"Excuse me President Namikaze but you have a visitor" Naruto let out a frustrated sigh when his secretaries voice squawked through the phone. He had stacks and stacks of paperwork to finish, he hadn't had a good meal in days, and he had countless calls to return and contracts to sign. All he wanted was a shower and a day of uninterrupted sleep. And if he didn't have time for those things he most definitely did not have time for unscheduled visitors. How had he forgotten how hard this business bullshit was? Why had this been his dream again? He ran a hand through his hair "Sorry Moegi but tell them that I'm not available and to make an appointment. I have too much to get done I can't meet right now" He waited for her to relay the message, reading over the patent for their latest invention as he did so.

"Um well sir he told me to… umhm tell you to that uh… well to stop being an idiot and let him in. Also he said that are you too important now to have time for your best friend" She finished with a squeak.

"What?"

"I'msorrysirpleasedon'tfireme" Moegi rushed her breathing increasing. He could almost see the full blown panic attack coming.

"No Mo that's fine…. I have a feeling I'll want to see this person after all. Send them in" He hung up in the middle of Moegi's repeated thank yous' and stared at the door waiting for it to open. There was only one person in the world that Naruto could think of that would call him an idiot or his best friend. But he couldn't be here could he? The door opened and stupidly he held his breath, wanting it to be him so bad that couldn't help it. The door opened to reveal a smiling brunet. Narutos face split into a wide grin and he stood from his chair

"Kiba!" He yelled walking toward him unable to believe that he was really here. He took in the tanned tattooed face of his friend and almost pinched himself

"Man! How have you been?" Kiba yelled as he pulled the blonde in for a bone crushing hug which he returned with equal force.

"Dude! What are you doing here?" He asked after he pulled back still smiling like a maniac

"We're taking a break from the island and wanted to look you up" we? Naruto opened his mouth to ask but was cut off "You have no idea how much I hated working the bar when you left, Tenten took your advice wayyyy to seriously and starting abusing me left and right." They shared a laugh as Kiba showed him the bruises that were left behind by the volatile woman and told stories about all the attacks he suffered through. Kiba smiled as Naruto laughed at the story of how he had tried to teach Tenten how to swim and she had ended up trying to drown him in the pool "Man I wish you had been there, the island wasn't shit without you" Naruto grinned

"Aw kibbles, I've missed you too" he cooed, wrapping an arm around his friend's waist while peering up at him through his lashes. He suppressed a laugh when Kiba just rolled his eyes and shoved him away.

"Somehow I forgot how after my ass you are" Naruto laughed. As if "But now I'm a taken man" His laughter cut off

"I leave for three months and you replaced me? I thought our love was stronger than that" He pouted placing a hand over his heart. Once again Kiba just rolled his eyes

"Psh actually you were replaced in two" With a dramatic gasp Naruto fell back in his chair grasping at his chest

"And you drive the knife in deeper. I thought you loved me? How could you be so cruel?" Kiba huffed and sat down in the chair opposite Narutos before crossing his arms.

"Come off it bro. You should be happy for me" Naruto laughed "I am I am. So who is this poor soul?" Face breaking out into a wide smile Kiba hopped up from the chair

"Hold on she wanted to give us a few minutes alone" He ran to the door opening it up only enough to stick his head through. Curious Naruto leaned forward in his chair and tried to peep around the door to see who Kiba was looking at "Babe you wanna come in here?" He opened the door wider to reveal a smiling Hinata Hyūga. Naruto got to his feet as she ran forward and threw her arms around him, he hugged her back just as fiercely which Kiba allowed for a few seconds before pulling her away "Ok that's enough of that" He growled and wrapped a protective arm around her waist, she smiled and settled in comfortably at his side. Naruto mouth fell open as he took in the scene in front of him, he was completely speechless

"When…? How…?"They both laughed unused to seeing their friend unable to form sentences

"After you left we both bonded over how much we missed you and well…" Hinata ended on a blush and Kiba smiled down affectionately down at her obviously in love. Narutos smiled, loving how sweet they looked together. He had always figured the two of them would click if he left the picture and he was happy that he was right.

"I'm glad Kiba finally grew the balls he needed to ask you out, he's been beating around the bush for almost a year" Now it was Kibas turn to blush

"Hey I was getting to it" Hinata rolled her eyes

"Even after Naruto left it still took you a month and a half to ask me out and we were seeing each other every day" Naruto smirked at Kiba who had taken great interest in the wall all of a sudden.

"Kiba you scaredy-Cat" He said knowing how much Kiba hated being compared to a cat in anyway shape or form. Kiba scowled at him while Hinata laughed

"I know what a wimp" She retorted smiling at her boyfriend when he turned his glare her way

"Chicken" Naruto taunted

"Wuss" Hinata rejoined

"Pansy" They were both holding their sides and laughing at this point. What made this so funny they didn't really know. Maybe it was just the joy of all of them being together again and life not seeming to suckish for the first time since he stepped foot off the island.

"Shut up!" Kiba yelled over the sound of their laughter "Are you two done making fun of me now?" He asked once they quieted down and nodded "Good because I would like to know how my friend's life has been" Narutos good mood instantly vanished just thinking about how he should answer that question. He quickly plastered a fake smile on his face and put his new found acting skills to the test

"It's been great!" He exclaimed and prayed that they bought into the act and wouldn't keep asking questions. He'd always been a terrible liar and it was even worse with his friends who knew all his tells, he hoped he'd gotten somewhat better.

"What's wrong?" They both asked at the same time

And apparently he was still shit. He dropped the smile and fell back into his chair

"Look it's complicated" He mumbled not wanting to get into it.

"So uncomplicated it" He looked at his hands and thought about lying again. But seeing how well that worked the first time he knew that his friends would see through every single lie that he gave and would refused to leave until they were satisfied.

"Its everything! Trying to figure out this company, Jiraiya being in a coma, trying to support Tsunade. I just didn't remember it being so hard. I don't know maybe my dad was wrong maybe I wasn't ready for this. Or maybe I was ready for this then but not now?" He huffed and ran a hand over his face as if trying to scrub away the stress line and dark circles that had permanently taken up residence on his face. He felt a hand on his shoulder and opened his eyes to see Hinata kneeling down in front of him.

"I'm sorry Naruto. I know this must all be hard. Especially considering the last time you were here you had the support and guidance of your father. He believed in you and I know he wouldn't have put you in charge if he didn't think you could handle it." Naruto gave a half smile

"I know I just don't remember it being like this. This was always what I wanted but not at this cost." He froze at his wording hoping that his friends wouldn't catch it.

"What… cost?" Hinata asked her forehead scrunched in confusion. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly

"Eh huh you know the cost of my time and sanity and… stuff?" He finished lamely. Hinata glared

"Out with it" Naruto glanced away unable to lie when she was looking at him like that

"With what?"

"Whatever you're not telling us!" She yelled hitting him on the leg

"It's really not a big deal" Hinata opened her mouth but was interrupted

"Just tell her, you know she's not gonna let it go until she knows" Kiba said crossing his arms "And neither will I. Something's bugging you" Naruto glanced between the two and admitted defeat. Sometimes having close friends could be such a hassle.

"Well it's kinda like… I mean I might be… my life might sorta kinda be… um in danger?" He finished lamely

"WHAT?!" They screeched and Naruto almost laughed at how girly Kiba sounded.

"What do you mean your life could 'sorta kinda' be in danger?" Hinata growled standing up with her hands planted on her hips, her small body radiating anger as she pinned him with a glare so deadly he wanted to cower behind his seat.

"All these months you were in danger and you didn't think to call us and let us know!" Kiba joined in, displeasure written all over him as well. Naruto gestured helplessly with his hands

"And what would that have done? Besides made you worry?" he asked

"We could have tried to help! I'm awesome at solving mysteries!" Hinata had been about to say something to Naruto but stopped and turned to him

"Since when? You couldn't even figure out who did it when we played clue" Kiba scoffed

"That proves nothing"

"Everyone figured it out before you" He blushed before crossing his arms

"There was only four people playing!"

"One was a twenty year old stripper from Alabama"

"Strippers could be intelligent!" He yelled throwing his hands up in the air and scowling at his girlfriend

"She couldn't figure out what confidential meant" Hinata deadpanned

"Whatever! Look with Naruto by my side we could totally figure this out" She raised an eyebrow

"And who do the two of you think you are? Nancy Drew?"

"Uh excuse me even though Naruto is a little feminine looking this is clearly more of a Hardy boys situation than Nancy Drew, please make the right reference" Hinata looked ready to slap him across the back of his head but Naruto interrupted

"Thanks for the offer Kiba but I want you guys as far away from this as you can be. I'm not sure what these guys are prepared to do but it seems like killing those close to me isn't exactly off the menu. I don't want either of you involved" They both stopped glaring at each other and turned toward him

"We're not just going to leave you to do this alone. You're our friend!" Hinata insisted and Kiba nodded his head in agreement

"Yes you are and it's because you're my friends that I'm asking you to leave this alone."

"And it's because were your friends that were going to ignore everything you just said and help anyway" Naruto sighed as he stared at the two stubborn idiots with matching looks of determination on their faces.

"Guys I really appreciate what you're saying and all but you don't understand just how dangerous this situation could be" They looked at each other for a minute, having some sort of silent communication with their eyes. Then with a nod they sat down, Kiba on the chair and Hinata perched on his lap.

"Explain it to us" Rubbing his thumb and middle finger on his temples he finally gave in.

"From the way Gaara explained it, this all started years ago"

~0.0.0~

Sasuke walked into the empty pub, spotting the flash of white hair right away sitting at the bar. He had been more than a little shocked when Kakashi had called and said he was in town, it was the first time he had left his paradise since it opened a few years back. Curious as he was to figure out why exactly he was here he still took his time walking through the bar. He slide fluidly onto the stool beside him, placing a quick order with the bartender before he turned to the other man.

"Why are you off your island?" Kakashi spared him a quick glance before once again returning his gaze to the TV, Sasuke just looked down at his watch instead

"The government came and shut me down for the time being, said there might be some health code violations and maybe prostitution. I don't know where they got that from" Sasuke repressed a snort and he gave Kakashi a sardonic look.

"You run an island dedicated to people having sex and you wonder where they got the idea from." Kakashi waved a hand dismissively through the air

"Yes people come there looking for potential partners but I don't force them to have sex" He cocked an eyebrow

"They come there expecting it" He said while nodding his head in thanks when the bartender set his glass down in front of him

"Not all of them, it wasn't on yours" Sasuke hurriedly took a sip to hide the wince he unconsciously made at the mention of his time on the island. Luckily Kakashi wasn't paying attention, too focused on the television and his own problems

"But most do come wanting to hook up, you can't refute that fact"

"I wasn't going to try to. But tell me how that is different from any bar or club in the world?" Sasuke smirked

"They're not secluded with no technology, no way to contact the outside world and a self-sustaining community" Kakashi huffed in annoyance

"People know what they are getting into and what they will give up. Again I did not force anyone to do anything they did not want to do" For a moment Sasuke thought he was going to cross his arms and sulk like a child, luckily if he had been about to do so he refrained.

"No you just have everything laid out for them if they do" Kakashi turned in the stool and faced Sasuke head on

"Look smart ass you came to the island yourself correct?"

"Yes"

"While there you hooked up with someone. Is this again correct?" He was prepared for the wince this time and caught it before his body could react.

"Yes"

"Did you feel in any way prostituted or forced into it?" Not at all, all he had wanted to do on that island was have sex with Naruto over and over and over again. He still wanted that

"No"

"Did you ever feel as if your life and safety were at risk?" Surprisingly the only thing that was at risk on him was something he had never expected. His sanity and maybe just maybe his heart.

"No" He mumbled

"Did you leave the island after a positive experience?" The three days there yes but everything that came after...

"Relatively"

"Would you be willingly to testify to this in a court of law?" Sasuke just looked at him. Kakashi sighed "Huh it was worth a shot" Then he took a long swallow from his glass "Speaking of your positive experience, have you looked him up yet? Judging by how much I've seen his annoying ass on TV I'm guessing you know who Naruto really is by now" His fingers tightened around his glass

"Yes I have" His tone gave nothing away and years of schooling his expression has given him a pretty impressive poker face. Kakashi stared at him for a long time. His gaze running over his features looking for... something. Finally with a sigh he faced forward again

"You Uchihas and your blank stares. It's funny in most situations that would tell me nothing, but in this particular one your lack of expression is a dead giveaway. What happened?" Sasuke brought his own glass up to his mouth and took a sip ignoring the slight tremble of his hand and praying that Kakashi was too caught up in his own trouble to notice it.

"Things became decidedly more complicated" Kakashi surprised him by laughing

"When has a complication stood in the way of you and what you want?" Kakashi said after he had finished laughing. Sasuke smirked while pulling out his wallet and leaving a twenty on the counter.

"Never" With one final look at his old friend he got up and walked out of the bar. Kakashi watched as he left in his 'I'm too cool for this shit' manner before shaking his head and pouring the rest of his drink down his throat. He returned his gaze to the television and watched the ending of the News clip, showing Naruto smiling at a crowd and waving after another one of his press conferences. He wondered if he had any idea of what was coming to him. He had notice Sasukes slight reactions to mentions of Naruto and their time together and the fact that he had never once glanced at the TV. He could tell that the boys' pursuit of Naruto had hit more than just a little complication. But he also knew that Uchihas were notoriously relentless. When they wanted something very little could stand in their way.

"I almost feel bad for the brat." he mumbled pulling out his own wallet and paying for his drink. Slipping on his coat he looked at the TV again noticing the stress marks on the blondes' face that had never been there before and a smile dimmer than he had ever seen it. Maybe he should step in, there was no telling what he was facing right now and the last thing he needed was Sasuke coming at him full force. He thought for a moment then shrugged "But once again this might be fun to watch"

~0.0.0~

"Tame your expression little brother. You're scaring the donors" Itachi mumbled while smiling and nodding to a passing couple. Sasuke tried to smooth his features and once again resume his emotionless mask, something he was finding harder and harder to do. With a scowl he stopped trying

"Like I care. It's your job to keep people happy Itachi. Sometimes I wonder why I'm even here" He mumbled the last part. Itachi glanced at him trying and failing to hide his irritation.

"I've tried to be as understanding as I can Sasuke but you are starting to wear on my patience. You are here because it is your job and duty to be so as you seem to have forgotten." He gave Sasuke a weary look "I'm going to go work the room. By the time I come back I hope to see you in a better mood. I don't care if it's false as long as its better" He stalked away feeling Sasukes glare on his back up until he disappeared in the crowd.

Sasuke sighed and leaned more heavily on the wall of the glitz out ball room of yet another charity function. Like all the others it was full of rich people pretending to be altruistic when in all honesty they could give a rat's ass what their money was being used for. As long as they got to see and be seen. The fakeness of it was causing his mood too sour even more, how had he ever been a part of this? He huffed and crossed his arms already tired and the event had just begun. He was tired of small talk, he was tired of schmoozing investors, he was tired of playing political mind games, and he was just tired. His eyes scanned the crowd before landing on a face that he had kept in the corner of his eye all night. He was especially tired of watching the blonde make his way around the room doing the exact same thing as he was.

Tired of seeing his smile and knowing it wasn't directed at him

Tired of hearing his laugh and not knowing the joke

Tired of watching him shake hands with other people when he had been denied his touch for so long and it was the only thing he craved.

He shook his head trying to get rid of these thoughts even though they hadn't left his mind since that disastrous day two months fourteen days and twenty two hours ago. With a sigh he turned without looking where he was going almost knocking a woman to the floor. He stopped to apologize and politely ignored her not so discreet invitations to her room so he could 'make it up to her'. Once she figure out he wasn't interested he made a break for the elevator while his brother was occupied, knowing he'd hear about it tomorrow, but not before sneaking one last glance at Naruto.

Yes he was tired

Most of all he was tired of ignoring the pain he felt at seeing that red head beside him. Watching as he wrapped his arm possessively around the blondes' waist and knowing that in the end Naruto hadn't wanted him at all.

Naruto looked up in time to see the elevator doors close behind a familiar face. His eyes were caught by a pair of pained dark ones and he paused in the conversation for a moment before a little squeeze to his side reminded him of where he was. He sent Gaara a quick look of gratitude and with a smile plastered on his face he seamlessly continued his story as if his mind had never wandered off. He watched as everyone laughed around him and had to repress a scowl.

No for the life of him he couldn't remember why he had wanted this at all