Light Shaded Dream

Chapter 16 – Welcome Home

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-:-

Sakura awoke at dawn the next morning, finding herself positioned next to Sasuke. Not wanting to get up from her spot, she began to look around her. So much has happened to her, but there were still so many feelings that she can't remember. She wanted to remember so much. Slowly removing Sasuke's arm from her waist, she got up, to find Sasuke's eyes closed, but still sensed his complete consciousness. Getting up, she walked over to the mouth of the cave, staring at the newly blooming cherry blossoms. She liked that tree; the blossoms were so beautiful and fragile.

"Sakura."

She turned around and found Sasuke walking towards her. She smiled at him, and turned her body once more to experience the sunrise.

"Good morning, Sasuke-kun," She whispered.

Sasuke stood next to her, and he smirked.

"Sasuke-kun...Ko-konoha...when are we going back?" She asked.

He stared at her, wondering how she was able to name the village.

"I had a dream last night...well...I regained a memory again. But it was a really big one. I re-met Tenten, Ino, Hinata, Shikamaru, Naruto, Neji, everyone that I knew before! I want to go back and...see Konoha. It is such a beautiful place..."

"When you regain everything..."

Sakura frowned.

"But won't that...take a while?"

"Who knows? At the rate you're regaining your memories, it wouldn't be a surprise if you were completely brought back into true consciousness by tomorrow."

"Oh, I see."

Sasuke smiled at her, and her frown disappeared.

-:-

Sakura sat between the roots of a cherry blossom tree, watching Sasuke train. She was amazed at his abilities and strength, and felt safer around him knowing his skill. The wind gently brought a soft breeze to grace them, and the withered petals were dancing with the rhythm. Sakura caught one, and smiled. She was regaining her memories slowly; it was getting clearer and clearer as she tried to remember things. Sasuke sensed this, and let her regain her memories in peace, continuing to silently train as Sakura's past was unclouded. He knew that the real Sakura was sleeping inside this one, just waiting to awaken as if nothing had happened.

"Sasuke-kun, you should rest," Sakura said.

Sasuke looked at her, and smirked, wiping sweat from his forehead.

"I'm fine."

But he knew that he had already exhausted his chakra, and could collapse at any moment if he tried to do any jutsu.

"But I can sense your chakra at its lowest."

Sasuke sighed, giving in. Taking a seat next to his cherry blossom, he took a look at her. Her once dull emerald eyes were returning back to their vibrant green color by the second. He smiled at this.

"Sasuke-kun?"

Breaking his gaze by closing his eyes, and evened out his breaths. Then, he felt a warm glow emit into his chest, and opened his eyes to a vibrant green emitting from Sakura's hand. He felt a new flow of strength seep into him, and looked at her, surprised that she regained her ability to use her medical skills.

"Thank you," He whispered.

Sakura nodded, and smiled.

-:-

Night fell over the mountains, and the stars glistened in the obsidian sky. Sasuke stared up at the serene sky, envying the tranquility of space. Sakura was next to him, silently dozing off on his shoulder. Her memories were almost complete, and she would regain consciousness soon. Sasuke knew this, and decided that he would cherish the welcome he would give to Sakura when she came back. Staring up at the stars, he smiled. The night's breath gently blew past, and Sasuke stopped himself from shivering. Mumbling to himself about how Sakura would always sleep on his shoulder, leaving him sore and in pain the next day, he slowly shifted his position to make it more comfortable for the both of him. Sakura moved as she felt the shift, and hugged his torso, still sleeping. Sasuke inwardly smiled, loving the sight he was seeing.

Sasuke was up and about earlier than before the next morning, preparing to leave. He was demolishing the traces they had left from their stay, making sure that there was no possible way they could be tracked down. Sakura awoke to the silent shuffling of his packing up, and stretched. Her head seemed to be aching and full, and she yawned.

"Good morning Sasuke-kun," She said after her yawn.

"Good morning Sakura. Are you feeling okay?" He asked.

Sakura stared at him, wondering how he knew that she was feeling a bit dizzy.

"Uh...my head is just aching like it's been refilled with my memories. Funny. I could have sworn I lost my memories for a while and just regained my consciousness during that nice sleep..." She said.

Sasuke chuckled, and stood up.

"You did."

Sakura blushed, and began to laugh, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"Oh."

Getting up and stretching to get herself warm, she smiled contently as she felt her muscles loosen.

"Mmm. I'm so out of shape. Hrmph. You could have a least trained my fragile self, Sasuke-kun," She said, cutely pouting.

Sasuke smirked, and shrugged helplessly.

"Couldn't take the chances of injuring you further."

Sakura nodded in understanding, and began jumping up and down to warm up her legs.

"Hm. I have to say that Mangekyou Sharingan is one deadly technique," She said.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and a frown graced his lips.

"I'm sorry."

Sakura looked at him, and smiled. She shook her head.

"It's not your fault. Love makes you do crazy things," She said.

Sasuke faintly blushed, and he immediately looked away. Sakura snickered, and lightly punched him.

"You can't hide that forever."

Sasuke smirked.

"And by the way...Sasuke-kun, I hope that you will never acquire that technique. I mean, I'd be happy for you and all, but that'd mean killing, right?" Sakura asked.

Sasuke silently nodded.

"Don't worry, I'd never go that far."

Sakura smiled, content with her life. Walking up next to him, she hugged him; missing the warmth she felt when she did so. Even if she was technically still living, she wasn't completely conscious, and her shy and naïve replacement didn't want to make a move. Sasuke returned the embrace, looking down into her now fully vibrant emerald orbs. Smiling, he captured her lips, Sakura returning the kiss, and the both of them content with everything. Finally breaking away for breath, Sakura smirked.

"Hmph. I missed that warmth for so long," She whispered.

She cuddled closer to him.

-:-

The two set off back to Konoha around noon. Boosting their speed by focusing chakra to their feet, they would be able to make it to Konoha during the late night. They were both happy that they would finally be heading home. Jumping from tree to tree became a bit tiring for Sakura due to her inactive training, but she sucked up the pain and continued on. Sasuke smiled at this, loving how her pride would not allow her to complain and ask him to take a quick break.

"Sakura," Sasuke said, after they were a few hours away from Konoha.

Sakura stopped to look at him, panting heavily and sweating.

"Yeah?" She asked.

"Let's take a quick rest," He said.

Sakura stared at him, her mouth gaping wide, surprised that he would EVER suggest to stop.

"Are you sure? I'm fine."

He nodded.

"You'll collapse if you don't take a quick rest."

Sakura nodded gratefully, and sat down, stretching her legs and taking a few gulps of water. After ten minutes, she was recovered, and they continued their journey back to Konoha.

It was around eleven o'clock at night when they arrived at the gates. They were halted by the ANBU, and were given orders to report to the Hokage's office as soon as possible. They obliged, and soon they were sitting behind the desk of Tsunade, waiting for her judgment.

"Wow, Sakura. You actually brought him back!" Tsunade exclaimed.

Sakura smiled, and Sasuke remained silent. It was different for him to be back in Konoha. It's been so long since he's seen its entire people, all its ninja, and all of the ramen Naruto devoured.

"Hn. Seeing as you were brought back, I take it you took your vengeance?" Tsunade asked, addressing Sasuke.

Sasuke nodded.

"Yes, Hokage-sama. Orochimaru and Itachi are dead," He said.

Tsunade nodded, thinking of what to do with him.

"I take it you have no reason to betray our village again, correct?" She asked.

"Correct."

"Then, you will be put under a three month probation. A few ANBU squads will watch every moment of your life. You will perform one thousand hours of community service, but doing D-rank missions can complete this. I will allow you to become a ninja again, but you will have to retake your Chuunin Exams. Is everything fine?"

Sasuke nodded. He was let off easy, and he knew it.

"Good. You're welcome to go back to the Uchiha manor. It's been untouched since you left. You might just have to do some cleaning up to do. Also, Sakura has been paying your apartment's lease, so if you choose, you can remain to live there, and just resell it if you wish to move back to your family's home. Dismissed."

Sakura and Sasuke bowed before exiting the Hokage tower.

"You were let off easy! Isn't that great?" Sakura asked, hugging Sasuke.

Sasuke smirked.

"I suppose."

"I'll take you to your apartment."

Sasuke nodded. As the two wandered down the streets, they passed by the Ichiraku, and were stopped by a gathering of Ino, Shikamaru, Naruto, Hinata, Tenten, Neji, Lee, Gai, and Kakashi. All nine of them sensed the familiar chakra, and turned around. Their eyes widened.

"Sakura! Sasuke!" All yelled.

Before joining them, Sakura held out her hand for Sasuke to take.

"Welcome home, Sasuke-kun," She said, smiling.

Sasuke looked at her, and returned her smile, and took her hand.

"Thank you."

-:-