Chapter 2
Who are you?
After his encounter with the young Hyuga woman on the road. He couldn't shake his mind off of her. She was breathtaking. Just from that short glance he took. He could tell that her beauty was all natural, it was all her. She is a natural beauty with her heart shaped face, plump but soft looking pale pink colored lips, slightly puffed cheeks that were lightly dusted a rosy hue, and dark long eyelashes the enhanced her beautiful pearl like eyes. Now Sasuke has traveled around the world in search of atonement, moving from village to village. He has seen plenty of beautiful woman but none quite like her. She exuded beauty, grace and elegance just like his dearly departed mother once did. She was captivating. Shaking his head to rid his mind of her for the time being. He had reached his destination. He made his way up the couple of steps and into the Hokage building. He would have to ask Kakashi for her identity later. As he reached the entrance of the building he was greeted at the door by none other then Shikamaru Nara. One of his fellow peers from his academy days that along with him were dubbed "The Rookie Nine" after the incident with the chuuning exams when he was just but a newly minted genin.
To him it looked like Shikamaru was leaving for the evening, if his appearance was anything to go by. He looked exhausted. A little drained even. The man could barely walk. He looked worse for wear.
As Shikamaru was leaving for the day he noticed someone was making their way up the steps and into the building. He strained his eyes at first trying to recognize who it was that was coming to the building this late in the evening. His guess they were here to see the Hokage no doubt. Once he realized who it was. He extended his greetings.
"Yo, long time no see Sasuke?" said Shikamaru as he lifted his arm to wave a Sasuke.
"Hn, Its has" replied Sasuke. "How has it been? You've been wandering around the world for 3 years. So tell me what brings you back to the village,man? I doubt its for the scenery?"said Shikamaru.
"I have decided that its about time to settle down. It would have been what my brother would have wanted for me. He loved the village. So I thought it best to return and commence my life here." Said Sasuke. "Ah, I see" said Shikamaru nodding his head agreeing. "If its any consolation, I bet finding someone to settle down with won't be a problem for you." said Shikamaru with a smirk on his face. "Hn, I would have to wait and see." said Sasuke. "By chance is Kakashi in his office?" asked Sasuke. "Ya, he in his office reading his you-know-what" said Shikamaru shaking his head. "Hn, that man never changes. Its nostalgic, I guess. Brings me back to my genin days." replied Sasuke. "I bet it does. Well I won't keep you. You must be tried from your travels. Its been a long day for both of us"said Shikamaru scratching the back of his head bidding Sasuke a farewell. Sasuke watched as the Nara continued on his way, down the steps, and onto the road until he was out of sight.
Sasuke then turned and proceeded on his way. He nodded at guards that were stationed hear and there as he walked by. As soon as he reached the door to the Hokage office he raised his hand and knocked on the door. He waited for a response from the other side granting him entrance into the office. Once he heard the "Come In" he opened the door and stepped inside closing the door behind him. The sight before him made him stop all together and actually shake his head. He wondered why'd he decide to come and visit Kakashi in the first place. There behind a huge wooden desk sat his once upon a time mentor Hatake Kakashi, Konoha's current Hokage. The man had his hand up to his mouth (well what he thought was his mouth) giggling like a school girl and a very noticeable blush below his eyes. At this Sasuke's left began to twitch. He cleared his throat to gain his sensei's attention. At the sound Kakashi put his book down on the table and was visibly startled when he saw who was at the door. There stood his once wayward student Uchiha Sasuke. It looked like time did wonders for his student. He did look a little taller. If he had to guess? He looked somewhere between 5'11'' to 6'1''. He looked lean and a little more muscular. "The ladies will go crazy for him" thought Kakashi. Just looking at him now brought him back to the day when they introduced themselves. Back then he was quiet, more of a loner. He expelled nothing but rage and hate. He always tried doing things for himself. He was driven by revenge for his clan's murderer, his brother. Looking at the man standing by the door looking at him. This young man, looked more at peace with himself then he ever did when he was a child. It looked like he had found his way back to them.
"My, My what brings you back home Sasuke? asked Kakashi. "I've returned to stay Kakashi" replied Sasuke calmly. "Is that so. I see that your travels have been good to you?" stated Kakashi shaking his head at the clear show of disrespect for his station.
"Indeed they have. I have seen and learned many things out there Kakashi, but as I was traveling and learning it felt like I couldn't be whole. Like I was still lost. No matter where I went. What I saw. I was always looking, searching, never finding what I was looking for. Then I realized, maybe what I was searching for wasn't out there. Just maybe, what I have been longing for was here in the village. So I came back." said Sasuke. Kakashi stared at the young man before him. He seemed a lot older then he looked. Like his self atonement aged him beyond his years. There in front of him stood his 20 year old student looking for something to fill the void. The void that was left in his heart when his family died so many years ago. In a blink of the eye there stood before him not the man but the young 7 year old Sasuke with his head hung low crying his tiny heart out as he witnessed his family being buried. Desperately trying and failing to wipe the tears from his eyes. Kakashi blinked and the image of the broken hearted crying boy was replaced by the tall and serious faced young man he currently knows standing before him. "My how time flies. I hope you find what you are looking for Sasuke. You have suffered enough." thought Kakashi. "Hmm, well that sure is good to hear Sasuke. I'm glad that you have decided to return home. Now tell me do you plan on returning to your family's compound or do you have other plans?" asked Kakashi. " I was thinking of returning back to my family's compound. I have been away for far to long."replied Sasuke. "That can be arranged for you. As of right now the compound is in dire need of cleaning and renovations, but I think we can have your home up and running by the end of next week. What do you say to that Sasuke?" asked Kakashi. "Hn, sounds good to me. I saved enough money from my travels and helping people to cover my boarding at one of the Inns in the village." said Sasuke. "No need Sasuke. I will send word to one of the inns close to your compound that you will be staying there for the time being. I will write down the address and give it to you before you leave. I will cover the expense. Consider this as my welcome back gift. Now are you going to inform Both Naruto and Sakura of you arrival?" asked Kakashi. "I will with due time but first I have a question for you?" asked Sasuke. "Ah, never one to beat around the bush, right Sasuke. Always straight to the point. Well, go ahead what is it?" asked Kakashi now intrigued. "I need information about a Hyuga" asked Sasuke. "Now Sasuke you know I can't give you information about another clan. You know clan rules and such" lamented Kakashi. "That is not what I want Kakashi. I'm looking for a name." said Sasuke seriously. "A name?" wondered Kakashi. "Yes a woman's name." said Sasuke. Now this intrigued Kakashi even more. It was not every day that your estranged student, who for the longest time was fending off girls with a stick asked you for a woman's name. This intrigued him indeed. "Okay well lets see if I know who you are asking about?" informed Kakashi. "The woman I met before arriving here in the market was a bit short form what I could tell, not quite sure? She was crouched helping and elderly woman. She has long straight hair with even cut bangs. She looked like she was wearing mission gear so she must be a kunoichi. She wore a light top almost like a kimono top and dark shorts. Do you know who she is?" described Sasuke. "Hm? From the details, I know exactly who the kunoichi is. Though I have a question for you Sasuke. Why do you want to know her name?" inquired Kakashi. "That is my business alone Kakashi. Now do you know who she is or not!" said Sasuke annoyed. "My, my very defensive. I guess somethings will never change. Well her name is Hyuga Hinata. She is the eldest daughter of the clan head Hyuga Hiashi. If I'm not mistaken she was also in the same class with you Sasuke. She was once part of team eight with Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and their sensei Kurenai. They form the best tracking team in Konoha." stated Kakashi. Sasuke paused and was mulling over the information he was given "Hinata" came the whispered voice of Sasuke. Her name rolled smoothly from his mouth. If Kakashi wasn't paying attention to the young man in front. He would have missed the slight rise to the corners of Sasuke's lips and a tiny glint in his eye. It warmed him to know that his student was well on his way to finding his home. He just hoped everything went well for him. And with that Sasuke took the address to the Inn he was to stay in for the next two weeks and bid his once teacher a goodnight. As Sasuke left the Hokage building Kakashi stood from his chair and looked out the window. He could see the entirety of the village he swore to protect. He could also see the young man that not even five minutes ago was standing in his office walking away. He could tell that after this visit Sasuke held his head a little higher. Let's just hope Hinata is prepared for whatever Sasuke has instore.