A/N: I don't own Naruto.

Hi everyone. This is my first attempt at writing a fic. I always wondered what might have transpired between Sasuke's incarceration and his atonement journey, the reason he went investigating Kaguya's origins, and why he promised Sakura that he will be back.

So this is my attempt at writing it.

This fic is rated M for Gore later on. Some tooth-rotting fluff later on.

I have tried to be as canon-compliant (both manga and anime, and the lite-novels) as much as possible, and left the time stamps of the events in this fic vague, because I couldn't find an official timeline. Feel free to assume on your own if these events happened within few weeks, or within a few months.

.

I hope you like this. Enjoy Chapter 1 of 8.


Healing

Chapter - 1 - Here Today


The unison sign had come to being. With the roots of the god tree withering away, their kith and kin woke up from the indefinite slumber the moon reflected onto them. It was almost as if a new sun rose over the ninja world as the two of them stood, their wounded hands not bleeding anymore, yet reeling from loss all the same.

Sasuke remembered being ushered into custody. Sitting in a solitary cell somewhere underneath Konohagakure, hands bound and eyes sealed, he awaited a verdict that he was deserving of. A part of him had doubted his loyalties anyway, at least until the blonde ninja who made his own way assured him that he would follow Sasuke until the end of the line. A part of him worried that maybe the verdict would somehow orphan Naruto again, his brother in soul as he now knew. So that part of him would try. To survive, if for nothing else but for the faith Naruto had in him.

Sasuke could only be thankful when his case was heard by the Konoha council, and they came to a unanimous decision to offer him a pardon in lieu of his contributions towards ending the war, and the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Another part of him wanted to laugh at the irony, that the village he meant to destroy for these kage he meant to unite, were already united under one banner. Naruto's ninja way.

A free man now, however free that may be, with no home to go to, no family to call his own, Sasuke walked the streets as crimson creeped over him in the skies. His eyes were set ahead of him, unwavering towards the places his ears were occupied at. Well, what else would they have to say anyway, if not more curses thrown his way. Did he really wonder if the forgiveness he was rewarded with really came from the village? The council had been making decisions for a long time, and it seemed as if some traditions would continue.

So he walked to the only place he knew he could, and should. Naruto's invitation to accompany him to dinner would not leave the place to his choice. So all roads lead to the same place today. Wherever Naruto led him.

"Oh. Hello there, Sasuke", came a flat voice from behind a black mask. Standing in front of Ichiraku Ramen, with nothing other than his favorite pastime opened in front of him, Kakashi Hatake stood emotionless.

"Naruto told me to come here", he gave the answer to the obvious question that hid behind the greeting.

Kakashi mellowed. "So he did," he said, moving to keep his book inside his vest, he pointed inside the shop and gestured to Sasuke to occupy the seat beside him. While a storm of questions brewed inside the raven haired boy, it was nothing that warranted to be reflected in his eyes. The fact that all of them will be answered in a short time was more than enough to hush them aside.

The long silence that followed the greeting was only broken by Kakashi himself.

"What are you thinking?" he asked, throwing a sideways glance at the boy. And he was met with more silence thrown his way. Not that Kakashi was expecting him to respond eagerly. Sasuke was never the talkative one. But today was different. Today was Salvation. Today must have been the day Sasuke had felt free of all that occupied his mind since the horrifying night he found his clan slaughtered. Today, Sasuke must have realized that he had done everything he had meant to do in order to avenge them. Or finally chose not to do anything beyond what had already transpired. In every sense, the purpose the sole Uchiha gave himself to live for, came to an end. And Kakashi almost knew what that resolving nothingness must feel like.

"You know", Kakashi began again, thoughtfully. The path that darkness had led Sasuke on could not be allowed to fester longer. He had tried to pull the boy out of darkness earlier, but today it might just find him in the right mind.

"You cannot get different results by doing the same thing," Kakashi said assertively. "You have to let go of your old ways."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and looked towards Kakashi. The silver haired ninja who was once his team leader seemed to have had enough of the silence Sasuke was so used to simply throwing around. But something about letting go of his old ways sparked a chain of thoughts within him. This was the very same man who had once told him not to go after revenge, citing that it would not bring him joy or peace. Alas, Sasuke had been too engulfed in seeking vengeance and had paid no heed to what were wise words no one else had ever bothered to tell him. Somewhere within him though, a stray thought wandered. What if he would give up on Sasuke again? No one but Naruto had seemed to want him back not too long ago. But then again, something about the way Kakashi maintained his eye on him made Sasuke want different results than before. So he resolved to speak.

"I was not thinking of anything specific", Sasuke said, promptly turning to face forward again. How ever will answering these questions ever make a difference, he wondered to himself, as silence settled in like a winter's fog.

"Team 7 won't be given any missions for a while", Kakashi said aloud, wondering if Sasuke would mistake it as being directed towards Miss Ayame. She was the only one here besides them, although on the other side of the counter. Atleast, Kakashi hoped, Sasuke would notice that she did not seem to care about this information, and would choose to join the conversation again.

Sasuke paused before replying. Not that he was unsure that the statement was directed towards him, but anyway none the less. It was a fact. Two teammates with one hand each, and another team mate who just lost the only sharingan he had, their chances of being given a mere bodyguarding mission seemed bleak. Even their arms would not heal properly in forty days. So the cracks he left behind would take longer.

"It won't be the old team 7 anyway, just because Naruto brought me back", he said in response. A truth for a truth, perhaps?

Kakashi, however, simply accepted the response. While some would have thought he took whatever he got from the brooding Uchiha, Kakashi felt pride in the fact that the boy had unlocked some lost wisdom. Perhaps solitude grew on him.

"I hope so", he put perfectly, gauging Sasuke's emotional growth. But something about his response seemed to have surprised the boy, prompting him to turn and look at him. And if that were true, Kakashi would not be the one to hesitate in providing an explanation. Such chances do not come with dawn.

"You are not the same person anymore. And neither are we", Kakashi added upon Sasuke's questioning look. Understanding flashed over his face momentarily, Sasuke was sure, but those words helped him accept it. They had all changed by what life had put them through. Perhaps, Kakashi wanted to point out it was all for the better. But he seemed to want more answers, as evident by his next question, perhaps more answers than Sasuke had.

"But you are here. Why?"

Sasuke knew the answer to this question. It was clear as day. "Because of Naruto", he stated.

When Kakashi's gaze did not falter from his face, he understood that Kakashi wanted him to elaborate. Something Sasuke would not like to do. But if he was to try something different, as he resolved, now would be it.

"He is the only person I feel a connection to. So I am here because he wants me here", Sasuke added at Kakashi's behest.

Kakashi quickly understood the flaw in his ex-student's statement, even wondering for a while if he should correct the teen. He was here because of a promise he made to the last person he felt a connection to. However delightful this was, watching a boy who was once engulfed by hatred trying to keep his word, Kakashi knew this would not last long. Actions that are a consequence of others' will would never take root. And more uncertainty is not what was needed. Perhaps the Uchiha would be smart enough to figure it out himself. But would Sasuke notice?

But the words Sasuke handed over, only seemed to weigh on him. How long until the day when the word he gave Naruto would not be enough to tie him to the village? How long before he leaves again?

"That's a good place to start", Kakashi simply said. Whether or not he had imparted enough wisdom to his student was out of the question, for the only thing Kakashi believed about Sasuke now was that he had always been smart. One simple push would lead him to unravel the flaw in his plan entirely.

Sasuke nodded at the response. Not just because that is the only thing he could muster in this deep tiredness that ran through his bones, but also because Kakashi's response meant he was not alone with these thoughts. But Kakashi's response could only mean that there was a way out of it. And this was only the beginning. And Sasuke could not help but take note of a smile the copy ninja wore at his response.

.

.

.

.

Naruto greeted Sasuke with a resounding clap on his shoulder as he entered Ichiraku's Ramen shop. "Hey Kakashi-sensei!", he waved excitedly, while the black haired boy sputtered and tried to catch his breath. "Look who's back. How cool, right?". Kakashi looked up at the blonde boy and chuckled in amusement.

"Is that what this is? A team 7 reunion?", he asked, probably the same question Sasuke hid behind the annoyed expression on his face. Merely five seconds in and Naruto managed to bring back the same look that the Uchiha perpetually carried on his face five years ago.

The blond laughed sheepishly as he scratched his head. "Yeah… I was hoping at least, now that Sasuke has been released", he said as he looked around taking a seat. "Where is Sakura-chan…? Isn't she supposed to be the one who usually arrives first?" He questioned.

Kakashi's eyes instantly darted towards the raven haired boy wondering if there would be any reaction from the reformed anti-hero. But Sasuke seemed unbothered and unaffected, much to Kakashi's dismay which he managed to hide. Some part of him had actually hoped that the Uchiha merely hid his affections for the pink haired kunoichi in question.

"Looks like she made it", Kakashi said, looking somewhere behind the two teenagers who were yet to begin a conversation. Naruto turned first, and fast, while Sasuke was even paced as always.

Sakura Haruno walked into the shop, pacing faster than usual, as the boys got on their feet to greet her. "Sorry I was-" began Sakura immediately as she entered the shop, but stopped shortly. Sasuke-kun, her heart sung. Oh how Naruto of Naruto to not tell her that this was a team dinner, and that there would be Sasuke in attendance. The only boy she ever held a flame for, since forever. But the pinked haired ninja gathered herself almost instantaneously, having decided to keep these feelings to herself now. The war had cost her a lot, and the immaturity of her feelings finally fell flat in her eyes since then, making her want to change for the better. "Oh. Hi, Sasuke-kun", she greeted through a smile.

"Sakura-chan!", Naruto approached her in a huff. "I did not expect this from you!", he pouted and crossed his arms.

Kakashi was sure he would have been slapping Naruto in another universe for this. While it was evident to the silver haired ninja that his star pupil still held a flame for the brooding Uchiha, the two could do without Naruto interrupting their conversations. After all, the once-missing nin was now open to healing and reconciliation, and Kakashi hoped he would be open to love too. But for that, he would first need to extract Naruto from the unfulfilling conversation he would provide Sakura with. But before Kakashi could even interrupt, he witnessed something that seemed impossible yesterday.

"What kept you so long?", Sasuke asked Sakura. Naruto would be rude enough to interrupt a conversation, but he guessed he could still continue.

Sakura seemed surprised at this. "I..." she began in an exhale, still processing that he had asked her a question. "…was held up at the hospital", she breathed in and smiled. "Tsunade-sama is preparing for Guy sensei's surgery tomorrow", she said, turning towards their teacher.

"Oh, right", said Kakashi as Sasuke turned to look at him as if he had been completely caught off guard. "I completely forgot it was tomorrow."

What even had happened to Guy-sensei, Sasuke wondered. There was not much he knew about Konoha's defense in the war, but it was logical to assume that whatever his ailment was, stemmed from the same. So he moved to ask Sakura for the same. But Naruto would seem to keep interrupting today.

"That's alright, Sakura-Chan", Naruto began, his pout vanishing with the simple explanation Sakura provided to the trio. She was the strongest kunoichi the blonde knew, only paralleled by Tsunade-granny, and she was a skilled healer. No wonder she would be involved with such an important surgery. "You are here now", he patted her shoulder and began pulling her into the shop, "but we-"

Suddenly, Kakashi sent a seemingly reprimanding smack on Naruto's arm. What was that for, Naruto wanted to ask, only to be distracted by his raven-haired best friend.

"Lets eat, Naruto" Sasuke suggested, shaking his head. Patting the blonde on the shoulder, he walked inside without even waiting for a response. This was getting tiring, trying to have a conversation to know more about what had transpired during the war, being interrupted all the time.

Naruto perked up at this. "Yeah! Yeah! Of course", he said excitedly as he walked in again and quickly placed a request for his favorite Miso Ramen Bowl. The blonde boy then sat down between two of his best friends, while his teacher took a seat at the far end beside Sasuke. "Man! Just like old times again", he said aloud, cracking his knuckles.

However, Kakashi was not lost at the silence that suddenly overcast the reformed ninja at Naruto's words. Old times. 'It won't be the old team 7 anyway' Sasuke's words resounded in Kakashi's head.

"Ever so optimistic, Naruto," he said, throwing a glance at Sasuke again. Pushing him might not yield best results, but maybe, Naruto's unintended words were just the right mixture of hope and reality that could slowly lead Sasuke back into living a normal life.

Sasuke sensed the tension building around since Naruto's words hit the air. Just like old times, Sasuke wondered what that even was. Ever since he could remember, his normal life was badly interrupted by the Uchiha Clan massacre. Old times were very much a thing of the past, and quite worn out in his memories, having lived almost ten years of his life carrying the burden of avenging his clan.

"A lot has changed since then, Naruto", he said calmly, dispelling any threat that the others might have felt looming over them since the triggering subject came to be. Sasuke was not immune to spells of anger, and more often than not, they had increased to a lethal level in the recent years. But since his conversation with Naruto at the Valley of the End mere moments from their death, he had come to realize that his anger was the part of him that knew he was treated wrongly. Yet, it was also the part of him that was hurting others as he was looking to quench it. But Sasuke could no longer let it hurt everyone around him, not when he knew what being wronged felt like, not when Naruto's memories showed that the blonde had felt the same way, yet chose to walk around it. So he would walk on the way Naruto showed him, and the first step would be to identify when his anger was being misdirected and keep it in check.

Naruto turned to his left to take a good look at Sasuke. While a lot had changed since Sasuke left the village to pursue his goal of revenge, Naruto could clearly remember the days when he had not yet become a missing nin. Sasuke cared about people around him. Sasuke cared about doing good. And Sasuke needed to know he had it in him. Naruto believed Sasuke would come to see that. Because he now knew that he was not alone.

"So what," he said to the raven haired boy who met his eyes. "We are here all today, right?" he grinned. And a glint in Sasuke's eyes told him that his best friend understood.

The four of them sat there in their own company. Reunited once again, after being ravaged by war, weather, and woe. They are home now, all of them. Itadakimasu.

.

.

.

After a hearty meal topped with Naruto's funny anecdotes over the past few weeks, Team 7 was ready to rest for the night. Although Kakashi was sure the Uchiha compound was pretty much open and available to Sasuke to call home again, not that anyone would patrol the lands so far from the center of the village, the silver haired ninja however was not sure if going back to that place would help Sasuke heal. Naruto however seemed to have other plans in motion already, as Kakashi found out soon enough.

"Sasuke," the blonde called out. "Stay at my place for the time being. You can start to find an apartment later", he suggested.

"Alright", accepted Sasuke, leaving Kakashi stunned for the second time today. But this is what Kakashi and the rest of Team 7 wanted, right? For Sasuke to accept their support and heal.. Was it really this easy if Sasuke put his heart into it?

The blonde nodded and looked around.

"Sakura-chan, wait", Naruto said as he rushed towards the pink haired girl who was donning her scarf back on, and began talking about something regarding his hand. But something striked Kakashi suddenly. Maybe the Uchiha was now willing to accept their help on his road to redemption. But would the Uchiha trust them to help if he was hurt? Would he be open to show them his vulnerable side? So Kakashi decided to speak up.

"Is your hand alright, Sasuke?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. How would he respond?

The teen turned to look at Kakashi to simply reply in the affirmative. So Kakashi continued. "Would you tell us if it was not?", the silver harried ninja prodded.

Sasuke rolled his eyes like a typical teenager and stopped to look at Kakashi once more as if that look would be the answer to Kakashi's question. But that would not deter Kakashi.

Sasuke turned to look at Naruto once more, who had just finished having his stump examined by the medical ninja. "Yes. I would", he said gradually.

Kakashi softened towards the raven haired boy. The whole world might have been against him at a certain point in his life, but the faith the blonde held in him was probably the only reason why Sasuke was here today.

"Someday", Kakashi began, unsure of where this would lead, "you are going to have to stay because of yourself", he allowed words to fall into place.

"I know", came the reply. And for today, that was enough.

.

.

.

.

Sasuke followed Naruto into the latter's flat and the duo took off their shoes by the door. As Naruto walked in and turned on the lights, Sasuke was surprised to find a stark difference in Naruto's way of living. The entire apartment was extremely clean and organized, in contrast to how the blonde used to live when he was barely a teen.

"This is surprising", Sasuke could not help but chuckle, stopping Naruto on his way into the bedroom. "Your place is clean", he gestured to the ninja who turned around with a quizzical look.

"What?" Naruto said as he was caught off guard. "Oh this?" he smiled sheepishly and continued. "Well I promised my mother", he said, pulling out a futon for Sasuke.

Sasuke could only respond with a questioning look, and Naruto continued.

"Yeah. Some of her chakra was added into the seal that was holding Kurama. I saw her then, you know", he said as his eyes glistened with sadness that Sasuke was sure he understood. "It was only for a little while, though", his friend continued. "She told me to be good and to take care of myself. So I'm keeping my promise to her", he reminisced fondly.

Sasuke sat down on the futon and looked around to realize that Naruto really meant it, keeping his promise to his mother. There was no dirty laundry anywhere, no dust collected, and there were even a couple of fruits on the table, instead of empty Ramen containers. But something else on his table captured Sasuke's attention.

"You are studying to become a Chunin" he said, bobbing his head towards the books lying on the side table.

"Oh yeah", Naruto said, lying down, "No shortcuts to becoming Hokage right?" the blonde grinned at him.

Sasuke simply nodded at the reply. "It's only a title. You've already reached there."

"Huh. I guess. Well, so have you."

Sasuke pondered for a moment before replying. Truth be told, Sasuke and Naruto were equals. Their fight had ended as a draw, with both of them bleeding to death, only for Sasuke to forfeit as Naruto's victory held a purpose. But was it truly his aim to be Hokage, Sasuke wondered, because the only reason he said he wanted to be a Hokage was because the title was a position of power. Other than that, Sasuke could see no reason to why he would ever want to be a Kage.

"I don't really care", Sasuke said nonchalantly.

Naruto's head snapped towards the raven haired Uchiha in irritation, making the latter realize that there was some misinterpretation happening. Sensing Naruto's apprehension, he quickly moved to correct it.

"What I mean is, I don't think I ever wanted to lead the village. I just wanted to be the ultimate target that would unite the ninja."

Naruto calmed down and hummed in understanding. "Then, what do you want?" he asked, turning off the lights, allowing darkness to lull them into a deep slumber their bodies needed to recover.

"I am not sure anymore", he offered the plain truth as it is, and slipped into silence. He wanted to be a ninja like his brother when he was young. But since the clan was massacred and his brother sowed a seed of hatred inside him, avenging them was the only thing he had sought to do. Then when he realized that his brother was also the victim of coercion, hatred took over him once again, and his only plan was to annihilate the ninja villages and begin anew. This was probably the first time in his life that he had no aim or agenda to accomplish.

"I have only wanted revenge for so long, I don't know who I am without it", he said aloud, reminded of Kakashi's words. His old ways would have told him to keep it to himself and avoid bonding with anyone.

"Well. You've got all the time in the world now, Sasuke", said Naruto plainly, not taking his eyes off the ceiling.

"I suppose I do."

"You'll figure out. You have an entire village now."

Something about that statement from Naruto made Sasuke want to laugh out loud at the irony. This was the same village that told a 13 year old to kill his entire clan, the same village which blamed an orphaned newborn for the attack the tailed beast sealed inside him had mediated before its sealing. But again, this was also the village Naruto loved fiercely, the village that held the next generation which was untouched by its predecessor's crimes. Maybe someday the village would support them, just as Naruto hoped.

"I wouldn't be assuming that so soon, Naruto", Sasuke replied. "But I know I have you" he breathed peacefully.

Naruto laughed in surprise. "Boy, a few weeks in confinement, and here you are accepting out loud that I am your friend."

Sasuke smiled to himself. He had acknowledged Naruto before, as the only friend he had, but he understood where the blond ninja was coming from. All of those acknowledgements were succeeded by Sasuke telling him that he would kill him. Acknowledging this today, when they were not fighting, it would make it clear that he understood Naruto as a friend, not just as some precious thing he had to lose to gain a Sharingan. Today there was no self-seeking reason behind his acknowledgement, there was only truth. Maybe he could acknowledge other truths as well.

"It was enough time to think about how I have hurt a lot of people", Sasuke said.

"That's true", stated Naruto.

"I… need to make amends", Sasuke continued, as his heart paced faster. This was the first time he was speaking to someone about making things right. But having Naruto who was like a brother to him, he knew he would be seen.

"What's gotten into you, heh?" Naruto teased. "You are running your mouth more than usual", he added happily looking at Sasuke.

Sasuke shrugged. Never mind, he almost wanted to say, but the Uchiha resisted. "Something Kakashi said this evening. That my old ways won't help me. So I am trying not to let them stop me".

"Huhh!" said Naruto, surprised. "Did not expect him to be the one saying something like that." Sasuke chuckled at how he would have thought the same thing too, given his teacher's propensity to gravitate towards reading romance novels instead of training them. But he knew better now, for a long time.

"I'm not surprised", he said to the blonde truthfully.

"Heh? Why?"

"He was the first person to tell me not to go after revenge", revealed Sasuke.

Naruto leaned on his elbow to look at Sasuke in wonder. However, Sasuke made no move to mirror the motion.

"I thought I was the first one", the blonde sighed.

"Ne", Sasuke informed, as the blonde settled down again. "It was right after Itachi tried to kidnap you as the nine-tails jinchuriki. I was just too foolish to see" he declared.

"You are still foolish to see a lot of things", Naruto sniggered. Sasuke threw a mean glare at his friend, but took no offense to his words. Naruto's playful nature was nothing new.

"But you can always start by making amends with friends", Naruto added on a serious note. "The Konoha 11 are waiting for you".

Sasuke released a relieved breath. There was a certain amount of burden that came with doing things alone, always watching your own back, and never having to rely on someone, all of which he had thought were necessary to lead the temptation and attachment free life that would have taken him to avenge his loved ones. But today, something made him believe he need not watch his back alone.

"Thank you Naruto", he whispered. There would be long days ahead.

Okay. I'll fight all my instincts.

I'll swim against the flow

That washes me away from shore,

Because you want me to swim.

I will resist every wave,

Seek your love and hate,

I'll settle in worlds beyond,

At your every whim.

I will not surrender to dark

Even if storm clouds cast,

I'll ensure my promise lasts

Echoing on my lips like a hymn.

I will nourish the light

Of your soul that offered me sight,

I will not fall into hate's abyss;

For you, I will swim.

.

'Resist', by mypoemscorner (Instagram)


A/N : This is my first try at a writing a fic. If you like it, leave a review, my dear readers! 3

Up next ;) ;) - Naruto tries to play mediator as the trio trains, our favorite Jinchuriki is afterall a SasuSaku shipper. Just like his sensei.