A/N: Hi there. Time for another installment. Still ok? I hope so. No warnings this time. Again, try and hear Naruto's voice in your head when you read his dialogue. Try and picture his face when he's saying what he says. Enjoy!

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About an hour later, Naruto returned to his apartment yelling, "Sasuke! Where are you?" Sasuke and Raylin sat up, blinking away sleep, and looked at Naruto as he came in. He said, "See, I told you he was here." Naruto moved aside and in walked Kakashi.

Sasuke stretched and said, "Hey Kakashi."

Kakashi eyed him and Raylin, "What are you up to Sasuke?"

"Nothing this time. I'm here to let everyone know what's happened."

"Are you here to turn yourself in?"

"If I have to I will, but you have no reason to mistrust Raylin. By the way this is Raylin." Raylin waved slightly and smiled at Kakashi.

Naruto said sideways to Kakashi, "That's his girlfriend. She's pretty cute." Raylin giggled at Naruto's obviousness.

Kakashi said, "Where did you find her Sasuke. If I'm not mistaken, she's Uchiha." Naruto did a double take and had a "huh" expression on his face.

Raylin spoke up, "I'm half. My mother, who was not Uchiha, left the village before I was born, well before the massacre. I've been hidden by Orochimaru since I was eight. He trained me as a medical ninja, and helped me develop multitudes of jutsu. I trained with him and Kabuto. That's where Sasuke found me, and I found him."

Kakashi said, "I see. You both seem very willing to answer questions, the 5th will be happy to hear that. Alright then. I've got a squad outside for crowd control, and Shikamaru is ready to trap both of you with his shadow possession technique if you try anything."

Raylin looked at Sasuke and said, "Shadow possession! What's that? I need to learn that one."

Kakashi looked suspiciously at Sasuke and Raylin and said, "That's a specific jutsu that Shikamaru's family developed and passed down. You can't just learn it."

Sasuke interrupted him and said, "Raylin can learn anything, she uses all five nature elements."

Kakashi looked shocked and said, "That's impossible! I've never heard of anyone ever having more than two, and those people are jonin level. To have all five, it's just impossible. You'd be the most powerful person to ever walk this earth."

Sasuke looked at a modest Raylin and said, "I'm pretty sure she is."

"You both had better come with me."

Sasuke said, "We always intended to. Lead the way."

Kakashi said, "Naruto, take up rear position with Shikamaru when we get outside." Naruto nodded.

They went outside the apartment building. People were everywhere. Sasuke recognized people, faces he hadn't seen in three years or more. Iruka sensei was there, eyeing him a bit suspiciously. Rock Lee was there and he managed a "welcome back Sasuke." That surprised Sasuke a little, but he appreciated it. They began to move, Naruto and Shikamaru behind them, Kakashi in front, and in front and on the sides of him, four three-man squads of Anbu black ops, weapons drawn. Sasuke said to himself, these people are afraid of us? Well I guess they have every reason to be. I left here on bad terms, just about the worst terms anyone could leave on. And I went to "the other side" on purpose. All because of my need to avenge my clan. I owe them all an apology. I hope they don't label Raylin for my actions. He glanced over at her. She looked a bit uneasy. She caught his eye. He gave her a quick wink and she relaxed a bit.

She couldn't believe the commotion. Sasuke must have been a monster to get this response. He must have done some terrible things to these people; she knew what he tried to do to Naruto. She'd stick by him no matter what happened. That's what people do for people they love.

The procession went on to Hokage's headquarters. They were led inside and the doors were blocked and shut and a three-man Anbu team stood guard, not letting anyone in except the Jonin that arrived late. They were brought to a special "holding room," more like a cell where they would wait for an audience with Hokage. They sat together, holding each other's hands. Raylin said, "So it all comes down to this. Acceptance or rejection."

"Yeah. I expected hard feelings. Just be truthful and tell them everything they want to know."

"When should we tell them about Orochimaru? Itachi and Kissime? Our offer to them?"

"We'll know when the time is right. First, answer questions."

"Sasuke, I'm nervous."

"Hey, I meant it when I said I was sure you were the most powerful person who ever walked this earth. These are good people. They have every reason to be pissed at me. But if you ever got pissed at them, that lava whip would take them all out."

"I'd never use it on good people."

"You won't have to. We'll tell them everything, and they'll realize that we're trustworthy over time. You'll see."

"I believe you. And despite my nervousness, I'm glad I'm here with you."

"I am too. They're coming." Kakashi came back to get them with Shikamaru and Naruto and a three-man squad.

"Hokage has assembled everyone Sasuke, time to go." He seemed a little more informal, and relaxed with him now. Sasuke and Raylin got up and followed him to a room. They entered and saw that there were two chairs in the middle of the room, facing a long table that had the 5th Hokage at its center, Jaraiya on her right, two advisors on her left, and Shizune, the Hokage's assistant. The rest of the seats around the room were occupied by many jonin and chinin, most of which Sasuke was familiar with, and some he'd seen at least a few times. As they moved along, Sasuke searched the crowd quickly and saw that Sakura and Sai were also there. She looked at him coldly, remembering their last encounter. He gave her a slight smile and she suddenly looked like she'd been poked in the ribs. He didn't remember ever smiling at Sakura before. He never had a reason to before. Now, he was genuinely glad to see her. He turned away and followed Kakashi to the chairs.

The doors were closed and Anbu were posted there. Naruto pulled a chair next to Sasuke, Shikamaru was seated behind the two, and Kakashi sat next to Raylin. She'd heard he was a bit of a perv, but he was handsome – that is what she could see of his face was handsome.

The meeting began.

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A/N: What will Hokage have to say to them? The countdown to the end continues. Only 6 more chapters.

Next up: The Uchihas go through questioning and testing and reveal the reason why they are in Konoha. They also reveal the startling truth involving their previous captors. See you soon!