Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
The Villagers were ablaze of confliction, it had been several hours since Sakura had reported back to the gathering of citizens, shinobi, elders and Tsunade, with a silent nod and a few whispered words to Tsunade she had taken her place seated next to the teacher as roars of discussion refilled the room defying the silence that Sakura's presence had created.
The arguments went on deep into the night, opinions clashed, solutions wavered under questions, dear friends at each others throats over simple statements and voices grew hoarse from yelling until the conclusion was met with no voiced objections and Tsunade went to deliver her verdict to the traitor.
The motion of the large gates opening brought a flicker of hope to Sasuke, "she must be coming back to apologise! She can try but it won't work" his famous smirk began to reappear but faltered slightly as the figure that stepped out was not Sakura but Tsunade herself, her expression sombre yet eyes glinting.
"Sasuke Uchiha, the verdict has been decided!" She paused "we have listed the reasons for and against you're return and have chosen to assign you three missions, only through your success of all three missions will you be allowed to enter this village as redeemed shinobi!" Tsunade concluded
"I will think about it" Sasuke said dismissively
"Listen if it were up to just me you wouldn't even have this chance, but somehow there are people behind those gates who care enough about you to give up their own reputations, futures and highly respected jobs just to give you another chance! So I suggest you make your mind up now!" Tsunade's voice harsh as her hands bunched into fists
"I- What kind of missions?" Sasuke said carefully choosing his words
"they are to be revealed only after you accept" her voice softer "but you do not have to face them alone, if you can convince some shinobi to aid you a team will be permitted, of coarse certain restrictions in what they can and can't help you with apply" a hint of a smile graced her face "that is, of course if you aren't to proud to ask for help" Sasuke nodded sensing the joke in the statement.
"I accept!"
Meanwhile, up in the secluded mountains a figure moved with great speed, ignoring cuts from low branches and running through stumbles over rocks and holes, fighting to stay steady, never stoping, travelling towards a hidden cabin, overgrown ivy covering most of the structure, the figure stoped at the door pausing only to catch breath before entering, once inside the cabin the figure stumble through door ways then left almost immediately in a frantic search. The word "Byakugan!" hissed and was the only word that let down the silent pursuit as the shadowed hunter finally closed in on it's completely unaware target.
"Naruto!" Hinata Hyuuga burst out of the trees into a small clearing that had been made into a training ground, to find the number one knuckle head ninja in nil but a pair of shorts intensely focused on attacking a tree.
"Huh? Hinata what are yo-" was all Naruto could say before the Hyuuga heiress fainted. "Not again, Hinata are you okay?" Naruto yelled before carrying her dainty body into his cabin.
Three hours later Hinata regained consciousness to see a now dressed Naruto making tea in his cabin, smiling sadly at how peaceful yet lonely he looked, noticing her scratches were all cleaned and roughly bandaged. Sitting up with a start remembering why she had come to him.
"Naruto!"
"Oh your up, I was getting worr-"
"never mind that now" Hinata said fighting off her blush looking up into his eyes which had long lost their youthful, lively shine and joy "Naruto, he's back!"
As an orange blur moved weaving through trees, animals and mountains alike on the way back to the village a single roar could be heard all throughout the forest. "SASUKE!"
Very sorry about the wait, will try and update sooner, hope you enjoy plz R&R
Jenai