Hello once again my wonderful reviewers.
Well I've been dying to type up this new story so enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the plot of this story and my OC character.
Summary: In which Sasuke learns empathy, and Sakura realizes there's always been someone to empathize with. Previously entitled 'I'm Back'.
Pairings: SasuOC, NaruSaku, and others.
Warning: Rated T for language and such.
Enjoy and don't forget to review!
I walked silently around where the Uchiha village once proudly stood. It was melancholy, to say the least, seeing this place again. I walked to an almost hidden corner in the village, my limbs freezing as I realized how unrecognizable it looked. My eyes misted over. It was the home I lived innocently in with my family until that damned Uchiha decided to take their lives. I knew he was still alive, but revenge was a feeling that had long ago died out. I missed my family, yes, but they were gone, and revenge would not bring me peace, never.
"Sasuke! Where are you?" A worried female voice called, interrupting my train of thought. Sasuke. The name was so familiar. Oh, Wait. Sasuke. Was it the same Sasuke I played with as a child? Fugaku's youngest son? He used to live right next door to me, didn't he? I then heard footsteps.
"Who's there?" I heard a deep voice ask almost menacingly.
I turned, surprised at the person standing before me. Beautiful may have been an understatement. Pale skin, dark hair that was spiked up in the back. He stared at me with those cold onyx eyes that, behind the monotonous façade, held pain and remorse, things of his past. Those eyes were permanently embedded into my brain, it seemed.
He reached for his kunai, but I kept my hands still, not looking for a fight.
"Can I help you?" I asked, just wanting to get back to my apartment and shower.
"You have no business on these grounds." I clenched my jaw.
"You have no idea who I am. Who are you to make such accusations?" I said, trying to keep my temper in check.
His eyes narrowed.
"Uchiha Sasuke." He said calmly.
"Kimihiro Ren." I said evenly. I watched his eyes widen for a fraction of a second.
He hesitated before speaking again, his eyes scrutinizing.
"Since when are you back in Konoha?"
"Since this morning. You can't stay away from home forever, I suppose." I admitted, relaxing a bit.
"Sasuke," A pretty girl with what looked to be unusual pink hair walked up to us.
"Is everything okay? Naruto and I got worried; we haven't seen you since brunch. He was hoping we could both meet him and Sai at—"
"I'm going home." He said nonchalantly, cutting her off. The girl nodded curtly, sighing as he leaped off into the night. She glanced at me and smiled warmly.
"He's difficult, eh?" She paused for a minute, analyzing me. "You must be the returning shinobi Kakashi-sensei was talking about earlier. Welcome to Konohagakure." She bowed in respect and I returned the gesture.
"Thank you, my name is Kimihiro Ren."
"Nice to meet you, Ren. I'm Haruno Sakura, part of Sasuke's squad."
"Aa, nice to meet you too." I said almost awkwardly, unsure of what else to say. I suddenly recognized her from my days in the Academy. She and a loud-mouthed blond had been paired with Sasuke in Squad Seven, that's right.
"Well, I've got to go meet Naruto at Ichiraku's. Sasuke or not, he's gonna wanna dig in to multiple helpings of ramen; it's a wonder he's in good shape," Sakura said, absentmindedly shaking her head.
"Goodnight, Ren!" And with that, she was off.
I let a sigh slip past my lips as I slowly walked back to my new home. It was sad, realizing how much I had missed besides the rank exams. I had always been sure to be in town for that, not wanting to fall behind. I idly wondered where my last partner was when I ran into someone.
"Oh, my apologies." I said quickly, picking up the hitai-ate that had fallen to the floor with a clank clank and handing it to the stranger. I looked up to see just the person I had been thinking of.
His eyes widened.
"Ren? Is that you?" He asked, the familiar voice making my sullen mood dissipate.
"Good to see you again, Neji-san." I said, smiling.
He pulled me into a hug. I laughed, mostly out of surprise.
"I heard that you were in town, but I thought it was just a rumor." He admitted as he pulled away.
"Well, it wasn't. And I'm here to stay." I said, smiling as his face lit up.
"Perfect. You're in time for my wedding; it's in a few weeks." He said, and I suddenly knew why he was much more open and happy than in his serious genin and chuunin days.
"Really? Who melted Neji the Ice Cube?" He smiled almost sheepishly.
"I'll explain while I walk you home. Where do you live?"
Suddenly, I was looking forward to doing something with someone I knew from Konoha. I supposed the memories of the past wouldn't drag me down as much as I thought they would when I had finally returned.
I led the way to my place as we chatted. I learned that his soon-to-be wife was Tenten, and I could see why. They were quite the match. He reassured me that Kakashi would give me a mission in no time and offered to help me settle in if I needed it. When we got to my apartment, it was my turn to give him a hug.
"Arigatou, Neji-san. See you soon." He nodded and I waved as he left, fishing my key out of my pocket with my free hand. As I unlocked my door, I heard more footsteps. I looked over to see Sasuke, quite a few doors down. I offered him a small smile and he nodded in acknowledgement, walking into his apartment without a second glance.
I let out another sigh as I did the same, slipping off my nin-sandals.
"Difficult? Understatement of the year." I mumbled as I closed my door and went up the steps that led straight to my bedroom.
I took a quick shower, changed into my pajamas, and finally laid down in my new room.
I would unpack the remaining things tomorrow morning. Tonight, I was too emotionally drained. I didn't know coming back to Konoha would be that difficult. I still loved the village, just not what had happened within its gates.
It had been a long day. And the next few months were going to be similar. Not necessarily depressing or too stressful, but it would take some time to get back into my comfort zone again.
That much I knew.
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Until next time!
-Anna