Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto.

This story follows a separate timeline from Chapter 692 of Naruto and on. And even that is pretty vaguely. I'll explain it as I go, promise.

TOSKA

"…at its deepest and most painful, it is a sensation of great spiritual anguish, often without any specific cause…"

–Vladimir Nobakov

PART ONE

Chapter One – Crime and Punishment

"Uchiha Sasuke, you are charged with the murder of three persons, the terrorization of nations, the kidnapping and attempted murder of the Hyuuga Hime, crimes against humanity, and crimes of war. How do you defend yourself of these charges?"

Sasuke stared up at his judges. A court made up of Konoha's council as well as its current and former Hokage. He wanted to laugh.

This hadn't been the plan.

The Last Uchiha shook his head and met the eyes of the court before finding his voice. "I did what was necessary," his voice was hoarse with disuse, sounding much more menacing than he intended. "I did my duty by my clan and dealt justice for my people. I did no more, no less, than was necessary to achieve my goal, and to survive."

Sasuke cleared his throat, awkwardly rotating his wrists in the chakra restraints that bound him.

"I do not defend myself."

The council went into a frenzy.

"You sonuvabi—"

"Thousands are dead after what you have d—"

"—e cannot stand for this insolence—"

"—isten to him justify slaughter?! Unbel—"

"Silence!" Lady Tsunade bellowed, her voice echoing in the small room with the handful of people present wincing. The proud blond glared amber eyes across the room to get her severity across, "The Uchiha has been found unsound in mind by—"

"Tsunade-sama you can't possibly—" Tsunade stared down the stocky councilman who interrupted her into silence.

"The Uchiha had been found unsound in mind by multiple notable shinobi of Konohagakure. They claimed his actions were not entirely of a well mind, which questions if he is capable to stand trial in his state." Tsunade looked across the room, meeting the eyes of everyone present: Sasuke, ANBU, and councilmen all equally cowed.

With a sigh she waved a hand to the ANBU, "Let the witnesses enter."

The ANBU immediately went to the door, even though the Fifth was no longer even remotely in charge of them. Despite the fact that the Sixth had just witnessed treason, it did not bother him in the slightest. He was aware that no one could disobey Tsunade-sama. Plus, she was in charge of these proceedings given that the crimes discussed had occurred during her time as Hokage, and he still did not find himself fit to be such.

Tsunade leaned to the Sixth Hokage, "My apologies Kakashi, old habits..." she trailed off, her focus retained by the witnesses entering the room.

"Uzumaki Naruto," the ANBU with a cat's mask began listing off the witnesses as they lined themselves up, standing between Sasuke and his judges, not unlike a shield. "And Nara Shikamaru," the ANBU continued, stepping aside to return to his post.

Sasuke knew them well enough, one being his old teammate and the other being his year-mate at the Academy. Naruto's usual ridiculous grin was replaced with a grim frown, while the Nara looked about the same as when he last saw him.

"I'm here as well!" a small girl with long dark hair came jogging into the room. Sasuke recognized this one as well—after all, she was one of the crimes he was being accused of. "My apologies Hokage-sama, I only just received your message."

Kakashi smiled to the once timid girl, "No harm done, Hinata-hime."

The petite Hyuuga blushed a violent crimson. The war may have changed her, but she was still rather shy, especially to compliments or flirting. Kakashi viewed it as a grand pass time to at least cause the poor girl to blush once in his presence.

"Hinata is sufficient, Hokage-sama," Hinata gulped, "I passed on my title some time ago."

"As that may be..." Kakashi trailed off, noting their derailment of proceedings. "How was your mission, Hinata-chan?" He smiled beneath his mask, hoping to prove a point here.

"I have a report prepared for later." Hinata quickly supplied as an answer. Kakashi was aware she could not discuss her S-rank mission with so many around.

"I take your promotion from Jonin has served you well?" Kakashi queried, hoping his meaning was finally realized. He had promoted Hinata to ANBU two months ago.

"Yes." Hinata grit out, aware of Kakashi's meaning now. She added on a "Hokage-sama" after a moment, the tenseness of the room reminding her of the need for manners.

"Are you quite through, Sixth-sama?" Shikamaru sighed, the strategist lazily making eye contact with his leader.

"Quite," Kakashi smiled.

"Alright," Tsunade let out a hiss of breath, "now that we're all here, let us be—"

"You cannot possibly allow a victim to be a witness for the Uchiha. Her fear of her assailant may be what motivates her to defend—"

"If I may," Sasuke cleared his throat again, "perhaps you weren't paying attention, but I do believe Kakashi just proved Hinata is more than capable of controlling her emotions and can be counted as a reliable witness, given she has the physical and mental capability of being an ANBU member."

Gasps were heard across the room.

"Seriously Hinata-chan?!" Naruto twisted so he could meet the eyes of the small girl.

Hinata's refusal to answer was answer enough.

Shikamaru let out an awkward cough. "If we could move forward with the proceedings..." He trailed off, giving the former and present Hokages meaningful looks.

"Of course, of course," Kakashi leans forward in his seat, "if you could each state your necessity for being here to catch the rest of us up?"

"Of course Kakashi-sensei," Naruto attempted a smile that overall looked rather uncomfortable. "I am here as a character witness on Teme's behalf as well as an actual witness given he is my teammate and I have been around him most of the Konoha 12—" Naruto faltered, "since our childhood."

Hinata tried her best not to flinch.

Sasuke noticed rather easily, and he was sure that it had not escaped the attention of the rest in attendance. So, her dear cousin Neji really is dead. Sasuke thought rather grimly. He'd heard the rumors, but somehow he'd doubted the stubborn Hyuuga had really died in the war.

Apparently he was wrong.

It was a pity really. He'd always considered Neji Hyuuga to be a formidable opponent and had hoped to one day test his Sharingan to his well respected Byakugan. It really was a pity to lose such a ninja.

"Ugh, so troublesome," Shikamaru murmured, "I am here to speak on the Uchiha's behalf given he is unable to do so himself."

Sasuke almost spoke up in that moment to claim he was well aware of what was happening and was definitely capable of defending himself however much he desired, but a part of him wanted to see the so-called genius in motion. It would be interesting to watch him defend a man who was without a doubt destined to be beheaded, at the very least, if not drawn and quartered. Especially since Sasuke was near positive the Nara despised him for whatever reason.

Well, maybe the Nara genius could defend him enough so that he'd be killed swiftly instead of tortured.

He'd rather not dishonor his family, and he had a feeling Konoha would find a way to make him cry out in pain if they were allowed to torture him in public as his death sentence.

Sasuke knew how his clan dealt with traitors. Their death was far from pleasant and beyond profoundly torturous.

"Hinata-chan," Kakashi offered, asking without having to do so.

"S-sorry Kakashi-sama," Hinata blushed slightly, having been caught lost in her thoughts and emotions. "I am here to offer up my opinion on Uchiha-san's character, explain what truly happened at my supposed kidnapping, as well as recant the charges that the Hyuuga clan called for against Uchiha-san."

At that moment Hinata looked to what Sasuke assumed was the Hyuuga's representative and stared them down—she actually mad-dogged some Hyuuga elder. If Sasuke wasn't preoccupied with being on trial he'd be impressed.

Well, he didn't really care that he was on trial, but still. He didn't want to show how easily the Hyuuga princess impressed him; especially given the circumstances.

If she had only—

"The Hyuuga clan cannot bring charges on my behalf that I do not support. I did not feel threatened by Uchiha-san at any point, and it is clear to me that he never intended me any harm," Hinata spoke confidently. Making eye contact with Kakashi and Tsunade, trying to communicate that these proceedings were really unnecessary.

Tsunade cleared her throat, gaining the groups attention. "Are you being coerced or under duress in any way that is causing you to recant the charges your former clan has brought up against Uchiha Sasuke?" Tsunade articulated, looking to Hinata with a quiet fondness.

Everyone seemed to have a soft spot for this girl. Sasuke tried not to roll his eyes. He was well aware of how many people really did have a soft spot for her too, that was why he had nabbed her in the first place.

"No, Tsunade-sama, although I was summoned here, I am under no duress or coercion to help Uchiha Sasuke." Hinata spoke quietly but firmly. She was adamant.

"Alright, then I suppose we shall proceed with the charges—with the exception of the kidnapping and attempted murder of the Hyuuga Hime," Tsunade sighed, adjusting the files on the table in front of her.

Naruto stepped forward, prepared to defend the only person he'd ever called his brother, but Shikamaru grabbed his arm, successfully stopping him in his tracks. "Naruto, that is not how these proceedings work," Shikamaru murmured.

"Dobe," Sasuke muttered only to be delivered a scathing look from Tsunade.

"I would like to call for dropping of these charges," Shikamaru declared.

The room went into an uproar once again.

"Silence! The lot of you! If you don't quit with this bullshit, I will have all your asses removed from the room and rule on this matter with Kakashi and myself alone!" Tsunade hollered, pounding her fist against the table. Causing it to tremble and shake.

Sasuke was surprised the table hadn't snapped, to be entirely honest.

Tsunade's display of power shut them up quickly.

"Please continue, Shikamaru-kun," Kakashi said, gesturing to the young man.

"As I was saying, I would like to call for these charges to be dropped."

"Under what circumstances?" A councilman blustered, his face a bright red.

"Under the circumstances that you cannot murder an entire clan," Shikamaru deadpanned.

Sasuke's eyes widened. He had honestly not seen that one coming. He didn't really think anyone else was entirely aware of the circumstances surrounding his clan's demise, but if—

"Uchiha Sasuke is the sole heir to the entire Uchiha clan, and is therefore, not only the head of the Uchiha clan, but is also, by definition, an entire clan himself. To charge or kill him for his misdeeds would not only annihilate an entire clan, which we wronged in the first place, but would also go against our laws in protecting the heads of clans in their dealings with clan matters." Shikamaru spoke quickly, meeting the eyes of all of the councilmen. Effectively making them uncomfortable, for they themselves were noblemen and heads of clans, or at the very least an elder representing a clan.

They all understood clan politics, and knew better than to mess with them.

It was brilliant really.

"That aside, do you really want to eliminate the Uchiha when his bloodline could bring us more Shar—"

"I do not desire to have any children whatso—"

Shikamaru turned around with enough ferocity to slap Sasuke's mouth clean off. "Understand me now, Uchiha," Shikamaru hissed, "I do not like you. I do not care what happens to you. I am helping you out of respect for a friend. Interrupt me one more time while I defend your life, and I will leave your ass high and dry."

Well, that was surprising.

"My apologies council, as was stated earlier, the Uchiha is currently of unsound mind, and therefore anything he says should be disregarded during the course of these proceedings." Shikamaru declared, dismissing Sasuke's attempt to undermine his defense.

"As I was saying, are you really willing to jeopardize Konoha's opportunity to once more be the only holder of a powerful doujustu? Of the feared Sharingan? I seriously doubt that."

"How are we certain that the Uchiha is of unsound mind?" Tsunade queried.

"Ah, that. Hinata-chan, would you step forward please?" Shikamaru turned to her.

Nodding, the small girl stepped forward to stand beside the Nara.

"Would you please state your reasoning for dropping the charges your family put into place? Besides your no longer being a part of your clan," Shikamaru murmured.

"When—ah—Uchiha-san grabbed me, he quickly made it apparent that he did not wish to survive his final encounter with Nar—Uzumaki-san." Hinata suppressed a flinch. It did not go unnoticed.

"I attempted to reason with him, telling him that kidnapping me would simply earn him more trouble than I was worth, and he said, and I quote, 'If you think I want to get out of this alive, then you haven't been paying attention.'"

"However, when I figured he was preparing to kill me, he simply gagged me and placed me under a genjutsu which should have left me asleep for at least a day, however," Hinata glanced over to Sasuke, beginning to feel uncomfortable, "Genjutsu was my sensei's specialty, so releasing myself from it was not a difficult matter."

"What the—erm—rescue g-group saw was also a genjutsu, however, I was n-not able to release them of theirs. It also did n-not h-help that their emotions fueled the genjutsu's severity and s-sway over them."

"I believe that Uchiha-san's goals were to enrage the group enough so that they would attempt to kill him, not capture and return him to Konoha."

Hinata shuffled her feet, looking to Shikamaru to see if there was anything else she should cover.

"Thank you, Hinata-chan, that should do." Kakashi spoke, leaning forward across the table.

"It is apparent that the Uchiha's goal was for the events to result in his death, the reason, however, remains unclear," the Hyuuga councilman reminded.

"I believe the reasoning was given at the beginning. He is the last of the Uchiha clan. That bares enough weight in and of itself," Shikamru bit out.

"Is this true, Teme?" Naruto asked, eyes wide and alarmed as he turned to the Uchiha.

Sasuke snorted dismissively, but that did not persuade the Kyuubi vessel.

"You wanted to die?! So you-you—Sasuke how could you?! We thought that Hinata-chan w—"

"Enough, Naruto-chan," Kakashi chastised. "It is clear that Uchiha Sasuke was in fact within his rights to attack those he did under clan law, and those actions that did not were done in hopes of resulting in his death. This matter is no longer open to the council, and is simply that of the Hokage to determine," Kakashi paused, waiting for his statement to register in everyone's minds.

"Now, with that in mind, everyone may leave, with the exception of Tsunade-sama and those present in defense of Uchiha Sasuke." Kakshi firmly added.

The councilman appeared to be tempted to argue and question, but they had already lost. Uchiha Sasuke would not be put to death.

"The other Kages will not stand for this Kakashi-sama," a councilman growled.

"I seriously doubt that, but I will keep that in mind when I am dealing punishment, councilman…" Kakashi's eyes narrowed for a moment. "What's your name again?"

The man fumbled, eyes wide at the slight. "Hokage-sama! My name is—"

"Oh, I'm sorry I have business to attend to, another time perhaps," Kakashi smiled condescendingly and waved his hand.

"Damn, Kakashi-sensei sure is cold." Naruto murmured.

Sasuke had to hold back a smirk. Perhaps he was similar to Kakashi in some ways.

Kakashi waited for the councilmen to filter out before addressing the room once more.

"ANBU-san," Kakashi called to the ANBU wearing a cat mask, "You and Bird-san may leave as well."

"But, H-hokage-sama, w—"

"I think we'll be alright. If anything happens, I assure you, we will protect the Hokage," Tsunade snorted. "Now go."

The ANBU guards hesitantly left the room, glancing warily at the last Uchiha while closing the large doors to the council room. The doors shut with a heavy thud.

"Now then," Tsunade made a few hand signs and the room sealed around them with a sucking sound. The room suddenly felt much more sterile with the outside world sealed off from them. Sasuke felt mildly suffocated by it, mostly because it was Tsunade's chakra that surrounded them.

"Well get on with it." Tsunade gestured at Kakashi and leaned back in her chair, clearly dejected by the fact that she had to be here for these proceedings.

"This is far too troublesome," Shikamaru muttered. He walked over to where the councilmen had been seated and took a seat. Sighing, he leaned back until he was staring at the ceiling with his arms crossed. "Oi, Naruto. You might want to sit for this part too." Shikamaru called, jerking his chin to have the blonde join him.

"Hinata-chan, will you please explain what happened that day?" Kakashi leaned forward, clasping his hands together and eyes narrowing.

Hinata closed her eyes and took a deep breath, steadying herself. It was clear that the girl was still uncomfortable with talking about this.

"And Hinata-chan," Kakashi began, waiting for Hinata to make eye contact. "Do not spare me any details. I need to know all of it."

Hinata sighed. "H-hai, Hokage-sama."

"At that point in the battle, I was inside the tree line, and there had been several explosions. One had been cl-close enough that it had launched me further into the forest, with debris raining down around me…"

Hinata's chest rattled with every breath she took. Being thrown by the last explosion from the top branches of a tree, and her smacking into several branches on the way down, was probably what caused whatever broken ribs she currently had. Her assailant grabbing her by the waist in midair just before the explosion didn't really help the situation either.

The petite Hyuuga let out a wet barking cough, blood riddling her jacket and chin. Spitting whatever was in her mouth out, she tried to roll over and push herself up in the mucky dirt, fingers digging in and arms shaking with the effort of it.

"Kiba!" she tried to call out. He was the last of her friends she had seen before she ended up on the ground. "Naruto-kun!" she tried again, but her voice was raspy and didn't carry well through the dense smoke that surrounded her.

"On your feet, Hyuuga," a ragged baritone ordered from beside her.

Hinata recognized the voice immediately.

"Uchiha-san," she gasped out, "why are you doing this?"

"I said, on your feet Hyuuga. You're my bargaining chip now, and it just won't do if you're unconscious." Sasuke stated, his voice almost monotone, not even remotely reflecting the fact that for the past day and a half he'd been waging war, all on his own, against the entire ninja world.

"If you think-k you can use m-me as a hostage to escape punishment," Hinata rasped, staving off another coughing fit, "then you've got another thing coming."

Sasuke laughed humorlessly. "Princess, if you think I want to get out of this alive, then you haven't been paying attention." The Uchiha let out an undignified snort and held out a hand to the small Hyuuga. "Come, I don't have time to waste. That Dobe will be upon us any second now."

Hinata stared at the bridge of his nose, confused. Every lesson she's ever had told her the Uchiha was lying. That his world famous Sharingan eyes were spinning furiously right this moment, and simply waiting for the opportunity to strike. Her instincts, however, told her he wasn't a threat.

Hinata looked up into dark charcoal for eyes, confirming her instincts. The Uchiha had already given up.

He wants to die.

"I..." Hinata faltered. Struggling to find the words. "Uchiha-san, I don't understand..."

"You don't need to Hyuuga. You just have to play your part in all this, and then you and the Dobe can live happily ever after and you can have a bunch of baby Hokages. Ok?" Sasuke grabbed the girl by her bicep, hoisting her up into a standing position and pushing her forward. "Now start moving," Sasuke growled, his emotions finally seeping into his speech.

"B-but, Uchiha-san," Hinata stumbled forward, her knee giving out under her weight. Apparently she'd injured it in the fall.

"Hyuuga," Sasuke grunted, grabbing her arm again, "hold yourself together." Sasuke snarled, throwing the girl over his shoulder.

Hinata struggled for a moment before she reminded herself that that was what he wanted. She just wasn't sure why.

"What's my part in this Uchiha-san?" Hinata called over her shoulder, hoping she could still help Naruto's friend not make a mistake that could take his life, if not hers as well.

"You're the damsel that'll lure out the noble warrior, Hyuuga, and I'm the dragon he has to kill." The Uchiha let a smirk form on his lips. He rather enjoyed the idea of going out in a blaze of glory at the hands of the last friend he had. The only person, besides Itachi, that he considered a brother.

Hinata shook her head in confusion. As simple as Sasuke was making it sound, she did not understand what he was going on about. Warriors and dragons? He obviously wasn't thinking coherently.

"Uchiha-san, are you well?"

Sasuke snorted. "You do realize that I'm basically kidnapping you, right?" Sasuke jostled her slightly, trying to make her uncomfortable and make a point.

"Yes, I'm also aware of the fact that there, are at the very least, five pursuers on our tail. You have very little time," Hinata sighed, the pain in her chest and her legs smarting, "and this is hardly my first kidnapping Uchiha-san."

Hinata laughed. This situation was ridiculous.

"In fact, this is probably the most poorly executed kidnapping I've been a victim of," Hinata called over her shoulder, twisting slightly in hopes of easing the pain in her ribs.

"Do not test me Hyuuga. I can still kill you if I feel like it." Sasuke snarled, jostling the girl around again in hopes of furthering her discomfort.

Hinata wanted to tell him she honestly didn't think he would, but didn't really want to antagonize him. She still had a chance to help Naruto's friend, and she wasn't about to mess that up.

"Uchiha-san, I must advise against this. You still have a chance to-"

Sasuke unceremoniously dropped the Hyuuga heiress, flipping her over his shoulder. "A chance to what? Escape?" Sasuke snapped, rage morphing his face. "For what?! To go where?!" he shouted, rage climbing to fury.

"I have NOTHING left," he growled, getting so close to Hinata that all she saw was his eyes. "No purpose. No family. No goal."

Sasuke was shaking with fury. He'd come unhinged. She could see it in the way his eyes flickered back and forth between his own hollow dark eyes to his spinning Sharingan. There would be no reasoning with him. She'd either have to incapacitate him, protect him when the others showed up, or somehow explain before they started fighting. None seemed all too likely or possible.

Hinata activated her Byakugan, assessing the field they were in as well as how far away her comrades were.

The petite girl let out a small gasp. They were much farther from the battlefield than she thought. The Uchiha's speed was no joke. Her friends were roughly three or four kilometers away. 'They'll be here soon enough. Neji should be able-'

Hiniata choked on the thought.

Neji was dead.

Hinata had to remind herself how to breathe.

Looking up, she realized the Uchiha had moved back and now seemed vacant of emotion. "They'll be here soon, Uchiha-san. Do what you must with me, but please don't harm my friends." Her voice warbled and was quiet. She was lucky the last Uchiha even heard her.

"We'll see. It depends on how ready the Dobe is to finally kill me." He deadpanned, making signs with his hands.

Hinata wanted to say she didn't understand again. That there were so many who still loved him, even after all that he'd done, but she seriously doubted that would make a difference at this point.

"Now, Hyuuga, look into my eyes."

"Wha-"

She saw a flash of Sharingan, then all she saw was muted darkness.

Hinata sighed. "I don't know what actually happened in the field, but Kiba-kun and Shino-kun explained it t-to me." Hinata winced. She felt so uncomfortable. Bringing up all of this awkwardness again, all because of an unfortunate misunderstanding.

Sasuke was just pissed at this point. It was clear that the Hokages weren't going to listen to him. They were hanging off of every word of the Hyuuga brat. She couldn't even maintain eye contact throughout the story.

"You know, I can tell this part if you'd like." Sasuke smirked, though no mirth touched his eyes. "I remember it pretty well, having actually been there, and conscious for the whole thing."

"Shut it." Shikamaru hissed. "I already regret helping you as it is—don't make me take back everything I said." He glared daggers at the Uchiha, but the traitor hardly noticed.

Kakashi sighed, waving both of them off.

"I can fill in the blanks here if you'd like Kakashi-sensei," Naruto grumbled. His face dark—he didn't like rehashing what had happened that day in general, but what happened in that field was…

Naruto burst into the field, Kiba riding Akamaru on his left, Shino on his right, and Shikamaru trailing behind.

Kiba lifted his nose into the air, soot covering his face, along with minor abrasions, "She's been here," he snarled, coughing slightly, "I just can't tell if—"

"Hinata's still here," Shino murmured, his voice sounding off.

"What do y—" Kiba lurched forward, halted by Akamaru jerking back.

"Sasuke-teme." Naruto breathed.

"Dobe, I see you finally caught up." Sasuke sauntered into the middle of the field, appearing ever confident.

"Stop this now. Where is Hin—"

"Give us Hinata-chan!" Kiba screamed, jumping off Akamaru and into the field.

Sasuke cackled, "I don't think that's something I can make happen anymore." Sasuke glanced over to his side where Hinata was strapped in the air between two trees. She was limp except for the wire strings that were holding in place.

"Hi-Hinata-chan…" Naruto's eyes widened. "Teme! What have you done to Hinata-chan!?" Naruto cried out, his voice strangled.

"Nothing yet," Sasuke smirked, Sharingan blazing. Darting in front of Hinata and drawing Kusanagi. "Now…now I've done something." Staring Naruto down, Sasuke flicked his wrist.

"…Chidori."

Hinata's screams were high-pitched and horrifying.

She thrashed about, suspended in the air between the two trees. The metal wires cutting into her skin—the more she thrashed, the more it tore into her. Hinata screams reached blood curdling heights and suddenly died off. She had passed out from the pain and went mercifully limp. The electricity was still flickering through the wires, causing her to involuntarily twitch.

"Hinata-chan!" Kiba wailed. "Stop! You're killing her!"

Sasuke glanced at his former academy mates, back to Hinata, and with a flick of his wrist slit her throat. Eyes wild, Sasuke turned to face Naruto, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Shino. "So much for that Hyuuga pride."

Naruto screamed, running towards Sasuke. "You bastard!"

"And all hell broke loose." Sasuke supplied. Genuinely bored with story time at this point.

"I think that's enough to showcase what the problem was here," Shikamaru mumbled, standing from the council seating. "Sasuke wanted us to kill him, and he nearly succeeded."

Sasuke didn't miss the fact that Naruto flinched at those words. He didn't care how the Dobe felt about his wanting to die. Naruto couldn't possibly understand what it was like to have everything, and then have nothing. He never would. No one would.

Sasuke snorted. "I would have been successful if some people would just let their kidnappers die." He pointedly glared at Hinata. Her face flamed red at the comment. Good. She deserves to feel uncomfortable about this, the Uchiha mused.

Hitting the table with his fist, Naruto gained the rooms attention. "You should apologize to Hinata-chan for all that you have put her through, and you should thank her for the fact that she saved your ungrateful life." Naruto huffed, his face growing red. The blonde was livid and couldn't take a moment more of listening to this madness.

"Well…On that note." Kakashi coughed awkwardly. "Uchiha Sasuke, we officially denounce your crimes as a traitor. You were acting on clan law, and we must not interfere." Kakashi glanced at Hinata, seeing that her face was still red, he softened. "Since the Hyuuga-Hime has so kindly come to us today to explain the situation, we are dropping the charges against you from the Hyuuga clan."

"So what, am I free then?" Sasuke snarled. He actually snarled. He wanted this to be over.

Kakashi leaned forward, a dangerous smile forming on his face. "No, Sasuke-kun. You are not free."

Tsunade cackled and released the sound proofing barrier she had surrounded the room with. "This'll be good," she chuckled to herself, grabbing a flask from her coat.

"Uchiha Sasuke, for your crimes as a traitor and abandoning your village in a time of need, you shall be placed under house arrest. You shall be bonded to the village, and you shall be sealed." Kakashi's eyes sharpened, honing in on the fact that Sasuke was about to interrupt him. "You will be monitored by an ANBU at all times, and you shall remain on a probationary period for 3 months until we deem you are capable of interacting with society."

Kakashi raised to fingers and twitched them slightly. The ANBU from before returned, flickering into position behind Sasuke.

"We are done here today. Take him back to his cell until arrangements can be made." Kakashi sighed, closing his eyes and leaning back into his seat. He did not take joy in punishing his formal pupil, but it needed to be done.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Sasuke shouted, eyes livid.

"And please, for the love of kami, knock him out." Kakashi waved his hand flippantly.

With a "Hai, Hokage-sama" Sasuke's world went black.

Author's Note:

Alrighty. It has been a long time since I have written some fanfiction.

This will end up being a SasuHina fanfic, and it's most likely going to be a slow burn.

Comments or criticism? Leave a review!

Thank you for reading!