Seven Months Later

Sasuke's P.O.V.

"State your name for the record."

"Sasuke Uchiha."

"How long have you been incarcerated Mr. Uchiha."

"Three years in April."

"Would you say you've had significant psychological trauma since your incarceration?"

"No."

"But you are on anti-depressants?"

"I'm not crazy, I saw what I saw."

"And after witnessing the death of two inmates close to you, you didn't ask for grief counseling, why is that?"

"Didn't need it."

"All of the other witnesses have put in this request, but you haven't."

"I've dealt with death before."

"You're alluding to my client's mental state during the attack. Regardless of your findings, his mental sanity has been found to be intact and shouldn't affect his recollection of the events." Jiraiya said to the rest of the attorneys. "Move on with the deposition."

"What is your recollection of that day?" I told them everything I could, leaving out how I knew the doors connecting H to G block would be unlocked, or how I knew there wouldn't be any guards as it neared 10. They didn't need to know that my plan completely blew up in my face before I even had a chance to act on it. They didn't need to know that this was all my fault, that I couldn't save a friend. The deposition lasted hours. Reliving every gory detail. Making me remember my every mistake and the consequences of it. It hurt. Words can't even describe how much.

"Any final statements Mr. Uchiha?"

"They should have put him into protection. A threat was made to his life and they did nothing."

"It's been noted. Thank you inmate number 9380441." With that I was escorted out of the deposition room then taken with Jiraiya to an interview room.

"How'd the doors get open Sasuke?"

"I told you I don't know."

"How'd you know to run there, how'd you know something was happening to Haku at that moment?"

"I didn't."

"Come on Uchiha, we all know you did, if the system wasn't trying so hard to cover this up you'd have five years added to your sentence for collusion."

"They can't cover this up. Haku should have been put in protection."

"Yeah, we all know you and the other prisoner's stance on the matter." He said getting up to leave.

"Wait…" I needed to ask him. "How is she?"

"We've been having briefs for over six months, and you're only just now asking about her?" I just hurt way too much. My heart couldn't handle it, not after what I've been through.

"Please."

"She's reading. Really well at that. Starting to write too, well before she's supposed to." It broke my heart to know how well she was doing. To know about her at all.

"And…"

"He's running for senate, the numbers look good, like he might actually win in the election in over a year."

"And he's…"

"Forgotten you, just like it seems you wanted." His words brought tears to my eyes. But I couldn't cry, I haven't been able to cry in months. My body can't bring tears anymore. With that statement he left. A few minutes later officer Akitsuchi came in and got me, bringing me back to my cell. Suigetsu was in his bunk, blankets wrapped around him as he sat in a ball. I walked in and assumed the same position for the most part.

"I can still hear his scream."

"I can't blink without seeing Haku's lifeless eyes. It's all my fault."

"No one's blaming you Sasuke. That's prison."

"Dr. Iruka told you to say that."

"He's right." I turned around and changed the subject.

"Why wouldn't they put him into protection? He only took my place because that's where he thought he would go."

"We can talk about this until we're blue in the face, we have talked about this until we're blue in the face. It's not going to change anything."

"They're just sweeping it under the rug."

"No one even knows what happened."

"And no one ever will. It's a giant cover up." We sat there in silence, processing. I haven't been the same since that day. How can I be? I screwed up. I killed my rapist and Haku and Zabuza died because of it. I kept my feelings bottled up into they exploded into a rage that made me kill Raiga. Dr. Iruka's right, I don't cope well. Not in the least. A few hours later Baki came to take me to the shrink's office. I have to see him twice a week now because I refuse to see the grief counselor. Twice a week is now part of my sentence. I don't need a grief counselor, I need to just get through the rest of my sentence and get out.

"Welcome Sasuke, have a seat." I did and Baki cuffed me to the chair, as usual. "The deposition was this morning, how did it go?"

"Fine."

"You know that word is no longer allowed in this office." Yeah and I'm not a freakin child.

"Whatever."

"Haku's death… seemed to have shaken up the entire prison… including you. He killed your rapist Sasuke, you must have known that would come at a price."

"He committed suicide for me."

"Because you're someone who matters, it seems you matter to a lot of people Sasuke." I didn't say anything. I couldn't.

"You have to let these feelings out, to deal with them in a healthy way. Sasuke I can see how much you're hurting."

"I'm dealing with it, I've dealt with death before."

"In very unhealthy ways. And you're still dealing in an unhealthy way. Blaming yourself, it's no way to live Sasuke."

"It was my fault."

"Haku made his choice, he knew the possible consequences."

"How can you say that? He was under my wing, he was my responsibility, and I let him down. I couldn't save him."

"You can't save everyone Sasuke."

"I haven't saved anyone." I'm just a failure.

"Inmates look to you for leadership, you worked to save your brother, your daughter, your family is doing well today because of sacrifices you made."

I looked away. "Can we just change the subject?"

He nodded, flipping through his notes. "So I was thinking about your case the other day. And I want you to answer this question for me."

"What?"

"Who is Sasuke Uchiha?"

"I'm whatever you want me to be." My instincts came in. I just answered.

"That's interesting. Your eyes are still going blank when you say things like that."

"It's not going to change."

"Who do you think you are Sasuke?" A good piece of ass. A felon. A screw up. A major screw up. A major screw up that couldn't even protect his friends when they needed him.

"Does it matter?"

"Yes. Who are you?" I thought for a moment, who am I really? Does it even matter at this point?

"Like I said, I'm whatever you want me to be, a fantasy. I'm not good for anything else." Just a hole to put your dick in.

"That's not true. You were a very skilled engineer, a father, a fiancé, a brother…" Why does he keep reminding me of my past, like it's worth something or I could even have any of that back?

"And now I'm a felon, my family has abandoned me, and now instead of using my brain as an engineer, I'm breaking my back planting tomatoes in a fucking garden during my one hour of sunlight a day."

"Your family abandoned you because you changed. Before you went to prison you were happy, what changed Sasuke?"

"I… I don't know."

"I don't accept that." I thought harder, balling my hands into a fist. I had to take a breath. As per Dr. Iruka's instruction when I'm forced to do something I don't want to do.

"I stopped thinking about them."

"How so?"

"I only thought about myself, how to get drugs, how to make them stop watching me like a hawk… providing for them was… a bonus. Before my daughter was born, I would have done anything to them, no matter the cost to myself, after… it was for myself… it just so happened that they benefited."

"You were selfishly selfless?" I laughed a little bit.

"I guess so…"

"I'm starting to see a pattern…"

"You are?"

"Well, let's talk about Naruto." I'd really rather not. "He left because you wouldn't tell him anything. You selfishly didn't tell him how bad you were hurting because you were selflessly trying to protect his feelings. Taking all the hurt and pain is simultaneously selfish and selfless. It's an interesting personality trait."

"Yeah well it's gotten me in nothing but trouble. How do I stop it?"

"It's not just a quick fix Sasuke. But now that you've identified it, you can begin the healing process. Recognizing when you do it and making a conscious effort to stop it."

"That's it?"

"Excuse me?"

"You know I can just fuck people to get what I want anymore thanks to your stupid advice."

"What did I do?"

"You're voice keeps popping in my head. Your not coping well, why are you doing this? Stuff like that. Nothing you do ever helps, you just make it hurt more."

"So I actually might be making an impact on you. Very interesting indeed."

"What do you know! You're just a quack!"

"And there's the anger. Rage that someone actually might understand you. That some one might be helping you."

"That's it I'm done." I said standing up, still chained to the chair.

"We've made some progress today, I hope you will reflect on this later. You can take him back now Officer Baki." Dr. Iruka said motioning for me to be uncuffed. Reflect on this later my ass. God this is such a waste of time. As I turned to leave I pushed all the papers off his desk. Oh he pisses me off so much! Feeling my feelings is absolutely ruining my time here in prison.

Naruto's P.O.V.

"Hey Naruto, Jiraiya, thanks again for doing this interview. Talking to the mayor and a best selling novelist? This could be my big break!"

"Of course Konahamaru, glad to do it."

"And the free publicity for the book wouldn't hurt either." Jiraiya said nudging me.

"Okay, we're on in five minutes, get your final make up touches in." Konahamaru said kindly before going to his set. Jiraiya's team got him ready and, like always, Kiba smeared foundation on my face.

"Do you have to do that every time?"

"Yes, if you would stop being so sh-"

"Call me shiny one more time and I'm gonna break your fingers."

"Naruto, you gotta relax. It's just an interview." Shikamaru instructed.

"Yeah, an interview about the people that destroyed my family."

"It will be okay. You can do this." My team pumped me up for a few more moments before Konohamaru called us up. Okay, I guess it's time.

"Hello my name is Konohamaru Sarutobi and you're watching Action Konoha, Tv's best source for local news. I have two very special guests with me this evening. Please welcome best selling author Jiraiya, and the mayor of Konoha, Naruto Uzumaki!" The studio clapped as we walked out to the set. "Thanks for being here guys."

"Happy to do it."

"So let's just jump right in, you two have a new book out, it's called The Akatsuki Effect. Tell us what it's about."

"Well it's about the legacy the Akatsuki have, how they've affected all of us. If you didn't already know the power three were my students, Naruto was engaged to a very prominent and public figure in the Akatsuki. Our media, public perception, how we view people in power, the Akatsuki affected all of it. Their very public trial and convictions showed the dark side of power, how easy money can make people do immoral things, in any walk of life."

"So your book has a lot of different perspectives in it Jiraiya, tell me about those."

"Well it talk about my own perspective on it, I've been fortunate to have great wealth in my career, had the Akatsuki approached me for my business, I probably wouldn't have resisted, because the exclusive nature of the business wants you to have all these things because no one else can have them. And it pulls you so far in that it's hard to realize, 'oh my god, I just paid a quarter of a million dollars to eat an endangered species.' All reasoning just goes away. That's the Akatsuki effect."

"And Naruto, what's your perspective?"

"Well mine is from the other side of it. How the possibility of money and wealth can be equally compelling. It can make you do things that you normally wouldn't do. I think my then fiancé had the moral standing to think 'no this isn't okay' but as the wealth increased and further he went down the rabbit hole he went, the moral high ground decreased until doing these horrible things just became second nature."

"So what is the Akatsuki effect?"

I cleared my throat, "the Akatsuki effect is that even with all the right intentions, we can be corrupted based on desire, whatever that desire may be. I can't speak for everyone who contributed their perspectives in this book, but for my family, the desire was for him to help our family, and before long he was able to justify doing these heinous things because his desire over took him."

"And what was the effect on you specifically?"

"That my desire was to have this perfect family he promised, and so I was willing to overlook obvious red flags because of it. I really didn't know what was going on, because I wanted, in a sense, what the Akatsuki was offering me so badly, even when I had no idea who they really were or had any direct contact with them."

"So they were a very far reaching group, and their indirect affect can be just as toxic."

"Yes exactly." Konohamaru continued his questions, mostly directed at Jiraiya. Unfortunately towards the end of the interview, things got even more personal for me.

"So Naruto, you've referred to Sasuke as your 'then fiancé' several times during this interview, and right after the arrest you were very public about standing by your man as he went through this. Three years later, do you still feel the same way?"

"You know, in the beginning I think there was a little bit of denial, I was so attached to him that I didn't want to see what he really did to me. I don't regret any of it, he'll always have a place in my heart, but there was just too much… static… to be able to maintain a healthy relationship. I had to make the decision to do what was best for my daughter and I. When she's old enough and if she wants to get to know him, I will make that effort, but as for him and I? It's just not what's right for me in the long run. But I still wish him the best, I hope he's getting the treatment he needs in prison and all I can really do is move forward and hope for the best."

"And the Akatsuki break out, now that they're roaming free and haven't been captured or even sighted in over six months, are you at all concerned with yours or your daughter's safety?"

"Public safety has been on high alert, I'm just as concerned with my safety as the general public's, we've increased ombu and are working extremely hard to keep the city safe. I care just as much about my own personal safety as I do the publics, so I'm treating the city just as I would my own home. The ombu will protect us, that's a promise."

"Well thank you Mayor Uzumaki, and thank you too Jiraiya. It was a pleasure hearing from you both today."

"Thank you." After the cameras stopped rolling, I pulled out my earpiece and walked off set. Shikamaru was furious.

"Naruto are you crazy! You basically invited the Akatsuki to your doorstep! No extra security? Are you kidding me? Even if it wasn't true, what kind of moron tells all of Konoha the whole city is just as safe as you are."

"A truthful moron?" I offered.

"Well going home tonight is off the table, they know where he lives." Kiba said.

"I'll get a safe house arranged." Shino said picking up his phone.

"No, knowing the Akatsuki, they'll know all the safe houses." Shikamaru said putting his hands into his thinking position.

"And staying with his parents is an easy target as well."

"Sorry guys. I wasn't thinking." I apologized while taking my daughter from Neji who had picked her up from pre-school so I could do this interview.

"What if the two of you stayed with me? The branch house has exceptional security, not to mention clan road is a gated community with ombu stationed at every entrance. There's no doubt he'd be safe there." Neji offered.

"Neji… I couldn't impose." I said softly.

"No, Naruto, that's actually not a bad idea. You really would be safe there." Shino said. I looked at Shikamaru.

"He makes a good point Naruto. Neji can you take him to your house? We'll run a decoy operation, pick up his things and Shino will bring them to you later tonight."

"Sure." Without anymore arguments my team swept me away and to Neji's house. I haven't been here since I was… like sixteen. It hasn't changed a bit. Neji put our bags neatly stacked in the hallway and turned on all the security systems.

"Thanks for doing this Neji. Really."

"My pleasure." He said taking a bag and walking upstairs with it.

"Wait, I'm not staying in the guest house?"

"No, it's too detached from the main house, I can better protect you if you stay in the guest room upstairs across the hall from my room."

"Oh, okay. Your dad's not here?"

"He's traveling with his brother, clan stuff."

"Oh, so it's just you?"

"Just me. My dad has been traveling more and more with my uncle lately, impersonating him whenever the situation seems dangerous, and everything seems dangerous these days." I held my sleeping daughter as I grabbed a bag and followed him up the stairs.

"You sound worried."

"I'm always worried. I've been living in this big house alone for so long, I worry one day it will just be… permanent. Like one day he just won't come home."

"I'm sorry Neji."

"It's fine, good to have company here, you know?" he said putting my things down and helping me to get comfortable.

"I know the feeling, ever since Jiraiya moved out it's so lonely."

"Yeah but at least you have this cute little one to keep you company." Neji said squeezing Miko's cheek.

"Up! Up!" My sleepy daughter said, reaching for Neji. He took her from me while I unpacked our stuff.

"Oh man."

"What?"

"Shino didn't pack me anything to sleep in, and I don't see Miko's picture of Sasuke anywhere either."

"Well I can't do anything about the picture, but I'll see if I can find you something to sleep in." He walked out of the room and I finished unpacking. A few minutes later Miko came running back in holding silk pajamas.

"Look, look, look, Dad! Look what Daddy Neji found for you!" Daddy Neji? What? Where did that come from?

"Oh thanks sweetheart, why don't you go brush your teeth?" I handed her a toothbrush and toothpaste and she ran into the guest bathroom. I put the pants of the pajamas on but Neji came back in before I had a chance to put the shirt on.

"Oh thanks for these, they're really nice."

"Silk, I never wear them and I figured they were pretty close to your size since you've put on all that muscle." I felt my face get a little hot with a blush.

"Oh uh, right. Well thanks."

"Of course."

"Hey Neji?"

"Yeah?"

"Umm… Mikoshina just called you Daddy Neji, have… have you ever heard he say something to you like that before?"

"No, I haven't, oh man, where did she get that from?"

"I don't know."

"Want me to talk to her?"

"No, no, I've got it, thank you for all your help."

"Anything Naruto, I'll be right across the hall if you need me." I nodded and he left once more, telling Miko goodnight when they crossed in the hallway. I got her ready for bed and then it was time for her to have a talk with me.

"Mikoshina, you know who your daddy is don't you?"

"Of course." She said trying to get up on the bed. I helped her up and sat her down firmly.

"What is Daddy's name Mikoshina?"

"Daddy Sasuke." She said trying to do anything but focus on me.

"Then why did you call Neji your daddy?"

"I don't know." She said sticking her fingers in her mouth.

"Mikoshina."

"In preschool we learned that mommies and daddies take care of you, and love you, and are there for you."

"Yes, that's very true Miko."

"Well you're my daddy, you love me and take care of me, and… and so does Neji, so he's my daddy too. Right?"

"Well no, not exactly. Neji cares about you and cares for you, but he's not your daddy. Daddy Sasuke is."

"Where is Daddy Sasuke?" Locked up in federal prison for the next twelve years.

"Well Daddy Sasuke is away."

"You always say that. Where is he? Why can't I see him?"

"Because daddy did a bad thing Mikoshina." I said pulling her into a hug.

"What bad thing? Why?"

"Because he wanted to give you the best life that he could, but got in trouble, and that's why he's away."

"When will he be back?"

"Not for a long time Mikoshina."

"Then Neji can be my daddy until he comes back."

"Things don't work like that Miko."
"Why not?" She's so young, she can't understand things like that yet. I don't think I can push her much further.

"Because daddy Sasuke is your daddy and he loves you very much."

"Will…will you read a clan story to me, pretty, pretty please?"

"Sure sweetheart." I pulled up a photo of a letter Sasuke sent her, too many nights we've spent at the office, it was just better to take a photo on my phone so I always had it. I read her the story until she fell asleep then tucked her in for the night. The Akatsuki effect has caused my daughter to grow up without a father. That's what the Akatsuki has done to me.