PockyCake: Oh wow! I'm so sorry guys. I made you wait for like more than 2 years. Like my profile says, this chapter was written over a year ago but I have never finished it. Finally, on this sunny day, I decided that I had made you wait long enough and that I should finish it! I hate it when I leave things unfinished. I will try at least to finish this fic this summer before my next year in University (yeah I'm in University now…) so I could finish the others too. I hope I won't disappoint you after a long wait. My story will differ at some point from the present manga since I started this fic 3 years ago. I still remember how I want this story to end and I will try to respect my initial idea. I hope you guys will still enjoy the fic and respect my decision. You can take this the same way as the time that I imagined the return of Sasuke with all the consequences that had followed it.
Many thank to my faithful beta who will always read my text before I post it. You know who you are and you ROCK! She's back with me after 2 years of absence. Hehe!
Disclaimer: I don't own! :)
Chapter 6
Ino was inside her shop, trying to arrange the new flowers. She didn't look sad or happy, but she was concentrated on her work while a part of her mind was elsewhere.
I don't want to think about him right now...
She glanced away from her flowers and through the big window; she saw a familiar couple that was passing by.
Love… Always love. Will I find happiness too? I also want to be happy...
No! Enough is enough. Why would women need men in their life? We are not from the time when women had to do every single thing that their husband wished. No, society has changed and today, women can even be shinobi like any other man and succeed well. Ino was about to fall deeper in her thoughts when suddenly, the doorbell rang.
'Welcome to- Oh! Kiba-kun!'
Kiba, like the other guys, has changed through time. He was a bit taller and wasn't wearing his hood anymore. Instead, his brown hair was outstanding and the features on his face were even more attractive. His close little grown-up dog, Akamaru, was not following his steps like it used to, well at least, not as much as before.
'Hi Ino!'
'You want to buy flowers? For who? Hinata?' said Ino in an amusing tone. She winked at him, but he started to turn red.
'No-no... I'm not here-'
'Then why are you red?
Kiba turned around and faced the door. The sun was almost up and was brightening up the streets.
'No I'm here because I want to say hi... Sorry but I have to go' said the shinobi in a rush tone as he left quickly. Arg, you are so pathetic Kiba!
Suddenly, the shop was empty and Ino was left alone.
Aww, that is so sweet of you !
Ino submerged by her thoughts again, had to return to work. A smile appeared on her sweet face as she was arranging the flowers around the shop. In front of her, through the wide window we could observe the same young couple walking in the streets that caught Ino's attention.
'Nee, Naruto-kun?'
'Ya?'
'Uchiha-san is back for real?' asked the little Hyuuga.
'Well, I guess so' replied Naruto while he was holding Hinata with his right arm and the other one was in his pocket. Both of them were peacefully enjoying a walk after a tiring mission.
'Why do you ask, Hinata-chan?'
'Just asking... I'm worried about Sakura-chan...' Naruto took a glance at Hinata and smiled. She was so sweet, always thinking about the others and never minding about herself. 'She will be alright, no matter what happens; and don't forget, she's strong!'
At these words, Hinata smiled and nodded her head in sight of approval.
Far from where they were walking, Sai was hurrying to the hideout of Danzou-sama. He was summoned for a new special task. His master mentioned that it was top secret information held only by the Anbu Root Division. The hideout was dark and silence was omnipresent. Only his steps were heard through the corridor that led to Danzou. He finally reached the door at the end of the corridor and found a Danzou who was waiting for his pupil. Sai put a knee on ground and bowed his head to his master.
'Danzou-sama. I'm sorry if I made you wait. I was buying some painting and papers while…'
'This is the first time that I hear you explain your late arrival' said Danzou in a calm voice. Danzou was right, Sai has never excused himself and he didn't know why he did it anyway. Frankly, hanging with team Kakashi made him say weird things. Normally, he would only apologize for his delay and Danzou would continue with a new task that awaited Sai. 'Don't worry, Sai, for your delay. It's me who arrived earlier, like always' Danzou smiled calmly to his student.
'Thank you, Danzou-sama' replied Sai. He bowed his head, but Sai was wondering what could have brought him to Danzou at this moment. Tsunade-sama didn't send team Kakashi on a new mission and so, he was forced to stay in the village. His smile told everything and when Danzou-sama smiled that way, it's only a sign that something will occur soon.
'I want you to check on Uchiha Sasuke. His sudden return isn't good for the Root Division and can affect on our affair.' Danzou walked toward his desk and pulled out a scroll. 'Stand up, Sai. Come here, I have to show you this.' Sai couldn't help but his eyes widened.
'What is this?'
'A plan.'
'A plan?'
'Yes, a plan to overcome evil and Uchiha Sasuke is a part of it' Danzou opened the scroll and put it on the table 'If you get what I mean, get on with your work. This will be your mission until team Kakashi has to leave for a mission. For now, I want you to investigate this man. This is for the sake of the Root.'
'Yes, Danzou-sama.'
'I guess that you heard about Haruno-san? He has died suddenly and the investigation led to Uchiha Sasuke. This will be added to the list of crimes that he had committed during the five years after he left. This may sound like an excuse to imprison him but Tsunade-sama let him out a few hours after he was caught' Danzou struck his desk to show its frustration 'I can't understand that woman! She keeps doing things on her own as if she was the only one managing Konoha.' Danzou calmed down and straighted up his back to look up to Sai. 'No mistake is allowed.'
'Of course, Danzou-sama.'
Sai left the hideout. What was he supposed to do? He can't follow Sasuke. For godsake, Sai didn't know what Sasuke had done in the past five years and how powerful he could be. Sai could probably handle a day or two, but soon, he will be discovered. Rumours said that he was seeking power from Orochimaru for the sake of his revenge. Now that Uchiha Itachi is dead, the purpose of Sasuke's life was over and 'naturally' he came back to the village.
Actually, his sudden return was indeed suspicious. Sai didn't want to bother with it since it has been a while that team Kakashi didn't get a break, and he thought that he could have use this time to paint. However, Danzou asked him to check on Sasuke so he will have to put his hobbies aside.
Sai was walking around the village. The sunset was present to remind him that the day will end. The environment will soon turn to dark as he couldn't think of anything to get near Sasuke. Their first meeting was spoiled by the intervention of Sakura.
He's my boyfriend, Sai.
'Arg! Why did she have to bring that up? Now, Sasuke will certainly get suspicious of me everytime that I will try to be friend with him. Mmh…'
And if I ask Sakura instead? But what does she know? I can't forget the fact that she made me…
'Hey! But I'm still her boyfriend… right?' said Sai to himself. He wasn't sure of what he could do with that statement, but with a good night of sleep things will get together by the morning and he would be able to plan something. 'Yes, let's sleep first.'
xoxox
In the backyard of the Hyuuga household, Neji was mediating after a tiring training with Tenten. They had spent their afternoon at the training area, striking at each other, throwing kunai toward each other. With the sun high in the sky, the temperature was perfect for a good training. While Neji was calmly sitting on a rock, Tenten used this opportunity to look at Neji. His features were calm and relaxed. She could only use this moment to look at him without having him say 'What are you looking at ?'
'It's not because I have my eyes close that I can't sense the way that you are looking at me right now' said Neji in a calm voice.
'I guess that this isn't a thing with the Hyuuga? With your eyes close, you wouldn't be able to see through your eyelids even with your Byukugan on. Am I right?' asked Tenten.
'Actually, I never tried it.'
'Haha, well this can be your opportunity!' said Tenten in an enchanted tone. 'But it's not worth to try since you already know what I'm doing.'
'Now I can imagine your face since I know you too well.' Tenten grimaced at that comment. Neji finally opened his eyes and looked at her. 'Before I meet up with you, things weren't good.'
'What do you mean?'
'This is what I wanted to talk to you about. I was asked to do something weird' explained Neji 'You know that most of us are presently in the village, right?'
'Yeah. I know that team Kakashi and ours aren't on duty at the moment and I'm glad for the break! I wouldn't exchange it for anything in the world. At this moment, I prefer to sit here, on this rock in your garden, than to go run after some shinobi from an unknown village, Neji' said Tenten with a big smile. Neji couldn't help but his lips were put together like a line that would be in his case, something that you could call a smile.
'Anyhow, what I was saying it's this weird thing that I had to do. I went to the headquarters to hand some papers that Gai asked me to. I was about to leave when Tsunade found me in the corridors.'
'Neji! Are you busy? I need you to head somewhere' asked the Hokage. She was in a hurry and was glad that she found Hyuuga Neji.
'Tsunade-sama, good morning. I have just done a task that Gai asked me to do. If I can do anything to help, I will gladly do it. What can I do for you?'
'Heard of Sasuke? At the moment he returns, he already gets himself into troubles! Nothing is clear yet and they have already accused him of murder.'
'Murder? Sasuke? What?'
'I can't explain here, I already told you too much, but with Sakura's father death, thing aren't good now…'
'What? Sakura… Tsunade-sama, you just lost me. How can Sakura's father death be related to Sasuke's return?'
'Neji, I really don't have time. You will hear of it later, for now, go to the East house of the headquarters and get him out of there. Tell them that you have my approval. Since you're a jonin, they won't ask too much.'
'I will get on to it.'
'I'm really sorry Neji, I couldn't think of anyone and I just bumped into you, bad luck for you I guess. I would have gone there myself, but I want to limit my displacements to the East house since it is controlled by the Elders. You may found it weird since I'm the Hokage, but since I'm here, it's rare that I come to an agreement with them and I don't think that this day will ever come. However, thank you for everything! I will get back to my room.'
'No problem Tsunade-sama.'
Neji took a breath as he was done with his story. The whole garden was calm. No one was there except the two of them. The Hyuuga backyard was big and Neji brought Tenten to the north side since the south side was the nearest to the house. Normally, they don't go as far, but today was an exception since Neji wanted to know Tenten's opinion about today's event.
'So you went to rescue him?'
'Of course I did. Why would you ask?'
'Well you could have left him there. You know how I'm amazed by guys who leave a girl on a bench and walk away…'
'Thing happened I guess… But that's not the whole point. I went to rescue him since Tsunade-sama asked me to, remember? I was about to be late, but since it's Tsunade-sama, I couldn't refuse it.'
'Oh yeah, it was Tsunade-sama who asked. And then?'
'Well I went to the East house. I got him out of there. I thought that Sasuke would give me details, but instead, he was more clueless than I was. He didn't know why he ended up there and didn't even know about Sakura's father.'
'I see… Some pieces of the puzzle are missing. I can't really tell you my opinion since there is nothing to say. You only stated what happened.'
'Yeah I know, but I thought maybe you could be able to see it in another perspective' said Neji 'I have a feeling that they want to use this occasion to blame it on Sasuke and accuse him of his other crimes. But then again, they don't have to use Haruno-san's death. They could just call him in trial and if he flees, the list will only grow… Don't you think so? I mean…- What? Why are you smiling?'
A bright smile was on Tenten's face. Every time something bugged him, he came to her and talked about it. He always started by asking her advice, but then, she never added anything since he only brought back his theories. Tenten never thought that she was more then a training partner to Neji since most of their time together was spent in the training area. However, Tenten had to admit to herself that she was more than a training partner to Neji since he trusted her. Actually, he had to trust her since they were on the same team.
'Well, I don't need to say anything. Everything is already clear. We don't know what Sasuke has done in the past five years and it's not everyone who is happy about the fact that he is back and no punishment have been given. But like you said, at the moment that he stepped into Konoha, he could have been brought to the trial right away and be judged, but nothing happened. Maybe someone is after him?'
'Perhaps… but then again, Sakura is involved no matter what. With her father's death…'
'So you think that they accused Sasuke?'
'Well, Tsunade didn't give me details about it, but it sounded like it. She asked me if I knew for Haruno-san and then she asked me to go to the East house.'
'Mmmh… Anyhow, things will be heard around the village soon and…' Tenten didn't finish her sentence. A servant was approaching.
'Neji-sama, someone is looking for you. He is waiting in the house.'
'Oh… I will be right there. But… How did you found me? I didn't tell anyone where I was heading.'
'Hiashi-sama told me that I could found you here and no need to tell you that it's impolite to make a guest wait…' said the servant.
'Meiko, I know. I will get there. You can go, I won't get away. Tenten is our witness' he pulled Tenten to his side 'And don't worry, she will make sure that I will go since she is certainly curious about the guest.' Tenten was about to protest, but Neji hold her hand to make her stop moving.
'Then I will take my leave, Neji-sama. But please, hurry. Hiashi-sama isn't very happy…'
'I see. Thank you Meiko.'
Neji and Tenten stood from their rock and headed for the house. To make it faster, they decided to run through the trees, branch by branch. In less than five minutes, they reached the main house. Hiashi was waiting for them.
'You will have to explain me why Uchiha Sasuke is in our house, seeking for you, Neji.'
Neji couldn't help but… His uncle was angry? How can he be angry with an old friend of his that took the time to come visit him? Ok, Neji and Sasuke have never been close, but they were enough acquainted to ask each other how life has treated them in the past years.
'Is anything the matter, Uncle?'
'Don't make fun of me. Do you know that he's the prime suspect of murdering Haruno-san?'
At the statement, the door opened abruptly. Sasuke was in the frame of the door, staring at Hiashi. 'I'm what? The prime suspect of murdering? Haruno-san? Sakura's father!'
'Hn. Playing the innocent now? Even though there is not enough proof, we have to stay on guard. Your return brought many headaches. Not to say that you had the guts to kill…'
'Hiashi-sama, like you said, there is not enough proofs to accuse him of-' said Tenten as she tried to calm down the situation, but Hiashi didn't let her finish.
'How dare you! Tenten, you don't have anything to say in this house. You're a guest of Neji and I'm glad that you spend time with him, but I don't need an opinion from a woman! Again, I don't want to see my nephew siding with this criminal even if they know each other for a long time. And for your sake, Tenten, don't side with Uchida-san too. Enough said, Uchiha-san, I will ask you to leave right away.'
Sasuke wasn't listening, he was still standing there when Hiashi repeated that he wanted him to leave. Sasuke didn't understand. He was the prime suspect of killing Haruno-san? How could that be? He has never met with him. Sakura never spoke of him, not even when he was part of team 7. His teammates barely talked about their family. Naruto, Kakashi and him had a sorrowful past regarding their family and Sakura was the only one with a present family and she was smart enough to not bring it up.
Suddenly, someone pushed him to the gates. It closed behind him. At least, he knew why he was imprisoned this morning. He was suspected, no, he was accused of murder. Something that he hasn't done. A few moments later, the gates opened. Neji and Tenten showed up.
'I'm sorry for my uncle, Sasuke' said Neji 'If I knew, I would have told you before.'
'Yeah I know… This is why I came to you directly. I would have come earlier, but I was looking for Sakura…' The two opened widely theirs eyes. Him? With Sakura? Sasuke noticed their expression but didn't care 'I guess Sakura didn't know when I was with her. She would have probably tried to kill me… This mean that even Tsunade-sama didn't tell her…' said Sasuke to himself.
Neji and Tenten looked at each other. They didn't know what to do to help their old friend. Even though the world saw him as a criminal, it was obvious that this wasn't the expression of a criminal who was trying to get away fearing to hear the consequences of his own act. It was the expression of a human deeply wounded and lost.
PockyCake : This is the longest chapter! I hope you enjoyed and liked how the story is led. Reviews will be appreciated. I'm really sorry for the VERY late update. I hope that I can make up with this long chapter. :) Thank for reading !
