This is in Mika POV.

Chapter 4
Live or Die

There's still tomorrow.

The next morning Mika showered, dressed, and headed for the Hokage's office.

As she walked out of the door to the hall she saw the ANBU were gone.

*They already toke Sasuke. They aren't wasting time. Dammit.*She made haste to summon Tsukune.

"Go sniff out Sasuke then tell me where he is, okay." She said as they walked down to the entrance doors to the apartment.

The huge wolf barked happily. Tilted her head up and sniffed a few times. Then Tsukune toke off.

*Good girl.*

Mika dashed to the Hokage's building, ran up the stairs to the floor of the office, where she slammed into Minato.

"Ow. What the he-ll. Oh, sorry Minato-sensei." Mika said when she realized who it was.

"Don't worry. Where are you headed?" She asked when she got her balance.

"I'm headed to Lady Tsunade's office."

"She isn't there. Here, come with me." Minato put her arm around Mika's shoulder.

They were headed for the roof. *Why?*

When Mika saw the scene on the roof she realized she was just in time.

Lady Tsunade, Shizune, Sakura, Naruto, Kakashi-sensei, and Sasuke were there. Every one was standing side to side with each other just behind Lady Tsunade and Shizune. There were four ANBU ninja behind Sasuke, who was in front of The Fifth Hokage on his knees. His arms were chained behind his back. He was just staring at the ground.

Mika saw Tsukune sitting next to Sakura.

*Well, she did find him.*

"Mika." first Sakura said it, then Naruto, next was Lady Tsunade.

"Mika-sama." Neji said bowing slightly.

"Mika!" Sasuke was shocked to see her here for this.

"Mika, please stand over there." Lady Tsunade said pointing to were Tsukune was sitting.

Minato guided Mika. She couldn't even look at Sasuke, sitting in that position, it hurt too much.

*Please, please. Let him live I can't live with him gone. If he doesn't exist why should I?*

Lady Tsunade stepped forward. "NOW THE TIME HAS COME!" she announced when she got to the edge of the roof.

Mika hadn't noticed the crowd gathering below.

"The Council was decided with much debate that the life of Sasuke Uchiha should be put to a village vote." She announced.

Mika couldn't believe that was the decision.

"Now decide what to do with Sasuke Uchiha. You have an hour." Lady Tsunade turned around smiled at Mika. Then she said, "except for the people standing here." She said looking at the line of people. She put her hand on Sasuke's head. 'Don't worry.' She mouthed when he looked up.

*That's not good enough.*

"Lady Tsunade, please, can I say something to the crowd before they decide?" Mika asked.

Tsunade saw the plead in her eyes.

"Fine, but make it quick."

"Thank you Milady."

Mika walked up and toke Lady Tsunade's place.

"People of the Hidden Leaf Village. I have some words that I hope you'll take into consideration." She toke a deep breath.

"Sasuke Uchiha is known today as a traitor for his abandonment of our village, yes. But most of you knew him before that time, am I right? I'm here to tell you that the Sasuke you see before you isn't that much different. Sure he's more powerful and he was visually part of Orochimaru's group.

"Among other things, he is actually nicer than before.
Please don't vote on what you know now but what you knew then, because there is no difference between the Sasuke you liked and the Sasuke you hate. Also think of the people who will be affected by the outcome." Mika couldn't choke back the tears. She cried for everyone there who wanted to, but couldn't.

The crowd fell silent. They were shocked by her words and her tears, but mostly her tears. The girl who never cried was looking like a waterfall in front of everyone.

"Thank you for hearing me out."

Minato came up behind her and guided her back to her place next to Sakura.

'I - I hope they – heard me.' Mika whimpered behind sniffs.

'I'm sure they did. I'm sure they did.' Minato said giving her a hug.

Minato was like a mother to Mika. If Mika needed it she would be there for her. Even she knew at that point Sasuke wished he could comfort her right now.

It felt like forever, but the hour was up.

"Now the vote is in."

*Please, God, please he needs to live.*

Mika had her head buried in Minato's shoulder. Sakura was holding onto Naruto. Naruto tried to comfort Sakura and not to cry at the same time. Kakashi was quiet as usual, but you could tell he was somewhat sad. Shizune couldn't look.

An ANBU named Rin held a sword out in case the verdict was to kill Sasuke. Sasuke was fully prepared to die but he hoped that Mika could, would, and should find happiness when he was gone he wished he could tell her that.

"In the case of Sasuke Uchiha, he will …."

It was taking to long.

*Say it already, come on.*

"LIVE."

Mika was shocked her head jutted up so fast she almost toke Minato out.

*Sasuke lives.*

Sakura's eyes widened. Naruto sniffed once then jumped up and down, making Sakura do the same. Tsukune jumped up and down mimicking Naruto and Sakura.

The ANBU ninja put his sword back in it's sheathe.

They unchained Sasuke's arms.

He stood up; just as he got his balance he was almost knocked back down by Mika.

With her arms around his neck, she crushed him in a hug.

"You're still alive." She said letting go. "For a second I thought I fell asleep and was dreaming."

"No, I'm still alive, and I'm here to stay." Sasuke said taking her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers.

The whole crowd saw this.

"Well that's it. Sasuke in return for letting you live. The village wants you to do community service for two months. Other than that you're a somewhat free man." Lady Tsunade interrupted.

"I understand, Milady. Thank you for your help. Can I go home without an escort?" Sasuke asked looking over his shoulder at the ANBU.

"Yes, yes you can, and you're welcome. Come on, Shizune."

"Yes Lady Tsunade."

They turned and walked down the stairs with ANBU close behind.

"This is great Sasuke." Sakura said walking up to them, with Naruto and Kakashi-sensei close behind.

"Yeah, awesome." Naruto exclaimed.

"I'm proud of you Mika, holding your own like that." Minato said shortly after they all started heading home.

"Thank you, Minato-sensei." Mika said with a smile.

Mika and Sasuke were holding hands on the walk home. Minato was following just to talk to Mika.

After they got to the apartment Minato walked on taking Tsukune with her.

At the doors to their rooms Mika asked Sasuke if she could spend the night. He wasn't about to refuse.

They didn't do much. A few kisses and they fell asleep in each others arms.

This is nice. I don't want this to end. (That's in Mika and Sasuke POV.)