SECOND THOUGHTS

...

As he looks out to the horizon, where he sat comfortably on a lone branch to which he had slept for the night, Uchiha Sasuke saw another beautiful sun rising from its slumber.

Last night wasn't exactly that cold. To his luck, the poncho he wore was enough to last the evening breeze. Sasuke was able to avoid sneezing for once in the last 10 days. Hopefully, he thought, the sneezing would eventually stop. And it did.

His home country's warm weather is certainly the best out of all the four nations.

After readjusting the sash above his forehead, which he does so every morning, he jumped from the 6 feet high tree branch and landed gracefully on the grassy ground.

Another day.

Another take of fresh air to begin with.

And the routine had remained constant ever since he departed for his journey of redemption.

Status? Doomed. There was nothing. In all seriousness, absolutely nothing that he had found to help him in whatever it was that he needed helping with. Which were answers… And it bothered the young Uchiha.

It wasn't like him to go on with his day without anything planned out. His parents, specifically his father, taught them how to manage their time. "And time is of the essence." the memorable voice of Fugaku lingers, as his youngest son could still remember, as if it was only yesterday did he heard his father's voice of lecture.

Young 7-year old Sasuke would take into heart of all the things his Father would tell him and Itachi. Sermons more or less. Yet he takes them into account. And every time he would have trouble processing the words, which were stern but understandable, his mother Mikoto would always find him in his time of need.

Mom… he thought of her and sighed.

…It pains him to remember his mother.

Her warm smile who would greet him after a long day from school and training, her gentle caresses that would encourage him to look at life in a better way despite the hardships he faces, and the tight hugs she would give him to ease his discomfort was everything he ever needed to get on with the day. Or at least, from his father's lecturing. Or the absence of his brother due to trainings and missions. Nevertheless, for a child, it was their mother who is their greatest heroine. Sasuke quickly dismissed reminiscing about his late mother as he pressed onwards in the Fire Country's forest.

There were times where he would ask in thin air how his family are, now that they're far away from pain and suffering. Most of the times he would be calling out to his brother, starting a conversation when he felt like it. So unlikely for the Uchiha prodigy.

Here goes another unproductive day, nii-san. He thought. He pictures how Itachi would chuckle from this despite knowing how his little brother would roll his eyes on him. Itachi was right when it comes to Sasuke. He could still be such a little kid no matter how mature his physical looks would be.

Sighs… To be an Uchiha, must mean for you to have unbelievable qualities. Be it skills, talents, or the good-looks coming from good genes.

Alright, enough of this. Or else the living Uchiha might chidori our asses.

Yet Sasuke can't help but remember things today.

Like the incident regarding Naruto and the Hyuuga girl the 2 days ago.

Yes, it wasn't actually expected that he and the dobe would have a mini reunion, and from an ambush at most. Naruto's hair was shorter, his physique changed a lot too, much more broad and taller. But not like him though. But he noticed how humble and tranquil the blonde appeared to be.

Sure Naruto was still a louth-mouth when he wants to, but the upbeat kid he once knew became someone who held responsible duties and somehow matured from the noisy little kid he once was when they were genin.

He smirked at the thought. Putting Naruto and the word 'mature' in the same sentence was something he never thought would happen. Not so soon maybe. But apparently, he did.

Thinking back before the three of them left in separate ways, he thought of the conversation they had:

"Didn't expect to see you here, Teme. Thought of going home?" Naruto grinned as his right arm was around Hinata's shoulders.

"Hn."

"Wait. Is that a yes or no?" he asked hopefully.

"No." Sasuke replied instantly.

"Oh, come on!" he smacked his best friend on the back, earning him glare. But that was something Naruto was used to seeing from him. "It's almost been three years, at least stop by and say hello."

"No dobe."

"But why not? Don't tell me you're still on your road to redemption. 'Cause honestly? I can tell you haven't got any leads."

True enough. As stated earlier, Sasuke know nothing as to where he was headed to. He even surprised himself that he was back at the Fire Country. But yes, nothing new. He comes and go as he pleases. Just like that. Period.

"Did I just hit the bull's eye there?" Naruto sighed and continued walking with the other two. "Seriously Sasuke, you're not a wanted person S-class missing-nin anymore. You're always welcome to come home, I hope you know that." He said now with a quieter tone.

In all honesty, Sasuke did thought of going back. But it's hard… Not when you put into consideration the sins you have committed, the pain you have inflicted, and the memories the town held.

Past is past, sure, but it doesn't change the fact that it happened. The massacre, his growing hatred and idea becoming an avenger to compete with his brother, the time where he almost felt happy again but was reminded of the priorities he needed to do to avenge the clan. He succeeds yes, but found out how the village itself was the reason why his brother, his family had to suffer. And everything was history. Because everyone (that is you) knows full well what happened since then.

No one knows of the truth that lies with Itachi and of the Uchiha devising a coup. Only Naruto and Kakashi as far as Sasuke knows, but he doubts that the Copy-nin knew the whole story regarding Itachi's betraying the village as an order from the elders themselves.

All of that?

It was a lot to take in.

Which is why He had to leave.

To atone for his sins.

To feel guilt once again.

...Or even shame.

Both the Uzumaki couple sensed his uneasiness as he remained silent after what Naruto said. But the three of them knew that he meant good intentions. "I just –" Sasuke began which slightly startled them. "I don't know if I really am worth having back there."

"What are you talking about? You've been pardoned by Kakashi-sensei, haven't you? And as Hokage, his orders are absolute." Naruto retorted. Sasuke beg to differ and scoffed.

"It doesn't matter if I was pardoned, baka. I'm not wanted there cuz I'm a criminal –

"EX-criminal."

"Tch. Ex or nothing, I am marked as a sinner. And that's a fact everybody's aware of." He muttered and looked elsewhere.

Dammit. They just saw each other again after so long, and arguing was not the best way to catch up. Sasuke didn't feel like it really, but sometimes his patient with the blonde was still questionable, he asks where he gets it from.

"Ano…" Hinata decided to cut in, feeling the gloomy atmosphere. She caught both their attention, but Sasuke only eyed her.

"I don't believe there won't be anyone back home who wouldn't want you there, actually." She murmured, fortunately they understood every word. Looks like her shyness came back. "I remember, that there were times when we would ask each other in wonder; wondering where you might be now. How you were doing and all that." She continued.

It surprised the Uchiha. Not that the Hyuuga was now able to form a sentence without stuttering like the girl she was before when they were twelve. But that they had been concerned about him after he left? That he never knew.

Perhaps it's because, he didn't get to know due to he left in a hurry.

Naruto saw how intrigued the raven-haired teammate was and smiled. "It's true, you know? We do ask those kinds of things. Though it doesn't happen every day. But we kept in mind of the famous Uchiha. He is, a part of Team seven after all. A member of the Rookie 9."

Again, here they are with the words he's been wanting to hear. 'Come back', 'You're a part of us', 'You're always welcomed ', 'We'll be there waiting'. He was close to reconsidering his friend's plea.

But Uchiha men are known to be pretty stubborn, so the answer from one was expected. "No." Although Sasuke didn't intended to sound a bit hesitant. He could tell the young couple noticed too, but decided to let it be.

"Well… Just think about it man."

He stopped by a stream to refill his canteen. After filling it up to the brim, he sets it aside to take off his sash and splashes his head in the water for about 15 seconds. He got up, hair wet, sticking onto his face, Sasuke dives his hand onto the cool water and gathered as many as he can to wash his face.

Realization hitting him how he hasn't bathe in three days bothered him. No wonder his whole being felt sticky and itchy, and being smothered by the oversized poncho wasn't a terrific sensation either. Nope. Not when your clothes haven't received any laundry meetings for the last 3 weeks.

Please pretend you didn't read that.

Moving on.

Sasuke wasn't quite yet done with the whole remembering thing. Probably because he smelled ten times worse than a 3-day fish that he wanted his mind off of it. He tried to remind himself on what he and the dobe talked about afterwards.

What was it again? He asks himself. Eyes closing in attempt to remember. A ghostly smile passes through his face as he caught it. Aa. It was him telling me how I looked unfit. He scoffed as he threw a pebble into the stream. It did triple skips before finally sinking into the water.

Yeah right.

"Seriously 'ttebayo. Have you been doing any workouts lately? You look thinner and paler than the last time I saw you."

"Hn."

"Don't give me that, Teme. It may not look like it, but I still worry about your health."

"For your information, Dobe," be bit back. "I have been busying myself with trainings."

Oh yes he was. Sasuke was a disciplined man. Keeping his body checked was one thing he wouldn't forget to keep an eye on. Even the food he eats. And no, tomatoes were not an everyday meal for him. Although he would find himself fortunate when he sees a tomato growing in a farmer's patch or someone giving him from the market.

But being a man with honor and dignity, whatever's left in him mostly, he pays them back with any work load they could offer him. Sometimes tomatoes weren't just the price. He was rewarded a 1 night stay to sleep on a bed, breakfasts included. And other times he was given food for his travels. Some were even kind enough to give him medicine kits in case of emergencies.

It was then that they stood a fork in the road. Time to say goodbye once more and head their separate ways.

"Well, it was nice seeing you Sasuke. But please… Try to come home when you can." they calmly stared at one another. "Aa."

"I'm serious. It's not only me who wants you back, you know."

"Hn." He gazed at his side, knowing where this was leading. He sighed as he still felt Naruto's eyes on him.

"She misses you." Again, it surprises him. It wasn't the dobe who said it aloud. But the Hyuuga girl herself.

Sasuke may not know, but Hinata could see how much faith Sakura has in him. That the possibility of him coming back from the brokenness he feels is still within reach. Of course, she cannot voice out all of the things the pinkette told her regarding her feelings on the ex-avenger. But like she said, Let's support each other, Hinata. The smile she had when she said that on a cold winter's night, it was like Spring somehow made its way in the middle of the season.

And supporting each other, Hinata vowed she will.

"I kno–"

"I hope you do." She cuts him back immediately. Her lavender eyes piercing over his lone obsidian.

"…"

"Hinata…"

"…I sent word to the Hokage." Sasuke began and both the couple's attention turn back to him.

"Oh. Thanks." Naruto smiled.

"Hn. You should get going. Wouldn't want them to worry longer any more than they must be already."

Sasuke then turned his heel and began walking onto the opposite the direction with a slow pace. Naruto and Hinata stared at him first before looking at each other and nodded. They done what they can to convince him, that's okay for now. And they too walked on their road back to Konoha.

"Dobe." Sasuke voiced out. Naruto halted his steps the minute he heard his teammate call him out. Uchiha and Uzumaki having side-glances and having another staring contest. Hinata stayed quiet and waited whatever it was to happen.

Lifting his head, Sasuke looked at them both carefully and uttered a few words before continuing his journey on foot, the Uzumaki gaped at him with widened eyes. Their faces softened afterwards at the warmth the words felt after he said it.

Not sounding too harsh and so Sasuke-like. Maybe it did reach him after all. Maybe. Just Maybe…

"Congratulations on getting married, you two." And a peaceful smirk was caught before he completely turned his head to face the road.

A/N: I know it appears to be a very short chapter, but I strongly felt that it could end the way it is. And so, I didn't bother continuing it as longer like I planned.

Hello there you guys :)

This is my first author's note for Tears that threaten to fall. I thought that I would just do it in rare occassions. Hehehe^^ Since I got so many faves and followers in just 6 days, I wanted to extend my gratitude to those who did so. :" You all have no idea how much your faves, follows and reviews made me happy these past few nights^^. That's why I told myself that I will continue this fanfic :)

Thank you for the lovely reviews again ^^

Hope to see you at the end of this wonderful fanfic :" 3

Tootles!