Summary - Sasuke has returned after a five year absence. Completely void of all emotions, he claims he only wants to become the strongest. Naruto and Sakura, along with the rest of the infamous 'Rookie Nine' need to draw out the old Sasuke and reassert their friendship before he turns into the one person he really hates. Main pairing is SasuNaru, along with many minor pairings for fluffy goodness.

Rated For - Swearing, violence, and future citrusy situations.

Disclaimer - Believe me, if I owned Naruto, I wouldn't be writing this.

Chapter Two - Pensieroso

-------Naruto.-------

Stupid bastard...

I shook my head as I stepped into my apartment. Tugging off my gloves and jacket, I shut the door behind me and locked it firmly. I could never be too careful. Although some of the villagers had become more accepting, the rest took my Chuunin status as another reason to hate me, perhaps even more so than before.

I smiled bitterly.

Hate was a word I was very familiar with. Unfortunately, hate was a word used in conjunction with my name.

I sat down at my table, absentmindedly running my hand along the surface. I glanced around the room. It was rather messy, but I wasn't in the mood to do anything about it. I had moved in only a year ago, and hadn't found the time or effort to finish unpacking everything. Not that I had much stuff to begin with.

I winced, stretching my legs. It had taken me an extra hour to get home, because a skulking scout nearby had alerted his gang to my presence. It happened so often now I simply couldn't be bothered fighting, so I'd hidden myself after they thought they'd cornered me in an alley. Besides, fighting would result in my notoriety being kicked up a notch, and not fighting would result in my dignity being dragged down. Ah, yes. The villagers truly hated me.

And for what? Becoming a fucking sacrifice, without my permission? Being forced to live by myself, without parents, without any family at all? Or how about being refused help and services from almost every store in this town?

For being born at all...?

For striving to be someone...accepted?

I sighed, the noise startling me out of my reverie. It had been dark for quite a while now. I glanced over at the fridge, knowing very well there would be almost nothing in it. Before, I used to ask Iruka to buy me groceries. But after a while, I got so sick of relying on him that I stopped. He never confronted me about it, and I think he understood that I needed to try to support myself.

Fat lot of help this town was...

I rubbed my eyes, which were watering with bitter tears. I had learnt to wait until I was alone before crying. No one had ever seen me cry for a truly serious reason, since I only cried when I felt the need to overdramatise the situation. I wasn't about to let anyone see, either.

Getting up, I shed my clothes, leaving them haphazardly scattered on the ground. I stepped into the shower, not bothering to mind the time, although a quick glance at the clock told me it was already nine. On a whim I filled up the bath, leaning back and letting myself drift off into thought.

Briefly I wondered whether Sasuke was as okay as he claimed to be every time I confronted him about it. I suppose, however, when you disappear for several years, you tend to not want anyone to talk to you ever again.

So then why'd he come back? I scratched at my cheek thoughtfully. Eventually, though, I fell asleep.

Sorry it's so short. They get longer as you go, I promise.