Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
A/N: Some of the content contains spoilers. You have been warned.
Summary: They say that life always offers us a second chance, and that second chance is called tomorrow. Four years has passed since the Fourth Shinobi war and everyone seems to have been living their second chance everyday. But what does tomorrow has in store for Sasuke Uchiha? /SasuSaku
Crossroads
Chapter One
Looking above the clear blue sky, the raven-haired man raised his hand above his eyes to filter the rays of the beaming skies. As the sun hits his figure, a hawk finds its way to his shoulder, fulfilling its task to find the recipient of the letter clutched in its paws. He takes it from the bird and scratches his head lightly and let it flew to the open sky.
He stood under the shade of one of the trees in the vast field and once he was comfortable enough, he laid his back against the trunk of the tree. He examines the scroll and found it similar to the few of the ones he had received before. He opens the letter and read its contents in his head, knowing exactly who the sender was.
He closes his eyes and contemplates the message. He let himself ponder for minutes and hours long until he stood.
Sasuke has always had himself in a state confusion, pain and anger. Losing his family gutted him to the point of emptiness. He was always driven to his path of revenge that he lost himself in his hatred. To say that it was difficult to learn the sins of his brother was an understatement, it devastated his existence. For many years he had admired his brother, he trusted him more than anyone and he had loved him, but all he knew had broke him to unmendable pieces. His expeditions on his search for his brother all the more have made him more damaged than he ever was. He was vicious and unforgiving. He wanted revenge and when he finally faced his Itachi, he thought that he would certainly be getting it, but when his brother delivered his last words to him, he had thought wrong. As the story of Uchiha Itachi unfolded, he was in the brink of insanity.
He gathered of what was left of him and set a new goal, and after the events of avenging his brother, the Fourth Shinobi War transpired. It has left everyone to battle the burden and cruelty of the past, to face death of loved ones and bleed the deepest scars in exchange for peace. The war had helped him to find a little piece of his old self. He had somewhat reconnected the severed bonds he had with the people who accepted him then and will welcome him in their lives still, after all his faults. Everybody deserves peace and everybody deserves the chance to find themselves again.
His journey of redemption has not been easy but it has been fulfilling. It gave his mind peace and has given him freedom for his sins and ill-judgments. As he wondered from country to country, he had viewed the world not as someone seeking revenge, but someone seeking fortitude and stability. He walks along the grass and takes his time with nature, the wind blowing in his skin, as the leaves of the trees fall beneath his hands, he closes his eyes and has convinced himself that maybe now it's time for him to seek something he had longed since the death of his family. Something he had forgotten. Something he had lost.
He knew it was time to come back home.
"You did it Sakura" as Shizune placed a reassuring hand on Sakura's shoulders, a small smile creeping in her lips.
It had yet again been another one of those 18-hr long operation of getting rid of a deadly poison off of a shinobi. A situation much like this is one of the most difficult to deal with for it follows a tedious process and must be handled carefully, especially if it is deadly poison. It took a lot of concentration and precision to remove the poison. The shinobi was lucky to have been found and brought to the hospital immediately. If he had been found even just an hour later he could have been dead on arrival. Sakura was dead tired as she gave a long stretch and yawned. She definitely misses her bed. She can feel her back turning into stone from standing up too long.
"Thank you Shizune-sama, I'm glad it turned out well. Please report this to Hokage-sama. I'll just do my rounds then I'll be heading home." She requested, eliciting another yawn. Shizune nodded and instructed the nurses to bring the patient to a regular room. She couldn't feel prouder of Sakura's capabilities. She had such diligence since Tsunade-sama started teaching her. She never gave up and never faltered. It's no wonder she became one of the most formidable medical ninja of her generation, and at such a young age too.
A sleep deprived, hungry and shower less Sakura strolled out Konoha Hospital. She breathe the village's freshest air, something that always calms and refreshes her no matter the stress she is in. After spending a few years now doing hospital duty, she still misses the outdoor for when she is assigned to missions. She seldom gets called for one nowadays. Her skills are much needed in the hospital. After her Tsunade-shishou passed on her responsibilities to the Sixth, she took her much awaited and much deserved vacation, leaving Konoha hospital to her and Shizune's hands.
She took her time walking home, despite her fatigue. She passes by the market, buying some ingredients for her meal if she ever finds the strength to prepare one later. She is well known at her village now, and they always greet and smile at her accordingly. She grabs the paper bags from one of the vendors at vegetable stand and went to proceed home.
"Sakura-chan!" Someone called out. She immediately looked behind her, sighting Naruto from afar, quickly coming to her direction. She beamed. Seeing Naruto whenever chance she could get always puts her mind at ease. It had been atleast a year now since Naruto and Hinata wed and she can't be more happy for her best friend.
"Naruto! I haven't seen you in a week. What are you up to these days? How's Hinata doing?" She asked when he approached her.
"I went on a mission for 2 days. Hinata-chan's well. How about you? Have you seen Sasuke-teme since last week?" He asked.
"Not yet really, I've been busy with hospital duty and didn't really have the chance to see him yet." She responded.
"Oh that's okay. I trained with him just this morning. Kaka-sensei said he can stay at an apartment but he insisted to come back to the Uchiha Complex." Naruto said.
"I see. I guess I can see him tomorrow." Sakura replied. Naruto nodded and then said bade goodbye. She waved and continued her way home.
Sasuke finally returned home last week. After sending a message to the Sixth a month ago that he'd be coming back. They could not be more pleased. Team 7 had welcomed him back last week. To say they were happy about his return is an understatement. After everything they had been through, they were glad that he had finally seen the light.
Naruto waved his hand from the gates as he saw Sasuke approaching. Sakura felt her heart skip a beat, drinking in all of his features as he approached them and greeted.
"Naruto. Sakura." He said. Naruto teary-eyed and Sakura happily smiling.
"Welcome home, Sasuke-kun." Sakura said. Naruto holding back the urge to cry.
"Dobe. Don't get all emotional on me." Sasuke smirked as Sakura giggled at his remark. He was glad he's home.
It was like meeting at the gates when they had a mission in their genin days. Except everybody was calm and joyful. Well Sakura and Naruto was joyful, Sasuke was just calm, but this time, they weren't waiting for a certain silver-haired jounin, instead, their former sensei, now the Sixth hokage, awaits them at the Hokage's office.
He breathed in the village in front of him. He would have new memories. He would relive his life not out of revenge but of hope. It is not too late. He thought. They continued walking to the path of the Hokage's office.
People weren't really so welcoming of Sasuke's return, as seen from some villagers' reaction. They shoved the matter, knowing it will take a lot of getting used to, since Sasuke left for his journey immediately after the war. Sasuke actually didn't mind. He'd expected this although he prefer for them to not acknowledge him at all.
Naruto being his usual self, blabbed and blabbed along the way. Sasuke was being his usual reserved self as he listened to his best friend talk about eating at Ichiraku after and something about his mission in a few days. Pretty much nothing has changed. Except the fact that this Dobe was married, remembering that he sent his congratulations a year back using his hawk for Sakura to relay. This made his thoughts drift to Sakura. She walked with them quietly and smiling as Sasuke took a very quick glance at her.
The three of them got to the Hokage's office as their former Sensei welcomed Sasuke with a smile under his mask. The creases from his smiling eyes visible. Sakura only witnessed a few exchange of words from them when someone knocked at the door and told her that she was urgently needed at the hospital.
She nodded and looked at Sasuke, still with a smile on her face, "I have to go, I'll see you around Sasuke-kun, welcome back." And turned to the door and left. That was the only interaction between them in a week of his return. She honestly intended to see him but got really hectic at the hospital.
Sakura felt nervous to her stomach. She has not even been constantly communicating with Sasuke for the span of his journey. She remembered when he left the last time and talk about how embarrassing it was for her to ask him if she can come with him in his journey; thinking about his response makes her squirm inside. They were sixteen then and now they're twenty years old. A lot has changed through the years and she feels she had certainly matured from her genin and teen self. She's certainly more confident in herself and with her self-control intact.
Finally home, she stepped inside and sighed. Her exhaustion taking a toll from her. She opened her fridge and placed the produce she bought inside. It was finally time for her long awaited shower. She stripped her clothes and got inside. She felt freaking good to have finally bathed. Warm showers were always a must after spending countless hours at the hospital. She felt really drowsy now and stepped out once she was done, put her nightgown and got on her bed.
She lay in bed looking up the ceiling. Thinking about how Sasuke had changed throughout his journey. He was fairly quiet when he met him. But Sasuke was always quiet. How had he seen the world from a new perspective? Sakura wondered. It has been a tiring day. And slowly she felt her eyes closed and her mind wander. She smiled as she drifted to sleep. He hadn't seen Sasuke looked so calm.. and damn he was still handsome as hell.
It didn't take a lot of time for Sasuke to get settled back at the Uchiha Complex. It was his home and it will always be home for him. He had always like the quiet feel here. It's the only place he can be most himself. It has been a week since he returned home and the Sixth had informed him that day that some paper works had to be accomplished first before he gets to be assigned missions. It was a quick briefing and shortly afterwards Naruto and him were dismissed.
While he was cleaning some of his weapons, he recalled their conversation from the week that passed.
"So, how was your journey, teme?" Naruto asked casually, hands at the back of his head.
"Not much trouble. Everyone seem at peace." He answered.
"Good. I think we all had enough of the bad. It's nice to be free of trouble don't you think?" He asked back. Sasuke replied with his classic smirk. They were always causing trouble back in the days. Always trying to prove something.
They had reached Ichiraku and was greeted by Teuchi and Ayame.
"I see your friend is back, welcome Sasuke, long time no see." Said Teuchi. Naruto beamed and Sasuke gave a nod of thanks in reply. They gave their order and proceeded to chat once more.
"The village hasn't changed much." Sasuke observed. Even the atmosphere, although people were much happier he noticed.
"Yeah, they tried to rebuild all that was broken the same way as before. It went pretty well actually. People were happy to be back home since the war ended." He replied.
"Everyone seemed settled then." He assumed, waiting for Naruto to tell more.
"You bet. A lot of the group actually got together with people after Hinata and I wed. Shikamaru and Temari already has plans to marry too." He reported as their hot meal was brought to them. He excitedly broke his chopsticks apart.
"Nara and the sand girl? I never would've guessed." Replied Sasuke. He hated to admit it but he sort of missed eating here, with Naruto slurping his way to his bowl. They ate here countless of times before but only now that he suddenly took in the moment.
Sasuke ate his portion silently as the blonde ordered his second bowl. He grew quiet and turned his head to Naruto to ask about Sakura, but hesitated. Naruto looked to his side, and much like reading Sasuke's mind, Naruto continued.
"Sakura-chan's doing well. She spends most of her time at the hospital. Head medic now, you know. Popular among men too." He added, purposely teasing Sasuke.
"Really." He answered stoically.
They parted ways after they ate, Naruto checking his time, saying something about forgetting this thing Hinata asked him to do. He headed towards the Uchiha Complex after.
He's not so sure how he should react to what Naruto said earlier. Should he be fazed about the matter or just it slip. Sakura had offered to come with him before he left the for his journey a while back, and replied "maybe next time" then thanked her. He wondered how she had took that reply after flicking her forehead. And how she had taken it until now.
Sasuke can not deny that he had thought of Sakura many times in his journey to redemption. He had always had their bonds etched in his mind. It had helped him get through most part of the darkness he had burden. Sakura had thought him forgiveness. Forgiveness that he often thought he did not deserve but nevertheless was handed to him. It had made him think the depths of his relationship to her.
He awoke from his thoughts when he heard a knock on the front door. The only visitor he ever gotten this week was Naruto. And he liked that it stayed that way, the Dobe himself is already a handful. It seemed odd for him to visit him this early though. He opened the sliding doors to reveal a bundle of pink holding plastic bags.
"Good morning Sasuke-kun, have you had breakfast yet?" Sakura asked with a smile.
"Sakura. I just got back from training, come in." He gestured and let her in.
Sakura hadn't actually been inside the Uchiha Complex ever. It was really huge, clean and spacious. sasuke must have tidied up the place since he returned.
"Thanks Sasuke-kun, I'll make us some breakfast." She offered as she followed Sasuke.
"The kitchen's over here, let me just take a quick shower. Use whatever you need." He directed and she nodded in reply. This didn't seem so awkward at all. Sasuke wasn't particularly moody today too, considering that she had come unannounced.
She fixed them some breakfast, rice balls, dried tuna and tomatoes. She remembered they were his favorite. Hoping they still are. He had heard the shower turned off just in time that she finished. A few minutes later Sasuke emerged with a white shirt and navy blue sweatpants. A small towel wrapped around his shoulders. He looked domestic and Sakura can't help but smile at the sight of him.
"Thanks for coming." He said as he sat down adjacent to her. He looked at the spread splayed in the table. All his favorites for breakfast. She must have remember after all these years. He ate minimal during his journey, only eating just enough to satisfy his hunger.
"Sure. Kind of a week late, hospital duties kept me busy." She explained. Also picking up chopsticks and started eating.
"I see." He answered as he took a bite of his food. It tasted delicious. It seems like Sakura can cook well too.
"Sorry if I didn't bring much, I figured I'd just co-" She said and was cut off.
"It's good, Sakura. Thank you." He offered a small smile, eliciting a small blush from her.
Sakura took this chance to observe him upfront. Looking through his features silently. He was still pale like before, handsome face, eyes looking warmer, fit built and has gotten a little taller. It seemed like he had taken care of himself in his expeditions and she was glad.
He caught her staring and tilted his head a little.
"You okay?" He asked.
She was suddenly pulled backed to reality. "Er yeah.. This just feels kind of unreal. I've never seen you so relax before. I take it your journey went well." She opened.
"Hn. It was a liberating experience. Like I was set free.." He stopped and looked at her emerald eyes and she looked back into his obsidian ones. "I'm home now, Sakura." She blushed at his stare but happily smiled at him.
"I'm glad you are, Sasuke-kun." she responded and continued their meal together. She left soon after he finished the dishes. She had to do rounds today at the hospital.
He went with her to the gates as she was departing from his house. Silently following behind her.
"I'll visit you when I can. Maybe I can watch you and Naruto train on some other day too." She said.
"Why don't you train with me?" He asked back. Sakura a little surprised by his offer but nonetheless feeling proud that Sasuke finally recognizes her who's capable of combat.
"That would be great." She giggled a little. She could not help the giddiness in her. And just as she turned around to bid him goodbye, she felt his fingers tap her forehead once again. "You look good, Sakura. I'll see you." It felt like her heart stopped for a moment, her face as bright as a tomato as she watched Sasuke's back retreat.
She didn't have the chance to even to reply to that, but her face has probably given away the words anyway.
This is definitely another side of Sasuke she has yet to see. She was all too used to the revenge driven Sasuke that it feels unreal to be in his presence now. It always seemed like they were going to chase him forever, but she knew well that Naruto would take him back, and he did. She's more than willing to know this Sasuke now and is hopeful that it would be a fresh start for the both of them.
"Haruno-san, here are the records you needed." One of the male medical nurses approached with a creeping blush in his face. Sakura did not bother to look as she focused on some paperwork.
"Thanks Taki, you can put them there." She pointed at the table across the door and he did what he was told. He greeted someone who was by the door.
Sakura heard a faint knock and immediately saw Sai enter the room.
"Hey ugly. I was just dropping by." He gave a small wave.
"Oh, Hey Sai, when did you come back from your mission? Everything okay?" She asked and stretched at her seat.
Sai nodded. "3 days ago. I met Naruto and Sasuke the other day. I watched them train in the training grounds. We grabbed something to eat after." He told her.
"Really? How was it? I mean you and Sasuke." She corrected. The two didn't seem to get along well when they met before. They were complete strangers to each other.
Sai shrugged. "Bearable. He looks like the quiet type. A total opposite of Naruto."
"Tell me about it. I'm glad you're getting along. Don't you dare cause me any trouble if one of you dislocate a shoulder." He warned.
He smiled at this remark. "You seem to be popular among your male companions at the hospital too, ugly. I don't see why though."
This fact was not foreign to Sakura. Since the war has started, a lot of shinobi from different countries had confessed their feelings towards her but she immediately declines their proposal politely. Even now she is still being sought-after by Konoha's own shinobis but she tries to stay away from the attention.
Sakura glared. "Shut up Sai. Now let's get something to eat. I'm getting hungry." She said as she stood from her seat. Sai gave a nod and they headed for the door.
It was kind of a routine for them to find one another after a mission and have a meal together. This gesture had much more meaning ever since after the war. They had pretty much developed their bonds with Sai as well since he was assigned to be their teammate, and although everybody knew that Sasuke was irreplaceable, they had found a special place for Sai as well. He had learned a lot from them already, understanding the emotions that were stripped away from him.
"Naruto-kun, it's time for lunch." Hinata announced from the kitchen.
Naruto appeared after a minute and lightly kissed Hinata on the cheek, thanking her for the meal as he sat in the table.
"How are your trainings with Sasuke going?" She asked.
"Great. Sasuke seems to be doing fine. He's probably settling in to his own routine." He answered.
"That's a relief. You look happy as well. I bet Sakura's pretty thrilled about him coming home." She stated.
"Of course. I mean, we all know she's been waiting for this moment for years." He said with a hint of sadness in his voice as she reached out for Naruto's hand.
Everybody got on with their lives when the war ended. All of them kept finding ways to cope for their losses. Despite the hurt and scars that they received, they know that the worst was over. They can all continue what they started and build a more harmonious life.
Naruto kept close ties with all of his friends. He wanted to make sure he was there for them no matter what after enduring the previous war with him. Throughout the years, he and Sakura were inseparable when it comes to these bonds.
He looked after her when Sasuke was away, and together they had wished him well and hoped that things will work out just the way he wanted it too. But Naruto can't help but to feel sad for Sakura when Sasuke left again. He didn't know how long she would wait again and had no idea how this will affect her. She made herself busy at the Hospital to the point of exhaustion. Sometimes he would even hear her crying at her room whenever she, him and Sai get together in her apartment. He thought that she must have felt pretty lonely all these years. All he has to do now is hope that things will work out.
"Don't worry about it, Naruto-kun. They just need some time to figure everything out. I'm sure it will be fine." She gave him a reassuring smile and responded with his own.
"You're right, Hinata-chan. Let's eat!" He said excitedly as the married couple ate their lunch.