Chapter 2: Punishment
...
"Sasuke. You're late. Don't forget that you still need to atone for your crimes."
"Granny."
"You. Do. Not. Call. Me. That. Shrimp."
"Anyways. I understand your good intentions, but seriously. Lock me up or something. I say that such treatment is pretty fair, don't ya think?"
"I've already decided on what you're going to be doing and I do not plan on changing anything."
"I'm saying that I much rather be whipped and confined in a cell for a few years rather than be on garbage duty."
"Uchiha Sasuke. You listen carefully. First of all, if it weren't for Naruto, I assure you that you won't be standing here in the first place. Secondly, punishments are not given according to the wrongdoer's preference. And lastly, arranging our ancient records and data books is not, and will never be considered "garbage duty."
"Aren't you wasting my skills by sending me to do such useless chores?"
"As arrogant as ever. I'll play fire with fire. You are now also responsible for checking and organizing the death records as well. That's final."
The furious boy stomped out.
"Stubborn kids. What a pain. I really can't wait until I retire."
...
"Sasuke-kun," Shizune greeted the boy. "I was expecting you." She pointed a finger at the highest shelf of the enormous data room. "You start from there and work your way down."
"My eyes are going to go bad just going through the first shelf."
"Aww. That's too bad since you're the last Uchiha clan member. Good luck." The Hokage's assistant smiled as she dismissed herself from her shift.
"Being a good guy isn't easy." Sasuke pulled out the first document and began organizing.
After pulling out a few more documents, Sasuke realized that they were already all in order.
[Did Shizune already finish this? Well, I did always like her better than that granny.]
Sasuke jumped down and walked to the room with the village's birth and death records. He was surprised to see that Shizune was already in there.
"Why are you helping me?" the egoist questioned.
"I'm not helping you. I'm just doing my work."
The two worked silently in the same room for a good few hours until the older woman shattered the silence.
"Sasuke-kun. That's the last pile. Look at it with extra care." Sasuke nodded.
"Thanks," the boy snuck in before Shizune left the room and closed the door.
[Sasuke-kun. Look carefully. You're a smart boy. Don't let it slip. After all, Lady Hokage didn't assign you to this job for nothing. With this, I hope you can forget all your desires for revenge, once and for all.]