title: find your way home
prompt: #18 - out of the woods
summary: "i'll - we'll all be waiting for you here, always."
It was a blindingly bright day when Sasuke took his last step out of the woods and let Konoha come into view ahead of him. Even from such a distance away, he could clearly see the tall welcome-gate and even the Hokage Mountain surrounding the village in an embrace, and despite everything that had happened in Konoha, it was warming to finally see it after such a long time of simply wandering the world.
Sasuke increased the pace of his footsteps forward, wondering if he could ever come to call Konoha home again. Even though he had lost almost everything and everyone he had ever loved there, it was comforting to know that perhaps one day he could start over again.
To his past self, returning to the village had never been part of the plan. He had mapped out everything he had wanted to accomplish and eventually crossed each item off his list, and at the end of it all, he had decided to go and see the world for himself, with his own eyes and new clarity.
But as for what he would do when he returned—he supposed he would start with relearning how to live as he once had, long ago. After all, he had promised Sakura. He had promised her he would return and see her when he came back, and though years had passed since that promise, he hoped she knew it was still alive as ever.
Morning had faded into afternoon by the time Sasuke passed under the Konoha welcome-gate. He walked the main road, the first people he recognized being Shikamaru and a blonde girl from Suna ambling down the sidewalk.
They both looked surprised to see him pass by, and Shikamaru hesitated before lifting a hand in greeting. "It's been a while," he said, as Sasuke nodded a hello.
On his way to the hospital, Sasuke passed Ichiraku's and was nearly tackled to the ground by a certain blond who was, naturally, dining there for lunch. Hinata quickly jumped up to restrain Naruto and welcomed Sasuke, who couldn't help but lift his lips at the sight of the two.
After Naruto yelled at Sasuke for not coming back to the village sooner and a tearful 'see you later', the blond shoved his friend on his way to the hospital, where he took a seat on the stairs leading inside.
He waited a while until he glimpsed the vaguely familiar face of his former replacement. "Hello, Traitor-kun," Sai said politely, before peering inside.
Ino emerged moments later, her jaw dropping and eyes widening upon seeing Sasuke. She rushed to him, pulling Sai along. "Sasuke-kun?" she said, in a voice just above a whisper. "Is that you?"
Sasuke shrugged. "I think so."
Ino clapped her hands before fanning herself with them. "Wait until Sakura comes out here," she gushed, rocking back and forth on her feet. "Forehead's going to be so happy…"
Sasuke watched Ino and Sai stroll away, Ino grasping onto Sai's arm as she chattered off about Sasuke and Sakura.
The sky had dimmed into later afternoon by the time Sakura made her way out of the hospital. Sasuke stood at the sight of her, and she froze in place upon seeing him waiting.
"Hi— " Sasuke started, only to be cut off by Sakura throwing her arms around him.
"Hi," she echoed breathlessly.
Perhaps he had always known she would be the start of Konoha becoming his home again.