Hey everyone! I am so trilled you're all reading this! I'm really thankful for the reviews as well. Part of me is deciding if Neji should somehow come back into the picture later on... I'm open for suggestions there too :) also I'm gonna try to add more Sasuke, I know I tend to have more detail when it comes to Tenten.. anyway, hope you enjoy and thank you again!
I do not own Naruto and I never will
Chapter five * Sasuke revisits his home/ part of the team
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Once the "Therapy" was over, Sasuke made his way toward the old, Uchiha complex. It was still fairly early in the day, he guessed it to be noon or so. He coontinued his jourey really had no desire to set foot back in that place that held such a traumatic and horrific memory, but he didn't want to burden Tsunade any more than she already was with him, and he certainly didn't want to come across to his new team as weak or pathetic. He could handle himself. There were lots of things at the complex that could be useful to him. He could probably fit into Itachi's old clothes he'd left behind. He really hoped that no one would spot him as he walked, he also knew that if he ran there it would cause more of a scene. He had offered to walk Tenten home, but she explained she was heading to the training grounds to complete what she was previously working on before Tsunade had found her. He decided once he checked out his old home, he would go and accompany her.
"S...S.. SASUKE KUN! You've come home! Oh I knew you'd come around!" Squealed an overly excited Sakura, as she exited the medical training facility. Immediately, after hearing her voice, Sasuke's shoulders tensed, his dark eyes rolled in annoyance and he found himself clenching his fists. "Tsunade just told me!" She spoke again, this time walking along side him.
"Yeah." He said, not bothering to look at his former comrade, continuing his way to his gloomy destination. Why won't she just go away?
"Where ya headed?" Sakura prodded, not noticing the look of complete and utter annoyance that graced Sasuke's face.
"Home." Hands in his pockets and eyes watching his feet take one step at a time, Sasuke did his best not to be rude to her. Why does she not understand I don't care about her? Girls are so stupid. Girls and Naruto. Just as he thought that, Naruto came rushing up to the two at full speed screaming at the top of his lungs.
"I KNEW IT! I KNEW YOU'D COME BACK!" Finally catching up to Sasuke and Sakura, Naruto caught his breath, but a large smile spread across his face and he looked at Sasuke, then Sakura, then Sasuke again. "Oh... You're on a.." He giggled and then gained his composure. "You're on a date!" Sakura's face turned bright red and she tried to hide a smile. At the same time she wanted to hit Naruto over the top of the head with a blunt object.
"No we are not on a date, Naruto." Sasuke threw his hands out of his pockets and folded his arms across his chest. "Look guys, I may be back in Konoha, but we're not on the same team anymore, so I don't want you following me around all the time."
Naruto ignored every word that just escaped Sasuke's frowning mouth and scooped the two Shinobi into a large bear hug. "Ah man, it's so good to have ya back Sasuke. It'll be just like old times! Except this time, I'm goonna kick your ass! You got a lot of making up to do..."
"Naruto, let go!" Sasuke demanded. Sakura, on the other hand,was happy to be squished next to her life long crush, even if it meant being squished next to Naruto for a few moments. Naruto finally obliged to Sasuke's request and let them go.
"So.. Did you say you're not gonna be on our team?" Sakura inquired, staring intently at her love. She was in disbelief that he was actually home, that he had actually returned. She couldn't be happier.
"No." Sasuke started. He was about to explain to them why when Naruto interjected.
"Oh I bet you're like an Anbu now or something cool like that, huh?" Naruto grinned widely, closing his eyes as he did so. Naruto, too, was overjoyed his companion had returned safely.
Sasuke didn't want to answer that question. He didn't want to have to tell his former teammates just how low on the totem pole he really was. He was ashamed Naruto was ahead of him in that sense, although he knew that physically, Sasuke was still much stronger, to his knowledge. He avoided the question all together, and began walking away. "I've got things to do, I'll see you guys around." He raised his hand and looked over his shoulder at his old comrades. He could tell they were dissatisfied by his shortness with them, and also disappointed at the fact he wasn't as happy to see them as they were to see him. They should't be surprised. "See ya, twirps."
Sakura and Naruto weren't sure what to do. Of course, Naruto insisted they go after him in order to catch up on things, But Sakura plead with Naruto to give him time to adjust to being back in Konoha on his own for a while. Naruto reluctantly obliged.
Once Sasuke reached the Complex, he took a deep breath and stopped at the threshold. He just didn't want to go inside. Although Itachi had an honorable reasoning for doing what he did, and Sasuke respected that, Sasuke still held onto the memory of seeing his parents slain by his idol, and dead Uchiha bodies slewn throughout their normaly lively streets. He closed his eyes tightly and clenched his fists. You can do it. Just go inside. Finally, he mustered the courage to step inside, past the gates that were no longer barricaded. It was eerily quiet, with the exception of a few birds chirping here and there. His feet padded upon the dirt and his eyes studied the old and abandoned buildings. It was a ghost town now, and he had agreed to live there all alone. As he walked, Sasuke imagined what it used to be like. He imagined chasing Itachi through the streets, merchants and neighbors would be yelling, "Be careful, Sasuke! Slow down!" Sasuke swore he could hear the humm of the people, chattering away as they made their way about. Suddenly, without realizing his feet came to a sudden hault. He was there, right in front of his home. His body turned to face the old dusty place
* Flashback *
"No, Nisan! This isn't real!" Sasuke let out a bloodcurdling scream, his hands jolted up to his head and he gripped his raven hair in disbelief. Everyone was dead. Blood was spilled throughout the streets of what used to be their happy town.
"I left you alive to measure my strength..."
* End flashback *
Sasuke found himself breathing heavily and holding his eyes tighly shut. He slowly opened them, and stepped onto the pourch of his former abode. "M.. Momma." He said with a shaky voice. "I'm home now." He said, sliding the front door open. Dust particles flew about in the sun like tiny snowflakes with the clank of the door hitting its stopper. He set one foot inside the door and the floor creaked with age. He sighed and put his other foot in as well. Nothing had changed since that night. Momma had left the laundry basket at the end of the stairway, and his father's shoes were still on the mat outside the door. He decided the first place to visit would be his own room, since no real traumatic memory had hidden itself there. Once inside his room, he gave a small, nostalgic smile. He had a few articles about itachi pinned up on his wall, a few toys lay on the floor and his family picture, although blanketed in dust, sat neatly on his nightstand by his tiny bed. He had changed so much since that day. Sasuke remembered what it was like to be filled with joy as a small child. He would play hide and seek with Itachi out in the woods, train with him and pretend to even be him back then. He was so proud of his older brother then. He used to be so happy, but all that joy was taken away and robbed from him on that night. Now, Sasuke knew the truth, and he couldn't blame Itachi for what he did. He hoped somehow that he could find a way to make it up to his brother, all the pain and sickness he endured. I want you to live the life of a hero of Konoha. "A hero, huh Ni San?" Sasuke sighed and left his old room.
The next place he visited was Itachi's room. He rummaged around to see if Itachi left behind anything interesting. Sasuke found a few love notes between Itachi and some girl and shook his head. Tobi did say you had a lover. Sasuke had never experienced that before. Sakura and Ino had fought over him day in and day out back then, but he was so fuled by revenge that he didn't care. Karin had offered to give herself to him time and time again, but Sasuke really didn't have feelings for her at all. She was simply a tool in his wicked schemes. What was it really like to love someone romantically? Sasuke simply didn't know the feeling. He shrugged and walked to his brother's closet. Yes, much of the clothes that Itachi left behind would fit Sasuke almost perfectly. He grabbed a dark blue shirt from the hanger and shook out the dust. After sneezing several times, Sasuke threw the black jumpsuit off and put his brother's old shirt on. He also managed to find a pair of blue pants that fit well and he slipped those on as well. Sasuke began to walk out of his brother's room when he caught a glimpse of himself in Itachi's mirror. I look just like you, huh Ni San? Sasuke shook his head again and walked to the last room in the house he had yet to visit. His parent's room. The last place on earth he wanted to be. His nerves were more calm than they had been since he first set foot into the complex, but when he stood in front of their bedroom door, his entire body shook.
"Dammit! Pull yourself together!" Sasuke scolded himself, gritting his teeth. He took a long, deep breath and slid the door open. His dark eyes blined a few times and then he let out a small sigh. Empty. The entire room was empty. No bed, no pictures, clothes, swords, nothing. Sasuke walked into the room slowly, taking in all the detail, the spiderwebs, dust and bloodstains. He sighed and looked down to the floor where he remembered his lifeless parents laying. Sasuke dropped to his knees and put his face in his hands. He was sad for Itachi this time. Itachi had to put on a brave face in front of Sasuke, he had to lie, after killing everyone he called family, in order to preserve Konoha. He left known as the psycho who killed his entire clan, parents would often times tell their children of the dreaded bloodthirsty Itachi Uchiha, who may come back to Konoha one day and go on another killing spree. Where was the justice for Itachi? Sasuke still hadn't wrapped his head around the entire situation, he still wished his parents hadn't been murdered in front of him, but he knew Itachi had to. Sasuke growled, angrily. "I'll get them back, Ni San! I won't let Konoha mock you!" You want to exert revenge on the people who saved the world from an inevitable war full of destruction? "Dammit, Itachi! What would you have me do, huh?!" I want you to restore our clan, Sasuke... I want you to return and start over. Sasuke sighed, "Alright, Ni San, someway, I'll find a way to make you proud." Sasuke brought his hands down from his face, and but his right hand over his heart. "I promise." The raven haired Uchiha stood up and walked from his parent's room. As he made his way back through the house, he wondered about the bun haired Konoichi, and if she may still be training. He remembered he wanted to stop by the training grounds to see if she may want some company.
Now that the hardest part of his day was over, Sasuke left his old, memory filled home, and headed out to find his new teammate.
Tenten had just finished target practice and sat underneath a tree to sharpen her dulling weapons. The sound of metal being scraped and bettered, soothed Tenten and always brought a smile to her face. She remembered how Neji would roll his eyes when Tenten had to fix any knick or damage that may have occurred to her favorite cluster of weapons. She was the first to admit, she was a little obsessed with her blades, but like Lee, without a real clan or Legacy, Tenten did what she could to be the best she possibly could.
"I thought I'd find you here." Said a voice as it's speaker walked up to Tenten and stood in front of her.
Tenten raised her eyes, she knew who it was immediately. The presence and the voice gave it away. "Sasuke. How are you?" She asked, not particularly caring for the answer. Tenten sat her Katana and sharpening tools aside and offered for Sasuke to take a seat next to her. Sasuke obliged and sat next to his new comrade, careful not to get too close.
"I'm fine, thanks. I thought maybe you could use a training partner?" He asked as he looked the girl over. She seemed more relaxed than she had earlier in the day, maybe Tsunade's 'therapy' had done her some good.
Tenten gave Sasuke a small smile. "Thanks for the offer, but I actually just finished." She stated. She watched his face form a slight frown and heard a small sigh escape his lips. She noticed he had changed, part of her missed not being able to see his bare chest but she caught herself and immediately scolded herself. "Gai Sensei is having dinner at his house with the team, I was just about to head that way, you wanna walk with me?" She asked as she began to unroll a scroll onto the grass.
Sasuke watched her curiously as she did a few hand signals and all of her tools and weapons returned to their place, and she neatly tucked her scroll in a pouch behind her back."Sure, I'll walk with you." He stood up and extended his hand to Tenten, to help her up as well. Tenten, knowing she could get up just fine without his help, wanted to ignore his gesture, but she knew Sasuke was just as introverted as Neji, and was making a conscious effort to be nice. Tenten grabbed his hand and accepted his help, as he pulled her to her feet.
Sasuke really didn't want to go to Gai Sensei's house. He was leery of the situation he had no idea what to expect. What was his house like, is it just a big gym? Can he cook? Why couldn't they go out for Ramen like normal teams? Sasuke remembered Kakashi sensei, and all the times he had taken care of Sasuke, making sure he was alright. He made a mental note that he needed to visit Kakashi as soon as possible. There would probably be some rivalry between Gai and Kakashi over Sasuke switching teams.
The two walked to Gai sensei's house in silence, both engrossed in their own thoughts. Once they reached his home, Lee burst out of the door with open arms.
"Hello team! I hope you're hungry!" Lee wrapped his arms swiftly around Tenten, squeezing her tightly. "I'm so proud of you! You have trained so hard lately.
"L..ee..." Tenten said in a muffled voice. Her face was squished against his chest as he held her close. Tenten reached her arms up and poked Lee hard in the ribs. With a shriek and giggle, he released her and went to hug Sasuke, but was deterred by a firm palm to his face, pushing him away.
"I don't like hugs." Sasuke said, furrowing his brow.
"No hugs, got it. Neji didn't like hugs either, shouldn't be a problem to remember." Lee turned around and walked inside. "Come on in guys! It's almost ready!"
Tenten walked in first knowing Sasuke may be uncomfortable walking in before her. She knew this must be hard on him too, since he had been gone so long. Sasuke followed Tenten, watching her as she walked gracefully into the home of their sensei.
"Welcome, students. Take your seats." Gai sensei said from the kitchen. Obviously, he was still working on their dinner.
Sasuke examined the home he was now sthanding in. He was right, there was excersize equiptment everywhere, photos of Neji Lee and Tenten graced his walls. The colors of course were green and orange. Green carpet, orange walls. It strained the eyes if you looked too long. He watched Tenten and Lee make their way to the dining room and take their places on the floor. Sasuke wa hesitant. He didn't want them to feel as though he was taking Neji's place, although technically he was. He felt relief when Tenten patted the floor next to her as a gesture for him to sit next to her. Sasuke once again, walked next to the Konoichi and sat by her side.
"Hope you like steamed veggies, and protein bars." Tenten whispered to Sasuke. Sasuke's response was a crinnkled nose. That didn't sound very appetizing.
Gai sensei served the dinner to his team and sat amungst them. "Don't leave food on your plates!" He would scold if he saw any of his pupils neglecting their vegetables. The remainder of theit evening was spent discussing their training hours and strategies as far as getting Sasuke on the same level. They planned to meet every morning at dawn to commence their new training regimen. Gai sensei emphasized that this was not just for Sasuke, but for the edification of the entire team.
"Well, welcome to the team, Sasuke, we are thrilled to have you!" Lee shouted as the team was saying their goodbyes.
"Yes, I agree with Lee here, Sasuke will be a great asset! May the power of youth fill you, young Uchiha!" Gai said, giving Sasuke a thumbs up.
"Thank you, both." Sasuke said with a nod as he stepped outside of Gai's home. He had to admit, this team was very welcoming, especially knowing all that he had done and still they welcomed him. Even Tenten. He knew that this must be extremely difficult on her, he decided that he would make sure that he treated her kindly and nth that he would protect her and her heart from becoming even more broken. He could see it all over her face everytime they met, she was still broken. It would take time and he knew it. As he thought back to Itachi's request for him to rebuild the clan, the only person who ever came to mind was that bun haired girl.
"Welcome to our team, Sasuke." Tenten finally said, giving Sasuke a light pat on the shoulder. "See you bright and early tomorrow."
