Another chapter up and ready to go. Enjoy.
RonaldWeasleyTheHero: Fair enough. I keep thinking about the Sannin Showdown battle in Part 1. Tsunade held her own with Orochimaru and Jiraiya. I will admit that she was the only one fighting near her full potential. My thought, though not proven in the Manga, is Tsunade doesn't fight as deviously as she could. Maybe I've watched too many crime dramas, but I think doctors/medic nin would make wicked killers. I guess Kabuto is a pretty good example. He knows the human body and is willing to use his knowledge to win fights. I never thought we saw his full potential.
DudtheMan, McGeezel, Animaman, BAMABOY71, Moldock, charles cdv: Thanks for reading.
Naruto sat silently in the audience. Sakura saw him enter. The council hadn't asked him for any input thus far. Tsunade was sitting in front of the counsel observing.
"So you admit your crime," said Hiashi Hyuuga.
Sakura gave a loud 'Hai'.
"Very well," he said with regret. "Discussion."
Hiashi was the current leader of the clan council. The council represented the seven most powerful clans in Konoha at any time. Power was decided based upon numbers, economics and military power. The council was composed of the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Aburame, Hyuuga, Sarutobi and Inuzuka at the moment. There sole purpose was to address clan issues in Konoha. They had not influence over military decisions. That power resided with the Hokage and the elders.
"I think the traditional punishment should be employed," said the Aburame delegate in a neutral voice.
Tsume Inuzuka nodded in agreement. The Inuzuka were the ones that brought the charges to the council. It didn't take much to figure out that Kiba was the source. He had a crush on Hinata for some time. If Naruto was out of the picture, he could have Hinata. Given the situation, it was clear what the outcome would be. She'd be forced to choose between death and marrying Naruto. She muttered a curse under her breath.
"I feel we must consider the situation," said Inoichi Yamanaka. "This situation is unprecedented."
"Hardly," replied Tsume. "She stole from the Uzumaki by her own admission. Her intentions were to use clan knowledge to her benefit."
"What are you suggesting, Yamanaka-san," inquired Hiashi.
Tsume scowled at Hiashi. It wasn't a secret that Hyuuga leader favored a marriage between Naruto and Hinata. The politics of Konoha were infuriating.
"Haruno-san has provided valuable service to the village. I have known her for years and I believe this was her attempt to increase her power to benefit the village. She has been fiercely loyal. She is the apprentice of our current Hokage. I think all those facts need to be considered," he explained.
"I have to agree," said Hiashi.
"She cannot go unpunished," said Choza. "That much is clear."
Sakura turned to Shikamaru. He had his hands in a thinking position.
"Her actions were dishonest, but she admitted to them when caught. She didn't resist and cooperated. I suggest that be considered."
"What do you think, boss?" asked Konohamaru looking at Naruto.
Hiashi slammed his gavel down.
"Sarutobi-san. This is a council discussion. Outside comment will be considered if necessary."
The chuunin glared at Hiashi.
"His seal was stolen. I want to hear what he has to say," replied Kon.
Hiashi looked ready to give Konohamaru a lecture on the rules.
"Despite his tone, I agree with Sarutobi-san," said the Aburame.
Shikamaru nodded as well. Kon looked ready to stick his tongue out at Hiashi.
"Very well, Uzumaki Naruto. You are given the floor to make a brief statement."
Naruto rose and walked in front of Sakura.
"Haruno Sakura has been my teammate for years. I consider her a friend and comrade. I would be lying if I said I wasn't hurt by her betrayal."
Sakura closed her eyes. She was doomed. This was a political body motivated by self interest. His passionate speeches weren't going to move them to free her.
"But I believe she did it because I made her feel weak. I spent my ninja career protecting her which was effectively belittling her. I never showed her proper respect. In a moment of frustration she did something rash. She has returned the seal spell to me. Currently, the seal poses the most risk to her as was demonstrated recently. I am not concerned she will share the knowledge with other villages or enemy ninja."
Naruto bowed slightly. It seemed Tsunade coached him.
"Can you remove the seal?" asked Inoichi.
The blonde shook his head.
"Not safely or I would have done it already," replied the Jonin.
Hiashi nodded.
"This has put us in a political bind. Haruno Sakura was listed by name by the Kazekage in trade for his sister to the Nara clan."
"What?" growled the sage.
Sakura was just as angry but she had to maintain her temper. Naruto could explode and the council couldn't do anything to him. If she acted like an angry gorilla, she would be worse off.
"It is impossible now given that she possesses an Uzumaki seal," said the Aburame.
The other council members nodded in agreement.
"There are other candidates fortunately, but that is a matter for another meeting," said Hiashi.
"You can't go around deciding people's future," roared the blonde.
"Political alliances sometimes require great sacrifice, Naruto-san. It is a difficult lesson but one you must learn if you aspire to be Hokage," said Hiashi.
"Do not speak of the requirements to be Hokage, Hiashi," said the Tsunade.
The council leader nodded.
"Forgive me, Hokage-sama. My humble opinion."
Tsunade nodded.
"Sit down Naruto," ordered the Hokage.
Sakura watched the blonde stomp to his seat like a disciplined child.
"This crime needs to be put in context. A young woman made a mistake. The one she wronged has accepted her apology. I ask that you consider a punishment that fits the crime."
Many of the delegates nodded.
"What about the current situation?" asked Tsume. "That man used Uzumaki sealing knowledge to kill Nara Shikaku and bring death to Suna. Uzumaki knowledge seems to be flowing freely. I think harsh punishment is justified to set an example."
The Aburame delegate agreed.
"Then let it be a punishment of service, not a punishment of death," said the Hokage. "Sakura can be confined to the village under constant supervision. Let her use her skills to help the village."
"Not good enough," replied Tsume. "That is like house arrest. She could break out of the village and we'd have another Orochimaru on our hands."
Sakura's anger was peaking. She wouldn't be able to contain it much longer.
"I propose the following," said Tsume, "give her and Naruto the choice. Marry and keep the knowledge in the clan or imprisonment."
It took a simple vote to determine Sakura's punishment. She knew this was a possible outcome. Tsunade stopped in front of her.
"You know what you should do," she said softly.
Sakura nodded. Tsunade was looking over Sakura's shoulder.
"Uzumaki-san," said Hiashi. "Will you accept her?"
"Yes," replied the blonde without hesitation.
"Haruno Sakura," said Hiashi. "Decide your fate."
Sakura looked up with determination.
"Prison," she said firmly.
The council was surprised. Her eyes darted to her master.
"As you wish," said the Hokage softly.
Her disappointment was clear, but Sakura had to make her choice. She refused to trade her virtue for the seal. The two guards walked forward to take her.
"I give her the right to change her mind at any time," said the Hokage.
Sakura looked back at her master. Most council members nodded in agreement. Hiashi and Inoichi were clearly against it. They had to protect their own interests. The laws protecting clan knowledge were weakening Konoha. It was based upon clans losing power. If an outsider mastered a clan jutsu at a level above the original clansman, they would be laughing stocks. If knowledge was available to everyone, the village would benefit.
Sakura walked with little prodding out of the council chamber.
"Sakura," said her teammate as she passed.
She didn't look up at him. She knew this hurt him, but it had to be done. It would be a terrible marriage. She would resent him and he didn't deserve that. Despite the problems they had recently, he deserved to be happy. She would make him miserable. She'd feel like some slave girl and she couldn't live with that. She wasn't going to spread her legs or drop to her knees under the threat of prison. Her will was stronger than that. She committed a crime and she would pay for it. Sakura left the council chamber to find her parents waiting. The guards stopped.
"You can have a minute if you wish," one said.
"Thank you," she replied.
Her mother embraced her and wept.
"You don't deserve this. You've given so much to this village," sniffled her mother.
Her father embraced them both.
"We'll keep fighting. We'll find a way. We won't let the demon punish you," he said.
Sakura shook her head.
"You don't understand," said the rosette.
Her parents pulled back.
"I confessed. Naruto defended me. I was given the choice of being with him or prison. I chose prison," explained the medic nin.
"Well of course you did, dear," said her mother as she pushed strands of pink hair from her daughter's face. "Who could tolerate being with that thing after everything it's done?"
Sakura shook her head.
"I'm the one that would torture him. He loves me. He would do anything for me. I would make his life miserable and he doesn't deserve that."
The Hokage's apprentice turned to her guards.
"I'm done," she said.
One Jonin gestured to the hallway. She started to walk with them at her side. They trusted her it seemed. They were walking next to her like it was a formality rather than a duty. She wasn't some dangerous prisoner and they knew it. The guard on her right gestured to a door. There was a direct underground tunnel to the prison. She walked the torch lit hall quietly. She wasn't going to see the sun anytime soon.