Okay, before we get to the story, I have a few things to say.

Because of how nutty people on this site get about pairings, rest assured I will not spring any on you. Any non-canon pairings will be stated before the story starts, because I do not want to hear 'your story is great, but I hate the pairing' as I did about ten times from the last chapter (even though there was no pairing, and you had to squint really, really hard to see one). Translation: you will see MinatoxKushina, AsumaxKurenai, and (mild spoiler) potential JiraiyaxTsunade. If you've read far enough, you'll see that Tsunade says she'll give Jiraiya a chance if he comes back.

Now, Naruto is going through enough. He does not need a romance, nor could he handle one right now. I was toying with it at the beginning, but have since decided for the above reasons against a pairing. Maybe later in the story, like part 3, but this story, as I have said, is about Naruto's relationship with his family.

Now, about Hinata. Whether you hate or love her, she'll be in the story. Not as a love interest! So, relax. She was there for the encounter with Kabuto and the fight with Madara. She has to be in the story. No way around it. I am trying to balance canon and AU, but I will keep people in character and that was very Hinata: sweet, shy and rather stalkerish.

Finally, you all missed the point of that scene. Did anyone notice that Naruto calmed down when his father's robes were placed over him? Bueller? Anyone?

As for the most recent Naruto chapters: I am taking everything Madara says with a grain of salt. And if it is true, well, I'll ignore whatever doesn't fit. I've come too far.

Chapter 17

Kyuubi sighed and picked at his nails as Naruto stormed and raged inarticulately outside his cell. The kit would come up and shake the bars, shouting and roaring at Kyuubi. None of it was full words—he'd start to say something, but get distracted and go off on something else. Then one point would get him so upset, he'd run off and pound on the walls for a while, or shoot Kyuubi a dirty look and storm off into the other parts of his mind.

This had been going on for a while. Kyuubi knew why the kit was mad with him and didn't care. Tsunade had asked him not to neutralize the tranquilizers she'd put in Naruto's system and Kyuubi was complying, actually slightly slowing down Naruto's metabolism. He needed time to calm down and understand what was going on.

Eventually, he stomped back into the chamber and right up to the bars. "Stupid fox!"

"Any particular complaint?" Kyuubi asked, leaning against the bars of his cage. His goddamned cage. He had had a few brief moments of freedom in the Shinigami's stomach, but now he was back behind the bars. It was frustrating.

"Why didn't you help me?" Naruto demanded. "I kept telling you to give me chakra, but did you?"

"No," Kyuubi answered.

"NO!" Naruto confirmed, tugging uselessly at the bars in anger. "I was useless and helpless when the ugly old hag threatened me and the ANBU were attacking my dad and—"

"And popping up, sporting red demonic chakra was just the way to diffuse the situation," Kyuubi snapped back. "Why would I want to make things worse for you?"

Naruto snarled at Kyuubi. "Then at least get these stupid sedatives out of me!"

"Why? So you can storm off to the Hokage's office and make matters worse?" Kyuubi demanded. "Your dad's in enough trouble as it is."

"Yeah! And doing nothing is the best way to help him! They're taking him to prison, they might kill him! We have to help him and we can't do that if you're being a dick!"

Kyuubi narrowed his eyes and stepped back from the bars, ignoring Naruto's shouts and insults. The blond was furious, calling the demon everything from a meanie to a bastard. It was time to put him in his place. Kyuubi closed his eyes and resumed his usual form: the full, nine-tailed fox, hundreds of feet tall, filling up his cage to its fullest extent. Standing in front of the bars, now impossibly miniscule, Naruto frowned, sensing some kind of change.

Kyuubi roared from the darkness as a warning, and Naruto leaped back just as the fox rushed forward, claws extending through the bars. He brought his snout close to the bars and gazed down at the startled human scornfully.

"I may have appeared as a human in the Shinigami's stomach, and I may not be completely evil," he growled.

"But never, never forget that I am not human. I am the Kyuubi no Kitsune, the greatest of the tailed beasts, and no mere human has earned the right to speak to me like that!"

For half a second, it appeared that he'd gotten through to Naruto, as the blond just stared up at him. Kyuubi wanted to preen on the fact that he'd stunned the blond into silence, but he knew better. Naruto would get over this 'weakness' he saw in himself, this fear, and be the loud, brash, annoying kid he'd been when they first spoke.

Kyuubi resisted the urge to sigh as Naruto's blue eyes snapped open, full of fire. Such stubbornness was good in some cases, but really, at some point the brat would have to learn respect.

"Yeah, oh great and powerful demon?" Naruto shouted. "Who's stuck in the cage?"

Kyuubi bristled and growled at the insults, his tails whipping around behind him in agitation. "Be careful, kit . . ."

"Or what? You'll hurt me? You can't! This seal prevents it!"

"This seal has been weakening for years, kit! Take a good look—it's worn and frayed around the edges!" Kyuubi laughed at the uncomfortable look on Naruto's face. "What? You didn't notice? Before this incident, it was getting easier and easier to mess with you."

"You would do that now?" Naruto demanded, covering up the hurt with rage. "You said it: you're my godfather! You're supposed to be protecting me!"

Kyuubi snorted. "I have protected you, kit. I've healed your cuts and scrapes, saved your life, gave you chakra when you wanted it. Hell, I've even preserved your sanity, though it cost me dearly."

Naruto stopped short and narrowed his eyes. "My sanity? What the hell does that mean? I don't remember ever going nuts."

The demon threw his great head back and laughed. "Oh, kit. Little, innocent, kit. That is the point."

Tsunade closed her eyes and rubbed at her forehead. Not for the first time, she cursed her grandfather for setting up the council. Of course, it was the only way to get the great clans of the time to join Konoha, rather than remain rogue. Aburame, Akimichi, Hyuuga, Inuzuka, Mitokado, Morino, Nara, Sarutobi, Senju, Uchiha, Ukatane and Yamanaka. Twelve of the greatest ninja clans of sixty years ago. Plus the Hokage and the leader of the ANBU.

Of course, no one had sat in the Uchiha seat for nearly ten years. The Sarutobi seat was taken by Yuhi Kurenai until Konohamaru was of age. The Senju seat would have been Tsunade's but she was Hokage, so a distant relative filled in—Senju Naari. And the Ukatane seat was empty. The others were filled by 

Aburame Shibi, Akimichi Chouza, Hyuuga Hiashi, Mitokado Homura, Inuzuka Tsume, Morino Ibiki, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi.

Eleven different people, most with vastly varying viewpoints and opinions. Which led to her current issue.

For the love of, hell, everything, I really want a drink! Unfortunately, it was a closed council session, which meant that no one could be allowed in unless bringing urgent news, or out unless dying, until it was over.

With an effort, Tsunade refocused on the arguments taking place in the room.

"I don't care who he is," Homura raged. "He committed a crime against Konoha! He has killed a member of the council!"

"Who was threatening a ninja and citizen of Konoha," Kurenai argued back. "Koharu's crime must also be taken into account. As Hokage, he had every right to take immediate—"

"What proof do we have that this murderer is really Namikaze Minato?" Homura demanded.

Shikaku sighed and answered. "He used Rasengan, which is an incredibly difficult jutsu to master. To date, there are only four known ninjas who can. Secondly, he performed Hiraishin. That jutsu is the product of a kekkai genkai. It cannot be copied."

"It is possible that he is a physical copy of Namikaze," Shibi offered. "It is well-known in this room that Orochimaru can temporarily revive the dead."

While the council was going off on the rabbit trail of Orochimaru's possible involvement, despite his confirmed death at the hands of Uchiha Sasuke, Ibiki leaned over to Tsunade.

"I put him in ANBU headquarters," he reported. "One of our specialists sealed his chakra, and he is in a room that no kunai can get through. He's being kept on sedatives for the time being and guarded around the clock."

"What of the men he fought?" Tsunade asked.

"All are alive, though most are severely injured. You should know," he murmured. "With the high guards around Namikaze and Uchiha, and the men in the hospital, only forty percent of ANBU is free to fight in case of an attack."

Another spike stabbed into Tsunade's head, worsening her migraine. "How many of them are suspected ROOT members?"

Ibiki hesitated. "About sixty percent."

Shit. We need to reduce the guard on either Minato or Sasuke. Tsunade stood and slammed a hand down on the table, sending shivers down it and silencing the council members, if only for the moment. Homura opened his mouth as if to say something, but Tsunade cut him off.

"This arguing is pointless!" she snapped, looking all of them over. "We are going in circles and nothing will get accomplished. Before determining the punishment for killing Koharu, we must confirm this man's identity—one way or the other."

"And how do you suggest we accomplish that?" Homura demanded.

"I have already sent for DNA tests on him," Tsunade responded. "If the Hyuugas agree, a chakra test can be performed on him."

Homura and Danzou frowned deeply as the rest of the council seemed to nod in agreement. "Yes, but that only deals with the physical aspect of his identity. Even if he is proved to by physically identical to Namikaze Minato, that means nothing. He could be under someone's control, as we just discussed, or he could be the result of a variation of Orochimaru's immortality jutsu."

"There are psychological tests we will perform," Ibiki added. "As well as jutsus to determine mind control."

"Between the Hyuugas, Morino Ibiki, and the Yamanakas, we will ascertain who is being guarded in ANBU headquarters and deal with him accordingly," Tsunade said firmly. "Now, the next issue—"

"And what of how he came here?" Danzou demanded. Several other members nodded.

"That is tied into the next issue," Tsunade said, taking a deep breath to keep her temper under control. "As all of you know, Uzumaki Naruto has come out of his inexplicable coma."

Homura sneered. "Yes, and as usual, all this trouble relates back to him. I have a feeling that if he weren't here, half our problems would be gone."

"Akatsuki, for one," Danzou said. Shibi and Naari both seemed to perk up at that.

Shikaku sighed again and decided to say something. "There are two ways of getting rid of Naruto. One: exile him. In that case, he would have no protection from Akatsuki and they would achieve their ultimate objective. Two: kill him. If we order his execution, we would lose the power of the Nine-tails, which is the only thing that can possibly combat the other eight tailed beasts."

Tsunade said a silent prayer of thanks that the Naras were on Naruto's side and could argue his case with impeccable logic.

"It is true that Namikaze Minato's appearance is connected to Uzumaki Naruto's coma," Tsunade said, desperately trying to steer the conversation away from the let's-kill-Naruto direction. "There were several witnesses to this event and I propose that a hearing be set up to deal with this whole matter."

There were several moments of silence, followed by Hiashi seconding the motion. It was passed by a unanimous vote and Tsunade again thanked whoever was in charge that it was tabled for now.

"The second problem facing us is that of Uchiha Sasuke," she said, sitting back down. "Evidence has come to light that he is responsible for the coma that Yamanaka Ino is currently in."

The members of the Ino-Shika-Cho team sat up a bit straighter at that. Tsunade continued, "Yuhi Kurenai. Report on your findings."

The members of the council turned to face the pregnant Jounin, who stood and faced the table with her trademark calm.

"Earlier today, at Tsunade's request, I examined both Uzumaki Naruto and Yamanaka Ino for signs of Sharingan genjutsu. None were found in Uzumaki's psyche or chakra, but Yamanaka Ino showed clear manipulation by the Sharingan."

Inoichi's fist clenched and he made to rise, but Shikaku laid a hand on his arm. Danzou didn't have a comrade to stop him and the injured man stood slowly.

"What, exactly, gives you expertise on Sharingan genjutsus?" he wondered, piercing her with his single good eye.

Kurenai swallowed before continuing. "Members of my clan have been genjutsu experts since Konoha's founding. I have been trained to recognize the alterations of the chakra patterns associated with advanced genjutsu. I have also been subject to a Sharingan genjutsu, three years ago, when Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame came to Konoha in search of Uzumaki Naruto."

"You mean the Kyuubi," Homura interrupted. "Which brings us to another point."

"That will have to be dealt with later," Tsunade interrupted, her teeth grinding despite her best effort. "The charges have been leveled that Uchiha Sasuke put Yamanaka Ino under a severe genjutsu. This brings his total of active attacks against Konoha to five."

"What five incidents are you speaking of, Hokage-sama?" Shibi asked, adjusting his sunglasses.

Tsunade straightened. "There was the physical assault on Uzumaki Naruto at the valley of the end, and he caused bodily harm to Yamato, Sai and Naruto on their recent mission to intercept Orochimaru's spy. The attack on Yamanaka Ino makes five. These are in addition to the charges of being a missing nin and associating with a known enemy of Konoha."

The room was silent. Finally, Hyuuga Hiashi spoke up. "I propose that this also be left to a public trial."

"I decline that," Danzou said. "The Uchiha's betrayal was kept a private matter, its resolution should also be private."

Naari nodded. "I agree. The Uchihas were an important clan to the citizens of Konoha. They must be allowed to keep hope that they will be revived. Should we decide upon execution, we can do it privately and the public will not need to know."

"I do not agree with lying to the people of this village," Tsunade protested.

"But sometimes, it must be done," Naari said. "The Uchiha clan, though prideful and arrogant, were a source of protection and thus very popular in Konoha. Their loss was a great blow to the strength and morale of the people."

Tsunade's shoulders tightened as others voiced their agreement. Finally, it was Ibiki who put the nail in the coffin.

"After the attack, the general populace held great sympathy to Sasuke. Many of these civilians would not understand that no matter how traumatized he had been, the boy was still a ninja and chose to go to Orochimaru. They would be outraged at our 'harsh' treatment of him," Ibiki said.

The other council members nodded. Defeated, Tsunade sat back down and prepared to decide the fate of Uchiha Sasuke.

"The charges against one Uchiha Sasuke are as follows," Tsunade read. "Five separate attacks against Konoha ninjas, abandonment of his village, and association with an S-rank criminal and personal enemy of Konoha."

"The last two amount to high treason," Danzou said, having sat back down. "Those alone are enough to sentence him to death."

Homura nodded. "I agree. All in favor of the execution of Uchiha Sasuke for crimes of high treason."

"Wait a minute," Chouza said. "This is a big thing—executing a ninja!"

"I don't hear you making the same protests for all missing-nins, Akimichi," Tsume snapped, baring her teeth. "We send out Hunter nins all the time, where is your defense there."

"Yeah, well—I—" Chouza sputtered.

"I think that it should also be taken into account his murder of amissing-nin, specifically the one he is accused of associating with," Shibi said. "It is obvious that he held no loyalty to Orochimaru."

A murmur ran through the council at this. Inoichi spoke up angrily, pointing out that meant he would probably hold no loyalty to Konoha. There was talk about ways to secure his allegiance until Homura again brought up his severe crimes. "So he killed Orochimaru! That doesn't negate the fact—"

"Doesn't it?" Naari said. "He did Konoha a great service, which I think should count in his favor."

"If we are going to compare Sasuke's pros and cons, it must be taken into account why he left Konoha," Kurenai added. "Which was for the explicit reason to get stronger and kill Uchiha Itachi, another S-rank missing nin and the murderer of the majority of the Uchiha clan."

"Hell, the kid's screwed in the head, too. His family got killed by his older brother and what did the village do for him?" Tsume demanded. "We did nothing. The pup lost his whole pack and we didn't provide him with hardly any support. Can we really blame him for being a few kunais short of a set?"

The debate raged on, and slowly Sasuke's cause won support, though Tsunade somehow doubted that he would want it.

"There is one other reason for him to stay in Konoha," Ibiki mentioned. "He is one of the few Uchihas who has the power to suppress the Kyuubi no Kitsune. If you all are worried about the demon taking over Uzumaki, placing Uchiha with him would be a way to ensure Kyuubi's containment."

"That is only assuming that he agrees to it," Homura argued. "What's to say he will?"

"That or death," Hiashi proposed. "It is his desire to kill his brother and resurrect his clan. He cannot do that if he is dead."

"And what of his crimes?" Inoichi demanded. "He attacked Konoha ninjas."

"He should be put under constant guard and given into the care of a Konoha family," Tsume answered. "As well as brain treatment," she finished, waving her hand by her head.

"In addition, he should be stripped of all ninja ranking—" Chouza added.

"How can he control Kyuubi on missions if he isn't a ninja?" Naari demanded. "No, he should be prevented from taking the Chuunin exams for a period of two years, as well as the punishments Tsume described."

"My daughter is lying in a hospital bed, unresponsive!" Inoichi roared. "Constant guard and no promotion? That's a slap on the wrist!"

"I agree," Shikaku added. "His punishment must be more severe than that."

"What is your suggestion, Nara?" Hiashi asked.

"For the next six months, whenever he is not on a mission—which he will only go on with Uzumaki—Uchiha should be kept in prison, chakra sealed, unable to train or study in anyway. For six months after that, he will be kept under house arrest with his caretakers, with the same conditions," Shikaku said, steepling his fingers. "In addition, when he is on missions, to prevent any escape attempt or attack on a Konoha ninja, the Yamanakas will place a mental seal on him. Should he harm, or have the intent to harm, anyone who is considered an ally or should he go too far from Uzumaki he will suffer severe, debilitating pain."

"Also," Shikaku continued. "He will be required to give a full report on all information he has on Orochimaru, his hideouts, his projects, his allies, his future plans and his forbidden jutsus. Finally, for a period of two years after his release from house arrest, he will be under probation, unable to take the Chuunin exams, and have to perform community service."

The council thought on this for a little while. Homura and Danzou were clearly unhappy with any arrangement except execution, but it took a three-fourths vote of the council or the Hokage's order to execute a Konoha ninja. By the looks of it, it was two against nine, which was nowhere near a three-fourths vote.

Tsunade sighed heavily. Uchiha was not her favorite person, but having him killed would be a devastating blow to Naruto. Being unable to train would be a hard pill to swallow, but Sasuke had committed crimes against Konoha. She wasn't completely happy with it. Half of the people there only wanted Sasuke's life spared because the Sharingan would be a great asset to Konoha in a time of war.

Goddamned politics. I know how this is going. We might as well get it over with.

"I put it to a vote," Tsunade said. "Uchiha Sasuke will be pardoned for association with Orochimaru and abandonment of his village, provided that he swears fealty to said village and surrenders all his information on Orochimaru's operations. For his attacks on Konoha ninjas, he will serve six months of prison and six months of house arrest, with the conditions stated, and two years of probation, again with the previously stated conditions. All in favor?"

Tsunade, Naari, Kurenai, Ibiki, Hiashi, Tsume, Shikaku, and Chouza raised their hands.

"All against?" Tsunade asked.

Danzou, Homura, and Inoichi raised their hands.

"By a vote of eight to three, the judgment has been passed on Uchiha Sasuke," she declared. "He will be subject to the above terms unless such a situation arises that his case can be reviewed. This has been passed by the council of Konoha."

Tsunade stood, signifying the end of the meeting. She walked out, followed quickly by most of the members. It was left with just Danzou and Homura.

"This is unacceptable," Danzou said. "An Uchiha as powerful as Sasuke is too dangerous in Konoha. Especially with these restrictions, he will follow in his father's footsteps."

"I know," Homura said. "But he'll be in prison for the next six months. His chakra will be sealed. All we have to do is rotate ROOT members in. He won't be a problem."

--

Dun dun dun!

I know, some of you will think I'm being too hard, some of you will think I'm being too soft with Sasuke and most of you will probably be annoyed we didn't see any Minato in this. He's still knocked out, so it would have been a very boring scene.

I have some meaty stuff planned for next chapter. Thank you for reading!