The Mark of Love

•The Return of Hope

October 10th, still Naruto's birthday.

Around noon that day, the boys were walking around the town, sightseeing and celebrating Naruto's birthday at the nearest bar.

Considering today was also the now 2 year anniversary of leaving the Hidden Leaf, Naruto couldn't help but reminisce.

"What do you think our lives would be like if we'd never been banned from the village?" Naruto asked, both of his hands holding the cup of saké Sasuke had bought him. He was looking into the liquid, right at his reflection.

Sasuke looked up at him and frowned, seeing that Naruto wasn't very happy at the moment. Though he thought about his response. "Happy, just like we are here." He offered with a smile, trying to cheer him up.

Naruto gave a halfhearted smile, glancing up at him before looking back down at his drink. "Yeah.."

"Do you want to... Try and go back? Maybe Kakashi has worked out your banishment by now." He said, he didn't really believe it but he knew it would make Naruto happier.

It did. Naruto looked up with wide eyes, "You really think so?" He asked with a bit of excitment.

Sasuke lied, nodding. "Yeah. We can pack up what we really need and go, incase they ask us to stay." He smirked. A part of him felt bad for possibly giving Naruto false hope, but he knew he had to try, and that felt right to him.

Naruto smiled. "I don't think that'll happen but... It's worth a shot?"

Sasuke agreed, finishing his own drink and paying for the check. "Let's go pack then."

Naruto gave his classic bright smile, blushing just a bit as he finished his drink as well.

~~~~~

The rest of the night they'd finished packing and returned to the small bar party to celebrate further. They got very drunk, and decided on a whim to begin their trip early.

Around 9pm, the two were drunkenly back on the road, carrying medium sized packs on their backs, and had already crossed into the Land of Fire, now on the only road that led in or out of Konoha.

"We haven't been jumped by the Anbu yet.. That has to be a good hic sign~" Sasuke slurred, though being extra cautious, despite their drunken stumbling, incase they tried to hit them with those darts again. They were even wearing special thick coats that covered from the top of their head with a hood, down to their ankles and almost brushing the ground.

"Yeah you're right.." Naruto added. A part of him was very happy to be walking towards his old home, though the other part was just as weary as Sasuke. He didn't want to experience that ever again.

~~~~~

As they approached Konoha's open gates around 11pm, they were stopped by the guard shinobi. Mostly sobered up by now but still drunk.

"Stop! Who are you? What business do you have here?" One of the voices shouted.

Naruto removed his hood, holding out his arms in a peaceful mannor. "It's me! Naruto Uzumaki!"

They could hear Naruto's name being mumbled between the guards. "Just wait there! Who's with you Naruto?" One of the guards asked, stepping out in front of them.

Sasuke pulled off his hood, standing close beside Naruto. Naruto held his arm in front of Sasuke protectively. "We're not here in bad blood. Please believe us." He told the guard infront of him. Sasuke stayed silent in fear of screwing everything up. They were both trying to act as sober as possible.