Chapter 1
The wind brewed softly in the cold night, he looked up and admired the twinkling stars for a moment before heading to the interrogation room. He wondered how his teammates were feeling after Sasuke's return. It definitely isn't all sparkly like the stars strewn across the black sky, that Sai knew. Part of him was glad he refound his emotions a little later because at least he is free from any bad feelings now. Sai inhaled a breath of fresh night air before taking solemn steps to report for duty.
The room was dimly lit when he entered. The guy he replaced, Sasuke was already sitting across the interrogation desk.
"Hi, Sasuke Uchiha. My name is Sai." He gave the guy who resembled him one of his infamous fake smile before proceeding to pull out a chair and sit.
"Hn. Let's get to the interrogation." Sasuke replied tersely.
"Alright. You left Konohagakure when you were still a genin." Sai stated.
"That's right."
"From the information I've gathered, one of your teammate, Sakura Haruno tried to persuade you not to leave. But, you knocked her out cold and left anyway. Is that true?"
"Yes." Sasuke cringed at that memory. How little time was he given to react to her offer of following him... His thoughts were cut short with what Sai said next.
"You also tried to kill your other teammate, Naruto Uzumaki countless of times. And even once attempted to finish off Sakura Haruno and Kakashi Hatake, murdered Danzo Shimura, tried to destroy Konohagakure and attempted murder the elders of the village. Do you admit to these crimes?" Sai asked stoically.
"Yes." His combed his jet-black hair and shut his eyes for a moment. Sasuke tried not to let guilt wallow him up.
"Sasuke Uchiha, during the Fourth Shinobi World War, many testified and said you were not against the Shinobi Alliance. In fact, you contributed quite a lot to our success. For that deed, the Hokage and the elders shall have a deeper discussion about your punishment. Till then, this interrogation is over. You are not to be jailed but a member from the ANBU will be with you at all times and you cannot, at all cost step out of the village. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Because you are a strong and capable shinobi, you are to put on a chakra restriction anklet always until your penalty is stated."
"Must I really?" Sasuke gritted his teeth.
"It's procedure. Your cooperation would be much needed and if you dare defy, force will be used." Sai motion to the interrogation mirror and two ANBU members entered the room, one was holding the anklet.
"Fine." Sasuke put out a foot to allow the ANBU members to adjust the anklet to his ankle. Instantly, he felt his chakra being drained to a much much lower level.
"You may go now. Tonight and tomorrow, you will be escorted by me." Sai gestured for Sasuke to get up and they both exited the building.
Sasuke walked in front of the artistic shinobi with his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He looked up to see the same piece of sky Sai admired. But to Sasuke, his troubles didn't allow him to enjoy its beauty as much as Sai did.
"Tonight's a good night. The sky is clear. Aren't they." Sasuke saw Sai offering his fake smile again.
"Hn. Are we suppose to interact in any way?" Sasuke continued walking.
"Not neccessarily but I just wanted to know the person I replaced."
"There's not much to know." He glanced over his shoulder.
"I disagree. Your relationships with this team intrigues me."
"Aa."
"Naruto told me he offered you to bunk in with him. Are we heading that way?" His fake smile still existing.
"Yes."
Sai took out his little notebook and jotted down something.
"What are you recording?"
"Oh, I'm observing you."
"What for? Is it in your duty to do so?"
"No. I'm trying to learn... emotions you see."
"Aa. Sometimes it's better not to have them." Sasuke nodded and continued his pace.
Sai wrote something in his book again.
"So now you're going to make amends with Naruto?"
"Hn."
"What about Kakashi?"
"Soon."
"What about Ugly?"
"Who's Ugly?" Sasuke stopped walking and turned to face Sai.
"So... you're not close to Sakura? It's a nickname I gave her. You have nicknames for people who are close to you, no? So I call her Ugly to be closer to her."
Sasuke grimaced at the nickname Sai picked.
"She's no where near ugly." His face still hung disgust on it.
"Did I say something wrong Sasuke?"
"Hn. Nothing. Let's just go to Naruto's."
"You haven't answered my question you know..."
And it was ignored. Not because Sasuke disliked Sai. Quite the opposite actually, Sai was tolerable. Besides, Sasuke wanted change and change meant making friends, making amends. The question went unanswered because it was Sakura and he knew, when it came to Sakura, things were complicated -for him at the least. He doesn't know if saying sorry would suffice. After all, he remembered she told him if he was gone, she'd understand loneliness. And to let her know of that- to him, was one of the cruelest things he did to her. Not to forget the attempted murder and... too many bad things he'd done unto her that Sasuke couldn't bring to forgive himself. His expression dropped and Sai took notice of it.
They continued walking in the silent night.
Both black-haired men waited for Naruto to open his apartment door.
"Oi, Sasuke-teme! Come in! Oh, Sai, you're here...why?" Naruto looked past Sasuke's shoulder.
"I'm on duty."
"What duty?"
"He's keeping tabs on my whereabouts dobe. I'm under surveillance."
"Oh... right! Come in! This could very well be a Team 7 male sleepover!"
"Oh boy..." Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Hmm... I never had a sleepover before. This would be fun." Sai took out his notebook and scribbled some more.
Over cups of ramen and rounds of card games, Sasuke had made a new friend and also made amends with his old one.
"Teme, forget the past. You're still my friend, my brother." The blond placed a firm grip on Sasuke's shoulder.
"Thank you, dobe."
"Gosh... I'm tired. Let's sleep! Teme, you're getting the floor!" Naruto stretched his arms and yawned.
"Tch, what a host you are." Sarcasm filled his voice.
They went to sleep apart from Sai who was still on monitoring duty.
Naruto-Sasuke, still best friends, both cares for each other. They have nicknames for each other. Sasuke-teme and Naruto-dobe.
Kakashi-Sasuke,will be making amends soon. Naruto said tomorrow night there will be a drinking session for them.
Drinking can strengthen bonds.
Sleepover promotes bonding.
Made friends with Sasuke. Called him chicken-ass head and got glared at. Better stick to calling him Sasuke.
Sakura-Sasuke, unknown. When asked, Sasuke looked sad and sorry. Maybe sleepover or drinking can help them.
Sai jotted in his book.
A/N: Chapter 1! I know there isn't a single interaction between Sasuke and Sakura...and the first few chapters will serve as 'plot-smoothers'... a word I made up. It'll give foundation to this story.
Reviews and suggestions! It gives me encouragement to write! It really does!
Love.
