Here's the next chapter everyone!

hope you guys like it, and PLEASE REVIEW!

Was Sasuke's sentence okay? Was Hikari's feelings realistic? I hope that everything's explained enough...please let me know...

Chapter 35

Sasuke Uchiha finally fell silent after telling the present audience exactly what had transpired after eliminating Orochimaru, and there wasn't a sound in the large office of the Hokage except for the nearly silent breathing of the two Legendary Sannin present. Tsunade had originally had two ANBU guards stationed at the door, but after consulting Jiraiya the Hokage quickly dismissed them and placed sound blocking seals at the door so that there was no chance of them being overheard.

Jiraiya was leaning against the wooden desk, his eyes impenetrable as he stared at his hands. Tsunade was aghast, her knuckles white as she stared unblinkingly at the patiently waiting Uchiha.

Sasuke had done all he could do, there was nothing more but to wait and hope. Hope that they would allow him to stay, hope that they would allow his team members to stay.

Hope that, if they chose to execute him anyway, that they wouldn't do it in public as they usually did. He hoped that they would do it in some obscure, forgotten place. It wasn't for his sake that he wanted this…it was for Hikari's sake. Sasuke had already been forced to look upon the murdered bodies of people close to him; he didn't want her to suffer the same fate.

Seeing his old teammates again had been almost…a relief, in a way. They weren't the same people that he knew when he left Konoha nearly three years ago, but they were similar enough to where Sasuke could feel almost comfortable. But he knew that it would never be the same. His comfort was a pale illusion, a pale imitation of the bond that the three of them had shared all those years ago.

It was a relief in the sense that, if Sasuke was in fact killed, he would be fine, now that he had a chance to witness the fact that they had grown up fine without him. Sakura had become that strong kunoichi that he had always secretly hoped she'd be, while Naruto…he was the same. Much stronger, but pretty much the same hot-headed idiot that never seemed to take a hint and never seemed to know when to give up.

They still had strength and weakness, hopes and dreams, fears and passions, friends and foes…even more so then their short time as a genin squad.

But Sasuke was in a different category all together. He knew that if they did choose to let him live, it wouldn't be the happy-dappy fantasy that some of them probably imagined. Sasuke was no longer able to connect with them, he had missed too much of their growth, he had been denied some of that same growth in his time away from this place. They would be Team Seven in name, but in actual reality…they were just three people grouping themselves together out of habit. Sasuke had been replaced, and a part of him was grateful for that fact. It was better that they distance themselves from him somewhat; trying to force him back into their lives would just turn out to be a disaster.

And the pain of Itachi's death still coursed through him as if it had happened mere seconds ago. Those pale eyes, that familiar and kind smile showing through even though the other man was in excruciating pain.

"Sorry, Sasuke. This is the last time…"

Sasuke sucked in a deep breath, closing his eyes and forcing back the images that swarmed in at the memory.

Would time ever fully heal this pain he felt? Would time ever eliminate the still-present threads of hatred and vengeance towards the Konoha Council?

Sasuke knew that time would heal the pain, but would only dull the need for vengeance. In order to ever be truly healed…he needed to extract his revenge. But after…whatever had occurred with Hikari back on the rocky shore…Sasuke was able to put aside that desire for the moment. He was able to push it to the far recesses of his mind, able to focus on the matter at hand.

Jiraiya sighed. "You do know that Danzō will be furious that you haven't included him in this investigation."

Tsunade rubbed her temples with her carefully manicured fingers, muttering. "I don't want anyone more implicated than they already are…"

Jiraiya nodded, and the two looked to where Sasuke was still sitting, hands shackled heavily, eyes dark and calm.

"I've heard that the Council has been trying to get themselves overly involved lately, is that true?"

Tsunade growled. "Those two…first lecturing me on how young and inexperienced I am, and then trying to butt into every aspect of my business. And Danzō is most likely urging them on too. Gah, can't I just do my job?"

Sasuke's eyes flickered red before settling back into their usual onyx. Tsunade didn't miss the movement, but chose to ignore it as she cleared her throat.

"Sasuke Uchiha….for some odd reason, I believe you. Your story fills in many holes left by Itachi's seemingly sudden murder of the clan, and I'm going to act accordingly." The woman glanced down at her files, and then settled her gaze on him once more.

Sasuke didn't move, not willing to let her words affect him.

"You abandoned the village three years ago, and although that is a serious offense, you went on to kill Orochimaru, who is considered a serious threat to Konoha. Then, you went on to eliminate a member of the Akatsuki, who is proving to prove more and more dangerous."

Sasuke frowned. "But–"

Tsunade held a hand up for silence. "I will overlook the fact that Itachi was in fact loyal to Konoha all along, and if I were you, I'd be quiet and overlook it as well. For the sake of your future." Sasuke gritted his teeth, but went silent. "Anyway, even after hearing of the Council's decision against your clan, you did not give in to your vengeance and turn against Konoha completely. You chose to willingly give yourself up to Naruto's squad. I don't know what the Council or Danzō would say to that, and frankly, I couldn't care less. They need to start realizing that I am the Hokage, and I am the one who makes the final decision…not them."

Sasuke blinked, his hands tensing slightly as Tsunade leaned back.

"My decision is that you, Sasuke Uchiha, be allowed back as a ninja of Konohagakure. There will be restrictions, of course. But instead of assigning ANBU to you day and night…I think I have a better idea. You will be allowed to live wherever you choose, but your chakra will be sealed whenever you are not around a high level jounin and several others. Instead of the chakra restraints being permanent, I will give a seal to Kakashi that will allow the man to seal and unseal your chakra. This will result in you being able to train, but only if Kakashi and two others are present. I still have to deal with your teammates, however. The other three will be able to reside in this village as long as they have guards with them."

Sasuke stared at her unblinkingly, and Tsunade sighed, staring up at the pictures of the previous Hokage. Their faces stared out at the two of them, and Sasuke let his eyes flicker up to the pictures.

The Fourth Hokage's face looked remarkably like Hikari's, but Sasuke pushed it aside without another thought.

Tsunade didn't look at him as she spoke. "I need to know how you came upon Hikari. Kakashi came to me with his suspicions, and I think it would be unwise to just ignore those suspicions."

"Suspicions?" Sasuke asked.

"Kakashi is a bit…concerned with Hikari's lack of family or relatives…so we'd like to see if you know anything."

Sasuke sighed. "While I was still in Sound, a year ago, she appeared in a flash of light, with bruises and cuts. She mentioned a 'car'…but I never bothered asking her to elaborate. Whatever it was, it rendered her unable to remember who she was or where she came from. Orochimaru saw the high level of chakra she possessed, and decided to take her in before anyone else could. Since she didn't remember her name, he gave her the name Hikari."

"Had she ever been trained?"

"No, it was obvious that she wasn't. She didn't even know what ninja were until Orochimaru told her. She was able to draw chakra to her hands, but where she came from, she said that it was considered freakish, and hence she kept her power a secret."

Jiraiya, who had remained silent for a while, finally spoke. "And where did she come from, exactly? I haven't heard of a village that doesn't know of shinobi…and I have yet to visit a place that is ignorant of chakra and such."

Sasuke shrugged. "I don't know."

Jiraiya sighed, and then turned to leave. "I'd better be going. I'll be back as soon as I can, Tsunade."

Tsunade bit her lip, but she let the white haired man go without so much as a nod. The woman sighed as the Sannin disappeared, and Sasuke saw the worry in her eyes as she glanced back to where Jiraiya had been standing just a moment ago.

The Hokage stood with a huff, and moved over to where Sasuke was shackled. She unlocked the metal restraints, and made a few quick signs with her hands. Her fingers glowed a bright green shade, and Sasuke forced himself not to flinch as her hand touched his wrist. Black seals sprouted there like a twisting vine, curling around his forearm and wrist in intricate symbols. Tsunade pulled away after a minute or so, and Sasuke relaxed as the woman sat back down at her desk.

"Now, you're free to go. I think that Naruto is waiting downstairs, along with Sakura. Kakashi is interrogating your teammates, so I'll have to give him your seal later."

"What will happen to the rest of my team? Will they be pardoned as well?"

"Well, as long as Kakashi doesn't find anything threatening about them."

Sasuke nodded, and stood with a sigh. Tsunade ignored him, and the Uchiha hesitantly exited the office.

No sooner had he closed the door behind him that he was bombarded by an orange figure. Naruto had been leaning against the opposite wall, and he grinned widely as he saw the seal on Sasuke's wrist.

"You got let off?"

Sasuke nodded, still shocked at how surprisingly simple the process had been. Naruto crowed in triumph, and danced around in excitement. "That's awesome! I was sure that it'd be a lot longer, but I guess Granny just wanted you out of her hair."

Sasuke sighed, overwhelmed by Naruto's brightness. He would almost have preferred that Naruto was angry with him, bitter even. Sasuke would be able to relate to that feeling; he knew how to deal with anger and resentment.

But this unconditional forgiveness…was something that he was still unfamiliar with. It made him uncomfortable, it made him feel impossibly guilty.

The two made their way out of the Hokage Tower, and Sasuke looked around him silently. The village was the same as he remembered. There was a familiar smell to the air, and he recognized it as the sweet scent of grass that always seemed to cling to this village. It was nothing like the smell of torch oil and rot that he remembered smelling in Sound. The air he was breathing now was cleaner, lighter…happier.

Sasuke found that he couldn't move from his spot, just outside the large red doors. He couldn't take that step forward…he felt like if he stepped out of his boundaries, everything would come crashing down. There was so much he would have to face, so many bonds he would have to mend. Those bonds would never be the same, no matter how hard he tried.

The Uchiha stared out at the bright and cheerful buildings, and a sense of melancholy drifted over him. He could almost see them now, the three of them when they were genin.

Sasuke off to the side, brooding as usual, with Sakura ogling at him and smiling brightly whenever he looked at her. Naruto was yelling about ramen and how hungry he was after their mission, and how he'd kick Sasuke's ass if Sasuke didn't stop smirking.

But when Sasuke blinked, the three children were gone, and all that lay before him were scattered bonds that were waiting to be put back together again.

Naruto seemed to notice that Sasuke wasn't following him, and turned to frown. "What's wrong, Bastard?"

Sasuke took a deep breath. "Why…did you never give up with me? I betrayed you, I've tried to kill you…why are you still…" Sasuke muttered softly, his eyes glued to the ground.

Naruto laughed. "Cuz that's what friends do, stupid! They stick by each other, no matter what!"

Sasuke looked at Naruto, who was beaming. Sasuke had wished that Naruto was dead. He had tried to kill him; he had thrown away their friendship like it was nothing.

And yet, Naruto never gave up on him.

Hikari's face flashed before his eyes, her gray-blue eyes always so bright, so warm and lively.

"…I don't care what you've done or what you're planning to do. What I'm trying to say is…I like you. Just the way you are."

Sasuke let a small smile cross his lips as he stepped out into the sunlight.

"Your name?"

"Hikari."

"Your full name?"

"I don't have a full name."

Kakashi's eye narrowed over his clipboard, but he didn't comment, instead just writing down the information and continuing with his examination. I sighed, leaning back as much as I could in the metal chair.

"How did you get into Sound?"

"I was injured, and I was surrounded by this weird light. I think I fainted after that, because when I woke up I was in the Sound base with Sasuke leaning over me."

"You say you were injured…" Kakashi set down his clipboard, and leaned forward. His deep voice echoed slightly in the soundproof room, and I crossed my ankles as I nodded. "How?"

I bit my lip, pretending to concentrate. "I was hit by something big and metal, but I couldn't see what it was before I lost consciousness. I do know that that thing should have killed me…but it didn't. Like I said before, the light sort of…surrounded me, and I found myself in Sound."

Kakashi nodded, his fingers crossed casually as he leaned his back against the wall. "Alright, on to the question of relatives. Where are your parents? Cousins, siblings, anything like that?"

"They died before I was born." I struggled to keep my face smooth and inwardly smirked at my words. It was true…to some extent. I believed it, anyway. I mean, Mom wasn't technically my relative, she was my adopted parent. Still my mother in every aspect of the word, but let's keep that between us.

"So you're an orphan?"

"You could say that."

"But you must have some kind of relative…even if they're not very closely related. Even family friends at least."

"Nope."

Kakashi sighed for a moment, staring down at his clipboard for a moment before looking back at her.

"Do you know who the Fourth Hokage is?"

"No…sorry." I shrugged, and Kakashi's eye darkened for a moment before he lightly changed subjects.

"Age?"

"Fifteen and some change. My birthday's June 4th."

"Blood type?"

"Uh…I have no idea."

"Height?"

"Five feet ten inches."

"Chakra affinity?"

"Why are you asking me all of this?" I asked, my eyes narrowing. Kakashi paused in his questions, and peered over his clipboard at me. I met his gaze coolly, and after a moment Kakashi looked back at his clipboard.

"Tsunade is being extremely lenient and allowing you and the rest of your team to remain within Konoha. But we need to gather all of his information not only to put it into the village records, but so we know exactly what to use against you if we have the need."

I blinked, and felt my shoulders stiffen in surprise. "Wait, so Sasuke was pardoned?"

"That seems to be the case."

"Oh." I whispered, relaxing immediately. I smiled when Kakashi repeated the question.

"My chakra type is wind."

Kakashi's hand paused over his paper, and then continued writing. "Not many ninja have that chakra type…it's quite unique."

"Oh really? Awesome!" I grinned, everything seeming so much brighter than it had been but five minutes ago. Kakashi glanced at me once more, but for the next twenty minutes kept his eyes on the clipboard as he hammered me with questions.

Finally, the jounin stepped away from the wall, and walked over to the door. "You are to remain in your cell until Tsunade has the time to come down and seal your chakra."

He held open the door for me, and I stood without complaint and darted out of the interrogation room, waiting for him to close the door and lead me by my elbow back to my cell.

I wondered where Sasuke was now. Was he with Naruto, quietly thinking about how to begin and rebuild that friendship between them? Was he thinking about me and what was happening to me?

And I realized…that I couldn't be there for Sasuke all the time. I needed to let him explore his feelings on his own, and if I continued to coddle him I would only be hurting his chances of branching out.

I nodded to myself.

When I got out of here…the first thing I would do is go and see Kiba.

The two of us had a lot to talk about. I needed to set it straight between us, and apologize for how harsh I was before. It wasn't that I didn't like Kiba – I did like him, he was a hard person to dislike – its just that I…I just…felt indebted to stand by Sasuke. I needed to stay by him, because I loved him.

But a horrifying fact made me stop.

Because in that moment, I realized that I loved Kiba as well. I had pushed my feelings away because at the time they were useless and served to only drag me down. And my focus was on Sasuke's mission, my focus was on staying alive.

Now that that focus was gone…a spark of something seeped into my brain. It was like I was standing on a bridge, looking back and forth between two shores on either side of me. One side was bright and cheery, full of laughter and freedom. Kiba was there, and Akamaru was chasing rodents happily. But there was a sense of unease that clung to that side, and I looked to the other side. Sasuke was standing there in a dark and beautiful field of roses, and the sky crackled with awe-inspiring streaks of lightning. It was terrifying, but the shadows were strangely hypnotic, and I felt secure in them.

I was stuck in between my feelings, something that I had never had time to consider until now.

I loved both of them.

Oh dear.