Hi there guys, I'm sorry my chapter came up so late, but there have been lots of things going on lately. Anyways, enjoy reading!


Chapter 4

The next few days went on as normal and quiet as possible. Sasuke, who was secretly being spied on by the Anbu, had cleaned his old home and now began his new life as a part of the Leaf Village. The more time he spent with Naruto and the others, the happier he became that he returned to the village. He realized that by returning home he had done the right thing.

''You know what Naruto? The more time we spend together, the easier it is for me to forget the terrible past behind us.'' Sasuke told his friend, who then smiled as wide as he could and gave Sasuke a friendly clap on the back.

''I'm glad you came back.'' Naruto said.

Although Sakura and Naruto were sure that Sasuke was honest about his return in the village, most of the villagers were kind of afraid to walk past him. Some people had begun to greet Sasuke nodding with their heads, but most of them wouldn't even dare to look him in the eyes. The Hokage had seen that and therefore decided to accelerate the so called test, which would reveal Sasuke's true intentions.

She called Kakashi Hatake and Shikaku Nara over to her office to discuss exactly what sort of mission they should choose. It was unthinkable to pick a mission that would endanger people's lives if things went wrong, and Tsunade couldn't pick a good enough mission without any help at all.

''Guys, the type of mission must be chosen correctly, and that's why I'm going to need your help.'' she said to Kakashi and Shikaku.

''As you say, the mission has to be chosen carefully, and it also has to be safe for the village Lady Tsunade. I'm sure we can think of something, just give us some time.'' Shikaku told the Hokage.

''Give us time until tomorrow.'' Kakashi added.

''Ok then, take this list of different missions and choose a mission which would not affect the village if something went wrong. We shall meet here again tomorrow at noon. Good luck!'' the fifth said and dismissed them.

Later on in the evening, while Kakashi and Shikaku were thinking of different sorts of missions, at six o'clock Sasuke stood by the front door of Sakura's house. He knocked on the door and Sakura opened.

''Hi! Do you want to join me for a walk in the park?'' Sasuke asked and gave Sakura some beautiful red roses he had bought earlier.

''I would love to!'' Sakura answered and took the flowers. She quickly ran in the house, put the flowers in a vase, said bye to her parents and went out.

The two of them kept on walking in the park, talking about different things until they decided to sit on a bench in the middle of the park. There was nobody around, so it was very quiet.

''I still can't believe you decided to come back.'' Sakura said.

''I learned a lot in the last few years. Not only the truth about my brother, but also why he did everything. He just loved the village too much to let anything happen to it.'' the boy begun talking and then stopped for a while just to look around. ''This is actually the same park where I left the village. You stood behind me and begged me to stop, but I was just an idiot obsessed with revenge.'' he said.

''You can't blame yourself for what happened. We were way too young to understand exactly what was happening. And it wasn't your fault that Orochimaru wanted to get your body. If it wasn't Orochimaru I think you wouldn't have ran away so easily.'' Sakura said to her friend.

''I guess you're right.'' Sasuke said and with a sad face stared at the ground.

''You know what, let's forget the past and think of the future, ok?'' Sakura suggested.

''Ok.'' Sasuke answered and smiled.

''It's getting late. I better get back home before my parents start wondering why I all of a sudden ran out of the house.'' the girl said and laughed.

They stood up and walked together to Sakura's home. There they stopped to say goodbye to each other.

'' Thank you for walking with me! I really needed someone to talk to.'' Sasuke told her and then headed home.

On the next day Kakashi and Shikaku arrived at the Hokage's office. As they walked in they saw Tsunade covered in a big pile of paper work. Shizune stood next to her and helped her if she needed something. They all greeted each other and started a conversation.

''Lady Tsunade, we have come up with a mission.'' Shikaku began.

''It took us some time, but in the end we managed to come up with an idea.'' Kakashi continued.

Tsunade stood up and ordered Shizune to take the big pile of papers away so that they could all sit down and talk, as she said, like normal human beings.

''Here, sit down. Let me hear what you have thought of.'' Tsunade ordered.

''Right, let's get on with it. Yesterday I told Shikaku about some of the missions I went on with my team seven before Sasuke left us. Therefore after looking through the list with various missions Shikaku suggested something very interesting.'' Kakashi said and passed the word on to Shikaku.

''Before Sasuke left the village team seven was sent on a mission to escort a bridge builder to his home country. However this low ranked mission turned into a life threatening journey for both team seven and the bridge builder, Tazuna. Throughout the mission Tazuna turned out to be an important part of the bridge building and was therefore targeted by some guy called Gato who wanted to kill him. All types of ninja were sent to deal with team seven and Tazuna, but none of them managed. That's when the Mist's demon Zabuza Momochi and his friend Haku were sent to finish what the other ninja started. At that time Kakashi almost got killed by Zabuza, and if that had happened everyone would have died together that day. However, by working as a team Zabuza and Haku somehow were defeated.'' Shikaku said and stopped to take a pause, so Kakashi continued.

''This is why after reading that list of missions you gave us Shikaku suggested that you send us on the escort mission. The mission is to escort some rich man called Mitawari to his hometown Heyoshi. The Anbu are going to keep track of Sasuke's actions throughout the mission, while ten Leaf shinobi will meet up ahead between the Leaf and Heyoshi. There they will disguise themselves as mist ninja and attack our convoy. Of course Sasuke will be the only one who will not know of the event, so everyone will have to pretend fighting while protecting each other from Sasuke.'' Kakashi finished.

''Hm...do you really think it'll work? I mean, it kind of sounds a little bit stupid, but I'm not saying that it couldn't work.'' Tsunade said consciously.

''We can never know if we don't try.'' Shikaku told her.

''Shikaku is right. We have to try and see what happens.'' Kakashi added.

The Hokage wasn't sure what to do. She didn't want to endanger everyone's lives. However, there was nothing else that could be done, so she had to trust Kakashi and Shikaku.

''Let it be then. It is settled, team seven will be sent on a mission to 'sound and safely' escort Mitawari to his hometown.'' the fifth declared...''You are dismissed for now Shikaku. Kakashi go inform Naruto and Sakura that team seven is to report in at nine o'clock tomorrow morning to leave on a mission. Then go to Sasuke and say that he is needed to attend the mission in Sai's place. Think of something to make him want to go on the mission.'' Tsunade finished saying, the two men nodded and left the room.

Shikaku went home, and Kakashi delivered the Hokage's orders to Naruto and Sakura. He then headed to Sasuke's place. The house seemed empty, but then he saw someone move in one of the rooms. He went to the door and knocked. Sasuke opened up and looked surprised to see Kakashi who never before had come to his house.

''Hi there Sasuke! May I come in?'' Kakashi asked.

''Of course you can, just come in.'' Sasuke answered.

They went inside and sat on the couch in the living room. Sasuke offered some tea to his friend, but Kakashi refused.

''I know we told you that you can't attend on missions, but team seven is to go on a mission tomorrow and Sai can't take part in it. No one but you is free, so the Hokage asks you to join us on the mission? Kakashi told Sasuke.

''Of course I will join you, after all we are the old team seven.'' Sasuke said with a happy voice and a smile on his face.

''Then report in at the Hokage's office at nine o'clock tomorrow morning.'' Kakashi said and then went home.

Now that he had told team seven of the Hokage's order he needed to have some food and prepare for the next day. Although he didn't show it to anyone he was very happy that team seven would be re-established and once again be sent on a mission, even if the mission was in a way going to be fake.