Return

For the first month after returning to Konoha - No scrap that - Being forcibly dragged back to Konoha, Sasuke had downright avoided leaving the accommodation granted him by the Hokage. He had only left when absolutely forced by Naruto or Sakura (He could feel the hate pouring off of Konoha citizens, though both Naruto and Sakura had said it was his imagination).

About a month after his return Sakura had dragged him shopping with her ("You need fresh food, Idiot.") And he had made his first steps towards social acceptance, when the shopkeeper had struck up a casual conversation with Sakura.

"What's the matter with your friend Sakura?" The elderly lady asked. "Did you rip out his tongue because he insulted you?"

Sakura had of course laughed at the comment before explaining to the woman that no, she hadn't done anything of the sort. He was just shy because the thought the village hated him.

"So this is the Uchiha boy then?" The shopkeeper had asked. "The one that helped Naruto? Good thing you showed up when you did I hear. Helped save a lot of lives."

Sasuke had looked at his feet and mumbled a thankyou when the woman leaned across the counter.

"Now don't you go thinking everyone hates you. Resents? Sure, quite a few do. Fears? Not so many as you might think. But overwhelmingly they respect what you did in the war. Show them how you have changed and they will come to like you, ok?"

Several days after that Sasuke had chosen to leave his house (It was almost dusk and he had eaten all of his tomatoes) when he had run into the shopkeeper again. As she had rung up his purchase on the till she struck up a conversation with him.

"So you like tomatoes?"

"Hn."

"Not everyone speaks Uchiha, Boy." She told him sternly. "I have known several members of your clan and its always the same. Hn. Speak properly, Boy."

"Yes, I like tomatoes."

"Good. And It's good to see you out without one of those two. They're nice and all but by Kami are they a handful."

Sasuke had to agree with that as he paid for his tomatoes and left the shop, he didn't realise it, but this was the start of him being accepted back into Konoha.

YES! Under 400 words (Just barely). Still don't like this guy, but he's kinda a necessary evil to the story. It wouldn't be the same without him. I just LOVE hating this guy. Sorry Sasuke fans. He's fun to write though. To me he's like Iago (from Othello. If you only read one Shakespeare play in your life make it this one. Or Macbeth. Both are great.), I hate him, but it wouldn't be right without him.

Reviews and prompts guy's, reviews and prompts.