The Hearing: Part 3

Empty spaces.
Konoha, 6th March
Year of the Hare

Sasuke:

Naruto…

Sasuke breathed slowly as he stood in front of them all: the eyes upon him were a weight he couldn't shrug, but they were no less than Orochimaru's stare and he was well attuned to that by now. He could deal with it. He could deal with them all, Sakura, Kakashi - all of them. Until he heard:

"Sorry I'm late. Where do I sit?"

Naruto had whispered, but the room was so quiet it came out like a bellow. The court assistant pointed to his seat, and Konoha's Peace Ambassador made his way toward it, blushing. He hadn't looked up yet. Sasuke wasn't sure he knew what was going on, but he didn't think so. He would wager his best shuriken Naruto had no idea why he was here. Or that his old rival, his failed mission, his so-called friend was strung out before him, ready to be "rescued". Had he thought he'd lost him back then? Had he wondered about him? Had he… cared after what happened? What was he thinking now? What did he think of him now?

In fact what had he told the others, if anything at all? The entire group seemed fairly confused as to why they were there, Shikamaru and Chouji especially. Kiba, he didn't expect to bother with pleasantries; he'd never liked Sasuke much. Lee and Hinata weren't of particular concern either. Lee had fought Kimmimaro (and not died), which drew a kind of grudging respect from the Uchiha and Hinata was… Hinata… Well, she was. She'd always been part of the background, to be honest – Sasuke wasn't sure he knew much else about her. She was from a clan as old as his which could still be found choking on the bone of its sordid history, so perhaps they had some sort of accord there. Ino would have given him the shirt from her back had he asked for it and while he acknowledged that, the way she was staring at him made him uncomfortable. That slippery look of commiseration; that insipid, watery sympathy, he couldn't handle it. Not when he was trying to be strong. Not when he needed to stand his ground among them. Not when Sakura was next…

She wouldn't look at him. He wondered what would happen if she did; perhaps her chakra alone would crush him? Killing intent be damned, she had years of disappointment, fear and misplaced longing under her belt.

Add to that the fact that he'd attempted to kill her, then later thrown her into a genjutsu that saw her impaled by his fist. Yeah. That didn't really inspire heartfelt reunions. Sasuke was vaguely surprised that he was still breathing even now – surely the first moment she saw him she would have entertained the option of throwing a chair through his head. But then, she had to behave in front of Naruto. And Naruto?

Naruto…

As if reading his thoughts, Uzumaki leaned over and whispered to Sakura, gesturing lazily about the room with his hand. The idiot had band aids all over his fingers again; he must have been practicing his kuchiyose. Probably would have ended up biting his fingers off if they hadn't called him in. The whispers continued, then turned into murmurs. Glances were thrown in his direction. They were talking about him, he knew it. He held his chin high, confident that he could face them; confident that they could throw anything at him and he'd take it, like he always did. He expected anger. He expected sour feelings, maybe even hatred. And that was fine. That he could deal with. That he anticipated.

What he didn't expect was his own reaction coming face to face with his old team mate. His bullshit prophesy sibling. His-

"Sasuke…" Kakashi said, motioning to him with a little nod. There was more, but Sasuke wasn't listening, he was fixated on Naruto's face. He was waiting for that recognition. And it was there like a brick to the forehead; Naruto snapped from one expression to the next in mere time it took to blink.

Well, his questions were answered, certainly. What did Naruto think of him now? Not much, that was for sure. Surprise couldn't even begin to describe Naruto's expression. Shocked wasn't even close. The look on the blond's face was every synonym, every instance of complete and utter flabbergast that could be found in every thesaurus on every shelf in every country of the world. Sasuke's sudden, unexpected presence hit Naruto in the face harder than if he'd been punched and his mouth fell open and stayed open until his anger caught up with him.

Then everything closed. Everything became firm, pressed. His face seemed to darken with rage like a storm cloud brewing meteorological misery. His fingers pressed together and his shoulders hunched. The lip curled into a shadow of a sneer and finally, those bright, friendly eyes narrowed; their hue, affected somewhat by his ire and perhaps the beast inside, turning a deep shade of purple. He wasn't in danger of metamorphosis, but it did go to show how utterly incensed he was.

And Sasuke knew his anger all too well. He'd known it in the past and it had been the last emotion he'd seen on his soul's brother before he left him. Before he tore that crevasse of pain between them, turned tail and ran. The distance had helped, hadn't it? Time, surely. Here and now, he thought he'd be able to deal with it. The pain must have lessened, right?

Right?

But instead his stomach dropped and his fingers went numb. His breath became caught in his throat; his heartbeat accelerating to a hammering pace. Suddenly he was locked in place, petrified, despite the fact that Naruto had been something of a constant travelling companion on his journey back to Konoha. The cheery cut-outs of him in Amegakure, the posters along the highway - all of that was him. It was almost as if they never parted ways, if he forgot the hell that was the middle part. Sasuke had almost made a move to approach him a few weeks prior in the village streets, and while that was in disguise it still counted for something. He had known this moment would come and he thought he was ready for it. But that face halted everything. That anger, that whole damn portrait of contempt froze Sasuke's words on his tongue and all reason to the back of his mind where it cowered beneath layers of his shattered defenses, trying to shut itself out; trying to forget.

Nnn…

And Sasuke stopped. He didn't stop breathing, didn't stop moving – no. All basic functions carried on as usual. But everything that made Sasuke Sasuke ground to a halt. His voice disintegrated. His eyes stared with a glossy deadness that sheened thickly over their surfaces. A cold sweat grew in fat beads on his forehead and in the thick hair about his temples. Once again, that old sensation of fear prickled over him. Not the type of fear that he could use to his advantage but the fear that physically smothered. The fear that was an emotional garrote. Sasuke found himself paralyzed in the headlights of that ire, trembling like a deer and there was nothing he could do about it.

Sasuke had seen Naruto angry before, many, many times. This was not that Naruto. This was not the kind of angry that had manifested during their time as rivals. That face... That face was the one he was wearing when he hunted Sasuke down. When he laughed and told the others to restrain him. When he trapped him beneath his body, his hands rough and brutal and he drew blood when he sank his teeth into Sasuke's skin and shoved his length in deep, deep and those eyes were like lightening and they amplified the pain and his teeth were needles and the stripes on his face were like dark brands of malice his voice was grating when he

laughed when he broke Sasuke

apart when he drove

in the

final

nail

I win.

There was nothing after that. Nothing good in the world until the world came down upon him. And Sasuke was stuck under that mental rubble, barely registering where he was or why. He saw the man's face. He saw him as Naruto, and he saw him as himself. He heard him whispering in his ear. He felt the weight of him on his chest, smelled the musk of his skin close, too close. He was all around him. He was through him. And it felt like his whole body was withering, drying up and dying in response-

-What's your name?-

-Fuck you-.

-Fuck you? Is that your name? That's a pretty name-

-It's a piece of advice-

-Why? I like that as a name. Does your daughter have that name? Did you call her Screw?-

-I called her Fuck Off-

The smile was predatory, then. The eyes were pale, bloodshot and they were round and wild. He sucked his teeth and tongued the corner of his mouth.

-I'm lying. I know your name. Your name is #UCH02. Your daughter's name is #UCH05. They tell us that's all we need to know about you, but I'm interested. I want to know, you see. I can't help it. You're famous, at least to me, anyway. I've heard so much about you.-

-Then you know what my name is.-

-Oh-

He laughed. It was an unpleasant sound.

-I do, Sasuke Uchiha. I do-

-until they made to take her away. Until they wanted the only thing he possessed that was his. His prize, his reward. He'd stolen her back from the Kakkou with shaking fingers, unsure if he could care for her, uncertain if he could even love her and he still didn't know the answer to that. But something deeper down, something that linked to the fabric of the universe itself held her, needed her. Something in him knew it couldn't function without her and it forced him up, pushed him forward; pried the words out of his mouth through numb lips.

"No…"

Kakashi:

He'd witnessed Sasuke folding in on himself in the same way that someone might watch a train crash or an avalanche that was happening in front of him. Like the world had slowed down and was running at a quarter-speed, letting events draw out over seconds, minutes rather than instantaneously; it was disastrous. And there was very little he could do about it. Sasuke eased back down in his seat as though his joints were struggling through glue, his expression pinched, eyes dull. When he stood again, after a short period of name calling and wicked spats from his audience, he called out for his daughter, reaching toward her with a kind of unthinking, drunken movement that was purely driven by his most base instincts. Even his voice was tinged with the deep, low keen of a grieving animal. A primal gutter. He took a few slow, heavy steps toward the official, his eyes locked on the little girl in her arms.

"Nno…"

"Sasuke?"

"Is he alright?" Hiashi said, looking over to Kakashi as though Kakashi would know. The Hokage didn't answer, he simply watched, letting the situation sink in.

"Hokage-sama?"

"I…-" Koharu began, visibly shaken. The whole courtroom seemed to pause, didn't breathe. They were watching Sasuke - completely fixated. "I beg your pardon, Sasuke? What did you say?"

Sasuke didn't blink. Sasuke didn't move. He didn't acknowledge anyone; he didn't even seem to hear Koharu. His eyes were only for his daughter, saw only the girl. Otherwise they were devoid of cognizance, pupils blown.

"no… No… Can't. Don't."

Kakashi paused for a moment, then,

"Ume, let him have her."

"Yes." Ume didn't even blink. In seconds, she was striding over to Sasuke almost and gently transferred the baby into his arms. Then the entire room let out a breath. Sasuke took the girl into his arms with a gentleness and a familiarity that was as shocking as it was magnetizing. Sasuke's whole body seemed to relax the moment he held her. He pressed his lips against her forehead and fingers buried in her thick, spiky hair, pulling her close against his chest. She let out a happy squeal and grabbed his bangs, burbling at him joyously. And she was all that could be heard in the room, for the rest had fallen into stupefied silence. Even Koharu blanched a little, intimidated by this sudden and overwhelming show of sheer, base need.

"Hokage-sama," Koharu said, carefully. "What are you doing? I thought we came to an agreement."

"Mm, we had," Kakashi agreed, looking pointedly around the small room at the shocked expressions before him. "But I'm starting to wonder, Utatane-san, whether splitting them up is really such a good idea…"

"That's what we agreed."

"Er…"

"Did we? All of us?" Kakashi focused on the Akimichi Head, pursing his lips a little as Chōza seemed to be fidgeting a sentence together. "I think perhaps we ought to slow down a little. After all, attempting to remove the child seems to have caused some serious effects. What do you think, Chōza-san?"

"Ah… Well…" Chōza began.

"Serious effects… That's a serious effect?" Tsume muttered. But quieter this time, as though she wasn't quite convinced of her own rebuttal. "He's hardly affected…"

"You think?" Yoshino was quick to leap in. "And what exactly constitutes 'affected' to the Inuzuka, mm? Overgrooming?"

"Shut it, Nara."

"That's not really appropriate," Santa started to say, but quietened as Chōza continued.

"I don't think we ought to split them up. Um. Do you?" He said, carefully. "I mean… Well, look at them. It just seems wrong. And I don't think he's in the right frame of mind to be questioned. Not right now, anyway."

"Something else has happened," Yohino added. "There's something amiss. Factors we need to take into consideration, and we don't know what they are yet."

"That's very true. It's certainly not a clear-cut conviction," Kakashi supplemented, trying hard not to look over as Koharu simmered.

"There's also the fact that he originally defected as a child," Tsunade piped up. "And that law has now changed, given the exchanges of citizens between villages. The Shinobi Union gave a temporary pardon for war victims who absconded as an act of goodwill."

"Sasuke wasn't a war victim at the time!" Tsume parried, narrowing her eyes. "He left in a time of peace. Doubtless he knew something!"

"Maybe he did, maybe he didn't." Kakashi spoke in front of Tsunade, who clapped her mouth shut and glared at him. "But that's something we have to find out, isn't it?"

"It's been a… well, a really long time since anyone with a dependent has been tried," Yoshino swallowed hard, biting her lip. "Uh… definitely not one who didn't have any immediate family to take their child. Or one so… young."

"No, that's very true," Kakashi agreed. "We haven't done that before."

"As Yoshino said, there are factors we don't know about yet. What Sasuke has experienced to… become like this? We have no idea. Was it his decision, was he forced? Hell, even if it was his idea he shouldn't be separated from the child. Not unless there is absolute proof – thoroughly researched and documented – that the relationship is in any way harmful to either of them," Tsunade added. "Hokage-sama, Council… We're talking about trying a boy who's been changed, physically altered, and has carried children. Whether they're Orochimaru's or not – and that isn't an issue right now – we can't just run ahead on assumptions alone. It's not right and it's not fair. Remember, this is a boy who could have hidden anywhere in the world, and yet he returned to Konoha. For safety. He came home."

"Home." Rock Lee breathed. "That's what we're told, isn't it? The village is our home. The village is our family. Our family is always there for us, no matter what."

"Yeah, but you don't just turn around and try to kill your family when you disagree with them!" Kiba shot back. Then he paused, realizing what he'd just said. There was a scarlet blush that scattered across his cheeks, making his markings almost blend together. The whole room sucked in a breath, feeling the awkwardness as a unit. "Ah. Well. You know."

Kakashi looked over his council, then the Clan representatives with a long, thoughtful gaze. Tsume still didn't seem convinced and while Hiashi didn't seem overly pleased with the sudden, awkward dogleg into leniency, he wasn't arguing against it either. Yamanaka Santa was watching his cousin, who in turn hadn't taken her eyes off Sasuke the moment she caught sight of him, and Nara Yoshino was biting her nails anxiously – a clear sign of indecision. Really it was only Koharu and Tsume who expressed the most ardent opinions in opposition, but the Inuzuka Jounin hadn't made to comment on Sasuke's behavior. She watched, closely, but when Kakashi raised the metaphorical gavel, she made no move to disagree.

"Losing a father is one thing," Kakashi said, quietly. "Losing a family is quite another. And to lose them twice? No, I don't think so. I'm afraid, Utatane-san, Mitokado-san, I have to agree with Lee-kun on this one. The Third praised family before anything else, as did the Fourth. The Fifth, Tsunade-sama, praised fairness and responsibility – like her Grandfather. I may not have worn the hat for long, but I think we should bear these things in mind when we move forward with this case. Sasuke's crimes are one thing, but this situation calls for more attention than a simple open shut case. And for the meantime, until we're sure with our verdict, Sasuke should stay with his daughter."

"But-"

"Koharu-san," Kakashi said, patiently, as once again his council made to protest. "Perhaps you ought to try asking Sasuke another question and see how well he responds. We can't question a defendant who can't physically answer." He nodded toward Sasuke, who had slowly sunk back into his seat, still staring out into nothing; still holding his child as though his life depended on it. The look on his face – or lack of – suggested there would be little else to draw from him. Something had shut him off and Kakashi was willing to bet that the fascination from exposing who or what caused such a breakdown effect was far more tempting for the present party than the simple satisfaction of just locking Sasuke away. Koharu pressed her lips into a thin line, but Homura sat forward, nodding.

"Yes, I see. I agree, Hokage-sama," he said. "I think perhaps, in this case, it is a wiser decision to allow the pair to stay together until we have run through a more thorough set of proceedings." Homura liked his proceedings, that was for sure. "It appears he needs some rest. Some time to… digest his choices without feeling harried. Rather than one of the holdings cells – which would not be at all suitable for a young child to stay – we could use one of the suites in the Hokage apartment block. It is close by, it is entirely enclosed and guarded by ANBU and it is away from the public eye."

"A house arrest, then?" Koharu pursed her lips. "With a minder? He should be monitored at the very least.

"The science division has developed a new set of trackers they intended to test on lower-level criminals in Kusagakure." Santa added, helpfully. "The ones sentenced to probation anyway. No private is guard necessary with the devices and if we reduces the radius to the Office and apartment grounds, we could make do with the guards we already have in position. Er… since he's not in much of a condition to fight…" Santa blushed a little. Koharu tapped her chin with a gnarled finger.

"That's adequate, I suppose," she said. "However, he'll still be facing the same charges with the World Council. What sort of treatment are we putting into place that will prove that this leniency was viable? He may very well shut down in court as he has here. And you are well aware of how the Raikage will find our… special treatment."

"You're afraid it will look like favoritism?" Kakashi raised his brows.

"I'm only preempting the kind of mind set that I have, many times, witnessed from Kumogakure," Koharu told him. "You know that I am only trying to protect the village from slander. We are meant to be a union."

"Then we play by the union's rules," Tsunade piped up immediately. "We instigate mandatory therapy sessions with a court-appointed social worker. It's what they're doing for the war victims; it's what we should do for Sasuke."

"A what?"

"A specialist… well a third party, separate from the shinobi regulation, who can… talk to Sasuke."

"Anyone can talk to him," Koharu looked mystified

"Regarding his transfigurement; his decisions or lack of. What happened." Tsunade continued through gritted teeth. "The defendant has the opportunity to talk to a neutral party and there's a degree of confidentiality which can help put the patient at ease. The knowledge isn't shared unless the defendant allows it, or unless there is harm intended very specifically. It's another new implementation, inspired by some of the civilian villages."

"Bunch of bullshit." Tsume grumbled. Koharu and Homura looked at each other for a moment. Then Homura pushed his glasses up his nose.

"Er…. And they've found this works?"

"It's certainly insightful. I've had reports that the patients in Suna's trials have felt more secure. Comfortable. Able to deal with painful memories and repressed trauma," Tsunade replied. "And after all, as the Hokage said, aren't we supposed to be all about understanding our clans?"

"The Uchiha are… unstable." Koharu muttered, twisting her rings around on her fingers. "That I understand. History has proven it time and time again."

"The village has been unstable all its life. And don't forget, the Uchiha lived in reasonable comfort beside the other clans for many years." Tsunade motioned to Sasuke. "Let me also point out the fact that there are only two left in the world. We have a choice to render a clan extinct or-"

"Or to study it under supervised conditions!" Santa seemed satisfied with that. "It really is a rather perfect opportunity. One of the strongest doujutsus that existed… having the chance to study it at such a young age could tell us a lot more about the nature of chakra…"

"She's not a guinea pig!"

"I-I didn't mean it that way-" Santa stammered, blushing. Yoshino snorted.

"Sure you didn't."

"We won't be putting Sasuke's daughter up for study. Nor Sasuke," Kakashi sighed. "At the moment, we are simply dealing with the fact that he is now back within Konoha's jurisdiction and we will need to act accordingly before we discuss a trial date. We will initiate a house arrest for Sasuke, let him retain the custody of his daughter in return for community service and bi-weekly sessions with a counselor."

"Uh," Homura glanced at Koharu, who pressed her lips together into a smart, puckered line. "That does sound appropriate. Yes."

"How interesting that it didn't take you long to formulate a plan, Hatake-sama." Koharu touched her hair, stroking a tiny piece back into place. "You're certainly one of our more decisive Hokages. When it comes to the Uchiha, that is."

"Well, I am known for being quick on my feet." Kakashi replied, smoothly. "One must think of all possible outcomes in this situation. Besides, Tsunade is right, not enough is known about the situation to issue a sentence without a little uncertainty, don't you think? And if we have the opportunity to gather more intel, we really should."

"You know Ibiki could help with that," Koharu added, darkly. "It is, after all, the interrogation of a criminal."

"Historically, that would be the way we'd do it, I'm sure," Kakashi replied. "However, you've seen what the media circus has done for Naruto's popularity. Lots of good vibes; lots of coverage on our social events. It's excellent exposure for Konoha. But what if they caught on to this story? How do you think they might take it? After all, we know already from the… business in Kusagakure, they'll do anything for a story."

"Who… How can they find out?" Homura said.

"They have their ways. They have plants everywhere. The press could give us ninja a run for our money these days," Kakashi pointed out. "The reason I'm trying to get things moving along, the reason I've asked so many of you here, is because I'm pretty sure they've already caught wind of the situation – or at least that's what my informant tells me. And I'd rather you all found out at once than through the papers. Fair's fair."

"I suppose."

"So I guess the decision we make here ought to be a good one. Right?" Kakashi looked toward the original members of team seven, who seemed incredulous that he'd spoken to them at all. Sakura looked away, picking at the hem of her skirt.

"Whatever," she mumbled.

"Naruto?"

Naruto hadn't stopped staring at Sasuke. Kakashi wondered if he was even listening; he'd moved about as much as Sasuke had in the past ten minutes. He cleared his throat and repeated,

"Naruto?"

"It…" Naruto said, his voice tarred by his anger. "It would make us look good, I guess. After all, that's what we're about, isn't it? Caring for the…frail…" Those blue eyes narrowed. "The weak. We're the reasonable party here. It'd be a great publicity act."

An act. Kakashi watched as Naruto lifted his chin haughtily, looking down his nose at his former rival. Sasuke didn't seem to have a response, but that wasn't the point. Naruto was taking a shot where he could. Strategically. He'd learned a lot on the road and how to take a punt at your opposition without looking like the bad guy was something he'd seemed to have mastered. Kakashi nodded.

"Then perhaps we break for today. I will make the necessary arrangements an update you all on the situation, similarly I will also provide a press sheet underlining what we can and cannot say at this point. Remember, this is more to cover our own asses, more than his."

"His generous ass," Kiba muttered, getting to his feet with the rest of his comrades. Ino shushed him, but it was a half-hearted effort. They shuffled out, far quieter than they had been when they entered. That wasn't surprising. Kakashi coughed again then rose to his feet.

"Alright, let's see about getting Sasuke settled. Then it's a world of paperwork for me."

"I can't believe it," Rock Lee mumbled as he trudged down the steps from the office pavilion. "Was that really Sasuke-kun?"

"I guess so," Shikamaru said, frowning a little as he caught the glare of a lens in his eyes. There was a snap of a shutter, then a photographer, seated casually on the benches by the courthouse, got to her feet and waved the small party over. She smiled a little too widely, which only served to raise Shikamaru's hackles. Damn, Kakashi had been right.

"Hi kids!" She exclaimed, ignoring the set of wary looks aimed toward her. "How's it going?"

"Good, thank you," Lee answered, matching her tone. Ino shoved him.

"Fine," Shikamaru replied, pushing his hands in his pockets. Glancing at the others, he added: "Y'know, if you want some good pictures, there's a store about a block from here that sells tourist maps. Heaps of places to photograph."

"Oh I'm not a tourist," the woman laughed.

"I know," Shikamaru countered. "But since nothing has happened here this morning, you might as well be."

"That's not what I was told."

"Well that's what I'm telling you." Shikamaru narrowed his eyes. "Who'd said otherwise?"

"About 'nothing'?" The woman deflected, beautifully. She batted her eyelashes. "Why, no one." But if you ever want to chat about 'nothing', I have a card.

Realizing he wasn't getting anywhere with her, Shikamaru just grunted and began walking away – hoping like hell the others followed. The last thing he needed was division between his friends. Kiba was angry, but he was angry on behalf of his mother and his own strangely healthy respect for the village rules. Kiba snorted, jerking a thumb behind him as the woman waved.

"We should talk to her," he said. "We don't owe Sasuke nothing."

"Kakashi-sensei said we have to wait for instructions," Sakura said, stiffly. She stared straight ahead, her expression unreadable. Ino made to thread their arms together, but stopped short of the action when her friend pulled away. "It's just unnecessary attention."

"He's good at gathering unnecessary attention," Kiba growled.

"He gathers unnecessary attention because he's good," Shikamaru parried. "Skilled. I mean, the guy's a damn head case, but he always had the skills to balance the crazy. Can't argue that."

"So what? He doesn't get to hang because he's talented? Ain't that talented."

"And we don't hang people," Hinata threw in, softly. "That's a horrible thought."

"I didn't mean-" Kiba backpedaled a little. "It's an expression, Hinata."

"Well, you sounded like you meant it," Hinata picked at a fingernail. "I thought I'd better make sure since you were so… outspoken in court."

"Hey, your dad wasn't holding back," Kiba shot back. Hinata, for one of the first times in nearly a decade of comradeship, actually glared at him.

"I'm not my father."

"Hinata-chan," Ino blinked. She seemed pleased. "S-so you support Sasuke? I didn't think you knew him that well…"

"I wonder how well any of us know him," Hinata looked up, watching the back of Naruto's head. He didn't turn around, but he slowed a little. His shoulders were hunched, hands in his pockets. He hadn't said a word since they left the court houses. Instead he'd been wandering in front, leading the group away from the main street and west towards the canal where it was quieter. No doubt he needed to gather his thoughts, but it was also unsurprising that Ichiraku's new gyoza cart was located in the memorial park as well. Hinata shrugged. "And I don't think it's a case of for and against. I think it's much messier than that."

"How do you figure?"

"I've sat in a lot of formal meetings with my father," Hinata said. "You know… learning the ropes. Show more interest… I've never seen Utatane-san or Mitokado-san so unsettled."

"Think they're hiding something?" Shikamaru asked. Hinata nodded which made Kiba sneer again.

"As if! Those old farts? What the hell would they have to hide? They're like… a million!"

"With three wars under their belts," Chouji spoke up, suddenly. "I don't know. Lotsa stuff happens in wars. Lotsa stuff gets forgotten. 'Specially if you're fighting. Best time to hide things, you know." He looked at Naruto pointedly. "In all that confusion. Who's to know what's true and what's not. I bet they do."

Shikamaru nodded. "Remember, they were put in place by the Third when they retired as Shinobi. They know everyone's dirty laundry. The Uchiha were one of the most mysterious clans of all the Leaf."

"What, the fuzz? Nothing so secretive about a bunch of trumped up cops." Kiba pushed back his hood. "One went berserk and offed the rest, so what? Product of inbreeding anyway, you know how those clans are."

"Do we?" Hinata said tightly. "Maybe you should enlighten us."

"Well, not you of course."

"No, just the other ancient clan interested in selective breeding for their dojustu. There's not much difference between the Hyuga and the Uchiha, you know. We're both founding clans. We're both users of ocular jutsu. You say we don't know Sasuke that well? You know, I wonder if he grew up like me; maybe he actually found it harder to make friends because everyone was intimidated by him from reputation alone? Or maybe he grew up like you, Kiba? Maybe his Mom was tough and his Dad wasn't there a lot. At least you had Akamaru."

Akamaru gave a short, soft yap at that, something of a thank you. He walked forward a little closer pushed his nose into Kiba's hand, letting him know he was there. It was his unspoken way to remind Kiba to mind his manners. However Kiba wasn't listening.

"Intimidated? Hard to make friends? He did that to himself being such a damn show off. And he had a brother, that's way more than some of us here!"

"Itachi… wasn't it?" Lee frowned. "Um… wasn't he the one that… uh…"

"Hn, that's what happens with bad breeding." Kiba snarled. "Put too much of the same bloodline into one pool and you get aberrations like Uchiha Itachi. If you ask me, it's always a problem with the bitch-"

He made to laugh but was interrupted by Naruto's fist connecting with his jaw. He staggered back a few steps, his eyes glazing with surprise. One hand touched his mouth and pulled away slightly dampened by blood. The air around them seemed to fizz with energy and it was only a few seconds later that the others realized Naruto had even moved. His eyes were flat, grey. His lip curled.

"W-what the hell, man?" Kiba yelped, feeling about his jaw. "You're just as pissed off at him as the rest of us! Weren't you the one sayin-"

Naruto's fist flashed again, this time catching in Kiba's jacket to pull up toward him. Pressing into Kiba's space, dangerously close, Naruto let out a low growl of his own – dark enough that even Akamaru backed off slightly, his tail lowering to miserable droop.

"You don't pretend to know anything about Sasuke's family," he rumbled. "Nothin'. You don't talk about his Dad. You don't talk about his Mom. And you s'pecially don't talk about his brother. You have no idea what it's like. You got nothin'. So shut your damn yapping mouth before I shut it for you."

Kiba swallowed hard, but he didn't submit, not yet. He narrowed his eyes.

"This what it's come down to, huh? You realize that this is that Uchiha bastard at work again, making us all turn against each other. You know he pissed himself back there? Fucking cowardly little bas-"

"Kiba stop!" Ino protested. "That's enough. We get your point!"

"Do you?" Kiba continued, still holding Naruto's stare. "Y'know, if you rough me up, people are gonna hear about it. Even if I don't say anything, my Mom's gonna know. And she'll bark, let me tell you. How's that gonna make you look, eh, Ambassador Uzumaki?"

Naruto laughed suddenly, coldly, making the others wonder if that was him or the beast inside. It certainly didn't sound like the Naruto they knew. "No. No, your Mom's not gonna bark about anything to do with me. And you're not gonna yap about anything to do with Sasuke anymore, y'understand? Cos if you do-" he leaned in closer, so that only Kiba could hear him. "- your Mom's gonna find out about your girlfriend. Y'know… the civvie? And I'm not gonna pretend I know anything about your family, but something tells me that's gonna account for more than a hiding, right? More than a few bruises from a disagreement with me, your Mom'd throw you through next week."

The look that Kiba gave Naruto was such an exemplar of flabbergast, it was, despite the context, almost amusing. He'd worn the same look when Naruto had fought him in the chuunin exams; his final technique being quite the underhanded trump, and not to mention, hilariously unpleasant. But there was little humor in Naruto's threat and Kiba felt it. He backed down, finally, looking away.

"Geez man… I didn't mean-"

"Breakfast!" Chouji said, suddenly. Loudly. The tense silence practically shattered around them. Chouji gave a thin, forced smile and seized Kiba's arm in his large fist, marching him forward. "Food. We all need some food. Meat, I think. A little protein in your stomach'll calm your nerves. No point in arguing when we can fill our mouths with food instead. We'll go to my cousin's place, it's close."

"Mm, good idea," Shikamaru said, pointedly looking over at Ino, who seemed to be nodding mindlessly as though her head was no longer attached to her thoughts. "Bet you didn't eat, right Ino? Let's get you some of Chochi's pastries, mm?"

"Y-yeah," Kiba staggered along after the others, firmly clenched in Chouji's grip. Lee cast a look behind him as Sakura and Naruto remained, but he knew better than to try to coax them along. Not now. Hinata paused for a moment, then continued walking. There was little she could do. Team Seven needed their time.

Once they were alone, Sakura reached out, resting her hand on Naruto's shoulder. It was surreal. The whole morning, the whole thing. Completely unreal. But it was there. And now it was their problem once again. He was.

"Are…" You alright? Sakura attempted to swallow the lump in her throat. It didn't work. Are you alright. What a stupid thing to say. Of course he wasn't alright; they weren't alright. "Naruto..."

"Sakura…" Naruto breathed. He didn't look at her; he looked past her, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance. "Is this real?"

"Yeah," Sakura replied, familiar with the question. "Yeah it's real, Naruto. Things have been real for a long time, remember?"

"I know but… That… was Sasuke… wasn't it? Or it wasn't? That was a girl."

"Apparently he's a girl now."

"And he had… a baby? Or was having one? Both? I got lost."

Sakura shook her head. "I don't know. It's insane. I think we all know as much as each other apart from Kakashi and Tsunade. Oh, and Kabuto."

"Kabuto?"

"Mm… Tsunade brought him in. Most likely to make sure that he was who he said he was." Sakura shrugged. "The guy's about as suspect as a really suspect thing, but he knows his stuff. Someone was telling me he saved Sasuke's life in the w-

"Hit me."

"Mm?" Sakura blinked, then groaned. "No. Geez Naruto, not this again. I told you it was real; don't make me prove it."

"Do it."

"No! I can really hurt you!"

"Do it. Please," Naruto growled. "Please do it. Then I know it's real. Then I know it's… I can… I can start on this." He hasn't beaten me. Not again. This isn't him. "Please, Sakura."

"Fine… Ok fine, damnit." Sakura sighed, then cocked her fist back. A second later, Naruto was stagger away from her a few steps, his eyes filled with tears and his hand at the side of his head.

"Ow!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Ow! Shit, ow!"

"Well, you asked."

"I asked you to hit me. You pulled my hair!"

"That's better than hitting you." Sakura showed him her hand. "Look, I didn't even take any with me. I barely touched you."

"That really hurt!"

"Really?"

"Ok, no. Not really. Still!"

"Still what? You were yelling at me!" Sakura folder her arms across her chest, somewhat guilty. "Sorry. I'm sorry. I really did just tug it. But do you feel better now?"

"Kinda. No. Yes." Naruto straightened, rubbing at his temple. He wasn't hurt so much as surprised. That was the point, really. "So… he's a girl. And were those his... kids?" When Sakura shrugged, then nodded a moment later, he scrunched up his nose in distaste. "Do you think it was Orochimaru?"

"Who else would it be? There is no one else who'd want to get under Sasuke's skin as deeply as that. No one else who could. He wanted Sasuke's body, remember?" Sakura shivered. "To take it over… Search for eternal youth. Tsunade-sama said he'd been obsessed with immortality since he was a kid. I wouldn't put it past him to try that."

Naruto jaw tightened audibly. "Do you think they… Y'know… Uh-"

"Uh… Gross? And well… probably? That's how you make a baby." Sakura squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to picture it. "I mean, he could have been inseminated, but… I dunno. I don't want to know."

"Stupid bastard! He's a stupid bastard!" Naruto snarled, suddenly. "He's a stupid, stupid bastard and he… he deserves everything he gets because he's stupid. What the hell's all this for anyway? More power from Orochimaru?"

"That's what everyone thought. It makes sense," Sakura added, kicking her toe in the dirt a few times. "He went to the Sannin for power in exchange for his body. Then he was with that other guy for a while… Obito, was it? I mean, who knows what that guy promised him."

"Obito was confused," Naruto replied, immediately. "He wasn't a bad guy, he was just… told the wrong things. People took advantage of that. That Madara guy took advantage of that. But he saw it in the end. He knew. He was a good guy. Sasuke-" won't listen. Never listened. "- no. I don't…. I just don't wanna think about it."

But wasn't Sasuke tricked too? Wasn't that what you were trying to prove for so long? Naruto winced. There was a long moment of awkward silence between them, punctuated here and there by the sounds of the village. Or normal life carrying on around them. Two hours ago, they'd been part of that, and now Sasuke had come along and ruined everything. Sakura bit her lip.

"Do you want me to come over?" Sakura asked. "Maybe we could go for a walk? Or just… sit for a while?"

"No…" Naruto shook his head. "Nah. Thanks. I need… I don't know what I need. Bleach my eyeballs or something." Get him out of my head. For once, get the bastard out of my head. "I'm going home for a bit…"

"Want me to send for Gaara?" Sakura said, quietly.

"No."

"I'm sure he'd want to kn-"

"Just leave it!" Naruto snapped. "Sakura, please! You don't need to fix everything! Fixing things doesn't always make them better. You can't just go and give people exactly what they want! Fuck!"

In a flurry of signs, Naruto disappeared into thin air – transported to wherever he'd hidden his other kunai. Sakura stared into the space that had once occupied her friend, almost as if she could still see the outline of him hanging in the air; his aura. Then she clicked her tongue.

"Shit it."

She spun on her heel, turning stalk in the direction of Tenten's house, her fists clenched at her sides. Ten strides later, she broke into a run.

Fuck you. Fuck you Sasuke. Fuck you!

"I can't get up."

Tsunade crouched near Sasuke, her hand on his knee. The courtroom had emptied of the Sasuke's peers, but the representatives and the council still remained, somewhat unwilling to end the proceedings despite the fact that Sasuke had been frighteningly unresponsive for a full half hour. Finally, after a little more time and after Naruto had left the room he'd begun to thaw, though his capacity for reality was still questionable. He blinked heavily, his head nodded as though he were drunk. He seemed to be answering questions, but in an abstract way – removed. He hadn't stopped clutching Mikoto close to his chest and while she was making soft hungry noises at him, his attention was still drawn elsewhere to another time. He murmured, absently, his hand drifting to the neckline of his tee shirt in order to undo the buttons and help Mikoto to his breast. But it then stopped short. He switched off. He returned to staring and his hand drifted away, all intentions forgotten. Tsunade frowned.

"Sasuke?"

"Can't get up," he repeated, blinking. He looked at Tsunade, then over at Yoshino, Chōza and Santa, who were standing a little way behind, eyeing him worriedly. "…right now."

"You feeling sick? Dizzy? Nauseous?" Tsunade reached forward to touch his side, letting her fingers run over his hips. "Something hurt?"

"No."

"Loss of feeling?"

Sasuke shook his head. Tsunade smiled faintly. "It's ok then. Maybe you're just a bit fatigued. Give it a moment and we'll try again. You'll feel better on your feet. We're taking you to the Hokage apartments, know where those are? You can stay there until the trial."

"It's not that," Sasuke whispered. "I um… I think… Um…" He looked away. "I need something to um… cover. Me. A-around the w-waist."

"The w-Oh," Tsunade backed up a little, then pulled off her haori, bending a little to help Sasuke up. Sasuke eased up - his movements slow, syrupy, as if he was in a dream - and let her help him position the haori to cover the accident: tying the sleeves around his hips for security. "It's ok. You were upset." She offered, kindly. "It happens with trauma."

"I know."

"Oh," Tsunade looked down then cleared her throat. "Sasuke… Do you remember what happened?"

"What happened when?"

"Just now. At the hearing."

"I didn't hear anything."

"No, that's not what I meant." Tsunade pressed closer as he leaned on her heavily, unable to move any faster than a dazed shuffle. He was responding, but there was a delay. Things were coming through garbled and she wasn't quite sure why. "The meeting just now. Remember? Everyone was here. Naruto, Sakura-

"Mikoto needs feeding." Sasuke said, dreamily. "She won't sleep if I don't feed her. Then I can't keep moving. It's better to move while she's asleep."

"You don't need to move, Sasuke. The apartments are just down the road."

"I can't afford an apartment. I don't have any money."

"That…" Tsunade clutched his shoulder tighter. "Sasuke you don't need to pay for it. You're going under the care of the state, remember?"

"I can't pay for it. I can't. I need money…" Sasuke stopped suddenly, staring up at her. No, not her, just past her. Not quite into reality. "I can't pay for her. I don't know… I left my job… I think. I can't go anywhere else, there's nowhere else to go. I need to keep her safe, don't you understand? It's not her fault! I can't… I can't do it it! I ca-can't… Don't take her…"

"Tsunade-sama?" Yoshino was at her side, deer-stepping nervously. "Are you alright, do you want some help with him?"

"I don't know," Tsunade looked at her helplessly. "He just switched off again. Maybe?" She supported him for a moment while he slowly canted from side to side, breathing shallowly. "Sasuke? Stay with us, all right?"

"Should he go to a hospital?" Santa asked, throwing a look toward Kakashi and the council, who had stopped debating and were watching the small group with the same kind of unhelpful fixation as civilians watching a fight between shinobi. Kakashi pushed his chair backward out of the way.

"Is he alright?"

"Right now? Probably a little better than he was?" Tsunade replied, acidly. She glared at the council. "And you wanted to lock him away. Really."

"We're not getting into this again, Tsunade," Koharu sighed. "You got what you wanted."

"Did I?"

"Oh can we just get him out of here?" Yoshino said, now crouched in front of Sasuke, her hands on his arms, lightly. "He needs to rest. Can't you tell? He's exhausted!"

"Please… just don't take her. Don't take her. I don't know what's left if you take her. Please. All I need is some money… Just for a place. Some food. Please…" Sasuke's voice petered out and he seemed to collapse a little. Yoshino wrapped her arms around him, letting him sink into them.

"Sasuke? Um-" There was another glance to the surrounding adults. "Little help?"

"Yeah," Tsunade hurried around her, gently trying to pluck Mikoto from his arms. He held on like a limpet, groaning slightly, but she persevered. "Come on, Sasuke. Just a second. I'll just hold her for a second then we'll get you settled in your new place, ok? Just a little bit…"

It took a moment, some soft words and persistence but finally Tsunade managed to coax him into giving her the baby. She eased her away, rocking Mikoto lightly as she bleated, unhappily. Sasuke's front was wet. Two small, dark patches bloomed on his shirt where his breasts had seeped and he looked down at them, dazedly.

"…leaking."

"Oh…" Yoshino blinked. "He… feeds her?" She glanced up at Tsunade, who rolled her eyes. Hiashi eyes widened enough to make him appear positively ghoulish. Even Koharu seemed surprised.

"Of course." Tsunade told her. "What else was he supposed to do?"

"I just…" Yoshino glanced over at Kakashi. "Did you know that? Don't you understand what that means?"

"I supposed it proves he's had a child before…" Koharu said slowly. Homura was trying not to look, a blush painting his lined cheeks. Koharu nodded. "You had better let him rest."

"That's what we're trying to do." Tsunade grumbled. Yoshino tried lifting Sasuke, but Chōza interrupted her, picking Sasuke up easily.

"Allow me," he boomed, nodding at Kakashi as he headed toward the door. Tsunade, Yoshino and Santa trailed behind, feeling slightly redundant. Seconds later an official caught up with them, keys jingling in her hand. She proceeded to tell them that apartment four was already prepared and waiting and that once they had Sasuke settled, they could discuss medications, food requirements, Sasuke's counseling sessions.

"We will need a list of everything," she prattled on, "for the records. Utatane-san and-"

"I'll meet you afterward," Tsunade interrupted her. "Seriously, just back off for now, ok? Utatane can-" blow it out her ass. "-can wait until we can ensure that Sasuke is safe."

"Yes m'."

"Do y'think…" Sasuke murmured as Chōza carried him through the door, and laid him carefully on the bed. "Do y'think she looks like them?"

"It's ok, kid," Chōza replied, kindly, pulling off Sasuke's shoes and positioning his feet on the comforter. "Just take it easy. You gotta rest for a while."

"I thought she did… at first. But then she didn't. Nothing like them. Not a bit."

"Like who, Sasuke?" Yoshino asked, helping Tsunade arrange a bed for Mikoto on a futon in the sitting area. They'd been quietly discussing the need for extra furniture in his apartment, but clicked to attention when he spoke again. "Who does your little girl look like?"

"Them."

"Who's them?"

"I could-" Santa made to offer. Tsunade shook her head. No way.

"Sasuke? Who's them?" She asked instead. "The people holding you? What were their names?"

"No one," Sasuke breathed, rolling over. "They're no one. Not anymore. It took them out. They're gone. She doesn't look like them, so it's fine."

It wasn't, of course, but Sasuke didn't feel that right now. He merely slipped into another doze as his caregivers tiptoed around him, making sure he was alright then investigating the apartment. Someone mentioned feeding Mikoto and he called for them to bring her over – suddenly present for a few seconds before he dived back down under the blanket of nothingness again. Someone helped him up and there was air on his chest, then the familiar clamp of his daughter against him. His hands went to her back, smoothing it lightly. He might have been talking to her, murmuring – singing perhaps, low and slightly off-key, but he wasn't entirely present to witness it.

Tsunade heard him, however. She had to lean close, tell Yoshino to stop whispering around them. She had to concentrate, but she heard it. Singing. A song, definitely – in fact it was a lullaby. She could tell by the tempo, the repetition. It wasn't familiar, not a tune she knew – certainly nothing her mother or her grandmother sang her as a child. In fact, after a moment she realized it wasn't even in a language she knew. The words threaded together, the vowels clipped and strange. And it repeated, over and over until he finally fell asleep, possibly comforted by the fact that his daughter was still warm and heavy in his arms.

a/n: This one was a monster. I'm sorry if the editing is a little shocking, I haven't had much time this week and I didn't want to shorten it. We're out of the hearing now, so we can move forward to the aftermath. Next chapter we may learn a little more about the Kakkou...

As always, thank you all so very much for the kind words and encouragement. I'm so glad you're all enjoying my little piece of insanity orz Much love :)