Chapter One: Renegade's Return

I can't sleep.

The three words ran through his mind like a relentless mantra. I can't stand it. This fucking house – he thought. I just wish they had burned it down while I was away. Sure, Itachi confessed everything but… The words that shaped themselves at the tip of his tongue danced menacingly. It didn't change the fact that he had still committed the murders. Even with the orders, the hurt… it was still there. It would never leave.

Ghosts of tears filled his eyes and he punched his pillow in frustration. He had already mourned for his brother. Hell, he had mourned enough for his late family and possibly others that would follow. Was he a shinobi or a small child? With one last effort to sleep, he gave up any thoughts of bed rest. Annoyed with his body, he unconsciously scratched his left arm, only to have it sting upon his touch. The bandages were holding but there were signs of the cut breaking during the night. Funny though, I didn't even notice.

Sasuke made his way to the bathroom, his feet shuffling through the dust. Last night's razor still sat on the edge of the sink, the light reflecting off it in a way that it seemed to wink at him. A sick feeling filled his stomach as he undid the bandage on his arm. Hand shaking, Sasuke reached out for the razor and slid against the bathroom wall.

Cradling his knees to his chest, the Uchiha thought of yesterday. He had been back in Konohagakure for officially one month. The moment that he had walked through the gates surrounding the village, everyone in the nearby streets were silenced.

No one moved, not even the two chuunin that were assigned to keep watch. Children tugged at their parents' clothes, none of them not so sure why Mom was glancing anxiously at Dad or why Dad was reaching for his weapon pouch. But Sasuke looked around, locking eyes with every individual distanced from him. Women blushed and preferred staring at their feet. The kids waved happily, shouting out and inviting the stranger. The men, at least the common men or those with no ninja background, rapidly changed their expressions from that of surprise and confusion to something more familiar.

Comprehension. Then anger. Finally, a look of pure hatred.

"It's that boy," someone whispered. Sasuke felt his knees give out from under him and with a hiss, his body collapsed on the dirt road. Many sniggered harshly and the little ones even joined in. Heat rose and blossomed across Sasuke's cheeks.

"Uchiha," another spit out after the laughter died down, while some advanced towards Sasuke. Being in the state he was, he had no energy left to fight back, let alone activate Sharingan. The two guards exchanged shrugged shoulders before stepping in.

"Alright, folks. That's enough."

The citizens all scowled but hesitated. Sasuke felt a foot prod his side and he lifted his head enough to see the emotionless eyes of a Konoha ninja. The guy locked eyes with him momentarily before turning to his comrade.

"Hey, Goji… what should we, uh, you know," he shrugged his shoulders in defeat. "What do you think we should do with him?" Goji rolled his eyes. "What do you think we should do with him, Matsui?" The ninja flushed. Meanwhile, Goji beckoned forward one of the less-threatening villagers – a boy not yet in his teens.

He disappeared from behind his station. The others eventually seemed to be losing interest and with one lasting look, began to withdraw from the scene. Goji's head popped out several minutes later, a scroll in hand.

He tied the scroll and handed it to the boy. "Take this immediately to the Hokage." The boy nodded, eyes shifting anxiously, his hand reaching for the scroll. With a chuckle, Goji evaded the young man's eager attitude and kept a firm grip on the letter. Blushing, the boy gaped at the adult.

"Afterwards," Goji started, "head to the hospital and get a few medics to transport him. And," he leaned into the trembling youth as he accepted the note with a nod, "don't even think about looking at the message. If the scroll shifts even a little, every thing you ever regretted will seem trivial to what will happen."

The boy's eyes widened. The older smirked. "Now go."

Sasuke was only half aware of his surroundings. His chakra was fading fast and more than once did he feel himself slip out of consciousness. He tried several times to focus on something close to him but when he finally did, another bout of nausea would sweep through his body and black clouded his vision.

"Appeared out of nowhere –"

"Probably dead."

"-breathing? Is he even –"

A montage of voices grew closer but broken to Sasuke's ears, as did the sound of countless footfalls. The messenger was back and in his wake were a handful of Konoha's best, confused but able bodied, medics.

"What are you doing standing there?" Another voice – clear this time – resounded around the boy, each word echoing through his slipping sentient mind.

The scuttling of busy feet. The authoritative voice rang out again.

"Yui, Tamou – get over here with that gurney! Hanako, why are you just standing there? You've all done this a hundred times before! Renyu, do you have the prepared sedative? Stand by in case the victim becomes volatile. Damn it, Hanako, stop blubbering and get over here! You grab his legs and let's flip him on the count of three. One, two –"

Sasuke felt his stomach flop as he was tossed to his back grudgingly. He opened heavy lids, blinking slowly and taking in his surroundings. Above him, the voice continued to ramble orders.

"Hanako, do you have his feet? Good. Renyu, STAND BY. Yui, Tamou – you guys better get ready because it's about to get heavy on your end. Come on, transfer –" That was when the head medic decided to glance at her patient for the first time.

Wide green eyes sought out half lidded onyx. Sakura could feel her heartbeat accelerate considerably and Sasuke, summoning some of the last of his strength, held the gaze.

But whether it was the recent trauma or the fact he had travelled for over a week on little sleep and even less food to reach the village he so willingly turned his back on, Sasuke's eyes drooped and mind blanked as he slipped into oblivion.

Sakura watched as her former teammate lost consciousness, the intensity of his stare burning in her mind. Denial swept throughout her body. No, no, no… he's not back. She glanced down once more and her eyes caught his features. The sensation of electricity carried itself to her toes. Back.

Back.

BACK?!

The young medics exchanged apprehensive glimpses with each other before they looked to their mentor in confusion. So many emotions appeared to be taking place on her face that it was difficult to keep up. Yui spoke up.

"Haruno-san, don't you think that we should continue the transfer? The patient should be transported to the hospital."

Snapping out of her stupor, Sakura regained her professional composure. "Sorry; you're right, Yui. Now, Hanako: on the count of three –"

There! Sorry that it's been a little over a week since the prologue. I'm kind of lazy if I don't have any inspiration; you know… inspiration for the plot, inspiration for the dialogue… but what I REALLY need is… inspiration from the fans… I mean, the two people that have read my story. Prove me wrong, peeps. R & R.