Warning!! This chapter contains actual spoilers for the anime/manga. I'm not sure which as I haven't gotten too far in Shipuuden. But, I did look them up to fill in the plots caps and explain Sasuke's return. SO, if you don't want it ruined for you, don't read.

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PLEASE READ! ;;

Chapter Fourteen

""She walks in beauty,
Like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes."
--Byron

(On a small note, the above poet is my favorite.

Read the full poem. It's called, "She Walks In Beauty")

"Well," Sasuke began. "Do you have anything to drink?"

Naruto looked around the room and his eyes caught a small water dispenser. He stood and grabbed a paper cup off the side of it. He filled it and handed it to Sasuke when he came back. "There, you have your damned drink, Uchiha. Care to tell me why you came back after royally tearing, not only me up, but Sakura as well? You've got a lot of explaining to do. Don't expect me to forgive you right off the bad, asshole."

He rolled his eyes and took a sip, grimacing slightly at the feel of the cool liquid sliding down his throat. "Much better. Speaking of which... how is she?" He looked down at the water in his cup.

"She got along fine without you if that's what you mean." He shrugged, listening to the rain, wondering silently if Gaara had gotten caught in it. "She trained under Tsunade-sama while you were away. She's part of the reason you're here and not buried six feet under."

"She's a medical nin now?"

He nodded. "Yes, and power house at that. I thought Lee was bad. The girl can hit right through rock without scratching a nail."

"I'm glad for her."

Naruto arched a brow. Glad? Since when was the bastard ever glad for anyone? "You've changed."

"Growing up does that to people."

"Neji said the same thing." He idly commented. "You're not near as big an ass anymore. Keep this up and you might loose your perfect record."

He chuckled. "I'll count that as a good thing, dropout."

"Alright, I can't take it anymore. Where's the real Sasuke and what have you done with him? Eh?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Shut up, dumbass."

"Nice to know you haven't lost all your charming demeanor. I relent. It's you." He smirked. "But, back to topic. What happened? The seal is gone. The one Orochimaru gave you."

Sasuke didn't say anything for a moment. But when he did, there was pain in his voice. "I killed my brother."

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Naruto found himself severely confused.

"I thought I did." He whispered. "Until I learned the truth."

"What truth?"

"That my clan planned to destroy Konoha." He began. "Itachi was acting as a double agent for the Third."

"The old man?" Naruto narrowed his eyes as this was admitted. "Are you trying to tell me he killed the Uchiha because he was ordered to? By the Third?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying." He began. "He didn't have a choice. He didn't kill me because he couldn't summon the hatred to do it. He lied to me, Naruto. He made me hate him all these years, seeking his death because he wanted me to revive the clan with better ideals."

He turned his gaze to the window once more, his voice lower, deeper, and more troubled. "He was in pain until the very end. Waiting for me to kill him so he could give me the Mangekyo Sharingan technique. He used drugs to prolong his life while he waited for me. He sacrificed his honor so everyone would think I was the hero who revived and saved the Uchiha clan." He paused. "I would willingly give all of it up if he'd just told me the truth."

Naruto was in awe. Now he understood. He understood why Sasuke wasn't acting like the ass he normally was. Everything he'd thought his whole life, everything he'd based his whole existence on had turned out to be a lie. Everything. He'd betrayed his friends and left Leaf because of a lie. He'd joined Orochimaru and slandered his own good ideals on lies. He'd sacrificed his every happiness for a lie. When in truth, his clan had been planning to overpower Konoha from the start.

He felt like apologizing, but it seemed futile since it wasn't his fault. "I'm sorry," he whispered anyway.

He shrugged and turned to look a him, smiling slightly. "Thank you."

This was just too weird. He understood it all. But, seeing Sasuke like this. So broken, so confused, so utterly deflated and unsure about his character traits made him want to slap him back into reality. But this was the reality. Wasn't it?

Naruto sighed, realizing Sasuke probably had a long way to go towards mending his life. He wasn't acting abnormal, Naruto told himself. He was just so use to seeing him act like an asshole all the time that this shocked him. Apparently without all that anger welling in his core? Sasuke could be a pretty decent person. Imagine that.

Still, it was a bit scary.

"How did you loose the seal?"

"Another gift from my brother. During the fight he removed it from me with a special technique. I can't say I'm not thankful. I'd rather use my own power than that bastard's." He said this with venom seeming to lacing his voice.

"What happened to Orochimaru?"

"He's dead."

"Eh?! How?"

Sasuke looked up at him. "I killed him. He tried to steal my body, but I overpowered him."

Naruto blinked, in awe, but didn't let it show. What a mass of information he was getting. His head was already spinning. "Good riddance, is all I have to say." He pondered a bit more though. "That still doesn't explain how you ended up like you were when Kakashi found you."

He nodded, finishing off his water. "The one who told me the truth about my brother. Madara. The one one who first discovered the true power of the Sharingan with his brother and became a disgrace by killing and stealing his eyes; when he revealed everything to me I realized how pitiful everything had turned out for me. He wanted me to join him and help destroy Konoha. I refused. He and a slew of his subordinates tried to kill me, but I managed to get away. Right now he thinks I'm dead and I look at that as an advantage."

"We need to let Grandma Tsunade know about this..."

He nodded, wincing and rubbed his ribs.

"You should probably get some sleep though."

He nodded and tried to lay back as Naruto pulled the covers to a more comfortable place.

"Hey, Naruto?"

He looked down at Sasuke, turning as he'd been walking towards the door. "Yeah?"

He smiled. "I did love you. When we were younger. It's why I couldn't stand Sakura so much." He sighed, closing his eyes as he continued. "I couldn't stand you much either. But then, I hadn't known why. I found out after I left Leaf. They say you only realize what you've lost when it's gone. I did. But," he smiled faintly and continued, "I think I can move on now. I think I can be happy if I know you will be... dropout." The last of his words were a whisper as he fell asleep.

Naruto stood there a long while, staring at the sleeping man as the rain hit the window. It was the only noise in the silent room. They both had dreams of their own and Naruto was willing to let the taller man go so he could achieve his own boyhood dream. A legacy left to him by his brother.

He had been wrong earlier. Sasuke would find happiness. He would find it just as Naruto maybe already had. He would marry a beautiful woman and have lots of beautiful children to whom he could teach a whole new set of clan ideals. It was a clean slate for him. At least, it would be if Naruto had anything to do with it.

"Good night, asshole," he whispered to the room and shut the door as he left.

ooo

"Neji?"

He turned swiftly and stopped his practice session with Tenten in the compound training area as his uncle addressed him. Both he and Tenten bowed in respect. He lifted his form and looked him in the eyes. "Yes, Hiashi-sama?"

His uncle glanced over at Tenten. "Hello, Kyudo-san." He addressed Tenten by her last name. "I trust you're evening at the festival went fair?"

"Yes, Hiashi-sama. I had a wonderful time." She smiled, her hands behind her back.

He nodded. "Good. I'd hate to hear that Neji hadn't made sure you enjoyed yourself."

She blinked, "Y--yes, Hiashi-sama." It was probably the first time he'd said more than ten words to her, on top of inquiring as to whether or not Neji made sure her evening went well.

Tentatively, she asked, "Is something wrong, Hiashi-sama?"

He arched a brow. "Wrong? Hm, nothing that I'm aware of. I was looking for Hinata. I haven't seen her around this morning."

"I think she left early," Neji offered. He thought a bit longer. "Actually, a friend came to visit her and they left together. I remember over hearing one of the guards talking about it."

He nodded, unfazed. "I imagine it was Kiba or Shino."

Both Tenten and Neji glanced at one another at the same time.

Neji looked over at the head, addressing him once more. "No, I think it was one of the Sand nin." Temari and Shikamaru had left together. He knew her name because she was in Konoha so often. Gaara had left with Naruto somewhere... and who was left? Kankuro. No one else from Sand had been in the group that night. He looked over at Tenten again. "Kankuro, right?"

"Yeah, I remember Temari-chan introduced us."

He looked back at the head. "I guess she's gone off with him this morning. Knowing Hinata it's probably to get some practice in."

The head nodded as he thought about this. Hinata was generally free to do as she wished. She wasn't as steadfast about her decisions and actions as her cousin and sister sometimes, but, she was a Chuunin and could more than take of herself. He never questioned where she went or how late she stayed out because she was a shinobi. In being one, her missions usually endangered her life more than anything she did in Konoha.

He once more glanced at the duo before him. "Have you been told yet?"

Neji arched a brow. "Told what? Tenten stayed the night again because of late night training. We haven't left the compound since the night of the festival. I'm actually surprised no one's come asking for us."

The head nodded, thinking nothing odd about this. The young woman made it a regular habit to do so with his nephew since she'd joined his team. "Well, I think you should know." He smiled softly, rarity for the older man. "Sasuke Uchiha has returned. Tsunade-sama sent a message out last night to all the clan heads and family heads in the village so the information could trickle downwards as appropriate. He was badly injured and unconscious when he was finally brought to the hospital. However, he's said to be stable and awake now."

Neji's eyes went wide in shock. "Really?" His voice held utter surprise. "If I may ask, Hiashi-sama, who found him?"

"You may. Kakashi, the copy nin, found him on his return home from a mission. He was lucky. Had the man found him any later and he might not be alive."

Tenten blinked, her eyes locked on Neji. He was quick to return her worried gaze. "Hiashi-sama, does Naruto know?" She addressed him.

The head nodded. "He was one of the first told. He was with him when he came out of the emergency room and was finally stabilized. I hear he's since left the hospital, but he had been there much of the night until the young man woke up."

Neji nodded. "Please, excuse us, Hiashi-sama." He motioned for Tenten to join him as he moved to leave the compound.

"Nephew," he called to him again.

Neji paused. It wasn't the first time the head used a title with him, but usually it was only in private. He turned, and addressed him in the same manner, "Yes, uncle?"

He smiled warmly at him, surprising him once more. "Be careful. Also, if you see your cousin, please tell her to see me with the young man when she does choose to come home. I don't care what the hour is. I want to be summoned."

Neji nodded and left with Tenten. It wasn't until they left the compound, a good distance away that Tenten said something.

"I've never seen him like that before. It was kinda...

"Weird?"

"Yeah... but in a sorta good way."

"He's been doing it more often, but usually only behind closed doors. I don't think he ever really recovered from my aunt's death. Hyuugas can be cold by nature, not that I need to tell you that. But... he closed up to all of us after she died. I sometimes think Hinata is the way she is because he has a hard time showing anyone affection since then, even in private."

"I kinda figured that." She dodged a tree and lept off a branch. "But, why now? What's different?"

Neji smiled. "Naruto."

She arched a brow. "That requires an explanation."

He looked forward and kept even pace with her. "Naruto has a way of making people want to change. Tsunade-sama said he makes you want to place all your hopes and dreams on him; as though deep down you know he'll succeed."

She still wasn't convinced. "What does that have to do with the head?"

"You should remember our first Chuunin exam and my fight with Naruto."

"Who couldn't? I was on the edge of my seat."

"I wanted to change my stars that day, Tenten. I thought, here was this kid, a dropout nobody that couldn't possibly match up to me. He couldn't change his stars, just like I thought I couldn't change mine. I knew I'd won the match before it started. I was a genius and he was the loser who could barely pass a test to save his grade. Destiny dictated I should have won."

"But, you lost that day, Neji."

"Exactly. I lost. I'd fought valiantly and a drop out nobody kicked my ass. I was left there in the dirt, staring up at the sky, not really understanding how it'd happened. No one expected him to do it Tenten. It wasn't just me."

She nodded, her lashes slightly lowering. "I didn't."

"He beat destiny. He showed me it was possible. That fate wasn't the end all deciding factor."

"I still don't understand what this has to do with the head."

"Naruto changed me. When I found out the truth about my father that change allowed for me to see Hiashi differently. And in turn I think it started to change him. It's the butterfly effect. The smile you bestow today might one day be the reason a life is saved. I only wish that downward effect would be given to Hinata."

Tenten sighed and slowed down as they came to the edge of the main part of the village. Neji matched her and followed suit. She dug her hands into her pockets and glanced up at the sky, wind rustling her hair. "Love changes people. Maybe that's why Naruto can do what he does so well. He loves and accepts everyone without question or judgment."

"It's a nice theory, it's it?" He looked over at her and reached, pulling one of her hands until his fingers interlaced with her own.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Author's Note: Argggg, you all have to know this chapter wasn't easy. Mostly because I felt like it was filler accept the Sasuke part. I really wanted to add a bit about Hinata and Kankuro in here, but the Neji/Tenten part got to be quite long.

Miskie, which part? The first kiss or the one in the hospital? Also, that chapter killed me! I had to rewrite it entirely because Gaara sounded like a jealous lover ready to claw some eyes out. And, to me that's not him.

Next chapter will defintely have some Hinata/Kankuro and Gaara/Naruto.