Chapter – 2: Arrival

On the Flight:

"So why are you guys tagging along?" Sasuke was curious. The siblings do not like to rush, but here they are on a weekend trip halfway across the world.

"My father's brother's family lives in Konoha. My baby cousin just moved back home. It has been six years since we last saw him. When your brother offered, I just took it up. The ticket is not out of my pocket, I can see my family, and I can be there for you."

As Gaara was counting off his reasons, Sasuke was stupefied. He didn't know Gaara had family in Konoha, and he didn't expect Gaara to show concern for anyone. For a moment there, he wanted to distract himself by teasing his friend. However, his premonitions for the weekend had him occupied.

Beside him, Gaara excitedly tapped his fingers against the armrest. He was impatient to meet his baby cousin. The whole family meets for Christmas at their grandparents', but since university started their baby cousin has not been attending the annual get-togethers. Life went on for six years despite their numerous failed attempts at finding the situation at their uncle's place. When Itachi invited them to join the Uchiha's 30th-anniversary party in Konoha, the siblings had grabbed the opportunity to see their missing cousin.

The rest of the travel was spent in complete silence. The group took this opportunity to conserve energy for their weekend.

XXX Naruto POV XXX

"Naruto! Come on it's time to pick up the knuckleheads. Their flight will reach in 30 mins"

"Kyuu, stop shouting will you. I am coming." I see my family waiting for me at the foyer.

"Kyuu you shouldn't be saying that you just got ready yourself."

"Mom! I was here before Naru."

"Ok! Ok! Come on it's time to leave." said my father: the only responsible person of our family.

"Are all of us going to pick them up?"

I don't want that because the car would be packed. I like moving around in my seat

"Nope, we are not going together. Your mom and I are going to help Fuguku and Mikoto prepare for the party this weekend. You and your brother are going to pick your cousins at the airport."

That sobers me up, my excitement is zapped out of my body.

"Dad" I whisper, my voice somber, "I don't want to come to the party, I want to stay at home."

It's been six years, nothing's changed, I still cannot face the past. I left home to pursue my bachelor's in mass communication and journalism at the Sound University. I started a publishing company: Rasengan, in hopes that one day I will meet him again. For the past six years, I have followed his shadow. This is enough, I have done everything I can, so it is time for me to move on. My first step to change was to face my past in Konoha. But attending the 30th anniversary of the Uchiha couple was something I am not prepared for. Being at their family home, which holds most of our cherished memories, will make me yearn for him.

I am startled out of my thoughts when I felt three sets of arms go around me.

"Naru, it's up to you. Don't overthink it. We are here for you when you fall, lean on us for support. Stop thinking and go with Kyuu. We will talk more when you come back."

I take comfort in their arms wishing to bask in their protection forever, but it was time to bring our cousins home.

"Kyuu, let's go!"

XXX

Urgh! I hate it. Against my better judgment, I let Kyuubi drive the car without putting up a fight. How can I let this crazy-ass drive?

As I got out of the car, I tried to regain my balance again. We got to the airport in 20 mins!

"Don't be such a drama queen, your limbs are still attached to your body."

"Kyuu! You are never driving me anywhere again. One of these days the cops are going to catch up to you!"

"Naruto you also drive like me. Mom taught us how to drive. And, do not worry about the cops, if I get caught, I will just play cops and robbers. I haven't tried it yet." He winks at me slyly.

"Yeah right. Stay here I'll go pick them."

Walking into the arrival area, I spot a mop of red hair.

"Gaara! Welcome back!"

I proceeded to glomp him. There was a moment of stunned silence before Gaara turned around to catch me midair. Well he tried, we crashed right onto someone else. I hear Temari and Konkuro laugh in the background and could not help but laugh with them. "Naruto!" Gaara yelled. "Get up dammit! We are crushing the poor guy!"

Finally, Temari being the good Samaritan came to the rescue. "Konkuro pull Gaara up." She pulled me off then proceeded to do the same to the other guy when I notice the person approaching us. Itachi and Deidara were walking towards us. Looking at Itachi is painful. I can feel the squeeze around my lungs, and it becomes hard to breadth. To keep some of my bearings, I turned to Deidara.

"Dei! Hi! What are you guys doing here? I thought you would be busy planning the party."

There was an awkwardness around us. Itachi was looking nervously at someone behind me. "Well…" Dei started, but Konkuro cut him off. "Wait, you know them?"

"Yeah, I told you about them remember, it's his parent's party that mom and dad are attending…"

While I was explaining my eyes wondered behind Konkuro. There he stood, the reason for my pain: Sasuke.

For me, this is pure hell.

XXX Third Person POV XXX

Sasuke was stunned. Six years, it has been six years since he saw him. The one he ran away from. Standing before him is a mature version of his love, but to Sasuke, he had not changed at all. The beautiful blue eyes still made his heart race. The mop of blond hair has not lost its luster, and the golden skin is as delicious looking as he remembers. The body has grown, it was no longer smaller in stature than him, but the change appealed to Sasuke. It proved that the teenager tormenting his dreams is a man now.

He missed Naruto dearly. He had regretted severing their relationship the way he did. Reuniting with Naruto, opened all the dirty feeling he had kept hidden. He wished to hug him and never let go of him, but he knows, if someone could hate him more than he hated himself, it would be him.

"Gaara, Konkuro, Temari let's go. Kyuubi is waiting for us outside." After saying that Naruto turned and left. His cousins were shocked at how cold his demeanor was.

"Sasuke, we will see you later at the party." Gaara turned and followed his baby cousin out. Temari and Konkuro nodded at the group and left.

"Naruto what's wrong?" Kyuubi was concerned about his brother. This is rare, his brother has been slowly but steadily regaining his old self. Looking at him now feels like they are back to square one.

The Sabaku siblings loaded their luggage and entered the car. "Temari, what happened in there?"

"Don't know, Naruto is like that since he saw Gaara's friend from Suna."

"Who is it?"

This time it was Gaara who answered, "Sasuke Uchiha. His pen name is Susanoo Uchiwa, Naruto's favorite author." He turned to look at Naruto, "I wanted to introduce him to you."

Naruto's favorite up-and-coming author, the one he has been trying to sign a contract with. He had been trying to get Mr. Uchiwa's books published through Rasengan.

He first read Uchiwa's book when Gaara sent him a copy. Gaara is a picky reader, so his recommendations were exceptional. Naruto wasn't surprised when he fell in love with Uchiwa's works. The stories filled the void Sasuke had left. The penmanship was like Sasuke's, and it made him feel closer to his runaway-boyfriend. But his favorite author turned out to be his old flame.

"He has been holed up Suna all this time?"

Hearing Naruto's whispered voice stunned everyone in the car. It was quivering from his emotional turmoil. Kyuubi was shocked beyond words, he did not know how to console his brother. All he could do was drive them home and talk with Naruto once they reach.

Gaara did not like being ignorant of Naruto and Sasuke's situation, he would have to talk to Sasuke later. Just then Kyuubi's phone started ringing.

"Shisui, I am driving right now."

'Kyuu, you have to come to my uncle's home. Sasuke is back! I am driving him home from the airport! Make sure to bring Naruto!'

Naruto couldn't take it, he screamed out of frustration, "I am not coming! The asshole has the nerve to come back after six years! Tell him to go back to where he came from. I hate him!"

Thankfully Shisui hung up before Naruto could finish. "Naruto! Calm down! He didn't know that you already met. Don't take out your frustration on other people."

Naruto couldn't calm down. As soon as they reached the house, he ran to his room to hole up.

"Kyuu? What is going on?" The Sabaku siblings couldn't contain their anxiety anymore. They were shocked at Naruto's behavior. "You guys remember what happened six years ago?"

Temari was the first to voice out, "You mean the incident where his boyfriend up and ran?"

"Yeah, that is Sasuke. I don't know what happened, Naruto never told us anything. But yeah, Sasuke ran away from home without any word. This is the first time I heard Naruto say his name in six years."

Gaara and his siblings had an inkling, but to have their speculations confirmed was another thing. They had come to enjoy a weekend together with their cousins. But now they don't know what to do.

XXX

"Sasuke are you fine?" Itachi's concerned voice startled him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, let's go. I can't do anything about him for now." He will do something though. Seeing Naruto cleared his thoughts, it was like atonement. He was going to ask for forgiveness. They might not go back to who they were. But it is okay, He just wants forgiveness.

When they reached outside the airport, their cousin was waiting for them. Itachi was the first to approach followed by Deidara and Sasori. Sasuke stayed at the back of the group.

"Shisui, here. Open the trunk."

Shisui got out of the car to help his cousin and his guests when he saw Sasuke. For a second there, he couldn't move. All these years, he was there with his aunt and uncle as they mourned the loss of their beloved second son. Touching Sasuke's cheeks, feeling the warmth of his skin, he felt relieved. He pulled his cousin close and hugged him tightly.

"Welcome home, Sasuke!"

Sasuke, overcome with emotions, didn't know how to act. He never thought it was possible for Shisui to openly express his relief. Something broke in him, he felt small, insignificant, ashamed of fleeing. He buried his face on his older cousin's shoulder.

"Come, get in the car. Let's go, uncle and aunty are waiting! They will be so surprised!"

Shisui guided Sasuke to the back seat with Itachi and Deidara. Sasori got on the passenger side. Once everyone was buckled up, he started driving while dialing Kyuu's number.

'Shisui, I am driving right now.'

"Kyuu, you have to come to my uncle's home. Sasuke is back! I am driving him home from the airport! Make sure to bring Naruto!"

'I am not coming! The asshole has the nerve to come back after six years! Tell him to go back to where he came from. I hate…'

Shisui hung up before Naruto could say anymore. He hadn't expected him to explode like that.

"They met at the airport. Sasuke's friends turned out to be Naruto and Kyuubi's cousins from Suna." Itachi filled him in on what happened at the airport.

Sasuke was hurt. He deserves this, but still, he is hurt. They grew up together, joint at the hip. Naruto was the sun in his universe, his first love. He tore their relationship apart with his own two hands.

The car parked in front of the entrance. There his parents were waiting to see Itachi and Deidara.

"Itachi! Deidara! Welcome home! Sasori good to see you again. Shisui, join us for dinner before you drive back home. Come on let's go in." Mikoto had a warm smile when she hugged and greeted everyone. Just as she was about to lead the group inside, Sasuke hesitantly got out of the car. Seeing their son for the first time in six years, Fuguku was the first to react. He walked up to his youngest son, raised his hands and slapped his across his cheek.

"You idiot! We were worried! Never make us worry like that again!" As soon as he finished, he brought his son close and held him. Witnessing her husband lose his composure brought her out of her stupor, Mikoto joined the hug. She wanted to support both of her treasures.

"Welcome back Sasuke!" The tears wouldn't stop coming out of their eyes. Itachi brought Dei close to him in a one-arm hug while wiping away the wetness around his eyes with the other hand.

Sasuke completely broke down after seeing his family crumble before him. He couldn't stop his tears, "Sorry! I am sorry for being selfish. I am sorry I ran away. I missed you all of you!" His pent-up stress was coming out. He had missed his family. He never accepted it, but he was lonely in Suna. His legs decided to give out from under him after all the pent-up stress left his body. It was fine; his family was there to support him.

"Come on let's go inside! We are going to have a blast today! Our son is finally back home. We are going to celebrate his return and our anniversary at tonight's party." Mikoto exclaimed. Her family was complete. She couldn't ask for anything more. Sasuke is not completely back, he is broken and needs a lot of emotional support. He doesn't know how to put his life back together. But she will help him along with Fuguku, Itachi, and hopefully the Namekazes.