for: point29

[sne_mod]

From: syrraki
Title: Running Backwards
Rating: G
Summary: Memory is what we make it.
Warnings: Sexual references.
A/N: Inspired by fireun's Intrinsic, that planted the first seed.
Mod note: Reminder for the author/artist of this submission, please do not reply to comments signed in, if you want to reply anon commenting is enabled.

Sasuke

At twelve minutes past three a pounding on the door woke him up and he wondered just what the fuck the Council could possibly want now.

When he threw open the door - face blank enough not to belie his emotions, but eyes furious enough to convey just how pissed off he was - they charged right through, ignoring him completely, and laid an unconscious Naruto on his couch.

“He won't settle,” one said by way of explanation. Sasuke didn't recognise any of the three. They wore masks and regular jounin gear.

“Then take him to the hospital.” Sasuke's eyes were on the figure lying motionless on his couch, fixed on the jerky up-and-down wheeze of his chest.

“Sakura-chan said to bring him here. He's not badly hurt, just confused.”

“We think he hit his head,” one of them added. Sasuke gave him a dark look.

“You can't leave him here.” He forced himself to concentrate on the three intruders.

“It's where he'd want to be.”

Sasuke opened his mouth to argue, but they were already leaving, shuffling out, leaving blood and dirt on his floorboards.

He caught the door just before it slammed into the frame, because the only thing worse than dealing with a wounded Naruto was dealing with a wounded Naruto when he was awake, and turned back to the sofa.

As usual, any cuts and gashes that Naruto had would have already healed, although Sasuke noted with disgust that he had already managed to stain two of his cushions crimson. Sasuke scrutinised him, from the muddy sandals that had smeared half the forest on the armrest, to his unzipped jacket with that blue necklace spilling out and glinting in the dim light, to his skewed forehead protector, nearly covering one of his eyes.

Leaning forward, Sasuke straightened it, fingers lingering - just for a second - on the cool metal.

Then he went to find a spare blanket to throw on the idiot.

***

While Sasuke was making breakfast Naruto woke up by rolling himself off the couch.

Sasuke heard the thump, turned off the stove and walked out of the kitchen to find Naruto peering up at him from the floor, one arm braced on the cushions of the sofa, the other rubbing his shoulder.

“I'm making eggs,” Sasuke said. “There is no ramen. There will be no ramen. Do not ask for it.” Naruto said nothing, just looked around the small flat, then back to Sasuke. “There are enough eggs for you too. After you eat, you can leave.” He stood for a second more, waiting for Naruto to say something. “That's it, I'm throwing out your eggs.”

He stormed back into the kitchen, seized the pan and stopped, one step towards the bin. The pan contained his own breakfast too, and he had no intention of throwing it out. He had expected Naruto to stop him before he reached the stove, if not the second he turned around.

Back in the lounge, after depositing the eggs carefully back on the stove, Sasuke found Naruto standing between the sofa and the coffee table, looking dazed. When he noticed Sasuke, his eyes snapped into focus and he fell back into a defensive stance. Sasuke took a deep breath and told himself to be patient.

“What's going on?” Naruto said, his voice raspy from sleep.

“You got hurt on your mission yesterday,” Sasuke said. “Apparently you caused a scene at the hospital and Sakura sent you here.”

“Who's Sakura?” Naruto didn't drop his stance, eyebrows pulling together in confusion.

A seed of understanding planted in Sasuke's mind. “Quit it, Naruto,” he said. “I'm not in the mood for this.”

“Who's Naruto?”

Sasuke gave him a long, hard look. And then called Sakura.

Naruto

On the night of Naruto's inauguration as Hokage, Tsunade challenged him to a drinking match. The match was a poorly veiled excuse for Tsunade to down sake like water, and although Naruto tried to match her cup for cup, eventually, cheeks red and room starting to sway, he had to admit defeat. Tsunade, who had consumed twice as much in half the time, gave a victory cheer, took a final shot, and passed out on the table, mumbling that you always were a lightweight, Minato.

The party, that had started out as a small gathering of Naruto's closest friends and extended to the entire village, went on late into the night. It culminated in a sequence of speeches, each successively less coherent while gaining more cheers.

Naruto, who had been straight-faced and sombre during the ceremony itself, hadn't stopped smiling since the party began. Sakura found him leaning against the wall, watching his friends enjoy themselves with a contended expression on his face.

"Having fun?" She settled next to him and followed his gaze across the room to where Lee was making a rousing toast.

"Yeah..." He smiled as Lee raised his glass, then turned to grin at Sakura. "I'm Hokage!"

"You are," Sakura said simply, finding his hand and squeezing it.

"It's just. I'm actually Hokage." Naruto let out a little laugh. "Not a monster. Not the nine-tails vessel, or village troublemaker. Not even just a good ninja. Not a chuunin or jounin. Hokage."

"You didn't actually pass the chuunin exam." Sai appeared on Naruto's other side. "So technically speaking, you're still genin." He smiled peaceably as Naruto scowled and Sakura giggled.

"Yeah, but I'm the first genin to become Hokage." Naruto crossed his arms with a decisive nod. "They should teach that in the academy. Uzumaki Naruto was the first ninja to become Hokage without ever passing the chuunin exam." He jumped as a thought occurred to him and he glanced at Sakura for confirmation. "Hey, I can make them teach that in schools, can't I? I'll make a law, or something!"

"You just became Hokage! Don't be stupid already!" Sakura bopped him on the head and he pouted, holding a hand to the area.

"Sakura-chan! Don't hit me, I'm your Hokage! Shouldn't you give me respect?"

"If you want my respect, you'll have to earn it," Sakura said, then her expression softened as Naruto deflated and she swooped in to kiss him on the cheek and pull him close, wrapping her arms around him. "I love you, Naruto. You know that, right?" She didn't wait for confirmation but gave him another squeeze and pulled away. "You'll be a great Hokage... Everyone trusts you. You made us believe in you."

"It's true," Sai put in. "Practically the whole village is here. All your friends."

The grin that had spread on Naruto's face faltered for a second, but he managed to keep it, watching as Sai and Sakura blended back into the crowd.

"Not all of them."

It had been four long years since anyone had seen Uchiha Sasuke.

***

Naruto fell back onto his new bed with a grin. King-sized and soft with fluffy pillows that cushioned his dizzy head. His breathing levelled out as he stared at the dark ceiling, giddy with happiness. His thoughts were erratic, and long after he closed his eyes they skittered from topic to topic, reliving memories of the day, Sakura's expression, Kakashi's hand on his shoulder...

He was dozing when he first felt it, and so easily ignored it. No danger, no jumping. In sleep, he often felt that presence on the edge of his senses, on nights when he dreamt of Team Seven, camping under the stars with the ears of long grasses tickling his ankles and the murmur of breathing and the awkward warmth shared whenever someone rolled too close.

Near to consciousness, Naruto felt the air currents shift and sighed happily. It was a warm night and the window in his new apartment was positioned perfectly to let in a nice breeze. Except... He hadn't opened the window.

Hands ready to form rudimentary seals, Naruto opened his eyes which were adjusted to the darkness enough to see clearly the line of his pillow, edge of his bed and nearest escape route. He licked his lips, practised muscles tensing just enough-

Another movement, a deliberate ruffle of fabric, a scent: familiar and fresh.

Naruto sat up and felt all the breath rush out of him.

Sasuke drummed his fingers on the hilt of his katana and looked down, face in shadow, expression inscrutable. "Hey, moron." Naruto stared. "I heard you're Hokage now." The hand on the katana moved to rest on the hilt. "Congratulations."

Naruto punched him. "You bastard." He caught Sasuke reeling back from the hit and wrapped his arms around him without restraint. "You absolute bastard."

Sasuke

“You're joking,” Sasuke said, watching as Sakura packed her equipment into a large bag set on the coffee table.

“No, I am not,” Sakura replied, zipping the bag shut and hoisting it onto her shoulder. “It should just be temporary, a few weeks at most.”

“So, I'm Naruto.” Naruto sat on the couch, head tipped back as he stared at the ceiling in wonderment. He tilted his head forward and gazed at Sakura, pointing at her. “You're Sakura.”

“You call me 'Sakura-chan'.” She gave him a kind smile.

“Sakura-chan.” He tasted the word, nodding to himself. “Sakura-chan, Sakura-chan. And that's Sasuke.” He pointed at Sasuke.

“Yes, that's Sasuke."

Naruto frowned at him. “He doesn't smile much.” He scowled at Sasuke. “I don't think I want to stay here.”

“I don't want him to stay here,” Sasuke said, not moving from where he was slouching in the corner. “Shouldn't he be at the hospital?”

Sakura shook her head, adjusting the bag. “It's better for him to be around familiar things.”

“Then take him with you."

“I'd rather go with you,” Naruto said to Sakura. “Why is your hair pink?”

Putting her hands on her hips, Sakura drew herself up. “I'm busy Sasuke. Some of us have to juggle eight hour shifts at the hospital with missions and with Naruto like this, I'm going to be busier than ever.”

“...I don't think I want to go with her, she's scary.” Naruto tried to sink into the sofa cushions.

“Surely there is someone else,” Sasuke said.

“I'm sure there is.” Sakura paused at the door, shrugging, her eyes downcast. “But Naruto chose you.”

She closed the door behind her. Sasuke stared at it for a few seconds, willing it to open and provide some sort of aid.

“So. I'm Naruto.” Naruto scratched at his chin. “What am I like?”

“Annoying.” Sasuke pushed himself off from the wall. “Loud and obnoxious. You like the colour orange and ramen.”

“Right. I do like the sound of ramen.” Naruto nodded his head, then levelled a finger at Sasuke. “You're Sasuke.”

“Yeah.” Sasuke realised the eggs had gone cold and threw them out.

“What do you like?” Naruto's voice travelled in through the open door. Sasuke stared at the wasted eggs, oozing grease into a pile of potato peelings. “Sasuke?”

“I like quiet, meditating, and being alone,” he said, re-entering the room to find Naruto leaning out of the window, inspecting the view.

“Really?” Naruto twisted his head back to look at Sasuke. “Sakura-chan said we're friends though. It doesn't sound like we have anything in common.”

“We're both ninja,” Sasuke said, sinking into his favourite chair and leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.

“Yeah. Sakura-chan said. Which is cool and all. But. You don't really seem to like me that much.” Naruto's eyes darted up to note Sasuke's expression, before going back down to the floor.

“...You're persistent,” Sasuke said, thinking of Team Seven and how 'no' hadn't been in Naruto's vocabulary. It still wasn't.

“That's it?” The answer didn't seem to satisfy Naruto. “That's the only reason we're friends?”

“No...” Not the way Naruto made it sound, at least. Sasuke searched his mind for the right words. “We've been through a lot.” Naruto looked as though he was going to say something, so Sasuke interrupted him. "If you're staying, you'll need a futon. You can stay in here."

"In here?" Naruto looked around the lounge, puzzled. "Can't I set it up in the bedroom?"

Sasuke gave him a short, flat look. "No. Stay away from the bedroom."

Naruto

Sasuke was drinking tea. He held the cup loosely in two hands, elbows resting on the table, eyes downcast as he took a measured sip. His posture was alert but not tense. Naruto watched as Sasuke replaced his cup on the table without producing a sound. While Sasuke was still except fore a few deliberate movements: lifting his cup, brushing his hair back from his forehead, Naruto was full of motion. Under the table, his legs were jumping and he was alternating between gripping his chair with his fingers and tapping them on the table.

Sasuke's hands were still wrapped around the cup. His fingers were a bit longer than Naruto's, his nails were clean and pink except for a thin line of white. Naruto's own nails were a little grimy - though he had no idea why - so he carefully buffed them on his cuff, pleased at the result. When he looked up, Sasuke was looking back at him, and Naruto's grin widened.

"-Naruto, are you paying attention? Naruto!"

The smile fell of his face. "Huh?"

Heaving a sigh, Sakura ran a hand through her hair, making it stick up a little. "Were you even listening?"

"I was!" Naruto smiled winningly. "You were talking about Sasuke." He nodded to himself.

Sakura raised her eyebrows, twisting her mouth to the side, unconvinced. "Do you want me to go over it again?"

At the prospect of having to sit quietly for any longer, Naruto's eyes widened. "N-no! It's fine, I understand. Sasuke's back in Konoha, and I'm the Hokage so I can pardon him and stuff because he did have reasons and he's not crazy any more and the interrogations came back okay so everything's great again!"

Sakura's eyebrows pulled together at the haphazard retelling. "Naruto, that's not really all there is to it-"

"Sakura-chaaaan, I get it! I want to go and show Sasuke my new technique before you drag me back to the tower to sign things," he turned to Sasuke, eyes glinting, "it's so cool, you won't believe it. It's like the rasengan, actually it starts with the rasengan, but then instead of just- Oh you have to see it, come on." He jumped up, dragging Sasuke with him, chattering all the way. "...training grounds, even though you won't understand how awesome it is, but I'll try and explain it because I'm cool and hey, do you have a new technique? I bet you don't. And it'd be rubbish anyway..."

"Naruto!" Sakura's voice made him freeze, halfway out of the door with Sasuke stood behind him. Sakura sighed, hands on hips. "For goodness sake. Five minutes with Sasuke and it's like you're twelve years old again."

Naruto scowled, straightening himself up. "I'm not, I'm just-"

"Sure, sure, Hokage-sama." Sakura tossed him a set of keys that he caught instinctively. "Remember to show Sasuke his new apartment."

"Oh!" Naruto jangled the keys in front of Sasuke's nose. "Yeah! Gotta show you your new apartment! Right after I show you my ne-"

"Before you go to the training grounds," Sakura put in.

Looking defeated, Naruto nodded slowly. Then, he perked up, grabbing Sasuke's wrist again. "Come on, hurry up. The sooner we get to your place the sooner I can kick your ass with my new technique!"

***

A large window onto the balcony let light into the apartment. The floors were wooden, slats fitting neatly together. It was decorated sparsely, in neutral tones with traditional furnishings. There was a living area with low level seating and a large bookcase, a kitchenette, and a door leading to the bedroom. Naruto strode in, glancing around and nodding to himself, then turned to Sasuke. "What do you think?"

"It's fine." Sasuke stood near the window, considering the village outside with narrowed eyes. After a moment, Naruto joined him and followed his gaze to the Uchiha district, barely visible.

"The Council wanted you to be back there." Naruto pocketed his hands, eyes fixed on the area. "I'm not sure if it was to punish you, or in the hope that you'd repopulate it." He half smiled, then shook his head. "Shutting away a clan like that...there's no reason for it. How can anyone be loyal to a village that hates them?" Sasuke gave him a sharp look, but Naruto didn't notice, buoyed by his topic. "That's all going to change. No more locking away clan secrets behind walls and tradition and fear. Uchiha, Hyuuga...They're all part of Konoha."

Sasuke kept his eyes forward. "That's a pretty big change."

"I know." Outside, a swallow dived down from the roof and landed on the railing of the balcony. "But I'm right. Kakashi-sensei agrees with me, and even some of the Council. They're just scared." His jaw clenched as if he wanted to say more, but he tore his eyes away from the view. "So, the apartment! I picked it out myself. Well, Yamato-taicho helped. He knows all about apartments and plumbing and dry rot, whatever that is. Hey, check this out." Naruto bounded across the apartment towards the door leading to the bedroom, and Sasuke followed after a short pause. "Stop here, and look at the floorboards."

At about a metre and a half in front of the bedroom door, the wooden slats that covered the whole room were uneven, producing little rises and tiny dips, almost invisible to the naked eye. Sasuke gave Naruto a questioning look.

"See, Yamato-taicho pointed them out, and said that he could fix it easily, it had probably been fitted badly and the heat had messed with it, but I told him to keep it, because watch." Confident he had Sasuke's attention, Naruto took a deliberate step forward, his foot pressing on an uneven slat and letting out a squeak at the sudden pressure. Naruto took another step and the wood groaned, producing a jumbled cacophony of sound as he reached the door. "Isn't it cool?"

Sasuke kept his eyes trained on Naruto's feet as he stepped carelessly away from the door. "It's certainly interesting." He frowned slightly as Naruto produced a particularly jarring sound. "I've never seen anything like it."

At the comment, Naruto puffed up, grinning. "This way, you'll know if anyone you don't know comes near your room." Sasuke frowned at that, tilting his head as Naruto continued, oblivious. "Obviously if someone knows about it, and if they'd practised, they could get across it easily, without making a sound." He glanced around the room. "That's pretty much the cool stuff. So now let's go to the training ground!"

Sasuke

"I'm bored," Naruto said as soon as Sasuke stepped into the apartment. "Let's go out."

"No." Sasuke removed his arm guards and sandals, leaving them at the door. "Just stay here and be quiet and maybe your memory will magically come back."

"You're in a bad mood." Naruto stared at him from the couch.

"Maybe because there's no Hokage, but we can't let anyone know. Means more work for everyone else." Sasuke watched as Naruto looked guilty, then looked down.

"That's my fault, I guess." Naruto stared at the floor. "Sorry."

Somehow irritated at his behaviour, Sasuke shrugged. "It doesn't matter. My real job is a joke. At least this is interesting."

"What's your normal job?" Naruto seemed to perk up at the change in topic.

"ANBU Captain," Sasuke said shortly. "Why do you want to go out?"

"Uh..." Naruto floundered for a moment. "Because there's nothing to do in here!"

"If you go outside, how are we going to explain to half the village that you don't remember them?" Sasuke rested his katana against the wall with care and turned to Naruto who seemed deep in thought.

"I guess... Then let's stay in and do something!" He ignored the look Sasuke gave him. "You're hungry, right? I'll cook you something!"

"You remember recipes?" Sasuke asked, sceptical.

"I remember how to read," Naruto said. "You have recipe books, right?" He walked into the kitchen. "Oh, I see them." He reappeared holding a hefty tome that Sakura had gifted Sasuke with. "What are you in the mood for?"

"...You don't have to cook." Sasuke watched Naruto look up from flicking through the pages.

"I want to, I'm bored sitting around and doing nothing, so let me do this." He paused on a page. "Okay, this seems simple enough, and..." He popped his head into the fridge, "yup, you've got most of the ingredients." Ignoring Sasuke, he placed the book on the counter, glanced at it, then headed to the fridge.

"Okay... I'll leave you to it," Sasuke said.

Naruto waved in his direction, not looking up. "Yeah, sure. You go have a nice shower or something, I'll be done before you know it."

***

"This," Sasuke said, staring at his chopsticks in wonder, "is not bad."

"Or you could say 'thank you Naruto, this is delicious!'" Naruto had already cleared half his plate.

"Like I said: it's not bad." He took another bite. "I didn't know you could cook."

"I just followed the recipe. Mostly. Glad you like it." Naruto took a gulp of water. "So I guess we don't do this a lot?" At Sasuke's enquiring look, he elaborated: "Cook for each other. Or eat together."

"We do, sometimes. But not often." Using his chopsticks, Sasuke neatly lifted a ball of rice.

"Then what do we do together?" Naruto's voice was light, curious, but Sasuke's grip on the chopsticks tightened.

"We're both busy," he said. "You're Hokage, and you have other commitments."

"So I can't hang out with my best friend?" Naruto seemed confused. "There must be more to it than that. That doesn't sound like me." He raised his hand, as though about to reach for Sasuke's, then stopped and put it down again.

"I guess it doesn't," Sasuke said. "Things have been different since I've been back."

"Oh yeah, Sakura mentioned," Naruto said. "You left to do some vengeance thing. Then...you disappeared for a while. But now you're back. She didn't say why."

Sasuke could clearly hear the questions left unasked, but chose to ignore them. "It doesn't matter now anyway," he said instead, finishing his meal and standing. "Thanks for dinner."

Naruto

He'd been perched on the balcony railing for a few minutes before Sasuke decided to acknowledge him. During the time that Sasuke was leisurely drinking tea and pretending Naruto wasn't there, Naruto watched Sasuke. It was with a wave of dizziness that he realised he was looking at a stranger. The memory of the boy he used to know didn't superimpose over the real thing. So many facets were lost and in his mind, Sasuke had become something that he wasn't. Something specific and careful and definable. First, crouched on the railing, being ignored, Naruto felt sad. And then the sadness was drowned with an overwhelming hunger to learn him anew. To redraw the picture in his mind so that the lines matched up perfectly.

He shook himself out of the thickness of his thoughts. "Let's go out! Ramen! You pay!" Naruto swung down and grinned.

"...No." Sasuke took another sip of his tea. His hair was damp, and he was wearing shorts, but no shirt.

"It's okay, finish your tea, get changed, and we can go." Naruto put his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. "I'll wait."

"I don't want to go out. Shouldn't you be busy running the village?" Sasuke drained the cup and sat back, not looking at Naruto.

"Come on, it'll be fun! Just like old times!"

Sasuke gave him a strange look, opening his mouth but shutting it without speaking. "...Fine." He slowly got up and went to leave his cup in the kitchen, before heading to the bedroom. Naruto skipped after him, only to be confronted by a slammed door.

"Don't take too long, I'm starved," Naruto called through the door. Remembering the floorboards, he took a few experimental steps, grinning at the sound it produced. Inside the bedroom, he imagined Sasuke was scowling. Naruto jumped, and the impact caused the floor to wheeze like a wounded animal.

By the time the door opened, Naruto had managed to take four steps without making a noise. He lost concentration as Sasuke stepped out, pulling a shirt on, and his footing slipped, creating a harsh sound. He grinned. Sasuke gave him a blank look. "I'm ready."

"Let's go!" Naruto punched the air and with a running jump, leapt off the balcony, with Sasuke following at a more composed pace.

At Ichiraku's, Naruto ordered two bowls of miso ramen without consulting Sasuke and then dove in, splashing oil and soup all over the counter in his enthusiasm. Their knees brushed and Sasuke paused. When Naruto made no move, distracted by food, Sasuke broke his chopsticks apart and took a few careful bites.

"Oi, old man, this is awesome," Naruto called between mouthfuls. The shop owner grinned, leaning over the counter to chat to Naruto about the ramen, and whether Sakura knew he was running off to eat ramen instead of attending to Hokage business. Naruto looked affronted at the suggestion he was shirking his workload and insisted he was diligent in his work.

"Hey, Naruto, stop hassling Teuchi-san." At the interruption, Sasuke's posture changed and he shifted away from Naruto marginally.

Naruto paused mid-conversation and turned, grinning as he recognised Shikamaru ducking into the stall, closely followed by Kiba and Chouji. "Guys! Hey!"

"I hope you're not eating too much, you're gonna get chubby," Kiba said, pulling on Naruto's cheek only to be swatted away.

"Hey, quit it, obey your Hokage!"

"Yes, soon-to-be-rounded one." Shikamaru and Kiba flanked Naruto, squeezing in between his and Sasuke's seats. Chouji was munching on some crisps.

"That's it, you're demoted!"

"You can't demote me, I'm chuunin, I outrank you."

"I'm Hokage I outrank everyone!"

"Yeah, well I sure didn't vote for you..."

"Naruto," Shikamaru interrupted, apparently tired of the exchange. "Since you've only eaten the one bowl, want to join us for barbeque? Kiba lost a bet and he's paying."

"Ha ha, I can believe it!" Naruto's laughter was cut off as Kiba swiped at him. He sobered. "I would, but I'm out with Sasuke. With everything that's been going on, we haven't had time to catch up." The three newcomers turned to Sasuke, who met their gaze without any expression.

"...Right." They turned back to Naruto, tone noticeably cooler. "You're sure?"

"Yeah, I plan to get in a few more bowls." Naruto patted his stomach. "You guys have fun. Shika, eat as much as you can, Kiba owes you!"

"Will do, Naruto." With a lazy wave, the trio exited the shop. Naruto went back to noisily eating his ramen. Sasuke slowly placed his chopsticks down on the rest.

"Naruto." Sasuke turned towards him. "Why did you bring me here?"

"So we could eat!" Naruto didn't lift his head up, busy inhaling noodles. "Doesn't it bring back yummy memories?"

"...We never ate ramen together," Sasuke said an edge in his voice. "We never did anything together except go on missions and train sometimes."

"Oh. Well, still. Ramen tastes great, so there's no problem." Naruto tipped the bowl and drained it, calling for another. "Next time we should get Kakashi-sensei and Sakura-chan!" He frowned. "But Kakashi-sensei always skips out on the bill... But I'm Hokage, so I could make a law against him leaving without paying... But then he'd probably make up an excuse, and it's so hard to prove he's lying that- Hey, Sasuke! Where are you going?" Naruto twisted around to see Sasuke leave, viciously pushing aside the flap to storm out of the stall. Naruto jumped off his seat and rushed after him, only to find the street empty, save for a few wandering civilians.

"Oi, Naruto! You didn't pay!"

The voice made him look back, torn. Glancing a few more times up and down the street, Naruto frowned and headed into the stall, giving Teuchi an apologetic smile. "Sorry, how much was it?"

***

It was a warm, balmy night, and the balcony door was open, so Naruto slipped through and considered the darkened room. "Sasuke?" The bedroom door was closed, but a line of yellow light was visible under it. "It's me." When he heard no reply, he continued. "Sorry I didn't follow you, Sakura found me and made me go back to work, and then there were mission reports, and Konohamaru, and one thing after another. I only managed to escape now! Why'd you run off anyway...?"

"...Go away."

Naruto blinked and took a few steps closer, the floor complaining as he neared the door. "So you are in there. Come out. You owe me money by the way, I had to pay for your ramen."

"Naruto. Go away."

"What's your problem?" Naruto threw his hands up. "I should be angry with you for running off! See if I pay next time."

"There won't be a next time." The door opened and Naruto flinched slightly, then met Sasuke's glare, feeling a swoop in his belly. "You can go alone. Or take one of your friends. Leave me out of it."

Naruto looked at him as though he was crazy. "But the whole point is to go with you so we can hang out. And eat ramen."

"Get it through your head. I don't want to 'hang out' with you. Just leave me alone." Sasuke slammed the door, leaving Naruto staring at the wood.

After a few seconds passed: "Sasuke?" There was no reply. "What the hell?" The light inside turned off. "Oi!" Naruto slammed a fist into the wood. "I can break this door down, you know!" He listened closely, but heard nothing from inside the room. "...Sasuke. You can't just expect me to accept that... You can't just lock me out. I'll stay here all night if I have to!" When Sasuke said nothing, Naruto settled down with his back to the wall, knees drawn up, floorboards creaking as he settled down. "When you decide not to be a jerk, I'll be here."

When Naruto awoke the next morning, the sun was falling through the balcony window into his eyes. A blanket had been draped over his knees, but the bedroom door was still shut.

Sasuke

True to his word, Naruto never stepped near Sasuke's bedroom while he was staying with him, but Sasuke never felt comfortable at night with Naruto in the next room along. He lay in bed, not sure that he was imagining that he could hear Naruto's soft breathing, and watching the moths flit around the window, bumping at the glass. He imagined what Naruto looked like sleeping, limbs splayed out carelessly, sheets twisted around him, probably drooling into his pillow. Sasuke sometimes found him like that in the mornings, before he left for work. Sometimes he had to fight down the urge to reach out and touch Naruto, try to grasp whatever it was that made him so sure and confident and utterly unshakeable. To steal some of it for himself.

Eventually, unable to sleep, Sasuke left his bed. He was familiar enough with the floorboards to navigate them without making a sound, as he knew Naruto had been able to before this started, to the extent that on the nights he paced outside Sasuke's room his steps were practically automatic. As Sasuke passed through the lounge, Naruto stirred, but didn't awaken.

On the balcony, Sasuke sat with his legs hanging over the edge. From above, the sky was laden with stars, and below, like an ocean reflecting the heavens, were the lights of Konoha. As always, Sasuke's eyes were drawn to the outlying smudge of darkness that was the Uchiha district, hidden in shadow and distanced from the main village.

In the street far below, Sasuke heard the creak of cart wheels turning, the scuffle of sandals against the dusty path and and the wind brushing against the leaves. Behind him, there was movement, and then Naruto padded out, yawning widely and looking curiously at him.

“Couldn't sleep?”

“Too much on my mind.” From the corner of his eye, Sasuke watched Naruto settle against the railing, elbows resting on the metal as he gazed out at the village. Their shoulders almost touched, but not quite. The light reflected in his eyes. “Proud?”

“Of the village?” Naruto looked at him, surprised. “Am I happy that the village is safe and peaceful? Sure. Am I proud of the history it has behind it to get that way? No.”

“I take it Sakura told you?” Sasuke asked, keeping his gaze forward and ignoring Naruto's flinch.

“Y-yeah, she did.” After a moment he sighed. “When things are back to normal... I can't change that it happened, Sasuke. All I can do is make sure nothing like that ever happens again.”

“And that makes it all better does it?” Sasuke kept his voice flat, without inflection.

“Of course not.” Naruto surprised him in his vehemence. “But neither would razing the village to the ground.” Somewhere, an owl hooted and Sasuke felt his anger drain out of him, replaced by nostalgia. Late nights spent out on the porch. Bare feet against tatami mats. The thrill of fear when Itachi found him outside and the happiness when he stayed, pointing out the constellations. Sasuke closed his eyes and let out a slow breath.

“Just because...” Naruto hesitated, licking his lips. “Just because something bad happened, doesn't mean everything good becomes worthless. Some things are worth saving.”

“And others are worth losing, for the greater good?” Sasuke ignored the confused look Naruto gave him at the sardonic tone, watching the village again for a long moment.“I think I can sleep now, let's go inside.”

“I'm trying to work out what's wrong with our relationship,” Naruto's words stopped him as he turned towards the door.

“Really." Sasuke's voice was flat. “That's a pointless task, even with your memory.”

“Friend, rival, team-mate, none of them are right, not exactly. None of those explain the way you treat me. The way we treat each other.”

“Maybe because we don't fit together.”

"Or maybe because we fit together like this." At Naruto's words, Sasuke frowned, turning to face him properly, just as Naruto caught his wrist and surged forward to align their lips. At the first hot press of Naruto's mouth, Sasuke froze, taking in a jagged breath through parted lips. At the lack of reaction, Naruto's uncertainty bled through the kiss. He moved clumsily, bumping noses as he pushed forward, then back before trying again, still unsure. The tiled floor of the balcony was cool beneath their bare feet, and Naruto's grip on his wrist loosened, until he was barely touching Sasuke anywhere but his mouth. When Sasuke still made no move, Naruto took an odd, choked breath, almost a whine, and moved back a step, swallowing. He met Sasuke's eyes, and his trepidation was plain to see. "Or am I wrong?"

Sasuke's eyes were narrowed, his jaw tight. There was a slight flush on his cheeks, but it seemed to be one of anger, rather than embarrassment. When he spoke, his words had a jagged edge to them. "Do you even want your memory back?"

"Wha-" Naruto took another step back in confusion. "Of course I do! What does that-"

"Forget it. Just forget it." Sasuke turned on heel and walked back into the apartment. Seconds later, the bedroom door slammed shut.

Naruto

An owl hooting caused Naruto to glance up, twisting his neck to look out of the window and blinking at the darkened view. He ran his hands through his hair and stretched, satisfied when his bones made a popping noise.

There was a knock at the door and then it opened.

"Sasuke." Naruto grinned. "Hey."

Inclining his head slightly, Sasuke closed the door and moved to stand in front of the desk, expression blank. "You wanted to see me?"

Frowning at his tone, Naruto nodded slowly. "Yeah... Everytime I come round, you seem to be out, so I had to call you like this." He paused, as though waiting for an explanation. When none was forthcoming, he picked a file out of the mess on his desk and tossed it across to Sasuke who caught it and glanced at Naruto. "Open it."

After a few seconds, Sasuke closed the file and placed it down on the table. "What's the point of showing me this?"

"It's your application."

"I'm aware. I did write it."

"I get that." Naruto crossed his arms. "What I want to know, is why?"

"Are you rejecting it?"

"I'd have every right to. As Hokage, and as your friend, it doesn't take a genius to know that ANBU isn't the right place for you."

"Really? I'd say it's perfect. If it's such a bad idea, surely the Council have made a complaint?" He watched Naruto's reaction, allowing the corner of his mouth to flick up. "Yeah, didn't think so. Surely you don't want to risk annoying them on this, when you have so many more important matters in the balance."

"The Council doesn't care if you go insane or lose your humanity." Naruto clenched his jaw. "I do. I wanted to talk to you about it, but every time I come round, you act like a colosal dick and don't let me in."

Sasuke shrugged. "I'm not withdrawing my application."

Naruto's eyes narrowed at the blatant dismissal. "Fine," he said shortly. "You want to be in ANBU so badly, I'm sure you'd appreciate a promotion."

At that, Sasuke's gaze jerked up. "You're making me a team leader?"

Naruto smiled. "Oh no. Like you said, you're perfect for ANBU, right? Team leader is far to low a rank. I'm making you ANBU Captain."

"What? There's no such position. Don't be stupid."

"I'm Hokage, I'm in charge of ANBU. If I want to make a position, I can. I think it would entail a lot of paperwork and sitting behind a desk." Naruto grinned at him. "Of course, if it's too much for you, you could withdraw your application and we'd forget this ever happened."

For a long moment, Sasuke stared, hands clenched into fists. "I accept, Hokage-sama," he said finally.

Naruto's expression was tight. "Then congratulations, Captain."

Sasuke

When Sasuke reached his door, adjusting his arm guard and flicking a clump of mud off the hilt of his katana, he paused. There were voices coming from his apartment, passing through the thin wood door, the volumes rising and falling rapidly. Sasuke hesitated, then took another step closer, pressing his ear against the wood.

'Naruto and Sakura' he thought immediately, recognising both of the voices.

"...sorry, Sakura-chan, but I'm trying my best here!" Naruto sounded frustrated. Sasuke could imagine him pacing around the room.

"I know, I know," Sakura said. Her voice was weary. "You can't control it. I just thought there would be more progress by now."

"It's not like I want things to stay like this! It's frustrating for me too." There was some shuffling and the couch sighed as Naruto presumably threw himself onto it. "It might not be so long. The other night I thought..."

"Look, don't worry about it." There was the scrape of ceramics across a surface. "Where does Sasuke keep his tea? I'll make us some."

"Second cupboard, at the back, stay away from the stuff on the right, he gets bitchy if you touch it. It's almost as bad as if you go near his room."

"Thanks for the warning." Sakura's voice was rich with laughter, and Sasuke took that as his cue to enter.

Naruto

"Three casualities from squad three, and the leader of squad twelve is still in the hospital."

Naruto nodded. "And the report from the border?"

"Nothing concrete yet, the last was intercepted, I believe. We should have a confirmation in the next few hours."

"Be sure to tell me as soon as you do," Naruto said, brows furrowing. He rubbed a hand over his eyes. "Anything else?"

"No, Hokage-sama." Sasuke allowed the suffix to hang between them, ignoring Naruto's expression.

"Right." Naruto nodded to himself, noting something down on a spare scroll. "You're dismissed." He moved a few sheets of paper looking for something, then glanced up when he failed to hear the door closing. "Yes?"

Sasuke looked as though he was fighting with himself. "You seem...tired."

"Yeah. That's because I'm Hokage. I kind of run the village. No one mentioned how exhausting it would be..." He cracked a yawn, baring his molars to the world.

Sasuke's expression was far from sympathetic."If you're so busy, then you should stop staking out my apartment."

"Yeah?" Naruto glared. "And if you stopped being an asshole and ignoring me, then I wouldn't have to stake out your apartment, would I? I've walked past your room so many times-" There was a rapid knock at the door, and Ino rushed in, cheeks flushed. She paused two steps in, noting Naruto and Sasuke's expressions and their body language.

"Hokage-sama," she started after a second of consideration. "Report from the shinobi in Tea Country." She swallowed at the glare Sasuke gave her.

"Go ahead," Naruto said, shooting Sasuke a warning look. "What's the report?"

"The Daiymo didn't accept your offer, and wants a total revision of reparations and all foreign shinobi ejected, or he'll close trading routes using his militia." She finished, breathless, and looked at Naruto expectantly, though her eyes keep drifting curiously to Sasuke.

Running a hand through his hair, Naruto huffed. "What the heck? I gave him awesome terms, he can't be serious." He looked up at Ino. "Do you have the message with you?"

"Here." She placed a scroll on the desk.

"Right, I'll-"

"I'm leaving." Sasuke's words caused Naruto to glance up. "You dismissed me, so I'm going."

"You can wait outside," Naruto said, picking up the scroll. "We haven't finished talking." Sasuke gave a shrug that could have meant anything, and stalked out, letting the door slam, and making Ino jump. "Sorry about that, Ino-chan. Thanks for bringing me this. Can you get Sakura-chan for me? She's always better with the diplomatic stuff."

Within a few minutes, Sakura was sat in front of him, reading through the report with a disgusted expression. They discussed it, Naruto arguing, temper frayed, and Sakura consistent.

It took two hours for them to come to an agreement, and another for them to write the final proposal. By the time Sakura put down her pen and rolled up the scroll, Naruto felt like every heartbeat sapped more of his strength.

"You used to have more energy than this." Sakura's eyes were soft as she sealed the scroll with hot wax.

Naruto laughed. "I used to get more than two hours sleep every night. I think without Kyuubi I would have passed out at my desk ages ago."

"You should take better care of yourself... The village won't collapse because you have a lie-in once in a while." She stood up and moved behind him, patting his head and then giving him a loose hug.

Making a sound of assent, Naruto look the opportunity to close his eyes and just breathe in her familiar scent. "I think I'm going to take a mission."

"Hm?" Sakura moved back she she could face him. "What? Why?"

"I need a break, need to blow off some steam." Naruto rolled his shoulders, getting out the cracks. "I could deliver this in person. It would only take a few days."

"...Okay." Sakura's brows were pulled together, mouth twisted in thought. "Take a team. Be careful."

Naruto nodded. "Yeah. I will."

Sakura was quiet for a moment, casually running her fingers through his hair. "The steam you need to blow off. Is it from being Hokage, or from Sasuke?"

"Mainly Sasuke." Naruto tried a smile. "Actually, all Sasuke."

"I haven't seen him around lately," Sakura said, moving to lean against the desk.

"He's been holing himself up in his room, when he's not working," Naruto said. "I told him to wait outside for me to finish up here, but he probably ditched."

"He's not the most patient person I know," Sakura admitted. "Maybe some time away from each other will do you good."

"Time away is all we have," Naruto said, frustrated. "It's like... he doesn't know how to be around me."

"You and Sasuke have a lot of history between you," Sakura said carefully. "Maybe you're expecting too much."

"I just want things to go back to the way they were." Naruto huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why does it have to be so hard?"

"You have to give it time." Sakura patted his shoulder, resting her hand there for a second. "You both need to move past all the bad memories you have."

"But I don't have time, that's the point! Every day Sasuke gets more and more withdrawn. What's even keeping him in Konoha? Why did he come back? What if he leaves again?" Naruto looked desperate, corners of his mouth pulled down. "I'm Hokage now, I can't go running after him whenever I want."

"Naruto. Don't worry. We'll find a way," Sakura assured him firmly. "You and me together, we're both Team Seven, after all. Sasuke's one of us."

"Thanks, Sakura-chan."

They stayed in the Hokage tower talking for some time, only leaving a few hours before dawn.

***

He'd taken five silent steps towards Sasuke's bedroom door when Naruto realised that the lounge was occupied. Stretched across the couch with his feet kicked up, toying with a kunai, Sasuke met Naruto's gaze steadily. "I hear you're going on a mission."

"Wow, there really are no secrets in this village. Does everyone know already?"

Sasuke shrugged, holding the kunai handle between two fingers and flipping it up and down. "I assume that's what you're here to tell me."

"Yeah, I didn't want to take off without saying anything." Naruto took a few steps to face Sasuke properly, irritated when Sasuke continued to toss the kunai around, instead of meeting his eye.

"I don't care. I don't know why you're telling me."

"You jerk! Why do-" Naruto cut himself off, clenching his fists and breathing deeply, ignoring the tiny smirk that had appeared on Sasuke's face. "I'm telling you, because we're friends. Or we would be, if you weren't being such an ass."

Abruptly, Sasuke stopped spinning the kunai, the tight hold he had it in juxtaposed to his casual position. "Is this how you think it happens? After all the blood and ash, you think it ends like this? I come back to Konoha, Team Seven is happily reunited and you get to save the world? You think that's how it ends?"

"It could," Naruto insisted.

For a long moment, Sasuke said nothing, but just looked at Naruto. Really looked at him. And then: "You really haven't learned a thing."

Sasuke

When Naruto crept into his bed that night, Sasuke wasn't particularly surprised. He lay on his back, eyes adjusting and tracking Naruto's progress across the room and onto the bed. Naruto reached his destination and settled next to Sasuke, close but not touching. "I thought I told you to stay out of my room."

"Did I wake you?" Naruto's voice sounded light much lighter than Sasuke had expected, considering the circumstances. But then, he reasoned, Naruto had never lacked confidence.

"You didn't wake me." Sasuke sat up. "You didn't make a sound. Even when you should have." Naruto drew back and there was quiet for a moment. Something in Sasuke's chest, something that had been quietly festering, shattered. Some veil was pulled away, beyond no doubt, and all that was left was the cold ache of betrayal. "I suppose your memory miraculously returned and that's how you could cross the floor silently?"

"I-"

"Don't bother," Sasuke said. "I've had enough of your acting."

Naruto's features were unclear in the darkness, but Sasuke could still make out the way he flinched. "...How long have you known?"

"Since the beginning," Sasuke said dully. "That day when I gave my report, and we got interrupted, you told me to stay. So I stayed and I waited and then I heard you talking about me, so I listened."

"Since then?!" Naruto looked like Sasuke had punched him. Sasuke felt a twist of satisfaction. He wanted to smirk, to revel in it. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I wasn't sure at first. And then I wanted to see what you'd do." Sasuke sighed, leaning back against the headboard. "Since I came back, things haven't... I wanted to see if it was... better. If Sakura was right."

"Was it? Better?"

"...Yeah." He knew Naruto had a hopeful expression without looking. "For a while. But that's not us, it's not real."

"Damnit..." Naruto punched the mattress, making the springs croak. He was still for a second, digesting the information, trying to make sense of it all. He took a breath. "...Are you angry?"

"You're an idiot," Sasuke said. "But I know why you did it."

"Oh. That's...good." Relieved, Naruto gave Sasuke a nervous smile, feeling the atmosphere shrink slightly. "You have no idea how happy I am to talk to you properly, no pretending." He swallowed. "And the other night... I didn't know if it counted... But you knew, didn't you?"

"Yeah, but you didn't know." The tone Sasuke used was low, almost bitter.

Naruto's forehead crinkled and he looked alarmed. "Don't say confusing things!" Sasuke winced at the sudden volume. "Do you like me like that, or not?"

"I don't even know if I like you in the first place," Sasuke grumbled. Naruto scowled, crossing his arms over his chest and looking pointedly away.

"I like you, Sasuke." From Naruto's tone, Sasuke was sure he was flushing. "I like being with you, even when you call me an idiot and don't pay for the ramen. You think I need something else, but I don't. I could stay at home and having you make fun of my cooking every day and I'd still be smiling, 'cause you'd be there. When I kissed you, I meant it." He took a deep breath. "But I want us to be friends, so if you don't... feel that way about me, then that's okay." He looked over at Sasuke who was staring at the dark crease of duvet between them. "Okay, I get it. I'll go. Just-"

Sasuke's hand snapped out, wrapping around Naruto's forearm, pinning his hand to the bed and silencing him. He seemed to struggle for the right words. "How can you say that after all this? You...you shouldn't have lied. Your plan was stupid."

"It's not like I had a whole lot of choices," Naruto defended. "You were being impossible."

"And you expect too much." The words came out in a rush, almost hissed. Sasuke's grip on his wrist tightened. "Things don't turn out how you wanted and your solution is to fake it? Act like we have some clean slate because you can't deal with the reality?

"I'm sorry, okay! I didn't know what else to do. I thought you were gonna leave again." Sasuke could hear the confusion in Naruto's voice, thought, bitterly since when have things been simple?

"Nice to know you have so much faith in me."

"Since when do you deserve it?" Naruto's voice was angry now, his eyes narrowed. He pulled out of Sasuke's grip and they stared at each other. "You only just came back and you didn't even say why."

"You complete moron." For once, rather than sliding straight off him, the words made Naruto flinch. His stomach swooped, but in a bad way, like he'd missed a step. "You're the one that kept saying Konoha was my home. That I belonged here. That you wanted me back." Sasuke's fists were clenched, but he lowered his voice marginally. "...I had to wait until you became Hokage."

Naruto didn't say anything, just stared, eyes wide, mouth parted just a little and it hurt that disbelief was the only reaction he could produce. "T-that's where you were? I don't-" He cut himself off as another level of understanding fell into place. He swallowed. "...Sasuke. I'm sorry...I didn't-"

"Clearly. You didn't know why I would come back, and I didn't know you'd be such a coward about it."

"You said you weren't angry." Naruto's voice was small. "I know it was stupid, but I was desperate and... You said you weren't angry."

"I didn't realise how angry I was." Sasuke was breathing a little heavily.

"I'm sorry...” Naruto looked bedraggled, completely different from the confident, determined being that had stepped silently into Sasuke's room.

“Yeah, I got that.” Sasuke felt irritation, more than anything. “There's no point in repeating it.”

“But I am-”

Sasuke kissed him, hard and closed-mouthed. Making a point. “Prove it.”

Naruto's lips parted, eyes opened slowly as Sasuke pulled back, and he stared in disbelief. “...You mean it?” At Sasuke's nod, he let out a little laugh, smile spreading over his face. “Seriously? I was sure you were gonna... Not that I didn't hope but- I just...” He rubbed a hand over his face, still grinning. “Wow.” He glanced at Sasuke, then slowly, he moved forward, bracing his hand on the bed, and leaned in, leaving a small gap between them. “So... this is okay?”

Sasuke watched his progress through narrowed eyes, mouth tight as he studied Naruto, darting from his eyes to his lips, then back again. “Yeah. It's okay.”

Naruto swallowed. “Okay. Um. Good.” He darted forward, pressing their lips firmly together. When Sasuke responded, Naruto's hands came up to clutch uncertainly at his shoulders, fingers clammy against cool skin.

It was awkward for a moment, their position and the bubbling emotions and the way Naruto's eyes were open and he could feel his heart slamming into his chest with every beat and how he couldn't quite understand but Sasuke was kissing him and that was weird and amazing and quite possibly the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Then Sasuke rolled back, and Naruto rolled with him, and they were horizontal.

“Oh,” said Naruto, pulled back, a flush on his cheeks.

Sasuke said nothing, just slid a hand down Naruto's back, pushing and prompting him to arch. They both shuddered at the subtle change, taking a moment to let the sudden thrum of pleasure-pain subside minutely, taking a moment to regain control.

“Yeah,” Sasuke murmured, hand lightly pressing again, bucking his hips up.

After taking a second to gasp, Naruto scrambled up, shaking his head. “No no no no.”

Groaning, Sasuke sat up too. “What's your problem now?”

“This,” Naruto was out of breath, every few words were punctuated with a gasp, “is way too fast. We have all those things we need to talk about and work through and and... stuff.”

"Since when has talking ever helped us work through anything?"

A brief memory of the Valley of the End passed through Naruto's mind and he winced. "Um. You make a good point."

Sasuke snorted, pulling Naruto back down. "It's because I'm a genius. Or did you forget?"

THE END