Title: Sakura's Home
Author: Winter Ashby (rosweldrmr)
Disclaimer: Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto-sama. I don't own anything about Naruto, this is just for fun and if I did own Naruto I wouldn't have to right this, because I would have a team of very talented people turning this into a saga right now...
Rating: K+
Warning: this not only has spoilers until Manga 270ish, but it's kind of required for you to know what's going on. I use a lot of the Gaara mission, just made it AUish.
Summary: Sakura was kicked out of Konoha five years ago but now has been asked to return… She will meet old friends and be faced with the consequences of her actions. Future AU Sakura centric. No pairings, and you need to be up to date in the manga and series.
Authors Notes: Thanks to SE for the helpful suggestions and comments. I know this isn't the typical FF story, what with the no romance but I think it's worth reading. I put a lot of time into researching everything so that it could be as accurate as possible. Please let me know if I've made any mistakes so I can change them. We're starting to see some other familiar faces...

Chapter 2 – Change

His voice was low and even. For the first time in her life, she knew that when she refused to give up on the forbidden seal and was forced to leave the village – it was the wrong decision. Because even though not a day went by without thinking of the Konoha ninja that died by her hand, she always told herself that it was to save Sasuke and all the other people she could. But she recognized now that no matter how strong she was, she would never be able to save everyone.

She had developed the technique during the years when Sasuke was away with Orochimaru in the hopes that someday she would be able to lift the cursed seal that plagued him. But now that ambition was useless. Ever since she'd been visited by Kakashi's tracking dog, she had a sinking ache in her heart that wouldn't quell.

"What? How?" she let the shock coat her words as she felt the world begin to spin around her. "Shino-kun, what happened?" formalities were lost as she fell back into her childhood honorific for a fellow villager of the Hidden Leaf.

His head lowered and he sighed deeply. "I will explain on the way, I must take you to Kakashi-sensei." And without a moment's hesitation, he took off, bounding from rooftop to building top along the main road of the village. And even though it'd been years since she'd done it, it was like second nature. She followed without a second thought, catching up with him in no time, tuning in to hear his explanation past the whooshing of the wind against her face.

"Why didn't Tsunade-shishou heal him?" she questioned intently as her feet carried her along the familiar path to her former teacher's home.

"It is not an ailment that she can cure. The Mangekyou Sharingan that he developed has begun to degrade his chakra. He is lost in another dimension of genjutsu so intense that he can't escape. He has been like this for nearly two weeks." He paused for a moment, almost as if he was trying to figure out how to say the next part. It was eerie to think that Shino had to consider anything. She always remembered him as eloquent and poised. Nothing surprised him, and he showed no sign of emotion, like all great shinobi.

"He is killing himself." She finished for him, understanding the situation more than she cared to admit. In her research about her seal and Sasuke, she discovered many hidden secrets of the Uchiha clan. She knew what the Mangekyou Sharingan was, as well as how one achieved it through the lost Uchiha scrolls. It was always quite a mystery how Kakashi was able to achieve it, seeing as he didn't murder his best friend, as far as she knew.

She knew about the affects it had on the user, as well as what happened when it was used against someone. She had personal experience, being trapped in Uchiha Itachi's doujutsu Genjutsu Tsukiyomi once in the past. However, even the Mange Sharingan that he used relatively easily took its toll over time. The Sharingan was indeed a formidable kekkei genkai, but it was also one of the most cursed that she was aware of.

"Yes." Shino responded dutifully beside her as they approached Kakashi's apartment. In only a few more seconds of jumping, she found herself standing at his door, suddenly surrounded by four new ANBU members. Even with the masks, she could tell who they were. The familiar flow of energy from each was just as unmistakable as Shino's, even with the slight changes over time; they were still her old Ninja Academy classmates.

She turned to the one nearest the door, taller than she remembered him, and his signature long brown hair was hidden under the ANBU cloak, but with that chakra there was no doubt about it, "Hyuuga Neji-san." She addressed him formally and bowed slightly. She could feel the sheer hatred dripping from his silent form. She was reserved in his presence, and rightfully so. She knew his distain for her was completely justified. She turned quickly to address the figure that stood next to Neji.

He was nothing like she remembered him, much slimmer but there was still a faint smell of potato chips that lingered in the air, and she was sure that his chakra was the only one that had a distinct taste as it passed through her mouth in the air. "Akimichi Chouji-san." She bowed again and even though she was sure ANBU members weren't supposed to identify themselves, she could see a slight nod of his head. She was grateful for the gesture but didn't let her eyes linger.

The next person standing directly behind her struck her with an odd sensation. It was the lack of chakra that gave him away. It had been years since she'd been in his presence, and it was almost completely different. He was quite tall, and even through the layers of fabric, she could see that he had become massively strong. It was the bandages on his hands that made her absolutely certain. "Lee-san." She addressed him less formally, considering their past and gave a weak half-hearted smile that only slightly tugged at the corners of her lips. It was a sad smile that said everything she couldn't at that moment.

Finally she turned to the last member, almost perplexed at the charka flowing from them. It was aggressive, and angry. She recognized the feel of, but the sheer volume that was being displayed signified an incredibly strong person. "Yamanaka Ino, is that you Ino-chan?" she questioned quietly, knowing the answer when the obvious woman sighed and turned from her to the door. It was defiantly Ino, but there was something so different in her demeanor and aura, Sakura barely recognized her.

"I suppose there's no need for these." The woman commented and removed the white cat mask, revealing a beautiful face framed with perfectly blond hair. She'd grown even more beautiful in the years that passed, but now there was something new in her eyes. There used to be the signature determination and competitive streak that Sakura recalled so well, but now her blue eyes were peppered with sadness.

She turned when she heard the rustling of fabric from behind her and to the other sides. Sure enough, the rest of them had now discarded their masks. It amazed her how much Lee looked like Gai-sensei. But even with the bobble eyebrows and round eyes, he had a quiet pain that she didn't remember being there the last time she saw him. It seemed that much had happened in the little village in the time she'd been gone.