Chapter 2:

After sending word of his return to the Hokage, Sasuke had been informed that his appointment would be on Thursday at noon. In the three days leading up to that, he whiled away his time roaming around the Uchiha's lavish grounds and dictating how to decorate his spacious home. At night, when he couldn't sleep, the man would train in more secluded areas of his land. On Wednesday night, Sasuke threw shuriken at the trees around him as his cool down activity. Though he was physically exhausted, his mind was still going at full speed. He was being plagued with thoughts of his brother, his best friend, his parents, his old sensei, and a pair of green eyes that would look at him as though he was the reason for the sun.

Sasuke did not want to see his old team yet. Before that, he needed to get a grip on his own reality. Sasuke did not know entirely what he wanted out of life. He wanted to serve the village he had grown up in. He wanted to restore his clan. In order to do that, he'd need to find a wife. He did not, however, want someone high-maintenance. He needed to find someone dutiful and quiet, who would produce heirs to the Uchiha clan and leave him be otherwise. To do that, he would have to put himself back into society. He would need to meet many women before he chose which one he wanted to marry. He sighed at the thought of that.

After throwing his last shuriken, the Uchiha went back inside to his suite. After returning home, he had chosen to move into the master bedroom. It had not been inhabited since his parent's untimely death, and he refused to change anything about it, save for a new bed and a few small updates. Overall, however, it remained the same. Pale gold wallpaper lined the walls from the deep oak crown molding down to the hardwood floor. A large gold and red rug lay in front of the beautiful fireplace that had the Uchiha emblem carved into it above the mantel. In the middle of the room was an incredibly large four-poster bed with crimson curtains. On the new mattress lay beautiful crimson and black patterned quilts and pillows. The sheets felt like silk to Sasuke's fingertips. In front of the bed was a small red settee. There were two large windows facing the bed framed with elegant red curtains that went from the ceiling to the floor, giving the viewer a beautiful vision of the Uchiha's garden.

Connected to the bedroom was a bathroom featuring the same golden wallpaper. In there was a sink, a clawfoot tub, and an armoir filled with towels and lavish soaps. On either side of the fireplace was a different dressing room containing armoires and closets. Sasuke only used the one his father had. In fact, he had stepped foot mother's dressing room for the first time since she had died on Monday. As a boy, he remembered spending time with his mother in there before bed. She would brush her hair and talk with him about his day, laughing and smiling at her beloved son.

Avoiding the dressing rooms, Sasuke went straight for the bathroom. Peeling off his sweaty shirt and pants, the man poured warm water into his bathtub. While normally he would have his bath prepared for him, all of his staff was asleep. Stepping into the hot water, the handsome man felt his muscles relax. He was a man who didn't like much, but he certainly loved the feeling of hot water relaxing tense muscles after a long day. Sasuke cleaned himself, washing away the dirt and sweat from his training. After feeling clean enough, the man got up and dried himself. Lazily wrapping the fluffy towel around his waist, the man moved to his dressing room, stopping only to throw a long on his fire. After throwing on an old pair of breeches he found at the bottom of his armoir, Sasuke climbed into his bed, laying with his hands behind his head.

His wall clock told him it was just after midnight. He had his meeting with Tsunade in twelve hours. After that meeting, there would be no more secrecy. After the meeting, he would begin taking missions again. In between the missions, he would learn what he could about his family, and maybe find a wife. Sasuke did not know if he would be placed on a team or not. He knew that he had been replaced on Team Seven. There was no hope of being reunited, which was probably for the better. Who knew what would happen if Naruto and Sasuke were forced to be on the same team. In addition, if Sasuke spent too much time around Sakura, he suspected that it would only distract him. He also didn't take well to being told what to do, which meant Kakashi would have a very difficult time trying to order him around.

Sasuke thought back to his team and how they had been at the age of twelve. He could picture Kakashi smiling under his ridiculous mask, while reading one of his ridiculous novels. Naruto would inevitably be yelling about something ridiculous, playing with a toy or eating a snack, while trying to impress Sakura and outdo Sasuke. Sakura would giggle at Naruto and blush at Sasuke. When they had first become a team, he remembered how she would cling on his arm when she was scared. Then, as time went by and they began doing more dangerous missions, her beautiful pink hair had been cut off, and she had fought back instead of hiding. It showed how much she had grown. Now, she had blossomed into a stunning young woman. From what Sasuke had seen, her hair was long enough to put into an elaborate updo, and her body had become a delicate hourglass. Her dress at the theatre had been a sinfully appealing color of crimson that hugged every curve. Sasuke pushed those thoughts away again. He was a gentleman, after all, and would not do the girl he grew up with the injustice of thoughts that only can from a place of desperation.

No, it would definitely not do for them to be on the same team again.

Uzumaki Naruto awoke in his lonely room to the warm sunlight streaming in. After attending a party thrown by the Yamanaka family the night before, he was exhausted. Looking at the clock on the wall, the blonde haired man groaned. It was 12:45 in the afternoon, and he only had forty-five minutes to meet Sakura and Kakashi in the Hokage's office. They were being debriefed on a reconnaissance mission they would be doing at an upcoming ball in the heart of Konoha. Unfortunately for Naruto, he would have to wear his civilian clothing rather than his ninja gear at this meeting.

Jumping out of his soft bed, Naruto hurriedly dressed and freshened up. Knowing how Sakura would chastise him if even a hair was out of place, Naruto could not be too quick getting ready. He dressed in a high-collared gold and orange patterned vest and light brown pants. He tied on a gold cravat, and threw his deep brown coat on over the ensemble. After smoothing his hair back, he gave his appearance a quick nod. He stepped out of his room and into the entrance hall. His butler brought him his hat, coat and gloves, and the jinchuriki glanced at the grandfather clock in the hall. It was 1:15 p.m. when he was done. "Dammit!" he cursed. Nearly running out the door, the man ran to the stables, where his horse, Gama, was already saddled up. Jumping on the horse, the man rode like lightening to the Hokage's office. The civilians in the streets watched in shock as he ran by. Some laughed and shook their heads at the charming goofball, while others yelled confrontationally. Throwing a smile over his shoulder, the jinchuriki pushed Gama to run faster.

He could see the gates of the Palace in his sights. As he passed through and the palace became closer and closer, he could see Kakashi helping Sakura out of her carriage. Naruto stopped right in front of them, looking cheerful and chipper as ever.

Sakura scowled at him. "Did you wake up late again, Naruto?" She walked up to him and adjusted his cravat. The pretty girl was wearing a beautiful bottle green dress made of a thick wool that matched her eyes under her gray cloak. The high neck of the dress was held in place by a lovely cream bow. She had on black gloves and a winter bonnet that matched her dress. "You look like an absolute mess. I will not have you look like that in front of my teacher, especially because she is the fifth hokage."

"Ah, sorry, Sakura-chan," Naruto fixed his own hat. Kakashi rolled his eyes and Sai just smiled serenely.

Kakashi wore a deep blue suit jacket and black pants under his winter coat, a military green striped cravat tied around his throat. His usual black mask graced his face, but you could still see his uncovered eye smiling. "You must wake up at a decent hour, Naruto. The Hokage never sleeps in late." Naruto looked ashamed at that, knowing he would have to become more responsible in order to fulfill his dream of becoming Hokage.

Sai chuckled at Naruto's face. He was clad in a pewter gray suit and plaid coat. He had a dark purple cravat around his neck, and a tall top hat on his head. "We should go. Tsunade does not have a patient temper, and doesn't like to be kept waiting." Leading the way, Sai walked up the palace steps, the other following closely behind. After handing off their coats to a maid, they were greeted by Shizune, Tsunade's lady-in-waiting. She seemed very tense.

"Good afternoon, Shizune-sama!" Sakura greeted her cheerfully with a curtsey. The men greeted and bowed to her.

"Good afternoon, everyone," she replied nervously. "Please, I want to prepare you all for your meeting. You may not be entirely expecting what you see."

"What do you mean, Shizune?" Kakashi asked, his eyes brow raised quizzically.

"I'm not at liberty to tell you. You'll find out soon enough." She half-smiled. "Come with me to Tsunade-sama's office."

Curious about why Shizune was acting that way, they followed closely and quickly. Coming nearer to the office, Sakura began to hear loud voices. It seemed as though Tsunade was arguing with a man who's voice was rich and deep. Suddenly she felt a shiver go down her spine. For some reason, the Kunoichi was nervous. Shizune stopped right outside the door and knocked. The voices ceased immediately.

"Come in," Sakura heard her teacher call in after a deep sigh. Shizune opened the door and went in, followed by Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Sai pulling up the rear.

Sakura stopped dead in her tracks as Naruto did. Looking around him to see why he had stopped, her jaw almost dropped. She felt her breath leave her body and her heart began to pound. There was no mistaking who Tsunade had been arguing with moments before.

A tall, muscular form sat languidly in an elegant chair. His inky, spiky hair fell around his chiseled, handsome face. His charcoal eyes looked at them arrogantly. His handsome mouth was pulled into a small smirk, as if he enjoyed their reactions. Clad in dark charcoals and blacks, he radiated attitude and pride.

"Teme," Sakura heard Naruto say to him, teeth clenched.

Sakura had never seen anything more handsome than that man in her entire life. She was in total shock, and couldn't help the "Sasuke-kun" that escaped her lips.

Looking at her directly in the eyes, Sakura was surprised even more by Sasuke's greeting. "Aa, Sakura," he said in a crystal clear voice. She felt a chill go down her spine.

"What are you doing here, Sasuke?" Kakashi asked him, astounded.

"He has come home to serve Konoha," Tsunade declared as she held her forehead in frustration. "Please sit down, everyone."

Naruto sat directly next to Sasuke, slapping him on the back as he did. Naruto always knew Sasuke would return to them, and was more than happy to have him back. Sakura, however, chose the chair farthest away from Sasuke, something that did not escape his notice. She was too shocked to believe that he was really there in front of her.

"Sasuke has returned home with the honest intention of protecting Konoha," Tsunade began. "After hearing his story, I believe that he is telling the truth. However, he did abandon the village, even if it was with no intention of hurting us. In order for him to be welcomed back as a shinobi, he would need to be placed on a team with at least two jonin. Of course, his original team has two jonin."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. He didn't know that. Kakashi was a jonin, and he supposed the new guy must have been one as well.

"There are, of course, other team options. However, knowing his background, I believe it would be best for him to rejoin Team Seven. If he can prove himself, then I will allow him to begin working solo missions. That is, of course, unless you don't think you can handle your old teammates, Uchiha." Tsunade turned to look at him expectantly. The beautiful blonde woman had dealt with that damned man for over an hour, and she would not give in to his demands to work alone.

"Of course he can, dattebayo!" Naruto half-yelled. "Besides, Sasuke and I have a score to settle. It wouldn't be as fun if he wasn't actually on the team."

Even Sasuke cracked a little smirk at those words. They definitely had a score to settle, and he would be victorious.

"So, will you agree to work on Team Seven until you've proven your loyalty?" Tsunade asked.

"Hn," Sasuke agreed. He really had no other choice if he wanted to work as a ninja.

"Excellent. Now, for your mission debriefing." Tsunade then went on telling them about an undercover mission they would be handling. There was a ball coming up where a rumored illegal weapons specialist was rumored to be attending. They had to attend and covertly gather information while using their aristocratic titles to mingle with guests.

"And Sakura?" Tsunade turned to her disciple as she finished debriefing.

"Yes, Tsunade-sama?" The girl asked, instantly on alert.

"The target is a notorious womanizer. If you get the opportunity to get him alone, use it. You're my apprentice. Use your skills."

Sakura nodded. She knew that she would need to be the main interrogator, especially if this man's weakness was women.

Turning to Kakashi, Tsunade spoke again. "The ball is in one week at the Nara residence. In the meantime, I expect your team to get reacquainted with each other. Naruto has just gotten used to being back, so he should be able to help Sasuke."

"Naruto has been gone? Sakura is the apprentice to the hokage?" Sasuke thought. What had he missed while he was away?

"You are all dismissed." With that, Tsunade stood and reached for her bottle of sake. It had been a rough day.

The ninja bowed to the Hokage before leaving the room. Kakashi led with Naruto and Sasuke close behind. Naruto was talking Sasuke's ear off. The Uchiha seemed to be putting up well with his former best friend, which surprised Sakura. Following Sai, the girl walked behind the others, lost in her own thoughts. When they stepped out, Naruto exclaimed that they should all go to his house for dinner in celebration. While the others agreed, Sakura hesitated.

"I really do not know, Naruto," she smiled sadly. "I have a lot of research to do."

Naruto groaned and whined so much that it gave Sakura a headache. Sasuke wouldn't even look at her, which only made it worse. When even Kakashi told her that she should go, the girl finally relented.

"Alright, alright. But I'm going home first." The girl sighed. "I'll see you all at 5." When her carriage pulled up, Kakashi again helped her inside. Glancing at the Uchiha, who was looking anywhere but at her, the girl's heart began to hurt. Tears threatened to spring to her eyes. Kakashi gave her a look that said they would talk later, making her feel a little better. With a wave to Naruto and Sai, the girl turned away as her carriage began moving.

Sakura was astounded. Not only had Sasuke reappeared, but he had total intentions of being on their team again. She knew she should be thrilled. The man she loved had finally returned.

"But why do I feel so angry and hurt and alone?" Sakura mulled. Her heart hurt. It hurt because Sasuke was so breathtakingly handsome and she knew he would never love her. It hurt because he could barely even look at her, as though she were worth almost nothing to him. It hurt because that man had left her for dead years ago, and the only acknowledgement she had gotten was him saying her name. Even the sound of her name, though, had sent a shiver down her back, filling her with warmth.

She was angry with Sasuke. She was angry that he came back without telling them. She had no choice but to go to dinner that night. She would not, however, talk to him, not matter how delicious his voice sounded. She was sure that he still thought her weak and useless. She wasn't though. And one day very soon, he was going to learn that. In the meantime, though, she would be showing him exactly how much she had grown as a woman and a person by refusing to give in to her own over-excitable heart.

When Sasuke arrived home after Team Seven's reunion in the Hokage's office, he cursed himself. Before his team's entrance, he had been arguing tooth and nail with Tsunade about being placed on his old team. Not wanting to be held back, the Uchiha had demanded he take solo mission. It wasn't until he was back with his old team that he seemingly forgot about those wishes. It wasn't until he saw Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi that he realized he had missed his team. He would never admit to it, though.

Naruto had been more than willing to accept Sasuke back. Kakashi was a little curious, but seemed happy to have his student back. Even Sai had been polite to Sasuke, saying he wanted to get to know the Uchiha better. Sakura, however, had been relatively quiet. That was to be expected, though. She had always been gentle around him, not wanting to step on his toes. Sasuke was also sure that Sakura was incredibly confused. He had, after all, come back out of nowhere and been placed back on the team he'd left behind long ago.

That night would be an interesting one for Team Seven. A dinner between the five of them could only end in chaos, Sasuke was sure. Of all the teams that had come from the academy, Team Seven was the most volatile. After tonight's dinner, Sasuke determined that he would only be with Team Seven when training. There wasn't really a reason to do any more than that. They did not need to attend social events together unless a mission dictated it. He needed to use that time to find someone to reinstate his clan with.

Sasuke had a funny feeling that if he attempted to do that with Sakura around, that would not go very well. Chuckling slightly to himself when he remembered the pink-haired girl's jealous streak as a child, the man made his way into his dressing room to pick out his clothes for the night. As the first dinner together, it was important to impress his old sensei, after all. At least, that's what Sasuke told himself after the face of a pretty girl with a mysterious diamond on her forehead flashed through his mind.