#teamss

Hello! This is the second chapter to Welcome Home, the prequel to All Shapes and Sizes. It’s about the way Sasuke and Sakura came together, and the ways they fell in love with each other. The link to the fanfic.net story is: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12393719/1/Welcome-Home . Please enjoy!

“SHANNAROOOOO!”

Naruto dodged Sakura’s fist just in time to keep her from sending him plummeting into the nearest tree. He turned immediately to his left, preparing a Rasengan in his hand. They had been sparring for over an hour, and it was time to finish the match. What he did not anticipate, however, was the punch Sakura place to the ground, causing the earth beneath him to quake and shatter until he lost his balance. Taking advantage of his state, Sakura landed a punch to Naruto’s stomach, sending him flying to the edge of the training grounds. The jinchuriki had lost the match to his teammate.

Sakura rushed to Naruto, the adrenaline from the match propelling her forward.

“Are you okay, Naruto?” She asked as she kneeled next to him. Naruto was comically spread out on the ground, his eyes closed. He whined a low “dattebayo” before nodding and letting out a moan. Holding back laughter at her baby-like teammate, she began to check him for major injuries. Satisfied that other than a few bruises he would be fine, she helped him into a sitting position.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve sparred, Sakura-chan.” Naruto declared as he rubbed the back of his head.

“Well, you’ve been pretty busy lately.” Sakura offered Naruto water from her bottle. “With you and Hinata settling into married life and all the work you’ve been doing with Kakashi, you haven’t really been available.”

“You’re right,” Naruto said, looking off to the fields. “I guess we’ve all been kind of busy lately. You’ve been at the hospital, Sai has been with Ino or doing missions, and Kakashi is the hokage. But hey! We still always have time for Ramen! That’s something!”

Sakura laughed at her teammate. “Speaking of Ramen, I’m starving. Do you want to go get some food?”

Naruto looked at her sheepishly. “As much as I’d like to say yes, I should get home. I don’t know when Hinata will be back and I want to be waiting for her.”

“Ah, I understand.” Sakura gave him a smile as she stood up. “Don’t worry about it! I have to meet Kakashi-sensei soon anyways. Go ahead home and shower before Hinata has to smell you.”

Naruto stood up, lifted his armpit and gave a small sniff, his face contorting with disgust. “You’re right, Sakura-chan.”

“I’m always right,” Sakura told him as they began to walk towards the main part of the village. After telling Naruto goodbye, Sakura made her way back to her own quiet apartment. She took her time in the shower, lathering in her cherry blossom shampoo and letting the hot water soothe her sore muscles before dressing in her normal shinobi wear. She took the time to style her hair as usual, and then proceeded to put on her normal cherry blossom perfume. Looking in the mirror, Sakura gave herself a small smile of approval before her stomach rumbled. Knowing there were minimal groceries in the house, the pinkette decided she would treat herself to some dango after the excellent training session with Naruto.

She walked through the streets of Konoha, embracing the sunshine. Summer was in full swing in Konoha. Only just reaching July, it was hot and sweet outside. Sakura watched as children ran through the streets, vendors offered refreshing sweets, and the older folk sought out the best deals they could find. The home she loved so much was bustling and busy as always. She approached her favorite shop and bought two orders of dango and black tea to share with her sensei.

Sakura felt in her bones that today would be a good day. Whether it was the weather, the morning training session, or the sticky sweet dango she was going to eat, she didn’t know. All she knew was that the day seemed different, and Sakura welcomed it. The walk to the Hokage’s office was peaceful; for once, Sakura’s worry about the hospital, her team, and even Sasuke drifted away. She knew the hospital was improving day by day. Her teammates were happy and healthy. And Sasuke…well, she liked to think that he was somewhere that brought him peace. She felt that same familiar longing for him to come home, but pushed it away to think of happier thoughts.

She arrived at the Hokage’s office and knocked before opening the door. Her former sensei immediately stopped signing the paperwork in front of him and gave her a warm smile that was hidden under his mask. His eyes were twinkling mischievously, although he said nothing out of the ordinary.

“Good morning, Sakura,” He got up from his chair and stretched.

“Good morning Kaka-sensei,” she smiled at him and handed him a stick of dango and his tea. “I brought you a treat!”

“How thoughtful,” Kakashi took the treats gladly. “Now, Sakura, I know we need to discuss some things concerning the children’s hospital, but why don’t we take a walk while we do so? I haven’t made rounds around Konoha in a while.”

Sakura smiled cheerfully and nodded. “That sounds wonderful!”

She did not notice the small scroll that was laying in the corner of Kakashi’s desk with handwriting that was all too familiar to both of them.

Sasuke had awoken that morning to the sound of birds chirping and Hinata packing her bag. “Good morning Sasuke-kun,” she told him serenely when she realized he had awoken. With a nod back and a mumbled “Morning”, Sasuke quickly got up and got his own items ready. He took a small scroll and summoned his faithful hawk before sending him off with a missive for Kakashi, warning him that he would be returning that day before lunchtime with Hinata.

The two shinobi ate a quick breakfast before starting back up on their travels. They both moved quickly, each with different motives. Hinata was ready to see her husband while Sasuke was ready to see the way his village had changed in the last few years. As the trees flew by and the land became more and more familiar, Sasuke couldn’t help but think about his team, his family, and everything he’d been doing over the last few years. It was strange to think that he was coming home with no intention to leave immediately. He was instead coming home to work for Konoha, the way his father, mother and brother had. He was coming back as the last Uchiha to give everything he could to the village his brother had died for.

It took Hinata and Sasuke roughly three hours to reach the gates of Konoha. As he approached the gates, he felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him, something that almost never happened. He was happy to be coming home.

“Sasuke-kun?” He heard Hinata’s gentle voice rouse him from his musings. The two stopped just past the guard’s stand where Kotetsu and Izumo were staring at him open mouthed. “I’m going to the Hokage’s tower to turn in my mission report. Will you be going there as well?”

Sasuke was prevented answering by the loud gasp he heard. Turning from Hinata, he was greeted by the sight of Sakura and Kakashi standing about 10 feet in front of him. Sakura was gasping with her hand covering her mouth. She stared at him for a few moments, her green eyes wide with disbelief before her lips formed the most dazzling smile she had ever given him. Her entire face alighted with joy as she made her way towards him. Stopping right in front of him, she tucked a piece of her rose-pink hair behind her ear. She held her breath, waiting for him to speak.

“Tadaima, Sakura,” He told her quietly, not being able to control the gentle smile that his lips formed.

“Okaeri, Sasuke-kun,” Her smile widened and she stared up at him with more affection than Sasuke had ever seen. He couldn’t help but lift his fingers and poke her in the middle of her forehead the same way his brother used to do to him. He watched as a warm blush spread over her porcelain cheeks and he felt a warmth inside that he wasn’t familiar with. He heard someone clearing their throat, and he turned to see Kakashi watching him warily.

“Yo,” His former sensei said to him. “Long time no see, Sasuke. And welcome back, Hinata.”

“Aa,” Sasuke replied.

“I have the report here for you, Hokage-sama.” Hinata handed him a scroll. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get home to Naruto.” She turned to Sasuke. “I’ll tell him you’re home and that you’ll all be over for dinner tonight. I’ll send word to Sai. No excuses!” The byakugen princess smiled at all of them before turning to hurry home to her husband.

“Come with us, Sasuke,” Kakashi turned and began walking. “We must discuss your return.” Sakura and Sasuke followed closely behind Kakashi as he made his way towards the Hokage tower.

“Why were you with Hinata, Sasuke-kun?” Sakura asked him, curious about his return.

“We met up around the edge of the Land of Fire by chance. We decided to travel the rest of the way together.” Sasuke watched her face carefully as she took in the information. Her eyebrows were furrowed in thought, but about what, he had no idea. Sakura had indeed changed in the last few years since he’d seen her. She had grown a few inches and her hips had rounded out, giving her a womanly figure. Her face had slimmed even more into a sweet heart-shape that balanced out her once large forehead. Her green eyes had become even brighter and lovelier, openly displaying her feelings to the world. Her lips were plump and rosy, set over a set of perfect teeth. Her hair was as shiny and pink as ever, cropped into a new style that Sasuke favored over any other she’d had. The blunt cut fit her face and personality so well. Sasuke had never been blind to Sakura’s delicate loveliness when they were young. Anyone who didn’t see it would have to be blind; but now, she had truly blossomed into an alluring beauty.

The trio of ninja arrived at the Hokage’s office rather quickly. Kakashi sat behind his desk while Sasuke and Sakura stood facing him.

“Now,” the Hokage began as he searched through his desk for something. “First things first: Sasuke, how were your travels?” Kakashi pulled out a lone piece of paper that looked like a checklist and wrote Sasuke’s name at the top.

“I discovered many things during my journey,” Sasuke began. Sakura was turned to him, breathless as she waited to hear about the travels that had kept him away for so long. “I have wandered across all the lands, learning about the people and the cultures surrounding us. I have walked with them and learned from them. I have seen signs in many places of strange things occurring. I have found many anomalies, but I have not been able to piece them together. That is part of the reason I have come back to Konoha. I would have been back sooner had I not been distracted with studying and observing.”

“For that, I will have you speak to Shikamaru when he returns from a mission.” Kakashi put his hands behind his head. “We will have to discuss these anomalies, and if necessary, begin research on them immediately. In the meantime, I’d like to formally welcome you back to Konoha. While here, I expect you to resume your ninja duties and take part in the community.” He waited for a response from Sasuke, who simply nodded. “Though you are technically still ranked as a genin, I believe we will be able to send you on higher caliber missions due to your abilities and history. However, given the fact that you have been away from the village for almost three years, there is some protocol that we must follow.”

Sasuke again nodded, while Sakura turned to look at Kakashi, wondering what exactly Sasuke would need to do. Kakashi held up the paper he had written Sasuke’s name on. “This is a checklist that you must complete by the end of the week in order to continue performing ninja duties. You must get a hospital checkup, maintain a permanent residence, complete training with a group that contains at least one jonin, write a report of what you found during your absence, and sign a list of paperwork in my office.”

Sakura’s eyes widened. She had never heard of this intense protocol before, but then again, Sasuke was probably the first shinobi who required it in years.

“Now, I have a few recommendations for where you can live,” Kakashi continued on. “While much of the Uchiha district was decimated during Pain’s attack on Konoha, the north and west sides are almost completely unscathed. I believe it would be for the best if you moved into one of those homes, or if you chose to build a new house there. As the last of the Uchiha, you should reclaim that district and keep it maintained.” Sasuke nodded at Kakashi. That was exactly where he had planned to live anyways. “As far as your hospital checkup, you should be able to walk in at any time. I’m sure Sakura can let you know when the best time to come in is.”

Sakura smiled and turned to Sasuke. “I can help you with whatever you need, Sasuke-kun.”

“For training, there are two options: I can randomly assign you to shadow and train with a genin team this week, or Sakura can oversee your training, with Naruto and Sai helping. She is a qualified jonin. If you agree to have Sakura help you, you will have to work around her hospital schedule.” Kakashi paused.

“I would rather work with Sakura and Naruto.” Sasuke told them. “I can fit around her schedule.”

“Excellent,” Kakashi told him. “You can sign the rest of the paperwork when you’ve completed everything else on the list. Now, let’s go pick out a house for you, shall we?”

Sasuke nodded and turned to walk towards the door. Kakashi moved behind him, but Sakura did not. “Are you coming, Sakura?” Sasuke found himself stopping to ask.

Her eyes widened as she stammered “D-do you want me to?” When Sasuke simply nodded, she picked up her feet and followed him out the door. Her heart was racing, and she kept her hands behind her back to keep from fidgeting. She followed the two men out the door to the Uchiha district, where very few people ever stepped foot near. She didn’t know what to think of Sasuke being back. The fact that he was going to be living in the Uchiha district again hinted at the fact that he was here to stay with permanent intentions, which both frightened and delighted her.

Sasuke was slightly in shock once he was finally in the Uchiha district. It’s true that certain areas had been decimated from Pain’s battle. The shock, however, came from how well maintained the area was. Where the old buildings had been torn down, they had been replaced with cherry blossom tree groves and green grass. The rest of the buildings had been fixed up and cleaned as though Kakashi had known Sasuke would come back to live there.

“We’ve had many improvement projects going on over the last few years,” Kakashi told him. “One of those projects was proposed by Naruto and Sakura. They decided that it was very important that the Uchiha district be cleaned and attended to in your absence.”

Sasuke turned to look at Sakura, who was blushing again. “We thought it would make you happy, Sasuke-kun.” Sakura told him softly. “And after everything Itachi went through for Konoha, it only seemed respectful to fix up this old district.”

Sasuke nodded, at a loss for words other than the simple thank you that escaped his lips. He moved farther in, looking at the houses that had made up his childhood. He stopped when he reached a smaller one at the edge of the district by the new cherry blossom grove. It looked as though it had been completely rebuilt, with a small garden outside. It seemed simple and inviting. Sasuke stepped up to the house. He could not remember anyone ever living in this house. It must have been built right before the Uchiha massacre.

“Do you like this one, Sasuke-kun?” Sakura asked him gently, carefully putting her hand on his good arm. He turned to nod at her.

“This will do,” He murmured. It was an interesting feeling for him, being back in his childhood neighborhood. He could almost see members of his clan smiling at him, welcoming the Uchiha heir back to his rightful place.

“This is the key,” Kakashi reached out to hand it to him. “You still have all the Uchiha funds available to you. Simply visit the bank and give them this note, and you should have access to them immediately.” Kakashi handed him a piece of paper. “It should be more than enough to furnish the house. I would offer my help, but I do need to get back to my office. Sakura, are you capable of helping Sasuke with what he needs?”

Sakura startled immediately. Her? Help Sasuke alone? She nodded, however, not wanting to disappoint Kakashi or leave Sasuke on his own.