Distant Echoes

54 - Return to Konoha

Sasuke walked the streets of the village without paying attention to anything. That was the country he grew up in, but he felt like a stranger at the time.

Where do I go?

He didn't want to see his former teacher right away and talk about the problems with the Hyuuga, with Hinata they had not mentioned the subject after the letter of Kakashi, also he didn't even want to go back to the house. Naruto returned to the Leaf in early August, Sai had said. His feet walked the path that would lead him to his rowdy friend's house. A distraction was needed from the inner whirlwind he was experiencing. And so he rang the bell at the house that the villagers had offered his friend for saving everyone's ass in the war. He waited a few minutes before he opened. Naruto opened his mouth enthusiastically, when he saw him on the threshold of his dwelling.

- Hey bastard! - exclaimed Naruto smiling. - You're finally back - he put both hands on his shoulders.

Sasuke barely smiled.

- Did Kakashi not warn you? - he replied.

- Yes - confirmed Naruto. - Master Kakashi told me last week. And by the way, did you come to him? -

- I will after eating - said Sasuke.

- Let's get out, I'm starving too. -

Sasuke nodded. They walked the alleys of Konoha together. That evening he would gladly endure the noise that Naruto did not to get lost in dialogues with himself.

- Tell me what you've been doing over the last few months - Naruto said on the way.

- I had criminals arrested while I was on the road - said Sasuke.

- Were they strong? -

- Not at all. -

They entered the restaurant, Sasuke ordered a soup, while Naruto as always began to gobble up ramen.

- So you haven't seen Hinata in a few months? -

Sasuke nodded, he didn't like to lie to his blond brother, but Naruto didn't keep one, and he couldn't risk him talking too much and Kakashi's cover blowing up.

- Master Kakashi said he spoke to Hiashi Hyuuga a few days ago, Hinata won't be long back from the mission by now. -

Sasuke nodded again, barely smiling.

- I've been here in Konoha for a month now - said Naruto. - You know I'm seeing a girl? -

- Hmm.-

- He's not a shinobi, but he really is a bombshell, beautiful with those green eyes and short red hair - he smiled enthusiastically. - And then something happened. -

- What? -

- I am no longer a virgin! - exclaimed Naruto.

Sasuke heard the laughter of some ninjas sitting a few feet from them. What an idiot, he didn't know the girl he was seeing, but maybe he wasn't nice, to go and tell details of that caliber among people.

- I do not know if I am in love, that is, I like it a lot but I still have to process it well - I will guess at one of its moments of reflection.

- At least you know you like to look - said Sasuke.

- Listen, and by the way, I've been meaning to ask you something - said Naruto.

- Hmm? -

- How did you realize that you were in love with Hinata, since it took you so long to admit that you cared about me like a brother? - asked him the blonde seriously concerned.