Tsunade looked down at the boy that stood in the center of the council chamber.
He stood, there looking up at her, dressed in his New Organization cloak.
She slowly replayed the story of Riku in her mind. A boy, a life-long friend, is fooled by the Darkness' false power. He followed the power, using it for a noble reason. The Darkness consumed him. He lost his body to the Darkness. He woke up in the middle of Darkness and light. He tried to run from the Darkness, but it followed him, so he became the power of Twilight.
History repeats itself.
Now Sasuke stood in the middle of the chamber, surrounded by glares from the clan heads. He was the new Riku.
"We should execute him!" One of the members said. It was Tsume Inuzuka. "His treachery nearly killed our kids! If it weren't for Naruto's healing abilities, then they would be dead!"
Danzou, an old war hawk who lost most of his limbs in some old fights, spoke up. "Execution is a little extreme, Inuzuka-sama, we would, after all, lose the Sharingan, perhaps we could keep him as a ninja, but under my watch."
"No, Danzou, he must pay for his betrayal, he must at least lose his shinobi status." Shika Nara said.
Sasuke kept looking at the Hokage, and the Hokage kept looking down at Sasuke.
The voices around them kept arguing, debating which punishment would be best. Danzou pushed for Sasuke to be put under him, Shika for firing Sasuke, Tsume for execution.
The Hokage and Sasuke ignored the voices.
Until one voice cut through them all like a knife. "I call for full pardon!"
Everyone, even the Hokage and Sasuke looked in the direction the voice originated from. It came from a man who sat in a seat that had been unoccupied for more than sixteen years. It was the Namikaze seat, and Naruto sat it in, smiling.
The whole room was in silence. Until Danzou stood up. "What are you doing here, de- I mean, boy? This is a council chamber, unless you are a clan head, you have to stay out."
"Well, I think I'll let our Hokage here clear things up, and then I'll get to my explanation." Naruto said.
Tsunade sighed. "Naruto is the son of Minato Namikaze, the fourth Hokage, and thereby, it's his duty to perform as clan head. Now as to why you say a full pardon, you better have some good reasons for it."
"I always do, Baa-chan." Naruto said, some of the council members gasped at the nickname. "Ladies and Gentlemen, and Danzou." Naruto said, catching their attention, and getting Danzou mad, "I ask for Sasuke's pardon for four major reasons. One. If Sasuke was as treacherous as some of you claimed him to be, then he wouldn't be standing here in front of us today.
"Two. I am his friend; his greatest betrayal was against me, if I could forgive him, then why can't you?
"Third. He wasn't in his right mind, according to my sources, the cursed seal slowly begins to lock away your conscious the more you use it, it also gives you an unquenchable thirst for power that makes you want to do anything you can to get stronger.
"And fourth. His betrayal is really my fault."
Suddenly the council chamber exploded in confusion, even Sasuke and Tsunade looked at him with wide eyes.
"I had," Naruto continued, the council quieting, "In my power, the ability to remove the seal. But I left it alone because I wanted to see Sasuke do his best to train. So I let it be. Then came the Invasion, and as most of you know, I fell into a depression when Sandaime died. It was so deep I almost forgot my teammates. Then I was called on a mission to retrieve Tsunade, and by that time, it was too late. Sasuke's seal made him crave the power Orochimaru was offering, and he took it." Naruto looked up at the council, "So if anyone deserves punishment this day, it is me."
The council got quiet. Tsume looked at the boy, the boy who had saved her son, and wondered what kind of a man he would grow up to be.
Shika only looked at the boy and smiled, he was a great diplomat.
Danzou glared at the demon, hoping that one day, he could have his head on a pike.
Tsunade looked impressed at both the boy's maturity and loyalty to his friends.
Sasuke almost looked like he was going to cry.
"And so," Naruto said, stepping down to the middle of the chamber, and standing next to his friend. "I ask, Konoha, Sasuke, to forgive me for my foolishness and do not hold my sin against Sasuke."
Everyone was quiet.
Until Danzou broke the silence. "It was however, Sasuke's choice whether or not to leave the village, and for his choice he must be punished. Tutelage under me would be satisfactory, I think."
Sasuke finally spoke, "I don't think that's a good idea," He said, as he began to walk towards Danzou's chair, "I've never been good with tutors. In fact, I killed my last one." He said as he got closer to Danzou. "Of course, he was a traitor, murderer, and was about as human as a rock. But he taught me several very important things, like who his contacts were."
At the word 'contacts' Danzou's one eye went wide, but he quickly returned it to normal, trying to hide the reaction.
Tsuande stood up. "Sasuke, are you accusing Danzou of treachery?"
Sasuke turned to face her. "No, of course not, I just find it weird that ever since we have known about the Sound, Danzou has not once called for an attack on Sound." Sasuke could see the statement sink in before he continued. "I also find it strange that the Sound Four, the ninjas who were sent after me, got into Konoha so easily, almost like someone form the inside had told them when to do it to avoid being spotted. Or like, how the Ne ANBU was supposed to disband by order of Sandaime, but if you dig straight down for about a mile, you'll come to this giant head quarters of an ANBU branch."
Tsunade looked at him. "Can you prove any of this?"
"Would I be making such accusations if I didn't?" Sasuke said.
Danzou sat in his chair, frantically thinking what he should do. "They're going to find out. The Uchiha knows too much. I'm not going to get away. I don't want to die. The Uchiha will pay!" That last thought began to grow in his mind until it reverberated against the walls of his conscious.
"So you can prove to me beyond a shadow of a doubt that Danzou has broken orders from the Sandaime, lead enemy ninja safely into our village, and was Orochimaru's contact?"
"Absolutely." Sasuke said.
"BANZAI!" Danzou cried, twisting the head of his cane to reveal a secret and deadly blade. He spun quickly, bringing the blade into Sasuke's gut. The blade made contact, and blood hit the floor of the council chamber.
Sasuke looked down at the blade that was protruding from his gut. Then he looked up at Tsunade. "Is this enough proof?" He asked, pointing to the blade.
Tsunade's eyes went wide.
Naruto looked at him for a moment, before saying. "You picked the shield first, huh?"
Sasuke smiled, "Well, a smart guy told me that strength is not about how much you give out. It's about how much you take." He pulled out the blade, still smiling, and handed it back to Danzou, who was suddenly surrounded by ANBU members. "You dropped this."
Later that day, Sasuke, who received the full pardon, walked down the street accompanied by Naruto, Hinata and Haku, who didn't forget the insult war he had with the Uchiha. "So, the loser is back." He said, walking down the street.
"The only loser I remember is you, Haku." Sasuke said, walking on the other side of Naruto and Hinata.
"Sounds like you need your memory checked."
"Please, the only faulty memory here is yours."
"As if. Your problem is you hate being the worst of us all."
"No, that's not it, and I know because that's your position."
"Is that your best comeback?"
"Is that yours?"
Haku looked at him, before saying to himself. "Yeah, he's definitely an Uchiha."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, only that you can't come up with anything original and you're as annoying as heck."
"Nothing original?" Sasuke asked indignantly. "Then how about this." He began making handsigns, only to be grabbed by a giant, spectral hand. Haku was grabbed by the other one.
"Stop it! The both of you stop it!" Hinata said, yelling at the both of them, "I have had enough of this! Just stop the bickering!"
Haku looked at her. "What's got you so angry?"
Naruto knew the answer, but he didn't dare say anything. The answer was of course PMS. "Don't ask." He advised wisely.
It was dark.
He sat in the darkness, pouring over stacks and stacks of manuscripts. "Much of my life has been dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge.
That knowledge has guarded this world well. Not a soul doubts that.
I am blessed with people's smiles and respect. But though I am called a sage, there are things I do not understand.
I believe darkness sleeps in every heart, no matter how pure. Given the chance, the smallest drop can spread and swallow the heart. I have witnessed it many times.
Darkness...Darkness of the heart. How is it born?
How does it come to affect us so?
As ruler of this world, I must find the answers. I must find them before the world is lost to those taken by the darkness." He skimmed the pages, after reading the whole report for a sixth time. He finally came to the works of the real Ansem. "My efforts these many years have come to fruition, with the world I govern having become a paradise worthy of being called "Radiant Garden."
Nurtured by the pure water that is the source of life, fragrant flowers bloom in abundance, and the people face each day with hopeful smiles.
But where there is light, darkness also lurks. As noted in my earlier reports, I must solve the mystery of this "darkness of the heart." This paradise depends on it.
I shall perform an experiment to probe the depths of a person's heart. One of my own apprentices, Xehanort, has volunteered to be a subject.
The young man has served me ever since I nursed him back from death's door some years ago.
He had lost all his memories at the time, but later showed remarkable intellectual curiosity and readily absorbed my teachings, gaining deep wisdom. Any mental immaturity is surely due to his young age.
If I explore Xehanort's heart with psychological tests, I may be able to recall the past locked away within. My apprentice Even has also shown great interest in Xehanort's memories.
But is he really the right subject? Xehanort does indeed exhibit extraordinary talents...
Too extraordinary...
Perhaps they are even superhuman."
"Yes." He thought, "But how to achieve this…? How can I find Xehanort's power and use it to unlock this 'Kingdom Hearts'? How to do it without making myself a Heartless and a Nobody."
The man looked up, and caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror. Two red eyes met him.
An idea sparked.
"Hm. It has potential, but it makes me too reliable on him. But…"
Tsunade called in team seven. They stood, Sasuke looking somewhat aloof, Hinata looking a little ticked, Naruto looked like he was being overly cautious, and Haku…
Haku looked like he poked a rabid dog with a stick.
"Do I even want to know?" She asked as she pointed to the bruised ice user.
"Not really." Naruto said.
Tsunade sighed. "Well, forget about that for now. I have some very important missions for you. First, Naruto, you have a mission. I want you to continue scouting Rice Field country, if you find any Heartless, kill them. If you find anyone who is willing to change, bring them here for questioning."
"Yes ma'am." Naruto said, before teleporting off.
"Hey…" Sasuke said, "Why is Naruto getting a mission and we aren't?"
Tsunade looked at him with a playful smirk on her lips, "Because you are all still Genin."
Suddenly the three of them all made the connection. "Oh man, Chuunin exams again?"
Sasuke, Hinata and Haku all stood in the Chuunin exams room. The rest of the Genin looked extremely tense.
Team seven actually felt a little out of place here, for one very important reason.
They were the oldest participants in the room.
They were also the tallest, making this extremely awkward. It did however make some students nervous, thinking that this exam was so hard that team seven still hadn't passed.
Sasuke grumbled. "Naruto better not be having fun right now." He said.
Somewhere in Rice Field Country…
"YYYYYYAAAAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" Naruto said, ridding on Gamakichi as the toad did back flips in the air. "THIS! IS! AWESOME!"
"Why would hunting down Heartless be fun?" Hinata asked as she took her seat.
"Hn. You have a point there." Sasuke agreed, before he moved to his seat.
Haku found his seat and sat down.
"Alright Maggots! Take your seats!" Ibiki said as he stepped in. He went on to explain the test, the rules and whatnot. Hinata tuned him out, and prepared to activate her Byakugan.
Sasuke prepared the Sharingan.
Haku placed an ice mirror of the roof.
They passed with flying colors.
No surprise.
Haku practically counted down Anko's entrance to the millisecond. Much to the surprise of Sasuke and Hinata.
They followed her, bored to tears with the walk and the overall exam.
When they were finally released into the forest. Thefroze the first group they found, and checked the scroll. Much to their annoyance, it wasn't the right one. Sasuke suggested having Hinata use her Byakugan for the next group.
She said it wasn't worth the chakra.
So, they continued through thee forest, freezing teams with Blizzagas until they got their scroll. They made their way to tower, where they set up a camp. They did that all in the first day.
The next day, anyone who came close to the camp was catapulted away by Hinata's Handaga.
Sasuke spent most of day two making several Ethers for magic stock up.
The third day came and Team seven finally got in the tower. They opened the scrolls and they told the ninja that was summoned that they get the sign, been there done that, they were moving on.
The third prelims came, and Hinata, Sasuke, and Haku whipped anyone that came at them, hands down. They stood glazed over for the rest of the fights.
Finally, Tsunade came up and explained they had a month to improve and what not.
Team seven left for their respective homes, planning on goofing off for a month.
Naruto got back on day four.
"Hey, Baa-chan." He said as he entered Tsunade's office.
"Hello, Naruto. How did the mission go?" The Hokage asked as she sat at her desk.
"Rice field country is clean of Heartless. I did however, find it deserted. There was no one there for me to know whether or not they wanted a change."
"Alright. Thank you, Naruto."
"No problem Baa-chan." Naruto said as he turned to go.
Suddenly, pain flashed through his skull. It burned like an acid. It slowly began to spread down his back. It hit his stomach with a powerful punch that sent him to the ground.
"Naruto!" he heard a voice cry, but it was fading. His world went black.
He was surrounded by darkness, his one light, surrounded by darkness.
Then it happened, a man, tall with white hair and dark skin appeared. He wore a long, white coat.
An evil smile was plastered on his lips.
"Light? It will take more than light to defeat me, boy."
Naruto just stared at him. "…No…"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Then the black faded away to reveal the Hokage's office, Tsunade was leaning over him. She had a defibulator next to her and two paddles in her hand. "Clear!"
The resulting scream could be heard for several miles. "YYYYYYEEEEEEOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!"
Sasuke was walking along the merchant's street, looking for something he can use to cook dinner that night, when a loud cry echoed through the air. "Yeow!"
Sasuke looked up. "That sounded like Naruto…" he stood there for a second, before shrugging and continuing on with his shopping.
Suddenly, the scent of cherry wafted under his nose.
"Um, excuse me, sir." A voice said behind him.
He turned, and there stood a pinkette that he had not seen in years. "Sakura?"
The Haruno looked up, and her eyes widened. "Sasuke?"
They looked at each other like that for a bit, before Sasuke did something she had never seen before.
He smiled.
"Hey Sakura, how's it going?"
Double whammy. A smile, and he started the conversation.
"Uh."
"Well, see you later, Sakura!" Sasuke as he picked up his stuff. As he was leaving, he thought, "Why didn't I see she had such a great heart?"
"Are you sure you're ok?" Tsunade asked.
"Except from the burning in my chest, yeah." Naruto said as he sat down. "That and the news I just got from my subconscious."
"Are you being serious?"
"Dead serious."
"What's the problem?"
"I…well it's kind of hard to explain."
"Just tell me happened."
"I saw Xehanort."
Tsunade looked at him. "Yeah, ok, you're going to have to explain."
"Xehanort is the ultimate evil in the life of Sora. He stole Ansem's name and then allowed himself to be swallowed by the Darkness. The Darkness split Xehanort into two separate identities, a Heartless and a Nobody, Xemnas and Ansem. Both tried to bring the world into darkness by unlocking Kingdom Hearts and using its power to do so."
"So Kingdom Hearts is evil?"
"No. Kingdom Hearts is light, but the power can be used for evil. If the Hearts in Kingdom Hearts are released, they will become Heartless. But they could also be used to make Nobodies complete, which could be either good or bad, depending on the person."
"So what does seeing Xehanort have any problem with us? I mean, how will this affect us? Kingdom Hearts is in another world, right? The world Sora came from?"
"No. Kingdom Hearts is the heart of all worlds, whatever happens to Kingdom Hearts, happens to everyone, everywhere."
"Then what should we do?"
Naruto stood up, "There's only one thing we can do."
"What?"
"Wait for him to show his face, and punch his lights out." He turned and headed for the door.
"What if we fail?"
Naruto stopped. "Failure is not an option."
"So, what makes you think you can join our organization?" The man asked the three ex-sound nins in front of him.
"I am a Chakra sensor and nurse." The girl said, she had dark red hair, wore thin-rimmed glasses, and a revealing outfit, but then again, they all did.
"I have many water jutsus under my belt and I am Zabuza's apprentice." Another said. he had short hair and carried Zabuza's sword.
The other was silent. He stood like a mountain with orange hair.
"What about him?" The man asked.
"He…um…" The redhead spoke up, "he was the one Orochimaru based the cursed seal after."
"I see." The man said, as he sat on a throne. He sat in silence for a while. "Very well, you can join."
"Thank you, sir." The redhead said, bowing.
The others bowed, following her example.
"You may go." The man on the throne said.
The three left.
The man sat and thought. "Our count is now up to thirteen. How…interesting…"
Next Chapter, Sasuke and Sakura, Hinata and Naruto, and preperations for being Chuunin.