Three times when Sasuke got angry, and one time when he remained calm
A/N: Thanks for all your encouragements, reviews and recommendations. Thanks also to Kantayra for the bestest birthday story ever
Holding his breath in anticipation, Sasuke lifted the top of the box. He had waited for this moment for months. He was one year older today. He was going to receive real kunai, he was sure of it. He was old enough and—
He tried not to let his disappointment show on his face when he discovered, nestled in the cardboard box, a set of new wooden kunai, very much like the ones he had received two years earlier for his fourth birthday.
"Thank you," he said, looking in turn at his mother, then his father.
They nodded at him, smiling, unaware of how close he was to crying. At the end of the table, Itachi crossed his arms and frowned lightly.
"I'll… go train outside," Sasuke murmured. Picking up the box that suddenly seemed to weigh a ton, he stood from the breakfast table and walked out to the garden. There, he set the box on the ground and approached the tree that, just the day before, Itachi had been using as target practice. Sasuke could see the marks his kunai and shuriken had left in the bark. Without thinking, he struck the trunk with his small fist. Pain shot through his hand, but he didn't let out a sound. Pinching his lips tightly together, he struck again, hard. With each blow, his anger seemed to grow.
How did they expect him to get any better if he couldn't really train? It just wasn't fair. Itachi had told him, boasting, that he had already been using real weapons at five and a half. Sasuke had been so sure he'd get real ones for his birthday. And now—
"Silly little brother."
Grunting at the pain from his last punch, Sasuke turned on his heel to face Itachi and glared at him.
"I'm not silly!" he shouted, his fists shaking at his sides.
Itachi was smirking. "Yes, you are. You're mad because you think you didn't get what you wanted. You think beating up a tree is going to help?"
Sasuke glared harder but didn't answer, wishing with all his heart that Itachi would just go and leave him be for now. He was a little surprised when Itachi actually did turn away and walk back toward the house. He soon returned, however, Sasuke's birthday present in his hands. He handed it to Sasuke, saying, "Open it."
Automatically, Sasuke took the box, but he didn't open it. "I know what's inside," he muttered.
"Open it," Itachi repeated. "Stop being angry over nothing, and look properly this time."
Puzzled despite himself, Sasuke looked down at the box and lifted the lid. The same wooden kunai were there, but a ray of sunlight fell in, and something glinted beneath the child's weapons. His eyes widening, Sasuke reached in, pushed the fake kunai aside and found, beneath them, the gift he had been hoping for.
His anger dissipating at once, he looked up at Itachi, only to receive a light poke in the center of his forehead.
"Silly little brother," he repeated, clearly amused. "There wasn't anything to get mad about, was there?"
…
Another hotel. Another frantic description of Naruto. Another negative response.
Sasuke turned on his heel and started running again, fists clenched, heart pounding frantically in his chest.
He couldn't believe it. He couldn't fucking believe it. Itachi had been in Konoha, and it wasn't even for him. Itachi had been in Konoha, and no one would have told Sasuke if he hadn't heard about it by accident. Itachi had been in Konoha – and he had been looking for Naruto, of all people.
A little ahead of him, on the right, he noticed another hotel. He ran to it. This time, the innkeeper nodded. For a few moments, Sasuke's anger dimmed, replaced by the satisfaction of having found what Itachi wanted. Soon, he'd confront his brother, and—
But it wasn't Naruto who opened the door to him. Naruto was elsewhere. Dead, perhaps, already. Hurt. Or fighting Itachi, and maybe robbing Sasuke of his reason for living. He wasn't sure which possibility angered him most.
Nails digging into his palms until they drew blood, Sasuke only ran faster.
…
Anger burned through Sasuke's veins. He let it out in a giant ball of fire. A hundred yards away, century-old trees exploded from the intensity of the heat.
"Is that helping anything?" Juugo asked, somewhere behind him.
Sasuke didn't reply. Drawing a deep breath, he prepared to release the katon jutsu again. The forest would burn, like his mind was burning, like his heart was, like his life and everything he had ever been had been burned to ashes with just a few words from Madara.
Fire erupted again, the flames bigger, brighter than before.
"Hey, watch it. We're actually in the forest. You realize that, right?"
Still, he ignored Juugo, like he had tried to ignore Madara's words. But these words still echoed in him, fanning the flames of his anger and forcing him to release it somehow. He had kept it hidden as long as he had been able to, but in the end, he had slipped away to find a quiet place where he could let it all out. He wished now that he had stopped Juugo when the man had followed him.
Juugo's hand rested on his shoulder, barely there, yet oppressing. Sasuke shrugged, but he didn't let go.
"Juugo," he warned.
"It doesn't help, Sasuke-san," Juugo said, his voice very calm. "Anger never helps anyone, and especially people like us, who can do so much damage without even trying."
Sasuke looked back at him. Juugo didn't even flinch when confronted by Sasuke's mangekyou eyes.
"It doesn't help," Juugo said again.
Sasuke closed his eyes and lowered his head. He knew it didn't help. He'd been angry for so long, and to what result?
"Let's go back," he muttered.
Behind Sasuke, the forest kept burning; his anger, deep inside him, did the same.
…
Naruto felt very silly when the seamstress had him slip the kimono on, tied it just so for him, and had him stand with his arms raised on either side of him as she worked on the hem. When he glanced down, however, and saw the red and white fan over his heart, then when he looked at Sasuke, he decided that he could stand feeling foolish a little longer. If Sasuke kept smiling, it was worth it.
Sasuke's smile, however, had vanished long before they left the store with a promise from the seamstress that she'd send the kimonos to the district by the end of the afternoon.
"What are you frowning about, anyway?" Naruto asked him as they were strolling toward the Uchiha district.
Sasuke threw him a cool look, one eyebrow raised questioningly, though he didn't say a word.
"You were in a good mood earlier," Naruto elaborated, feeling heat take over his face as he remembered why Sasuke had been in good spirits. "And now you're all…" He shrugged. "Moody. As always."
Sasuke's look turned into a mild glare. "I am not moody. Ever."
"Right. You're just a cold bastard. Any particular reason for it now?"
Sasuke grunted. "Just thinking."
"Thinking about what?"
"About what I'll tell the clan leaders."
"Oh." Hands in his pockets, Naruto kept quiet for a few seconds to let Sasuke think - although he didn't really understand why Sasuke needed to think about it that much. Surely, he knew what he wanted to say? "So, when are you going to talk to them, anyway?"
"As soon as possible. I've got to talk to your Hokage and—"
Naruto stopped walking and waited until Sasuke has stopped as well before he looked back at him. "Why do you keep calling her my Hokage? You're in Konoha, too."
"For now, I am. That doesn't mean it's my village."
Naruto reached to Sasuke's forehead and poked it with a finger. The metal of his forehead protector clanked softly. Sasuke blinked and frowned absently, his eyes taking a faraway look.
"As long as you're wearing that," Naruto said, "Konoha is your village, and the old hag's your Hokage. Are you sending word to her? Or are we going there?"
"A note will be fine. We're almost home, anyway."
It didn't take long for Sasuke to write his message. Naruto immediately created a clone, who took off with the scroll toward the Hokage Tower. Naruto then looked at Sasuke, grinning impishly.
"So, what do you want to do now?"
Judging by Sasuke's heated look, he wanted the same thing Naruto did.
Running through Konoha toward the Hokage Tower, the clone knew that one of their ANBU guards was following him. It didn't matter; it wasn't as though he was up to any mischief. He knew, also, what the original Naruto had been thinking about when he had created him; it just wasn't fair that he was missing all the fun.
Tsunade received him a couple of minutes after the guard at her door announced his arrival. The clone strode in, his face brightening as he saw his friends standing by the desk
"Sakura-chan! Shikamaru! Still working on that plan to protect he village?"
Both Shikamaru and Tsunade rolled their eyes at him before looking at the maps on the desk again, while Sakura, standing across the desk from Shikamaru, clucked her tongue at him.
"Why don't you say it even louder, Naruto? I don't think they heard you in Suna."
Rubbing the back of his head, Naruto smiled, embarrassed. "Sorry," he said, more subdued. "Granny, I've got a message for you from Sasuke."
All eyes turned to him at that, and watched as he handed the scroll to Tsunade. She read it before looking up at Naruto. She seemed a little relieved.
"I wouldn't have believed it, but it seems like you're having a good influence on Sasuke."
Naruto grinned. "I try."
She snorted and handed the scroll to Shizune. "Send messages to the clan leaders," she instructed her. "Ask them to come here tonight at nightfall."
Shizune nodded before hurrying from the room. His mission accomplished, Naruto started saying his goodbyes, wanting to dispel and join what was going on in the apartment. Tsunade stopped him.
"Wait. Tell me something. Will Sasuke fight with us when Akatsuki comes?"
Taken aback that she would ask him, Naruto shrugged. "I really don't know. He said he would protect me, but that doesn't mean he'll fight with us. You know how Sasuke can be."
Shikamaru snorted lightly before leaning over the desk and its maps again. "Better be ready, then."
Frowning, Tsunade walked around the desk and came to stand by Naruto. She observed him for a few seconds in silence. "You will fight with us, won't you."
Although she phrased it like a question, the tone of her voice left no doubt that she trusted he would.
"Of course," Naruto replied. "I'm not stupid. They're after me, I'll do all I can to stop them."
Her eyes continued to pierce him. "And after the fight?"
Naruto shrugged uncomfortably. "I don't know. It depends on that trial."
"You'd really become an enemy of Konoha?" she challenged.
He crossed his arms and refused to back down. "I don't want to. But if that's what it takes to get justice for Sasuke's family—"
To his surprise, Sakura stepped forward, standing by her mentor in front of him, mirroring her stance. "What Sasuke-kun wants is not justice, Naruto. He never wanted justice. He told us the first day we became Team Seven." She paused, maybe waiting for Naruto to finish her thought. When he refused to, she said it, her voice shaking lightly. "He's an avenger. He wants revenge."
"And if I was in his shoes, I'd want revenge, too," Naruto said darkly.
"Would you?" Tsunade said, raising a hand to stop Naruto when he opened his mouth to answer. "No, don't answer now. Think about it, so that if you have to make that decision, it's truly yours, and not your hormones talking." Her eyes flickered to his forehead and she grimaced. "And for crying out loud, get a new forehead protector. You're not a missing-nin. At least not yet."
Without thinking, he raised a hand to touch the cool metal. "It's just a scratch," he muttered.
"I don't care. Get a new one. Especially if you plan to be at the trial tonight."
There was something in her eyes, and it took a moment for Naruto to recognize it. It had been a long time since he had seen Tsunade afraid. For a second or two, he wondered what she was afraid of, but it wasn't all that hard to figure out. She was afraid for him. She was afraid she would have to declare him an enemy of Konoha. He swallowed hard and nodded.
"I'll get a new one," he said softly, and left the office to do just that, bringing the new forehead protector back to the district before he finally dispelled.
The sun had not completely disappeared yet when Naruto and Sasuke set off for the Tower that evening, both of them wearing the kimonos embroidered with the Uchiha fan. It lit the sky in hues or red and orange that made it seem as though the village were on fire. Naruto shuddered at the thought. It couldn't possibly be a good omen.
He still felt a little silly to be dressed so formally, and he kept looking at Sasuke wistfully, wishing he could look as good as Sasuke did in those clothes. Although Sasuke without clothes was also very nice…
Even those thoughts did not distract him long, and try as he might to remain calm, as calm as Sasuke seemed to be, Naruto couldn't help the feeling of anxiousness that was tying his stomach in knots. He'd been able to keep his mind off the trial all afternoon long, too busy discovering what made Sasuke pant or moan to worry much, but now he had nothing else to think about. It wasn't so much the prospect of the trial that troubled him so. Instead, it was the thought of what would happen after the judgment was passed. The trial did not concern him directly, and yet a lot was at stake for his own future.
Tsunade had sent Shizune to wait for them at the door, and she guided them to a large room in the same corridor as the Hokage's office. The three clan leaders were already there, seated behind a long table, talking softly amongst themselves. Naruto recognized Chouji's father on the left, Shino's on the right, and Hinata's in between them, all looking grim and solemn. Tsunade sat on the left side, alone at a small table. Naruto couldn't remember when he had last seen her wear such elaborate Hokage robes – or even if he ever had.
Shizune had them sit at a table that faced the clan leaders, leaving just three empty chairs on the side of the room. The heavy doors of the room closed, and silence fell. Hyuuga Hiashi stood at the center of the long table.
"Uchiha Sasuke. We will hear your grievance now."
Naruto shifted on his chair, uncomfortable at how all eyes were suddenly directed at him and Sasuke. Sasuke stood and started talking, his voice very even and cool. Naruto tried not to fidget, which was more and more difficult as time passed and he realized that all three clan leaders kept glancing at him even as they listened to Sasuke. Partners or not, he was suddenly wondering why he had thought accompanying Sasuke was a good idea. It wasn't as though Sasuke needed help. He was already finished exposing his case, sitting down again, and judging by their expressions, the clan leaders had been shocked by his words.
Hyuuga stood again. "We will now interview the accused. Bring them in."
The doors opened, and four ANBU guards escorted the Elders and Danzou to the unoccupied tables on the side of the room. Naruto looked at Sasuke, half-expecting that he would have to restrain him from getting his revenge there and then. He was mildly surprised to discover that Sasuke remained impassive, his face expressionless and his eyes black, with no hint of sharingan. Sasuke's eyes flickered toward him, and his eyebrow raised slightly, as though in a question. Naruto gave him a tense smile, barely hearing the explanation that was given to the Elders and Danzou about why they had been brought there.
"How dare you!" Mitokado Homura cried, his voice shaking in outrage. "You have no right to question us!"
"I refuse to answer!" Utatane Koharu added, sounding just as upset. "I have worked all my life for the good of Konoha. That is all I have to say."
"Understand that we have heard grave accusations against you," Hyuuga said again. "If you do not defend yourselves, we will have no other choice but to consider your silence as an admission."
"Everything I ever did was for the good of Konoha," the woman said again, and sitting, crossed her arms as though signifying she would not say a word more.
"Danzou-sama?" the clan leader said. "Do you want to defend yourself?"
Danzou stood, his back very straight, his visible eye flashing furiously.
"This trial is ridiculous. Uchiha Sasuke is the one who should be tried for leaving Konoha against orders and working with known enemies of the village. I demand—"
"He did not work—" Naruto started protesting, but Danzou stopped him, raising his voice to cover Naruto's.
"Uzumaki Naruto. You have no status to speak here. The only reason you are in here is that Uchiha is using you to intimidate the clan leaders. If you're unable to see that, at least respect this court and remain quiet."
Livid, Naruto started rising to his feet. He had to keep a tight control on himself not to let the Kyuubi leak chakra. How did that man, that murderer, dare suggest that Naruto was letting himself be used—
"Calm down," Sasuke said softly, tugging at Naruto's sleeve until he sat down again. "He's trying to disrupt the trial, or make you disrupt it. Don't fall for his game. I called on this court first. It will have to answer my request before it moves to any other matter."
Across from them, the clan leaders nodded. "You are right, Uchiha Sasuke. And we will answer you."
Tsunade stood, and before she even said a word, all eyes turned to her. "I request that you give an answer by sunset in two days."
"Such a request is unusual," Shino's father replied, frowning.
His reaction didn't seem to touch her. "It has been done before during the war."
"But we're not at war."
"Yes, we are. We received information that an attack is imminent. The village gates are closed, and all missions are suspended. I signed the order not an hour ago."
The Elders both stood while Danzou wavered, apparently shocked speechless.
"Why weren't we consulted?" the woman shrieked.
Tsunade stared at her, her eyes cold as winter. "You asked me to be Hokage. You entrusted Konoha to me. I'm doing my work."
She bowed toward the clan leaders' table before stepping out, her step regal, without another look at the Elders or Danzou. Sasuke stood and bowed as well. Taking his cue from him, Naruto did the same, and they followed Tsunade out.
"Thank you," Sasuke called after her, surprising her and Naruto enough that they both stared at him.
"Don't thank me," Tsunade said, her features almost grim. "I didn't do it for you."
Sasuke snorted. "Fair enough. I'm not doing it for you, either."
They both looked at Naruto. He frowned at them. "What?"
Sasuke shook his head. "Nothing, dead last. Nothing."
Remembering what Sasuke had said earlier about insults – and realizing that they were as close to endearments as he was likely to get – Naruto shrugged off the cold word. "So, what now?"
It was Tsunade who answered. She looked tired suddenly, and much older. "Now we wait." Her eyes dropped to the white and red embroidery over Naruto's chest and she grimaced. "In two days, we'll know if you two will have reason to become enemies of Konoha or not."