Hitori Ja Nai
Summary: When Sasuke attempted to go to Orochimaru, Naruto managed to beat him at the valley of End. But when he returned with Sasuke, the village's turned for the worse. Who can he turn to but himself? KyuuNaru Onesided SasuNaru.
-o-o-o-
The beating sun burns his skin and the rough winds beat his already battered body. Yet, the orange-clad boy didn't seemed to mind as his triumphant mind concentrates its effort on one thing- bringing his best friend back to Konoha.
And so, he wearily dragged himself, trying his best not to fall down as he carried his unconscious friend on his shoulder.
Smiling to himself, adrenaline surged through his body as he saw the massive gate of Konoha. He quicken his pace, eager to fulfill his promise to Sakura.
However, the grin suddenly vanish as a kunai flew toward him which he luckily evaded. Thinking that he was followed by Sound nin, he tried to dash to the gate but he was blocked by an ANBU member, who immediately handcuffed him with chakra-enforced bindings and a gag as they retrieve Sasuke's body and quickly sent him to a hospital, while they rushed him to the Hokage tower.
-o-o-o-
"Hokage-sama! We have captured to demon-brat just as the council had ordered." The ANBU leader said to a confused Tsunade who had just recovered from her hang-over. Upon realizing what had just happened, she throw the glass of sake, which hit the leader at his mask, which froze those who are present as Tsunade emitted a strong killer-intent.
"What is the meaning of this? I told you to assist my brother in retrieving the traitor, and not to capture him like some sort of animal!"
"But Tsunade-sama, Sakura and Kakashi themselves told us that this thing has committed a serious crime!"
"What? I want Kakashi and Sakura in this room now!"
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
"In the meantime, remove the bindings from him!"
"Pardon us Hokage-sama, but it is against the rules and standard procedures to allow a criminal--"
"He is not a criminal! Now do as I say or you will be relieved of your duties!"
"Hai Hokage-sama!" As they unbind Naruto, they quickly went out of the room to call for the two said people.
Once the ANBU's presence left the room, Naruto quickly jumped in front of Tsunade and hugged her.
"Tsunade-baachan! What just happened? Ne, I'm glad that I managed to bring Sasuke back, but I'm kind of tired." Naruto yawned, acting as if the recent event hadn't happened and fell asleep on Tsunade's lap.
Sighing, she quickly call for her newly-trained set of medic nin and ordered them to quickly work on Naruto and appointed the vacant room beside her office to be his temporary bed. Unlike the local nurses, they answer only to her, which made it easier as most of the local hospitals still hold resentment towards Naruto.
As they started to work on Naruto, Tsunade returned to her seat and sent a slug summon to fetch Jiraiya. Luckily for her, the slug was already gone as the door opened, revealing Sakura and Kakashi. Upon their entrance, Tsunade's face hardened seeing that they had also brought the rest of the rookie 9, with the exception of Sasuke.
-o-o-o-
"Tsunade-sama!" Kakashi knelt in front of her, as the others followed and then took their seats in the chairs provided. They kept on innocent faces as they waited for what Tsunade have to say.
"Perhaps you were all wondering why I called you here, but I have something to ask, especially to you, Kakashi. As well as you, Sakura."
"What is it, Tsunade-sama?"
"I have heard that you have reported something to the council, which I should hear first. Why wasn't I informed about your findings on the battle?"
"What battle are you talking about Tsunade-sama?"
Hearing this made Tsunade's blood boil. "Don't play dumb with me Kakashi! You know what I'm talking about! Naruto and Sasuke's battle? How come they're arresting Naruto? How come that they see him as a criminal? I haven't even received a report about it, until now!"
"Pardon me Hokage-sama! But that wasn't a battle! It was an attempted murder. I myself was surprised, because Naruto had been on my team and I always thought that he cared about his teammates. But he was a vicious animal! That's why I have the ANBU's arrest him just as he arrived. Anyway, where is he? I'd like to talk with him."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes at this as Naruto is the one who saved her. She can't find a reason why Naruto could do something bad. And for this, it made her even more angry. "How insensitive are you Kakashi? He was just fighting with the Uchiha and you expected him to be able to walk right away?"
"Well, of course. Considering he's different. His wounds heals faster because he's a---" But before he could finish his sentence, he was sent flying to the wall by Tsunade's fist.
"Don't you dare disclose that information in front of these children! Or have you forgotten the law of the third? And how can you even consider of attempted murder? Naruto, murdering someone? Yeah right, lie to me Hatake!"
"But Hokage-sama, I saw it with my own eyes! Naruto looks so rabid, like he was some sort of a monster! I was there when Naruto plunged the rasengan just below Sasuke's heart! If that wasn't a murder then tell me what you think it is!"
Everyone is silent now and murmurs filled the room as the rookie 9 broke into two, which mainly consists of whether they should accept Naruto as a murderer or not. But they were interrupted however when white smoke filled the room.
"Everyone, please welcome, the almighty toad hermit!" Jiraiya announced as he was punched by Tsunade.
"This is rather serious, you idiot. Now tell me what your frogs have gathered! You delivered a rather different version when you reported to me earlier."
"Well, of course Tsunade. My frogs witnessed it of course. But they offered me different versions that I'm not sure what to give you. But since Kakashi is there, then I think his story is a bit more believable. I can't believe though, that Naruto could do such a thing."
Tsunade glared at Jiraiya. "How could you say such things!"
"Hokage-sama! If you could just see Sasuke-kun's condition! He was so battered that I can hardly imagine what kind of a beast could do it!" Sakura interrupted. "I thought he cared about his teammated, but apparently, I am wrong."
Tsunade was about to defend her brother but Neji had spoken. "So, the Kyuubi must have broken the seal and took control of his body. If that happens, the Naruto we knew no longer exist and the demon must be destroyed before it could bring more harm."
A pregnant silence reigned over the room as Tsunade's eyes widened in shock. "How do you know that?"
"It's simple really. Ever since that chuunin exams I have my doubts about him. And I overheard Kakashi and Sakura talking about it. So, I take it that I'm correct? If so, then there's no use arguing over this. I will inform my uncle to vote for the demon's banishment the next time the council conduct a meeting." The rest nodded, except for Hinata. But she followed them as they exit, which were of course, interrupted by Tsunade.
"I can't believe this! We should conduct more research into this! Look into Naruto's character! You have known him and made friends with him! Be more reasonable!"
"Maybe it's you who should be more reasonable, Hokage-sama. It is your job to protect this village. You must not let your emotions get in the way of your job. Or else, the council might deem you, not worthy as the right person for this job." Kakashi said as he disappeared along with the other ninjas.
-o-o-o-
As they disappeared, Jiraiya placed a hand over her shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll do my best to clear his name. I also don't believe that Naruto could do that. The kid's too innocent to murder his own friend. Just don't let the council harm him. Also, I believe that his friends already were aware of the Kyuubi and might view him differently. Protect him from himself Tsunade."
And with a nod, they parted, unaware that the door connecting the hokage room to the laboratories were slightly opened and a still-injured Naruto heard all of their conversation. He pulled all of the wirings that connected him to the machines and took off to the forests.
-o-o-o-
"How could this happen to me? I brought Sasuke back didn't I? But how could they treat me like that? Kakashi-sensei wasn't even there in the first place! And Sakura, how could she say things like that! I wouldn't murder Sasuke, I love him!"
Angry with himself, he stood up and punched the nearest tree and let the tears flow slowly. Thinking of how the village might treat him after word gets out, of how his friends might think of it is enough to send him spiraling into depression. Even Tsunade seems persuaded that he did the deed.
Though she did stood up for him, and even if she did clear up things, he didn't know what would happen when he meets his friends.
But, Tsunade seems to be fighting for him right? And Jiraiya promised to help him out right? So maybe it's not too bad. Yeah, as he was thinking about it now, there are people who cared about him, and fights for him.
With newfound determination, he figured that he needed to fight too. Standing up as courage filled him, he made his way back to the tower, scolding himself why he even left in the first place. As he was about to jump on the nearest tree, his stomach protested, signaling that he was hungry.
Grinning to himself, maybe it wasn't so bad to treat himself to ramen for a while. After all, a hero has to be fed to do good deeds. Changing his route to Ichiraku's, he wasn't aware of an eye made of sand leaving the village, nor is he aware of his chakra changing to violet.