Hello! This chapter is longer than i usually write but remember i told you guys that i'll do it longer next time? Well... here it is! Sorry for making you wait. I hope you guys like it. :) - Author Shinjuchi

It was still dark outside when Sasuke woke up. It seems like lately his body automatically wakes up at five in the morning. He just finished taking a shower, preparing to go and meet the Hokage at eight. But before that, he needs to eat breakfast. While making his food, he was thinking many things like what would the Hokage want from them later on; maybe she will give them a mission? But he shrugged off the idea. 'Tsk… As if. It might take me a long time to gain their trust again.' He thought. It might take him many years to finally get their trust back, it might be harder from now on. But he decided not to run anymore. He decided to face reality, plus learning about the future made him confident of the outcome.

Sasuke was thinking about those kids again. Even though they exist in the future, but for some reasons, Sasuke felt a tight attachment to them. His eyes soften with care while he remembered their smiling faces, their joyful laugh and the innocent look on their eyes. It's like; those kids gave meaning to his life again. Junnosuke reminds him of Itachi so much it hurts a little deep inside. The way the eldest child brought comfort and protection to his younger siblings, it reminded him so much of his own older brother. He handled himself and his siblings really well when they arrived, always making sure that they don't get much scared and always reminding them that he was there for them, it definitely touched Sasuke's heart. 'Nii-san…' he thought with a sad expression. Next was Keisuke, he reminded him so much of his own self. It's like Keisuke was a second version of him. He smiled as he remembered the look on his face when he said he wanted to learn the Goukakyuu no Jutsu. He was desperate and Sasuke used to be like that too. Now Sasuke wondered if Keisuke held a little jealousy towards his brother. But he knows that Keisuke looked up to Junnosuke. Just the way he looked at him, with his eyes gleaming with adoration, He knows that Keisuke loves his older brother so much. Then there was Shinju. Sasuke remembered when they were walking at the market; she gave him a hard time watching over her. She's the troublemaker. She acts spoilt and demanding, but maybe that's just because she was born the youngest. Sasuke chuckled when the little girl's pouting face appeared on his mind. She's definitely an adorable little girl, with her puffy cheeks and big black onyx eyes. She's like a little living porcelain doll, plus her dark hair reminds him of his mother, Mikoto. Sasuke sighed deeply as he finished making his breakfast. He placed it on the table and started eating before it turns cold.

When he finished eating, he turned to look at the clock. It says 6:45 in the morning already; he still has an hour and fifteen minutes left to go to the Hokage tower. He stood up, cleared the table and washed the dishes. Sasuke was not really a clean freak but he doesn't want to get back home and seeing all the mess he left behind. He decided to sit on the couch to relax a little bit before going out. He was thinking maybe get a little training before meeting the Hokage but he remembered that he needs to fully recover first before performing any sort of jutsu. He leaned back on the couch, hands clasped together at the back of his head. He was now looking at the ceiling. The room was silent. 'Sakura…' finally the thought of his pink haired teammate appeared on his mind. He shut his eyes tightly, followed with a grunt.

'Such a foolish girl! After all the things I've done to her and Naruto… How can she feel something for me?' he thought. 'Tsk. And last night I even said something like wait for me! Damn it!'

He was having a debate on his mind right now. In all honesty, Sasuke doesn't know what he felt about Sakura. Yes, she is important to him. One of the people he vows to protect and die for. Even though he tried to kill her before, but that was just because he was totally blinded with hate and vengeance. Sakura now is one of those people he deeply cherishes and considers close to his heart. But other than that, he never really held something like romantic love towards Sakura. Well, that's what he thought. That's why when they were talking last night, he told her that he wants to be fair. Asking for Sakura to wait for him until he realizes what he really felt. Even though he doesn't know what it is like to love a girl, he wanted to make sure that he doesn't hurt her anymore by pretending to love her and be with her just for the sake of restoring his clan.

'Sakura… what about me that made you love me?' he thought again, still with his eyes closed.

Sasuke reminisced those days when they were still genin. He remembered Kakashi, the way he always brought with him that dirty porn book of his. The way he was always late and making up lame excuses. He remembered him when he first taught him the Chidori. Looking back, he has something to thank that old man for. He remembered Naruto; he was such a loud kid. 'Tsk. He still is.' He remembered their fights. Thinking back, they sure fought a lot. He remembered their fight at the hospital roof top, the way they almost had a heart attack when Sakura ran in between their fight. 'Stupid girl!' Fortunately, Kakashi jumped in on time or else, Sakura would not be existing now. He also remembered their fight when Sasuke left the village. It was an emotional fight between him and Naruto and lastly, the recent fight they had before he came back to the village. It was after the fourth great ninja war. It was a fight that fate had all along. The fight that woke him up from all the dark illusions. It was made to happen; blaming the dead old geezers they called Kages. Sasuke opened his eyes, dropping his gaze from the ceiling to the frame hanging on the wall in front of him. It was a frame with the leaf's symbol on it.

'Sakura… how long can you wait for me?'

He remembered how weak Sakura was. She was really a drag before. She can't do anything by herself, she was so useless, and all she did was cry and complain. It annoyed Sasuke when she thought so highly of herself but can't do anything to prove it. Sasuke remembered waking up and seeing her crying after their fight with Haku. She thought that he was dead. Sasuke also remembered her during the Chuunin exams. He was surprised to see Sakura all beaten up with her short hair. He remembered he got so pissed off for hurting his teammate. He felt so powerful when he received that mark he got from Orochimaru and couldn't help but beat those weak Sound ninjas. He remembered Sakura and Ino's fight, which was one time he noticed Sakura's determination to prove her worth but still, she was weak. Then of course, the night he left the village. He remembered her confession; he remembered her once again crying state. She was always annoying and nosey but all because she wants for Sasuke to notice her and her feelings. Then after that, two years later they met at Orochimaru's hideout. He remembered seeing Sakura with his replacement, Sai. She was angry at him saying something like betraying her and Naruto. She looked grown up, her hair was still short. Maybe she took a liking of maintaining her hair short? Who knows? Sasuke decided to stop remembering the past and turned to look at the time.

'I guess I'll go now' he thought. It was 7:30 already so he decided to head out to the office. He was already walking at the village streets, passing by some shops. The morning sun was shining brightly and he saw a group of kids walking their way to the academy. He continued walking towards the tower but suddenly stopped when he noticed Naruto walking alone a few blocks away from him. He called his name, walking a little faster as he catch up towards his friend. "Oh… teme!" he replied with his so ever bright smile. Sasuke grunted, "Where are you going dobe?"

"Ah… I'm going to meet Baa-chan today, I wonder if she's giving me a mission?" Naruto replied as they continued walking. Sasuke's brow rose up, "at 8 AM? Cos if that's so, I'm going there too." Naruto looked at his friend, with a slightly surprised look on his face. "Eeeeeh~ so, a mission with you?" Sasuke shook his head, placing his hands on his pockets. "I don't think so. I still have to prove my loyalty first before getting missions again." Naruto stared at him, suddenly with his eyes slightly soften but mixed with a sad look. Naruto laughed softly as he placed his hands together at the back of his head, smiling widely at Sasuke. "I'm sure Baa-chan will eventually develop trust in you soon. And don't worry about the villagers! They know about what you did at the war." Sasuke only stared at him. Naruto was so confident for him. Even though both of them call each other rather harshly, Naruto really cares for their friendship. Sasuke still couldn't grasp as to why both Naruto and Sakura acted this way. When he decided to cut off the connections he had with Konoha when he decided to leave, he was serious about it. But these two, they never gave up. How strong willed can these two be?

When they arrived at the Hokage tower, it was still 7:45 so they waited outside for a little while. Five minutes later, they saw Sakura as she arrived with her usual combat outfit. When she saw both men, she walked towards them, "Naruto, Sasuke-kun! Good morning!" She said brightly, flashing a delightful smile. Naruto greeted her back with a big smile. Sasuke just stared at her. Sakura noticed him but chose to ignore it anyway. She remembered what Sasuke told her last night and she wanted to make sure not to rush him or anything, so he decided to act as normal as possible when they are together.

"Ne ne Sakura-chan! Do you think we'll get a mission this time?" Naruto asked her excitedly as he kept on grinning like an idiot. Sakura laughed at him, "I don't know Naruto. That would be nice but it could be just Shishou telling us important information." Naruto stopped grinning and looked at her with a confused look, "Yeah you're right but if it's new information, I wonder what it could be?" Sasuke looked at his two teammates as they share a conversation; he noticed how both developed a strong link of friendship. He remembered how Sakura reacted every time Naruto acted silly in front of her. But looking at both of them now, they must've become really close during his absence. That kind of made him a little bit sad but he shrugged it off. "Hmm… I don't know. I have no idea." Sasuke heard Sakura replied to Naruto's question.

"It could be information about the recent events." Sasuke butted in this time. Both Naruto and Sakura turned to looked at him, "You mean the children and your future selves?" Naruto asked pointing a finger on both him and Sakura. Sasuke nodded, "It could be details about their departure back to their own time." Sakura looked at him; Sasuke noticed her eyes baring sadness. She looked down at the floor, and "Well… sooner or later they are bound to go home." Sakura's head shot up, with her watery eyes, she looked at both of them with a laugh, and "I just don't understand why I feel so sad." Both men looked at her, Naruto with a sad look on his face; he turned away, looking at the floor. Sasuke was staring at Sakura's sad, watery filled emerald eyes. She was staring back at him. Her tears will almost fall now. 'Sakura…' So Sakura felt his burden too? Sakura rubbed her eyes, making the tears go away. She inhaled deeply and exhaled back. She smiled at Sasuke as he continued staring at her.

"Sakura, I can feel that sadness too." At first, Sasuke couldn't understand why he needs to tell Sakura about it. But he suddenly thought she has the right to since he was obligated to make her wait until he can confirm of what he was really feeling. He decided to let Sakura know everything what's going on inside of him. He decided to let Sakura see what is inside of his heart. Slowly by slowly, maybe… there will be results. Positive results hopefully.

Sakura's eyes started to get watery again, she held it back with all her might, and she doesn't want to show Sasuke her weak side anymore. She looked down and looked back to him again, "Sasuke-kun…" biting her lips and releasing soft sobs, "I feel like something important is being snatched away from me." Sasuke only continued to stare. Sakura was sobbing quite more, "I don't know why but it hurts here." Pointing at her heart, her tears fell. Sasuke's usual emotionless face changed into a sad one. "I know." His response only made Sakura cry more. She wiped her tears hurriedly as they continued flowing out. Naruto couldn't do anything but to continue staring at the floor with his eyes full of pain too. Seeing his friends like this made him really sad as well. He remembered the feeling when his father, Minato left to go back to the other side again. He remembered he was crying really hard, feeling so much pain on his chest.

Sasuke wanted to comfort Sakura, but he doesn't know how to comfort her in the first place. He was just there, silently feeling the same thing as she was right now. He clenched his first tightly as he exhaled deeply. "Stop crying Sakura, crying will do nothing. We should be glad that they will be going home safely." Sasuke told her as Sakura nodded. He was right, there's nothing they could do now. After all, they don't belong to this time. They shouldn't be even here at the first place but maybe it was bound to happen too. Sasuke watched her as she continued wiping her tears away. Naruto looked up at his friends; he chuckled lightly, thinking he wanted to break the sad atmosphere. "Teme's right Sakura-chan! I'm sure the kids will be very glad to go home! I'm sure they missed all their friends!" He was rubbing his head and giving her a wide smile, trying to cheer her up. Sakura smiled at his blonde teammate, knowing he was trying to make her smile again. "Thank you Naruto."

Sakura's so glad to have Naruto as her friend. He was always there whenever she's down. He was always there to give her support. During her turmoil and pain when Sasuke left, he was there for her. He was always giving her strength to move forward. He was like a brother Sakura never had. She knew about his feelings for her, and she knows it herself how stupid she is to not love back someone like Naruto. But she can't lie to her feelings; she can't fool her own heart. Ever since, there's only one inside her heart, which is Sasuke.

A few minutes later, they were called to get inside the Hokage office. They stood in front of Tsunade when a puff of smoke suddenly appears out of nowhere. "Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto and Sakura exclaimed in unison. "Yo!" He said, smiling behind his mask. "Finally you're here Kakashi. I thought I told you to come at exactly 8 AM?" It was Tsunade; she was sitting in front of them with a sake beside her. She was drinking again and that worries Sakura so much. Out of the sudden, Naruto shouted loudly, "Aaaah! Is this some kind of, reunion mission!?" Tsunade smirked at this. Sasuke and Sakura furrowed their brows. 'Could it be, she's really sending us on a mission?' Sasuke thought. Sakura stepped forward a little, "Shishou, are you sending us on a mission?" she asked curiously. Tsunade continued smirking but shook her head, "No Sakura. I'm not sending any of you on a mission." Her response made Naruto wild.

"Eeeeeh! Then what are you summoning us for?! Getting us all excited for nothing! Tsssk!" He said as he sat on the floor, pouting. Tsunade laughed as she took another shot of her sake. 'Shishou, I thought we told you to minimize drinking...' she sighed, worried about her. "Well Naruto… remember when you arrived back from your training with Jiraiya?" Upon hearing his past master's name, Naruto stopped pouting. "What about it Baa-chan?" he asked. Tsunade taking another shot, she replied, "The bell test."

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. That took them aback. Bell test? Why do they need to do that bell test again? Tsunade turned to look at Kakashi who was just standing beside them silently after all that time. "Kakashi, team 7 will be officially restored once they passed this test." Naruto stood up from the floor, "Huh!? But…Baa-chan! We can do so much more than the bell test! We can do a spar together or…uh… a mission!" Tsunade shook her head as she stood up from her table; she was still carrying her sake. "I know you would say that Naruto… but remember the purpose of the bell test once again." Tsunade was looking outside of the window to the village.

The three of them flinched, turned to look at each other in surprise. "T-teamwork." Sakura stuttered. Tsunade turned to look at them, nodding, "That's right. You three showed great teamwork while on the battlefield during the war. But let's go back to the basics. Can you three really show teamwork even outside the battlefield?" Their eyes went wide again. She was right, how can they show teamwork outside of the battlefield when they don't feel exactly comfortable with each other? Sakura feels awkward and embarrassed whenever she's with Sasuke. Sasuke doesn't know how to approach Sakura and let her know how he feels. Naruto feels rather out of place now they found out about the future. He feels like he doesn't have a place between them anymore.

"Is this really necessary?" Sasuke asked, he felt stupid just by asking her that. He knows it is necessary to break the uneasiness between them but he doesn't want to feel anymore anxiousness whenever they are together. "You're really asking me that question Uchiha?" Tsunade smirked, making Sasuke glare at her. "Heh. You three be obedient and follow my order!" She sat back to her chair and took another shot of sake. "You'll have your bell test tomorrow at 10 AM, same exact place. Now, dismissed!"

After they were dismissed from the Hokage office, they were walking around the village. People were looking at them but they ignored them anyway. "Sasuke, you remembered the bell test right?" Kakashi asked him, as he was walking beside Naruto with his porn book on his face. "Aa." Was Sasuke's only response. Kakashi stopped walking thus making his three students stopped as well and turned to look at him. With a smile behind his mask, "Well then, I shall go first!" and in a puff of smoke, he was gone. Naruto grunted, "Geh! He was just gonna read that stupid porn again!" Sakura's eyes widened when she realized how déjà vu this was. She smiled as she continued walking. Naruto lazily turned to look at Sasuke who was walking beside Sakura. "Oi teme… what are we gonna do now?"

"I don't know." Naruto grunted again, "You're so boring! Ne! Sakura-chan, do you want to hang out with me?" he turned to looked at the girl beside him. Sakura looked at him, and started thinking deeply. "Hmm, let me see… Since it's my day off, ok! Sure!" Sakura smiled gently at him. 'I need to catch up with Naruto as well…' she thought. She turned to look at Sasuke beside her, who was looking directly in front. "N-ne, Sasuke-kun… are you busy?" Naruto was just observing them. Sasuke looked at her and shook his head. "Do you want to come with us?" she asked again. "Where to?" he asked. Naruto stopped walking, "Ah! How about we visit our other friends?" his suggestion made Sasuke and Sakura look at each other and back to their grinning blonde friend.

"Naruto!" Ino exclaimed as she saw Naruto coming inside at the yakiniku restaurant. Naruto saw her with the rest of her team and smiled widely, "Ahhh Ino! Shikamaru! Choji!" he happily went towards them, hands together at back of his head. Shikamaru saw Sasuke and Sakura approaching behind Naruto and grunted, "Heh… if isn't the Uchiha." Sasuke gave him a glare but Shikamaru wasn't at least a little scared, Choji who was munching his chips while waiting for his pork to cook looked at them too, "What brings you guys here?" He asked. Ino was looking at the two behind Naruto, she doesn't really understand what she was feeling during that moment but she gave them a smile anyway. "Sasuke-kun! Sakura, take a seat!" She told them as Shikamaru beside her grunted. They both sat beside each other with Naruto on the other side of Sakura. Ino looked at the three of them with a smile, "So, what are you guys doing here?" Naruto chuckled, rubbing his head. "Well, we thought we'll see you guys here… so we came!" Shikamaru, who was flipping the pork cuts, turned his eyes to look at them, "You guys were looking for us?" Naruto nodded, still smiling widely. "Geh. What for?" he asked again. "We just wanted to see how you guys were doing. Plus we want Sasuke to get back the bonds he had with you guys before. Right teme?" He replied as he looked at his raven haired friend who gave him a glare and looked away with a grunt. Ino, with a thrilled face said, "Really!? Oh Sasuke-kun… Don't worry! We forgave you already! You showed us enough at the war!" Shikamaru looked at her with a displeased look on his face. He rolled his eyes at her and looked at the three in front of him, "That's not entirely true. After all, Sasuke… you used to be rogue ninja. You caused a lot of trouble for us when you left. You don't really think you'll get away with this just because you helped us during the war right?" he eyed Sasuke carefully as he glared at him back. The place became awkwardly silent with only the sound of cooking was heard. "Sasuke… many of our mates and the villagers may think of you highly now because you helped Naruto defeat Kaguya but don't be full of yourself and think I forgave you already." Ino and Choji were looking down, avoiding the eyes in front of them. Naruto was speechless too; he can't really blame Shikamaru for feeling that way. Sasuke really did cause them trouble in the past. Sakura turned to look at Sasuke beside her; she was feeling sad for him. She turned to look at Shikamaru, ready to talk back at him when Sasuke spoke first. "You are still the same, always so keen." His response made Shikamaru narrowed his eyes, Sasuke was looking directly at him, "I am aware of that. I am not forcing you to forgive me for the things I have done in the past." He paused for a little bit, "But I swear I'm gonna get your trust back. Maybe not now, it might take me a long time to have it again… but I'll do my best to reclaim it." They were looking at Sasuke now. His words were delivered to them really well. 'Sasuke-kun…' Sakura thought, looking at him with content look on her face. She placed a hand on his shoulder, an act of support to her teammate. Sasuke turned to look at her, no expression on his face. Naruto observed his teammates' actions. He felt a gap, as if it's suffocating him.

Naruto was not entirely sad about the relationship of his teammates; it's just that he feels as if he doesn't have any more space to fill in between them. He watched them as they stare at each other's eyes. Ino noticed Naruto's silence and his eyes towards his friends. 'It must've been hard for Naruto to accept this…' her thoughts of sadness as she watched Naruto. Ino knows how Naruto feels towards her childhood friend, she knows it too well. Ever since academy days, Naruto would always show off to please Sakura which of course always turned out a failure. She remembered when Naruto promised her friend to bring back Sasuke. Ino's eyes suddenly shifted back to the pair in front of her. "N-ne… Sakura." she called her out. Sakura diverted her look to her blonde friend. "Yes Ino?" Ino's eyes were looking below; showing a sad expression but Ino looked back at her directly with a smile, "Can I talk to you for a second? Privately."