Chapter 1:
Of New Beginnings and Unknown Hired Help
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Sasuke sighed deeply, rubbing the tips of his fingers against his temples as he leaned back in his office chair. As the newly appointed head of the Konoha Police Force, it was his duty to organize squads, assign posts, and start delivering reports to Lady Tsunade as soon as possible. It was hard work reviving an organization that had been shut down for eleven years.
Worst of all, Sasuke had to do it alone. After his retrieval two years ago, Sasuke had been rotting in the bowels of Konoha's jail until Tsunade had proposed a deal to him: he would be released if he agreed to take over and reinstate the police force. He was forbidden to leave the village unless accompanied by a member of Team 7, unless otherwise ordered by the Hokage herself.
All of this happened not three days ago, and the work load had already begun to pile up. The Uchiha had been surprised at the sheer number of shinobi who wished to join the Force. Many were young, fresh-faced chunin who had just passed their exams and were thirsty for action. Among them also were ninja whom Sasuke recognized from before; Ino, Kiba, Neji, and Rock Lee. He had been surprised when he had seen their registration forms; he didn't think his friends from before would ever want to trust or be led by himself. A small glimmer of hope rose in his chest as he imagined himself as part of the village again. He quickly pushed it down, though, as he thought about his other issue.
Sasuke hadn't seen Naruto, or Sakura for that matter, in two years. The last time he had seen them together was when they had found him and taken him down. There really wasn't much time for idle chat. All he remembered was waking up in a cell and being thrown into various trials on account of treason. The past several months were a blur of confusion and pain.
The Uchiha felt a stab of pain in his chest as he thought of the blonde dobe. Last he had heard, his two teammates had embarked on very different paths. Sakura had decided to travel the world, honing her skills as a medic and expanding her knowledge. Naruto had ascended the shinobi ranks and was now a special jonin much like Kakashi-sensei. The elders still kept tabs on him because of Kyuubi, but he was otherwise doing fine. However, he was too impatient and hyperactive to take on a team of genin, so he was currently being kept busy with A and B class missions.
He wished he could be out there with Naruto, completing missions and traveling the Fire country like they did before…before…before I ruined it all, the Uchiha thought to himself, running his hands over his face and into his hair. He wondered what the dobe looked like now. Was he any different?
"…Uchiha-san?" A voce crackled over the phone on his desk.
Sasuke pressed the button and answered, "Yes, what is it?"
"There's someone here to see you. It's your new assistant, sir."
Assistant? "Really?"
"Yes, Uchiha-san."
"Well, then send them up right away."
"Hai!" The voice was cut off, and Sasuke removed his finger from the speakerphone button.
He wondered who his new assistant could be. He didn't believe Tsunade would allow him the privilege. Frankly, he wasn't sure he even wanted one.
Then the door opened, and all the worries and stress that had been building up within him all morning flew out of his head.
Cerulean blue met startled dark grey, and Sasuke was lost.
His blond hair was longer now, and he wore the dark uniform and vest of a jonin. His skin was still the smooth honey-bronze Sasuke remembered. He was taller now, he guessed they were the same height, and Sasuke could see the taut muscles that adorned his sturdy yet slim frame.
"…Naruto?"
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Hello, and welcome to my new SasuNaru fanfic! It deviates from the original plotline; Sasuke defeats Itachi and joins the Akatsuki, but is captured by Naruto's team soon after. Pein hasn't destroyed the village yet. So enjoy, and please review and tell me what you think.
`s.d