"Tsunade-sama," Sakura began as her flushed teacher finished a long swig of sake. "He's back."

"Ah," She grunted back, slamming the small cup onto the table. Tsunade stared at Sakura with a raised brow and didn't bother to hide her frown. "Do you plan on seeing him?"

Sakura shrugged, taking a swig of her own. "If I have time."

Tsunade shook her head at her fake indifference. "He hasn't come to see you yet." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. A loaded one at that.

Sakura's eyes narrowed, "No, he hasn't." Without skipping a beat, she poured herself another shot of sake, downing it aggressively. "I'll be going for the night."

"Be careful Sakura," Tsunade heeded as Sakura stood and began to walk out the door. While she wished her mentor would be more supportive, she understood the concern.

Tsunade had almost single handedly drawn Sakura out of her depression when Sasuke left. Her mentor had seen her punch boulders mid-sob and had taught her proper nutrition habits since eating small amounts of fruit would not suffice for her training regimen. Tsunade had broken her and rebuilt her into the woman she was today and she had not intentions of recreating the masterpiece a second time.

Sakura nodded and smiled the smile Sai scolded her for. "I will."

Sasuke let out a long exhale as he walked through the gates. It had been two long years since he had stepped foot in this village. The air was as thick and heavy as ever. He lifted his chin in greeting to the guards to avoid a commotion. His first stop was the Hokage tower and he had no intentions of detouring.

Sasuke entered the office without prompting, Kakashi had surely already sensed him. "Ah, Sasuke. Long time no see." His eyes upturned, but he rested his head against his hand as he scanned his former student.

"Ah," Sasuke responded leaning against the doorway. "Any new developments?"

"No, not yet," Kakashi sighed. "Yamato is keeping surveillance, but nothing yet."

Sasuke closed his eyes in thought and frustration. Orochimaru was as sly as ever after the war. It was unlikely he would do anything to draw attention to himself currently. These appearances had his name written all over them, however.

There was a sudden rumbling through the halls of the tower, causing Sasuke to shift his attention to the doorway.

"He's in a meeting! You cannot just barge in!"

"A meeting with Sasuke!" A familiar voice demanded. "You let go of this damn jutsu right now!"

"Like hell! This is the fourth time this week you have barged in unsolicited!"

"Shikamar-"

"Yo! Shikamaru, it's okay, we just about done," Kakashi called rubbing the back of his head. They had grown, but they were still children nonetheless.

"SASUKE!" Naruto barged in, attempting to head lock his best friend

"Loser," Sasuke acknowledged, with a smirk as he side stepped his attempt.

"You owe me lunch for being gone so long! Ramen on you!"

"Yeah, yeah," Sasuke dismissed as he walked away from the room. Naruto followed him, knowing well this was truly an invitation to lunch.

As the office door swung shut, Shikamaru stepped in, hands in his pocket. "How long do you think he'll stay?"

Kakashi sighed, facing the village at this point. "Long enough to get the information he needs."

"That hits the spot, doesn't it Sasuke!" Naruto yelled, more as a statement than question. There was still a few stray droplets running down his lip.

"Ah," Sasuke nodded. Ramen had become more a nostalgia trip than anything. Frankly, the dish was too salty and the flavors didn't meld as well as he would like, but Team Seven had spent many meals here. It was one of their spots.

"Are you ready to go see Sakura-chan?"

Sasuke grimaced. Naruto, however, did not notice (or care to notice) his friend's face and began walking toward the west side of town. "Oi! Sasuke! C'mon!"

Sasuke sighed, there wasn't much he could do to avoid the kunoichi. Not that he was avoiding her. He simply hadn't run into her yet or had the time to seek her out. He also had neglected to answer most of her letters save for birthdays and holidays. He also didn't know where she lived, how could he possibly find her in such a large village. So, he clearly was not avoiding her. Uchiha Sasuke did not avoid people.

His thoughts shifted to the village around. The buildings were taller and more metallic since he left. The village was building up, not out. Despite being past dinner time, the village was bustling. The people seemed more diverse. Varying skin tones and hair colors. It was obvious the Allied Shinobi Forces also helped civilians with their relocations.

Sasuke had never been to Sakura's home before, despite their former friendship. He began to imagine her living space full of dainty tastes of her. She seemed like one to have knick-knacks and doilies. He frowned, shrugging off the thoughts. Imagining those details was pointless with the destination so close.

"Does she know we're coming?"

"Nope," Naruto grinned. "But she certainly won't mind me barging in if I bring you."

If Sasuke was capable of blushing, he's pretty sure he would have.

Sakura walked home carrying several bags of groceries. Her heels hurt and she could barely keep her eyes open any longer. The hospital had been brutal today and then dinner with her sensei was lovely, but already too much for today.

There was also the pressing issue of Sasuke being in the village. Should she go greet him? No, she thought, remembering one of her many promises to herself. She had swore to every diety and on every single person's grave she cared about that she was done chasing him. It was his turn. If he ever wanted to expand on their parting gestures, that was great. If he didn't, that was fine, just fine. Her free hand brushed her forehead, instinctively recalling the only time he had ever reached for her. And if it was the last was also just fine.

As she tossed the groceries on her table, a tomato rolled out. She smiled, how fitting. She sat down on the couch. She'd just lay here for a few minutes, she just needed to rest her feet.

The next thing she knew there was a pounding on her door. "Sakura!" Ugh, Naruto. She swung her feet around and rubbed her temples. The pounding kept coming. "If you don't open this door right now, I'm going to bang it open!" She groaned, he was always so demanding.

Sakura stomped over and opened the door. "What could be so-oh" She stopped in her tracks; the ever-entrancing onyx eyes stared back at her. She felt her breath hitch in her, feeling warmth come to her cheeks. He'd grown taller, he towered over her now. His hair was longer and time had done him well.

Sasuke couldn't help but stare right at his favorite kunoichi. She seemed…different. Maybe it was the bags under her eyes or her disheveled hair. She looked intense, nothing like the doe-eyed girl of her youth. "Sakura, I'm home."

Sakura was not a woman who was often speechless. However, right now she felt like she was suffocating. Before she knew it, she was breathing heavy. Oh god, maybe she should have done more than pick at her salad during dinner. The sake certainly hadn't helped either. And his eyes, they shouldn't be spinning. His eyes didn't spin when they were black, how…odd…

Oomph. Sasuke swiftly reached out and grabbed her. He glanced at her, furrowing his brow. "Sakura…"

Sasuke laid Sakura down on her couch and sighed. "Has she been eating?"

Naruto shrugged. "She's so busy at the hospital, all she does in work. The hospital, the clinic, training. And I'm usually with Hinata. We barely have time to hang out anymore."

Sasuke nodded. She had certainly kept busy. He couldn't expect much less from her. From what little he had learned about 'new' Sakura, her work ethic seemed to be second to only maybe Naruto's. He sat down next to her on the couch, crossing his legs.

"Congratulations, on the wedding."

"You're only a little late, ya loser," Naruto jeered.

Sasuke smirked, "That's my line, loser."

Naruto left for the evening shortly after, knowing well Hinata did not enjoy when he came home too late. Sasuke decided to stay and keep watch. He looked down at the sleeping woman beside him.

Sakura really was different. Her muscles were define and her hair was even shorter than when he left. Curled up on the couch she seemed docile, but he knew better than to mess with her temper. He had watched her shatter the earth during the war.

Sasuke turned his attention to the room around him. He had been wrong. Her apartment was essentially bare. There were no knick-knacks. There were no doilies. The only things making the place homey was a bowl of fruit on the table and a few scattered picture frames. His attention turned to the ceiling, not wanting to leave her just yet.

"Sasuke-kun," a young voice chimed. "Let me mend you."

Young Sasuke sat down next to a young girl, adorned with long pink hair. She bore a strong resemblance to an old friend. He shimmied out of his robe, exposing his burnt back. It was a pain tolerance day.

She took out a turquoise balm and began to rub it on his back. He groaned, it burned.

"I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun. I know it hurts."

He turned and placed his hand over hers, "Thank you."

The room shifts, they're older. The room is dark, lit only by a few torches. Sasuke looks around, he knows his place. He takes several steps forward and a figure begins to form. It's on the ground, lifeless. The same long pink haired girl is stained red.

Sasuke willed himself awake and swallowed. That's enough. He hadn't meant to fall asleep. He glanced around the room recalling exactly what was going on. His attention turned to his thigh as he felt her nuzzling, he grinned. The grin quickly turned into a frown as he stood up, placing a blanket over her. With a long glance behind him, Sasuke let himself out of the apartment.

A/N: First Chapter redone! I made the chapters longer and added a more meat and re-worded some things I hated.

Reviews are greatly appreciated!

Thanks for reading!