Authors Note: Naruto does not belong to me. It belongs to its' respective copyright holders. The only thing I own is the plot. Please enjoy :).
The raven haired Uchiha sat on the corner of his bed, staring at the picture across from him. In it, embellished by the wooden frame that surrounded it, stared back his team; Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi, and, of course, himself. In grave contrast to the pictured scowl he wore then, he smiled at the memory it brought. Now, he had a decision, follow in his brothers footsteps, or forever loath himself for abandoning the village. That choice was easy, the consequences were not. If he left on the mission, his new family would be ripped away from him, probably, forever. If he stayed, his new family would remain with him. He could continue going on new missions, enjoy the company of Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi. However, he was no fool, his staying would place them at grave risk. A risk even Kakashi, at his current state, or level, of training, would be hard-pressed to combat. Even the entire resources of the Hidden Leaf Village, had been unable to combat the threat. Only with luck, and assistance, turning it back. Therefore, even with the consequences, the choice was an easy one. For their continued well being, he would embark upon the mission. After all, he had lost everything once, and he had promised then and there, never to lose it again. With a heavy heart, and an expressionless face, the smile drained from his face, he moved off the bed, packed sack on his back, and turned the picture downwards. It was time to depart.
The hardest part had been confronting Sakura on his way out, Sasuke thought as the sound four bowed down to him. Tsunade had not mentioned that in the debriefing, perhaps she had not known. Perhaps it was an additional test of hers, to see how resolved he was; and how far he would follow his word once he gave it. Whatever her reasons, if she had any, it was still hard for him to bite his lip before denouncing Sakura as "just annoying," and "still annoying after all these years." He had consouled himself with a simple "thank-you." Just before he knocked her out. It was a small "victory", but a victory none-the-less. He was thankful he had not had to face Naruto, or Kakashi, on his way out too. He was unsure if he could have fought Naruto and won, before alerting the entire village to his defection. The first fight had been hard enough. A second one was really pushing it. He was almost greatful as he took the pro-offered pill from Sakon, and slipped into a coma with the sound four surrounding him. For the first time in a very long while Sasuke lapsed into a dreamless darkness.
