Hey...sorry for not updating! I was banished from the world of technology... but here I am! And here is the second chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto... I'm not really sure why we have to say this either...

As I walked with Sakura to my doom… I mean, the Hokage's office, I could feel the euphoria at being reunited with my team,my friends fading as I contemplated my fate. I was technically a missing nin, after all, and it was foolish to hope that I would go unpunished. I hoped that the council was still slightly powerful- they would see only the Sharingan, a valuable asset to the village, thus reducing my sentence. I locked away my emotions for later; I would need to focus if I was to convince anyone that I was no threat to the village. My teammates seemed to sense this, or maybe it was the fact that I had reverted to my old habit of grunting, knowing that they would understand just fine without words, just like they did now. Forcing myself to concentrate on something, anything except the upcoming confrontation, I turned my thoughts to my teammates. Naruto walked slightly in front of Sakura and me, but kept stealing glances at me, like he couldn't believe I was real. I noticed that while he retained most of his enthusiasm and the brightness that drew people to him, he was quieter than before, with the same pain in his eyes that most people living in these times had. The pain of separation, that marked him as a veteran of the war which killed so many. He had also grown up a lot physically. He was hot… bad thoughts Sasuke, don't think like that. He is a teammate, a friend. Don't mess that relationship up. Regardless of my hormones, I was glad he was coming with me as I walked to… no, don't think of that. I focused on my other teammate. Sakura walked to Naruto's left, calm and serene, but bubbling with enthusiasm, and I suspect, joy at having got her team back again. She seemed to have outgrown her fangirl talents and developed into a beautiful and if I heard correctly, capable and deadly medical ninja. I wondered where the fourth member of my old team was, but figured he was either late or waiting at the Hokage's office. I was jolted out of my thoughts when our ANBU escort stopped in front of a door. Great. Time to reveal my fate. I looked at Sakura, who smiled and gestured for me to open the door. Bracing myself, I opened the door to reveal …..

….Kakashi trying to sneak out of the window, a familiar orange book in his hand. The two ancient looking people at the back had apparently not noticed, discussing something in murmurs. Naruto kindly decided to enlighten them, for he strode into the room, a mischievous light in his eyes and said, "Hey Kakashi, where are you going? Don't you wanna see Sasuke again? On our side no less?"

The old couple, realizing that Kakashi was trying to escape, frowned in sync. Kakashi gave a smile in their direction and a frown in Naruto's, before coming back into the room and saying, "Ah, Naruto, the day I finally dump this paperwork on you will be the happiest of my life." He sat in the Hokage's chair casually and looked at us. "Glad you finally came to your senses Sasuke. The council has convinced me that it would be best to not execute you, but to keep you on probation until you prove your worth. You will be classified as Chuunin until that time, after which you will gain Jounin level. During your probation, you will be placed under the guard of the ANBU, and will not do any missions above low C-grade until you complete your mental examination and have been deemed fit. Any questions?"

I had several, but kept silent. My silence either must not have convinced my teammates, or they knew me too well, for Naruto took one look at my face and said, "Well, spit it out!" I frowned and looked at Kakashi, wondering why he was sitting in the Hokage's chair. Naruto laughed and said, "Baa-chan retired. She decided that I was too obsess…..um, too unpredictable and wild at the moment, so Kakashi has the honour of being Hokage, at least until I'm ready."

I nodded, and then decided I would have to speak. "What are the terms of my probation?" I wanted to know if I could still walk freely around Konoha. "Well, like I said, you will be shadowed by ANBU at all times, but other than that you're free to go to most places that Chuunin are granted access to. You will also have to submit to an examination before you are considered fit for active duty. Any other questions can be directed to Sakura or Naruto. Which reminds me; Sakura, Tsunade-sama wishes to meet you-something about the duties of Head Medic. Naruto, the Hyuuga clan wishes to hear your opinion on the most painless way to remove the curse seal. Hiashi also wishes to tell you exactly what being on good terms with someone means."

I wasn't sure, but I could swear that Naruto blushed before nodding. Both him and Sakura gave me looks of support and told me that they would meet me at Ichiraku's after they finished their work. Then Sakura flickered out of the room, while Naruto disappeared in a flash of yellow light. Oh yeah. He was the son of the Yellow Flash of Konoha, after all. It made sense that he knew his father's techniques. I then realized that I was now alone with two old crones who looked about ready to drop dead (and knowing my luck, hey probably would. And I'd be blamed. Yup, my life sucked), and the Hokage, who happened to be my ex-sensei. Great. Just amazing. Note the sarcasm.

I reluctantly turned to them, arranging my features into a blank mask, which immediately slipped when Kakashi bluntly told the bags of death that they could go terrorize someone else, since he wanted to spend some time with his student. After some heated argument, they departed. Kakashi then stared at me. I stared back. After about two minutes of this, he broke the silence and asked , "You tried to kill Naruto. Twice. Yet you protected him when he needed it the most. For that, I can forgive you slightly. What I want to know is, why?"

"Why help at all? "He nodded. "Because I realized that while I could kill Itachi, I couldn't kill someone I considered my brother. Like you said, I almost killed him. He would have let me, too. And I'm an S-class ninja. If I wanted him dead, he would have been. I realised that true bonds were unbreakable. And because those who don't follow orders are trash, but those who betray their friends are even greater trash."

Kakashi blinked. "Sasuke that was the longest sentence I have ever heard you say." I scowled. Kakashi's eyes became moist. "I'm sorry Sasuke, but I can't forgive you for all the things you made us go through, especially Naruto and Sakura." He shook his head. "You know of Naruto's tenant, don't you? Did you also know that for a long time, many people considered him to be the demon himself?" I lost control of my mask and my shock was evident. How could people think that? Kakashi looked sad. "For most of his childhood he was abused, insulted and alone. People even tried to kill him, thinking they were killing a demon. When he came on our team, he was happy for a while, because he had a family. Then you left, after telling him that you, the person he considered his brother, wanted to kill him." I felt my shock and guilt grow. "When you left, the villagers had the bright idea of blaming that on him as well, claiming that you didn't want a demon as a teammate."

My mouth opened in protest. How could they say that? Naruto was brave and courageous; better than any of them, anyway. He inspired people to do their best, and was like a beam of sunlight. Why wouldn't I want him on my team?

Kakashi sighed, "He got his wish though. Everyone, even the villagers - respects him now. He is acknowledged by everyone as one of the most powerful ninjas of the Hidden Leaf. So all is well that ends well for him. Sakura too, was crushed when you left. She actually loved you, you know. The only reason she trained to be a medic was so she could be useful to you. You always considered her weak, didn't you? Have you ever realized that your and Naruto's power are of the charts? Anyone unlucky enough to be paired with you would look weak in comparison. But now, Sakura is considered the greatest Medic ninja ever, greater than even Tsunade. As for me, well, you are indirectly the reason I have to do this troublesome job, you know."

I looked blank. He elaborated. "Tsunade made me Hokage because Naruto said he wouldn't become Hokage until you came back or died."

I felt guilt rear its head again. "Kakashi…"

"It's fine. Now I suggest that you go to the Uchiha compound and get some rest. Then you can meet your old team afterwards. They usually meet there at around 6."

I thanked him and walked out. I was finally home. My face broke into a tiny smile at that thought

soo...? What do you think? Review pleeease*puppy dog eyes*...!