CHAPTER 1: Prisoner
"It seems that he did came back on his own will" The fifth Hokage was standing in her office facing the window with her arms crossed.
It took about three days to complete the interrogation and for them to finally conclude Sasuke's actions, and since he was also quite cooperative the past few days Tsunade has given him the benefit of the doubt that he will harm Konoha and its people. They discovered no plans of revenge from the Uchiha or anything that may jeopardize the village.
Overall, it's been six days since his return.
"Inoichi didn't find anything suspicious at all when he interrogated him several times?" Shizune asked while holding Tonton, the pig, in her arms.
She was nervous when she learned it was the Uchiha at the gate but after the interrogation it made her feel a bit of ease. If there was a man in Konoha who was skilled in finding information, no matter how well kept it was in a ninja's mind, Inoichi would be the best man for the job. The Yamanaka clan, after all, were skilled at Mind Transfer jutsus.
"Apparently no. Inoichi and his team searched through his mind not missing even the slightest detail. There were no sealing jutsus as well that might conceal any vital information about the Uchiha. He even confirmed the reports given to us a few months back that Sasuke indeed killed Orochimaru when he was training with him" Tsunade replied.
"So why did he want to return?"
"He wanted to know the truth about Itachi. According to him, which was also confirmed by Inoichi, his brother 'showed' him images of the past. Those images told him basically why Itachi murdered the clan. But unfortunately, I don't even know the whole thruth so I was unable to give him the answers that he wanted. And if my suspicious are true that the Elders were in a way, behind it, furthur investigation is still necessary before we could jump to conclusions."
"So his brother did not tell...I mean...'show' him who gave the orders then?"
"No. My guess is that he just wanted to let Sasuke know that, in the first place, he bears no ill-will against his younger brother and their clan. I will continue to have this matter investigated though. But do not tell him. I don't want to get his hopes up nor do I want to fuel another probable quest for vengeance from that boy" she turned away from the window and sat at her seat behind her table intertwining her fingers.
"Of course. But how did he take it?"
"He was quite cooperative the whole time but I can tell he has a lot going on in his mind. It will take him time to recover from all of it."
"So you mean..."
"Yes. I have decided to give Uchiha Sasuke a mild probation, if you call it. We know for a fact that he killed an adversary despite leaving the village, that as much can be counted as service to Konoha"
"What exactly did you have in mind for him to do?"
"Seeing as he did go rogue, he will temporarily be held prisoner for a week or until the interrogations are done and all information we need is obtained. After which he can go back to living in his own house. But he will not be allowed to leave the village for some time. So maybe sooner or later, depending on his behavior and conduct I can have his punishment minimized or lifted. I will see what else will need to be done with the current situation."
Shizune felt relief. Even though she doesn't entirely feel close to this Uchiha, she knows that both Naruto and Sakura cared about this person so much. And in a few days those two will be back from their mission.
A smile crept from the Hokage's face as the realization came to her.
Naruto, Sakura, what a surprise you two will have when you return.
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It was mid-afternoon. The sun was blazing hot but the path they took was thankfully abundant with trees and that gave them enough shade from the scorching heat as they walked.
"We're already heading back home and Kakashi-sensei still isn't here!" the blonde shinobi said irritated, "He said he'd come back when he left after receiving that 'urgent' message from Tsunade baa-chan!"
"I guess it can't be helped. It was a good thing that Hotei-san, didn't mention to just anyone he was leaving for a business trip," a pink-haired kunoichi replied, "Because if he did, enemies would take advantage of his absence and would target his daughter for ransom. We were lucky we didn't have to go fight enemies off especially since Kakashi wasn't with us". But still, she wondered what could have caused their sensei's absence.
I hope it was nothing bad, she thought.
They were lucky they weren't in such a tight situation a few days ago. Due to a accelerated demand of Leaf shinobis for different missions she and Naruto were the only ones sent out on this particular task. And with Kakashi being pulled out all of a sudden, it would have been at a disadvantage for them to be handling it all by themselves. Sure they were strong but there is always a good chance of winning with numbers.
If only Sasuke-kun was there with them too, she wouldn't mind if Kakashi would just leave so suddenly, at least there'd still be three people protecting their client rather than just two.
Sasuke-kun...I wonder where you are and what you're doing right now?
Thinking of him made her both sad and happy at the same time. It tore her apart when he left but the mere image of him lingering in her mind helps keep her going. Somehow, even if it will take forever, she will definitely bring him back. And not just physically. She wanted to bring Sasuke's heart, if not to her, then at least back to Konohagakure.
"That's just it! We didn't get to fight. There was no action in that mission at all!", her companion shouted breaking her thoughts, "Tsunade baa-chan only made us go there to babysit!", the blonde frowned.
It annoyed him to be doing petty missions like this, he wanted to go on missions that have more action and where he can polish his skills, not something as going out to babysit a merchant's daughter.
"Oh shut up, Naruto. It's hard enough that I got stuck with you alone on this one" she said annoyed with her noisy companion.
Naruto paused and smiled as he realized something.
"Hey! now that you mention it, we're here just the two of us. How about you and I have a date huh, Sakura-chan?". He was grinning ear to ear hoping to hear a positive response from the kunoichi. After all, they were together the past few days, might as well just continue on with a date and relax.
Sakura sighed, "I can't believe you're still at it even though I turned you down a number of times already. How about you try asking Hinata out for a change?".
Sakura loved Naruto but it was more of a brotherly love compared to what she has for Sasuke. She believes Naruto just asks her out because of habit. It's about time this fox-faced ninja give his attention to Hinata. Now that person truly loves Naruto, and Sakura knows it's not just brotherly love. It was the real thing.
"How about you say 'yes' for a change too?" he said teasingly, "but wait. What? Hinata-chan? What made you say that?". Naruto asked confused.
"Honestly" Sakura replied exasperated. "How dense can you be?"
"Eh?" the blonde tilted his head. He is stupid after all, Sakura thought.
"I'm just saying you should try asking her out on a date and find the answers yourself. Though it should've been obvious by now."
All of their friends knew about Hinata Hyuuga's crush on Naruto since they were in the academy. But Naruto was probably infatuated with Sakura so much that he hardly even notices the Hyuuga's affection. Maybe a little hint could help but Sakura wouldn't want to ruin it by spilling everything out. She thought it wasn't her place to be doing so anyway. Hinata is a good person with a pure heart who loves Naruto unconditionally. Both would most likely be well off having each other.
"Are you saying she likes me?" the blonde asked curiously with increasing interest, inching closer to her to listen carefully for an answer.
She looked at him with a frown and replied matter-of-factly, "You'll know the answer to that when you spend some time with her".
"Hmm...I've never really thought about it. But maybe I could take that as a 'yes' " He paused, grinning, "I' am gorgeous after all, aren't I? Hehe! Ack-!"
The next thing he knew he was sprawled on the ground, a big lump forming on his blonde head while Sakura stomped away annoyed.
"S-Sakura-chan…"
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The hallways were dimly lit as he walked, one hand on his pocket and the other one holding an orange book, the front cover showing a picture of a boy and a girl that looked like they were chasing each other flirtatiously. His visible eye scanning the pages despite the poor lighting. When he arrived from his mission earlier today, the Hokage immediately told him about the prisoner he was about to visit. It came as a shock to him, he wasn't really expecting this day to come. But he was glad it finally did. Even if it took three years.
"I see you still enjoy reading that book...", a familiar voice suddenly said flatly, "...Kakashi-sensei"
From all his reading, he didn't notice he was already where he intended to be. He stopped at his tracks and looked up from the book he was holding to face the owner of the voice who just spoke to him on the opposite side of the bars.
Sasuke was sitting parallel on his bed, eyes closed and with his legs crossed. His arms rested on his legs, fingers intertwined under his nose.
"Yo! long time no see...", he replied as he tucked his book away.
Half of his face was hidden with a mask, and his left eye is covered by his leaf headband. Only his right eye was visible and the little crease at its side meant he was smiling as he greeted. He still looked the same as he remembered, Sasuke thought.
"How did you know I was here?" Sasuke asked the gray-haired jounin as he opened his eyes to look at him.
Kakashi chuckled, "Always straight to the point, huh?"
The dark-haired ninja only waited for his answer.
Kakashi sighed. "Well, I just got back from my mission and was suppose to catch up with Naruto and Sakura on a different one but Hokage-sama told me that there was no need to do so and gave me a day off"
He paused for a bit, trying to see if Sasuke would say anything. When he didn't he continued, "She told me you were here. It was a bit of a shock for me really. And so I came to see you. How have you been, Sasuke?"
He found it odd that his former teacher is talking to him now so casually as if nothing ever happened, but he pushed the thought aside. He wasn't really in the mood to see anyone just yet but since he's here, might as well just get it over with.
"I assume the Hokage has told you why I'm here. So from that information I'm guessing you could figure out how I have been."
The jounin sweat-dropped. Still cold as ever, he thought and smiled sheepishly, "Maybe you could say that". He paused. "Anyway, what matters is that you're here now. Naruto and Sakura would be very pleased to see you."
Sasuke looked away, if his teacher was trying to cheer him up, not that he needed it, it wasn't really working.
"I wouldn't be so sure", he said unemotionally.
"What made you think that?"
He remembered his fight against his best friend at The Valley of the End where he left him half-dead and the second time, he tried to stab him at the back even though the blonde came to rescue him. Sakura saw what he tried to do to his comrade first hand."You were not there. I tried killing Naruto...twice" he replied casually, "And even I know he, nor Sakura, wouldn't take that lightly".
But Kakashi gave him a smile, "Then you don't know much about your comrades."
That caught Sasuke by surprise though he did well on not showing it.
"I must tell you that since you left they never once forgotten about you". He heared the Uchiha give a little 'Hmp" but continued, "I was the one who found Naruto in the Valley of the End so I got to witness his condition. But even after that, he tried desperately to bring you back. Kept pestering Hokage-sama about sending him out to find you. Along with Sakura. Even when you left, they remained loyal to you. I doubt that has changed even until now."
When Sasuke made no indication of answering, he decided he should best be going and give him some time to think about what he told him. He knew his visit was quite short, though Sasuke was obviously fine with it, but at least he was able to come and check on him and how he's holding up.
"Well then, I must be going". Sasuke moved only his eyes so he could see him as he motioned to leave. "I have to go finish my report and submit them. I'll be seeing you around then, Sasuke"
"Hn" was all he gave as a response to the jounin.
"Ja!" Kakashi smiled, gave a little wave and started to walk off leisurely, both hands in his pockets.
His bed creaked as he shifted uncomfortably. The room he was held prisoner was gloomy, dark and a little bit damp. He frowned, well what did he expect? That he'd be staying in his own bedroom? He hated feeling like he was a criminal, though in a way he is, locked up in a cell.
But he remembered how his interrogation went and his sentence is even better than what he expected. A week in custody and then probation. Not bad.
The Hokage was very considerate of him and he can't help but think that she does not want to put him in a hard situation than he is already in. She probably decided to give him a second chance and prove himself. Plus, when the interrogation found out he didn't even kill anyone, except for Orochimaru, that placed him in their good side. He was lucky after all. The security in his cell is not even that tight, if he wanted to he can probably get out...probably.
But escaping is not on his mind. All he want is to get this over with and being cooperative is the best way to it.
Was it even wise to come back? The same question still plagued him. He was unsure of his return even though at some point he agreed that he had no other choice. That this was the only option left if he did want to get answers.
Naruto's face appeared on his mind. That idiot would probably be furious knowing I'm here, he thought. He remembered the time when Naruto and his team came looking for him at one of Orochimaru's hideouts so they could bring him back to the village but only to be greeted by Sasuke's sword. His friend wanted to save him badly but with the way he handled his presence he doubted the blonde would welcome him whole-heartedly.
Hmp, not that it matters much to me. I don't care what he'll say or do. He's not the reason why I'm here after all.
He tried to clear his mind with anymore unnecessary contemplations but to no avail. This time an image of a pink-haired kunoichi took place in his thoughts.
"Stay here together with me...if that's not possible..then take me with you..." Sakura said as tears kept falling down her cheeks.
It was kind of a painful sight now that he thought about it.
"You really are...very annoying", he saw a pained expression on her face when he looked at her. And he turned away ready to leave.
Amusement was the reason why he said it that time, it was not meant to insult her in anyway though he realized that must have been what Sakura thought.
"Don't go! If you take one more step I'll start screaming!", she threatened.
With that, he knew he had to stop her from doing so even if it means he had to hurt her.
Why the hell am I even recalling those things? He mentally kicked himself. Sure back then those two would've wanted him back. But he guessed this time is different. They had seen him on his bad side, and that was probably enough for them to stop looking for him. He knew for a fact his former friends would never accept him ever again. That she wouldn't accept him no matter how attached she had felt towards him before.
He didn't know why but thinking about it gave him a little bit of...how should he put it...He can't say for sure. But he knew it wasn't a pleasant sensation.
It had been a while since Kakashi left and he remembered what the jounin said. "Even when you left, they remained loyal to you".
Was it true? How could those two feel the same about him after what he's done. He couldn't understand but it did help replace the unpleasant feeling he had just a few seconds ago.
When he decided to come back to Konoha, he thought that it was where he could find the answers to his questions. But it seems even the current Hokage does not know anything about it. They could not give him what he wanted, what he needed.
He realized the purpose of coming here is already gone. Knowing that, why did he agree to stay locked up in here? Even he himself was confused by his own actions.
Well, just because I don't have answers now doesn't mean I'm never going to get it. That's right. I'll stay a little longer and see how things will go. Sooner or later I'll get the truth out from it's shell. He decided.
It's been seven days since he was behind bars and he was getting impatient. Although he was often sent out for further interrogations, those were the only times he could get up and to go out for a little walk towards the interrogation room. He can't wait to get out of here and go back to his own bedroom, that is, if it's still in good condition.
Just one more day, he thought, just one more before I can finally get out from this pathetic prison.
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" I'm not really sure how Konoha deals with ex-rogue ninjas and how long they're going to be in prison or something hehe but if you can help it, don't mind the lack of punishment i gave Sasuke on this one =p"