Title: Never Really Home (Chapter Seven)

Pairing: Sasuke/Naruto, Kakashi/Iruka, one-sided Sakura/Sasuke, hints of Lee/Naruto

Rating: M mostly for language, but for some sexual content as well.

Warnings: Eventual spoilers up to recent chapters.

Disclaimers: Don't own Naruto, oh and Azamiko...sniff what more can I do than apologize and update with a new chapter? hehe

Sasuke jumped down from his hiding place. A scowl adorned his beautiful face as he brushed away the bangs from his eyes. Ever since he had abandoned his forehead protector three years ago, he had been having trouble styling his hair in a useful way.

Kakashi put his arm around his former student's uptight shoulder, choosing to forget their awkward encounter the night before. "It's good to see you home, Sasuke."

The Uchiha roughly pulled himself away from Kakashi's grip. "I'm not home, Kakashi. I...I just came to..."

"Of course you're home!" interrupted Kakashi, a naive grin on his partially-covered face. "You're here, aren't you?"

"Well..."Sasuke grimaced slightly, thinking about how to answer.

Naruto and Sakura had continued fighting, unaware of their knew visitor. However, as Sakura easily dodged three shuriken Naruto threw at her, she turned to smile at her sensei, and her eager eyes caught sight of her former teammate. She let out an ear-piercing squeal and ran towards him. Unfortunately for Sasuke, the noise was not enough warning to save him from being engulfed in a painfully powerful hug.

"Sasuke! You're back! You're back! I knew you would come back! I tried to send Naruto to get you, but he couldn't! Omigosh! Sasuke! You're back! You're back! You're back!" The Uchiha's eyes were bugged out from the pressure of Sakura's grip. He tried to pull himself away, but to no avail.

"Sakura," he gasped, running out of air, "Please...let go."

Sakura released him quickly, blushing at her "former" crush. "Ss...sorry Sasuke, I'm just, so happy to see you."

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Sakura. It's been along time," he smiled, very uncharacteristically. "I see you've improved greatly, sparring with Naruto and all."

"You…you were watching? It was nothing, really..."Sakura's face turned a deep shade of red and she looked at her feet in embarrassment.

Naruto had yet to come over to join the reunion of Team 7. He was shocked at how a strong ninja like Sakura still turned to jelly at the sight of such a...such a traitor. But, Sakura saw that he was standing by himself, and waved him over.

"Come on, Naruto! Come see Sasuke!"

"I've already seen him," mumbled the blond to himself, but he sulked over anyway.

An uncomfortable hush fell over the four of them as Naruto and Sasuke glared at each other. Only the two of them really knew what had happened the night before, but their distaste was written all over their faces. Sakura glanced from one to the other, a worried look on her face.

"So...heh heh," said Kakashi, clapping his hands on Naruto and Sasuke's back to break the silence, "who's up for some ramen?"

"I actually...have to get going," said Sasuke, shaking Kakashi off him and pointing vaguely towards the road.

"But, you just got here," whined Sakura.

"Yeah, I know..." Sasuke trailed off. He had a sad, distant look on his face. "I...I have to do something."

"Oh..."Sakura's face fell. "Well, you'll be back soon, won't you?" Her voice sounded doubtful.

Sasuke didn't answer. Instead, he gave her a very heartfelt hug. Surprisingly, he then turned to Kakashi and embraced him as well. The Uchiha looked at Naruto, his gaze was not returned, and it was obvious that the blond was not going to accept a hug from his rival. Sighing, Sasuke quickly wiped a single tear from his cheek and walked toward the road.

…

"Why didn't you say good-bye to Sasuke?" yelled Sakura accusingly to Naruto as they sat at Ichiraku, taking Kakashi up on his offering to buy them lunch.

Naruto glared at his bowl of ramen. He could have burned a hole through it from the fire emitting from his eyes. "I dunno," he mumbled.

Sakura let out an aggravated sigh. Her teammates' stubbornness had not changed in three years. Neither one of them would ever admit that they cared for each other. "Well, that was really mean that you totally ignored him. He was really hurt."

"He was not."

"How would you know? You weren't even looking at him. He was crying."

"He...was...what?" Naruto's eyes were wide. The blond had never known Sasuke to cry. Well, not before today. Last night, it looked like the Uchiha was upset, and it was genuinely strange for Sasuke to show any emotions. The changes in his former teammate confused Naruto, and he wanted to know what was going on.

"Yes, he was crying, and it's all your fault." Naruto go up from his ramen, untouched, and left. Sakura couldn't tell for sure, but it looked like the blond was heading in the same direction that Sasuke had left in.

Yay! New Chapter, and another one will be on the way soon! Please comment, it makes me feel special and want to update quickly.