Chapter-50

The group decided to head back to Konoha to get medical help for Sakura. Sasuke had already left. When they were close to the village, Itachi stopped. Everybody knew why

"Itachi, come back to the village. We have news for you."

Itachi asked 'what' by his eyes.

Kakashi said, "Just come with me. Naruto take Sakura to the hospital."

"yeah okay"

Itachi wordlessly followed Kakashi and they received weird stares and insults for Itachi. Itachi kept his cool and went inside the Hokage's office. Kakashi spoke

"Tsunade-sama, please tell Itachi."

Tsunade cleared her throat ans said

"Uchiha Itachi, you killed your own clan and betrayed the village to join an evil organization. You worked against Konoha. So you deserve punishment."

Itachi looked down and just nodded. But then she continued

"But after much research done by Kakashi and myself, we have found the proof that elders used you as a tool so as to the put the blame on you so that they could retain their high status. They forced you to kill your clan because Uchiha clan was planning for a coup d'etat. You decided to protect the village from major destruction. You were ordered by Danzo to leave the village and join Akatsuki as a spy and reported to Sandaime Hokage. He made everyone think that you are a traitor and murderer. But you also decided to change the future when you saw what your actions led to. You protected people and removed Akatsuki's root. So to conclude, I, Senju Tsunade, the 5th hokage welcome you back as a citizen and shinobi of Konoha. The elders and Danzo have been punished for their heinous crimes. Welcome back."

She smiled as Itachi looked at her in shock. He was…speechless. I'm free? Is it over? Can I see my brother daily? Can I sit in the sunlight? So many things passed through his mind that he felt blank.

"Are you sure you want me back?"

"Yes." Both Kakashi and Tsunade said with firmness.

Itachi looked down and cried as his shoulders shook, "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I will never be able to repay you."

"You don't have to repay me. You have to repay Sakura. She was the one who wanted your name cleared more than anybody else."

"Sakura went to such great lengths to clear my name and also saved Sasuke from darkness. She helped all the jinchuriki and tailed beasts survive and live their life. But she got only pain in return. My brother is not accepting her because she told him she left the village intentionally to make sure Sasuke wouldn't blame me."

"Tsunade-sama, one more thing. Sakura is at the hospital right now. she was tortured brutally and only you can heal her. He's unconscious right now."

"hm. Al right I'm going. Your house in Uchiha compound is in good condition. You can stay there."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama." And then they all parted ways.

Tsunade hurriedly reached the hospital and went to Sakura. She saw how badly she was tortured and she clenched her fists in anger. She started healing her. It took her 2 hours to make her look normal. But Tsunade knew she would wake up before tomorrow. She let her sleep in the bed and left the room. She saw Naruto staring blankly at the wall in front of him.

"What are you thinking, brat?"

"Just that… Sakura-chan left willingly without even any reason or warning. Of course im happy that she is back but I also feel angry. Did she not trust us? Do we mean anything to her?"

Naruto felt a slap right on his face. He looked at Tsunade who was angry as hell.

"Don't you dare ever talk about Sakura like that. The task she had to do was necessary but too painful for her. You don't even know what she went through. So shut your trap and stop spewing non sense about her." And then she turned around and left leaving a shocked Naruto.

Naruto and Sasuke bumped into each other on the street. They stared at each other for a while the

"Why is your cheek swollen?

"Kakashi punched me. Why is yours swollen?"

"Baa-chan slapped me."

They both were feeling dejected. Sakura left them willingly and then contributed with Itachi! What the hell were they up to? Thought Sasuke as he left Naruto. Itachi has also come back to the village and the Hokage is protecting him. Why would they protect a murderer?

He went home and decided to sleep it off.

The next morning, he was walking down he street when he saw Kakashi and Itachi running into the hospital. I wonder what happened then he shrugged started walking ahead but then he remembered Sakura was at the hospital. I'll just see through the window. That's all. And he went behind the hospital.

Kakashi heard that Sakura had woken up and as soon as he heard that he went to tell Itachi and they both ran to the hospital. They opened her door an saw lying in the bed. They went near her bed. She smiled at them

"Hello Kakashi-sensei, Itachi-san."

"How are you feeling , Sakura?"

"A little sore but other than that, I'm great." She said cheerfully

Itachi's eyes softened

"Sakura, thank you for giving me my life back. I don't want to see you suffer like this. So don't force yourself to act normal in front of others and then wallow in sadness all alone."

As she heard that, tears filled her eyes as she started sobbing.

"You did it, Sakura. You completed the mission successfully. I'm proud of you." Said Kakashi as he patted her head

"I hurt them both. I know they hate me now but I was ready too accept their hatred. I just didn't realize it would hurt so much." She said as she cried

"What are you going to do? Tell them everything?"

She shook her head, "No, I deserve this. If they hate me then I'll accept it gladly. I just want them safe."

"Sakura…"

"It's okay, Itachi-san. Now that you have your name cleared you can live freely and not be alone anymore. I'm sure Sasuke will warm up to you when he hears you side of the story."

Itachi gave her a small smile. She really is selfless.

"So, what will you do now?" asked Kakashi

"I don't know. I'll ask Tsunade-sama for a very long mission to keep myself away from those two. I don't want to ruin their life anymore. Or maybe… I'll leave the village."

"Before you make any decision, please consider it greatly. You have sacrificed everything and you only got hate as a result. I'm sorry, Sakura."

"it's alright, sensei. It was my choice so I must live with it." She said as she smiled a little.

"Well, you take care, we'll see you around. I have to help Itachi get accustomed in the village. Bye."

"Bye Sakura, take care. And for you, I will definitely punch Sasuke." He said and they both left.

Sakura laid back and let her tears fall silently and soon she drifted off.

Sasuke was walking without any sense. He heard their conversation, and somehow he felt like the lowest person in the world. He still didn't know what she did, and how Itachi's name got cleared. Too many questions floated in his mind. She even said she doesn't want to hurt us anymore and was thinking of leaving. She also said not to tell the truth to them. What the hell are they hiding? So he decided to learn the truth. He ran looking for Itachi.

He found Itachi in the graveyard. He was standing in front of his parents' grave. Sasuke walked up to him

"I'm surprised you have the audacity to come and visit their grave given that you killed them."

"Hello, Sasuke."

"Why did your name get cleared? You should be dead or in jail!"

"To put it simply, I was forced to kill everyone because the Uchihas were planning for a coup d'etat. They had almost planned everything. I didn't want to participate in it but father forced me. I gave the information to Sandaime and elders and they told me to kill the clan before they launch the coup because winning against that many Uchihas would be next to impossible. They gave me the dirty work to hide themselves and keep their high position safe. They made me choose between the village or the clan. I chose village. They ordered me to become a wanted criminal and told me to join the Akatsuki to act as a spy."

Sasuke stared at him wide eyed and shakingly. So.. so all this time he… he was forced to do these things? He's not actually like that?

"Why didn't you kill me too?" Sasuke asked in a whisper

Itachi gave a bitter sweet smile, "I loved you too much, little brother. I could kill mother and father but I could never kill you. You're more special to me than my life. I negotiated with Sandaime that he would keep you save in the village after left the village."

Sasuke fell to his knees and he started crying… I cant believe it… he's not that heartless guy I saw that night

"Nii-san…"

Itachi was surprised when he heard that. It's been so long since I lost heard that… and he smiled as he crouched in front of him and poked his forehead like he used to.

"I'm sorry Nii-san. For everything."

"you don't have to apologize, Sasuke. But I do owe you my apology. I'm sorry for everything I did to you Sasuke. I will never forgive myself and I will spend the remainder of my life repaying to you. So can I be your elder brother again?"

Sasuke nodded a few times while crying. They both got up and smiled at each other.