Chapter 2-Return

It had been a year since the 4th Shinobi War—and even longer since he'd bid goodbye to his comrades and wandered the lands as a lone ruroni. He thought he'd be better off—that they'd be better off. But he could only stand the company of strangers or the companion of solitude for so long, before it weighed on him heavily.

Heavily enough that he'd awoken that morning and let his feet carry him back the way he'd come—back through the familiar hills, mountains, and wasteland until he found himself standing at the borders of the Leaf. Konoha. This was familiar.

This was…home. Rather, it had been.

He'd taken care to send a messenger hawk ahead of him, letting Kakashi —the sixth Hokage—know of his imminent return. However, he'd expressed his desire for it to remain a secret. He may be returning but that did not mean he had intentions of staying. Nor did he have the patience for all the chaos that would doubtlessly ensue when his teammates heard of this. Naruto would be his typical obnoxious-pain-in-the-ass self and Sakura would doubtlessly take his return as she always did; blushing like a virgin maiden and ever hopeful that he would 'come to his senses' and court her properly.

Tch…

He hated the fuss they always made— like a flock of annoying, pecking mother hens, the lot of them.

He'd rested for a few hours of the night but rose well before dawn to continue his journey. It would still take most of the day, but he didn't want to spend the night out in the open again if he could help it. He was used to sleeping in the elements, but it didn't make the hard, unforgiving earth any more comfortable and his back had plenty of knots and kinks as it is.

Keeping his traveling cloak tied securely around him, he'd strapped his Kusangi to his back—concealed beneath the cloak—and untied the strip of cloth from around his forehead, letting his raven bangs fall into his eyes.

He didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention and even with his Dojutsu technique Sharingan inactive, the striking polished onyx of his eyes seemed to draw plenty of notice, all on their own.

It was sundown when Sasuke caught sight of the gates of Konoha in the distance and upon closer inspection, he noticed a lone figure standing just inside the entrance, facing his direction. The mane of wildly swept silvery hair was a dead giveaway and Sasuke smirked despite himself.

Reaching the gate, he stopped, his watchful eyes scanning the area.

"Don't worry, there are no Guards—I sent them on rotation just to be safe. But the others will be here soon."

"Rotation, huh?"

"Well, you did say you wanted your arrival to be discreet, hm? I know you could've easily slipped past them, and they wouldn't have been the wiser, but…I had to come and see you for myself."

An eye-crinkle smile warmed Kakashi 's masked features, causing his former student to roll his eyes.

"You still wear that ridiculous mask? Honestly Kakashi, you're the Sixth Hokage; aren't you getting a little old to be playing at 'mysterious'?"

"Oh this?" the older man gestured to the mask, another eye crinkle following and a chuckle when his former protégé scowled at him.

"Yes, that. It's pedestrian and childish…not to mention absurd for a man of your station."

"Ah well, it keeps the people curious…and it adds an element of intrigue to my…swarthy charisma."

Sasuke rolled his eyes again, crossed his arms, and chose to ignore the man beside him for the moment. His former sensei was an idiot, and his idea of humor left much to be desired. Not to mention he was a lecherous old man still chasing after young women's skirts in his 40s... But he was a renowned Shinobi—skilled, intelligent and exceedingly powerful; for this, Sasuke would always hold high respect for him.

They were nearing the Hokage shiro—the streets were quiet and not a soul could be seen. "So. You're back," Kakashi began.

"Hn."

"Any particular reason why?" the older man side-eyed his former protégé casually, but in truth, he held great interest in Sasuke's answer.

"I was weary of wandering—particularly among strangers; their company is insufferable. I would prefer solitude."

"Yet you returned here. To the home you'd once despised, and the place of your birth."

The Uchiha heir kept his gaze straight ahead, his voice steady and unflinching as he answered, "My reasons are my own. Besides, I don't intend for it to be permanent."

"Oh?" Kakashi gave him another sidelong glance. They reached the tower and only then did he turn to face Sasuke fully, "Well at any rate, whatever your reasons, it's good to have you back. You have any plans for where you'll stay?"

"If the old compound is still standing?"

"Relatively speaking, yes; as well as can be expected."

"Then it's settled."

Kakashi eyed him curiously. "There are better accommodations, Sasuke; we've rebuilt since the revolt, and even if you prefer more privacy, I could easily house you in one of the apartments on the outskirts of the village…or even in my own quarters, if you prefer."

He gestured towards Konoha's shiro towering before them, but Sasuke shook his head.

"I'm not going to be an inconvenience, Kakashi. You know me. Besides, you have plenty to concern you with running the Leaf. You don't need an old student, ex-avenger and former criminal stirring up chaos," there was a hint of sarcasm mixed within Sasuke's condescending tone; the Hokage knew that despite the Uchiha owning up to his mistakes, the fact that the village had been the reason for his family's demise and his eventual descent to madness, still rankled. Bitterness lingered on Sasuke's tongue, regardless of the passage of time.

For this reason, Kakashi wanted to assuage him, "You are not an inconvenience, Sasuke."

"Nevertheless, my decision stands."

Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck and sighed heavily. "Very well. If the Uchiha compound is what you prefer then by all means, you are welcome; it is yours after all."

Sasuke nodded stoically then turned to take his leave.

"Do you know how long you'll be staying?" the older man called after him.

Sasuke paused in his steps, considering, "I haven't decided yet."

"Well, I'll do my best to keep this under wraps as long as I can, but you know word's gonna get out sooner or later. Naruto and Sakura will eventually know you've returned..."

Sasuke side-eyed his former sensei and master. "I'll deal with that when the time comes."