Tomorrow Blossom (Sasuke Uchiha) - Book Two - I Don't Love You

Chapter Six- Beginning Training

It was harder than I expected, in some ways, to see the Leaf village again. The last time I saw it was when I turned my back after Sasuke left. That thought sent shivers down my spine.

But at the same time, a knot of happiness and excitement was forming in my stomach, close to bubbling over as I scoped out the buildings and trees and hedges and walls and realised that the old place really hadn't changed much at all- except for the addition of Tsunade's face on the Hokage monument.

Before I could say anything, though, I was more or less tackled to the ground by a large white blob. Said blob licked my face, while blob's owner peered over it's shoulder, grinning.

"Sachi! You're back!!" I managed to wrestle Akamaru off of me and grinned.

"Yep! Back- and better than ever!" I boasted, "For one thing, I got boobs!! See!"

I didn't really understand his reaction when he flushed and sweatdropped awkwardly. Sai didn't seem to care when I pointed it out to him...

Sakura hit me over the head, "Sachi! Stop saying that to people, it's inappropriate!"

My eyes watered and I clutched my head. "You're just jealous..." I mumbled, and a vein throbbed on her head.

"Jealous of what? There's barely anything there!!" she snapped, and I hopped to my feet from where I had been on the ground.

"Well, I'm only fifteen, so I'm still gonna grow!" I pointed out, "But you're sixteen- almost seventeen- so you're probably gonna stay like that!"

Despite the fact that we were squabbling, I was rather enjoying myself. I hugged Kiba, glad to see him after all this time, but still couldn't push away my self resentment.

"Come, Sachiko, we have to report in to Hokage-sama. Naruto, Sakura, Sai, you are dismissed." Yamato said, and I nodded perkily, eyes flickering between an azalea bush I spotted, to a hummingbird, and then to a squirrel that was merrily scampering up a tree. Yes, this was what I liked about the Leaf village. It was so full of life. Everywhere you looked, something was breathing, living... loving. I sighed, and dropped my gaze to the ground.

"Ne, Yamato-taichou..?" I asked quietly, "How many people know about my..." I trailed off, not knowing the right words to express it. The brunette glanced at me as we walked.

"Your mishap with Izanami?" he asked in a low voice, and I nodded, avoiding his gaze. "Well, Hokage-sama kept it pretty hush-hush. Really, the only people that know are the ANBU, Jounin and Chunin, and then just your family. Well, and Kirigakure, of course, but..."

I flinched, and sighed again. "They're not my family anymore."

Yamato gave me an odd look, "What?"

I shook my head, "I'm an Asuka now, no longer a Yamanaka. I lost the right to call them family at the same time I lost my self-control." I said. He frowned.

"Do you think they feel that way?" he said, "Just because you no longer have the same last name doesn't make them any less family."

I said nothing, only folding my arms. He wouldn't understand. I had shamed them and myself. I had destroyed homes and killed many- I didn't deserve to be a part of their family. I couldn't face them now.

When we reached Tsunade's office, I couldn't help but straighten up and cross my arms, wringing my sleeves nervously. I wondered how the Hokage would react to me- the last time I saw her she had yelled. A lot. I had caused a lot of trouble for her and this village.

"You're finally here."

"Hai, Tsunade-sama." Yamato said, closing her office door behind us. I pursed my lips and hung back while he recounted the mission's details, informing her of our collision with Sasuke and Orochimaru (and co, Kabuto didn't deserve a mention) and numerous other bits and pieces. It was then that the blonde's gaze scanned me analytically, making me shift in discomfort.