"Naruto, get him out of here!"

The blonde hesitated, even with the weight of one of his best friends against his back; even though he was this one's only hope.

"Now!" His team-mate yelled, flicking her pink hair out of her eyes. "Don't worry, we'll follow in a second! Just move as fast as you can, Sasuke's hurt!"

He nodded; after all, most of the Chunin and a few Jounin of Konahagakure were swarming Orochimaru's lair. Naruto was pretty sure he could get far enough away that when they evacuated Sasuke would be out of immediate danger.

Taking off with a burst of speed, he dodged back and forth, going first north, then east, before making a wide semi-circle northwest.

"Naruto..."

He flinched. Sasuke sounded oddly breathy. "Yeah?"

"Stop for a moment."

Naruto was torn. "We need to get farther away--"

"Just for a moment, please..."

Dammit! He slowed to a stop, kneeling on the forest floor.

"Let me down?"

He obliged, gently setting the raven-locked teen down.

Sasuke had matured more over the years MIA that he spent with Orochimaru. His body was leaner, more toned. But he still looked pale and tired. And his eyes had blood in them, from a final wound inflicted by Orochimaru above them.

Naruto leaned towards the other, asking, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Kyuubi disagreed. There was some part of Naruto that wanted to leave Sasuke here and go back and murder Orochimaru once or eleven times. The bastard's scent and presence covered Sasuke in the worst ways, which only fueled the anger in Naruto's eyes.

These thoughts were interrupted as Sasuke murmured, "You need to calm down. Anyone withing ten miles can sense your chakra."

With an aggravated and strained sigh, Naruto pressed down the kitsune. But he was still annoyed.

"Why are you such an ass?!" Naruto asked through bared teeth.

Sasuke found himself smirking. "Just because I make you look like an idiot--"

"Shut up!" Naruto grumbled.

The other chuckled. Somehow, he almost expected Naruto to have gotten better about his attitude.

Which only made Naruto huff, "Carry yourself home."

"You sure Sakura would allow that?" Sasuke returned.

The blonde grumped, "I don't care."

"Really?" Sasuke asked with mild surprise. "Why's that?"

Naruto didn't reply for a moment, then said, "We should keep moving. They'll be on top of us before long."

"...Right."

He started when Naruto grabbed his hands and set them on his shoulders. He realized this was because (since he was blinded) he wouldn't be able to find his way back to Naruto's... back...

Once he was resting against the blonde, Naruto stood and started on his way again.

As they approached the village, and consequently its inhabitants, Sasuke wondered how they would treat him from now on.

Then Naruto paused; "Sasuke."

"What?"

"I... I'm glad you're back."

The other, after a moment of surprised confusion, replied, "Yeah... Me too."