Since my first fanfic didn't get as many flames as I thought it would, it's given me the hope that this one won't either. But I think I may have bungled up the court places in the first paragraph of this chapter. And it may be weird that in Japan, they are using the American system of trials. My point is, I didn't do much research for this. There is some Japanese terminology that may not be familiar in this chapter, so here are the definitions:
hai-yes
hyaku-hurry
With that, I leave you to read!
"Uchiha Sasuke, you are called to the stand."
The raven-haired man stood up and walked over to the judge.
"Do you, upon your honor as a Konoha shinobi, promise to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?"
"Hai."
"Please take your place at the defendant's stand." When he had done so, the judge continued.
"Hokage-sama, please come forth." Tsunade rose and strode over to the man seated at the judge's altar.
"Do you, upon your honor as Godaime Hokage of Konoha, promise to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?"
"I do."
"Please take your place at the witness' stand." Once she had taken a seat, the judge began the trial with a bang of his gavel.
"So starts the trial of Uchiha Sasuke's innocence."
Four stifling, tentative hours later, Naruto and Sakura walked side by side with Sasuke. Grinning cheerily, the blonde asked his black-haired friend,
"So, Sasuke. Now that your slate is cleaned up a bit, what's the first thing you're gonna do, dattebayo?"
"A shower."
"Oh. After you take a shower, want to come with Sakura-chan and I to get ramen?"
"What about Hinata?"
"Oh, Hinata-chan? She knows that it's a Team 7 day. You don't have to worry, Sakura-chan."
"Alright."
"So Sasuke, are you coming?"
"Whatever."
"Okay! We'll meet you there. Oh, and here's the key to the apartment." Naruto fished around in the pocket of his black and orange attire. He eventually came up with the key and gave it to Sasuke.
"See you there!"
"Hyaku, Sasuke-kun!" The two teammates strolled around the corner, waving. Sasuke set off in the opposite direction toward Naruto's house. Since the Uchiha complex was still off-limits, he opted to stay with his friend until he could afford another place to live. Arriving at the apartment building, the shinobi leaped up onto the balcony of Naruto's room. Unlocking the door, he stepped inside.
Minutes later, under the steaming hot water coming from the showerhead, Sasuke thought about his present situation. Somehow, he would have to take on as many missions as possible and get his pay. This would probably take at least 3 months or so, if he received a majority of big missions (which were apt to pay better). Then, he would get his own house or apartment room. During this time, Sasuke planned to take the chunin and jonin exams to advance from his current rank as a genin. He gritted his teeth as he lathered his hair with shampoo. Those 6 years he had spent away from Konoha had certain disadvantages after all. Oh well. What mattered was that Itachi was dead, right? 'No,' he corrected himself. 'What's important is that my friends are back with me.' Rinsing off his hair, Sasuke proceeded to wash off the rest of his body. Grabbing the soap, he was dismayed to find that it was the coarse, grainy kind that he detested so much. As a member of the prestigious (and wealthy) Uchiha clan, he was used to the delicate, fragrant soaps that were found in more upscale stores. Even at Orochimaru's lairs, Sasuke used the finest cleaning products Otogakure could offer. Nevertheless, the shinobi scrubbed himself vigorously with the "common" soap. The second thing he would do after getting his living space would be to buy Naruto some finer body products. After all, he deserved to have a taste of the rich life too. Sasuke washed the suds off and halted the flow of the water.
Sakura stopped and took out her key when she stepped onto the doormat. Sliding the piece of metal into the keyhole, she turned it and unlocked her door.
"I'm back, Oka—"
The kunoichi stopped herself. It had been a year since she had moved from her parents' house, yet Sakura still sometimes forgot that they weren't there anymore when she came home. Going into her bedroom, she changed from her shinobi attire into casual clothing. Donning a pastel green blouse and a light gray mini-skirt, Sakura hurriedly slipped on her boots and tripped lightly out the door. She had told Naruto that she was going to change and meet him at the ramen bar. After listening to her, he had said that he was also going to change. Smiling, the pink-haired 19 year-old wondered if Sasuke was done yet.
Naruto slapped his forehead in frustration. He had forgotten that Sasuke still possessed the key. Therefore, he was now stranded outside on this balcony knocking on his own door, in hopes that his friend would hear him. His frenzied hammering took effect. Sasuke opened the door, still drying his hair with a towel.
"You knocked?"
"Hai. I kinda forgot that you had the key. Anyway, I came back to change. So did Sakura-chan. She'll meet us at Ichiraku."
"Well, I'm one step ahead of you."
The Uchiha had changed into a pair of khaki shorts and a navy blue T-shirt. Naruto scowled.
"You had a head start. No fair, dattebayo!"
"The life of a shinobi doesn't include fairness."
"Well, at least I have an apartment!"
"You have horrible soap."
"I have a girlfriend!"
"What do I care?"
"I'm a jonin!" Okay, that one stung, Sasuke had to admit. Naruto and Sakura were already jonin, although he could probably have been one if he hadn't left for Itachi. Trying to brush it off, Sasuke replied with the most sophisticated answer he could think of at the moment.
"Hn."
Naruto looked smug at his friend's downfall.
"Got you that time, dattebayo!" Then he smiled to show that there were no hard feelings. Sasuke hesitated for a second, then smiled back at his friend.
"I'm going ahead. Meet you there."
"Okay, then I'm going to get dressed now, dattebayo."
"Sure."
Sasuke tossed the towel into the laundry hamper and put on his shoes. Making sure to leave the key where Naruto would find it, he walked out the door toward Ichiraku Ramen.
How did I do? Reading your reviews helps a lot.