A/N: I found these images online about what happened when Sasuke had returned and was about to set back out on his journey. This is my take on what happened, loosely based on the pictures. This story will be told in Sakura's POV.

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO, ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS OR THE IMAGES DISPLAYED.

Later Chapters rated M (18 or older.)

Enjoy my story.

I knew he was back. Every fiber of my being knew he was here. I knew it even before I met him on the path tonight headed on my nightly stroll. A tingle on my skin. An explosion of butterflies in my stomach when his chakra signal came into reach. That didn't stop me from squeezing my bag close to me to keep from running towards his all too familiarness. It's odd really because I had spent years running after it and now that it was so close I wanted to shrink into the size of the ants that burrow just below the soil surface by my feet. I was so lost in thought I hadn't noticed my breathing had stopped and my heart rate accelerated until I felt dizzy. My work bag dropped from my grip and to the dirt floor as my eyes finally landed on the now stranger. He had stopped about 20 ft away but I could see him crystal clear.

He had grown considerably taller. Shoulders were much broader. His clothes had changed too. Instead of his button down shirt and rope-belt, he now donned black slacks, shirt, and cloak. My eyes drifted up and I noticed his slightly familiar hair. Still spiky and thick but longer than I remembered. One side swooped just over his left eye which I knew now held the Rinnegan. I had only seen it once or twice since he was bestowed it and that was enough for me. I longed to peer into both of his obsidian pools once more like I had so many times before in our juvenile years. Familiarity returned to me briefly as my eyes scanned his only visible eye. There it was. My Sasuke.

I let out the breath after what seemed like hours and his voice shocked my next one out of me again. "Sakura. I am home." It was deeper than before but still had his familiar melody that my heart yearned to hear every second of every day since his sudden departure. I closed my mouth, which I wasn't sure when it had even opened and racked my brain trying to think of what to say. I had rehearsed this since the hour he had left with a promise of returning to take me on his next journey. Yet here I stood at a loss for words. I just stared. Seconds turned into minutes of two sets of eyes analyzing the other. I missed him, more than any words I could ever utter would explain. Then I realized something. His singular black eye had changed. There wasn't confusion or hatred swimming in his black pool. But there was something else. Something I couldn't read.

"Sasuke-" I finally managed to get out just as a pair of feet landed between us. Anbu. I stiffened and faintly noticed Sasuke did the same. Almost as if we were two children who had been caught by an adult in the act of something secretive. "Uchiha Sasuke, your presence is needed by Lord Hokage." The masked man sternly said. I quickly glanced at Sasuke just as he nodded ever so slightly to the man who had already disappeared out of sight. He stared at me a moment longer before turning to leave. My shoulders slumped without my approval. "Next time." I whispered into the wind but as I looked up to see him bounding out of sight.

That was a week ago. I busied myself with work after the first day of waiting around. It wasn't hard to do. There were always plenty of ill or injured people even in times of peace such as these. Someone with an unexplained sickness or ninja who got hurt by stray groups of bandits. I rose from my desk as I checked the clock stating it was the end of my 16 hour shift. I cracked my knuckles while stretching my arms and then gathered my belongings. I had thought I had grown into a more strong willed person, but in reality I was still the fangirl when it came to Sasuke-Kun. I shook my head, no I was a strong woman, highly ranked among the villagers not only here but throughout the world. I was just caught off guard by his sudden arrival, that's all. I had changed.

I began my walk into the warm summer evening air. There was still a small part of me that questioned whether or not Sasuke had even remembered his promise he had made to me 2 years prior. I sighed as I unlocked my apartment door and placed my belongings down on the table. I decided it was best to shower before going to see Lord Sixth. Once done I donned my gear and training clothes. I planned on heading to the fields after to burn some of these thoughts and energy away. I bounded up the stairs to the hokages office before being greeted by Shikamaru. He smiled, nodding at me and knocked on the door. "Enter" I heard the familiar voice of my former Sensei say. I thanked Shikamaru before closing the door behind me and turning to face the masked man. I could see his crinkles forming around the corner of his eyes and I knew he was smiling.

"Lord Sixth. To what do I owe the pleasure to today?" I questioned approaching his disarrayed desk. He shot me a stern look and shook his head. "Sakura, how many times do I have to tell you. It's just Kakashi to you now." Kakashi shook his head. I laughed sitting down in the chair in front of his desk. "So I assume you are already aware of Sasuke's return to the village?" I was not expecting to hear about him. I nodded. "Are you aware of his departure?" My heart started beating harder. The thought of Sasuke leaving again so soon hadn't yet crossed my mind. "When does he leave again?" I looked up into his eyes and I knew he could see the worry in them.

"At sunset today." So soon? I thought we were supposed to talk. He had promised I would travel next time. I hadn't even seen him since the first night of his return... "I have all of your shifts covered and posts are going to be dispersed to people of equal ranks." I looked back at him confused now. "What do you mean?" He chuckled and pushed some papers into a different pile. "Sakura, I've cleared your schedule. This is your mission now. You are now able to travel with Sasuke on a mission to gather intel about any i'll talk you hear towards the hidden leaf. The length of this mission has not yet been determined. "

This didn't make sense.. "Kakashi, we are at times of peace.. There is no need to go on an intel mission, especially for an unspecified amount of time." I began to stand trying to rack my brain for a logical explanation. "Sakura." I looked up once more at him. He was smiling again. "Take the mission." I then realized he was giving me my opportunity to travel with Sasuke. To rebuild our bonds that had been severed so long ago. Kakashi was then when Sasuke made his vow to take me on his travels next so he would understand what this meant. "But I haven't spoken to Sasuke since his arrival here in the village... I don't even know if he still remembers his promise."

The hokage's smile grew wider under his mask. "Believe me. He remembers. He is still Sasuke nonetheless and wants the decision to be up to you. Time has passed since his promise and maybe he wasn't sure were he still stood to you." I glanced at the window The sun had began to lower in the sky. "Go, you're dismissed." That was all I needed to hear before I slid open the window and bounded across the rooftops back to my apartment. I pulled out my travel pack and filled it with whatever belongings and medical supplies I could grab. I shut off the lights and locked up my apartment, placing the spare key in its place. I took off once more like a bullet hoping I wasn't too late. The sun was kissing the horizon as I made my way to the gates. His chakra was still strong but I couldn't see him anywhere. Maybe he has just left? I heard his voice followed by Naruto's and within seconds his figure lunged from the gates and into the path a few meters in front of me. I watched his strong back stiffen once he sensed my presence and he turned around to look at me.

"Sakura-Ka?" My words started to get stuck once more looking at his handsome face but I forced them out. I was strong. "Sasuke-Kun..." We both stood there for a moment staring intensely at the other when his eyes noticed my bag on my back, before going back to my face waiting for me to say something. Kakashi's words filled my mind.

He wasn't sure where he stood with me.

I willed myself again. "This time... please." My voice shook. I knew that he knew what I had meant but he still wanted validation. But I was still scared. What if he denied me once again. I am stronger now I reassured myself. I took a deep breath and finished. "Please take me with you." This time my voice didn't shake. I was certain this was what I had wanted. It's what I have always wanted. I had finally said it. Left it all on the line for Sasuke, once again. Sasuke's visible eye scanned my face for a moment more searching for something that I wasn't sure of. Then he turned away from me. I felt hurt wash across my face with each step he took away. "If you'd like." I heard him speak. Then it registered. He was saying yes. He was allowing me to join him. Without taking a look back to my home my feet reacted on their own as I caught up to him. It was the best feeling in the world. I wasn't sure where we stood with each other still. It was okay though because for once in my life instead of watching the man whom I have loved all my life leave, I would now be journeying with him.