Lonely Footsteps

A/N Hurhur, let's just all assume that none of this ninja war is going on and tobi is still Madara. This is my first ff and I hope you guys enjoy it. Oh yeah, I don't own naruto because if I did, I would have Mikoto Uchiha be Tobi. Hurhur


"Uchiha."

Standing emotionless as ever, Sasuke stood, tall and straight, in front of the Hokages' desk, awaiting his punishment for deflecting the village. The village he once sworn he would never return to. Even with his goal of killing Itachi finished, he didn't want to return because Sasuke knew; he knew the village could hardly accept him back. Not after his feat of leaving five years ago.

"Uchiha Sasuke, you are one lucky criminal." Tsunade, the fifth Hokage, stated, "If it weren't for you dealing with Deidara, Itachi, Orochimaru, and Danzo we would have executed you as soon as you stepped foot into the village."

"Tch." Sasuke wasn't all that worried about being executed. He knew he had it coming.

"Well, aren't you cocky. Uchiha Sasuke, as the fifth Hokage, I've deemed it appropriate that you cannot leave the village for three years, can only go on missions within the village for two , and you are required to have one year probation. An Anbu will be checking up on you at random times through out the day. You are not to leave the Uchiha Manor unless called on by me and only me. As for groceries and other necessities, I will assign someone to bring them to you. Are we clear on these terms?" Sasuke was apprehensive. Not about the punishment, but of living in his old home again. Sasuke wasn't sure he was okay with returning back there. Back to where the memories of his clans' murder still resided. But none the less, Sasuke nodded his head in agreement.

"Good. I am also not allowing you to take the chunin exams till after the three years is up." Tsunade smirked. "I'm sure you'll need a conversation starter." Sasuke glared and Tsunades' smirk grew wider. "Alright, you can leave. I'll have someone stop by the manor to drop off whatever it is you will need." With that, Sasuke followed the two ANBU guards to his old home


"Tsunade-sama, you called for me." Sakura stated walking into her sensei's office.

"Ah, yes. I have a mission for you." Tsunade handed her apprentice a mission scroll. "The specifics are inside." Tsunade waited while her pink haired apprentice read through the mission. Tsunade found it quite amusing as she watched Sakura expression switch through shock, confusion, and anger.

Sakura was a mixture of emotions. She was just put on a mission to deliver living necessities to the man who left the village, the man who knocked her out and left her lying on a bench, the man who shattered her heart- Uchiha Sasuke.

"Tsunade-sama, I will not accept this mission." Sakura said with verdict. She would not be going anywhere near Sasuke, old teammate be damned. Anything regarding Sasuke was too much. She wasn't ready to associate with him, yet.

An irritated twitch of her eyebrow Tsunade demanded, "You will accept this mission and you will do what I say. I am your Hokage and your mentor. Don't think I won't pull a cheap shot and take you out of hospital duties, Sakura. "

"But, Tsunade-sama, You can't do this to me. You can't!" Sakura yelled back.

"You watch me." Tsunade retorted. "Look, Sakura, whatever you have against the Uchiha brat, ignore it. This is a mission. A simple mission. All you have to do is run errands for him. You don't need to speak to him." Tsunade sighed.

Sakura was livid. She couldn't believe it. First, Tsunade refused to send her on the mission with Naruto to retrieve Sasuke and now she makes her become Sasukes' little errand girl. It was only 8 am and she needed a drink.

"Fine." Sakura said curtly. Sakura spun on her heels and stomped her way out of the Hokage's office, slamming the door shut in her wake.


The walk through the Uchiha district was one of the longest walk Sasuke has ever taken. He could see the ghost of his people. Their blood staining the walls of the district. Their screams echoed through the empty streets. He could see it all, the blood, everywhere. He knew there really wasn't any blood stains left. No, after five years of leaving the village, the stains were gone. But he could see them. He had the sharingan and it had always been special.

Arriving at his childhood home, the Anbu disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Sasuke knew they were lurking in the shadows but he didn't care. As long as they didn't enter his home, he was okay. Walkng up the stairs, he could feel the wooden stairs creak with old age. As soon as he set foot on the top step, it gave way under his weight and collapsed. His ninja reflexes automatically sensed danger and jumped away in time. Staring at the broken step, he decided he would fix his home. If he was going to live here, he didn't want to live in a place that looked condemned.

Skipping the broken step and reaching the door, he took the key he had carried with him for five years out. He told himself over and over again that he didn't want to return here, yet, he carried his house key. He didn't know why he carried it, he just did.

Using the key to unlock the door, Sasuke finally stepped inside. Shutting the door and looking around, he could see everything remained the same. The furniture, the wall hangings, everything was left where it was and untouched. His home belongings collected dust over the years of being out of use. Sasuke wondered why no one ever went through his belongings. If the entryway and the living room was in this condition, no doubt every room would be the same, including his childhood bedroom.

"Sasuke-chan." Sasuke heard a hiss in his ear. He felt pressure on his right shoulder and nodded in acknowledgment. His family had ninja cats. He was surprised they knew he was here.

"Sasuke-chan, it's been a long time. It's been assume Itachi is dead." Sasuke stiffened at the mention of his dead brother. The feline jumped from Sasukes' shoulder and landed gracefully in front of him.

"Leave the house to us, we will make it habitable once more." The cat purred.

"Why didn't you do it when I was gone?" Sasuke questioned.

"Your hunt for Itachi would have taken a long time, we saw no need to."

"Very well." Sasuke said over his shoulder as he walked towards the front door. "I should be expecting someone, do not make yourselves known to them." He said before quietly closing the door.


Sakura couldn't believe it. She could not believe Tsunade just sent her on a mission within the village to run errands for her ex-teammate. Why on earth did Tsunade send her to do it? Why couldn't Naruto do it? Or Kakashi, anyone but her. She didn't want to see Sasuke, yet. She especially didn't want to think about how she was definitely not in love with him anymore. Definitely not.

"Stupid, chicken butt haired-prick." She mumbled bitterly as she stomped her way around the street market, picking out things someone would need like shampoo, tooth paste, and food. In the middle of her inner monologue on spiky haired jerks, Sakura was unaware of a blob of orange and yellow racing towards her.

"SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto yelled out as he tackled her into a hug.

"Naruto, get off me!" Sakura shouted back, using her super strength to pry herself out of Narutos' clutches. Once free, she spun on her heels in the opposite direction of Naruto and quickly made for an escape.

"Sakura-chan, where ya going? We have to go see Sasuke! He's back, Sakura-chan, he's back! We brought him back!" Naruto exclaimed quickly catching up with Sakura.

"We did not do anything. You did. You brought him back." Sakura said with as much hostility she should muster up.

"What?" Naruto said, confused.

"Naruto, you left me. We were suppose to bring Sasuke back together. You left without me and you brought him back without me. I didn't do anything, like always. I sat back and waited, letting you fight the battles. I. Didn't. Do. Anything." Sakura ranted.

"Sakura-chan…"

"Whatever, Naruto. I have a mission to do. I'll see you later. " Sakura quipped. Sakura stomped off leaving Naruto standing in the crowded market, with a regretful look in his eyes.


Sasuke could be found wandering the streets of the Uchiha District. He found the streets bare and something in his chest hurt thinking about how it use to be lively. He walked past his aunt's bakery where he would spend some days helping her bake. He wandered past the weapons shop, where the Uchihas usually bought their weapons from. He walked aimlessly around till he reached a pier. He looked out and saw that the pier was rather unsightly but the lake remained clear like he remembered. He noted to himself he would have to find some time to fix the pier.

Memories of his childhood flooded his mind. He remembered coming to the pier as a child and practicing the fire jutsus the Uchihas were known for. He remembered his father watching him finally completing one and telling him he was proud. He could recall the feeling of accomplishment bursting through him. He wasn't sure if he liked having these memories flow through his mind but at least they were pleasant.

Having enough of the trip down memory lane, Sasuke made a few hand signs and transported to the front of his home. Taking notice that the broken step was fixed, Sasuke would find time to thank the ninja cats. Sasuke walked into his house and true to the ninja cats' word, his home was more habitable. Everything had been swept and dust, his house smelt clean and fresh.

"Sasuke-chan, a woman is walking through the district towards the manor, shall we take care of her?" a disembodied voice could be heard.

"No. Escort her here but do not let yourselves be known." Sasuke answered calmly. "Thank you for your hard work." Sasuke stood still in the foyer listening for a reply, when he heard none, he continued on through the house.


Sakura was apprehensive walking through the Uchiha District. She felt an odd sense as if she was being followed. She simply assumed it was the Anbu on guard to oversee Sasuke. Walking down the empty roads, Sakura took notice of the buildings that were once occupied by the clan. All were boarded up and some were falling apart after years of not being used. She began to feel sympathy for Sasuke. Living in such a desolate place, alone.

"He must be lonely." Sakura murmured. Surprised by her thoughts, Sakura shook her head to rid herself of thoughts and any kind of feeling towards Sasuke. She should not be feeling sympathy for him. Serves him right he is alone. Never once did he realize that team 7 had always been there for me. Always acting high and mighty.

"Prick." Sakura grumbled, shifting the heavy bags from one arm to the other. Sakura looked up from the bags that contained things for Sasuke and saw that that the main house of the Uchiha Clan was in view. Slowly walking up the house, Sakura stopped short of the steps.

"There he goes again with his obsessive cleaning. Hasn't even been a day since his release and already, he had his home looking immaculate." Sakura ranted. Taking a quick shuddering breath, Sakura walked up the stairs to the front door. Suddenly the door in front of her felt huge. She felt like a little girl again. Her breaths coming out short, Sakura tried to calm herself.

"Breathe, Sakira, breathe. This is a mission. A lousy D-ranked mission that you have to complete even though you're a highly qualified jonin and medic-nin." Sakura whispered and internally scorning Tsunade for sending her on this ridiculous mission. Taking one last breath, Sakura tapped her knuckles to the front door.

Sakura was contemplating just leaving the bags at the door and running for it when she heard footsteps come closer to the front door. Holding her breath, she waited for the door to open.

Time suddenly went slow and the door opened at an agonizingly slow pace, revealing a tall, pale skinned adolescent. Onyx eyes blinked, a minute change in expression before returning to default impassive.

"Sakura." A husky voice could be heard from the man. Sakura suddenly lost her voice. She hadn't seen Sasuke since he was brought in by Naruto. Back then, he was beaten to a bloody pulp, Naruto was no better.

A quirk of the eyebrow and a smirk on his face. "You just going to stand there all day and be annoying?" Sasuke quipped. Sakura finally let the breath she had been holding go and her face contorted into one of anger.

"Harhar, always so funny aren't you, Uchiha." Sakura spit back, pushing past Sasuke, stomping her way into his house.

"Hn."

Standing in the foyer, Sakura looked around and true to her earlier words, Sasukes' home was immaculate.

Looking ahead to Sasuke as he brushed past her, Sakura kicked her shoes off and followed Sasuke into the kitchen.

"Here." Sakura said, placing bags on the counter. " I bought you food that should last you about a week, some bathroom necessities, and laundry detergent." Turning around she saw Sasuke staring at her.

Wanting to leave as quickly as possible because Sasukes' stare was making her fidget and become rather uncomfortable, Sakura began walking back to the foyer.

"Tomatoes." Sasuke replied peering into the bags on his counter. "You didn't buy tomatoes."

Sakura snorted," Forgive me your highness" Sakura just really wanted to leave that very moment but something was beginning to plague her mind.

"Why?" Green eyes meeting black. "Why did you come back?"

"Where else was I suppose to go?" He questioned back.

"Anywhere in the world, but why come back here? Why come back to Konoha? I recall you once abandoned us." Sakura looked away breaking eye contact. She didn't know how long she would be able to stand the blank stare Sasuke gave her. It was like looking into nothing. His deep onyx eyes held nothing. Peering into them made her blood freeze. She felt like she was looking at someone who was dead. Void of any kind of emotion. Sasukes' eyes were dead. He was dead on the inside.

"I-There is nothing else out there I need or want." He replied, looking out the window. "So, I came home. Isn't this what you've always wanted? I can also recall you and Naruto going to the ends of the earth to bring me back. You want this right? For me to be home again." He retorted, turning his gaze, once again, on her.

Sasuke was right. How many nights had she stayed awake, hoping he would return? How many of those nights had she clutched her pillow, crying, wishing he would return? Yes, she wanted him home. Sakura wanted nothing more than for the man she fell in love with to return to where he as supposed to be. This was what she wanted, right? No, Sakura didn't want this. Not anymore. Sakura could feel her inner self berate her. Of course this is what she wanted. Was all that fighting for Sasukes' return for nothing?

"People change, people move on. You don't belong here anymore." Sakura lied. Sakura lied to save herself. If she told him the truth, it would only invite more blows to her heart. So, she lied. She lied so she could get away from her unrequited love. Sakura didn't want to love a bastard like him. A bastard who abandoned their home, abandoned her. He left her on a bench for crying out loud!

With that said, Sakura walked out of the room without a backwards glance, unaware of the pain that was evident on the face of a man she loved and wanted ever so much to forget.


A/N: Okay, another note. I borrowed the idea of ninja cats from this lovely story, which you should all read! It's called "The Last Will and Testament of Uzumaki Naruto" by BlushingLotus. I did email them about using the idea, just to say. Please review! I'd like to know what you guys think. If it's not good. It gets discontinued unless you guys have any ideas on making it better!