I know, lame cliff hanger or what. Oh well.
NinaNatsu, Thanks for your reviews, i hope you like what ive done with Sasuke. :)
PirateQueen11, Wow, thanks for that review! The plot's going to get thicker from here on in.
GoingGhost, I'm going to be shortening the chapters so i can get them up faster, so you wont have to keep reading back. :)
Naruto's breath caught in his chest, he knew whoever yelled that – it wasn't Kakashi, and he only knew one other person who could perform that jutsu.
"You guys stay here and guard the kids, I'll be back."
Before Hinata could argue he disappeared, though not before setting up several genjutsu traps around the group. The gennin gathered the children around Hinata who was still resting from chakra depletion. Udon and Moegi set up complicated traps surrounding the group, close enough for them to know when they we're triggered but not too close.
"Hanabi, check our surroundings every few minutes with your Byakugan. Konohamaru, have your clones spread out evenly around the perimeter of the traps."
Hinata knew she had to do her best in organising a defence until Naruto came back, only when he was back could they move any further away from the village. She smiled towards the children, hoping to give them what little comfort she could at that moment in time.
As Naruto appeared in an unnatural clearing he realised he was right, it was Sasuke who had called out his ex-sensei's signature move. But what caught him by surprise was the fact that he was fighting sound shinobi. The numerous dead bodies of sound nin littered the area around him mounting up to at least 60, Sasuke stood panting slightly in the centre of the clearing.
Sasuke turned to where he sensed movement a split second ago, only to see his former team mate, Naruto staring at him with bewilderment evident in his cerulean eyes. Sasuke felt a mix of relieved and scared, he knew he had almost killed Naruto once but he was back to explain and to ask for forgiveness. True Sasuke had gone to Orochimaru, but not entirely of his own free will – the curse seal given to him by Orochimaru in the forest of death had greatly affected his mind and thoughts. The seal had practically made his mind think that it was for the best, and that everything would be fine as long as he stayed under Orochimaru's tutelage.
Though he had trained with Orochimaru, in the back of his head he regretted every moment of it; he regretted leaving his friends, no, his Family. But those thoughts did him no good, as the seal just repressed them and turned his thoughts against him. But when Sasuke had found his new lever of power, after all his training under Orochimaru; he finally had it. Sasuke had gained the Mangekyou Sharingan, not easily nor by simple hard work, but by practically torture. Orochimaru had made him watch many gruesome things that even most ninja would not see in their life time.
Though for Sasuke it was a relief, to know that he was more powerful and he could finally avenge the death of his clan. That wasn't the only relief he got from gaining the Mangekyou Sharingan, somehow his newly acquired form of Sharingan had a side affect with the curse seal he was marked with.
After hours of unimaginable pain endured alone in his quarters, Sasuke was free of the curse seal. He did not know how to explain it himself; it was as if the Mangekyou Sharingan was not a power to be contained by a curse seal. The breaking of the curse seal had allowed Sasuke to think clearly for the first time in almost three years, and he was beyond relieved. The first thing Sasuke did was flee Orochimaru's hideout and head towards Konoha, but on his way he had sensed Sound's forces heading in the same direction as him. The snake must have found out quickly just what had happened to his prized experiment and soon to be new body; Sasuke blamed himself for the ruins Konoha must be in right now.
"Sasuke, why are you here? And killing sound shinobi at that?"
Naruto looked confused yet unwavering as he spoke to his former team mate, he would not speak until he knew just why Sasuke was here, and seemingly helping Konoha.
"I-I'm sorry. There isn't time to explain we have to get away from Konoha, but please trust me – I am no longer marked with that blasted curse seal"
He showed Naruto his plain, cream coloured shoulder as proof. He just hoped it was enough to earn his trust for now; they desperately needed to get away from the war zone.
Naruto studied Sasuke's usually blank features, now he could see several emotions he rarely, if ever saw on the face of Uchiha Sasuke. Fear, regret and sorrow were the three emotions that set themselves apart from any others that may have been portrayed on his face at that moment.
"Fine, come on there are some others I told to wait for me a little ahead. But I swear, if you so much as hint that you're going to hurt any of them; I will not hesitate to incapacitate you."
Sasuke nodded in agreement, knowing that Naruto would follow through with his threat, after all this is Naruto – and he never goes back on his word.
As Naruto and Sasuke entered the clearing they we're met with two Hyuuga's in similar, yet different taijutsu stances, and a group of three gennin in tree's above them – also several shadow clones coming up behind them.
"Nice defence you set up Hinata-chan, but don't worry I'll fill you in on why he's here once we're further away from the danger zone."
Hinata nodded, and reluctantly stepped out of her stance and the younger ninja followed suit.
Did i explain the Sasuke/curse seal thing ok for you? (Let me know if you don't quite understand it - i'll explain it in further detail)
Please review, i'd like to know what you think and i will gladly take ideas on board - credit given obviously :P
Question: How would you like to see Sakura respond to Sasuke being back? Happy? Angry? Let me know!