Knowledge
Sasuke ran. Sakura chased after him but he was able to lose her quickly. Going home was out of the question. Going anywhere in the village was out of the question. The forest was the only place he could hide and he wanted to hide from the world. Morning turned to afternoon before he stopped running. Dropping down from a tree, Sasuke just stood there breathing hard not thinking about anything. Finally he backed up slowly until he met the tree and slid to the ground. "Naruto." I cut you! I CUT YOU! Sasuke brought up his hands to cover his face but he couldn't stop the images of his kunai slicing into Naruto's body or the feeling of warm blood spraying on his face and hands.
Jerking his hands away from his face, Sasuke looked down at them and let out an anguished moan. The blood was dried a rusty brown color but Sasuke still saw bright red. His body shook and he dropped his head back then thumped it repeatedly against the tree.
When his head began to throb, Sasuke stopped and opened his eyes. "I'm evil. Something inside of me is wrong, so wrong! First Itachi and now me! Why would I hurt the one closest to me?!" Again seeing the blood on his hands, Sasuke surged to his feet. He had to find some water to wash away Naruto's blood.
A small stream allowed him to wash his hands and face but the stains on his shirt would not disappear. As he watched the water turned from clear to red. Sasuke waited and watched the bloody water for a long time. He wanted it to be clear again. He needed for it to be clear but it seemed to mock him as it swirled with Naruto's blood. Sasuke put a fist into the water splashing it everywhere and more red stained his clothes. He screamed tormented by what he'd done and knowing that some small part of him had enjoyed what he'd done to Naruto. On his knees bent over the small stream, Sasuke cried, his tears mixing with Naruto's blood. He didn't know who he was any more.
Shikamaru walked through town with no real destination. He'd skipped Asuma's meeting. He already knew everything and had no wish to sit through it again with Ino and Choji but he was sure they would seek him out soon enough. They would have questions and he had no answers for them. He'd made his own decision a couple of years ago. Naruto was a friend. Sure he had one of the most powerful demon spirits locked inside his body but that didn't change who Naruto was. Shikamaru knew he could count on Naruto to act too quickly, say more than he wanted to hear and laugh like an idiot. Strolling with his hands in his pockets, that thought made Shikamaru smile.
"I wonder how it's going with Sakura and Sasuke. Can't be easy I'm sure." He thought of Naruto and how he'd changed these last few months – older, somewhat wiser and in love. He'd finally become Chunin and moved closer to his goal of being Hokage but what would he lose in the process? "I don't envy you at all Naruto. What a drag it must be to be you!" The statement was true, he was knew but Shikamaru wished it weren't. He felt the urge to go to him but didn't know when he'd be talking to his team so he'd wait and go tomorrow. They hadn't talked yet and he wanted Naruto to know that nothing had changed between them.
"Shikamaru!" Ino's voice grated in his ears but he kept walking. He looked around searching for a place they could talk away from nosy shoppers. No reason to give the villagers even more reason to think badly of Naruto. Clearing the shops, he saw the playground they'd used as kids. Perfect, it was empty.
He ran towards it, jumped down the hill then walked to the swing set to wait on them. In just a second Ino was in front of him with her hands on her hips. "You knew! You knew and didn't say a word! How could you keep such a secret from us?!"
"Because I was told to." Shikamaru pushed himself backwards then swung forward so Ino would have move back. "Don't be dense Ino. I was given an order and I did what I was told. I found out when I became Chunin and so did you."
Ino stamped her foot. "That's not the point! Naruto is the Nine-Tailed Fox! How have you been able to live with that knowledge? Doesn't he scare you?" Ino hugged herself and shivered dramatically. "I mean it certainly explains why people shy away from him doesn't it?" She stared at her feet. "They let us train with him! What if he'd attacked us?!" Ino reached for the chain on his swing to stop him. "Why would they let him live?"
Shikamaru blinked at her. "You'd have killed him? An innocent baby? You'd have killed him?!" He stood and got in her face needing to be sure she meant what she said. "You're a cold bitch Ino." He turned away from her stunned face to his best friend. "And you Choji? What do you feel about Naruto now?"
Choji sat on the second swing but was still. "I don't know. It's just so – unexpected." He shrugged. "You gotta think they left him alive for a reason though. Maybe they couldn't do it or maybe since the seal was so new – it would have been risky to kill him." He pulled out a bag of chips. "I think I wanna talk to my dad." Choji said between mouthfuls of chips.
Shikamaru nodded. He could trust Choji not to make snap judgments. He started to walk away when Ino jerked him back by his arm.
"Wait a minute! Does this mean none of this bothers you? Why not?!" Ino questioned when he shook his head. She couldn't understand him. "Maybe after two years you just got used to the idea that he's a monster?" Why else is he so calm about this?
"No Ino. After Asuma told me, I thought about for a few hours then forgot about it." Shikamaru looked at the slide remembering how Naruto would challenge them to run up it instead of sliding down.
"A few hours?! A FEW HOURS?!" She looked at him then at Choji then Shikamaru again. "WHAT? You could make a decision that quickly? Wait, I don't remember you acting any differently towards him! What kind of decision did you make?" Ino's whole body was in motion, from her hair to her waving arms down to her pacing feet.
Shikamaru sighed. Ino was tiring. "It's Naruto! Yeah, he's got a fox in his belly but the only thing he's ever done to me was push me into the ring during the first Chunin exam. We hang out together and while he can be weird – that's normal for Naruto. He's never threatened my life and I know I can count on him if I need help. Naruto's a friend not a monster." This last sentence, Shikamaru spoke slowly and carefully so she would understand.
"But-but Asuma said there was a chance it could escape! And you've seen his power! He survived a double attack from a forbidden jutsu Shikamaru! What human could do that? He's dangerous! Several of you tried to stop him and you couldn't! He could have killed us all without a single thought! Don't tell me you weren't scared Shikamaru!" Gripping his vest, she once again got in his face.
"Back off Ino." Shikamaru's voice dropped and he narrowed his eyes at her. When the girl blinkingly got out of his face, he returned to his normal self. "I was scared – scared that Naruto would be hurt. Naruto is only dangerous to his enemies. He has never attacked anyone without cause and he's especially never used the kind of power he used against the San-ken against anyone in Konoha." Shikamaru started up the hill, tired of this useless conversation. "If anything Naruto should be afraid of us. Later Choji." He threw up a hand and left them alone.
"What the hell did he mean by that? Naruto's the Nine-Tailed Fox!" Ino plopped down on the vacant swing.
"Well I guess he means that since all the shinobi here know what Naruto is – they must know of some way to kill him. His life is in the village's hands." Choji crumbled up his bag and stood. "I'm heading home now, see you Ino."
Ino sat silently digesting Choji's words. "We know how to kill Naruto, so why don't we?" She felt a little better as she thought that with just one wrong action from him, Naruto would die. Suddenly his laughing face came to her mind, then his face looking back at her with dead eyes. Ino felt sick and she was thoroughly confused. Following Choji's example, she headed home to talk to her dad. The swing moved once more when she got up then it stopped dead.
Neji was shocked but only because it was the Nine-Tailed Fox. He'd seen Naruto in action up close and personal. He was undeniably strong when using the fox's chakra and he gave off a fearsome visage but and this was the point that stuck with Neji - he'd never felt bloodlust from Naruto. An intense desire to win, yes but the urge to kill, no.
Tenten seemed to have a hard time keeping her mouth closed. She was utterly flabbergasted. In the back of her mind she was glad she'd never gotten too close to Naruto but her teammates had. Naruto's personality had put her off and though she'd been friendly, she'd never tried to get too close to him. It didn't seem like a hard decision for her – she would avoid him completely now. He'd been allowed to live freely in the village, the Hokage and elders weren't worried so she wouldn't either but at the same time, she would steer clear of Naruto.
Lee at first was quiet at the news. It was weird to think that the boy he knew had a spirit in his belly. Emotions flew across his face – shock, worry, fear and finally curiosity. "He is still Naruto! Sensei, tell me more!" He asked endless questions. For instance, the popular topic as to why Naruto; what could he do; could he always do it; what if he loses control; does Naruto even know; has he always known; was this why some villagers didn't get near him? And so on.
Guy, proud of Lee for not turning on a friend, eagerly told him what he knew. He couldn't tell them not to be afraid of Naruto but they also shouldn't forget that he was a ninja and that Konoha was his home just as much as it was theirs.
Neji sat through it all but his mind was really with Hinata. She loves him. Hinata loves the human prison that is Naruto. How will she deal with it? Uncle! He knew! The whole time he knew! Abruptly Neji jumped up. "Excuse me, I have to go home!" Saying the words, he was already hurrying away.
He found his uncle sitting in the garden calmly watching the dragonflies. "You knew, knew what he was and let them date anyway. Why uncle? Knowing what he could turn into and that we may have to kill him someday – why let them fall in love?" Neji's confusion was absolute.
Lord Hiashi laughed softly. "I have no control over love Neji. They had already reached that point by the time I found them out. You forget I talked with him. I did as my daughter asked and got to know him and not the rumors thrust upon him. Naruto is a young man very much in love with my daughter." Hiashi shrugged.
"But uncle he carries a dangerous spirit in his body! Don't you think that's reason enough to keep them apart? Keep Hinata from getting hurt later on?" Neji stepped off the porch to face his uncle. "Has she even been told yet? She'll freak out! I should go to her. Do you know where Kurenai-sensei is meeting them?" Neji had already moved by his uncle ready to go look for Hinata.
"Hinata already knows. Naruto informed her yesterday. She's at the hospital now standing by Naruto's side as he tells his team. It was quite a little scene there for a little while. Naruto at one point yelled at her leave but Hinata stood her ground." Lord Hiashi laughed deeply. "She cursed him – shocked him enough so that she could tell him the obvious – that she loved him no matter what."
Neji spun around so quickly that his hair slapped his face. He ran back to his uncle. "She knows and she's staying with him?" Slowly he sat down.
"Of course she is. Those two are meant to be together. You thought so too just a little while ago didn't you?" Lord Hiashi studied his nephew. "Did learning that Naruto was the bearer of the Nine-Tailed frighten you Neji? Do you fear Naruto now?"
"No! Of course not!" Neji said loudly. "But I'm not Hinata. She's your first born! Aren't you worried about her safety? Hinata's closest to Naruto! If he should change, she'd be the first to be – hurt!" He'd almost said killed.
"Naruto will die first – he's already promised to do so. If he thinks he's about to lose to the fox, he said he would kill himself before he'd hurt anyone he loved. He is also aware and accepts that we will kill him should the need arise." He watched the horror in Neji's eyes. "You hadn't thought of that had you? His life and death has been in our hands since the beginning. I would think you'd be somewhat familiar with his situation Neji. The two of you discussed a similar topic during your fight."
Neji sat up gasping. It was true. The situation was similar to the way things were for him back then. But now his situation had improved significantly and Naruto was the reason for this change but for Naruto – he lived constantly on the edge of a knife. "When will he have the fox's chakra? If he can take control quickly then – he'll be free." Neji leaned forward. Until Naruto had full control, eyes would continue to watch him and his life would never really be his.
"Nobody knows that – especially not Naruto. I believe he'll survive. He's endured much already and all that on his own but with Lady Tsunade, Iruka, Hinata and those of us who truly care for him in his corner, I think Naruto will be just fine. You forget, we've lived with this knowledge all of his life. To most of the ninjas, he's just another teen. It's up to you and your friends to decide whether you can accept everything that he is. I can't tell you what to think Neji but I hope you won't deny yourself a good friend." He patted Neji's shoulder and stood. "I need to go find something to do. Hinata's supposed to send me word of what happened and I'm restless. Maybe a good work out with Hanabi."
Neji stared after his uncle. He wasn't worried at all about Naruto. His uncle was actually in favor of the two being together no matter the consequences. He also wants me to continue to be Naruto's friend. He sighed. "Are things ever that simple? Can they be?"
Kurenai had to catch Kiba by the collar of his jacket to keep him from going after Hinata. "Sit down Kiba! Hinata is not in danger!" She jerked hard and the boy fell on his ass.
"You just said that Naruto is the Nine-Tailed Fox and now you say she isn't in danger?" He looked up at her incredulous while Akamaru whined at him.
"If you don't believe me then ask him!" She said pointing at the puppy. "He would know if there was anything dangerous about Naruto. Well?" Kurenai fold her arms and waited.
Kiba blinked down at Akamaru. He didn't have to ask. In all this time, Akamaru had never said a word about Naruto being dangerous. Sitting Indian style, he picked up his dog and stroked him. "Okay so he's not dangerous now but he can be. Shouldn't we get her away from him?"
Kurenai moved to sit down as well, she'd always been a little wary of Naruto but truthfully, he'd never done anything to worry her. "That decision is up to Hinata. I'm sure knows by now anyway. Everyone was to be told today. We held off saying anything while he was unconscious in the hospital," she shook her head. "At Shikamaru's and Lord Hiashi's request."
Lord Hiashi because his daughter is dating Naruto. "Shikamaru? Ah, he's known for a few years hasn't he? So this means he accepts who Naruto is, fox and all." Shino said in his quiet way. He dipped his head below his jacket. I should talk to him.
"I don't understand! If that's really what we saw out there, how come Naruto isn't kept locked up? Or why he wasn't killed long ago? We were told the Nine-Tailed Fox was super dangerous and powerful – why let Naruto live and give it a chance to escape?" Kiba's face held a permanent scowl.
"He was just a baby Kiba. Could you have killed him when just by sealing away the fox, everyone was saved? And could you imagine being imprisoned at a young age for something you've never done?" She shrugged. "He was given the chance to live as normally as possible and except for in serious battle, the fox is completely sealed away. Someday the fox's chakra will be his fully. I think the previous Hokage and other village leaders were looking out for our future. Whether or not that boy will ever be Hokage is questionable but no doubt he will be a great defender of this village." These revelations suddenly occurred to her. Never before had she given Naruto much thought.
"Well that is true. Naruto is quite passionate about this village. He'll protect it with his life." Shino said as he watched some bugs crawling over his hand.
"So what, we're just supposed to accept that inside Naruto lives something able to kill us all and that's that? He's dating our team mate, our friend! Naruto could hurt her! Yeah he might not mean to but – shit happens!" Kiba pounded the ground. "And not just Hinata but what about us? We all saw what he could do! None of us are really safe from him, are we?" He looked from Shino to Kurenai.
"He's never done anything to threaten the village or anyone who lives here." Kurenai had to admit. "I'm not necessarily comfortable with Naruto but many are. The Hokage, Iruka, Kakashi, the other Sannin Jiraiya and even Ibiki! If some of our more powerful ninja don't fear him well…" Kurenai stood and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Like many others, you'll have to make your own decision about him. Those villagers, who know, fear him and in turn have fostered that feeling in others but then others have taken a wait and see approach. I guess I'm one of them."
"The thing is we're the ones who'll be in direct contact with Naruto." Shino summed up. "We often combine teams and work together. We have to decide if we're comfortable being around Naruto anymore, right? Will the Hokage respect our wishes if we tell her that we no longer want to be near him?" Shino's shades looked up at his sensei.
She nodded. "To a certain extent. If the job is too important, you will have to work with him but for other jobs, I'm sure she'll take it into account."
"So you don't want to be around him either?" Kiba asked triumphantly.
"I did not say that. I will think on this matter for a while then make a decision but I have to say, that this knowledge doesn't really change much. He's still Naruto." Shino stood up. A bug left his shoulder to seek out Shikamaru. "If that's all, I'm going now." At Kurenai's nod, Shino quietly left them.
"What's up with him? Naruto could do to us what he did to those men! I don't know if I can trust him anymore." Akamaru barked at him causing a frown to appear on his face. "You think I should? Not you too Akamaru!"
"Well I've done my duty and informed you. Now you know the truth. The ceremony for you guys is happening soon, I hope things go well but with everyone knowing the truth – it could turn out badly." She leaned down to pat Kiba's head. "Don't rush to a decision Kiba but also be true to your feelings. Okay, I'm heading back to town. See you later." Kurenai was amazed to find that she actually felt sorry for Naruto. If everyone feels as Kiba does now – he'll have no friends.
"Rush my decision?! He carries a demon inside him, what other decision needs to be made other that staying the hell away from him?" When Akamaru barked again, Kiba got angry. "I don't want to hear it! You stay away from him too! You hear me Akamaru?" He held the dog up before his face but his best friend didn't agree, just turned his face away from him. Kiba growled. I'm not wrong! If they won't kill him, they should lock him up! How am I supposed to feel safe with him around?!
Naruto was restless. It was dark outside and he was alone. He'd convinced his parents that he needed sometime alone and Hinata had wanted to go and see if she could find Sasuke. That made him smile at the thought of her chasing him down but hopefully he'd convinced her not to. He knew Lord Hiashi was waiting on her and so he hoped she was at home with him instead of trying to track down his ex-friend.
Looking down at his healed arm, all Naruto felt was frustration. "No matter what I do, how hard I work – something always goes wrong for me!" Suddenly he threw off the blanket and swung his legs off the bed. He tried to stand but his left leg buckled and he just caught himself on the bed. Frowning he took up the cane Shizune had brought for him to use and hobbled to the window.
After Sasuke and Sakura left he'd been expecting the others to stop by and attack him with accusations but no one had showed up – too scared he guessed. "Just how much am I supposed to endure?! It's not fair dammit!" He hit the glass and it shattered slicing up his hand. As he watched the cuts healed themselves like it had never happened. "Thanks for nothing you fox."
"Naruto? Naruto what happened?" Hinata rushed in carrying a bag. She saw the broken window and blood. "Are you okay?" She snatched up some tissues as she rushed to his side.
"Yeah, already healed." He answered quickly then looked at her in confusion. "What are you doing here Hinata? Visiting hours are long over and I'm not the best company right now." Naruto looked away from the concern in her eyes to the broken window.
"Mama T's not going to like this. Maybe I can get it repaired before she comes in tomorrow." Naruto was thinking hard on how he could keep this from his mother.
Hinata sighed softly. She'd know he be feeling down and out of it, that's why she'd come back to spend the night with him. "Stand still. You may heal quickly but don't punish yourself but cutting up your feet." She stooped down and got up all the glass that had fallen inside the room.
"You didn't answer me. If the night nurse catches you – it'll be hell on your ears I promise you." The woman was a dragon and wouldn't let him get away with anything.
Hinata threw away the glass then wiped her hands. She looked at him leaning on his cane a defiant angry look in his eyes. Hinata walked to him without a word and wrapped her arms around him. "I love you." That was all she said and after a couple of minutes, a huge breath was released from him and he hugged her back.
"You just won't let me be angry will you?" Naruto asked and pressed her close.
"I will but not right now. It's been a damned long day, let's go to bed." Her bright eyes looked up at him.
"Hinata, what are you talking about? If that nurse wont' let me walk the hall at night, what makes you think she'll let you sleep with me?" Naruto blinked then laughed. "Did you use the Gentle Fist on her? Oh please tell me you left her lying somewhere paralyzed! Please, please…" He laughed some more just thinking about it.
She laughed along with him, glad that she could make him smile. "Sorry no but maybe next time. Your mother and my father agreed with me when they said you might need someone tonight so here I am and your nurse can go jump in the lake because even she won't defy the Hokage!" Hinata stood on tiptoe to kiss his lips. "So you wanna go to bed? We can make out!" She wiggled her eyebrows.
"I'm not a baby Hinata. I don't need you to watch over me in the night! I doubt Sasuke will be back. His kunai told me how he feels. You guys need to stop worrying so much! Go home, sleep in your bed. Have normal night for a change!" Naruto let her go only to stumble which had Hinata catching him close.
"But you are a baby. You're mine and you're parents. Naruto you were never babied. It may seem a bit much right now but let us. Even if you feel you don't need it, we need to do it." She kissed his beating heart. "As for Sasuke, that bastard comes near you again and he'll get more that the Gentle Fist! I cannot believe he cut you but like Lady Tsunade said, at least it helped heal your arm." Hinata leaned back to stroke that arm. "Now we just need to get this leg better so I can attack your body!" Smiling she got close again and rested her hands on his ass.
"With the mission, both of us getting hurt and now the fox, we haven't had time alone. I miss us Naruto. Can't we for a little while, for tonight – turn back time? Let's go to bed and think about us. I wanna talk about going to our place in the woods for a picnic. About going skinny-dipping with you. I want to touch you Naruto and have you touch me. Can't we forget this mess and just do that? Please?" She hid her face against his chest.
"Hinata…I'm sorry. I – this is all still new to me! I'm a selfish bastard, I've been alone a long time and this thing with Sasuke just made me remember how my life used to be." Naruto stroked her hair. "You and they have been with me through it all and I'm grateful. I'll try to be better and accept your love instead of pushing you away but I may need you to help me okay?" He stroked her jaw when she looked up at him. "Ouch! Hey!" Naruto jerked when she pinched one ass cheek.
"There. How's that? I'll just pinch you every time you do something stupid." Hinata smiled at him. They both still had a lot to learn about being together and learning to live with the fox.
"I may not have an ass if you do that!" It felt good to laugh with her. Naruto kissed her. Life could go on as long as they had each other. "Okay, let's go bed – just be gentle with me. I'm an injured man." All traces of melancholy left his face as she circled his waist and helped him to bed.
"Well I'll try but if I wear you out, at least you'll be in the right place!" Hinata said making him laugh more. She returned to the window to close the curtain then dimmed the light before undressing to join him in bed.
He watched them from a nearby tree. For over an hour he'd watched Naruto. The injured teen lay in the hospital bed trying to read some scrolls but each one was only glanced at briefly before being stuffed in the beside table.
Sasuke had been surprised to see that Naruto's arm was not only un-bandaged but healed – completely. Relief warred with jealousy as he realized the fox must have healed him. He wanted to go to Naruto but what could he say, 'sorry' just wouldn't be entirely true. What Sasuke really wanted was to go find his best friend and talk about what he'd done and why and have him understand what was going on his mind but that wasn't possible. Naruto was his best friend and the man he'd injured.
As he sat cramped in the tree, Naruto got out of bed and came to the window. Sasuke stood quickly. Does he know I'm here? It surprised and scared him when Naruto broke the window and cursed about his life. Just when he thought that maybe he could go talk to Naruto, she showed up. Hinata.
Still hidden in the tree, he watched them. They were cute. They were loving. Sasuke hated it and envied it. He saw that not only could the fox heal Naruto's wounds but that Hinata could heal his heart and calm his mind. "Got it all don't you Naruto?" He despised Naruto as he watched them kiss. Sasuke wanted to go into that room and knock that happy smile off Naruto's face! He didn't move though and continued to watch up until the moment Hinata closed the curtains.
Sasuke sighed. He was at a loss of what to do. Running was out of the question. One, he didn't have anywhere to go and two, he was sure Kakashi wouldn't let him get away. The vague memory of Orochimaru promising power floated through his mind but Sasuke shook his head. He needed to settle things with Naruto – either friends or enemies before he made such a life altering decision. Suddenly a series of wires slammed him hard against the tree. Automatically he struggled but a second later, Kakashi stood before him, Sharingan glowing in the night.
"You're a damn fool Sasuke." Kakashi kept his voice low so that it wouldn't carry to Naruto's open window. He drew back his fist then threw it at Sasuke's jaw. The teen fell limply against the wires, out cold.
Kakashi bound his hands behind his back with the wires. It would cut into Sasuke's skin but he didn't care. He hefted the boy up and over his shoulder then looked up at Naruto's window. He heard laughter carried on the wind and was glad Hinata was around. Before Naruto would have wallowed in sadness then pushed himself to the edge of destruction in his training. Now he could lose himself in the woman he loved and know that life wasn't a bad as he thought.
Covering his Sharingan, Kakashi jumped out of the tree. "I'm going to take you to a place you've never been before Sasuke. Hopefully you'll come to your senses there. It's a place your family took great pride in of course you won't be administering justice but receiving it from inside a cell." Kakashi headed for the jail that used to be under the charge of the Uchiha family. Sasuke was going to do a little hard time.
He woke the next day with a throbbing ache in his head and jaw. Sasuke tried to remember what he'd been doing to have such pain. Blinking he tried to sit up and found he couldn't move his arms. Panic really woke him. Bars? Sasuke saw the symbol he wore on his back on three walls and again on the wall outside of the bars. I'm in jail?!
Sasuke struggled to his feet and felt blood drip down his fingers. "Wires? Hey! Somebody! Anybody?" No one was around – there had to be somebody! "What the hell is going on?!" He yelled.
As he squirmed trying to free his hands, he heard a key rattle in a lock then the banging of a metal door. Footsteps, two people no three. Sasuke stopped moving and waited. It must be a long hall for it took them several minutes to reach his cell.
Kakashi-sensei, Kotetsu and Lady Tsunade finally came to a stop before him. Sasuke gasped as it all came back to him. He stumbled backwards and fell awkwardly onto his cot. "Naruto."
"Yes, exactly. Naruto." Lady Tsunade said coldly. "You, Uchiha Sasuke will be locked in this cell until the time of the Chunin ceremony. You will receive bread and water twice a day. You may receive visitors for one hour each day, if there's anyone who will come near you." Tsunade looked around at the prison cell. "I'd like to think you'd come to your senses during your stay here but I doubt it. This is my punishment to you as Hokage." She took a deep calming breath. "As his mother, these men are here to make sure I don't hurt you. You cut my son!" The bars rattled in her hands.
"The fox healed him." Sasuke looked at her from beneath his lashes.
"You better be damn glad it did or you'd be in the prison hospital wing instead of here! I don't want you near him Sasuke! Don't even look at him! You got anything to say to Naruto – you come to me first! Damn you! He loves you like a brother and you cut him!" The bars bent slightly from her tight grip.
"Lady Tsunade." Kotetsu gently lay a hand on her shoulder. He was afraid she'd tear off the bars and attack Sasuke if she didn't leave soon.
She closed her eyes and calmed down. Turning to Kakashi, "You're in charge Kakashi. If you wish to beat from time to time, you'll get no arguments from me. I'll expect daily reports." Once the man nodded his agreement, Tsunade turned on her heel and swept away from them.
Kakashi watched them leave. Sasuke had been his responsibility and he'd failed to keep the boy from acting out. He pulled off the seal from the lock then unlocked the cell and went inside. "Turn around and I'll remove the wires." Being here was hard for he felt the urge hit Sasuke again. Kakashi had to admire the Hokage's restraint.
It was on the tip of his tongue to say something sarcastic but he really wanted the wires gone. The man might leave him like this if he said something. Kakashi had no expression; it was as if his whole face was now a mask. Carefully he stood to let Kakashi cut him free. He hissed as the wires were pulled out of his flesh. Sasuke looked at the bloody cuts then looked up at Kakashi. "You didn't have to use wires you know. It'll be a while before these heal. I'm not like Naruto – as a normal human, my wounds don't heal so easily." That was all he got to say before blood filled his mouth and he saw stars.
Kakashi didn't hesitate. His gloved fist backhanded Sasuke sending him into the far wall. "You just can't help yourself can you? I saw the regret when you cut him. I saw you watching him and Hinata last night. There was envy then too but you wanted to go in there and talk to him." Kakashi walked over, snatched Sasuke up by his shirt and let him dangle in the air. "From what I knew of your family, Itachi was never close to anyone. He was the most indifferent person I'd ever known. You two were never as close as you were with Naruto! Naruto has always been there! If you thought he was only following after Sakura – you're wrong. He set you as his goal! Seeing how good you were at everything, Naruto pushed himself to become your equal. Often he failed but he never truly hated you because he admired your strength!" Kakashi shook him then slammed him yet again into the wall.
"You want his power well so does your brother!" He saw Sasuke's eyes open. "Did you forget that he tried to kidnap Naruto once already? Well the Nine-Tailed Fox is the reason why! That power you want so badly, Itachi is ready to kill Naruto for it. Is that want you want too? You want to kill Naruto first, take his power so that you and Itachi can kill each other and wipe out the Uchiha clan permanently?!" Kakashi got in Sasuke's face until the teen could feel his breath through the mask.
Sasuke tried to talk but couldn't get the breath to say a word. His lips moved but no sound.
"If you want to die then fine but you will not take Naruto with you!"
"Why do you all protect him so? He doesn't need it! Naruto with the fox's chakra needs no one's protection." Sasuke finally forced out the words. Kakashi's hand had loosened just a fraction.
"You refuse to get it don't you? Naruto is a human being! He is not a weapon! He has lived a hard life – something else you two share but now he truly has a life that he can be proud of and one that makes him happy. And power isn't everything Sasuke! Of course now I know that you've yet to learn that. Itachi was one of the most highly skilled ninjas to ever be born in this village and I'm sure his power has increased since he left. Naruto is still learning and growing. He may have the fox's chakra but he'll still need training in order to use it properly!" Kakashi sighed and let Sasuke go.
"We protect him because we care. We let him down after he received the fox. We hardly acknowledged his existence but he refused to give in to despair. Naruto acted out to get our attention at first. Finally Iruka recognized him and Naruto changed. Somebody cared about him – to feel needed is like a drug and you do what you can to always have that feeling. He trained hard, he put himself in harm's way and…he made us laugh." Kakashi smiled gently. "We protect and do what we can for him because he would do it for us." He walked to the cell door and out into the hall.
"This village offered you solace after the deaths of your family. We reached out to you Sasuke but you wouldn't let anyone close to you. We backed off and respected your pain, giving you time. Our team formed and even though he got on your nerves, I saw you let down your guard whenever Naruto was around. He snuck into your heart just as he does with anyone he's around for any length of time. I thought – I thought the two of you would become an unbeatable team but I guess I was wrong. You disappointed me Sasuke and I'm not the only one. You were on your way to becoming the next great Uchiha because Naruto's genuine feelings were making you a better person." Kakashi replaced the seal over the lock. "That's his greatest power by the way – changing people for the better but you wouldn't let it change you." Kakashi looked Sasuke over, bloody and crumpled on the floor. "What will it take Sasuke? Just what will change you into the man that we – no that you can be proud of?" Shaking his head Kakashi walked away. "I'll have someone to see to your injuries. Goodbye Sasuke." He said with one last glance over his shoulder.
Sasuke jerked and crawled to the cell door looking for his sensei. What did he mean by goodbye? Is he not going to be my sensei anymore? What about Sakura – does she feel the same way? He pressed his face against the cool metal of the door and immediately felt pain like the shock of lightning travel throughout his body. Sasuke had the vague impression of flying backwards before crashing hard to the floor.
The seal Kakashi had placed on the cell was extremely powerful. Anyone on the inside would receive and intense shock and repel the person away from the door.
Sasuke lay prone on the floor gasping. I can't escape! But then again, do I want to? I deserve to be here. To all of them, I'm a criminal now. Tears left his eyes to slide into his hair. "I don't know what I am! I don't know who I'm supposed to be!" His family's symbol caught his eye. "You all died before I could learn how to be a Uchiha! You left me all alone." Sasuke was whispering now. "Then there was…him. Naruto. How can I care about you, you who have what I need? Can I kill you and take that power? Kill you then kill my brother. Then what will be left for me?" Sasuke's tears came faster. "Tell me! Tell me what to do!" He screamed at the ceiling asking his dead relatives for the advice they would never be able to give. His sobs echoed in the empty prison.