…Someday I'll be a well-known writer…but it won't be because I own Naruto…because I DON'T…
Chapter 12: Epilogue ( Not prologue as I accidentally wrote at the end of chapter 11)
Tsunade shook her head and sighed as Kakashi finished his remarkable recount of what happened during Naruto's mission. It was the first reaction she had offered during the two-hour long tale.
Inside, she was smiling. Naruto really had a way of living up to all the faith people put in him. Perhaps it is because he simply was meant to be Hokage.
She realized Kakashi was staring at her, waiting for a verbal response.
"That's really something," was all she could offer him.
"Eh, so it is…and Sasuke?"
Her brown eyes studied him. "You know Sasuke better than I. I am no judge of the person he is today compared to the person he used to be. If you feel he is no threat to Konoha and means to stay here, then I will trust your judgment."
The copy-nin groaned inwardly. Tsunade was putting him in a terrible position. If he said he trusted Sasuke only to have the Uchiha betray them again, it would fall back onto his shoulders. If he said no, then he was responsible for whatever punishment the council deemed worthy.
The Hokage waited patiently for his answer.
"It's true that Sasuke redeemed himself in the end of the battle. And it is true that Orochimaru is dead as well as is Itachi. But other than that…I cannot say anything for certain." He looked at her as she raised an eyebrow but continued on. "Perhaps you should ask someone who would know his intentions better."
Tsunade rolled her eyes. Kakashi always had a way of getting out of things.
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"Naruto!" Sakura shook him gently. "Have you been sleeping there all night?"
The young man opened his eyes groggily and glanced around the hospital room. "Eh? Sakura-chan?"
"You have, haven't you!?!"
"I guess I might have accidentally fallen asleep in the chair." He grinned sheepishly.
"I'm fine, really." She pulled the covers tighter around her as she sat up in bed. "Shouldn't you be talking to Tsunade-sama?"
He shook his head. "Kakashi-sensei was going to do that. He said I should stay here."
Naruto watched his friend as she settled back against the pillows on her bed. She looked tired and her green eyes held a dullness he wasn't used to seeing. It was the first time since the journey home that she had been able to sit up without wincing in pain.
"Sakura-chan…what did he…Itachi…" They both turned as the door opened slightly.
Sasuke stepped into the room as he heard Naruto whisper his brother's name. He had no doubt that the blond was desperate to know what Sakura had been though, but he also knew that now was not the time to ask her. He wasn't sure if they should ever ask her. It was something she would tell them in her own time.
Sakura smiled as Sasuke stepped up to the bed. "Sasuke-kun."
He gave her a small, crooked smile and sat down on the end of the bed.
Naruto grinned. "Sasuke! Where have you been?"
"There was only one chair and you were sleeping in it."
"Only Kakashi's students wouldn't think to ask for another chair." Tsunade said from the doorway. She walked over and put a hand on Sakura's forehead. "You're feeling better?"
The young woman nodded, not meeting her teacher's eyes.
Tsunade understood and pretended not to notice. In a healing as intensive as Sakura's sometimes memories and thoughts are seen by the healer. And while Tsunade wished with all her person that she hadn't seen the images of Sakura's torture—she had. It embarrassed Sakura for her master to see her pain.
So Tsunade had forced herself to ignore it.
"Good," she said. "We'll keep you here one more night and then you can go."
As the sannin turned to leave she motioned to Sasuke. "Do you have a few moments?"
The Uchiha nodded.
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"You know why I want to speak with you." Tsunade fixed him with her stare. "So just be honest with me."
"Honest?"
She nodded. "What do you plan to do now?"
He was silent.
After a few moments, Tsunade stood and looked out the window at Konoha. "You know, Sasuke, I have sworn to protect Konoha. It is my duty and I take it very seriously. The people here look up to me." She turned back to him. "I am sure there are people who look up to you."
So she knows already. His face was blank but not cruelly so. "Sound is now without a leader."
She crossed her arms. "What about Kabuto? Kakashi did not know what happened to him—but I have a feeling you might."
The Uchiha shook his head. "He will not return to Sound."
"But you will?"
"I think I am next in line."
The sannin nodded. "That is true. But perhaps you should go there to make a difference and not pick up where it was left off."
He nodded. "Sound would be a valuable ally for Konoha."
"Do you think they will follow your rule? Do you think they can change?"
"Sound is a village like any other. It was founded for a breeding ground to fund Orochimaru's experiments. They have lived in fear for a lifetime. I do not see why they would resist a change for the better."
"You are welcome to stay in Konoha," she said. "If there is any attachment you have to this place you are welcome to stay."
Sasuke shook his head. "There is nothing keeping me here. I would ask, however, that all the old Uchiha buildings are burned when I leave."
"Burned?"
He nodded.
Tsunade could see there was something more to the request but she knew it was not her place to ask. She nodded. A part of her cringed as she thought of Sakura. Her apprentice would not do well to hear the news.
Sasuke shifted uncomfortably and the Hokage's eyes narrowed. She had never known of the Uchiha to seem uncertain about something. Most of her reports had him rather void of reaction and emotion.
But he was fidgeting nonetheless.
"There is something else…" He stilled and met her eyes. "I think Sound would benefit from the medical knowledge Konoha has. There are many people there who have been tortured and maimed. Kabuto rarely healed with his abilities. Perhaps…"
Tsunade was grinning on the inside, but she kept her face serious as she looked down at her notes. "Of course. I'll tell Shizune to pack right away."
Her smile broke through as she saw Sasuke visibly blanch.
"Sasuke," she said, "if it's what she wants, she has my blessing. But I'm not going to be the one to ask her."
He nodded curtly before turning and exiting the office.
Tsunade shook her head. There was one more thing she had to do now.
She stood and walked out to find Naruto.
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Sasuke knocked quietly before he stepped through the door and into Sakura's room.
The young woman was still reclining in bed, staring out the nearby window. At the sight of him she sat up and smiled.
Sasuke sat down in the chair Naruto had finally vacated. He remained quiet.
Sakura watched him for a while but turned her attention back outside when Sasuke didn't speak.
After a few long moments, the Uchiha broke the silence.
"Sakura," he said. "I'm leaving."
Her green eyes went wide as she turned to him.
"I am going back to Sound. I will be Kage in Orochimaru's stead."
The words were like daggers in Sakura's chest. It was just like that moment three years ago. He was leaving—again. She didn't reply and looked down at her hands. She didn't have any tears or energy left to cry.
Sasuke watched her reaction with interest. "Tsunade thinks it is for the best. I will be able to do much good there."
Silence.
Sasuke sighed. "The people there need help, Sakura." He leaned down and broke the line of her gaze. "All kinds of help."
A small glimmer of recognition and she looked up. "What are you trying to say?"
"I want you to go with me."
She almost smiled. He had meant it to sound casual but it had come out awkward and hurried. It was unlike Sasuke to lose his composure—if even slightly. But what will Naruto say?
He waited for her to say something but she wasn't humoring him. Irrational fears began to tug at the back of his mind. Maybe she would say no. Maybe he reminded her too much…
"Sakura…I am not my brother."
Instantly her eyes snapped up to his. "Why would you say that?"
"Because I need to know if I am going to remind you of what he did every time you see me."
"Sasuke," she shook her head and sighed. "You are not your brother."
"Then you'll come with me?"
She smiled. "I will. But what about…"
The door burst open as Naruto flew in.
"You guys won't believe it!" He jumped between them. "Granny Tsunade is going to name me her successor! I'm going to be Hokage!!"
They stared at him, dumbfounded.
Naruto crushed them both into a hug. "And once you guys rebuild Sound, then we'll gather up Gaara and we'll go build alliances with all the other countries! There will be no more war! I'll see to it!"
Sakura laughed as Naruto babbled on. "Naruto! You don't mind that we're leaving?"
His expression sobered. "Well, I'm going to miss you guys. But Tsunade said that she wanted me to work along with Hinata-chan to help find a way to unite all the Countries, so I'm sure I'll be really busy and we'll see each other all the time."
Sakura's smile grew. Tsunade was wilier than she seemed. "I think you're right, Naruto."
The three friends sat there, in the hospital room, talking of their future plans until late into the night.
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THE END -story note: Why did Sasuke want the Uchiha buildings burned? The history of the Uchiha that was hidden in the secret meeting place describes the true purpose of the sharingan. He wanted it burned so no future Uchihas took the path Itachi did.
Author's note: Sorry it took me a few days to update. Christmas week is insane for me and I've been driving all over the state for various reasons. I won't be writing fanfiction for a little while as previously stated—but I have an awesome story line for another Sasu/Saku story… if there is an aspiring writer out there who wants to take it on, let me know. I'll only pass it on to someone who will finish it and update quickly.