Chapter 2.

When Sasuke Uchiha sets his eyes on the gates of Konoha for the first time in a very long time, he stops in his tracks. The gates are the same, cracks in red paint, and spurts of grass that somehow found it's way to grow through tiny chips in the cement.

Even though much time has passed since he .was here last as a small genin, looking at the gates now makes him feel like he was just in Konoha yesterday. Nostalgia, takes him. It reminds him of the academy, the Uchiha compound, Ichiraku ramen, the training grounds, and team 7. Cotton candy colored hair, and orange jumpsuits flood his mind like a ship with a hole. For only a moment he lets himself pretend he's still that same little genin he once was, and not the international criminal come home on account of a funeral.

His concentration is broken when he sees motion at the gate. 2 chunnin are standing guard at the gates. Keeping in those who should be, and keeping out those who are not welcome in the village. A flicker of recognition hits him when he sees the smaller of the 2 chunnin. It's the Yamanka girl, Ino. Sakura's friend.

Ino and Sasuke lock eyes as he starts walking again, towards them, and into Konoha. The bigger, and older chunnin to her side begins to protest and say something to her. He must have recognized Sasuke, then. Sasuke wonders briefly if the man means to try and stop him from entering the village. Ino's mouth downturns in a sad show of acknowledgment to Sasuke, showing him she knows exactly why he's here. Then she puts a small hand in front her partner, shaking her head at him. 'Not the time', he thinks Ino might have said if she were to have spoken to the man.

Sasuke is pensive, and reflective as he makes his way to where the Hokage should be. He avoids looking in the direction of the hospital and one particular cement bench when he passes them. No one takes notice of Sasuke on the street, and he is glad for it. It's mostly because the streets are fairly empty, if anyone he passes knows who he is they seem not to care that he's here.

When Sasuke bounds up the last few stairs leading to the Hokage's office, there is a small crowd of gathered Ninja. They are speaking quite animated and loudly about something. The conversation seems to be a disagreement of some kind. These are people he recognizes from his life before, he takes notice that Shikamru Nara is a jonin now. A hush falls over the group as Hinata Hyuga elbows her teamate Shino Aburame. They follow her line of sight to find Sasuke, standing suddenly quite unsure of himself. Will they want him to leave, he wonders? Had Kakashi not expected Sasuke to come to Konoha? Shikamaru narrows his eyes, inspecting Sasuke, taking in the Katana strapped to his hip, and his overly dark clothing. Then his eyes soften a tad bit when a blonde woman lays her hand on Shikamru's shoulder with a squeeze. She's from the sand village Sasuke thinks, but it's been so long he can't remember her name right then.

Shikamaru pulls himself away from the group and motions for Sasuke to come forward. Sasuke doesn't need to ask who is in charge because the way Shikamaru stands says everything. He must work as Kakashi's assistant or something Sasuke thinks idly.

"You can go in to see the hokage, but that-" he motions to Sasuke's sword. "Stays out here with me."

That was fair enough. Sasuke wasn't expecting a homecoming with open arms. In fact he had expected quite the opposite. The term angry mob and pitchforks had come to his mind many times during his journey home. Sasuke pulls his weapon off of himself and holds it out to his former peer. None in the group dares to meet Sasuke's eye, they don't yet know what to make of him, as Shikamaru leads him to what is now Kakashi's office. The group just watches on quietly, each lost to their own thoughts. They like Ino expect they know what he's come back for, who he's come back for. They are probably right to assume, because why else would he come home now? Sasuke doesn't care, they can think whatever they want.

Sasuke has travelled quite far to be here, and it's causing him a great deal of pain. Sasuke's pain is on the outside, but also the inside. Shoulders, back, neck they all hurt.

Sasuke will see Sakura Haruno buried soon, and that he decides is the source of the worst of his pain.

Shikamaru knocks 3 times at the office door, and from behind him Sasuke can hear the argument ignite back into life. He hears the names Sakura, and Naruto thrown around but he doesn't turn.

Sasuke could have asked Ino when he saw her at the gate, he could even turn around now and ask any one of the ninja behind him, but he wants to hear it from Kakashi. He wants Kakashi to look him in the eye when he tells him about Sakura's murder. He needs to know that he isn't the only one who hurts.

Sasuke has been alone in alot of things in his life. But he can't bear the grief of Sakura Haruno alone, it will ruin him.

Author's note/ Hi lovelies, what a great change of pace it is to write for a different ship. I am a Harry Potter fanfiction writer mostly but i've been rewatching Naruto recently, and an idea bloomed from there. I couldn't help but keep asking myself, how would Sasuke have reacted if Sakura died while he was gone? I promise many twists, and turns are in store for you all. Something you need to know about my writing, is i am not afraid of hurting the characters. It is a rare day when happily ever after is reached in my works. Bonus note i do feel fiercely terrible for what Naruto experiences in this story.