Chapter 4: Old Memories

"You are not intruding; it is usually just me in this house," Yasaka said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I rarely have guests since I'm mostly occupied with taking care of my people's needs," she added, a hint of pride in her words. "You can stay here as long as you need to fully recover. Besides, why would I want such a handsome boy to leave?" she playfully teased, punctuating her statement with a wink.

Sasuke listened attentively, considering her offer. While he still needed to gather information, he couldn't deny the allure of Yasaka's company. "I will think about it," he replied, his mind focused on finding the answers he sought.

Not wanting to be impolite but driven by his curiosity, Sasuke carefully broached the topic. "You are not human, are you?" he asked, aiming to maintain a friendly tone. Yasaka couldn't help but giggle at his observation. "FuFu, it seems you've noticed. I am a Nine-Tailed Fox," she revealed with a mischievous grin.

In that instant, nine soft and fluffy tails emerged from behind Yasaka, further confirming her true nature. Sasuke's facial expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he couldn't help but draw parallels to the fox-like appearance of the vixen before him. He silently hoped that she wouldn't possess the same hostility as Naruto's tailed beast, Kurama, before their eventual friendship was forged.

"You should rest now, Sasuke-kun. Tomorrow morning, I'll prepare breakfast for you," Yasaka said cheerfully. Sasuke nodded in acknowledgment as he watched Yasaka leave, her nine tails gracefully wagging behind her. A sigh escaped Sasuke's lips, and he muttered to himself, "This is going to be troublesome."

He brought his hand to his face, clenching it into a fist. "Why couldn't you be there, Niisan?" he whispered, a hint of longing in his voice. "What am I supposed to do now? You said you respected my choices, but Konoha... Even after your sacrifice for the village, the Uchihas no longer have a place there," Sasuke spoke with determination.

A pang of guilt accompanied his next words. "I'm sorry, Naruto, but I don't share your attachment to the village. Once I return to my world, I'll fade into the shadows," he admitted, his voice filled with conflicted emotions. Sasuke grappled with his decision, knowing that he would have to face the consequences of distancing himself from the world he once knew.

As the sun's morning rays gently bathed the room, Sasuke gradually emerged from his slumber, rousing himself from the embrace of sleep. His eyes flickered open, adjusting to the light as he blinked away the remnants of drowsiness.

Rising from the bed, he stretched his weary limbs, feeling the all-too-familiar ache and stiffness that accompanied his awakening. It took a moment for his body to readjust, and reconnect with his physical movements after bring unconsciousness for a while.

An exasperated click of his tongue escaped Sasuke's lips as his gaze fell upon the void left by his missing arm. The constant reminder of his choices weighed heavily upon him. However, deep within, he knew that his power remained intact.

Determination flickered in his eyes as he acknowledged the need to adapt and relearn a new fighting style. The thought of acquiring a replacement arm made from Hashirama's cells, as Sakura had suggested, crossed his mind. Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, possessed the skills to create such a prosthetic.

Yet, another option lingered in his thoughts, one that sent a shiver down his spine. The image of Orochimaru, the sinister snake-like figure, flashed in Sasuke's mind. He could almost hear the bizarre tone of his voice as he licked his tongue and eagerly offered his twisted assistance. The mere thought of it sent a chill down Sasuke's spine, reminding him of the darkness he had when Orichimaru wanted his body. "Thanks, Niisan, for getting rid of the snake," Sasuke said truthfully.

Sasuke sensed someone approaching and turned his gaze to see Yasaka entering the room. "Ah, you're awake, Sasuke-kun," Yasaka greeted him warmly. "I've just finished preparing breakfast. It's usually just for myself, so I hope you enjoy it."

Sasuke expressed his gratitude to Yasaka for her hospitality and moved closer to her. He couldn't help but notice the significant height difference between them, with Yasaka standing three inches taller. It felt peculiar to him, but he quickly dismissed the thought and focused on following Yasaka through the corridor.

A melancholic expression clouded Sasuke's face as he observed Yasaka's home. The resemblance to his own former dwelling was uncanny, even the layout evoked a sense of familiarity. Memories of his time spent with his family before the tragic massacre flooded his mind. The Third Hokage had relocated him to an apartment after the incident, and seeing Yasaka's home brought back a wave of nostalgia, tinged with sorrow.

Yasaka, noticing the sadness reflected in Sasuke's eyes, yearned to comfort him. She couldn't deny the growing attraction she felt towards him, sensing his immense strength that surpassed her own. Taking a leap of faith, she decided to address his feelings. "I hope my home doesn't make you too uncomfortable, Sasuke-kun," Yasaka expressed her concern.

Sasuke, realizing that his emotions were showing, swiftly regained his stoic expression but allowed a faint smile to grace his lips. "You have a beautiful home, Yasaka-san. It just reminds me of my own," he replied, continuing to walk forward.

Yasaka caught his response and deduced that his family was likely no longer with him. Seeking to lighten the mood, she playfully remarked, "FuFu, Sasuke-kun, you don't have to be so formal with me. It makes me feel old. Just call me Yasaka." Her words carried a sense of happiness and warmth.

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