A big thank you to Dylan Millwood for all your ideas!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
When Sasuke stirred, he felt something soothing on his chest. Opening his eyes, he saw Tsunade and Sakura healing him. Something wet brushed his face and he looked at Shizune, who was carefully wiping the blood away. She smiled at him before talking to the others in the room.
"He's awake." There was a general hubbub of noise and he shut his eyes. He could feel the oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. The soothing healing stopped and he sighed. He was lifted up slightly and something tight was wrapped around him.
I must look like a mummy, he thought when the bandaging finished.
"Is he really awake, Shizune?" Tsunade asked sceptically. Sasuke opened his eyes and looked at her. "Oh, ok. He's awake."
"Sasuke-kun?" Karin asked, entering his field of vision. He blinked at her. She was pushed out the way and Sakura stood there.
"You are incredibly lucky, Sasuke Uchiha," she told him. He looked at her, confused. "If Naruto couldn't communicate with spirits, you'd be dead." He was still confused. She sighed. "You won't believe who really saved you. She was the spirit of someone called Mikoto Uchiha." Sasuke stared at her. He had been saved by the ghost of his mother? He shut his eyes again.
"Sasuke," Tsunade said gently. "Why did Danzo torture and try to kill you?" He opened his eyes and looked around meaningfully. She got the message.
"Ok, everyone out." There were several complaints but she pushed them all out and shut the door firmly.
"He... he said that it was to spite Itachi - and because he hated the Uchihas," Sasuke whispered. His voice was muffled by the oxygen mask but Tsunade could still understand him.
"Spite your brother?" she asked gently. He nodded.
"Apparently, Itachi told Danzo that if he harmed me at all he'd tell the villagers the truth about my clan's murder - who's truly responsible," he whispered, tears leaking down his face.
Three weeks later, Team Taka stood in the Hokage's office, facing Lady Tsunade. Sasuke was still slightly weak, but Tsunade figured that he'd want to get out of the hospital.
"So, you three want to become Leaf shinobi, and you, Sasuke, would like to be accepted back?" Tsunade said. The four shinobi nodded. "I have 'consulted' with the village elders and the emergency committee and we've decided to accept all four of you. Sasuke, you will be put into Team Yamato, while Karin joins Team Kurenai, Suigetsu - Team Kakashi and Juugo - Team Gai." She saw the look on Sasuke's face. "Let me explain, Sasuke, who is in each team. Team Yamato is Yamato, who I doubt you know, Naruto and Sakura. Team Kurenai is Kurenai, Kiba and Akamaru, Hinata and Shino. Team Kakashi is Kakashi, Ino, Shikamaru and Chouji. Team Gai is Gai, Rock Lee, Neji and Tenten." Sasuke still looked confused. "Asuma died so the senseis got shuffled around a bit. Despite the fact that Kakashi trained you, I put you with your old teammates because I know you work well together. Also, Team Yamato now have Shinobi who control all five elements. Now go, you'll find them easily enough." They left.
Thanks for reading!
Tsari