I thank each of you who review. It really makes me smile when I read them. I hope you like the 'punishment.'

I don't own Naruto.

Enjoy!

Timeline: Continues right after the previous chapter. No time skip.

Sorry I've never mentioned this before, but if there is any confusion, '-' dashes between paragraphs indicate time skips within the same day, while 'XXXXX' indicate time skips of different periods of time.

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Defense Mechanism

Chapter Six

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"Welcome to the planet. Welcome to existence. Everyone's here. Everybody's watching

you now. Everybody waits for you now. What happens next?"

-

You don't know why this bothers you.

You should be grateful that it's Naruto deciding Sasuke's fate and not a council…but the fact that Naruto is going to decide Sasuke's punishment unnerves you more than it should.

(And you feel guilty that you're even feeling this at all, because doesn't Naruto deserve this?

Don't you deserve this?)

But maybe that's it. Maybe you feel so uncomfortable because this isn't about you. Feeling sorry for yourself makes you just as selfish as Sasuke.

So then where does this end?

There must come a point when someone stands up and says I forgive you, and mean it.

Because there's no such thing as partial forgiveness.

(And you don't know if you're at a point where you can forgive him. Because why forgive someone who shows no remorse? Is he even sorry?

Does he even care?)

Will there ever be a point when Team 7 can honestly put this behind them? Will ever be a time when you, Naruto or Kakashi can go on a mission with Sasuke and not be afraid that he's going to walk off in the middle of the night? Will you ever again be able to trust him with your life? With Naruto's life?

(…With your heart?)

You don't want to live in fear—and that's what the real problem is.

You don't trust him.

And in order to forgive, you must trust first.

(He must care because if he didn't, why come back?)

You will forgive him when he proves to you that he can pick himself up off the floor. When he proves to you that he can move on with his life. That he can let it go—

And live.

(You will forgive him in time…When he proves to you it's worth it to put your heart back on the table)

Turning on your heel, you follow Naruto through the village.

There are things you need to discuss.

-

"Have you made any decisions?" You ask when you finally catch up to Naruto at Ichiraku's.

His smile is bright. "I have ideas. But do you think I would make a decision without you, Sakura-chan?" He folds his arms behind his head and grins.

You smile and exhale.

"I have some ideas, too," you admit as you sit next to him.

His smile is replaced with a look of seriousness. "Let's hear it then," he says, and you can't remember the last time you heard Naruto sound apprehensive.

You know that he will never think anything you say is idiotic, so you tell him the truth.

"Taking away his ninja status or forbidding him to leave the village will only serve to piss him off."

Naruto nods.

"I don't know if this will work, but I want to give it a try…"

"I'm listening," Naruto says, his eyes never leaving yours.

"I want him to realize the consequences of his actions," you say, and it's the truth. You want him to realize how his selfishness affects others—but not with regards to Team 7.

You want him to recognize other people's pain.

(And maybe the something that lifted off your shoulders was the guilt. Because you feel guilty that you are still so angry and hurt. You feel guilty because there are people out there who have suffered much more immensely than you)

"I want him to, too, Sakura-chan, but how do we do that?"

An idea strikes you at that moment, and it terrifies you.

(Because you've gambled on Sasuke before…and look where it brought you)

You're going to give him one last chance. And if he doesn't come back, this time you'll know that it's time to let him go.

And even though what you're about to do is frightening, it excites you at the same time—because you're going to hand him his chance on a silver platter.

It's the only last chance he'll ever receive.

XXXXX

It's lunchtime the next day, and you are all in Tsunade's office, waiting for her to arrive. You are switching your weight from one leg to another, your hands playing nervously with the hem of your skirt. You want to see him…and at the same time you don't. The way your heart is pulling you in different directions is almost painful.

"Sakura-chan. Are you okay?" Naruto asks from somewhere in front of you.

"Stop," you whisper to yourself. Why are you being so absurd? "This is ridiculous."

"Sakura-chan, are you talking to yourself?" Naruto grins.

"Yes," you answer simply. Stop acting like a child, Sakura. Stop it.

"She got called into a meeting," Kakashi says as he steers Sasuke into the office. Sasuke's outfit is different than what you remembered, and you briefly wonder if you just didn't notice what he was wearing yesterday. His pants are black and baggy, his shirt is black as well. It looks almost robe-like, as it is almost completely open in the middle. He is also wearing long black arm-guards, which make his arms seem more defined. There are tattoos on his wrists, seals perhaps, and you figure that his captors removed his bandages. Your eyes travel from his wrists back up his arms, and your eyes immediately go to the floor, hoping the blush on your face is not visible.

You take a step back, not wanting to be close to him, because he has been in the office for thirty seconds, and the all the feelings you held for him come rushing back.

(But in reality it doesn't matter how far away you are from each other…because there is no place you can go to escape. It doesn't matter if he is one foot away or a thousand, your feelings will remain the same)

Kakashi catches your eye and nods slightly in greeting before leaning against the wall next to the window.

(And you haven't figured out whether or not Sasuke has realized that yet…)

There is a long silence, as no one really knows where to begin. After a few minutes, Kakashi clears his throat.

"Who knows when she'll be back? Might as well get started…" He comments offhandedly.

"I don't think anyone in here wants to make small talk, so I'm just going to say what needs to be said," Naruto takes the bait. "I don't trust you anymore, Sasuke," he says simply from his spot leaning against the Hokage's desk, his arms folded over his chest.

"I don't trust you with my life, and I certainly don't trust you with Sakura's."

Sasuke doesn't even blink as he stands in the middle of the room, his onyx eyes fixed on Naruto's blue ones.

"If you ever let something happen to her," he takes a step closer as his voice drops an octave, "so help me God, I will show you the true meaning of pain."

You watch Sasuke closely, wondering if he will surprise you with some sort of emotion written on his face. A part of you thinks that he will scoff at the threat that he might view as empty, and another part of you thinks that maybe he is different, and maybe he will begin to view Team 7 differently.

(And you also watch him because you want some sort of explanation for the way he looked at you the other day.

What did he want to tell you?

...Do you even want to know?)

So when Sasuke nods his head, you have to restrain your mouth from opening in shock.

(Because you know that if he does care...things are about to get more complicated)

But Naruto doesn't seem surprised that Sasuke just agreed. And instead of a smirk spreading across his face like you expect, Naruto's expression remains serious.

"Good." Naruto nods. "Then I have decided your punishment."

Sasuke's expression doesn't change, and if you were an outsider, you'd never guess he was about to learn his fate.

"I want the truth."

Your head snaps to Naruto, because what is he talking about?

Sasuke looks slightly disconcerted. "The truth?"

Naruto nods as he unfolds his arms and leans back on the Hokage's desk.

"Yes. I want your word that one day, you will give Sakura and me the truth about everything. I want you to give us 24 hours to explain every feeling, every emotion, every single thing you never told us, but wanted to."

You feel a strange sensation of wanting to cry and smile at the same time, because that is just so… Naruto.

(And it's true what they say—what you've thought all along—if there is anyone who can change him, make him see, it is that blond boy. The one with the power to change others)

You watch Sasuke and—there!

There it is. For one small moment you see some type of emotion cross Sasuke's face, and while you can't be sure what it is, you know that somewhere in there is gratitude.

"After one day, I don't really care if you go back to pretending to be the same cold-hearted bastard we all know and lo—"

"Fine." Sasuke snaps, obviously wanted to hear nothing more on the subject.

"You agree?" Naruto says, trying to mask the incredulity in his voice.

"Hn."

Naruto smiles. "Good."

"Naruto…" You say, urging him to continue, wanting to get out of this claustrophobic office as quickly as possible.

(Because you need to get out of here. You need room to breathe, room to think.

Room to figure out what they hell you're going to do if the hope you've held for him all these years has not been in vain)

Naruto sighs dramatically. "I wanted you to work in the nursing home… but Sakura-chan said that was too harsh."

You roll your eyes.

"…But so funny…" Naruto whispers, and you're not sure if you're imagining it, but there seems to be a small smirk on Sasuke's face.

"Sakura-chan thinks that you're too selfish, and she wants you to recognize the pain of others…"

Sasuke's eyes finally meet yours, and you avoid the overwhelming sensation to avert your gaze. His eyes are…not so blank and cold as you once remembered.

"And I have to say that I agree with her. That's why I want you to choose between the following…"

Naruto trails off and you figure that the silence following his sentence is because he's waiting for Sasuke to look at him…but Sasuke's gaze remains locked on yours.

"Say it," Sasuke says to you, and it is the first time his tone is not so cold…but it's still so arrogant.

"You have a choice Sasuke," it's the first time you've said his name to his face in almost three years…and yet it remains so familiar. "You can either work with me in the hospital in the ward of my choice, helping wherever you can, or…" You trail off, wondering whether he will be able to hide his emotions with your following words.

"Or you can return to Sound and clean up the mess you left behind."

You fight the smile on your lips at the look of blatant shock on his face, because it's been a long time since you've seen an emotion that wasn't apathy.

"Did you ever consider the state of the people in Sound? I know Orochimaru and Kabuto were fucked up, but what about the villagers? Did you ever wonder what would become of them once you killed their Kage?" Naruto contributes.

For the first time in several minutes, Sasuke looks back at Naruto.

"They are better off without him." This time, there is anger in his tone.

"No one's saying you should have let him live, but that still doesn't negate the fact that they are leaderless," you say, and unsurprisingly, Sasuke looks at you again.

"One of my choices is to leave this village?" He asks, and you know that he is confused as to why you would decide this.

You shake your head and fight the urge to sigh.

"If you ever respected us enough to listen to what we say," your anger is beginning to get the better of you. "You would have realized that no one ever wanted to stop you from killing Itachi.

"And now we are giving you the chance to help people and hope that maybe…maybe you'll realize that people have worse pasts than you…and they've managed to move on just fine."

When Sasuke turns murderous looking, Naruto decides to interject. "We're not trying to gang up on you here, but we both think it would be fitting to see that… maybe you should be—"

But you cut him off. "That maybe you need to open your eyes." You blind fool.

And there was an uncomfortable silence that follows because no one really knows how to respond.

"If I go, there is a chance I won't return."

"I think you'll find that if you leave, this time no one will come after you." You try and put as much venom in your voice as possible because the truth is… you're tired. Tired of this game of 'catch me if you can'…tired of being hurt and confused.

Tired of everything having to do with him.

"The Hokage will never agree to this."

"I think the Hokage would rather you leave and never return, frankly, so..." Kakashi adds from the window. Your eyes dart to him for a moment, and you suddenly feel stupid that you left Kakashi out of the discussion. But he nods almost imperceptibly and the softness of his visible eye tells you that he is proud of your decision.

"If I choose Sound, will anyone accompany me?"

His question catches you off guard because you wonder if he wants you and Naruto to come.

So you ask even though you know he won't answer.

"Do you want us to come?"

He looks at you and for the love of God you can see that he wants to answer.

But something holds him back.

(And you know that you have to overcome his barrier. Because there is a part of him that really is just an 18 year-old boy who wants to put his past behind him.

And you briefly wonder if maybe… maybe he doesn't know how)

"Does Sound have a hospital?" You ask, and Sasuke's brow furrows in confusion.

"Yes."

"Well if Tsunade permits me, I will come for a few months and help train medic-nin." You say, and from the slight smirk on his face, you can see that Sasuke finally pieces it together.

"You always did have better chakra control than the rest of us." He says, and your eyes widen because you can't remember the last time he paid you a compliment.

"So you want to return to Sound, then?" You ask wanting his answer.

He is silent for a few moments, and again you can see that there is something else that he wants to say…but for some reason he hesitates saying it.

And you have a feeling that maybe he really does want to try and right some of his wrongs.

(Because after all, there aren't too many things he did right…)

But after all this time… he still cannot tell you and Naruto what he truly feels.

"I will stay long enough to appoint a new Kage."

"No. You will stay long enough to find the right Otokage, not merely pick whoever you see first." You say, and it's almost surprising that you are talking to him like this because since when does fangirl Sakura order around Sasuke-kun?

Sasuke nods, although he can't quite hide the smirk on his face. "One year."

You nod as well, knowing it will take about one year to get a hospital going.

"One year."

Naruto, who watched your entire exchange with Sasuke, nods as well.

"Maybe Baa-chan will let me come because the Akatsuki will never think that I'm in Sound…But until I ask her, who's hungry?"

There it is again. The look on Sasuke's face that shows you he is forcing down his true emotion. You suppose it's always been there, but why have you never noticed it before?

Why on earth would he stop himself from smiling?

Itachi's dead, and therefore there is no longer a reason to pretend…so then why is he still doing it?

It seems that even though Sasuke had done the one thing he vowed to do, his defense mechanism is still intact.

And it was something that you promise yourself then and there, that one day, you will be the one responsible for breaking it down.

"Yeah," you say, smiling at Naruto, "you go ahead first, Naruto. We'll meet you there."

"Where are you—?"

"First, there's someone I want Sasuke to meet."

OOOOO

Just so everyone is aware, this is going to be a long story—maybe somewhere between twenty and thirty chapters. I'm sure you won't mind, but I just thought I'd let you know.

Song: Switchfoot—Dare you to move

Sakura's Funeral will be updated next.

Until next time!