the R E T U R N

[UCHIHA ARATA]

With a final wary glance at the ANBU stationed atop the gates into Konoha, Arata marched in, his black cloak blending in with the mass of people and items. Arata looked behind himself quickly, making sure the ninja were not following him. Being back in Konoha always made him nervous, though this wasn't his first time being back home.

Bored with waiting to be sent to hunt down a Jinchuriki, Arata decided to return to his was beloved, now hated, home. As Arata walked through the streets, he stayed in the middle of the crowd, still conscious about being spotted. It would, however, take a miracle to not notice a rogue Uchiha.

Arata looked to his left, eying his destination; a small tea shop right off the main road. Arata pushed the streamers covering the opening away from his face, and entered the homey space. Ordering a cup of ginseng tea from the young waitress, Arata sat down at a low table facing the exit, prepared to escape or strike at whoever entered. All Arata was some tea, but something told him he'd face a lot than just a boiling cup of tea.

[Uchiha Ryozo]

Ryozo walked down the crowded street, it put a smile on his face to see the children playing around the village, those that werent ninjas playing at there games and those that were in the academy and even younger pretending to be famous heroes of years past. Ryozo could smell the local restaurants preparing their goods for consumption, the Ichiraku noodle shop still had the best Ramen for miles, but what interested Ryozo this day was the very reason he was out on a grocery run. It just so happened that there was a small shop just off the road that specialized in tea but also made Ryozo's favorite brand of Sake and seeing as the two jugs he kept at home were empty he went out to get some more. Nothing was out of place as He moved aside the streamers and smiled at the shopkeep, "Ah Ryozo kun!" the man exclaimed, "Back for more already?" Ryozo chuckled "Well you know how it is ANBU has got me working overtime for the Uchiha clan, and plus all work and no play makes for a dull social life". There was one other person seated at the counter, Ryozo glanced towards him but couldnt see anything out of place immediately.

The shopkeep popped back up from under the counter with two large jugs of Sake, "So how is it Ryozo? I mean the village hasnt seen eyes like your's and the clan leader's since the days of Madara and Uchiha Sasuke, yet the people love you". Ryozo fell silent and thought to himself for a second "well...It's not easy trying redeem the clan's image in the eyes of the people but to me the clan is everything, I have wipe the stain from our name after all the years of war". Ryozo took the jugs off of the man and tucked them under each arm, "Good day to you, and to you sir" Ryozo spoke to the man seated at the bar though perhaps he did catch the faintest hint of something, but it was most likely nothing.

As Ryozo worked his way back up the street he couldnt help but think to himself that there was something familiar about that man, He hadnt seen him around the village before but he couldnt shake the feeling that he recognized him from somewhere.