Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and do not make a profit out of the writing of this fanfiction

Warnings: Yaoi, self-mutation, suicide attempts, death (?), some OOC. This story is meant to be very dark and sad. So if you don't like major angst, turn back now.

It's hard to wait around for something you know might never happen, but it's even harder to give up when it's everything you want. - Unknown

Uchiha Sasuke sat patiently in the Hokage's office, waiting for the old woman to come and greet him. She had gone to calm the village, which was now in an uproar over his sudden, unexpected return.

There was more than one reason Sasuke had gone to Orochimaru. One, was obviously to gain power in order to get revenge on his brother. However, the reason he had actually joined the man, was because of Tsunade. Tsunade had asked him to go on a sort of mission to get information about Orochimaru, and to help find a way to completely get rid of his curse. No one else knew of the mission except Sasuke and Tsunade. It was going to be a bit hard for Tsunade to explain to everyone, Sasuke thought. Most people who have thought that Sasuke had gone on his own free will, and part of him did. He wanted the power, but there was no way he'd let Orochimaru take his body. If Orochimaru took his body before he got his revenge, it would be pointless.

Sasuke had gotten lots of information about Orochimaru, as well as Oto in general. It would definitely help in the war that had started between the two villages three years ago.

It had taken Sasuke four months to finally get out of Orochimaru's grasp. Four extremely long and painful months. Sasuke had escaped one night when Kabuto was tending to the older man. Orochimaru had sent about six shinobi after him, but he took care of them easily.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

"Uchiha Sasuke has returned to Konoha."

Naruto felt as though those six words were going to kill him. Sasuke returned, Sasuke was back in Konoha. Hundreds of questions were currently swimming through his head, and he wanted them all answered! Nevertheless, he sure as hell wasn't going to get any answers by standing in his apartment with Yamato!

"Let's go then! Where is he?" Naruto asked, anxious to see his friend again. He only hoped that Sasuke wasn't going to face the death sentence for leaving Konoha. He highly doubted it though, because Tsunade wouldn't have sent Sakura, Sai, Yamato, and Naruto to retrieve him if she was going to have him killed.

"He's with Tsunade right now, but there's much more to it than meets the eye." Yamato told the young shinobi.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Naruto asked as the two left his apartment, heading for the Hokage tower. Naruto held his right wrist, rubbing it slightly to ease the pain. He had cut much deeper this time, but it was okay. This was what he wanted.

"She'll explain it to everyone once we get there." Yamato replied, watching as the blond rubbed his wrist. His face was scrunched up in pain.

"Naruto, are you sure you're okay?" Yamato asked as he eyed the blonde.

"Yeah! Just excited that Sasuke is back! Come on Yamato-taichou, hurry up!" Naruto said as he ran in front of the older man, hoping he'd get the hint.

"Where can that scent of blood be coming from? Is it from Naruto?" Yamato asked himself, as he sped up to catch up with the blue-eyed shinobi.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

"Uchiha, you better be prepared to be mobbed by half the village when you're released from here." Tsunade said as she entered the room and locked the door. She had made an announcement to the village, explaining why Sasuke had left, but people still had questions, and Tsunade knew that the poor boy was going to be annoyed for the next few weeks.

"Yes, well, I can avoid them all. Where's Naruto? I'm shocked that the moron isn't here yet. I was sure he'd be the first one in this office when he heard of my return. And what of Kakashi and Sakura? I was sure they'd be here too." Sasuke said. He didn't really need to see Kakashi, or Sakura for that matter, but he did want to know what happened to Naruto, because he knew the blond was hell-bent on getting him back. Now he was back, but there was no Naruto.

"Sakura is on a mission, Kakashi is…well, that's another thing I have to explain to you…" Tsunade sighed. She had no clue what Sasuke's reaction would be when he found out that he had a living relative. She was just hoping he wouldn't do anything drastic.

"Oh? And what would that be?" Sasuke asked, raising a brow. He shifted slightly in his seat, causing his sword to clang against the metal. Although he left Orochimaru, he still wore the same outfit. He found it to be comfortable enough to wear, and better looked, as opposed to the white shorts and blue shirt he used to wear three years ago.

"Well, it's a bit complicated." Tsunade began.

"We have time." Sasuke responded.

"Okay, obviously, Kakashi had a team when he was younger just as all shinobi's do. His sensei was Namikaze Minato, the Yondaime. His two teammates were a girl named Rin, and a boy by the name of Uchiha Obito." At the mention of 'Uchiha' Sasuke raised his eyebrow slightly, interested in what kind of turn Tsunade's story was taking.

"Well, half of Obito's body was crushed by a bolder during a mission. He knew he was going to die, so he had Rin remove his sharingan eye, and implant it in Kakashi's eye socket. Kakashi was a bit, well, saddened after the death of his friend, and realized after he had died, that he loved him very much." Tsunade knew what had happened between Kakashi and Naruto, but chose to keep it out of the story. If Naruto wanted Sasuke to know, he'd tell the raven himself. Although, Tsunade did hope that Sasuke would help heal Naruto a little bit, because Naruto hadn't been himself since Kakashi left him.

"Tsunade, I see no use in this story." Sasuke said, thinking Tsunade was just trying to find a way to waste his time.

"Let me finish brat! Well, about four months ago, Kakashi went on a mission. During that mission, he met with Tobi, a member of the Akatsuki," Sasuke tensed up at the mention of the organization his brother was a part of, but Tsunade continued.

"It turns out, that Tobi was Uchiha Obito. Obito had survived, but lost his memories. Somewhere in the process, he joined Akatsuki."

"That…that means-"

"Yes Sasuke, you have another living relative. He's your father's nephew (1), so, that means he's your cousin."

"Does he know what Itachi did? Does he know he was working along side the murderer of his clan? Our clan?" Sasuke asked, anxious for some answers.

"Well, he obviously didn't know it at the time brat! Don't blame him for anything. He's had a bit of a hard time since he returned."

"Well, his memories, did he regain them?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes, yes he did." Tsunade answered.

Afterward, Sasuke didn't know what to say. He wanted to meet with his cousin, to walk with him, and ask him questions. Would Obito want revenge as well? If so, would he help Sasuke?

"I'll take you to meet him tomorrow, but for now, you should go home. Would you like an escort?" Tsunade asked.

"Wait, you still haven't answered my other question." Sasuke replied, ignoring the fact that Tsunade had asked him if he needed an escort.

"Oh, and what's that?"

"Where's Naruto?" He asked.

"Sasuke, Naruto hasn't-" Tsunade began.

"SASUKE!" A voice yelled out as the door was thrust open, colliding into the wall. Naruto didn't seem to care about the fact that it was locked, because he would have opened it either way.

"Hn, hello usuratonkachi." Sasuke greeted, smirking slightly at the sight of his best friend, who was currently panting slightly, most likely from running to get here sooner.

"Tsunade-baachan! What's going on?" Naruto asked, switching his gaze from the Uchiha to Tsunade.

"Well brat, it's a long story. So shut up and sit down so I can explain it to you."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Naruto walked silently next to Sasuke, as the pair made their way to the Uchiha compound. Tsunade thought it would be best if Sasuke didn't go alone, because he was indeed, going to get jumped and mauled with questions. He had protested slightly, but eventually gave in when Tsunade said it was going to be Naruto who would go with him.

"S…so Sasuke, the chuunin exams are approaching again. Would you like to enter them with me? I was away with Ero-sennin for two and a half years, so I never got the chance to take them." Naruto said, trying his best to lighten the uncomfortable silence. He wasn't sure what to say to Sasuke after everything that had happened.

"Tch, partners with you again?" Sasuke asked, and Naruto seemed to slow down in his walking.

"Yeah, okay, you don't want to, I understand. I'll take you home and go back to my apartment. I won't bother you anymore Sasuke." Naruto said slowly. His voice seemed to be cracked, broken almost.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Who else would I take them with if not you? I was kidding." Sasuke said. There was seriously something wrong with Naruto. The once hyperactive blonde let his mask down slightly, and he seemed so, broken, so defeated.

"Oh! We can start training tomorrow if you want. Or do you want to wait a little bit? I'm sure you want to meet Obito, right? I think you'll like him Sasuke. I do!" Naruto said as Sasuke opened the front door to his mansion. Once inside, he looked around, taking in the sight. After almost three years, he was finally home.

"Yes, I would like to meet him. Does he live with Kakashi?" Sasuke asked, closing the door behind Naruto, who completely tensed up at the mention of Kakashi. Sasuke, seeing this, turned to his friend.

"What is it?" Sasuke asked. Naruto was pale and shaking slightly, his eyes downcast.

"N…nothing, I'm fine. Umm, yeah, Obito lives with Ka…Kakashi-sensei. He didn't really want to live here." Naruto told the Uchiha.

"I see." Sasuke said. He knew Naruto was feeling a little uncomfortable, but he didn't blame him. He knew it was a little strange to suddenly have your teammate return after three years.

"Okay Sasuke, I'm going to go home now…I'll stop by tomorrow alright?" Naruto asked as he turned around, by Sasuke grabbed him by the wrist, and he winced.

"Wait. Naruto, this mansion is big, and your apartment is small, would you like to move in here? I have plenty of extra rooms." Sasuke offered. He really didn't know why he was asking his friend this, but he felt as though it was the right thing to do.

"Eh? Really? You want me to move in? How come teme?" Sasuke almost smirked when Naruto said his 'nickname'. This was the Naruto he knew.

"Tch, dobe…it's up to you. If you agree, we'll move your stuff in tomorrow." Sasuke said, releasing Naruto's wrist. The blonde let out a sigh of relief, and walked to the door.

"Okay! I'll let you know tomorrow! Bye Sasuke." And with that, Naruto closed the door behind him.

Sasuke stared at the door a few moments before turning his hand around, so his palm was facing upwards. His brows furrowed at what he saw.

"Blood?"

(1) I don't think that Fugaku (Sasuke's father) had any siblings, but ah well. I was going to make him Sasuke's uncle, but decided they be cousins instead.

Hmm, I know the whole 'Tsunade planned Sasuke's leave' may not be realistic and it's sort of cliché, but eh...

Thanks for the reviews, everyone! They make me happy.