Prologue
Even though it was mid-day the forest canopy made it seem like night as Naruto ran blindly through it. Vaguely he caught a glimpse of the silhouette of the person he was chasing. As he neared, Naruto's voice took on a raspy desperate tone, "Sasuke! Sasuke come back! Orochimaru's dead. You can come back."
Sasuke stopped on a midlevel branch, but kept his back towards Naruto, "It's not that easy Naruto. I made a choice back then, and I have to see it through."
"Why can't you do that in Konoha?"
"I just can't."
Frustration ran through Naruto's veins as he reached to grab Sasuke's arm. "Why?! Why do you have to leave Konoha! What is wrong with being here?!"
Sasuke turned his body towards the other boy, but refused to meet his eyes, "You are here."
Naruto's eye's widened in shock and his hand fell from Sasuke's arm, releasing his hold on the other. Once more Sasuke turned and leaped away, leaving Naruto and Konoha behind again.
3 years Later
Tsunade sighed and wondered for the umpteenth time how she got sucked into becoming Hokage. How many years had it been? Six? Maybe seven? She rubbed her temples and groaned; a migraine forming again. She picked up a parchment and looked at the current cause of her headache. Just days earlier she was sifting through more of her never-ending paperwork when a person surrounded by multiple ANBU members entered her chambers. Tsunade was hardly fazed by his appearance: she had sensed him from the moment he'd entered Konoha. What he placed on her desk however did bring a questioning look into here eyes.
"Itachi is dead, and I've returned." He said simply. As if he'd just come back from a mission and not from six years of being a rogue ninja.
Uchiha, Sasuke had returned to Konoha. And Tsunade was still at a complete loss as to what to do with him. For the past four days he'd been placed into a highly secured holding room. Six years had passed since the boy left to train under Orochimaru - three since he decided to leave on his own. She never even expected him to return to Konoha again. Sure from time to time she'd hoped he would one day show up and decide to stay, but to have it actually happen was a very different story. Few other's knew that he was back, and those that did were also at a loss on what to do with him. It then that someone barged into her office and placed a mission report in front of her.
"Okay, so that took a week longer than expected, but at least I came back from the mission without serious wounds this time." said the newcomer hastily.
Tsunade looked at the person in front of her blankly as a sudden realization hit her square in the face. She finally knew what to do with Sasuke. And if everything panned out correctly she'd kill two birds with one stone.
Nearly a week after he returned Sasuke was finally summoned to the Hokage's room. He wasn't sure what to expect from the woman before him, but something along the lines of banishment wasn't too far off in his mind.
"Uchiha, Sasuke." She began, "It has been six years since you willingly left Konohagakure. And within all that time you may not have attacked this village - it does not change the fact that you did renounce yourself as a Konohagakure ninja. It wouldn't be unusual for me to exile you from here, or even possibly execute you. However, before I make any final decisions I want to ask you one question. Why did you come back?"
A grim grin rose onto his face as he lifted his face to look her in the eyes, "Tell me Hokage-sama, where else would I go?"
Tsunade examined the young man before him thinking about his short reply over in her head. Still debating on whether or not her previous decision was the best direction to go in. She closed her eyes, "Sasuke I've thought about this very hard and thoroughly over the past few days, and even now I'm still not sure if this is the correct choice, but it's something I willing to gamble on working." Tsunade opened her eyes and looked at Sasuke seriously, "I will allow you to return to Konohagakure, however you cannot take part in any missions until I deem that you are ready to become a Konoha Ninja once more. You are not allowed to leave this village unless I, myself, have given you permission to do so. Finally you are to be under the supervision of a specially assigned ANBU member. He will be your guardian and accompany you wherever you go. You will live together whether it be at the Uchiha mansion or his living quarters - I will allow the both of you to settle that on your own. Have you anything to say before I introduce your guardian?"
Sasuke eyed her carefully before answering, "No, under the circumstances I can see that you have given me a very generous offer. Basically I am free to roam around the village under minimal watch. Not many in my place would get a second chance like this, and I am grateful for your verdict."
Tsunade sighed, "Don't thank me just yet Sasuke. The worst has yet to come. This could very well be the worse punishment I could put you through." Sasuke looked momentarily confused, "Anyways, let's bring in you're Watcher. Please enter."
The office doors opened once more and in walked the silent ANBU member - mask still covering his face. Even so, as Sasuke turned towards the newcomer his eyes widened at the sight of sun kissed blond hair revealing itself from behind the fox mask. Yet, even though he was sure it could be no one else, he could sense that something was amiss. That the person before him was not and could not be who he was.
Tsunade sighed mentally and motioned the ANBU member forward, "He is to be your appointed guardian until further notice; Uzumaki, Naruto."
Tbc...