Disclaimer: I do not own these characters they belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Masashi Kishimoto.
"Did you hear that the Uchiha brat is missing?"
Sasuke was close enough to the Konoha gates to listen in on the chunin's converstion.
"Missing? Where did you hear that?" Another asked. Sasuke settled into a nearby tree, intent to listen in for a moment.
"You know the girl I'm seeing?" Something was mumbled too low for Sasuke to hear. Ruckus laughter followed for a moment. Sasuke frowned, appalled.
"Yeah, her. Anyway, she was in the Elder's Council room when they were ranting about it. They were making quite a fucking scene, from what I got."
Sasuke held back an undignified snort. Those damn elders needed to stay out of his business.
"Why hasn't the Hokage done anything yet? What if he's gone rogue?" the second one raved, enraged.
Sasuke sneered and jumped down from the tree in a flash. He grabbed the second one by the leg, tugged him backward, and sent him sprawling to the ground.
The first, startled, rushed to grab a kunai. Sasuke snatched him around the neck and forced him to his knees.
He threateningly placed his sharp back against the others bare throat and pressed down slightly, just enough to draw a thin line of blood.
"Perhaps because he isn't actually missing? Or rogue for that matter?" He whispered, his voiced edged with anger.
The two must have sensed the anger in his voice because they tensed immediately.
"I'm going to say this once, and only once: If you ever, ever, want to walk again, you will be silent. You will never spread rumors like that again, understand?" Sasuke snarled, his sharingan flaring to life.
The second one nodded furiously, but the first, the one he had pinned, struggled in defiance. "It's not a rumor! You've been missing for nearly a week and probably a damned traitor too!"
Sasuke pressed down harder with his katana.
The chunin stilled and gasped for breath. He gurgled, the blood flooding his trachea, and his struggles weakened.
Sasuke released him and snapped, "You! Take him to the hospital!"
The brown haired chunin scambled to his feet and rushed to the aid of his friend.
Sasuke turned and stomped away. He could hear as the chunin whispered reassuring word to the other as he carefully carried him on his back.
-scene change—
At the Hokage tower, Tsunade was in a heated argument with the Konoha Council over the whereabouts of Uchiha Sasuke.
"He is an Uchiha! Our last Uchiha! Where is he, Tsunade?" Homura yelled.
"He is perfectly capable of taking care of himself, you know." Tsunade massaged the bridge between her nose and eyes, frustrated. Where was Sasuke anyway? He should have been back in the early morning.
"He has been gone for days, Tsunade! And you've given us very little information!" Koharu complained. They were the Konoha Council; they should be informed of one of their most valuable shinobi's location.
"If it were anyone else, you would not be as involved." The blonde sneered at the two old coots, outraged at their nativity.
Koharu reared back, insulted, and Homura opened his mouth to defend his former teammate. Just then, the door of the council room opened, revealing the missing Uchiha.
"It's about time you brat!" Tsunade yelled, facing him. Sasuke blinked and looked around the room. "What took you so damn long?"
"I believe I was granted a six day leave, Lady Hokage, which means I do not actually return to active duty until tomorrow." He answered, his voice carefully impassive.
Tsunade huffed, "Yes, so you were, Uchiha. I assume you took care of the matters for your leave?"
"But of course, Lady Hokage." He lied smoothly, "But if I may request an audience with you alone, Hokage-sama?"
The blonde Hokage eyed him warily and replied "Ye-"
"Hold on just a moment!" Homura boomed. "Uchiha Sasuke, unless this is a matter of secrecy for a mission, I believe you can speak in front of us. After all, Lady Tsunade is a very busy woman." He smirked, satisfied with himself.
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he raged beneath the surface. How dare that damn old man! "Very well, Elder-san." He turned to face the Hokage, who had taken a seat behind her desk, an outraged, dissatisfied look on her face.
"Lady Hokage, I would like to resign from my position as a ninja of Konoha under the obligation clause."