Okay lads and ladies, here's a few things that need to be addressed:
1. The next chapter will technically be the LAST CHAPTER. The next chapter will feature the ORIGINAL ending to this fic.
2. Along with the next chapter I will be publishing an ALTERNATE ENDING. Stay tuned for details on that one.
3. This chapter might feel like it's missing a few things, that's because it is. The gaps of time here are wide and will be addressed and revisited in the final chapters, respective to each ending.
As always, Read, Review, Enjoy Xo
For the first time, I wake up before Sasuke. In his sleep, he's kept an arm beneath me, his fingers on my waist, but most of his body has turned toward the window. He soaks in the dim morning light. It's another rainy day and it gives me the feeling of seclusion, like it can be just the two of us in this whole house. I stroke his chin with the back of my hand, the hint of stubble greeting me.
"Sakura?!" Tsunade's frantic voice comes through the door and I go rigid. Her knuckles beat in a rapid succession that conducts my heart to the same beat. Sasuke stirs when I bolt out of bed and pull on some clothes.
"What's going on?" His voice is groggy as he rubs his eyes, "Is that the Dobe again?"
"Sakura! Where's Sasuke?! He's not in the room with Kakashi," now she sounds less harried and more pissed off.
"Just a minute," I call, then whisper, "Put some clothes on now."
Sasuke nods and retrieves his forgotten garments from the floor. Tsunade kicks the door down just as he pulls up his pants. I feel the color drain from my face as Tsunade goes from positively seething to a disquieting calm.
"I knew this was a mistake, letting you come back here," her voice is dark and threatening, "Has this been going on the whole time?"
"Has what been going on?" The words are small and quiet from me.
"No! No more lying!" She shouts. Sasuke comes to stand beside me, our arms barely brush. I have the urge to reach for his hand, to take strength from him.
"It's not her fa - "
"I don't want to hear a word from you," Tsunade snaps, glowering at him. I look up at Sasuke and see an expression of defiance overcome him. His brows are furrowed as he glares at her.
"He's in here because he couldn't sleep in the same room with Kakashi," I skirt the truth, hoping she'll take this information and leave it at that.
"You believe that? He's taking advantage of you, Sakura," Tsunade's eyes don't leave Sasuke.
"I'm not a child, Tsunade-sama," I try to quell the anger rising in me.
"You don't have to be one for somebody to pull the wool over your eyes."
"I'm not trying to get anything from her," Sasuke says through gritted teeth.
"I don't want to hear a damn word out of you!" she bellows, pointing a sharp finger at him.
"Sasuke, will you go downstairs?"
"Absolutely not," he peers down at me, an apology clear in his gaze, though his mouth is cut in a thin line.
"Please," I glance my fingers against his, so subtle and fleeting that I hope Tsunade might not notice.
"Get out, now!" Tsunade gestures behind her to the hallway. Sasuke doesn't move immediately, watching me to see if I'll change my mind. I know that if I ask him to stay, he'll do it.
"Please," I say once more. He nods once, bypassing Tsunade with a scathing look.
"Is this why you're defending him, because the two of you slept together?" her tone is that of absolute disgust.
"I'm defending him because he deserves to be fought for. I defend him for the same reason Naruto does. There is good in him, but he's not been given the chance to show it since he got back," I reason.
"He doesn't get something like that handed to him."
"So make him work for it, then," I argue, "What if we can come to an agreement with the council? What if he does some community service?"
"Are you trying to change the subject?"
"I didn't realize we had one."
"I'm getting real sick of this, Sakura."
"What does it matter to you?" I cross my arms over my chest, "I want to make sure Sasuke has a chance at a life here. Everything else is between me and him."
"No, you're my student, Sakura and if you're affiliated with him in any way other than the job you're supposed to be doing, it reflects on both of us," her voice is bitter, "If he's pardoned, how do you expect to handle your relationship in the public eye? If you even want to call it a relationship."
"Why would people care?"
"Because people gossip, Sakura. He's an Uchiha, he will forever be at the forefront of the rumor mill," she frowns, "All they'll see is that you're associating yourself with a murderer."
"I don't care," I dare not tell her that I love him, not now. "I just want to ensure Sasuke has a future here."
"You think you can accomplish that by having sex with him?" she sneers.
"What we do together is our business. I still have loyalty to the village but I have loyalty to him, too."
"Why?"
"Because he's my friend and my teammate."
"And you still have feelings for him. It obstructs your reasoning."
"Are you saying the Daimyos aren't biased?"
"Of course not, but it's more reasonable for them to judge him."
"They don't know him," I spit out, "Not like we do."
"What's he done, Sakura?" she shakes her head and I think she's going to ask how he's shown me he's worthy of redemption, "What's he done to deserve you?"
The words I'd been preparing to fling at her die on my tongue. Why does it matter to her?
"He doesn't have to do anything, Tsunade-sama," I struggle to find the appropriate words, "I like him for himself."
"Knowing all he's done?"
"Yes," I answer without hesitation, "It's not my place, but he has my forgiveness if he wants it. I'm not saying he's not responsible for his actions, but it all started with the massacre of his family and that wasn't his fault. If I was in the same position, I don't know what I would have done. He doesn't like to admit it, but he's a vulnerable person by nature and you were right; he did it to himself. He tried to end his life because of everything he'd done, knowing that it was ultimately all for nothing."
"Should I feel sorry for him?"
"No," I say angrily, "But you should feel compassion for him."
"You're right," she nods, "And I would if I could, but it's not something that's going to happen overnight."
"Why does it matter what I feel for him?"
"It's not healthy, Sakura, I'm just trying to look out for you," her voice softens.
"Don't, I can take care of myself. I'll be down in two minutes so that I can speak with the council."
"Why should I still let you?"
"Escort me or don't," I shrug, "But I'll fight my way into that conference room if I have to."
Tsunade smiles wryly.
"Of course you will," she turns to step out of the door and looks back at me, "Your idea for community service isn't bad, be sure to mention that at the meeting."
She shuts the partially damaged door behind her as I consider her words. Maybe that's what I should focus on instead of Orochimaru; redemption rather than deception.
"Touch her again and I'll kill you," Tsunade strides toward me and slams me against the wall, using her arm to put pressure on my sternum. I smirk through the pain, amused by her display of aggression, "With or without the Kages' permission."
"And if she wants me to touch her?" I whisper roughly, taunting. Tsunade's hand strikes the space beside my head, but I don't flinch.
"Try me, Uchiha," she seethes and releases me when we hear Sakura stepping down the stairs. She heads straight for me, much to Tsunade's dismay.
"My plan is to be back by dinner," she says softly. I can only nod in response. There are a few things I want to say to her right now, but I can't given our present company. Most of all, I want to tell her not to go, that I'm not worth the trouble. I'd rather spend every second of the next forty-eight hours with her if they're going to be my last.
I promised Sasuke I'd be fine but it was a complete lie. Taking a shuddering breath, I nod to Tsunade and she leads me into the large office room once more. The hushed silence tightens around me until I feel like I can't breathe. The Daimyos level me with their amused gazes.
"I'm surprised you're back so soon," one of them jests. Indignation floods me. I clench my fists and ignore him.
"I'm here to present you with further information. Orochimaru had attempted to inhabit Uchiha Sasuke's body and at one point, he succeeded," I don't give way to the stunned listeners, continuing through, "What this means is that Uchiha Sasuke can not be held wholly responsible for his actions in the time he was absent."
"What proof do you have for this?" one of the Kage's questions.
"Only that the cursed seal left his body once Orochimaru was finally destroyed."
"For how long did he have the seal?" another asks.
"It was placed on him by Orochimaru during our Chuunin examinations."
"And you're saying at that point Orochimaru had already infiltrated his mind?" An advisor poses the question, pulling my attention to them. I hesitate, flicking my gaze between her and the Daimyos.
"Yes," I try to steady my voice, "But it was not Orochimaru's influence that caused him to leave the village."
"Then you solidify much of the accusations we have received."
"Yes," I swallow thickly, because the truth is a difficult thing to speak, "I'm not here to negate the claims against him. I'm here to implore you, all of you," my eyes sweep the room, "To consider pardoning him on the grounds that he prove his allegiance to our villages once more."
"Our villages?"
"Yes," I affirm, "You're all here because Uchiha Sasuke has posed some threat to each of the Great Shinobi Countries. I believe - I know he is capable of becoming a great nin again. If we welcome him back as an ally, he would be a great asset to all of us. For the first time since the massacre, we could have an Uchiha back in Konoha, loyal to the protection of our villages. Imagine the message that would send to any threat, internal or external."
Silence settles after I finish, my words still echoing clear in my head. Many advisors and a few of the Daimyos turn to each other to exchange opinions. I try to pick out fragments here and there, but I can hardly hear anything over the rush of my blood. My heart hammers in my chest and butterflies float in my stomach. Intrinsically, I feel that I am making the right decision. Instead of trying to sweep what he's done under the rug, I'm shedding light on it, embracing it and who he is. He should not have to live in fear of the weight his name carries.
"How would you propose he display his loyalty?" one of the Daimyos asks.
"I think public service, protective missions, things like that would be a good place to start."
"That comes with a great deal of trust."
"I vouch for him," I say, quickly adding, "And so does the next Hokage."
"Of which we are aware," the Kage pauses before continuing, "So we are to gather neither of you are denying the claims of the towns ravaged by Orochimaru and his team?"
"No."
I clench my fists, keeping his gaze. Was I wrong to listen to Tsunade? Are they only interested in presenting a body for the sake of recompense? They're not interested in his absolution, they just need somebody to point a finger at.
"Has he admitted his crimes to you?"
"Yes."
"Would you be so kind as to recount the specifics?"
I don't open my mouth, unsure of what to say, or rather, whether I should say it.
"Perhaps we should take a small break," Tsunade appears beside me and places a hand on my shoulder.
"Very well," the Kage appears displeased, but the room complies nonetheless. I let Tsunade lead me outside by the arm.
"I shouldn't have let her go," I sigh and turn away from the clock.
"Do you really think you could have stopped her?" Kakashi pokes the fish around his plate and even Naruto isn't slurping his noodles. None of us seem to have an appetite.
"Yeah, that woman punches holes in the ground," Naruto drops his utensils and pinches the bridge of his nose, "Besides, she said she'd be back by dinner, it's only one."
"There's no point. They don't care if I'm dead or alive; she's just waisting precious time," I grimace, my eyes falling to the floor.
"Sasuke, she's trying her best," Naruto says defensively.
"You know I'm right," I snap, "They won't change their minds about me."
They don't say anything but their silence speaks volumes. I am right. I run my hands through my hair feeling restless and trapped. The walls are closing in again. Anxiety permeates my mind, a nauseas oversensitivity. The fish is rancid in my nostrils, the taste bitter on my tongue. The silence rings in my ears and I have to shut my eyes to keep the room from spinning. I feel everything and I hate it.
"I need fresh air," I wrench my lids open and run for the backyard, pushing past the guards. I can hear Naruto coming after me, but my only concern is shoving the door open and breathing in the crisp scent of the rain. My chest heaves as I step under the open clouds.
"Sasuke," Naruto's hand touches my arm tentatively, "Are you all right?"
I shake my head, but I don't shove him off. Keeping my eyes trained on the clouds above, letting the water fall freely upon me, I say,
"I don't want to die," my breath shudders in the air, "I'm not ready."
The words echo through my body, fracturing and slicing through the barriers I've worked so hard to build. Fear of the unknown, fear of what awaits me in the permanence of death overwhelms me. If not for myself, I realize, then I want to live for them; for Naruto, Kakashi, and Sakura. I want to live for the memory of Itachi, for the love he held for me. And I want to live for my family, for everyone in my clan that is forever lost. Naruto's fingers tighten and shake.
"Neither are we," I turn my head to see Kakashi approaching us. He steps between Naruto and I. Despite the three of us being almost the same height now, Kakashi places his hands on our heads, ruffling our hair. Naruto laughs and I scowl. "It almost feels like nothing's changed, doesn't it?"
"Yeah," Naruto agrees. I look beside me to Naruto's ever present grin and Kakashi's impish smile. I don't know what will happen to me or if there's an afterlife, but I know, in some way or some form, I'm going to miss them.
"The council would like to thank you, Haruno-san, for your participation in this trial. It's time we make our final deliberations," the Kage dismisses me with a gesture to the exit, but it takes Tsunade's strong hands to push me out the door.
"You did good today," she hugs me tightly, "You can go back to the compound and I'll let you know when we've made a decision."
"I want to wait here," I clutch her strictly.
"If you're sure," I can feel her chest heave with the weight of her breath, "Sakura, whatever happens, this has nothing to do with you. We are here to judge Sasuke, not you or your efforts to save him. Whatever happens, I'm here for you."
I nod, because the words seem to fail me. I can only pray silently that they make the right decision.
