Here it is. Finally. Sorry it took longer than expected. I was very busy. It doesn't help that the end of this chapter is a fight scene and I'm not very good at those (at least I don't think I am. Feel free to disagree if you want). Anyway, I'll warn you now that I will not be updating again this week (I don't plan on it anyway) because I have several tests so I have to study...(yuck)...I'll apologize ahead of time.

Disclaimer: (sulks) i don't own Naruto.


Ch. 8: The Error of His Ways

"Hello, Sakura."

She still couldn't believe what she was seeing. There he was. They were just talking about him and now there he was. It just didn't seem real. Her eyes filled with pain. That's it. This was just another dream. A dream that he had seen that he was wrong and was coming home now. She had many of them in the last year. This must just be yet another torture session brought on by her subconscious. She gave a weak smile, "Hello, Sasuke-kun. This isn't real. I know it isn't. You're not really here."

He stepped forward instinctively. The pain in her eyes cut into him and caused more damage that a hundred kunai. Sakura stepped back with a shake of her head. "Don't touch me, Sasuke. I couldn't stand it. These dreams always end the same. You reach out and just when you touch me I wake up. I can't stand it anymore. So please...don't touch me."

"This isn't a dream, Sakura."

"Yes it is. That's the only way I could be talking to you right now. Besides, you only care in my dreams. In real life you wouldn't be looking at me like that. Like you're hurting for me. It's your fault really. I love you. I can't stop loving you and it's tearing me to pieces." She gave a humorless chuckle, "I don't say that in real life anymore. No one would understand. Well, no one except Naruto. He still sees you as his brother so he understands."

Sasuke took another step forward, "Sakura..."

"No. Don't say it. Don't say you were wrong and that you're sorry. Don't tell me that you're coming back. I don't want to hear it anymore. I always wake up and discover it was all a dream. No more. I can't take anymore."

As much as Sasuke wanted to remain cold and aloof, he couldn't. As much as he wanted to respect her wishes and not touch her, he couldn't. As much as he wanted to believe this wasn't his fault, he couldn't. As much as he wanted to believe he didn't care...he couldn't. He moved forward quickly and pulled her into his arms.

At first she resisted but that didn't last for more than a second. Sakura collapsed into his arms with tears falling down her face, and waited to wake up. Seconds passed, then minutes. Why wasn't she waking up? Why was he still there? This should be a dream. This can't be real. The arms around her tightened and she felt his breath against her ear as he whispered to her.

"Sakura, this isn't a dream. I'm really here and talking to you. I don't know why I called out to you. I didn't intend to. I was just going to leave without letting you know I had ever been here. Something wouldn't let me. I couldn't walk away from you again."

"Sasuke-kun..."

"Let me finish," he ordered. Sasuke was afraid that if he didn't finish now he wouldn't be able to at all. He also didn't want to give Sakura the opportunity to decide not to listen anymore. "I listened to you guys talking earlier. I never considered that you and Naruto would help me. I'm sorry that it hurt you but I've been alone all my life. Some part of me couldn't accept that had changed." He paused. This was the most he had said in years and it was hard to fight the impulse to stay quiet. She needed to hear this and he needed to say it. "Maybe I was wrong but I did what I thought I had to do at the time."

When she felt him start to pull away, Sakura tightened her own grip on him. "No, don't go. Please don't leave again," she begged. Sakura was fully prepared to fight him this time. She wasn't going to just let him walk away. Not this time.

"I'm not. I wanted to see your face," he told her.

Sakura allowed him to pull back enough to see her. "Sasuke-kun, please come home. You don't have to stay with Orochimaru. Lady Tsunade said that if you came home now you would only get a years probation. No missions during that time and no weapons. That's it. She's willing to take into consideration that Orochimaru manipulated your feelings and thoughts to convince you that joining him was the only way. It's not Sasuke-kun. We can help you. Team 7 is on your side if you'll just let us."

His dark eyes met Sakura's green ones. He had been feeling restless for the last year. No matter what he did he always felt like there was someplace he had to be. Since he had seen Sakura the feeling began to fade. Now that he was talking to her and holding her the feeling was gone completely. The truth was he needed Sakura. He hadn't wanted to admit that but there was no denying it anymore. Some part of him just didn't function right without her. It made him feel weak to need her but what could he do? The truth wouldn't change so he had only two options: ignore it or live with it. Ignoring it hadn't worked so it was time to try living with it.

"Alright. I'll come home."

Sakura smiled brilliantly then suddenly looked upset. "This can't be real. I have to be dreaming."

"It's not a dream, Sakura," said a new voice from the edge of the forest. "If it is we're sharing it then."

Sakura glanced back at Kakashi. The jonin was smiling and looked at Sasuke, "Hello, Sasuke. Glad you could join us."

"Then that means that..." Sakura looked back at Sasuke and threw herself into his arms, "Thank god. Thank god. Sasuke-kun, it's really you. You're really coming home."

Sasuke felt something in him lift and a knot in his stomach loosen. He was going home. How odd. He didn't even feel bad about it either. He expected to feel some reservations. Maybe even doubt that going back was the right choice but that wasn't the case. He felt...relieved.

"I thought that was you." He looked up and saw Aya and Temari walking towards him. Aya was smiling and continued to speak, "When you pulled me out of the lake, I thought that you had to be Sasuke Uchiha."

"You've seen him before?" Temari demanded.

"Yeah. He startled me and I fell into the lake. Since I can't swim, I nearly drowned. Lucky for me he jumped in and saved me. I didn't say anything because there was nothing that could be done about it. I thought he left the area after I said something to annoy him."

"What made you think I was Sasuke?" he asked curiously.

"The way you reacted to my opinions about what you did. You were taking them so personally that you either had to be Sasuke or someone close to him. I've heard descriptions of you so I made and educated guess." Aya smiled, "I'm glad things turned out right."

"Me too," Sakura agreed. "Oh, we have to go home now. I want to get him back before he can change his mind."

Aya laughed, "We figured you'd need to go back soon. Why don't we sleep the rest of the night and leave in the morning. Temari said that we would go back with you too." Aya suddenly seemed excited, "I'll get to see Konoha."

"Sound like a plan," Sakura agreed. She grabbed Sasuke's hand and pulled him back to the camp. He wasn't leaving her sight until they were safely back in Konoha.

They slept the rest of the night and headed out first thing in the morning. Sasuke was still amazed that this was happening. How had he agreed to this? He hadn't intended to. Hell, he hadn't even intended to talk to Sakura at all. Yet here he was, walking with them back to the place he had run from. Again, how hat that happened? What was even more surprising was that he didn't regret it. Some part of him reeled at that. He didn't regret deciding to go home. It felt like the right choice. Just a year ago he thought that staying in Konoha was wrong. Staying there would make him weak. Amazing how much changes in a year.

Sakura caught him up on all the news and gossip of Konoha. He listened and found himself actually enjoying himself. Again, how shocking. He, Sasuke Uchiha, was capable of enjoying himself. He still couldn't believe it. More surprising yet was that he actually allowed his mouth to curve just a little. It was small...okay it was very small, but it was still a smile. For him that was monumental. He didn't smile. Smirk, sure. Grin, yeah. But smile, never. His strength may not increase as quickly in Konoha as it would in the Sound Village, but maybe that wasn't as important. Maybe it was better to have a little happiness than quick strength.

His reception in Konoha was expected. Sasuke ignored the cold glares and wary glances. He chose not to hear the whispers that started even before he got out of earshot. Sakura and Kakashi flanked him on either side to show their support. To his surprise the other members of Rookie 9 fell into step behind them as they walked through the village. By the time they reached the Hokage's office, every member of Rookie 9 was standing around Sasuke to show that they supported his return. Each made a point of welcoming him back. Once that was done, Aya was introduced to everyone, who was more than happy to meet everyone. Everything fell silent when Shizune came out.

"Lady Tsunade is ready to see Sasuke now."

Sasuke stood and followed her into the Hokage's office. Rookie 9 began to pace. Aya sat and pulled out her sketch book. She wanted to get a sketch of everyone. She had an idea for a painting, but if she was going to use it she would need a sketch of all these people. It would also keep her occupied until the hokage was done with Sasuke. Keeping busy would keep her from worrying too much like the others were.

What felt like hours passed before Sasuke came back out. Everyone crowded him with question about what had happened. Sasuke ignored them as she searched the crowd until he saw the pink haired medic. When he answered the questions, he spoke directly to her. "She gave me a year of probation. I turned in all my weapons and I'm not allowed to go on any missions until the year is up. I was also required to give all her all the information I have on Orochimaru."

"Is that a problem?" Kakashi asked.

"No. I gave the information to her while I was in there."

"Do you know where he is?" Sakura asked him.

"Yes. I told her. She said that she's putting Shikamaru in charge of the mission to kill him." Sasuke glanced at the lazy ninja, "She wants to see you now."

"Oh, man. This is such a drag," Shikamaru grumbled as he walked into the hokage's office. Again everyone waited. They wanted to know who would be going on this mission and when. Shikamaru came out and looked at Sasuke, "First of all, you're coming on this one."

"I'm on probation."

"I know but Lady Tsunade agreed that you would be a big help since you know that area and the fighters. Orochimaru is too smart and powerful to risk not having your knowledge with us. You come along with the rest of Rookie 9 and several jonin." He turned to Temari and Aya, "I was told to ask if Suna would like to give assistance."

"Of course we would," Temari replied. "We owe Orochimaru a thing or two as well. I'll return to Suna right now and get a team. Gaara and Kankuro will probably come."

"That's great. Gaara is a powerful fighter and Kankuro is one of your best." Shikamaru considered for a moment then said, "We'll wait until you arrive with the team to begin planning."

Aya let out a sigh. She was going to spend several sleepless nights worrying about her friends now. Oh well. Nothing she could do about it now. She stayed in Konoha so that Temari could travel more quickly. Several days later Temari returned with Gaara, Kankuro, Baki, and several other sand shinobi. The plans were made and the group of fighters headed out. Aya said good bye to all her friends and decided she would spend the next several days painting…since she wouldn't be sleeping anyway. She would bee too worried to sleep. So she painted using her sketched as references and waited for her friends to return.

----------With Shikamaru and others----------

They were ready. Sasuke drew a very detailed map and showed everyone where Orochimaru and all of his shinobi would be for the night. Since Orochimaru didn't know that Sasuke had rejoined Konoha he would go in first and make sure that there wasn't anything unexpected inside. When the sound shinobi were asleep, he would open the gates for the leaf and sand shinobi. They would quietly overrun the village. The shinobi of Otogakure wouldn't know what hit them.

"Be careful, Sasuke-kun," Sakura pleaded. "I just got you back. I don't want to lose you again."

He reached up and she felt his fingers brush her cheek before he turned and left. She understood. That was an 'I'll be careful'. Sasuke rarely said what he felt. Instead his feelings and thoughts were in his actions not his words. She forced herself to relax and walk over to Shikamaru to wait for Sasuke to open the gates to Otogakure.

Sasuke walked into the gates of the sound village. Some of the shinobi greeted him but he ignored them. For reasons he couldn't explain, he hadn't gotten close to anyone here. At least, not like he had been with Naruto and Sakura. There were occasions when he had been friendly but more often than not he was cold and distant. Perhaps it was because he had known he wouldn't stay. Maybe some part of him knew that he would be returning to Konoha and the sound shinobi would become his enemies.

He wove his way through the streets until he reached Orochimaru's office. The snake spent most of his time in there planning his next attack on Konoha or working on some experiment. Orochimaru looked up when the Uchiha entered the room. Orochimaru had long oily black hair and yellow eyes that held something terrifying in their depths.

"Welcome back, Sasuke. I trust my other holdings are doing fine."

"Yes."

"Did you get rid of the restlessness?"

"Yes."

"Good. You're training will begin again in the morning then. Better rest up."

Sasuke turned and walked out. He had seen Kabuto in there as well, just where Sasuke expected him to be. After a brief check through the rest of the village he headed back to the gate. After a brief conversation with the current on duty guard, Sasuke took over the guard post. He waited yet another hour to ensure all was quiet before opening the gate. The Konoha and Suna teams walked in without making a sound. Sasuke shut the gate. Hinata and Ino were to watch the gate and make sure no one escaped. Gaara and Sasuke were partners for this particular mission. They're target was Orochimaru. They were also going to save him for last. The teams split up to get to work. Quietly as possible, so as not to set off any alarms, they incapacitated or killed the sound shinobi. Because they sacrificed time for quiet the process was painstakingly slow. After hours they took down all of the underlings that were asleep and more than half of the ones that were awake. They were finally ready to go after Orochimaru.

Sasuke and Gaara stayed together. There would be more shinobi inside the building the snake was in. Chances were they would be his strongest fighters. Gaara and Sasuke were to ignore them all. They're goal was Orochimaru. So they rushed through the building without pause. When a sound shinobi tried to get in their way, one of the other leaf or sand shinobi engaged them in battle. Kakashi took Kabuto personally. The copy ninja wanted to ensure that Orochimaru's right hand man didn't rush off to help his master.

By the time they reached Orochimaru's office, they were alone and he was ready for them. Orochimaru had heard the sounds of battle in the building and he used the warning to prepare. He smirked when he saw Gaara and Sasuke rush into the room.

"Well, if it isn't Sabaku no Gaara. I will get to test my skill against a jinchuriki." Those snake eyes moved to Sasuke. Orochimaru sneered, "So you sided with them after all Sasuke. And here I thought I could trust you."

Sasuke didn't bother replying. Orochimaru could never understand why he returned to Konoha. The village was Sasuke's home, so where else could he go? Sure he had come here but that was before he saw the error of his ways. That was before Sakura had pulled at him. That was before he had seen all of his friends were willing to forgive him even after all he had done to them. Konoha was where he belonged.

Gaara also didn't reply. Why bother? The snake wouldn't listen anyway. Gaara just took a fighting stance and prepared for an attack. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Sasuke do the same. The two shinobi waited a beat to be sure that they were both ready and then attacked. Orochimaru blocked with little effort. This didn't surprise either Gaara or Sasuke. The snake was a legendary sannin after all. Beating him wasn't supposed to be easy. Gaara and Sasuke didn't worry too much just yet. They were both powerful fighters themselves. Between the two of them they should be able to win even if it took all their strength to do it.

So they fought with all they had. Gaara put all he had into manipulating his sand as he tried to trap Orochimaru. Sasuke had his Sharingan activated and his brain was in overdrive trying to find an opening in Orochimaru's defenses. Both hoped that one of them would be able to gain some sort of advantage even if it was a small one. Nothing seemed to be working. Orochimaru started toying with them with his jutsus and words. The boys were aware of this and forced themselves not to get angry. Anger wouldn't help them. It would only make them careless. Controlling their anger just got more and more difficult with Orochimaru taunting them.

The fight seemed to last for hours before Orochimaru knocked them both down at once. The two boys glared at him as they tried to catch their breath. There had to be a way to win damn it. They just had to find it. Suddenly someone showed up and landed a punch on the side of Orochimaru's head. That one punch knocked him down and forced him to slide against the ground for several yards. Sasuke and Gaara looked at Sakura as she stood where Orochimaru had been.

She smiled at them, "It looked like you could use another hand."

The two boys nodded and stood up. They didn't like it but she was right. They needed help. The three of them turned to Orochimaru and all of them looked surprised. Orochimaru was already fighting with someone. The snakes opponent was none other than Naruto. The two jumped away from each other and Naruto looked over at his friends.

"Well, are you guys going to just stand there," demanded Naruto with his usual goofy grin. He didn't wait for response. Naruto attacked Orochimaru with all he had.

Once his three friends were over their shock they jumped into the fight. Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a glance then looked at Gaara. Gaara nodded and jumped away from the fight and watched. Team 7 fought together and their teamwork was flawless. After a few minutes, Gaara saw that Orochimaru was too focused on Team 7 to pay attention to what Gaara was doing. He focused his chakra and waited for the right opportunity.

Team 7 saw that Gaara was ready and knew it was their turn. They had the hardest part of the job. Getting Gaara that opportunity to kill Orochimaru. That wasn't going to be easy. Team 7 doubted that he could be maneuvered to where they wanted him easily. They would try anyway. Sasuke attacked Orochimaru on one side. Naruto from the other. Sakura took care of a third side. Orochimaru blocked their attacks easily as he backed away from the three pronged attack. It would take everything they had in order to win.

Orochimaru knew he would win. Why shouldn't he? He was stronger, faster, and more experienced that the three shinobi fighting him. He saw that they let their guard down briefly and attacked them all at once. Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura were sent flying. Orochimaru grinned. He had won. His arrogance is what got him killed. He had been so focused on Team 7 that he forgot about one other threat. The ground beneath him shifted and when Orochimaru looked down he saw the sand. He started to used a substitution jutsu but it was too late. The sand closed around him.

Gaara put every ounce of his chakra into moving the sand. It had to be done quickly or Orochimaru would escape. He wouldn't allow that. The snake would die now. With a few gestures the sand encased his enemy and squeezed. He felt and heard the crack of bone as Orochimaru was being crushed. The snake was fighting still but Gaara refused to give in. All he had to do was close his fist. Then it would be over. Easier said than done. Orochimaru was strong and whatever he was doing in there made it hard to crush him. Gaara felt himself running out of chakra and start to waver just a little. Suddenly he felt three people around him. Sasuke and Naruto kept Gaara from falling. Sakura grabbed his hand and, using her chakra to increase her strength, helped him close his fist. Gaara's vision went black.


That's it for now. Let me know what you thought of it.