Sooooooooo. Hey, missed ya, it's been a couple years. You probably forgot about this story. No hard feelings. To be honest about my absence I thought I was done writing fanfiction. I really enjoy reading it more, but this story lingered in my hard drive and I couldn't (for the life of me) delete it. I really missed writing stories and I really like this website, and after listening to a few songs I found a way to continue the story. BTW am I the only one that listens to songs and imagines anime battles or sweet romantic moments while listening? That's my main source of inspiration and I think I must be crazy. Anyway, wish this was a bit longer but I was too excited to post after a nearly three-year hiatus. Please let me know what you think of the chapter, I have a pretty good outline moving forward, now I just gotta write the damn thing. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

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The walk back to the village took longer than expected. Even through their exhausted moods, there was an air of blissful peace between each of the members of Team 7. Naruko had been more at ease with Sai since his demonstration of his abilities and Sakura didn't seem too aghast by her struggling to kill without regret. Naruko shook her head as her mind started to wander back to the massacre that she had solely participated in. Her mental health was quite questionable when she thought back to that event.

As Kakashi lagged behind the team, one hand in his pocket, while the other holding one of Jiraiya's masterpieces, he watched with a careful eye. He knew Naruko would get better, she always did. However, this had to be her fastest recovery yet thanks to Sai. The grey-haired ninja calculatedly glanced at the newest addition to Team 7 and he narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

'What was that back there?' Kakashi wondered. He knew about the former ANBU and was absolutely sure that his profile mentioned a severe lack of comprehending and exhibiting emotions. There was no way Sai acted through his own intention.

'Whatever's going on…I can't ignore this. Naruko may be better now, but what is that kid really after?'

Kakashi's thoughts and tensed muscles went unnoticed and the Team continued to march forward as the sun slid down the horizon. A warm orange glow enveloped the road ahead. It wasn't much longer until they reached the village.

"Whew!" Sakura exhaled as they crossed the village gates, her arms stretching upwards toward the sky. "What a long day." She grumbled, wiping the minute layer of sweat off her forehead.

She glanced at her teammates behind her and smiled when she noticed Naruko visibly relax once they crossed the gate. Her smile dropped slightly, wondering just how worried she should be for her friend. Naruko was someone she wanted to support through thick and thin. Clearly after today, she learned she's been slacking in that department.

'It must be hard for her…I can't imagine.' Sakura thought.

They team came to a sudden halt, as Kakashi whistled to get their attention.

"I'm gonna go give our report, no need to back me up." Kakashi stated lazily, his eyes glued to the book in his hands.

"But Kakashi-sensei, we can" Sakura began, only to stop when the older ninja raised his hand in protest.

"Ma Sakura. Like you said, 'It's been a long day'. I'm sure you'll enjoy the free time." He mentioned before vanishing in a sudden gust of leaves.

Sakura clenched her fist. She had hoped that her Team's unorthodox structure would have settled after three years. It seems that her sensei still preferred to take shortcuts through the tedious regulations and bureaucracy of her village.

Sai tilted his head in mock confusion. Sakura could tell because his brow stayed perfectly still, not concentrated at her sensei's actions at all.

"Does Kakashi-sensei always do this sort of thing?" He asked aloud.

"He used to back when we were genin. I figured he'd drop the habit and realize its important to present oneself as a sophisticated ninja." Sakura huffed. "Doesn't follow the rules as much as I'd like."

Naruko shrugged her shoulders at Sakura's accusations. The pink haired girl wasn't wrong. Kakashi often thought the mundane work of ninja here in the village wasted too much time. Naruko didn't mind. She wondered if Kakashi intentionally acted this way to give her some space to herself. And to avoid having to tell Tsunade about her meltdown. Her gaze fell to the floor with that thought.

"Well I'll be off then. I enjoyed spending the day with you both." Sai said with a smile that hardly reflected in his eyes. After a few short goodbye's from Naruko and Sakura the pale ninja leapt off into the village.

Sakura looked over at her only teammate remaining.

"Naruko, feel like doing anything?" Sakura asked, calculating the girl's response and hoping to evaluate her current mood.

Naruko smiled at the offer. She wanted to say yes, but her muscles felt heavy and her eyes stung with a pain that only occurred when she wanted to desperately sleep. Her body ached for the relief that only a comfortable bed could provide.

"Maybe tomorrow?" Naruko suggested. "I'm very tired right now. Probably gonna crash in my bed and wake up at noon tomorrow."

Sakura nodded her head in understanding. "Okay, tomorrow then. I'll come over at noon. We have to catch up!" She exclaimed with a cheer before turning around and dashing off towards her home in the busy center of the village.

Naruko, on the other hand, turned towards the Village edge in the distance, smiling lightly to herself. Sakura really was a good friend she could trust. She was looking forward to tomorrow. Now all she had to do was get home. The Uchiha grounds were far off in the outskirts of town. She supposed she had quite the hike before she could crash onto her bed.

"Better start walking." She mumbled to herself.

XXXXX

"How'd it go?" The question was blunt, straightforward, just like the leader who asked it. Tsunade's stern gaze watched the only other ninja in her office.

Kakashi was always good at keeping his feelings and thoughts at bay. His shoulders always relaxed, hands in pockets, and his eye uncaringly staring at some mundane object in the room. He couldn't however, keep his emotions from the long, saddened sigh that escaped through his masked lips.

"Damn it." Tsunade muttered almost silently.

"She was doing well; her skills are far better than most her age." Kakashi started. "But having her experience death doesn't seem to be working Hokage-sama."

Tsunade leaned back in her chair, fingers closed tightly over her eyelids. Of course, her idea wouldn't work. She cursed her foolish recommendation as she thought back to when she had been deathly afraid of blood. Shizune had recommended a similar approach to her problem. That didn't work either.

"I assume Sakura and Sai are aware of the situation as well?"

Kakashi nodded his head. "Sai managed to calm her down. Fastest I've seen her recover."

Tsunade's eyes widened. "Sai?"

"I was under the impression that his social skills were quite severely lacking." Kakashi said.

"That's exactly why I'm struggling to comprehend his involvement."

Tsunade paused, swiveling her chair to face the falling sun outside of her village. She couldn't deny her relief hearing Naruko's recovery had been quick. There was no doubt in her mind that Sai shouldn't have been able to help the situation. In fact, the boy was so lacking in emotion, she thought his addition to the team would have been an utter failure. It seems that having others know about her fear of death than just Kakashi and herself is beneficial to Naruko. She then thought of a new idea.

"Kakashi, was Sakura disturbed by Naruko's condition?"

Kakashi shook his head, thankfully. He knew how much Naruko cared about the opinions of her precious people.

"Tomorrow evening bring Sakura and Sai here to my office. I'll try to contact Jiraiya as well." Tsunade spoke, a clear conviction in her tone. "If Sai can explain his actions, perhaps we can all help Naruko through her struggle."

Kakashi hummed in agreement. If Naruko saw just how many people knew of her condition and still wanted to support her…perhaps that could change her outlook. Keeping her fear of killing a secret might have been too stressful for the girl. It might have been a large part of the problem. It seemed like a solid idea. He cared so much for his student, he'd be damned if he didn't try everything possible to make her happy as a ninja again.

XXXXX

"Report."

Sai crouched on his knees, his body tightly locked, gaze falling directly to the ground as he had been taught. His movements were mechanical, perfect. His form completely still as his began to speak to his highest superior.

"The intel was correct. Naruko Uzumaki is afraid to kill others, even enemies."

The man in front of him snorted loudly. Sai briefly shifted his eyes upward, taking in the old bandaged form of his master. Danzo Shimura.

The older man pierced the ground with his wooden cane. His wrinkled face narrowing in frustration and his lips thinned tightly. How could it be that Konoha's greatest weapon was no more powerful than a childish genin. He already festered a deep hatred for the village's weak attempt at an academy, but this news was utterly laughable.

Danzo thought back to a time during the cusp of the second ninja world war. It wasn't uncommon back then for new genin to kill captured enemies in order to head to the battlefield. Experience of death was absolutely necessary to a ninja's survival. If only he were Hokage instead of that weak-hearted Slug Princess. The thought of Tsunade soured his mood more.

"So, you're first objective was a success. Your second?" Danzo gruffly questioned.

"I believe Team 7 trusts me. I cannot speak for the Copy Ninja, but Sakura and Naruko were much more relaxed after our mission." Sai stated obediently.

Danzo walked sideways, taking in the news. He glanced at the wall beside him, staring into a dimly lit candle that served as one of the few sources of light in this darkened, cold cavern. Konoha was losing its greatest weapon, it's most powerful tool, and on the surface above nobody even guessed of their supreme disadvantage. It was only a matter of time. Which meant it was only a matter of time before other nations knew of this development.

"We cannot afford this." Danzo spoke, trying his hardest to keep his anger out of his tone. After all, a true ninja didn't show emotion.

The older man's mind flew through idea's. He could have Sai continue to gain the Team's trust, and capture Naruko when they least expect it. No, that would take too much time. Time was a valuable resource he needed to consider.

"When is Team 7's next assigned mission?"

"Two days from now. I believe we were recommended for a C-rank mission."

C-rank mission…that meant there was a 50/50 chance of Team 7 leaving the village. He would have sent a highly capable capture team if the odds were greater. He came to a sudden conclusion. If time was of the essence, he needed to strike much faster.

"Tomorrow." Danzo spoke as Sai looked up at his master. "tomorrow night we'll capture the Jinchurikki and bring her here. I'm sure her fear of killing will be easily corrected through our methods."

Danzo nodded his head as he spoke the words. If she didn't adjust properly to his methods, he would have to resort to finding a new host. No easy task.

"We are low on numbers Danzo-sama. May I ask that I be placed on the capture team?"

Danzo looked at the young man kneeling before him and smiled. Such a talented and obedient young man. He thought about adding him to their mission but realized an alternative.

"No. Should our mission fail, we'll need a backup plan. You should continue to gain her trust if we don't succeed. She doesn't know your connection to us. This will be to our advantage."

Danzo walked past the kneeling ninja toward the exit of their maze-like cavern.

"And what of our capture team? We haven't the numbers to compete against the power of the Kyuubi should it surface." Sai called out one last time.

Danzo stared straight ahead, his eyes cold and calculative.

"I'll go myself."

XXXXX

Naruko took her time traveling back to the Uchiha estate. Not really because she enjoyed the scenery of the village or the content feeling of the chilled night's air as it swept through her hair. Those things were just minor conveniences. Truly, her exhaustion had taken control of her actions.

The young girl swayed slightly as she walked. Her sandals often shuffled through the dirt road, sometimes causing debris to sprinkle itself on her toes. She wished that she hadn't tried to show off to her teammates earlier. Her chakra levels were low after continuous high level jutsu and her stamina drained through the speed she used earlier.

Normally the girl would have recovered from these costly actions rather quickly. She supposed the stress of her breakdown had also worn her out mentally and hindered her recovery. Naruko stared lazily ahead at the manor gates that stood before her. The large arches prominently displaying the Uchiha grounds, the famous Uchiha fan symbol gleaming under the moonlight that had begun to develop under this cloudless night.

"Home." She whispered to herself, a feeling of safety easing the strain of her muscles.

Naruko had been living on the Uchiha grounds for a little over three years. She was used to the permanent silence that oozed throughout the neighborhood. After Sasuke had left, she hated the silence. Cursed it. But now, she understood its significance. She linked the silence to the personality of the Uchiha. Quiet, calm, collected, and proud. She weaved her way though the maze of homes and found herself in front of the largest.

She spotted the healthy plethora of flowers that framed both sides of the doorway, and the cleanly swept stairway leading up to the entrance. She smiled to herself, thinking these qualities of the home to be her own little addition. A personal touch of hers that stood out amongst the rest of the manors.

The door of the Uchiha mansion creaked as she opened it. She scanned the living area and kitchen. They were exactly how she had left them. The walls of the home were solid and thick. She could be as loud as she wanted, and no person could possibly hear her from the outside. Not that there was anyone in the neighborhood anyway, but she liked the privacy. This was her complete safe haven.

She tugged off her black sandals and lightly moaned at the pleasant feeling of her bare feet against the cool wooden floorboards. Not a day passed that she didn't think about her love for this home.

Naruko let out a large yawn, loud and unnatural for any normal person, and rubbed her eyes tiredly. She desperately wanted a bath, but she wasn't very fond of the idea of drowning in her own tub after falling asleep. Instead she shuffled over to her bedroom door down the hall. Well, technically it wasn't her bedroom…it was his.

She latched her grip onto the knob and flung the door open in a lethargic manor. She unzipped her oversized orange and black jacket, eyes gazing lazily at the floor as the fabric fell off her shoulders and onto the floor behind her, leaving her in a simple black tank top.

A wooden creak caught her attention.

Her eyes naturally flicking to the source of the noise and locked onto a pair of pale bare feet settling themselves onto the floor near her mattress.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Her eyes followed the feet up their ankles, up a pair of black ninja pants, up over a grey zipped, short sleeved jacket and wide collar.

Her blue eyes froze at the pale, angular face of her most precious person. His black eyes met hers and she could sense his similar surprise. His black hair now fell over his forehead, although it kept its natural spikey form near the top of his head. But most importantly, her eyes found themselves back to his own.

"Sas…" Her own words caught in her throat as a sudden raw ache spread through her neck.

The black-haired teen stood up suddenly, making the mattress groan at the sudden loss of weight. He stared, awestruck by the girl standing before him. Everything he remembered about her, every time he envisioned her in his head, none of those images were close to matching the familiar beauty of Naruko. It had been three years…three long years. Her blonde spikey hair remained the same, tied in two ponytails. Her tanned skin and bright blue eyes held their same natural color, her whisker marks were still positioned in the same spots of her cheeks, but she looked entirely different.

He felt his heart race in his chest in a way that felt entirely new. It should feel uncomfortable, just like his uncontrollable trembling that shivered through his body, but it didn't. It made him feel alive.

"Naruko." He spoke, trying his hardest to keep his trembling body from crossing into his voice.

She stood in front of him, completely still, eyes wide. He wondered if he should say something else, concerned about her silence. As he took a small breath and prepared to speak once more, he felt something slam into his chest harshly.

Naruko crashed into him, uncaring about his feet stumbling to take the force of the action. Sasuke steadied himself and Naruko, now noticing her arms wrapped tightly around his body, her chin digging into his shoulder and her feet flexing to the tips of her toes. He felt one hand gripping the center of his back, the other, tightly fisting his hair behind his head. It only took him a second to lean his body towards hers, digging his nose into her shoulder, his lips pressing into the fabric of her top, and wrapping both arms tightly around her. He wondered if he was crushing her, but she made no outward sign of discomfort.

Naruko's lip trembled and she tried to keep her balance on her toes. When had he gotten so tall? She could feel the pinprick of tears at the corners of her eyes and tightened her grip on him.

"Is it-…I-…are?" She mentally cursed, unable to speak clearly.

"I'm here." He whispered into her.

"Y-you're really here." She gasped, unable to keep a wild laugh from escaping her lips.

She couldn't imagine him here with her after all this time. She couldn't describe how perfectly and how naturally her body melded into his, or how her heart raced with pure happiness bleeding into her veins. She only knew that for once, she wasn't dreaming of this reunion, and that sent her over the moon.

The two ninja separated, instantly missing the contact before Sasuke crashed his lips onto hers. Their lips moving lightly across each other as a familiar bliss warmed their bodies. Naruko felt the hot tears escape her eyes, rolling down her cheeks and dripping onto the floor, but she only focused her attention to the perfect pair of cool marble lips that connected to hers. Her tanned hands slipped over his shoulders, curling behind Sasuke's scalp, feeling the stands of his hair and raking through them uncontrollably.

He placed his cool hands on either side of her cheeks, keeping Naruko still against his desperate need to feel her once more. He could smell her sweet, perfect scent and his mood soared. After a few moments, desperation for air became an extreme need that both teen's cursed mentally.

They separated and Sasuke stared into the girl he'd missed for so long. He placed a hand over the wetness of her cheek.

"You're crying." He whispered, a slight frown in his lips.

"I'm okay." Naruko replied, she laughed once, and Sasuke could hear the mixture of emotions coating the sweet sound. "I-I'm so happy."

Naruko rubbed her aching eyes and Sasuke took her into his arms, stepping backwards and letting his body fall seated onto the mattress while keeping Naruko in his hold. Despite how small she used to be, it seemed his growth over the years still towered hers. She easily curled into him, blissfully sitting on top of his lap. He craved the contact. It felt like he had lost a part of his own self while he had been away.

"I missed you." He murmured.

Naruko wanted to repeat his words back. In fact, she wanted to desperately flood him with her own words; explain just how difficult it was to live without him, or how many times she considered leaving the village to look for him. She just couldn't trust herself to speak those words. She already felt herself nearing the edge of delirious rambling. It would only take a few heartfelt words to reduce her into a blubbering, quivering mess of tears. Instead she simply replied as sincerely as she could.

"Same."

The two stayed silent, illuminated by a small lamp in the corner of the bedroom and the brilliant rays of moonlight that drifted through a large window. There were so many questions hovering above their minds like a fog, but the moment was blissful anyway. Sasuke could feel the rapid pulse of Naruko's heart when they were so close. Her skin felt hot to the touch and he smiled at her very real presence.

Eventually the time came where Naruko needed to speak. She loathed her own thoughts, wishing they'd abandon her in such a time, but they still plagued her mind like a slow acting poison, spreading through her body.

"Did you…Are you…?" Naruko tried.

She mentally groaned. She had no idea what question to ask first, nor how to ask it. Could she risk her happiness of the moment? Could she handle his answers? Without a doubt, hope had begun to build within her the moment her eyes made contact with his. A large hope that greatly exceeded her tiny body bubbled within her entire being. It was her hope that Sasuke was back for good. How would she react if he wasn't?

Sasuke let his hand smoothly caress her arm, rubbing gently over her skin, knowing he had some explaining to do. He couldn't show up like this and force Naruko to ask him questions. No, he had to reveal everything to her. He started with a content sigh that breathed across the top of her head.

"I've gotten stronger…" Sasuke whispered into her hair, still trying to collect his thoughts. "I've been training really hard, and about a week ago I tested my skills against Orochimaru."

Sasuke felt Naruko's body tense, he could feel the panic in her thoughts, but continued.

"Wasn't an easy fight, and he messed with my mind. But I killed him. And I remembered how long its been since I've seen your face." He squeezed her arm with his grip. "I wanted to see you again…feel you."

He glanced down and saw Naruko staring at him with awe-inspired, crystal blue eyes. She brought her hand up to his face, resting it on his cheek.

"You killed Orochimaru?" Her voice questioned with shock and utter surprise.

Sasuke just 'hummed' in response. He was trying to think about what else Naruko needed to know. Naruko was instead thinking back to when they were genin in the Forest of Death. She remembered how strong the Sannin was. She remembered the legion of snakes and powerful allies he had at his disposal, and the way he played with team 7.

"You really have gotten stronger." She whispered, unable to hide the slight jealousy that tinted her voice.

Sasuke smiled and pulled her hand from his cheek. He placed his lips over her knuckles, lightly kissing the skin. He couldn't stop the thrill that built up in his chest, watching Naruko blush at his actions. Her reddened cheeks and embarrassed, shifting gaze, reminded him that only he could see this side of her. He wanted to tease just a little harder.

"So, you moved into my room?" Sasuke asked.

Naruko felt her cheeks redden even more and she quickly pulled her hand away from his lips, holding it securely against her chest. She knew what he was doing but couldn't stop her automatic response. She mumbled an answer, barely above a whisper.

"What?" Sasuke asked.

"Your room…um…it smelled like you and I…um…missed you."

Sasuke's eyes widened at the answer, his own cheeks beginning to set aflame by the adorable girl he held. He wasn't sure if he could keep his composure much longer. Pretty soon he'd be a grinning fool. He placed his lips on top of her head, his own way of hiding his face from hers and she relaxed at the contact. A moment later Naruko let out a large yawn that she couldn't hold back.

"You're tired." Sasuke whispered.

Naruko turned back to face Sasuke, her eyes blinking slowly and managing to stay half open. The exhaustion she had earlier was only postponed by Sasuke's arrival. She desperately pleaded with her mind, willing her to stay conscious.

"'m okay." She mumbled before yawning uncontrollably once more.

"We can lay down." Sasuke suggested and he shifted his body further back into the bed, letting Naruko fall to her side on the sheets.

Naruko placed a hand over Sasuke's chest, gripping his shirt tightly. Part of her wished for the Kyuubi's power to keep her awake, despite her loathing of said power.

"I don't want to go to sleep." She argued, staring directly into Sasuke's eyes with as much determination as she could manage.

She'd die before letting her moment with Sasuke end abruptly.

"It's okay." Sasuke whispered, using his hand to glide over Naruko's hair, an act that deeply relaxed the girl. "I'll be here when you wake up."

"Promise?"

"I promise Naru."

Naruko let out a long breath that had been built up in her lungs. She loved when Sasuke called her 'Naru' and she knew she could trust him. Her eyes closed. She was able to listen to the deep breaths Sasuke took and felt the calming sensation of his hand running over her hair. She only felt these things for a few moments, however, because that's all it took before she succumbed to her exhaustion.

XXXXX

On the edge of the forest, a distance away from the Uchiha manor, a man in a black cloak with red clouds sat on branch high in the trees. His view perfect for seeing the only two ninja in the entire district. A smile formed under the cover of his orange mask.

"So," the man whispered to himself, an edge of glee in his tone. "This is where you went Sasuke."

This revelation certainly made his plans easier.

With a swirling distortion of space, the man disappeared, never to be seen in the area again.

XXXXX

So sweet. I brought back Sasuke a little earlier than I expected, but this story isn't about his separation. Its about him and Naruko facing the threats to come, which I think I laid out pretty well here. Please review or comment on this chapter, even if it's just to say hello!

Until next time!