Caught in a Desert Storm

Naruto's blond hair had overgrown into a shabby style. The bangs were past his eyes, the back was just long enough to be pulled into a half ponytail, much like Shino's picture. It was the longest that Sasuke had ever seen it. Sitting on a small cot against the back wall of the upstairs storage room, Sasuke kept his hands on the fuzzy cheeks of his long-lost love. The stubble pleasantly tickled Sasuke's palms, who seemed to have fallen in love with Naruto's older, more mature look. Despite Naruto's tears, Sasuke couldn't stop himself from smiling.

Holding onto Sasuke's hands, Naruto tried to smile, but couldn't stop crying. He was even starting to develop childish hiccups that made him laugh softly.

"It's really you...I'm not dreaming this time, am I?"

Leaning in until noses touched, Sasuke nuzzled affectionately.

"I keep saying you're not."

Before Naruto could say anything else, he was kissed properly. It wasn't quite enough to stop the tears or hiccups, but it did force the sad blue eyes closed. Being forced to his back, Naruto watched as Sasuke climbed on top of him. Noses still touching, they rubbed together again before another kiss was connected. 

"It's salty and wet." Murring in Naruto's ear, Sasuke was determined to stop the waterworks.

The husky voice tickled the targeted ear, forcing a blush upon Naruto's cheeks. A strong hand clung to the black kimono.  It had been years, after all, since anyone was allowed this close.

"Sasuke."

Reaching up, the rough palm petted the smooth face. The fingers ran through the loose black hair, before pushing off one of the kimono's shoulders. He wanted to see Sasuke's body, as it was alive and moving on its own. The skin was no longer cold and stiff, but warm and silky.  The sweat that had formed from the heat was like morning dew. Keeping still, Sasuke knew when he was wanted. The heart that was sleeping for so long, began to beat rapidly inside the chest that was being touched.  Overhead, a single small window was giving them just enough light to see each other.

However, there was a small hesitation from Naruto. He had not been with Sasuke in so long, his nerves finally bested him. Pulling the hand away, he looked off in the distance. The blue eyes closed as the body moved to sit up. Resting his forehead against Sasuke's bare shoulder, Naruto continued to hold on.

"...I never thought I'd see you like this again."

"Ah...so that's it."

Putting his arms around Naruto, there was a quiet and loving embrace as Naruto's sob slowly came to a halt. There were also several, gentle kisses to Sasuke's wet and exposed chest, followed by the nuzzling of the furry face that tickled terrible.  Laughing, Sasuke had to apologize, tilting Naruto's face up with soft, and equally apologetic kisses. Seeing the coy smile across the familiar face made Naruto smile as well. Putting his strong hands through Sasuke's long black hair again, he pulled carefully to complete a more firm kiss Being together like this, is was like no time had passed at all. Sadly, plenty of time did.

"We should talk...You were asleep a long time."

"I know..."

Bracing himself, Sasuke was preparing to hear terrible news. His mind was full of what could have happened, should have, might have, did happening. They ranged from the news of more death to more...unpleasant topics. Namely, regarding the rather pregnant and pretty woman that was downstairs. Surprisingly, looking to Naruto's left hand, he noticed that there was still their wedding band.

"...That woman..." Sasuke's voice was shaky even bringing the topic up.

"That...woman?" Blinking, Naruto looked surprised. "What woman?"

"The knocked up one downstairs...She is...yours?"

"Mine? My what?" At least, Naruto's oblivious nature hadn't changed. "OH! NO!...She..." Holding back a laugh, Naruto tried to explain to Sasuke's disapproving face. "She's the wife of a friend I made here. Me and her husband, started this store together. He is a traveling merchant, so when he is gone, his wife helps out. I...let her because I know what's it's like waiting at home alone."

"...Oh...That's nice of you." Sasuke's disapproving glare didn't change. "What else?"

Sighing, Naruto laid back down, pulling Sasuke with him to curl up. It was something he hadn't done in a long time, and the weight of today's events suddenly wore him out.

"A lot of things. Shino and Kana are ninjas now. They weren't put in a three-man group though. Gaara took them under, just the two of them...He wants to train them to be part of his elite."

 

"Our..Kana and Shino? They can actually fight?" Pouting, Sasuke snuggled back. He had seen the photo, but they still looked like his two bumbling, happy little kids. "How?"

"For starters, Shino has the Sharingan."

"What?" That perked Sasuke's interest, and he sat up, looking down at Naruto as he did. "He...does?"

Smiling, the blond nodded. "He got it about a year ago. Kana was hurt during a training exercise and he was upset. Determined to protect his sister, and..well..there it was. He also took an interest in your weapon collection. He uses smaller, duel katanas and your Fūma Shuriken. He wanted your Sword of the Kusanagi...but I told him no."

 

"What about his nature? What's his element?" Excited, Sasuke was trying to get a good idea on how his children fought.

"Wind, like mine, but he uses Fire and Blaze release like you do. He...puts the blaze on his swords, moves way faster than I ever could. He calls it the Dance of the Flames. He also turn my Rasengen into a damn fire ball." Naruto obviously disapproved.

Laughing, Sasuke could imagine it very well. "So, he copied my Chidori Katana to use Wind and Blaze instead? Genius. What about Kana? She was already activated when we found her..."

Sighing, Naruto looked away. Rubbing his brow, he had the look of an overly concerned father. "She's already got boys chasing after her. She...looks a lot like your mother, you know. We went back to your old house and cleaned it up some. She took a lot of your mother's old things for safe keeping. Don't worry, I make sure she takes care of them. She really treasures them. She's lightning based, like you are. Kakashi helps her with Chidori, but she uses it on her entire body. I call her my little lightning bug..."

Smiling a bit, Naruto started to smiled proudly. "She's good at hand to hand, using your Lion Combo. Kakashi has taken her under, even with Sharingan techniques. Tough little girl, tiny but fierce. "

"Is she training for medical ninjutsu?"

"No...Shino is. He's taken up with Shiro for that."

"Shino...is?"

Nodding, Naruto run his hand through the overgrown bangs. "They aren't like us. When we were kids, we thought we knew how to handle ourselves, but do you remember? How bad we were at everything?" Laughing, he began to think back. "We couldn't control our steps. Struggled to climb trees or walk on water. Had no type of control and always fighting. We...did good, Sasuke. They are happy kids."

"You did good...I was..."

"You were part of their lives every day. They love you and are going to welcome you home."

Now it was Sasuke's turn to tear up, looking away as he did. "...I'm home."

"Welcome back." Reaching up Naruto touched Sasuke's cheek, turning the face towards him. Now that everything seemed to be off his chest, he was ready to get back to what they were doing. "It's been five years, Sasuke. But we've been separated before. I waited and believed in you."