Torn Heart
Ch. 9

An ear shattering roar of thunder was heard before a flash of bright light lit up the windows that covered the entire back wall of the council room where a very decisive trial was about to be held. Within seconds, the sound of clattering rain smashing against the windows filled the otherwise silent room. It was the perfect weather for a gloomy occasion, the sentencing of one, Uchiha Sasuke.

Present in the room and towering over the captive who was chained down to a rotted wooden chair, stood Lady Tsunade. Behind her, two Jounin that were summoned to replace the elders for this particular case looked on with impassive faces. Hatake Kakashi and Nara Shikamaru.

Lady Tsunade had been surprised when news had first reached her of Sasuke's capture. She'd had three days before their arrival to prepare, and a week had passed since then. In the letter she had received, Naruto had strongly warned against the council making any direct contact with Sasuke. Having an inkling of the reason behind that request, Tsunade had tactfully informed the elders of the capture, and had promised nothing less of imprisonment for his deeds. The elders, understanding the danger and temporarily satisfied Tsunade had given her word that she would not be acquitting Sasuke for his sins, forfeited their right to be present in court.

Tsunade now stood, regal in posture, shoulders squared and expression firm and unsympathetic, in front of the last Uchiha the world might ever know. "Might" was putting it lightly, for as things were now, she doubted Sasuke would ever get the chance to see the light of day again.

Briefly scanning the Uchiha, she decided even bound to a chair, he still managed to look menacing. Knowing it was impossible for the lad to break free of the bonds without chakra control, she forced down the unease she'd felt when her eyes had met his. Chakra suppressing bonds rendering his arms immobile behind him also left him unable to activate his powerful sharingan. The bonds restraining his legs around the ankles had been placed for extra precaution as soon as he'd been thrown inside his cell.

So that's how Uchiha Sasuke found himself now, confined to an old splintering chair, stripped of any means of escape. He was a Konoha prisoner with the rights granted to those held under custody; none.

Preparing herself mentally for the difficult task at hand, Tsunade took a deep breath as she remembered the short but emotional conversation she had had with Naruto when he first returned from Lightning Country.

It was not a secret that Naruto had not been himself since the war with Madara had ended. It was common knowledge that Naruto had quit his quest for Sasuke, and she'd even heard rumors that Naruto and her apprentice were not on speaking terms. When asked what the problem was, Sakura had dismissed there ever being one, and so the worry she had felt for the loudmouth had slowly ebbed away. That worry however, had resurfaced when Naruto, as pushy and nosy as he normally is, did not once come to harass her about the fate of his ex-teammate.

During the customary mission report, Naruto had appeared conflicted and uneasy. Finished with the formalities of listening to the verbal report by the team leaders and barking orders pertaining to the detained Uchiha, Tsunade had dismissed the rest of the team, leaving an exhausted looking blonde behind. Worried for the mental well-being of her pupil, she had wanted to personally observe how he was faring.

"You know that as the Fifth Hokage, the safety of the village is of most importance? It is essential that no matter the outcome, as a Hokage hopeful Naruto, you understand the decision regarding Sasuke will be made with that critical mission in mind."

A fiery gleam had flashed across Naruto's eyes for being recognized as a Hokage hopeful, briefly disguising the downcast disposition he'd been exuding since setting foot in the room. But that gleam of light she'd glimpsed was soon extinguished as his subdued voice rang out.

"Tsunade-bachan, please protect our village to the best of your abilities. I leave Sasuke's life in your hands."

The blonde had finished his speech with a bow as a silent request to retreat, leaving Tsunade puzzled at both the formality and lack of further comment from the blonde. Understanding that perhaps what he needed most was proper rest, she excused him. Naruto had then walked away, adding softly before disappearing, "Listen to what he has to say, he did not come back with us without a reason."

Tsunade had looked on until Naruto had walked out the door, deliberating on the blonde's words. The Uchiha and his team had been defeated and captured in battle, what business could the Uchiha have when he was apprehended and brought to the village against his will?

Musings resolved, Tsunade's mind came back to the current predicament. Staring at the devoid face of Uchiha Sasuke, Tsunade began by listing all the crimes committed by said boy. As her piercing voice droned out the sounds of wind and rain rattling the building from the outside, Sasuke patiently waited for it to come to an end.

Unbeknownst to everyone, was the Hokage to give him a sentence unworthy of him, he would easily destroy the bonds cuffing his wrists that he himself had molded and escape.

That had been his only request, as only Naruto was aware. He'd been mildly surprised that Naruto hadn't ratted him out. It had all happened very quickly. As soon as the rest of Naruto's team had caught up with them, they had run to his side to provide extra support. When Kakashi moved to cast a sealing technique on his eyes, Naruto had stepped in, explaining that the cuffs utilized were chakra suppressing. Pleased that Naruto understood that he would wreak havoc if anybody tried to render him truly immobile and that he had successfully avoided adding further restraints to his person, he had remained silent the entire trip back. He'd ignored everyone's nagging questions and jabbing comments, except for Naruto's, for there were no comments from his end to ignore. The blonde did not direct any of his conversations his way at all.

Once dragged inside her office, Sasuke had made it known to the Hokage that he had matters to discuss with her. Not surprised that he would be treated as a prisoner until a trial was held and that he would not be allowed to speak with her until then, he allowed himself to be housed in the isolated chamber designed for the most dangerous criminals. Confident that by Konoha law, a trial would be held within 3 days of getting booked, he did not worry that he would be spending a couple of days inside a cell not even he could break his way out of.

Patience he had come to realize, in the end pays off, and now he was faced with the Fifth Hokage of Konoha.

Wise choice, he had thought, when he'd noticed that his old sensei and another guy he vaguely remembered as the lazy Shikamaru, were present in the elders' stead. He wasn't confident he could contain his rage if faced with them.

"Your treason to our village and the crimes you have committed in other countries, they warrant the death penalty, as you must be aware. Tell me Uchiha Sasuke, as a Hokage, what would you have me do?"

Adopting a look of distaste, Sasuke bitterly ground out, "Don't ever insinuate in any way that I would ever become the leader of this treacherous village."

Noticing the first of a series of twitches on the Hokage's face, Sasuke ignored the question and asked one of his one.

"This village was founded on lies. You craft a tool out of ninjas and pit them against the village and their own clans. You create enemies of the most promising ninjas in the village because of fear that they will rise up to power. The old system of creating mindless self-sacrificing tools is still alive and well today. You disguise it and cover up the dirty work so the people will remain oblivious and believe that they live in a righteous village. How does it feel being the leader to a corrupt system?"

Taking her time to absorb the bulk of Sasuke's anger, Tsunade replied, "I was informed by Kakashi earlier of the unfortunate case that is your brother. I cannot speak for the Kages before me, but no such drastic measures shall be taken by me, or any future Hokages that follow me. Of that I will make sure until the day I pass."

She stopped at the sound of a scoff coming from the figure sitting on the chair in front of her.

"Empty promises, Lady Tsunade," spat Sasuke in a mocking tone. "If this Village is so fair and righteous, how will you judge this trial? Your village annihilated my entire clan. That's more than enough reason to leave this sad excuse of a village. I removed the filth that is Orochimaru for a good while until he deemed his presence worthy of returning. I was part of Akatsuki only by association, but tell me, who did I kill exactly under their command? If you have not gathered already, my entire life I have unjustly gone after my brother; the only person that truly cared for me. These crimes you speak of, what proof do you have I personally committed any of them?"

Pondering his words, Tsunade recounted the crimes listed on her scroll. The truth was that Sasuke was being charged for all the deeds committed by the Akatsuki as a whole. Only the offense against Killer Bee could be confirmed. In Sasuke's defense, it could be said that he fought on the side of the Allied Nation's against Madara, since there was evidence she had personally confirmed. She'd been the one to examine Kabuto's dead body, and there was no question the Uchiha brothers had disposed of him.

"What is your purpose, Uchiha? You are an avenger, as you yourself always put it. Not long ago, you expressed the desire to destroy Konoha, did you forget that? Am I to easily believe you have abandoned that ploy?"

Not hesitating to answer, Sasuke responded, "I have reconsidered. In hopes of being considered for a less extreme punishment, I will just say that it was not Itachi's will to destroy this village."

Adding in a trying tone, he questioned, "Seeing as I never made use of that threat, how will you be charging me?"

Getting more and more irritated with Sasuke's smart ass attitude, Tsunade raised her voice and slammed one foot hard on the floor, leaving behind a small crater.

"Insolent boy! You are a threat to this village. You have motivation to want to destroy Konoha! As an avenger, I can't imagine you would spare anybody that was involved with the decision back then! Do you think me so stupid that I would just let it slide that you once wished to destroy Konoha!"

"Listen, there is a dumb blonde that has fought for a long time to bring me back here. And I have information that will benefit your village. It's a leave or take situation here, Hokage. How long do you intend to drag this?"

"Such cockiness for a ninja without the use of your chakra, not to mention without the use of your arms and legs."

A dismissive grunt was followed by the loosening of the tense muscles in her face.

"I wouldn't be so sure about the blonde. He hasn't expressed any desire to want to save you."

Sasuke's cocky expression was completely wiped out at those words. Did Naruto really not care what happened here? Well, he'd be sure to find out as soon as he was let out of here. Right now, he was about to disclose the one detail that could save him from the slammer.

Sasuke could tell that he had grabbed the Hokage's attention when he'd mentioned he had some information that might be of some interest to the village. And he was proven right when she inquired about it.

"This information you claim to have, it needs to be sufficient in order to waive whatever punishment we give you. The elders will not be content unless you are imprisoned. But I take it you won't be content with any jail time?"

"If I do jail time, you won't be seeing me nor what I have to give you. So tread wisely."

Tsunade, irritated once again at the disrespectful way she keeps on being addressed, hissed out, "Spit it out already before I get done with you!"

"Scrolls. Lots of them. Classified information and historical accounts that if, lets say, were to get into the wrong hands, could be very bad news."

Tsunade blanched. She knew exactly what he was talking about. In fact, that was the reason Team Kakashi had been sent out on their last mission. To retrieve these important long lost documents. So Sasuke does have them after all. That sneaky bastard.

"Very well, Uchiha."

Turning around to look at both ninjas standing directly behind her, she nodded her head to the both of them, and finished, "I will formally announce your sentence after careful deliberation. Expect a decision before the sun goes out."

Not liking that he would be sent back into the cell, but knowing full well that those scrolls were his life line in this situation and that if they didn't want that information to get into the wrong hands, he could manipulate them into letting him out at least once more upon his request, he decided to comply and allowed his old sensei and ex-classmate to grab him under the arms to escort him out.

Sighing, and already feeling the impeding headache she would most likely have to endure for the next few days, Tsunade took the rest of the afternoon to deliberate on a punishment that would appease the elders but at the same time be suitable enough for Sasuke.

In another part of town, inside his cozy apartment, fidgeted a blue eyed teen that had not stepped out in days. Sakura had come by earlier to tell him that Sasuke's trial would be taking place today. He'd been informed that Kakashi and Shikamaru would be present as witnesses.

Looking at the clock on the wall, he wondered if the trial was already over. The light outside was almost completely doused by the steadily approaching dark sky. Sakura had told him that she would not be able to come by again later because she had the graveyard shift today.

So that explained his fidgeting now. He did not want to admit that he cared what happened to Sasuke, but his behavior spoke otherwise. All day he had been fighting the urge to find out information regarding the trial. For the past couple of days he had been fighting the urge to beg Tsunade to please spare Sasuke's life.

Naruto knew that life in prison was no life. And he could not imagine Sasuke spending the rest of his life underground, isolated from the ninja world, his abilities gone to waste.

But Sasuke was not dumb. In the end, it had been his idea to come back, right? But why? It made no sense. He would not have come back without a plan.

That through process had stopped him each and every time from barging into old lady Tsunade's office and demanding Sasuke be released.

Naruto was not dumb either. He knew Sasuke had done things that could not be forgiven without being punished. But without knowing it, he still had hope. Hope in Sasuke, and that he had a plan and would get out of jail in no time.

A knock to his front door startled him from his thoughts. Ehhh but Sakura-chan said she would be working until late-

Opening the front door, Naruto was greeted by none other than Kakashi sensei.

Waving his hand hello, Kakashi stood there wondering why his student had yet to greet him. Kakashi was the first to break the silence.

"Are you going to invite me in? You appear as though you have seen a ghost."

Thinking that might not be so far from the truth, considering that he was still not ready to meet his sensei, let alone be in the same space alone with him, he scurried to collect himself.

Stumbling to get out the words, Naruto did a poor job of that. "Wha-at brings you here sensei?"

Noting the nervous countenance of his student and not knowing whether he liked it or not, Kakashi decided to lighten the mood and poke at him a little, "Why do you think, Naruto?"

Noticing in fact that his words had the opposite effect and that the blonde in front of him had practically melted in a puddle of nervousness, he let out a sigh and wisely decided to let up on the teasing. "I bring news on the trial of course. What else would I be here for?"

Laughing nervously but feeling an inexplicable sense of relief, Naruto stepped out of the way and allowed his sensei to come inside his house.

Inspecting the apartment and noting that nothing had changed since he'd last been in here, Kakashi turned around to face his student.

"It appears as though Sasuke knows the whereabouts of the scrolls we were after. If he hands them over, he will be placed under day and night surveillance by three anbu for the first month. If things go well and there has been no cause of alarm, a jounin ranked shinobi will be assigned the task to watch him for two years. The specifics are still being worked out, but that is the jest of it as I've been told."

The apprehension Naruto had been feeling all day evaporated at the news, and he felt deeply grateful that Sasuke wasn't a lost cause after all. Forgetting for a moment that he was in the same room as Kakashi-sensei who not even a week ago had proclaimed an interest in him, he allowed his body to throw itself back against the couch and he closed his eyes in relief.

Taking the opportunity now that Naruto had his eyes shut, Kakashi observed Naruto carefully. He could see the news of Sasuke's trial had really eased him. He did not know the full extent of Naruto's and Sasuke's relationship, but he hoped it didn't interfere with his intent regarding the blonde.

Letting his eyes roam freely, he willed the shirt Naruto was wearing to hike up if only a fraction. Naruto was not wearing his usual outfit today. From his understanding, the blonde had been cooped up in his home for a few days now. He was sporting a baggy orange shirt and black sweat pants. Reclining his upper back against the arm of the couch, he had his legs bent at the knees, feet on the couch. The sight of him laying back reminded him of the activities that had transpired on this same couch the last time he had been here, that same lust his student had awakened in him seemingly wanting to make an unwanted appearance this very moment. Willing the feeling to go away, he distracted his mind with similar, but different thoughts.

He had missed the loud mouth this last couple of days; that was not a lie. Not in the least. One thing he hadn't missed though, was the impending conversation they were bound to have regarding what he had admitted to the last time they had talked, especially because he was still coming to terms with what he had done. He would have preferred to permanently seal his lust away and not acknowledge his feelings for what they were, but the moment of weakness he had demonstrated back at the camp and the fact that he had been caught peeping meant he could no longer hide. And truth be told, now that he was aware he desired his student, he didn't really want to hold back any of it. A passion hiding deep within his belly had unleashed when he'd devoured his student's mouth back in Lightning Country, and it would be a shame to never again be able to unleash what his body so strongly yearned for.

Not wanting to frighten his easily flustered student but at the same time not wanting to miss his chance now that Sasuke was back in the village, he decided he needed to act soon rather than later. Sasuke was a big unknown. From what he had glimpsed from the genjutsu he'd cast on Naruto, the boys had some history. Naruto not wanting to have anything to do with Sasuke now didn't mean he wouldn't want to in the future. Naruto was a naturally forgiving and kind person. Which really made him wonder what Sasuke could have done to make Naruto give up on him so completely.

Blue eyes snapped opened almost alarmingly, snapping Kakashi out of his reverie. Kakashi noted with a smile that his student had been so content with the news he'd forgotten he had company. Naruto sheepishly sat up, looking everywhere but at him.

"Well sensei, if there was nothing else you needed, I have some things to get to."

Gaining some courage from his recently established conviction, Kakashi approached the body resting on the couch. Getting there at a faster speed than Naruto could get away, he settled both of his arms at either side of the blonde, trapping him with no easy escape. The blonde's breathing spiked up as he got closer, and he took joy in the way his body tensed beneath him. Inching his face close to the blonde's, he huskily whispered,

"Don't let me keep you then."

Before Naruto could react, Kakashi with one hand covered his eyes, and slipped up his mask with the other, brushing his lips against Naruto's. Feeling Naruto's quivering lips and fluttery exhale of breath, he was pleased when Naruto's lips sought his as he pulled away. He wanted the boy to crave him, desire him as much as he desired the blonde. In a teasing brush of lips, Kakashi slipped his mask back down, turning his back to Naruto and making his way back to the door.

"Our team is off missions until further notice. The Hokage wants us around until the Sasuke situation has been fully tended to. See you around, Naruto."

The image of Kakashi's raised arm signaling his departure was all he saw before a cloud of white smoke covered his place.

Staring after the grown shinobi, Naruto tried to calm down the butterflies that had found their way into his stomach.

"Fuck."