It had been five years since Sasuke left. Five long years living alone, and barely coping with her loss, but Hana was getting more and more motivated to find him after each passing day. She had been training hard, so that when the day came where she might need to fight Orochimaru – she would be prepared. From her studying, she knew he was a very powerful Ninja – one of the most powerful in the entire ninja world. However, she wasn't about to let that stop her from finding Sasuke. Since that night, Itachi hadn't visited either. She was angry at him for abandoning her in her time of need. What on earth was he thinking, disappearing like that?

Still, her bonds with her teammates had grown even stronger – and her psychic abilities were also coming along nicely. Unfortunately, her mind would not allow her to see anything related to herself and Sasuke anymore. Lady Tsunade thought it was due to the trauma of losing him – and Hana agreed. She was on her way to see Naruto. She and Naruto had become close when Sasuke left, as did her and Sakura. When Naruto left to study with Jiraiya, Sakura spent a lot of her free time with Hana, Sumi and Nari.

Sumi had slowly come to terms with the fact that Hana and Sasuke had an uncontrollable bond. She wanted nothing more than to help Hana find her brother. She wanted to bring him back to her. Everyone wanted him back – it wasn't the same without him. Naruto had just returned from his mission to save the Kazakage, Gaara. Thankfully, the mission had been a massive success. Approaching his apartment door, she knocked on it three times, gently. Naruto opened the door with a wide grin spread across his face. He was always so welcoming.
"Hana!"
"Naruto!" she giggled, launching herself into his arms.

"It's so nice to see you again," he said softly, patting her back gently.
"How was it?" she asked him, pulling back slightly to look up into his face.
"It was good," he said, nodding a bit, "we managed to get Gaara back in one piece. Albeit barely."
"Well, at least all is well with the Kazakage," Hana said, relieved, "how about we get some Ramen for dinner to celebrate? It's on me!"
"I WOULD LOVE TO!" he exclaimed excitedly. Hana giggled, watching him slip his shoes on and the pair left for Ichiraku Ramen together.

Upon arrival, they ordered their food and took their usual spot. As Hana prepared to ask Naruto more about his mission, she noticed he seemed down. His face was suddenly all sad-looking, like he had just heard some rather upsetting news.
"Is something wrong?" she asked him, propping her elbow up on the bench in front of them.
"It's just…we heard some news about Orochimaru."
Hana's heart skipped a beat.
"Oh…what did you hear?"
"I was told not to tell you," he said, taking a deep breath, "but I will, don't worry. I will tell you the whole truth."

Blinking, Hana leaned closer to him when he beckoned her to. She just hoped Sasuke was safe.
"During our mission, Sakura fought one of the Akatsuki, Sasori," he started, earning a startled gasp from Hana. She fought one of the Akatsuki?! That meant that man knew Itachi. She remained silent, though, listening.
"He said that one of Orochimaru's henchmen was working for him as a spy. That they would be meeting by the Tenchi bridge in a few days' time. We're planning to gather a team together, and find Sasuke."
He looked up at Hana, a bright smile now on his face, "I promise you, Hana. I will bring him home to you."
Hana's eyes lit up, but somehow, she felt sad. She hadn't been told about this mission, and Naruto had already been back two days. She needed time to prepare for a big mission like that!

"I'm going too, right…?" she asked, barely audible due to her upset.
Naruto hesitated, before shaking his head, "Grandma thinks it's best that you don't come. I just thought I'd tell ya, I didn't want you getting a heart attack when you see him again!"
Hana stood up, slamming her hands down on the bench. Naruto was startled, she was never like that.
"I'm going, and that's it!" she yelled, "I'll go tell that old bat myself!"

"Hana, wait!" Naruto exclaimed, "who's going to pay for my ramen?!"
Hana ignored him, running through the streets of Konoha. She bumped into a few people who yelled at her, but she didn't care. Sasuke was her brother, her life and soul. She HAD TO be there when he came home, she had to try to bring him back! If he would return for anyone, it would be her – right?
Of course, Hana had this fantasy vision in her head, like she always did. It was a huge problem for her, her greatest flaw. He would set eyes on her, and he would come home, and at last, after five years – they would be together again. This time, they would be more than siblings – like they were meant to be.

Tripping over her own feet, Hana had a vision of Sasuke for the first time as soon as she hit the ground. He was seated in a cave, with a massive snake head statue behind him – it's eyes evil, despite being made of stone.
"Sasuke?" she heard her own voice speak, looking at the dark, silhouette of her brother until Sharingan eyes glared back at her.
"What are you doing here…Hana?"
"I came here to bring you home with me!"
A silence followed as her older brother stood from the stone slab he was seated on and slowly approached her.
"I am not going back," he said, and with each step he took, Hana's heart rate quickened. Reaching into his sheath, Sasuke removed his sword, pressing the cold steel to her throat, "I thought you were smart enough to see that."

Snapping out of her vision, Hana realised there were tears streaming down her cheeks. No, Sasuke would never kill her. That was absurd! Her mind was just playing tricks on her, because Sasuke was loyal to the restoration of the Uchiha clan. Killing her would mean only he and Itachi survived – and since he longed to kill Itachi…
"Sasuke…" she whispered to herself, "why can't you just come home?"
Standing up and brushing the dust off her legs, she stood still in the street for a couple of minutes, just staring at the spot on the ground where she fell. No one noticed, thankfully. The people of Konoha were friendly, and had they noticed her falling – they would have helped her. After all, people felt sorry for her even more these days than they already had.

She hadn't had a vision of Sasuke in quite a while. Not since their mission to help Tazuna. That was five years ago already…how time flies.
"Hana!" she heard a giddy voice call. Turning, she spotted Nari rushing towards her, holding a piece of paper in her hand.
"What is it?" she asked her.
"The Hokage wishes to meet with you, she said to give you this," she said, handing over the paper. Hana gave Nari a confused look, even though she remembered her conversation with Naruto, and unfolded the neat paper.

Her eyes scanned the page, then a small smile formed on her lips.
"What does it say?" Nari questioned, moving behind Hana to peer over her shoulder at the letter.
It read: "Hana. Naruto informed me of your upset. I wish to speak with you regarding your mission – bringing Sasuke back home. Come to my office."
Nari gasped, "wait, they found him?!"
"No, but we're so close," Hana said, folding the paper back up and sliding it into her pocket, "let's go, Nari. We have a mission to fulfil."