This one's for krito1389!

—

Sasuke hadn't changed much in four years really. He was still quiet, sullen, and made ignoring or insulting Naruto into an art form; not to mention ignoring Sakura. He was still somewhat respectful to Kakashi, but refused to offer him the respect of calling him 'sensei' like the other two and most of those in their age group did.

He was a little sadder after his brother's death and learning the truth about him. Sometimes he was nearly overcome with rage when something reminded him of what the leaders of Konoha had ordered his brother to do, but Sasuke never had a great temper to begin with. He deferred to Kakashi though. Just as Sasuke was the only one who could calm Juugo, Kakashi was the only who could calm Sasuke when he was provoked.

Kakashi, Naruto, and Yamato were told the truth about Itachi and the Uchiha by Madara and Naruto had told Sakura after she heard Sasuke scream about wanting Itachi back when they and Sasuke were trying to kill each other. The team was respectfully silent about it now, never asking him about it or even talking about it in or outside his hearing. They also did everything they could to protect Sasuke from hearing anyone else mentioning it, more fearing his temper than protecting him from the emotion such a comment would conjure. Sasuke didn't talk about it and no one even told him that they knew.

Suigetsu had bailed when Sasuke decided to return to Konoha. Karin and Juugo had nowhere else to go and stayed with Sasuke. Karin was now a provisional member of Team Kakashi along with Sai and Yamato as the situation dictated. Juugo was always with them on missions so Sasuke could be there to control him if needed. Karin and Juugo had not become trusted enough in the village to go out without someone like Kakashi with them, and they refused to go out on missions without Sasuke, the only thing they felt stood between them and the ire of the village.

It had been Kakashi's words that finally reached Sasuke and brought him back to his senses. "No matter how far Orochimaru fell, he still loved him... Now I know how the Third Hokage felt." Part of it might have been being compared to Orochimaru—a true slap in the face to someone who despised Orochimaru as much as Sasuke—but it was really when Kakashi implied he loved Sasuke. Kakashi had been ready to kill him, a mercy killing full of disappointment and guilt, but Madara arrived. Sasuke escaped with Madara immediately. He asked for Itachi's eyes then murdered Madara as soon as the bandages were removed. For that, Sasuke was pardoned for all his crimes, including his attack on the Kage conference. He was even able to get Karin to forgive him for nearly killing her and callously casting her away. Then he returned to Konoha.

Even though it was Kakashi's implied confession of love that brought him home, Sasuke had not really tried to get closer to Kakashi and was disappointed that Kakashi made no effort to get any closer either.

During Sasuke's probation—which was as good as incarceration to him and Karin—Sasuke found himself thinking of Kakashi more than any other living person—present, and constant, company excluded. A three room apartment with Juugo and Karin was beyond boring. He had few visitors, Kakashi being one of them. They could go outside with Kakashi and he was the most sympathetic. Naruto wanted to rekindle their friendship, but Sasuke just didn't feel they could recapture any friendship or trust they might have once shared. Sakura was trying to show her feelings, but the fact Sasuke was basically living with another woman put a damper on that. Shikamaru and Neji came by—Sasuke wasn't entirely sure why. He felt scorn and maybe a little admiration coming from them.

After two months, Sasuke and his two companions were allowed to take missions, but only with Team Kakashi, usually sans Sai. They also moved out to separate houses. Sasuke performed his duties silently and efficiently, putting his old comrades to shame. Sasuke would never show it or admit it to anyone, but he swelled with pride when Kakashi acknowledged how proficient Sasuke was at their missions.

These fell off as it became meaningless to tell everyone what they already knew: Sasuke was the perfect shinobi while the others were not. Sasuke got quieter. It seemed petulant, even to him, but he found himself wanting Kakashi's approval. Maybe he didn't need it before since his brother—though absent and apparently an evil bastard—was still alive; no matter what, he still had Itachi to prove himself to, though it would be when he would attempt to kill him. Kakashi now slid into that role now that Itachi was dead.

But Sasuke wanted more from his former sensei. When he was sure he wouldn't be caught, Sasuke stared at him, trying to imagine what Kakashi's face really looked like. One of the few smiles he wore during those first six months was when he remembered he, Naruto, and Sakura doing everything to see that face. They had failed utterly, but it had been fun.

That gave Sasuke an idea.

On their day off, Sasuke decided to take up the 'mission' they failed as children. Dull, dull, dull. But at least he got experience staying hidden in the daytime from not only one Jounin, but everyone else in a shinobi village. That was a challenge that kept it interesting. The man really didn't take the damn mask off. However, there were two points of interest.

In the morning, when Kakashi was supposed to meet with some other Jounin, he didn't go directly there; a perfect opportunity to find out what he actually did when he was late.

Kakashi went to the cemetery and stopped at the memorial stone. Using his Sharingan, Sasuke followed Kakashi's eyes and read the names there. Name after meaningless name. Then: Uchiha Obito. An Uchiha?

He couldn't be sure that was the name Kakashi was looking at, but it was the only one that held any meaning for Sasuke. Another Uchiha. That eye. Kakashi had never told him where he'd gotten that eye. Where was his brother when he needed him? Itachi knew everything about all the members of their family, probably from being the Hokage's spy.

Finally, night fell and Sasuke was relieved he could soon go home to his even duller life and comfortable bed. But Kakashi wasn't going home yet. He stopped by the Konoha gates. Kotetzu was not there for once, but Izumo sat at his place. Sasuke's interest was peaked; Kakashi hadn't stopped to talk to anyone all day. It surprised him that Kakashi leaned down to speak to Izumo. His interest drained away as the pair talked. A little dinner and his pillows looked so good right now.

Then Sasuke's heart dropped. Izumo was kissing Kakashi. One hand had tugged down Kakashi's mask enough to allow for the kiss. And it wasn't a peck. Izumo was trying to suck Kakashi's lips off. After more face sucking, Kakashi pulled up his mask—without Sasuke being able to see it—said something to Izumo, and headed home. Sasuke's Sharingan could read even those cloth covered lips effortlessly. Come over when you're relieved.

Sasuke felt betrayed. Kakashi had never said that he loved him, probably didn't beyond a teacher/student relationship, but it wasn't just that. He felt betrayed because Kakashi gave no sign at all that he was dating anyone. Weren't they at least friends? Maybe not. What words had they exchanged beyond, 'Good work, Sasuke,' 'Nice work, Sasuke,' 'Sasuke, you have first watch,' 'Sasuke, you have point,' and so on?

And what had Sasuke said to him? Nothing. He couldn't think of a single word at all. He must have said something, but it meant less to him what he said to Kakashi than what Kakashi said to him: words of praise and confidence.

Sasuke followed Kakashi to his home. His family home and his apartment had been destroyed in Pein's attack. When Yamato rebuilt several of the old houses that stood near where the Uchiha compound once stood, he 'built' his sempai a new house. Sasuke perched on the roof of the house cater-corner to Kakashi's.

It was an hour before a visitor arrived. Izumo. There was a flare of rage running up Sasuke's back like quills of a porcupine. And the man didn't leave. Sasuke stayed all night. He tried meditating, but that didn't work so well, too angry to clear his mind.

What did you think? He loves you as a student, nothing more. Even if he did ever love you, did you think he could still love you now? Sasuke remembered the sheer disappointment in Kakashi's face and voice. He wondered if he was still a disappointment. The praise was for his actions; what did he think of him.

Izumo left just before sunrise. Sasuke was so angry he stuck his sword down through the roof he was crouching on. He didn't flinch at the sound of surprise underneath him when someone was woken by ceiling material raining down on him. Sasuke left before anyone could find him there.

Sasuke was in a foul mood when the team met a few hours later. He'd gotten no sleep and he was furious. He twirled kunai in his hand or played with his sword. Karin was with them this morning; she and Juugo knew that when Sasuke fidgeted, it was a bad sign. Sakura understood this intuitively. But Naruto didn't.

"Eager to get going for a change, Sasuke?"

Sasuke's death glare was enough to make Naruto take a step back.

When Kakashi arrived, he wasn't treated any better.

This would be a long mission. Sasuke was named first watch that night. He didn't grumble or complain, just sat at his place and glared into the night. Kakashi threw him a worried glance before going to sleep. Kakashi found him in the same pose three hours later: cross-legged, straight-back, with his sword leaning against his shoulder.

The next day was not any better, but Sasuke had retreated into himself rather than glaring at everything that moved. This worried Kakashi as much as the glaring. But he needn't have worried about Sasuke's concentration.

They were ambushed before they reached their target. Karin detected the enemy first, but did not immediately alert anyone to their presence, not wanting to give away that she knew of their position. Sasuke was attuned to his team and felt Karin's anxiety. A glance over his shoulder with his Sharingan located most of them. Kakashi tensed when he saw those eyes, he couldn't help fearing Sasuke—teamed up with Juugo and Karin—might finally wipe out his old team. Sasuke sent out a dozen shuriken charged with Chidori and Chidori senbon. Kakashi whipped out kunai to defend himself from Sasuke's attack, but the weapons whizzed past him.

"Ambush," Karin said calmly, though with a bit of a blush at Sasuke's supreme awesomeness.

Karin called out a handful of positions and Sasuke took down all but three of the enemy; Kakashi killed the others.

"Are there any left alive?" Kakashi asked Karin.

It was Sasuke who answered. "Two I hit with senbon, over there," Sasuke pointed behind Kakashi.

Sasuke crouched with his sword again leaning against his shoulder and ignored the others while Kakashi went back to get information from the two rouge shinobi. Their mission resumed.

Completed two days later, they made their way back to the village. Sasuke had the second watch when they made camp. Sakura relieved him, but he made no move to leave his post.

"Sakura," she couldn't detect the anxiety in his voice. "If I were to take you out on a date, what would you want me to do?"

"Are—are you asking me out?"

"No."

"Oh."

"I've never dated. I've been around few people in the last four years."

"Well, I guess I would like dinner, somewhere nice. Then, I'd like to go sit out on a hill where we could see the stars."

Sasuke had to keep from rolling his eyes.

"Girls like gifts too. Flowers, candy, that sort of thing."

How unhelpful. Sasuke wondered if Izumo did any of those things with Kakashi; he couldn't see it.

Sasuke stood. "Thank you, Sakura." He didn't sound very grateful, but it was the most Sasuke had spoken with her since he left Konoha four years ago. Take that back. Since Sasuke told her to kill Karin in order to join him.

Sasuke fell asleep wondering if there was anything he could do to win Kakashi's affections.