I am soo sorry for the extremely late update! Okay to clarify, I believe I may be able to update once or twice a month depending on my workload. When summer rolls around though, the updates will probably become more frequent. I had a case of writers block so please understand if this chapter seems slow. Tips, constructive criticism, and advice is much appreciated. Oh and I am looking for a Beta Reader as well. Now on with the show!
Chapter 2: Home Sweet Home?
It was odd. To finally decide to come back and forget the past. Only to have it shoved into your face the minute you're home.
At least, that was how Sakura saw it. There was no way for her to see what her ex-comrades thought about the situation. Their impassive faces were just staring at her, and there was no flicker of the once-familiar communication that had come naturally to them.
The team standing in from of Konoha's gate were strangers. Nothing more, nothing less. The bonds that had held them together were now just a memory to be put on a pedestal.
Finally, Naruto's face morphed into a full-blown grin, "Hey Sakura-chan! Long time no see huh?"
Sakura who had been pretty much feeling lost, hopeless, and depressed, felt her eye twitch. 'Long time no see? That's all he has got to say after leaving Konoha and not communicating for 13 long freaking years!'
Forcing herself to smile and resist the urge to give the blond an angry rant on what she truly thought, Sakura answered, "Yeah, I guess it has been a while. How have you been?"
Looking completely oblivious, Naruto cryptically replied with a, "As fine as ever."
An awkward silence soon followed and Sakura found her gaze pulled to Sasuke. He hadn't really changed that much, still stoic with that duck-butt hair of his. All that seemed to change was his attire and attitude. Instead of the samurai-like look that he had on during the war, Sasuke was now decked out in a plain dark blue T-shirt with loose black pants that cut off two or so inches above his ankle. Black shinobi sandals were strapped to his feet and a plain katana was strapped to his back in a brown leather sheath. He also was wearing a poncho due to earlier rain and of course the Uchiha fan was present on every article of clothing.
Now what struck Sakura was his attitude. Sure, it still held a 'I'm better than you' feel to it, but before when hatred and sorrow underlined his every movement, a soothing calm had taken its place. It was strange. She was so used to the hard angry killing intent that had been suffocating Sasuke during the war that she was unsure of the being in front of her. Once again, her old teammate had changed without her. Subtle lines on his face that the rosette had never noticed before, were smooth and fading. Though at the moment he seemed stiff, for once Sasuke was...okay.
Sakura closed her eyes, 'Maybe things will change for the better after all.' Naruto's muttering brought her back to the present.
"Even after all of these years, Sakura-chan still eyes Sasuke like a piece of meat."
Sakura flushed. Okay, maybe somewhere in her subconsciousness she had thought that both the new look in clothes and calm had made Sasuke look pretty cool, but to go so far as to say that!
Haruno Sakura didn't restrain herself anymore when she flung herself at Naruto, screeching obscenities all the while. There was never a use in holding back with Naruto, he would just eventually force you to break. God, even after 13 years he was still great at pushing a persons buttons.
Sakura's punch flew past the blond's head into a tree. A loud crack ensued as the tree fell.
"N. Now now Sakura-chan. I was just kidding. Ease up on the killer intent. Come on, it was a JOKE!"
Another downed tree was the answer to Naruto's plea. Sasuke just stared at the two 'idiots'. They were making racket and he knew that if things continued, ANBU would be breathing down their, his neck. He raised a hand to hold back Sakura, only to get punch in the face.
--
Shizune woke up with a start. The cause of her alarm seemed to be a loud crash combined with fluctuating chakra.
"Hokage-sama"
She turned to see an ANBU member crouched in front of her desk.
"Report!"
"Hai, there is a fight at the North Gate. The ones responsible appear to be three foreign shinobi."
"At the main gate? What's the damage report?"
"Only some downed trees at the moment."
"And the villagers are safe behind the gates right?"
"Yes, but one of them, a kunoichi, is using a very strong form of taijutsu. She might be able the crack open the gate on purpose or by pure accident."
Shizune nodded. "Okay then. Send an ANBU squad out to apprehend the foreigners. Refrain from engaging them in battle unless they deem the situation as unavoidable. I will be there immediately."
The ANBU gave a swift salute before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
Shizune turned slowly in her chair to face the window. Konoha was only starting to wake up as shinobi got ready for work and the few early shopkeepers opened up. Shizune sighed, hopefully these newcomers meant no harm, the peace had finally settled over the village was far too precious. But one never knew when it came to shinobi. Deception and skill was all a part of the job.
She looked up at the ceiling, 'Kami-sama... what have you dished out now?!'
--
Sakura stared at Sasuke. Naruto stared at Sakura. And Sasuke stared at Sakura's fist.
Sakura pulled her fist back sharply, "S..Sasuke! I thought you were Naruto! It was all instinct and impulse, the punch I mean. I would never do that when you did nothing! Umm...I didn't mean to hit you..."
Finally the Uchiha put a hand up to his face. A dark red fluid cam back sticking to his fingers. His nose was broken. Gingerly grabbing his nose, Sasuke pushed it back with a loud crack. Both onlookers flinched. Then turning his murderous eyes to Naruto, he replied, "It wasn't your fault Sakura. The dobe was just being stupid as always. I would have hit him too."
"Oi! It wasn't my fauullttttt!" Naruto's statement was stalled as he jumped to avoid a hail of kunai.
Bickering soon filled the area as Sasuke and Naruto verbally fought. Sakura could only blink. The scene playing out in front of her was too much like something that would have occurred when they were all 12. It was just too childish.
After some time, Sakura couldn't take it anymore and fell on her butt laughing. Both immature males turned back to Sakura, looks of confusion etched on their faces. Well in Sasuke's case a simple quirked eyebrow.
The ANBU conveniently chose that moment to surround the three 'foreign' shinobi.
--
Silence.
The trees ruffled in the breeze, the only sign of movement between the frozen shinobi.
The carefree expressions had long vanished from Team Seven's faces. Their muscles were taught with tension and their eyes flicked with every single movement.
Naruto pursed his lips and finally lowered his defensive stance. He eyed his companions, prodding them to do the same. Sasuke glared at the blond before relenting, as did Sakura.
The ANBU jumped in to seal their chakra and bind them. Shizune appeared on the scene, a book held under her arm. She stopped ten feet away from the trio, murmuring orders to the ANBU commander. Finally gazing at the powerless thirty year olds, Shizune's eyes grew wide. Her book dropped to the ground, its pages fluttering in the breeze. Infamous faces passed with each turning page revealing the guide to be a BINGO book. The old medic-nin had been prepared to thumb through those pages, making sure that the lives of her villagers were not in danger.
What she had not been prepared for was the return of the three most promising shinobi of their generation.
--
Licking her lips, the temporary Hokage of Konoha finally found her voice, " Kai."
Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you looked at it, the image of Team Seven did not go away. She was not under a genjutsu and everybody was finally home.
Turning towards the ANBU commander, she announced, "Bring these three to the Hokage Tower. No interrogation is needed. I will personally do it myself."
Though there was no emotion in his voice, one could tell that he was skeptic. "But Shizune-sama, we can not be sure that these three do not mean harm. Immediately bringing them into the village could put Konoha in danger."
"Are you questioning my orders Eagle-san?" Shizune's gaze was piercing as she glanced at the Eagle-masked commander.
"I know exactly what I am doing and the possible consequences that could occur. But I am..familiar with these three and I trust them to cooperate."
Seeing that he couldn't change her mind, Eagle-san nodded. Motioning for his squad to pick up their prisoners, the ANBU leaped into the air.
The trip to the tower was short, but it gave Team Seven enough time to see the changes in the village. On the outside everything looked the normal, but to a shinobi, everything was clear. Ninja flitted around, patrols were tight and controlled, security was high and a main priority while the village didn't have a true hokage. New buildings had been set up and empty land was what remained of another. The civilians were kind and friendly, peaceful. But distinctive tell-tale signs of hidden shovels, kunai, and explosive notes were in special spots in the market place. War had left its mark and it still lingered to this day.
Upon stepping into the hokage room, Shizune dismissed all of her guards. Protest was futile, her eyes showed them that.
Finally facing her 'guests', the questions began. "Why did you all come back? Why today"
Her inquiry was met with silence as they contemplated their answers. Finally it was Sakura who answered, "I do not know for what purpose that Naruto and Sasuke have come back, but I feel that it is time that I return. Konoha is my home and I will always come back to it no matter what. I have had a lot of time to think, and if I need to think more, I shall do it here. It is time that I forget the past, nothing will change if I brood on it. I am here to move forward, to move time and Konoha's future."
Shizune's eyes softened at hearing her fellow medic's words. Her gaze flicked to Naruto and Sasuke.
"I won't go into details but I pretty much thought that I was focusing on myself too much. I still have Konoha, it isn't like I am alone. I have a family here and they have probably been pretty bored without me around." Naruto chuckled.
"My clan started here, and it will end here. The Uchiha have come back to Konoha and are offering their allegiance. I understand the my sins cannot be easily forgiven, and I will take whatever punishment you see fit."
Shizune sighed. Turning her chair toward the window, she gazed at the beaming sun. Feeling a headache coming on, Shizune spoke softly, "I accept what you all have to say. I am sure Konoha will be happy to have such strong shinobi in its village, but living here will not be easy."
Sasuke nodded, "I understand that some people might still hold resentment for what I did and that they might even have trouble accepting Sakura and Naruto. But I also know that it has been a long time and most people don't really know us anymore, we have sort of become a myth, a legend, a memory that they want to forget. As long as we don't disturb the peace, things should go smoothly."
Standing up, Shizune placed her hand against the cool glass window, absently tracing the leaf insignia with her finger. "From what you are saying, it would be easy since the memory of you have been fading, but...the shinobi will be suspicious of you and my agreement of your establishment into the village. The civilians will not know how to act and you will be shadowed and avoided for most of your day. Your lives would be lonely and dangerous."
One simple word was uttered by all three, "Why?"
Closing her eyes, the Hokage revealed what would shatter their hopes and dreams. "Because...nobody remembers you at all. You are not a fading memory, because they have no memory of you. They can't forgive you, because to them, there is nothing to forgive. In Konohagakure, you have no existence."
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this! Please review! Also if you could take the time to take a poll that I will post soon on whether I should put in a Jounin Exam or not. Thanks.
