Title: Acknowledge

Author's Notes: For Fruit! You specified a one-shot, but you never said a short or a long one-shot. I hope you like this anyways, I had a fun time writing it. This was written for a secret santa on the sasuxnaru mailing list. ^_^

Pairings: Sasuke/Naruto

Warning: Shounen ai

Genre(s):Gen/slight romance

Beta: proud_snapist

Rating: PG/PG-13

Word Length: 7,422

Naruto read somewhere that outside of the territories, where there were ninja, there were different kinds of soldiers. Former civilians conscripted into service, no special abilities except a few years of training to handle a weapon. And when they died, there was a notice sent to the family, delivered to their hands by another soldier. That as soon as you saw them walk up the lane, you knew what was happening. The body was returned later, but that notice was more of a sign than any ninja ever got.

There was no such thing in the ninja countries. When a shinobi or kunoichi died, their remains were usually destroyed. There was no sympathetic ninja coming to the front door to explain what happened to a loved one. It was understood that a ninja could die at any time, that usually there wasn't anything left to mourn. Who would they send out? Genin wouldn't understand the gravity of their words yet, and anyone higher would be so hardened from losing their own comrades that the words they used wouldn't be any comfort at all.

Now that Naruto was preparing to be the Hokage, he would be sending the people he swore to protect off on life threatening missions, and he wondered what their loved ones would think. He never knew what it was like, he could never compare it to anything. He may have respect now, but respect isn't love and it isn't acceptance.

Uchiha Sasuke had a childhood much like the adulthood Naruto lived now. Respect, admiration and practically an entire village looking up to him. But there was pity with the respect, false words and empty promises with the extended hand of so-called friendship. It wasn't until he actually saw Uzumaki Naruto and was forced on a team with him, did he finally meet someone that saw him for who he was.

There was no respect or admiration between the two at the time. There was no trust or caring or friendship. It took a while to build into anything stable, but the bond of seeing the other as they were was the start. It wasn't until Sasuke almost died for Naruto that the bond was silently acknowledged. It wasn't until Naruto almost died because of Sasuke that the friendship was voiced out loud. But even with the scars from the past, the more respectful and friendly looks he received from the people around him now--Sasuke was the still the person he trusted most.

It was years later that Sasuke came back, years before he was trusted and made a 'working' member of the community and that status was gained only a few months before Naruto would become Hokage. It was at that time that Sasuke was under consideration as Naruto's assistant and bodyguard. When questioned about it, Naruto simply shrugged at the complaints and questions.

Sasuke was an Uchiha and his family was once the 'police force' of Konoha. He was Naruto's friend and who better to guard the Hokage then the one that knew him best?

And so it went…

~

"You know, idiot-they're not going to go for this." Sasuke leaned across the table, raising an eyebrow at Naruto's stubborn look. "It's not like your words are going to erase everything bad, just because you're going to be the Hokage."

Naruto shrugged at that. He'd pretty much come to terms with what happened in the past. Enough time had passed, enough had happened--he didn't want to dwell on it and he knew, with no uncertainty, that he trusted Sasuke with everything he had. He always trusted Sasuke, always knew why Sasuke did certain things. Even when Sasuke was trying to kill him, Naruto knew why and that was why he searched so hard to find Sasuke again.

"I trust you." He said simply. "And that's what matters, right?" Naruto didn't really care so much about idiots that had no idea about what went on years ago.

"That's not going to be good enough for people, Naruto." Sasuke had been back for two years now, but he still got uncertain looks from people on the street. His sentence of house arrest in a small room--not quite a jail cell-was lifted a year ago and now Naruto wanted to make him the bodyguard to the Hokage? It didn't matter that he was an ANBU, even though the Godaime had graced him with that rank herself, but being the personal bodyguard of the most important ninja in the Fire Country was a completely different story.

"Look, you're an ANBU." Naruto unintentionally voiced Sasuke's thoughts. "Tsunade-baa-chan and a bunch of other people approved it and you're part of Konoha again. You killed Orochimaru and gave some bullshit story about going undercover for all these years so that you could take care of the threat. I know better, but I also don't care at this point. The past is in the past, you've gotten over your quest for 'ultimate killing power' and you've already satisfied your goal of ripping off Itachi's weasely little head and avenging your family."

Sasuke knew that Naruto would always be stronger than him in terms of chakra--there simply was no competition when it came to a limitless supply of demon-supplied chakra, but there would always be an ever-lasting rivalry between the two of them. Sasuke had completed his goals with the power he had. But to hear Naruto say it in such bland terms…

Sasuke couldn't help but stare at Naruto for a few moments, brain trying to process the rush of matter of fact words Naruto calmly tossed out around a mouthful of ramen. He wasn't sure he could form a response to that, especially with the comment about Itachi's 'weasely little head'. Naruto noticed the look on his face and smirked.

"Unlike most of the people in Konoha." He drawled as he threw his trash away. "I've always known what a messed up, anti-social, stuck up bastard you were. So you acting the same way you did back when we were twelve--minus the power hungry bastard part--doesn't surprise me. I trust you, moron, get over it."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I still say you're going to have problems with this." He insisted. "Don't start off your Hokage career by trying to recruit one of the least-trusted nin in Konoha. It won't bode well for the rest of your career."

"You're just upset 'cause it means you're just that much more desirable to the fangirl population." Naruto snickered and pushed Sasuke ahead of him as they walked out the door, on their way for Naruto to visit with Tsunade. He had to formally announce Sasuke as his bodyguard, so that the Uchiha could go through his own version of training.

"Hardly." Sasuke stood perfectly still and smirked at the silent swearing Naruto gave for running into Sasuke. "If you haven't noticed, most of my 'fangirls', as you call them, have already set their sights on other guys."

"Not all of them--most of the female population of our village was in love with you at some point, or were you too blind to notice that?" Naruto asked. "I mean--it wasn't just fangirls or whatnot. It was you and your name and everything about you that made you desirable to males and females." Naruto shook his head in disgust. "Trust me, there won't be a great deal of fuss over you being my bodyguard. If anything, there'll be questions as to 'why isn't Uchiha the Hokage instead.'"

There wasn't any bitterness in Naruto's tone at the last statement, just a sort of amused, self-resignation at a fact that had long ago been established.

Sasuke shook his head at Naruto's continued thick-headed ways of thinking. "It was our generation that wanted you in the office, and a bunch of old whiners from the Yondaime's time aren't going to make that much of a difference." The glare he gave Naruto was a sign that was nicest thing he was going to say.

Naruto looked a little astonished at hearing so many nice words coming out of Sasuke's mouth, but let it go for the moment. Why turn away something nice just because the shock of it all practically knocked you on your rear? When he was younger, he cared about the opinions of other people--if only to have them see him as a human--but deep down, he knew that Sasuke's opinion was the one that mattered the most. Sasuke had always treated him like a human being.

Sasuke continued, pretended that he was oblivious to Naruto's astonishment "You earned your position, so stop doubting yourself, idiot." He looked vaguely uncomfortable and his next words were low spoken and almost rushed. "And I believe that you belong there, so shut up about it already." Tossing Naruto's words back in his face in a slightly different fashion never hurt. If Naruto could say that he believed Sasuke deserved the position of bodyguard, then Naruto deserved the position of Hokage. No matter what the villagers said.

Naruto opened his mouth to retort, but he knew it was a losing argument, because anything he said would either be detrimental against his earlier argument, or a direct bashing to his character, neither of which he wanted to do. He gave it one last try.

"So if you believe in me, believe that I trust in you." Naruto didn't wait for Sasuke to reply as he hurried ahead of him. He had a small smile on his face, knowing that he won the argument for the moment.

As they arrived at the Hokage Tower, the ANBU on duty nodded politely to both Sasuke and Naruto, something Naruto wasn't used to quite yet. He wasn't officially Hokage yet, but he did carry on many of the duties. Tsunade had been all too happy to dump loads of paperwork on Naruto, claiming that it was 'good for him' to get used to it. He had grumbled at first, but only when they were alone and no one could take it as a sign that he wasn't serious about his duties as Hokage. He, just like Sasuke, had to show a certain image to those that saw him.

~

Tsunade and Shizune were the only ones in the office when Naruto and Sasuke entered it, and the Godaime looked up from a report she was filing to nod at Naruto. "So, you convince him yet, brat?" She asked, turning immediately back to the report after she acknowledged their presence.

Sasuke snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't see why Naruto is so adamant about having me as his bodyguard. You would think that if I resent the position, I won't be as effective as one who actually wants the job."

Tsunade looked up, a knowing smirk on her face. "Oh, I know you'll do a good job, Uchiha. You're too damn arrogant to let anything get past you if you got the job. That and the fact that Naruto is someone you care about…"

There was no evidence of Sasuke's reaction to the words, other than a raised eyebrow. "I see." He said dryly. "And the fact that I once tried to kill Naruto has no bearing on the matter." He glanced at Naruto, who just gave him a steady look in return. "You're both idiots." He muttered. "But--I will accept the position. No one else knows the moron quite like I do."

"Hey, that's the future Hokage you're talking about!" Naruto shouted, shoving a finger into his chest. "You should be more respectful of me, especially if you're going to be my bodyguard." He turned back towards the desk when Tsunade gave a snort of amusement. "What?" He asked suspiciously, eyes narrowed at the amusement on her face.

"You think that your bodyguard gives you respect?" She asked, her lips twitching as she looked at Shizune. "They're too damn pushy for their own good, because they think that they can take better care of you than you yourself can." She shook her head. "Be prepared for a lot of backtalk, Naruto. Sasuke'll be the only one that can really do that to you."

Sasuke's look could only be read as smug. "I think I'm liking this position more and more." He drawled out as Naruto shot him a look. "You hear that, Naruto? I know how to take care of you."

"I'll still be the Hokage." Naruto pouted, arms crossed over his chest. "I don't have to listen to you. If the old hag listened to Shizune every time she went out to gambling towns, she'd be richer than all of the lords of all of the countries put together." It was a little known fact that the kages got so caught up in taking care of their country, t hat they forget to take care of themselves.

Now Shizune was the one hiding a smile as Tsunade pointed a finger at Naruto. "Watch it, brat--you're not the Hokage yet. I'm still in office." It was an empty threat--the only thing left to make Naruto the Rokudaime was for the whole passing-of-title ceremony that would occur the next month. There, the shinobi would swear fealty, he would swear to protect them--and Sasuke would swear a more formal oath as personal bodyguard.

Naruto just gave her a cheeky grin. "You know you love me, 'baa-chan." She scowled and mimed punching him. "Anyways--I brought Sasuke here 'cause Shizune has to explain to the bastard about what his real duties will be…" He smiled and rubbed the back of his head. "And I know that you want a break and I have some paperwork of my own to do."

She nodded at him, and was pleased by the serious expression his face took on as she handed him a scroll. "Look over that--and I'll get Shizune and Sasuke set up in the back room for the training." Her smile could almost be called sadistic. "He'll be busy for the rest of the day, just like you."

Naruto groaned and Shizune dragged Sasuke away. Both wondered what they were getting into. Not the Hokage and bodyguard so much--but the way each position would make them relate to the other. They would both take their job seriously, there wasn't any doubt about that--but Naruto knew that it would change some things.

He hoped it would only be for the better.

~

"Naruto-sensei!" Sasuke stopped and turned with Naruto when a kid came running up, eyes brightening as he caught sight of Naruto. "I told ya we'd be back before the big ceremony."

Naruto grinned widely at that, ruffling the younger kid's hair. "Heh--I wasn't surprised. Didn't you promise me? I know that you'd keep your promise." Naruto turned towards Sasuke, who looked slightly surprised at hearing 'sensei' attached to Naruto's name. He knew of course that Naruto had trained a genin team, but it was one thing to know and another thing to see the evidence with his eyes.

Naruto kept on hand on the kid's head and then turned to Sasuke. "This is Mika--I told you about him and his team members. First and best team I ever led." Sasuke nodded in acknowledgment, not sure how to act around a child--even though Mika technically wasn't a child anymore. There was a sharpness about his gaze, the way he held himself and observed Sasuke that spoke of the training he had. He was never really a child, but a shinobi.

Still--there was an innocence about him that said all too easily that he never had the life he and Naruto shared. He cleared his throat and introduced himself. "I'm Sasuke." He said shortly. "I was on Naruto's team when we were twelve."

Mika's eyes widened briefly, then a small smile appeared on his face. "Naruto-sensei told me all about his best friend and the stuff they did as a team, but I don't believe half of it. Did you really have an A-class mission when you were only twelve? And you were able to pull it off? Naruto-sensei is great and all--" A pause and a cheeky grin aimed towards Naruto. "But sometimes he exaggerates."

Sasuke snorted and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, the dobe is full of it all of the time--but he was telling the truth about that. I saved his ass, though. I bet he didn't tell you that." He aimed his smirk towards Naruto. "Ran right into a trap to save his ungrateful self."

Mika shook his head. "Nah, he told us all about that. Part of his lesson of 'take care of your teammates' cause they're more important than you think." Naruto was steadfastly ignoring Sasuke's questioning gaze on that one, and Mika--oblivious to the tension between the two of them, went on. "He said that your team is your family and you have to take care of them as such."

"Naruto's team was his family." Even Sasuke didn't expect himself to say that and there was a weird silence for a moment before he continued, figuring that with the words already out, there was nothing left but to continue the thought. "Mine, too." He admitted. "So yes--taking care of your teammates is the most important thing for you to remember." He paused and couldn't help a smirk as he changed the subject. "So who got tied to the log?"

At the dark blush that spread across Mika's face, Sasuke had his answer without it being voiced out loud, and Naruto snickered. "Now, Sasuke--" He said with a grin. "You know that those that get tied to the log turn out the best."

Mika straightened up at that, and it was clear that even though Naruto was no longer his teacher, he still looked up to him. "Yeah--that's right." He said, arms crossed over his chest and Sasuke was suddenly reminded of a twelve-year-old Naruto who tried to take on the world on his own. "Hey, we got front row seats to the whole inauguration thing, right? Cause we were your only team?"

Naruto nodded seriously. "You'll be up as far as I can get you." He promised. His gaze wavered between Mika and Sasuke. "You know--Sasuke here is going to be my top bodyguard." His voice was that perpetual teasing-almost-serious tone that Naruto never quite grew out of. "Do you think he's up to it?"

Sasuke's expression didn't change so much as a flicker, but he was curious as to what an outsider would say about him--a child that didn't grow up in the same world he and Sasuke did, but probably heard all manner of rumors and truths about the Uchiha.

The kid pretended to ponder, eyes squinching up as he gazed everywhere but Sasuke, before settling down with a smirk. "I think that you can." He drawled. "Naruto-sensei trusts you and always said good things about his teammates, so I guess it's okay." He suddenly scowled. "But if you screw up at all or try and hurt him--I'll make sure you pay for it."

"You and all of Konoha." Sasuke muttered under his breath. He raised his voice when he directed it towards Mika. "Naruto is the only person I really care about." He said bluntly. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect him." His gaze was deadly serious and Mika found himself wanting to back away from it. "From anything that tries to harm him in any way."

Both ignored the way Naruto's face darkened with a blush, not used to people being so damn protective over him. Sure, he was going to be Hokage--and…well, he'd grown rather close to his team and enjoyed hanging out with them still… but--to have two people glaring at each other as if they suspected the other was going to do him harm; it was almost laughable. He couldn't hold back any longer. Sasuke having a staring contest with a fourteen year old was just too funny.

"Now I know what it's like to be you, Sasuke." Naruto's mouth twitched with suppressed laughter. "You're glaring at each other like you're a bunch of fangirls."

By the glares directed his way, neither one of them appreciated the comment. Naruto just snickered and shrugged, the bright grin ever-present on his face. "Aww, it just shows that you care." His tone was joking, but the expression on his face showed that he appreciated it, no matter how the words were phrased.

And Mika and Sasuke knew Naruto well enough to leave it alone--for now.

~

There was another reason why Naruto wanted Sasuke as his bodyguard. Not just because he trusted him--because personal feelings aside and all, he did have to give that job to the person that was strongest and most able to watch over the Hokage. And deal with all the paperwork and other duties that entailed being the personal assistant as well as bodyguard.

He cared for Sasuke. Not just as a friend or rival or teammate. He …really cared for him. He knew it before Sasuke left for Sound, left him alone and half dead--but he didn't really acknowledge or believe it at that time. It wasn't until he was older and Sasuke came back and Sasuke looked at him and with almost-normal eyes that he let himself believe the truth of it.

And so he wanted to keep Sasuke near him, and not anyone else. He wouldn't tell Sasuke anything of course; and Naruto was a master of hiding what he really felt. Always with a bright smile or angry looks that hid how he really felt inside. This situation wouldn't be anything different. As long as Sasuke was by his side, he would be happy.

But if fate decided to lend a hand and present a situation that would make them 'more than friends', he wouldn't protest at all.

If he got impatient, though--(and he fast was)--he would just have to make that situation for himself. But he would wait until after the ceremony for that. After all, Sasuke couldn't avoid Naruto or try to kill him after he swore to protect him.

~

It was oddly surreal, sitting behind the Hokage's desk, wearing the robes of office that he dreamt about since he was a young kid. Having the entire village spread out before him, face upturned and acknowledging him as their Hokage, putting their trust in him, that he would be the one to protect them. It was a long way from when he was the scapegoat of the village.

He wanted to protect these people, he wanted to prove himself and show everyone that he was capable and strong and responsible--but he didn’t want to be stuck in the office all day or just in a private training ground. He had strong childhood memories of the Sandaime always walking around town, visiting the academy, helping people out. Naruto was determined to do the same thing. Tsunade was always in her office, and frankly--she intimidated a lot of people. He didn't want to be like that. He had too much of that growing up, and not in a pleasant way.

He only hoped that he would one day earn the same respect the Sandaime did, the love of the people that the Yondaime gained, and the same admiration that the people of Konoha and Fire Country held for all the previous Hokage, including their most recent, Tsunade.

The ceremony itself went rather smoothly--and he would have to file away the memory of Sasuke swearing his loyalty to Naruto; to know that the Uchiha would be his bodyguard and personal assistant and would always be there. Naruto privately thought that the Hokage had a personal assistant to keep them from going insane.

"Dobe." There was no inflection in the tone and it was slightly muffled, but there was only one person that would call him that, since Iruka-sensei used it only once.

Naruto looked up at the familiar voice and familiar insult, and scowled. "You know, you could take the mask off around me. It's not like I or the rest of the village is in the dark about who you are. It's only when you're on missions outside of the village that you wear the mask."

A gloved hand reached up and pulled off the mask, holding it loosely in one hand. "I'd rather not announce my presence throughout the village at this moment, Naruto. You're newly interred as the Hokage. We don't need to create any problems."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "I doubt anyone in the village will try to kill me right away, Sasuke." He said dryly. "I know I wasn't well liked in the past, but I am able to help myself if something comes at me. Other than that, the majority of people that were after my ass in the past are dead."

Now it was Sasuke's turn to scowl. "No one better be after your ass, Uzumaki." He muttered, settling down in the chair beside Naruto's desk. "I'll personally kick theirs if they tried anything." Sasuke rubbed at his eyes, obviously exhausted from the forced training he'd been made to go through, so that he'd be ready by the ceremony. It had to be the only reason for Sasuke's unaccustomed words. He almost sounded as if he were defending a lover, not his friend and Hokage.

Naruto knew better than to voice that particular observation out loud, however. "Look, Sasuke--I'll be fine. We have a few meetings to attend to today and I'll have reports to fill out and mission assignments to look over--then a diplomatic session with the other kage from the different countries since I'm the new kage for the Fire Country--but it won't be too bad."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're up for such…thought-provoking work, Naruto?" He asked with a slight smirk on his face. "I mean--all those diplomats that are surely smarter than you are…I could mouth the words to you, but that might be a bit obvious in a room full of shinobi."

Naruto stood up and glared at him. "Who said you're going to be there?" He demanded. "I don't need your help, Sasuke. I had plenty of training for this and I'm a lot smarter than you realize."

"Dobe--I'm your bodyguard." Sasuke pointed out with infuriating calm. "I have to accompany you to your meetings and diplomatic sessions because you are the Hokage and a guard is required at all times."

"I don't want people to think I'm weak." Naruto said softly, looking out the window at the entire village spread out beneath them. "I worked too hard to get to this position Sasuke. I'm strong and I want to protect everyone. And…" He turned around and met Sasuke's surprised gaze. "…I need you there to support me with that."

Sasuke sighed and rested his hand briefly on Naruto's shoulder. "Why do you think I'm there for you?" He asked simply. "You're not alone anymore, Naruto."

~

It was only after the last kage went home, the last paper filed and all the missions sorted into their appropriate class that Sasuke realized that Naruto hadn't eaten all day. Granted, there hadn't been much time to do so--Tsunade had warned them that the first month or so was going to be hell. She also pulled Sasuke aside and said that even if he had to pour food down Naruto's throat, he would make sure that the new Hokage ate something or else he would burn himself out from all the work.

The problem was that he wasn't used to looking after people. Not while he was growing up, not when he was on a team, and certainly not when he was a missing-nin and living in Sound.

But Naruto was different, always had been. Even when they were barely teammates he wanted to protect him. Even when he was so lost in his grief and betrayal and anger, he realized the potential that Naruto possessed, and when he got older he wanted to make sure that dream Naruto always carried with him was realized. Sasuke achieved his goals, but at a heavy price.

And to repay Naruto for all that he did for Sasuke, he would make sure that Naruto didn't have to shoulder the same burden. If part of that was being nice and actually showing his concern for the blond idiot every once in awhile, then so be it. He didn't have to make a habit of it, after all--but something a little more caring than the occasional pat on the shoulder should suffice.

After all, bodyguard and best friend to the Hokage or not--he was still Uchiha Sasuke and had a reputation to maintain. Although some days he wondered why he even bothered…with having no interest in the multitude of girls that still followed him around, there was hardly any point.

Maybe it was just habit.

~

"You're not doing anymore reports tonight or leaving until you eat something." Sasuke stood in front of the door stubbornly. "You're going to make yourself sick if you keep this up. And I don't mean eat that three minute, imitation noodle crap that you ate all the time growing up. If you want ramen, eat at the stand--at least it's more filling than the store-bought crap."

"You have to let me out to eat something." Naruto's tone was just as stubborn. "You can't block the doorway all night, Sasuke--and you can't prevent me from doing my work. It's important. I'm the Hokage and I can't ignore my duties." He paused. "Cup ramen was just fine for me in the past. I grew up okay, didn't I?" He challenged. "Alive, fit--healthy and strong enough to be Hokage?"

Sasuke noticed that Naruto was slightly pale, but also knew that Naruto would drop from exhaustion before he'd neglect anything. Stupid, overkill movements as always. The idiot never changed, even when the circumstances did.

"You have to take better care of yourself now that you're Hokage, Naruto." Sasuke continued mercilessly. "And part of my job is making sure you're taken care of, that you don't get hurt--even if it's your own stupidity that's screwing up your body." Black eyes were flat and unmovable with Sasuke's glare. "And even if I have to shove something down your throat, you will eat something fairly healthy."

Naruto opened his mouth, prepared to retort, then shut it again. "Only if I can eat it while doing these reports, Sasuke. These are really important--and you don't know." Naruto's eyes were troubled. "I have to be two times better, work that much harder than anyone that came before me, just so that I'll be equal in their eyes."

"Equal?" Sasuke's brows shot up in surprise. "What happened to your 'surpassing every other Hokage that came before me' speech?"

Naruto blinked at him. "You…remember those exact words?" He faltered, and stared at the ground for a moment. "It's…it's enough to be seen strong enough, good enough…for their Hokage. I just have to do so much… " He shook his head at Sasuke's rapidly darkening expression and hastened to explain.

"I want to do so much for them, Sasuke. It's been my dream for so long, ever since I realized what being the Hokage meant. They're counting on me. I have so many good examples before me. The Shodaime and Nidaime that created Konoha…the Sandaime who watched over us and fought for us…" He sighed and his eyes flicked up to the pictures on the wall. "Tsunade-baa-chan and …and my father." The last was said in a whisper.

Sasuke made a slight 'hm' sound. "The Yondaime, right?" He asked, looking up at the picture, then back at Naruto. "You have a lot to live up to, sure--" He pointed out, agreeing with Naruto's valid points. "But they also taught you a lot and there isn't anything saying that you can't repeat the lessons they taught. Obviously a lot of people thought you were ready for this, and overworking yourself won't prove anything to those too stupid to let go of the past."

When Naruto continued to stare at him, Sasuke scowled. "So that means put the paperwork down for a moment and eat the meal that I have set up in your room." His expression softened for a moment. "I can take care of the paperwork for tonight, Naruto. Go eat. You'll be as useless as you were at twelve years old if you keep this up."

"I was never useless at twelve years old!" Naruto protested, but the moment was over and he gave in. There were some things that he hadn't grasped yet, like someone being there to pick up things when he wasn't able to, to count on someone always being there to take care of him, so that he could take care of those that depended on him.

He could get used to this…even if it took a long time, he might even be able to trust and enjoy it. And as he bit into a freshly made onigiri, he smiled. The food was better than he ever had, and even if the company lectured and grunted a lot, Sasuke was still the person he wanted always by his side.

~

It was a few months later when things settled and things started running more smoothly. There was a new group of students training at the academy, and Naruto had checked and double checked his reports, making sure that he had time to go visit the students. It had always been a plan of his to make his presence known (in a positive way) to the residents of Konoha, and especially impress upon the new academy students just how important being a shinobi was.

It had been a few years since he'd really been inside the academy. He'd never really had to go through it when he was training his team, and he found he missed the classrooms that made such a phenomenal difference in his life. Sasuke was by his side, as always, as he walked through the familiar hallways until they paused by a classroom door.

Naruto flashed Sasuke a grin. "Look familiar?" He asked, eyes brightening as he rested his hands behind his head. The hat was in the office--Naruto privately thought he looked kind of stupid with it on--and since he wasn't on official business, he didn't need it. But he still looked like the Hokage, a fact which surprised Sasuke a bit. He didn't remember when the change occurred. For a long time, he was just Naruto, but now he was the Rokudaime as well, and it showed. He chose to wear the one gift that Jiraiya graced him with--a coat that was similar to what the Yondaime wore when he was Hokage. Apparently, he and his father held the same distaste for how stupid the hat looked, and something that wasn't full, encompassing robes suited them better.

The room was still empty except for Iruka-sensei, who knew all about this visit. The students would be showing up shortly, but none of them knew that the Hokage would be there today. Naruto knew there would be at least one student showing up before anyone else, talking to the teacher or trying to get the best seat. He was always early, but only because he wanted to learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible.

"Naruto, Sasuke!" Iruka stepped forward from writing something on the board, then paused, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I guess I should say Hokage-sama, right?" He laughed and shook his head. "It's a little hard to get used to."

Naruto laughed at that. "Nah, it's okay, Iruka-sensei…" At Sasuke's not-so-discreet cough behind the mask, Naruto scowled and faced him. "And what's your problem this time?" He demanded. He and Sasuke got into arguments constantly about what was appropriate and what wasn't appropriate, how he should act or what he should eat--and in the midst of all those arguments was real concern and somewhat kindness.

There was usually a reason these days for Sasuke to bitch at Naruto for something that he did or didn't do.

"You have to still act the part, Naruto. Even when you're around old friends." With the mask on, Naruto couldn't see Sasuke's expression, but there was something there that hinted at almost-regret, although it was well hidden under scorn.

Iruka's expression and tone were more openly regretful. "He's right, Na….Hokage-sama." He said quickly, quickly giving a bright smile. "I bet it was strange for Jiraiya-sama to call his student Yondaime or Hokage-sama." He patted Naruto on the shoulder. "Maybe when we're alone and hanging out with just friends, hmm?" He asked quietly, seeing the hurt in Naruto's eyes. "Not in here, thought. The students will be here soon and you have to show them how much respect you are supposed to receive."

"I understand." Naruto murmured, and his smile dimmed a moment as he saw the solid proof of why some people would treat him distantly on the street. Tsunade had explained it to him--that he was in a 'position of power' and that position demanded 'high respect' and he had to present an image that would earn that respect. That was part of the reason why Naruto wanted to visit with the students. So they could see that he was someone they could come to with their problems and questions; someone they could trust as a person, not just as the Hokage.

Naruto waved it off a moment later, hopping onto one of the seats. "Haha, Sasuke--you have to remember this, if you remember some words I said so long ago." He perched easily on one of the desk, his smile wide as if the previous conversation never happened. "You can't tell me you forget our first kiss!"

It was at that moment, the first group of kids decided to walk in the classroom. Iruka shook his head and Sasuke gave a snort of disgust, but his lips were twitching behind the ANBU mask he wore. Trust Naruto to give the wrong impression of the Hokage right off….

The kids stared for a moment, their eyes flicking from Iruka, to Sasuke to finally rest on Naruto. They saw the Hokage around town, they knew the significance of the ANBU bodyguard, and so it wasn't hard to put the pieces together that the man sitting on the desk, swinging his legs and smiling cheerfully was the Rokudaime of Konoha.

And kids being kids, they immediately jumped on the words they accidentally came in on. "Oooh, you kissed your bodyguard?" One piped up. "Are you two together…ya know what I mean by that, right?" "I think they'd look cute together!"

Naruto's face flushed as the stream of comments came in. "Ehehe… well, my bodyguard and I are best friends--um… and that kiss was a mistake from when we were twelve." His look turned sly. "Haven't you ever accidentally kissed someone?" He asked, teasing the boy nearest to him and regaining his composure.

The kid flushed and mumbled something that Sasuke didn't quite catch, but had Naruto ruffling his hair and chuckling. "Hey, it's okay to admit that--I still have crushes on people and look at me--" He crossed his eyes. "Getting older every day."

"You really like your friends, don't you?" The boy gave him a serious look. "I don't believe in accidental kisses. If you're a ninja, then you're supposed to have good balance or he could have evaded you." Arms crossed over his chest, it seemed that the kid was determined to decide that life-changing decision for Naruto.

Naruto gave an embarrassed laugh at that. "Eh… it wasn't exactly easy to avoid. I was staring at ol' crab-face and he was glaring at me, and then--wham! Some kid decided to wave his arms about and knocked me smack right into him."

"But it was a kiss and not a … like…painful smack in the face or whatever?" Sasuke was glad that the mask hid his face, because the little brat was too observant for his own good. What were they teaching little kids these days? If Naruto figured out that the kiss was intentional--for all that he acted as if was as disgusting to him as it was to Naruto…some bright-eyed, too-smart-for-his-own-good ninja-wannabe figured it out from an overheard comment.

Naruto blinked at that, nodding slowly. "It… it was a kiss…" He snickered suddenly and jumped off the desk. "Heh--believe what you want, but I'm not here so you can dissect my past with my friends. I'm here to teach you about how important it is to be a shinobi, and the skills you need to excel at your job." His lips turned up in an amused smirk. "And I can already see you use some of those skills. Observing and piecing together information with little or no knowledge of a situation is an excellent skill for a shinobi to have…"

Sasuke kept silent the entire so called lesson, smiling behind his mask. He and Naruto would have a talk after the class was over, when they were back in the office and things calmed down a bit. Something about the expression on Naruto's face gave him the incentive to do so.

~

"Wow, those kids were so… noisy!" Naruto said with a happy grin. "All those questions and accusations…." He shook his head. "But.. they're determined and smart and I think most of them will make it really far. They're dedicated, Sasuke. They've grown up in a time where they know and see how important being a shinobi is. Just like us." Naruto was clearly pleased.

Sasuke snorted as he hooked the ANBU mask on his belt. "Yeah, they figured out a lot, didn't they?" He asked flatly, giving Naruto a direct stare. He was hoping that he read Naruto right, that the blond intended the kiss just as much as he did. If he accused Naruto first, then his follow up confession wouldn't be as much of a surprise.

Naruto flushed and turned his eyes away, just as Sasuke expected him to do. "I… yeah--can't believe they said all that stuff, just by overhearing a conversation. I guess kids think they know a lot more these days, huh? I don't think even I was such a smartass at that age."

"Don't flatter yourself, dobe. You were never very observant, and always dense as a brick." He sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. Naruto was dense and wouldn't pick up a hint if something tied it to a rock and hit him upside the head. "We need to talk."

Naruto froze, eyes widening. Maybe he could take a hint. Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Calm down, dobe. It's nothing bad. I just…" He gave a grunt of frustration at his lack of being able to articulate. "I just don't know how to phrase it."

Sighing, Naruto walked over and stared Sasuke in the eye, his expression determined. "I'm not as dumb as you think I am." He said fiercely. "You're bothered that I treated it like a real kiss, aren't you?" He demanded. "That I …."

"If I didn't treat it like a real kiss, I wouldn't have returned the favor at the Valley of the End." Sasuke snapped, the words coming out before he really thought of them.

Naruto stared at him for a few minutes, before screwing up his face in confusion. "You kissed me after you almost killed me?" He demanded. "Like… tore a hole in my chest and chidori and second level and all that?" Naruto laughed and shook his head. "You're such a weirdo, Sasuke. Why didn't you say anything before?"

Sasuke returned the stare. "You're… you don't mind?" He asked, confused as well. "I kissed you while you were practically dead, and you …" He growled and ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "First accepting me back as a friend, and then as your bodyguard and now you say that you don't mind that I kissed you when we were twelve?"

Naruto shrugged and gave him a direct look. "No, I don't." He said calmly. "Are you going to start regretting it now? The past is full of too many regrets, Sasuke. I want to stick to what's possible in the future."

And with Naruto's welcoming smile and the offer in his eyes, Sasuke couldn't help but wonder what else could be possible for them in the future. What changes lie ahead and just how close of a relationship he would finally be allowed to have with Naruto.

"I hope you're not expecting any stupid, mushy love confessions or anything." Naruto said, even as he pulled Sasuke close to him and moved their faces closer together. "We're not like that, either of us. I don't really trust it still, and if you still have the same stick up your ass that you did all those years ago, it's going to take a while for you to trust as well."

Sasuke snorted at that, moving his hand behind Naruto's head and pressing their lips together, the first 'real' kiss, the one that they both willingly agreed on, almost as inelegant as their first. There was more finesse about it, but just as little experience. And neither one of them liked showing that level of inadequacy of any skill to the other.

But practice makes perfect, after all…

~

Hiko was proud to say, years later, that he spotted the connection between the Rokudaime and his bodyguard from the moment he first saw them and heard the story about the 'accidental' kiss. He didn't know how long it took for them to say anything to each other, but five years later, it was now obvious (and the relationship more openly shown) to everyone else.

Even when they argued and fought with each other, even when the Hokage hid from his bodyguard and was found later having a bowl of the 'forbidden' ramen in Ichiraku. Hiko--and most of the village— were certain that this combination in the Hokage office was one of the best yet.

Plus the money they got for 'returning' the Hokage to his unhappy bodyguard wasn't bad, either.