Chapter 4:

Goodbye, Isn't Long

Hatsumi had arrived at the Hokage's office early in the morning. She was over excited all day and last night, especially her father 'okayed' it.. Truly it was Hinata's doing that her father reconsidered and let Hatsumi go.

Before she knocked on the door she could hear a different voice. "Well, I'll be honest with you. under normal circumstances you'd be imprisoned for life or you would be sentenced to death. The only reason you've been pardoned is because of your assistance in undoing the mugen-tsukuyomi-jutsu. Try not to forget, however. That all this is thanks to Naruto, I mean he is the hero of this war and well. I did put in a few comments as the 6th Hokage. So take it easy and don't go crazy on me again. It's in my head they'll take this time." he looked over to the door " it seems we have a visitor, come in."

Hatsumi took a breath and walked in. The people in the room didn't pay attention to her, they kept talking. There was Sasuke that she met yesterday and a pink haired woman and one of her teachers Kakashi. Sasuke took some time to reply to the 6th Hokage. "Yeah. Sorry."

The pink haired girl finally spoke up and changed the conversation completely "You're leaving already? Tsunade-Sama just about to complete your prosthetic hand from Hashirama-sama's cell..."

That's when Hatsumi noticed the missing forearm. She recalled he had a shall or a poncho that it wasn't noticeable. "I" Sasuke had a moment of weakness in his voice admitting to all the bad in the world, not just in his village. "I need to see it for myself. how the world looks. All those things I've overlooked, I have a feeling I'd be able to see them better now and if I miss this chance. I don't think another will come. Plus there's a few things that have been bothering me."

The pink haired woman looked away from him to a spot on the floor "If I told you...that... I'd like... to come...too?..." she looked back at Sasuke giving a faint blush. He closed his eyes, would she stop looking at him with those eyes. That look of a lost puppy, and it had manipulation "It's my road to redemption. You have nothing to do with my sins." the Pinkett was surprised and irritated "Nothing to do... you say..." she looked down at her feet. " she then noticed hers.
"I'll see you soon. " he tapped her forehead. The way Itachi used to do it to him. Her only response was"...Thank you." The gray haired man then started to talk to Hatsumi. "Sakura you may not be able to accompany him," he motioned Hatsumi to get closer to the group "Your mission is to escort him on his journey." Sakura was surprised" you are now his new partner."
The pink haired girl had opposed the mission given to Hatsumi. But soon they found themselves waving goodbye to the Uchiha and the new ninja. When the two were out of sight Sasuke noticed a blond man "...huh... I didn't think you'd come..." Hatsumi noticed the look on Sasuke's face. "Again with these things." Then Naruto handed Sasuke a headband "here. I'm returning this." He looked over at Hatsumi and said, "keep an eye out for him. I don't think Kakashi mentioned Your mission. It's simple. look after Sasuke and enjoy the sights. since you were locked up all your life" Sasuke nodded "I'll keep this until we really settle things between us." The two wave goodbye to Naruto.

-
"Naruto you have some explanation!" The pink haired girl hit Naruto over the head. "Why does she get to go?!" She was clearly upset over how they screwed her. Naruto had explained" she has always been hidden away. when the leaf was destroyed. Hatsumi was hidden in an underground bunker. Then she was placed back into the bunker at the start of the war. When she was finally able to get out she never got out of the bird cage."

Sakura felt bad for the girl. But she couldn't get over the fact: Hatsumi would be with her Sasuke.

It had only been two hours since they left Konoha. It was silent, it wasn't like yesterday. "Your girlfriend seemed upset about you leaving and I am going with you."
"Sakura isn't my girlfriend. She was a part of team 7." He took to the trees above them, and Hatsumi followed after. "So why was she upset, that I'd be going with you." She sped up to him. "She has affection for me, I don't share the same feelings." He watched as the girl passed him.

The day quickly passed and soon it was night time. The couple found a small Inn, where they agreed to share a room. "You don't talk much do you." She waited for a response, but he didn't give one "you're just like my cousin Neji, I wonder when he is coming back from his mission" Sasuke was in disbelief, no one had told her. "Who told you that?"
"Ko, and father." She laid in the futon "but they refuse to tell me where... and my sisters are forbidden to talk about him, Because his mission is top secret." She watched him sit against the wall. "I think: that woman thought we were married." She pointed out the two pillows "I am going to bed. You can join me if you want." That's when he came over and laid against the bed so he could keep guard if anything happens. "Your arm" she made her way to the edge, made a couple of hand signs and placed her hands where his bicep and non-existent forearm were to connect "Heavenly Shield of Healing" his head had started to glow white. "This may hurt"
Sasuke didn't like what she was planning, he watched as his arm began to hurt. Soon his arm reappears. His expression on his face had asked her a question. Hatsumi shook her head "I'll tell you another time. Just rest... while you get used to it."

He was grateful but he wanted to repay her back "I have some word of advice for you" he paused hoping this advice will be beneficial when she learns the truth. And it's a good life motto "It is foolish to fear what we have yet to see and know."