FORGIVE ME. After stressing for exams, and then stressing to make sure I passed all of my classes,
and the beginning of the new semester, I was swamped. Now that new classes are starting, I should have
a bit more time to update, but there's only one chapter left of this story. :) Thank you everyone who's
stayed with it for this long; you're the best.
I've also posted a new story called Inertia. Its a Paranormal Activity fic, so check that out. :)
"..Are you ready?"
He smiled as she prepared the proper medical equipment to accomplish the tedious task, "As ready as I'll ever be, kitten."
Thankfully, Sakura had reserved an operation table at Konoha Hospital for the procedure, and had come with the brunette to the apothecary shop to help gather what was needed to heal the bruised, blind eyes of the oldest Uchiha brother.
Koneko smiled as she soothingly brushed back the inky bangs that framed his face while he was placed under gas. His eyes shut slowly as the anesthesia in the breathing tube made its affects on him.
Once the alabaster woman was sure that her husband was in a deep sleep, she swiveled to see Sakura as she prepared the appropriate tools required for the procedure, "Thank you again for being my assistant for the surgery." Koneko commented appreciatively, "Though, I am a little nervous that I'm performing on my own husband.."
"Oh nonsense, Koneko-san!" Sakura smiled as she waved a hand dismissive hand, "You'll do absolutely fine, and I'm here to help you should you need it."
The brunette was thankful to have the young kunoichi there with her. The procedure would take an hour or more without her than it would with, and Koneko figured that the sooner the operation was complete, the sooner that Itachi could heal and be able to redeem himself in the village.
In approximately two days, a meeting would be held with the elders of the leaf village and it was required that Itachi attended. Neither he nor Koneko knew why the two advisors wished to speak with him, but it seemed rather urgent, according to Kakashi.
Pulling on the latex gloves, "Let's begin,"
.
"How do you feel, brother?" Sasuke questioned as he casually leaned against a wall inside Kakashi's house.
Currently seated on the sofa, the older sibling's lip quirked, "I can feel the strength returning to my eyes; my light is gradually being restored."
"Good to hear." Kakashi commented, his visible eye creasing happily, "I have a slight suspicion that the elders may be more forgiving if you have your eyesight once again. With the power of your eyes, the village can accomplish many great things that we haven't been able to since you left. Same for you, Sasuke; It's clear that you have learned new things with your eyesight as well."
The young Uchiha simply smirked as he adjusted his position against the wall, "Hn.."
.
The two advisors of the leaf eyed the confident figure of the recently healed Uchiha Itachi as he stood before them and patiently awaited their assessment. With the medication prescribed by his ivory skinned beloved, his bruised ribs and organs healed miraculously well. In all honesty, Itachi hadn't feel so rejuvenated in years. Thinking back, the last time he felt so healthy was when he was thirteen, still residing in Konoha.
"I see your eyes have been mended." Homura stated, folding his hands on the table before him. Clearly, the two councilors were still displeased with the eldest Uchiha brother's appearance in the village, but with a bit of persuasion from the Godaime, Kakashi and Nara Shikamaru's father, Shikaku; the two veterans were having second thoughts about disposing the remaining Uchiha.
Koharu sipped from the tea that had been sitting to cool down, "We have decided that your wife will not be assassinated for willingly interacting with a league of S-Ranked criminals."
At hearing this, the black-clad shinobi nearly fell to his knees in relief. His thoughts had been pressed recently on Koneko's fate, and to hear that she would be spared for identifying herself with him was a sheer blessing. Perchance if the elders decide that he was to be punished by execution, Itachi would be at peace to know that his wife and child were safe.
Bowing slightly, he appreciated their leniency, "Thank you."
"As for you and your younger brother, we cannot say the same."
Itachi rose his head in question, a charcoal brow quirking. Leaning back into his seat, Homura provided, "You both will be sentenced to death for your crimes against the shinobi world. Your punishment will be in three days time. I assur-"
"Pardon me, but Itachi has proven himself innocent. I've done a fair amount of research with Tsunade-sama and we have come across document written by the third which declared Itachi's orders." Kakashi said coolly as he stood in the corner of the room, the recognizable book in his hand.
Tsunade and Shizune swiveled their heads toward him. The blonde woman scowled slightly, having not sensed the jounin enter.
From his words, the two councilors were silent in their contemplation. While they did this, the son of the White Fang glanced at the Uchiha in the center of the room.
His eyes were downcast at the death sentence to Sasuke and himself. He had only wished that he could have somehow prevented his dearest little brother from joining the ranks of Orochimaru to prevent this. Perhaps if the youngest Uchiha had stayed in Konoha, he would've been spared? It didn't matter now; they were both facing inevitable death now.
"Uchiha Itachi." The elderly woman spoke after assessing the document that was placed on the table, "The citizens of Konoha have weighed in your favor. Furthermore, this archive clearly states your innocence in the Uchiha massacre. As a result, your death sentence will be terminated."
His head lowered in gratitude, "Thank you."
Homura began, "As for Sasuke-"
"Before you begin, council members; I've brought a very persuasive person with me." Kakashi smiled beneath the cloth mask as he reached for the door knob, only for the door to slam open and an in stomped an aggravated blonde.
"I won't let anythinghappen to Sasuke, and there isn't a thing you old fogies can do to stop me!" The Uzumaki teen's lips curled into a wide grin as he punched his fist into his open palm.
.
"You threatened the village elders? Naruto, how could you!" Sakura whacked him over the head before crossing her arms. True, Naruto probably shouldn't have gone to such measures, but she was glad he was able to convince them. After all, If he hadn't… Sasuke may not have been with them- but locked up in the prison until the execution.
Both Itachi and Koneko were immensely relieved as well. Without the raven and all of his stoic qualities, life would be dismal and painful. The brunette woman smiled inwardly at the suspicion that the baby and Sasuke would be absolutely inseparable once it was born.
Grumbling as he caressed his aching head, he responded, "I had to, Sakura-chan! We all know Sasuke can't fight his own battles, so I did for him!"
The Uchiha's eyes narrowed dangerously; his fist bawling, "You said something, dropout?"
"Yeah prick, I said you can't stick up for yourself." Naruto bit out as he threateningly stepped closer to him. Seeing this, the white-haired jounin pried the two away from one another to prevent another skirmish.
Kakashi sighed, keeping them both at an arms distance, "We have something more important to do right now,"
The pinkette blinked, genuinely surprised, "What is it, sensei?"
An imaginary light-bulb went off in Naruto's head, "Oh yeah! Come on, teme. You too Koneko-chan, Itachi-san!" He began to drag Sasuke down the street, much to the navy-haired teen's displeasure.
Sakura finally realized what the team was speaking of and she smiled brightly at the couple, giggling to herself, "Oh, I know you both will love it!" She then ran up ahead to catch up with her comrades.
Itachi peered at Kakashi curiously, "What is it?"
The man's visible eye creased as he gestured a thumb down the street where the other three were, "Shall we?"
Upon meeting with the three adolescents, the ex ANBU captain realized where they were and his eyes scanned the area thoroughly, "This is were the Uchiha district was once located.."
They continued further down the dirt road before finding themselves in front of two large homes with traditional architecture. A few villagers were currently building an equally sized home beside the fully built one on the right.
Grinning wildly, the Kyuubi boy extended his arms out, "Surprise!"
"Oh my.." Koneko murmured as they entered the newly established Uchiha district. On her side, Itachi was breathless as he observed the two recently furbished homes; they were identical to his childhood home in every way.
Stuffing his hands into his pant pockets, the jounin provided, "A group of the villagers decided to rebuild the Uchiha compound once catching word that you three.. Ah," He corrected himself, scratching his covered cheek in thought of the baby, "four would be residing in Konoha permanently. "
"Isn't it wonderful?" Sakura hugged the expecting brunette carefully, "Now you'll have proper homes to commemorate your citizenship!"
The ever thankful Koneko returned her embrace, "Yes, thank you all so much.."
"Yeah! Now you can get outta my house, Sasuke!" The blonde exclaimed as he slapped the Uchiha on the back, "Good times have to end eventually, you know."
He grimaced and shrugged the fox off, "Good times? You're just as stupid as ever; I hated staying with you."
"Sasuke, you should be thanking Naruto-san for his hospitality." Itachi chided the young raven who groaned.
Defeated, "Right niisan…"
NEXT CHAPTER: BABY TIME. :)
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