Team 7's Strength

By: Sara Coyote

Tsunade's Determination

Author's Note- teary eyed awwwww. You guys are so sweet! I am so moved because I have never received so many positive comments 24 hours after I posted the fic! sob I LOVE YOU ALL!

So this chapter is mainly Tsunade meeting with everyone that knows Team 7. There is not a lot of action, some pre-romance for SasuSaku fans in the beginning, but it is mostly talking. I hope it will be interesting because there is a very moving speech made by Jiraiya. So I hope you all will enjoy it as much as you enjoyed chapter 1!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters; however, any future moves that you do not recognize are my own.

Whenever you are anticipating something, doesn't it seem like time moves extra slow, or even completely stops? Well, that is exactly how the newly-reunited Team 7 feels. Naruto, Kakashi, and Sakura seemed to feel like time around them stopped, as they were staring at their long lost comrade, just standing 7 feet in front of them. Even Sasuke himself could not help but feel apprehensive about seeing the family he abandoned 5 years ago, although his blank expression shows otherwise.

Tsunade and Shizune were standing off to the side, watching the showdown, waiting to see who would move first. The tension was killing everyone, and finally, Sasuke decided to take the first step. He barely got one foot in front of the other before a yellow blur came out of nowhere, and PUNCHED him right in the cheek! He stumbled a bit from the sudden blow of Naruto's hit, but easily regained his composure.

"Dobe..." Sasuke muttered, spitting blood out of his mouth, "that hurt,"

"NOT AS MUCH AS WHAT I'M ABOUT TO DO TO YOU, BASTARD!" Naruto was in mid-lunge when his face slammed into the rock hard (FANSERVICE) abs of Kakashi. He had stepped between the two, and flexed his pecs ( ;-) ) to stop Naruto from completely mauling Sasuke, and slamming into his own gut.

"Now boys," Kakashi sighed, "let's not kill each other JUST yet. We've just been reunited, and as your old father-figure, I must insist on seeing us all together, HAPPY, before the "fight-to-the-death" match," Sasuke could not keep the smirk down any longer. Seeing the Dobe, and his sensei act like he remembered, was like a sweet welcome home gift. He couldn't really blame Naruto for punching him, although he was beginning to doubt whether he really didn't mind as much as he thought he would.

Someone was missing, though, from this little group of greeters. He was actually surprised that Sakura hadn't already tried to throw herself into his arms, sobbing. He had a feeling that his absence from Konoha would change her somehow, but her staying back from the greeting of his return was the least of his expectations.

When Kakashi finally dragged Naruto back to where they originally stood, Sasuke finally saw Sakura. She was just standing there, a very calm, blank expression on her face as she watched him. She closed her eyes for a minute, and opened them again with a small smile on her face, looking directly at Sasuke. She walked over to him, with no rush in her steps, but not slow enough to infer that she was not excited to see him again. As she made her way over to him, the darkened clouds began to dissipate, making it brighter outside.

She stopped, three feet from him, and just stared at his face. Sasuke couldn't see any kind of predictable expression. This Sakura looking at him had such a thoughtful look in her eyes as she was starring. He felt like she was slowly peeling away all of his emotional and mental layers with her eyes, and trying to understand his reasons and thoughts in her head.

Another smile graced her lips, as rays of sunlight shot through the clouds which were nearly gone.

"Glad to have you back, Sasuke," Sasuke felt a sudden lurch in his stomach, it wasn't nausea, but felt warm in his chest. How like Sakura to bring the sun wherever she goes. The moment she gave him that quiet, warm welcome, the clouds just disappeared to reveal the bright sun.

She had definitely matured. Besides developing a mature woman's body, she had gained an aura about her that let people know that she was reliable, responsible, and wise. She was no longer skin and bones (A.N - not super skinny, but let's be honest, she wasn't as muscular as Ten-Ten or Temari in the manga), but looked how a strong Kunoichi should, without looking like Anko. He did notice that her hair was still short, brushing her shoulders. She also wore her forehead protector on her forehead, letting her hair down, and Sasuke couldn't help, but think to himself how cute her short hair looks.

He locked eyes with her, and was expecting to see years of pain and loneliness pushed back behind a mask so no one could see. But, what he saw was true maturity. That she had felt the pain of loneliness and loss, but she was able to get over it and move on. Just her eyes held unspoken wisdom from her years of training and missions, that he wasn't there for. Sasuke was right, 5 years had drastically changed Sakura, and he swelled with pride to see her…grown up. He would never tell anyone, but he had felt a little sad that she didn't come bounding into his arms screaming "Sasuke-kun!"…nonetheless, he was happy to see Sakura, Kakashi, and even the Dobe.

From the very moment he stepped through that dust screen he had never felt a greater urge to cry out, 'I'm home', but seeing his old team…his family…nearly pushed him over the edge.

After only a few minutes, Tsunade decided to take Shizune and leave Team 7 to their happy reunion. She also knew that she would have to face the council, as well as the other Jounins, Chuunins, and Anbu to discuss the punishment for Sasuke, and the future of Team 7.

Tsunade took her seat at the head of a long table filled by Asuma, Kurenai, and Gais' teams. Also at the table were the other Shinobi that knew the members of Team 7. She had wanted to meet with those that would know Team 7's background, so that she would have an army to defend the four against the council when it was time for Sasuke's trial.

"Well," Neji was the first to speak, "Hokage-sama?"

"Yes, Sasuke has returned," there was a low murmur, but everyone in the room already knew she was going to say that.

"Now what?" Shikamaru, being his lazy self, wanted to speed this meeting up.

"I have gathered all of you, because each of you knows Kakashi, Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke, two, three, or all four personally," Tsunade spoke, she wanted to make it clear what she was expecting of the Shinobi, "and I fear the decision the Council will make, will tear the team apart from one another again. I want all of you to be able to back me up when I argue the Council's punishment for Sasuke's actions,"

"That is one unlucky team," Ino snorted out.

"They are truly the most unstable out of all of us," Kurenai agreed.

"But they sure are formidable foes!" Kiba exclaimed.

"Especially when they fight together," Lee finished.

"With all due respect Hokage-sama," Ebisu's snotty voice stood out from the others', "Why should we go to all this trouble to keep Team 7 together? That team is doomed to separation because of their odd members. First of all the Fox boy has never been any good, and the last of the Uchihas is not proving to be any better. Both like to work alone, and the Uchiha has a one track mind. That sensei of theirs is not reliable in the least, and is too confident in his abilities. And let us not forget the girl, she is too compassionate to be a ninja and will never be able to carry out assassination jobs. Let's face it, that team can barely cooperate as one because its members are the rejects from the other teams. Team 7 is nothing but trouble, and I say the farther they are from each other, the easier all our lives will be," the room was completely silent.

Half were appalled by what Ebisu said, being close confidents of the members of Team 7. The other half were having second thoughts, and thinking maybe he wasn't that far off. However, the entire room was anxious as to what the Hokage's reaction would be. Everyone knew that she had a soft spot for both Naruto and Sakura, and were wondering if she was going to take those comments sitting down.

To everyone's surprise, she just sat there, hands folded under her chin looking around the room at all the talented Shinobi in front of her. An assistant came through the door with an envelope and handed it to Tsunade. She gave him a thanks, and Shizune shut the door. She opened the envelope and looked up at Ebisu.

"According to this message left by the Sandaime, "I remember you screaming and fainting at the first sight of blood on your very first 'A' class mission, Ebisu"," no one made a sound. Suddenly Asuma and Genma both burst out into laughter and tears, followed by Anko, Kiba, and Lee, until everyone was cracking up. No one seemed to notice that Ebisu had fainted, and was now lying under the table.

"Haha…no, but, seriously," Jiraiya began, "I don't think that anyone can actually comprehend the true power of Team 7," with that statement, the entire room quieted down in a thoughtful silence. "I mean, we talk about how unlucky that team is, and why, because of all the tragedies that each member has faced individually, and then the challenges that they had to face as a team. You all say that this is bad luck, I on the other hand say that they have gained the most mentally and physically than any team in this room, or in the history of Konoha," Jiraiya spoke with such wisdom, that he surprised even Tsunade.

"Kakashi's father died without the village honoring his bravery, so he had to carry that burden his whole life. And then he watched his best friend die in battle, but still received one last parting gift that would make him just as infamous as his father. He then tried to teach very genin team he ever received, the values of caring for ones team, and only ever found one that met his expectations. Naruto was given a great responsibility by the fourth hokage, with the hopes that someday he would be revered as a hero. Yet, the entire village did not see it that way, and shunned him, and without a loving family to turn to, Naruto was always alone. Iruka was the first who showed him kindness, and then he became a part of Team 7, whose other members would show him just as much love.

Sasuke saw his entire family killed by his own brother who he admired so much. And at such a young age, to be left with the job as avenger, he would have to train and push himself so hard that he would do anything to get power. In the process, he alienated anyone that might actually have cared for him. Had it not been for this "unlucky" team, Sasuke might have completely forgotten the meaning of family. And then Sakura, who is always overlooked because she specializes in medical and genjutsu, and is never really given credit for her physical strength. Young girls can be so cruel to each other, poor Sakura's self-esteem was crushed before it even had a chance to grow. The fact that her parents were never around certainly did not help the little Kunoichi. She knows the loneliness Naruto feels from the cold shoulder of other children, and she knows the loneliness of never having parents around. Yet she feels alienated from her own team because she doesn't think that she can relate to Naruto, Sasuke, or even Kakashi's level of loneliness. Yet despite each one's troubled past and present, they have managed to hold each other up, through acts of courage and strength that can only be exhibited in life or death situations," with this speech, everyone in the room was beginning to feel Tsunade's desperation for an army to defend Team 7.

"You say this team is destined to be split apart because of each other. I say, that this is the strongest team that I have ever laid eyes on, and I am one of the legendary Sannin. They have faced down death on more than one occasion, and each time have neither been afraid, or unprepared to fight it. Now, do you think, we should tear this miracle team apart, or do we want to do everything in our power to protect and keep the second generation Sannin and their teacher together?"

Tsunade smiled at Jiraiya's little speech and took the time to look around the room. On each shinobi's face was a new look of resolve, and she knew that whatever decision she would make to help defend Team 7, they would have her back.

"What I am planning to propose to the Council is that they put Sasuke under house arrest, and require Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura to live with him since his mansion is so huge. He is also not allowed to go on missions unless he is accompanied by the others, so for awhile they will only go on missions as Team 7. Is everyone with me?" Tsunade's eyes swept the room, making sure she held the gaze of each and every Shinobi there. There was a unanimous nod (with the exception of Ebisu who was still passed out under the table), and Tsunade had to restrain herself from crying. The loyalty of Konoha's Shinobi for one another is truly admirable, and one-of-a-kind.

Tsunade stood from her chair and walked towards the door, motioning for the others to follow. She stopped short before fully turning the knob.

"All of you are to go straight to the council room. The council does not know you are coming, and do not tell them why you are there. Shizune will do the talking until I return with Team 7," she gave them a very serious look before continuing, "Remember, the council will try every rule in the book to either expel, or execute Sasuke. I am counting on your smarts and arguing skills, that I know you have because you are all talented Shinobi, to defend my proposition and Sasuke whether you like him or not. Is that understood," She knew that the silence was a yes, so with a small grin to everyone in the room, she made a swift exit.