SasuSaku Month 2017
Day 27: The Trek Home
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It’s actually connected to day 26, but it can also stand on its own.
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“Are we going home, now?”
Mikoto smiled sadly at her son. “Sasuke, this is our home now.”
“No it’s not,” the little boy insisted. “This is not Konoha. I don’t have friends here.”
“You’ll make new friends, Sasuke,” his father added.
“But I’m sure no one can match Sakura-chan, huh Sasuke?” Itachi teased him. A blush spread across his cheeks, and his family gave each other knowing smiles. But then the lad’s face saddened, immediately missing his best friend. It’s been a week now, but he still thinks of her. It’s the first time they’ve been separated, having known each other even before they learned to walk.
Slowly, he started to adjust to his new environment. He found a friend in Naruto, and both share a bond of friendship and rivalry. He grew up to be a fine young man, and fangirls flocked to him. Though he was the top student in their school, popular, and everyone wanted to be friends with him, he still kept a portion of his heart special for Sakura.
.
He never forgot, as he promised to her.
.
Sasuke kept their photo together in his bedside table, so that Sakura’s smiling face would be the first thing he sees when he wakes up and the last he sees when he goes to sleep. He was loyal to her, and no other girl could change that.
His only wish was to come back to Konoha. Due to his father’s work, it was hard to make it come true. But he held on to hope. One Christmas night, the Uchihas gathered at their living room to open their presents. Sasuke found an envelope for him from his father. He looked at him, a bit confused, but his father just gave him a nod.
He opened it, and saw a postcard of Konoha. It didn’t contain any letter at the back. It just showed the beauty of his hometown.
“What does this mean, dad?”
Sasuke was surprised to see them smiling at him, as if they know something he didn’t. Mikoto looked at her husband and he gave an affirming nod. With a giggle, she approached her son, happiness causing her eyes to sparkle.
“We’re going back to Konoha, Sasuke. For good.”
He stared at them, dumfounded. When he regained his composure, he hugged his family. Finally, he’ll come back home. To Sakura.
The night before they moved back to Konoha, Sasuke couldn’t sleep. Hundreds of what ifs swarmed in his mind.
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What if Sakura didn’t wait for him?
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What if she forgot?
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What if she lost hope that he’ll be back?
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He tried to keep the thoughts away. No, Sakura is not like that. She’s special.
Finally home to Konoha, he didn’t seek her out yet. On the day of the high school entrance ceremony, Sasuke walked first towards the home that holds a lot of memories.
Sakura’s house remained the same, though with a little alteration, and still recognizable. Sasuke waited outside the gates, excited for her to come out and meet her after so many years of separation. When he heard her voice, a warm feeling enveloped his heart. Then the door finally opened, but she didn’t notice him yet, her attention caught by his letter.
A soft smile graced his features. She still looked liked the girl he secretly loved all those years ago, though now her appearance is more grown up. She kept her hair the color of cherry blossoms long, and even from a distance, he already felt the warmth she radiates that he missed terribly.
Sakura smiled, still as bright as ever. She finally read his letter, it seems, and her reaction made all his worries disappear.
.
.
“Tadaima, Sakura.”
.
.
He saw her stiffen. When she slowly looked up, her emerald eyes met his onyx ones. They still shined, and Sasuke basked in its radiance. He gave her a soft smile as she stared at him, obviously bewildered. When realization dawned on her, the happiness on her face was contagious.
Sasuke opened his arms for her, knowing that he can’t wait any longer. As she rushed towards him, he hugged her with equal force. Home is where the heart is, they say. This was home.
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“Okaeri, Sasuke-kun.”
Where The Heart Is
Published
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