Loved Again - A KakaNaruSasu Fanfic

Chapter 1 - A Change of Hearts

It was a warm morning in Konoha. And as usual, Kakashi sensei was late in reaching the grounds where his Team 7 was waiting. "Let's bet on what is the reason this time" Sakura sighed. "It's our first S-Ranked mission and yet..." Naruto was growing impatient.

Sasuke seemed the only one quiet. After his whole ordeal with Orochimaru, he was just grateful to be accepted back into the team. The villagers were not yet entirely convinced of his change of heart on avenging the death of his clan given that he had deserted for the want of power, but his team was making every effort possible. 

Kakashi sensei had already talked to the Jonin teachers at the academy and the now Godaime Hokage Tsunade that he was no longer a mortal threat to the ones around him, that what happened with Zaku at the Forest of Death will not happen to his comrades. Sasuke knew that Asuma and Kurenai were also actively helping in securing a favorable opinion at the possible upcoming vote on whether he can stay. He was grateful of being retained, though Sai had almost being confirmed as the new third member of Team Kakashi.

His once friends had again started talking to him and Ino declared that she had always believed in his return. It was new experience altogether for him and he knew that it would be a while before they have a relationship with him like they have with Naruto and Sakura. For starters, he was an iceberg compared to the sunshine Naruto and had hardly spoken more than a sentence at a time till now. And as they say - all good things take time.

But all of this was still pushed at the back of his head as he eagerly waited for the silver haired jonin. Every now and then, he would recall his conversation with his teacher when he asked him to give up the path of revenge. He was tied to a tree and had said to Kakashi that he would kill everyone that mattered to him to make him understand how he felt, his want and need for revenge. And the reply that haunts him even today -

"Its a nice theory, but you are a bit late to put it to test. Everyone I love has already been killed."

That had cooled him down to his core, and for the first time he had felt a pain behind his Sensei's cheerful manner. But Orochimaru's hold on him was much greater than his will at that time, he couldn't altogether give up his idea of revenge. 

He met Itachi for the first time after all those years alongwith Kisame when they had apparently come for Naruto. He had attacked Itachi with the Chidori, but could not even touch him. His Sharingan was no match for the man who could burn fire itself and Itacgi had made him relive the massacre again that day, which was lastly saved by Jiraiya showing up.

He was jealous of Naruto's growth, his power, his Rasengan. On that day at the hospital terrace, he had seen what that wind ball had done to the water tank - Thank Kami that Kakashi was there to stop them from clashing directly - but his hunger for power had tripped all reasons and he had to pursue the curse mark gift.

At the Snake Sanin's hideout, things had taken a turn. He had learned of his brother's association with an organization called  Akatsuki that the Sanin was also a part of. But when he had learnt about all his experiments on children, on the Ibisu clan for their Kekkei Genkai, his obsession with the Sharingan and lastly when Orochimaru tried taking over his body to be his vessel, it was a wakeup call. Sasuke had killed him with the very Chidori that he was training to strengthen. That Kakashi had given him.

Ever since coming back, the reality was going in circles for him. He did not understand whatever was happening-he was not used to this change. He was not irritated by Kakashi's antics or his laziness or his reading of Icha Icha Tactics in public everywhere he went - or wait, that did bother him a bit. As for Naruto - he was now more concerned for his recklessness and idiocy than being jealous of his achievements or powers. He was sure the yellow boy will make it to the Hokage.

Sakura as well, she no longer seemed annoying to Sasuke, her concerns now brought him warmth. But he had realized that he did not like her, not in that sense atleast. And he knew this because recently his heart had started to beat for two other people - his friend and his teacher. All these were enough to make his head hurt.

When had he started feeling so? "Well, it must be..."  his chain of thoughts had been interrupted with the expectantly late arrival of the silver haired jonin.

"Ma, ma I hope I haven't made you all wait too long...ha ha ha, its just that a black cat had crossed my way, so you see I couldn't come, hahaha."

"You know Sensei, that's the fourth time you have given this excuse, atleast put some effort in lying," Sakura made a bored faced.

Kakashi gave a laugh, "So I see, I will make sure to invent something new the next time."

"Or you can actually try being on time, you know, for a change," Naruto sighed.

"Oi, oi look at you both scolding your teacher. Humph. I wasn't even that much late and you are complaining so much. See Sasuke is the best, he comes the earliest, but never complains. Humph. Sasuke, you are the best," Kakashi says as he puts his arm on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Let's get going anyways or we will be late, dattebayo," Naruto exclaims and the team departs the grounds.