Chapter 2
Sasuke paced the bedroom, attempting to bring himself to a calm state. He felt sick, excited, terrified, nervous, and everything else in between. He’d already submitted the paperwork, filed early, checked with Naruto several times to ensure everything went through properly and double-checked himself. He knew who was coming back, but what if they chose not to stay, what if they were disappointed with him? What if they hated him, loathed him, despised him? He tried to take deep breaths, focus.
“You ready?” He heard a scratchy familiar voice.
He turned to see Naruto, a smile flashing that instantly calmed his nerves. He wanted to spill his nerves to him, but Naruto was even more of a wreck than he, even if he had tried to hide it. After all, today he’d see his family too.
Sasuke nodded and walked towards Naruto who took his hand and intertwined it with his own.
“It’s gonna be okay Sasuke,” Naruto said looking at him with intense blue eyes, and Sasuke believed him with every bone in his body.
Naruto and Sasuke walked towards a large building with tall glass windows, it was still fairly newly built, and looked a little out of place wedged between two older buildings.
Naruto pecked Sasuke on the cheek and released his hand as he moved to trudge through the crowd gathering in the lobby, with others splitting and bowing as he passed. Sasuke watched carefully surveying and observing every brush or hand or shoulder prepared to launch in case of threat.
Naruto stood behind a podium at the front of the lobby, on either side of him were double metal doors, where those reanimated would emerge from in just a few minutes. The room fell quiet, Sasuke continued to survey the room, nodding at several shinobi guards posted in various spots around the room.
“Thank you everyone for coming, I won’t take up much of your time, I know we are all eager to see loved ones. I would like to remind everyone that this is a truly special day where we chose to take back some of the grief and trauma inflicted on us and the unfair circumstances, this is an opportunity to connect with those we have lost, and we must be grateful, and respectful. We must be mindful of the sacrifice that has been made, and those that chose to donate their bodies to this day, and be respectful to them and continue to honor them. We must be respectful of those reanimated, and not take for granted any of the time we are allowed with them. We must be respectful of those that cast the jutsu and remember that their identity remains hidden for confidentiality and protection, and remember the rules of reanimation day…” Naruto’s speech continued on but Sasuke had checked out. His stomach twisted, turned. He’d be seeing them soon, maybe. In a few minutes members of the Uchiha clan would be walking out through those doors. His heart was thudding in his chest.
“Furthermore, I’d like to discuss one more thing” Naruto said getting Sasuke’s attention. Sasuke’s head snapped forward to Naruto, normally, Naruto ended the speeches on thanking everyone and reminding them of the rules and respect
“As you know, and as I have stated, and will restate to emphasize the importance, there are going to be a few reanimated that suffered tragic losses and tragic deaths so there may be some unpredictability in their first few moments, we work hard to brief them, and give them a choice and they of course are only permitted to continue with the jutsu if they desire to and on the condition of not causing harm, but we must still be patient. These are individuals who have died in battle, wars, attacks on the village, it is difficult, and our knowledge of what happens in the after life is limited, we know there is some communication but it rapidly fades and for many their last memories are of their death. As many of you know, my husband, Uchiha Sasuke, was one of the lone survivors of the Uchiha massacre..”
Sasuke felt a lump in his throat
“..and as many of you know this year's animation jutsu extends to letter U, meaning there will be reanimations of Uchihas, I ask that you be extremely respectful, and understand the tragedy performed as a result of corrupt politics in the village long ago. I have worked hard to change this village and its views, I ask that you maintain this. You are all aware of the circumstances surrounding the massacre and have learned the fault falls back on to the leadership at the time, understand the parties that are truly responsible for manipulating and organizing such a tragedy, so I will accept no exceptions of disrespect, ill will, or ignorance toward any Uchiha. Thank you, and may everyone find comfort in today. Now, a moment of silence please for those that have made this possible.” And with that everyone bowed their head.
After a minute or two of silence, everyone looked up and began to chatter amongst themselves. Sasuke surveyed the room, looking up to find Naruto fiddling with his hands and talking to Shikamaru. Then, a surge of chakra could be felt throughout the building, strong, unyielding, and many of ninjas noticed growing silent and still, civilians noticed and halted as well, everyone now staring at the metal doors, waiting. Minutes passed by, quiet, tense. Sasuke could almost hear himself breathing.
Finally, the doors opened as reanimations began to trickle in greeted with gasps and cries, smiles and laughter intermingled with tears. Sasuke watched carefully without taking his full attention off Naruto.
He could see Naruto fiddling with the hem of his jacket, straightening his jacket and attempting to smooth it, he shifted and worried his lip beneath his teeth, Sasuke wanted to approach him, to give him comfort, but he needed to keep his eyes peeled for his own visitors and any threats that could rise during this critical time until things settled. He noticed Naruto’s blue eyes flickering as well, that’s what they got for making themselves the most powerful living shinobis, the protectors, they always were on duty, he sighed knowing soon enough he’d be able to stand beside him, and with a few extra people in tow. Several loud gasps and low bows drew Sasuke’s attention to door to the left of Naruto as a blur of spiky blonde hair, accompanied by a curtain of red hair next to them glided over to where Naruto stood. He’d recognize that hair anywhere, it was too similar to that of Naruto’s. The fourth Hokage, Naruto’s dad, and the red, Kushina, Naruto’s mother. Naruto’s eyes lit up, and he heard the boisterous and sunshine-filled exclamation and laugh as the three embraced, Sasuke smiled and felt a tear form.
“Hello, little brother.” A familiar and low voice uttered beside him.