Chapter 2 The fallen hero
Disclaimer: If by any miracle I own Naruto I wouldn't be writing fan fiction curse you Kishimoto for owning Naruto.
'' this means thoughts
Bold letters Kyuubi speaking or inner Sakura
Italics are flashbacks
(Time skip: three years later)
(Location: local house hold Uchiha clan compound district Konoha fire country)
In a bed room a person woke up with a soft yawn. His raven hair was all messy resembling a chickens ass. He looked around to his room only to be met by the bright sun light coming from his window. He grumbled while getting up from his bed, today was going to be another day in his pathetic life. Sasuke muttered cursed words to the sun for waking him up from his nice slumber he was never a morning person to begin with. He felt like killing the bright sphere if he could that is, he made a couple of stretches before taking a towel and heading to the bathroom to take a shower. He stripped off his black boxers and white t shirt before going to shower. When he turned the handle to run the water none came, he had to chuckle while giving a frustrated sight today was another day in pathetic life. Obviously the water company has been literally messing with him since he has been paying them thanks to the money he has been earning from all of the D rank missions he has been doing as part of his punishment.
He has spend one year in a half in an ANBU prison cell, punishment for defecting from Konoha and joining the S rank missing nin and sanin Orochimaru and for joining the organization Akatsuki. It was a miracle he was still alive today considering that the price for his treachery was execution. It was all thanks to his formal teacher and his teammates. At first the council was against the decision of putting him in prison for his crimes, since he almost caused war between Konoha and the hidden cloud village by attempting to kidnap the brother of the Raikage. However Naruto with help from Kakashi managed to change the mind of the council members. They understood Naruto's words after all he was the hero of Konoha and the villagers have gained a high respect for him. So in the end everyone trusted the blond and because of him he was forgiven and was locked in prison. After a year and half in prison Kakashi finally set him free since he has shown the proper and right behavior. However that was just the beginning of his punishment.
After he got out of prison he was put in custody watch of ANBU wherever he go. He was also put as an active Konoha ninja but as the rank of a genin, since he was a genin when he left the village. So for the last two years he has been doing nothing but D rank missions. He wasn't allowed to use his sharingan or even his weapons unless he was having a sparring match with another ninja. He was thankful for Kakashi for letting him keep his weapons including his sword Kusanagi. The council was desperate to take his weapons from him just in case he was going to get hostile or attack them. Kakashi gave him the right to live to the Uchiha compound as we as right to be the heir of the clan because he was the last of the Uchiha not literally anyway. Things became a little better for him as he found himself spending more time with Sakura, he like her having her around her company was nostalgic remembering the days when they were team seven. It wasn't long before Sakura decided to ask him out and by surprise he actually accepted her offer which shocked him a lot. He finally wanted to move on with his life and stop living in the past.
He was now dating his formal pink haired teammate and he was happy. At least she wasn't acting like a fan girl around him anymore thank goodness for that he was very relief about that. But he knew that Sakura had been having her own problems for a while now. He sighed thinking about his girlfriend before getting dressed again. He went back to his room and picked some fresh new clothes, he knew that he wasn't going to take a shower let along have a nice breakfast. He put some long black pants and a blue shirt with blue sandals before leaving the room. He put the fresh clothes in a bag before leaving the household as he head out into the streets. Walking the streets of the village has become into a not so happy experience. As he passed the villagers along with the merchants he was receiving nothing but a hateful glare from the citizens of Konoha. Ever since he got back to the leaf village he has become the center of hatred from the villagers. They have grown to hate him because to them he was nothing but a traitor in their eyes. Just because the villager trusted Naruto and believe in him so that Sasuke could stay in the village and his life, it didn't mean that they were going to like him.
Nobody was glad that he was back in Konoha. Of course who would missed him the traitor Uchiha who selfishly left the village to gain power from an S rank missing nin with the purpose of revenge. Except for his friends in team seven and his teacher, no one else care about him not even those among the members of the rookie nine. They could care less about him they didn't like him. He was despised by almost everyone in Konoha, he couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the situation. He was once a hero to the village because he was the last of the Uchiha clan, one of Konoha's most prestigious clans. He was loved and respected by everyone while Naruto was hated by everyone for being the container of the Kyuubi. He was a nobody an outcast alone with no parents, now the tables have completely turned around. Now he was the one being hated and being treated like an outcast for betraying his village and Naruto was now the big hero of the village. Whe he thought about it he has lost everything that meant to him or gave him happiness or a purpose in life. He lost his family, the respect of the villagers his loyalty to Konoha and now he lost his formal team the members of the formal team hawk.
He shook his head the last thing he needed is to think about them. He has come to considered them like his true friends after his formal teammates. He has lost so much yet he didn't know what to feel anymore. He sold his soul for revenge he wanted to avenge the clan for what Itachi did only to find that he was innocent all along. He was just a victim of Konoha, his brother gave up his life just for the sake and peace of the village. He couldn't accept that face it really anger and he now wanted revenge on the people who put him through all this suffering. Yet he only killed one of them elders who gave Itachi the order to killed the Uchiha clan the war hawk Danzou. He took pleasure in killing him, however the other two elders Homura and Koharu were still alive and they were being held in prison for the crime of conspiracy against the village. Yet he was back in Konoha the same village responsible for all the hell his brother went, the only question to ask is why. Why did he return to Konoha? Maybe because without his friend in team hawk because they were killed by Madara for his betrayal leaving Akatsuki , he missed his old friends. His teammates from team seven which he tried to severe the bonds he had with them, knowing that he couldn't do it. Those bonds he forged with them were true and unbreakable.
The only thing he asks himself to this very day is, did everything he did for the purpose of revenge was really all worth it? The obvious answer is no. He didn't wanted to think about the past anymore. The only thing he wanted to do now is focus on the present and continued with his life. With his girlfriend and his best friend, he finally reached his destination in an apartment complex. Arriving at one of the apartments he knocked on the door. He smiled when the door opened revealing his girlfriend Sakura who looked like she was ready to go to work at the hospital. The nineteen year old Sakura was wearing a white doctor coat with a white short blouse, a tight skirt reaching to her knees and black high heels. In three years Sakura has become more beautiful and attractive than ever. Her pink hair was still short reaching to her shoulders and her body has well developed too. She has grown a few inches higher but Sasuke was still taller than her, her legs have grown long very attractive. Her chest was moderate probably a C cup however the truth is that Sakura wears binding to make her breasts looked smaller so the truth about the size of her chest was unknown. The nine teen year old Uchiha smiled at her, to think this was the same girl who was constantly chasing him and an annoying fan girl.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura gave her boyfriend a big hug" good morning how are you doing?!"
"Fine you know another one of those days…"
The pink haired medic sighed" there's no water in your house again?"
"Yeah same old same old, I don't know why they keep cutting the service I always pay the company in time even if I don't earn enough money from the D rank missions must be my good luck" obviously he was being sarcastic.
Sakura sighed again it couldn't be help she knew the villagers hated him for being a traitor. Even the people working in the Water Company and electric company didn't like him. So to get even with him they currently don't give him the service of electricity and water to his house even if he's paying them on time.
"Can I take a shower here?" asked Sasuke.
"Sure you usually come here to take a shower every once in a while I also made you breakfast, I hope you're hungry."
"Thanks…" he entered the apartment as he went to the bathroom.
Minutes later Sasuke left the bathroom wearing a blue and white shirt with long black cargo pants, black sandals and black fingerless gloves the Uchiha clan symbol was also on the back of his shirt. He went to the table in the kitchen while Sakura smiled at him handing him his breakfast. The plate was egg omelet with bacon and sausages. He couldn't help but give a small smile, once his girlfriends' cooking was bad really bad. But after she took classes from her best friend Ino she became quite the good cook so he was thankful that she got better at cooking for his sake.
"Thanks…" he replied softly before he started eating.
The pink haired medic smiled at him" I have no problem in making you breakfast I know how much trouble you're having in your home with the water and electricity."
"I don't like cooking breakfast either way my cooking sucks…" he took a bite of his omelet.
"Well that's why I'm here I don't want you to die from food poisoning" Sakura giggled at the last part.
"Funny I would've died of food poisoning before by your terrible cooking skills" the Uchiha replied coolly with a small smirk.
A vein pop in Sakura's forehead trying to control her anger giving her boyfriend a sweet smile" you know Sasuke-kun remember where you're staying and I can kick you out of my apartment whenever I feel like it."
Sasuke didn't reacted he continued to eat his breakfast however he was trebling on the inside. If there's one thing he has learned in the three years that he was together with Sakura it was to never piss her off his life depended on it. He noticed that she was still looking at him with some anger reflected in her jade eyes looks like she took his comment personal.
"I was just kidding Sakura" he quickly replied trying not to sound scared.
The pink haired medic smiled at him" I was kidding too Sasuke-kun I know you will never hurt my feelings again after all I don't want to do something I might regret later right?" she was smiling sweetly at him.
Sasuke continued to eat his breakfast' why is she my girlfriend again?'
"Would you like some hot chocolate Sasuke-kun?"
"Hn" he replied
"That hn didn't sounded so loudly so I will take that's a no, okay how about some orange juice is a hundred percent natural?"
"Hn"
"That would be a yes then okay!"
She went to the fridge and took the carton of fresh orange juice and poured some in a glass. She put the carton back on the fridge before going back to the table.
"Here you go hope you like it" she smiled again.
"Thanks…" he gladly took the glass since he felt like choking a little.
Sakura went back to her seat watching him finish his breakfast and she couldn't help but to be happy for him. She has come to enjoy the company of the Uchiha a lot. It seems like yesterday that he returned to the village and decided to help them against Danzou. She admitted that they couldn't have won against the war hawk if Sasuke wasn't there to help them. It's true that she has missed him a lot, the Uchiha was her dear friend she was very happy that he was back. She even shed tears giving him a warm hug however she was hurt on the inside. She remembers clearly when she hugged the Uchiha she saw Naruto smiling at them, but she could tell that smile was one of Uzumaki Naruto's fake smiles in order to hide his pain. She felt her heart hurting just like the blond he was suffering because she was hugging Sasuke and probably he thought that he lost her forever. In truth she was happy to have Sasuke as her boyfriend, in the three years that they have been together she and Sasuke have grown very close. There were so happy to have each other and their friendship have deepened a lot.
She was happy of her relationship with the Uchiha yet she felt like there was something missing. It was something very important in her life that she needed to have meaning to her life. It's true that she and Sasuke were close and happy but she felt like their relationship was incomplete. There was friendship and they have a strong bond with each other, but there was no spark of passion in their relationship. The kind of passion that will make their relationship true, in the three years that they were together they haven't had a full contact kiss on the lips, they have never make out or even going to the ultimate level of intimacy. They had a powerful friendship but that was just it, she couldn't ask for more because there was someone else who keeps invading her dreams. Someone who keeps invading her fantasies turning them into true erotic dreams. But who what kind of person would be in her mind since she has the Uchiha prodigy. The same man who she used to fantasize when she was twelve, the answer was simple. She started thinking about a certain blond ninja she couldn't stop thinking about him, she thinks so much of him that it hurts and she eventually starts to cry.
She wasn't going to think about him now she didn't intended to cry in front of her boyfriend. She knew very well that he was off limits because he was now in a committed relationship with another girl. That's why she let him go so he can be happy with that girl. Since she was never worthy to have his heart in the first place she gave him away to be with the girl who had deep feelings for him for so long. As long as he was happy she was going to be happy, she will continue living for his sake as well as Sasuke. She didn't realize that by now Sasuke has finished his breakfast the same with drinking the orange juice. She blinked when she noticed that he was looking at her with a concern expression. After all it was the job of the boyfriend to be worry about his girlfriend.
"What?" she asked her boyfriend.
"You okay?"
"Huh? Oh of course I was just thinking of the hospital I have so much worked there" she smiled convincing him that she told him the truth.
"As usual…" he replied with a grin.
"Yeah I am that important to the medic staff, a job for a medic nin is never over that's what Tsunade-sama used to tell me…" her jade eyes soften a little thinking of her teacher.
"Anyway Sasuke-kun I've been wondering, later today I'm going to visit Tsunade-sama at the hospital I was wondering if you will like to accompany me?"
"As usual I have to do D rank missions but I will finish them early as always, so I guess I will join you."
"Thanks we will go first to the flower shop to pick the flowers for her, would you like to eat something else?"
"No that's all right I'm full thanks for breakfast…"
"No problem well I better get going to the hospital."
"I'll go with you I have to go see the Hokage although I never expected Kakashi to become Hokage of all people."
Sakura giggled at her boyfriends comment" I know it sounds impossible but even someone like him can take his responsibilities seriously."
The Uchiha shrugged his shoulders" I don't know about that for all we know he could be reading that book of his when he's supposed to do the paperwork."
For a moment Sakura thought of her formal sensei reading his favorite adult book while his desks is full of stacks of papers she sweat dropped at the thought" he better not do that or he will get kicked out from the position."
"Maybe that's what he wants knowing how lazy he can be sometimes, always arriving late for a team meeting then giving those lame excuses it's really hard to believe that he's the Hokage" he grin a little.
"I'm sure that after everything that has happened he can mature a little and takes his priorities straight."
'I hope' she added mentally.
'No I don't think so' Sasuke thought.
(Time skip: Hokage's office Hokage tower)
Hatake Kakashi sighed again as he was filling paperwork. In the three years that he has been ruling as the Rokudaime Hokage he has come to hate the hellish paperwork with all his strength. He was still wearing his mask but not his jounin uniform. He was wearing the Hokage robes except the hat he has come to take the responsibility as Hokage seriously. He needed to take the role with pride after all he was no longer a jounin but a kage and leader of Konoha. He has been ruling following the teachings of his teacher the Yondaime and Sandaime, he knew how hard it was to rule a village with the right morals and teachings. Although never in his entire life he was expecting to be seated in the desk of the Hokage. It couldn't be help with Tsunade still in a coma he was the only one with the experiences and skills to take the position. There was also Danzou but he was definitely not the right candidate for the job, everyone in the village didn't like him according to the bad rumors they have heard from the war hawk which they weren't rumors. He knew very well if Danzou made it to become Hokage war with the other hidden villages was bound to happen sooner or later and the risk that a fourth ninja war was going to follow. But thankfully the leaf civil war came and everyone that supported Tsunade and the teachings of the past Hokages rise up against Danzou and his organization ROOTS.
ROOTS was finally finished and Danzou was dead, with that done corruption among Konoha has been lifted at least he thought so. Now it was up to him to carry the legacy of the past five Hokages as the Rokudaime Hokage and as loyal as he was he was ready to die for the protection of Konoha anytime. He finished filling another document as he took the next one while he was ready to yell in frustration for the hellish paperwork. One thing for sure he knew that all the Hokages before him hated filling paperwork as much as him.
He sighed before he heard a knock on the door" come in."
The door opened revealing Sasuke" you wanted to see me?"
"Ah Sasuke yes I did, I already have the D rank mission list for you just as always here."
The Uchiha took the long list with a sigh however he will do them quickly because they're too easy that he doesn't has to try his best to fulfill them" I guess I better go I will be accompanying Sakura later to visit Tsunade I don't want to be late…"
The mask Hokage" you really have become quite loyal to Sakura that's good she has really missed you."
"It's the least I can do after everything I have done to her and Naruto, besides she's one of the few people who actually cares for me or that I'm alive for the matter…"
Kakashi sighed" Sasuke I know that you have been through a lot but this was to be expected, the consequences of your actions were this drastic. A lot of the villagers took the destruction of Konoha three years ago too seriously they started losing hope and let fear drag them down. To find out that you joined the same organization responsible for its destruction they will eventually feel fear and hatred towards you. Don't forget that they fear you more than they hate you, to them you're no longer the last of the Uchiha clan but a traitor."
"Of course I know that I have really tried hard to have earned a nice reputation" the Uchiha said in a sarcastic tone.
"I'm serious Sasuke, if you want the village to treat you with respect you will have to earn their trusts back although it won't be easy."
"Like that's going to matter…." Sasuke snorted.
"It matters to you if you want them to trust you again and respect you like they used to before you left the village"
"I'll be leaving now if you no longer need me…"
"Yes you're dismiss" the mask Hokage said calmly.
Sasuke opened the door ready to leave.
"Sasuke…"
"Hmm…" the Uchiha looked back at him.
"I will only say this once to you so pay attention" now Kakashi's voice was serious.
Sasuke has never heard him talking so serious before so he knew that whatever he was going to say was nothing good.
Kakashi met the Uchiha's gaze" if you betray Konoha again I will have you executed, so for your sake as well for Naruto and Sakura's sake I hope that this time you take the right path."
"If I'm here then that means I have taken the right path…" he finally left the office closing the door behind him.
Kakashi sighed' I hope you're right Sasuke team seven has been through a lot, I don't want any of you to suffer again…'
Through time he watched his whole time experience all kinds of things, from happiness forging a powerful bond of friendship to pain heartbreak and betrayal. Now he only wanted them to be happy and continued fighting for what they believe in. He hopes that now that Sasuke was back in Konoha team seven can finally be at ease and perhaps they can forge their bond once again. However with the way the village is treating the formal Uchiha prodigy it wasn't going to be easy for him to reclaim his title as the respected ninja he once was.
'Things are never easy it seems.'
(Time skip: village district)
Sasuke was finally done with the D rank missions for the day. They were a lot but since they were low ranks they were too easy to do. He has always finished them quickly, although he was sick of taking the same crappy missions over and over again. He was a genin but with his skill level he would easily be a jounin. Hell even Naruto was a jounin his rival and best friend has surpassed him as if things weren't bad enough. He was dying to have a true mission, but taking D rank missions was all part of his punishment after all. He growled thinking of the silly missions he had to retrieve the freaking cat Tora again the same cat team seven retrieved as one of their first missions. He hated the damn feline he was always running away from his owner the fire lords wife. He erased the thought of the stupid missions he was finally done for the day, now he was leaving with his girlfriend to accompany her to see Tsunade. As he walks the streets to meet up with Sakura he was hearing the whispering of the villages. It was always the same treatment he gets whenever he was passing by.
"Look it's him…"
"It's the traitor Uchiha…"
"Why do we have to put up with him? He's a traitor…"
"Konoha is not a village that takes care of traitors…"
"Why can't the Hokage execute him already?"
"Were only following orders of the Hokage to accept him…"
"I will never accept a traitor like him…"
"We have no choice it's not just the Hokage that supports him but our hero Naruto trusts him a lot…"
"Still I'm not going to trust him…"
"I'd rather die…"
Sasuke growled ignoring any more whispering. These were the times he hated being back in Konoha, sometimes he wonders why did he come back to the village. The answer was simple he came back for revenge. He killed Danzou but Homura and Koharu were still alive, he promised not to follow the path revenge anymore. Revenge was his whole life his reason to exist, and revenge brought him nothing but pain and suffering in his entire life. Now he was back to try and have a new start at his life the right way. With his friends since he already lost his other friends from team hawk, the only friends he had left were his teammates from team seven his best friend Naruto and his girlfriend Sakura. They were the only reason he was still living his life since the rest of the village hated him. As he walked ahead he saw Sakura wearing her doctor uniform, she was in her break.
Sakura smiled at him" Sasuke-kun you got here in time!"
"I told you I'll be here the missions are too stupid and easy to do…"
"Let's get going then I want to buy the flowers at Ino's shop."
"Ino…" Sasuke was in deep thought thinking of the Yamanaka.
"Yeah come on"
The Uchiha sighed as he walked with his girlfriend he had a bad feeling about this. Ever since he got back to the village aside from the villagers, ninjas in the rookie didn't see eye to eye with him. Some of them like Neji and Kiba didn't like him the viewed him as a traitor like the rest of the villagers. Others like Ino were unsure whether to trust him or not. Just like the villagers gaining their trust back wasn't going to be easy one bit.
(Time skip: Yamanaka flower shop)
The couple arrived at the shop only to see a couple of customers buying a bouquet of roses. Sakura spotted her best friend Ino attending the customers. Ino has grown a little taller in three years she still had her hair long covering her right eyes. However her body has developed like Sakura's earning nice legs a moderate back sided and as well as a moderate chest. Sakura chuckle mentally to think her best friend would end up being Chouji's girlfriend, at first she wanted to date her other teammate Sai until she found out that he was gay so she went with Chouji. Of course the Yamanaka has developed feelings for the Akamichi during the times they were together. The customers left the shop as the couple approached the nineteen year old Ino.
"Hey Ino!"
"Oh Sakura hi!" Ino smiled at her best friend before seeing Sasuke" hi Sasuke…" she forced a smile.
"Hn"
"So what can I get you?"
"You know the usual were going to visit Tsunade-sama."
"Right dandelions then I'll be right back!" she left the counter to get the flowers.
A minute later Ino returned with a bouquet of dandelions as she got back to the cash register" that'll be a hundred ryou."
Sakura gave her the money as she put it on the cash register.
"Thanks Ino."
"No problem, say Sakura I've been wondering in having a get together party and invite everyone."
The pink haired medic nin smiled" that's a great idea Ino all of us have been very busy lately and we haven't had a time off to spend together."
"I'm thinking of doing the party at my house but we will have to wait for everyone to return from their missions" replied Ino.
"Yeah Sai's on a mission with Yamato the same with Gai's team and…" she trailed off thinking of the special person a certain blond ninja.
"And Naruto too he's on a mission with Hinata, those two are so lucky while they do the mission they can spend time together it's like killing two birds with one stone" Ino said for Sakura.
Sakura smiled hearing that of course she was happy that the blond happy with his three year relationship with Hinata. She was glad she actually let him go three years ago, even if she was dying on the inside. Her heart was broken feeling the pain that she will never have him for herself. Sasuke who was quiet the whole time gazed at his girlfriend. Although she was smiling he could tell that smile was fake, he actually felt sorry for her. There were times he tried to figure out what were wrong with her but she refused to tell him or she ignores the topic. He will have to agree with Shikamru when he says that women are troublesome.
"I would love to go to the party Ino don't you think so Sasuke-kun?" she gazed at her boyfriend who was still in deep thought.
"Yeah Sasuke at least if you go to the party you can get reacquainted with everyone" Ino said with a sweat dropped 'well everyone except Neji and Kiba those two don't like him at all.'
"Sasuke-kun are you all right?" Sakura asked her boyfriend worry.
"Huh? Yeah…" was his only response.
"Well I guess I will see you guys at my house for the party, I will let you know when to come probably in three days I think that's when everyone else will be back to their missions" Ino said.
"Thanks Ino we will be there, we'll see you later Ino" Sakura said leaving with the bouquet of dandelions.
"Bye Ino…" Sasuke said before they left the shop.
"Yeah bye" the Yamanaka smiled before she noticed that they left without holding hands' sometimes I wonder if those two are really together.'
(Time skip: room 105 first floor Konoha hospital)
Sakura and Sasuke entered the room where Tsunade was resting. Sakura put the bouquet in the crystal vase she bought for her. She gazed at the older woman sleeping not knowing when she was finally going to wake up from her deep slumber. She smiled at her at first she wasn't shocked to see her in her true self without her jutsu to keep her look young. Of course she knew Tsunade was old she was fifty six to this very day it didn't matter to her to gaze at her wrinkle self. She knew it well that she was a true Hokage, she used her whole chakra to save the whole people from being killed by Pain's powerful shinra tensei. She has fulfilled her duty like a true Hokage and she protected Konoha just like the past Hokages before her. Tears were forming at the corner of her eyes, the slug sanin was more than just her teacher but she was like a mother to her. Sasuke was watching his girlfriend he was a few feet away from her letting her be at peace in her moment of sorrow.
Sakura let more tears fall before she took Tsunade's right hand" hey Tsunade-sama I wish you could open your eyes so you could see how beautiful Konoha looks after being rebuild, there are so many things I will like to tell you. Sasuke-kun came back to the village and best of all he killed Danzou that's right Danzou is dead I know you'll be happy to hear this since you never like him from the beginning."
"You don't know how grateful I am that you made me your apprentice, I'm very proud that I was taught by the best in medical ninjutsu to be taught by one of the legendary sanins was a great honor for me. Kakashi sensei is the Rokudaime Hokage can you believe it? Our formal jounin teacher is now the leader of Konoha, we all missed you Tsunade-sama especially me and Naruto-kun. I hope that you will wake up soon we all care about you, we were all proud of the great Hokage you were thank you Tsunade-sama…"
Sasuke put his arm on her shoulder in a way to conform her and she gladly accepted as she continued to let her tears fall.
"Please Tsunade-sama wake up soon…" she dried her tears gazing at her boyfriend" thanks Sasuke-kun…"
"Are you going to be all right?" asked the Uchiha.
"Yeah I'll be fine don't worry I better get back to work my break hour is almost up."
Sasuke nodded before they left the room they saw Shizune walking towards them she was also carrying a bouquet of flowers.
"Shizune-san…" Sakura smiled at Tsunade's other apprentice.
The raven haired woman smiled" hey Sakura I see you have beat me into visiting Tsunade-sama first."
"Yeah but it can't be help I do work in the hospital so I will always be first to visit her."
Shizune nodded before gazing at Sasuke" hey Sasuke how are you?"
"Fine…" was his only reply.
"I can't believe it's been three years and Tsunade-sama still in a coma, I never thought she will be out for this long…"
"I know it's been hard for me to get used to it you must be feeling the same too." Sakura said.
"I have been better but I know Tsunade-sama longer than you and I know she won't give up, she will wake up I just know it…" she smiled.
"Yes she will continue to fight after all I can tell some of Naruto rubbed on her so she won't be giving up" Sakura chuckle thinking about her blond teammate.
"You're right well I'm going to enter her room I will like to stay with her for a while I'll see you later" Shizune entered the room.
"I have to get back to work Sasuke-kun, that's right I almost forgot to tell you my mother has invited us to have a dinner at her house tonight I'll be happy if you go with me."
"Sure I have no problem with that…"
"Great!" Sakura smiled before hugging him" then I'll see you tonight at my mother's house and wear something nice okay?" she left walking down the hallways of the building.
'I better go and pick what I'm going to wear tonight I don't have enough money to buy clothes.'
(Time skip: nightfall Haruno residence)
Sasuke was wearing an elegant long sleeve blue shirt with long black pants and black sandals. Sakura was wearing a red dress with red high heels. They were seated in the table with Mrs. Haruno who just brought dinner. They started eating while Mrs. Haruno was staring at the couple with a big smile on her face. She was so happy to see her daughter being together with the person she wanted her to be with, the last of the Uchiha clan and a true prodigy. Of course Sakura's mother was one of the few people that didn't hated Sasuke for being a traitor, she was always like him. She remembers when her daughter was younger she kept saying how much she loves the Uchiha. How much she wanted to be his girlfriend and how much she wanted to marry him. Now here she was her daughter was finally together with the man she has always love at least to her point of view. She happily gazed at the two teens her daughter was eating while stealing glances to Sasuke it was so cute.
Sakura admitted that the Uchiha looked very handsome with the clothing and held a blush. Suddenly her imagination got the better of her and she imagined a certain blond wearing the same clothing. She was now blushing thinking how hot and sexy he would look. Her breathing quickened a little feeling like was getting excited she felt herself getting wet at a certain place, she managed to control herself and erased the thought and any incoming thoughts which she knew they will be very inappropriate.
She happily took a bite of her plate while looking at her mother" thanks for inviting us to dinner mom!"
Mrs. Haruno smiled kindly at her daughter" no problem sweetie I'm always happy to treat you guys to dinner, how's the food Sasuke?"
"It's good…" was the Uchiha's reply.
"Why thank you Sasuke" the older Haruno smiled.
"It really means a lot to me that you did this for us mom"
"I'm glad you are sweetie you know I'm very proud of you, you have become such a great medic nin you have surpassed Tsunade-sama too."
"I have learned from the best after all" Sakura said with a smile remembering her training with the slug sanin.
"I'm also very proud because you and Sasuke got together I'm very happy for the both of you" the older Haruno smiled.
"Thanks mom" Sakura replied with a fake smile while gazing at Sasuke who was still eating from his plate.
Mrs. Haruno was still smiling at the couple" I was so happy when you told me that you two got together, there was a time I thought you were going to get together with that demon…."
Mrs. Haruno knew she has made a big mistake indeed. As soon as she said the word demon her daughter reacted in anger. She punched the table breaking it to pieces the dishes with the food were scattered around, after three years Sakura's super strength has increased double she was probably stronger than Tsunade now. Sasuke was not happy when he heard the older Haruno's comment but right now his girlfriend was angry enough for both of them so he decided to stay quiet. Mrs. Haruno took a step back in shock fear was evident in her eyes; she knew she shouldn't have said that with the way her daughter was looking at her with so much anger.
Sakura glared at her" mother that demon has a name! It's Naruto and he's the hero of this village don't you ever forget it! He saved Konoha from Akatsuki!"
"But sweetie Akatsuki attacked Konoha because of him they were after him….." she gasped seeing her daughter getting angrier.
"Wrong mother Akatsuki is after the Kyuubi not Naruto-kun so stop thinking that he's the demon fox himself! He's just the container of the Kyuubi he's as human as much as you and I!"
'What about me?' thought Sasuke with a sweat dropped like they have forgotten that he was present in the room, but he had to chuckle mentally after all the things he has done he didn't had the right to call himself human.
"But sweetie I….." Mrs. Haruno trailed off she was at a loss for words, she has never seen her daughter so upset before.
"Why mother?! Why do you hate him after everything he has done for the village?! After everything he has done for me! I told you that he was the one that saved my life from the sand monster it wasn't Sasuke but Naruto who risked his life to save mine! I owe him everything for that!"
"Sakura…." Mrs. Haruno had a couple of tears falling from her eyes maybe she was wrong about the young blond after all.
By now Sakura had tears falling from her jade eyes while Sasuke was no longer upset with Mrs. Haruno's comment he went to his girlfriend's side to try and calm her but it was no use.
Sakura was only paying attention to the older woman in front of her as the tears continued to fall" Naruto-kun is no demon I know that very well no, a demon would never protect his village and his friends by putting his life on the line a demon would never saved his teammate's life even if she didn't treated him right and she was selfish. A demon would never become a prisoner to a promise for his teammate's sake a demon would never sacrifice his own happiness for his teammate's happiness. A demon would never endure all the pain and suffering while trying to fulfill that promise!"
Sasuke knew what she was talking about. She told him about the promise of the life time that Naruto made her in order to bring him back to Konoha. It only made him feel worst after everything Naruto went through trying to fulfill that promise to Sakura. Both of his dearest friends and teammates have suffered so much because of him and he couldn't hate himself more for it.
Sakura was now smiling her face was still full of tears" so you see mother Naruto-kun is no demon he's the kindest most loyal and wonderful human being I have ever met, he truly has a heart of gold. The whole village now respects him and sees him as a hero because he has earned their trust and he has convinced them all that he wasn't a demon, just an ordinary human carrying a great burden who wanted acknowledgement from them and he has a lifelong dream which he will fulfill I just know it. So please mother stop hating him for something that was never his fault to begin with, the least you could do is to call him by his name."
"Naruto-kun will do anything for his friends because they are his precious people, I know very well the lengths he will go just to make me happy….." Sakura finally broke down crying hard.
She took her boyfriend Sasuke as her pillar of strength since the real person she wanted conform from was away on a mission with his girlfriend. Sasuke hold her letting her tears fall while Mrs. Haruno was letting her own tears fall.
"Sakura…..I'm sorry I'm really sorry….I didn't know you felt that way about him….you're right I guess I have misjudged Naruto for too long. I have seen how much the villagers were talking so highly off him that he was a true hero of the village and a true ninja he's not really the Kyuubi, besides if he was really the fox demon he would've destroyed the village years ago now I know I was wrong all along even if I'm too late to realize it…."
Sasuke snorted while holding his girlfriend" better late than never, don't you think?"
"I'm sorry Sakura…" Mrs. Haruno whispered.
Sakura finally broke the embrace while drying her tears" it's all right mother I only want you to treat Naruto-kun with respect I think after everything he has done for the village don't you think he deserves the credit and acknowledgement he's been craving for since he was a child?"
The older Haruno only nodded drying her tears while Sakura was gazing at the demolished table, she sighed looks like she has really done it this time.
"I'm sorry mother about the table I will buy you a new one…"
"No that's all right sweetie I'm glad you smash it to pieces I've been thinking of throwing it away since it was very old" she finished with a hint of humor because she was thinking of buying new furniture.
"The food was good although it will be thrown away along with the table" Sasuke said while Sakura sweat dropped at his comment.
Mrs. Haruno" I will cook you another dish next time Sasuke."
"It's getting late I have to work at the hospital early in the morning, thanks again for the meal and sorry again about the table" Sakura said.
"It's all right sweetie no one got hurt that's what matters" replied the older Haruno.
"No one except the table" Sasuke said with a grin it only earned him a playful smack on his shoulder by his girlfriend.
"Well mother goodnight" Sakura said leaving with Sasuke flowing her by.
"Yes goodnight sweetie" Mrs. Haruno smiled at the couple before they left her house.
She sighed looking at the mess in front of her' I'm going to have a lot of work throwing all of this into the garbage.'
(Time skip: village district)
"Sasuke-kun can we go somewhere else?"
"Huh what do you mean? I thought you said you needed to rest because you have to go to work early tomorrow."
"I do but I would like to go to this place I think you know where I'm talking about" she gave a smile.
Sasuke was puzzle at first but he finally figure out what was the place his girlfriend was talking about he smile" I guess we can go there that place is very special to me after all."
"It's mine too as well as Naruto-kun's" she replied smiling taking the route on the streets to their special place.
"So are you feeling all right with what happened back there with your mother?" he asked concern.
"Yeah I'm feeling better now, at least I have finally managed to knocked some sense into my mother's thick skull maybe she can finally respect Naruto-kun."
"I don't know if it was your mother the one you knocked some sense into" the Uchiha gave a grin remembering the table.
Sakura sweat dropped" Sasuke-kun are you trying to become a funny guy?"
Sasuke sweat dropped" no…"
"Good because you acting funny that would be very scary you should stay with your emo attitude" she giggled.
"Ouch Sakura that's a painful blow to my pride" he said sarcastically.
She giggled again" I mean it you always smiling and saying jokes that's definitely not you."
"Hn."
"You're back to normal that's good I was getting worry."
"Hn" the Uchiha was now ignoring his girlfriend.
She giggled again and decided to stay quiet not wanting to annoy him anymore.
(Time skip: training ground number seven)
The couple was now standing in the same training field where literally team seven was born. This was the place where the team forged their bond of friendship, where they took the bell test with their teacher Kakashi. After seven years the training field looks exactly the same when they took the bell test. The three trees where Naruto was tied up for trying to cheat in the test by eating the box lunches and the heroes' memorial stone where all of the names from ninjas who were killed in action serving Konoha were engraved, Sakura smiled gazing at the sight. It really brought her memories when they were genins. Even if some of those memories weren't very happy, among them were when she was a useless fan girl. But the times that hurt her the most were when she mistreated Naruto. She has come to regret action and pain she caused him on her behalf after everything he has done for her.
She gazed at her boyfriend and he was gazing around the field like he was in deep thought. She smiled after three years he has change not as much as she thought but it was enough. He used to be so distant and cold even when he was starting to warm up to herself and Naruto. Always thinking that he was all alone needing to prove himself to his clan by avenging them by killing his brother, she was glad that he was no longer interested in revenge anymore which was a big change for him. She felt sorry for him that it hurt her Sasuke became so obsessed with revenge that he eventually lost himself to that goal. Power and hatred were the emotions that fueled his desire for revenge and it lead him to turn his back on his friends and his village. But thankfully he was back in Konoha together with her it made her happy but she knew that there was something missing in her life or more precise, a rather someone. When she thinks about she was the only normal person in the team who didn't had a dark past. Sasuke had his clan killed by his own brother which he was just taking orders from the council and Naruto was the container of the Kyuubi who was hated by the village.
"What's wrong?"
"Huh?" she turned to her boyfriend" what do you mean?"
"You seem to be distant like you were in deep thought, are you thinking about the past?"
"I guess I was….but I don't want to talk about that, this place looks beautiful at night."
Sasuke smiled at his girlfriend knowing that he didn't like talking about the past" I guess…"
"Sasuke-kun I have been thinking ….do you remember when you complimented my forehead?"
"Huh what?" the Uchiha was dumbfounded.
"I know it was a very long time ago but I would never forget that day when we were put in our three man team, I was seated in the same bench that you left me when you left the village. "You smiled at me and you told me Sakura you have such a wide charming forehead it makes me want to kiss it, you remember now?" she gazed at him smiling.
Sasuke had to raise an eye brow at her" I don't know what you're talking about."
Sakura sighed" you really don't remember don't you I mean you did told me the same thing when you were going to leave the village so I'm not surprise to this very day."
"Sakura it's not that I don't remember it's just that I never did anything like that."
"Come on why do you have to be so stubborn? You don't have to lie to me" she pouted.
"Sakura I'm telling you the truth I didn't said such a thing…." his onyx eyes widened in realization.
"What's wrong?" Sakura asked noticing his expression.
"I….on that day I was eating my lunch then Naruto ambushed me and he tied me up, yeah I know I was shocked that he got me when my guard was down and he used a transformation jutsu to look like me. At first I didn't know why he would do that? But after what you told me I guess….that it makes sense…"
Sakura was now looking at him in pure shock her jade eyes were wide remembering that day, she gasped remembering the other thing the fake Sasuke told him.
"Nah just kidding that's something Naruto would say…"
Sakura was still shocked finally after seven years she realized the truth on that day" so it was Naruto all along the one who gave me that compliment, he knew what to say to me to make me happy…."
"Sakura…" the Uchiha said.
A couple of tears formed at the corner of her eyes remembering what she told him on that day.
"Sakura what do you think of Naruto?"
The twelve year old Sakura stood quiet but she was going to answer her crush's question" he's always trying hard to get in my way in loving you, he doesn't understands me he loves to see me struggle…he's just annoying…"
'Even on that day I hurt his feelings without even knowing, I am truly a horrible person…' she dried her tears' but at least he's finally happy with Hinata I can be happy I know Hinata will never hurt him like I did.'
"You okay Sakura?" Sasuke put a hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah I am don't worry Sasuke-kun."
"I figure you two will be here."
The couple turned to see the Hokage Kakashi walking to him" I hope I'm not interrupting anything since it's a little late you two could be having some fun of your own" a grin was formed behind his mask.
Both teen blushed while Sakura growled at him" you're still a pervert! You're the Hokage now you should act like one."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean it you guys looked like you're on a date so I eventually thought you were making out."
'He will never change' Sasuke thought with a sweat dropped" by the way Kakashi what are you doing here at this hours spying on us?"
The mask Hokage coughed" I am not spying on you I am visiting the memorial stone, even with my busy schedule I always have time to visit my old friends…."
Sakura gazed at the memorial which wasn't far from the small tree trunks" sorry Kakashi sensei I guess you weren't spying on us after all."
"If you two weren't my formal students I would've throw the two of you in jail for disrespecting the Hokage."
The two teen sweat dropped at his comment.
'Great again he's using his title to threaten us if we called him any names like pervert.' Sakura thought.
'Like I said he will never change' Sasuke thought.
"Kakashi sensei we just came here because this place is special to us" Sakura said.
"Yes this is the training field where I gave you the bell test which you guys didn't do well at first, I guess I never tell any of you but when you proved that you three were able to show teamwork I was very proud of you. I knew that with you three as my team I was going to be proud to have such a great team even if you guys weren't perfect, you all managed to stay together through good times and bad." Kakashi said.
"Not quite I did left Konoha and joined Orochimaru so you're wrong Kakashi team seven didn't stay together" Sasuke said bitterly.
"What matter is that you returned to the village Sasuke-kun" Sakura put her arm on his shoulder.
"Only because I wanted revenge on the elders" he replied dryly.
"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura started.
"I know I know what you're going to say revenge never solves anything I have plenty of time to think about that, even if I succeeded in killing Danzou I still feel like my revenge isn't complete."
"Well Homura and Koharu are still alive and they are in prison however I won't order their execution because they didn't committed any murder they're only guilty for keeping important information hidden to the eye public I'm sorry that you have to know Sasuke" Kakashi said.
"I know even if I kill those two won't bring nothing revenge destroyed my life I won't follow that path anymore it caused me nothing but pain and suffering. But you have to agree with me Kakashi this whole thing is all the Senju clan's fault, if they would've trusted the Uchiha clan more nothing like this would've happened."
"Sasuke…" the mask Hokage started while Sakura was worry for her boyfriend.
"I'm right I mean come on the Uchiha were willing to cooperate with the Senju even joining with them, they even turned their back on their leader Madara but they still choose to mistrust them. Then the Nidaime ordered the ANBU to watched over them like they were hateful enemies, so much for trust…" the Uchiha growled.
"Sasuke-kun please stop right now!" Sakura cried.
"Calm down Sasuke you're right the Senju clan should've trusted them more but it was the fear they lead the Nidaime to spy on them like enemies. Both clans were once enemies and it wasn't to gain trust from both sides."
"No the Uchiha clan trusted the Senju's and their promise to work together they were loyal and turned one of their own their leader for the chance to live together as one!" he shouted.
"Sasuke-kun stop!" Sakura hold him tears were forming at the corner of her eyes.
"Sasuke please calm damn right now, if you continued acting like this I will have to call the ANBU and they will have to lock you up. Do you want to be thrown in jail again just when you have developed the right behavior and good conduct, don't make me regret my decision about you?"
Sasuke snorted" what's the point? The whole village hates me they could care less about me, the only reason they are tolerating me is because of your orders and Naruto and Sakura no one else cares."
"That's true but I'm giving you the chance to redeem yourself to the village it depends if that's what you want, well Sasuke do you want the village to respect you again?"
Sasuke stood quiet while looking at Sakura she was concern for him a couple of tears fell from her jade eyes before sighing and a slow nod" I….I do…"
"Then to do that you'll have to gain their trust again but it won't be easy" replied the mask Hokage.
"I know that already" the Uchiha said annoyed.
"Right but you can do it you're not the only one who has try to gain respect from the village, look at Naruto he was hated and treated worst than you all because he was the container of the Kyuubi and now look at him he's the hero of Konoha."
"All because he's the son of the Yondaime which I still can't believe that's true."
"But Sasuke-kun Naruto-kun's resemblance to him is so much alike it's like he was his twin if it wasn't for his whiskers" Sakura said.
"Yeah yeah but seriously everyone was stupid not notice Naruto's features to the Yondaime."
"Well a few people knew others didn't pay much attention to it, and others just didn't care they would never believe that the great Yondaime will have a son that he chose who will be the one to have the Kyuubi sealed in him like he was a demon. Plus Naruto had it worst than you right now, the Yondaime final wish was that Naruto be recognized as a hero yet the people did the opposite. It wasn't until Naruto showed what he was made of that slowly gained their trust and respect and that's why today he's the hero of the village."
"I know after everything he's been through I think the dobe deserves all the glory" Sasuke said with a smile.
"If you want to gain the trust of the village again you'll have to sweat like Naruto did and it will take time for them to respect you like they used to." Kakashi said.
"You're right but I'm willing to give it a try thanks Kakashi."
"You should call me Hokage-sama more often" replied the mask Hokage.
"Not unless you stop reading your books" the Uchiha gave a grin.
"Not going to happen" Kakashi said crossing his arms.
Sakura swear dropped' looks like he's going to stay as a pervert who reads nothing but porn.'
"Seriously Kakashi sensei you should start dating you're almost thirty don't you want to find yourself someone especial?" asked the pink haired medic nin.
"That's not like me at all I'm not into dating, besides with my work I won't even have the time to look for a girlfriend."
"Okay so you don't have time to go look for a woman yet you have time to read your perverted books" Sasuke said with a grin.
Sakura laughed" good one Sasuke-kun."
Kakashi sweat dropped" maybe I should throw you two in prison, well anyway I'm heading back now it's getting late you two should head back home."
"I don't know if I should as always they shouldn't be any electricity or water in my house" Sasuke said.
Kakashi sighed hearing that" so the electric company and the water company are at it again with you, don't worry Sasuke I will look into that and make sure that none of the companies treat you poorly again."
"Thanks that will mean a lot to me come on Sakura I will walk you back to your apartment."
Sakura nodded before looking back at the mask Hokage" goodnight Kakashi sensei"
"Right take care you two" Kakashi said before vanishing in a cloud of smoke.
(Time skip: Sakura's apartment)
Sakura opened the door before looking back at her boyfriend" well Sasuke-kun I really need to get some rest I have tomorrow a shift early in the morning."
"I know just get some rest."
"I will and don't worry Sasuke-kun I believe you will gain the villagers trust back it will take time like Kaakshi sensei says but I know you can do it, I have faith in you."
The Uchiha gave a small smile to his girlfriend" thanks…"
Sakura hugged him when she broke the hug she planted a soft kiss on his cheek" goodnight Sasuke-kun."
"Goodnight."
She closed the door as Sasuke left her apartment thinking that he was going to give it a try. He will gain the trust and respect from the village not realizing how much it meant to him to be respected by the people. Now he needed to show them that he was no traitor but a ninja loyal to Konoha. He knew it wasn't going to be easy to fulfill his goal.
After all he was a fallen hero.
To be continued
I know this chapter was basically about Sasuke's life in Konoha after three years and his relationship with Sakura. I will do the same thing with Naruto and his relationship with Hinata in the next chapter and maybe I will add a small lime hehe. Anyway please review that will be all. Now I'm going back to am I worthy to love you because a lot of fans of the story want me to update that story. Farewell until the next time.
Next chapter: peculiar love