From the Ashes
I'm introducing the story a little bit from Shikamaru's point of view in this chapter and finally Sasuke's. I am adding POV from Shikamaru's because I feel as though he can add a lot to the story. And speaking of the story, part of the plot will be introduced in this chapter, so I hope you enjoy.
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"Little by little the old world crumbled, and not once
did the king imagine that some of the pieces might fall on him"
―Jennifer Donelly, Revolution
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Chapter 3
Rebirth
That girl wouldn't leave him alone, wouldn't leave him to suffer, wouldn't leave him to forget about her. Day after day, he suffered. Day after day, she came. Day after day, she healed him. The cycle repeated each day. Eat, interrogate, heal, eat, sleep... eat, interrogate, heal, eat, sleep. This repetitive sequence was the only way he kept track of time, and by his simple routine he judged he had been in this little room for at least two weeks.
Sasuke watched as for the seventh time as Sakura Haruno walked out of the interrogation room with Ibiki and left him to himself.
He settled himself as comfortably as possible on the cot and started eating the food left for him.
At the beginning of each day Sasuke would receive bottles of water and containers of food to drink and eat. The first day, however, he made the mistake to consume all of it at one time. Unfortunately, he received no food later on that day. He then knew that was all he was going to get. So, the days after he dutifully rationed his food to last him the entirety of the day.
After he took one last swig of the bottle of water, he lied down and went to sleep.
He never expected Sakura to be here participating in his interrogation. She stopped coming, however, after the interrogation team stopped being particularly "physical" as they put it. But even when his old pink haired teammate came, Sakura gave him little to no recognition. It was still a surprise that he would see her here of all places. He couldn't help but wonder if she volunteered for the position, to be his healer.
Sasuke knew that coming back to Konoha meant that he would have to face his previous teammates. He didn't know what their initial response would be, but he expected to see some sort of reaction from the girl who used to love him, instead he was only met with indifference.
It didn't bother him much, though, if his previous teammate wasn't going to converse with him, it didn't matter. He could do fine without his old comrades. He was able to survive years with only himself.
His attention shifted to the small light outside of his cell as it flickered and buzzed an annoying sound as he sat on his little cot awaiting his interrogation.
The door gave a defiant squeal as it opened revealing Ibiki in his dark trench coat. He watched as Ibiki entered the room, examining his position on the cot. Ibiki leaned his wait on the interrogation slab and spoke casually.
"Your questioning is over."
Sasuke didn't respond. For all he knew this master torturer could be using his skills right now, feeling him out, examining how he'd react to the confirmation of his freedom.
"You're right not to trust me," Ibiki continued. "But, I assure you that I'm serious." Ibiki reached in his pocket and fished out, from what he could see, a sheet of paper with a broken seal. "This order—" he began reading "is for the immediate cessation of the interrogation of the prisoner, Sasuke Uchiha, and is to be carried out with due swiftness. Signed by the Hokage herself." Ibiki rotated the paper so Sasuke could confirm what he had heard.
"Then am I being released?" Sasuke asked after reading the letter for himself.
"No," was the short reply.
Sasuke scowled.
"You'll be kept here until the council and Lady Tsunade determine what to do with you."
"What charges are against me? Why exactly am I being held?" They never officially told him for what he was being accused. However, he was sure he could guess.
Ibiki chuckled at the question. "You're an international criminal Sasuke. That stunt you pulled at the Kage summit labeled you as such, plus all your crimes against Konoha only adds fuel to the fire. Your affiliation with Orochimaru, your desertion of Konoha," Ibiki listed. "The Daimyo wanted you dead. The council did, too, but Tsunade was able to convince them that because you are the only Uchiha left, your Sharingan is invaluable. They reluctantly agreed and do not wish for your execution any longer. You should thank her."
So, Tsunade was on his side. That was good to hear. Without her, he would undoubtedly be set to die by the that damn council. The same council that gave the death sentence for his entire clan, minus Danzo, of course.
"Until a decision is reached regarding your fate, you will stay here."
"How long will it take?" He didn't wish to spend his remaining life in this cell.
"Who knows. But Naruto seems to constantly bug her about your release."
Naruto. The last time he had seen him was when the Allied Shinobi forces won the war. Sasuke left without a trace after that. Staying low and under the radar for years. That was until the guilt he felt for disobeying Itachi's wish for him to return to Konoha and start a new life was to much to bear. And so he returned to the Land of Fire and within a day he was secured by the Konoha shinobi and ended up here in this dark and dank cell.
"I'll be taking my leave." Ibiki turned and left.
The gold general glared at him with a taunting demeanor. It was the heart of army, protecting those around him. The most important under his protection was the king—and that, he could exploit. However, if he did not proceed cautiously, he would certainly lose his chance. His knight rode in and captured the the opposing knight. He knew what his opponent was trying to do. There was a trap lying in wait for him, however he knew how to negate it. The gold general hesitated, calculated and analyzing. He proceed to capture the knight.
He dropped the previously apprehended knight next to the general, hoping he'd buy the bait. His opponent eyed the knight cautiously evaluating the consequences, weighing the pros and cons. The gold general captured the knight—a grave error.
And like that it was clockwork.
The king was now vulnerable. He dropped the rook he captured earlier and checked the king. The series of checks and blocks, he had all calculated, something his opponent did not. He advanced his lance forward.
"Checkmate," Shikamaru stated.
The blonde in front of him stared at the shogi board and let a resigning sigh. "Dammit, Shikamaru!" Ino crossed her arms. "I thought you would give check to the king after capturing the knight, not drop the knight immediately."
"It was tempting, but after a check. The gold general blocks, and with him out of the way it allows for the bishop to threaten to capture my undefended rook. If I move rook to the only square it could go. Bishop checks the my king and at the same time attacks my rook." Shikamaru moved the pieces as he commentated. "In the end I would undoubtedly lose rook without any compensation. Nevertheless, it's interesting that you saw it."
"You're too good at this. I can't ever beat you," Ino said, then smiled. "It's enjoyable, though." They were in Ino's apartment next to the open window, allowing the fresh breeze to enter.
Shikamaru smiled back. Before they started dating, Shikamaru would have never thought that he would have an enjoyable game of shogi with Ino, never in a million years. However, in the second month of their dating, Ino asked if he'd teach her the rules and how to play. It caught him off guard he could admit, but he agreed and in the following years, she had increasingly gotten better.
He was genuinely fond of when they would engage in a game. She looked beautiful with her brow furrowed in concentration, her ocean blue eyes locked on the board calculating the ins and outs of each move.
"Again?" Ino proposed. Before he could answer, he saw a bird flutter towards the open window and perch on the table on which they were playing. Noticing the note attached to its leg, he gently removed the paper and watched the bird flutter off.
"What's it say?" Ino asked curiously. He opened the note and quickly read over the short, concise order.
"Tsunade wants me to see her immediately," he answered, rubbing his temples, irritated at being summoned.
"I'll clean up then. Best not keep her waiting," Ino said packing up the pieces and the board. Shikamaru leaned over the table and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "I'll see you later, Shika," she giggled.
"Bye, Ino," said Shikamaru.
He exited her apartment and begrudgingly made the trek to the Hokage's office.
"Thank you for coming, Shikamaru," Tsunade said. "I know you want to get this over with, so I'll cut to the chase. I need you to deliver this request for a military alliance from the Daimyo himself to Otogakure." Tsunade handed him the sealed letter.
A military alliance with Otogakure? Sure, Oto was nowhere as dangerous as it was when Orochimaru was heading the village but surely the other nations will find it odd for the Land of Fire to throw out an offer of alliance with a village hated by most other nations.
"Is that really a good idea Lady Tsunade. How will the other Great Shinobi Nations view this?"
"Our relationship with Kiri, Kumo, Iwa, and Suna, as well as their respective nations was strengthened by the Fourth Shinobi War. If either has a problem with this alliance. We'll discuss it diplomatically."
"Is it because of the new leader? I'm guessing that's the reason why the Daimyo wants this alliance?" Inquired Shikamaru.
"Yes, now with Orochimaru gone, the Daimyo, along with the council feel as if we can get on peaceful terms with Oto and its current leader, Kazuhira Mizushima, it'll be beneficial to both nations: Ours and Sound."
Shikamaru pondered the declaration. Otogakure was a very different village than it was before the Fourth Shinobi War six years ago. While before the war, Oto was a disorganized village that really had no sense of identity. Now, he could only assume that things were better. Outsiders were not permitted within the walls of the village. Iron walls, to be exact. The only image a foreigner would see is the towering fortress-like perimeter of the village.
"Would forming an alliance with Oto really help the rest of the country, though?" He asked, unsure of the Fire Daimyo's intentions. "Other than Oto, most of Sound is simply many rebel villages with an enormous amount of tension with each other. Kazuhira doesn't seem to bother with any other village but his own."
"You speak the truth. Sound wasn't much of an organized country especially after the Daimyo of Sound allowed for Orochimaru to establish the hidden village within its borders, and even though its leader, Kazuhira doesn't involve himself with the affairs of the other villages of Sound, the Daimyo, the elders, and myself included, think that if we offer an alliance to Oto then the other villages will eventually join as well."
"One joins. The rest follows." Tsunade nodded in confirmation. "But realistically ," Shikamaru continued, "Would a military alliance with Oto quell the hostility of every other village in Sound?"
"All in time. We hope that with offering an alliance to Otogakure will show the other villages in Sound that we are willing to cooperate and get on peaceful terms with them as well," Tsunade finished.
Peace. That was the driving factor behind the alliance, not an intention to war another nation, but simply peace. Shikamaru hoped every shinobi wished for such a thing especially after the previous Great War. He knew that was what he wished. But, his rational side understood that there will always be people who would do anything to ruin the world for the sole sake of enjoyment. So, maybe this alliance with Oto would be a step in the right direction, at least.
He looked back at the parchment with the Fire Daimyo's seal on it. "Will I be alone? Or will I have a team to help deliver the request?"
"You'll be with a team of your choosing. I'm sure with your strategic prowess, you'll choose a better team than I would have," she answered honestly. "Just so you know I've classified this mission as S-rank, Shikamaru. This mission and alliance is of top priority to the Land of Fire. You'll need to leave tomorrow morning with whomever you choose."
Shikamaru was never much for politics. Of course, he knew the workings of it, and he understood the intentions behind seemingly harmless and arbitrary actions a nation would take in response to certain events. How troublesome it would be though if he had to reason with someone else the benefits of a military alliance with the Land of Fire, even if it was just a single village. "Will a diplomat be accompanying us to Oto, or..."
"No," she answered. "I'd rather not risk the injury of an important diplomat. Sound isn't exactly the safest place in the world, and don't worry. You don't need to negotiate the alliance with Kazuhira, only propose it. That is, if you're even allowed access to the city, which I'm hoping you are." Shikamaru and gave a nod of understanding.
"Naruto and Choji," he stated dully. Tsunade was mildly confused at Shikamaru's statement. "My team." He elaborated. "So, you'll know ahead of time."
"Ahh, it shouldn't come as a surprise to me that you already have a team picked out within a small amount of time." Tsunade gave a light chuckle. "You're dismissed."
Before he left, though, he need to ask a question. "Has Sasuke really returned?"
"Yes," she responded, simply. His mission to retrieve Sasuke was one he remembered vividly. He along with all of his teammates almost died trying to retrieve the Uchiha. That mission taught him that a strategy can always be better, more thoroughly thought out, and that even his plans can have holes.
"I see," he spoke. "How troublesome."
He had not fallen asleep by the time Ibiki reentered the room and walked towards his cell, so from what he could gather it had not even been a full day since they last spoke.
"Lady Tsunade wishes to see you." Ibiki unlocked his cell door and motioned for him to follow. "Let's not keep her waiting."
Sasuke followed him out of the room, through the large underground corridors that strongly reminded him of Orochimaru's hideouts. The pathway eventually led to stairs and for the first time in weeks he finally was able to see the sunlight as it poured through the window.
"However," Ibiki said, slowing to a halt, "You are going to need to take a shower, Sasuke. You should at least look presentable."
I wonder why I don't? He though wryly but left the comment unspoken.
Ibiki led him to a door and motioned for him to go inside. "I'll stay here and get you fresh clothes. I'll leave you alone because I'm sure you're not stupid enough to go out and doing something rash."
Sasuke knew Ibiki was taunting him and was confirmed of this when he gave him a smirk and walked away.
After Ibiki left, Sasuke sauntered into the bathroom and found his way to the showers and found that no one was there. He thought he would see at least one person in the showers, as well, but it was empty. He didn't really care, only found it strange.
Almost immediately following his shower, Ibiki shouted from the entrance that his clothes were waiting for him near the door. Sasuke dried off and went to retrieve his new clothes and changed into them. He opened the door and saw Ibiki leaning against the wall with a bag in his hand.
"Just put your old clothes in this." Ibiki motioned to the bag. Sasuke did as told and followed him out of the building.
"You should know, Sasuke," Ibiki said still looking forward. "You've caused quite a lot of mixed feelings throughout Konoha. Only recently did people know you were in custody. Tsunade kept your capture confidential to only those who really needed to know." Ibiki stopped abruptly and took a deep breathe. Sasuke was about to question why they weren't moving until he was caught off guard by what Ibiki said next. "Some people even think you're a hero. A hero you'd read in books: an anti hero, but a hero nonetheless." Ibiki looked at Sasuke, intently.
"Tch," Sasuke closed his eyes. "I'm no hero." He just couldn't help but notice the absolute irony of it. Him? A hero? He felt he could laugh but-
He was interrupted by a loud, boisterious guffaw let out Ibiki. People stared at them as they walked by, and Sasuke could see them whispering to each other.
"Can we go?" Sasuke asked impatiently, but apparently Ibiki did not hear. He just continued to laugh.
Sasuke could only look at the man—his shoulders bobbing up and down with laughter, his overcoat rustling. He eventually calmed down and looked at Sasuke.
"Let's go." He demanded as his fits mirth subsided.
They eventually found their way to Tsunade's office with her dismissing Ibiki.
"I hope he doesn't give you any trouble," Ibiki said.
"I'm sure we'll be find," Tsunade reassured. She looked at Sasuke with a calculating glance.
Ibiki bowed and exited the room.
Tsunade continued to looked at Sasuke, and Sasuke looked at Tsunade. They stayed like that until Tsunade broke the silence.
"Welcome back, Sasuke," she stated, still holding her gaze.
He didn't respond.
"Still as talkative as ever, I see." She reclined in her chair.
"Why did you want to see me?" Sasuke asked. Was it to tell him that she changed her mind and that he was to be executed tomorrow? Was it to tell him that he would be spending the remainder of his life in that wretched dungeon? These fears lingered in his mind, but he was sure not to show it.
"Don't sound too eager to go back to your cell, Uchiha." She looked out the window to the village below. "Lots have changed after you left, you know. With Pain destroying most of Konoha, many of the places had to be rebuilt."
He knew Konoha had been destroyed. He knew Pain had leveled the village to the ground with his Six Paths. But, what was bothering him was if the Uchiha compound was destroyed due to the invasion.
"I know what you're thinking, and yes, the Uchiha compound was obliterated like most of everything else. When the reconstruction process started, instead of rebuilding the compound, everyone opted to build a memorial to those who died during the massacre." Tsunade smiled. "Honestly, even if the village knew that the Uchiha were planning a coup d'état, I don't believe that it would have made a difference. I think they would have still wanted to honor those who died that day. But, that's beside the point, we kept Itachi's wishes and did not reveal any of it to the public. Only, Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, Hinata, Lee, Shikamaru, Ino, Gai, Kurenai, the elders, me and of course, you, knew the real person Itachi was.
He pondered and took in all she had said and asked "Why exactly are you telling me these things?"
"Because you'll need to find a place to live."
She was freeing him from his imprisonment.
She continued, "I had imagined that the Uchiha compound would be the first place you'd visit, or the place you would want to live."
It wouldn't have been. The memories would have suffocated him. He wasn't sure if he would ever want to visit that place again even if it was still standing, anyway.
"You're releasing me? Just like that?"
"Pretty much, I didn't forget the fact that you helped us win the Fourth Shinobi World War," Tsunade stated. "However—" there it was, Sasuke knew there was a catch. "—your Sharingan will be sealed for a six months."
Sasuke frowned deeply at this. "I'm assuming as punishment?"
"Of course—and, as insurance. The seal is complicated and only few people know it, those of whom will remain anonymous." ...to protect them from you, he knew she was thinking. "This is because if you do plan on leaving again, you'll be going without that Sharingan of yours."
"Six months?"
"Yes, when spring comes around, the seal will be lifted," Tsunade confirmed.
He studied Tsunade and the idea of not using his kekkei genkai for six whole months, half a year. When the flowers start to bloom, so will his Sharingan. He was content with that. He finally relented, "Let's get this started, then."
She had been used to it by now.
Coming home with bruises, cuts, and scrapes was a regular occurrence for a member of ANBU. Finally in little apartment, Sakura removed her mask and placed it on her coffee table.
After removing the rest of her armor and clothing, she jumped in the shower and scrubbed herself clean. She put on a clean pair of pajamas and laid on her bed, eyes wide open, sleep eluding her. She sighed frustratingly. She wished that her friends lived close by but this was the only affordable apartment at the time when she was looking and sadly it was out of the way from everyone else she knew, granted it didn't stop her friends from visiting sometime, and she was sincerely grateful for that.
She walked to her living room and sat on the couch to resume reading the book she had left off before. Sakura did not know the time when her eyelids finally fluttered closed and she fell into a deep slumber.
Affter removing the first seal they had placed on him, it didn't take long to seal his Sharingan. Tsunade explained that the seal just prevented chakra from reaching his eyes and thus prevented him from activating his Sharingan. "The concept is simple, but the execution is somewhat difficult. It's easier if the sealer knows a good amount of knowledge of the chakra network, so of course, I had some help from the Hyuugas," she had said after she finished.
She had given him enough money to find an apartment and to buy enough food for a month. "You might want to start looking for an apartment. You're free to leave."
And so he had, bringing him to where he was now, standing in front of an apartment complex, whose doors faced the outside. It was getting dark now, and the sun was setting on the village, so he made sure to quickly find an apartment, pay his month's rent, and with his new keys, clunked his way inside his new home.
Home.
How foreign the word seemed to him. He hadn't a decent home in years and now here he was. He would never consider one of Orochimaru's hideouts his home or any of the many places where he stayed following the conclusion of the Fourth Shinobi War. The apartment he was standing in now though, as the moonlight leaked through the window curtains, bathing him in subdued light, had all the characteristics of a "homey" place. Could it ever truly be home, though? He didn't know.
It's a start, he thought as he flopped on the couch and closed his eyes.
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I always felt like the Land of Sound was a bit more disorganized than the other nations of the Ninja World, having no clear laws, especially under Orochimaru's rule. I don't know, just speculation.
Also, in the story Otogakure is headed by a new leader named is Kazuhira Mizushima, so a bit of OC. New original characters will slowly leak into the storyline but there will not be many maybe only about three more and they certianly won't dominate it.
By the way, for those of you who don't know the rules of shogi, it's a complicated game. But, whenever a piece is captured, the players are allowed to place it on any legal square on the shogi board. This is called a "drop."
Hope you enjoyed. Please review.