A/N: Anyone still interested in this story?

Recap: In the previous chapter, the EX Team 7 was given a very dramatic mission by the Village Elders, much to their dismay. Sai seems to have no problem with it, but Sakura's having a hard time dealing. Kakashi revealed that at noon the next day that Naruto's murderer would be announced as Sasuke Uchiha, and from there, the three would set out on a manhunt! Meanwhile, suspicion arises amongst fellow Konoha ninja.


It was a grand event. All of Konoha was required to be present at what was going to be the most shocking village meeting since the death of their beloved Hokage. For today they would reveal his murderer.

Kiba Inuzuka looked at the ground as he walked, brows furrowed, eyes irritated. Hands in his pockets, Kiba still walked like he did 6 years ago when he first became a Genin. He hadn't changed much at all... different from everybody else who had changed. Well, appearance wise, Kiba had acquired a taste for leather over the years, and he could thank Kankuro for that. But the villagers of Konoha didn't just change their images. Purple hair caught his eyes. Like Hinata Hyuuga, no longer the shy girl she once was. When she used to erupt into tears sometimes because Neji had taunted her, now she was much stronger and could take on her cousin if she so wished. Or like Naruto... once the kid who used to play pranks like painting the Hokage's faces... then became one of the strongest leaders in Konoha. And now he was dead.

Maybe change was a bad thing.

"Oi, Kiba." Shikamaru approached him. The Inuzuka stopped. He nodded as a sign of recognition. "Shikamaru..."And they continued walking to the village square.

"I thought you were still in the Sand Village... What, even a punk like you came all the way for something such as this...?" The lazy nin scratched his head, looking away just like he used to, before he got taller and started growing facial hair anyways.

"Not my choice. They sent an escort to drag me back. Not my kinda welcome back party tho if ya know what I mean..." He sighed and shut his eyes.

Shikamaru raised a brow. "Are you saying you don't care about Naruto's murderer? Isn't that insensitive? I mean, he was our friend after all..." The Shadow ninja's steely eyes watched all the people in front of them, anxiously making their way towards the event. He could feel everyone's tension then.

"Hmm," Kiba smirked. "Ya know that's not what I mean bastard... We already know Sasuke did it. I jus don't see the point in this."

"Yeah... well, everyone deserves justice. Then again... stuff like this is too troublesome." He shook his head.

Kiba had to laugh. "Yer still sayen that?" Well, at least Shikamaru hadn't changed.

"So, is Kankuro with you?" Shikarmaru smirked.

Kiba grinned, trying to block the blush from springing to his face. He wasn't as embarrassed as he used to be when they first found out he was with Kankuro. But his friends still liked to tease him about it from time to time. Especially Shikamaru, due to him always coming in and out of Suna. He was dating Temari after all. "In the bathroom. He really didn't wanna come, so I doubt he'll be out any time soon."

"No Akamaru?"

Kiba scoffed, "I wasn't allowed to bring him. The escort said the Council banned any large animals that could be a danger to the community. It's complete bullshit."

"Yeah... this village isn't what it used to be..."

"Ya got that right."

xxx

"Why is this so hard?" Sakura stared at herself in the mirror. Green orbs stared back at her. She frowned. "Why?" She absolutely did not want to announce that someone who was once like her brother, was a murderer. She did not want to have to hunt him down, again. It didn't need to be like that! So why was it? She couldn't understand, but she wouldn't. Not until she talked to Sasuke herself. And she would do that. But she couldn't tell Kakashi or Sai what she was planning. They would just take her off the mission. She left the restroom and met up with Kakashi and Sai. They were waiting at stage left, looking just as displeased as she was. The aura was uncomfortable. She greeted her friends and stood next to them. "How much longer till it starts sensei?" she asked Kakashi.

Said ninja answered, "soon. We won't have to wait long."

Sakura mulled this over. It felt like she was waiting in that bathroom for hours, and now, but it had only been minutes. She just wanted it to be over, if it had to be done at least. She sighed.

Sai looked at his pink-haired teammate. He didn't understand her sympathy, still. The more he had tried to last night, the more he became confused. Sasuke. Sasuke, that name kept repeating in her head to the point where all Sai could dream about was him. Well... at least he was having dreams. He looked out at all the people sitting in chairs before the stage. So many people, waiting impatiently, patiently, sad, happy, to hear the name of their Hokage's murderer. It was something... depressing. The fact that all these people were here of course. Sai even saw many ninja who had left the village long ago present. There was Kiba Inuzuka, who had left to be with his lover in Suna. (He still claimed it was because Suna needed him, but everyone knew it was Kankuro, and not Suna that needed him.) Then Hinata Hyuuga- sent to a far away village years ago to help rebuild, Rock Lee, and Konohamaru who both had left for different training. And many more ninja and villagers that Sai had not seen in years.

When it was time for the village council to speak, Team 7 made their way onto the stage and stood beside the elders. They shared solitary glances. An old man, tall and refined, dressed in grand robes of white and gold stood at the center among his peers. His name was Byaku, and he was the leader of the Elders. His sharp gray eyes scanned the chattering crowd, smiling an eerie smile as he wrung his hands together.

"Alright alright, quite down now please!" The commotion ceased as all attention focused on him; the man everyone hated to obey. And now that their Hokage was dead, they would soon be following his every command. "As you know, our beloved Hokage-sama is no longer part of this world. And it is with great sadness, that I tell you he did not die from his own hands, nor of illness." There was a pause that put everybody on the edge of their seat, pale faced, sweaty palms. Sai stared out at the frightened faces as the Elder spoke. Most villagers had no clue how their Hokage had died. They figured the above anyways. "Our Hokage-sama was murdered, and by none other than Sasuke Uchiha."

Suddenly the crowd was full of life. It was like someone had flipped the switch and Sasuke's name was what triggered them to do it.

"This is an outrage!"

"We knew that Uchiha was no good! We let him back into our village, we trusted him!"

"Hang him!"

"-the rotten scumbag!"

Sai had never heard so many curse words as he did today. Nearly every villager was shouting in anger, save for the many ninja who knew to keep a calm composure, and the children of course. Next to him, Sakura bit her lip. This was the worst thing that could possible happen. But the villagers were right! They gave all their trust in Sasuke when Tsunade-sama had let him come back to Konoha- free of all his crimes, and they were overjoyed when they found out that Naruto and he were in love, because he was their Hokage. The village loved Naruto to death; he had surely proved that even with the nine-tailed fox inside of him he was an amazing and loving person. And now, this?

Byaku calmed the crowd and began talking again. "Now I'm sure all of you would like to see justice as much as I, and the council?" They roared in agreement. "That is why we will be doing our best to track him down!"

"Can you believe this?" Ino whispered to her friend next to her. She had a look of disgust upon her pale face, but not for the person intended.

Shino responded, "depends, which side are you on?"

"Sasukes of course!" Ino snapped, angrily. "I mean, you don't really believe he did it, do you?"

Next to them, Hinata spoke up. "There is no way Sasuke-kun could ever hurt Naruto. We all know this."

"I wouldn't be so sure, we all know the Uchiha's previous ways..." Shino said.

Ino glared up at the village elders onstage. She stuck to her beliefs through and through. And although she was no longer the lovesick teenager chasing after Sasuke all those years, she knew he was innocent. She just knew dammit! Over the years she had been devastated to find out Naruto was the object of her raven's desires, but that hadn't burned out her flame for him. No, Sasuke was still one of her closest friends and she wouldn't turn on him just because someone pointed a finger. "I still think there's more to the story then they're letting us know."

"Why do you say that?" Hinata asked.

"What motive would Sasuke have for killing Naruto? And we all know Naruto's strength, there is no way he would go down just like that. Something has to be going on here..." Ino folded her arms. She wouldn't trust what the Council members were saying.

"Well you have given this quite a lot of thought Ino..." Shino said. "I can't acknowledge you are right, but then again..."

Hinata suddenly piped up, "wait a minute! Shino, you must know something! You speak to the bugs after all."

Shino responded, "I don't know anything. Maybe you two should focus on what's beneficial to the village instead of trying to save a murders skin." With that said he walked away.

Ino glared at his backside as he retreated. "Hinata, didn't you notice? He's acting different, more so than usual," she said quietly. Because Shino was already very strange.

"Yeah... This is the first time I've seen him in weeks. Do you think he's in some sort of trouble?" The lilac-eyed girl replied.

"Or maybe he's the one causing the trouble..." Ino had always been on good terms with the insect lover. He was one of her fellow genin classmates after all. But recently, he had been acting strange. The last time she had seen him before the ceremony was outside of the village council headquarters late one night. He was just standing there staring off into the distance. When the blonde asked him what he was doing, his head jolted in her direction so fast she had jumped. He didn't say anything still, just stared at her. It was almost like he was lifeless. The atmosphere had been too creepy, so Ino left in a hurry. So whatever was going on with Shino, she knew it wasn't good. Hopefully he wasn't mixed up Naruto's murder. Because c'mon! His entire clan talked to the bugs, and they were everywhere! Somebody had to know something. And Ino bet a visit to the Aburame clan would do her theory justice.

On stage, Kakashi had just stepped in front of the microphone. He said calmly, "I know all of you are outraged by these past events, as am I." Sakura scoffed, that was the complete opposite of what he was. "But rest assured, that my team and myself will do whatever it takes to capture our Hokage's murderer."

The crowd of people began shouting once more. It made the pink kunoichi sick to her stomach.

xxx

Miles away in the forest, Shino Aburame crouched down onto the grass. The insects watched as their master studied a large object in front of them. It smelled like something dead and decaying, rotton skin and blackened bones. They could see dried blood on it's skin (clothes.) It was a ninja from Konoha who had probably died days earlier. The smell was proof enough, not to mention his unrecognizable carcass. The bugs had had their way with him earlier. Shino ripped the forehead protector off the fallen ninja's forehead and shoved it in his jacket pocket. The insects sensed something strange about their young master. Before Shino walked away, he said, "dispose of it." And his insects did just that. They of course didn't doubt his instructions, more food for them anyways. But the bugs knew; they were very intelligent, very so. Besides, they were just bugs. They didn't particularly care about the well-being of anyone but their own master and his clan.

xxx

"Yeah yeah, we'll go back soon. Stop whinen will ya!" Kiba said to his partner walking next to him.

Kankuro glared at the younger teen. He replied, "I'm not the one that whines," with an all knowing smirk directed toward Kiba who blushed. "Besides, s' not my fault I'm bored of this place already. Who ever heard of a ceremony about finding someone's murderer anyway..." He put his arms behind his head, watching the villagers as they went about with their simple lives.

"Don't expect me to answer that. I haven't been here for years, remember Kankuro? You forced me to live with you in Suna," he barked jokingly of course. He didn't mind living in Suna, or living with Kankuro for that matter. It was quite the opposite actually."But Naruto meant a lot to this community... I still can't believe he's dead..." his tone took on a hint of sadness. He looked down, his eyes were completely serious.

Kankuro's expression softened for a second. Then he put a strong arm around his dog's neck and brought him closer. Grinning, he said to him, "Don't get all sappy on me now kid." He ruffled his mop of brown hair.

Kiba growled. He did not like when Kankuro did that, and the stupid puppeteer knew that too! He pulled away. "Knock it off!"

"Haha, c'mon I was kidding, babe! Sorry, I know you miss him right?" He looked into those big brown eyes, those beautiful brown eyes.

"Yeah..." he sighed. Kiba would never show his true feelings in front of anybody but Kankuro. This was probably the first time he's said he missed the dumb blond. He and Naruto didn't have this great friendship like he did with Sasuke, but they were both alike in so many ways. Sure they fought a lot, but that was just for fun. They were always trying to one-up each other, but could still be on good terms no matter what. According to Naruto, Kiba was a 'stupid mutt' and to Kiba, Naruto was just the 'dumb blonde.' He was someone Kiba could go mess around with; like pulling pranks on little kids (yeah Naruto still did that when he got older.) You don't get too many friends like that in one lifetime.

Kankuro smiled. "I bet he's somewhere better than this old place. Don't be so depressed about it, kay? You're making me kinda jealous..." That was true. Kiba was on edge lately, always mulling over the death of one of his good friends. Kiba grinned.

"Oh really? Kankuro is jealous of a dead man, is he?"

"Hahaha, you're cute." Kankuro chuckled, then faced forward, knowing he made his little puppy blush. He couldn't wait to get back to Suna and be able to ravish Kiba!

It seems Kiba was thinking of the same thing, though not quite so similar. "Do you think Temari remembered to feed Akamaru?" The Inuzuka asked suddenly. "I feel bad for not bringen my little buddy." He sighed.

"Well if she forgot I'm sure Garra has. We both know he loves the beast."

Kiba laughed at that and agreed with him. Ever since they had moved in Akamaru spent more and more time with the red-head when Kiba and Kankuro were... busy. Kiba noticed Sai and Sakura standing near the gates. They must be leaving already. He pulled at Kankuro sleeve and ran to go catch up with them.

xxx

"Sakura, do you really need that much food?" Sai asked blatantly staring at the mass of insta-ramen she shoved in her backpack. "How much can your stomach actually take?" he said in all seriousness.

She lifted one eyebrow as if he was insulting her weight, which he might actually be doing without knowing. "It's for Sasuke," she stated. After the look Sai gave her she blushed and quickly stammerred, "you know- if we do find him! I can't just let him go hungry..."

"I understand," Sai responded. Why was Sakura so nervous? It was odd.

"I also brought a blanket. I mean, even if he's a criminal, he should be treated with hospitality. He is our friend." She looked into her teammates eyes. There was a fierce determination in those green orbs.

Sai wasn't so sure that's what he and Sasuke were. But he didn't say anything else to Sakura. What would she do if they did find Sasuke and had to imprison him? Or worse... There were just so many possibilities that Sai was sure even Sakura hadn't thought of. What if Sasuke really was a psychopathic murderer and tried to kill them? If so, then that night in the forest he spent with Sai sure explained a lot. Why he had been running, why he was angry and such. Whatever the reason, Sai just wanted to finish this mission.

"Okay, team are we all ready to go?" Kakashi asked as he walked up to them. He had been talking with the gate-guard.

"Hey Sai, wait up!" They all looked back to see Kiba and Kankuro walking towards them. "You guys leaving already?"

"Well, we were just about to," Kakashi said, then sighed and checked his watch.

"I just wanna say good luck, and don't hesitate to call me if ya need my help."

Kakashi said, "ohhh that's right, you're the puppy who can smell out anyone from hundreds of miles away." He smiled.

Kankuro glared at Kakashi, then put an arm around his waist. "Just sayen, if yer around Suna and need some help jus let us know. I'm sure Garra won't mind finding your little Sasuke." He smirked.

"Kankuro, we both know that Garra hates Sasuke!" Kiba snapped.

"Uhh, that's why I said it, mutt."

Sakura and Sai exchanged skeptical looks. "Don't worry Kiba, I'm sure Pakkun is fully capable of sniffing out Sasuke," she said with a smile, referring to Kakashi's dog.

"Pshhh, that dog can't out beat Akamaru and me combined..." he said, but quickly laughed it off as a joke when Kakashi looked at him. "Anyways, make sure you do whatever needs to be done. Naruto would have wanted it." He and Kankuro left on a serious note, leaving the three ninja also in that state. The reality of their mission was catching up to them again. And with only a few words said, they were on there way.

While walking sometime later, Kakashi said to break the silence, "so I don't want this trip to be all depressing and sad. We all need to get some things off our chests." Sakura just looked at him with her sad green eyes. Sai who was walking on the opposite side of Kakashi looked away. This conversation wasn't meant for him. He didn't have anything to get off his chest about Sasuke, and Naruto's death. He had thought it over at least a hundred times and he was pretty sure he did not care about either. He hadn't cried, nor was he angry or upset. And the fact that Sasuke betrayed them again, didn't strike any feelings in his heart. Because Sai wasn't the one who was betrayed. Sai and Sasuke never even had anything together. "Sai, I expect you to participate too," Kakashi told him. No one spoke. Sakura didn't know what to say. Should she really admit what she was planning to do? "Okay... I'll go first." There was a pause, and they waited, until Kakashi's meloncholy voice sounded again in their ears. "I think Sasuke killed Naruto, and that doesn't mean my opinion of him has changed. They were both my students, as you two are now. And I have always been proud of both of them. Sasuke isn't a bad person... he's just chosen the wrong path in life. Bad things have happened to him and he hasn't found out how to deal with his anger yet. I also think him and Naruto getting together was a very bad decision. They're just kids. I don't think either of them knew what love was. And oh yes, when I found out Naruto died I cried for a few minutes, but that was it." He smiled down at his two students.

Sakura was shocked Kakashi could confess so much! Her mouth was agape, and Sai looked like he was in shock as well. After a few minutes of complete silence, except for the quiet footsteps they made as they walked, Sai said, "you cried?"

"Well of course, didn't you?"

That was a good question. But of course it had a simple answer. "No." Sai never cried. Ever.

"I-it's okay Sai! It's completely normal for people not to cry when someone dies in their life." Sakura smiled reassuringly at him.

"No, I know it's not," he said back nonchalantly.

Kakashi sighed, then put his arm around both of the shorter teens. "You two have so much to learn in life. I just hope you don't end up like...Well, you know. Now, Sakura, you told us what you thought yesterday and I can't help but notice you didn't interrupt while I did the same. Got something you want to tell us?" Sakura felt really guilty. With Kakashi's gray eyes looking right at her, she felt like he already knew. What was she thinking? She couldn't hide anything from these two! Kakashi was over here baring his soul, and here she was keeping a secret from them. She can't be that type of person, so she caved and told them everything about her plan.


A/N: I know I know it wasn't really very fulfilling, and definitely not my best, but I like this chapter. I wanted to sort of get a snapshot of what some of the villagers are going through and such. So review please! And I promise the next chapter is going to have SASUKE FREAKING UCHIHA in it! :D