A/N:
I have had some questions about was this going to be a Sasu/Saku romance. The answer is yes (as I categorized it) but that will be some ways off. I do not plan to rush things in this story and since I started off from during the war, there will be a lot of pain to get past before we get to any of that.
That being said, I do hope you stick with me through this story and hopefully enjoy it along the way.
Thanks again to everyone and I hope to see your reviews!
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Naruto stood silently, hands relaxed beside him and his mouth shut for the moment, as he desperately tried to think of what to say to diffuse the horribly tense situation around him. After days of traveling the group had finally made it to the outskirts of Konoha. As they passed the familiar landscape several chakras registered with the group. Each one of them was familiar but this only served to make Naruto nervous as they approached. When the group was nearly a mile away from the large gates of the village, the remaining members of the once named 'rookie 9' appeared before them.
Each one of the now powerful shinobi stood gazing at both Naruto and Sasuke as they stood side by side. Naruto truly feared how this meeting would go as this would be a good indication of how things would transpire in the village. He clearly recalled the last time he spoke to all of them in a group like this. It was shortly before he set out to train with Killer-Bee. During that conversation, he told them all to stay out of the fight with Sasuke, that only he would be able to handle him. Shikamaru had openly questioned him at that point as to whether or not he was saying that just to protect his best friend. Naruto had denied that claim and went so far as to say he would no longer try to protect Sasuke.
He had not been lying at that time. He had every intention of fighting and probably dying in his battle with Sasuke. Fortunately, things had changed. Sasuke had finally found out about Madara's lies as well as Kabuto's involvement in everything. With his various talks with Itachi, Sasuke made the choice himself to return to Konoha. Shikamaru knew all of this information and Naruto knew he would have told the rest of their friends. Unfortunately, from the looks most all of them wore, they were in no mood to forgive Sasuke for his transgressions.
Kiba and Neji showed nothing but anger and contempt on their faces as they stared Sasuke down. Akamaru stood beside Kiba growling lowly in his throat. Choji and Shikamaru wore similar guarded expressions on their faces. While they weren't being openly hostile, they weren't friendly either. Naruto saw Lee smile at Sakura before he turned a hooded look towards Sasuke. Though the tights-wearing young man could be goofy at times, his body language right now also showed his rarely seen more serious side. Everything about him clearly gave a warning to those around. Tenten, Hinata, and Ino were clearly torn between what they were feeling. Tenten looked to Neji but seemed to cringe at the level of hate he was showing. Ino was obviously happy to see both Sakura and Sasuke alive but was still weary of Sasuke's presence. Naruto did his best not to look too long at Hinata for fear he would remember her honest words that would send a bright blush to his face. Tears streamed down her alabaster skin as she wept in honest relief to see Naruto alive and well. He saw her give Sasuke a tentative nod while standing farther back than the rest of the group so as to be out of their line of sight. Shino was the only one he couldn't read at all. Perhaps that wasn't too surprising as his face was hidden as usual and he simply remained aloof from the group.
Kakashi was the one who finally broke the heavy silence around them. "I wasn't aware Tsunade-sama was sending out a greeting party." he said in his usual lighthearted manner.
"She didn't send us." Kiba replied heatedly.
"So I figured." Kakashi said with an obvious fake grin behind his mask.
"Shikamaru filled us in on everything that transpired." Neji began. "However, I don't see how that warrants allowing this ridiculous situation to occur."
"Neji..." Tenten softly reprimanded.
"By ridiculous situation is he referring to Tsunade-sama allowing the traitor back into the village or to Itachi-san's continued existence?" Sai asked in his usual monotone voice.
A loud smack rang through the area after Sakura slapped the back of Sai's head. "This is not the time to openly ask your blunt questions Sai." she whispered heatedly.
Naruto chuckled nervously as he held up his hands in a placating manner. "Come on guys, I'm sure you've all already talked to baa-chan too. You know this is what she wanted to happen." He hoped throwing the reminder of Tsunade's orders in he could calm the others down.
"Of course we've talked to her." Shikamaru said. "And voiced our objections to this matter; unfortunately to no avail."
"It seems she's all for letting this traitorous bastard back into Konoha." Kiba interjected. "What's the matter Uchiha? Get tired of running? Or is killing innocents no longer fun for you?"
"Kiba-kun!" Hinata said shocked.
"Now, now, why don't we all calm down here? This is gonna get us nowhere." Kakashi said.
"If you'd leave it could most definitely go somewhere." Kiba remarked as his eyes narrowed. Neji uncrossed his arms next to him.
"All of you stop it!" Naruto shouted as he walked in front of his group to stare into his friends faces. "If you've really heard everything from Shikamaru then you should understand Sasuke's reasons for what he did."
"We heard them alright. It doesn't change the fact that he was ready to try and destroy our fucking home." Kiba hissed.
"Naruto you swore to us you weren't trying to protect him anymore." Neji said.
"And I'm not! Kami you guys, I left here ready to fight him to the death! Yet the only reason I'm actually still alive is because of Sasuke. If he hadn't helped me fight Madara and that damn...thing...that had all the tailed beasts stored in it, I'd have been dead and Madara would've been unstoppable."
"And now we're just supposed to let him waltz back into the village and...what? Welcome him with a smile?" Kiba said incredulously. "The bastard probably has something planned. He's surprisingly patient when it comes to this kind of shit. He trained and planned for what? Nearly a decade...before he actually killed his brother." Kiba shot a malicious grin to Sasuke. "By the way, how'd that work out for you?"
Sasuke's sharingan activated as he wrapped his fingers around the hilt of his sword. However, Sakura stepped forward at the remark.
"Too far Kiba." she said in warning.
"Really? This coming from the woman who went so far as to knock out her comrades in order to go kill the bastard by herself."
"Do not start on Sakura-chan, Kiba-kun." Lee said as he too stepped forward.
"Unless you are willing to defy the hokage this is a useless conversation." Shino replied in a clam manner.
"Oh I'm not going to defy my hokage." Neji said. "Unlike others I am a loyal shinobi to my village."
Cold red eyes assessed the pearlescent orbs looking back at him. "Itachi was more than loyal to Konoha; look where it landed the Uchiha clan." Sasuke said as he stared down Neji. "You might wanna watch out for the Hyuuga's."
"Enough." both Kakashi and Itachi said in sync as they moved to stand in the ever decreasing gap that separated the two groups. The Konoha shinobi visibly tensed at the movement from Itachi, though he did nothing more than stand in front of Sasuke and stare his brother down. Kakashi moved closer to Neji as he spoke.
"Regardless of your personal feelings you are to follow your orders given to you by your hokage. Those orders are not to attack either Uchiha Itachi or Uchiha Sasuke. You are part of a very small number of people to even know Itachi is still alive." Kakashi stopped very close to the Konoha shinobi and allowed his visible eye to catch the gaze of every shinobi present. His commanding aura making sure everyone present heeded his words. "Goading them into a fight is the same as attacking them. Am I making myself perfectly clear?"
"Hai." was the begrudging response given by the shinobi in front of him.
They turned to leave one by one but Kiba and Neji continued to stare him down until they had to leave. As Kiba mounted Akamaru he nodded his head in Sasuke's direction before heatedly stating, "I'll be watching you."
Naruto's hands clenched and released over and over again at his side. His breath was coming in fast pants and he was beginning to feel the tightness well up in his chest. Like before in Iron country, he felt he was about to pass out. It was all too much again. He'd finally gotten Sasuke back. He was back in Konoha and he wasn't going to destroy it. He was working on building their friendship back up and now...now he was facing the prospect of losing all his other friends.
He knew the look in their eyes. The mistrust, the disbelief, the hatred...and it wasn't solely for Sasuke. Several of his friends had turned those very eyes on him as well.
Naruto knew Sasuke's return wasn't going to be met with smiles and open arms but since Shikamaru knew everything that happened, both during the war and with Sasuke's past, he thought everyone would be more understanding. Knowing the order Itachi had been given, knowing the reasons behind what he'd done and what he'd put Sasuke through, he was sure everyone would at least be willing to hear him out.
Dots began to appear in Naruto's vision and he struggled to catch his breath. His hand came up to clutch his chest under the horrible weight he once again felt descend upon his shoulders. Would this hatred never end?
A gentle hand gripped his shoulder and he felt Kakashi's presence surround him as he stepped close to the jinchuriki.
"Calm down Naruto. Take a deep breath." he whispered to his student.
Naruto fought to do as his sensei asked. Slowly, after many attempts, he felt his breathing slowing down. The tight knot in his chest began to loosen somewhat as Kakashi continued to speak lowly to him.
"I know how bad it seems but remember, I believe in you Naruto. You truly are your father's son."
Kakashi gave him one more gentle squeeze to his shoulder as he turned to speak with the others again.
Naruto felt his resolve returning slowly but surely. Kaka-sensei was right, he was his father's son and his father believed in him. Kakashi believed in him.
He would shoulder all the hatred, he would take all the pain upon himself, whatever it took to bring everyone together again he was going to do.
When she left to fight in the war, Konoha's hospital was nothing more than a few tents strung together. Now, the building's exterior was completed, but they were still only able to use about two-third's of it. Beside the nurses and medics roaming the corridors, carpenters came and went carrying their supplies to the areas under construction. It was frustrating but Sakura grit her teeth and bore the hindrance. Under Tsunade-sama's instructions, the hospital was being re-built larger than before so it only made sense that construction would take much longer.
Unfortunately, since so much of the hospital was still not functional this meant patients were being placed sometimes four to a room and available surgery rooms were nearly halved. Once reaching the village, Sakura was met by ANBU who gave her a missive informing her to immediately report to the hospital. This was not exactly a surprise to her; however, she had been hoping to at least go to her barely used, just built home to shower and eat first.
That wasn't an option.
Upon her arrival to the hospital she was immediately accosted by several medics requesting her help on some severe cases. The massive amount of wounded they had from the war were spread out in the hospital being treated to the best of their abilities. Tsunade had a village to run from the aftermath of war and Shizune, as her assistant, wasn't able to spare much time either. Though the medics working in the hospital were skilled, none of them had been taught under the impressive medic that was their hokage. Also, the wounded outnumbered the staff in staggering numbers. They were sadly falling behind in their treatments.
Sakura immediately went to work; preforming much needed surgeries and healing to patients still awaiting treatment. Only a few hours after arriving and she already felt as if she'd been working for days. She slowly climbed the stairs until she reached the roof of the hospital. Slumping against the new wooden wall, she slid her body down until she was resting with her legs spread out before her. The warmth of the sun was a welcoming feeling and she tipped her head back with eyes closed to enjoy it. She inhaled deeply, appreciating the various smells of the village being carried on the wind and not the stench of alcohol and infected skin.
She enjoyed the small bento someone had thrust into her hands nearly two hours ago. Though the food was now cold, it was a welcome treat to her empty stomach.
The opening of the door registered with her and though she was loathe to actually open her eyes to see who it was, she turned her head and scanned the area for the not so welcome visitor. Ino's blonds locks came into view and she saw the hesitant smile on her friend's face.
"Hey." Ino said as she slowly approached her friend. "Can I sit with you?"
"Sure."
The two sat in silence a while, enjoying the cooling breeze, before Sakura finally broke the silence.
"What brought you here?"
"I figured I'd see if I could help you." Sakura looked to her in confusion. "I'm not really familiar with the hospital but I thought you might need all the help you can get right now. I know it's been crazy around here the past few days but I've been tied up with reports and stuff with the war."
"Thanks Ino, I'd appreciate it." Sakura said with a small smile.
"You're welcome." Ino returned the smile for a moment before a serious look came in her eyes again. "Sakura, what's gonna happen with Sasuke-kun?"
Sakura's smile vanished as she thought seriously about Ino's question. "I really don't know Ino. Tsunade-sama wanted to see him as soon as we got in the village so I guess she's gonna figure everything out."
"But you were the one traveling with him. Didn't he say anything?"
A humorless smile found its way to Sakura's face. "The only things we said to each other were threats."
Ino's eyes widened. "What? Sakura...are you still thinking about...killing him?"
"I guess you heard everything from the guys huh?" At Ino's nod Sakura was silent for a moment more. "No. At least as long as he doesn't show any violence towards the village or it's inhabitants."
"Was he that way on the trip home?"
"No, he wasn't friendly but he wasn't harsh with anyone either."
"Well hasn't he changed then? Shouldn't we all be giving him another chance?" Ino pleaded.
"That's up to Tsunade-sama." Sakura said mono-toned.
Ino grabbed her friend's arm and forced her to look at her. "What happened to the girl I knew who was in love with him?" she demanded hotly.
"That girl watched him try to kill her good friend, she watched him try to kill their teacher, and then he turned the knife on her as well." Sakura replied as she wrenched her arm from Ino's grasp. "You think I like the fact that I feel this way? Four years Ino...four years Naruto and I searched for him. Four years we trained to get stronger so we could bring him back together, and when we find him he tries to kill us all. He teams up with Akatuski and says he's gonna destroy the village." Sakura took a deep breath to try and calm herself of the violent emotions coursing through her.
"But he didn't Sakura. He fought with Naruto, he killed Madara, he came back home."
"Why do you even care that much Ino? Are you gonna sit there and tell me you still have a crush on him or something?" Sakura asked.
"No. That was some silly girls feelings that I've long since gotten over. I just don't like the idea of killing a friend."
"He was never any of our friend. He didn't want to be."
"Yes he was Sakura. Regardless whether he wanted it or not he had our friendship." Ino reached out and trailed her fingers through Sakura's shoulder length hair. "You wouldn't have cut this off otherwise."
Sakura allowed a half smile at that. Yes, Sasuke had her friendship then whether he wanted it or not. Problem was, she knew he didn't want it and she wasn't sure she was able to put that kind of effort into giving him her friendship again. She sighed and tried to force him out of her mind. There were people who needed her help and sitting here thinking about Sasuke wasn't doing them any good.
"Come on Pig. We've got work to do." Sakura said and got to her feet.
"Yeah, yeah, forehead. I figured reminding you of that hideously short hair would get you back up."
"What?"
Ino went to walk in front of her and shook her head to allow her blond locks to sway heavily. "Just admit your jealous of my beautiful long hair."
"What? Those split ends?"
"I do not have split ends Forehead!"
Sakura laughed and dashed down the stairs with Ino in pursuit.
Tsunade stared at the Uchiha over her steepled fingers. The young man met her gaze unwavering and without a trace of tension in his lean body. Without the purple rope from sound draped around his waist, she could see his size was actually smaller than Naruto's. Where Naruto had much more muscle tone packed onto his frame, the Uchiha was long and lean, probably relying more on his speed than his strength to deal with his opponents. ANBU were hidden the perimeter of her office but she was quite certain Sasuke would be able to make it to her before they could even move. Too bad for him, she would never be an easy opponent to take down.
She knew he didn't like her. As a matter of fact, she was quite sure after everything she'd said and done to him, he probably wanted to kill her. A wry grin came to her face. If he didn't want to kill her yet, he probably would over the next few months.
"Glad to see you made the trip safely."
She smiled fully when she saw the corner of his eye tick.
"How was it? Being around your old comrades?"
He continued to stand there silently, never breaking his obsidian gaze from hers.
"Fine. You don't need to answer my questions, I've already received a report from ANBU. I will say the report of your meeting with Neji and the others surprised me. I figured with everything said on their part you would have attacked them outright. Could it be you've lost a bit of your anger?"
She looked into his red eyes and sighed heavily.
"I guess not. However, at least you are showing restraint. As I'm sure you're already aware, Itachi's presence will be kept hidden from practically everyone in the village. Only a few people know about him remaining alive and it's going to stay that way." She said pointedly. "I'm sure you can imagine the panic that would ensue in the village if they knew he was here. Don't look at me like that boy." she said heatedly as he narrowed his eyes at her. "You know full well I'm telling the truth. Hell, it was bad enough with you walking into the village. You should be glad rumors get around quickly. Everyone in the village was already aware you and Naruto worked together to kill Madara and truly end the war. That's probably the only thing that kept a lynch mob from forming."
Sasuke nearly bit his tongue in half to keep himself from screaming at the bitch in front of him. He didn't give a shit what the villagers thought or what they tried to do. If anyone of them approached him with the intent to attack him they'd be dead before they could complete the thought. He couldn't say that though. If he truly wanted to be in control of his life and just maybe, form a life where he wouldn't have to keep running from the shinobi of the various nations, he would have to work with this woman. Sasuke had already been informed by Kakashi what Tsunade had asked of the other kages. He wasn't sure what she wanted from him but she would reveal it in time. Right now, he would play along as much as he wanted and see what he could get out of the endeavor.
Tsunade took a calming breath and continued. "The elders are in prison and that's where they'll be for the remainder of their lives, however short that may be. I can explain their imprisonment by saying they collaborated with Danzo in order to push him into the hokage's seat and try to take over the Allied Forces. None of that is a lie anyway. However, I need you to understand the position I'm in."
She ignored the cocky raising of his eyebrow at that statement.
"The village was destroyed by an attack and we just got out of a war. The people here are working so hard together to get their lives back in order after those tragedies. After speaking about this matter with the new council we've decided, at least for now, not to divulge the true reasons behind the slaying of your clan."
Sasuke felt the anger raging in him once again and his muscles tensed in response. "So you plan to allow this village to live in happy ignorance of the sacrifice made by my clan?" he seethed.
Tsunade slapped her hand against her desk, causing new cracks to form along the wood, as she stood from her chair. "I said for now you impertinent brat. Shut up and listen to me before you go off all half-cocked!"
Sasuke grit his teeth once again but backed down slightly. "Kami," Tsunade said as she ran her hands through her hair in frustration. "It's not like I don't understand your position on this but you absolutely refuse to see mine. Not that I'm surprised I suppose. Hell, you were determined to destroy this village weren't you? For the pain it caused you and your family. I want you to take a look around you when you walk out of here. Take a good look at the faces of the civilians, the children, the shinobi who fucking fought beside your relatives and counted them as good friends and tell me you want to kill each one of them. Tell me you are that much of a cold-hearted bastard. If you do you'll be lying through your teeth. Because no one leaves their village behind and trains for years to kill someone for justice without having the capacity to love deeply. No matter what you try and tell yourself Uchiha, you aren't an unfeeling bastard. Just a kid who got drug into a horrible situation."
Sasuke couldn't say anything to her words as he was momentarily stunned by the understanding and pity he saw in the woman's eyes. He looked away from her when he couldn't stand it any longer.
"The village needs time to heal Sasuke. The wounds on those under my protection are deep. I would rather they heal before I land another blow that could rip it all apart."
He was silent for a while before he snorted. "Do what you wish. Not that anyone would listen to the words of a hated missing-nin anyway."
She smiled slightly though he was turned away from her. Well, that was easy. Her sarcastic mind thought. So far he hadn't attacked her, she gave him points for that. She wondered how he was gonna take the discussion about his punishment.
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Naruto sat staring off into the evening sun as he had been for the past few hours. Over and over he wracked his brain for a way to reach past the animosity his friends were holding against one another. It wasn't that he didn't understand where they each were coming from, but they were all too hung up on the pain they were in to see past the actions of the other party. It hurt him so much to be in the middle of this war going on between his friends...and to have their anger directed at him.
For so many years he'd struggled against the hatred directed at him for housing a monster he knew nothing about. He'd been alone, no family, no friends to ever combat the despair he'd felt all that time. Now, after so many years he had a large number of people he counted as friends...and they were once again turning their anger on him. He understood their position and in some ways felt the same.
They wanted to protect their village and their loved ones. All they wanted was to feel safe within their own territory and he felt the same; but to refuse to give Sasuke the second chance he so rightly deserved after all he'd been through just wasn't right.
The village was being rebuilt, the war was over...why did this pain have to continue?
The crunch of grass behind him alerted him to their presence. He didn't need to turn around to see the faces of the chakra signatures he recognized. Akamaru was the first one to approach. The large dog came to sit beside Naruto and rested his head on the jinchuriki's lap. Large brown eyes gazed up into his own and he let out a soft whine. Naruto smiled and petted the head of the nin-dog.
"Naruto." he heard Kiba call from behind him.
"Yeah?"
His friend didn't answer, but instead came to sit on his other side gazing into the sun as he was. They didn't speak for a while and Naruto wasn't surprised that the other man didn't come to sit with them.
"I meant what I said this morning." Kiba finally said.
"I know you did." Naruto said regretfully.
"It doesn't mean I don't know where your coming from man. I'm not mad at you and on some level, really, really deep down mind you, I'm grateful to Sasuke. Hell, at least he helped keep you alive. It still doesn't mean I trust him for shit."
"I understand that Kiba but you guys aren't even open to giving him another chance?"
"What has he done to earn another chance?" Neji spoke from behind them.
Naruto slowly rose to face him. "You mean besides turning the tables on Madara and ending the war?"
"The intel we received is even after the war he fought with you again."
"We had some things to work out. You've never fought with anyone before with the intent to kill them?" Naruto asked.
"Of course, but I'm sure he was still bent on killing you."
"Whether or not he was the point is he didn't and he hasn't raised a hand against anyone since then."
"Choji, Kiba, you, and myself almost died four years ago trying to drag him back here." Neji said with narrowed eyes. "We failed and he spent the next few years studying under the man responsible for murdering the Third."
"He also killed Orochimaru." Naruto said.
"Then he gathered a team of criminals to kill his brother."
"Who killed his entire family."
Neji continued. "He then joined Akatsuki and sought to destroy this village."
"And he helped kill the leader of Akatuski."
"Why do you insist on protecting him?" Neji asked.
"I'm not protecting him. I'm simply adding the truth that you seem to be so intent on leaving out." Naruto said heatedly.
Neji sighed heavily. "I know you were best friends. I understand he was your team mate, but Naruto...how do you overlook all he's done and accept him back like it's nothing?"
Naruto laughed wryly. "You don't think this is hard for me too? It is Neji, but I believe in giving people second chances." Naruto stepped closer to Neji as he spoke. "For instance, I forgave you for nearly killing Hinata."
Neji recoiled as if he'd been slapped. Hearing Naruto say it so bluntly brought back the images of Hinata's blood covering his hand as she lay barely breathing on the floor of chunin exam sparring grounds.
"Didn't forget about that did you? The hatred you used to have for the main house that consumed your every thought. Tell me Neji, did you think about killing all of them?"
Neji couldn't open his mouth to speak as Naruto accurately spoke aloud the horrible thoughts he used to harbor for the main family.
"You did nothing to deserve that second chance but it was given to you wasn't it? And though you can't be called close, you and Hinata are friendly with each other. You protect her and I know you and Hiashi-san train together."
Naruto's cerulean eyes bored into his a moment longer before he stepped around Neji and began to walk away, speaking over his shoulder as he left.
"You got your second chance Neji, why can't Sasuke have his?"