Naruto POV~

When Kurama's outside form faded, I turned toward the entrance of the cave. 

"So, are we going or not?" I asked, bouncing on the balls of my feet.

"Uh, yes. Yes, let's go."

I grinned. I could see that Tsunade was still taken aback by meeting Kurama, but this was a much better reaction than I expected, to be honest.

We made our way to the Hokage tower, again avoiding busy routes. When we entered the office, the three elders were there and waiting. They glared at me, and I just grinned back as a way of baring my fangs.

"So you've arrived." Danzo said.

"I've arrived." I raised an eyebrow, keeping a small, easy smile on my face.

Koharu spoke up, "Tsunade, we've decided on something."

"What would that be? If you've been discussing important matters behind my back, I'd rather know about them." Tsunade growled.

That doesn't sound good.

"We've agreed to let this brat's release go, on one condition."

"That wasn't the decision, if I recall." Tsunade clenched a fist. Not a great sign.

"We never exactly agreed, if I recall." Danzo said calmly. I would never show any sign of weakness in front of these three old hags, but my stomach fell into a pit just thinking about what  he was talking about.

"Anyways, it is known that, left untamed, the Kyuubi's power could be dangerous." Danzo continued, "So, we agreed that the three of us should also have some level of command over Naruto."

Kurama growled, his fury spilling out in his chakra. I narrowed my eyes at Tsunade. I know she was trying her best fighting for me, but it seems she hasn't fully convinced the council.

"What you said makes sense, in a way, Tsunade." Homura said, "But it doesn't make sense that he should only listen to you and not us, your advisors. Not giving us any authority at all -"

"Remember what I told you geezers?" Tsunade's eyes were squeezed shut, and she was basically trembling in rage, "If you try anything, I'll make sure you're the ones in a prison cell. That's what I said. Now, stop butting in and get the fuck out of my office!"

The three of them stayed silent, but they didn't move. Tsunade glared at them with that murderous glint in her eye.

Danzo sighed, "We'll say it again. I'm not letting this slide so easily, Tsunade. You've shown too much leniency for a Hokage. The least you can do is give us a bit of authority as well."

I glanced over at Tsunade. "I'd rather go back to my cell."

Tsunade growled, "Are you saying I'm not fit to be Hokage? Say it again and I'll have you thrown in the same cell I just got Naruto out of. I will not take away his rights as a human just so that a bunch of withering fools can take control of him."

"We are not seeking to control him." Danzo said, "But for him to listen to only you is absurd -"

"I listen to who I respect." I interrupted. All eyes turned to me. "People I respect include Tsunade,  Jiraiya, and Kakashi sensei. Even if Baa-chan agreed to give you any level of command over me, I would never do a single thing you tell me to, because I don't have a single drop of respect for the people who've been causing nothing but pain my entire life."

The room was silent. Danzo narrowed his eye, "For you to not show respect to your elders. You are quite a brat, you know that? If you are truly loyal to Konoha, you must have obedience towards -"

"That's enough, Danzo!" Tsunade yelled, kicking the door open, "Out, NOW!"

Scowling, the three elders shot me dirty looks and headed out. I inched away from the doorway, but that didn't stop Danzo from brushing up uncomfortably close to me.

"Watch what you say, Kyuubi brat." he whispered, "You are destined to be a weapon."

And then he left.

His words angered me more than they scared me. Kurama was practically roaring from within my mindscape. I felt a steely determination replace my fear.

'No matter what.'

"No matter what."

He will not control us.

Being Tsunade's bodyguard was boring.

I had to spend a lot of time just standing in her office doing nothing. When no one was in there, I could chill and do whatever, but her meetings were so fucking long.

Often times, she didn't really need me around, so I would spend that time training in the forest where no one goes. And apparently, she didn't want me staying in my apartment anymore because she got me a bedroom in the Hokage tower. The lock was a chakra seal that only she and I were permitted to open. I could imagine why.

I still talked to Kakashi-sensei and Pervy sage. I was glad to see them, but I couldn't see them often because Pervy sage had business outside the village (I could imagine what that involved) and Kakashi-sensei was frequently out on missions. I didn't interact at all with my old comrades, if I could still call them comrades. I avoided people, anyways, so I didn't really see anyone. 

Well, except for Sasuke.

It was kind of hard getting to him, but he finally was able to walk around without the ANBU watching him. At least I didn't have to worry about that.

But the last thing I wanted was to see the other genin (well, Shikamaru's a chunin, but whatever), and they were always flocking around Sasuke like fucking ants to bread. I spied on several more of their conversations in my attempts to get a moment alone to talk to Sasuke, but apparently they wanted to "help" him by showing him he wasn't "lonely?"

I don't think Sasuke liked that very much, considering how often he tried to get rid of them. Honestly, in their attempts to satisfy their own guilt, they were completely forgetting about Sasuke's feelings.

On yet another personal mission to catch a moment alone with Sasuke, I just happened to be listening in on one of their conversations. It was about me and him, as usual.

"You know, I heard Naruto has been released." Kiba said.

"Really?" Sakura asked. I scoffed from my perch hidden in the trees. Currently, they were all lounging around on one of the training grounds next to the forest, so I was able to spy on them quite easily. With my huge chakra reserves, masking my chakra was nearly impossible, but I was good enough at it that if Neji happened to use his Byakugan in my direction, he wouldn't see me. Probably.

"It's true." Shikamaru said. Of course he'd know, "He's been out of prison for a while now."

"How come we're just finding out about this?" Neji asked.

"The only reason he's been allowed to be released is because Tsunade-sama made him her personal bodyguard."

"Him? A bodyguard?" Ino gaped.

"He's more powerful than he seems. I know from experience." Kiba rubbed his head where I'm pretty sure I punched him during the fight in the forest. "I mean, even me, Shino, Hinata, Sakura, and Kurenai-sensei and Kakashi-sensei combined had trouble beating him. The only reason we could was because Hinata caught him by surprise and knocked him out with gentle fist."

"Well, if he's been released, how come we haven't seen him at all? Like, he wasn't there when I went for a mission report at Hokage-sama's office." Tenten said.

"I'm pretty sure he's not there 24-7. And I get the feeling he's avoiding us." Choji said.

"Why would he be avoiding us?" Ino snapped.

"Because you treated him like trash." 

Everyone stopped. It was the first time Sasuke spoke up that whole time. As soon as he did, he stood and began to walk away, saying, "You shouldn't expect him to forgive you immediately. Not after what you've done to him."

"Wait, Sasuke-kun, they didn't mean it like that -"

"I don't care what they meant." Sasuke glared, effectively shutting up Sakura, "Leave me alone. I'm done with you."

This time, nobody followed him as he walked into the forest.

This was the chance I was waiting for.

As quietly as I could, I followed him into the woods. As soon as we were far enough away from the others, I jumped down from the tree.

Sasuke turned. If he was surprised to see me, he didn't show it. He just smirked, "Looks like I didn't need to worry about getting you out of the cell."

I laughed, "Guess not."

Sasuke smiled softly. "I guess you were waiting to catch me alone, weren't you?"

"Heh." I punched him on the shoulder lightly, "How long did you know I was following you?"

"I noticed you a couple times before, but today I only sensed you after we'd gotten further from the others."

"Shit. I thought I was being sneaky."

"You were. I'm amazed."

"Sure you are."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I'm at least glad to see you aren't wearing that annoying jumpsuit anymore."

"Of course not. I'm done pretending." I pulled at my black hoodie. I was normally wearing plain colors now. I still wore a little orange, as shown with the orange shirt I was currently wearing, but now I also had on an unzipped black jacket and black shinobi pants and sandals. My hair was still spiky and untamed, but not quite as long as I had allowed it to get before. (AN ~ He looks better, kinda like Shippuden Naruto, with the hair and stuff)

Sasuke nodded. "I'm glad." he turned his head to the side as he scoffed, "I missed you, dobe."

I chuckled, "I missed you too."

"Yeah. Enough that you went on to stalk me for a week."

"Hey!"

Sasuke suddenly frowned, "I take it you heard what they said about you?"

I nodded, sighing. "It doesn't affect me anymore. Don't worry about me."

"Who said I was worried?"

"Teme. It's the most obvious thing in the world."

"Is not."

"Hell, I can just see it in your eyes -"

"No you can't."

"You're basically dripping in concern -"

"Usuratonkachi."

I pouted, crossing my arms, "That's not fair."

"Is too."

"Goddammit, Sasuke." I sighed, smiling in exasperation as I sat down against a tree, "Well, I just wanted to see how you were doing. And let you know how I was doing."

Sasuke sat down next to me. "Hn. Well, I'm good enough seeing you out of that fucking cell. Although I never would've said this a few months ago, you're the only person I want to see right now."

"I agree. I would definitely want to see me too."

Sasuke slapped me upside the head, "Shut up, dobe."

I grinned at his playful retort. Reminded me of a certain fox.

"I should get going soon. Tsunade would need me around for a few hours after her meeting."

"Hn. So you're a bodyguard now, huh?"

"Something like that."

Sasuke huffed, "I never imagined that would happen, but okay."

"Hey. I'm very well suited, dontcha think?"

"Nope."

"Aw. Why nottttt?"

"One thing that never changed about you," he poked a finger toward me, "you don't have an ounce of patience."

"He's got a point there."

"Tch." I crossed my arms, "I feel bullied."

"Dobe."

"You got nothing else to call me?"

"Speak for yourself."

We went back and forth like that, and I felt the warmth of acceptance spread throughout my chest again. More than anyone, I'm glad for Sasuke's friendship. He's the one I'm most grateful for.

I wouldn't even have noticed the people coming our way had Kurama not warned me.

"Naruto. The other brats are coming."

My sudden silence put Sasuke off. He was on guard instantly when he asked, "What's going on?"

"Kurama sensed the others coming."

"Kurama?"

"The Kyuubi."

Sasuke nodded in understanding. "That's impressive."

"I would rather not let them see me." I stood and brushed myself off, casually fake-saluting to Sasuke, "Meet here again tomorrow?"

Sasuke nodded, and I grinned, letting Kurama send his chakra coursing through my legs as I leapt through the trees.

"Where to now?"

I grinned wider, 'I think it's time we went to Ichiraku's.'

Sasuke POV~

The way Naruto communicated with the Nine-Tails so easily caught me off guard. Apparently, Kurama sensed the others and relayed this information to Naruto, allowing him to avoid meeting them.

Turns out he was on-point too. As soon as all traces of Naruto disappeared, the rest of the annoying people arrived. I stayed leaning against the tree. I didn't want to talk to these idiots. I miss Naruto already.

"Hi, Sasuke." Sakura said, "We wanted to apologize for earlier."

I didn't listen to her. I was more focused on how Neji was de-activating his Byakugan, and how Kiba and his dog were sniffing the air. I clenched my teeth. I hope they didn't notice that Naruto was here.

Neji kept his mouth shut and gave me a knowing look, which I was grateful for. At least not all of them were complete fools. 

Dogbreath, on the other hand...

"Hey, something smells familiar here." Kiba said.

"What do you mean?" Ino asked. Neji narrowed his eyes and looked away. 

Kiba pointed at me accusingly, "Was Naruto here recently?"

"Naruto?" Sakura squeaked, her irritating screechy voice only flaring my annoyance.

"I thought I told you to leave me alone." I said, not answering the question.

"You didn't answer the question."

"I'm under no obligation to tell you anything." I growled.

"We have a right to know!" Ino said.

"Do you?" I shot back, "Do you even have a right to call yourselves his friends?"

"Well, if he'd let us explain -"

"Do you have any idea," I interrupted, "what Naruto went through all his life? And when he needed them most, to have his comrades call him a demon? He doesn't ever have to talk to you again, if he doesn't want to! Not after that!"

In my anger, I had activated my Sharingan. It was only then that they finally backed off.

"We'll leave you be." Choji muttered.