Sasuke stood in front of Tsunade, Hinata within arms reach to his left. Karin stood between Jugo and Suigetsu, the three behind Sasuke to his right. Sakura and Shizune flanked Tsunade, waiting patiently for the conversation to begin. The pink-haired kunoichi kept her gaze trained at the space between Sasuke and her friend, thankful they seemed unconnected.

"Uchiha Sasuke." Tsunade spoke, her demanding presence cutting through the stiff silence. "Rogue for nearly four years, two attempts made against the lives of former comrades, the kidnapping of one Konoha shinobi, and affiliated with two known terrorist sectors. Quite the impressive wrap sheet for someone your age."

"I wouldn't use the word impressive." Sasuke mused. His dark eyes trained on the Hokage. "I also never considered Hinata a hostage. My team apprehended her but I quickly removed her restraints."

"Is this true?" Tsunade asked, her focusing shifting to Hinata. The girl's cheeks flushed pink as her time spent as Sasuke's "hostage" replayed in her mind. She nodded.

"Sasuke was unusually kind to me." Hinata's voice was small, timid. "I was unrestrained and unrestricted for the majority of my time with team Taka."

"Yet you stayed for nearly six months?" Shizune questioned, surprised by the revelation.

"My goal was to obtain as much information about Team Taka and the remaining members of the Akatsuki before returning home. I had also hoped to return Sasuke to the village."

"A tall order for such an under-achieved kunoichi." Tsunade remarked. Sakura's face fell, her gaze shifting to her insulted friend, surprised by her mentor's cruel assessment. Sasuke tensed, his lips pressed into a hard line.

"Has she not delivered?" He questioned, struggling to mask his growing distaste or the blonde.

"Very well." Tsunade waved away the boy's irritation, meaning to refocus the conversation. "It seems your only favorable accomplishments are eliminating two prominent enemies of the leaf, and being in the good graces of one Hyuga Hinata. I'm not sure that warrants a pardon, or the trust of comrades you were set to murder."

"Redemption is a tortuous path." Sasuke stated, unsure what more she wanted from him.

"One that should not be endured for a young snatch." Tsunade noted, leaning back in her chair.

"My Lady!" Sakura protested.

"A woman of your stature should understand the damage of words." Sasuke ridiculed. "I am here because I have decided to be. The constant insinuation that my decision was based on something as mundane as sexual gradification is becoming tedious."

"We definitely didn't follow him here so he could get laid by little miss perfect." Karin added, speaking for the first time. Jugo nudged the redhead, urging her not to get involved.

"Why did you follow him here?" Tsunade asked, her amber eyes shifting to the trio who had been almost forgettable before Karin's outburst.

"It beats sitting around waiting to die." Suigetsu shrugged, sipping casually from his water cup.

"Sasuke saved me from darkness." Jugo spoke up, his eyes shifting to Hinata. He wouldn't voice his opinion further but it was his growing respect and affection for the young Hyuga which had led him so fearlessly to the gates of Konohagakure.

"Following Sasuke was better than being warden for a dead man." Karin shrugged, not daring to share her true motives. Tsunade waited a moment, considering the group of children before her.

"I'm not sure I can order an official pardon based on blind admiration and frivolous teen lust." She finally spoke.

"My Lady, he eliminated Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi." Shizune noted. "He has pledged to stand against the remaining Akatsuki, perhaps you should reconsider."

"Quiet." Tsunade demanded.

"I have intel regarding secrets of the leaf." Sasuke announced, feeling the meeting was not ending in his favor.

"Go on." Tsunade encouraged.

"It's highly sensitive, an audience is not appropriate." He countered. "I'd like to dismiss Taka, respectfully."

"Sakura, see to it our guests don't go unsupervised." Tsunade instructed. "Shizune, fetch Shikamaru and Kakashi. I feel counsel will be necessary after this conversation."

"I'll accompany Sakura." Hinata offered, desperate to escape the conversation.

"No, stay." Tsunade instructed. "I'm sure the details have already been shared with you."

…

The small dark room was sparsely lit by candles, Hinata had set up around the room. She sat in the middle of Sasuke's bedroll with her legs tucked under her, watching as the young Uchiha folded his shirt and sat it carefully over his katana. Hinata was clad in a pair of dark shorts and her purple jacket was folded neatly beside her; as if she intended to stay the entire night with him. Sasuke joined her on the mat, lying back to rest his head on her thighs. Hinata ran her fingers silently through his soft unkempt hair. She leaned forward, her long hair falling like a curtain around them.

"You shouldn't have been so aggressive." She whispered, continuing to play with his hair.

"I don't like the implication that you are less respectable because of your time with me."

"You don't have to defend my honor." She giggled. "It really is out of character for you. I thought you were Mr. Calm, Cool and Collected." Sasuke reached up, holding the back of her head to bring her closer to him.

"Hn." He pressed his lips gently to hers. Frustrated by the truth in her words, he was acting less and less like himself everyday. Sasuke was sure someone would be there to collect her before the length of her visit could become taboo. The Hyuga clan had been especially cold to him since his return to Konoha. Shadows danced across the room, cast by the flames of each individual candle.

Hiashi stood in front of Hinata, disappointment shrouding his strong face. Neji stood in the doorway behind him, silently watching as the elder scolded his daughter. Hanabi had been spared the show, sent to her room to wait.

"Uchiha Sasuke?" Hiashi asked, loathing seeping into his tone. "You are my heir, my successor. It is unacceptable the companionship you've built with that criminal."

"Father-"

"I don't want to hear it." Hiashi interrupted. "Once this ordeal is over and he is granted forgiveness from the Hokage, if he earns such an honor, you will terminate any degree of relation with that boy. Until then you will be granted limited time together, and never alone."

Sasuke pulled the mesh-like t-shirt over Hinata's head, discarding it behind her as she returned to kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding her body against his as she deepened the kiss. Sasuke's hand moved around to the small of her back. Everything about this felt like their first time, except now they were comfortable with each other and with their own bodies. There was no question as to how this night would end, unlike how there had been that first night. The pair finished undressing, his hands exploring her petite frame. Sasuke laid Hinata down on the bedroll, hovering above her as he claimed her mouth with his. The shadows of candle flames danced across their bare flesh as he fell between her thighs, his manhood pressed against her warmth. Their clothes scattered across the floor around them. He wasn't sure how long he had with her and he didn't want to leave her in another compromising situation.

"It's okay." Hinata whispered, as she rested her palms against the tense muscles of his back. "No one is coming for me tonight." Sometimes it felt like she knew his thoughts before he ever got the chance to voice them. Without hesitation Sasuke pressed into her. She gave a little gasp, her legs falling further apart. Hinata was soft, warm, and inviting. It was too easy to become lost in her; for the rest of the world to fall into oblivion.