Healing

Homecoming

"Tsunade-sama," Sakura began as her flushed teacher finished a long swig of sake. "He's back."

"Ah," She grunted back, slamming the small cup onto the table. Tsunade stared at Sakura with a raised brow and didn't bother to hide her frown. "Do you plan on seeing him?"

Sakura shrugged, taking a swig of her own. "If I have time."

Tsunade shook her head at her fake indifference. "He hasn't come to see you yet." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. A loaded one at that.

Sakura's eyes narrowed, "No, he hasn't." Without skipping a beat, she poured herself another shot of sake, downing it aggressively. "I'll be going for the night."

"Be careful Sakura," Tsunade heeded as Sakura stood and began to walk out the door. While she wished her mentor would be more supportive, she understood the concern.

Tsunade had almost single handedly drawn Sakura out of her depression when Sasuke left. Her mentor had seen her punch boulders mid-sob and had taught her proper nutrition habits since eating small amounts of fruit would not suffice for her training regimen. Tsunade had broken her and rebuilt her into the woman she was today and she had not intentions of recreating the masterpiece a second time.

Sakura nodded and smiled the smile Sai scolded her for. "I will."

Sasuke let out a long exhale as he walked through the gates. It had been two long years since he had stepped foot in this village. The air was as thick and heavy as ever. He lifted his chin in greeting to the guards to avoid a commotion. His first stop was the Hokage tower and he had no intentions of detouring.

Sasuke entered the office without prompting, Kakashi had surely already sensed him. "Ah, Sasuke. Long time no see." His eyes upturned, but he rested his head against his hand as he scanned his former student.

"Ah," Sasuke responded leaning against the doorway. "Any new developments?"

"No, not yet," Kakashi sighed. "Yamato is keeping surveillance, but nothing yet."

Sasuke closed his eyes in thought and frustration. Orochimaru was as sly as ever after the war. It was unlikely he would do anything to draw attention to himself currently. These appearances had his name written all over them, however.

There was a sudden rumbling through the halls of the tower, causing Sasuke to shift his attention to the doorway.

"He's in a meeting! You cannot just barge in!"

"A meeting with Sasuke!" A familiar voice demanded. "You let go of this damn jutsu right now!"

"Like hell! This is the fourth time this week you have barged in unsolicited!"

"Shikamar-"

"Yo! Shikamaru, it's okay, we just about done," Kakashi called rubbing the back of his head. They had grown, but they were still children nonetheless.

"SASUKE!" Naruto barged in, attempting to head lock his best friend

"Loser," Sasuke acknowledged, with a smirk as he side stepped his attempt.

"You owe me lunch for being gone so long! Ramen on you!"

"Yeah, yeah," Sasuke dismissed as he walked away from the room. Naruto followed him, knowing well this was truly an invitation to lunch.

As the office door swung shut, Shikamaru stepped in, hands in his pocket. "How long do you think he'll stay?"

Kakashi sighed, facing the village at this point. "Long enough to get the information he needs."