new story.
He knew things were different right when he stepped foot through the entrance.
He was ready for whatever was going to attack him. Any kind of stops, any progression, anything at all. He was ready for practically anything. He had his team make sure they were in good health and had eaten something before entering the gates, knowing that after they stepped in, things were going to be rough and people will suffer. He was ready for it all.
What he wasn't ready for was the place open to him, like he was actually welcomed there. He walked casually through, hands in his pocket and his Kusanagi in his sheath, hanging limply behind his lower back. Behind him, his team seemed to settle down a bit, releasing their tense selves and giving in to the confusion. They were wanted criminals, but everyone acted as they were just passer-by's.
He couldn't help but note the small village was, indeed, still the exact same since he left almost seven years ago. As he walked, children ran past him, posting up lanterns and giggling due to the snow falling down carelessly upon them. Walking farther up the path, civilians strolled around, talking and laughing as if their lives couldn't get any better.
Once he passed the hospital, a sharp pain seared through him, making him remember the huge scab on his lower back from a recent fight that occurred just outside of Sound. Ignoring it and his loud teammates behind him, he continued forward.
"Ohayo! Come in and take a long, nice bath in our hot springs!" A young lady called out to them, only to be ignored. Finally, after a long walk, they reached the building all the way on the other side. Not caring to look up or even acknowledge the ninjas standing at the doors, he strode in and climbed up the stairs to the tallest story and stood at the door. His team followed, silent and waiting for what is to come for them.
He gave three knocks, not caring for a respond, and opened the door with so much casualty that it seemed as if he's been doing it for years to come. Standing at the door, he stared with an unfazed look in his eyes and watched the person across from him. His team scooted inside, appearing a little shocked than a normal person would.
"You're the Hokage?!" Suigetsu called out, mouth dropping to show his small fangs. Karin slapped his head, making him and Juugo bow down and whispering "manners, baka!" to him. The Hokage stood up, giving a small groan, and smiling at the three in front.
"Welcome to Konohagakure. Mind if I ask if you're here strictly on business or temporarily staying?" The Hokage said.
"No." The deep, baritone voice called out, finally closing the door behind him. He stepped up from behind his team, walking up to the desk and standing face to face with the Hokage. After an awkward silence, he slightly bowed.
"We are here for a permanent stay, Hokage-sama." One coal black eye looked up-still as cold and empty as before-to the dark, beady eye of the Hokage. "Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi's face crinkled up into a smile as he rubbed the back of his light grey head and gave a small chuckle to his ex-pupil. Sitting back down on his chair, he placed his hands on the desk, slightly twitching towards the orange book in the corner.
"It's nice to see you again, too, Sasuke."
"I can't wait to go home and see what Hinata-Chan made me! I'm going to go there and hug her and kiss her and tell her how much I've missed her since-" the blond haired, blue-eyed boy was suddenly shut up with a small, thin hand was slapped over his mouth.
"Naruto, I'm tired. Really tired. And Tsunade-sempai has so much work for me at the hospital when I go back later today so I really just want to go home, tell Kakashi-Sensei our mission was successful, and go to sleep without hearing your voice the entire time. So please, stay quiet." A young woman with bubblegum hair and viridian eyes sighed out, rubbing her temples with her free hand. Behind her, their other teammate, Sai, chuckled politely. Naruto peeled Sakura's hand off his mouth, a nervous smile on his face as he apologized to Sakura.
"Look, guys! We're finally home!" Naruto yelled, a little quieter for the sake of his tired, cranky teammate. Upon entering the gates of Konohagakure and saying their hello's to the people around them, an ANBU ninja came up to them.
"Haruno Sakura. Tsunade-sama requires your assistance this instance at the hospital." Sakura gave a small smile.
"Tenten, how many times do I have to tell you. You don't have to pretend around me. I already know it's you." She turned to the two guys behind her. "I'll see you guys at home later. I don't know if I'll be able to cook so tell Kakashi-sensei to order something. Bye, guys!" Sakura called out, leaving in a puff of smoke along with the ANBU ninja.
"Something is bothering you, am I right?" Kakashi asked his former pupil as the four sat, patiently waiting for him to finish signing their release forms and allowing their permanent stay. Sasuke gave a small, indifferent glance to his former teacher, and just went back to looking out the window and towards the sky.
"I guess I'll just fill you in on everything you've missed. After your assassination of both Danzo and Madara, the nations have been in peace. The fifth Hokage was in a coma for a while and when she awoke and was told of the elders, she did all but break down the whole village and resigned her place as Hokage. Seeing they needed a new Hokage, they turned to the one person everyone trusts-Uzumaki Naruto. Everyone thought he would be the perfect Hokage and just knew he would accept. What surprised us all is that he declined it, saying he found his true calling just being a ninja on Team 7. Not only that, Team 7 made it into being-"
The door busted open and a flash of yellow was suddenly all around.
"We're baaack, Kakashi-Sensei! And boy, was that a killer! We kicked ass out there, right Sai?! You totally missed it!" The hyperactive knucklehead grabbed a chair and relaxed in it, putting his hands behind his head and placing his feet on the Hokage's table with ease. Sai stood behind him, a smile on his face and a quiet expression towards the Hokage. "I mean, I beat those guys' asses and Sai totally got them into a trap and, and Sakura-"
"Naruto, we have guests here." Kakashi interrupted, a solemn but relaxed look on his face. Naruto shut his mouth and looked in question, slowly turning his head towards the four who sat in the far side of the room, quiet. Instantly paling, his eyes lingered mostly on the young man with the stoic expression and the unreadable look in his eyes.
"Sasuke." Naruto whispered out, voice expressionless and dull. Said boy gave a sideways glance, showing his acknowledgement and turned back to the skies. Naruto stood up stiffly and made his way out the door.
"I'll see you at home, Kakashi-sensei. Oh, and Sakura said to pick up food because she might be late."
"Where did she go?" Kakashi asked.
"She had to go report to the…you-know-what, and then help Tsunade-baachan at the hospital. See you later, Kakashi-sensei and guests!" He waved at the three newcomers with a smile. He turned to Sasuke next with a stern face. "See you, Sasuke." And with that, he left. Sai walked up to the Hokage, giving him a folder.
"A-Rank Mission # 243 completed, Hokage-sama." Sai said and followed suit to where Naruto left the building. Kakashi glanced over to the unfazed young man in the corner before giving them the signed papers and opening the manila folder. All four stood up and made their way out and into their new hometown. Before Sasuke could finally leave, he heard Kakashi's mumbled words that were most likely only meant for him to hear.
"Things have changed since you left, hasn't it?"
'Yes,' he thought, 'things have changed.'
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