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Chapter 10

The storm had passed, allowing the sun to shine brightly in the morning. But the day seemed gloomier than what it had been yesterday to the ANBU team presently stationed at an inn. The Leaf ANBU hunter nin rule #171 stated that at least four witnesses were required to be there at an execution. Neji, Lee, Shikamaru, and Sakura would be the witnesses. Naruto, as the ANBU captain, would be the executioner. Sasuke did not struggle or resist when Neji and Shikamaru roughly hauled him in the middle of a small clearing.

Naruto had out his katana, given to him by the Godaime when he reached ANBU status. He grasped the hilt firmly as he stepped forward towards a kneeling Sasuke. Carefully composing an impassive expression and clearing his throat, he glared down at his former friend and rival, who did not acknowledge him by looking up. His eyes were cast down at the mossy ground.

When everything was set, with Sasuke's hands bound behind him with rope and chakra strings, Naruto started. "Uchiha Sasuke, you are here before this ANBU team that represents the village of Konoha, your homeland. In honor and shame, you will be executed for your numerous crimes, one charge that is first and foremost: allying with the Sannin Orochimaru. With these four witnesses, Hyuuga Neji, Rock Lee, Nara Shikamaru, and Haruno Sakura, I will report to the Leaf village that you, Uchiha Sasuke, an S-class criminal, have been executed. The execution is…"

Sasuke only half listened to the routine speech of an execution. He could feel Sakura's disturbed chakra to his left. Even as he thought about it, he would be lying if he said he was sorry for what he had done. The only thing in his life that he would regret was that Sakura would have to watch him die in a shameful way, as a criminal and a missing nin. Something ached for her touch, for her smile, and for her words of comfort like last night.

"Will you be there at the execution tomorrow?"

Sakura looked at him with pained eyes. "Yes, I will, Sasuke."

Sasuke looked longingly at her as she turned off the light. Now he could only see a shadowy outline of her body sitting beside him. "Can you say it one more time, Sakura?"

She looked surprised. "Say what?"

He gazed at her with clear, unwavering eyes. "Can you say what you said to me five years ago? When you tried to persuade me not to go with the Sound nin?"

The Uchiha could feel her almost melt as she gripped his hand tightly. "I love you…with all of my heart."

"Do you?" He asked softly, freeing one hand from her clutches and running it down her cheek. "Even now, when I stand before you as a missing nin?"

She pressed her the side of her face further into his calloused touch. In a few simple movements that took his breath away, she shook her head. "No, I love you with all my heart…and more."

Pale light from the moon permitted Sakura to see a true half smile on his face. When he spoke, it was like smooth waterfall. "Itachi was right. I truly have been foolish. Even with my skill with the Sharingan, why couldn't I see you?" His innocent question was filled with bewilderment and disbelief, as if he could not believe that he had missed something so evident.

Sasuke felt her smile against his hand. "Because, Sasuke, the Sharingan doesn't help you in seeing love."

"Do you have anything to say or do before the execution commences?" Naruto finished his longwinded speech. He looked at Sasuke expectantly, who was still kneeling with his head bowed.

Sasuke slowly raised his head and looked frankly at Sakura, who was standing in the sun, looking radiant but frightened. "Yes, there is one thing that I would like to do…" he drifted off, looking at the blonde captain for permission. Naruto could only nod.

Sakura walked to him, almost subconsciously, as if being pulled in by an invisible force. The captured Uchiha titled his face up and his half smile played on his lips. Exhaling softly, she fell to her knees and he leaned closer then pulled away shyly, as if teasing her, but met her lips in a chaste kiss. Sasuke added more pressure gently and Sakura tried to choke down a sob as tears freely cascaded from her eyes. "Thank you…" He whispered against her mouth. When he broke off the kiss, she put a hand to her mouth, suppressing her sobs that threatened to break from her throat. She stepped back quickly, back to where she was while gazing at him with eyes that begged to take her with him.

Lee looked away. Neji nearly felt sorry for her. Nearly…until Tenten came out limping, smiling at him. It was then that he did feel pity. Helping her to steady her balance, they watched.

Naruto gazed at Sasuke with cold, frozen eyes. "You betrayed me…not once, but twice. I thought of you as a brother." He hissed so that only the criminal could hear him, "You have caused so much pain in Sakura's heart that I can't begin to forgive you."

Sasuke looked at him directly, unflinching at the icy, blue pools. "I have never asked for your forgiveness." His voice wasn't mocking or scornful, just candid and calm.

"Damn you." Naruto whispered.

"It's been a long time…dobe."

It caused instant rage in Naruto, and he reacted with a punch in the face. Sasuke's lip started bleeding. "The only person who is allowed to call me that is Uchiha Sasuke. You are not him. No, that person has been dead for five years."

Sasuke continued, unfazed by the strike. "You've come a long way, dobe. ANBU captain, jounin…what else are you? The next successor for Hokage? I'm not-"

"Damn it, Sasuke, why do you act like this!" Naruto shouted, landing another blow to his stomach. "You're going to die, you bastard! Don't you understand that! Why are you acting like this!"

Naruto kept up his punches and kicks until he drove the former missing nin to a tree. Sasuke didn't even try to dodge. His back slammed against the tree trunk. He stayed there, slouched against the tree, his legs supporting him weakly. Naruto's hits were powered by anger. They hurt a lot more than Sasuke remembered them being.

A lethal blue ball of chakra spun on Naruto's hand. Sasuke recognized it clearly. What a fitting way to die. Sasuke thought thoughtlessly, as his eyes traveled to Sakura. A part of him screamed at her not to watch him die, but another part desperately wanted her to. "Good bye, Sakura…Naruto…" He closed his eyes and waited for the end.

"NO!" Sakura screamed from her spot, watching with terrified eyes, as she had promised him. Lee firmly gripped by the shoulders, preventing her from running in between the attack.

The Uchiha felt the tree splinter into a million pieces above him and the scent of burnt wood met his sense of smell. Naruto had missed on purpose. Sasuke opened his eyes and saw that the ANBU was facing away from him.

Naruto threw him a dirty look over his shoulder then looked back at his team and scowled. "I can't do it. If one of you can, be my guest." He shoved his hands in his pockets.

Nobody stepped forward. Lee uneasily shifted on his feet. Neji held Tenten tighter. Shikamaru sighed.

"We'll have an ANBU meeting now. As for him," –he inclined his head to the unmoving Sasuke against the tree— "Neji, can you close his major chakra channels? We'll bind him with a paralysis jutsu. Shikamaru, take care of that. After that, put him with Neji as a guard in his room. The rest of you, we'll have the meeting in the inn's bar. Hyuuga, we'll fill you in after the meeting is over."

Sakura helped Sasuke from the tree, pretty beat up from Naruto's assault. His lip was swollen from the first punch, and she put some medication on it. Her attire was different now for Lee had brought her pack with him when they decided to go in for her rescue. She was dressed in her ANBU uniform without the gray standard armor over her chest.

"Sasuke, are you alright?"

He could only nod and force himself not to wince when she aided him to his feet. His ribs were probably bruised now. Neji walked behind them as Sakura led them back to his room. Letting him sit, Sakura treated him and gave him a pill to lessen the pain from the wounds that she couldn't heal right then. She also watched Neji close some of the prisoner's tenketsu closed. As she walked out the door, Sakura gave a look to the temporary guard that Neji read as, 'hurt him or I will blackmail you.' He gave her an annoyed glare.

The meeting was quickly organized. Naruto was waiting for his team quietly. Once they were all there, he took a deep breath and began. "Look, as your captain, I'm not supposed to hesitate. I never intended to, but I guess that bastard still holds something in me after all this time. I think the best thing we can do is take him back the Tsunade, and let her deal with him. We just have to be careful with him. Four of the guys, me, Shikamaru, Lee, and Neji will bind him with our chakra strings, while Hinata will be our guide. Sakura will be our scout, and Tenten will be our front guard. Neji, since he has the Byakugan and he has a lot of stamina, will be our rear guard. We'll be in a cross formation. I'll take the front, Shikamaru takes the right, Lee takes the left, and Neji will take the back."

Lee raised a hand. Naruto nodded to him. "What do we do when we get to the village? I think we'll cause a panic if Sasuke is seen."

The captain gazed around them, looking at all of their faces. "Shikamaru calculated what time of the day we would get there. It's best if we come from the south gate, since that part of town is farthest away from the market places and such. We head directly to the Hokage Tower, as discretely as possible. We explain our situation once we're there. Any more questions?"

There was only silent. Naruto dipped head down once to confirm their understanding. "Right then, we leave in one hour. Everyone rest up and get prepared."

After the meeting was adjourned, Naruto went straight to Hinata's room, where she was all dressed and ready to go. He almost rushed up to scoop her in his arms and lay her back down on the bed so that she could rest some more. But he knew Hinata didn't like being babied, especially by him.

"Hinata-chan, are you sure you're up for the travel?" He asked, the petite ninja turned to look at him and smiled.

"Naruto-kun, I know you're worried. But, can't grow up if you're always to spoil me." She touched his face. "I'll be fine, Naruto-kun."

Well, the captain simply melted like putty at her touch. He grinned in an embarrassed way and rubbed the back of his head with his hand sheepishly. "When we get back to the village, I think the first person we should see is your father?"

She giggled. "If you feel up to it. I'm sure you'll be tired by then. My father does want to meet you."

Naruto panicked. "He does! Why didn't you tell me before! What will I say! Damn it all, I need new clothes!" He wailed loudly, prancing around the room in a full fledged panic attack.

It was a few moments before Hinata could calm him down, reassuring him that the two of them would go shopping together. Of course, having an undeniable power of persuasion over him, the Hyuuga heiress was able to get him ready within the given hour.

The four male shinobis situated themselves around Sasuke, who was still bound by the hands tightly. Four chakra strings were attached to him. Sasuke was still silent. Sakura went ahead to scout and Hinata got ready to lead the rest of them home. Tenten always at one kunai ready-though she always denied that she was paranoid-and she gave Naruto the signal.

The ANBU team vanished with their captive back towards their home village. Their captive traveled easily with them, keeping pace with the four of them that held him. His chakra didn't flow as easily through his body and he couldn't get any chakra to his eyes for his Sharingan. His Chidori arm was constantly irritating, but he didn't complain. He should have asked for bandages to wrap it.

Naruto grinned back at Neji. "Hey, Hyuuga, Hinata-chan said that I could meet her father when we get there."

Neji growled and repressed the urge to unleash his Windstorm on the captain. "You're not getting anywhere near Hiashi-sama until I'm through with you."

Naruto stuck out his tongue childishly. "Is that how you speak to your captain? I can get you reprimanded for that, you know."

"You aren't going to be my captain as soon as this mission is over, captain." He leered at him.

Naruto continued his taunting. It was fun to aggravate the Hyuuga. "Hinata-chan and I were thinking about pink tuxedoes for you and me. What do you think? It could work right? We'd look absolutely smashing in pink."

Sasuke had to let out a very small smirk at that. Hyuuga Neji in pink would be highly entertaining to see. People from all over would pay big money to see such a thing. Neji could only retort with a grunt of high contempt directed at the blonde ninja.

Shikamaru shook his head. "I don't know why people even bother with a wedding. It's troublesome."

Naruto almost tripped at his words. "Shikamaru, aren't you going have a wedding?"

He sighed. "I guess if I have to."

Lee laughed. "Ino-san will want a wedding."

The lazy looking jounin made a surprised choking noise at the taijutsu specialist's words. "Ino? Where did you get Ino from?"

Lee looked innocent. "I've seen you two on dates before, Shikamaru. Don't pretend you don't know anything. Sakura-san isn't the only that knows your secret." One of his round eyes winked.

Slouching back into his slack posture, Shikamaru looked sullen and bored, and heavily let out another sigh. He scratched his head. "I'm not even close to getting married. It's too troublesome right now."

Naruto nodded, for the first time serious and glanced at Neji, who looked straight back. "The pink tux was a joke."

"Keep on alert and don't talk to me." Neji snapped, his eyes narrowing. Naruto saluted him satirically.

The four men soon heard a familiar buzzing of their earpieces as Sakura's voice came in. "Some routine traps here and there, but nothing hostile. It should be sunset when we arrive at Konoha. Is Sasuke behaving himself?"

All four of them scowled at the prisoner between them. "Hell yeah, considering he has nowhere to run." Naruto growled through his teeth.

Hinata was heard giggling into the transmitter. "N-Neji-niisan, your f-fly is open."

Everyone besides the stoic Sasuke (who had no idea what was going on) and a furious Neji burst out laughing. The Hyuuga zipped up his pants, not showing any part of his disgruntlement.

Sasuke remained silent as the ANBU around him kept their good humor. It was a completely different atmosphere. And it slightly annoyed him that they were also so happy. Just slightly. To get away from his slight irritation, he turned his thoughts to a certain pink haired jounin. Did he really kiss her? He felt his mouth curve into a miniscule despite himself at he recalled the softness of her lips. He hadn't gone any further than just pressing his lips against hers, but it stimulated a curious passion inside.

It was four hours later when Hinata exclaimed, "We're close!"

Indeed, they were close. Konoha's southern gate could be seen. All of them, excluding Sasuke, felt happy to be home. The Uchiha slowed his pace as if he wanted to delay the inevitable. But Neji roughly pushed him forward and the ANBU team quickly made their way towards the Hokage's office.

The guards posted looked strangely at the ANBU team's captive, but they were ushered quickly into the office. Naruto took of his fox mask, and the rest did the same. Sasuke was forced to kneel on the carpeted floor, and frankly speaking, he had not seen such luxury in a long time.

The regal form of the Godaime was made known when she stood from her chair, her light chestnut eyes flashing angrily at all of them, especially Naruto. He only returned her gaze without shrinking away.

"This was not your mission, Naruto." She seethed.

"I know, Tsunade." He said calmly.

"Then what the hell is he doing here! Alive!" She shouted, slamming her hands down on her messy desk in fury. Nobody in the room stirred. Sakura knew her sensei was not in the best of moods. Everyone was impassive.

Naruto stepped forward professionally, just like an ANBU about make his report formally. "The mission was to isolate Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke and eliminate them. Mission status: Failure. The ANBU captain, Uzumaki Naruto, failed to execute Uchiha Sasuke. Uchiha Itachi is dead. The team-"

Tsunade interrupted. "Why did you fail to execute Uchiha Sasuke?"

Naruto hesitated for only a second. "Emotional challenges, Godaime-sama."

"Why didn't one of the other shinobi in your team do it?"

"I do not know."

Tsunade sighed and walked around her desk, placing her feet directly in front of Sasuke. Grasping his chin firmly, she forced his face to face hers. She could see the resemblance between him and Itachi. He was handsome, but his eyes possessed a far away, distant look in them. "Uchiha Sasuke, do you realize that you are a traitor of the Leaf?"

"Yes."

That's a simple enough answer, she thought dully. "Have you betrayed any of our secrets to Orochimaru?"

"No."

Another simple answer. Maybe he lacks in vocabulary. "Do you know any of his plans?"

"No."

There was silence and the Hokage was getting just slightly pissed off. "I don't trust you. You were Orochimaru's prized possession. May I remind you that you are in the presence of all very elite jounin? I wouldn't lie to me if I were you."

A little emotion stirred in his obsidian eyes. His smooth, tenor voice was soft. "I am not his possession. I do not belong to anyone."

Tsunade's eyes flicked in ill humor. "Don't test me, boy." She spoke in a tone that matched his iciness. "Tell me what you know, and I might consider giving you a trial that you obviously don't deserve."

"Orochimaru didn't tell me anything. He merely used me."

The large breasted woman let go of his chin. "Is there anything you can tell me?"

Sasuke knew it wasn't the time to negotiate, but if he could bait her... "After I refused Orochimaru, he threatened me that he would kill me. If he knew I was here, he will come here for sure. The village just needs to let out the message so that you can predict his movements. They can prepare for his attack. Once he's here, I'll take care of him. He only wants to fight me."

She turned to look at the young man on his knees suspiciously. "You'll do all this in return for what?"

He turned to look at her and offered her his half smile. "A life…"

Her eyes grew large then narrowed considerably. "What do you think you've done to deserve such a thing?"

"Nothing, but I've never had one. I would like one now."

Tsunade seemed to be deep in thought. She regarded him carefully. "After this fight with Orochimaru is over, I will seal your chakra reserves until I see fit. Prove to me that I can trust you again. Then, you'll have your life."

She turned to the rest of them. "Naruto, don't think you did anyone a service by bring him here. Sasuke will have to stay in the prison cells until Orochimaru arrives."

Neji bowed curtly and spoke. "Hokage-sama, I've close some of the Uchiha's tenketsu. I should reopen them if we don't want him to pass out."

Sasuke felt little jolts of pain as the Hyuuga pressed his chakra holes opened with a harder-than-necessary pressure on them.

"You all are dismissed. I'm sure the mission must have taken a toll on you all. Oh, and Hinata, please see me in the morning. I'd like to talk to you." They were all about to leave after Sasuke was hauled off to cells. Sakura gave him a reassuring smile and nod. Tsunade made a careful mental note. "Sakura, I would like to see you now."

"Hai, Sensei." She closed the door after Naruto, who winked at her to give her his support.

Tsunade rounded her desk again and sat down on her chair, while she motioned for her pupil to take the chair across from her. Sakura did as she was told and she didn't like where this was going to go.

"Sakura, did you interfere at all with the execution?"

"No, Sensei, but I was one of the witnesses."

The elder woman nodded. "How is Sasuke? Psychologically?"

The medic raised her eyebrow. "He was quite overwhelmed with the fact that he killed Itachi. I saw him do it. He almost went insane." She paused, thinking.

"But?" The Godaime knew there was more to it than that. He didn't seem insane.

"I honestly don't know, Tsunade-sama. Sasuke just…seemed more open now that his brother is dead."

"I take it that that is a good thing?" She also countered the questioning eyebrow raise with her own.

"I believe it is, sensei. I…still love him."

Ah, there it was. Damn, I'm good. I knew should have gone to the interrogating field. "When he said that he wanted his life, do you think he was talking about a life…with you?"

Sakura blushed beet red. "I-I don't know."

Tsunade smiled warmly. "Sakura, it's all right. I hope he can prove to the village that he is going to be a shinobi that can be trusted."

The student got up. "Yes, I believe he will."

She walked out the door, her inner self thinking smugly, If he doesn't, then I'll kill him myself. Hell yeah!

Neji walked Tenten home and arrived at the Hyuuga compound. Something small darted his way. A loud mew escaped Chopstick's throat as he crazily rubbed against the tired Hyuuga's ankles. A deep, amused chuckle tickled the air as Neji picked up the kitten with a smile on his face.

"You've certainly gotten bigger. What has Hanabi-sama been feeding you?"

"I've fed him milk and little rodents, that's what." A clearly annoyed voice said from the porch.

"Thank you for taking care of him, Hanabi-sama." He bowed half way.

He was surprised to see a grin on the younger female's face. "He's really cute. He helps me relax after training."

Neji gave her a polite smile as they both entered the house. He bid her good night and walked into his own room and set the purring kitten on his bed. "I'll go take a shower and come back. Stay here."

Author's notes: Ah, chapter 10 is finished with a cute ending, if I can say so myself. Neji and kittens make a good mix. I wouldn't mind being Chopsticks for a day...purrrr. ..dammit, I need to get a grip.T-T;; So, anyway, as I was saying...

Sasuke did NOT get executed, and for many of you that is a great relief. (For me too!) I don't have the heart to kill offsuch major characters. Maybe now that I've gotten lots of things to write, I'll put more on Neji x Tenten, and Naruto x Hinata. I'm also including some hints of Shikamaru x Ino, if you like that coupling.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, though it was kind of boring and uneventful. If you didn't like it, just let me suffer in struggling to write a better chapter. Well, keep up the reviews! That number beside the word "reviews" is close to reaching 200! Wow! I appriciate all of the comments/reminders to update, as well as the encouragement and support! Truly, I'm blessed with such cool reviewers. ;; yeah yeah, cheesiness is what I write best, so shut it. XD But I really mean everything! Thank you!