Why? Chapter 9

Something didn't feel right. Something was wrong. Though everything was wrong about the situation to start with, something else was sticking out like a sore thumb. And he just couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. He couldn't see, hear, smell, taste or sense anything. That just led to a sour taste of failure in his mouth. What was going on? He had sent the message. He had gotten word out and had hidden his team well… so why was it that everything was hazy and unfocused? He felt like he had been captured in a genjutsu. As far as he could tell, he wasn't. This led him back to where he started. What was going on?

Genma shook his head lightly to clear it. Everything was so foggy. He could only remember snatches of conversation with his team before this. He remembered setting a small fire up so that Raidou could properly care for and clean up Izumo. And strangely enough, that was all he could remember. He knew that they had gotten far enough away that Orochimaru wouldn't be after them. Though escaping had brought them further away from their mission. Right now, they were supposed to be investigating the Hanare Sasuke had been at and taking their time going through the nearby non-shinobi village.

But no, here they all sat, dreary and sleepy, a small fire crackling with light, leafy forest sounds surrounding them and lulling them into a sleep that they desperately needed. But there was that feeling that Shiranui just couldn't shake. The feeling that something was wrong. The something was lurking in the shadows, waiting for them to screw up. With this gut feeling in mind, Genma forced his bleary mind to stay conscious and his brown eyes to keep watch while his team mates slept soundly close to him.

His thoughts wandered, trying to stay focused on something long enough to distract him from the sleep he longed for. So they wandered aimlessly, lost and confused till they hit a focal point. Sakura. How was she? He had only been gone for 13 days. Just short of two weeks. He wondered if she was worried for him; not receiving a letter from him at all. That is what the Jounin normally did during his longer missions and yet the only word he had sent out was yesterday to the Hokage about his current position and condition. Sakura would be informed; he had no doubt. She would be a nervous wreck and he hated doing that to his dear sister, but what else could he do?

She was 18 for crying-out-loud! She could take care of herself. But that didn't stop him from worrying about her. How would she be dealing with the Uchiha being there? Genma knew that he was supposed to have a shift to check on the Uchiha though, at this point, he really couldn't care less. Uchiha Sasuke could go die in a damp, dark, dingy, depressing hole and rot to the depths of hell and have his soul cursed for all eternity for what he put Sakura through when he left.

Genma sighed audibly and glanced over at the sleeping men. 'This is becoming quite interesting. Hokage, I hope you send someone soon…'

--

To say the poor former missing Nin was bored would be the biggest understatement of the year. Sasuke was just about ready to run away from Konoha again just for the sake of doing something other than lazing around his home. He longed to be outside. No one understood fully the situation that was going through his mind. It was either slip slowly into madness and hope they don't shoot him for foaming at the mouth, or, next time someone came over to check him, he could try and be nice and ask for things to do. Though Sasuke didn't really like the thought of being nice to someone. Nice was just not in his vocabulary.

But he would try anyways. It had only been three weeks since the beginning of his house arrest and he had two more months to go. There had to be something he could do. And he would have to get someone to get him more groceries too. Sasuke was running dangerously low. The raven haired man sighed and sat by his opened window, staring longingly out into the crowded streets and bustling, happy people. He never realized how much he had taken for granted before. How freely he used to walk. He missed it. Like he missed training with Kakashi and Naruto. Going out on missions and being able to train or walk on his free time.

Sasuke growled and stood up, turning from the window. He made his way through the small apartment to the living room and was about to settle down to watch some TV when a knock came at his door. Well, it was Saturday so this was wasn't unexpected. Sasuke walked quietly to the door and opened it, eyes sliding over the shorter person. The person behind the door is what shocked him.

"Back again I see?" he smirked, opening the door and permitting the pink haired kunoichi to enter his home. He didn't mind really. He found that he liked to bug Sakura when she came. Not only to annoy her, but she was also the only one who fought back and made it fun… or at least bearable.

"I wouldn't be here actually, but the Jounin meant to check on you is currently unavailable," she snapped. She didn't bother going through his house again. She already knew that there was nothing suspicious in here. So she sat on his couch in the living room and sighed loudly, leaning her head back. Sasuke followed her in and sat on the opposite end, eyeing her carefully. Now, Sasuke was the one who normally didn't give a shit about other people. Especially when it looked like there was a lot of emotional turmoil, but Sasuke just couldn't help himself from bugging Sakura about it.

"Lose your teddy bear?"

"Fuck you, Uchiha."

"I'd rather not."

"Ugh, you're a bit self centered don't you think?"

"You're a bit bitchy, don't you think?"

"You're intolerable."

"You're annoying."

Sakura went quiet, much to Sasuke's dismay. His words got to her. Everything else she could tune out and retort to. But his last words, 'You're annoying' had made her heart stop for a moment. Sakura's mind reeled with her dreams and nightmares, shouting out to her that she was a failure. Even when she brought him back and watched over him, she was still annoying. She supposed she could never move past that level. She was doomed to stay annoying for the rest of her life. Her position would never change. A part of her wanted it to stay that way so she couldn't get emotionally involved with him again, but the other part of her begged for Sasuke to see the new her. To really look at her and look past the 13 year old fan girl.

Sasuke was desperate to break the silence. He didn't get what he said wrong, but was going to go mad if they stayed silent much longer. So he shifted in his seat and rested his arm on the back of the couch, his legs crossing comfortably in front of him.

"Did you bring anything to do?" Sasuke asked quietly. He didn't look at her when he spoke but he spoke loud enough for her to snap out of her thoughts to look at him.

"Something to do? I suppose you would get bored here," she pondered for a moment. Not like she really cared about him in particular but she knew what it was like to get bored. She wouldn't want it to happen to her so she felt the smallest amounts of pity for the half naked Uchiha sitting beside her. Her mind quickly raced over the things she would be permitted to bring over to his house. Maybe a deck of cards, paper, pens, pencils, coloring pencils, a book or two.

"I'll be right back," she said quickly. She ran out the door without so much as a good bye and raced for home, leaving Sasuke to sit a bit dumb founded. He waited in that same spot until the girl came back, flicking lazily through the TV channels. When his door burst open he just looked back at the panting girl. She was holding two large bags. She heaved them onto his kitchen table and his curiosity made him stand and make his way over.

"What did you do, bring your bedroom?" he asked sarcastically.

"Almost," she grinned, ruffling through her bags. She pulled out close to 15 thick books, two decks of cards, a binder full of paper, a case filled with pencils, pens, and pencil crayons, a stereo and a large supply of cds, and a fair stack of movies. Then she smiled brightly, proud of herself for her accomplishment. Sasuke's onyx eyes grazed over all the objects cluttering his table and looked up at the kunoichi.

"Uh, thanks, I guess," he muttered, grabbing the stereo and cds and moving them into the living room. Sakura followed with the stack of books and movies and set them on the empty book shelf that sat beside the TV. While she organized the books, he went back for the rest of the items and placed them neatly in the proper places. He felt a bit better with things to do now.

Sakura looked at her work when she was finished and grinned. She was always way too busy so she knew she wouldn't miss any of it. Plus, she gave most of the scary movies to Sasuke. He seemed like he wouldn't be bothered by horror films. She glanced at Sasuke with her bright green eyes and noticed that he was just staring at the ground in front of him, brows furrowed and a slight frown on his pink lips.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice coming out a bit harsher than she intended it.

The last Uchiha gave her a sideways glance and stood up. Sakura stood up after him and watched as he sulked to the couch. What had gotten into him? He was doing fine just one minute ago! She followed reluctantly and sat beside him, though far enough so that they wouldn't have any contact.

"Why?" he asked suddenly.

"Why what?" she puzzled over the different outcomes this conversation might have.

"You know that I wouldn't have returned. You know that I'm a criminal who should be put to death. I betrayed this village and the people in it. I don't give a shit about anything. How is it that through all of that, you still help me?"

Sakura's breath hitched in her throat and she hesitated. She knew she wouldn't be able to tell him the answer. She just couldn't utter it. She wasn't even sure of the answer herself. She just couldn't form the right words. So she settled for the next best thing.

"You were my old team mate, Uchiha. And though I know our bonds aren't the same as before, and I'm glad for that, they haven't completely disappeared. But I think that the person you hurt the most when you left was Naruto. If you want to talk to anyone, it should be him," Sakura explained quietly, standing and going to the kitchen, grabbing her bags and leaving Sasuke's apartment. Next week she wouldn't be coming here. For the next few weeks actually, she wouldn't be coming here. So her daily life would be continuing.

She closed the door behind her and walked down the hallways out to the front door and into the light, warm day. Today, she would not think any more about him. She was going through enough trouble as it was, seeing as Genma was away and hadn't sent her a letter. That worried her more than anything. So she focused on her work at the hospital. That was the only way she could stay happy.

--

"SHIZUNE!" the blonde haired Hokage screamed out for her assistant. Immediately her doors burst open and permitted the dark haired woman to enter, looking flushed. She was holding her chest tightly and panting but her eyes stayed fixed on her master.

"Assemble an ANBU squad and brief them about an emergency retrieval mission. Genma needs help!" Tsunade snapped, throwing a stack of papers onto her desk and glaring at the small woman. "Do it now, please!"

Shizune bowed and ran back out of the room. Tsunade snarled and sat back down in her chair, smacking her face into her palms. How could such a simple mission be so thrown off? Orochimaru? She was positive Sasuke had informed them that he had killed the snake bastard. And yet, her small team she had sent to investigate the area had been attacked and seriously injured by none other than the Sanin who was supposed to be six feet under. She cursed under her breath and turned to glare out her window. There had to be an explanation for this. And she was going to get to the bottom of this. But she would need to start with her informant.

"Shizune! Get the ANBU watching the Uchiha to bring the brat to me!" she shouted out. She heard a quiet affirmation and nodded, bowing her head. She needed some sake. Yet again, Tsunade screamed for her assistant. "Shizune! Quit hiding my damn sake!"

--

The ANBU team that was sent for the recovery of Genma's team raced through the trees. They knew it would take a few days to find them, seeing as they were chased away from Sasuke's Hanare. So they needed to hurry. They didn't know how much longer the small team could make it. The ANBU captain leading the way stopped on a tree branch and raised a fist to tell the others behind him to stop too. When they did, he signaled that they were to fan out and stay silent. He had sensed chakra nearby and was going to be as cautious as possible.

--

As Wednesday rolled by, a certain pink haired kunoichi and her obnoxious blonde ninja made their way to their regular spot to eat. And on their way there, the two shared a most dismal conversation. One that Sakura would later regret.

"Ano, Sakura-chan, Sasuke is back, right? So, how come I haven't seen him around?" Naruto, the future Hokage, asked quietly. It was unusual to hear that tone of voice from the bubbliest person alive, but it was about his best friend/criminal. Sakura supposed he deserved an answer.

"His sentence was one year hard labor, a constant ANBU baby sitter, three months house arrest, and a Jounin to check on him every Saturday," she said slowly, while they walked into Ichiraku's Ramen Shop. Naruto looked confused for a moment and Sakura was about to better explain it to the slow ninja when he cut her off.

"So, where does he live?"

Sakura shook her head. Under the direct orders of the Hokage, she and the other Jounin were to keep it quiet, the location of Sasuke's new home. While she knew how much Naruto wanted to see his ex-team mate and old rival, she just wasn't permitted. Maybe she could ask Tsunade about it later. That was if Naruto didn't beat her there first.

"I'm sorry, Naruto. I'm not allowed to tell you. Tsunade-Sama's orders. But I can tell you his progress. Like, what he's doing, if you would like?" she smiled lightly, taking a seat. Naruto sat next to her quietly.

"Thank you, Sakura. I understand. Could you… could you give this to him for me as well?" Sakura knew instantly when Naruto was faking it. He put on that sad grin, sorrow filling those beautiful blue eyes and tried his best to appear normal. Sakura had know him for long enough to know when the man was hurting. She took the neatly folded note from his out stretched hand and hugged him tightly. Trying her best to reassure her best friend.

"I will, Naruto. Next time I see him I promise this will go straight into his hands," she smiled. When he smiled back, she ordered food for the both of them and tried to continue a normal conversation. Anything to take Sasuke off of both of their minds.

--

"Taichou! Over here! I found Shiranui and the others!"

"Quickly, check their pulses. We need to know they are ok!"

"They are all breathing. Kamizuki though is in bad shape."

"I'll heal him, feed the others and give them water. Prop them up until I get there!"

"How is Namiashi?"

"Tired and a bit malnourished like Shiranui but they are both fine. I'm concerned about Kamizuki. We need to get them back home as soon as possible!"

"Hai. Do what you can now and we will rest for now. When we feel up to it, we will head back. It'll take us longer to get back, seeing as we have wounded here. I'll send hawk to Hokage-Sama."

"Hai!"

--

"So…You must be the one who replaced me on Team 7."

"Yes. I am Sai. Pleasure to meet you."

"I assure you, the pleasure is all yours…"

Sai walked into the apartment and looked around with his dull, inky orbs. He was taking note of all his surroundings like any good ninja. He could, however sense the hostility towards him. He could not entirely understand why but this was another part of his job. To ask questions.

"So, Sasuke-San, how has your week been so far since the last check up?" Sai slid his fake smile into place. After all, showing kindness towards others made them trust you, right?

"Horrible."

"Why is that? Is there something bothering you?"

"You. And the fact that I've seen all these movies, almost finished reading all these books, and the music Sakura brought isn't entirely to my liking." Sasuke ranted a little, glad to get his frustration off of his chest. If he wanted to be completely honest, he wanted Sakura back to quarrel with. But of course, Sasuke was never honest about things like that.

Most likely Sai wasn't even listening; not that Sasuke minded really, but it would have been nice if Tsunade would have sent someone else. Meeting his replacement made it a bit more uncomfortable. Though really, who was he kidding? Tsunade wanted to make Sasuke uncomfortable. That was her way of getting back at him and he couldn't really blame her. He deserved a lot worse than the punishment he got. He wasn't going to let it get the better of him though. He was going to take the punishment and not say anything like the good Uchiha he was. He was going to finish the damned house arrest and community service and he was going to do his best to restore his demolished reputation.

Unlikely.

"Ah, can I help you?" Sai's voice came from the living room. A mumbled tone replied and Sasuke listened as Sai's almost unnoticeable footsteps made their way towards the stony Uchiha.

"Tsunade-Sama requests audience with you. The ANBU and I are going to be your escort. Would you prefer a walk or to get there as quickly as possible?"

Sasuke glared at the wall before turning to Sai, "As soon as possible is preferred." He wasn't about to pass up a chance to get out of this stuffy apartment despite the yelling match that he knew was going to occur.

--

"UCHIHA! I need an explanation and I need one now!" Tsunade screeched as Sasuke walked into the office immediately followed by Sai and the ANBU escort. Sasuke took note of her disheveled appearance. She looked in disorder and her amber eyes were red with exhaustion.

"Of what, Hokage-Sama?" Sasuke asked politely.

"You told me that Orochimaru was dead. You swore you killed him yourself! I believed you right up until the moment I got a report from an ANBU team sent to examine your old home. They were attacked and injured by the man who is supposedly dead! Explain yourself!" she yelled, her throat hurting from the loud noise she was emitting.

Needless to say, Sasuke was a bit taken aback. He had killed Orochimaru. He knew he had. Orochimaru was lifeless and cold when Sasuke checked him. No pulse, no breath, empty eyes… what was going on?

"I can honestly say, Hokage-Sama that I have no idea what is going on. As far as I was aware, he was dead. There was no pulse." He stated simply, making sure she understood that he was telling the truth. His cool gaze locked onto her fiery stare. It would be an understatement to say she was undeniably furious.

"Heads will roll, Uchiha, if I find out you were a cause or a means of that… that creature coming back. Go back to your apartment and when I summon you next you better hope that I'm summoning you to tell you you're off the hook… I can promise you that you won't like the alternative," the busty woman growled, glaring with all her fury until the door shut behind the black head of hair.

She buried her face in her arms on her desk and sighed heavily. To top it all off, she had to deal with Naruto later on… fantastic.

--