A/N : I know that Konoha is not near the Sea but please just over look that fact for me

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Dedication: For Sarah and Shuu.

Italics are speech between Sasuke and Sakura.


The Sea and Rain.


The Sea.

Sasuke had forgotten its existence. An ancient being, present since the start of life. He felt dwarfed in comparison. His significance was nothing compared to it who ruled and guided much of their lives. Its tides and storms, typhoons, tsunamis, - just to name a few, affected them so much in its many ways. A simple wave crashing down on the beach could bring about huge changes in their course in life, causing anything from someone dying to an extra catch of fish. The subtle butterfly effect working away with nature's cause. It was a bubbling spitting mixture that could throw out anything at you, whenever it wanted to, sending you grief or joy in a moment of anger, in a single lash at the land.

Sasuke-kun. I surprised you came here of all places.

She was right he supposed. He wasn't one who had the time to relax and enjoy nature's countless wonders. He wasn't one who would sit down in the swirling sand and reflect on his life in the cold turbulent air on a storming day, wondering why he was born.

Hn.

She joined him on the sand, both of them drenched in the life giving liquid, water. None of them made a move. To defend, to initiate a fight, to banter or to do anything at all. His hair was being tamed by the rain, its spikes pushed down, giving him a less aggressive look, one look of being tired. Of having had enough of life already.

What are you doing here?

He was so tired. The weasel was dead and gone, he was back where he belonged, where once life was safe and warm - but wasn't now. His trail still hasn't ended and even though Naruto, who had made it to Hokage after all this years, was pushing for everything in Sasuke's favour, Sasuke knew, just knew that the council could careless of his opinion and make him pay no matter what anyone did. He didn't care much for it actually. He was just so tired. So, so, so tired of running everywhere, here and there and he just wanted to sit down for a moment and look back at what made up 18 years of his gone life.

I don't know.

She watched conflicting emotions flicker across this familiar face. Something only she could see, from what everyone else saw as apathetic. She thought she spied tiredness, loneliness and most prominently, confusion. She supposed he had the right to be tired, chasing after his past for so many years. She supposed he had the right to be lonely, with no true companionship during all his time away from home. She supposed he had the right to be confused, now that he had lost his life goal in a moment of bitter triumph and victory, conquering his past had left him where he started all those years ago before the tragedy and no way to the present which he had lost to that day in the past. The missing years were given to a day long past, hardly present in the mind of the people, only constantly fully alive in his mind. Now that all that could be let go, with his revenge done and the souls of the dead appeased with his successful effort at avenging them, what was he to do?

What are you going to do from now?

He felt her warm hand enclose around his, fingers winding through his, intertwining both of theirs together, wet sand clinging to their skin. She gave his hand a little squeeze and resisted smirking at the thought of her comforting him, after all that he had wrecked in her life. She was too forgiving of him, she should expect more from him. For after all, all she had gotten from him was a measly 'Thank You' and the experience of getting knocked out. Slowly, he tightened his grip on her hand slightly, acknowledging her care and concern and in his own way, telling her not to worry.

I don't know.

The fact remained that he didn't know what to do from this step in his life. He had no path onwards with no goal to push him forward. His roots and the remaining few alive that care for him were in Konoha and that pulled him back. His desire and completion to escape the remaining dregs of his past and his mistakes too great to bury drove him away from the place. The tension of opposites: Which to follow? Where to go?

I came to tell you…That...The verdict is out.

He was…amused. Of all in the multitude of emotions she had to raise an eyebrow at his choice. She too was surprised at the speed in which the council had decided. But, it was the lack of emotion displayed by him that startled her. It was as if he didn't care anymore.

Go on.

He felt like smirking. What a great irony. Here he was deciding what he was to do next as the next step of his life and there they were, arguing away on how to dictate it for him. They had finally made up their minds he supposed.

In light of killing Orochimaru and four other Akatsuki, status as S-class missing-nin dropped and reinstated as Chuunin. For defecting and various other charges like that of attacking other fellow Konoha Shinobi, missions done will not be paid for for 18 months. 250 hours of community service in addition to the 18 months which can be cleared off in the form of missions.

He laughed. They just wanted him for his abilities! Uchiha! Again! And here he was thinking of abandoning his past. The gibbering fools only saw the Uchiha and not the Sasuke. They only saw him for his uses and how it could do good for the village and themselves.

I don't want to stay in the village Sakura. Maybe in the future, - but not now.

He would have to complete his sentence before he ran. He had wasted 18 years. Another 18 months were of no difference. He would have to take his Jounin and then his Anbu or Hunter-nin exams soon if he were to be able to get away from the village without being chased after for defection.

I understand. Naruto has already assigned you a mission partner and he's waiting with the scroll in the office. We can leave whenever you're ready.

He smirked. She had to smile at that. It seems that no matter the time they spent apart, those two would know each other like brothers. True ones. Not born of blood but of solid understanding and friendship brought to the next degree. She had to approve of the Naruto that had changed from the excessively noisy kid who did everything on impulse to one who was quick to catch on and yet still retained the buoyant laughter from childhood.

Let's go.

And through the rain they went, back through the forest, into the Hokage's office, dripping wet, fingers still intertwined together in a new understanding.


A/N: I'm sorry that it's rather confusing. Feedback would be good. -smiles-