The Demon of the Leaf
1 - Stage one: Shock
The figure before him loomed darkly, giving an air of aggressiveness. His indifferent onyx eyes grazed lazily across to field and settled upon the cold mask of the ANBU. Painted upon it was a wickedly grinning face and horns protruded from the mask to signify just who the haunting figure was. He could feel his team slightly quake as the realization dawned upon them. He turned his head back to his team to give them the command to stand down, but they were not there. Sensing that their chakra signatures were not in the immediate vicinity, his presumptions were that they had either fled or were already captured. He sighed. This was going to be a long day. His focus was diverted back to the masked shinobi, they had moved from their previous position in the trees and was now standing directly across from himself. 'I must end this before it starts' He thought.
"What may be the occasion for one such as myself to be graced by the presence of The Demon of the Leaf?" He stifled a yawn that itched in his throat.
"Uchiha Sasuke, you have been charged with treason by the village hidden in the leaf. You are to return to the village to face your punishment. Come with me peacefully, or I will resort to force. This will be your only warning. Now, what is your answer?" A surprisingly feminine voice replied. Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the ANBU's words. So the hokage had finally grown a backbone? This was the first he had heard of this accusation. Sasuke sighed, this ANBU had a death wish.
"No."
The earth shattered beneath him. When had the ANBU moved? No time to think, Sasuke was hurled into the air from a powerful punch to the jaw. Flipping in the air, He released an Uchiha signature; the grand fireball jutsu. Sasuke smirked, the ANBU made no to move to dodge his jutsu. This so called Demon of the Leaf was all just rumor. He watched with pride as the fireball smacked into the figure below him. Hitting the ground, Sasuke waited for the flames to dissipate so he could see the charred corpse of the ANBU. There they stood, completely untouched. His fireball hadn't made a mark at all. Sasuke's eyes narrowed. Before the ANBU could make another move, Sasuke shot at them with the chidori. 'Dodge this!' He smirked. Jumping at the ANBU, he thrust his chidori at the ANBU's chest. Their hand grabbed Sasuke's hand at the wrist at the last second and twisted it with enough force to break it. Sasuke grunted in pain, but quickly grabbed his sword to slash the ANBU across the torso. With lightning fast reflexes, the ANBU punched Sasuke's sword with a gloved hand, shattering it. Sasuke was then kicked in the chest sending him a few meters away. Seething with killing intent, Sasuke activated his sharingan. He hurled a genjutsu onto the masked ninja. The shinobi moved inhumanly fast and cut the genjutsu in half with their hand. A tiny spark was the only thing that could be seen of the genjutsu as it was sliced with a chakra laced hand. Sasuke was shocked. The ANBU had moved so fast that his sharingan did not see it. This was a real challenge. The Demon of the Leaf was on him before he could move. Sasuke received punch to gut that threw him into a rock jutting up behind him. He slammed into it. Grunting in pain he attempted to get up, but he couldn't move. He hissed, 'paralyzing jutsu'. He glared at the figure sauntering towards him. Who was this ANBU? Who in all of Konoha could be this powerful?
"Who are you?" Sasuke seethed.
The ANBU chuckled. "Oh Sasuke, how blind you have always been." The Demon reached to remove their mask and hood. When the familiar mane of pink and the fiery eyes of jade were revealed, Sasuke had no control over his jaw as it dropped.
Eyes wide, "S-Sakura?", Sasuke stuttered. "You are the Demon of the Leaf?" She let out a dry laugh.
"Yes, yes I am."
Sasuke's eyes only got wider as Sakura came closer to him.
"What are you doing?" He growled. She laughed again.
"You are wanted alive Sasuke, I'm taking you back to the village. Unless you attempt to continue to fight, but that would be foolish because I will kill you." Sakura grabbed Sasuke and tossed him over her shoulders fireman style. She smirked at him.
"Unless you were only afraid that you would be too heavy for itty bitty me to carry. I can assure you Sasuke, I am quite strong enough to carry you." She giggled with mirth in her eyes. He growled at her. She rolled her eyes at his antics.
"Bite me Uchiha."
She leapt from the clearing, which Sasuke noticed was now a thirty meter crater. Sasuke stiffened considerably as he sensed the two figures that stood in the path of Sakura. He started to attempt to break free as rage consumed him, Sakura growled at him.
"Stop your incessant wriggling Uchiha. They are not foolish enough to attack me." She harshly whispered. In front them stood two presences clothed in black cloaks with red clouds upon them. The taller of the two had his massive sword blocking the way forward, his toothy grin visible from the top of his collar. His partner had an indifferent look on his face, but the glint of amusement in his eye stated otherwise. Sakura sighed, knowing what they were here for.
"I am not amused by your constant pestering. You already know my answer. Now if you would kindly get the fuck out of my way." Sakura growled.
"Watch your mouth girl!" Kisame barked taking a step forward. Itachi's hand shot out to stop him.
"No. Let her pass." Itachi ordered monotonously. Kisame's eyes narrowed but never left Sakura.
"Why?"
"You and I together are not enough to defeat her. We must leave. Haruno-san, our offer still stands." Itachi spoke in clipped tone. Kisame begrudgingly lifted shamada out of Sakura's path, and disappeared in a puff of smoke with Itachi. Sakura huffed. Sasuke gave a growl.
"What do the Akatsuki want with you?" Sasuke asked incredulously.
"They want me to join their ranks." She gritted through her teeth. With a sigh of exasperation, Sakura started her long trudge back to the Leaf with Sasuke on her back.
"You better get comfortable Sasuke, we have an eight hour trip ahead of us. What the hell were you doing the whole way out here anyway?" Sakura questioned.
Sasuke snarled at her. "Searching for my brother. It turns out that my information was actually accurate this time. Why on earth would the Akatsuki want you?" Sakura rolled her eyes. Again.
"Do I really need to kick your ass again to answer your question?"
Silence. Point proven. Sakura smirked into the wind as she continued her break neck pace. 'Maybe, just maybe,' Sakura though, 'we'll get home earlier than expected. Then I can drop Sasuke in Naruto's lap like a good little ninja and then get home and take a nice relaxing bath. Mmm, yes that sounds good.'
"Sakura?" Sasuke's whisper snapped Sakura from her thoughts.
"Yes?" Sakura replied evenly.
"How did you become this way?"
"Ha! Simple, I got over you." She answered sarcastically. Sakura noticed out of the corner of her eye the glare she received from that comment. Her smirk widened into a grin. This was going to be a fun eight hours.
The eight hours blended together as Sakura traveled with an indignant Sasuke on her back. Just as the wall of the village came into view, Sakura stopped.
"Having second thoughts?" Sasuke sniggered.
"I have to put my mask back on. My identity as the Demon of the Leaf in not known to those outside of ANBU." Sakura quipped. Sasuke gave a grunt at the sudden motion of being dropped. It was an uncomfortable feeling to be thrown to the ground and not being able to get back up. He watched as the viridian eyes and rose tinted hair disappeared behind hood and mask. She turned to him, eyeing his wrist that she had previously broken.
"I had better heal that wrist of yours before any permanent damage comes to it." Sakura spoke slightly to herself. She reached for his hand. Sasuke gave a grunt of pain as she gripped his wrist. She snorted.
"Oh come on you big baby. I've had worse stab wounds than this, but you didn't hear me whimpering in pain." She drawled as she soaked his wrist in her healing chakra. Sasuke's eyes watched in amazement as his ex-teammate healed his wrist. Her green chakra danced with life and warmth across his unbroken skin. The chakra moved as it was searching for something, anything to fix. Sakura noticed how he watched her chakra intently. This was not the Sasuke she remembered or heard about. She remembered a cold Sasuke, nothing could reach him but revenge. She had heard rumors of how ruthless he was, what Orochimaru had done to him. Maybe he was reacting to his shock of his weakest teammate kicking his ass, that had to be it. 'He is afraid of me,' Sakura thought. Sakura sighed and finished the healing process.
"I have an offer for you Sasuke. Since you've been such a good boy on the way home, I will release the paralytic jutsu and you walk into the village with your dignity. But if you even think about bolting I will carry you in there bridal style." Sakura said with an evil grin. Sasuke paled slightly and slowly nodded his head. Sakura brought two chakra laden fingers to Sasuke's forehead. She made a quick hand sign with her other hand and muttered something incoherent under her breath.
"There, you should be able to move now. "
Sasuke gave a quick inspection of his arms and legs and stretched some, his bones popped after being in the same position for eight hours. He gave a quick nod to Sakura and started on their way. Quietly sauntering down the road, Sakura heard the whispers of the stationed ANBU guard.
"She did it…" "I can't believe it." "Tch, Uchiha bastard."
Sakura prickled at their words, she was the captain of the ANBU, the Demon of the Leaf, and they had the gal to speak such words in her earshot? She would have to get the duty roster when she got back to head quarters and put those whose lips are looser than others in their place. She gave a quick snarl to warn those who answered to her that the continuation of their current choice of conversation should end or face the consequences. Sasuke gave her a look.
"What's wrong?" Sasuke asked nonchalantly.
"Nothing. Just reminding some of my subordinates of just who I am." Sakura growled.
Sasuke dropped the subject, presuming he probably wouldn't want to know. He looked towards gate that now loomed over him. The place that had once been his home. He wasn't to return until he looked upon the grave of his despicable brother. But now, he himself was the one heading towards his death bed. His gaze grew dark with his thoughts, the idea to run crossed his mind. Sasuke's mind only continued it's decent as he watched the villagers dropped all that they were preoccupied with and stared at him in awe. Sakura gave an unlady like snort.
"Their not looking at you Uchiha. They are looking at me. To get a glimpse at the Demon of the Leaf is a once in life time chance, so don't get yourself all worked up." Sakura whispered.
The same occurrence continued as they walked towards the Hokage tower, people stared in awe at Sakura. The look upon their faces was of the highest respect, some even bowed. Sakura gave a quiet grunt of annoyance.
"They treat me better than they do the Hokage."
The pair continued their path until they stood before the double oak doors of the Hokage's office. Sasuke sighed as they entered through the archway. Within a few steps, Sakura dropped onto one knee bowing her head in respect as she spoke.
"Mission complete Hokage-sama."
The Hokage slowly turned their chair to face Sasuke and Sakura.
"You know I hate when you address me like that Sakura-chan!" The hyperactive blond of a Hokage grinned as he looked beyond his desk. Sakura huffed as she stood up and removed her mask.
"That is your title Naruto."
"Aw, I know. But it makes me feel old." Naruto waved her off, "So teme, how fast did she kick your ass?" He asked with a toothy grin. Sasuke gave a grunt and Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Less than five." Sakura yawned.
"Hours?"
"Minutes."
"Damn. So teme, I presume you have been informed why you have been forcefully returned to the village?" Turning his focus to the sulking Uchiha, Naruto asked.
"Tch, Sakura informed me. You've charged me with treason." Sasuke drawled. Naruto gave a smirk that unsettled Sasuke. 'He has something up his sleeve,' Sasuke pondered.
"Heh, the village elders have charged you with treason. I promptly went all rasengan on their asses and that was the end of it." Naruto chuckled. Sasuke quirked an eyebrow at his statement. The blond pouted.
"Okay maybe that's what I wish had happened. But! I did convince them if I could prove your innocence they would drop all charges and the village would aid you in your quest to kill Itachi. You would be reinstated as a shinobi of the leaf and we would send our best ANBU along on your journey." Both Sakura and Sasuke stared at Naruto with disbelief.
"Wh-what?" They stammered.
"When did this happen? The council was hell bent on his death!" Sakura yelled. 'I wanted him dead…'Sakura thought darkly.
"I threatened to throw myself to the Akatsuki." Naruto said nonchalantly. Sakura was on him before any one could blink. She viciously punched Naruto across the face sending him flying into the wall. As soon as he slammed against the wall, Sakura grabbed Naruto by the shoulders and threw him onto the desk. The desk cracked under the force of the throw and Naruto grunted as Sakura screamed fiercely.
"What the hell were you thinking? The Akatsuki? I should kick your ass all the way to Suna for even suggesting such a thing!" Naruto groaned as Sakura's words shook his eardrums.
"Ugh Sakura, it's not like I would do such a thing! I just needed to show the council how serious I am. Kami, you don't need to throw a hissy fit." Naruto grunted as he slowly stood up to face a furious Sakura.
"Besides, the only time I would actually give myself to the Akatsuki would be if you were to join them, because I know you would treat me right." Naruto sarcastically stated with a perverted grin. This comment earned him another smack across the face.
"Ergh, will you grow up already? Now then, I've brought Sasuke back and his comrades are with Ibiki-san, if you will excuse me I'll be going home." Sakura huffed. Naruto nodded to her signaling her permission to depart. She quickly disappeared in a swirl of cherry blossoms. Naruto turned his gaze upon the silent Uchiha. They briefly stared at each other before Sasuke spoke up.
"So dobe, you finally did it huh?"
"Heh, yeah. I'm finally the Hokage. Pretty cool huh?" Naruto grinned but then his expression turned serious. "Sasuke, the only way for me to prove you innocent is to turn you over the interrogation unit. They will pick your brain until they either find nothing to prove you guilty or they find what the council wants. So, before I turn you over to them, if there is anything that you have done to prove you of treason, please tell me and I will release you right now so that you may leave." Sasuke's eyes widened considerably.
"If I was guilty, you would let me go?" He asked.
"Yes." Naruto stated simply.
"Why?"
"Because I can't stand the thought of you dead Sasuke! I have worked far to hard and far to long for you to be just up and killed by the council. You are a brother to me Sasuke, and you always will be." Naruto passionately yelled. Sasuke sighed, 'the dobe sure is lucky,' he thought.
"I have not committed any acts of treason against the leaf village." Sasuke drawled. Naruto let out a sigh of relief.
"Good, I would have kicked your ass if you did but then let you go. Now, before I ship you off to Ibiki, do you have any questions?" Naruto turned to the pile of paperwork on his desk that he had been neglecting before.
"What happened to Sakura?" Dropping his pencil, Naruto slowly raised his head at his raven haired teammate.
"A lot. She has gone through a ton of shit in her life since you left teme." Naruto sighed, "I would tell you, but it's not my place to do so. You'll have to ask her yourself."
"Tch, like she would tell me anything. She doesn't trust me."
"Well no shit she doesn't trust you! You left her on a bench after taking her heart and stomping on it! I wouldn't trust you after that either." Sasuke flinched at his words.
"I didn't want to take her down the dark path that I was going. I wanted her to stay innocent, but it seems that was a useless effort now. She is truly a demon." Naruto gave a snort.
"That she is, but that's not all to her. You should see her when she works at the hospital. Sakura is the nicest, most caring person you will ever meet. That is, until you piss her off. Then she's a hellcat clawing to rip your face off." Naruto shivered at the thought. Sasuke sighed, wanting to change the subject.
"What about my team? What's come of them?"
"Ha! I bet your wondering what happened to them. Sakura is so unbelievably fast with those jutsus that she probably had them in the village the first time you blinked!" Sasuke grunted, recalling the inhuman speed in which she moved to cut the genjutsu he had thrown at her. He couldn't believe you could actually cut genjutsu!
"You wouldn't believe how fast…" Sasuke whispered.
"She cut through a genjutsu in your battle didn't she? Yeah, Sakura's been doing that lately. You should have seen Kurenai-sensei's face the first time she did that! She was so shocked that she actually threw another one just to see if Sakura actually cut the genjutsu or if she herself was under a genjutsu. Oh yeah, your team! They have been informed of the situation and will awaiting your return after the interrogation unit is through with you. Is there anything else you wanted to know, or can I get you out of my office?" Naruto babbled.
"One, where will my team and I be staying?"
"The Uchiha district."
Sasuke seethed, "what?"
"Kami, don't get your panties in a twist teme. The Uchiha district has been completely renovated to how it was before. The current tenant has been working quite ardently to restore it to its former glory." Naruto returned to his paperwork. Sasuke's eyes narrowed at his words.
"Tenant?"
"Yes, and you will be staying with them. Now I really need to be heading out, can't miss my lunch with Hinata-chan! Off you go!"
"Wait! Who the he-," was all Sasuke could get out before he was transported to the interrogation unit. When he opened his eyes, he was face to face with the scarred interrogator.
"Well hello there Uchiha! I do believe we will be spending the next couple of hours together." Ibiki grinned.
So here is the first chapter of my first story on ! Please favorite and review!