Chapter 2
*1 week later*
Sakura Haruno
"Today's the day."
Sakura has just finished getting dressed after her morning shower and the only thing on her mind is Sasuke's trial. She honestly doesn't know how to feel about all this. It feels as if it was yesterday that they were fighting Madara in the war, but at the same time it feels like it was so long ago. It's been a month since she last saw him. She's nervous for him. Even though she doesn't love him like she did before. Everything Sakura went through made Sakura realize that Sasuke will never love her and that she is only hurting herself in keeping those feeling for him. Sakura is happy that he is back. Just because she stopped loving him doesn't mean she doesn't care about him.
Sakura was one of the few shinobi who knew the truth behind the Uchiha massacre. When Tsunade called her, Naruto, and Kakashi into her office the first week after the war it was the last thing she expected to hear coming out of her shishou's mouth. She remembered how Naruto had a serious face on. She had expected him to go crazy when he heard the news. She most definitely had. Sakura had broke down crying. It started off as just a few tears streaming down her face as Tsunade told them of what she had discovered. When the blonde women was done speaking Sakura couldn't take it anymore. Her knees gave out and she fell to the floor crying. Crying for the boy who lost it all. And, for the boy who gave it all up. She wasn't sure which was worse. Sasuke's fate, or Itachi's. But she knew then and there that everything Sasuke did was a product of those terrible events.
*FLASHBACK*
(3 Weeks Ago)
Sakura looked up at Naruto's solemn expression from where she had just broke down crying on the floor. His reaction to her Shishou's news was not at all what she expected. He was looking straight passed Tsunade out the window. As if looking at everything and nothing at the same time. His fists were clenched at his sides and she could tell that hard he was clenching them because of how white his usually tanned knuckles were.
After a moment more of silence Naruto crouched down to her level and ubruptly took her in his arms. Enveloping her in a warm, tender hug.
"I'm sorry you had to hear about this Sakura."
Sakura pulled back a little so that she could see his face but remain in his arms.
"Y-You knew?" she asked. looking straight into his bright blue eyes.
"Yes. Kakashi and I were told by obito the first time we ran into him." This prompted Kakashi to speak up.
"When Obito gave us this information, we weren't sure if it could be trusted. So, I decided we should keep it to ourselves until we could get more information." Sakura was now looking up at Kakashi in shock.
*Well, that explains why I'm the only one who had some kind of reaction to the news.*
*END FLASHBACK*
Everytime Sakura thought about it now she could still feel a slight tug at her heart.
She gave her self a once over in the mirror and just before heading out took a quick glance of the original team 7 photo.
On her way out Sakura couldn't help but wonder if it was ever going to be like that again.
Sasuke Uchiha
Everyone was there. Team 7, the rookies from the academy (who didn't look anywhere close to being rookies anymore), and every villager in Konoha.
Sasuke looked around and noticed his former teammates and sensei were in the very front of the crowd. They stood proud in the mass of confusion that he could see behind them.
He could also see the hope in their eyes. Was that hope for him? Sasuke knew that his teammates had forgiven him for his actions. He was grateful for it even though he would never admit it. He still had trouble accepting that would just forgive everything he did to them. But, that only helped to confirm that he was doing the right thing.
He looked to Naruto who gave him a thumbs up along with his exaggerated good guy pose.
*Some things never change.* Sasuke thought as he directed his attention to Kakashi who was standing to Naruto's right holding a familiar looking orange book.
As if he could feel sasuke watching him Kakashi looked up from his book to give Sasuke his trademark eye crinkle that signified a smirk was hidden underneath his mask.
Sasuke then veered his attention to the pink-haired woman on Naruto's Left.
His dark onyx eyes met her bright turquoise ones and for an instant he almost gasped at what he saw. But, being who he is, Sasuke kept his shock to himself.
Sasuke was witness to some of the change in Sakura during the war. He was surprised by how strong she had gotten. But what he saw now was so much more than just strength. There was a confindence in Sakura's eyes. A fire that burned with the intesity of the sun. But, there was also something missing. And as Sasuke realized what it was that was missing, he also realized that Sakura hadn't just gotten stronger physically, but emotionally as well. He saw that the look of awe and adoration that she used to gaze at him with was gone.
It was a wierd feeling. He wasn't really sure how he felt about it. But, as the Hokage came into view from his peripheral, Sasuke put it to the back of his mind and focused on the matter at hand.
Sasuke Uchiha
*2 Weeks Later*
The raven-haired boy was on his way to his bi-weekly meeting with the Hokage.
During the trial it was established that Sasuke would be on probation for 2 years. During this time he would not be able to go on missions. He would do volunteer work for local shops in the village to earn back the trust of the villagers before he could earn the trust of his fellow shinobi. Every 2 weeks he would meet with the Hokag to talk about his work for the next 2 weeks and to follow up on his progress. After the 2 years were up, Sasuke would start off as a Genin. Performing only D-rank missions. His teamwork and ability to co-operate with others would depend how fast he moved up in the ranks.
As annoying as it would be for him, Sasuke was suprisingly okay about his punishment. Things could have been alot worse. Like he could have been stripped of his Shinobi title for the rest of his life. Never to be a ninja again.
So, all in all, it wasn't too bad. Especially since the village had taken the news about Itachi so well. They had been very disbelieving at first, but once the news settled and it was established as truth, the common people of Konoha proved just how understanding they could be.
Although, much to Sasuke's annoyance, now whenever they looked at him it was with pity. He couldn't complain though, it was much better than the glares he recieved upon entering entering the village.
*knock knock*
He heard a muffled "Come in" come from the other side of the door and promptly let himself in.
"Hoakge-sama" Sasuke greeted as he bowed to the women at the desk.
"Ah, there you are Uchiha." Tsunade looked up from the papers on her desk to greet the boy.
"I have your first assignment all set. Here you go. You start tomorrow." She handed him a scroll for him to look at and leaned back on her chair as she waited for him to inspect it.
Sasuke opened up the scroll and almost let out an audible groan. Almost.
Instead he bowed to the Hokage once more muttering a thank you before departing.
"Damn it!" Sasuke growled as he walked out of the building.
Of all the places the Hokage could have sent him she just had to start him off there.
Oh well, nothing to do now but suck it up.
"SASUKE!" Sasuke turned as a familiar blonde ninja in an orange jumpsuit ran up to him.
"Hey Teme!" Naruto greeted as he caught up with the stoic Uchiha.
"Hey Dobe." Sasuke muttered in responce. He wasn't even going to acknowledge the blonde's nickname for him.
"So, Sasuke how's it going? I haven't seen you since we all had dinner together the night after the trial." Naruto chatted.
"Hn." Sasuke considered leaving his response at that before the guilt set in and he continued.
"I've been ok. Tsunade-sama just gave me my first volunteer assignment." Sasuke scowled remembering what was on the scroll.
Naruto noticed his expression darken and laughed.
"What's she making you do, Teme, clean up dog shit for the next 2 weeks?" Naruto asked making a joke out of Sasuke's situation.
"Tch. I honestly wish that was what she assigned me. Wouldn't be so annoying." At this sasuke handed Naruto the scroll and said:
"See for yourself, Dobe."
Naruto grabbed the scroll and opended it to reveal its contents.
Two seconds later he busts out laughing.
"Good luck with that one, Teme." Naruto said after he calmed down, handing the scroll back to Sasuke.
"You wanna go get some Ichiraku for lunch?" Naruto asks as they stroll down a busy street in Konoha.
"Hn. Sure."
A/N: Sorry for the weird ending but I want the next chapter to start off with Sasuke's volunteer work.
Can anyone guess where he got sent? (Not the hospital)
Anyway, next chapter will be up soon. I'm not really sure how many chapters I'll be putting in this story yet. I'm kinda just making things up as I go. But, I do know this is not going to be less than 10 chapters.
Please review ! ;]