "Hey uh. Wanna come with me, to see Sasuke?"

Hearing the naked hope in her voice, Naruto couldn't just outright tell her no. Sure he didn't want to be around the broody Uchiha, but they were former teammates and friends. He should put some effort into helping out. "Sure, lead the way." Falling into step with the girl, Naruto linked his hands behind his head as they walked, away from the training grounds and towards the village proper. "So, Sasuke take up his old house in the Uchiha district, or decide on somewhere else?" With all the trauma involved Naruto figured any normal person would want to be anywhere else than were their entire clan was slaughtered. Unfortunately Sasuke was not normal by any margin, having subjected himself to who knows how much mental and physical trauma all for the sake of power. Uchiha's were weird, Naruto decided.

If she could read minds, Sakura may have reverted and pounded the snot out of her friend, "Same as before, his former home. Though the council has yet to decide what is to be done with the Uchiha district. Now that Sasuke's returned there are talks about seizing the grounds for village use." Apparently with Sasuke back they would rule and just what sort of damages he was responsible for. Never mind the failed retrieval missions of the years and the harm to most of their rookie counterparts on his initial flight. There was also talk that more than a few Konoha ninja had been lost over the years due to his defection. "Sasuke could be stripped of all formal clan recognition."

Naruto nodded along with the information, sounded about right to be honest. "Which would leave the only other known Uchiha as the de-facto leader. Itachi." Someone who, last he heard from Jiraiya, was stumping around with a terrorist organization.

"Yeah." Something that would most likely send Sasuke's ego spiraling over the edge. "You'd think they'd show some mercy with him being cooperative during questioning. He's given up several of Orochimaru's bases of operation. Troop numbers. Persons of special interest and more."

"He's still a traitor Sakura." Naruto didn't mean to sound so harsh, and the flinch from his friend told him he failed at that. But it was the truth. "He defected and got Konoha shinobi killed. He's lucky enough that his head hasn't rolled."

Shoving down the frustration that built in her chest, Sakura sighed heavily instead, "I know that. I do." There was a very pregnant pause that settled between the two as they crossed out of the tree lined pathway from the training grounds to the more paved walkway of the village proper. The market area was as lively as ever. "I just. I don't know. Thought that when he came back, things could go back to how they were. Slowly."

Naruto understood what she meant and that was the problem. "We aren't kids anymore Sakura."

Crossing her arms and huffing, Sakura let out a dry bark of a laugh, "Is this what adulthood is like. Achieving your dreams in the most gut wrenching ways? Cause this sucks and my younger self needs a beating."

"Hindsight."

"You could say that again." Sakura shook herself once and put a bright smile on her face. Brooding and dwelling over what could have been was not her thing. She'd take a page from Naruto's book, and smile even when she didn't want to. "Instead, I wanna show him. Show him things can get better, that we're here for him." Now a shy smile was turned Naruto's way, emerald green eyes boring into sky blue, "You'll help me, won't you?"

Nose twitching just once, Naruto did nod, "I made a promise didn't I? Plus there's no one else in the village who deserves to gloat and annoy that Uchiha more than I do." Seeing Sakura could still smile and laugh at his antics, Naruto took it as a small win. Sure she was morose over the fact that things had not turned out like the fairy tail she had laid out in her mind, but she was making the best of it.

The rest of the walk was uneventful as they threaded their way through the village and its people. It was a bright day that wasn't to hot and the sky offered playfully fluffy white clouds. Soon the sounds of the people began to die away. The roads became less crowded but also less maintained. Weeds grew along the sidewalk and the high wall they walked along, evidence of just where they were headed. Even the air felt different. Stale.

Naruto noted the ease with which Sakura opened the main gate to the Uchiha grounds and slipped inside, following along behind her without a word. Naruto wouldn't admit to being the spiritual type, but it certainly did feel like the ghosts of the past were watching them as they made their way. It took a lot for him not to shiver as they passed dark doorways and empty alleys. How could Sasuke stay here after having bared witness to the atrocity done here. One could still see the scars on some of the buildings. An indent from where a kunai struck ring first. A suspiciously clean cut along a window sill.

Broken out of his musings, Naruto was forced to pause as Sakura stopped before a quiet two story home. No doubt Sasuke's place then. She turned a curious glance up his way, ignoring the Anbu on the roof across the street who ducked out of sight. "You can refuse you know. I know you two have your…history." And she already felt stupid for saying that. History? Really? They tried to kill each other!

Naruto shrugged as he motioned to the door, "Better to get it over with. Either there's a future for us or not, but it can't happen if we don't try."

That seemed to strike a cord with Sakura, who smiled softly and turned away from him, "You're right. Com'on then, let's go see Sasuke."

"I owe him a smack or two anyway." Sakura opened the door, calling out in a cheery voice, while Naruto felt a chill down his spine once more. Welp, time to face the viper.

-b-

Anko should be at the Hokage's office, bugging the old woman about giving her a mission to keep herself from getting to bored. While that was her final destination, she was walking sedately along the main road. Instead her thoughts were more inward and she appreciated the longer route. On her mind today?

Children.

Not Mai's or any of the village brats running to and fro. No, today her mind was asking the same question over and over with no clear answer. Did she want children of her own? If anyone had asked her even a month ago, she would have laughed in their face at the thought. Anko? Sadistic torture specialist and killer, a mother? No way. Not in a million years. Her usual thoughts had aligned closer to Ino's. She was going to enjoy being young and hot forever.

At least that was the case until Naruto wormed his way into her heart, and now she wasn't so sure anymore. Now it wasn't so much about her having her fun and kicking ass. Her worry about children was centered around her suitability. She was a killer, a monster. Did she have the right to raise kids? Could she handle that responsibility? What about her old sensei, that bastard Orochimaru? Was she still worried he would show up one day to take away everything that made her happy in this life?

Some part of her was still afraid, a thought she could never, would never, admit to anyone else but herself. Centered around the majority of what had gone wrong in her life was her traitorous sensei. Unless she had his severed head on a pike, she'd never truly feel free.

Shaking herself and slapping her cheeks once to clear her mind, she ignored the odd gazes from the civilians around her. She needed to focus. They needed money, which meant she needed to take missions. Mai would watch over the home and raise the kids. Ino would take missions closer to the village and take care of the grounds. Naruto was the head, he directed everything, and she was to do what she did best. So she would be the bad ass Kunoichi that she was and make them proud. That and screw all of them sideways when she was home from said missions.

Having made it to the Hokage tower with little fanfair, Anko scaled the stairs and dodged around functionaries along the way. At the least, people seemed to be more at ease around her lately, she'd chalk that up to probably Naruto having a word with a few of them at one point or another.

Shizune was quietly sorting through compiled folders ready to be shipped down to records. It was nearly lunchtime and she wanted to make a run for Lady Tsunade to make sure she actually ate today. There was a flutter of black and orange at the doorway and at first she thought it'd might be Naruto. But no, while it was his jacket the ample chest pushing it to bursting belonged the recently softer Anko Mitarashi. The Special Jonin seemed to be in a good mood today, though Shizune hoped she wasn't about to ruin that. "Good morning Mitarashi-san. Lady Tsunade is in a meeting at the moment, if you'd like to wait."

Shrugging and deciding she had the time, Anko sauntered up and sat on the edge of Shizune's overburdened desk, "Who's calling on old milk tits today? Some stuffy merchant or one of the elders?"

Blushing but smiling all the same, Shizune waves a hand back and forth, "You better not let Lady Tsunade hear you call her that. But it's Hyuuga-sama. Him and his daughter."

Blinking quietly for a moment, Anko tried to wrap her head around that one. "Wait, which daughter?"

"The eldest, Hinata."

"Huh, are they actually getting along? It's a miracle." Or maybe there was something else going on. It was no real secret that Hiashi had a certain disdain for his eldest daughter. She wasn't a fighter, nor was she really cut out to be the Head of the clan. Too soft that girl. According to people who were in the know, she had too much of her mother in her. Now the younger one, Hanabi? She was a little firecracker of a squirt.

Shizune shook her head, unsure of just how much she should say, "I don't believe that's the case. More like, a common goal I believe." Unable to talk about clan matters, especially since Anko was not an Uzumaki just yet, she really hoped things turned out alright. "They shouldn't be long, maybe another few minutes. They've been in there a while now."

Gears began to turn, but Anko let it slide. "No worries. Say. I hear you've been sniffing after a certain reclusive ninja lately. Wanna spill?"

Before she had the chance to do such, the door to the Hokage's office opened, and a stern looking Hiashi led the way out. Following closely behind him was a sure footed Hinata, eyes up and focused. Said girl locked gazes with Anko for all of a moment, were Anko would have bet major ryo she saw the smaller girl smirk, before the pair was gone without a word.

Inside her office a suddenly very tired Tsunade noted the barely dressed Jonin and waved her in, "Well, get in here Anko. I've got a busy day." She was already putting the matter of the Hyuuga's and their demands in the back of her mind. She didn't have the time to even process that right now. "Gonna guess you're hounding for a mission?"

Anko strolled in, coming to a lazy attention in front of her leader's desk, "Uh, yeah. Hoping to take a few quick missions. Whatever you got."

"Whatever I have hmm." Tsunade eyed the calm woman before her with a knowing eye. Her eyes weren't as bloodshot as usual. She looked healthy, like she had been sleeping and eating properly for once. Again she considered that Naruto was being a good influence on the woman, though what that could mean in the long run was up for debate. "Always have to ask, wanna take up a team of brats?"

Pausing to actually think about it, not liking how it mirrored her earlier concern and worries, Anko sighed heavily, "Maybe….in a little while."

Pausing as she was already putting away the reserve list of genin, Tsunade turned wide eyes to one of her most troublesome ninja. "You're…considering it?"

Anko actually looked at Tsunade, considering that this was a powerful woman who had made untold amounts of enemies over her lifetime, including Anko's own sensei. She knew the risks, and knew what it meant to raise kids, even if she didn't have any of her own. Her medical knowledge hopefully filled many of those holes. "I…I'm thinking of it as a trail run. For um…other things."

Other things? Tsunade's mind raced and came to an easy conclusion right away. "You aren't…you know."

Hands going up instantly and shaking back and forth, Anko added head shaking into the mix as well, "N-n-n-n-no! At least I'm pretty sure I'm not. No. Just uh, been thinking lately, that's all."

Would wonders never cease. Tsunade owed Jiraiya some ryo after all. "Well, just. Keep me in the loop." Mentally sorting out several missions, Tsunade deftly rooted through her outgoing pile, pulling free four different open mission requests. "You wanna keep busy then. Fine. Two missions are smash and grab. One's a stealth retrieval, and the last is a transport mission back here. You should be able to finish all of them within a month."

Anko took the offered mission scrolls with ease and tucked them away into one of her jacket's inner pockets. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama."

"Don't thank me yet, I've got a lot of teasing to send your way when you get back. And remind that future husband of yours he needs to show up here at the tower later today. We've got more training to get up to."

Blushing up a storm, Anko felt something in her chest flutter, "He's not…we're not."

"Uh huh. Go on Special Jonin, you've got work to do." Waving Anko off with a knowing smile, Tsunade's mood was vastly improved as Anko scampered away. Naruto certainly had the devil's luck. Or skill in this case, mellowing out Anko as much as he had. Heh. She'd have to give Jiraiya the news, maybe get a wedding present or two at the ready. If the kid didn't ask Anko properly by the end of the month, she'd eat her jacket.

-b-

Sakura remembered once, Kakashi explaining about fights between high level combatants. Sometimes the battle started long before blows were exchanged. A subtle finger twitch. How one carried their weight in their legs and feet. An eye shift or the way muscles tensed and relaxed. It all added up to mental moves and counter moves that could decide the course of a battle, maybe even finish it, before it even started.

"You're looking paler than usual, don't they at least let you outside. Every good houseplant needs at least some sunlight and water."

"Good to know time hasn't changed how much of an idiot you are. You must enjoy this, knowing I can't fight back. Come to gloat about it?"

"I can ask em to unseal you if you're looking for another beating, I don't mind."

"It was a fluke. Like your existence."

"Aw Teme, you're still such a sweet talker."

Groaning from her place at the side of the table between the other two members of the original Team Seven, Sakura finally slapped a hand down, making the tea mugs rattle, "Is this really what you two are going to do? Having a pissing contest the entire time?" How could she have been worried about these two at all? Of course they'd turn back into the two idiotic hot heads they used to be. Here she thought Naruto of all people could be mature!

Naruto was grinning as he relaxed back, taking in the clean and bright front room they had chosen to relax in. There wasn't much in the way of personal effects, not that Naruto expected much. But there was just one. A family portrait nestled carefully on the mantle. That Sasuke's face had been crossed out was, interesting. "Hey, I'm just worried about him. He gets any paler and he'll turn into a ghost."

Sasuke sucked his teeth but leaned back as well. Though he was allowed to don his usual attire, manacles on his wrists and ankles actively sapped his chakra. He had enough to live, but that was about it. One more price to pay for all his sins. "You'd only hope to be rid of my so easily."

Eyeing the duck haired teen before him, Naruto shrugged, "I mean, I did knock you out rather easily. Could've killed ya then, you know, like you tried and failed to do to me." The scar on his chest was healing, but it still itched something fierce from time to time. He still owed his tenant for that one.

"Ugh, boys! Why do I even bother with you!" Sakura rolled to her feet, retreating to the kitchen and leaving the two young men alone.

Watching her leave, Sasuke turned dark eyes to Naruto, searching for something that Naruto wasn't sure he would ever find. "You would have, wouldn't you. Killed me that is."

"Yup." Lips popping on the last syllable, Naruto took heart that Sasuke seemed to understand just why he was still alive today.

"Hmm, you have changed. Much more than I thought." They both listened to Sakura mutter and curse from the kitchen. A ghost of a smile graced Sasuke's lips, something Naruto caught right away.

"So have you huh. You actually getting sweet on Sakura finally after all this time?" Naruto certainly wouldn't mind if it was the truth. Sakura had only been hounding after the Uchiha since they were kids. She deserved to have something good come out of all this.

Frown back on his face, Sasuke turned away to stare out of the back door, gaze cast out over the lake and it's calm waters. "No. But, I suppose I will have to thank her for this second chance."

"And me. You know, they guy who didn't kill you."

"You're just the trained monkey, no one needs to thank you."

"God you're still insufferable. Sakura can have you." Naruto chuckled, ignoring the small smirk on Sasuke's face again. Things weren't okay or normal between them. It was, more like an understanding finally. "I'll still gut you and stuff you like a trophy kill if you hurt her. Believe it."

Sasuke shrugged and returned to give Naruto a focused look. "Without chakra there isn't much I can do. Everything I've done up till now. All the training. The sacrifices, the pain." A hand trailed along the edge of the table, feeling the rough wood underneath his fingertips. "It was all for nothing in the end." Dark eyes bored into Naruto's skull, "You were right in the end. If this was what fate had in store for me, I never should have left. My vengeance, it'll never come to pass now." That was what burned in his soul the hottest. He had done everything so he could gain the power to kill his brother. But now? With everything taken away and his abilities cut off. It was a dream lost to another time, another world might as well be.

A failed goal, a destroyed dream. Yeah, Naruto could see a major personality shift coming from that. Maybe Sasuke had expected mercy from Konoha upon his return. Given how Konoha had treated him before his flight, the idea wasn't implausible. Or maybe he never expected to return at all. The final act of his quest most likely ending in the mutual destruction of the remaining Uchiha. None of that mattered now, only the path he forged ahead. "Think about it this way. You can start over."

"So long as Itachi is out there. So long as my brother can waltz back into my life and take everything away from me once more, there is no starting over." And this time, Itachi might finally finish the job. With no chakra and no weapons, Sasuke had no chance to defending himself against his brother.

Choosing now to come back, Sakura dropped a plate of diced vegetables onto the table. Carefully cut tomatoes in the center, "Then maybe you'll have to actually rely on us for once. I told you, I have been telling you haven't I? I won't leave you alone anymore. Not again. You can trust me." Sakura turned quickly to Naruto, hands coming out to gently grasp both Sasuke's own and the blonde's, "You can trust us. We're still a team. We just, have to get back in the groove of things."

Knowing it wouldn't be that easy, Sasuke decided he wasn't going to fight about it tonight. Sakura had been good on her word. Visiting him near constantly, doing her best to sway things more in his favor with Tsunade. Even this, bringing the team together, more show that she indeed still cared for him. Cared in a way that no one else in this village had. They all saw him as the Uchiha scion. The one who would return his clan to glory. Konoha's hope. Sakura saw him as just, him. As Sasuke. The broken young man who had been through too much before he was even in the double digits. It was enough that he didn't pull his hand away immediately, "I think you've taken after the baka a little too much in my absence."

Naruto huffed but saw the shift all the same, "More like she's seen the light. Maybe you need a dose of it yourself." Naruto would probably always be wary around Sasuke. Snakes were quick to shed their skins when necessary, and no one was better at that than Orochimaru, Sasuke's teacher. Sasuke would have to work hard to make Naruto believe he really was on the path of change.

A real smirk on his face, Sasuke did finally pull away, "Sorry, I don't swing that way. You keep that dose all to yourself."

An equal smirk in return, Naruto disappeared in a puff of smoke, his orioke jutsu in full effect here, "Aw, is little Sasuke-chan scared? Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

Sitting back and letting the boys banter back and forth, Sakura noted that there was much less tension in the air now. Things weren't normal. Probably never would be again. But, there was a foundation here. Something could grow from this. They just had to work at it. Keep trying. Sasuke would have his bad days, there would be relapses she was sure. But one day, one day he would be standing side by side with them. Their team would to whole again, she made that promise to herself.

-AN-

I'm alive y'all! I for sure thought that, with my daughter on vacation I might spend more time writing and enjoying some hobbies that I normally wouldn't have the time for. Instead my will to really do anything with her gone is just, not there. Who woulda thought huh? But we're back at it, nothing is abandoned, I'm still around. Just, having to focus a lot harder now. Till next time.