Disclaimer: I dont own the characters, the places, or the things in this story- what I do own is the pop tarts I'm eating while I write this.

Hello Everyone...and by that I mean no one, which slightly makes me more comfortable. Writing is scary. Regardless, -Hello! Hope this finds you, my reader, well. I am back...with a new chapter. This one takes place after the events of Sakura Hiden. I believe that is only about a six month gap after Naruto- The Last. Well this takes place six months after that. So about two years after the shinobi war and a year after that last chapter I posted. I guess that makes them what-...19…..20 years of age? I have no clue. Their ages are all over the place haha.

"Sasuke-kun!"

The normal humdrum of the Konoha morning was once again mildly foreign to him, though the piercing sound of recognition by one of the Konoha twelve was all too familiar, even after all of his time away. The Uchiha turned to face Yamanaka, Ino. Her hair was the first thing he noticed, now being worn long down her back instead of in its classic ponytail. The second thing was that she swiftly removed her hand from that of her walking partner, Sai. A secret relationship? Perhaps- though he saw no reason for them to hide it from someone like him…

Sai was his replacement, which he'd never really minded though he hardly knew the guy to make an honest evaluation. Ironically, while he had heard from his former team mates that they had vehemently hated him at first, he had grown to have a quiet understanding of the man. Their first meeting hadn't gone well- the idiot prying in places he shouldn't. But now that the war was over, the two had just sort of nodded it off. Though Sai stared at him with watchful eyes, Sasuke didn't find any annoyance in it. Deep down he understood Sai's wish to protect his friends and to any sane person he was still a viable threat. It just so happened that most of the Konoha twelve didn't seem to possess any sanity to speak of.

"You're back!" She affirmed, the shock still present on her features. Sasuke nodded, turning to face her with calm eyes. "Why?"

Well that was a dumb question. He said he'd be back. Guess years of having to force him back made a willing return seem downright impossible. He stared at her blankly, wondering if it would be rude to just continue walking away.

"Do I need a reason?" He asked plainly. He was officially a Konoha citizen again, he had every right to be here. Though many would argue that simple fact- and by the look on Sai's face, it was clear he was one of that weary group.

"N-No it's just that" Ino seemed to finally be wrapping her head around it. Sighing in an exasperated manner, she scratched her head and managed to come to the only mutual conversation topic between them that might ease the awkward tension out of this already odd conversation. "After you refused to come back last time- Geez Sakura is so pissed at you" the blonde retorted, fumbling over her new train of thought. Any hope she may have had for easing the tension was lost.

"That was none of my business" Sasuke said, feeling as though he had said this more than enough times, though really he'd only ever actually written it once. The fact was, he'd said it in his head more than enough times as he went to investigate all on his own. Uchiha problems would forever be his business, not that village had to be privy to them. They had a history of misreading or twisting the facts where the Uchiha were concerned. He also found it hard to believe Sakura was actually mad at him. Why would she be? Given up, maybe- not mad.

"No, I mean…..ignoring the village but saving her. You know the theatrics was a bit much. She had a handle on it, just fine." Ino defended softly. It seemed that this had been a touchy subject around town and already Sasuke felt like he once again had to explain himself. He hated explaining himself. There was no point when no one understood where you were coming from to begin with- least of all Sakura.

He could feel the nervousness bristle in him, and it was easily confused as annoyance at the situation. But he knew better. Seeing Sakura cry was what ultimately annoyed him, because he knew it was his fault. In the end, it was clear to him that any aversion he had with her was actually with himself. He'd saved her -yes…At first he had decided that coming back would only perpetuate the problem and that he had no business trying to defend himself when he knew he was innocent. Who would believe him anyway. It worked like a charm, and the men responsible switched tactics. This also worked like a charm. Hearing that Sakura was kidnapped over people coveting his eyes made him furious.

Part of him should have known better. She could take care of herself, she was the apprentice to a Sanin like the rest of them and possessed just as much, if not more power. But while thinking this through on the road, he realized he was already turned around and halfway home. He wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't at least check in. But it was a conflict of interest. He didn't want her to feel inferior so- after he beat them up he left quickly, hoping no one would notice his entrance or exit. Apparently they had...and apparently it had pissed Sakura off anyway. Great.

Thus, he wasn't entirely sure what to reply. Sai, earning brownie points with the Uchiha, stepped forward. "I better get going Ino-san...I'll see you for dinner at 8pm alright?" He said with a smile that caused Sasuke's brow to twitch. Creepy guy….

Ino blinked and nodded, turning back to Sasuke as if to say something but instead just turning to Sai and blushing. "Yes, right- don't you dare be late" She chided then turned back to Sasuke. "I have to run...Sakura's pulling shifts at the hospital, being kidnapped put her behind on work and Naruto is with Kakashi- I mean Hokage-sama. Just in case you're looking for them...I uh...I have to run. Welcome back" She said though, there was just enough of a sardonic undertone that made anything she said sound insincere. He nodded and turned back to the road he had been walking.

Which he wound up walking about three times over. He had an apartment...empty as it was. Literally, there wasn't even a towel in the place. It wasn't until he saw Ino again that the thought crossed his mind to ask her exactly what she meant when she said that Sakura was upset at him. This of course, was the issue he had been pushing from his mind for the last three courses and was now finally entertaining it as an idea he should consider seriously.

But his pride and lack of social graces kept him from crossing the line over divulging personal problems to someone outside the equation. Sauntering over, he was stopped in his tracks at the sight of Sakura coming up to help her long term friend pick between two types of flowers. It seemed simple enough and Sasuke thought better of bugging her with his questions in the presence that the said questions happened to be about. Right, they were personal problems- things between him and Sakura alone. Then Sakura began to walk away and Sasuke knew exactly what he should do.

Sakura knew that she would wait. It wasn't like she was truly alone, and she could go on. She'd gone on this long. Ironically this conversation helped her...though she'd had it about a thousand times in the last three years. She could wait for him, she would wait for him- then she would doubt it, feel lonely. A spell would hit and she would question the validity of waiting for a man, burning on the back burner in a painfully slow manner. Then something would happen, she trusted it would, and she would wait again.

Because when something did happen it would be-...

"I'm home…" A voice said behind her, and her thoughts cut off as smoothly as a warm knife sliced through butter. She felt her heart beat, and really - she would bet anyone anything that she was dreaming. These moments just didn't happen in real life.

"Sakura" Sasuke said looking directly at her.

At first, she had no idea what she wanted to do. Part of her wanted to turn and run into his arms, hold him close and tell him to never leave again. Another part of her wanted to kiss him and tell him that his timing was impeccable. Instead she stood there, staring in utter shock at him- worried that her hug might get denied or her kiss shyly rejected.

"Sasuke-kun" She said holding her hands at her chest suddenly, and after a moment she bit her lip. The moments of the past week flooding back to her and how she had longed to see him. How she had just literally, moments ago, come to terms with the fact that she would wait for him. Of course in coming to terms with those feelings, she hadn't actually planned how she might react when he did come home- She had honestly had no time.

Sasuke stared at her, his brow raising slightly. It was a moment of staring at each other. Words seemed lost on both of them. Sakura rushing to say something in an instance she really didn't have to say anything and Sasuke convinced that he didn't have to say a word in an instance he really should elaborate on. After all, he started the conversation. But that was as much of a statement he felt he needed to make. Sakura instead began to laugh.

Before Sasuke could let his confusion mingled with lingering fear and annoyance get the better of his mouth both of them froze at the impending third team member.

"SASUKE!" The loud and slightly hoarse voice of Uzumaki, Naruto came ringing like a town cryer in the middle of the night. Both Sakura and Sasuke sighed in unison as he jumped between them and ran to embrace his friend. Sasuke of course, sidestepped and turned the situation quickly into one of awkward shaking.

"Where have you been- and seriously WE SAID STAY OUT OF TROUBLE you jerk. Be glad you're back, you have a lot of attitude to answer for, Dattebayo!" He said effectively killing whatever glimmer of a mood there might have been between them.

"Oh Sakura-chan!" Naruto said, perking his head up and turning to his friend with a giant grin as if only just now noticing her presence. "You got my invitation right?!" He asked worriedly. It was obvious that moment that Hinata had probably put him to the task and in his eager attempts to please his fiance he was nerve wracked about the wedding invitations. Rather cute to see if Sakura was honest.

"Yes, yes!" She said blushing madly and Naruto looked taken aback. "You….feel okay? You've been working over time since you got back- do you have a fever...your face is red." He said quizzically.

"NO IM FINE, YOU IDIOT!" Sakura glared, but only managed to huff him off half heartedly.

Naruto looked to Sasuke then back to Sakura….and back again. Exchanging questioning looks for a good half minute, Naruto finally seemed to catch on.

"Did I walk in on something?" He asked, his lips moving like the sly fox he was.

Determined to make it seem like nothing, if only not to put pressure on Sasuke, Sakura moved forward and grabbed Naruto by the ear. "more like barrelled in, you idiot. Sasuke-kun just got back and I was saying hi." She explained- hoping the cool and casual response left enough explanation to not warrant suspicion or confusion.

It worked and Naruto just stood. "Great, lets get dinner. Ah Sasuke! we didn't know when you would be back so Hinata and I have the invitation for you back at the house" He said with a grin. Sakura bit her lip, sucking in the air. She'd come to terms with the fact that Sasuke might not attend Naruto and Hinata's wedding. Now that he was back, he might and- all these ideas and fantasies flowed into her head like a water from a broken dam. Mentally, she tried to shove it back violently- not allowing herself to get her hopes up. The thought of them being dashed was too painful. Fantasies were only good for being dashed.

"Invitation to what?" Sasuke asked and Naruto and Sakura's jaws dropped in unison. How had he not heard? Sakura guessed he really hadn't been observant, well he had been gone. Naruto, instead of yelling, seemed embarrassed. The dork couldn't get his own blush off his face. Sakura waited for him to answer, smiling in a sisterly and proud fashion.

"Well uh, you see….um…" Naruto fumbled.

"Naruto, spit it out" Sasuke said once, looking rather bored with this topic.

"My wedding. Hinata and I are getting married, dattebayo!" He grinned, scratching his head nervously.

It was Sasuke's turn to have his jaw hit the ground and Sakura waited to see his reaction- which was surprisingly ….calm and disappointing to anyone who liked gossip. Sasuke had to confess a modicum of surprise at this- but not for the reason many might expect. He, just never really saw marriage as something to happen soon. But as he mulled it over, he supposed they really were at that age for marriage. Shinobi tended to marry young, since their line of work left them without much to speak for in way of life expectancy.

"Congratulations" He managed out politely.

"Thats it?!" Sakura said and Sasuke shot her a look as if to say 'what else is there?'

However, their goofy friend looked beyond happy to hear it. As if he'd been beyond nervous about discussing it and a weight had suddenly lifted from his shoulders. Laughing brightly he grinned like an idiot at Sasuke and then put his hands on his hips.

"Hah- Thanks. Say, lets get Ramen."

And like that, Sasuke was off the hook.

"So you're not mad?"

"Huh?" Sakura asked, her eyes opening wide and turning to look at Sasuke instead of the direction of the restrooms to which their blonde haired team mate had just run off.

"Mad at what, Sasuke-kun?" Since their previous conversation had been primarily about the concerning state of Naruto's living condition and his habit of drinking sour milk, Sakura guessed that Sasuke wasn't exactly talking about that.

"nothing" He said quickly and went back to poking his noodles, taking a bite to dispel tension. Her green hues never left his face though. Unlike before, he was unnerved by her confused stare.

"No," bravely, the words left her lips. "What did you think I was mad about?" She asked quietly. "We're adults now...we can have an adult conversation" She said furrowing her brows and looking back to her meal. "Cant we?"

Sasuke looked over to her silently, and for a moment he didn't reply. Then he nodded and looked to her. "about those men….about me coming to rescue you" He said quietly, taking another bite.

Sakura looked up and blushed. "Oh...oh no...um, I was…..well….I mean at first I was sort of upset that I needed saving- but...I realized later that I could have taken them with or without your help. You've been gone so long….its okay you didn't know. But, I'm glad you came…." She said with a smile.

Sasuke looked at her and nodded, then turned back to eat his food quietly.

So that was it. Both let silence in with saying what they thought needed to be said. Held by insecurities, the two said all they could say- yet nothing that they really needed to…Sasuke to divulge that these feelings confused and scared him, despite the impending realization that they had been there all along. Sakura to reveal that she was bursting at her stitches- desperate to hold him and reply as she had meant to earlier that evening.

'Welcome home Sasuke-kun, I love you- I always will. Please dont leave but should you go- know I'll always wait. Thats my strength, my hearts way...'

After all, when something did happen- it would be theirs and it would be worth it. It just hadn't happened yet….