Chapter 1: Child

I watched Sasuke walk away from my apartment. From the bottom of my heart I wanted to call out to him. I wanted to ask if we could give it a chance. No matter what happens or how much we change, no one ever forgets their first love.

But my pride weighed me down. As much as I wanted him, I couldn't love a man who couldn't love me back.

Six years later…

Sasuke watched the sky pass by lazily while the driver of the horse drawn cart patted his loyal steed. Years had passed since he has been to Konoha. In that time he had set out on a journey that was partial punishment, partial training, and partial spiritual cleansing. He left Konoha as a traitor in order to seek revenge against his brother. Those events have passed, Itachi was dead, and Sasuke came to realize he had no plans after his revenge. He had nowhere to go and nothing to do so he returned to Konoha. Technically, he should have been punished for his crimes, but strong voices came to his defense negotiating for a way to clear his name. Kakashi had suggested sending Sasuke on a journey to embark on harsh training to clear his mind and purge his soul of any lingering doubts about the past. Sasuke would be traveling alone. If he decided to slack off, it would be evident through his character and thus actual consequences would be discussed. Tsunade accepted the terms. She was glad that finally the ruckus made by Team 7 would finally calm down. She just wanted to deal with this matter quietly.

It has been about six years since he started that journey.

He doesn't know very much about what has happened in the past six years. In accordance with his strict training, his only correspondences were short letters sent at regular intervals to indicate that he was still alive. His movement around the country made it impossible for anyone to write back.

When he arrived at the village, he reported to Tsunade right away.

Sasuke stood in Tsunade's office feeling out of place. With worn out clothing and a tattered knapsack, Sasuke stuck out like a sore thumb in the pristine environment of Tsunade's office. Looking at his shabby reflection in the marble tiled ground, Sasuke wondered if this was where he belonged. Tsunade sat at her desk, hands folded in front of her in a very official way.

"You will continue your training here under close and strict supervision of our specialized staff. To tell the truth it's hard to carve a place for you because of your past record and how long you've been gone. That being the case, the only choice you have is to start at the bottom."

Sasuke nodded. He had caused Tsunade a lot of trouble in the past. More trouble than she was willing to deal with, quite frankly. Looking at him now, though, she could not help seeing that this man, this boy, really has nothing. No family, no physical home to return to. He only has whatever it is that he carries in his raggedy knapsack. The Uchiha clan has truly fallen from grace.

"As for your housing situation, you can stay at the bunks in our training facility until you've figured yourself out."

Tsunade looked at Sasuke with a serious and somehow curious expression. "What are your plans now, Sasuke-kun?"
After giving the question some thought, Sasuke shook his head and said "I don't know." Prompting a concerned look on Tsunade's face.
"I see. Well, you don't have to answer that right away. Think about it. There must be something for you here."

Sasuke stood silently. Tsunade spun her chair around to survey the landscape through the windows behind her. After a few months of contemplation, Sasuke could hear Tsunade let out a heavy sigh. She shuffled for some paper in her pockets.

"Have you thought about Sakura, Sasuke-kun?"Tsunade asked looking at him carefully.
"A few times."

Tsunade paused, looking as though she were thinking about something thoroughly. "Sakura is one of my most beloved students. I love her as I would love my own daughter." Tsunade turned around and placed a folded piece of paper on the table. "If you want to go see her, you can arrange for transportation here. She's not in Konoha, but she's nearby."

Sasuke nodded again as he picked up the piece of paper and tucked it away in his knapsack. Listening to Sasuke's solemn steps as he left the room, Tsunade caught a glimpse of her reflection in a picture that was given to her by Sakura about two years ago. She touched the surface of the picture in which Sakura smiled so happily along with her two companions. It was the happiest Sakura had ever been up to that point. However, whenever Tsunade looked at this picture, a certain heaviness weighed down on her heart.

Sasuke arrived at the training facility later that day. The training facility itself served many purposes and so housed numerous men and women who were there for varying reasons. Sasuke was to receive specialized training, but him being there was mostly by virtue of him having nowhere else to go. The living quarters were more like open areas with beds in them. Anyone walking through any of the halls can easily see the residents of the cots so there was no privacy to speak of. Sasuke was given a cot in a shared area which also housed up to fifty other men of various ranks. Because Sasuke had just returned to Konaha, he was not assigned to stay near anyone else. The idea was to give him time to adjust to being in Konaha as well as allow Konaha's citizen have time to adjust to him.

Sasuke sat on his cot organizing his few possessions in the dresser nearby. From the distance he could hear footsteps walk towards his direction. He tried hard to ignore those steps, but the silence of the facility only made the sounds more noticeable. Two men walked conspicuously close to him as they passed by. Their cold stares lingered in his skin like a chilling wind. He could hear their whispers as they entered the hallway. Though the words were indiscernible, he could guess the nature of their comments.

It was like this everywhere. Regardless of the truth of his intentions Sasuke could only be viewed as a traitor. And why not? Didn't he simply leave Konoha to fulfill his own agenda at any cost? Didn't he associate with a man who threatened the very foundations of Konaha's existence? Understandably, the people of Konaha did not trust Sasuke.

Doing his best to pay no attention to this, Sasuke pulled out the piece of paper Tsunade handed him before he left. Sasuke wondered what he would gain from seeing Sakura.

Sasuke needed to be escorted to Sakura's the first time journey to wherever Sakura was living was a few hours walk. It was definitely a hassle to get to. It had no name nor was it marked on any kind of map. It is nowhere near a main road to the village, nor are there any concessions to tide over a worn out traveler. You really needed a purpose to be getting to this place. It was not the kind of place you would just wander into.

Sasuke arrived just before night. The village seemed to melt into the somber glow of the setting sun. Few people were out at the moment. It almost felt like a ghost town.

It didn't take long for Sasuke to figure where he was going. The address he was given belonged to a small home. It was old, but well kept. Sasuke stepped up to the front door, but did nothing. It struck him that although he bothered to get here, he didn't actually have a purpose in mind. What am I doing here? he thought. A slight feeling of anxiety settled over Sasuke as he was at a loss on what to do.

Suddenly there was a presence from the other side of the door. Apparently whoever was home knew he was standing there. He had no choice but to knock.

Slowly, the door creaked open.

Clear green eyes watched Sasuke who stood there slightly stunned at the raven haired child who stood before him. The boy's eyes were unmistakable. They looked at Sasuke, unflinching, as though they looked right through him. Without a word, the child ran to the back. A few minutes later and old woman hobbled to the door, the child following close behind her clutching onto the hem of her kimono.

"Can I help you, sir?" she asked in a typical old person voice.

Sasuke took a step forward, causing the child to take a step back. Sasuke looked at the child's reaction, surprised that he was feeling a little hurt.

"Is Haruno Sakura-san around?"
"Ah, Sakura-chan? She's out at the market... May I ask who you might be?"

Sasuke looked down at the child who hasn't moved since reacting to Sasuke's first step.

"I'm an old friend."
"Well, she left a little while ago so she should be back soon," she said apologetically "Would you like some tea while you wait?"

Immediately to the left of the entry way was a hall leading to two bedrooms and the bathroom. The old woman led Sasuke to the back of the house. This was the living/eating area which opened up to the kitchen and backyard. The door to the porch was left open to let the breeze in. In the center of the room is a low table with warm tea already prepared. For a second Sasuke thought it would be nice. Relaxing with some tea, listening to this kind old lady who is obviously oblivious of the situation talk about what's been happening with Sakura. Maybe Sakura will come home pleasantly surprised to see Sasuke has returned. However... Sasuke could feel the child's eyes watching him again. There was something strange between him and this child. Somehow he couldn't help feeling like this child was penetrating his defenses. Sasuke was feeling vulnerable.

"No thank you. I'll come back another time."

Before he could bow, he saw the old woman's face light up as she looked past Sasuke toward the hall behind him.

"Sakura-chan!"

The child excitedly bolted toward the front door, completely forgetting the intruder who stood in the eating area. Sasuke stood in place, not moving a muscle. He could hear footsteps from outside. The closer those steps came, the more his stomach turned in anticipation. Sasuke gulped while his eyes searched wildly at the entryway, which was obscured by the brightness coming from outside. She was coming.

"Naruto-nii-chan!" exclaimed the child as he ran outside.

Sasuke's eyes widen as the shadow of a man emerged from the blinding light. The sight of the child dangling around his shoulders could also be seen.

"Kaz-kun!" returned a familiar voice. "We brought dinner! Obaa-san, get the kitchen ready!"

Naruto stepped inside, holding up a few bags of groceries.

"Naruto-san, I hope you bought a lot of food. It looks like Sakura-chan has a guest." said the old lady.
"Eh? A guest? Who?" Naruto said, a look of concern on his face.
"He's in the back," the old woman said. "Come meet him."
"Alright."

Naruto let go of Kaz and followed the old woman to the back. He was curious to see who would visit Sakura because few people do these days. Naruto peered ahead of him towards the back living area. No one was there, but something left behind in the air felt different. Naruto could tell immediately that he returned.