This is the edited version of the chapter, enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto or the characters mentioned in the story
Chapter I - KONOHA
"U-uchiha san" a blonde nurse with glasses come to his hospital room rather anxiously, she's clutching a clipboard tightly to her chest while sweating furiously
Right. Sasuke thought. I was a rogue for years "Hn"
"Y-you're f-free to go… H-hokage–sama is w-waiting"
"Aa" he get up from his sitting position on the bed "thanks" he say without looking at the nurse. He might be here for redemption but he still couldn't do nice
On the way Sasuke take his time to examine his surroundings. Konoha. It's been a while since he had seen it, the last time he's been here it was the night he left Sakura in tears and out cold on a bench, there's a new sensation of guilt that tingles on the memory-something he didn't feel before. In fact something he hasn't felt for the longest time.
But no matter what he has to face now, he knows he has his comrades, his…friends
Sasuke cling on Naruto's words and vow to forever hold it in his heart that no matter what may come he always have people to come home to. Always have him to come home to at the very least, to greet him with the signature goofy smile he used to hate. It is for him to return the gesture now, he wants to also be someone his friends can come home to, someone that's actually deserve their love and loyalty. Their nakama. He will devote his life to them, to this village, just like Itachi did.
He might be the last Uchiha, but he just found out that he has an even bigger family here, and he will use everything he has learned on his journey to be a part of this family once again.
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun" a feminine voice greets him in front of a familiar flower shop
Sasuke turn his head and see Ino, the last time he saw her she was still a crazy fangirl that will shove everything aside to get his attention, he brace himself for anything. But instead she just offers him a smile as she walks back inside Yamanaka's flower shop
She has changed. Sasuke wonders what else has changed here in the village. He observes some more. A lot of buildings and shops are still being rebuilt, like some big assault by someone so powerful has happened here.
He sees people… or more specifically girls are surrounding the ramen stand that's so familiar to him and his team, it has been Naruto's favorite place, Ichiraku.
Naruto-kun! Naruto-kun!
Over here Naruto-kun!
Wait, I have something for you Naruto-kun!
No, look here Naruto-kun!
Fangirls? Naruto's fangirls?
Sasuke shot a brow, things has really change, Naruto used to be shunned. If girls like him, he suppose other people are fond of him too. Remembering how powerful Naruto has gotten, and how he is the only Jinchuriki left, the one that actually managed to befriend the hateful kyuubi and eventually all the biiju, fought numerous battles, not to mention ended the fourth shinobi world war and defeated Kaguya preventing the end of the world.
Sasuke felt happy for his best friend.
Best friend. The friend that has stated he thinks of him as a brother, first bond he ever had, even before he has one with his father, the fourth hokage.
Things really did work out for Naruto, thanks to all his determination and big heart. Sasuke couldn't help but admire how strong Naruto was to have smiled through everything without a grudge. One day, Sasuke too hoped that he will be strong enough to sacrifice for the things he hold dear.
Sasuke continues walking, he get stares and whispers as usual but doesn't mind any of them. It has only been weeks, not even a full month since he has arrived. People will need some time.
Sasuke spot Shikamaru with a big pile of groceries and an a determined expression on his face as he heads to where Sasuke believe used to be Sarutobi Asuma's place. And at the door Yuuhi Kurenai and Chouji greets him, not long after he see Ino running with a basket of flowers that he assume is from her family's shop.
He continue walking and spot the Hyuuga girl with some flowers in her hands walking with Shino, Kiba and Akamaru. They are heading towards the memorial facility, he assume they're accompanying her to Neji's.
Everyone looks different. The village will soon too after all of the reconstructions, even the hokage rock will soon have a sixth face, rumor has been going around that soon Tsunade will retire and pass the tittle to some unknown elective.
Sasuke steps into the Hokage's office and found Sakura already inside, crossing her arms on her chest twisting her body to face him halfway when she heard him at the door "Sasuke-kun" she greets with a smile
"Sasuke, I was wondering when you'll arrive" Godaime speaks
"What do you need Hokage-sama" he calmly ask
"Sakura and I have been discussing the possibility to construct a prosthetic arm for you, but we would like to consult you first"
Sasuke steal a glance at Sakura but she seem to be in deep thoughts as she was silent
"Aa"
"It will take a lot from us to construct and since this was never done before on something as complex as an arm we will need your full cooperation and patience to get it done"
"I appreciate it"
"How have you been holding up Uchiha?"
"Fine"
"Good, eight more months and you'll be off probation" Tsunade shift her attention to the scroll on her desk
"I thought it was supposed to be a year in total" Sasuke ask with a knit brow
"It has been cut short, and I think it could be even shorter out of good behavior. Kakashi and Naruto has been nagging to get their original team on missions again"
"Kakashi and Naruto ka?" Sasuke steal another glance at Sakura. She didn't ask her own teacher to get team 7 on missions soon as possible? It's so unlike her, if he knows Haruno Sakura, she would be the one begging Hokage for everything regarding Sasuke's well-being
Perhaps… she has changed as well
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(Short) Chapter II - HINATA
Naruto excuse himself with a lot of effort, and a little help from Konohamaru. He has never been tsunami-ed by girls before.
He never thought this would ever happen, let alone before he becomes Hokage, and after Sasuke's return too. He thought the fangirls would pick-up where they've let off with him and just sasuke-kun him away again.
"Naruto-niichan, you've gotten quite popular, ne?" Konohamaru state with a big teasing grin on his face
"Ah, it's nothing like that. A war just ended I'm sure people are just overwhelmed and since I fought in the war they just let it all out on me dattebayo" Naruto shrug it off
"What's that niichan? You're so full of yourself saying you'll be Hokage and all, but now after you've actually done something big you gets all low profile… aaa!"
"Bakayaro!" Naruto smack him on the head "what did you say? Eh, say it again Konohamaru!" he threaten him with a fist ready and an annoyed face, steam off his nose and all
"Nothing, nothing niichan" Konohamaru stream off silent tears while holding the big lump on his head
"What are you doing walking alone 'round here anyway?!"
"Eh, I was about to go to them memorial ground kore"
"You wanted to visit chiichan?"
Konohamaru nods, still holding his head
"Aa, fine I'll go with you"
"But niichan I didn't ask you to"
"It's fine, I didn't really have anything to do anyway dattebayo"
As they reach the memorial ground Naruto let Konohamaru get close and sit near the Sandaime's memorial as he wait, his eyes wonder around and they meet a sight; Hinata is standing by one of the memorial stone, so Naruto decide to greet her
She must have been in deep thoughts since she didn't hear him coming
"Good evening, Hinata"
"Eh" the girl was taken aback by his sudden appearance "Na-naruto-kun" she says. Now that they're both sixteen she has gain enough control to not blush so easily when she sees Naruto
Naruto looks down at the name carved by where Hinata was standing
Neji Hyuuga
He had sacrificed his life for her when she wanted to sacrifice her life for him. Neji had sacrificed his life because he knew that Hinata loves Naruto. Then the memory of that day, when Naruto was pinned down on the ground and Hinata has confessed her love to him, play in his head.
Honestly he doesn't know how to go about it. He's not even sure how he feels about her, and he just usually dismiss the thought for another day. All this time it has always been Sasuke and Sakura in his mind, he never saw it coming; Hinata's feelings. But Naruto sure is glad that Hinata never make a fuss about it and she is now more composed than ever, it gives Naruto ease and the time to think about what he wanted to do about the whole situation.
But tonight, he could only say sorry in his mind cause he's still not sure about anything.
He shift his eyes back to Hinata that wasn't even looking at him at all, her eyes are still fixed at Neji's memorial stone
"Are-are you here alone Hinata?"
"No" she finally look at him "Kiba, Akamaru and Shino was here earlier but they already left" she offer him a smile
"Oh, aren't you also going home?"
"In a minute Naruto-kun" she simply answer
"I could stay with you if you're going home soon" he offer
"N-no, there's really no need Naruto-kun" she assure him "but Naruto-kun, why are you here?"
"Oh" he totally forgot about Konohamaru, but when he turns around, the kid wasn't there anymore "a walk I guess" he sigh.
That kid must've seen him with Hinata and thought of something funny before he left the two of them on purpose, how typical.
Then there was silence.
Naruto doesn't like silence much, but it wouldn't be appropriate to say dumb things to Hinata just for the sake of breaking the ice now. So his stomach did it for him
"Eh heh" Naruto say in embarrassment
"Naruto-kun, you should get dinner soon" Hinata say to him "I would also wish to go home now Naruto-kun, you don't have to stand here anymore" she turn on her heels and start walking away slowly
"Uhm-he eh…" he pauses for a second and gulp "Hinata"
She turn around and stop on her track "yes?"
"It's buy one get one free at Ichiraku tonight, and…I-I'm –I was just wondering if you'd like to go"
"Naruto-kun?"
"You don't have to if you don't want to da-a-ttebayo"
Hinata just smile and blush slightly even Naruto couldn't see it cause it's already dark when they make their way out of the memorial ground.
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