Chapter 5: Home

6 months later:

"SASUKE-KUN!"

Sasuke turned, smiled slightly and rolled his eyes as he saw an 18 year old Sakura running towards him. She had aged beautifully as well; her hair was still cut short and she was wearing a pair of black mid-length jeans and a light blue mid-drift top. Finally, she stopped in front of him.

"Good morning Sasuke-kun…" she said breathlessly.

"Morning Sakura." He answered in his lazy fashion as he started walking again.

Sakura walked next to him.

"Um…Sasuke?"

"Yeah?"

"If you don't mind me asking…what on earth are you doing out here by yourself? Where's your escort."

"Oh." his tone lightened a bit.

"My house arrest is done now. I'm free to wander around the village by myself."

Sakura smiled.

"That's great! So your punishment is over now?"

"Not exactly…I'm still kept under constant surveillance unless I have a certified escort with me and I'm not allowed to leave the village for a long time still."

"Oh…" she responded. "I can't believe that you haven't left this place for over 6 months now…it must be hard."

Sasuke frowned.

"I deserve ever bit of it…"

Sakura made no response.

Sasuke looked at her.

"By the way…" he started, "I never apologized for the cruel things I said to you back when I left…so…"

Sakura blushed.

"Oh no no! Its fine! That was years ago, no harm done!"

"But still…I'm sorry…"

Sakura stared in awe at Sasuke's gentle face.

"It's ok." She said looking away.

"Thanks." He responded.

They continued walking for a little while in silence.

Then she spoke quietly.

"You've changed…"

Sasuke looked at her, his eyes were wide, but she continued looking straight forward smiling.

"Everything about you is so much brighter. When I sometimes see you and Naruto walking around together…I see you smile…and even laugh. You're more active and more social now. Even more than when we were children."

Sasuke turned to stare at the road too.

"Yeah…I…I've been running into a lot of people lately. Everyone here has been so understanding…and welcoming…"

"It's as if you never left. Sasuke, there are a lot of people here who care about you deeply."

"Yeah…there really are."

Suddenly something landed on Sasuke's back and he was pushed face forward into the ground.

"HOOOOOOONEY I'M HOOOOOOOME!" Naruto yelled.

"And if you don't get off my back in the next 3 seconds I'll tare your ears off." Sasuke growled.

"Point taken…" Naruto said as he climbed off Sasuke's back and helped him off the ground.

"Um…good morning Naruto-kun." Sakura said awkwardly.

"Hey, Sakura-chan!" He gave her a hug, "Long time no see."

"You're back early from the mission…how did it go?" she asked.

"OMG YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE IT IF I TOLD YOU!"

Naruto then went into a deep exciting description about the battle he was in but it didn't last long before Sasuke noticed blood coming from his arm.

"What the hell is that?" he yelled pointing to Naruto's arm.

Naruto looked down.

"Oh…one of my wounds must've broken open when I tackled you." He said vaguely.

"Don't act so nonchalant about it, there's blood everywhere you dobe! Haven't you been to the hospital yet?"

"No, we just got back…I was gonna go to the hospital……but I wanted to surprise you all with my early and victorious return!"

Sakura was staring at Naruto like a deer in headlights and Sasuke looked like he might start throwing things at him any moment.

"Uh…was that a bad thing?"

Sasuke grabbed him by the arm and started walking.

"You moron! I just don't understand how dumb you are sometimes…'surprising us first'; we're going to the hospital right now!

Sakura laughed.

"Look at you two; you're like an old married couple."

Sasuke and Naruto looked at her and then at each other as they're cheeks turned a shade of pink.

"W-We have to go now, I'll see you later Sakura." Sasuke managed to choke out.

"Yeah, I'll see you around! Bye Sakura-chan!" Naruto waved as Sakura smiled and waved back.

The two of them walked through the village towards the hospital for awhile in complete silence. Finally, Sasuke stopped walking.

"Are they gone?" he asked.

Naruto, who was one of Sasuke's certified escorts turned around and nodded towards the buildings. That was the signal used by the escorts to relieve Sasuke's surveillance team. After a few moments he turned back to Sasuke who was standing in front of Naruto with his back to him.

"Yes, they're gone now."

Sasuke, still holding firmly onto Naruto's arm immediately began walking again. He continued to pull Naruto on until he turned a sharp corner into a small empty ally. Sasuke threw Naruto against one of the building walls and immediately began kissing him as Naruto pulled Sasuke as close to him as possible. Two weeks without each other had made them anxious and passionate. After awhile Sasuke finally pulled back.

"Your home early." He grinned.

"Yeah…we finished up two days ahead of schedule so we all decided to come back."

Sasuke smiled and kissed his lips again. They stared at each other for the longest time. Then, Sasuke looked down at the ground and up at Naruto again.

"You know…we really should-"

"Go to the hospital?" Naruto asked.

"Yeah…"

They both laughed and started out of the ally. And as the two of them entered busy village streets heading towards the hospital, Naruto lovingly took hold of Sasuke's hand. Why not? After all…it was just as Naruto said…they're story had just begun.

THE END

And there you have it! I hope that you liked it! Will there be a sequel? It's up to you guys, so please comment.