I think I finally understand a little bit of the sadistic pleasure George RR Martin must feel. I have to say I was kind of surprised at how overwhelmingly negative the response to Sakura's having a boyfriend was – and to be honest, a part of me definitely smiled. Not that I like making my readers feel bad! But it was interesting to watch. :)

For the most part, I guess I'll say it was surprise. Naruto and Sakura are basically 20 years old, and it seems absolutely ridiculous to say she'd hold onto her dream from 12 years of age, never dating all the while. I guess as a 21 year old myself, if you had asked me why I didn't hold onto my sixth grade crush and save myself for that person, I would have laughed you out of the room.

Lastly, the notion of 'sloppy seconds' is not a concern for me, nor should it be for anyone. If you fall in love with someone, the idea that their having touched another human would somehow corrupt them is naive and sad. Perhaps that love wasn't genuine to begin with, if you believe that to be the case.

I'm not going to say anything more about it than that, as I tend to let my writing 'do the talking', if you will.

Chapter 5: Meant to Be Broken

"Naruto-kun, welcome."

Naruto knew where to go. It wasn't his first time in the Tsuchikage's presence.

"Do you know why we have such a violent ritual when selecting the next Tsuchikage?"

Naruto shook his head.

"We all have dirty work that needs to get done. People we need to kill that would look awfully bad in the eyes of the other countries – kills that might even break treaties. So we wait for the right moment, such as a change in the leadership. I order you to kill certain key members of other villages."

"So I kill someone and tell a sob story to the other countries about how I was merely following orders and had no choice. I vow to change the leadership to prevent this from ever happening, and I assume the kage-ship?"

"Precisely." The Tsuchikage beamed.

"But... then what happens to you?"

"Death, of course. I must be executed in order to sell the story. This keeps the other villages happy. It maintains order. And at the same time, it takes out the trash, so to speak. This is the fate of all Tsuchikages."

Of course it was a political move. The others that failed would also be executed in order to sell this narrative. Iwagakure already had a reputation, along with Mizu, for being incredibly unstable. Going through revolution after revolution. The other kages were wary because they knew the deals made with one leadership didn't hold with another. "What if the other candidates also succeed?"

"Only one succeeds. That is how it has always been."

"But... What if the others?"

The Tsuchikage smiled. "Only one succeeds. That is how it will be."

Naruto bolted awake. Were they meant to go after the same candidate? That didn't make any sense. What did they have to gain by choosing Kakashi? Unless... He was meant to be the next Hokage. They couldn't actually kill a Hokage, but they could weaken the Leaf significantly by killing one of the strongest candidates for leadership.

Konoha would scramble to find another in the wake of his death, or... It would be the Sandaime all over again. Tsunade would be forced back into office well past her prime. It made perfect sense. And in several years, they would go to war, and this time, accomplish what the Sound failed to do. And who better to lead them to victory but a former Leaf shinobi?

Naruto was born for this job. He was clearly meant to be the one to do this. Which begged the question: Where in seven hells was Tatsuro? And if this role was so obviously crafted for him, why have competitors at all? Couldn't the Tsuchikage have just forbidden the others? And where the fuck was Tatsuro? Naruto had a bad feeling about this.

The transition to leadership was dependent on "taking out the trash." It showed that as a leader you were willing to do anything for the good of the village. A tiny part of him had been hoping he could just kill Tatsuro and claim the leadership in that way, but now it was abundantly clear that if he ever intended on being Tsuchikage, he'd have to bring back Kakashi's corpse.

Was Tatsuro willing to do anything? Naruto didn't doubt it. He fell back into a troubled sleep.

…

"He's Kitsune."

That was the single portion of the dialogue playing in Sakura's mind over and over. What was Kitsune? As it turned out, the question was who, and not what. Evidently, the situation was so serious that Tsunade didn't even bother to place the usual seals over her scrolls. She, Kakashi, and Shizune left with such a flurry that, aside from telling Sakura to "stay here," they left the room exactly as it were.

Grumpily, Sakura decided that if she didn't get a chance to go meet Naruto herself, then she would find out through other means. The issue, however, was that Tsunade seemed to have taken the only file on Kitsune in the office. There had to be others who knew things about this.

The Bingo Book, perhaps? She shook her head. There were too many things she didn't know. What happened to Kakashi Sensei? Who was Rin? Nothing made any sense. It didn't matter. She wasn't going to stay here like some lost puppy.

Who knew the most about Konoha things? Ibiki. Of course. Ibiki would never tell anything. She smiled. But his latest blonde assistant would.

"INO!"

…

Naruto smirked, chuckling to himself. It seemed as though every one of his Senseis were cursed. Kakashi sensei was fated to die by his own hand, and Iruka sensei already did (as did Mizuki, if one could count him). All I have to do is kill Ero-Sennin, and I've completed the entire collection, he thought darkly.

You have no right to be angry, you big crybaby. So stop pretending that you're the main character of this tragedy and get the fuck up, he mentally recited his favorite mantra to himself. And it was true. If it weren't for this, in some perverse way, he would have probably never met his parents. Perhaps that's what was the real issue. Was the glad that he killed Iruka Sensei if it meant the ability to meet his parents?

Naruto was now painfully aware that he was no longer in the seal's mindscape conversing with his parents, but he didn't want to wake. Taking a deep breath, he pushed his head against the pillow. He could still remember how his mother smelled. Her perfume was... mature. Comforting. His arm got goosebumps as he remembered the way she tenderly held him.

Okaa-san... Otou-san...

Just when he thought there wasn't a single thing connecting him to Konoha anymore, his father's smiling face was shining down on him. The Yondaime's face. The face he'd painted over dozens of times as a child. The face he had memorized. The face he had claimed so much credit for killing back in Iwagakure.

"Yondaime... Who would have thought I'd be meeting you of all people."

"Naruto. I hoped I'd never see you again, but then again, I was rather eager to see how my son had grown up."

There was a poignant pause.

"Heh, I guess the Sandaime didn't tell you, huh? He must have wanted to keep it a secret. If people found out that Konoha's Yellow Flash had a son, you'd have been assassinated long ago."

Naruto stared at the man incredulously. This had to be some sort of sick joke. "In Iwa they praise me. They parade me down the streets for killing you." He wasn't sure why he'd blurted that out, but he suddenly felt a strange, rather immature, desire to rebel against this man. No, it wasn't immature at all, he decided on the spot. After all, this man had made his life hell. This was a righteous anger.

But whatever rage Naruto expected him to feel didn't show at all. The man smiled. "I'm so proud of you, Naruto."

"Did you hear me? I'm celebrated as a hero for killing you!"

A chuckle this time. "I know, son. I've been watching all this time."

"Then... Then why – "

"That's the funny thing about parents. No matter how much you rebel," he took a step closer. "No matter how much you yell and scream against us parents," another step – he was eye to eye with Naruto now. "No matter how much you hate us, as I know you hate me, Naruto..." He ruffled Naruto's hair. "We will always love you. No matter what."

"I don't hate you." He said quietly.

He felt warm arms pull him into an embrace. "I know," his father's voice whispered. They stayed there together for several minutes. Finally, pulling apart, his father smiled. "Looks like we're both crybabies, eh?" The Yondaime wiped away the tears as Naruto did, too. "What would your mother say, seeing both of us like this? Come, it's time I told you the truth behind the day of the Kyuubi's attack."

The vision, it seemed, was unstable for whatever reason, and that was the last he saw. The strange ending seemed more puzzling than anything else. It seemed highly unlikely that the Yondaime Hokage had misjudged the necessary chakra. Something else was going on – almost like his memories were clouded. Try as he might, the fogginess wouldn't go away. But through the fog, the image of his mother holding him came through like a beacon. What was happening to his memory?

Evidently, the time to reminisce was over. Naruto heard the door opening.

…

Tsunade had taken Naruto's coma to think over the situation. He was, in a way, her grandson, after all. A grandson tasked with killing her. She'd pulled out the old books on Iwa. Their Tsuchikage rituals were brutal, and if Naruto was a candidate, that didn't bode well for him.

They had both done things they regretted, she knew. He would, no doubt, blame her for Iruka's death. And a part of her already did. She wondered if that would make it easier for him to kill her. Mentally slapping her self, she gathered her emotions. Gone was the time for weakness. She was Hokage. She would do what had to be done.

She had to think of the village as a whole, not just a single person, even if she loved that person with all her heart. Pausing to consider what she would do if it were Jiraiya that was tasked with killing her, rather than Naruto, she chuckled. Most likely expose his secrets, have every woman in Konoha beat the living crap out of him, and then finish him off myself. But her heart wasn't in it.

In her mind's eye, she could picture Danzou's response."Unmitigated retaliation." The words sounded strange on her lips. He'd have Naruto executed on the spot – publicly if possible, and subtly if not. But her grandson deserved better, surely.

She was at his door already. She thought she had remembered the walk taking a little longer. Forcing a smile on her face, she entered. Naruto deserved another chance. He deserved one chance.

…

"Naruto."

"Baa-chan."

"How are you feeling?"

"Good as new," he said, finally getting up. He expected Tsunade to stop him, but to his surprise she only nodded.

"Naruto, about Iruka. I am sorry."

For a moment his fists clenched. For a moment he wanted to scream, howl with rage. How could she have sent him? Why didn't she convince him to think of the family he was leaving behind? Why was she so stupid as to send him disguised as an Iwa nin? None of it made any sense, but then in the shinobi world nothing had to make sense. Deaths were senseless, and better shinobi than he had learned that the hard way. Sighing, he shook his head. "What's done is done. That is my burden to carry."

She said nothing.

Naruto's stomach sank. "How many know?"

"Me, Kakashi, and Jiraiya."

That didn't ease his feelings at all. It confirmed his worst fears. Why was Kakashi involved in all of this? Naruto wanted to believe it was because Kakashi was a trusted elite ninja. Or maybe because he was Naruto's former sensei – as was Jiraiya, for that matter. But he was no longer a child. Looking back, the Sandaime had Kakashi especially close, too. The man had been groomed.

"Kakashi's going to be Hokage after you, isn't he?" The words proved needless; Tsunade's countenance was all the confirmation he needed. The plan seemed to be fitting into place. Cripple the Leaf by killing their future Hokage. Ensure only one would survive. Kill the Tsuchikage upon return. Empty words to the Leaf about avenging Kakashi. Promises of a changed regime.

But then where was Tatsuro? And why were all of his instincts telling him to run? He couldn't finish this mission... Not until he knew the bigger picture, and then, depending on the picture, may be not even then. It wasn't that he had a compunction against killing his former teacher; quite the contrary. It was mostly that he didn't like to enter situations without understanding where he stood.

"Why do you ask?" Tsunade was looking a little queasy.

He shook his head. "It was related to the mission I was assigned."

That seemed to make it worse. What was wrong with her? Perhaps she knew it was Kakashi. Perhaps they had gotten close in the time he'd been gone. Whatever it was, it seemed to rub her the wrong way. Naruto decided to change the subject. Perhaps a little more formality would help the Hokage. "I'm leaving, Tsuande-sama. It's time I returned to my village and report on my mission."

For some reason, Tsunade seized chakra in her fists, as if readying herself. At his nonplus reaction, Tsunade chuckled. "Your mission..."

"I assume Sakura-chan told you, though it seems you didn't need it. You already worked out that I'm a Tomb operative."

"And despite it all, despite your allegiance and your mission, I kept you alive." Anger was gripping her now. "Do you have any idea how many people wanted to use your coma to kill you?"

Why was she saying all of this? Hadn't it become clear that he was abandoning his mission? It seemed at every turn, the conversation was going in a worse direction – despite his best efforts. "No more than usual, I suspect," he quipped irritably.

Evidently, that was the wrong answer. In a flash, Naruto's senses confirmed fifteen more presences. With that speed, there was little doubt they were ANBU. No, sixteen... Something was wrong, horribly wrong. He was being setup – of that there was little doubt. But setup for what?

"You're making a mistake," he said slowly. "Call off the ANBU, and let me leave the village in peace."

"I can't keep giving you chances, Naruto." A tear was streaking down her face. "I have to protect the village."

The odds were not good.

…

Danzou Shimura was having a great day. It was the kind of day a man in his position could have but once a decade, and nothing could spoil his mood. He wouldn't allow it – not today of all days. It seems Tsunade decided to grow up and finally start thinking of the village first. Another decade with her and he could transform her into the type of Hokage the village needed. The type of Hokage with which he could go to his grave with peace of mind.

Yes, if things went on like this, the village would be in fine hands. And perhaps one day, Root wouldn't even be necessary. People often thought – assumed – that he wanted this nightmare of a job forever. Nothing could be further from the truth.

This job was a stain upon Konoha; but it was necessary. And he was never one to balk from what was necessary. Someday, when Konoha was dominant and no longer threatened, they would have no more need of Root. And on that day, Danzou would die happy.

"There will be changes in this village. Already they have begun, but you will notice the fruits of our work with each passing day. Today marks the beginning of a new age for Konoha. A new age of strength for the Leaf." Danzou's voice echoed through the chambers of Root, addressing his full force.

"Uzumaki Naruto has been apprehended in an attempted assassination of the Hokage herself. He is being put to rigorous questioning by the Hokage's most trusted advisors." He paused for effect. Of course, that would be wasted on this lot. Root weren't meant to have emotions. That didn't mean Danzou couldn't enjoy his day. It was the kind of day that inspired these speeches. He went on. "We follow in her footsteps of sacrifice and strength. With her orders, from this moment on, Uchiha Sasuke is declared a missing nin." Danzou's voice echoed through the chambers of Root. "Bring his eyes back to Konoha, unharmed. I don't care for the rest of the body."

Hundreds glided down onto one knee, one fist against the cold earth, and one against their heart. "Hai, Danzou-sama." The voices came in unison, echoing against the metallic walls of the dungeon.

"Dismissed."

Danzou smiled for the first time in decades. They were finally taking out the trash. He would do what had to be done.

He always did.

…

"You're going to hate me."

"What." Sakura growled.

"I can't tell you."

"What!?"

"I can't tell you because I don't know. That particular file was locked away. Only ANBU level clearance and above can access that, and even then it's restricted to the ANBU the Hokage herself chooses."

Shizune, Kakashi, and Jiraya-sama all seemed to know, though. When Sakura mentioned as much, Ino seemed to glower even more.

"Of course it is! This file must be really important if it's Hokage-authorization only. I wasn't fooling around, Sakura. I really tried."

Sakura frowned, and then a thought occurred to her. A nauseatingly disgusting thought. Could she ask Danzou? There would be a price, of course. All dealings with him had a price, explicitly or otherwise. But for the right price, he would be willing to play.

"Oh no, I know that look. Out with it."

Sakura blinked. Had she really been staring? Sighing, she stuffed the thoughts back in. No, not yet. She hadn't tried everything else yet. Maybe not even then. "Foolish thoughts," she shook her head.

Ino pursed her lips, but, perhaps sensing Sakura's exhaustion, she didn't press.

Looking at the time, Sakura sighed. Tomorrow the Jouning exams would take place; they were told nothing except to prepare for anything, and that it would take three days. Only, with Naruto in the hospital, it seemed increasingly likely she had no partner at all. Still, waiting three years wasn't the worst thing in the world. She could focus on her medical practice – really focus on it. And most never even made it to Jounin.

Picking herself up, she went home. Since Naruto wasn't home, she could finally have some alone time. Mischievous thoughts rolled into her mind; what if she called Daisuke over tonight, now that she had the apartment to herself? Giggling, she opened the door, only to find Naruto on the couch, sipping tea, waiting for her. She blinked. Wasn't this supposed to be the other way around?

"Erm... Naruto?"

"Sakura-chan. I want to rebuild that trust you were talking about," he said calmly.

What? Something was... off. Naruto's general atmosphere of anxiety was gone. In fact, it was almost like he was an entirely different person. Had Naruto been magically cured of his PTSD? And then, a really mischievous thought came to her. She moved closer. There was one way to find out. She moved even closer, and added a giggle for good measure.

…

Darkness. A basic tactic to physically deprive the one being interrogated from all senses. Make them so supremely lonely, and even a harsh interrogator's company was welcome. Or so the basic tactics textbook said. But what would happen if the one being interrogator had practice with loneliness? What happened if that person was a Jinchuuriki who spent his entire life being lonely?

As it turned out, not a whole lot.

By Naruto's estimate, he had spent something close to a full day in here. A part of him chuckled. He was clearly the worst Jounin exam partner of all time. No doubt he was missing the last opportunity for training, and Sakura-chan was likely furious. Sakura, he mentally corrected.

At long last, the door opened. The chakra bindings were still holding, and he had no choice but to stare from the corner of his eye. At another time, he would have remarked at the elegant way in which this interrogation was proceeding; he would have complimented this department on its careful planning and excellent execution. But as it was, he was the one being interrogated. And he could barely move his head.

Whoever stepped through – Ibiki, if Naruto had to guess – didn't let him see his interrogator's face.

"Uzumaki-san."

Naruto thought about it for a second. He knew that voice. His eyes opened in an instant. "Tanaka-san." Naruto strained for chakra.

Tatsuro chuckled. "No need for the chakra. I'm not here to fight you."

Naruto snorted. As if he could fight.

"Dear, dear. You are in a bit of a pickle, aren't you? Plotting to kill your own Hokage, Naruto? Not a very smart thing to do, is it?"

So that was it. "You drugged me? That night in the red-light district. You planted evidence, didn't you? What did you tell them to convince them it was me?" It was more of a statement.

"Enough," Tatsuro chuckled.

Tatsuro always was a slimey little fucker. Evidently, he had said that last thought out loud, because Tatsuro shrugged. "Mou, Naruto-kun, no need to be so grumpy. After all, I'm here to save you."

"Why? With me here to rot, you get to be kage."

He smirked. "If only it were that simple." And with a snap, Naruto's bonds were free.

In a sweet rush of exhilaration, chakra filled his system to the brim. "And why shouldn't I kill you right here?"

Tatsuro chuckled. "I like your spirit. That's why I need you."

Naruto was skeptical. "For what?"

"Why has Iwa been so stagnant? We were the dominant force before Konoha for decades. What changed?"

Naruto was sorely lacking in Iwa history; hell, he barely knew Konoha history. He chose to remain silent.

"A trivial example to make my point clear: we have three of the five strongest shinobi in the world, Konoha has the remaining two. We should, by all merits, be stronger. Yet we aren't. Why?"

"We pit them against each other," Naruto could see where this was going.

"To the death," Tatsuro agreed. "Iwa is left with one, and Konoha two. Through no effort on their part, the Leaf has secured military dominance. What a foolish system. A system that rewards strength with death is no system at all. It is a senseless massacre."

Naruto didn't know what to say to that. He was right, after all. But something in Tatsuro'a character made him doubt the objectivity of these 'facts' he was spewing.

"And I'm not the only one who thinks this way. It's time for a change. It's time for unity. It's time for revolution."

Naruto nearly gaped. A coup within Iwa. Of course Tatsuro wasn't alone. But he had one thing going for him. He was certain the current Tsuchikage wasn't behind this. And his word carried weight; otherwise, Tatsuro wouldn't have been sneaking off into corners to orchestrate this ordeal.

"I'm here as a courtesy call, Naruto. You're looking at the next Tsuchikage."

Espionage… Tatsuro was a sly bastard. He'd do anything for the power. Naruto closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Who have you been working with?"

Tatsuro smiled. "Doesn't matter. What matters is your future. Join me. I don't want to go back to the old ways, Naruto. But if you refuse... there are always great sacrifices made in revolutions. You may have to be the greatest of them all. Join me, and any position you desire is yours."

"Kage." Naruto curtly responded.

"Your sense of humor, charming as always, Uzumaki-san. No need to respond to me now – why don't you take a couple days to think about it. Enjoy a nice, oh, Jounin Exam or something. Flirt with pink-haired kunoichis. The fruits of your labor, of course, deserve to be eaten while ripe."

Naruto snorted. "You damn well know I have to flea. And even if I didn't, I have a mission to complete, don't I?"

Tatsuro's eerie grin merely widened.

Naruto's bonds fell loose.

…

"Shika! You're awake!"

His head was hammering, there was blinding light in front of him, and the worst part was Kami-sama had to wake him up to Ino's unbelievably loud voice. "Why," he moaned mostly to himself, but the sounds weren't lost.

"Why? You've been out for a week and all you have to say is why? Your fiancée has been worried sick about you! Kami knows how she's going to beat this laziness out of you, but I swear if there's even one person in this universe who can do this..."

Shikamaru drowned out the rest of Ino's tirade. Difficult for normal people, yes, but Shikamaru had had enough practice. His eyes slowly began focusing. A week? It must be the day of the exams then. Were they waiting on him to start? What happened?

The Red Light district... that night... drugged. His brain whirred. What was going on? Was someone so desperate to pass the Jounin exams? Seemed unlikely, but anything was possible. Or was it that someone participating in the exams was a target? That seemed very likely. And obviously, it wasn't him. They needed him to get the information. But then... why the heck was he alive?

For the first time since his vision came into focus, he took a look around. Sakura, Ino, Chouji, his father, the Hokage, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and... and Temari. He gave an unconscious smile, and she squeezed his hand.

"Who found me? How am I alive?"

"Sakura did," Tsunade answered. "Based on her report, it seemed an Iwa shinobi was trying to kill you when… when Naruto intervened and dispatched him. Though we may have to call that into question now, based on recent events."

There was a puzzled look from Sakura now to Tsunade. How could Sakura be confused when she was the person who found him in the first place? It was either laundry time and he'd forgotten, or something was horribly, horribly wrong. A quick whiff told him it wasn't laundry time. So it wasn't his mother's rage he was sensing. He sighed. Nope, it was probably something equally troublesome...

Of course it was. Naruto was apparently alive. Why wouldn't it be troublesome?

…

Tsunade was fuming. She had given the brat a chance, and what did he do? He flaunted his mission in front of her. Flinging Kakashi's name like that, blatantly asking about the succession. She couldn't believe it. Her Naruto wouldn't do something like that... and yet.

"You arrested Naruto?" Sakura was too young for gray hairs. This couldn't be happening. "And Sasuke-kun is a missing nin." Her words were failing her.

Sakura's words brought her back to reality. "He was taken to Ibiki immediately after release from the hospital. Sakura, there's something you should know."

"What?"

Tsunade ignored the outburst. "Naruto's mission was to kill me. As Hokage, I cannot ignore a known threat."

That certainly put a damper in Sakura's spirits. "Naruto was with me last night, having dinner."

"That's not possible. Ibiki would have reported something."

"I did sense something... wrong with him. He wasn't normal."

Tsunade paused. She didn't know how far his skills had advanced, but if he was Kitsune, that resolved any doubt in her mind. He was plenty strong enough to get out. Ibiki was good, no doubt. But now that tendril of doubt regarding Naruto's character had firmly rooted. Could he really have broken out just to have dinner with Sakura, and then come back without anyone noticing? She herself saw him there just this morning.

"Could it be an imposter?" Sakura suggested almost hopefully.

"An imposter that fooled you?"

Her brows narrowed and she flushed. "I don't know him that well," or something to that effect was muttered.

Tsunade ignored her. Someone who knew Naruto extremely well would have had to pull that off. Not some Kage Bunshin crap – a jutsu prepared months in advance, with Naruto's DNA. This required incredible foresight. So how could it be anyone besides Naruto? Her gut sank. What if he had escaped? That would confirm her worst suspicions.

…

He was free now. Twenty three ANBU outside, but likely only four set to guard him. The real question was what to do now? He'd never been here during his childhood. He chuckled. He'd never been accused of assassinating the Hokage, either.

There were too many things he didn't know. Could he trust anything Tatsuro said? What if this revolution nonsense was part of the ploy to delay Naruto while he killed Kakashi instead? What if there was a deeper setup, and Tatsuro needed to make it look like Naruto broke out?

Could he even break out?

Naruto stopped himself on the last one. Of course he could. Maybe that was just his pride talking though. He shook his head. When was the last time he had been this shaken? Not in a long while. Whatever he did, he knew he had the village to guard his back. He needed to become Tsuchikage. He loved Iwa, and they loved him. But could he really be a functional Tsuchikage if he killed Kakashi? For that matter, could he even be Hokage?

Grunting at the unwanted last thought, he made himself focus on the escape. There was clearly some foul play going on; he needed to first guard Iwa against the coup. That went before even assassinating Kakashi.

…

"Aki! Don't run so fast, you'll get hurt!"

Sure enough, Aki face planted while trying to sprint forward while simultaneously trying to turn around and look at Naruto.

Naruto appeared next to Aki in an instant. "Are you insane! You could have gotten seriously hurt!" Why were kids so crazy? So crazy they were making him crazy. Turning the boy over, Naruto sighed. "Thank god it's just a scratch. Do you know what your mom will do if this got infected? Luckily I know some basic medical jutsu. And stop grinning! What's so funny?"

The boy was smiling from ear to ear and rocking side to side despite his injury. "Ne Onii-san, we just fought didn't we?"

Naruto cocked his head. What? He would never understand kids.

"My friend Mitsuki always says she and her brother always fight. She always says how her brother never lets her do anything fun, and keeps scolding her for some stuff hehe."

Naruto's eye brow involuntarily twitched. This brat!

"Now I can tell Mitsuki that me and my nii-san did the same thing! Hehehe." Aki was ecstatic. They had spent the whole day playing and doing all the things that, in his highly qualified opinion, every big brother and little brother should do.

Crazy kid. Makes me smile even when I don't want to. Why is it so hard to stay mad at him! "You brat! Come here!" Naruto executed his mildly violent and supremely dangerous tickle-of-doom jutsu which, five minutes later, had Aki gasping for air. Picking up the boy and placing him on top of his shoulders, they began walking back from the park. "One day you'll be this tall, Aki. Taller than me, even!"

"Wow! Really Onii-san? You promise?"

"Definitely! You keep eating that ramen, and you're bound to grow this tall!"

"Yattai! Let's eat ramen!" Aki proceeded to guide Naruto like a horse by pulling on his hair and giving stern commands ("halt!", "proceed!") as any true general would do. Slowly, they made their way back to Ichiraku before having an immensely unhealthy dinner that consisted mainly of ramen.

Naruto chuckled at the memory. But not all promises could be kept, and that was a simple fact. Some, Naruto though grimly, were meant to be broken. And for the second time in his life, Naruto turned his back on the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

Some of you are furious and wondering where on Earth have I been?

Well the truth is for a long time I gave up fanfiction. And now I'm back with some renewed vigor; so I will be updating ~1 / month (or hopefully more frequently!)