Home

It was dark and empty following down this familiar path towards Konoha. The trees on either side, which surround this once lost villager, blow in the wind causing leaves to fall like confetti in celebration of his return. Even the smell of rain filling the air is refreshing. However, he better quicken his pace if he wants to beat the torrential downpour.

I wonder...

His mind drifts as he imagines what his "home" will be like or look like or feel like after these past two years. How has everything changed? It's no surprise that there's hesitancy in his step, even as the first raindrop of many to come falls onto his pale skinned face. He takes pause and looks up at the starry night sky.

Why am I stopping?

He couldn't answer it. Throughout his journey of atonement, he had questioned many times what his place in the world would be and if he'd ever truly be forgiven or redeem himself in any way. Pessimistic as always, he was never able to comfort his spiraling thoughts. He knew there were people who cared about him and waited for him... He'd received letters from a majority of them, always ending their paragraphs with words of support and encouragement and hope that he'd find his way "home" soon.

There it was again.

Home.

More raindrops fell from the sky, urging him not to forget his destination. And so he started walking again.

In only a moments time, he spots his village. He'd walked nearly twenty miles, only stopping at an outpost to pick up rice balls once, and was sore all over. Upon seeing the lights in the village, his anxiety shot up, which also boosted his adrenaline. No matter how cold and stoic his demeanor was, it was all a front to shield his emotions. Afraid to appear weak, he became cool, calm and collected. Something similar to his late brother... In the end, that probably messed him up more than it should have. His defenses were so strong that even the people he deemed closest to him probably didn't know anything about him at all.

What a waste...

His confusion clouded his brain as he passed through the open gates of Konoha. Is there ever a way to make up for lost time or is that just a saying? Would anyone even give him the time of day anymore? Is this really his "home?"

Stop. Just stop.

He stops. Not only his mind, but his feet as well. He's only barely returned to the village and he's already overthinking and second guessing his entire being. He did his atonement and even though it will never be enough, he should find a way to move forward. And so he does, by walking deeper into the village.

He sighs. There's so many memories, both good and less than that. He peers over at the Hokage Mansion with the stone faces behind it.

Kakashi...

He'd only seen Kakashi once over the past two years he'd been out of the village. He quietly sighs to himself again, remembering how he destroyed the moon sized meteor that nearly obliterated this place and everyone in it. He barely had the chance to clearly look at Kakashi, but he felt his surprise and shock when they briefly locked eyes. The thought of Kakashi as Hokage always made him chuckle though. He never seemed like the punctual and political type. But then again...

Naruto.

Neither did that loser. If his late brother's words were true, Naruto would have no problem taking the seat of Hokage when Kakashi stepped down.

Snapping him out of his dream state...

"Sasuke-kun?"

That voice was vaguely familiar.