Image of Freedom: Newly formed Team 7 Sakura, Naruto, Sai and Kakashi successfully retrieves Sasuke from Orochimaru. However, Sasuke refuses to come back to Konoha until Itatchi is dead. Torn between the need for revenge and possible happiness, ambition and friendship, duty and love, Sasuke and Sakura faces the insanity in deciphering the true image of freedom.
"Chapter 1: Refusal"
The nightmare was supposedly over. The snake sannin is dead there are no more obstacles. However a certain avenger is still being stubborn about his desires. "What did you say Sasuke-teme?!" a voice echoed through the woods. A furious blond of age fifteen was trying his best to contain the displeasure. Has his friend gone completely insane? He should choose live a better life, but now the bastard wants to enter more chaos? Does he think of his life as cheap?
The raven haired boy, seemed indifferent to the rage directed at him. He stares blankly at he speaker and with irritation answered back. " Dobe, I won't repeat myself." He is misunderstood as usual. However the heir has grown too tired to bother. He does not owe anyone further explanations. He was a lone wolf and its going to stay that way. His decision is final nothing is going to change.
The comment made the later angrier "Why you bastard! After all we've gone through just for you!" He couldn't keep his body from shaking. The ingrate, everyone almost died trying to retrieve him. Has he no shame on at least showing some gratitude? This guy is so full of himself. Not everyone is beneath him. Sure he is a part of that blasted gifted bloodline. But honestly it brought them harm rather than good. What is he so proud about?
The raven haired boy sighed. They will never understand his grievances. He is the only one who can understand his pain. There is only one way to get rid of it. To achieve it he is willing turned away from his village. The work is not yet finished, his next goal awaits. It is best they get not involved. Too much blood has been shed already. It is after all a family matter anyway so unrelated people should just buzz off.
As he was about to walk out with no haste his sensei called. "Sasuke, wait." It sounded more like order rather than a request from the silver haired man. "Wait until she wakes up…" Arms crossed he directed his gaze on a pink haired girl in slumber. She got carried away healing them and is now resting from chakra exhaustion. How many times must she be reckless because of him? It brought back memories of the night he was leaving the village. She offered to go with with him. The idea was beyond ridiculous. How can she blindly think that if he took her along no harm will be upon her? Orichimaru's human experiments were nauseous and dreadful. The screams of the participants will haunt him for a long time. The stench of blood and chlorine, he had sniffed a lifetime amount of it. If she came along, the rosette might have been already used as a test subject. Worst, the pinkette could be dead by now. He has shown her great mercy. Did she ever saw it that way?
The elder looked back at the blacked haired boy. "You owe her at most another good bye." The statement made his chest cringe. Does he really owe her another one? Seeing the disagreement on the onyx boy's face the jounin swayed his head. Truly this young student of his is so clueless of what is before him. A loyal set of friends willing to sacrifice for him. A village willing to look past his mistakes and forgive all transgressions. He is still young. He can grow stronger and not bear everything solo. He can have joy in his life. Why is he rejecting it?
The statement from the teacher made the blonde boy more furious. "You're going to let him get away Kakashi-sensei?!" Pointing at the other boy while shouting. "We've searched for him all this time, saved his ass and now you want to just release him like that?!" The energetic ninja defensively stated. "Sakura will be very upset if this happens." He shrilled. It was one of the issues that disturbs him so much. He cannot bear to see his teammate be trapped in a spiral again. He promised her Sasuke will return home safe and sound. Well he is willing to drag him alive if he will continue to be the prick he is now.
The masked jounin looked at the whiskered genin. "He is not a prisoner Naruto. Orochimaru is dead, Sasuke is free from the seal, and therefore he is no longer a threat to Konoha." The narrative was said to casually something is fishy the kyubi vessel thought. "Things can't be that simple sensei who would buy that?"
"He belongs to Konoha. That's why he must comeback." The hokage hopeful stated sternly. The blacked haired boy looked at the arguing men. "I belong to no one but myself. I shall do as I please." The blond boy rushed towards and grabbed him by the collar. "You insolent bastard, you're not just a traitor but also an ingrate." Hissing he continued. "Sakura was a mess when you left, have you got no shame at all?"
The other boy just smirked "Jealous I see." He pushed his attacker away. "If you want to settle this, I can fight anytime" This angered the orange clad ninja more. "Why you, after all that Sakura-chan had to go through.." He was about to hit Sasuke when Kakashi grabbed his fist. "Let go! He needs to be taught a lesson on humility and sincerity." Sasuke maybe a bearer the sharingan and wielder of the chidori but Naruto was confident with his own capabilities. The whiskered blonde is proud of his rasengan, plus his stamina is better now. If the bastard prefers to be convinced using violence, he is ore than happy to oblige.
"No more fighting, Sakura is resting." Separating the two young men he added. "She used a lot of chakra healing us all. So please don't put her efforts to waste." He eyed the sharingan user once again. "Sasuke, stay until she awakens, you owe her your life." Then he shifted his eyes to the other. " Naruto, don't fuss about Sasuke." Both youth displayed faces with scorn. "The two of you split up and cool your heads off. Honestly show some grown up mentality."
Eyeing the raven haired boy the masked man threatened . "If the time comes we have to hunt him down because of his foolishness, we will just have to do our job." The whiskered boy crossed his arms. "That is not appeasing sensei, try harder." He is still itching to smack that handsome face which the female medic loves.
Sasuke shrugged his shoulders and scowled. "So are you going to kill me then?" He asked challengingly. "If need be" Was an affirmative response from Kakashi. But at the back of the Uchiha's mind, like hell they will. No one is taking him down until vengeance is fulfilled. No one will come in-between his goal, he swore on his family's grave.
"I don't want trouble, Sasuke." The masked man waved one finger. "When you step out on us, before Sakura awakes, I will treat you as an enemy." Noticing he got the Uchiha's attention he continued. "But if you be a good boy and wait for her to wake up. We can continue being allies." The copy nin offered. "It is best to keep allegiances while we seek something powerful right?" The man does have a point. If he is in Konoha's good side then he can freely hunt down Itachi. There is no need for extra distractions. Things will be simpler.
Naruto gasped at his former sensei's words. "What the heck are you saying Kakashi?!" The silver haired Jounin just smiled underneath his mask. "Simple, he better live a good life alone and kill his brother. As long as he doesn't give Konoha trouble, there won't be any problems." It seemed easier said than done.
Naruto could not digest this proposition. "I don't think Tsunade oba-sama would agree to that" Kakashi patted Naruto's head. "Actually, that idea came from her." The last statement surprised both teens. Naruto's eyes widened. "Why would she suggest such a thing?!" Damn it all why going all dirty for the bastard and just let him scott free? This is not what he had in mind. Sakura's effort will be in vain if the teme doesn't come home. Naruto does not want her sad, so he will make sure the jerk heads back with them.
Sasuke just gave his arrogant smirk " Well a Hokage is intelligent, no wonder she saw it my way." Clenching his fists Naruto raised his voice "What are you trying to imply?!" Sasuke stepped forward "That you're stupid dobe." The two were getting fired up. Kakashi took this chance to stand in between. "Enough you two. Naruto get us some firewood." He had too separate these two for the sake of his sanity. "Sasuke we need to have a small talk first before she wakes up." Tilting his head he ushered the blue eyed boy to be on his way.
There was something in Kakashi's voice that made both boys feel obedient. "You better still be here teme, when I get back." That said the blue eyed boy went on his way grumbling. Sasuke just glared at him and barked. "I don't take orders from you dobe." Naruto turned around with anger filled eyes. "You talk too much for your own good." Hearing a "tsk" sound from the masked man, Naruto decided to concede. "Fine I will let you win this round." Disappearing in the darkness he vowed to win over the Uchiha later. He need to get down from the clouds he is floating at. He clenched his fist and smiles mischievously. How he would love to see Sasuke kiss the dirt and be dragged in sack as they make way for Konoha.
Kakashi touched his temples. "That was quite a handful." He openly complained. Eyeing the slumbering Sakura he approached her location. The Uchiha was still rooted in his spot. The copy nin took a seat in near proximity of the girl. He motioned Sasuke to do the same. The younger boy decided to obey and sat opposite his former sensei. Kakashi can talk all he wants, the thought came into the avenger's head. But no one will convince him to back out otherwise.
The sharingan bearer didn't notice it. But as he sat his eyes were focused on the sleeping figure in front of him. Thoughts suddenly flowed in his mind. In the future will they see each other again? At that time he would still recognize her definitely. Who in the world does have pink hair anyway? Quietly he sat across her. She would never forget him too right? With all the devotion she poured unto him, it was close to impossible to erase him from her life. The onyx eyed boy suddenly felt guilt. It was never his intention to make her miserable. If only she could have minded her own business and find happiness elsewhere. She doesn't have to waste her time with him.
The elder smirked at the boy contemplating in front of him. He has lingering feelings yet to be defined. Hopefully for his own good, things will go right. He cannot order him around, but can only give advice. He was known to be a prodigy. Someone too smart for their age. "Sasuke, do you believe you will survive your fight with Itachi?" The younger decided not to answer. Truth be told he was not sure. His elder brother is a menace. If he does not gamble his life, he cannot win.
His silence confirmed that survival is bleak. The silver haired man sighed and recalled his dragging life of seeing important people die one after another. But the lad's mind was made up. He was not in the mood to go on a death match with him now. "It seems you have met a resolve." The Uchiha nodded.
Looks like this old man has no other choice but to plant a seed in his conscience, Kakashi concluded. "Now Sasuke let's have our short talk."
Author's note: I decided to do some fine tuning on the first chapter. I was always bothered it was a tad bit too short.