A/N 9/1/12: So, I've taken such a long break from this story, I've all but forgotten parts that I'm pretty damn sure are critical, and I really want to get back into writing it again. So, to remind myself, I've started the task of editing and reformatting chapters. Especially the first few, which had such wonky and confusing formats.

Changes to Chapter:

-Team size was originally written as 5 boys + Naruto, has been reduced to 4 + Naruto. Team mates are now: Konohamaru, Toshio, Sigume, Mizuo. The fifth boy was never mentioned again, so I'm just removing him.

-Italicized 'past' parts, this was the only chapter without the italics.

-Minor grammar edits.

If it's your first time to the story, welcome! Enjoy! For those coming back, hi again!

You Can Never Go Home Again
Chapter One: Take What's Yours And Leave The Rest

It was never meant to be a year-long mission. He was never supposed to have strayed that far from the village, nor wound up in Sand territory for that long. He was supposed to have been home a week from the day he left, at the most. A week. Instead, it'd been exactly 362 days since he'd seen Konoha's gates. He stilled on a tree branch, studying the tall wooden doors and the village that tugged at his heart, despite the hate that rested in the people.

He'd grown quite a bit in the year; all the movement and vicious weather he'd endured had left him a lean, built, 6' eighteen year-old young man. His blonde hair had grown a little too long, so he'd given himself a make-shift haircut with a kunai about a week ago. Shinobi didn't need to worry about how good their hair looked when they were on the run, hiding from frustrating enemies he couldn't see but knew were there. He hid his obvious, sunshine hair with the hood of his knee-length jacket, currently hanging open and blowing around his dark blue pants and black tank shirt in the breeze.

The Kyuubi stirred a little in him, sent a tingle down his spine. He smiled (yes, we're here, no you can't destroy it all, now quit asking.) and rose from his crouch, eyes sweeping out. Kind of lax on security, aren't you, Tsunade-baba? He spotted two ANBU near the doors, hidden, and the four that guarded the gate. Oh well, guess I might as well be civilized about my entrance…be a little out of character.

He leapt down, landing on a knee and a foot, and rose, dusting himself off, before he walked towards the guards, who immediately stiffened at his presence. (No, you can't eat them….because I don't want to eat a human!) He smiled happily at them as he approached.

"Halt." That voice alone made him freeze. It commanded he obey or he'd loose a few limbs. But it wasn't that which intimidated him. It was that he recognized it. He blinked in surprise as an ANBU made himself known, cold white mask staring at him, eyes shadowed. But it didn't matter, a breeze blew and Kyuubi caught a whiff of that scent, not that he needed the fox-demon's help. He could recognize that stature, could feel those cold eyes glaring in to him. It made him feel small and insignificant, even now. Just like always. "State your purpose."

Naruto smirked, whiskers crinkling on his cheeks, simply faded scars now, harder to see. "I'm returning home from a mission."

The ANBU was silent for a moment. That's right, analyze the situation. Am I speaking the truth? Hurry up, though, I don't know how long I can behave myself…(I thought I told you to shut up, fox, I'm busy.) "State your name."

He smirked, "Jeeze, teme, you can't even recognize an old teammate?"

The ANBU froze, head jerking up a little, hand dropping from its position near a weapon. The figure took a step forward, then lifted its hand and tore off the white mask, "N…Naruto?!"

The newcomer sighed and swept his hood back with a tired smile, "Tadaima. I know I'm late but…Happy Birthday, Sasuke-kun."

"And you can't be late!" The pink haired 17 year old cried, "And remember to bring Sasuke-kun something!"

Naruto yawned and waved a hand vaguely at her, "Yada yada yada. Why do I need to be there? Sasuke-teme doesn't deserve any presents." Not to mention I don't have the money for any at the moment anyway.

"Oh, come on, Naruto, don't be such a spoil-sport." Sakura Haruno fluffed her hair a little and crossed her arms, giving him a slight glare, "It's his birthday! You only turn 17 once."

Naruto rolled his eyes, "You said that last year, too. I went then, didn't have much fun, went home early. Why should I show up for one of your lame parties you know he isn't going to like anyway? You KNOW he's just going to tell you where you can shove that cake…"

"Naruto! Don't be so rude! Sasuke-kun already knows about this party!"

The blonde blinked, "He does? And you're not dead from his glare yet?"

She smirked, "Been around him long enough to develop immunity, just like you, thank you very much."

Naruto closed blue eyes for a moment, then opened them again, frown still on his lips, "No thanks. I won't be able to make it anyway. Tsunade-baba's sending me out on a mission."

"Naruto!"

"Don't whine to me about it. The hag's the one who assigned it to me, take it up with her."

"Can't you be back in time for it?"

"No."

"Naruto!"

"Be quiet, Sakura, you're getting annoying."

Sakura stuck her tongue out at him. The blonde rolled his eyes and responded in kind, then turned away, "I'm busy, Sakura-chan. I'll see you when I get back, okay?"

He grinned and walked away.

"NARUTO!"

A backwards wave without a backwards glance, and then the tall blonde boy was gone, lost in the crowds.

"So will you take me to Tsunade-baba or are we just going to stand around here staring at each other all day? Coz, I mean, I don't know about you, but frankly if I was gone for this long and just got home, I'd certainly want to get debriefing over with and get some well deserved rest."

The black-haired shinobi blinked wide black eyes, then nodded sheepishly, pulling his ANBU mask back on to his head, positioning it at the side of his head so Naruto could still see his face, and smirked a little, "I suppose that's true, dobe. Although I'm sure she wouldn't want to see your ugly mug at any time."

"Well then we'll just make the visit short and sweet. And don't call me dobe, teme."

Sasuke stared at him for a moment longer, making him slightly unnerved by how relaxed those dark eyes were and was that happiness he saw in those depths? No, just a misunderstanding. Naruto had never really been able to read Sasuke's face all that well.

And then the mask was slipped back over those pale features and the ANBU returned, leading the arrival to the Hokage's building for a long-overdue meeting.

July. God, what a hot and sticky time of year. He made a face. And that damn Uchiha-bastard's birthday just happened to be this month, in a few days, even. How the hell had the ice-prince not melted the day he was born? Would have made Naruto's jobs a lot easier…or harder…whatever.

He wrinkled his nose and wished once again that he hadn't been so stubborn and brought out the bright orange jacket. Too fucking hot for it, anyways. And why the hell did the old hag want to see him anyway? He'd much rather be out kicking Sasuke's ass or sitting around in the cool darkness of his apartment. He grumbled under his breath and climbed the long path, feet dragging, to the Hokage's office, lifting a slow fist to knock lazily, then went in without waiting for a reply.

Tsunade was sitting at her desk, one of her long blonde ponytails falling over her shoulder, as she glared at a scroll sprawled out in front of her. Naruto cleared his throat to get her attention, rolling his eyes, "You know, Tsunade-baba, no guards posted at the door and you so focused on glaring holes through that paper, someone could just waltz in and take something."

Tsunade frowned, "Some days, I'm willing to hand over the title of Hokage to the next person who walks through the door."

"AWW! But that would have been me! You should have! It would have made it sooooo much easier on me!"

The blonde woman rolled her eyes and set her scroll aside, face turning serious, "You're all set?"

"Hai. I'll be leaving not long after sunset tonight."

"Can you put it off until tomorrow morning?"

He quirked an eyebrow at her, blue eyes studying her seriously, "…why?"

She smirked, "Seems the escort's requested an entire team."

"Dumb bi—"

"Naruto!" The boy shut up, "It hurts to tell you, but she's requested a team to go with, to…um…"

"Make sure the Demon Kid doesn't go all Demon on their ass." Naruto sank into a chair and crossed his arms over his chest, pouting slightly.

"I wasn't going to put it so crudely…"

"Oh, don't worry, Tsunade-baba, I'm used to it by now. Come on, seventeen years of it, you'd think I'd be used to hearing it by now."

"Naruto…" Tsunade looked a little hurt for him. There was a knock on the door at that moment, and Konohamaru and three other boys Naruto didn't recognize appeared at the door, looking a little nervous about interrupting, except for Konohamaru who flashed his broad smile at his 'older brother' and stood patiently by, waiting for acknowledgement.

He sighed and shrugged, moving to rise, "Alright, so I'll get Sasuke and Sakura and we can be ready to…" His voice trailed off as Tsunade shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Naruto, they won't be part of this mission. Instead…" she trailed off, eyes turning towards Konohamaru.

Naruto turned slowly, eyeing them all, before shaking his head, "Oh-hohohoooo, no. No way. I'm not taking this bunch of…"

"Naruto, it's not a request."

"What am I going to do with four kids?!"

Tsunade smirked, "Learn what it was all about for Kakashi when he had to handle you." Naruto scowled, "Besides," she continued, "That jounin vest isn't doing much good in the closet."

Naruto's face fell even more. As if he needed to be reminded. After all these years, Team 7 still wasn't doing too hot in advancing, so far he'd been the only one to make it past chuunin, although he'd requested his advancement remain between himself, Tsunade, Iruka and Kakashi. It was hard keeping the secret from his friends; especially Sasuke who had become…something that he wasn't quite sure how to label as of late. He gave of weird signals, did odd things, they'd even…kissed…a few times; which was normally followed by days of awkward arguments and silences. It all made his head hurt, and at the moment, he should just stop thinking about it coz he was going to overload his brain if he kept this train of thought going.

"Naruto."

He turned cerulean eyes up to his leader, face blank.

Tsunade smiled, "It's only for a week. Let's see how much of a leader you really are."

"Where's the rest of your team?"

"Not even a hello?" Naruto smiled and unzipped his vest, letting the cool breeze coming in through the window wash over him. Sasuke stood silently behind him, near the door. Ice-prince, as always.

Tsunade frowned at him from over her desk, "Hello, where the hell is your team?"

Naruto waved a hand towards the window, "They're coming, they're coming. Just cleaning up behind ourselves. You're looking as young as ever, Tsunade-baba."

There was a moment where the woman quirked an eyebrow and studied him, took in his entire changed form, and then she was in front of him in an instant and he couldn't breathe, being squashed against her in a monster hug.

"Idiot! Not even a report from you for months! We were sure you were dead!" Naruto coughed a little in response, but could do nothing to defend himself as she continued to deprive him of air, "Do you realize how worried everyone was?"

Finally, she let go, holding him at arms length. He laughed slightly, "I doubt everyone was worried, baba. After so many months, people start to stop caring."

Tsunade's eyes sharpened, glared at him, and he could feel the Uchiha's eyes on his back, but neither said anything. It was silent for a long moment, then the curtains moved and there was another presence in the room. Sasuke's hand immediately went to his weapons, kunai finding its way to his fingers.

Naruto waved a hand, breaking away from Tsunade's hold, and turned to the newcomer, "Finish everything?"

"Hai." He stood near the window, wearing all black, hair hidden under a headband, Konoha symbol glittering on metal around his neck, "The others are waiting below."

Naruto smiled and turned to Tsunade, "Told you so."

Tsunade made a frustrated noise, but smiled back, and retreated to her desk. "Come back tomorrow, I'm sure you're tired. I'll debrief you then."

"Yes, ma'am." Naruto bowed, so did his follower, and he made his own retreat to the hallways, feeling Sasuke pressed near his shoulder. He smiled, comforted by the presence, and glided down the hall, thoughts filled with the idea of a hot shower.

"Dobe."

He had an instant to react, not really knowing what to expect, turning towards the voice that had fallen to a dangerously low pitch, and suddenly finding himself pressed to the wall, one arm pinned at the side of his head. He smirked, "Hello, teme."

Uchiha studied him, dark and brooding, eyes hard and unreadable. He was a sense of beauty Naruto hardly could believe was real. If he hadn't grown up with the boy, he'd have thought he was some kind of god. Maybe of Ice. Or sex…coz he dripped with sex appeal, even though he never showed interest in anyone.

Except you. The thought made him shiver a little.

Sasuke was leaning close to him, he could feel the boy's breath teasing his skin, warm and soft, a little fast. His demon fox-strengthened hearing could easily pick up the beat of his heart, a faster beat than normal.

"Something bothering you?" He asked, hoping his voice didn't break and tried to keep it from falling to that low tone that would match Sasuke's and urge him on. God…those lips were so close…

"Yeah…something. You're leaving?"

Naruto rolled his eyes, "For a week. If this is about your party, Sakura already made me promise to—"

"It's not about the party." Was that a snarl in Sasuke's voice? Naruto's eyes narrowed, and flashed a warning Sasuke ignored. "You can't go." His voice seemed to break, suddenly soft and sad and surprised Naruto, "Something doesn't feel right. I don't like it, stay, send someone else."

Naruto laughed softly and reached up with his free hand, slipping fingers into that silky black hair and pulling Sasuke's head down, planting a kiss on his forehead, "You worry too much, it's just a week, I'll be back before you know it."

"You promise?"

"You're really worried about this, aren't you?"

Sasuke's forehead dropped to Naruto's shoulder, and he felt the boy sigh, "I just have this terrible feeling…you should stay…"

"I'm shinobi, I do what I'm told to by the Hokage." He put his hand on Sasuke's shoulder and pushed him back a little, "I'll try and be back for your birthday, okay? And if I'm late, we'll celebrate on our own."

Sasuke stared at him for a moment, his cold mask firmly in place, rendering him unreadable. For an instant, Naruto was worried Sasuke was going to dart off and demand someone take his place, but relaxed when the stare softened again and the ebony-haired boy nodded. "I'm going to hold you to that, then."

He leaned forward, capturing Naruto's lips in his own, briefly, then pulled back, black eyes meeting startled blue. He smirked, "Just sealing the promise with a kiss."

"You're not gonna ignore me now, then are you?" Naruto's voice was slightly sarcastic, and he smiled as Sasuke's cheeks tinged just a slight pink.

Naruto rolled his eyes and pulled Sasuke back in for one more moment of intimate contact, arm locked tight around Sasuke's neck as he opened himself up just a tiny bit to his rival/best friend.

Ch. 1 Fin.

Original A/N: So? Have I totally and utterly confused you yet? I hope not, I'm trying to figure out the best way to lay this out, because the story is planned at the moment to jump from the past to the present at every scene change (with a few exceptions, of course). Thanks for reading!