Hey everybody!

So, this chapter is long. But is kind of a bridge chapter to the next one. You'll understand what I mean by that after reading it.

I am surprised and really happy to see that this story now has 60+ favorites. Thank you all for the support!

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

Let's get on with the chapter.

Chapter 30: A Sequence of Events

Uzushiogakure no Sato

It was about two hours later when Sasuke had been interrupted from his sulking in his room by a knock. He had decided to stay in till Naruto came to take him to the mind-therapist. The last twenty-four hours seemed to have been more like a year. So many things had happened that his mind seemed to take it too hard to process.

Every time he closed his eyes, he saw either the broken face of his sister or the face full of hate and disgust of his nephew. He knew that it would probably take a lifetime for them to actually accept him and his apology. But even then, he had again vowed not to hurt them ever again, and he definitely intended to keep it, even if it meant giving up his life for it. He had made his mind that he would take on every repercussion for his mistakes till his last breath, no matter how many people forgive him.

As he drifted in his thoughts, he heard an echo of someone knocking. But he continued to ignore it and drown himself in his mind. And he did so. For as long as possible. Because the knocking finally seemed to be so loud and accompanied by a familiar voice which he couldn't place. So, finally, he decided to answer it.

When he finally came out of his thoughts, he finally realised that it was his brother-figure calling for him to come out. He didn't even try to cover up his state before opening the door as Iruka had, many times, already seen his similar state.

Within a few seconds, he saw Iruka's face turn from anger into worry like it always did. He pulled him inside and once they sat on the bed, waited patiently to allow Sasuke to speak. That had become the tradition in the last month of them staying together. Iruka allowed Sasuke to rant and put out all his worries and pains. He listened to it for as long as Sasuke wanted and then provided some practical advice.

A few minutes of silence prevailed over the room. "I spoke to Im- Naruto last night.", started Sasuke. He corrected himself and called her Naruto as he had promised to earn back the right to call her his sister. He continued to explain the conversation last night and then the early morning conversation with Konohamaru.

"Kono-kun had this hatred and anger in his eyes that I couldn't bear to see. Ume-chan avoided my gaze completely since I arrived. Both have been keeping from Kaede-chan even looking at me. And last night, Naruto looked so br-broken. She looked a hundred times worse than the day sh-she told about her r-rape. I hurt her so badly and still she got me here. I can see that I'm hurting them all, Ruka-nī. I don't deserve to stay here, around them. I- I won't leave without proving that I've changed, nī-san. But do you think I should stay some distance away? Probably live in someone else's house? That way, they don't have to live through the pain again and again." With that, the sobbing Uchiha clan head concluded and waiting for his older brother to advise him.

Iruka hugged his younger brother. He had been angry with the young man for all the pain their sister had to go through. Nonetheless, he could see the pain he was going through after realising his mistakes and the pain he had caused to his family. Both he and Kakashi had spoken on this matter and decided that they'd have to guide the broken boy who had gone on the wrong path by letting his negative emotions control him.

Iruka had observed both of his younger siblings yesterday since they had arrived to Uzu. He saw the pain both were hiding from everyone else. He also saw the hurt and anger in his older nephew and niece. He had expected them to lash at Sasuke, especially Konohamaru. Yet, he assumed it might take a few days. Unfortunately, it seemed that the confrontations wanted to all get over on day one itself. Even before he had had a chance to speak to Naruto and the kids.

'P-please promise me nī-san. Promise me that you will take care of Sasu-nī. I now have others also to help me. I will take care of the kids. B-but everyone will ignore him nī-san. I don't want him to suffer alone. Please take care of him till the time I can be there.'

His imoto's pleads rang in his ears. The request and the pleads she had made before she left for Uzu. And even though he had promised her that, he had also promised the same to himself after seeing his broken ototo. Both were equally important to him. But he knew that his adopted toot required him first now.

"Sasuke. You don't have to go anywhere. We all want you here. Not staying away from us; instead, being close to us. We all love you. Naruto, Konohamaru, Ume and Kaede love you. They are just hurt and angry. It just takes time. You know that", he assured. "You distancing yourself will hurt you and everyone else here. We all have to heal. You have to heal. So, don't you dare do any such thing!"

As he spoke the last sentence, he looked at Sasuke, straight in the eyes. Sasuke took a few seconds and then gave a slow nod.

"Listen to your sister here. A mind-therapist will be good for you along with the rest of us. Together, everyone can heal. Let's give it some time and be patient. I'm sure your change will convince Naruto and Konohamaru enough to allow you back in. Is that clear?"

The young man gave another nod followed by another hug. "Thank you, Ruka-nī", he whispered in Iruka's ear.

They had a pregnant pause before Sasuke spoke again. "Why had you come here, Iruka-nī?", he asked.

"Oh yeah!" Started Iruka after thinking for a minute. "I came to call you for breakfast since you hadn't come down. Also, Eiko-san had come to inform you that your appointment has been made with the mind-therapist and that Naru-chan will meet you in front of her office at 11 am." Then he looked at the clock for the time and spoke. "It's almost 10 am. You better clean up and eat something before you leave, Sasuke-kun. Come on."

With that Iruka pulled the sulking boy out of the bed and pushed him into the bathroom. Sasuke quickly had a shower, changed, and went to the kitchen where his academy-teacher-turned-brother was waiting for him. Iruka told about the other already having gone to help around the city and the kids out in the academy. Sasuke just listened to him as he ate Nori mama Furikake with rice and some leftover soup from the previous night.

By the time he finished eating, it was almost time to leave. Sasuke just cleaned up and bid farewell to his adoptive brother. The distance to the office couldn't even be considered a walk as it was just a minute away. When he went into the office, he saw Eiko-san from the previous day who told him to wait a few minutes over there.

At exactly eleven, a figure strode out of the office. It was Shikamaru who just gave him a slight nod of greeting. "Eiko-san, would you be able to show me where I could send a messenger eagle?", he turned and ask Eiko-san. "Hai, Shikamaru-san. I can show you the place", she replied before speaking to Sasuke. "Uchiha-san, you can go in now." Then, both of them left the building.

When Sasuke went in, he saw his sister searching for something in the desk drawers. "Ohayo, Naru-chan", he called out. She immediately looked in his direction. "Ohayo, Sasuke. Just give me a minute. Then we can leave." Sasuke just nodded in reply. After a bit more searching, she took out a file which she tugged into her robe. Then both of them left the office.

"Hope you are alright Sasuke. I am sorry but I will protect Ume-chan and Kaede-chan. Kono-kun grew up a lot in the last few years. He understands more and also is very protective of those two. But I promise. Once you start improving, I will allow you near all three of them. Tetsuya-san is an experienced mind healer. He has been in this profession for twice our age itself. Also, he knows about our situation. I have been visiting him for a long time. So he will know some of the contexts as well for you", she explained as they walked to the clinic.

The streets were pretty empty and so they reached their destination within a few minutes. Naruto headed in and went straight towards a room door, second one to the empty reception counter, and knocked. Then she signalled him to join her.

A minute later, the door opened and a man in his fifties stood with glasses on and ash brown hair. At the sight of Naruto, his smile grew and he greeted her. "Ohayo, Uzukage-sama. You are right on time, as usual." "Tatsuya-san, don't act so formal today. You know it is just Naruto to you" and with that, the blonde hugged the man. They went into the room.

"This is Sasuke Uchiha. I wanted you to help him as well, 'Suya-san." "Ohayo, Uchiha-san. Nice to meet you", said the mind-healer with a smile. "It's good that you have decided that you want to heal. I can help you with that." Then he turned to Naruto, "Naruto-san, you know the rules." "Hai. I'll be out with your receptionist. You both can carry on."Then she turned to him and spoke, "After you are done, we can go to have some lunch Sasuke-nī, if possible". With that Naruto left the room.

It was over an hour later that Sasuke was finally allowed to leave. He had spoken a bit about his past and some more about his guilts. Then, Tatsuya-san had planned a schedule with him and provided some medication. Now, though he was tired and just wanted to go back to the mansion and relax.

As he came back to the reception table, he spotted his sister conversing with someone else. Someone who had bright red hair. The Uzumaki signature hair-colour. However, once both turned to look at him, he realised the person. Staring back at him with a blank expression was the only other Uzumaki he knew in person. The short-tempered, fan-girl and healer who had been a member of his Taka group and been a prisoner of Orochimaru before that. Karin Uzumaki.

Luck was definitely not on his side today.

Yeah. That's what I meant by a bridge chapter.

I wanted to show the bond between Sasuke and Iruka and also open the stage for the next confrontation.

Karin was given importance in this story as soon as she was mentioned in chapter 17. I already had plans for her. But you all will see her more in detail in the next chapter.

Fun fact: Furikake is made with nori seaweed flakes, powdered egg granules, whole sesame seeds, bonito fish flakes and other seasonings. It is generally eaten with rice.

Before I conclude, I really do 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.

See you in the next chapter...