What's Left of Us

Naruto rolled his eyes as he reluctantly nodded his head, "Yeah, I understand it's necessary for the exams, but they have to understand, I can't just stop expecting missions because we need more shinobi on guard. The council has to understand," Naruto spoke to the small Jounin next to him and he began to open the door to his office, "this is putting a lot of pressur-HOLY FUCKING SHIT" Naruto's scream echoed down the hallway as he stood in the frame of his door, face white.

The Jounin next to him shirked at the sudden shout, and then fearfully peered into his office. Not seeing anything that would cause alarm, she shot the Hokage a curious look. "Ano.. Hokage-sama, what's wrong?" She asked, a little confused by the tall blonde man's sudden outburst.

Naruto blinked, turning to look at the girl, then back to his office. He repeated the process a few times before shooting her an incredulous look. With both his hands, he pointed into his office, "How can you not see it!? I swear Suki-chan, when I left a half hour ago I was almost done! But now, look!" He ran into his office and pointed at the now mountainous pile of paperwork. "LOOK! It's taking over my desk! I swear it's going to eat me too!" Naruto jumped as he pointed at what he deemed, "Evil-demon-paperwork-from-hell-bent-on-killing-me-one-massive-hand-cramp-and-eye-sore-at-a-time". He muttered darkly at the stack.

A deep chuckle came from his door, which totally did not sound anything like Suki. Or, at least he hoped not. That would be a little awkward. Turning his gaze to the door, a bright smile lit up his face as he saw the one and only lazy genius leaning against the frame. Shikamaru tilted his head to the side, a small smile lingering on his lips as he shook his head slightly.

"And here I thought you had matured, Hokage-sama"

The smile fell of Naruto's face as he scowled, which only succeeded in bringing another chuckle from the dark haired man. Righting himself, Shikamaru began to walk towards Naruto, arms still crossed in one of his trademark positions. When he reached an acceptable distance, he reached into his side pouch and pulled out a scroll. Looking down at the tattered white box, he frowned.

"Naruto.."

"Suki-chan, could you excuse us? I'll finish up on the Chuunin exams later, I promise." He flashed the girl a bright smile.

"H-hai, Hokage-sama" She blushed slightly, before bowing and closing the door behind her. When Naruto was satisfied with distant sound of her footsteps, he turned his attention back onto the man in front of him.

Turning, Naruto made his way to his desk. It wasn't often Shikamaru was wary about handing Naruto something. Right away, that made Naruto want to sit down, which he did. Pushing some of the papers to the side, he motioned for Shikamaru to take the seat in front of him, but the ANBU shook his head and remained standing. Naruto frowned.

"That bad, huh?" He said, not really expecting an answer. Shikamaru did things on his own time, if he was hesitant about something; it was for a good reason. At one point in Naruto's life, he would have made the shinobi hand over the scroll, regardless if he wanted to wait or not.

Naruto smiled to himself at that. Times had changed. He was no longer that impatient loudmouth that he had been in his genin days. He knew better now, Naruto could wait as long as Shikamaru wanted. The matter that rested in the brunet's hand was clearly important and not good news. Leaning back in his chair, Naruto regarded Shikamaru with a sense of content patients. Crossing his hands over his stomach and lacing his fingers, Naruto kept eye contact.

After another minute, Shikamaru let out a sigh. "So troublesome" he whispered softly, as he handed the scroll to Naruto. The blonde smiled softly as he leaned forward to grab the scroll. When his hand clasped around it, Shikamaru did not let go. A frown tugged at Naruto's lips and he narrowed his eyes questioningly at Shikamaru, but before he could voice his question, it was answered.

"It's Sasuke" The words were spoken with indifference, but the look in Shikamaru's eyes spoke volumes. He was gauging Naruto's reaction, and part of Naruto wanted to glare and yell at the man to get out. Instead, however, he sighed and nodded.

"So, it's confirmed then? He is dead" Naruto pulled the scroll back to his desk, releasing the seal on it and beginning to open it and read.

"No. He's back" Naruto's head shot back up, instantly giving the lazy nin a wary look. If this was a joke, it was sick. If it wasn't.... "He should be arriving with in the hour. Fifteen men are escorting him here as we speak."

Naruto blinked. It was so sudden. For the last three years, Sasuke had fallen under the radar, presumed dead. This sudden burst of information made Naruto's head spin. He was not only alive, but coming back. It was...he was... "Speechless" the word was uttered softly, and Naruto shook his head. No, he couldn't let that get to him. Steeling himself, Naruto's gaze returned to Shikamaru.

"I want you to get Tsunade and Kakashi, have them work on putting together a seal that will bind Uchiha's chakra. Also, clear the gates; I don't want a scene when he arrives. Get him in quickly and here for questioning." Naruto said, his voice unwavering.

"Hai" Shikamaru bowed turning to leave.

"One more thing, Shikamaru" Naruto spoke, causing the brunet to turn and raise his eyebrow.

"Do me a favor, don't let anyone that knew Sasuke personally handle him, or for that matter know of Sasuke's return. There are things we need to know, and personal feelings will only get in the way." To anyone who did not know, it would seem the Hokage and Uchiha were perfect strangers by his words.

Shikamaru nodded, "Hai, Hokage-sama".

++++++++++++

"So he did nothing...for three hours?" Naruto asked curiosity evident in his voice. It was hard to imagine the Sasuke he knew not trying to escape, when clearly; they were challenging him too. It hadn't been Naruto's idea to test him, that was all Kakashi, and as usual the copy-nin was right about the results being interesting. Why hadn't Sasuke broken the seal? Even if he hadn't escaped afterwards, it was unlike the boy Naruto had known to forgo the chance to show off his strength. 'And how much better he is at everything' the thought brought a small smile to his lips. Perhaps Sasuke had changed; it was more than likely he had grown up. Or, at least Naruto hoped so, being as they both were approaching their thirty-third birthdays soon, it would be a little awkward if he still was solving all this problems with his fists and air of indifference.

"Hai, Hokage-sama. He only raised his chakra levels once after he first got there, and then remained stationary the rest of the time" the ANBU's words snapped Naruto out of his thoughts, causing him to blink in surprise at the tall man with the mask resting on top his head.

"So ka" Naruto spoke, nodding after a moment and drumming his fingers on his now paperless desk. Naruto hadn't known quite what to do for the three hours Kakashi suggest they wait, so busying himself with paperwork seemed like a good idea. Naruto would be lying if he said that Sasuke being here didn't make him nervous. He savored the feeling. It wasn't a bad feeling, quite the contrary; it was the type of nervous excitement he always got before a big fight. He loved it, that feeling in the pit of his stomach, the taste in his mouth. Kami, it had been so long since the feeling last shot through his veins, it was ironic that his childhood rival should be the one to reawaken it.

"Hokage-sama?"

"Huh?" Naruto blinked, completely missing the question, and for that matter, forgetting that anyone else was in the room. He laughed a little, embarrassed. "Goman, Keito-san, what did you say?" He flashed a small smile.

"I asked if you were ready to speak with Uchiha." The man replied, voice neutral. If he was irritated by repeating himself, he didn't show it.

"Hai, send him in" No hesitation. This was an important matter, Naruto was about to determine whether or not Sasuke would be remaining in Konoha...alive.

+++++++++++

As Sasuke slipped into the room, Naruto watched with mild amusement as a fleeting look of shock went through Sasuke's eyes. Clearly, no one had told him about the Rokudaime. Naruto leaned back slightly in his chair, taking in Sasuke with a pensive look. He had defiantly shot up at least a foot since they had last crossed paths, but other then that, there wasn't any other huge difference. Only a trained eye could spot Sasuke had defiantly matured that which he was; there was no mistaking him for the boy Naruto had grown up, the striking angels of his prominent jaw, curved brow, the obvious strength in his not overly muscled arms, broadened shoulders, slim waist, and dark dark eyes were a testament to that. Sasuke wasn't pretty anymore, and it struck Naruto how with just those subtle changes, Sasuke had suddenly become beautiful.

Of course, Sasuke wasn't the only one who'd changed in the room. Naruto knew, with a little surge of his ego, that he too had gotten more attractive. He had let his hair grow out, which made his resemblance already to the Yondaime, uncanny. He had gained a few more inches, but still, just by looking at Sasuke could tell it was no where near enough to rival his height. Ahh, well, it shouldn't surprise him, after all, Sasuke never lost. A soft reminiscent smile played on his lips as they made eye contact.

"Sasuke," he breathed the name. It had been so long since he last got to use it. He watched as the man stiffened and something pass through his eyes as he narrowed them.

"This is a joke, right?" His voice had gotten deeper, to was a nice sound. Digesting the words, Naruto let the smile fall from his face as he stared at Sasuke. He saw the familiar glint in the dark haired nin's eyes and couldn't help but almost roll his eyes. He refrained, however.

"No, it's not. I am Rokudaime Hokage. This is my chair. This is my office. Over there is a hideously huge stack of reports I've spent the day tediously reading and doing the paperwork on. And you, Sasuke, you have betrayed, and are a proclaimed missing nin of Konoha facing very sever charges that might result in your death." It wasn't said with any condescending under tones, or with any bitter feelings. It was fact, and that's what Naruto stated it as. Leaning back again in his chair, drumming his fingers against the right arm rest Naruto let that sit for a moment before continuing on to a testier subject.

"What is a joke, however, is that you haven't yet released the seal preventing you from using the sharingan." He watched passively as Sasuke smirked, not that same arrogant, little son of a bitch smirk he had when he was younger, this one was much more dangerous. Maybe it was the look that accompanied it, but this one, with a mere upturn of a corner of his lips, would have many ninja quivering.

"Forgive me, Rokudaime-sama, I was under the impression that when some one was restrained it was because their captor didn't want them to be free, not that it was expected of them to break the restraints placed on them." Naruto snorted, this time letting his eyes roll.

"Fine. You want to play stupid, it wont be to hard to pretend your stupid," This got a glare shot his way, and Naruto couldn't help but what to laugh at how childish the two of them were being.

Naruto let the humor drop from his face, his eyes shifting into a serious gaze. He leaned on his desk, lacing his fingers together gracefully. He watched Sasuke for another half second, no; he wasn't going to ease it on him. Sasuke had done something wrong, and despite his light attitude towards him, there was no sympathy in Naruto where Sasuke was concerned.

++++++++++

Sasuke bristled. Stupid? Did he fucking look stupid? God, he hadn't wanted to throttle someone this bad in a very long time. He had to admit however, that he was rather impressed. It had always been one thing to hear Naruto proclaim himself to be the next Hokage, it was another thing entirely to see it. He could admit, it seemed to suit the blonde. He couldn't recall ever seeing him where white either. Bizarre seeing something other then orange on him, though it was another thing that strangely suited him, making his tan skin, blond hair, and blue eyes stand out more. The look in his eye was something Sasuke didn't care for. Serious was a word he would have never used to describe his former teammate.

"You are charged, Uchiha Sasuke, with betraying Konoha, conspiring against Konoha, relaying secret information to an adversary, killing three shinobi from Konoha, not to mention countless of other charges ranging from harassment to destruction of property." He paused and Sasuke narrowed his eyes. He could feel his muscles tense from anticipation, but he kept quiet. He was not an impatient child anymore, he could wait.

"I think it goes with out saying, but most of these charges are punishable by death. Hi no Kuni is very clear about their feelings on people who betray them. Death is a sentence that, when it comes to your case, would not be opposed." Sasuke felt a flicker of something, but crushed it before he could identify it. No, he had come back excepting punishment, not death, but something. Still, he would not be afraid to die. With that mind set, he straightened his shoulders. If that was his punishment, so be-

"However, because it is you we are talking about, and considering your case, death is not a suitable or acceptable punishment." Sasuke blinked, then frowned. What? Why was he...Sasuke bristled as a thought crossed his mind.

"Naruto, if your going easy on me because we're friends-" Sasuke started, fully intent and beating the shit out of Rokudaime if that was the case. Chakra seals be damned. He never got the chance, however.

"Sasuke. We are not friends"