Chapter 1: Coming back
The war had ended, bringing a newfound peace to Konoha. The village thrived in harmony, with its residents living contentedly and without concern for the future. Each day, the village seemed to shine a little brighter, reflecting the growing happiness of its people. The end of the long nightmare had made them cherish the world that had almost been lost, leading them to do everything in their power to preserve it. The young shinobi, now finding their own paths to happiness, lived in tranquility. A few months prior, Naruto and Hinata had tied the knot, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives and the end of their youth. They, along with others of their generation, embraced adulthood, celebrating with their partners, raising glasses, and looking to the future with hopeful eyes. Their love inspired those around them, and soon, Shikamaru and Temari, Choji and Karui, and even Sai and Ino followed suit. Sai, typically reserved, took advantage of the emotional atmosphere to propose to Ino, who gladly accepted.
Kiba was frequently seen with a young woman who had become his girlfriend, and even Lee, who once loved Sakura, found love with a Konoha woman. Despite his feelings for Sakura, he came to realize that her heart was steadfastly with Sasuke, who remained elusive. Sasuke's rare appearances were almost mythical; once he was rumored to have saved Hiashi and destroyed a meteorite during a rescue mission, and another time he was said to have intervened when Sakura was kidnapped by Kido. Despite Sakura's efforts to fend off her captors and escape by herself, there was no concrete proof of Sasuke's involvement. Six months later, the village was filled with the joy of ongoing weddings. Sakura found solace in her work, having opened a clinic dedicated to the mental health of war orphans. Her days were spent caring for these children, treating their wounds, and providing them with the care and support they needed. Her gentle nature and dedication were evident in her interactions with the children, and she found purpose in helping them heal. One day, as Sakura was attending to a young boy who had injured himself while playing, he looked up at her with admiration and asked:
"Sakura-senpai, do you have a boyfriend?" Sakura's eyes widened in surprise before she smiled wistfully, thinking of Sasuke.
"Hmm… there is someone I love." The boy, with a grin, exclaimed,
"You know, if I were older, I'd marry you!" and then dashed off to play, leaving Sakura smiling.. "Even the kids are flirting with you now?" Ino's voice came from behind her. Turning around, Sakura saw her friend. Ino was busy with her flower shop, the intelligence department, the children's hospital, as well as the preparation of her wedding with Sai, and she wanted to see Sakura as fulfilled and happy as she was. "You're needed at the other hospital; I'll take over here," Ino said. Sakura looked puzzled.
"But isn't Shizune handling things there while I'm here?" "Apparently, there's a case only you can handle." "Couldn't Tsunade-sama have been called? She's not Hokage anymore and has plenty of free time." "It was Tsunade-sama who asked me to call you," Ino clarified. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Sakura quickly gathered her things. "In that case, I'm heading out now!" She rushed to Konoha's main hospital and headed straight for the surgery department. Shizune greeted her at the entrance, surprised. "Sakura? Aren't you supposed to be at the children's mental health clinic today?" "But…" "I called her," a voice interjected.
It was Tsunade standing behind her. She continued:
"You have a basic medical examination. It's in consultation room number 2."
Sakura's eyes widened. Why would she be called for a basic medical exam that any doctor or nurse could perform? Without thinking too much about it, she headed to the designated room, holding the medical notepad in her hands. She knocked on the door before opening it.
Hair as black as ebony framed the face she knew so well…
Strands falling around those large eyes, one marked by the scars of war… the eye of the gods, the Rinnegan.
That gaze directed at her… that gaze full of mystery, that gaze that had shown her so much tenderness that day…
"I'll see you soon."
Soon…
"Thank you…"
"…Sakura."
That voice… how many times had she heard its echo in her dreams? How many times had she dreamed of this moment? Of this "soon"… He was here, he had returned…
"Sasuke-kun…"
She had whispered his name from the depths of her being, her body trembling as her eyes moistened without her understanding why. Her fingers tingled, and she could even hear the pounding of her heart echoing in her ears.
He was there—he was really there, standing in front of her. He had finally returned…
"Tadaima…*"
Her eyes widened, and she felt a tear run down her cheek without realizing it. She bit her lip, trembling… he was here… He was back!
"Okaeri*… Sasuke-kun"
Their gazes locked, lost in each other for a few seconds, and she only regained her composure when she realized she had dropped her notepad. She picked it up and, a bit embarrassed, asked:
"Has… has it been a long time since you got back?"
"Just a few hours…"
"Are you sick or…?"
She looked at him, unsure of what to think. Why had he come back without warning? They had been exchanging some letters throughout the latest months, but he didn't notify her about a potential coming back. She would have welcomed him at the gate with Kakashi and Naruto… why had he come directly to the hospital?
"I saw Kakashi… he asked me to get a medical checkup, especially for my arm and my eyes…"
"I see… please sit in the chair behind."
Sasuke sat down while she positioned a chair in front of him. She placed the necessary equipment on the table next to them and then took her seat. Her heart was pounding incredibly hard, and her hands trembled slightly. Sasuke removed his cloak, but the sleeves of his sweater were too long for her to examine him properly.
"Could… could you take off your sweater…?"
Without a word, Sasuke complied, revealing his torso… He had grown up, and Sakura couldn't help but notice. She had seen hundreds, even thousands of half-naked men during her many operations and consultations, yet it was as if she were seeing a man's body for the first time. His skin was a flawless white, and his build was so masculine… he had grown considerably over the past two years. He was no longer a young man but a full-grown man. His smooth skin still bore some scars from past battles, but the most notable was on his left arm. This left arm with which he had nearly killed her a few years earlier…
This left arm that he had lost that day…
"Sakura… I'm sorry…"
Those words echoed in her mind as she looked at the scar. She gently placed her hand on it. Sasuke watched her in silence.
"Does it still hurt when I touch the end?"
"Not really."
"And did it hurt during the first days of your journey?"
"No…"
"Your prosthetic has been ready for a long time... since you're here, I'll take the opportunity to fit it for you."
Sakura started to get up, but Sasuke grabbed her by the elbow. She looked at him, wide-eyed.
"No… There's no need to bring the prosthetic."
"But… you're not going to stay forever without your left arm, are you?"
"This arm… it bears witness to all the mistakes I've made… the crimes I've committed and those I almost committed. These memories will never disappear... I lost it trying to kill my best friend… living without this arm will always remind me of the mistakes I've made; it's a sort of punishment I'm inflicting on myself."
"…"
Sakura looked at him in silence. Somewhere, she was relieved that he had recognized the wrongs he had done, but staying forever amputated seemed too extreme…
"I see…"
She sat back down facing him and finished the examination, then Sasuke put on his sweater. A silence settled between them. Sakura wasn't sure what to say, as she had many questions… Why did he return now? Did he plan to stay and settle down? What had he learned from his journey? What were his plans? As she pondered how to start the conversation, Sasuke interrupted her:
"Are you free tonight?"
She widened her eyes at Sasuke's sudden question:
"Uh, yes… I finish work at eight, then I'm free…"
"We could have dinner together if you want."
Sakura stood frozen in response to Sasuke's invitation. It was the first time he had suggested going out; when they were still genin, it was she who used to invite him, only for him to refuse with remarks like, "You'd better train."
She nodded, still surprised.
"Alright… I'll meet you outside the hospital at eight then."
"Okay… But meet me instead at the children's mental health clinic. I actually need to go back there now…"
Sasuke had vaguely heard about the children's mental health clinic from one of the words she had sent him during his travels.
He accompanied her to the other building. As they arrived at the entrance, a group of children playing in the garden ran up to Sakura, shouting and running at the same time:
"Sakura-senpai!"
"Look at the flowers I picked!"
"I won the race, senpai!"
"Sakura-senpai, come play with us!"
Sakura started to laugh and picked up one of the little girls who had reached out to her.
"Well, well, I was gone for just an hour," she said, laughing.
"But we love you, senpai!"
Sasuke observed the enthusiasm generated by the young woman with pink hair. He knew that even though she might seem intimidating, she was attentive and kind with the children, but he didn't expect them to be so fond of her. He turned to her and said:
"I won't keep you any longer. I'll wait for you outside."
With that, he left as Sakura watched him walk away.
Hours passed and evening came. Sakura took off her doctor's coat, sighing with fatigue. Ino entered the room with a smile:
"Quite a surprise, isn't it?"
"You knew about this? Why didn't you tell me? I seriously thought I was dreaming…"
"You'll be even more amazed. I was looking out the window earlier, and he hasn't moved from under the tree… he's been waiting for you the whole time."
Sakura's eyes widened slightly as she blushed. Ino said:
"Sakura, go for it! Tell him that you love him and want to be with him! You've waited for him all these years, and he's finally back…"
"… Go for it, huh… I'm not as bold as you are, Ino. Sasuke already knows very well about my feelings for him, but is a free man, and he knows what he wants. Of course, I'm so happy that he's back, because I love him deeply… But I don't want to impose anything on him. He is back to Konoha because he needs to reconnect with his homeland, among all of us who love and cherish him. And I just want to welcome him warmly, without forcing anything on him."
"You're too kind, Sakura…" Ino said with a smile.
Sakura returned the smile.
"Well… I'm going."
"Have a good evening!"
Sakura left the hospital. She found Sasuke standing against a tree in front of the hospital. It felt like a dream… Sasuke was back, and he was there, waiting for her… She couldn't help but ask herself many questions…
As she reached him, she continued to look at him… eagerly, as if he might disappear in the next few seconds. Sasuke broke the silence:
"Is there a particular restaurant you want to go to?"
Sakura startled:
"Oh… There's a new soba noodle restaurant that just opened at the corner of Main Street… apparently it's quite good."
"Let's go then."
They set off. Sakura was all red and embarrassed, looking like the old Hinata. In fact, his return was too sudden and unexpected; she was still in shock. She timidly glanced at the man standing next to her… He had grown a lot in two years… he was much taller than her, his shoulders were broader, and his facial features were much more mature.
The restaurant was not far from the hospital. They arrived quickly and sat down. It was a small, quiet place, which suited them well since they had a lot to talk about and didn't want to be interrupted. After placing their order, Sakura decided to break the silence:
"I didn't expect your return… it's been two years…"
"Yeah…"
"I was hoping you would come to Naruto's wedding. I thought you had received a message, didn't you?"
"… I don't like crowds… Plus, after everything I've done, I didn't want to show up like nothing had happened. But…"
A hawk soared over the valleys and lands. It landed on the window of a bedroom where a young couple was sleeping, entwined in each other's arms. A young couple who had united just hours earlier. The silk curtains fluttered in the gentle spring breeze. On the nightstand, a magnificent and rare white flower was placed.
Hundreds of kilometers away, a man with long black hair smiled peacefully…
A faint smile appeared on Sasuke's lips, and his gaze seemed serene…
"I am deeply happy for him, and he knows it very well… Naruto grew up without a family, left to fend for himself… I understand his pain better than anyone, which is why I share in his happiness just as much…"
Sakura smiled tenderly and murmured:
"It's the same for him… Your pain is his, and your happiness is his as well…"
"Mm…"
"Tell me… How was your journey? Where did you go? What did you do?"
"I didn't have a specific destination; I let myself be carried by the wind. I had many questions in my mind, wanting to better understand the history of this world, of our ancestors, to move forward… but this journey allowed me to discover myself, to question myself, and to gain clarity."
"And did you find the answers you were looking for?"
"…Several questions remain unanswered. Many things about this world are still unclear and leave me perplexed."
"So, what will you do now…?"
"I can't explain the details very well at the moment, as they are just theories, but there is something that prevents me from having peace of mind."
"Does that mean… you're going to leave again?"
"Yeah…"
Sakura lowered her head. She had grown accustomed to his absence and knew she should not expect anything from him. As long as he was happy, that was all that mattered… Yet, she wanted to spend more time with him. She had often thought about all the places she wanted to show him once he returned, the many dishes she wanted him to taste, and all the things she wanted to tell him. She wanted him to feel at home, to find fulfillment… He certainly needed to find himself and take this journey, but wandering eternally was not a life… He deserved to experience the warmth of a home.
Sakura asked:
"And do you plan to stay long?"
"Just a few days."
"I see…"
A few days might be enough for him to regain a bit of what he had been missing, enough to reconnect with old friends, enough to reunite with Team Seven… like in the good old days. Sakura's thoughts were interrupted by Sasuke's question:
"I see you're working at a children's mental health clinic… Did it open recently?"
"Ah… Yes, about six months ago. Ino and I worked hard to make this project a reality; it wasn't easy given the state of the country after the war. It's a medico-psychological hospital."
"What do you mean?"
"Well… Many children lost their families and homes during the war, and many found themselves alone and traumatized… We came up with the idea to create this place to support them, to care for them, to love them… Of course, we can never replace their parents, but we can be… like brothers and sisters, I suppose?"
Sasuke's eyes widened. He wasn't aware of the details. He couldn't help but find it endearing… Maybe if he had found such a place after his own tragedy, he might have taken a very different path…
"The children seem to really like you."
Sakura blushed and smiled.
"Haha… Do you think so?"
They continued talking about various things throughout the meal. Sakura recounted all the adventures they had experienced during his absence, and Sasuke was both captivated by the stories and somewhat disappointed not to have been part of them.
Several hours passed, and they were interrupted by the restaurant owner, who was about to close up. It was already midnight, and they hadn't noticed how time had flown.
"I'll walk you back," said Sasuke.
They stood up and left after paying. The streets were deserted, and the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the chirping of insects. They soon arrived in front of Sakura's rented apartment. Sasuke looked at the place and remarked:
"Have you moved?"
"Ah… Yes, I rented a small apartment near the hospital. It's more convenient that way. And at my age, I needed to become independent…"
"I see. Well… Good night."
He turned to leave, but Sakura grabbed the edge of his cloak. He turned around.
"Do… Do you have a place to stay?"
"Yeah."
"I… I see."
"Good night."
"Wait!"
"…?"
"When will I see you again?"
Sasuke smiled faintly before turning his back to her once more.
"Soon."
Sakura bit her lower lip and then released his cloak. She watched him walk away once again, feeling the echo of her heartbeats reverberate through her veins…
Soon…
In her bed, she ran her hand across her forehead. He had told her he would see her again soon, that day, while tapping her forehead… His "soon" had lasted over two years. What about this time…?
She fell asleep thinking about the evening. It felt like a dream…
Word by the author: Hello! I'm back with a new fanfiction about my favorite couple, SasuSaku! I've had this storyline in mind for a long time, but being lazy as I am, I never took the time to put it into words and write it down… Until today. Actually, this fanfic has been written since 2016 (yes, 2016) in French and published, but I believe it needs to reach a wider audience, which is why I'm translating it into English. This fanfic is my take on the evolution of Sasuke and Sakura's relationship, following the narrative structure of canon works: Naruto Shippuden, the movies, the novels (like Sakura: Hidden…), and Boruto, in order to stay as true to these works as possible and ensure the story is coherent with what actually happened between Sasuke and Sakura. So, you'll see their relationship develop from the moment Sasuke returns to Konoha up until Sarada's birth! There will be some mature chapters coming up, so in the meantime, I wish you patience and happy reading!
