Chapter Two

The tension in the air could be cut with a knife. Kakashi, Yamato and Naruto stand side by side, facing Sasuke. The older men hold tense stances, ready to fight if need be. However, oddly enough, Naruto and Sasuke seem to be totally at ease. Observing each other with curious expressions.

Naruto isn't acting like himself. Sasuke decides, noticing the way that the blonde's companions keep cutting him surprised looks, as if they're shocked he's not doing something. After all, isn't it Naruto's ambition and promise of a lifetime to return Sasuke to the village? And here he is, five feet away, asking to go home... Shouldn't Naruto be excited?

"You...want to go back...?" Naruto asks, eyeing Sasuke suspiciously.

Sasuke just nods.

"Why?" The young ninja folds his arms. "What's changed?"

The raven haired teen sighs. "I guess...you were right."

What? Naruto recoils slightly.

"I'm sure you heard that I killed my brother."

Naruto nods, his expression firm.

"Revenge didn't make me feel any better..." Sasuke admits, simply.

"And that's why you want to go back?" Kakashi asks, crossing his arms.

"Yeah."

Yamato and Kakashi exchange suspicious looks. It's obvious they don't believe his story. "Okay," Kakashi decides. "We'll take you to the village. But that means, as of now, you're our prisoner. Don't do anything stupid." The two Jonin usher him into their loose formation, surrounding him. "Let's go."

But Naruto doesn't move. His eyes remain locked on the ground between his feet, a tight expression on his face.

"Naruto?" Yamato asks. "What's wrong?"

The blonde hesitates for a moment. "Nothing." And with that, he hurries to join them as they start leaping through the trees once again.

What's up with him? Sasuke wonders, idly.

Naruto doesn't look back even once. It's almost like he's ignoring Sasuke, or maybe he's just too deep in thought to notice the silence.

Yeah, Naruto decides. Something's definitely wrong here. There's no way Sasuke, even now, would ever admit I'm right. He's too proud. Grinding his teeth together, he struggles to stay in formation, beside Kakashi. He's planning something. That's for sure.


As soon as the remnants of Team 7 step foot inside the village, all eyes turn toward them. Not that this was an odd occurrence, seeing as Naruto is the Leaf Village's Hero and all. But, this time, those eyes are not full of admiration and wonder... Today, they're all trained, intently, on Sasuke. A man none of them have seen for over three years. He's a rogue and they know it.

"That's Sasuke Uchiha!" Someone whispers.

"Didn't he abandon the village?!" Someone else gasps.

"Naruto fought him three years ago but was defeated!"

"You mean Naruto Uzumaki?! The hero?!"

"Yes!"

"He must be strong...why is he here now?"

"But look, Naruto's with him...what's going on here?"

"Maybe he's their prisoner..."

The whispers continue this way the entire time Team 7 makes their way through the village. Suspicious, even hate-filled eyes always seem find to Sasuke even though he travels at the center of the group.

"Traitor!"

"Snake!"

"Back-stabber!"

"Let's just hope the Hokage puts him in prison for a long time!"


Knock, knock, knock

"Enter!" Lady Tsunade calls from her place at the desk. She hurriedly shoves the mountainous stacks of paperwork to the side and wipes the trail of drool from her cheek. This had better be important!

The door creaks open.

"Sorry to bother you, My Lady." Sakura says as she steps inside. "But I was wondering if I could borrow that Medical Journal that was just brought in yesterday. I wanted to check up on the illness one of patients at the hospital has..."

"Uh, yeah yeah..." Tsunade motions to the bookshelf beside her. "Help yourself..." She grumbles, sleepily.

Sakura smiles, apologetically. She pulls the thick journal from the shelf before turning to her mentor. "Say, Lady Tsuande." She mumbles, suddenly. "Wasn't Naruto's mission supposed to be over today?"

The Hokage nods.

"Shouldn't they...be home by now?"

"Sakura, you get like this every time they're a little late. It's fine."

The rosette lowers her gaze. "Yeah...you're right. Thanks for letting me borrow this My La-"

"GRANDMA TSUNADE!"

Sakura grins at the firmiliar voice. "It's about time you got back, Naruto!" She laughs, hurrying to the door to greet her teammate. "What took you guys so..." Sakura's eyes go wide. She takes a step back.

"Hm?" Tsunade straightens up. "What's wrong?"

"S...Sasu..." She breathes.

"What?"

That's when Naruto, Yamato and Kakashi step into her office, soon followed by an achingly firmiliar boy with jet black hair and matching dark eyes. His hands are bound behind his back even though he doesn't seem to be struggling. He glances sideways at Sakura as he passes her.

"Sasuke..." Tsunade says, trying hard to mask her surprise. A moment later, she regains her composure, leaning her head in her hands. "It's been a while."

"Yeah..." He agrees, casually.

Her next question is directed toward Naruto. "I send you on a mission to protect the Feudal Lord's son...and you come home with a rogue ninja?"

The blonde smirks, half-heartedly. "What can I say? I'm an over-achiever."

"Pff, since when?"

All eyes instantly flick to Sasuke as he says this. And he immediately curses himself. It had just felt natural for him to say that. But, obviously, no one is in the mood to joke around...

"So," Tsunade is the one to break the silence. "How did it happen? I'm assuming there was fight...though neither of you look hurt."

Naruto shakes his head. "No. We were on our way home and he just...appeared. He said he wanted to return to the village..."

Sakura's eyes can't get any wider at this point. He...is here on his own will? But...why?

"Well you're here now." Tsunade challenges. "So what are you after?"

A little smirk twitches at the corner of Sasuke's mouth. It's not like he'd expected them to blindly welcome him with open arms and ask no questions...but for everyone to be this openly suspicious...It simply caught him off guard. "I'm here as an ally." He tells her. "I'd like to rejoin Team 7 and serve the village once again."