The blood was dripping of his hands and running out of uncountable wounds. His sweaty body was still quivering because of the battle and every gust of wind made him tremble. He looked down on the lifeless bodies of his opponents. The first had been his teacher, the second his brother.
His attempt to smirk resulted in a distorted grimace. Too intense was physical and above all mental pain. He averted his gaze from the dead body und looked towards south, where he suspected his home. He was able to mange twenty footsteps before his gaze became blurry and he collapsed exhausted. If anyone would have been near enough he would have heard the gentle, desperate word that left his lips before he finally passed out. »Sakura…«

»Thank you.«

Sakura was walking through the streets of Konoha. How long had it been since Sasuke whispered this small word, just to leave her afterwards? Now she was 18 and in the past years - that she had spent as a Jounin on a long mission - she hadn't thought about this very often.
But now she was back and walking through the so familiar streets, so everything came back to her mind. She had never really stopped loving him, not even when she, Naruto, Sai and Captain Yamato found him at Orochimaru's hideout and he showed no single emotion.
She felt another familiar feeling - she was still missing him. But was that real love? Or was it more like the platonic love she felt for Naruto? Sighing she ran her fingers through her pink hair.

»Saaaaakura-chaaan!«, she heard a loud voice screaming. This voice had become more masculine through the years. More masculine than Sakura remembered. Automatically a smile was creeping onto her face and when she turned around she saw the face of her best friend. Naruto's beaming blue eyes could erase all worries out of her mind.
»Sakura-chan, so you're back finally! How was the mission. You were away such a long time! How many years? Two? Or more? To me it was like eternity!«, Naruto was babbling after he had hugged his old teammate and examined her thoroughly.
»Two years. It feels so good to be back at home - and see you!«, she giggled.
Although they had not seen each other for years they were still so comfortable witch each other as if they had spent each day together.
For Sakura Naruto was still the clumsy, loud boy from then, but in meantime he had been grown up to a good-looking man who turned heads of all women.
»You have to tell me everything that I have missed. What about a bowl of ramen?«
»I'll tell you everything, but I'll pay, too!«, winked Naruto.

Two hours and five bowls of ramen later (whereas four of them were Naruto's) Sakura had heard gossip of two years Konoha. Many things had happened while she was gone. Some she had been able to guess. It was, for example, no surprise that Temari and Shikamaru were lovers now. Sakura giggled as she imagined Shikamaru's frowning face while Temari had him completely in her grip.
Also the fact that Naruto was dating Hinata was no surprise. Anybody could have noted that the shy Hyuuga-heiress was adoring Naruto secretly and Sakura was happy to hear that Naruto became aware of her.
But Ino being with Chouji, who had become according to Naruto a serious rival concerning women - that was a thing that made Sakura choke on her ramen. She remembered how Ino an she became rivals when they fell in love with the same boy. Indeed, that had already changed before Sakura left for her mission, but Ino in love with Chouji? That was stunning.
But this information Sakura only got along the way, because Naruto talked primarily about who became when more powerful.

»Look at whom we have here…«
Sakura and Naruto turned around and looked into a familiar face. Well, they couldn't actually see much of this face, because it was hidden under a mask like always.
»Kakashi-sensei!« Sakura jumped from her seat and hugged her former teacher.
»Oh, please, stop calling me sensei. It makes me feel so old.«, the Jounin was moaning, acting depressed.
»Well, that could be, because you ARE old!«, Naruto exclaimed laughingly, but cowered fast before he could receive one of those hurting smacks from Sakura.
The silver haired Ninja quickly rose his orange book in front of his face so his former students couldn't see his big grin. Although most of his face was hidden, you still could see his smile in his eyes.

While Sakura was trying to reprove Naruto and Naruto was trying to avoid Sakura's bashing, Kakashi looking over those two. How much had they changed over the years?
Although Naruto still was the loudest Ninja the silver haired Jounin ever met, he had become very strong and Kakashi didn't doubt that the blond ninja would make his dream of being Hokage come true.
Even Sakura had changed very much. She was no longer the little weak girl standing in the shadow of her teammates, having to be protected. Tsunade didn't just make sure that she became a brilliant medic-nin, but also taught the pink girl the incredible strength. But that were not the only things that changed. Her physical changes were outstanding. Though with 15years she wore her hair short, now her hair was long again and kept together in a loose ponytail. Her female curves were now distinctive and Kakashi felt a hint of guilt while he was looking at her. The beauty of her face was alluring, but he also saw the worries of the years.

When the Kunoichi became aware of the look of her former sensei, a slight blush was placed on her face.
»You are still reading those dirty books?! You pervert!« She stood with her hands on her hips and looked sternly at him.
»Those stories are not that bad. Maybe you should read them, too. You can learn a good deal.«, was the comment of a grinning blond ninja.
»NARUTO!«

He did not now how long he was unconscious until the rain woke him. With hurting limbs he tried to stand up. I have to find a hideout. If I stay any longer in this rain, I'll die…
He could only move slowly. He was still bleeding and had no idea where to go. If he could just turn back to Konoha. But he was quite sure that he wouldn't make it. But he wanted so bad to see them again! His best friend, his teacher… her. As if they want to see me again.. he thought bitterly.
How selfish had he been? But that was his path, his goal and he had to receive it. The black haired man asked himself if he could have killed him? They were in his way every time he had met them in the past years, but every time he had the chance to get away without killing them. So probably he wouldn't have done it anyway. Slowly he get nearer to something that looked like a cave. It was the only destination he had right now.

»Forehead-girl!«, a high voice screamed. Sakura turned around to see her best friend Yamanaka Ino, but soon she couldn't see anything beside a blond mane, because Ino had flung her arms around the pink haired girl and hugged her tightly.
»So you're finally back. I don't know how often I asked Tsunade-sama when you will come back. I must've get quite on her nerves I think, but naaah.. Don't care.«, she giggled.
»Sometimes I really think you are the female Naruto.«, Sakura said and laughed.
Ino frowned for a short time, but then trapped Naruto's head in the crook of her arm and tousled his hair.
»Well, this comparison is not that bad, actually, since this dude here will become Hokage eventually.«, she said. »Whatever, now that you're back we have to make a party! I'll arrange one in my house. And you can't say no! Kakashi-san, you're invited, too, and if you don't show up I'll make Asuma kick your ass. Whatever, I have to organize now. See ya later.« With that, she vanished.

»What a lovely girl…«, Kakashi murmured and made Sakura laugh.
»Sorry, Sakura-chan, but I have to go now. I have to tell Hinata-chan about the party!« Naruto disappeared.
»I'll go, too. Gai has another game for us, so…«
»But you'll come tonight, right, Kakashi-sensei?«, Sakura asked hopefully.
»I guess I have to… but I won't come if you don't stop calling me sensei.«, he said winking at Sakura.
Now she was alone again. She didn't have anything to do till the party, so she decided to visit her parents.