Four Man Squads

[109th Star]

Sasuke was enjoying the newfound peace, until he heard his door open and someone enter. Sasuke looked to see who it was that entered the room, it was Obito.

"I'm sorely disappointed Sasuke." Obito said. "I was hoping you'd break yourself of this hatred."

"What do you care?" Sasuke shouted, "I lost everyone to him. He deserves to die. I will kill him."

"You think I didn't lose people to?" Obito asked. "I come from the Uchiha clan too, or have you forgotten? I lost my parents to him as well, my little brother. Yes, he should die, but I'm not going to go out of my way to kill him."

"Why not, you should be with me." Sasuke said, "We should be hunting him down."

"Because, I found something more important to me than revenge, Sasuke. I found another family. I have my wife and there's the friends I've made during my time in Konoha. You have these, too. Sakura truly loves you, you know that right? Otherwise, she wouldn't put up with all your crap. You also have a new brother, a younger one."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Naruto, Sasuke, I'm talking about Naruto. Haven't you noticed it? All this time, he's looked up to you. You're the one he wants to be like. You were **** near perfect in everything you've done, Sasuke. Naruto wants to, he strives to, be like you, as good as you. Remind you of anybody?"

Sasuke sat stock still. The situation perfectly described the relationship Sasuke had with Itachi before the betrayal. Sasuke looked down, trying to process everything that was going on.

"I see you've realized it, Sasuke. In this situation you're Itachi and Naruto is you. If you keep giving yourself to this hatred Sasuke, you will become like Itachi. Do you want that? Will you betray Naruto like Itachi betrayed you? There's only one thing that I can guarantee if that happens, Sasuke." Obito continued his lecture.

"What's that?"

"Itachi wins. He's ingrained in you this seed and wants it to grow. He wants to destroy your family not once but twice. He did it on his own the first time, but the second time will be even sweeter to him, for you will have destroyed your family of your own will. Fight him, Sasuke. Don't give Itachi the pleasure of stripping all of your family from you. I am here for you, and so are your teammates. I know you want to know why Naruto is so strong."

"It's because of the Kyuubi, I know that already."

"That's not it, Sasuke. Naruto is not powerful because of the Kyuubi, even though it helps. Naruto is powerful because of his friends. He fights not for himself, but others. Because of this, he is able to dig deeper within himself to draw out powers no one thought he had. This is a Konoha ninja's true strength, the strength of friendship."

Sasuke didn't reply as he reflected on Obito's words.

"I hope that you see that what I've said here is true." Obito continued, "Come see me when the doctors release you, there's much we need to discuss about you and your training. Have a good day, Sasuke. See you later." Obito concluded the conversation as he left the room.

Sasuke looked back out the window. He never even saw the four figures that had retreated from the rooftop across the street.

[109th Star]

Naruto was trying his best not to lose his patience. He knew how much this party meant to him, Hinata, and Hiashi, but this **** party was so boring. He had been meeting and greeting various dignitaries and influential people. He acted as Hinata had showed him, he was the perfect gentleman, but it was starting to grate on his nerves. He could see all the fake smiles everyone was giving to everyone else, and he hated it. It was thought the thing was nothing but an excuse for all of them to get together and lie to each other about this, that, and the other thing.

Suddenly, Naruto felt a soft touch on his shoulder. He turned to see Hinata giving him a small smile, as though she was encouraging him.

"You're doing fine, Naruto-kun." She whispered to him.

"Thanks, hime." Naruto replied, just as quiet. He looked around to see that, finally, he had met almost everyone there. He just hoped that he hadn't done anything that would be deemed shameful. With any luck the party would be over soon. Soon, Naruto saw a very familiar woman striding over to him.

"Hello, Naruto." Tsunade said as she approached the younger blond.

"Greetings, Hokage-sama." Naruto replied as he bowed to her, "It's nice to see you here."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world." Tsunade answered. She gave Naruto a sly wink. Naruto hoped that she wasn't planning on doing something rash.

"I'm truly glad you came. How is Shizune-san? I haven't seen her since we came back to the village." Naruto asked. He was just trying to make small talk now, he'd rather talk to Tsunade than anyone else there, except for Hinata, but she had her own rounds to make.

"Shizune is fine. However, between the paperwork and running the hospital, we are both a little overworked I think." Tsunade answered.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Naruto replied formally, "If there is anything I can do to help, let me know."

"I might take you up on that offer, Naruto. Where is your new father? I haven't seen him." Tsunade asked.

Naruto looked around, "I'm afraid I do not know, Hokage-sama. I haven't seen him in the past few minutes."

"Do you mind helping me look for him? I'm afraid I don't know my way around the Hyuga estates to well." Tsunade replied.

"I would be happy to. If you would follow me." Naruto said as he lead Tsunade to the door leading into the house from the courtyard. As soon as the door was shut and they were out of earshot, Naruto let out a large breath. "Thanks, I thought I was going to explode out there." Naruto said quietly, not wanting to take any chances.

"No problem, twerp." Tsunade responded, "I might actually take you up on helping with that paperwork, though. Anyway, I really do need to speak with Hiashi, I need him to help me going over the finalizations of the new treaty with Suna."

"He should be in the study, if I know him." Naruto replied, "Speaking of Suna, are Gaara and the rest of them still here?"

"Yes, they are still being detained until everything is finalized. Once it's done, they'll be released." Tsunade answered.

"Do you think I can see him?" Naruto asked hopefully, "I haven't got a chance to talk to him since I beat him outside of Konoha. I told him I'd be his friend, and I want to keep that promise. You know me, granny,

Tsunade chuckled, "I think I can work something out squirt." At that they reached the door to Hiashi's study. The door was open, and Hiashi was indeed sitting at his desk. "Thanks, Naruto. You have a party to go back to."

Naruto sighed, "Don't remind me. Later, Tsunade." Naruto turned and left to return to the party while Tsunade entered the study.
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A few hours after the end of the party, all the VIPs were heading back to where they had came from, and Naruto was with Hinata, Hiashi, and Hanabi in Hiashi's study. Naruto had met Hanabi a few times over the week, but he was so busy preparing for the party that evening, that he hadn't really had a chance to get to know her.

"Well, I have good news." Hiashi stated as everyone got settled. Naruto, for one, was extremely glad to be back into normal clothes. "I got a lot of compliments about you, Naruto. It seems everyone was rather impressed with you."

"Good." Naruto replied, "It took everything I had to do that. I'd rather fight Zabuza and Haku again than do that again. I still think I should have 'accidentally' tipped the bowl of punch over on that prince from the Land of Tea. Would have been funny."

"No matter, I don't see the council having any grounds to try and punish you." Hiashi stated, "I think I can officially welcome you into the Hyuga clan now."

"Thanks, dad." Naruto said.

"Father?" Hanabi ventured.

"Yes, Hanabi." Hiashi answered.

"Does this mean I have a big brother now?" Hanabi asked.

"Sure does, imooto." Naruto replied for Hiashi, a large grin plastered on his face.

Hanabi just looked Naruto for a moment, before smiling back and walking over to her new brother, "Welcome to the family, Naruto-niisan." Hanabi said as she wrapped her arms around Naruto.

Naruto looked at Hiashi and Hinata for a moment. Hiashi nodded, and Hinata smiled. Naruto looked down at the top of Hanabi's head as he returned the hug, "Thanks, Hanabi-chan. Glad to be here." Hanabi looked up at him and he gave her another prize-winning smile.

Everything was right with the world now. Naruto finally had a family. He couldn't believe how lucky he had been over the last month. First he had found love in Hinata, then he got something he had always wanted, a family. With any luck, he could live a normal life now.