Sasuke paused in his task and straightened to his full height, arching his back slightly to ease the growing tension in his muscles. He closed his eyes against the bright light of the midday sun, and wiped the sweat from his brow.
Whatever game that crazy bitch was playing was irritating him. If he'd realized the full breadth of the situation he now found himself in, he would have outright laughed in the Hokage's face during their meeting yesterday.
Her manner of staring at him yesterday persisted in disturbing him.
"Well, with that settled, we need to discuss your punishment for deserting the village and attacking your fellow shinobi."
The Uchiha maintained a blank expression upon his face in response to her relentless gaze. Even though he knew this matter had to be addressed, he could feel the beginnings of anger welling up within him again.
Did she think a prison cell would be able to contain him? The thought was nearly laughable. There wasn't a cell in Konoha's so-called prison that wouldn't be much of a challenge for him to escape from.
Perhaps she was considering turning him over to the interrogation squad? Again, that didn't phase him at all. Though he'd never played witness to any of Konoha's interrogation tactics, he was positive they would be nothing in comparison to the experiences he'd endured while in Orochimaru's company.
"We are taking into consideration your efforts to help end the war, as well as your voluntary return to Konoha, but... Hmm..." Tsunade looked at the document she was holding curiously. "Well, that doesn't seem right. I think I need to confer with the council over this." She flicked her gaze towards him, but he remained motionless under her perusal.
"Whatever, I'll just have to get back to that. For now, we can just do this." She rose from behind her desk, and came to stand in front of him. "Lift your shirt."
Sasuke lifted an eyebrow at the odd demand.
Her hands quickly came to her hips as she glared at the last living Uchiha. "Don't look at me like that, boy. Just who the hell do you think I am?" she demanded incredulously. "Now lift your shirt, dammit."
He narrowed his eyes, but complied with her request. She ran through a
series of hand signs, that he easily followed, before placing her palm to his stomach. He felt a small prick of pain, and saw her gather a drop of his blood onto the tip of one of her fingers. She removed her chakra scalpel before the blue chakra she gathered around her hand began seeping in his skin. Sasuke felt the warmth of her chakra quickly spreading throughout his system. He gathered his own chakra into his palms, relieved to find no changes to his network.
Whatever she'd done, he could still access his chakra.
"What?" she asked with a smirk. "Did you think I was sealing away your chakra?"
"It crossed my mind." He reluctantly admitted.
She chuckled as she made her way back to her chair. "Nothing like that. It was just a tracking jutsu."
He watched on as she pulled a scroll from her desk and placed the droplet of blood in the center circle of some seal he wasn't familiar with. After forming a few more signs, she placed her hand on the scroll and his blood spread throughout the circle. A tiny pulse of chakra came from the parchment, and a satisfied look etched onto Tsunade's face.
"With this, we can monitor where you are within a certain radius at all times."
Sasuke wasn't sure how he felt about being monitored like this, but it seemed this would be what kept him out of prison - for now. If it also kept ANBU from constantly being around him, perhaps it wouldn't be too much of a hassle.
"Okay, you can leave now. ANBU will escort you to the apartment that has been set up for you and Itachi. I'll allow you to rest tonight, since you did just get in from the long journey from the Allied Base. However, I want you to report to the construction site along the west end of the village at 7AM sharp. If you aren't there, I'll have someone come drag your ass down there, understand?"
Confusion enveloped the room - particularly, Sasuke - as the Hokage returned to her paperwork, ignoring him completely. A certain topic was left untouched; the dark-haired nin inwardly grimaced as he considered easing the knot within his stomach by bringing it to her attention.
"...and my punishment?" he hissed through his clenched teeth.
"That's what I need to discuss with the council. It looks like I got an unfinished copy of the decision. I'll find you when it's complete." She said without ever looking up from her papers. "Now, go. I have work to do." She made a dismissive gesture with her hand as she continued to focus on the paper-strewn desk before her.
Sasuke stood staring at her downcast head for a moment longer before he turned and left the office.
For whatever reason, he found himself arriving at the construction site shortly before the specified time. The area was already crawling with both civilians and shinobi, ready to start their day. Since Tsunade never told him what to do nor who to report to, he made his way over to a large pile of lumber and waited silently as he observed those around him.
Everyone seemed to already have their role as they broke off into smaller groups and left in different directions. Large piles of lumber lay scattered about the site, most sitting near unfinished foundations. From what he could remember about Konoha, he was standing in a residential area for some of the civilians of the village. There were only a few houses that looked nearly completed, and judging from the number of already placed foundations, there were many more to be built.
Sasuke wasn't left to himself for long, for an ANBU suddenly appeared and began conversing quietly with a large, older man sitting in front of a pile of blueprints. Said man only nodded several times at something the ANBU had mentioned, then glanced over to Sasuke with a smile.
What disarmed the Uchiha was the sincerity of the smile. While he was expecting a mistrusting, hateful glare, the older man seemed to only offer gentle smiles on his weathered face.
When the ANBU left, the gentleman made his way towards him -– hand held out in friendly greeting.
"It's good to have you working with us, Uchiha-san. I'm Takano Katsu, and I'm the foreman for this area. If you have any problems or questions, please, don't hesitate to bring them to me."
"What am I supposed to be doing?" The Uchiha asked tentatively.
"Well, that depends. Do you have any experience in construction?"
"None."
Takano chuckled at Sasuke's flat response. "Okay then, I'll have you doing some general things until you get the hang of it. For starters, you can help get the lumber to the areas it's needed. After that, you can help with the general construction of the walls and roofing. Let me just say again it's good to have you working with us. The remaining civilians will be returning in a few days, and we need all the help we can get to be ready for them."
Soon enough, Sasuke - unexpectedly - found himself shaking Takano's offered hand. He could feel the callouses along the man's palm, and caught a glimpse of the many, tiny scars scattered about his hand. All to aware of their differences in attaining their own blemishes, the dark-haired nin kept silent.
As the day wore on, Sasuke became very glad he wore a light, short-sleeved shirt. In no time at all, he felt himself sweating beneath the unforgiving rays of the sun. With no trees in the area to provide shade, he was forced to endure the heat.
"U-Uchiha-san?"
Sasuke turned at the sound of his name from the tiny, timid voice behind him. A young girl, probably no older than six, stood before him holding a canteen between her nervous hands.
"Would y-you like some water?" she asked quietly in a rather shaky voice.
Sasuke simply nodded at her in reply and reached for the provided container. She passed it to him quickly before running away. He watched her race towards an older, attractive woman standing near another group of men. She tugged on, what he assumed to be, her mother's skirt to get her attention. The woman looked towards him while her daughter reported her completed task. As she ruffled the young girl's light brown hair, she sent a small smile towards Sasuke.
He turned from the sight and took a long drink from the canteen. Sasuke wouldn't read too much into the action of this woman and child. Children were taught who to fear by those around them, and since her mother sent her over with a smile, there was no reason for the child to be afraid.
As for her mother, Sasuke was sure he knew what was going through her mind. He'd been on the receiving end of lustful looks by most every woman he'd ever encountered. There was no doubt as to what she was thinking, whether he was a criminal or not.
While he'd kept to himself since his entrance back into the village - speaking only when absolutely necessary, and making sure to stay away from those brave enough to try and start a conversation with him - he was still on the receiving end of hate-filled glares that shinobi sent his way. He could feel their eyes follow him as he went around the construction area depositing lumber in the areas Takano-san pointed out to him.
He ignored them.
He'd avoided killing, unless absolutely necessary, for the majority of his life.
While his anger at Konoha had not yet dissipated entirely, he was not overcome with the urge to go on a mindless killing spree. Whether that was Itachi's influence or not, he wasn't sure.
He glanced around to the workers surrounding him. While their physiques were strong and their chakra levels adequate, they were simply no match for his strength and speed. Should he decided to turn his blade on them it would be slaughter.
He heard a child's laugh ring through the area. Turning slightly, the Uchiha peered behind him to see the young girl from before guarding her sides as a shinobi tickled her. Her face was alight with joy as she laughed loudly within his hands. The people around them stopped working momentarily to watch the spectacle with warm expressions upon their faces.
The mentality of this village still surprised him. When they first arrived in the village, Sasuke was shocked to see the massive amount of damage Konoha had taken under Pain's attack - truth be told, he almost didn't recognize it.
Though Naruto told him the village was nearly destroyed at that time, he had not fully appreciated the depth of the destruction.
Now, he could see Naruto had not exaggerated.
Very little remained of the village that Sasuke remembered walking away from. Piles of debris still littered the landscape. The flat, desolate area was peppered with the dark green canvases of temporary tents.
Despite the barrenness of the village and the long road they would have in repairing the damage wrought upon them, the villagers were happy. They smiled often, they laughed together, and they were upbeat as they went about their physically taxing day.
How did these people stay so positive in the face of such pain and destruction?
For once, Sasuke wasn't immediately angered at his thoughts on Konoha. He wasn't sure exactly what the heavy feeling was that filled his chest, but it wasn't the rage he was vastly familiar with.
"Teme?"
Sasuke barely resisted the urge to groan aloud at the annoying voice.
"Teme, what are you doing out here?"
The Uchiha attempted to increase the distance between him and the loud blonde racing his way by picking up the next pile of lumber.
"Sasuke!" Naruto whined as he came to walk next to Sasuke.
The villagers waved to Naruto and called out cheerful greetings as the pair walked along. Sasuke watched it all with a blank face and focused gaze, but he heard every word spoken by the people.
It was astounding, really - the change that had taken place in the public's attitude towards the jinchruiki.
Where people were once wary of him, they now called his name in joy and welcomed him with open arms. It was Sasuke who they now skirted around and tried to avoid. He resisted the urge to chuckle. If anything, their roles were now reversed.
Insistent as always, Naruto bound in front of his path as they reached the drop-zone for the lumber Sasuke carried. The foundation and outer walls were already set; it looked to be a future, modest-sized family home.
"Sasuke-teme. Why. Are. You. Here?"
Finally, Sasuke - lazily - gazed at his unwanted companion. Typical Naruto, the expression of persistent curiosity alerted Sasuke that he wouldn't be left alone until the blonde-nin received an answer.
Huffing indignantly, Sasuke gave in - all the better to save himself a headache.
"The Hokage ordered me here this morning."
"Really? I wonder why she..." Naruto broke off his sentence as his face lit up with some new found knowledge. "Sasuke-teme! Is this your punishment?" Howling with increasing joy, Naruto jubilantly clapped Sasuke at the shoulder. "You're not going to end up a jail-bird?"
"I still don't know what she's going to do."
"What do you mean?"
Sasuke took another drink from the canteen at his waist before answering. "Just what I said. Whatever punishment the new council deems appropriate to hand to me hasn't been finalized yet. Until then, that bitch has me out here."
"I'm sure whatever they decide won't be too bad." Naruto remarked. "You did help me kill Madara and you came back home! How could they not?"
Sasuke simply sent him another glare and returned to his work. Talking with Naruto's upbeat, 'glass half-full' type thinking was only serving to anger him further.
He really didn't care what the Hokage or the council thought they could do to him. He was stronger than they were, and if he needed to prove that, he would.
He untied the ropes holding the lumber together, and bent to pick up several of the long planks from the top of the pile. As he rose, Naruto took the other end of the pile with his usual grin in place. Sasuke merely raised his eyebrow in question.
"What? It's my village, too, isn't it?"
Glare still in tact, Sasuke silently stared his counterpart down – willing him to go away. When the jinchuriki made no move to leave, Sasuke sighed heavily and walked to the other side of the house. If there was anything that he remembered about the irritating blonde, it was that Naruto could be annoyingly persistent.
Sasuke ran a towel through his damped raven hair as he exited the bathroom of the apartment the Hokage placed him in. He was glad for the cooling water of the shower after a day spent working under the harsh rays of the sun.
Walking into the living room, he found Itachi standing in the same spot as he was when he entered the apartment -– looking out the window that faced the village. When Sasuke left that morning to go to the construction site, Itachi had been standing there as well, not saying anything, simply observing the activity of the village he left so long ago.
His brother's mood was not one he could remember seeing in a very long time. Only in snippets of his childhood memory could he remember Itachi being lost in his thoughts.
Sasuke made his way to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water. Though Itachi never turned his head in his direction, he knew his brother was aware of his presence, just as he was to his.
The atmosphere between them had been awkward from the moment they met up again. He knew now that Itachi had sacrificed everything for him - and for the village. He had set himself up to look like a murderer and a traitor to protect him, and Sasuke didn't know how to feel about that.
It had been so much easier to focus his hatred on the village before speaking to Itachi. He could see a clear path as to what he should do with the village he once lived in before actually hearing, from Itachi's own mouth, his want to protect it and its inhabitants.
Though he knew it before, it was impossible to ignore after looking Itachi in the eye as he spoke the words.
Sasuke's next move was unknown.
"The villagers seem to be in high spirits today." Itachi's smooth voice rang out in the silent room, interrupting Sasuke's thoughts.
"Aa." Was all Sasuke could force himself to say.
"That's one of the things I always enjoyed about Konoha, the joy that always flowed through."
"Annoyingly so." Sasuke said.
Itachi turned to face his brother. "Regardless of the pain that has sometimes reached the village's borders, its people always bounce back with smiles on their faces. There were times I almost found peace being here."
Sasuke was stunned by the almost tranquil expression on his brother's face. He found himself unable to look away from Itachi's eyes. "Why couldn't you find peace?"
Itachi sighed and turned to look out the window again. "The demands of the clan were too heavy for me to bear. No matter how strong I was, they wanted me to be stronger. No matter how good I was at a skill, they wanted me to be better. They constantly pushed me to grow as a shinobi, so that when I took over as clan leader, I would be a powerful one."
Sasuke saw his brother lift the curtain away from the window slightly, and tilt his head to watch someone walking below their second story view. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth before he continued. "It was frowned upon if I had other companions besides those within the clan. Father saw others as weak and he didn't want their weakness to 'infect me'. I was unable to meet such interesting people as your friends."
The younger Uchiha couldn't help but scoff at his elder's word choice. Hearing the response, Itachi shifted his piercing gaze towards Sasuke once more. "What? Do you deny the bond you share with Uzumaki Naruto?"
Sasuke crossed him arms as he regarded his brother. "We were simply teammates at one time."
"I would have never placed my hope in someone who was simply a teammate to you."
"What...? What do you mean?" Sasuke asked curiously. "Hope for what?"
Itachi ignored his question. "To also have the support of Hatake Kakashi, a man able to master the Sharingan without Uchiha blood. Sarutobi-sama placed you under an excellent teacher."
Sasuke had nothing to say to that, simply because it was true. Kakashi taught him how to control his chakra as well as teaching him his own jutsu – the Raikiri. Sasuke changed it over time, but it was originally Kakashi's technique.
"And Haruno Sakura, such an interesting woman. Kind, yet she shows such amazing strength and intellect."
There was truth in his brother's words. The pink-haired young woman had grown in more ways than one since their days as genin.
The Sakura he knew now was nothing like what he remembered. From the moment she rushed towards him at Orochimaru's lair, their first meeting in over three years, she'd yet to idolize him like she used to.
The closest thing she'd done was make that feeble lie about wanting to follow him after she found him when he'd killed Danzo. Even then, she was simply using it as a ruse to get close enough to kill him.
While he hadn't said anything, he'd noticed since that time she'd dropped the previously favored '-kun' from his name.
She seemed to avoid speaking his name directly most of the time, but when she did, she simply called him Sasuke. The familiarity was gone between them.
Itachi had turned back to the window while he was lost in his own thoughts. He saw his brother's lips move again; Sasuke had to strain to hear his whispered words.
"I'm glad you have such faithful friends."
Emerald eyes closed in bliss, Sakura grinned widely as the sweet anmitsu lingered on her a tongue a moment longer. Swallowing, she savored the flavor of one of her favorite treats as it slid down her esophagus.
While still exhausted from her overwhelming day at the hospital, the notion of returning to an empty apartment and a lonesome dinner was intensely unappealing.
To begin with, she wasn't even sure she would have the energy to make
something edible, much less wash the dishes she dirtied in the process. Besides, even if she was sitting by herself in the sweet shop, there were many conversations going on around her. Happy laughter from children filled the air as their parents stopped to talk to one another in the busy afternoon streets.
Sakura found it much more enjoyable to eat her meal around people than to eat alone in silence.
The second day she was back in the village, her parents came into the
hospital not long after her shift began, needing to speak with her.
They spoke over each other, frantic in their need to explain the situation to their daughter. When she was able to calm them down, she discovered they received a letter that morning from the wife of an old friend of her father's, telling of his passing. Her parents were understandably upset over the loss and were leaving immediately to go mourn his passing as well as help his wife with the arrangements.
Sakura knew how important this was to her parents, and sent them off with a sad smile.
She had met the couple many times over the years. Her parents had been friends with them for a long time and they still visited each other when possible.
Even though Konoha was mending from the attack and aftermath of the war, the loss of a lifelong friend was more important. As it was, the Haruno's were civilians and didn't need permission to leave the village. Sakura did inform Tsunade-sama about their leaving as a courtesy, though. Since they were headed to the coastal borders of the Fire Country, the furthest area from the battlefields, she wasn't too concerned about their safety while traveling.
She probably wouldn't have seen her parents if they had been around for the last week. Her work at the hospital had her there more often than not.
Many times over the last several days, she'd been awoken during the middle of the night by an ANBU member at her window stating she was needed at the hospital. Since Tsunade-sama and Shizune were still extremely busy, they were unable to take call for the hospital. While the other medics were very capable at doing their jobs, the staggering number of critically injured still overwhelmed them at times.
The three emergency surgeries she'd preformed that week attested to that fact.
Many patients had been healed and discharged, but there were still many more to go.
The more heavily wounded shinobi would probably remain in the hospital for a few months before they were able to leave. As taxing as it would be, Sakura was proud of the fact that they had not lost a single patient yet. There had been many close calls, but with the amazing team she worked with, they were able to pull those patients through.
"Oi, Forehead!"
Sakura turned to see Ino and Hinata coming up to her table. "What is it, Pig? Can't you see I'm trying to enjoy my anmitsu here?" she responded to her best friend and rival.
"Ugh... you know that stuff will make you fat, right?" Ino said as she tried to wrinkle her nose in disgust, but Sakura could see the longing she held in her eyes for the sweet treat.
Ino slyly slid into the empty seat next to Sakura, Hinata at her other side.
"Some of us work to burn off the calories we consume. You should try it instead of getting lazier. I think Shikamaru has rubbed off on you." Was Sakura's snarky reply as she greedily tugged her treat closer to her.
"Whatever, Forehead."
"G-g-good afternoon Sakura-san." Hinata interjected hesitantly to stop the usual bickering between the two.
"Good afternoon, Hinata." The pink-haired woman graced a smile towards the Hyuuga heiress. "What are you two up to?"
"We just happened to be leaving the Hokage's tower at the same time and got to talking." Ino said. "We saw you over here, so we stopped to say hey. It's not like anyone's really seen you this past week."
"I've been busy at the hospital."
"Yeah, I know. Sorry I couldn't help you out anymore than that one day." The blonde teased a strand of her long hair, slight irritation crossing her features. "Dad's got me running like crazy now."
"It's no problem, but really, thanks for your help then." Sakura shifted her grin over to Ino before turning back to Hinata. "How have things been going for you, Hinata?"
"Ummm... t-they're okay." she replied meekly. "At least things are getting b-better."
"Yeah, it's gonna take time, but I believe it's all gonna work out." Sakura replied.
"So," Ino began. "How's Naruto handling it?"
"Handling what? Sasuke being back?" Sakura asked in confusion, her brows scrunching to emphasize her bafflement.
Sky-blue eyes widened before glancing towards Hinata. "Sakura, do you not know about it?"
"...Know about what?"
"I-I don't think s-she does, Ino-san." Hinata said.
Ino clenched her teeth just so, apprehension tensing her. "Kami, you really have been stuck in that hospital all week."
"What are you talking about, Ino? What happened with Naruto?" Sakura asked again, her ire beginning to rise.
"Naruto had words with Kiba and Neji, again."
A brief interlude of silence encircled the trio, only to be broken by Sakura's near stumbling out of her chair.
"What?" Sakura gripped at the counter before her for support. "About what?"
Ino gave Sakura a long look before replying. "What do you think it was about?"
Sasuke. Her mind immediately supplied.
This was horrible; she knew, she just knew that the scene before they reached Konoha wouldn't be the last one.
Sakura couldn't stand seeing everyone turn their narrowed eyes onto Naruto after everything he'd done. Yes, she fully understood their reasons, but the only reason any of them were alive right now was because of Naruto! He was only trying to save his best friend!
Kami, why did everything have to turn out like this? Why did every problem that came her way lately have to do with Sasuke?
"Really though, Sakura-san, I do think everything's going to work out in the end." Hinata's soft voice supplied.
"What makes you say that?" Sakura couldn't help the suspicion from tinting her tone.
Ino and Hinata shared a look before the blonde rose from the chair, leaving enough money behind for her tea. "I think we should take a walk while we discuss this."
The three left the small restaurant and headed out of the busy thoroughfare of shops where the majority of people were concentrated.
Shinobi getting off their shifts were lining into the vendors booths to grab a hot meal after their long day. Sakura and the others held their conversation until they were away from the potentially prying ears of the many surrounding them.
When they reached a less populated area of town, Ino began talking again. "First of all, let me go ahead and tell you before you start bugging me to death about it... We don't really know what was said between them."
"If you don't know what was said... Then, how do you even know there was a fight?" Sakura asked.
Ino sighed. "Kiba told Chouji a little about it, and Chouji told me and Shikamaru."
"Neji-niisan was acting di-different all week. I knew s-something happened." Hinata added.
"Different? How?" Sakura asked.
"Well," Hinata began slowly. "He wouldn't t-take his meals with the family all week and he s-spent most of his t-t-time practicing or m-meditating by himself." She daintily swallowed before continuing. "I asked Kiba-kun if he knew what c-could have happened, but all he would t-tell me is that Naruto-kun said something to Neji-niisan that upset him."
The girls turned onto another road, leading further away from the busy main streets before Sakura spoke again. "And neither of you know what was said?"
"Nope. I even cornered Naruto about it, but he just made up some lame excuse about going somewhere and ran off." Ino said as she combed her fingers through her long blonde hair. "I was hoping you would know something about it."
Twiddling her thumbs awkwardly, Sakura glanced down as she bit her lip in thought. "Sorry. I really have been at the hospital all week. I've only seen Naruto a couple of times in passing. I don't even know what he's been doing all this time."
"Yeah, well, you've got enough to deal with. Running the hospital when Tsunade-sama isn't around's a big job."
"I'm not running the hospital, Ino." Sakura's cheeks colored just so.
"Don't try to be modest, Forehead." The growing smirk on Ino's face was all too familiar to that of a certain Uchiha's.
"Pig."
"A-a-anyway," Hinata interjected once again. "Neji-niisan seems to be better, so maybe everything's gonna be okay."
"Is he?" Glancing up, Sakura's tone was hopeful.
"Yes. Yesterday he came and h-had dinner with the family again. And he isn't training by himself any l-longer. Maybe he and Naruto-kun have w-worked out their problems." A shy smile - along with a telling pink - adorned the Hyuuga's face as she spoke of her known crush.
"I hope you're right, Hinata. There's enough going on in this village without all of us fighting with one another."
"Turn those words on yourself, Sakura." Ino chimed in knowingly.
"Huh?"
"If Sasuke-kun's gonna be a part of this village once again then you have to stop fighting with him, too."
Sakura picked up her pace along the almost empty streets. "I'm not fighting with him."
"Really? 'Cause I think you're just lying to me now." Ino said as she caught up to her friend.
"How can I fight with him when I haven't even seen him, baka."
"Quit being a smart-ass, Sakura, you know what I mean." Ino grabbed her friend's arm and forced her to stop and face her. "Naruto is trying to get everyone to give Sasuke-kun a second chance. I would have thought that you of all people would be with him on that goal."
"Ino..." Sakura began, but Hinata stepped forward to speak.
"I t-t-think w-we should a-all just t-try and b-b-believe in Naruto-kun."
Ino and Sakura stood silent after Hinata's stammered outburst. Though the heiress was stuttering badly and her cheeks were red, her head was held high and she looked straight into their eyes.
"H-H-He has d-done s-so much f-for the v-village and h-he has b-become everyone's h-hero. S-Shouldn't w-we as his f-fr-friends trust in h-him?"
Sakura felt slightly ashamed of herself as she watched the shy woman stand up for her own teammate.
Though she had been in the hospital all week, she wasn't completely ignorant of what was going on outside of it. Nearly everyone was talking about Sasuke. Some of it was what she expected to hear. They wondered why he was allowed in the village, why he wasn't in prison, why he wasn't being executed.
However, that was only a small number of people's opinions.
Others spoke kindly about him. They remembered how he was the last member of his family left alive. They spoke of him leaving the village to avenge the deaths of his family and though they didn't like his means, most of them couldn't deny they felt they would do something similar to find justice for their loved ones.
It seemed no one had heard about him attacking the Kages' meeting, but everyone knew of his role in the defeat of Madara, him fighting beside Naruto to end the war, and how he walked back through the gates of Konoha at his teammates' side.
The villagers, civilian and shinobi alike, wanted to see what he'd do now. They wanted to see if he would wear the leaf hitate once again and continue to fight alongside his teammates.
Everyone wondered what the last of the great Uchiha legacy would do now.
Sakura found herself wondering the same thing many times over the past week. What would Sasuke do now? She didn't know what the Hokage planned for him, but whatever it was, she knew he had been free to roam the village all week. Yet, he hadn't attacked anyone. As far as she knew, he hadn't even threatened anyone.
Was he hiding his hatred for the village from everyone? She didn't think it was possible that he had forgiven Konoha for everything it had done to his family. Nevertheless, he had been here an entire week and had not left.
Didn't that speak in his favor?
Sakura grudgingly admitted she wasn't giving him a fair chance to prove himself. Her own anger at his actions had been the only thing on her mind and she had yet to even give him a chance.
Sakura hung her head as her own shame fell upon her.
Everything Naruto had fought and trained for... No, not just Naruto. Everything they both had trained so hard for had come to pass, and she wasn't even going to give Sasuke a second chance?
That had to change. She couldn't continue to ignore Sasuke's presence in the village because of her own problems with him. They weren't children any longer.
"You're right, Hinata." Sakura said as she slowly raised her head and faced her two friends. "Ino, I'm sorry. You're both right."
Ino gripped her hand lightly before giving her a wide smile and winked at her. "Of course I am, Forehead. I'm always right."
"Whatever, Pig." She laughed lightly as they turned around and headed back towards Sakura's apartment.
The howl of laughter caught their ears. Distracted enough, their interest peaked and the three turned onto a side street that led in the direction of the noise.
The ringing of hammers echoed throughout the area the closer they got to, what Sakura knew to be, a construction site. Clearing the row of newly completed houses, they found a large group of workers surrounding two unfinished homes.
The men worked with smiles on their faces, regardless of the afternoon heat. It was a sight Sakura had become familiar with over the past few weeks. What was surprising was the man sitting on the roof of one of the homes.
Sasuke brought his arm down again and again, hammering planks into the sloped roof of the home. He worked steadily, inching along the roof as he placed each new piece of wood. His gaze didn't waver to those around him and no smile graced his aristocratic features, but he seemed relaxed. His concentration stayed on his task as he worked to build a home for a family.
Sakura found herself frozen in place as she watched him work. All the other sounds surrounding them faded into the background save for the ring of his hammer.
He was helping.
He was helping rebuild Konoha.
She couldn't believe it. Uchiha Sasuke, the man who said he was going to destroy the village, was helping rebuild the home he left behind.
Her throat clenched painfully and she felt the hot sting of tears behind her eyes. She barely resisted the urge to raise her hands, and dispel any potential genjutsu cast on the area.
Could she trust her eyes? Was this actually real? Was Sasuke actually working with other people of Konoha without his katana anywhere in sight?
A booming laughter shook her out of her trance-like state, and she finally took notice of Naruto slapping another worker on the back as they shared a joke with one another. Her other teammate grabbed a handful of planks before leaping onto the roof beside Sasuke and joining him in his work. Sakura saw Sasuke throw a glare in Naruto's direction before resuming his work.
They must have been out there for hours working on the homes as Naruto was bare chested and she could see the sheen of sweat covering his torso. Sasuke kept his shirt on, but she could see the sweat clinging to his brow.
Pride filled her being as Sakura watched her companions work side by side once again.
No matter the almost disinterested look in Sasuke's eyes, he stayed beside Naruto on the rooftop.
"Nope, that's it. I'm off the diet." Ino said.
"What?"
"Come on, let's go back. I want some dango. Now!"
"What are you talking about, Ino?" Sakura demanded as she turned to look at her friend. Hinata's face was deep red and she fiddled with her fingers. Ino grabbed their hands and pulled them away from the construction site; she spoke over her shoulder as she hurried away.
"Hurry up Sakura! The lack of food must be getting to me 'cause there's no other explanation for me thinking that baka Naruto is hot."
Sakura laughed loudly as Hinata began sputtering at Ino's words.
The night was silent as she dragged her weary form down the empty road to her home. All of her energy was gone; the last of her chakra had been poured into the patient they roused her from her bed to save.
No matter how bone weary she was, she was glad she had gotten there in time.
Sakura could remember this particular shinobi from the battlefield. While she couldn't remember his name, she remembered the water jutsu he'd used to take out some of Zetsu's replicas before they could attack a fellow ally.
His injuries were horrible and sometime during the evening he'd developed heavy gastric bleeding the other medics had been unable to stop. Finally, sometime before midnight, they sent ANBU to wake Sakura from her bed for assistance.
She'd barely made it in time.
After two long hours of healing, and several transfusions later, the shinobi was in stable condition and she was clear to return home.
She'd refused the offer for an escort home.
She regretted that decision now.
Once the adrenaline of the situation left her system, Sakura found herself nearly collapsing as she trudged the familiar pathway home. Her muscles were beginning to shake now with the effort it took to keep herself upright. A bench along the roadside caught her attention, and Sakura focused intensely in order to force herself the eight steps it took to reach it.
With a groan, she allowed her body to drop onto the wooden bench. Her body almost melted into the heavy planks once she was off her feet.
Just a moment. I'll rest here just a moment... Sakura thought as she closed her weary eyes.
A familiar presence surrounded her before a light chuckle sounded in her ear. She found herself trusting the arms that lifted her from the bench and gave into the sleep that beckoned her.
A/N:
If you've noticed a difference in this chapter, ya know – the fact that there are much less mistakes and it kinda flows better – that would be the work of j-nxed who has kindly agreed to become my beta.
Seriously, thanks so much for editing this though you've got so much going on right now! I'm so excited to be working with you!
Hope you all enjoy the chapter! (And can I just put out there that the last manga release had me squealing all kinds of crazy! Absolutely loving the Itachi/Naruto interaction!)