Disclaimer - No. Look'y here chapter 12! You must enjoy.
Need by Youmadbro
Chapter 12.
Sasuke was a bit apprehensive when he first approached the hokage office doors. The two ANBU guards at either side of the door ushered him in before he could even begin to open his mouth to speak - As they had apparently already been informed of whatever meeting was about to take place between him and the Godaime. Sasuke glared menacingly at the one on the left, whom had the nerve to put his hand on the Uchiha's back to push him into the office at a faster pace. The door shut, quickly sealing his fate. He grumbled incoherent expletives under his breath as he turned toward the busty blonde woman - his stance clearly suggesting the he would rather be anywhere but here. The woman had her hands crossed - her chin rested neatly over the interlaced fingers, as she propped her elbows up on her desk. She was staring unabashed at the raven - who wasn't oblivious in the least. He merely chose to stare back - challenging her strangely smug look with a glare at least five times at potent as the one he'd used on the masked man. If Sasuke didn't know any better, she looked like she was refraining from cracking a smile. What the hell did she think was so damn funny?
This was exactly why he didn't like the woman. The leader of the village - the one whom had pardoned his offense toward Konoha as if it were trivial. The very same woman who he had been forced to comply to a set of rules with, lest the Elders get upset and override her kind gesture. The rules that, quite frankly, he could care less about. Because it was one thing to force him to become a ninja again - but to take control of his private life as well? No...that wasn't going to happen. It was disconcerting how much they were capable of getting away with...how little the people in Konoha actually had lives of their own. How much control the counsel held over everyone below them. And Sasuke was just one of many. Another pawn in their little game. Because he had no other choice. Because Naruto had asked that much of him.
"I see you're doing well, Uchiha," she muttered off-handedly, finally lowering her gaze to the lone document atop her desk. "Your health is...steady."
Sasuke didn't care to reply. It was the formalities that pissed him off the most. Obviously, he had been called their for a reason other than his languidly dwindling health. She should just get on with it.
"And... I see here you will begin training your specified team of genin in," she checked the watch on her hand, but Sasuke had a feeling she knew the time," Just a few minutes, actually. But I'm sure you already know that." A twisted smile curled on her lips and Sasuke couldn't help but glower as his suspicions increased. "Just as the old bats have instructed of you."
Sasuke scoffed, finally fed up. "What did you call me here for?" he said through gritted teeth. His tone was flat - sharp. It indicated he had no patience left for petty small talk. Her oddly out of place grin (considering their quiet surroundings - save for a jittery Shizune to Sasuke's right, but he didn't care to notice her much) grew, if that were possible, and she crossed and uncrossed her folded hands as she lifted her chin and leaned against the back of her chair. Sasuke didn't relinquish his glare one bit.
"I think you already know the answer to that, Sasuke."
Sasuke felt his heart leap momentarily in his chest as he made eye contact with the woman. She had suddenly gone serious and her eyes gleamed mischievously back at him - as if shining with mirth from knowing something he didn't. Or, perhaps, knowing something he did.
"Hn," he said simply, not wanting to openly express his confusion. He hadn't a clue as to what she was talking about. At least, he hoped he didn't. But Sasuke hadn't been oblivious to the prolonged stares and the whispered remarks. He had been quite irritated with the sudden enthusiasm and scrutiny he had been receiving for no apparent reason whatsoever. It had been months, the villagers had grown tired of the gossip of Itachi's demise and the fall of the Uchiha. Nothing good, or worth telling, had happened since. And there was only one thing that would get them so excited. Only one thing that would issue an urgent meeting with the Hokage. But there was no way. No one knew about that. No one.
"Yes, the news was quite shocking at first," Tsunade continued, as if reading his thoughts. Sasuke's glare intensified on the woman - his heart rate speeding up for reasons he would rather not admit. "But when you think about it...it isn't that unusual."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, feigning cluelessness. Maybe if he pretended like he didn't know where she was going with this, she might shred some light on where the fuck she was going with this. He clenched his hand at his side in an attempt to placate his growing frustration.
"There was always the assumption that the brat might be...that way, but I just never thought he would go to such lengths..."
Was she being purposefully vague just to screw with him? It was...unnerving. Sasuke swallowed thickly - instantly cursing himself when he saw Tsunade's eyes flicker to his neck to catch the action. She smirked. Shit, she'd baited him.
And he'd fallen right for it. Hook, line and sinker.
At that moment it was clear to them both the true intentions behind this meeting. Tsunade shined radiantly with poorly disguised victory while Sasuke wondered why it felt like he was actually physically refraining from using a teleportation jutsu. Or some other equally elaborate ninja technique that could help him escape. He shook it from his thoughts, knowing this was it. They had been bound to be found out anyway - now was his time. What was the worse she was going to do - imprison him? Torture him until he gave all the juicy details of each encounter? Or what? Make him stay away from Naruto?
At the back of Sasuke's mind, he knew if anything were to happen - it wasn't going to be Tsunade who was going to be pulling the strings. He would take his orders from the Elders, and no one else. But that didn't stop him from being pissed at the busty blonde's presence. After several months - why now? Except for the brief slip up in Naruto's classroom - they hadn't revealed anything. After everything they'd done - how well they had hid it - who could have possibly shed the secret? And more importantly, who would have wanted to? Sasuke needed to know - because he knew several people probably had their suspicions. And most of them probably knew better than to delve deeper than an assumption - lest they be confronted by a highly irritable Uchiha. Because no matter how it looked in the outside - Sasuke was not gay. And he most certainly didn't fool around with Naruto because of some perverse sexual desire - some desperate NEED - toward his overly emotional friend - Naruto was a guy for fucks sake! It was... just a release of frustrations! Those lying bastards!
And - for appearances sake - there would be serious consequences for his actions.
...If anyone of power - the crinkled oldies in the attic just above their heads (that would be better off dead, if Sasuke had any say in it) - were to find out.
"Since it has come to this, you don't have many options," the blonde woman, Tsked and then suddenly picked up the paper on her desk. She waved it around as if that were the answer to all his ails. Sasuke wanted to leap forward and snatch the offending paper from her hands - tossing it in the air and casting a fire technique on the disgusting thing. But he refrained. Barely. Because even from his distance nearly across the room - he could read the small text on the thin sheet of paper. And he already knew what it said.
"I'm sure you remember the stipulations that were required of you - if I were ever to grant you that pardon," Sasuke glowered inwardly. Of course he remembered. And he also remembered that Tsunade had been reluctant to allow the elders to pull those strings. But she hadn't said anything - even if Sasuke could see the truth - in her eyes - because she cared too much for Naruto. And what Naruto said was law - since Naruto was the Savior of Konoha. The future Hokage. And he had a great deal of say in what Sasuke's fate would entail - since he had been the one who had ultimately defeated him. But at the same time - Naruto's words barely held standing. Naruto didn't understand that Sasuke probably would have been better off - if he hadn't opened his big mouth. If he had just let him die. Because Sasuke had a certain list of requirements that were set - if he ever wanted to live peaceably in Konoha again. Or, as peaceably as he ever would. Live, that is. Sasuke hated them. He didn't want to live in Konoha. He didn't care to live in Konoha. He didn't care to live at all. But Naruto kept him here. And he decided - reluctantly - that maybe he could...try. Even if Naruto didn't realize exactly how much he had fucked him. Theoretically speaking.
He grunted. All the response the Hokage needed - seeing as it was a rhetorical question, anyway. The woman carried on as if there hadn't been a pause in the conversation.
"You actions as of late are highly unbecoming, Uchiha," Tsunade chided lightly, not sounding like she cared one way or another. "The Elders have delivered word that you will no longer engage in such..." Tsunade looked down at the paper and scoffed. Her tone clearly indicated her disbelief of their predictably ignorant ways as she read a brief section of the letter,
"No longer fraternize with such," she paused at this, the document shaking in her irritation,"filth?..old bastards.. and endulge yourself in the ultimate task in which you're indebted."
Sasuke could discern that the 'old bastards' part was probably just her way of defending her poor gaki. He didn't blame her. What the fuck had they called him? Filth? Just for that, he didn't really feel like doing what the said. Fuck if he gave a damn about the consequences. They should stop treating Naruto like shit. Sasuke was sick and tired of their refusal to admit that Naruto and kyuubi were two separate entities. It pissed him off to no end. Which was probably the reason why he felt like he needed to defend Naruto.
"Naruto has nothing to do with this," Sasuke spat, with more malice than intended. "They have no right to judge him when -" He didn't realize his slip-up until Tsunade raised a blonde eyebrow. Her expression quickly changed to amused, her lip curving upward just shy of a smirk.
"Naruto, eh? What's the brat have anything to do with what we're discussing?"
Sasuke - who could feel his cheeks growing steadily warmer - wanted to smack himself in the forehead for his stupidity. He wanted to smack Tsunade for finding humor in a fucked up situation that wasn't any of her fucking business. And he wanted to smack Naruto because - well, Naruto was partially the blame for all this! If the dobe hadn't been so adamant...
But seeing as Tsunade was the Hokage and Naruto wasn't there at the moment, he decided to instead, level his narrowed eyes on the Godaime. "I'm not some...Uchiha breeding machine!" he growled, "I can't pop out heirs on their command. Especially not after -" he stopped. There was no need to say it.
"Hm," Tsunade leaned forward - resuming her position of resting her chin atop her interlaced palms, her mirth dying just that quickly. "You have no other choice, Uchiha. But, as it is, I am the only one that knows about your...condition, and the counsel remains oblivious. Since they have no clue that you're incapable of fulfilling such wishes, you must at least pretend. You slipped up - the both of you. And now they know. Since it had been speculated for so long - I'm assuming the only reason they tolerated your...bond with the brat is because they figured you wanted to hold onto whatever it is you threw away in Konoha. Perhaps something that might make you stay... You made the choice to be compliant. Otherwise, you would have been condemned a long time ago."
"I didn't ask for this."
"I never said you did. But since you allowed yourself to be placed in such a situation - what are your options. Hm?"
Sasuke remained silent as he crossed his arms over his chest. He had no idea - but he just couldn't admit that out loud. This just couldn't be it.
"Make the wise choice, Uchiha. If you don't - your actions might risk detrimental for Naruto..."
Sasuke looked her straight in the eye - and he had never once taken the Godaime so seriously in his life.
"...and I will reveal to them - the entirety of Konoha - the truth - before I ever allow your cowardice to potentially ruin Naruto's chances of becoming Hokage."
The 'Like last time' went unsaid as Sasuke swallowed his pride. Because he couldn't disagree. Not openly, at least.
"Got it?"
And he nodded stiffly. Because Sasuke didn't have much of a choice.
