A/N Please be aware that this story is being rewritten and edited to meet some canon requirements, as well as my own standards. The essential components of the story are the same, but there will be some major differences after the first few chapters. This is the reason I am removing all previous chapters, and updating with the new and improved versions. I apologise that it's taken this long to start the editing process. There will be around 17 chapters in total. Thank you for sticking with me, and I hope you enjoy Life After Detainment.
Please note that this story will contain eventual adult content.
Unbetad.
The vibrantly green trees rustle with the flow of breeze that surrounds the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Animals chatter, birds sing, escapee cats run at top speed through the verdant underbrush, out smarting the Genin of Konoha, and it feels and looks like home. It has been awhile since Sasuke has seen this. In fact, it has been two years since the Fourth Shinobi War, and the village is now completely rebuilt. Konoha was built from the ground up, yet it still resembles that of before –and still exudes a vibe of ever-present positivity. Now that there are governmental changes, and the previous council are locked up – Fucking coffin dodgers – there is hope for a new future…
He is surprised, but Uchiha Sasuke can see possibilities, from his place above everything, where he stands upon a rocky surface. He watches downward, unnoticed by others, and surveys the differences with his mismatched eyes. The village has recovered nicely; he can see the hustle and bustle of life, as well as hear the hum of Konoha's people collectively finishing their day. He notes, as he observes, that he no longer feels a bitter sting. Sasuke can look at this place and truly feel ready to return.
Although a whole twenty-four months have passed, Sasuke has only been travelling for the last year and a half. His circumstances called for a time out, and Sasuke understands. Naruto, on the other hand, was very upset when Sasuke was locked away. His blond friend had been convinced that Sasuke would be pardoned, and it's true, he would have been if Kakashi were Hokage at the time. He returned – after the war - ready to face his actions, however. He understood that he was previously an international criminal, whose help was pivotal to ending the war; but it didn't absolve him for his previous sins. Tsunade was tough as a Hokage, and after she passed the baton to Kakashi, Sasuke opted to complete his sentence; which was a small reprimand, really.
Tsunade thought that it was important that she make the hard call, before passing on her torch, because she knew that Kakashi would not have. She told this to him, on the day that he was put away, in a cell that resembled a bedroom,
"Kakashi is soft on you, Uchiha, and I understand. You've done a lot for Konoha, during the war, but –"
"It doesn't absolve my other crimes." Sasuke finished, and the almost retired Hokage nodded in affirmation.
"Use this time to think, and then once you are released, don't be an idiot." The blonde woman frowned as she said it, and Sasuke imagined that she was thinking about Team 7, the village, and all the trouble he had caused.
"You cost Konoha a lot of unneeded resources and money. As you know, you have been pardoned because of your effort in the war. This is merely repayment for everything else."
Sasuke didn't bother to respond, nor did he turn to face the woman again.
She said, "Do not forget what you must do for me."
"My doujutsu." He replied.
Tsunade nodded, but Sasuke didn't see. He was looking at the room, which was fully contained; it wasn't like any prison cell that he had ever seen.
"I will be passing on my duties to Kakashi, as you know. Then, after I have repaired yours and Naruto's arms, I will be leaving on a mission. When I return, I will call on you."
Sasuke made an "Hn" of understanding, and when he glanced behind, Tsunade was gone.
In the end, he only served six months, and although his friends and fellow shinobi had forgiven him, Sasuke felt like he wasn't yet absolved.
He needed to leave Konoha, and find some answers. He had forgiven his homeland, and the things that had hurt him, but that did not mean that Sasuke had lost his ghosts. He had peace to find - and his prison cell worked in letting him figure out his feelings – but he when his term finished, he had to move on.
Now, after travelling, Sasuke has answers to questions that he did not know he had been asking; he still doesn't know what to do with them, and he supposes that it doesn't matter. He is back because he is ready to be here, but he has other reasons too…
Sasuke has been called on by the previous Hokage, and he made a deal.
But returning here, where his people are…
It doesn't feel easy...and Sasuke wonders if his team are the reason that he is pausing - faltering above the village, and almost running away.
He can't run though. This is home, and technically, everything should be peachy; Naruto has forgiven him, Kakashi has forgiven him, and Sakura…well, they haven't talked much.
It's harder with her than it is with Naruto and Kakashi.
Sasuke never knew what to say to Sakura, and when he did he didn't open his mouth. He hopes that he can be better this time.
Sasuke is ready to face the music.
And so he leaps…
xxx
Ichiraku is finally over and Sakura can go home and rest. She loves her best friend dearly, but it has been a long day, and tomorrow will be exactly the same. The pink haired medic has been given more responsibility, since becoming Jounin, and Sakura takes the position very seriously. Naruto has also reached the title, and she notes that there is only Sasuke left out of the Rookie Nine.
Being Jounin isn't all missions and glory though. Truthfully, Sakura can barely even remember the last time she was given a mission that involved leaving Konoha.
Yes, it has been a very busy year for the female member of Team 7. After the war, Sakura climbed the ranks of the hospital quickly, having the most skill out of everyone working at the establishment. The pinkette may only be 18 (almost 19), but she is at the top of her field.
Crossing the small bridge, that travels over the lake, in the centre of the village, Sakura's gaze lingers down at the rippling water; there is a fish below that moves steadily with the current. Leaning against the red railing, the tired medic is happy to be ignored by passers by. This part of her day is actually the most relaxing. It is great seeing Naruto after work, but sometimes it would be nice to just have some time to her self.
"Time. Where do you go?" The pinkette mutters with a sigh. The reflective stream creates a mirror for her, showing her the bags under her eyes and the thinning of her usually plump cheeks; the vibrant emerald of Sakura's eyes seem to be slightly dulled as well. Over working is turning her into an old woman sooner than she would like.
'No wonder Shishou drinks.' She thinks wryly to herself.
Pushing off the railing, Sakura is about to depart when something familiar passes by. It is only there for a moment, but the woman swears that she sees Sasuke leap overhead…
Shaking her head, Sakura palms her temples slowly and turns toward home.
No. It couldn't have been Sasuke, she hasn't seen him since he left for his journey, and he hasn't sent word of his return. She has not spoken with him directly, but Sakura knows that Sasuke has contacted Naruto often.
No, she isn't jealous…
She does miss him, though. It's a burden that she would like to be rid of, but it's impossible. Sasuke apologised to her on the battlefield, and she had cried so honestly; she was incredibly happy. There was a small point in between that moment, and returning back to Konoha, that Sakura thought everything would go back to normal.
She had been naïve. Before she could approach Sasuke – spend some time with him again – he had been incarcerated.
Tsunade told her, when she had asked, that Sasuke's confinement meant no visitors. He needed to think on his previous actions, in a solitary area, and figure out what kind of shinobi he would be, once released. Of course, Naruto was allowed to see him, but that was to be expected of Tsunade; her Shishou is nothing if not biased towards Naruto.
Which should feel unfair…
But Sakura suspects that her sensei kept her from Sasuke for her own sake as well, and maybe the reason for such an outrageous clause Sasuke's confinement. In fact, her Shishou did admit, after an entire bottle of warm alcohol, that it was all in Sakura's best interests. She was right too. Sakura knows that if it weren't for Sasuke's solitary condition, she would be visiting him every day whether he wanted her to or not…
Now, years later, Sakura isn't sure where Sasuke stands; with no contact and a confusingly intimate goodbye, she is even more nervous for his return.
He told her that he'd see her when he gets back.
Sakura wonders, as she walks home, how soon that will be…
The office of Konoha's Head Surgeon is littered with paperwork and empty bottles of booze. Sasuke notes, that it also carries an undertone of sake, beneath the scent of sterilizer.
He is here, where the scroll told him to be, and he is ready to make good on his deal. However, there are a few conditions that he wants to set.
From what he can gather, Tsunade is examining his sharingan, in relation to Kakashi's, who was not born with the doujutsu. There will be a structural analysis of his eyes, and a thorough cataloguing of all his bloodline abilities. It isn't anything that couldn't be done on Kakashi, Sasuke knows; which is why he knows that he holds some power.
The renningen is the real prize, because it is so rare.
He's going to milk it for all that it's worth.
"Sakura will be the medic." Sasuke says, when Tsunade lays out the terms.
The previous Hokage shakes her head.
"No. Absolutely not." She says flatly.
Sasuke's brows furrow, just slightly, and he responds,
"You need me." He doesn't threaten, but there is force behind his words.
There is a pause, and the air in the small white office is thick, and Tsunade gives a deep sigh.
"I know what you've done to her." She says threateningly, and Sasuke stands tall, unmoving.
"Hn." He intones, in means of acknowledgement.
It takes another long beat for the medic to growl and reach for her stamp. Sasuke watches as the paper work is finalised, and his signature is sealed beneath the red 'confirmed' ink.
Tsunade nods, then, and stands from her place behind her desk.
"This order is approved. The papers will be through to the Hokage before nightfall. We start tomorrow."
"Where?" Sasuke asks.
"At the hospital or your home." She confirms.
Sasuke nods, once, and turns.
"Have Sakura come to the compound." He says, unable to keep the command from his voice. Then, without another word, he opens the door, and is gone…
The Hokage's office is lit by the time the scroll arrives, and Kakashi 'Hms' as he places down his novel and unfurls the item. He has been expecting something like this for a while now, having been the one to approve Tsunade's original summons.
He knew that it was arriving, because moments before, Sasuke had inhabited his office, reporting back officially.
"Welcome home, Sasuke." Kakashi had said, before dismissing him to the new Uchiha Compound. "You have done well."
Kakashi wonders briefly, now, as he reads the contents of Tsunade's contract, how Sakura will react to this.
"Hokage-sama, do you wish for me to make the delivery." The anbu behind him asks, and Kakashi doesn't turn toward the voice.
"No thankyou." He says politely, "I think this is something I will deliver in person." He stands, and removes his Hokage headrest.
"Be safe, Hokage-sama." The anbu nods.
The masked figure is gone by the time Kakashi exits the office, hands stuffed into his pockets, and a whistle coming from his mouth. He reaches his destination via rooftop, where he cannot be heckled or greeted by villagers, and he opts to knock on the door, instead of enter through the window.
"Hello?" Sakura's voice calls, and footsteps sound. She is at the door in the next moment, and Kakashi looks down at his favourite kunoichi.
"Sakura. I have news of Sasuke." He says without greeting. What she can see of his expression is serious, he thinks; because she steps to the side quickly, face suddenly stone.
"I think you better come inside." Sakura replies.
Kakashi is certain that things are going to get interesting…
xxx
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