Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 26

It was another two months before Sasuke made his appearance known to Konoha. Naturally, Sakura and Naruto were the first two rushing to the gate and welcome the ninja. Genma and Ibiki were debriefing the former rogue on his travels.

"Security precautions," Ibiki stated.

Which was true. Other teams coming in from missions began handing over their papers for review.

"So where did you go?" Naruto asked, as the adults looked over Sasuke's report and filed him into the database. To keep a record that he was visiting.

"South," the Uchiha answered.

"What did you find there?" Sakura wondered.

The teen shrugged. "The Land of Tea is a lot greener than ours."

It wasn't exactly what the Medical Ninja expected to hear. But that didn't seem to faze the knucklehead as his grin widened.

"You hungry?" the blonde asked.

"I guess–"

"Great! Let's go get ramen!"

The Uchiha should've known. Some things never changed.

"How long will you be here?" Ibiki asked.

"A week or two," Sasuke answered.

"You can't stay longer?" the pink-haired shinobi questioned.

"I'm not done yet." And the subject was dropped.

"You're free to–"

"Oi, Mai!" Their heads turned to follow Naruto's line of sight, cutting off Genma. "Mai!"

The said ninja had just entered the gate with a small three-man team. A C-Ranked mission. Her fourth once since being fit for duty outside the walls. Her head turned to stare at them with a passive expression.

"Look who's here!"

Her attention shifted to the Uchiha. They stared at each other for a long moment before the Be Fong turned away once they were granted easy access. She moved into the Village without a word.

"Whoa," the blonde mumbled.

Though Sakura expected as much. There was a lot of work to be done to repair the relationship between the Uchiha and Be Fong.

"Leave her alone, Naruto," the Medical Ninja spoke up. "Mai will come around on her own terms."

Even though the newly appointed Chuunin wished to chase after her and convince the Phantom Ninja to join them. "Fine..." the blonde huffed.

Ramen wasn't particularly Sasuke's first choice of food, but it made Naruto happy, so the Uchiha went along with it. But it was odd. Being present when absent for so long. He didn't think that it was going to be easy in the slightest, watching as Sakura and Naruto conversed. Others joined them as the day went on; Kiba and Akamaru, Sai, Shikamaru, Hinata, Ino, Choji, even Shino, surprisingly. But there was one person who refused to show themselves. Even when the Uchiha searched for her presence while the others were occupied. His wandering eyes were never noticed.

"Sasuke, do you need somewhere to stay while you're here?" Ino questioned, having hung back. Her actions didn't go unnoticed by Sakura, who shot daggers over a shoulder in annoyance. Damn Ino was a fast worker.

"No," the former rogue said.

"But your apartment..."

He glanced over at her in question.