Disclaimer: I only own my OC(s) and the twists and turns along the way. Once again, no Rock Lee for Amikotsu :(


Memories

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The body had a large hole where the heart should be. The flesh was blackened to indicate a fire of lightning attack. Gashes covered the rest of the body like the pattern of a shirt or a piece of artwork.

"He was found in this condition," Neji explained as he watched me absorb everything.

"So,...he's dead." I exhaled and released a breath I didn't know I was even holding.

For some reason, a grin formed on my face. If his life mission was completed, he had no reason to be outside of Konoha any longer. Neji knew what I was thinking, and I tensed as I felt the weight of his hand on my shoulder.

"He was barely alive when we found him. He was blinded in both eyes, and his arms and legs were broken. Their were kunai pinning him to a tree. This isn't the same Sasuke that left seven years ago," Neji said in a compassionate voice I had never witnessed him use.

"I'm not the same Naruto that let him leave seven years ago." I turned and let him see the ice in my eyes.

"The Hokage will assign another retrieval mission for Uchiha Sasuke." I nodded, my composure lost.

"He's coming home," I smiled a wavering smile, and tears blurred my vision.

"I have to report on the mission. Don't do anything foolish," Neji said and let his hand fall from my shoulder.

For those few seconds, he was just like Sasuke had been. I forced my tears back and gave him my trademark grin. I hadn't shown it in years.

"Naruto?" Hours later, a voice interrupted my thoughts. "Sitting in the hospital morgue isn't doing a thing for your social life," Ino commented and crossed her arms.

"I didn't know you worked here," I said and took a step away from the former Akatsuki member's body.

"I started working here at the same time Sakura did! I...just started out as a candy-striper," Ino admitted with embarrassment.

"Do you still think of him?" I didn't have to say any names.

"I'm not Sakura," Ino said and stuck her nose into the air. "You should get some fresh air. Lady Tsunade wants you in her office at sunset." She pulled the sheet over the elder Uchiha's corpse with little care.

Crossing my arms behind my head, I exited the hospital with a lackadaisical attitude. So, it was finally over. No more pitiful glances from the villagers. No more random visits from Kakashi-sensei or Iruka-sensei. I felt good.

"Naruto." My arms dropped from behind my head and I turned with curiosity to the owner of the voice.

"Hey! Pervy sage!" Jiraiya stumbled upon hearing his old nickname, but his serious demeanor returned within seconds. "Did Grandma Tsunade send you after me?" My voice cracked as it used to in my youth, but it was quickly gone.

"Naruto, do you really think you can bring him back?" No one paid any attention as he led me towards a shady park bench.

"I know I can!" My enthusiastic smile had returned with a vengeance.

"No, Naruto, not the twelve-year-old Sasuke,...the nineteen-year-old missing shinobi Sasuke. The man who slaughtered a village. The man that leads a team of murderers. I know what it's like, kid, but,...it's not worth it. You need to let him go," Jiraiya said as he avoided my hopeful gaze.

"He was only trying to get revenge. Now that he killed Itachi, there's no reason for him to keep killing. He'll be back, pervy sage...I'm going to bring him back."

"You really are an idiot," Jiraiya sighed.

A smile tugged at the older man's lips, and that was all the encouragement I needed from him.


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Author Rant

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This story, unlike my other fanfic, is not finished. I have it written up to about four or five chapters. I didn't really think I'd be posting it...Anyway, I'll keep writing. Maybe I won't fall behind! Yay!

I always forget what I write. I am so sorry I didn't originally say this! The rating on this story is T, but it might change in later chapters. As of right now, there are some sexual references coming up, but I won't change the rating unless some action occurs.

I always love when people dedicate chapters or mention the fact that I review their stories. Honestly, authors want reviews. So, this chapter is dedicated to the lovely Apollo (Pink Irish Clover). She was the first---and as of right now, the only one---to review.

Reviews are loverly, people!

Ja ne.