Part II is now in motion.

king & lionheart

If only things had been different.

(for crazymel, janii, Anon and Hearts grow)

"No one can go back and make a new beginning, but we can start here and make our own end."

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Three years is a long time, Sasuke thought as he exited the shower. He wrapped a towel around his waist, using a smaller one to dry out his hair. The cold outside air blanketed over him causing his skin to turn into gooseflesh as the Uchiha walked toward his room, his mind racing over the events that would occur today.

It was May 12th, exactly 1,095 days (or, three years if you prefer) since he left the village of Konoha. Not long after that, Sakura had also left, albeit for personal reasons. Sasuke's reason was, of course, for more training. Itachi decided he was old enough to receive specialized training, opting to send his little brother to a small village very well-hidden between Kusa and Ame (and although they too were "hidden" villages, this one took the cake), cleverly named Wet Grass. There Sasuke met up with an old friend of Itachi's, teaching him advanced sword techniques and high-level jutsu that pertained specifically to his lightning-type nature.

For the first few weeks, the teen couldn't help the immense load of feelings weighing on him. There was the guilt and general uneasiness that had come with the departure of Sakura, and his general obliviousness to the entire situation, as well as some anger or resentment at being sent away. Am I not good enough? Does Itachi not want me around? he had sulked at the thought of being too much for his guardian to handle. Then there was a twinge of happiness, a small glimmer of delight at being somewhere where no one knew him, where he wouldn't get special treatment just because his name had "Uchiha" in it, where he would have to actually work hard to accomplish something. But on top of that, Sasuke was just homesick.

He missed his bed, the smell of burnt cinnamon that never left his house, and, Sasuke cringed at the thought, he actually missed Naruto. The guy was an idiot when it came to common sense, but he was a good friend (and an excellent sparring partner). The raven often found himself writing him a letter before being interrupted by his pride or his lessons. And thus, since he was always interrupted, the letters never actually got sent back home.

Today, though, would prove his unsent letters unnecessary. He was going home today, a four hour trip that was well worth it.

I wonder if anyone else has changed...

"Sasuke-kun, I can't believe you're leaving! Oh, it just breaks my heart to see such a fine young man like you go!" the old woman, Isane, wiped away the tears trailing down her wrinkled face. "I do hope my grandson wasn't too harsh on you!" She was referring to Sasuke's teacher, Naoki.

"No not at all," Sasuke replied, giving the old woman a hug. "Take care of yourself, Obaa-san." he turned to leave, before Isane once more stopped him and pressed something into his large hand. It was a roll of bills and some herbs in a translucent cloth bag.

"For you, dear."

"This is too much. I can't take this, really." he tried to return the bag, but she curled his fingers around it.

"You have done all of us a great service, Sasuke-kun. Wet Grass is a lonely place, but having you around brought us some joy. There is no price on happiness."

Knowing that he was not going to leave this village without that bag, Sasuke sighed. "Thank you." Isane-obaachan could be really stubborn at times.

"Sasuke-kun!"

The dark-haired teen turned, seeing a girl his age bound towards him, brown hair flying behind her. "Kanna."

The girl wrapped her arms around his waist. "I wish you weren't leaving," she whispered. "I'm gonna miss ya, Sasuke-kun."

"I'm sure we'll meet again," he assured. The two had grown close and, although Kanna had developed romantic feelings for him, Sasuke only saw her in a sisterly way. However, Sasuke was sure that sisterly way didn't translate the same to Kanna at times. "I won't be dying anytime soon."

Kanna's blue eyes lit up and her face broke into a large smile. "Okay. You better come back and visit then."

She kissed his cheek.

Sasuke watched her leave, a faint blush creeping into his cheeks. He touched the spot, lips curving into a small smile. "Bye, Kanna."

"Dumbass, I don't have all day! Hurry up or Itachi'll have my hide added to his collection!" The tall, muscular Naoki laughed, pointing to the cart they were to leave in.

This time, leaving for real, Sasuke shouldered his pack and sidling up next to Naoki. He didn't dare look back to the family that fostered him for these three years, afraid that there would be another delay.

"About time."

"Shut up, Yamada."

The two nin stayed silent for the rest of the trip.

Just a filler chap. Sorry it's kind of lame. From here on out things are prolly gonna be in chronological order, so there are no confusing jumps :) Also, if you guys would be so kind, feel free to leave some kind of suggestion in terms of Sasuke actually coming home! What I mean by that is what kind of changes should some of the characters go through? Should Sakura come back, or live up to her status as the Sasuke in this story? I would really like to know :)

Thanks you guys so much for reading and reviewing the last chap, they made me so happy!

Please review!