"No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people.

Oftentimes, we have no clue. Yet we push it just the same."

—Jay Asher, Thirteen Reason Why

Chapter 4

Reunion

He awoke to darkness.

Panic surged through him.

Sasuke couldn't see anything. Did Tsunade's seal blind him? Was that one of the after effects that she just failed to list. He sprung upright on the sofa and darted his eyes across the room. The faint outline of a table and chairs slowly became visible. He looked towards the window and noticed the sun had yet to risen. It was still dark out.

He wasn't blind. His eyes just hadn't adjusted to the darkness yet. He let out a frustrated sigh at his haste.

Sasuke strenuously lifted his aching back from the couch, cursing the choice he made to sleep on it, and made his way to his actual room; it wasn't anything spectacular: only a bed, dresser, and a small nightstand. He proceeded to strip his clothing and walk to the bathroom to wash.

After he showered and changed, he rummaged through the cabinets to see what type of food he needed to buy. The cabinets had only a couple of bowls and a few glass cups, and his stomach did not approve, releasing a low rumble of hunger.

He needed to go to the store, and luckily Tsunade provided him with enough money to allow to him to buy food for a month.

With a plan for the day, Sasuke stepped out of his apartment with the intent to explore the village to see if he could find a local grocery store. The sun was now barely past the horizon, bathing the village in its orange hue. He couldn't really notice it yesterday night, but now he realized that his apartment sat atop a small hill which gave a good vantage point of a small portion of Konoha.

He looked to the streets below. Not many people were walking around this early in the morning. Only a few, no doubt those who had jobs that required early arrival or ninja who had missions to which they needed to attend. Sasuke would dare to even say he enjoyed waking early to an atmosphere like this: calm, relaxed. Plus, there was always fewer people. It's not that he hated being near places that were crowded but if he could avoid them, he would.

He descended the steps to the street and started in a random direction, watching people as they passed. Most he did not recognized but few older folk whose appearance had not changed much he could slightly recall. How strange it must be to see the person who vowed to destroy the village casually walk the streets with them.

The hushed whispers and curious glances were nothing new either. It was a continuous thing even before his departure from Konoha. Anytime anyone saw the last Uchiha, the one who survived, walk down the streets there were always comments.

"Poor child."

"I can't believe his brother did that."

"Itachi couldn't kill a squirt like him?" He even recalled someone asking with morbid awe and amusement.

He missed Itachi.

There was no doubt about it. Every time he thought of how he killed his older brother made his heart clench and stomach turn. He often imagined how it would have been if Itachi didn't go through with his mission, if he didn't need to, if the Uchiha hadn't have been planing a coup. He would imagine what it would be like if Itachi, and his mother and father were still alive. He would imagine what they would say if they were to have seen him graduate from the academy or take the Chunin Exams, or considering he still left the village, how they would react when they figured out the their Sasuke had ran away to Orochimaru.

But he knew thinking like this didn't help. What was done was done.

His parents weren't alive.

His brother wasn't alive.

They were all dead.

And he missed them.

"No matter what you become, I will always love you." Those were Itachi's final words to him following the defeat of Kabuto. He's replayed that scene in his head in the past years countless times.

He slowly came to a stop and observed his surroundings. He was certainly not near any store. It seemed in his reverie he unconsciously trekked to the training grounds that he was most familiar with, where he became an official ninja.

His stomach grumbled louder this time.

Kakashi caught it out of the glimpse of his open eye, peered slightly above his book.

From what he could tell, the newly freed Uchiha appeared to be lost in his thoughts walking down the streets, subconsciously avoiding people as they came. Kakashi deposited his book back in his pouch and followed him at a distance. He couldn't help it. He was curious as to where Sasuke was going. At first his destination seemed unclear but he soon realized that he was headed in the direction of the Third Training Ground.

This was confirmed when the Uchiha stepped past the treeline and made his way to the edge of the pond. He stood behind a tree just before the clearing and watched the Sasuke as he realized where he had just ended up. He seemed to intently observe his surroundings.

"Kakashi," he called out. "How long have you been following me?" It was no surprise to him that Sasuke was able to figure out that there was someone hiding and observing his movements—years of being a ninja, he supposed. Kakashi appeared from his spot behind the tree and gave Sasuke a nonchalant wave.

"A while," he answered making his way to the dark-haired man.

Sasuke looked at him. "What do you want?"

"As cheerful as ever, I see." Sasuke remained impassive at the comment. "Needed to see it with my own eyes. The last Uchiha willfully coming back to Konoha? What's that about?" Kakashi asked stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Why does it matter? I'm here aren't I?" Sasuke voiced. "Besides, I've already been interrogated by Ibiki, don't need you to do it as well." There was a pause between them, then Kakashi spoke.

"It was Itachi, wasn't it?" He wondered, his face solemn. He knew Sasuke loved his brother, and regretted killing him. "What I have is not a dream, because I will make it a reality. I'm going to restore my clan, and kill a certain someone" were Sasuke's words when he was twelve. He had told Sasuke that revenge was not the path he should go down, but he didn't listen. He couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

Sasuke didn't answer. He didn't need to. Kakashi knew the answer without his response.

"Graduated from the academy at age seven, mastered the Sharingan at eight, passed the Chunin Exams at age ten," Kakashi stated in wonder. Years of studying and researching the files of Sasuke's older brother led him to these facts and more. Granted, he knew most of them already, however. Even though Itachi defected from the village, years prior to that incident he was all anyone could ever talk about. "He certainly was incredible, Sasuke."

"Don't talk about Itachi like you knew him, Kakashi," he snapped.

"I never claimed I did, Sasuke."

Sasuke scowled at him. "Then drop it."

Kakashi chuckled. "Itachi would be proud of you, Sasuke. He would be glad you returned." Sasuke didn't respond at this. He simply gazed back out to the pond. Where would things have been if Sasuke had not left those years ago. Kakashi had sometimes wondered this. I would have helped you get stronger, he thought.

"Tsunade told me that she temporarily sealed your Sharingan." Kakashi stated to the Uchiha.

"She calls it insurance. I don't disagree with her actions," Sasuke replied showing little emotion. That shocked him—how much Sasuke had matured. How he truly wanted to return, even if only for his brother. Sasuke accepted his punishment and even agreed with how Tsunade went about it. And, how willingly he would give up the Uchiha trademark to make amends surprised Kakashi.

"For how long?"

"Until spring."

"And you're okay with that?" Kakashi said more to himself than to Sasuke. He didn't hear the Uchiha respond only the sound of the his stomach growling. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, which earned him a scowl from Sasuke.

"Did you plan on training without having eaten anything?"

"It wasn't my intention to end up in this place."

"Let me treat you to breakfast, then."

There was a silence between them.

"Really?" Sasuke questioned, incredulously. Kakashi nodded and motioned to the direction of the village.

In a couple of minutes Sasuke found himself sitting down at Ichiraku's with—as Naruto used to call him—the "old man" staring at him in a mix of joy, shock, and disappointment.

"Sasuke Uchiha? Is that really you?" Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku's sputtered.

Sasuke responded with a simple nod. The shop owner had not changed much, since Sasuke was last here, although the lines of old age appeared more defined on his face. He had started to develop gray hairs on his head and his movements were slower than what Sasuke remembered. This he noted from how the man shuffled through his small shop. Teuchi gave Sasuke a genuine smile.

"I'm glad you're back son. Ayame and I missed you." With that he took their order and went to cook the food.

It was an interesting thought. One that he struggled with often, the thought of people actually caring about him. People who actually missed him. He had yet to speak with Naruto since his arrival, but he wondered how the blond would react if they saw each other.

"Don't be so surprised, Sasuke." Kakashi looked over to him. "There are people who actually missed you."

He remained silent. Minutes passed before their food was delivered and after Sasuke pulled apart his chopsticks, Kakashi made a final comment. "Glad your back, Sasuke."

No words formed in Sasuke's mouth to respond.

The two of them finished their food in silence. Remembering he still needed to go to a grocery store, Sasuke nodded a thanks at his former teacher and left.

"The village gates are in the opposite direction, Naruto," Shikamaru said staring at the back of the blond as they walked.

Naruto huffed loudly. "You said that already, Shikamaru. I heard you the first time. We have an hour before we need to leave, so its plenty of time to tell Sakura that we're about leave for a mission."

"You did tell us kind of late last night, Shika," Choji added with a grin.

Shikamaru couldn't argue. He was going to tell them immediately after he left the Hokage's office, but coincidentally he ran into his mother who just so happened to have been headed to the grocery store, and was unwillfully dragged into helping her shop. By the time he helped his mom carry her things back to her house, it was already night out.

Shikamaru conceded defeat. "Fine, but make it quick, please. This mission is important."

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto said. "'Naruto, I need your help with this S-ranked mission.'" he quoted in his best Shikamaru voice. "Ugh! I thought we were going to be facing some amazing ninja outlaw, or something like that, not deliver some stupid message."

"I told you that it was going to be a delivery message almost immediately afterwards."

"You should be happy, Naruto," Choji insisted. "Not many people get to go inside the walls of Otogakure."

"We still might not be let in." Naruto said still walking to Sakura's apartment.

"While ideally we want to hand deliver the message to Kazuhira, he needs only to receive it." Shikamaru replied. "We don't need to be granted access to Oto, we can just hand it over to the guards."

Shikamaru heard Naruto mutter a few curses under his breath, but didn't say anything afterwards. After another five minutes, they found themselves standing outside of Sakura's door. He watched Naruto knock on Sakura's door and wait all but five seconds before knocking again, and again, and again, and again...

"Sakura!" Naruto shouted in his hands as they were cupped on the door.

"Dammit, Naruto! Keep it down," Shikamaru hissed, frustrated. A moment passed before he heard shuffling on the opposite side of the door. It was furiously yanked open to revealed an irritated Sakura.

"Jeez, Naruto, why are you so loud?" Sakura demanded irritation prevalent in her voice.

"Just wanted to tell you that I'll be gone for a while due to a mission," Naruto explained, a cheeky grin plastered on his face from seeing his pink haired friend. "Delivering some message to Otogakure."

"A message?" Sakura couldn't help but wondering aloud.

"A request for an alliance," Shikamaru calmly added.

"An alliance with Oto? Really?" Sakura's visibly straightened, her curiousity piquing. "When are you guys leaving?"

"In thirty minutes, or so. Whenever we're done here," Shikamaru answered simply.

"Well you're free to come in, if you want."

"Really? Sweet!" Naruto shouted.

"Keep your voice down, idiot!" Sakura exclaimed, hitting him in the head.

"I tried to tell him," Shikamaru said walking into Sakura's apartment. Choji followed, with Naruto behind him rubbing the spot where Sakura had just hit him.

The three of them sat down on the couch. Sakura came over and plopped down in the armchair near them. "What's the rank of the mission?"

"S-ranked," replied from Shikamaru.

"An unworthy ranking if you ask me," Naruto immediately argued.

"It's an important mission, Naruto," Choji responded.

"Bah," was his answer.

"I agree with Choji," Sakura replied. "This could determine the outcome of a future relationship with Oto. It probably deserves the S-rank. Not so much as dangerous, but more along the lines of importance. Some of the S-ranks I've been on were ranked so high simply because of how important they were to village."

Shikamaru couldn't help but notice Naruto's facial features slightly falter at that small comment about the missions assigned to her. When Sakura had first joined the ANBU, Naruto fought with her tooth and nail to get her to quit. But she refused, saying that was where she belonged. Additionally, Ino had told him that at first whenever Sakura was away on an ANBU assignment, she could barely sleep constantly worrying about if Sakura would come back alive. She eventually accepted that Sakura wasn't going to change her mind regarding the ANBU.

For Shikamaru, he loved Sakura like a sister, and didn't want to see her severely injured, or worst, dead. But, he also knew that she would be able to handle almost anything thrown her way. After, the Fourth Shinobi War, and subsequently, Sasuke's departure again, she trained furiously and made a name for herself inside and outside of Konoha as one of the strongest shinobi. Shikamaru knew that both mentally and physically she could handle the ANBU.

He knew that Sakura was not ignorant of how cruel life could be.

Shikamaru moved his focus to the girl in his thoughts. Sakura sat there chatting idly with Naruto and Choji wearing a small smile that he had gotten use to.

It was fake—and she probably learned it from Sai. There was a time when she had more genuine smiles than fake ones. But the world weathered her down.

"I think it's time we leave," stated Shikamaru.

"Ahhh, c'mon Shikamaru we still have a couple of minutes," Naruto complained in protest. Shikamaru ignored him and made his way to the door. "Let's go, Naruto, Choji, I don't want Tsunade getting on me about this."

"Argh! Fine," Naruto huffed as he got off the couch. "I'll talk to you when I get back, Sakura."

She nodded. "Stay safe you, three."

"You bet!" Naruto replied. Shikamaru watched as Naruto pulled the door open, beckoning them to follow. He saw Naruto freeze in his movements as he stared in front of him. He couldn't see what Naruto was looking at due to the wall obstructing his view, though, so he followed Naruto out the door with Choji and Sakura shuffling beside him.

"What's the problem, Naru—" Sakura started. Her surprise was warranted. Even he couldn't stop the falter in his step. Standing before them, with bags full of produce of different kinds in his hands was Sasuke Uchiha looking impassively at them.

In a second, a flurry of orange passed Shikamaru and then Naruto had Sasuke by the collar, his bags dropping to the ground. Naruto didn't say anything as he glared at him. "Sasuke..." He finally growled between clenched teeth.

Shikamaru noticed Naruto's other hand clenched into a fist, and he was sure that there would be a fight between them soon. "Naruto!" He shouted, trying to get the attention of the enraged blond. "We have some place to be."

Naruto kept his gaze on Sasuke for a few moments, and Shikamaru could guess an entire conversation was being silently spoken between the two men. He finally released his hold on the Uchiha. and brushed passed him purposely bumping into his shoulder. Shikamaru's eyes ventured over to Sakura who after her initial shock seemed to observe the scene before her.

"We should go Shikamaru," Choji said following Naruto.

He nodded in response and followed Choji. He stopped when he came next to Sasuke. Shikamaru reached down and picked up one of the bags that fell from the Uchiha's grasp and handed it out to him. Sasuke took it. "Welcome back, Sasuke." Shikamaru said simply and caught up to Choji.

Why was he here?

Sakura watched the raven haired man pick up his bags that were forced to the ground by Naruto. To be honest, she thought their confrontation whenever it would have happened would have been a lot more...explosive.

"What do you need, Sasuke?" She asked wondering his intentions.

"I need nothing from you, Sakura," came his baritone reply.

She scowled. "Then why are you here?" The Uchiha gave no reply. He simply walked past her, ignoring the question. He stopped at the door adjacent to hers and sat his bags down to fish for something in his pouch.

Was Sasuke visiting someone? Is that why he was here? But, there was no one in the apartment next to her, it's been empty ever since she moved in. Everything seemed to click in her brain when he finally found what he was looking for, a key.

Sasuke was living next to her.

He was her neighbor.

Sasuke didn't seem the least bit fazed by it as he opened the door and stepped in to his apartment, shutting it behind him.

Why had he moved in beside her? She was content in ignoring the Uchiha as long she could before having to talk to him, which would have inevitably happened. Surely he didn't know where she lived beforehand, or maybe he asked Tsunade. If so, then why?

She scowled again.

She thought about pounding on the door and demanding an answer from him but she knew he probably wouldn't come to the door and nor would she embarrass herself like that.

So instead she walked back into her own home.

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Next chapter Shikamaru, Naruto, and Choji will be off to Oto. Also, I believe that I'll be sticking with Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, and Shikamaru as the primary POVs I'll be writing from. It might change as the story progresses, but right now, I think it's fine with just them.

Let me know if you enjoyed it or not. A review would be much appreciated.