All characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
Island in the Sun
They were going out the gates of the village, the four of them. He couldn´t remember when was the last time they had a mission all of them together, but how things had changed since then. Their sensei was the Hokage now, the dobe was learning everything to be the next Hokage, Sakura was the most renowned medic nin and him? A nobody. An ex rougue nin, someone who was lost, as Kakashi used to say, on the path of life, and if it weren't for the people walking at his side at that moment, probably he would be dead or worse.
He had travelled for two years, denying himself from the affection and company of his most precious people, atoning for what will always be a burden to carry on his conscience, and even though he felt like it was time to go back to them, that he maybe had accomplished that what he was looking for, the constant reminder of what ifs and self loathing was inevitable when watching his adopted family´s accomplishments. Not that he was jealous because he understood he made a decision and these were the consequences, if anything he was proud of them, but bitter of what he could have been if having stayed by their side.
The mission was to guard Kakashi in his travel to Suna to meet with Gaara. Although he had his ANBU squad to do that, Kakashi had requested his former students having absolute trust in them and because he was the Hokage and he could. Some would call it abuse of power, Kakashi would call it earned privileges. Sasuke had the suspicion that the silver haired nin got away with it just because he wanted the old team reunited and he was not to fight his wishes as he was glad he could keep reconnecting with the ones he needed most.
Incessant chatting from Naruto and Sakura was the background noise, Kakashi was only smiling while reading that awful book (he was the Hokage now, couldn't he just hide his depravity a little?) and him not really listening. Because even if he had realized how much they meant to him, a man could only take so much noise and nonsense. Nostalgic, he thought with a smirk.
A day passed and there were still some more ahead to arrive. Sasuke started to sense that Naruto and Sakura were getting frantic in arriving, where they scared? They fought a war and defeated a goddess and they wanted the safety of the walls of a village? Maybe they weren't enjoying their time together as much as he thought. Kakashi was as nonchalant as ever and somehow that also made him feel bad as he interpreted it as maybe not being as special a trip as it was for him. His former sensei was hard to read, and probably his low self-esteem was not helping.
By noon they arrived at what could be called a crossroad. Having had travelled a lot he knew the path like the palm of his hand so he started to walk in that way, but then Naruto called him and when he turned, he saw that his team was not moving in his direction but stayed at the crossroad.
"Yo teme, I believe is this way" Naruto said pointing towards the other way.
"I´ve passed Suna a lot in the last 2 years, I am sure is this way dobe" he said in a bored tone not really wanting to fight with the blonde as they usually did. The negative thoughts were affecting his energy.
"Actually, this way also takes to Suna and I would really like to take it. The scenery is better" Kakashi said in a bored tone of his own.
"It would take us two more days to get there because we would be rounding" Sasuke was kinda losing his patience. They were the ones who were on a hurry to arrive weren't they?
"Better scenery? I would love to see that" Sakura said in a cheerful tone, Sasuke was speechless.
Then her eyes got big and shiny while she looked at him, was she making puppy eyes? His eyebrow twitched.
"Please Sasuke-kun" she said in a charming tone. Dammed girl.
"Fine" he reluctantly walked back to where they were and followed them to the other road.
He had never taken that road and was sure as hell they could even get lost. Why waste two days of travelling just to see pretty landscape? Whatever.
After some hours they arrived at a little town by the sea. Of course, they got lost, he knew it. But who was he to contradict them? No one, he reminded himself.
His temper was getting worse as they walked through the town. It was lively with lots of food stalls and stores that sold beach stuff. The weather was also excellent for a day of leisure, picture perfect for a vacation with the sun up high and no clouds. And he was wearing black. Yay.
Sakura said she would buy some stuff and disappeared in the stores. So another three lost hours or so, he thought sourly. She didn't take that long and joined them for lunch at a ramen place (figures).
"Oi what is with the long face teme? Did you get angry because we didn't follow your indications? Try to relax-dattebayou!" said the smiling fox. Sasuke wanted to punch his face badly so he didn't answer.
"It is a nice place Sasuke-kun the view is really great, aren't you enjoying it?" Sakura asked in a sweet tone. It didn´t help his mood this time.
"Yeah Sasuke relax, enjoy the time with your team" Kakashi said poking his head out of his dammed book. That did it.
"Kakashi, you are the Hokage, Gaara is waiting, you should be more responsible than this. This isn´t a vacation" Sasuke said bitterly.
The three of them remained silent. He was the party pooper, really some things never changed.
"Well as Hokage I order you not to worry" Kakashi said with finality.
They finished their meals in silence. He felt bad, guilt making itself present.
So what if they wanted to waste time? Again, who was he to have any say on what they do? Who was he to even deserve their company again? He must be grateful they still trusted him on anything.
They continued walking but Sasuke lost all interest in where they were headed. His mood was getting worse, spiraling to the darkness he was very familiar with.
They arrived at the beach and he saw Kakashi saying hello to a man on a boat. Suspicious. After some minutes Kakashi signaled for them to join him and he hopped on the boat, Sakura and Naruto immediately did the same but he stood on the sand close to the boat watching them in disbelief.
"C´mon teme, what are you waiting for?" Naruto asked.
"What the hell is going on?" Sasuke asked with annoyance.
"You see, I remember there is a friend living in an island near here and I would really like to say hello" Kakashi said.
He'd be dammed if he believed that. He looked at them with distrust written all over his face, was this a trap? Were these people not Team 7 but enemies with henges and they were luring him to get him to him? To get him killed? That would explain Naruto and Sakura´s eagerness before the crossroad and their insistence in taking that other road. It was the only reasonable explanation to their behavior.
Well, he would play into the impostors' game to discover what they were up to. He got in the boat.
They reached an island after an hour; it was secluded which made Sasuke´s suspicions grew more. He was alert and tense, his senses heightened.
The guy on the boat left. Great, now how was he going to return?
Kakashi noticed his stressed stance.
"Don't worry Sasuke, he'll be back on time" the older guy said to reassure him, Sasuke didn't answer.
They entered the forest of the island; the heat was making him sweat in addition to the anxiety he was feeling. When they arrived at a cabin and they all got in he remained outside. His mind was racing with thoughts on how he would face the ambush, his hand went to his tigh were he kept his kunai, took one, hide it in his sleeve and walked to the door.
When he got in and the door closed two little blasts made him take out the kunai and jump to the ceiling, his feet full with chakra adhering him, little papers of different colors flew all around, his eyes widened in surprise.
When he looked towards his teammates their faces were full of surprise too, if not shocked to see his reaction. Naruto and Sakura were holding confetti canons.
"Uhm, surprise?" Naruto said scratching the back of his head, Sasuke didn´t understand anything. He got off the ceiling and looked at them confused and irritated.
"What in the world is happening!?" he shouted.
"Wow wow calm down-dattebayou!" Naruto got closer to him to try and appease him.
"Don't tell me to calm down, tell me what is going on!" Sasuke's tension was out of control, he backed away from Naruto.
"This was all a set up for you. We planned to get you here without you knowing" Kakashi said with serene tone that made Sasuke stay still.
"Why?" he asked in a hoarse voice.
"It was a welcome back surprise. We wanted to do it earlier but with our busy schedules we couldn´t, we are sorry" Sakura said in a soothing tone "We also figured you wouldn't want a party so we decided to have a Team 7 vacation here" she continued.
Sasuke was dumbfounded. In front of him was a "Welcome back" sign on the window he didn´t notice before.
"But you almost ruined it with your sour temper dude! You need to trust us more-dattebayou!" Naruto slammed his palm on Sasuke's back, making him take a few steps.
"But…the mission" Sasuke started saying.
"There was no mission, although no one in Konoha knows except Shikamaru. Officially you are guarding me to see Gaara, who is also aware of the situation, and for keeping up appearances we still have to go to Suna. Really cooperation between nations is helpful even for this" Kakashi said leaning on the wall with his arms crossed.
"He was really nice to help with the secret, he was glad we were doing this" Sakura said with a big smile.
Sasuke remained silent, he just didn´t know what to say, he had never had a surprise planned for him before. He felt guilty for having behaved as a sourpuss and not trusting them.
"We had also noticed how hard it has been for you to adapt to being back in Konoha. We understand Sasuke-kun, so please, try and forget about it, and" Sakura advanced towards him and took his hand "relax" she finished.
He looked at her and a shaky sigh left his mouth.
"Aw are you going to cry? I want to see that!" Naruto said putting his arm across Sasuke's shoulders in a hug. Then Sakura hugged him also and finally Kakashi´s weight joined them.
"Aww my little puppies" he said into the group hug.
Naruto and Sakura laughed, Sasuke smirked, he almost felt giddy, warmth spreading to his whole being. He would forget about all the negative thoughts and enjoy his vacation with his family.
When you're on a holiday
You can't find the words to say
All the things that come to you
And I wanna feel it too
On an island in the sun
We'll be playin' and havin' fun
And it makes me feel so fine
I can't control my brain
It was true that Kakashi had a friend in the town they visited (the guy on the boat) and that he lent him the cabin they were in, anything for the Hokage. They were to spend a few days there so Sakura explained to him that when she went to the stores was really to buy food for them to cook and supplies for the next days and also a bathing suit for Sasuke that obviously didn´t have one. How she got his size he would have to find out later.
They also wanted it to be a surprise because they were sure he would not agree on going by his own will so a mission was the perfect excuse.
Their days there were filled with laughter and joy with Sakura and Naruto making him go into the sea while Kakashi read on a beach chaise. Naruto challenged him to a swimming competition every day, which he reluctantly accepted every time and Sakura cheered them both.
Nights were the time to reminisce about their genin days, remembering every adventure as they cooked fish by the fire. Naruto and Sakura made the most talking with Sasuke making some sly comments against Naruto, while the other one replied angrily and Sakura and Kakashi laughed at the remarks.
When you're on a golden sea
You don't need no memory
Just a place to call your own
As we drift into the zone
On an island in the sun
We'll be playin' and havin' fun
And it makes me feel so fine
I can't control my brain
We'll run away together
We'll spend some time forever
We'll never feel bad anymore
Sleep came easy every night and Sasuke felt like he hadn't rested like that in a long time, maybe since he still had his family with him, but this other family provided that same peace.
A/N: I hope you liked this piece. I wanted to write a fic where Team 7 had a vacation, to be back together as a family after all the trouble and sorrow they went through. It was important to me to also to put Sasuke's adaptation process to being back in the village where his friends are really important people now, and he just feels left behind. Sorry if I made him too whiney or bitter, I also believe that since being a kid and growing up with Itachi's shadow that he had self-esteem issues even though he is very cocky and confident. This is probably a corny work but I enjoyed writing it, hopefully you´ll hear Island in the Sun by Weezer when you reach the part of the song.
Please If you have a minute let me know what you think, it encourages me to be better and keep writing.
Thanks for reading.