Rebirth

Chapter 2

A chill clung to the air on this sunny spring morning as Sasuke walked slowly towards the Hokage's office. He was wearing his normal garb today. A collared black cloak hung over his shoulders, with a grey vest underneath. The pants he had on were made of a light material for ease of motion, black in color, and he wore the normal shinobi issued black sandals. And as always, his sword was sheathed behind him.

Three weeks had passed since he'd seen Kakashi at Sarada's party, and he honestly could have done with more time between visits. But he'd been summoned, so he went. He knocked on the door and was told to enter.

"Kakashi."

"Sasuke."

A tense silence filled the air. Sasuke didn't have the kind of relationship with Kakashi that Naruto and Sakura had built over the years. He couldn't have it, since he wasn't there. The few times Sasuke had seen Kakashi between leaving Konoha and returning hadn't exactly been cheery reunions either. They had mostly been filled with blood, lightning, and maniacal laughter.

Sasuke raised his eyebrow at Kakashi to indicate that he was waiting for the reason he was called. Kakashi sighed.

"I need you to go look for a team that should have been back by now. They're two days overdue."

"No."

"Sasuke."

"No."

"Would it help if I said you know them?"

Sasuke gave Kakashi a blank stare, having decided that the silence should be answer enough.

"I'm not going. Ask Naruto," and with that, Sasuke turned to leave. Kakashi knew this would be difficult.

"You're best suited for this particular assignment, considering it already involves you."

The hand on the doorknob paused. Sasuke's interest had been piqued. "Involves me? How?"

"Come here, please."

Sasuke thought for a moment, then decided that perhaps it would be best to hear Kakashi out. He turned around and walked back towards the desk, crossed his arms and placed his weight on his right foot as he opted to listen to the rest of whatever it might be Kakashi had to share.

Kakashi cleared his throat. "A couple of months ago, rumors began floating around the hidden villages, eventually making their way back to the Kage's offices. A group of missing nin has been going around trying to recruit strong followers to their cause."

Sasuke began to piece together how he might be connected and scoffed. "Let me guess, they're claiming I'm their leader?"

Kakashi shook his head. "No, quite the opposite. They believe that it's only a matter of time until you snap and declare war on the shinobi world again." The reaction Sasuke had to that statement was small, but Kakashi saw it regardless. His stance became slightly more rigid, and his hands under his coat appeared to be gripping his biceps tightly. "While you were traveling a few years back, some of these individuals had pleaded to their respective Kage that you be considered a threat, but all such requests were denied. When you returned to Konoha, most took it as a sign that you were truly on the right path. However, some still believed that it was a move of deception on your part, intended to lull us Kage into a false sense of security so that you could dismantle things from the inside."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "And you?"

For a moment, Kakashi's eyes creased as he smiled happily. "Do you think I'd be telling you this if I suspected you? We may not get along much anymore, but I do trust you, Sasuke. I see how you look at Sakura and Sarada when you think nobody is watching. You would never betray them, just as you would never again try to betray the ideals that Itachi held."

Relief flooded over Sasuke, which was not something he had been expecting to feel. But he also hadn't been expecting Kakashi to be so honest. He closed his eyes briefly and gave a slight nod, his arms unfolding to hang by his sides as he shifted his weight to be centered again. The movement did not go unnoticed by Kakashi, who took it as an indication that Sasuke was finally a little more open to him and what he had to say.

"…were there any shinobi from Konoha that approached you?"

Well, if honesty is the way… Kakashi thought. He nodded. "Yes, there were. However, when you rescued and then returned with the head of the Hyuuga family after finding him nearly dead, showing up just in time to then save most of Konoha from that giant meteorite, it seems everyone here changed their minds."

"But those in other villages did not."

"Correct," said Kakashi. "As I mentioned, they think we Kage are being deceived. They left their hidden villages and banded together to find like-minded shinobi. They weren't much of a threat, so we decided to only monitor their movements. However, recently they've become more organized and gained a few strong shinobi. It appears they have new leadership, someone who has a clear game plan in mind. In order to figure out what that might be, I sent team to infiltrate, allowing them to claim they were defectors from Konoha."

That statement reminded Sasuke too much of what his brother had been put through, and he sneered at his silver-haired ex-sensei. "Did you learn nothing from how Itachi was forced to live and die?" he asked tersely.

Seeing that Sasuke misunderstood, Kakashi sighed. "They have not been declared as missing nin, nor do I intend to do so. Their mission was to last only long enough to determine who the leader of this group is, so that we might be able to use other sources of information to learn more about him or her."

Sasuke shook his head. "How would that ever work? Their leader likely already knows that there is nobody in Konoha who supports him."

Kakashi nodded in agreement. "You're right, but I already considered that, Sasuke. I sent a team of four, two of them are people who have voiced a negative opinion of you in the past. It was those two who were to infiltrate, claiming that your return aroused their suspicions again, while another pair remained on the outside as their backup in case things went awry. Given that I expected them back by now, I fear the worst."

"Who?"

"Shino, Kiba, Genma and Yamato. Shino and Kiba are the ones assigned to infiltration. The most recent update by Genma and Yamato was a notice that their mission had been completed successfully and they were returning to Konoha with urgent news. Clearly, whatever it is they learned they did not want to risk being intercepted, even with the aid of encryption."

"So why do you want to send me to find them? And why did you wait so long to tell me of this group?" Sasuke asked, finally getting to the questions that had been weighing on him the most.

"I stated earlier that I trust you, Sasuke. However, the council are a stubborn old lot. They wanted to keep this from you, and for a while I went along with it. But I'm taking this into my own hands now. I feel it is time that you became informed of things that directly involve you. And this team I sent are all strong shinobi. If they're in trouble, you're one of their best bets for being saved," Kakashi admitted.

Sasuke stayed quiet for a moment, running all that he had learned through his head in order to reach a decision. "I'll go find them and bring them back," he finally stated.

Kakashi gave Sasuke a relieved smile. "Glad to hear it. I'll assign a medic-nin to go with you. Maybe Sakura would be-"

"No," interrupted Sasuke as he shook his head. "I want her to stay here with Sarada. I'll take Karin. She's not a Konoha ninja, but she's a capable healer in a worst case scenario. And her sensory abilities will help track them down."

Seeing the wisdom in Sasuke's statement, Kakashi gave a nod. "Very well. Their last known position was halfway between here and Iwakagure. The journey should take you just a few days, but I must ask that you leave as soon as possible."

Sasuke merely nodded in response, and turned to leave. As Sasuke exited the office, Kakashi sighed and ran his hand down his face, forefinger and thumb stopping to rub his eyes. He stood from his chair and walked to the window to gaze out at Konoha. I hope he reaches them in time, he thought, lamenting the fact that being Hokage meant he was forced to stay in the village. After a few minutes he moved back to his chair, his feet bumping against a clean, clear plastic container on the ground. Upon realizing what it was, his eyes drooped in disappointment. Damn it, I should have had him return that.

In the streets below, Sasuke pondered all that he had been told as he walked back to his home. He might normally have been okay with bringing Sakura along, as he knew that Sarada would be just as safe with Naruto and Hinata as she would be with Sakura. Having her monstrous strength and insane healing skills was always a plus, even in her pregnant state she was still a force to be reckoned with. However, something about the idea unnerved him this time. That was why he had been so quick in denying her involvement with Kakashi. It was true that Karin had amazing sensory capabilities, but he would have brought her along with him and Sakura anyway. It was the idea of bringing Sakura along that didn't rest well with him, and he thought it best to follow his gut. He knew she wouldn't like it, but he wasn't going to change his mind.

He arrived in front of his house and walked through the door just as he finished sorting his thoughts. It was now mid-morning, and the smell of Sakura's cooking reached him. He heard a clatter in the kitchen, followed by a gasp from his daughter and his wife cursing loudly.

"Mommy! Those are bad words!" he heard Sarada chastise Sakura. The sound of his three-year-old daughter reprimanding his wife brought a genuine smile to his lips. This was his life now, even after all he had done to never deserve it. He couldn't be more thankful.

"I know honey, I know. I'm sorry. I'm just mad at myself for being clumsy," came Sakura's reply.

Sasuke removed his coat, resting it on the rack beside the door, before removing his shoes. He padded lightly to the kitchen to see Sakura crouched on the ground, towel in hand as she cleaned the spilled liquid, pink hair swinging lazily in front of her face with each motion. Her head snapped up in alert when she noticed his presence, before smiling widely at the sight of him.

"You're back just in time," she said. "I made omelets, miso soup, and rice for breakfast. Though I guess I'll be without the soup… I can't believe I dropped it."

He crouched down next to her to look her eye to eye. "I'm graceful enough for the two of us," he said with a grin. She frowned and stuck her tongue out at him, which only caused him to chuckle. He grabbed the fallen bowl and stood to deposit it in the sink. She followed him, placed the dirty dish towel on the counter next to the sink, and embraced him from behind. Her hands roamed up his chest as she pressed her body into his back.

"What did Kakashi want?" she asked.

The feel of her against him relaxed Sasuke, and he sighed softly. "To send me on a rescue mission," he stated.

"Oh? When do we leave?"

He shook his head and pushed away from the sink, forcing her to step back and release him.

"You're staying here. It's just going to be me and Karin," he said as he turned to face her.

Another frown marred her face as she was unable to keep her obvious distaste for that idea to herself. "I don't like that. I should be there in case something happens. If Kakashi is sending you out on a rescue mission, it's likely because he recognizes the need for your strength."

Sasuke smiled at her perception, even if it was slightly off this time. "That's not the whole reason I'm being sent."

Confusion flickered upon Sakura's face. "What is, then?"

He grabbed her hand to pull her towards the dining room. "I'll explain while we eat."

As they ate, Sasuke went over the information Kakashi had relayed to him. The news that there had been people in Konoha who disapproved of him once was something Sakura had already been aware of as it happened while she was still in the city, but the group of missing nin intent on destroying him was not. She doubted that the group would prove to be a threat to him, but she still didn't like the idea of being left behind.

"I still don't like it," she said in a matter of fact way.

Sasuke sighed. "I know you don't, but I'd prefer if you stayed here."

"Why? Naruto and Hinata can care for Sarada for a few days. I'm sure she'd love to spend some time with Boruto too."

He stared at her intently, letting her see the conviction in his eyes. "Do you trust me?"

Sakura's mouth became a thin line at his question. Of course he had to ask her that. "Yes, you know I do."

"Then stay."

She furrowed her brows and shook her head. "This has nothing to do with trusting you, Sasuke."

"It does," he stated. "My instincts tell me you would be in too much danger if you come. Just stay."

"But-"

"Please," he said to cut off further protest. Sakura clenched her jaw, her retort having been successfully battered down with a simple word. He didn't normally plead, so the manner of his request struck her oddly.

She turned her head to the side, unable to look at him at the moment.

"Fine," she muttered in defeat, "but I don't like it."

Sasuke smiled at her, thankful that he wouldn't have to argue his point much further.

"Thank you."

Sakura snorted in reply before standing up to clear the dirty dishes from the table.

"Daddy's leaving? But you promised to play with me today…" Sarada frowned from the end of the table. Sasuke leaned over and poked her forehead with his middle and forefingers, as his brother did to him so many times before.

"Next time, Sarada." He gave her a smile as her frown deepened. He stood from the table as well, pausing to help Sarada from her seat. He lifted her up first, hugging her to his chest. "I promise."

Sarada leaned back to look him in the face, her glasses slipping down her nose. "Really?" she questioned.

"Really."

She stared at him for another second before nodding. "Okay."

Sasuke let her down gently, and she ran off towards her room, no doubt to play with some of the presents she received for her birthday. He walked off to his own room to prepare for the short journey. A simple change of clothes or two, along with all his weapons, and he'd be ready to go find Karin.

Sakura leaned against the bedroom doorway a few minutes later as he finished packing. He glanced up at her. Her head was against the door frame, green eyes filled with concern. The sight tugged at him to reconsider, but he squashed it down. He left his bag on the bed and moved to stand in front of her, her eyes following his every movement. He reached his hand up to smooth out her brow, then cup her cheek in a gentle caress. She closed her eyes and leaned into it, savoring the contact.

Sasuke leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips, intending to leave shortly after. But she threaded her fingers through his short black hair and pulled him into her while her tongue swept his bottom lip. He opened his mouth and let her kiss him more deeply while she pushed him into the room. She closed the bedroom door with her left foot as she passed it, never once breaking their connection, and he realized what she wanted when he heard it click shut. His hands gripped her hips as he felt the back of his legs hit the bed. He broke the kiss and tried to push her away.

"Sakura, I don't have the time to-" He was cut off by her mouth on his once again.

"Then make time," she said against his lips forcefully, determined to get her way. "Make time for me."

Sasuke groaned at her words, and pulled her hips back towards him. Sakura's hands traveled under the back of his vest, feeling and kneading the skin underneath while he grasped the side of her shirt and lifted it to just above her breasts, revealing that she was wearing no bra underneath. His right hand cupped her breast, thumb gently rolling her nipple between his thumb and the side of his finger. She moaned into his kiss and raked her fingernails lightly down his back.

He shivered at her touch. "Always," he said back to her before removing her shirt the rest of the way. "I'll always make time for you."

He left the house nearly an hour later to retrieve Karin. She stayed in an apartment towards the center of town, having had no desire to leave the city once Sasuke and Sakura decided to return with her. She was sitting on her couch reading a book when she heard the knock on her door. She frowned, not expecting any visitors. She placed the book down on her coffee table and moved to the door. "Who is it?"

"Karin, I need you," came a very familiar voice from the other side.

"S-S-Sasuke?!" she exclaimed as her heart began to beat quickly. Her face became flustered as she finally comprehended what he said. He needed her? Needed her?!

Her thoughts finally moved to Sakura, and the blush on her cheeks lessened. No, surely he didn't mean like that. She opened the door to see him standing in front of her, face as devoid of emotion as it usually was. No, he definitely didn't mean what she hoped.

Still, the realization didn't stop the hammering of her heart. "S-Sasuke… what do you want?" she asked while pushing her glasses further up her nose.

"You. You're coming with me on a rescue mission."

Karin narrowed her red eyes at him. "What for?"

"I need your sensory skills, and maybe your healing skills."

She looked him up and down once, seeing that he already had his bags packed. "When do we leave?"

"Now."

She crossed her arms and looked away in a show of defiance. "I'm busy."

Sasuke glanced around into the apartment behind her, only seeing the book on the coffee table, and looked back at her expectantly.

She caved immediately upon feeling his gaze on her again. Really, she had no sense of conviction around this man. "Okay fine. I'll go pack. How long are we going for?"

He nodded at her. "Just a few days. I'll be waiting for you at the gates," he said before walking away.

She only gave a weak-hearted tch in response before closing the door. She packed quickly enough and headed out towards the main gates of Konoha. She hated herself for feeling so weak willed around him, but she could never help it. Karin knew his heart belonged to Sakura, but that hadn't stopped her from wishing things were different.

Her own heart skipped a beat as she saw him again, waiting by the gates with his natural air of nonchalance. She cursed her own emotions for not being able to let him go and move on. Oh how she wished she could.

Sasuke only looked at her when she was right next to him.

"Let's go," he said. He turned around and started walking out the gates, following the path out of the village.

She followed after him, not really caring what this mission was about. She was just glad she'd get to spend some time with him again. But, she figured she should know what she was getting herself into anyway.

"What are we doing?" Karin asked.

"Rescue mission," he replied. "Heading towards Iwakagure. Once we're in the general vicinity, I'll summon my hawk and you'll scan the surrounding areas for the people we're rescuing. It will take a few days to get there, though."

Karin nodded even though he couldn't see it, both excited and scared at the prospect of spending a few days alone with the object of her affection. It was going to be a long and confusing few days.