"Returning home is the most difficult part of long-distance hiking; You have grown outside the puzzle and your piece no longer fits."

― Cindy Ross

Kyle couldn't say he was glad to be home. While he found some nostalgia in his hometown, it's not where he wanted to be. Hell, most people probably wouldn't even recognize him if it wasn't for his, what Cartman used to call "Jew-fro." He didn't wear his famous green ushanka much anymore. In fact he currently had his hair tied back into a ponytail of sorts and was sporting an Alice in Chains shirt with black skinny jeans. He stared out the window of the Taxi as it drove down the street towards his house from the nearest airport. The taxi stopped in front of his house and he could see his younger brother Ike waiting on the steps. Ike was slightly dumbfounded when he saw Kyle get out of the Taxi, but Kyle just gave a lopsided grin and leaned against the vehicle.

"Are you going to greet me or stand there letting flies in?" he asked. Ike quickly shut his mouth and ran over to hug his brother. They hugged a little while longer before he turned, paying the driver and grabbing his bags out of the car. He had twice as many as he'd left with, considering he bought gifts for just about everybody he knew.

"Kyle I can't believe you're back! How was your trip? I kept all the pictures and postcards you sent! Did you bring me back any souvenirs?" asked Ike, going a mile a minute. "Ike, calm down or you're going to pass out." Said Kyle. Ike had stopped asking questions, but couldn't seem to stand still. Kyle reached into his bag, pulling out some rare Chinpokomon that had only been sold internationally. Ike excitedly ran up to his room. When Kyle got inside the house, he hadn't been expecting a warm welcome, but his parents were nonetheless happy to see him, though he could see the strained smiles. They were especially strained now that they'd taken in Kyle's appearance.

Kyle knew that things weren't going to be easy. His parents would expect him to go back to being the obedient little child he was… but Kyle didn't want to go back. It was why he'd left in first place. He wanted something different than the fake and seemingly perfect little jewish life that him and his parents would front. While Kyle head back to his old room, his parents began to argue about him.

"Look what's happened now! Our son is turning into one of those punks and it's all your fault!" said his father.

"My fault? You're the one who said this trip would be good for him. You're the one that told him to go!" said his mother. Kyle just sighed, thinking back to when this all started.

- Two Years Before -

Kyle was finished with everything. He didn't want to be here anymore. His relationship with his friends and his parents were strained. His father wanted him to be a lawyer, which he didn't want to be and His mother still wanted him to marry a nice jewish girl, even though he'd told them he was gay. She tried to convince him it was just a phase, which only enraged Kyle. It wouldn't be so bad if he'd had Stan and his friends to help support him, but he'd ruined all of that when he came out to Stan and admit that he loved him. Stan had told him it was disgusting and from then on, their relationship was strained. They stopped talking unless it was to argue.

Kyle threw himself into his school work and became really stressed. So stressed, that it was causing him to fail more than pass, which only angered his parent more. He'd just come out to them a few weeks before and his parents weren't happy. Outside, they seemed happy but inside the house there was a lot of arguing and harsh words.

Kyle's salvation came in the form of an ad on facebook. It was an ad for an educational program where students would get to go out in the world and learn through interaction. Kyle loved the idea. He'd saved money from working at the mall and figured he'd sign up for it. There was a limited number of spots and he didn't know how many people had signed up for it but he practically prayed that he would be chosen.

He wait for weeks, for an answer, as he prepared for finals. He faked a smile as his friends made plans for the summer. He just nodded along with them but he never really gave his input unless it was to argue with Cartman. When he got home, he received the letter that he'd been accepted. Now all he had to do was break the news to his parents… who didn't take it well. He argued that he'd already been accepted and he couldn't take it back. He also argued that it was good for him.

It took a lot of convincing but they finally agreed. He packed his bags and left soon after the summer started without so much as a word to his friends. He didn't feel like he needed them to know. The only thing they found out when they went over was that he was on a student education program and would be gone for two years.

- Present-

Kyle sighed as he set his bags down in his room and looked around. He was definitely going to need to redecorate now. Everything in his room seemed childish to him. Well no time like the present to start. He took down some of his old pictures and posters, putting up ones of the friends he made in the program and a few paintings and posters he'd bought. He sighed and nodded in satisfaction. He started to unpack his clothes. He had a lot of new ones and only kept a few old ones. His friends had staged an intervention of sorts and made him buy new clothes. Once he was unpacked, he spent the evening with his parents, talking about everything he'd seen and everywhere he'd been. His parents nod politely and put up fake excitement about how school was starting in a few weeks. He just tuned them out, rolling his eyes. His parents never changed. He head up to his room, smiling when he saw a bunch of messages on his phone from the friends he'd made.

"Hey there boo. Miss you already. How's it feel being back home? Don't forget to keep in touch! Xoxo"

"Hey broski. I'm pretty sure you took my Big Bang theory t-shirt. Anyways expect a gift from me on your birthday and remember to punch that asshole Stan for me."

"Dude…. Fucking sucks being back home. I wish we were back in Europe."

"Hey sweetie. Make sure to text me…. Or I'll find you and I will hold you down and smother you."

Kyle text them all, grinning when he admit that he did have the shirt. He spent the night texting them and fell asleep. The next morning, he decided that maybe he should go explore South Park, but where could he go? Maybe he could go to Tweak Bros. coffee shop. IT was still early so there was a good chance it would be relatively empty.

He left a note for his family saying where he was going, then set out. He decided to walk there since the sun had barely risen and it was a nice way to get a breather. IT would take some adjusting because he felt like he was suffocating in there. He stepped into the coffee shop. "Welcome to Tweak bros. coffee, where all our coffee is made from local ingredients. It's local coffee. Brewed locally." Said a deeper but familiar voice.

Kyle was not surprised. Tweek's hair was as wild as ever and he was still twitchy. Kyle was glad that Tweek hadn't changed at all. Tweek was currently leaning on the counter, practically sleeping, since he'd had to wake up so early.

"Well I'm glad to see you haven't changed at all." Said Kyle, startling the male from his sleep. Tweek looked at him with wide eyes, twitching.

"Agh K-kyle?! Is it really you? W-where have you -agh- been?!" asked Tweek, slowly grinning and rubbing his eyes. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Was this really Kyle, the sometimes shy and always conservative red-head? Well his hair was still red and crazy, but he had a totally different style and Tweek wondered just how much he'd changed.

"I've been out of the country. I joined a student educational program. 2 years traveling the world and seeing sights." Said Kyle. He grinned and leaned back against the counter. "What about you? Anything new?" he asked. Tweek twitched and jumped slightly.

"N-no agh. I-I've been helping run the shop." Said Tweek. He straightened up a little bit, still slightly twitchy. "W-what can I… uh… get for you?" he asked. Kyle looked at the menu and thought through all the choices. He may have been gone two years, but he still had a sweet tooth, even though he had diabetes. He huffed a moment, before smiling. "Okay I want a small chocolate-mint frappe with extra whip." He said. Tweek smiled because while it was different than what he usually got, it still seemed to fit Kyle just right. He rang it up before heading back to make it.

"So agh… w-what…" said Tweek before he was interrupted by the door swinging open to reveal Clyde. Clyde didn't seem to notice Kyle at first. He shuffled in, greeting Tweek in a tired manner. Kyle just watched him with a smirk, wondering when he would notice. Tweek kept snickering at Clyde's obliviousness.

"Oblivious as usual?" asked Kyle, leaning back in his seat. Clyde frowned and glanced towards the voice. He stared at Kyle, confused. The man seemed familiar but he couldn't put his finger on it. "Aw come on man, I wasn't even gone that long." Said Kyle, huffing impatiently. Clyde's eyes widened.

"No fucking way…" he said, rubbing his eyes. Kyle smirked and took a sip of his coffee. "Damn Kyle. Looks like you've let loose a little bit." Said Clyde, walking over and taking a seat across from him. Kyle just chuckled.

"You have no idea." He said. He studied the brunette a moment. Clyde was about the same height as him, with unruly hair and a lip ring. "And you… never thought you'd ever get a piercing." Said Kyle. Clyde huffed and shrugged. "Well it was a dare and after a while, I liked having it in. What about you Mr. Perfect child?" he asked. Kyle smirked.

"I have my ears pierced, but I took out the studs before I got home because I didn't want to freak out my parents. I um… don't tell my parents this but I also have a couple tattoos." Said Kyle, rubbing the back of his head. Clyde and Tweek were so shocked that Clyde almost fell out of his chair and Tweek dropped his coffee cup. Kyle moved his arm and showed them the inside where one of his tattoos were. On his inner lower left arm, it said: "You can't resist my Jewish gold." It caused Clyde and Tweek to snicker at its subtlety.

"Okay who are you, and what have you done with the real Kyle?" asked Clyde, snickering slightly. Kyle rolled his eyes.

"Like you said… I learned how to let go. Let's just hope my parents don't find out how far out I've flown." Said Kyle. He finished his coffee and got up.

"It was nice talking to you guys. I should get going." He said, standing up. He smiled and left a tip on the table. "We never really hung out before I left… I'd love to try and be friends with you guys so… why don't we hang out some time?" asked Kyle. He put his hands in his back pockets and relaxed, waiting for an answer.

"Agh Well maybe we c-can… hang out when I d-don't work?" said Tweek. Kyle agreed and exchanged numbers with the two. Just before he left and turned, rubbing the back of his head. "Look um… if you could keep quiet about me being here… I'd really appreciate it. I'd like to get settled in before the whole town knows I've returned." Said Kyle. Tweek smiled and nodded quickly.

"C-course man. I won't tell anyone. P-promise!" said Tweek, smiling. Clyde nodded as well, returning back to his place behind the counter. Kyle smiled and left the shop. People were starting to move about and no one seemed to pay him any mind as he made his way back home. As he was heading down his street, he was forced to hide behind a tree as he saw Cartman, Stan and Kenny walking.

He was surprised. Cartman wasn't really a fat boy anymore. He'd gained muscle and really did look more big-boned than fat. He must have joined football or something. Stan was… well Stan. He really hadn't changed much. Kenny had gotten taller. He was tall and lean, definitely taller than himself now. He still wore the parka, but his mouth was uncovered. He felt… slightly saddened watching them. He was just about to move when Kenny suddenly stopped and turned around, spotting him. Kenny had thought he'd felt someone watching them; thought he saw someone in the trees.

Kenny stared at Kyle, confused, before his eyes went wide. Kyle quickly shook his head and put his fingers to his lips with a smirk. Kenny stared at him, then smiled and nod before turning and skipping away. He received a text a moment later from Kyle.

"You saw nothing. ;P"

Kenny saw it and snickered, replying back with:

"Must have just been my imagination."

Kyle knew he could trust Kenny to keep his existence a secret until he was ready. Kenny was a very unlucky person, but he was hella smart and observant. In fact, he knew more things about the people in South Park than they knew about themselves. He figured that Kyle didn't want to be seen, so he didn't mention him.

Tweek and Clyde hung out with Kyle a few days later. Kyle was getting tired of hiding from the population of South Park. They hung out at Clyde's house, just talking. Kyle told about his friends and the places they visited and the guys talked about what had changed in South Park and who was dating who. Apparently Stan was dating Wendy on and off and Token and his girlfriend were still going strong.

Kyle felt a small twinge of pain at the mention of Stan; guess some things you just can't forget. They also asked to see his other tattoo, to which Kyle sighed and rolled his eyes. He took off his shirt revealing the other tattoo. It was an emerald green dragon that started on his right shoulder and went halfway down his back. The dragon had red eyes with green and black scales. It was also breathing smoke.

The three teens spent the day catching up and enjoying themselves and Kyle wondered why he hadn't hung out with them much before but then it hit him. It had been because of Stan. Stan had never liked Craig and thought he was rude and since Craig hung with Tweek, Clyde, and Token, their group was basically off limits. Cartman didn't really like them either but Cartman didn't really like anybody. Kenny well… Kenny was Kenny. Kenny was willing to make friends with anybody and everybody, so he wouldn't have cared.

When Kyle had been gone, he'd learned just how shitty his old friends except Kenny, had been. He'd learned that really his friends were all just assholes. Sure teasing was okay but they'd always taken it too far and they never really seemed to care. Even his super best friend Stan. Stan never took him seriously or seemed to care what he thought.

Kyle was taken out of his musings by his phone. Someone was trying to face time with him. He rolled his eyes and ignored it, listening to Clyde go on about his favorite show, before his phone started going off again… multiple times.

"You gonna answer that dude?" asked Clyde. Kyle just huffed in annoyance, answering the request.

"I was ignoring you for a reason. I'm with a couple friends." Said Kyle. He turned the phone around, revealing a raven-haired teen with emerald green eyes and freckles. Said teen was wearing a green beanie, a black Call of Duty shirt, and some green shorts.

"Guys this is Danny. Danny meet Tweek and Clyde." Said Kyle, pointing at each in turn.

"Oh good for a moment I thought you were with those assholes. What were their names… Eric and Stan?" said Danny, who was currently sucking on a lollipop. Danny had a bit of an obsession with candy. Kyle and the others snickered, before Kyle glared at Danny in annoyance.

"So… for what reason have you decided to disturb our chat? I mean I would have called you back later." Said Kyle.

"That wouldn't have worked because well... I have a dilemma now that needs solving." Said Danny. Kyle frowned a moment.

"What great dilemma do you require my assistance with?" asked Kyle. Danny gestured his hands widly, before he huffed and crossed his arms.

"Well to put it simply… I'm bored." Said Danny. Kyle stared at him.

"So you decided to bug me?" he deadpanned, causing Clyde and Tweek to snicker.

"Aw come on Kyle. I'm bored. I was barely here a day before my parents decided to go off on one of their trips for three weeks. My sisters are having a spa weekend and even my dog has something better to do." Said Danny. Kyle just raised his eyebrow before hanging up with a message saying he'd call him later, before he hung out another couple hours.

Clyde and Tweek were hiding something. Craig could tell, but he couldn't be sure exactly what it was. They'd been acting all secretive lately. Token was curious too and tried to convince Craig that if it was important, they'd tell him, but Craig wasn't convinced. Clyde was his closest friend and usually told him everything so if he was hiding this, it must have been important.

"Okay guys what gives?" he asked in his usual monotone. He startled Tweek and Clyde out of a whispered conversation outside Tweek's house.

"Huh what do you mean?" asked Clyde.

"I mean that you two are hiding something." Said Craig bluntly.

"Agh! N-no we aren't!" said Tweek. Craig just stared at him. He could usually intimidate Tweek to say something or confuse Clyde to let it slip but just as he was about to, one of them received a message.

"Oh well would you look at that. Come on Tweek or we're going to be late." Said Clyde. He grabbed Tweek's arm, quickly dragging him away. Craig frowned, before silently following after them.

They kept glancing around occasionally but Tweek was talking animatedly as they head towards Stark pond. Craig followed the whole time until the duo stopped and waved at someone. Craig silently cursed since there was a tree in the way and he couldn't see who was behind it and yet he could hear a voice that sounded familiar but he couldn't pin it down. He tried to move closer but the figure turned and left. The talking hadn't last long as Clyde and Tweek were given bags and then they head home. Craig followed them to Clyde's back yard and frowned crossing his arms.

"Oh so you two definitely weren't hiding something." Said Craig, monotonously, but it wasn't a question. Both boys hid the bags behind their backs. Craig just rolled his eyes.

"Guys I followed you to Stark's Pond." He said, before both boys looked guilty.

"S-sorry Craig. Kyle asked us not tell anyone that he'd come back yet." Said Clyde, rubbing his head. Craig didn't let his surprise show, but he was really surprised. Kyle had returned to South Park? He crossed his arms as he thought.

"I thought he sounded familiar." Said Craig. Of course, he hadn't actually seen Kyle so he still thought Kyle looked the same way he had two years ago. He point towards the bags and raised an eyebrow slightly. The boys forgot about feeling guilty and quickly opened their gift bags. Tweek was happy because Kyle had gotten him different international coffees as well as a thermos from Germany. Clyde had gotten a samurai sword as well as a few german adult movies. Clyde laughed when he read his note from Kyle: "Here's to hoping you haven't changed." Clyde pulled out another box from inside his bag and frowned before handing it over to Craig. Craig was surprised that he'd gotten a gift too.

He opened it and his eyes widened a margin. Inside was a pocket watch. Of course most people would find that boring but it was the note that Kyle left which surprised Craig: "Saw this and it reminded me of the time that Cartman threw your grandfather's pocket watch into Stark Pond. I know this isn't his but they looked so much alike that I couldn't help it." Craig looked at it and of course it wasn't his grandfather's but it did, indeed, look a lot like it. Craig couldn't believe it. How had Kyle remembered that? They hadn't even been friends. He looked inside the box again, also noticing a photo of one of his favorite singers, which was also autographed. The boys relished their gifts.

Even Kenny found a gift for him on his doorstep the next morning. He was surprised to open it and find the entire series of an anime he'd watched as a kid. He'd only ever watched one episode and couldn't find any more of it. Kenny smiled and immediately head over to Kyle's house the moment after. It was Kyle who opened the door and nearly fell over when Kenny hugged him. Kyle just stood there awkwardly for a moment before he smiled and gave Kenny a quick hug back.

"Uh you're welcome Kens." He said. Kenny's eyes sparkled happily before he let himself inside. It was starting to get a little later when Kyle decided he'd help walk Kenny home. Just as they stepped out he heard a very annoying and grating voice.

"Hey Kenny. What's going on? Hey white trash I'm talking to you!" said Cartman. Both Kyle and Kenny turned to the voice to see Cartman walking from his house two houses down. Kyle frowned. He hadn't wanted to see Cartman this early after getting back but it couldn't be avoided. Kyle stared at Cartman as he came over.

"Who the hell you think you are?" asked Cartman to Kyle. Kyle just smirked.

"What are you blind now too fat-ass? All those times rubbing one off finally get to you?" asked Kyle. Cartman's face turned red in anger before morphing into one of confusion. Then his eyes went wide and he grinned.

"Holy shit is that you Jew boy? I thought maybe you'd died or joined some weird Jewish cult." Said Cartman, smirking. Kyle just rolled his eyes, knowing that Cartman was trying to egg him on. When he was younger he probably would have gotten mad and started arguing with Cartman, but that would just add fuel to the fire now.

"Maybe I did fat-ass, but I'd never tell you the details." Said Kyle, smirking.

"I'm not fat…. I'm big boned!" said Cartman, glaring at him. Kyle just stared back, unnerving Cartman slightly, so he tried again. "I bet you all had some weird Jewish orgy." He said, making a disgusted face.

"I bet you'd love to hear all the juicy details too wouldn't you? Sorry to burst your bubble Cartman but nothing like that happened." Teased Kyle with a smirk. Cartman frowned. He was sure by now that Kyle would have snapped at him, but Kyle seemed to be having fun with this conversation. See Kyle had learned that Cartman lived on pissing off others, so as long as you kept your cool, he'd get bored. Kyle had a fiery temple for sure but right now, he wasn't letting anything bother him.

"No way you fucking kike. I don't want to know about all that gross shit." Said Cartman, his face red. Kyle couldn't tell if it was from anger or embarrassment. Kyle just shrugged before he started his trek towards Kenny's house. Cartman was angry that this damn Jew was ignoring him.

"Hey! I'm talking to you, you jewish fag!" said Cartman. Kyle stopped, making Cartman smirk before Kyle just glanced over his shoulder.

"Takes one to know one." He said, smirking. Kenny began to laugh uncontrollably as Cartman's face turned red, before both Kenny and Kyle just kept walking. Cartman stood there, angry and shocked. The Jew had stood up for himself. Cartman frowned, running to catch up with them. He couldn't let Kyle get the last word in.

"Hey! Don't just walk away from meh. Goddamnit I have the authoritay!" said Cartman. "If you don't stop, I'll tell everyone you're back." Kyle actually did stop at that comment before glaring at Cartman.

"Don't you dare Cartman." Said Kyle. Cartman smirked and crossed his arms.

"Figured that you didn't want anybody to know you were back." He said. Kyle huffed, before shrugging.

"Fine. Tell them. See if I care." Said Kyle, before storming off towards Kenny's house. Cartman glared at him a moment, before smirking. Oh that Jew was so gonna get it.

And so of course, as things usually happen in South Park, by the end of the next day, everyone knew that Kyle Broflovski had returned to South Park… including a certain raven-haired male.

A/N: So hey guys. I've been currently obsessed with South Park Fanfics and this plot bunny was bouncing around. (Actually it was more like pinging off the walls) Anyways I decided to write it. Sorry for the language. I'm not actually that type of person, it's just how thee characters are. Also I do not own any of these characters.