Hi!
Someone, not mentioning names, said i should have mentioned more thoughts and feelings in the last chapter. Well, I will tell you this, all of you... when you are in situations where truly unexpected things happen, like a dead person suddenly coming back or a close friend or family receiving a decease that you have heard a hundred of times can kill him/her, you don't think clearly... perhaps, can't think further than you nose reaches.
I said earlier some parts may be created out of experience... if you have read my fic Trapped in Time, you may already know what I am talking about.
I am not angry, no reason to be, just thought I would inform you a little. As well that I am putting the feelings and reflections here. Why? For me at least, it took a while to understand what fully happened.
And if you want to know what happened, I can say this. A year ago, someone really close to me got cancer. It wasn't severe in any way and things are perfectly fine now since it disappeared, but still... You don't like when it happens, do you?
Shitza
Ps: You don't have to feel pity for this though, I tried to escape that because in my family, we have worse problem then that... so, like mum says, we are pretty prepared mentally for those things.
PPs: Anyway, going back to the chapter... parts of it may seem very speeded, very fast... consider them like scene changes... I always mark those things, but still... you may wonder what is going on, so I though I'd better warn you...
Chapter 2
In Reflection,
Reunion of old Days
NARUTO'S REFLECTION
It wasn't as if he wasn't happy to see Sasuke, yet he didn't know what to think about him, yet... The years he had been gone, he had learnt to take things slower, not to judge at the first sight (at least not seriously) and that life was truly hell... perhaps it was the Kyuubi's sudden actions to escape that caused him to change so quickly, not outside but parts inside... but he wasn't sure.
His mind had been so bewildered when Sasuke turned up, from inside Tsunade's office. And his first thought had been, to follow him. However, Tsunade's voice had brought him back to her office and she was right. He knew Sasuke wouldn't want to talk to him, even if the Uchiha wasn't in death-craving thoughts anymore. But it isn't easy to go back to a normal life, when so much has happened.
Inside he truly hoped that things would return to the old days, even though that would be impossible. Neji had told him, on the way back home, that Sasuke would receive high security standards on him and being watched for quite a while. Naruto had passed his house, and smiled seeing an old scene from his life. It had been, somehow relaxing to get the problem out of the way, and his worries were slowly subsiding as well. Sasuke was home, from his own will... even though he didn't return for his sake, not by any chance would that be possible, it was calming to see him there.
Memories of old days passed through his mind. The day when they became Team 7, the days at the Water Country, The Chuunin exam and the day Sasuke tried to kill him. The last memory still hung like a big millstone around his neck. It was the reason his instincts told him to be careful, yet his heart wanted him to once more trust his once best friend.
And so it was today, after a well... tense night of sleep, that he and Sakura walked down the road to the bridge, to wait for their sensei and their Old Friend...
Naruto had just met up with her, and Sakura's head was spinning. In her head fierce battle took place, torn feelings and long discarded memories... her inner self almost tried to split her head in two.
Naruto smiled, one of those goofy smiles he always put on his face whenever there was something. She tried to calm down, yet before she knew it tears trickled down from her eyes.
"Don't joke with me, Naruto! Sasuke's gone, we both know that..." she said between sobs.
Naruto's smile changed to a worried expression. "I am not joking." he said trying to hug her, to calm her, but she simply broke away.
Sakura looked up, into his eyes. Blue orbs looked into her green, both radiating from sincerity. Sakura sniffed, thinking how stupid she was. After all, Naruto had no reasons to lie about such a thing. He too had been devastated the day Sasuke left them.
"Let's go!" he said grabbing her hand, hurrying down the street.
She smiled, hurrying as well. She couldn't wait to see Sasuke again, and cure her broken heart...
(In another part of Konoha)
Kakashi would never forget his old friend Uchiha Obito. Even though so many years have passed since his friend had sacrificed his life to save both him and a fellow teammate, memories never could be crushed. Obito's left eye, his Sharingan, had saved his life more times then he could count, and it had been his will to let Kakashi live.
Yet, as years passed Kakashi remembered. And he never left that memory to rest. This is also why he was constantly late, because every time before he had a mission of any kind, A, B, C, D or S... he would faithfully visit the memorial stone and remember that day, when someone taught him his greatest lesson, about life.
Kakashi sighed, perhaps this was why he cared so much for his new little team. After all, thinking about it Naruto could be a reborn Obito and Sasuke had been so alike him. Sakura could be seen as the third of his old team, that girl back then had been like the fan-girl that constantly followed him.
And now this... the news had shocked him deeply. Sasuke return had been like a thug to his heart, a stab of confusion. This came like a surprise, yet he couldn't judge so far if it should be a happy one or if it was a sad one. After all, the people closest to Sasuke was Naruto and Sakura, which meant that it was up to them to judge.
For his own part he decided to wait before he concluded things.
After all, in his life so many people had died of betrayal he no longer trusted before the evidence was clear...
(Later, the Bridge)
Below crystal clear water sparkled to a faint sunlight. Above clouds seemed to grow thicker, darkening yet the wind seemed warmer.
Sasuke sighed, waiting. Why were everyone late? Knowing both Naruto and Sakura, both would...
He never got to finish his thoughts before he saw a blur of orange followed by something red and pink.
"Naruto, baka... get back here so I can finish you of myself!" Sakura said angrily, her fists in tight knuckles and her eyes sparkling with hate.
"Sakura-chan! That wasn't in intention, I promise!" Naruto said as he hurried for what his life was worth.
Sasuke sighed. Well, these things explained a lot. Konoha hadn't changed a bit. Naruto was still an idiot, and Sakura as short-tempered as always.
The whole incident had started with the two of them holding hands, (remember, Naruto took her hand after she cried), and as they had hurried to the meeting place, Naruto had tripped, bringing Sakura along. Now, things would have been fine if it had been just fine. But unfortunately for him Sakura landed dace-down upon a pile of dog...
To summon things up, Naruto was in deep trouble once Sakura would catch up to him.
Sasuke watched as the two shinobis continues the chase, wondering how long it would take for them to come back. Not that he cared, but after all, the longer it took the more possibilities it would take Sakura to hit Naruto. Now that was a thought.
Yet just when Sakura was about to give the final blow, a blow that could only be copied by Rock Lee, Kakshi turned up and stopped the fight. When the two shinobis came to the bridge, accompanied by their teacher, Sasuke thought it was a pity...
"Yo, sorry for the wait guys. A dog did some nasty stuff on the same path I was about to take, so I had to take a long way around."
Hearing this Sakura glared at Naruto. "Probably the same dog and the same path Naruto dragged me through." she said taking out a handkerchief from her pocket, drying her face. Then she finally noticed Sasuke and squealed. After all, she still had the stank on her.
"Sasuke-kun!" she said in disbelief. She frantically searched her pockets to find something to clean her face with. Kakashi saw her panic and friendly gave her a wet towel. Where he had gotten it from, who knew?
"See, I told you!" Naruto said with a grin. Sakura turned away from him, and Naruto's smile faltered.
"Naruto, I still haven't forgiven you for the fall, so stop sounding so blown-up unless you want another beating." This surely made him shut his mouth.
Sasuke smiled. "Looks like nothing has changed while I was gone. Good to see you guys too."
Three pairs of eyes stared in disbelief. Had they heard right or had they heard wrong? After all, the day Sasuke left, Sakura had heard that she was annoying, and later on Naruto had almost been killed by the very man before him.
"Are you sure Orochimaru hasn't brainwashed you? Is this the Sasuke we know? What did they do to you, Uchiha?" Naruto asked looking confused.
Sasuke gave him a glare that could easily have killed him, if Naruto hadn't been used to these in the past. "None of your damn business... dobe!" he said with a murderous intent behind. Naruto gulped. Tsunade's rules echoed in his head, and now he understood why she had given him them to follow. Not to protect Sasuke, the Sharingan freak would probably ignore answering anyway. No, but to protect him from this time stepping a toe to his death.
The day floated on briefly and the four of them went to the old training grounds for a little test. As the day passed by, Kakashi could conclude to his relief that the three of them got together pretty fine. Of course some things were yet very stiff, their relationships would have to be rebuilt from the beginning. But they talked with each other, and that was a good start. Of course Sakura and Naruto had grown closer still living in the same village, and of course Sasuke hadn't experienced the same as them. As they arrived by the training grounds, Naruto was bragging about all the missions he had been able to do, whom many also turned out to be failed ones.
However, Kakashi knew there was one big difference between them, from Sasuke's perspective. 1, He was guarded from every kind of direction. Kakashi had noticed around thirty ANBU members, five which he knew well. 2, Two years ago Naruto managed to pass the Chuunin exam, and the year after Sakura did as well. The reason none of them wore regular Chuunin clothes today was because Tsunade had called it a few days of from their last mission, to guard the Kazekage, in other words Gaara, as he had come to sign the newly updated alliance document. It hadn't been one of Naruto's favourite missions since he had ended up being stuck to sleep in the same tent as Kankurou, whom to his dislike snored rather loudly.
Indeed things had changed for these years. The Rookie Nine and Gai's group had all become Chuunin, a few Shino, Neji and Ino had also cleared the Jounin exam. Kiba and Chouji had failed their first try, and would try this next time as well. Probably joined by Tenten, Lee and of course Naruto who once more was bragging about his newest technique.
The three youngsters stood face to face with the older Jounin, who once again held two bells in his hand. Naruto grinned knowing that this time, he would kick Kakashi's butt. Sakura smiled as well and Sasuke simply nodded. However, instead of using an alarm clock this time, Kakashi timed it until sundown, and as time had already soared out the window, it was at the most two hours left.
Yet they had it after one. The first bell caught by Sasuke, the second by Naruto. Sakura was physically weaker and her skills lay in medical jutsus, so it became natural to fail. In this, she would easily beat the guys in other areas.
As they all walked back home, once the sun had set, Kakashi watched them leave with a smile behind his dark mask. After all, the reunion had been successful. The three of them got together quite well, how he had no idea but as he knew life always stored mysteries.
The Jounin looked up into the night sky. Stars appeared behind thick clouds. Tomorrow, he believed, it would probably be raining. But did rain matter, compared to the relief he felt. Ironically, he thought, Naruto and Sasuke had been given the chance ha and Obito had never been given.
A chance to live in the future...
TBC
Woah, I am tired. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep the promise of updating before Wednesday as i received an immense headache. Thankfully it disappeared, but now... yawn...
Only two days left of school, and I am celebrating.
Thanks for reading this chapter. Sorry there was very little action, but patience is a virtue. Things will happen either in the next, or the chapter after that. After all, Orochimaru is yet on the move. And Konoha will experience worse nightmares.
:P
Shitza
