Return

The news spread rapidly throughout the village, passed by word of mouth.

"The last Uchiha is returning! Sasuke is coming back!"

Sakura looked up from her work, distracted. Tsunade walked over to the window and observed the mass of people moving toward the gate of Konoha. The Hokage spoke.

"So it seems Shikamaru's second attempt at the mission was a success…"

Sakura nodded.

"I knew Shikamaru could do it – once he sets his mind to something, nothing will stop him."

Tsunade smiled at her apprentice.

"You should go out to greet them."

Sakura was already running out the door.

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama!"

---

Sakura easily found the returning team from the large crowd attracting toward the gates. She jumped onto a rooftop and watched the crowd cheer for her friends. The first person to become visible was Kiba Inuzaka, riding atop Akamaru and clearing the way. He was followed by Neji Hyuga, resplendent in his Hyuga robes, and Choji Akimichi, looking very intimidating in the armor of the Akimichi clan. Bringing up the rear was Shikamaru Nara, looking bored as usual, and Naruto Uzumaki, who was chatting animatedly at…Sakura's heart skipped a beat. The Uchiha.

"Where they failed as Genin so many years ago, they succeeded as Jonin."

Sakura jumped at the familiar voice next to her.

"Ino?! Where'd you come from?"

Her blonde friend smiled and stuck her tongue out.

"I can't let you be the first to greet Sasuke-kun!"

---

The rescue party emerged from the entrance to the Hokage's mansion.

Shikamaru turned to his team.

"Well, I guess our mission's over. Tsunade-sama wishes for us all to return tomorrow morning for a more extensive debrief on the situation, so I'll see you all at 9:00 tomorrow."

Kiba and Neji disappeared, leaving Choji, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Sasuke behind.

Ino was the first to appear. She smiled at Sasuke. He stared at her clothes, or rather, lack of them.

"Hey Sasuke-kun!"

She waved at him, then latched onto Choji's arm.

"C'mon big guy, I've already got something special I cooked for you…"

The couple meandered their way through the crowd. Sasuke scowled, but his expression brightened as he saw Sakura make her way over to them. She clucked as she saw Naruto's many minor wounds.

"Naruto, you've got to take better care of yourself!"

"Hey hey Sakura-chan, don't worry about me!"

He motioned toward Shikamaru, who was looking very worried as he realized just what Sasuke's return meant for him. Naruto continued.

"He ended up fighting another genjutsu user…"

Sakura sighed. She knew what that meant. The pink haired medic-nin turned toward Sasuke and smiled.

"It's good to have you back, Sasuke-kun."

She turned back around and made her way toward Shikamaru, and took his mangled hand in hers.

"How many this time, Shika-kun?"

"Only three…"

Sakura grabbed his shoulders and steered him toward the Hokage's mansion.

"C'mon, we're going to my office to get you patched up right now."

Sasuke stared in shock as Shikamaru and Sakura disappeared into the building. A piercing yell interrupted his reverie.

"Hey Hinata! I'm back!"

Sasuke turned to see Naruto waving at a blushing white-eyed girl.

"Gotta run Sasuke, I'm going to get some of Hinata's special ointment. See ya tomorrow!"

Naruto and Hinata disappeared into the crowd, leaving Sasuke standing in the center of Konoha feeling very, very alone. His fan club…they had all abandoned him…

Then he noticed the crowd of fangirls practically drooling at his presence.

But there would be more…oh yes, there would be more…