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Welcome, everyone! This is a romance story that will be mainly focused on the two characters in Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno ((I FINALLY uploaded the first chapter, phew!)) Other characters and minor pairings will be included, but it will be mainly SasuSaku

Summary: The story is set post-war in the Naruverse. The Akatsuki and Tobi/Madara/etc. fell, of course, and peace returns. It is five years later that Sasuke found himself back in Konoha, trying to live his life and starting a new leaf. No more revenge or insane obsession over powers. Here, the journey of his life begins as a one-time (or two?...maybe more) mistake or incident sets his road on the lovely track of romance and drama. Lust, love, or maybe just a period of his sexual prime, Sasuke (though not the only person) learns to find love and where his heart lies. SasuSaku, SasuKarin, NaruHina, InoxNot-yet-decided, KarinxMystery. Triangles, heart breaks, lemons, lemons and moar lemons.

CHAPTER ONE: Sasuke's Return

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It was nearly five years since the war had ended. Peace had reigned over the five great countries, the surrounding lands and villages. Though with great casuality, the Akatsuki was dissolved after the last member was defeated. Taka was disbanded officially after the victory. With the result of united hands among the lands, peace was thereby made possible. And through long rigorous battles, the kept secrets of the Uchiha and their conflicts came in the open. And with thanks to Naruto, the Great Hero of the Era, Sasuke was pardoned. Needless to say, it was also thanks to this last sole member of the Uchiha clan that its victory was possible. The victory was neither a one-man effort, of course, nor was it without much difficulty. But alas, the world had seen a ray of hope yet again.

It was about five years after this that Sasuke had finally returned and stepped foot in the front of Konoha main entrance. Looking up at the big sign that read "Leaf Village Konoha", he momentarily hesitated about his decision to return. With Naruto's pertinacious efforts, Konoha was open to his arrival at any time. Although looking up at the symbol of the leaf, the feelings of home wasn't nearly the same as it was close to a decade ago. Just as the sight of the village he once lived was in front of him, he felt distant and very far away. Perhaps this was a mistake?

However, he had arrived. The guards at the gate recognized him immediately and within seconds a message was dispatched from the post to the Hokage's office. Turning back wasn't an option anymore. In fact, he came back for a reason, a reason that only he knew of.

Upon entering the Hokage's office, he was greeted by Tsunade, still the Hokage. No doubts, he could feel many pairs of eyes set on him and they followed his every movement although unsure of what he may do.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

"Tsunade."

"Long years passed and you have finally decided to come back to Konoha?"

"Hn," was his response.

"And I am guessing that you are planning to stay in the village."

Sasuke hesitated for a few moments and answered, "I've traveled the past five years, I think perhaps it's time that I return and stay here for the time being."

Though she wasn't entirely fond of the boy, she had to smile. She eyed him with her golden brown eyes. This Uchiha brat! Set foot in the village without much of a notice and he didn't even make a request!

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Naruto was still sounding asleep when a messenger was sent to his place. KNOCK! . . . KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"NARUTO, HURRY AND OPEN UP THE DOOR!" yelled the messenger. Rubbing his sleepy blue eyes, Naruto stirred in bed. After several more knocks on the door, he finally got up, went downstairs and opened the door. He drowsily opened his front door to look at the early morning waker, still half asleep.

"Naruto, you need to get ready right away!" said the blond girl in the purple outfit. He hair was tied up into a neat high ponytail than hung down easily past her slender waist.

"Ino?… what for?" he asked groggily, peering through his thick sets of eyelashes.

"You'd never guess what just happened. Sasuke has just RETURNED and he is with Tsunade-sama right now!" she tried to contain her own disbelief in her statement. Right after her emphasis on the male's name and his return, Naruto's eyes popped open instantly. He quickly took hold of her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes.

"You…You said…Sasuke…," Naruto began, frozen on track.

"Yes, idiot, Sasuke has returned. Now go get ready! I have to inform Kaka…" Without any more seconds wasted, Naruto had already dashed across his untidy living room, up the stairs and were pulling a pair of pants up his legs while to keep his balance.

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At the Hokage's office, Naruto slam opened the door and looked for a figure with dark raven hair. Once he found him in the middle of the room, he yelled "SASUKE TEME!"

Sasuke turned his head around slightly at the high pitch he didn't think he'd hear this early in the morning. How annoyingly wrong he was. Before he could utter anything, Naruto was running to where he was, tripped on his untied shoe lace and fell flat on Sasuke's back.

"Naruto, slow down, the world isn't going to end this second! AND FOR GOD'S SAKE, DO YOU NOT KNOW OF THE MANNER OF KNOCKING BEFORE ENTERING?" Tsunade yelled at him while hitting a fist on the table top.

"Oh Oh…I'm..I'm..I just got so excited I had to see with my eyes!" He quickly straightened himself up and got in front with two hands on Sasuke's face. "SASUKE, it's you! It really is true!"

Having two warm hands on his face wasn't exactly what he had planned. In fact, he suddenly felt strange, almost as though he was becoming claustrophobic! He really should have known. What was this closeness? Keeping his face expressionless, Sasuke stared at Naruto, who kept staring back in his eyes with his bright big blue eyes. If everyone didn't know Naruto was sexually straight, they would have gotten the wrong idea.

Sasuke stared back at Naruto and without further notice he punched the blond away, hard. "WHAT THE HELL, NARUTO?"

Naruto stared at him, confused, "Ouch, Sasuke, you didn't have to punch me!" Then he flash a smile, "I just couldn't believe my eyes." At that exactly moment Kakashi, along with Shikamaru walked in.

"Hn" was Sasuke's response as he looked away and tried to ignore the blond.

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It was merely 8 in the morning and Sakura had just left her apartment she now shared with Karin. After the war, Karin was released from the hidden underground interrogation. Upon hearing the news that Taka was disbanded, she felt she had no goals or nowhere to go. No real purpose to pursue. Her only goal while into Taka was, frankly, merely to help Sasuke finish his goals and in the process her chance at getting close to him. With that chance long gone, she pleaded and cried for Tsunade to let her stay in Konoha. Almost reluctantly, after the Alliance's victory, Tsunade was for a second chance and it was given to the red head. Karin had been assigned to stay with Sakura and it had been five years that the girls shared the same apartment.

A knock was heard on the door and Karin opened it to reveal Ino. "Ino," was Karin's way of greeting the blond girl.

"Is Sakura still her? I have urgent news for her," Ino said, trying to catch a breath after running several blocks from Kakashi's place.

"Uh, she just left. I can give her the news when I see her next," Karin stated, her red hair bright and still messy from just having gotten up. She was curious at what this urgent news was for Sakura and for all we knew Karin was probably one of the nosiest person Ino came to know.

Ino eyed her for a moment before she decided to say, "Well, I guess it would probably concern you considering your past. Sasuke has come back to Konoha."

Karin was struck by the news before she could say, "Are you serious! Sasuke? …What..Where is he right now?" It didn't surprise Ino of Karin's excitement in her tone as she figured Karin must have harbored Sasuke feelings when they were on the same team. No girl could resist the feelings.

"Yes, he's here. Sasuke is with Tsunada-sama actually, so you'll have to wait around until they're done to see him," Ino said, "But I gotta go find Sakura!"

"Umm, yeah… she's…"

"I think I know where she is," said Ino and she ran down the street.

Sakura, in her usual red outfit and pink skirt, was heading up to the hospital as usual for her morning shift. She was not too far down the street from her apartment when Ino caught up to her.

"Sakura, Sakura, wait up!" Ino shouted behind her. Sakura stopped in the track and turned around to face her friend.

"Good morning Ino, are you going to the hospital too?" greeted Sakura.

"I've been looking for you everywhere, you were not at your house! Anyway, I have something to tell you…" Ino breathed in for some air before she told Sakura the news.

The moment Sasuke's name left her friend's lips, Sakura was lost in her own thoughts. That name that she hadn't heard for years. While she and Naruto still held Sasuke dear to their hearts they had made it unspoken not to mention his name for the mere trigger of memories would bring in a wave of sadness over the two. Yes, while it was a known fact that Sasuke was pardoned from his crimes and association with Akatsuki, eventually, none of them knew where Sasuke was or when, if ever, he was going to return home. No one knew of his whereabouts all these years, he could have been dead and none of them would have known. Knowing her feelings back then for the raven hair Uchiha, she did not want to think of him. Now that she had heard of Sasuke and his sudden return to Konoha, she did not know what to do or how to feel…whether to be happy, excited, or whether it would be sad. The feelings she had for him after these five years were not there anymore and Sakura simply didn't know what to say.

"Sakura," Ino began to say. Having been friends with the pink-haired girl since childhood they had grew close together. Ino knew damn well how Sasuke affected Sakura, but she could tell that Sakura did not feel overly excited about his return as Naruto and Karin had been.

"Yeah? Well that's great, Ino," was Sakura's response. Her pink brows quivered before she found what to say, "I guess Naruto already knew about this. I bet he's probably there right now… with Sasuke-kun. But I have to go… I have to get to the hospital. Thanks for the news. I'll see you later, Ino." Ino watched as her friend turned around and walked away. Sakura…, Ino thought.

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Once Tsunade had finished her morning meeting with Sasuke, he was free and welcome to settle down in Konoha. Naruto and Kakashi walked with him out the building. Naruto had a big smile plastered on his face and it still was somewhat unbelievable that Sasuke had finally returned. After all these years of him being away, without any information of him, he almost went in search for his lifelong friend himself. To Naruto, Sasuke had always been the closest friend he had ever had, a best friend, someone who he made a strong, special connection with. Somehow during the time they were put in the same team, they grew to bond, and their bond was one of a kind. In the face of all the doubts in the world, Naruto knew within his heart that Sasuke was good and he was willing to risk his life and everything to save his friend. Now that he was a free man and returned home, Naruto couldn't be more happy, for his promise of a life time came true.

Sasuke had little belongings he brought with him from his ventures out in the ninja world. Now that he was finally back he needed to know his next move. With Tsunade calling Naruto back to her office, Kakashi walked Sasuke to where he would be staying. The place was no other than his old home. Walking through what once used to be the Uchiha residence, old memories played in his mind. For five years, he had learned to come to peace with himself, his past, and about the massacre and what had transpired. He also learned to accept the outcome of it all. With life no longer for revenge, he was determined to finally live. To live his life, to make choices that were not revolved around his clan and revenge on those that were responsible. He decided he would live to be a better man.

What once was an abandoned Uchiha residence was now filled with families who came to settle down. After the war over, a decision was made in which Sasuke gave the Hokage a written consent that the residence could be open to Konoha citizens. Tsunade made every attempt to encourage citizens of the Leaf to overcome the fears and stima of the past and after much consensus, people began to come over and move in to reside in the inhibited residence. New houses were made, old buildings were repaired and now at least ¾ of the residence was occupied. Sasuke's decision to permit people in was so he, himself, could let go of the painful past that haunted him for years, finally. Now walking along the street of what once the Uchiha residence, Sasuke became somewhat amazed at how this place had developed over the years. Although this new change was apparent, he could still visualize where everything was once laid out when he used to run down the streets as an innocent child.

As they arrived in front of Sasuke's old house, which had been maintained nicely while he was gone, Sasuke took a look at the concrete wall opposite the building. The Uchiha fan symbols were still present there with some repair. Sasuke looked to the crack in the wall used to be from Itachi's throw impact and an image flashed through his mind. He closed his eyes for a second and breathed in deeply. This was it, he made his way back and he was going to face and conquer his past once and for all.

"Sasuke… If this is uncomfortable…" Kakashi began when he noticed the tense posture of the standing man, who once was his pupil.

"No. I can take it from here," said Sasuke. Without too much further delay, he reached for the door knob and opened the door to his old home. He stepped in, took his shoes and his bag off before shutting the door close behind him. Kakashi waited awhile outside before he strolled off with his Icha Icha Paradise copy in his hand. Inside, a ray of light shone through from the open windows and lit the place up. Sasuke reached for the light switch, flicked it on and started to make his way further inside the house.

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End-of-chapter footnote: First chapter done ~ I will upload chapter two shortly after I finished a cover representation of it. Look me up on Deviantart, if interested (:

Also, I want to incorporate in a little bit of romance for Ino, but so undecided on WHO. Sai, Shikamaru, Kiba?