Hiyya all!

I'm so happy with this story and all your favs and reviews! Thank you all!

I know this might sound cliche to some but I felt some confrontations were required in this story. That's why, this chapter is also up here.

Mr. disclaimer: I'm don't any of the characters, they belong to Masashi Kishimoto; just this single plot going on is from my imagination.

Now, on with the chapter, we go...

Chapter 29: A Kono-frontation

Uzushiogakure no Sato

Sasuke woke up early about six in the morning though sleeping very late. He decided to freshen up and go and meet his imōto before she left for the day. He stopped in front of her room but realised that no one was there. So he followed his way to the kitchen and dining area. But just as he reached the entrance, he stopped.

His luck was being cruel to him. Of all the people he could meet in the kitchen, it was the people he wanted to meet the most. But the people he had to avoid to gain back the trust he had lost and the one heart that he had utterly shattered. Sitting in the dining were just three people, the youngest in the house. His nephews and niece.

"…. until you gain my trust, you are not allowed near my younger kids, Ume-chan and Kaede-kun.…"

"I'll stay away from all three of them until one of you is around…. I promise."

The conversation from the previous night kept running in his mind. He would have to stay away from them. No matter how much his heart craved to speak to the girl he had been the luckiest to hold first right after she was born. No matter how much he wanted to hug the boy who had made him laugh for the first time, months after the massacre of his clan. No matter how much he wanted to get to know the youngest, whose whole life, he had missed by going to the evil side. He had promised Naruto that. He also knew that the older two knew and understood the crimes he had committed; specifically to their family…. the one that also used to be his.

He immediately tore his eyes away from them and decided to leave before any of them spotted him. But luck seemed to be against him at the very start of the day.

"Stop", said a voice he knew very well. Sasuke froze in his place. He didn't dare turn back around. He heard a few shuffling sounds and in the next two minutes, two tiny figures passed by him at the kitchen door and headed somewhere else. Sasuke, stayed in the exact position like a statue and didn't interfere. He knew that his oldest 'nephew' wanted to speak to him.

"We can have that conversation now, Sasuke", said Konohamaru in a serious tone.

Sasuke winced at the mention of his name. Konohamaru, as a tiny kid, always used to call him Nī or when he wanted to irritate, Emo. That was how his nickname had originated. But he hadn't seen Konohamaru after he left the village and left them. He had figured out before Tsunade even said, that Naruto wouldn't have allowed him near the front lines of the war.

But he could definitely see how much Konohamaru had changed after his betrayal. He had matured into a strong kid. One who had stood with Naruto and been her support when he had left. In some ways, he was proud of how Konohamaru had taken the responsibility of holding the family together after his treachery.

Sasuke knew that he was no more a part of Kono-kun's family. He knew that Konohamaru must hate him for his actions. He decided to face whatever punishment was required to mend their relationship. Therefore, he wore a blank expression and turned around to face his nephew.

Konohamaru had a serious look on his face. He almost looked like he was controlling his anger but at the same time, a glint of disappointment could be seen in his eyes. He took a deep breath before speaking up.

"You better not hurt kaa-chan again. I don't understand how she could forgive you so easily and bring you here, to stay with us. I didn't want her to feel guilty for breaking her side of the promise. But that doesn't mean I'll allow you to trample on her again." He said in a warning tone. "The last time, I was too young and innocent to realise how your actions had affected the whole family. How one single decision you made separated us and put all of us in danger. Now, though, I will not allow you to do any such thing. If making you stay away from kaa-chan will protect her mental state, I will do that."

Sasuke quietly listened to what Konohamaru had to tell. He understood the anger Kono-kun had towards him. It was justified when seen from anyone's perspective, even his own after he got to know what Naruto has been through.

"Also, you might be staying here but that doesn't mean you are allowed to meet and speak to anyone inside this house. You will in no case go near my siblings. Kaede-chan might not know you, your true character and the extent of your mistake, but Ume-chan remembers what you have done. Both Ume-chan and I decided your shadow also doesn't have to fall upon our brother. Plus, I won't allow you near Ume-chan again, after all that you've done. I will never allow you to hurt them, not under my watch. So, you better watch out Sasuke. I might not know as many jutsus or be as powerful as either you or Kaa-chan. But I am not that weak little kid you knew. I can still jab a Rasengan in your chest for what you did to her", added Konohamaru before a tense silence took over the dinning area.

After a few moments, Sasuke finally decided to talk to his nephew. He took a deep breath and looked into Konohamaru's eyes before honestly speaking his heart out.

"I'm sorry. I know you won't accept my apology. And it can't, by any means, compensate for even a single one of my mistakes over the last five years. Letting my anger and greed take over my mind was the worst choice of my life. I know that now. I also know that I have no right to ask for forgiveness for all of the crimes but I do want to atone my errors and reform all the relationships with my family. For that, I will prove my change and earn back the right to be a part of your family, Kono-kun."

Then he took a step behind and decided to walk away. "Also, don't worry. Imōto is more wary of me and stronger than that. I've promised her to not come near any of you until I prove my change", he added.

As he turned away, he spoke his last point. "Also, Konohamaru Uzumaki-Namikaze-Sarutobi, you are definitely a strong ninja to look out for. Couldn't be more proud of you". With that, he left the area and headed back to his room without waiting for any reply.

Konohamaru was left with a number of emotions. He was dumbstruck at the response he got, angry for not being allowed to answer back, and even a bit proud to be appreciated by someone he used to once consider his oji-san. He decided to clear up his mind and meet his siblings and check up on them before he left to train and help with the building of Uzu.

Once Sasuke was back in his room, he sat on his bed and tried to collect his thoughts and compose himself for all the further confrontations he'd have that day. With his luck, his quota for the day wasn't yet done. Little did he know how right he way.

Hope this chapter wasn't that bad. This chapter was slightly hard for me to write. I kind of kept getting stuck in the conversation.

I really wanted to put this one and the next one as well before taking the story to the end.

Thank you all for the follows, fav and support! Do review and let me know how you feel about the story! Really, they do help.

That's it, I guess. Ja ne!