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 Three - Legato

-------Sakura. A couple of hours ago.-------

Poor Naruto...

I walked home briskly, shifting uncomfortably every time the wind blew. My arms and legs were sore from the day's training, and the cold air wasn't helping with the pain. I hadn't thought today's training would take as long as it had.

Shivering, I watched as, across the street, a young boy and girl play-fought. I smiled at their mothers, but all they did was whisper behind their hands.

I could imagine what they were saying about me.

"Look, there she is. The one that associates with that vile child, Naruto."

"I heard that Uchiha Sasuke returned, and rejoined her team."

"Uchiha! He's worse than the demon boy!"

It was hard not to bitterly wish that, for once, I could have normal teammates. Then again, no one did. Who was normal, out of the people I had grown up around, fought, watched, talked with?

None of us were. Which saddened me, because out of all of us, Naruto had the least reason to be hated. And he never acted like the mean-spirited jerk he could have chosen to become. He was determined, and could act quite unselfishly for all the right reasons.

And yet, because of his sacrifice, people couldn't stand him. Feared him, despised him. For something meant to serve as an act of bravery, heroism.

Stupid morons...

I sighed as I arrived home to find the place empty. I don't know why I always expect otherwise, since I moved out of my parents' house. All I have waiting for me at home is silence.

And what do you expect, Sakura? Someone waiting on the couch to welcome you back?

Don't get me wrong, I was definitely at a point in my life where I wanted some sort of meaningful human relationship. Now that I was finally over Sasuke, I was looking for the real thing. And really, I was already nineteen, I could have died countless times by now.

I shook my head. It was selfish to think of only myself.

And...I really wish Sasuke would try to trust us. And Naruto's been acting really weird lately...

I thought back to earlier this week, when, instead of taking Kakashi's offer on a free meal, he shot a look over at a retreating Sasuke's back and took off in the other direction. And then there was time I caught him staring off into space while three scantily-clad, freshly-made Chuunin from Suna attempted to seduce him after the Chuunin exams he had insisted he watch.

Go figure.

I knew the two of them had been alright before Sasuke left. They had started training together, talking more, throwing insults meant to humour, not anger. Naruto had started becoming less immature, smiling for real more often. Sasuke had started to hold conversation, and once or twice, he had smiled himself.

When he left, Naruto withdrew again, into his loud-mouthed, 'look-at-me' shell. He had explained to me about the demon fox after a series of incidents that still haunt me. I'd pushed them to the back of my mind until, with a serious face, he'd asked to talk to me.

-------Flashback.-------

"Sakura-chan...Can I talk to you?"

Sakura looked up warily. "If this is about-" she hesitated, searching Naruto's face for any hint of mischief. Finding only sadness and a seriousness she hadn't seen in a long time, she nodded.

"Excuse me, Hinata, Ino."

She followed Naruto until they came to a park. Sitting down on a bench, he motioned for Sakura to join him.

"I wanted to...apologise again for what happened the other day."

"No, it's fine. Who doesn't like being attacked by a creepy monster." Sakura replied sarcastically. Naruto had tried to rip her throat out, a red aura blinding her. She hadn't seen the fox-like characteristics, and blamed it on Naruto's stupidity and overzealousness.

Naruto winced. "Sakura..."

Something in his voice made her look at him. She blinked. "What?" She asked, this time not irritated.

"Have you ever noticed...that the villagers don't really treat me very well?"

Sakura thought about it for a moment. "Come to think of it, yes. I always figured it was because you were always pulling stupid pranks and prancing around like an idiot."

"I only do that so people will notice me..."

Sakura frowned slightly. She had always thought that not having parents was the reason Naruto was so lax and loud. Suddenly she realised how many times her parents had been there for her, and she reached out hesitantly to put a hand on his shoulder.

'He's shaking...'

"...Naruto-kun?"

Naruto looked up, but didn't smile. This confirmed her suspicions. "It...it was hard, without parents, wasn't it? Is...is that why you tried so hard to get people's attention?"

He nodded, and she continued. "So...what did you want to talk to me about...?"

"Do you remember the reason the Fourth Hokage died?"

Sakura blinked. "Of course." It was a tale told to young children over and over, as a tribute to his bravery. "He sealed away the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon that was terrorising Konoha. They never said how, though." She added thoughtfully.

"Me."

"What?"

"They sealed the demon into me. A few hours after I was born."

Sakura started laughing, eyes closed with mirth, but paused when something wet splashed onto her hand. She opened her eyes, startled.

"...You're not joking..."

-------End Flashback.-------

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. He had gone on to explain everything about 'Kyubi'. It wasn't even scary, although I was extremely shocked at first. It made so much sense, and I knew the real Naruto meant no one harm.

Why is it then, that people shun him...?