Okay, people I owe you all a huge apology! I didn't mean to wait this long to update!

Anyway, this isn't really a chapter…no wait, it is! It's just a bit shorter than normal.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, if I did I would've made Sasuke come back already!

xxx

Kakashi was looking over some papers in his office. His pen scribbled down his signature at the bottom for the tenth time. He looked down at his name.

How strange.

He still wasn't used to the idea of himself becoming the new Hokage. The meeting with the Fire Lord for his position as Hokage would be later that night, so he supposed that he had to be ready to take on the title. If he wasn't, then the war against Madara would only end badly. The nations all had to work together if their goal was to be completed.

Just then the door burst open and Naruto ran in with the happiest expression that he had worn in a long time. He ran right up to Kakashi's desk and slammed both of his hands on the surface, shaking the precariously stacked piles of books and papers.

"Kakashi-sensei! You won't believe it!"

He sighed. "What is it, Naruto? New flavor of ramen?"

"No, no! Something so much better!"

Better than ramen? Kakashi thought. Then the sound of footsteps through his door caught his attention. He vigilantly watched the door and when Sakura walked in he was ecstatic, but confused.

Then Sasuke walked into the room.

The pen Kakashi had been holding now dropped out of his hand and hit the top of the desk with a clack. Kakashi's eyes widened and he was speechless. He slowly stood up and stared at the raven haired teen.

"Sasuke?"

Sasuke glanced up at his former teacher and then lowered his gaze to the ground. The act was very unlike him, but he didn't know how to face Kakashi. He didn't know if he even could.

The silence stretched on as Kakashi continued to soak in the presence of his former student. When Sasuke had left all those years ago he didn't know what to think. He had thought it was his fault that he wasn't able to prevent Naruto and Sakura from feeling the immense amount of pain and emptiness that scarred them during Sasuke's absence.

Now that he was staring at the troubled teen all these memories crashed into his mind. They almost made him think that Sasuke was a dream; He couldn't possibly be back in Konoha after that much time.

But, he was. He stood there unsure of himself in the middle of the office.

Sasuke didn't know if he would be able to handle the silence for much longer. What was Kakashi thinking? Would he accept him back after everything that happened? Where would he go if he was pushed away?

Sasuke just wanted Kakashi to say something, anything that would put him out of his misery. Anything.

Kakashi stared at Sasuke for a few more seconds. The anguish of the young man was evident on his features. Kakashi wanted to know what he was thinking; What was running through his mind at that moment. He could only guess that Sasuke was waiting for a sign from him about his future in the village and, more importantly, his place with his friends.

The visible eye slightly twinkled with happiness and acceptance. "Welcome home, Sasuke."

Sasuke was shocked. His mouth slightly parted and he looked at Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi. He couldn't believe that after all this time they were all willing to forgive him and take him back with open arms.

It all felt too good to be true.

"I…" His voice left him as he tried to say something.

Kakashi watched patiently as Sasuke searched for words. When nothing came out, he made his way around the desk and put his hand on Sasuke. As soon as he grabbed the boy's shoulder, Kakashi felt how worn out and exhausted Sasuke was from all those years of pain and suffering.

"Go get some rest, Sasuke."

Sasuke could only nod his head before turning to walk out of the office. Before he made it to the door, Kakashi ordered Naruto to go with him. Sakura was to stay behind and give him a full report.

"But, why do I have to stay now?" she complained. "Couldn't we do this tomorrow?"

"No. I need to know what you did when you were with Sasuke and Madara. What you tell me might be a crucial factor in deciding the way this war is going to go."

Sakura sighed reluctantly and watched as Naruto and Sasuke left the office. Strangely, this made her feel just like a genin again. She remembered how both of them were always in front of her, how they had always protected her. It also reminded her of when they left. She was all alone in the village; She had barely seen Kakashi for those years.

There had been so much that happened. And with all of it she still felt small compared to her two teammates.

As the door shut behind Sasuke and Naruto, Sakura snapped out of her thoughts.

Get a grip, Sakura. You're not the helpless girl you used to be - you are a strong, independent woman! So get out of the past…She tried to convince herself, but even she heard the doubt in her own heart. She hated that feeling so much. She wanted nothing more than to throw it away or cast it aside.

But she knew that she would never fully be able to be rid of the scared little girl inside of her.

"Sakura?"

Kakashi's voice startled her. She turned towards him and gave him a questioning expression.

"What?" She had honestly forgotten all about the report.

Kakashi looked at his former student incredulously. He thought it was odd for her to space out like that, usually that was Naruto's job. But then again, she and Naruto had finally gotten Sasuke to return to the village; Her head was probably sinning like crazy. "The report?"

"Oh! Right," she exclaimed.

For the next hour or so Sakura and Kakashi went over everything that happened to her. How she went to the cramped box room, the First Hokage's journal, healing the mind reader, Takeo, how Karin had gotten kicked off the team, and finding out Tsunade had passed away.

When Sakura brought up her late teacher a wave of immense grief washed over her. In a solemn voice she said, "I want to see her." She lowered her gaze so that she was now staring at her hands. For some reason they looked foreign to her - like they weren't even meant to be there. She couldn't understand the reason behind thinking that so she started to get a little panicked. She could feel a trickle of sweat travel down the back of her neck. Everything just seemed out of place and she didn't belong there.

But, where did she belong? At that moment nothing made sense.

Kakashi stayed silent as he remembered what it was like to lose his teacher and closest friends. At the time it felt as though his whole world had been ripped apart at the seams and would never be sewn back together. At present the memory of losing them made his heart wrench.

"Yes, you can see her. They are still looking for the reason of her…passing."

Sakura nodded and remained silent. The world around her still seemed a bit distorted.

Kakashi leaned back in his chair and studied her some more. She looked exhausted and in need of some time to herself.

"That's enough for now. You can go home, Sakura."

She looked up, startled at his dismissal. The order shook her out of her own chaos. "But, don't you need a full report?"

"I do, but you need rest. You just got back to the village…Go home, Sakura," he said, but this time ordering her to go.

She opened her mouth to protest - to say that she was fine, but thought better of it. She was pretty worn out and had missed her bed. Suddenly she was aware of the weight of everything that happened draping over her shoulders. She was very, very tired.

"Okay." She got out of her chair and walked out the door, but not before she let out a "thank you" to Kakashi.

Kakashi stared at the now closed door and thought about her last words. So much has happened with team 7 and all he had really done was guide them through it all.

"No, Sakura. Thank you."

xxx

Sasuke and Naruto walked down the village streets. No one was out that late, so Sasuke was able to observe the village without being gawked at. Although, he was pretty sure that Naruto had been gawking at him ever since they left the office. He turned his head to see if his theory was true: It was. Naruto's cerulean eyes were slightly larger and focused directly on Sasuke.

Sasuke's eyebrow involuntarily twitched. "What?"

Naruto shook his head and put his hands behind his head. "N-Nothing!"

Sasuke continued to watch the blonde. He wore a weird expression that was somewhere between happy and sad. Sasuke didn't know how that could even be possible. "What is it?" he repeated.

"I said nothing! Sheesh." Naruto looked at Sasuke who had an intense glare set in his eyes. Naruto found himself wavering under the gaze. "Um…I just don't know how to say this, but…it's weird having you back home."

Sasuke stopped walking. Naruto noticed this and turned back to look at him. Sasuke had a face of stone, but in his eyes Naruto was able to see a guarded expression.

Naruto was confused. "What-"

"It's weird?" Sasuke coldly spat out. He didn't understand what Naruto had said. Just hours before his teammates told him they wanted him home. Then why is it so weird that he was back?

Naruto's hands slowly dropped to his sides. He suddenly realized how what he said had sounded. His eyes widened in horror. "No!" he said loudly.

Sasuke glared at the blonde, not giving him any reaction.

Naruto continued, "no, Sasuke. It's not weird to have you back. I'm so happy that you're finally home where you belong." He paused and took a deep breath. "It's just that…we've waited so long to have you back and now that you are…it seems surreal. It feels like a dream…and I never want to wake up. I know Sakura-chan feels the same way. And Kakashi-sensei, too."

Sasuke didn't know what to think. They both stood there in silence and soaked it all in. So…they still want me.

There was a short pause before Naruto said, "Sasuke, we want you here with us. So you better not leave again."

Sasuke's eyes slightly widened at the blondes words. It was as if Naruto knew how he had felt. His thoughts were all muddled at this point.

Naruto smiled and turned around. He started walking, but when he realized that Sasuke wasn't following him he turned around. "Come on, we're going home. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted."

Sasuke slowly caught up with Naruto. He was so wrapped up in what Naruto told him.

There was this weird feeling in the pit of his stomach. He vaguely remembered that he had felt this way before when he was younger. Ever since he left to go to Orochimaru any feeling other than hatred and loneliness had abandoned him.

Now, finding himself in the presence of his teammates, he was starting to feel himself slowly begin to remember what it means to belong. It was weird to feel, but he also kind of liked it.

Of course, he would never admit that out loud.

xxx

I am so sorry T_T

I didn't mean to not update this long, but everything just got carried away. I've been busy with track and school and finals and basketball! I feel so stressed and overwhelmed!

But, I was able to complete somewhat of a chapter for We Are always searching.

Please review = )

PS so, summer's starting and I will be able to write more often, so hopefully you won't have to wait so long for the next update! =)

PPS next chapter will be more exciting, I promise.

~LazyApples