Walking a Mile

Naruto married Sakura six years later and ten years after Sasuke left, Naruto was named Hokage. Four months after he became Hokage, Naruto stood on top of the Hokage building and looked out over the village, really passed it. He wondered where Sasuke and Kakashi were now. He should hate Itachi since he took his lover and sensei away, but if they were happy, he couldn't begrudge them that.

All his dreams came true; he married Sakura and was now Hokage. But he missed Sasuke. How could he leave when they just admitted how much they loved each other? He wondered if this is what Kakashi felt when Itachi left.

Naruto looked to the west, the direction the trio had been headed when they left. Naruto suddenly felt like the world was swirling and he heard his name. It was Sasuke's voice. The world settled down.

Naruto was impulsive by nature, but he had matured in the last decade, mostly due to Sasuke and Kakashi's 'death.' Naruto stopped himself from just hopping over the railing and going in the direction that chakra seemed to come from. Rather, Naruto created a dozen clones then went over the edge. He transformed his real body and had all his clones fan out to the south. Looking like Kiba, he made for the wall. Not sensing any of his ANBU following him, he vaulted over the wall and made for the spot he'd been looking at when he heard his name.

Naruto changed back to his own appearance and walked southwest not knowing how far he needed to go. He stopped when he sensed a presence to his left.

Sasuke stepped out of the tree line. His hair had grown out and held in a ponytail. His gravity defying duck-butt had become a natural topknot.

"Naruto."

"Sasuke." Naruto rushed him and held him tightly then they kissed. "I'm so happy to see you."

"I knew you'd become Hokage. I'm proud of you, Naruto."

"How's Kakashi and your brother?"

Sasuke turned and they came out of the tree line. Kakashi's white hair had also grown out and was in a ponytail matching Itachi's. They were wearing foreign clothes Naruto had never seen before. Kakashi wasn't wearing a mask and the headband over his left eye was now an eye patch.

"I'm also very proud of you, Naruto," Kakashi said. Itachi nodded to him.

"You came all the way here just to congratulate me?"

"Of course," Sasuke said. "I know how important it is to you."

"Actually it was the respect for the Hokage I wanted. It felt a bit . . . hollow. I didn't feel it until now. I think I wanted your approvals."

"I told you before I left I respected you."

"But not that you were proud of me."

Sasuke hugged him again. "We should get going before ANBU comes looking for you."

"I'm sorry, Naruto," Itachi said. "I never meant to take anything away from you."

Naruto smiled. "Except the Kyubi and my life," he joked.

"That wasn't my plan. I was working against Akatsuki the entire time. Who do you think was leaking information to Jiraiya? He didn't know it was me. I was going to put you somewhere safe and keep you asleep until I and the Shinobi leaders were ready to move against Madara. I or Sasuke. I was going to kill Kisame myself."

"Were you the ones who took out half the Akatsuki?"

They all smiled, though Itachi never could smile as heartily as his brother or lover. "Three Sharingan users are nearly invincible," Kakashi answered.

Naruto nodded. "I appreciate it. If there's anything the Hokage can do for any of you, send me a message."

"We will. I might stop by again. We're on our way to somewhere new. We'll probably wonder for a year or so and settle sown somewhere else. Having no connections means we can stay as long as we like and leave when we like."

"Just be careful, you look like foreigners."

"I wish I had time to tell you about our travels so far."

"They're coming," Itachi said, his eyes red with the Sharingan.

"Go," Naruto urged them. Sasuke hugged him one last time and they left quickly. Naruto started walking to the south while they headed to the northwest.

"Hokage-sama!" Four ANBU one right after the other appeared in the trees above him.

"Can't I go for a walk without you lot?" Before any of them could answer he said, "You're right. I'll come back. I was just thinking about my friends."

Naruto returned to his village.

—

That's the end. Turned out a little different than I expected, deeper I think. Hope you all enjoyed it!