One month later.

"Sasuke-kun, are you alright?"

Sasuke Uchiha shot the redheaded woman a look. He ignored her and walked pass his other teammates, towards a dirtroad. The young Uchiha stared off into a distance, his mind completely numb with the advocacy of killing his older brother.

My hands are cold

My body's numb

I'm still in shock

Not far from where he was, a group of shinobis rested. The sun was scorching hot, causing complaints to erupt from a certain blonde's mouth.

"What are we looking for again?!"

Green eyes glared at him. Sakura Haruno sat with her back against a tree, and spat back,

"The Akatsuki Hideout, idiot! Tsunade wants us to put a stop to them.. They're... Doing bad things again."

Something weighed down her chest as the words left her mouth.

It's been a month since they went back to being adults. Their memories were restored, but Naruto and Sai managed to ignore them at all costs. Kakashi further elaborate his actions, saying,

"Sasuke is Sasuke. Turning him over to Team Taka was the wisest thing to do. It's best if things were the way they used to be before we all got caught into this messed up situation. Plus, I needed their assistance since I can't contact the Leaf. We made a deal that night."

And unfortunately, that deal involved fetching Kakashi the release potions to counteract the jutsu those criminals did in exchange for Sasuke Uchiha.

What have you done

My head is pounding

My vision's blur

Your mouth is moving

I don't hear a word

"Ugly, what are you thinking?"

She was caught off guard when Sai suddenly emerged from nowhere. The pinkette looked up, hesitant in sharing her thoughts, and instead asnwered,

"I was thinking of ways to murder you and how to make it look like an accident, Sai."

But the pale painter's smile didn't falter.

"Lying to yourself is the worst thing a Leaf ninja can do, Sakura-chan," he added, "some people will always find their ways back to us, whether we like it or not."

And after that, he left.

And it hurts so bad

That I search my skin

For the entry point

Where love went in

Sasuke Uchiha hid behind a tree. A head of silver hair that defied gravity caught his attention. Slowly, he peered at the group of ninjas he knew all too well.

His old team.

Team Seven.

With Sai tagging along, of course. Kakashi stood with his back against him. He watched as Sai and Naruto bickered about something. Soon, he saw a glimpse of pink hair. Sakura.

And ricocheted 

And bounced around

And left a hole when you walked out

Sasuke was about to turn back and warn his team about the Leaf nins' presence, but something stopped him. Something on the ground stopped him dead in his tracks.

He picked the small package up, noticing the neat writing on it.

To: Sasuke Uchiha

I still remember what you asked me for Christmas ten years ago. Enjoy your day.

His hands shook. Eyebrows furrowed. Heart leaping with anxiety, as he ripped the Christmas wrapper open.

I'm falling through the doors of the emergency room

Can anybody help me with these exit wounds

I don't know how much more love, this heart can lose

And I'm dying, dying from these exit wounds

Wooooounds, where their leaving, the scars you're keeping

Exit wounds

He stood there, frozen in disbelief. Memories from ten years ago came crashing down on him..

"Tachi-nii! I want something special this Christmas.."

"Eh? Another kunai?"

"Nope! I want.. Something that will make me happy and sad... Something special, nii-san! Anything.."

"Alright, Sasuke.. But I cannot give you that this year. But I promise, one day.."

"Eh?? Unfair!"

Dark obsidian orbs bore unto what rested in his sweaty hands. It wasn't much.. Just a framed picture, actually.

A picture of Sasuke's younger self.. With the young Team Seven, and the whole Akatsuki organization. There he saw himself smiling timidly as he sat on Itachi's shoulders. Next to him, Naruto and Sai were busy wrestling each other, completely disregarding the camera. Sakura smile cheekily with Kakashi on her lap..err.. His baby self.

The rest of the men flashed in the picture were different expression, portraying the same emotion.

Marks a battle

Still feel raw

A million pieces of me

On the floor

"You remember everything, don't you Sasuke?"

His head jerked to his right. There Kakashi Hatake leaned on a tree, with his hands in his pockets. Sasuke stared at his old sensei.

"Why?"

Kakashi nodded, understanding him.

"I want you to make a decision of your own. Frankly, your primary reason for staying with us was because of your older brother.. Now that everything's over, I want you to make a decision again, considering the times we've spent as a team.. No matter how twisted those times are. Sasuke, are you willing to go back to Konohagakure?"

I'm damaged goods

For all to see

Now who would ever want to be with me

The raven-haired rogue went silent. Going back to Konoha? That really seemed like a tempting offer. He could have his old life back. He could have his friends back..and Sakura..

Immediately, he shook his head.

"I can't.. Not yet, that is." Were his final words.

Kakashi sighed, but nodded nonetheless.

"I understand. Just remember that you still have a family to go back to.." Kakashi motioned to the members of Team Seven, "When we meet again, I hope it's not too late. Farewell, Sasuke."

And with that, Kakashi disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

That old man really likes disappearing and reappearing at the most unexpected times. He thought and managed a small smile.

He glanced at the picture again.

Actually, he has two families to go back to.. No matter how hard he tries to deny it.

***THE END***

Song: Exit Wounds by The Script

Misty's Note:

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto does, of course. ☺ Thank you for reaching this point without skipping through the chapters. I know it's a crappy work and I'm truly sorry for that. I tried my best.. God bless and advance Merry Christmas to everyone! ❤