Five years had changed the once prosperous village of Konoha into it's current predicament. Every decision and change that had shaped it's now almost self destructed state could easily be started from the almost averted banishment of the Hero of the Fourth Shinobi War, her grand nephew, and virtually accepted grandson, Uzumaki Naruto. From the moment the tiebreaker announced his 'choice' the village had been torn asunder by the repercussions his banishment. All of it because of a few, though powerful, set of people whose obsessive resilience to changing their way of thinking had brought the once mighty fire nation to her knees.

Had she been a wiser leader, she would have seen the machinations of the merchant council, the undermining that had been rooted in place by only a few civilian nobles and a dead man had turned a simple uneasiness of a bizarre incident into the panicked almost frenzied removal of Konoha's hero and subsequent the loss of most of it's alliances with the rest of the elemental countries. She had trusted most of the Shinobi council, and true to her beliefs they had remained on the side of her grandson, but so little had changed between that moment since her aging and council reliant teacher's reign there was an equal amount of merchant nobles who had actual sway during city wide emergencies. She had only learned of this fact too late, to her own humility and guilt. Worse yet, her hands had been tied when knowledge that dead bastard Danzō had planted with still hostile members of both sides of the council, came to light. About Kushina's seal almost breaking due to the stress of childbirth. The effects that Kyuubi had on Naruto's cellular structure. Finally and most damningly, the complete totals for death and devastation brought upon the six minute rampage Kyuubi had wrought, despite Kushina's and Minato's efforts, when the bijuu had been released. No mention of Madara's influence in the escape, however, was cited in the report, and despite her and Shikaku's outcries reminding everyone of that fact, it went unheard. Her third failure.

This all together brought worry to both sides, most of her shinobi still remained loyal to Naruto. Even when it came to Bi's explosive death that had brought casualties on both sides, it was mostly the civilians, who had not understood any of the sacrifices that the Kyuubi Jinchuriki and his Hachibi 'uncle' had done to keep them safe, who had reacted so violently. Demands had been made, and forced her hand once again. The scared little girl she had been forced to parade naked in front of their eyes, brought an ache of remembrance. Logic, flawed though it was, was brought forth. All of it seemed some puppet trick, leading to councilman Haruno's final push against Naruto. The moment when all hope for a peaceful solutions was lost, her fourth failure, came when they threatened his baby. The look on the councilman's face as he watched the demonic eyes of Naruto when she refused to give up her child made the elder woman wish to vomit. The joy and satisfaction he gained at her loss of control, it was then Tsunade knew he had done it for that very reason. Why had never come into play, the man had so much against Kyuubi and Naruto both, there was little in her mind that didn't believe he had been the instigator of the foolhardy crusade against Naruto and then unborn Emi.

The Fire Daimyo was forced to follow this twisted logic, and after several hours of discussion from both sides, had allowed the merchant's request of banishment. However, in moderation, he removed the remaining demands that had been requested with it.

'I, while in fairness, must think of the people in this village and it's surrounding area. Does the life of a child really mean the possible death of thousands? A colder man would say yes, a wiser man, might say no. I can not however say this is an easy choice. I shall ratify the request of this council to carry out Uzumaki Naruto's banishment, but banishment alone. The rest of these so called requests, I deny and condemn all who ask of them of our world's hero. I only hope that your idiocy does not condemn the world of peace he struggled for.'

The Fire Daimyo had not returned to the village since, and through long hours and even longer political battles she fought for the end of military power being wielded by civilian nobles in her ninja village. She was close to succeeding, but at a loss of much political and social clout that she had gained in her life. The rift between noble and shinobi had grown so great that armed conflict in Konoha's streets seemed almost inevitable. The value of the Hi ryō was rising outside of the walls while inside the village it had become so inflated few could afford more than bread and bare essentials. When the Daimyo had all but turned his back on them, the wiser ones all knew that had only themselves to blame. The masses however... Mobs rarely blame themselves, and it was in the leader of the village, Tsunade herself, whom had taken the brunt of the village's grievance. Given the nature of it all, Konoha's very people and all her enemies snapping at the Hokage and her supporters like hungry wolves. It had come as little shock that councilman Haruno was behind the snipes at her reign, talking of regaining lost power and usurpation of hers. Little could be done as it was brought to the Hokage's attention from her few remaining political channels. There was too many bridges burned, too little evidence to remove him, not without loosing her last few scraps of credibility. Rumor had made way for much doubt of her govern, and even though she still ruled the leaf village it was becoming only a matter of time. Konoha was ready to stumble against the wolves nipping at it's heels.

With all this in mind, it wasn't a large leap in logic why the whole village was in an uproar once they learned of the Wave Shinobi was Uzumaki Naruto. The tainted Uchiha, as most called him, had returned with the information that the, thankfully mostly civilian free, council had digested. She of course, had known since Gamatan had brought Naruto's biannual letters, the toads and letters that she had tried to keep secret about. Apparently another failure, as she had not been successful... She shook her head remembering the scene. In any light, when her village heard of Naruto's continued (Though she snorted at the thought) support of them still, she had witnessed the first fires of hope she had seen in years from the masses. The warnings, small skirmishes, trade embargoes, and mission cuts that had been thrust upon Konoha had brought a lot of spirits down, to the point morale in the city had become almost lower than it was during the Pein attack. But word of Naruto, their savior brought new life and vigor to the crowds. The will of fire was sparking again, it just needed fuel. But they needed more than hope and words to keep it going. They needed a figurehead. They needed someone they could look up to again. They needed...

"I only hope he is still willing."

His and Her Daughter: Arc 1: The Shinobi of Wave

Chapter Three: Konoha's Reaction

By

Hibiki

All rights to Naruto belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Special thanks to Obakeinu-9.11 and ABitterPill for working me through some of the lost leaps of logic I had... well lost due to loosing my notes and coming back to this months later.

"I still can't believe you fell off the academy roof when you heard." Ino, in her usual henpecking way, scolded the dog like ninja in the hospital bed.

"It surprised me okay? But I should have known! Haha! Naruto's Naruto, no matter what!" Inuzuka Kiba was loyal to a fault, and to him only one person was more so. "Of course he's still an ally to us."

"But in a way it is still amazing after all the harm Konoha has put upon Naruto-kun, he is willing to support us." Hinata rebuked in her usual way.

"Perhaps I can finally make atonement for my family's part in his banishment. It was unfair of my father to assume a weakness in the seal could bring disaster to Konoha. Why? Because Uzumaki Naruto would never allow the bijuu to bring harm to his friends and precious people." Shino remarked softly. Hinata put her hand on his shoulder in comfort.

"So you know why he was banished?" Ino inquired. "I never heard the reason. It always made me wonder."

"It is not my place, only the elders and Naruto can. It is... confusing and probably should not have happened." Shino said with such finality no one asked again.

"I can say it was the worst political move the village has ever undertaken since it's inception. Everyone who was there on the Shinobi side agree. It's why Tsunade has been fighting the removal of the merchant council Sandaime-sama had installed to help run the civilian side." Shikamaru filled in a few blanks. "However so much of the political infrastructure has been damaged from the infighting it's only a matter of time before something breaks. It's so troublesome."

"The Ninja class is still strong, the clans like the Hyuuga and your families keep the other nations at bay, I would not assume invasion." Neji commented. "At least until the clans themselves begin thinking of leaving, Konoha will remain militarily secure."

"My father has been talking about sending some of the lower clan members out of the village because of the food scare. It's allowed in our clan charter to allow such." Chouji supplied, allowing them to chew that information.

"Business has also dried up at the shop I help at. I'll probably be laid off soon." Tenten commented accepting a small package from Neji. The girl's figure did seem a little thinner, her clothes more threadbare. "It's horrible to say this, but maybe if Naruto came back the village could restart negotiations with the others again. Maybe things could start moving." She started as she realized how rude she sounded and quickly continued. "I want Naruto back as much as anyone because he is my friend but everyone else can see that when he left, that's everything fell apart." It was hard not to hear the resentment in her voice. The last five years had not been pleasant for the orphan girl. When no one denied her claim and they all looked uncomfortable knowing they agreed.

"Perhaps if Naruto is still willing, we could convince the new council to review his case?" Lee commented, the weariness in his eyes belied his normal youthful nature. "Then he can return and bring vigor and youth back to the village!"

"All I can say, due to the nature of his banishment, Naruto's still similar and yet very different than the Dobe we all knew before he left. He may not been so willing as one would hope." Sasuke bit off from saying more, as he was a little put off by those around him. Most of these men and women had treated him no better than a leper until just a short time ago and it was hard to forget. He could only imagine how Naruto would feel about being asked after all this time.

With everyone's thoughts turned inward, no one noticed a figure slipping away.

For her pride, her stubbornness, and her father, she had lost much of her former comfortable life. She had in a way, gotten use to and accepted the whispers that followed her everywhere, the long broken friendships brought by words she still couldn't believe she had said, and the guilt followed her. She found these penance for her actions, and like any who believed they were guilty allowed it to continue. For in her mind she deserved at least that much for causing so much pain in his life. She wouldn't ever say it, his name, that is. She didn't deserve to, not after finding out the truth and realizing her errs.

She was silent as she slipped away from her former acquaintances, quietly and mostly ignored by the people around her, as she clocked out, heading for her residence. Given rise in prices for food and rent in the years after his banishment and the subsequent failure of their economy she could no longer afford living on her own, and as Ino along with the others would have nothing to do with her, there was simply no other option but to move back into her father's home.

It was this house, minutes later, that she slipped into almost silently. Her father, whom she had not spoken to in two years, was sitting at the table away from the door. She could not face him, not after learning of his role in... she pushed onwards when he called out to her breaking her thoughts. This house had not been a home. Not after her mum had left her father, ashamed and fearful of his ruthlessness and his cold attitude, two years prior. Her mother had left the city, moving back to her ancestral home in a small village to the east, with Sakura both unable and unwanted to follow. No word had been sent, nothing for her family back in Konoha. That chapter in her life had closed, and Sakura could not blame her for it. When her mother had learned of her daughter's actions the response wasn't surprising in the least.

The quiet hall seemed dangerous and claustrophobic all at once. She took to locking herself in her room, quickly setting an extra additional lock she had acquired for an unsaid and unwanted to acknowledge reason. She eyed her room suspiciously and it was only once she had felt safe, did she dig into a small recess in the side of her headboard. A small clack of wood announced the wedge had freed itself, and thus granted her access to a tiny nook where a dog-eared photo and a torn bit of paper lay hidden. Her only treasures.

Pulling out both she curled up in the corner of her bed against the wall, tucking her legs against her as if the very room itself was staring accusingly. She, with great care, unfolded the torn picture and the wrinkled partial letter. A three year old pink haired girl with cobalt blue eyes smiled out from the photo.

"Emi..." She whispered what she had learned from the scrap of paper, written in his own hands meant for her once mentor.

Her daughter. Hers and his. No... Only his daughter she reminded herself again for the countless time. She wasn't clean enough to call Emi her child. All she was, was a... rapist. A freak like she had called him. She fought the panic and urge to run from the pulling guilt and shame that rose but she bottled it down once more, using her knees to hide her face, hoping to block out the disgrace she felt.

"Oh god... why... why, why?" She had asked herself for almost six years why... almost from the moment he had given her that look, on that night when she had lost control. When she had shied away, and when that hadn't worked, when she forcefully pushed him away. She had asked herself why when those looks of terror and betrayal he had shown followed her day and night, until she finally thought it was gone or her mind immune to their sway. Months had gone by, then one evening her father had commented on seeing a toad sneak into Tsunade's office and it all came rushing back. How he had known when no others had, she never asked, like so many things about her father these last few years, it was something she never had thought to ask. All she could remember was racing into the night, away from the dinner table in a blind panic only to arrive before Tsunade, asking... no demanding any information on him... and the child. Tsunade's eyes, she would never forget, had said it all, but her words confirmed it.

'Naruto and his child are dead-" The sheer terror and grief that filled her body, cut off any further words from Tsunade, as a wail of grief rose from her throat. She had fallen to the floor, unable to grasp anything other than those words until a slap brought her up short. "Sakura... shut up." She turned her head to Tsunade in confusion. "I'll repeat. Naruto and his child are dead to you." Naruto and the baby were alive? Her tear streaked face turned to her Hokage with question and doubt filling her mind. What what did she mean they were dead to her? She begged for a reason. "You answered yourself why that night. You made it abundantly clear before he left, Haruno. Now, I think you should leave, before I lose what restraint I have left for you." But she couldn't leave, not like that. She had to explain, she had to find a way to make it up. She had asked her teacher to allow her to send a letter to him, or to see him in person, but being grabbed and literally thrown out of the door had brought any semblance of a rational discussion to a close. She had remained even then, begging and pleading against the door, while any control over her emotions had been lost. Forgiveness had been begged from him, from her teacher, from his child, from her once friends and from God. There were moments when she had begged for death, knowing then that she had ruined his life, that SHE had been responsible for everything. She had begged anyone to help her understand why she had done what she had, and when she could not feel anything more than the guilt and shame of her actions, she begged once again for what she could do to make up for it.

The only reply had come almost hours later, once she had all but exhausted herself and her tears, when two ANBU dragged her to her apartment. She had never spoken to her mentor again, only receiving transcribed orders to work in the hospital until further notice the next day. She had done so, gladly drowning in the monotony provided by the busy work until one day she found the scrap of paper and the picture upon her pillow. She was never certain who had given it to her, but the little tiny photo and the scrap of his handwriting were all she had left of them both. The only thing she had been allowed to have of them. The similar happy smile of the father shining through his daughter, ingrained on that photo, was all she had left to treasure because of her own stubborn pride and stupidity.

In her room alone, Sakura wept, as she had the day she found the photo, her prayers of safety and happiness to a daughter she had never met nor deserved, and the father who she had lost.

Next Chapter: Return to Wave

Sakura... She's not innocent, but don't totally hate her. Twisted tales and webs I weave as the plot begins to unfold for me. The reason for the arcs I remember now. While the idea that originally came is lost, the new one I feel is MUCH more interesting. Don't worry just because it might seem black and white right now, doesn't mean ANYTHING. There are already so many shades of grey in this, one needs only look beyond the obvious. MUWAAHAHAHAHAHA~! I feel evil but excited about this again. Two honest, fair, but blunt reviews made me really start second guessing this fic. Working around them the new plot idea formed and I suddenly find large interest in this. But as this story isn't about a Konoha whose politics are as mangled as my countries right now, we'll be heading back to wave. Only I wonder how I'm going to end this arc. I know WHERE I want to go, but not really how. Oh well that's why these are fun to write as well as read. It's all new for me too.

Oh on that note, I would not be surprised if there are grammatical errors all through it but I had so many past tense mixed with present tense linking words I had to stop and change just about every sentence once I reread this chapter eight times over with something new to fix every time.

Please read review and tell me what you think, Like the two I mentioned and my usual reviewers you all help me keep writing and the quality up!

Till next time: See ya~!