Thanks to DarkAlliGator for being my first ever reviewer!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

"Stop!" the ninja by the gate said, standing in Sasuke's way. "State your name and business." Sasuke looked at him.

"Sasuke Uchiha. I've come back." The shinobi grinned.

"I recognised you, Sasuke. It's your companions I don't know," he said.

"Karin, Juugo and Suigetsu. They're accompanying me," Sasuke responded. The ninja nodded.

"The Hokage will need to be informed of your return," the gatekeeper said. "Please wait here while someone tells him." Sasuke shrugged nonchalantly and waited.

"Naruto and the other shinobi your age are out on a mission," the Leaf ninja said. Sasuke acknowledged the comment with a nod but said nothing.

"Sasuke..." Juugo said, but was stopped by a shake of the raven's head. The last surviving Uchiha was staring at the streets of Konoha, lost in nostalgia. For the first time, Team Taka saw a chink in Sasuke's emotionless armour. There was an unconcealed look of longing as he watched some young children playing in the street.

"Sasuke-kun?" Karin asked, but her inquiry fell on deaf ears.

There was some footsteps and Team Taka inspected the Hokage. He was old, with half his face bandaged; his visible eye was closed.

"Sasuke," he said. "It's good that you're back. I am Danzo, the 6th Hokage. Come with me." Uneasily, Sasuke and his platoon followed the old man.

"He's creepy," Suigetsu muttered to Sasuke, who nodded. When they reached the Hokage's office the escorting ninja left, leaving them alone with the Hokage. As soon as they entered, eight ANBU Black Ops seized Team Taka. Immediately, Sasuke activated his Sharingan.

"What is this, old man?" he challenged.

"You did me a great favour, killing Itachi, Sasuke. You see, he was the only reason that I didn't order your assassination after he failed to kill you," Danzo explained. "The Uchiha's have always been a war crazed clan and I hated them." Sasuke glared at him.

"So what are you going to do?" he asked coolly. Danzo grinned evilly.

"Spite your brother," he said. "ANBU, you know what to do." The eight shinobi nodded and dragged Team Taka out the door.

"There's no use in struggling," one of them told Suigetsu. He sighed and gave up. Looking around, he saw Juugo trying to keep his temper under control. Karin's cheeks were wet with tears and she was watching Sasuke. Sasuke walked calmly, Sharingan deactivated, watching the young children play. As they passed the Academy they saw some twelve year olds practising Taijustu. One of them stopped and ran over to Sasuke. He was missing a tooth, Suigetsu noticed.

"Sasuke! You're back!" he said. "Now Boss'll be happy!" Sasuke smirked.

"Naruto's still boss, is he?" The boy nodded.

"Konohamaru!" a chuunin with a scar across his nose shouted. Training - NOW!" Konohamaru huffed and walked back to the playground.

"Iruka," Sasuke acknowledged. Iruka smiled at him.

"It's been a long time since you were my student at the academy, hasn't it?" he said. Sasuke nodded. As he watched Konohamaru and his classmates training, his eyes showed vunerability.

"What's wrong Sasuke?" Iruka asked. Sasuke shook his head. Iruka walked over and put his hands on the teenager's shoulders. "Tell me."

"Everyone's so happy. I didn't have the friendship they had," he whispered quietly. Iruka looked solemn.

"Perhaps, but you and Naruto were close friends for a while - remember?" Sasuke nodded. "Don't worry, the Rookie Nine haven't given up on you yet," Iruka assured him. "Now, I ought to get back to my class! I swear, they're worse than you lot were!" That got a chuckle out of Sasuke.

"Are you sure that's possible? We had Naruto and Kiba!" Iruka laughed.

"Probably not; see you around," he said, walking back to the class. The ANBU dragged Team Taka away from the academy.

"Who was that, Sasuke-kun? He made you laugh!" Karin asked. Sasuke looked at her.

"Iruka Umino. He was my sensei at the academy."

"What about the brat?" Suigetsu asked.

"Konohamaru Sarutobi, the Grandson of the Third Hokage."

"Why did you open up to Iruka?" Suigetsu asked.

"Enough with the questions!" Sasuke snapped.

Thanks for reading!

Tsari