Sorry it took so long! Bad week.
I'd like to thank my reviewers on the last chapter: Aura of Darkness, Cherry Blossom Geisha, Eclair Designs,
kawaii-teddy, FoxxyNeko, rikaxgoddess, Miko, Khorale and itsmegonzo! Thank you! :)
Anyway, enjoy!
PS: Madara story is published! Find it on my page! :)
"I've heard your story, and I've heard Itachi's.." Tsunade spoke, an incredible migraine being triggered at the scandalous secrets that had been hidden in Konoha's history, "is there anything else I must know?"
Itachi, who had been more than reluctant to tell the honest tale of the Uchiha massacre, had been released by the shinobi long ago; though, neither the Hokage nor Shizune had complete faith in the story he told; there was no evidence. Tsunade knew just how bothersome and argumentative the elders of the village could be, but would they do something like this? She had no doubt that Danzo did. That old fool was always... disturbing.
Tsunade had a thought that because Sasuke had murdered the council member, that their chances of staying in the village may be jeopardized.
"No, Hokage-sama." Itachi responded, "Everything you have heard in this room is all there is to tell."
His wife added, "And every word of it, the truth."
Uchiha Madara, the true leader of Akatsuki? Itachi was ordered to annihilate his clan and is now married? Sasuke had decided to end his rage of revenge and hatred, finally? God, she needed a few bottles of sake.
Tsunade sighed exasperated, "Well, you three certainly are a handful." Her long fingernails tapped against the oak desk as she thought of what to do. She would have to contact the elders first, before allowing the remaining Uchiha back into the village. It could be a farce, but if...
"Very well." She came to her conclusion, "Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Koneko."
The brunette inwardly smiled; her new surname sounded beautiful.
Rising from her chair, the Godaime placed her hands flat against her desk, "Until a council meeting is scheduled, the three of you will reside in the village. Sasuke, I'm going to leave with someone whom I trust fully, and I know will keep you in your place. You will stay with Uzumaki Naruto."
"Tch," The younger Uchiha scoffed at the name, mentally flinching. Anyone but the dobe; he wanted to beg but refused to actually do so.
Ignoring his scoff, Tsunade continued, "Uchiha Itachi, you will remain at the Konoha Strict Correctional Facility, I-"
"That won't be necessary,"
Glancing behind a few ninja, the Hokage met gazes with Hatake Kakashi, "Oh?"
The son of the White Fang stepped further into the room, "I'll watch over him. No need for drastic actions, hm?"
"Kakashi!" The blonde woman scolded, "Uchiha Itachi is an S-Ranked criminal, capable of anything! He belongs in a highly secured prison, locked behind bars until further notice!"
"Tsunade-sama," He smiled beneath his mask, "I understand this, but I have faith in his word. If he truly wants to have a home for himself, his wife and child," He winked knowingly at Koneko- who averted her gaze from embarrassment, "then I'm sure he'll cooperate."
Itachi bowed his head, "I'm grateful, Kakashi-san. Truly."
"And?" Tsunade folded her arms beneath her chest, "What of Koneko? They can't stay with one another, perchance they are plotting something."
Kakashi stuffed a hand into his pocket, "She can stay with Sakura. Should Koneko encounter any pregnancy ailments, Sakura will be able to aid her when need be."
Pursing her lips in thought, the Hokage reluctantly complied, "Alright, fine. Shizune, notify Naruto and Sakura of the situation. And you two," She glared thickly at the two Uchiha brothers, "don't do anything you'll soon regret. If you want to live in this village, I suggest you adopt the role of peaceful citizens."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Itachi immediately agreed. When not hearing Sasuke comply, he peered at his younger brother.
Sasuke felt a dangerous vibe come from his brother's gaze and hastily said, "Er, right. Yes, Hokage-sama."
.
"I can't believe you finally returned, Sasuke!" The blonde boy exclaimed as he merrily slapped Sasuke on the back, which sent the raven boy's torso launching forward, winded by impact.
Straightening, the young Uchiha sneered, "I'm not doing this for me. If I had it my way-"
"Oh, whatever, Sasuke-chan! I'm just glad you're back!" Naruto tackled his best friend into a tight embrace.
Sasuke grumbled annoyed, "Don't call me that, idiot."
"It's just like old times with you two." Kakashi smiled, elated with his reunited students. Even the newest addition, Sai, was attempting to make acquaintances with the young Uchiha; who felt smug and superior around the painter.
Itachi couldn't help but feel happy for his little brother. Even after all this time, he still had people to come back to. Friendship at its finest.
Absentmindedly, Koneko glanced at Sakura, who seemed desolate and reserved, but glad at the Uchiha boy's return to the village.
The pinkette realized that the pregnant woman was eying her with a sympathetic smile. Koneko motioned her head towards Sasuke, encouraging the young medical nin to speak to him. Sakura sent her a cautious glance before returning her gaze to Sasuke.
"...Sasuke-kun," She whispered, a hint of pink against her cheeks.
Naruto moved aside for the pink haired kunoichi to step toward the Uchiha. Her head slowly rose as she stared straight into his onyx hues, "... I'm.." She swallowed tensely as she embraced him, "I'm glad you're home.."
With slight reluctance, Sasuke slowly enveloped his arms around her waist as the slightest hint of color touched his face, "Hn."
Sakura smiled ecstatically as she buried her head into his chest while Naruto grinned merrily at his friends. Sai looked on curiously, wondering if this is what Sakura had meant by her friendship with the Uchiha shinobi.
"I think that we can expect a newborn from the youngest Uchiha some time in the near future." Koneko smiled at the two before gazing at her husband as she lovingly fondled with his tied charcoal hair. At this, Itachi smirked before nuzzling his nose into her neck and kissing the skin there, "Hopefully.."
"Hey, um. Itachi,"
Removing himself from his wife, Itachi met gazes with Naruto, "Hm?"
Awkwardly, the blonde boy questioned, "You aren't still targeting me anymore, are you?"
"No, Naruto-san. I was only assigned to capture you on Akatsuki's order." He said calmly, "You are a citizen of Konoha, and I would never do such thing as harm a part of the village. There's a reason my partner and I did not capture you the first time."
Naruto seemed relieved, but his face dropped, "Y-You mean you could've captured me, but you just didn't want to?"
"In a sense, yes." Itachi concluded, "If I had the intention of doing so, you wouldn't be here currently."
The Uzumaki boy's eyes bulged and he felt a trickle of sweat drip down his temple, "O-Oh okay."
He smiled reassuringly, "Not to worry. Infact, I hope that in time we will become close allies."
Raising a positive fist, Naruto grinned happily, "Yeah!"
"You're making a mistake by saying that, Niisan." Sasuke severely warned him.
Itachi chuckled while ruffling his youngest brother's hair, "Nonsense, little brother."
It's a wonder, Kakashi mused as he watched the two brothers converse on easy, good terms, how they can come so close after all that has happened between them. Sibling love is an amazing thing.
His eyes fell on the expectant Koneko, who laughed quietly at the two Uchiha, and it's fascinating that Itachi would find a wife and wish for a peaceful life with a child. He's changed so dramatically, it's surreal.
Observing the way that the wedded couple gazed, kissed and held one another, the son of the white fang was sure that the eldest Uchiha was true to his word on the happenings of the clan's massacre, and the jonin came to face he would do what he could to help the fellow shinobi earn his place to live in the village.
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