So I know I have already started (and have yet to finish) SasuSaku Hiden, but I think that story is more lemony and fantasy-like than I had anticipated. Of course it is a great story and I love writing it, I just wanted to write something a little more canonical and realistic. Of course there will definitely be adult themes (a.k.a. how Sarada is conceived) but it will be far more realistic and in character. This will also be quite a long story. I'm not sure if I will end it around Sarada's birth or if I will end it around when Sasuke has to leave again when Sarada is a toddler. Anyway, before I babble too much, I really hope you guys enjoy this and find it as satisfying as I already am, since Studio Pierrot seems to not want to animate anything SasuSaku. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Obviously, I do not own these characters. They belong to Kishi-sensei, the creator of Naruto, my most beloved series.

Shigeki

By Kora Uchiha

Chapter 1

Shigeki (Japanese)

English translation: an annoyance

she's in a long black coat tonight

waiting for me in the downpour outside

singing baby come home

in a melody of tears

while the rhythm of the rain keeps time

Naruto's handwriting was as harsh as it was when they were genin so many years ago. To someone new to such scrabbles, it would take an extra moment or two to decode the messy letters. For Sasuke, it was only a minor annoyance.

It sure is cool to think that even though you aren't here, you're still protecting the village. Actually, Sakura said you remind her of the Uchiha police unit. We still really could use you around here though. I know someone that really thinks so.

Naruto

Sasuke softly smiled down at the small note from the leaf; from home. He looked forward, towards the sunset, "It has been awhile, maybe I'll go home."

…

Sakura had thrown herself into her work. Starting the children's clinic was only a first step. She did okay for a while, wondering when he'd return. But after Naruto and Hinata's wedding and he still hadn't showed, she had to keep herself busy.

Everyone's lives were changing before her eyes. Budding relationships blossomed in front of her left and right. Even Ino had found a new life for herself, with Sai. Sai. Sai of all people had started a life with someone before her. Sakura tried to knock the cruel thought from her mind, but sometimes she found it impossible.

She guessed that was her destiny; waiting for him. As much as she hated it, she wouldn't have it any other way. Sakura could never settle down with anyone and start a life. She was forever chained to the wandering nin, whether she wanted to be or not.

She often found herself staring up at the moon in the middle of the night, unable to sleep. It had become a sort of ritual after all the years of waiting.

Naruto salted her wounds as he bantered about his married life. There was no doubt she was beyond happy for the idiot and Hinata, but she wished he didn't talk about it so much.

"Hey..I'm sorry, Sakura." He had said to her solemnly one afternoon as he noted her depressed gaze.

"For what?" she had questioned, knowing the answer.

He had stopped walking, "I think it's about time. Way passed it actually."

She had stopped as well, suddenly confused, "Time for what?"

He showed her his wide grin she loved and respected so much, "For him to come home."

She knew who he spoke of, and it sent a burning sensation into her cheeks.

"See? I knew you thought so too." He teased

"S-Shut up!"

"Seriously, Sakura. It's way overdue."

"What is?"

Naruto just grinned back, obviously coming up with a plan to get their teammate to return.

"Don't you worry, Sakura. I'll get him for ya!" he walked off, waving.

That was a couple of days ago. She hadn't heard any news of Sasuke's homecoming, and Naruto didn't bring it up again. Maybe he forgot? A part of her prayed he somehow got into contact with Sasuke, asking him to come home.

Another part of her knew it might be too good to be true. And even if it was true, what then? He'd return, then what?

Then what?..

Sakura's faced started blushing and burning at the thought. What exactly was she supposed to do? He hadn't necessarily professed his love when he left on his redemption journey. Even after he escorted her to and from the hospital everyday before he left. Even when he lightly tapped her forehead, suggesting he might let her tag along "next time". Her blush only deepened at the memory.

"Ms. Sakura?"

Sakura jumped from her thoughts, "Huh?"

"Daydreaming?" she immediately recognized the voice's owner. Koga Higurashi, a patient of hers. He was clumsy, awkward, thick-headed. She wondered how he had made it to chunin. He was in her waiting room at least once a week. She had been daydreaming heavily on the clock in her office before he broke her concentration.

She stood from her desk, giving him her most polite smile, "You caught me."

Koga blushed harshly. He wasn't an unattractive boy. Actually, according to Ino, he was very handsome. His light brown hair danced around pale blue-grey eyes that were centered in a child-like face, Sasuke's exact opposite. If she were in a different world, a different dimension, this boy would probably have been her suitor. Then again, maybe not. No matter what dimension she lived in, she knows who would still own her heart.

"So..uh..I uhm..Sa-Sakura.."

That was odd. He had never called her by just her first name before.

"I was actually wondering.."

Oh no.

"F-Forgive me for noticing..but you seem pretty lonely."

Please no.

"So I was wondering.."

Oh God.

"If you'd be free for dinner sometime? Or maybe even lunch? No pressure! W-We could definitely just do lunch! Yeah! We could do it! I..I didn't mean do it. I mean obviously..obviously not that.."

Sakura grinned through the pain, "Thank you Koga, that's very sweet of you. But I-"

He interrupted her, visibly disappointed, "I thought so..it's that rogue guy. Isn't it?"

Sakura didn't have the heart to tell him the truth, and she didn't have the stomach to lie to him either. She answered him with a solemn look.

"Right. Well..I just hope he treats you right. You deserve more than this."

"This?" she was getting angry now.

"Loneliness." With that, he left her. The pain in his voice made her chest hurt. She didn't mean for him to be so disappointed. She knew that feelings all too well.

Sakura let out a deep sigh, louder than she anticipated, as she sat down hard in her chair.

…

The hospital was a lot nicer than he remembered. It had gotten major upgrades, including the children's unit Sakura had built. He appreciated Kakashi occasionally filling him in about such things while he was on his jounrey, even though he would never admit it to him.

"About damn time!" Naruto had slapped Sasuke's cloaked back the second he entered the village. It's like the idiot had a sixth sense when it came to him. It's like Naruto could sense his presence.

Sasuke couldn't fight back the small half-smile.

"How long are ya staying for?" Naruto had asked, more like yelled.

"I'm not sure."

Naruto attempted to hide his disappointment, and failed.

"Can't believe you missed my own wedding. What kind of best friend misses something like that?" and like a spoiled child, Naruto blabbered on and on before finally pouting.

"Are you listening!?"

"Congratulations, Naruto."

This obviously took him by surprise, for he immediately retreated.

"Thanks, Sasuke." He smiled. "By the way, she's over at the hospital."

According to two different overly nice nurses, Sakura's office was up a floor and two doors down to the left. Her office. Sakura really was something.

"So I was wondering.." the voice was of a boy about his own age, with sandy brown curly hair. He was leaning into a doorway. Sakura's office doorway.

"If you'd be free for dinner sometime? Or maybe even lunch? No pressure! W-We could definitely just do lunch! Yeah! We could do it! I..I didn't mean do it. I mean obviously..obviously not that.."

Sasuke's fingers twitched slightly.

"Thank you Koga, that's very sweet of you. But I-" That was Sakura's voice that answered the stranger.

He interrupted her, obviously embarrassed and angry, "I thought so..it's that rogue guy. Isn't it?"

Sasuke fought back a smile. If he only knew.

After a silent answer from Sakura, the boy continued.

"Right. Well..I just hope he treats you right. You deserve more than this."

This time he was sure his fingers twitched into a slight curl.

"This?" Sakura's tone had changed. She was angry.

"Loneliness."

Visably upset, the idiot boy left her doorway, stalking past Sasuke.

As he approached, Sasuke met his eyes.

The boy stopped suddenly, intimidated by the stare. Unaware of why Sasuke, a stranger to this boy, was showing such hostility. The boy's anger at Sakura faded, fear quickly replaced it. He quickly averted his gaze and sped down the hallway.

…..

Sakura placed her head in her hands, begging her headache to subside. That was the third boy she turned down in a month.

"Ugh..Why me?"

"I wouldn't worry myself with someone like him."

That voice. The voice that crept into her soul ever since she was a child. The only voice she wanted to hear for the rest of her life.

"Sasuke."

It came out like a soft breath. She was still in disbelief as she gazed at the love of her life, standing gracefully in her office's doorway.

"I'm home, Sakura."

It was him. It was really him.

She quickly stood, her grin was so wide it hurt, "Sasuke!"

He answered her with a smile she hadn't seen in years. She fought back tears that threatened to spill over.

"Welcome home, Sasuke."