Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I am broker than a ho on skid ro, so I'm definitely not making any money from writing this fanfic.

A/N: Don't like my pairings, don't click dammit. Those that have with the intention of reading, thank you. I'm not sure if there is a fic similar or with the same concept. I haven't read them all, it's not possible. I came up with the idea for it myself, so if it is like another's I can't help that. My typing is coming straight out my tiny mind, not off someone's page. I do hope this is somewhat different and interesting for the readers. With that, on with the chapter.

Warnings: None really for this chapter. I will be using numbers for the scene breaks since I can't figure out why when I upload it still mashes it all together. Hope this works.

Chapter One

It was a nightmare. Tsunade rubbed her temples as the many voices tried to be overheard, over the one it was sitting next to. Things weren't going well for the village. The impulse to walk away from her position struck her again as a whistle split the large room. The only person that wasn't speaking was the shinobi standing in the middle and herself. She had her say at the beginning of the meeting. A meeting or a trial? The council deemed it was something worthy of being called a trial. It was a sad mockery of the many reasons she hated being the Hokage. This was going to be another decision that would leave a sour taste in her mouth. As the Hokage she had been given a say but her word wasn't final, not when the crimes were this severe.

How much longer? Sasuke Uchiha kept a blank stare as he listened to his many crimes, some real and some he wasn't aware of committing, were tossed about the room. He should have known better than to try to return. Just because a few friends had wanted his return, it didn't guarantee a warm welcome. After the battle the village had given him a month to get comfortable before striking. Ten ANBU had shown up in the middle of the night to drag him away in chains. His chakra had been sealed before his back had come off of the mattress. He should have fought but he had wanted to do the right thing by going along with the group.

That decision had landed him where he was. Standing in the middle of a room, surrounded by idiots that thought to toss his mistakes in his face. He just wanted it to be over with. What kind of sentence was he to be given?

"Need we remind you that the Uchiha gave aid in the last battle? I'm not suggesting we completely pardon his past actions. However, shouldn't we be able to show some leniency?" Tsunade spoke loudly. She had made a promise to Naruto this morning to do what she could for his friend. The boy had managed to return from the dark, he deserved a second chance.

"That is blasphemy."

"And forget that he aligned himself with enemies of our village on several occasions?"

"You are suggesting we overlook murder, betrayal and abandonment." There were many nods of agreement.

"The punishment for abandoning the village is instant death. Not only are you asking us to overlook that crime but he has added many more during his time as a rogue-nin." A council member slammed his fist down on the round table.

"I agree. Assisting in one battle may have been enough to overlook the crime of desertion. However, the Uchiha has proven himself to be unstable and unreliable. Allowing him to return as if he alone is above our laws is unthinkable. Not even you, the Hokage, are above the laws."

Did that mean they weren't going to allow him to remain in the village? Sasuke felt a twinge of despair at the thought. How was he to fulfill his brother's dream of protecting the village, if he wasn't allowed to continue his services as a shinobi?

"Then we don't let him continue on as a shinobi. We strip him of his duties." Tsunade suggested, trying to get a light sentence. The group looked ready to form a lynch mob. Naruto wouldn't be happy if Sasuke wouldn't be allowed to return as a shinobi. It was better than time in prison.

"Not good enough, nowhere good enough."

"Hiwigara speaks the truth." A bald man with chubby cheeks spoke from directly behind him. "There has been plenty of talk since his return. Our people are trying to rebuild and heal. Still, many walk around in fear due to the Uchiha returning. They say if we will allow such a powerful enemy to walk freely in their home, how safe are they? How can we say we will see to their safety, since we obviously fear one small boy, because why else would we allow him to walk freely? Not only free but with every intention of returning as a shinobi?"

"Only one thing will set the people at ease." Hiwigara, a slender man with thinning, grey hair narrowed hate-filled eyes on the traitor. "We must make an example of the traitor, Sasuke Uchiha."

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The ground was soft beneath her fingers. There was nothing she enjoyed more than being surrounded by nature. Not a soul was nearby, allowing her to enjoy the peace. Ino Yamanaka had chosen this spot for a reason. Not long had passed since that battle. How many weeks? She had lost count. How many days? So much had happened since then.

It was in this spot the trap had been laid. Shikamaru had avenged their fallen sensei in these woods. She hadn't been able to witness the end of the man's death. Why had she come to this spot?

The dreams had brought her to this place. The thoughts that had been plaguing her mind had brought her here. She had woken up before dawn in a state of panic. Not wanting to disturb Sakura, she had left their small apartment.

Why couldn't she let it go? Why did it feel like the anger was turning into a hard ball of contempt? Was it possible to hate her Sensei? She had lost one, she was beginning to hate the other. Hokage or no, some things couldn't be overlooked. The voice was starting to echo in her mind in the waking hours. Her friends would be upset to learn that she was hearing things. Not just hearing someone speaking, but she had felt the need to visit these woods for days now. This morning she had noticed, that she was indeed walking in this direction. Shikamaru wasn't around to prevent her from doing so. Last week she had found herself aimlessly walking, only to end up just inside the tree line. Her old teammate had rushed to her, saying it was best if no one bothered the forest.

The earth was still torn up in a circle. Buried deep beneath her fingers was the man that had slain her sensei. He wasn't dead or really alive, much like herself. That's why she had felt the need to come out. To connect with the one person that could possibly understand how she felt. She felt stuck in a rut. Her life didn't have a direction. She had no boyfriend, no one to share her moments with. Her parents were gone, no family to want her home.

Now, she wasn't sure if she even had her role as a Leaf kunoichi. The doubt was making it hard to want to continue. How could she keep serving the village? Was it possible to protect something you were slowly coming to hate? What had her parents died for? What had they all fought for?

The last few days had been a blur, not really existing in her mind. The only real emotion that had filled her was the need to get to this place. Was it at this moment when her life began to fall apart? Having to watch her sensei die? Having to face the fact of death. She felt dead inside. Torn between what to do.

Why couldn't she be strong like Sakura or Tenten? Would they have shied away from a mission? Do a half-ass job because they didn't agree to the request of the client? Ugh, she didn't know. It made her want to pull her hair, shout at those that put her in this position and hit something. She just wanted a sign. Something! Something so she didn't feel so lost and hopeless. What path should she take?

A sob tore from her throat, making it hard to breathe. Tears rolled down her cheeks as no answer came. Blue eyes blinked in confusion catching the movement. A gust of wind stirred, nothing was moving. The air was shifting the dirt aside on top of the grave. Something silver was revealed to be protruding from the ground. What was that? The chain was busted, dirty and starting to rust. The pendant caught her attention, it was shiny and untouched. Where had she seen it before? Only for a moment, during the battle. That man had been wearing it. What was it doing here? Shouldn't it have been buried with the rogue-nin? Why was it warm to the touch?

Ino palmed the medallion and stood. Soon, she'd have to make a decision. Would it be the right one?

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"Don't worry so much, Sakura!" Naruto placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. They were all taking the news hard. He had woken to a home filled with ANBU. They had instructed him not to interfere. He had to watch as they sealed his friend and drug him away in chains. He had wanted to do something, anything to reassure Sasuke that he would be there for him.

Shouldn't they all be worried? Sakura couldn't understand how Naruto could be so positive about this. They didn't send that many after one shinobi. Not if they just wanted to give him a slap on the wrist. That many, the council didn't want to risk him fleeing and avoiding punishment. It was wrong for them to wait weeks before doing something. Sasuke should have known not to come back. This wasn't his home anymore. People were people no matter what was happening. Many had lost loved ones, their homes and they didn't forgive easy. A lot of people were placing the blame on Sasuke's shoulders simply because he was from the Uchiha clan.

There was talk of how their village would never be safe until the last of the Uchiha was wiped out. It meant that many wanted him dead. The council was an extension of the people. What chance did their friend have when most of the people wanted him to pay for his crimes and those of the Uchiha before him?

"It's not going to turn out like you think, Naruto." She adored her sensei but Lady Tsunade was but one voice. Serious crimes were judged by a council, not their Hokage. Desertion was a crime punishable by death, Sasuke's punishment wouldn't be light.

Nah, he had complete trust in Grandma-Tsunade. She would make them see that Sasuke was back to his old self and that having him back was a good thing. Their old teammate was still withdrawn and moody, but his eyes were different. "He'll probably end up on probation."

Not likely. Death was the penalty for his crimes and he had committed many. Sasuke was just lucky he could only be put to death once. Sakura didn't want to speak her fears, for fear it would come true. As long as she didn't say it, there was a chance he would be set free. She had given up on his heart already, but she didn't want him to die.

They hadn't spoken after being released from the hospital after the battle against the Ten Tailed. The only words she had managed was 'Welcome Home'. Sasuke had simply nodded in acknowledgement. It had hurt too much to watch him be welcomed so warmly by the others and him accepting the attention. The only person that hadn't rushed to talk to him had been Ino. Instead, her best friend had walked over to her and asked if she was okay with this outcome. She wasn't but she had made a promise to herself. No longer would she chase after hopeless dreams.

The two missions she had gone on with her teammates had been quick and easy. Naruto had done all of the talking. Her heart couldn't withstand any more disappointment. She still carried feelings for him, always would. Chasing him was something she'd never do again. With the loss of all hope, all she had was pride.

"Why don't we go get something to eat? They will probably take a few more hours to properly lecture him." Naruto was worried about his friend, he just didn't want to show Sakura how much. They had to be strong and trust in the fairness of their village. "I'll even pay."

"No thanks, I'm not that hungry. I'm going to go wait for their decision." She wanted to speak to Tsunade as soon as the council convened. Would they put him on trial? She had to know. Without saying goodbye, she headed back towards the large building. Somewhere inside he was being judged and demeaned. They would throw every rumor and crime at him. How persuasive could the Hokage be?

What could they do if the council decided not to allow Sasuke to remain? What if he had to leave? Just when they got him back, they would lose him again. Would he return to the way he was? The cold, ruthless Sasuke that had almost struck her down without hesitation. If not for Kakashi-sensei she'd be dead. It was in that moment she realized that her feelings would never be returned. Not only would he never care for her as a true friend, he would never love her.

Her heart leapt in her throat seeing the blonde woman stepping outside. It meant that the meeting was over. How harsh could the punishment be if they were already finished with their meeting? Her sensei stopped walking seeing her coming. "Tsunade-sensei. "

"What are you doing here, Sakura?" Why did her pupil have to be the first one to find her? She had assumed it would be Naruto. Her heart felt heavy seeing the hopeful look.

"Is the meeting over? Where is Sasuke?" Why wasn't he coming out as well? Where was he? She wouldn't talk to him when he exited, just seeing his face would set her mind at ease. "What's wrong, Sensei?"

"Sakura, I'm not sure how to tell you this. The meeting is over and," Tsunade saw the panic. There was no way to sugarcoat the final decision. "The vote was ten to two. Sasuke Uchiha will be held responsible for all of his crimes. The punishment is death by public execution."

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