Naruto: Sasuke, are you home?!

Sasuke's hands, resting on his knees, clenched tightly into fists once more, his nails nearly digging into his palms.

"I understand," Sasuke said in a low voice.

He glanced at the cup of tea before him, long since gone cold and still untouched, then reached out, lifted it, tipped back his head, and drained it in one gulp.

The faintly bitter tea slid down his throat, bringing a trace of coolness, as if it had also doused some of the restless fire in his heart.

Sasuke set the empty cup back on the low table with a soft click.

Then he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Shisui, calm across from him, and Izumi Uchiha beside him, still silent, still watching him from the corner of her eye.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

Then, without the slightest hesitation, he stood up.

He turned and strode toward the courtyard gate.

His black-clad back was straight, his steps firm, carrying a resolute determination to press forward no matter what.

Only then did Izumi slowly lift her eyes, moving her gaze away from the edge of the low table and toward Sasuke's departing back.

Her eyes remained cool and clear, but a ripple difficult to read seemed to pass through them.

She said nothing, only glanced at Shisui across from her.

Shisui gave her a slight nod, indicating it was fine.

Sasuke reached the heavy wooden gate of the courtyard, stretched out his hand, and pulled it open with force.

The creak of the wooden hinge turning sounded especially clear in the quiet morning air.

The scene outside the gate instantly flooded into view.

At the edge of the white sand outside the courtyard, and even farther out along the street, Uchiha clan members stood packed together in a dark mass.

Almost