All the words I said and all you forgive

How could I hurt you again?

He knew it was time to come back. He had been gone for far too long and accomplished all that he needed to do. His brother was dead, and although regret had filled him to the very core he knew that he had to keep living his life just as Itachi wanted. There was still a threat out there, but he wouldn't spend the rest of his time trying to destroy the threat. He realized now that he wouldn't be able to do it alone anyway, and as much as he hated it, he was only returning to the Leaf Village for one reason.

The one that beat the sense into him was walking by his side, grinning like the idiot he always was. Naruto always had a way of getting to people, even if they were the most evil people on the planet. Everyone use to doubt him, but now everyone respects and praises him not only because of his faithfulness to friends, but his loyalty to the village. Sasuke still couldn't believe he was the village's hero after the attack from Pein. Actually, Sasuke was surprised that Naruto was getting such high respect after only three years, and two of those years he was away training.

Naruto glanced at his rival next to him, still in disbelief he finally managed to bring him home. He finally got to him after all, even though he seemed like a lost cause. Naruto didn't know how the village would feel about him returning, but they would figure that out once they got there. However, there was one person that Naruto wanted so badly to keep from Sasuke, but he knew Sasuke would ask eventually and he was not looking forward to it.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Naruto and Sasuke disappeared and reappeared into the Hokage's office. Tsunade looked up and glared at the Uchiha, not giving him any sympathy even though he willingly returned.

"I won't make this easy for you Sasuke," she began. "You were a missing ninja that joined one of the most dangerous men in the ninja world. You've done terrible things, and you expect me to just let you back in?"

"I accept any punishment you give me Lady Hokage," Sasuke said with confidence. "I know everything I've done is unforgiveable, which is why I know I need to be punished. My brother is dead, which is the punishment I will have to deal with for the rest of my life. Anything you do to me will not be worse than that."

She narrowed her eyes at his response. She knew he must've been tormented after killing the only other survivor of the clan, especially since it led him to come back to the village with Naruto. She wondered if he discovered the truth about the massacre, but she pushed that to the back of her mind and focused on the problem at hand.

"What are your motives for coming back?" she finally said.

He sighed, swallowing his pride for once. "I know there are more things that I feel I should take care of, but I decided to come back to the village instead because I know I wouldn't be able to follow through with these tasks alone. There will be a war coming soon, and I was supposed to be used as a pawn in it but I refuse. I came back to warn all of you and help in any way I can. And also," he paused for a moment, debating if he should mention the next reason. "I came back for someone."

Tsunade wanted to smirk, but she held that in and glanced at Naruto. He had a nervous look in his eyes, so she figured he hasn't told Sasuke what's actually going on with the person he came back for.

"All right. You aren't allowed to leave the village until I tell you so, which means no missions. You will tell us everything you know about this war that you speak of. You are not trusted, so every time you leave your house you will have an escort with you."

She stood up, doing hand signs in the process. When she was right in front of Sasuke, she tapped his forehead and he suddenly felt dizzy.

"I disabled your chakra. Until you prove yourself, you won't be able to use it at all. You're free to go."

He wanted to glare, to yell, but he swallowed the profanities that came to mind and left the room with Naruto. Once out of Hokage Tower, he sighed. He couldn't believe his chakra had been locked, but he did say that he would accept any punishment she threw at him. Next time he should just keep his mouth shut.

"Think of it this way," Naruto said grinning. "You were supposed to be executed but she saved your sorry ass from dying."

"In all honesty I expected that," Sasuke said sadly. "I would've been with my family again."

Naruto froze, not expecting Sasuke of all people to talk like that. Sasuke was an ass, proud, determined, so never in his life would Naruto think that Sasuke would accept death as simply as that.

"Anyway," Sasuke started again. "Where's Mari? I thought she would've been with you bringing me back."

"Well…uh…"

"Naruto!"

Naruto inwardly cringed hearing her voice. Of course he was happy to see her, but he wasn't ready for Sasuke to see her like this.

Mari came cartwheeling up to Naruto, giggling the whole time. Once she landed in front of him she nearly tackled him into a hug. Sasuke stared at her in shock. She was so much older now, much more mature. She let Naruto go and laughed at his embarrassed looking face. Her golden eyes were still as beautiful as Sasuke remembered. She shook her head as Naruto patted it in child-like affection, her long green hair tied up in a braided pony tail.

"Naruto," she finally said, noticing Sasuke. "Aren't you gonna introduce me to your friend?"

Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed. "What are you-"

"Oh right! Mari this is Sasuke, remember the one we've all been trying to bring back? Sasuke, this is Mari." Naruto stared at Sasuke, eyes pleading for him to just go along with it.

Sasuke nodded. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to finally meet you! Well I gotta go now. I'll see you guys later," she said back flipping away from them. Sasuke stared after her in wonder and confusion. Why was she acting that way?

"I wish you didn't have to find out like this," Naruto spoke up. "I was trying to figure out a way to tell you."

"What the hell are you talking about? Why doesn't Mari remember me?"

"Don't take it personally. She doesn't remember any of us."

"Naruto," Sasuke said practically growling. "What happened to her?"

"The fight, Sasuke!" Naruto yelled in anger. "That stupid fight we had before you left! When she was hit and you didn't stay, I took her back to the village so she wouldn't die. When she woke up, she had no memory. None. The only reason we're even friends is because we all stayed with her even though she considered us total strangers. She has no idea who you are Sasuke."

Sasuke didn't know how to respond. He just stared at the blonde's face, looking for some trace of a lie. Deep down, he knew Naruto would never lie to him, but he wished that for once, just this one time, that he was.

Too bad he was wrong.