Alrighty! So one week later I finally give you chapter four! YAY! haha there is some more Sasuke in here, and he is really hard to write. That jerk! Anywho here you go and please tell me what you think!


She pushed off of her left knee, and she quickly gained her feet; however, her vision was obstructed by little white dots, and she felt light-headed. Suddenly, the ground seemed to give under her, and before she knew it, she was falling. Everything disappeared as she was lost to darkness.

Juugo caught her before she could hit the floor.

"What the hell, she just faints for no reason?" Karin's loud, discriminating voice filled the chaotic room.

"Do not underestimate Sakura," Neji's soft, yet firm, voice followed, "She is a very capable kunoichi. Considering our unexpected arrival, she may have not slept in a while and was not prepared like she would be on a mission."

"Hey isn't it a ninja's code to always expect the unexpected, or something?" Suigetsu added to the conversation while waving his hand through the air, "You leaf people are always making excuses."

"You should be the one to talk Suigetsu! You couldn't even handle Juugo on your own!"

"Oh yeah! This coming from a chick that barely passes for a shinobi herself!"

Neji ignored them completely and instead turned to one of the nurses who had come rushing in behind the rogue shinobi. "Perhaps she can be placed on there," he pointed to the non-overturned bed, "and taken to another room to be examined." The young nurse was overwhelmed by what had just taken place between the ninjas and could only nod to indicate she understood the Jounin's veiled command.

Juugo brought Sakura's limp body over to the bed and gently set her down. For a brief moment, dark eyes rested on her figure; denying the feelings the sight invoked in him. Because, he argued, they were not there.

This is ridiculous. "We were going somewhere."


A door.

That's all that separated him from the man that destroyed everything. He destroyed his brother, which in turn destroyed his family; therefore, that man also destroyed... me.

Once that door opened, like Kakashi was now doing as he reached for the handle, he would come, once again, face to face with the man that Sasuke had to thank for what he had become.

The large, maroon door seemed to swing open in slow motion. Immediately, Sasuke's vision focused on the old man sitting behind the large wooden desk like a king on his throne. Anger, hatred, murderous intent all came rushing at him at once. The need to destroy this old man who was calmly staring back at him filled Sasuke's entire being, almost making him shake with rage.

Almost.

Instead, the young man's pale face remained completely stoic under the dark bangs that shadowed his features. After all, Sasuke had excellent practice at burying his emotions. Granted, the feelings he was now forcefully beating back; he had thrived off of for the past nine years.

"Ah, Kakashi. What have you brought to me today?" Sarcasm seemed to weave through and embrace the words that flowed from the man's mouth.

"Lord Hokage, I have brought the rouge ninjas Karin, Suigetsu, and Juugo as well as the missing-ninja Uchiha Sasuke. All wish to pledge their allegiance to Kohonagakure."

The man seemed to take in the copy ninja's words for a few moments. "How do I know they are sincere? How do I know that they will not betray us?" The questions weren't stated for actual answers; their purpose was to wound the pride of shinobi brought before him.

Breathe. Remember to breathe. Sasuke stepped forward, so he was standing by Kakashi's side. "I wish," the first two words were forced out and sounded like it. He took a breath to compose himself, "to be accepted back into Kohonagakure in exchange for information on the organization that are known as the Akatski. On my honor-"

A snort of disbelief interrupted him. Without turning his head, Sasuke glared at the masked man to his left out of the corner of his eye.

Undeterred, the masked figure boldly stated, "What honor does an Uchiha have." This caused Sasuke to whip his head in the direction of the man, his eyes the color of blood. Before he could do anything, the man known as the hokage spoke in a careless tone, "That is enough. You are dismissed." In a poof the offender was gone.

"You want to return to the hidden leaf in exchange for information." Sasuke returned his attention to the vile man in front of him. "That is correct."

"So political." He is amused by me. Sasuke realized. He thinks of me as a child. Instead of infuriating him more, like it would under any other circumstances, the revelation gave Sasuke an advantage. It meant that any threat Sasuke may pose would not be taken seriously, which meant that he would be treated with indifference.

"Of course someone who deals so politically, must know that their side of the bargain is lacking."

"Of course." He conceited. Sasuke already knew were this was going. Children.

"I will grant your request if you agree to a few conditions." The man behind the desk leaned back in his chair. Sasuke looked right at him and without hesitation replied, "Whatever you want." It killed him a little inside to give the man who ruined his family that power over him. What honor indeed.

"You are a missing S-class ninja. I can not in good conscience just let you roam free through my village. If you seriously wish to return, you are first sentenced to six months in prison. After your sentence, you will have a year of patrol. During that year, it would be…" he trailed off trying to find the right word, "favorable for you to find a wife."

Basically produce future ninja for his use. The thought made Sasuke clench his jaw painfully.

Instead of giving a verbal response, Sasuke managed to barely nod. He could feel the shock of his team behind him. He was filled with bitter amusement at their reaction. After all I'm only sixteen. Danzo seemed pleased by his cooperation. "What about the rest of them?"

"They are loyal to me, if I pledge my loyalty to the leaf, they are loyal to the leaf. Also, they have special talents that may come in use." The Hokage sat in silence for an entire minute, debating whether or not to grant pardon to all of the teenagers before him. Finally, he made his decision.


Sounds of panting could be heard along with the click of sandals rapidly hitting the floor. As soon as Naruto heard Sasuke and the others were taken to that bastard Danzo, he ran out of the middle of his examination and made his way towards the Hokage's tower. He didn't even bother to wipe the blood from the side of his face.

Damn. Naruto was worried. As he sprinted, his brow creased. Sasuke was unstable, he would admit. He was worried that his lost team member would let his anger get the best of him and try attacking the bastard hokage. Sasuke, you teme, please please keep your cool.

Naruto ripped open the doors to the tower, and proceeded to take three steps at a time up the staircase to the hokage's main meeting room. Reaching the floor, he skidded and almost fell completely as he mad a sharp turn. Once he regained his balance, he looked up to realize Sasuke's entourage ahead of him. He let out a large breath and slowed his pace to a jog until he met the group and then fell into step beside a handcuffed Sasuke being led non-to-gently by a very serious looking Kakashi. If Kakashi has him then it can't be too bad can it?

"What happened? Why are you cuffed?" He managed to rasp out between uncontrolled breathing.

"Sasuke has been sentenced to six months in prison," Was Kakashi's detached answer. Neither of them looked at Naruto. Wait, what? "Then what will happen? What about the rest of them?" Naruto gestured to the others that were being lead in a similar manner behind them.

"Sasuke's team is being taken to a holding center for questioning. They will be tested as to whether or not they are useful for the village. If they are found to be of no use, then they will be disposed of." Again Naruto was taken back by the hokage's brutality.

"That's terrible. It isn't fair they haven't done anything wrong to our village!" Suddenly, Kakashi stopped and rounded on Naruto with a look in his eye that immediately shut Naruto's mouth. "The days of a merciful and kind leader are over," his voice was quick and clipped, not the usual drawl Kakashi normally used, which meant he was worried, agitated, or both, "Danzo is not one to mess around or grant pardons if he does not see something he can gain out of it himself. You need to get that through your head Naruto. They are lucky to be tested at all and not simply put to death." As quickly as he stopped, Kakashi was going again with a silent Sasuke being held by his right arm and collar.

For a second, Naruto was stunned by his old sensei's spiel. H-he can't be that heartless can he? Then Naruto remembered the unforgivable act Danzo performed nearly nine years ago: he ordered the massacre of Sasuke's family. A cold feeling formed in the bottom of Naruto's gut at the thought of the man that was leading his precious village. He will pay. Hokage or not. As this silent promise was made, Naruto's worried and bewildered face drew into one of determination and anger.

Then he remembered that Sasuke was presently being hauled to prison. He snapped out of his momentary stupor and chased after his former teammate and sensei.

"What about after the sentence? Then what will happen?" Naruto again questioned innocently when he had caught up to them. Now they were going down the stairs still at a rapid pace, though more careful of their steps. "After his sentence, he will have one year of probation. During that year he is expected to find a wife."

"WHAT!" The shout echoed through the staircase. Kakashi quickly glanced at him in his outburst. "Bu-but teme's only sixteen! He can't get married!"

"Actually," for the first time, Sasuke's smooth voice cut into the conversation, quieting Naruto in the process, "I will be seventeen when I get out."

Naruto's mouth hung open intelligently; his eyebrows were once again scrunched in confusion, "How are you taking this so well Sasuke?" To be honest, Naruto wasn't expecting anything other then a slap on the wrist for Sasuke, then everything would go back to how it was before. then again, he had naively thought of the old bag dealing out the punishment as well, but that didn't exactly happen.

"It's all means to an end Naruto," If possible, Naruto's expression became even more confused before Sasuke continued, "But I haven't forgotten what you told me." Sasuke turned to look Naruto in the eye. A moment of understanding passed between them.

"But who will you marry?" All walking stopped as the question that Sasuke didn't know the answer to was asked. They were standing in front of the doors that would lead them out of the tower and into the dark street. Who? He stared, unseeing at his bound hands, then his lips parted just enough to let a barely perceptible gasp escape. Without thinking, an image flashed before Sasuke's eyes. With a blink it was gone.

He turned to look at Naruto once again, "I'll marry someone I can trust." A shocked inhale could be heard from behind them. Naruto took the time to turn and glare at the red-head who let out the offending noise.

"It would have to be a leaf residence." Kakashi softly stated looking off into the distance through the glass door in front of him.

With that statement they all knew who it would be.

"Sakara-chan."


Why Sakura-chan? Why would you do this to me? I loved you, and you let me die? You let him kill me? Why Sakura-chan?

Sakura-chan?

Sa-ku-ra- ch-a-n?

Sakura-Chan?!

The pink-haired girl bolted up in the bed with wide eyes, only to come face to face with the bloodied Naruto from her dream.

AAAHHH! In a blink of an eye she had jumped back against the wall behind her bed, away from the terrifying figure before her. To her horror, the Naruto with a line of blood running down the side of his face leaned towards her, was reaching for her.

"Stop! Stop!" She cried out in desperation while trying to sink through the wall behind her. At her outburst, the nightmare before her pulled his hands back, and his face turned confused.

"Are you all right?" Sakura opened her mouth, and the force of the relieved breath she took caused her chest to heave and sounded shaky. It's the real Naruto. It was just a dream. It was just a dream.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She slowly moved to sit beside him. She was still slightly shaking. Naruto gave her a disbelieving look. She turned defensive at the look and stuck her finger in his chest. "You know you really need to bathe! We have been here for what? Six hours, and you still have blood and grime caked all over you!" She reprimanded in a motherly tone.

The familiar ness of her scolding him caused Naruto to break out into a grin. "Geeze Sakura-chan I didn't think I smelled that bad. I mean you're not a bunch of roses you-"

He was cut off by her twitching eye. "Um um I mean…" He leaned away from her, desperately waving his hands in front of him in an attempt to ward her off. "What did you wake me up for?" The words were forced as she was trying to control her anger.

The reminder of why he was there, instantly sobered him, and he looked to the floor, his face sad. Sakura's anger dissipated, and she was suddenly filled with worry. "What's the matter? Is Sasuke-?" She couldn't even finish the sentence it was too horrible to voice. Please, please Kami no. Not after everything we've been through.

"No!" Naruto quickly snapped his gaze to her worried expression, "No, it isn't anything like that, Sasuke is fine." He heaved a sigh before he continued with his eyes again turned to the floor before him, "He was sentenced to six months in prison."

Well that's not too bad. "But, after that, he has a year probation," he heaved another sigh, "during that time Sasuke is expected to marry." Hesitantly, Naruto lifted his eyes to look at Sakura with pity. Well that isn't bad at all. Confusion was etched all over her face as to why Naruto was directing such a sad look at her. I mean yeah it would suck to be forced to marry someone…why is Naruto looking at me like that? It's not like I…

Her thoughts trailed off as she realized the look wasn't just being directed towards her, it was for her.

I would be marrying a traitor. Not only a traitor, a stranger. Thoughts of thirteen-year-old Sasuke's indifference rushed to the forefront of her mind. He hate's me. Everyone will hate me. Sakura thought all of this in the one second that realization hit her.

"No." The denial was firm, albeit soft.

Naruto twisted his body to face her, "Please Sakura. It won't even be a real marriage; it would just be to uphold his end of the deal."

"No Naruto." It was more firm this time.

"Please Sakura," His voice turned to a tone that sounded like he was physically in pain, "If not for Sasuke, do it for me. Do it for Kakashi." Sakura shut her eyes to the sight of Naruto's pleading and took a deep, steady breath. If she were to accept, she would be betraying not her village, but herself. After everything she went through to be strong, so people would look at her with respect; it would all be for nothing. She would be viewed by most of the village as a taitor for marrying one. She would be seen as pathetic for throwing away all her morals for her childhood crush even though that was not the case.

But,

with her eyes shut, she could see…

Why Sakura-Chan?...Why?

When she opened her eyes again, a look of determination filled them.

"I'll do it." For you Naruto. The grin that resulted from her concession was blinding before she was engulfed in a bone-crushing hug that she half-heartedly returned. "Oh thank you Sakura-Chan! You won't regret it! I promise!" And maybe…

For you too Sasuke.


Oh my gosh! you have no idea- no idea- how difficult it is to try and keep Sasuke in character, I hope I did it to you readers satisfaction. I do not own Naruto and please please review! It would really help motivate me to update sooner ;) haha