Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto.

Author: Mairi

Warnings: Age Changes, slight OOC.

Summary: It's been six years since Sasuke took off, Orochimaru had finally been defeated, Itachi wasn't to be seen around, so why hadn't Sasuke come back? He was alive. Sakura's losing hope of him coming back, but when he does come back…she doesn't love him anymore her feelings lie for someone else.

Pairings: Kakashi x Sakura, Naruto x Hinata, Neji x Tenten, Shikamaru x Ino.

Chapter 2 – Confrontation

Sakura woke up feeling a bit better than what she was last night. Kakashi had taken her out for a meal and had then invited her back to his place to watch a movie, she'd been liking him more and more every minute that they spent together. It was when she was up and dressed that she realised that it was the day of Sasuke's return, yes, he was going to be coming home, and she wouldn't be how she would have been in the past. She still loved him but, not in the same way as before. She left her home to meet up with Naruto, Hinata and a few of the others. Ino could instantly tell that something was bothering Sakura and she was guessing it was about Sasuke returning after six long painful years.

"Finally that Sasuke-teme decides to return home!" Naruto grinned, he was sort of excited about it but at the same time wanting to punch him into oblivion for leaving Konoha for so long.

"Troublesome," Was all Shikamaru could say. Everyone made their way to the gates awaiting Sasuke's arrival. Kakashi had turned up early for today, he wasn't going to turn up due to a possible mission but he wanted to be there for Sakura's sake. He cared quite a bit for the younger girl now. He stood near the other jounins with his Come-Come Paradise in hand reading it as they all waited.

"Any minute now he should be showing up!" A random girl said from the side of Sakura to her teammates who were all genin, looks like even the younger kids admired him.

'Any minute huh,' She said to herself quietly.

"Ne Sakura-chan look, he's there!" Naruto pointed out, they'd agreed before coming here that they'd go together to greet him, so, pushing through the crowd Naruto held onto Sakura's wrist dragging her with him, Kakashi waited for a moment he'd greet Sasuke when he was done reading this chapter.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOIIIIIIIIIII! SASUKE-TEME!" Naruto yelled out happily as they reached the front of the crowd, Sakura never said anything. She gave him a small smile observing the taller male in front of herself.

'Wow, he's changed quite a bit. Taller, more build, hair slightly longer and slightly spikier, new outfit, and a slightly noticeable beard…fun.'

Walking over to him slowly she still kept that smile on her face, she wasn't reacting the way she thought she may have some time ago. It'd been too long, she'd lost interest in him in that way, she saw him as only a very good friend now, she stopped just a few centimetres away from him before giving him a warm welcome home hug.

"Nice to see you back, Sasuke."

"It's nice to be home again." He replied. Sakura blinked, ok there was one slight thing she had forgotten about while looking for changes…his voice. It was a little deeper.

Just then Kakashi appeared from behind Sakura and Naruto, a hint of jealousy surging within him. It was the hug that set it off.

'Damn, keep it cool, it's only a h-u-g!' Kakashi reminded himself while forcing a cheery smile onto his face…under his mask.

"Welcome home," Was all he could say to the now older ex-student of his. Next thing Sasuke knew was that everyone in the village was welcoming him back home. He hardly recognised most of them, barely recognising the others he'd grown up with in the village, they'd all changed, even Akamaru had grown.

Once everything had calmed down a little bit, team seven had grouped together with the others deciding to have the night out, they could get Sasuke to tell them everything. He no longer had the cursed seal, which had a couple of them thinking. They were eager to find out just how he had defeated Orochimaru a couple of years back, and they wanted to know what he'd be doing now that he was back to stay although it may have been obvious. They went to one of the local restaurants for that night, ordering stuff to eat and drink right away while Sasuke began talking about his journey right up to the last detail.

"…so yeah, that's how I finally defeated him. Not long after that, the cursed seal went away."

"Wow, you nearly died twice but still pulled it off, I'm impressed, Sasuke-teme." Naruto grinned his usual grin. Sasuke nodded with a smirk. Even a few of the others were a bit impressed.

"So, Sasuke-kun what do you plan on doing now?" Ino asked from beside Shikamaru.

"Well, the only other life goal I have left is to revive the Uchiha clan." He replied while stealing a glance at Sakura who was looking out to the side at someone. He followed her gaze quickly she was looking over at other people, who looked like Asuma, Kakashi, Kurenai, and Gai. He wondered why she continued to stare quietly.

"Ne Sasuke, are you alright?" Kiba asked, prodding his arm to snap him out of his daydream.

"What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just got sidetracked." He replied hoping that no one had seen who he was looking at, unfortunately someone had been studying it.

"I think Sasuke-teme has a little crush." Naruto mouthed to him then grinned.

"Shut up, dobe." Sasuke mouthed back with a slight glare. This made Naruto grin even more. Not long after the food arrived everyone had quietened down, each taking turns –well not exactly everyone – in telling Sasuke what was going on with them. Tenten found her chance to tell the others the news that she'd found out earlier in the week, Neji knew about it and he was fine about telling the others. Lee also knew about it, and he'd stay quiet about it until she had said herself.

"Hey guys, apart from everyone knowing that Neji and I are engaged guess what." She grinned. Sakura looked to her friend as did the other girls with a raised brow, was she about to surprise them with something unexpected? The guys apart from Neji were beginning to guess anything and everything but the thing she was on about.

"What." Chouji asked, the silence was driving him mad…slightly.

"I'm expecting."

"…meaning?" Shikamaru asked.

"Gah Shika-kun are you really that dense!" Ino sighed. The girls caught on quickly and started congratulating her and Neji, while the boys sat there in confusion looking at Neji questioningly.

"We don't get it." Kiba said flatly. Naruto nodding in agreement with him, he just hadn't a clue what she meant by that.

"She's expecting a baby you baka." Ino replied. Hinata and Sakura giggled at Kiba and Naruto's expressions.

"A…b-baby?" The two boys asked raising their voices slightly.

"Yes." Tenten replied keeping a calm smirk on her face, Neji was nearly laughing from the others reactions.

"Anyway, how far on are you?" Sakura asked.

"About two months. I only found out last week." She explained to Sakura, who smiled to her.

"Ne Sakura, could I talk to you alone for a while?" Sasuke said suddenly, distracting everyone from the previous excitement. Sakura just blinked, he was wanting to talk to her…alone?

"Uh, sure why not?" She replied as he got up to leave. Bidding farewell to the others quickly she collected her belongings that she brought with her and quickly left to catch him up. They walked together for a short while, heading towards the park where they sat down on a bench. Both of them blushing very slightly but it was much to dark for them to notice.

"So, what was it you were wanting to talk about?" Sakura asked breaking the silence.

"A few things, I just want to know a couple of things." He replied while thinking of how to start his questions.

"Ok, then ask."

"Have you…settled with anyone yet?" He asked, it was a little awkward to ask her that but at least this way he'd know if she was with anyone. Sakura blinked taken back slightly by the sudden question.

"No, not yet." She replied shyly.

"I see, that's good."

"It is?"

"Uh, yeah. Listen, do you…well…uh, would you like to…go out…with…me?"

Chapter 2 seeeeeee anyhoo. This story is now completed, i done up the last two chapters today so they'll follow straight after )