Here's the next chapter. I hope I did a good job on it and I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or its characters, even though I wouldn't mind owning the Uchiha brothers.

Chapter 2

Four years had already gone by. Four long, tiresome, work-filled years had passed since that day. But, to Sasuke, it felt like longer. He could remember that day as if it had just happened. Though he would never admit it, the events played in his head every single day and continued on in his dreams.

"Hey, you there. What's your name?"

"Me?"

"No, the one next to you with the gourd."

"Gaara of the Desert. I am also interested in you. What's your name?"

"Sasuke Uchiha."

Gaara…that name, that voice…it played in his head all the time. It was something he just couldn't get rid of. His return to Konoha increased the longing, aching feeling in his heart. Of course, Gaara wasn't the only person that invaded his mind over the past four years. He had also thought constantly of his brother, Itachi Uchiha, and his dream of one day killing him and avenging their clan. But very recently, Sasuke had done just that. He killed Orochimaru, killed Itachi, and returned to Konoha to find a new dream.

Sasuke knew he wasn't going to be welcomed back with open arms and it didn't bother him. His days with Team 7 were long over and he didn't want anything to do with them anymore. He knew Naruto would be glad he was back, but Sasuke didn't want to be associated with him anymore. He noticed that Sakura wasn't pleased to see him, something he was extremely grateful for. It meant she wouldn't be all over him and obsessed with making him hers. Kakashi didn't speak to Sasuke, but it didn't matter to him. He had long since accepted that Kakashi wasn't as powerful as he first believed. And he didn't mind that Sai had taken his place on Team 7. Sai seemed to enjoy the company of the rest of the team more than he ever had.

After his return, Sasuke had gone straight to see Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage. She accepted him back, but only after having him undergo interrogation from Ibiki. When she was finally satisfied, she told him he could return to his old home, but would be suspended from doing missions until she decided he was trustworthy enough. It didn't really bother him any, especially since it meant that he wasn't going to be forced back to his old team.

Sasuke spent his days training and sitting around his house, avoiding the company of others. No one really wanted him around, which suited him. He spent most of his free time either savoring the victory over his brother or dwelling on memories of Gaara. Occasionally, he wondered if he should've gone to Suna instead of Konoha. Although Gaara had once tried to kill him, Sasuke felt that Gaara wouldn't mind seeing him again. He didn't know why he felt that, though. It was like an instinct.

Sasuke stared out of a rain-splattered window, thinking of Gaara. It had been so long since their last encounter, one they had been trying to kill each other during. He briefly wondered if Gaara would feel threatened by another one. Of course, he didn't see how he would be able to see Gaara again, seeing as how he was banned from all missions. The only possible way for another encounter to occur would be for Gaara to visit Konoha.

"Yeah, like that'll ever happen," Sasuke said to himself with an almost sad laugh.

He stood up and walked around the front of the house, watching the rain fall rapidly. He slid his shoes on and walked around the perimeter of the house, oblivious to the cold rain dripping from his face and hair, his clothes clinging to him. He imagined what Gaara would look like, standing in the rain next to him, holding his hand and smiling in a way that Sasuke could only ever imagine. He shook his head, his mind turning to a question he had once asked the boy.

"Why are you so obsessed with me?"

That thought had been in Sasuke's head since the day they had met, for Gaara took immediate interest in him, a feeling that was mutual. But over the past few years, he began to ask himself a similar question: why was he so obsessed with Gaara? There was definitely no denying the fact that he was obsessed with him. Sasuke knew that he had always held a strong interest in Gaara, but it took him a while to realize that his interest had become infatuation. The infatuation, in turn, became intense liking. The one thing Sasuke didn't know was if the intense liking would ever become love. That was something he could only figure out by seeing the boy again.

After spending two hours in the torrential rain, Sasuke decided to go inside and eat. He ignored the water that steadily dripped from his body to the floor, leaving a trail. He sat down to eat rice balls and was halfway through his meal when he heard someone knocking on the door. It surprised him because no one, except Naruto, had really cared to see him since his return. He got up and sighed, ready to slam the door right when it fully opened, knowing Naruto was the only person it could be. He unlocked the door, bracing himself to see his obnoxious ex-teammate. However, he was surprised to see who it really was.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sasuke stated blankly.

"Mind if I come in?" Kakashi asked, his tone calm. Sasuke stood back and allowed his ex-sensei inside. "Thanks."

Sasuke walked back to his unfinished meal, wondering vaguely about the reason behind Kakashi's visit. Their only encounter since his return hadn't exactly been pleasant. They matched cold, furious glares, but hadn't spoken a word to each other. In fact, they hadn't spoken a word to each other since Kakashi had tried to stop Sasuke from deserting the village with the Sound Four. Sasuke resumed eating and Kakashi sat across from him, casting an observant eye over his ex-student.

"Why are you here?" Sasuke asked tonelessly.

Kakashi blinked. "Well, I don't see the point in dragging things out," he commented, almost to himself. "I came to see how you were doing. I wasn't exactly…kind when I saw you last month. I'm sorry for giving you a cold reception and wanted to let you know that I'm still concerned about you." He paused briefly. "Naruto and Sakura are too, though Sakura is reluctant to admit it and Naruto tries too hard." He fixed his eye upon Sasuke's neutral face. "A lot has changed since you left four years ago."

Sasuke glanced up from his meal. "I don't see the point in worrying about me. As you can see, I'm fine. As for the others, I've made it clear that I don't want to associate myself with them anymore."

Kakashi sighed. "You know that those words won't change how we feel, especially Naruto. He tried and failed to hunt you down for four years. Your friendship is extremely important to him. He won't give up."

Sasuke growled. "I know that. But I no longer want anything to do with him." He locked eyes with his ex-sensei. "Tell me, what has changed?"

Kakashi blinked, surprised by the request for information. "Well, Naruto left Konoha for two years to train with Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin. Sakura became an apprentice to Lady Tsunade so she could become a medical ninja. When Naruto returned, I got to see some of the results from their training. Both of them have vastly improved. Soon afterwards, we got a new teammate, a boy named Sai. Although the three disliked each other in the beginning, they have grown close in the past two years."

Sasuke frowned. "I know all of this already," he stated. "Tell me something else."

Kakashi regarded him for a moment. "Sakura, as far as I can tell, has moved on from you. As the years progressed, she began to realize that your betrayal meant that you really didn't care for anyone, especially her. She has since turned her affections to another." At this, Sasuke sighed with relief. "Ino Yamanaka seems to have moved on as well. She had a brief relationship with one of her teammates and has now turned her attention to Sai." Sasuke looked pleased and Kakashi smiled slightly. "I thought you might like to know that."

Sasuke refilled his plate, his mind enjoying the new information. Sakura and Ino finally realized he was out of reach and moved on. He knew that they wouldn't interfere in any attempt he made with Gaara, if any such opportunity arose. But, of course, his path still wouldn't be simple. There was the matter of Gaara living in Suna and himself living in Konoha. Instead of dwelling on those thoughts, he allowed himself to listen to Kakashi's next words.

"Next week, Naruto is going to marry Hinata Hyuuga," Kakashi said. "He would like for you to come, but doesn't want to ask you himself because he knows you'll hit him again and doesn't want a fight."

Sasuke looked mildly surprised. "Naruto's getting married? And to that quiet Hyuuga girl?" Kakashi nodded. "Aren't they a little young to be married?"

"Naruto and Hinata began dating two years ago, when he returned from his training. They've been engaged for a year and he somehow managed to get Hinata's father, Hiashi Hyuuga, to consent to the marriage," Kakashi explained. "Because of his consent, they will be allowed to marry."

Sasuke looked bewildered. "How in the hell did Naruto do that?"

Kakashi shrugged. "No one knows, except for Naruto, Hinata, and her father." He paused. "The Kazekage and his siblings have also been invited. If they decide to come, they will be here in three days." His eye was once again fixed on Sasuke.

Sasuke's eyes widened. "Gaara's come to Konoha?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady and emotionless. Could it be? Could Gaara really be coming to Konoha in a few days? Sasuke's heart almost skipped a beat. He would be able to see Gaara again…

Kakashi cleared his throat. "Sasuke, I may not be your sensei anymore, but I will still keep an eye on you and state what I feel I should." He paused. "Do not make any attempt to fight Gaara or either of his siblings, not matter what grudges you may hold or fights that remained unfinished."

Sasuke looked stupefied. Kakashi thought he wanted to fight Gaara? It was the exact opposite of what he wanted! But he couldn't say that, though. Instead, he stared directly into Kakashi's eye, a serious look on his face. "I won't start a single fight with any of the Suna ninja, including Gaara."

Kakashi eyed him for another minute, evaluating things. Then he looked away. "I believe you," he said. "But I don't think I have any reason to be cautious in the first place."

Sasuke snorted. "Not like it'll stop you," he muttered. "I can tell that things really haven't changed all that much," he added aloud.

"What do you mean by that?" Kakashi asked slowly.

"No one in the village appears to be that much stronger, Naruto is still a pain in the ass, and you're still worrying over me like I'm a child," Sasuke replied angrily. "I don't need you to come by here and ask how I'm doing, no matter what useful information your visit has given me. I don't need anyone to look after me!"

Kakashi stood up quietly. "Fine," he said coolly. "I can see that my presence is no longer wanted." He paused. "If you ever need something, I'll be waiting." He walked out of sight, towards the front door, and stopped. "You should consider going to Naruto's wedding. Staying inside by yourself isn't healthy."

As soon as Sasuke heard the door shut, he stood up and began washing out his bowl. The fact that Gaara was coming to Konoha in three days excited him, though he wouldn't show it. He had to figure out a way to encounter the boy without making anyone wary or suspicious of his presence. Of course, if Gaara was by his siblings, it would be impossible to do. He knew that, given his reputation, both Kankurou and Temari would think he was seeking to attack Gaara. The thing he wondered was if Gaara would think the same thing. Would he even want to be around Sasuke?

"Don't think such things," Sasuke told himself firmly. "Nothing will ever happen if I don't give it an attempt. I learned that the hard way," he added, thinking of Itachi.

His instincts kept telling him that Gaara would want an encounter and would want to be alone when they met. But, did Sasuke want to go to the wedding? He didn't want to be around the others, especially Naruto and Sakura, but it might be his only chance to see Gaara again. He decided to wait and see where the rest of the week took him.

Sasuke walked back to his room, looking out at the falling rain. He was still irritated by Kakashi's visit. All Kakashi did was give him useful information and treat him like he wasn't capable of taking care of himself. He didn't need anyone to tell him not to start fights with anyone! He wasn't that stupid, and he definitely wasn't going to start a fight with who Kakashi suspected. Anyway, if he did anything out of line, he would be forced to leave the village again and would have nowhere to go. Did Kakashi really think he was that stupid? The mere thought angered him. But thoughts of what was soon to come calmed him down.

"Three more days."

End Chapter 2

I hope that was satisfactory. I'm doing my best to get these chapters written, but it's very slow work. I do apologize for the inconvenience. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Chapter 3 coming soon!