Title: Reunion of Shadows
Author: Lisea18
Rating: T will be M later
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, I'm making no money from writing this

A big thank you to Lady Valtaya who was my Beta for this story!

Author's note: English is not my first language, so please forgive my mistakes.

Reunion of Shadows 2

"Then tell me Kakashi, did Obito Uchiha really give you his eye or where you ordered to kill him and you took a prize?"

A tense silence settled over the room for what seemed like hours but it lasted only seconds. Sasuke felt the movement in front of him, the hand rising. He braced himself for the blow, smirking at his victory. He had made the lazy Jounin lose it. Even if it bothered him, he had to admit he was relieved… because this reaction meant it hadn't been true. Kakashi hadn't killed Obito and stolen his eye.

Yet, instead of a punch or slap, he felt cool fingers and battered leather grace his cheeks, stroking gently. So gently it was more painful than any kind of attack. Another hand joined the first, on his other cheek, cupping his face.

'What happened to you?' Kakashi wanted to ask, but he knew that such a direct question would only ensure that he never got an answer out of the boy. Instead, he had to focus on the clues Sasuke was giving him…

"Ordered? Who would have given such an order? Uchihas were very useful to Konoha," Kakashi pointed out, not letting go of his student's face.

He wanted to ease this pain he saw. It was carved so deeply into the young man's countenance that you had the feeling Sasuke had built his whole personality on it… even his body. It was pain that drove him to get stronger; he carried himself with pride, even arrogance sometimes, (especially toward Naruto) to hide the insecurities that were eating him alive. What had he learned that would cause all the hatred and self-loathing that boiled so quietly inside him, to lash out at the rest of the world?

A disdainful snort answered him; a deep scowl marred the delicate features. Sasuke jerked his head away from Kakashi's hands. His silky hair settled back on his face, making the blindfold stand out even more, as well as Sasuke's natural untamed beauty. When his well shaped lips parted, it was a low, dangerous growl that escaped:

"Remember what I said about people rejecting the Uchihas? You said my clan became secretive… I suppose you were referring to the fact they lived among themselves. You were wrong!"

Kakashi inwardly flinched at the bitter tone but didn't move or speak, waiting for Sasuke to free his anger, his poison. His silence seemed to unnerve his student even more. This wasn't the first time he'd had to speak to Sasuke while he was tied down. However this time, Kakashi wasn't trying to beat some sense into him; instead, he had to learn Konoha's dirty secret.

It wasn't normal that after helping Konoha, even if he was a missing nin, that he was locked in the Tower. That he was imprisoned could be expected, but to be totally cut off from anyone and all of the ties that must have brought him back here? That he was not even cured before being sent here was equally disquieting. It meant they were hiding something and he needed to know what, especially since the frog never made it to Naruto. Sasuke's reluctance to tell him the whole story was also worrisome. Why wouldn't he just say it? Maybe because Kakashi knew him too well… and it only meant bad things.

"I was wrong?" he prompted, keeping himself eerily calm.

Being able to keep himself in check was one of his strongest point, and it had always worked wonders against Sasuke. He still remembered the dumbfound expression when the teen had threatened to kill all his precious people and he had answered he had none left. Now that he looked at this young man he knew those words had been false.

"They were confined, slaves for the defence of the village they helped to create! Everyone thought it was because they felt they were too good to mingle with the other families! They mirrored the Hokages' mistrust of the Uchiha without questioning it! Just like you never trusted me, sensei!"

A swirl of emotion waged war in Kakashi's heart. Confusion at what Sasuke was telling him, hurt at the last accusation. This time, he knew he had to answer it, or Sasuke would lose interest in talking to him.

"I trusted you."

Sasuke's head snapped up, as if his blindfolded eyes could see him, and measure those words.

"I still sort of do, I believe you won't lie to me," added Kakashi.

He had to admit, he'd given up on Sasuke when the latter had left Konoha. He had tried only once to retrieve him, he could even talk about the teen while Naruto and Sakura couldn't since it brought down depression. He had known Orochimaru and Itachi had won; there would be no stopping Sasuke. He would take his revenge. But… he had always believed he would come back to them afterward. Now however, he wondered why he had come back… if his clan had been mistreated by Konoha, why come back to face it again? More importantly who could've told him that? Was it even true?

Sasuke snorted disdainfully at his words. Kakashi couldn't help but smile, it brought back memories. Slowly, he knelled in front of the young man, his nostrils assaulted by the bitter sweet scent of his ex-student. Always so many faces to him; bitter and sweet, nice but cold…

Gently he let his finger reach for the blindfold, feeling the powerful jutsu and working around it. He had to prove his words. Finally, he felt the silky texture slide on his fingers and he pulled it away, revealing stormy dark eyes. They locked with Kakashi's, their intensity creating a lump in his throat. He backed up, still crouching on the floor, flipping open his Icha Icha paradise to give Sasuke some distance.

Dark eyes blinked to adapt to the sudden light, then slowly took in the surroundings. Finally they settled again on the grey haired man, sliding along his body, his face as if seeing him for the first time. Kakashi knew better, he was being sized up, analyzed.

"It's a dangerous choice you've made, Kakashi-sensei; it would have been safer to unlock my hands."

He had to agree wholeheartedly; he knew he couldn't hold a candle to Sasuke's Sharigan. But, that offered proof of his utmost trust.

A smirk graced Sasuke's handsome features; it was impressive how well this expression suited him. Kakashi frowned, realising his mind had focused again on the boy's almost ethereal beauty. This wasn't good; he had always been a bit entranced by Sasuke, but had never acted on it…

Sasuke wasn't a child anymore; he was a proud, strong man, radiating determination and a fierce, untamed spirit ready to devour you alive. Yet he was also a kind man, one who didn't kill unnecessarily because he knew far too well, the finality of death. He was a dark predator that wasn't looking for redemption because he had always understood the consequences of his choices. No, he wasn't a child; he wasn't his student anymore either… this time there was nothing to prevent Kakashi from falling.

"Like I said I trust you, furthermore you've always been deeply kind even when you try to hide it… or maybe you are just not really good at expressing yourself for fear of being hurt again," he replied.

The fathomless black eyes released him from their hold, shifting to look at the seals, as if studying them. He had always known, ever since laying eyes on the young boy entrusted to him that Sasuke was dual natured. Though he'd tormented Naruto many times, Sasuke was also deeply protective of the other boy. And occasionally, Kakashi had doubted that even Sasuke really understood why. Sasuke was nice but wary of showing it. How many times had he saved Naruto or Sakura when he didn't have too? Then he had also encouraged them, helping Sakura when he had saw that she wasn't feeling strong enough to be part of the Chuunin exam. He also said what he had on his mind, not hesitating to compliment his team-mates when they deserved it, even if he had to add something like "dobe" after. He was always subtle, but he had been a big help to have around in looking after the other two. Naruto had noticed in contrast, that when he had teamed with Sai, the former Root shinobi didn't give a crap about him- or anyone else. He sighed, after Orochimaru hit Sasuke with the cursed seal, everything just happened so fast…

Sasuke's silky voice brought him back to the situation at hand, even though he didn't look up from his book. He refused to show how much Konoha's secret worried him, he also refused to show how easily Sasuke was slowly crawling under his skin, waking feelings he had thought were long dead. He thought he'd buried them deep enough inside, but it seemed they had only been lurking just beneath the surface.

"Itachi once told me being part of the police department was a huge honour, that it took exceptional ninja to be able to catch and punish other ninja."

Kakashi ticked at the use of Itachi's name, at the way Sasuke's voice had softened and tinted with sorrow… one of great loss, rather than hatred and betrayal. It was the first time Kakashi heard the man speak of his brother. Something had changed.

"Yes, I believe he was right," offered Kakashi, still wondering where Sasuke was slowly but surely bringing him.

"Look underneath the underneath, sensei!"

He frowned, wondering what he was still missing. Let's see what clues the cunning man had given him. The military police? Well, that organization had been created just a few weeks after the First's younger brother was chosen to be the second Hokage. They had a protective duty that complemented the Anbu's.

The Anbu protect the Hokage, and they also hunt down and kill the missing nins. Kakashi felt his mouth slacken in shock. The Military Police had no real power since the most important roles that they could have filled were already taken up by the Anbu! Realisation struck hard; his Icha Icha paradise nearly falling from his grasp. The military was just a puppet!

"Did you really not notice? No-one took over the police station- if it was such a vital and important part of the village, it wouldn't have been allowed to die," Sasuke pointed out.

How could he have missed that? How? He had written it off as the shock of the massacre; that it was out of respect that they hadn't restructured the military. Maybe that was why Obito had never mentioned wanting to be part of the military… he had to have known. Kakashi raised his head, meeting the confident smirk of this ex-student and his blazing eyes.

"We were a strong clan weren't we? How come none of us became Hokage?" he asked, helping Kakashi dig into the past.

Well usually Hokage had to have been part of the Anbu for a while, to know how everything was working. He blinked. Uchiha were the military and now he knew Anbu kept an eye on them… Now that he thought about it, Itachi had been one of the first and only Uchiha allowed in the Anbu that Kakashi had heard of.

The ceremony of introduction had just finished. Kakashi was heading to his house when he spotted some Uchihas surrounding the new Anbu, the youngest ever allowed to join, the genius Uchiha Itachi. No doubt they were very pleased. Kakashi on the other hand was torn between joy at having such a good ally and the sorrow it brought to him. He touched his covered eye. Obito.

"Don't forget Itachi, you have a key position, you are a link between Konoha and the Uchihas," urged a grim voice.

Kakashi had sighed. Fugaku-san was always so demanding of his sons.

Now he understood why Fugaku-san had acted this way. So, Konoha with its gentle, caring facade had duped even him. At that time Kakashi hadn't noticed much tension- well it existed of course, since the Uchiha were powerful and tended to strive for power -now he knew why! They weren't given any! He had thought little of it though; after all, it was the same with the Hyuuga. Another clan that had locked itself in an estate…

Sasuke's word came back to his memory "They were confined, slaves for the defence of the village they helped to create." Obito didn't live in the Uchiha estate- it didn't exist at that time… it… The Kyuubi! Just after the tragedy, all the Uchiha had moved – or were forced to move? Into what was to be known as the Uchiha estate. People had said they thought themselves too good to live among the rest of the village, being the military and all. So the Hokage's mistrust had spread to the village's people: they had suspected the Uchiha had launched Kyuubi on the village. He hadn't seen that, maybe because he kinda avoided the Uchiha, because those who remembered him, reminded him too much of the deceased Obito.

It was one more reason why Itachi being an Anbu had meant so much at the time. Now he could see all the injustices that had weighted on the Uchihas. No wonder Sasuke had a grudge with them.

"Sasuke, I'm sorry for how they treated your clan but –"

It took all his nerve and will for Kakashi not to jump back when his ex-student lunged against his chains, eyes turning to deep pools of crimson, the dark coma spinning.

"Look deeper into it!" Sasuke snarled.

If there was more than this, Kakashi wasn't sure he wanted to find it, but this reunion would be for nothing if he turned away from the puzzle now. Sasuke would never forgive him and would hate the village even more… to have such a deep rancour for Konoha meant there were more to discover. Fingers tightening on his precious book, he tried to look deeper. Sasuke trusted him to understand, to find the truth… because just telling him the story would have less impact than Kakashi deducing it himself.

He had left clues for him to follow… No… No. It couldn't be… Sasuke's accusation returned unbidden to his mind: "Then tell me Kakashi, did Obito Uchiha really give you his eye or where you ordered to kill him and you took a prize?" The bitterness in his tone had thrown him earlier, but suddenly it seemed disturbingly legitimate…

'No…' Kakashi shook his head. 'Konoha didn't! They wouldn't!'

He felt the piercing eyes of Sasuke fall on him, as if following his inner turmoil.

"They sent Sai to kill me, it was his secret mission; you can ask Sakura, Naruto and Yamato, even Sai."

"I don't need too," replied Kakashi, the words slipping from his lips almost unconsciously.

He was still processing all the information, adding this new bit to his mind process. It was strange that even Granny Chiyo of the Sand had said: if you are alone against an Uchiha, run, if you are two it's worth the try. It was strange, because weren't the Uchiha supposed to be part of team Konoha? Then why did so many Uchiha develop such a fierce reputation for their ability to work alone with such brutal efficiency?

Because they were afraid their own teammates would be asked to murder them after their mission? He had a hard time believing that. But it made him wonder, how many Uchiha must've died from the result of their injuries or because that was the true objective of their mission? He couldn't picture Yondaime or Sandaime ordering such a thing. No- it wasn't possible. Even if during their reigns the Uchiha had been treated unfairly, he didn't think they were truly at fault.

So who? The council. It had to be the Elders, because they were the only ones able to stand at equal footing with the Hokage. And he shouldn't forget Root, either.

"Danzo," he murmured, fists closing in suppressed anger.

"Along with Homura, Koharu and in a part Sandaime."

Kakashi's head snapped up a little too fast. Sasuke smirked at him for this show of concern. The young man seemed back in control, appeased in a way but sorrow seemed to have crept on him, darkening everything.

"Let me clean up your clogged mind, Kakashi-sensei, I will tell you the end of the truth you were seeking," announced Sasuke, voice silky but with an unmistakable sharp edge to it.

"Why suddenly tell me and let me find out like before?" wondered Kakashi, his book back in front of his face.

"Because Konoha raised you so well that you won't even be able to think of the rest yourself."

Kakashi couldn't raise his eyes to meet the smouldering ones of his ex-student. They would eat him alive. So he simply waited for Sasuke to answer his unspoken question about Sandaime.

Voice unwavering, Sasuke began his tale from the very beginning. Two clans, always fighting that finally decided to form an alliance- an alliance of unrivalled power on the battlefield. He confirmed all of Kakashi's hypothesis, adding to them the misgivings of Madara and his talk of rebellion. Instead, Madara fought Hashirama alone, which lead to the future Hokages' mistrust and the growing anger of the Uchiha clan who'd refused to see that the man was right until it was already too late.

Finally, he reached the part that still evaded the jounin.

"And so my father, decided to wait; with all the clan behind him, he waited for an opportune moment to take over the village. Itachi was a precious link in his plan but… he had underestimated Konoha's cunning."

Sasuke waited a moment, as if daring Kakashi to comment on that last sentence. He kept quiet, now understanding even more why Itachi being part of the Anbu had been important.

"You said I was kind, Itachi was even more so. He was a pacifist; he saw the war when he was really young and knew how hard it was. That is why they choose him. The council made him enter the Anbu and ordered him… to destroy his clan. Kill every single one of them: men, women, old and young. Can you image his dilemma? The horror of this choice?"

So that was why they had allowed an Uchiha in the Anbu, it wasn't to help built a new trust. And the Uchihas hadn't been hoping for it either, they needed Itachi's new position to help them take over. Unable to answer, Kakashi just listened, so Sasuke continued.

"He could either let my father start a civil war - a battle that would weaken the village and drag the whole ninja world in another horrid war… or murder his family. Sandaime wasn't for this, he tried to appease things, to talk to the Uchiha, but after so many years of mistrust, disrespect and abuse, they refused. Itachi had to choose and as you know he chose the later, probably because he knew Konoha would find a way to destroy them anyway… So, he chose to kill them all, in hope he could save me. Itachi's only condition was that I was never told the truth and be kept alive. When Sandaime died, he came back to the village just to show he was still alive and ready to destroy anyone who dared lift a finger against me."

Kakashi had faced Itachi at that time, wondering why he had returned to the village.

"I would never have known, but Madara helped Itachi erase my clan, and he's still alive. He told me everything." Sasuke's voice was softer now. "Subconsciously, I knew Itachi had a reason, because I never really managed to hate him as he wanted me to… The trauma, or maybe Itachi himself, had sealed part of my memory… the part where I saw him crying as he left the village that night."

A heavy silence fell, neither of the two men moved in the slightest. Kakashi let a sigh escape his lips.

Indeed he wouldn't have deemed that possible, but it made sense, it seemed awfully true. Konoha's dirty secret was a frightening one. He understood now why Sasuke was in the Tower; the elders couldn't let such a thing to be known to the world so the truth had to be silenced. No doubt they would execute him soon.

Sasuke… he had to be broken beyond all imagination… yet he stood so straight… to think he had believed his clan to be respected, had believed his brother to be a psychopath and had tried to hate him even when he could not erase the memory of his kindness from his heart. He had sacrificed everything for a fake purpose- vengeance built on Konoha's lies…

And worse, Kakashi, who told people to look underneath the underneath, who wore the weight of so many precious people's deaths…, he had seen nothing. Absolutely nothing. He had failed Sasuke… Obito…

"Do not feel guilty, Kakashi-sensei," a voice whispered in his ear.

Kakashi swirled around only to meet Sasuke crouched there, free of his bonds, a gentle but mocking smirk on his lips.

-To be continued-

I'm a lost case. What was supposed to be a 2 chapters fic is growing. I want to know if you're interested by this story, I need to know so I can choose if I end it in the next chapter or decide to transform it into a bigger story.

Reviews makes me happy, happy writer means writer that keeps writing lol (even if I'm slower than a snail)