Deep Within Chapter 2, a naruto fanfic

Deep Within: Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Nope. I still don't own Naruto.

Naruto and Sakura sat on the small wooden stools beside the bed attempting to work a conversation out of the Uchiha, or more particularly, his reason for such a sudden return. Kakashi stood to the side, leaning against the wall as he watched the scene unfold before him.

"So, what's up with your sudden return to Konoha?" Naruto finally burst out, asking the question that was on everybody's minds. He kept his ocean blue gaze locked onto Sasuke to emphasize his interest. Yet, Sasuke still had his usual look of indifference on his face. A moment went by in silence, no one moving.

"It might seem sudden to you, but I've been planning on escaping for the past two months. My training with Orochimaru was starting to slow down. I could tell he was running out of things he was willing to teach me. And no matter how much I argued for more training, he wouldn't give it. I figured it was my cue to leave before I ended up being used as his container after all." He glanced at his visitors, watching each of their expressions as he spoke. They seemed to be content with his story. "I finally saw a chance to make my escape, and lucky for me, it happened to be just as the ANBU arrived to get me."

It was then Sakura's turn to pipe up. "Sasuke-kun… what happened when you escaped? You were in terrible shape when the ANBU had arrived with you…"

"Once the word of my attempt at escape had gotten to him, Orochimaru himself came after me. We had begun to fight, but my mind was… distracted by the thoughts of escape," came the Uchiha prodigy's reply. His gaze remained on the blankets before him. "Our battle continued for a while before the ANBU were able to help," he continued. "The rest is mostly a blur as we escaped." I'll have to get Orochimaru back for that… Silence crept into the room as the two teenagers took this in.

Suddenly, Kakashi broke the silence and spoke up. "You know… I was just thinking… Isn't it a funny coincidence that the three of you had each been instructed by one of the legendary sannin?" He chuckled warmly to himself. At this new information, Sasuke sat up quickly and glanced at the two beside him. He knew that Naruto had been trained by Jiraiya almost three years ago, so that meant Sakura had been trained by Tsunade.

"Hey, you're right!" Naruto exclaimed triumphantly, as if he had discovered this information himself. Beside him, Sakura giggled. The Uchiha's onyx gaze watched the cherry blossom angel before him intently, looking away before she or the others could notice. Perhaps I can learn more about Tsunade from her… He let his mind contemplate just how he would obtain this vital information, but trying to ask her about it so suddenly might bring up some suspicions. The simple instruction played once again in his mind; 'You will have to regain their trust'. It was as simple as that.

Sasuke glanced around the room, realizing that he had no idea exactly how long he had been there, or when he was going to be able to leave. His onyx gaze shifted toward the other three ninja in the room, a questioning look written on his features. "How much longer do I have to stay in this hospital?" By the tone of his voice, the others could tell he did not wish to be in the building any longer than he had to.

"We actually came in here to check up on you. You've been here for a few days, and all you need now is the OK from a medical specialist and you're free to go… well, for now. I hope you weren't expecting to be let off of your charges for betraying the village just because you returned on your own," Kakashi stated and discontinued his leaning against the wall. His last comment caused the room to grow tense, nobody moving or saying a word. "I suppose I could go fetch the medic working on your case now." With that and a smile, he made his way out of the room.

Sasuke walked out of the stuffy hospital and into the fresh air outside, stretching his rested muscles. Kakashi took a bit of time to bring the medial specialist, and once she had arrived she gave him a quick check-up. It had been suggested to him to remain in the hospital for at leastafew moredays to make sure he had recovered completely. Yet, Sasuke, as stubborn as ever, refused and requested that he leave immediately. The specialist seemed reluctant at first, but Sasuke remained firm. Eventually, she gave in and allowed him to leave. It was reported that the Hokage would allow him to wander freely about the village for a day, albeit under the watchful eye of the ANBU and every other ninja in the village.

So, there he was, standing outside the hospital and glancing around the village. A feeling of nostalgia washed over him as he took in the sights he had not seen in over two years. People walked by, glancing at the Uchiha warily as the passed. Birds chirped from their perches in the trees. It had almost seemed the same at first glance, but there was tension in the air around him from the people who knew of his return. He chose to ignore it, simply shoving his hands in his pockets before continuing on. "Sasuke-kun, wait!" came a voice from behind. He paused for a second and glanced back to find Sakura hurrying toward him. She came to a halt beside him and smiled up at him warmly. His expression still remained cold and indifferent.

"What is it?" he asked impatiently, his onyx gaze watching the pink-haired kunoichi before him.

"Well, I thought I'd accompany you… You haven't been here for two years after all." Her jade pools met his fierce onyx ones quickly. She blushed and looked away, embarrassed. "But if you'd rather go alone, I understand…"

Sasuke looked up at the path ahead. "I don't mind," he muttered simply and began to walk again. A look of surprise instantly appeared on the kunoichi's face. She quickly set off after him, maintaining a steady pace once she caught up with him.

Normally, Sasuke's reply would have been a grunt before he took off without looking back. Though it already seemed that she trusted him, he had to be sure. It could not have been more than a tentative bond at the moment, and it was all or nothing. Besides, he may be able to sneak ina few questions about Tsunade as the walked.

At first, neither of them spoke; both seemed to be contemplating the all of these recent events. In the silence, the two of them looked at the sights surrounding them. Every once in a while Sakura would glance up at the Uchiha beside her, quickly shifting her gaze to the ground before he seemed to notice. She suppressed the urge to grab his hand and smile cheerfully up at him, for she feared that he might change his mind and continue on his own. As they walked along, the passersby whispered and pointed at the two teenagers.

Sasuke was used to such treatment; after Itachi massacred their clan, everyone watched the sole survivor with amazement. Inside, Sasuke felt his hatred for his brother rise. Sakura had her fair share of attention as well, but unlike Sasuke, there was no tragedy behind it. Two and a half years ago, she came to Tsunade and requested that she train her. Tsunade simply smiled and accepted. Once the word of this reached the people, she seemed to be quite the topic for gossip. After all, if the Hokage herself was willing to train her, she had to be something special.

But they both knew that this attention they received was different. These whispers and glances were not out of amazement, but instead out of contempt. The Uchiha who had betrayed the village of his own free will was back, and Tsunade's student was able to trust him already? The two of them just chose to ignore the stares and focus on the path before them.

"Is there any place in particular you planned on going to?" Sakura glanced up at him again, speaking for the first time since they left the hospital. Sasuke glanced around at the buildings surrounding them. Up ahead, he could see the Hokage Mountain looking down upon the village.

"Not particularly… I just need to get used to the place again." He looked beside him to see the kunoichi nod in understanding.

It did not take long before the former teammates found themselves standing beside the railing in front of the Hokage Mountain. Sasuke stood with a calm demeanor, his hands resting in his pockets as he looked up at the five faces carved into the mountain. He recognized the first four faces from seeing them each day of his childhood. The last one had the air of a fresh carving, no more than a year old. Tsunade's face stared down at him from its perch.

He glanced to his side to witness Sakura watching the mountain with admiration through her sea green eyes.

"I see Tsunade had gotten the village back upon its feet…" Sasuke observed. It was true; after the Sound ninja attack two and a half years ago, Konoha went through rough times, but now it seemed as good as new. Sakura pried her attention from the mountain and looked up at the Uchiha and nodded.

"Yeah, she's brought it back to its old power. I think it may be even stronger than before."

A thought went through Sasuke's mind at her last statement. 'Stronger than before.' So that must be why Orochimaru wanted me to get rid of her… to put the village in turmoil and keep it from improving further. "She must be an excellent ninja, then. She is one of the sannin after all, so she must be powerful," he commented.

"Oh, yes. I don't think I was ever able to get the upper hand when we sparred." Sakura laughed slightly and scratched the back of her head.

Sasuke opened his mouth to find out more, but he sensed something coming toward him. He whipped around and caught a kunai out of the air that had been flung at him. The attacker was a young genin, whom Sasuke assumed just graduated from the academy. The child's eyes widened at the sight of the scratch along the Uchiha's hitai-ate, which was remarkably similar to that of a missing nin. After a few seconds, though, the boy seemed unfazed and was back to glaring fiercely at him.

"Get outta here you traitor! Konoha doesn't need you around. Get lost!" the child finally screamed at him. He grabbed another kunai from his pouch and prepared to launch it but his arm was suddenly grabbed from behind. It was the genin's jounin instructor. The jounin pulled the kunai from his student's grasp and gave Sasuke a cold stare.

"Let's go. And don't do that again unless you have a death wish," the jounin said to his student. He pulled him along by the arm, glancing one last time at the Uchiha.

Sasuke sighed; his job was not going to be easy. If a genin was willing to take a swipe at him, imagine what the higher ranked ninja must be planning. Sakura tentatively patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, Sasuke-kun. I'm sure this will all blow over in time."

He simply nodded in reply and thought sourly, I don't have time.

Sakura glanced around quietly, finally resting her jade gaze on her former teammate. "Why don't we go find someplace to eat? You must be hungry after all of that time you spent in the hospital." A curious look was plastered on her face as she awaited his answer. His face was as unreadable as always while he contemplated the offer. On the one hand, it would give him a chance to get used to the village once again. It couldn't hurt to have the villagers become used to his presence again. On the other hand, Sakura might believe it was a date, and start to wonder if he had feelings for her. A tiny part of him wondered if that was such a bad thing.

He beat the thought away, murmuring, "I think I'll pass."

Sakura grabbed his hand and began to protest. "Oh, come on now Sasuke-kun! It's for your own good! You need to eat something."

Sasuke prepared to firmly decline the offer this time, but his stomach decided to voice its own opinion. He sighed in defeat. "Alright, but just something small." He noticed their hands linked together and blushed slightly. "And only if you let go of my hand." Sakura turned red when she realized that she still had his hand in hers and pulled it away hastily.

The duo quickly found a food stall along the streets and purchased a few dumplings and rice balls from the wary man behind the counter. They continued their walk, Sakura cheerfully munching on her food while Sasuke solemnly ate his. Silence wedged itself between the two of them as they finished their food. Sasuke quietly glanced around the village, memories flooding back to him. He remembered his childhood, the good times… and the bad. He remembered the lonely days spent training after his clan was destroyed. Sasuke grunted at the thoughts, shoving his hands deep into his pockets Sakura gave him a questioning look, but dared not ask what was troubling him; she was quite sure he was thinking of the past. After a few minutes of mindless wandering, Sasuke closed his eyes and let his feet take him along. Shortly after, he heard Sakura's footsteps slow, almost coming to a halt. His eyes slowly opened to see what she was doing. Immediately he stopped in his tracks, staring straight ahead at what lay before him. It seemed that out of habit, he had managed to take himself to his old home. The Uchiha villa stood solemnly, untouched and abandoned. The Uchiha family crest was shown proudly all about, hanging on flags and painted on the walls. They were the signs of the once large and strong family.

Silently, Sasuke took a step forward, onyx eyes darting to and from each abandoned building. He began to see the bodies of his brethren lying in the streets in pools of their own blood. The terror of that fateful night eight years ago was upon him again as stared at the streets, the images he saw seeming as real now as they did when he was only seven. Suddenly, he raced to his old home, fearing for the worst. He burst through the door, memories of Itachi standing over the corpses of their parents appearing fresh before him. Realization finally stuck him as he stood there. It was all in the past. Seething, he punched at the wall, tearing a hole in it with the force. He stared fiercely at the ground below him with Sharingan blazing in his eyes, breathing heavily in anger.

"Itachi…"

A sound to his left caught his attention and he immediately looked up, glaring at the figure in the doorway. It was Sakura, a look of fear blended with the sympathy on her features. She stood completely still, wondering if it was a bad idea to follow him into this section of the village.

"Sasuke-kun, I-I'm sorry—"

"Leave. Now!" Sasuke commanded, leaning against the wall he had punched. The ferocity and frustration on his features slackened slightly as depression slowly got to him. Sakura suddenly nodded, taking a step back, not daring to say another word. Then, she turned around leaving quickly before he could notice the tears beginning to form in her eyes. His crimson gaze followed her retreating figure for a moment before focusing his attention on the room he stood in. Sasuke sighed in frustration, slowly sliding himself to the ground. He wrapped his arms around his knees while he continued fuming alone in the empty room. He slammed a fist against the ground.

"Dammit!"

AN: Finally got the updated version of this chapter up. The old one was horrible. -shifty eyes- Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the story thus far. I'm getting close to finishing chapter three.

-Kiri RainShadow