Disclaimer: Naruto, plot, characters, and all belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
Not Afraid Anymore
Chapter 1: Return
It was early evening in Konohagakure when the shinobi forces of the Land of Fire arrived. Medical ninjas immediately turned their attention to the injured while the debilitated were received by the awaiting crowd with thunderous celebration. Many Shinobi's were embraced by lovers, parents, grandparents, children, and the whole lot. Others went to sit at the sidelines to rest from the enduring journey from the Land of Lightning, where the conclusion of the war took place.
While the crowds continued to greet the incoming Shinobi the Hokage took her place atop of the balcony of a two-story building. A loud whistle echoed across the multitudes, a lingering silence followed as they all turned to face the Godaime.
"Today we stand here in victory!" proudly announced Lady Tsunade with a strong fist in the air.
The crowd erupted in boisterous cheers, laughter, and embraces. As the celebration died out, Lady Tsunade raised her palmed and the crowd silenced once again.
"Today we proved to our enemies that the will of fire burns bright and stronger than ever. That together, as one, we are a force to be reckoned with! Today we begin a new chapter. This war brought as much blessings as it brought chaos. For a common purpose we put our differences aside and we became allies in order to prevent the world from falling into darkness. The Five Great Shinobi Nations became one and we are still one. We share ideals that are not so different from the rest. We all strive for the same goals. Peace and Order. From this point on the world will take a turn for the better! For the next generations!"
"Believe it!" Naruto exclaimed amongst the crowd with a fist in the air while watching as the Godaime stepped away from the balcony, concluding her speech.
"This calls for a celebration with ramen!" exclaimed Naruto at the top of his lungs as he limped his way to Ichiraku's, or what is left of it anyways. As he limped away in his merry way, he failed to notice how the ground suddenly began to shake accompanied by the sound of heavy footsteps.
"Aaah! Oomph!" Naruto cried as he was suddenly yanked backwards and dropped with bruising force on the dirt path.
"Naruto!" shrieked Sakura with fiery anger in her eyes. "What the hell do you think you are doing? You are in no condition to be parading around! Get your ass to the hospital, or so help me I will drag you there myself!" yelled Sakura while attempting to drag him by his collar as Naruto kept scurrying farther away from her.
"But...but but but Sakura-chaaan! I am starving! Exclaimed Naruto with a distraught look in his face.
"NO!"
He tried to make a run for it but due to his injuries Sakura caught up to him, tackled him, and without much effort began to drag away a wailing Naruto while murmuring curses under her breath.
"Na..Narrruto!" called out a worried Hinata as she followed after him and Sakura.
"What a drag. He never learns." Shikamaru said in an exasperated tone, while watching the scene.
"Come on, you are one to talk, you need healing as well. You too Chouji!" called out Ino as she walked towards the hospital as well, the two following behind.
"Lee! Neji! Come on!" hollered Tenten as she shoved both of them towards the hospital. "You two are in no better condition than them!"
"Tch. I think I can manage on my own." huffed a tired and very irritated Neji.
"No Tenten! I must run 500 laps in honor of our youthful victory! Exclaimed Rock Lee with great enthusiasm. But despite his eagerness he remained a captive of Tenten's hold.
"I don't want to hear it! You are both getting medical attention and that's final!"
They bowed their heads and did not press the matter any farther. It was futile.
As Sakura walked ahead of the others, she stopped momentarily and took one curious glance at where Kakashi stood. He was tasked with keeping an eye on Sasuke, who remained at his side, shackled and blindfolded.
Returning to the village was not all sunshine and rainbows for Sasuke. Sakura knew that now he will face severe scrutiny that in turn will decide his fate. Seeing Sasuke vulnerable and at the mercy of the Interrogation Department saddened Sakura but it was beyond her control. She could only stop and take one final glance at Sasuke before he vanishes out of her sight once again, perhaps for now, or maybe for good. The thought terrified her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she turned in the direction of the hospital. Her gripped tightened on Naruto's collar, not because he was struggling, but because in her heart, she hoped to see Sasuke again.
"Well, that was interesting." an amused Kakashi looked on next to a silent Sasuke.
"Come. You have an audience with the Hokage and the Interrogation Department." said Kakashi with a cool expression as he walked on with a group of ANBU following along within the shadows. Sasuke did not hesitate and followed along.
"Lady Tsunade, Kakashi has brought in Uchiha Sasuke" announced Shizune as she held the door opened for their arrival.
"Let them in"
Shizune motioned for them to come in, Kakashi walked in first with Sasuke silently following behind. They both remained standing before Lady Tsunade with her back towards them looking on out the window towards the village with her hands clasped behind her back, fully aware of the ANBU squad stationed around the perimeter of her office.
"Shizune you are to remain outside the door. Do not let anybody interrupt this meeting. Do you understand" It was not a question.
"Yes. Lady Tsunade" with that said Shizune took her leave, silently closing the door behind her; a worried frowned adorning her face.
"Very well. I will be brief." She said as she slowly turned around her eyes locked on Sasuke's figure.
"You understand that your actions entail consequences? She looked at Sasuke expectantly. Sasuke remained silent but attentive of her words. "But in light of recent events and your role in ending the war, I am willing to show some lenience." Lady Tsunade looked at Kakashi, who seemed relieved by her words. He was not the only one who was also both worried and hopeful of Sasuke's fate. She wanted to be fair. Punishment would accomplish nothing more than placing the blame on someone who is merely a victim of the system. It would be hypocritical of her to not acknowledge his reasons for resenting the village and being willing to save it all at once.
"As you might expect, you will be heavily interrogated. So long as you cooperate and demonstrate that you are no longer a threat to the village, you should be able to walk away from all this unscathed. Think of it as a trade for your role in the war."
Kakashi looked over at Sasuke who gave Lady Tsunade no response other than a quick nod acknowledging and accepting the conditions.
Lady Tsunade walked around her desk and stood before Sasuke. While he could not see her, he could feel the intensity of her authority as she stood before him. But there was also a bit of a sympathetic tone under her hard demeanor. "Under other circumstances I would have not been so lenient. But because you are…a special case, I will make an exception. In addition, the the Elders will be dealt with, accordingly." She emphasized the last word. "What they committed is unforgivable. Whatever differences happened between the Uchiha Clan and the Council should have been dealt with diplomatically, not with such cruel methods and sacrifice. I am truly sorry. I know that nothing could ever replace what you lost but I can promise you justice, closure to your clan, and your brother."
Sasuke looked on, let in it sink in. She was right nothing could ever replace what he lost. He could never bring back his family. The only thing left for him to do is to keep honoring the Uchiha name and their sacrifice. His brother's sacrifice. His whole life was one lie after another, and now that he finally knows the truth, he finds himself with no purpose. Was his entire struggle worth it? Perhaps, but in the end, he paid a steep price. He was tired of a life of constant struggle, he just wanted silence.
Kakashi and Lady Tsunade looked on in a contemplative manner awaiting his response.
"As long as the Elders are taking care of, there is nothing more for me to go after." Sasuke said in acceptance of his fate.
Lady Tsunade and Kakashi let out a breath they did not know they were holding. They were relieved. They believed in second chances. Sasuke deserved the opportunity to turn his life around. To see the world with different eyes.
"Very well. Let's discuss other matters and then you'll be on your way." Lady Tsunade said as she made her way to her desk and settled down before several stacks of paper.
"As for your housing arrangements, for now you'll be residing at the hospital while you recover from your injuries. Our present circumstance only allows us so much. The village is still under construction as you can see, so we are limited in resources, particularly housing. I will summon you when I have better arrangements ready for you. Lastly, a sufficient monthly allowance will be provided so you can begin to settle down. You are dismissed."
With that said and done, Kakashi quietly ushered a shackled Sasuke out of the office with a group of ANBU trailing behind them. Who would have thought that Sasuke Uchiha would go in peace?
"Well, that went better than expected" Lady Tsunade said while walking around her desk and taking out a bottle of sake from the bottom drawer and pouring herself a drink as Shizune entered the office.
"What a relief. Especially for Naruto and Sakura." expressed Shizune while letting out a deep breath.
"It's a new beginning for Sasuke, a better one. He is no longer alone, never truly was, now that he has somewhat accepted our help there is nothing more for us to do than wait and support him along the way, and then maybe someday he will truly find it in himself to be happy." Lady Tsunade said as she took a drink.
"Yes, I hope so too." Shizune said with a small smile. Hopeful for Naruto and Sakura. For their desire to once again be Team 7.
Lady Tsunade leaned back on her chair with closed eyes and took a deep breath before turning and looking out the window with pensive eyes. "Seems like better times are to come, I just hope it last. In the world of the shinobi, fleeting peace is as close as we get to the actual meaning of the word. All we can do is hope."
"Hai, Lady Tsunade" Shizune agreed with a small smile.
