Disclaimers: Naruto is not mine, sadly. This is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.
Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, sexual assault, torture, sexual content (yaoi), & angst.
It's All In Your Head
Chapter 50: Dispute
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When they finally made it back to the village, the team decided to split off. Lee, Kiba, and Sai headed off to their own homes while Yamato, Sasuke, Naruto, and Kakashi made their way to the Hokage residence building to talk to Tsunade.
Naruto chose not to fill Sasuke in on his plans, assuming it was better to just discuss it on the spot with Kakashi's support. The Hokage would have no interest in what Sasuke wanted anyways, so it didn't really matter. More than that, Naruto didn't want him to try to talk him out of it.
He knew that Sasuke would not be happy about being locked up in his own house, stripped of his chakra and his rights, but it was still better than prison. Naruto had a lot of strange feelings swirling through him, a lot of things he had yet to figure out, but that didn't mean he would back down on this. He would not allow them to imprison him. In fact, he already decided that if they tried to lock him up he would find a way to free him.
It was treason to free a prisoner, especially one marked as a traitor and a threat to the village, but he wouldn't have a choice. He couldn't let Sasuke rot in a cell- couldn't stomach the idea of him being tormented, brutalized in the most horrific ways, because he had joined Konoha shinobi in order to save him.
He couldn't live with that.
I just need to convince Tsunade that it's the right thing to do. He glanced over at the silver-haired jonin beside him. I should be able to with Kakashi's help.
What are you talking about?
Naruto flinched. He was so caught up in his own fears that he completely forgot to block Sasuke from his thoughts. How much did you hear..? he thought nervously.
Sasuke raised a brow from inside his cell, even more curious now. What are you planning, Naruto?
What do you mean, he asked innocently.
Sasuke wasn't buying it. What are you and Kakashi trying to convince Tsunade to do?
He could sense the blonde biting his lip. Nothing. It's nothing.
You seem pretty worried about this "nothing".
The group stopped at the doors and thankfully Naruto was saved from having to answer as Sasuke's attention switched to the cell changing around him. Yamato brought down the wooden monstrosity and fashioned thick wooden shackles instead. He used one set to bind Sasuke's arms behind his back and his ankles close together, a small chain the only thing keeping them apart. He also constructed a thick collar that wrapped around his throat and fastened a heavy chain to it- long enough for someone to hold and lead him by.
It was humiliating, but still better than being trapped in that cell.
Kakashi took hold of the chain, wrapped it around his fist, and led the way, pulling Sasuke along with him. Naruto jogged up to them so he could walk on the other side of the raven, and Yamato walked close behind them- keeping an eye on their prisoner.
They moved quietly through the halls, ignoring the curious glances sent their way. Sasuke was very tempted to voice a handful of threats at the villagers who need to mind their own fucking business, but Naruto managed to mentally talk him down. They made it to the office without any bloodshed and paused before it, eyeing the large double doors with trepidation. Especially Sasuke- who assumed that his fate would include imprisonment, torture, and an early grave.
He noticed Naruto and Kakashi exchange a look, one that did not bode well with him. Why do I feel like I'm not going to like whatever you two have planned?
Because you suck at trusting people.
You're one to talk.
Don't I have good reason for that? Naruto countered, effectively silencing him.
He glanced over at the raven's sullen face and gave in, just a little. He reached behind him and grasped Sasuke's hand, giving it a light squeeze.
Dark eyes widened and shot over to stare at him. It had been so long since he had actually come into contact with him at all that even this small sign of affection moved him. Sasuke's chest clenched tight, and he had to swallow back a knot in the back of his throat. Naruto seemed to notice all of it, and his expression softened- a look that gave the raven more hope than he dared to have before.
That might be dangerous to have now.
It's going to be ok, Sasuke. Trust me.
Heavy obsidian eyes flickered between deep blues, finding comfort in their sincerity.
I trust you.
--
"Absolutely not."
"What the hell- you're not even going to consider it?!" Naruto shrieked, rage flashing in his eyes. "What kind of fucking Hokage-"
"What did you just say?!" Tsunade leapt to her feet and slammed her fists down on her desk, sending a pile of important looking papers scattering across the floor. "You have some fucking nerve brat!"
"Why?! Because I want you to do what's right instead of what benefits those old bastards pulling your strings?!"
"How about I throw your ass in a cell with him?!" she shot back, angry enough to mean it.
"And what's my crime?!" Naruto shouted back. "Having a fucking conscience? It does seem rare around here- maybe it really is banned."
"You think I don't mean it" Tsunade snarled, "but your luck has run out, brat. Sit in a cell for a few days- maybe then you'll learn some goddamn manners!"
She jerked her head to the side, facing the hidden door in the far wall. "Guards!" Several Anbu Black Ops streamed into the room, masks in place and weapons readied. She nodded towards the two irksome guests. "Take Uzumaki and Uchiha to a cell. They have some thinking to do."
The men flashed out of sight before suddenly reappearing at their sides, prepared to follow orders. They took hold of Sasuke's arms and one tried to take the chain from Kakashi, but one fierce look made them back down.
A man easily a foot taller than Naruto grabbed his arm with bruising strength and jerked him forward, but the blonde was no longer an easy prisoner. He summoned Kyuubi's chakra and concentrated it to his arm, searing the hand that dared to grasp it. The man flinched and pulled back enough for Naruto to wrench his arm free.
He leapt back and turned to glare at the woman across the room. "Locking us up because you don't want to hear the truth- is this how you earn respect, Hokage?"
"That's it." Tsunade stormed around her desk and over to the insolent blonde, her fists clenched tight, ready to clobber him, but Kakashi stepped in to cut her off. No surprise there- he was always like that for Naruto. And it didn't matter if he was in the right or not.
She glared at the jonin. "Haven't you put your neck out there for him enough times, Kakashi?"
Naruto flinched, his guilt instantly apparent.
Sasuke mentally reached out, pulling his attention away from the unwanted feelings. You have nothing to feel guilty about, Naruto. You deserve to be protected.
The blonde gave him a strained smile that didn't quite meet his eyes before looking away.
Sasuke's dark eyes shot over to the woman who hurt his blonde, his jaw clenched tight. He wanted nothing more than to fucking tear her a new one.
Kakashi, ever the peacemaker, gave a friendly smile as he tried to calm the hostility ricocheting from all sides.
"Ok, I think we all just need to take a step back and breathe."
The Hokage looked less than thrilled to take his advice.
Kakashi cleared his throat. "Ahemm. Might I make a suggestion?" He gestured to the men surrounding his pupils. "One that doesn't require Anbu enforcements."
Tsunade considered him for a moment before waving off her guards. She crossed her arms below her voluptuous chest and narrowed her eyes at the jonin. "I'm listening."
Kakashi gave Naruto an apologetic look, one that sent a chill down his spine, before turning back to the fuming Hokage. "Sasuke used a telepathic jutsu on Naruto three years ago, and they are still connected by it."
Tsunade's eyes widened, as did Naruto's. The Hokage clearly did not know about this before, and he had a feeling he knew where this was going- the reason for that look Kakashi gave him.
You don't mean..
Sasuke glanced over at the blonde, his brows furrowed. He also had an idea of where Kakashi was going with this, and was irritated that it bothered Naruto.
Kakashi continued before any of them could interrupt. "If you agree to putting Sasuke under house arrest, Naruto could-"
He paused. He didn't love this idea either, but he knew it was the only way to get Tsunade to agree. And Naruto was right- he didn't want to see Sasuke get thrown in prison. He's nineteen- still just a kid. A traumatized, lost kid. He didn't deserve to be tormented for his misplaced trust and naïve choices.
"Naruto could live there with him" he continued. "He would be able to infiltrate his mind, hear his thoughts. Sasuke.. he wouldn't be a risk to the village. We will know everything he's thinking."
He could see her considering it, and quickly added, "Naruto has proven that he can be trusted. If anything seems off, he will report it."
He glanced over at the blonde, seeing his guarded expression. "Naruto has always chosen the village first- often at the expense of himself. You know he would not turn his back on it."
Tsunade was still pissed at the blonde, but she had to admit that he had a point. They could throw Uchiha in a cell, interrogate him until his mind completely snapped under the pressure, and still not gather a single bit of intel. If Naruto really can hear his thoughts, she could use this to her advantage.
And honestly, it would take care of two problems. She would never admit it to present company, but the villagers were still not too keen on having Naruto around. They no longer lashed out at him, mostly because of how Kakashi had dealt with that in the past, but she still received many complaints. The stronger and more capable he became, the more worried the rest of Konoha seemed to be.
No matter how many times he saved the village, and their lives with it, they couldn't forget that the Nine Tails dwelled inside of him. And they had yet to let go of the past. She wasn't sure they ever would.
Despite how irritating he could be, Tsunade did care about Naruto. Locking him up in the Uchiha manor might be the safest option for him. At least for now.
"Alright" she said, shocking all five of them- herself included. "I will permit Uchiha to stay under house arrest under three conditions."
Naruto looked over at her nervously. "Which are..?"
She met his gaze. "One, you will be living with him for the extent of his sentence."
Naruto paled.
She didn't give him the chance to try to dispute it. "Two, I will provide a list of interrogation questions that you must ask and report back on. I expect cooperation from both sides." She gave Sasuke a pointed look before returning her attention to the blonde. "And three, I hold the right to change the extent of his time or the severity of his punishment depending on his actions."
Kakashi and Sasuke exchanged an uncertain look before zeroing in on the blonde. Naruto, on the otherhand, kept his head down and his racing thoughts to himself.
"Well, Naruto" Tsunade cut in, not willing to wait any longer, "what will it be?"
The blonde finally looked up. He didn't look confident about his response, but he said it anyways.
"I.." He swallowed. "I'll do it."
Kakashi looked regretful.
Sasuke looked relieved.
"Then it's settled." Tsunade walked back over to her desk, ignoring the mess she had made of its contents for now, and calmly took a seat. "Do you have any questions?"
Naruto tried to still his mind, to search for the things he knew he'd wonder over the minute he left her office. "Umm.. yeah. How long are you putting Sasuke under house arrest?"
"I haven't determined that yet" she replied. "I suppose that depends on his level of cooperation."
Naruto didn't like that answer, but there wasn't much he could do about it. He nodded, mostly to himself, as he searched for anything else he would need to know.
"Am I.. allowed to leave at all? Like to get supplies or.."
He didn't finish the thought, because it might hurt the person he was trying to protect. Because what he really wanted to know is if he could just get away from him for a while. Far enough where Sasuke wouldn't be able to see the thoughts haunting him, where he could fully let his guard down.
"Kakashi will drop off everything you need." She looked over at the jonin. "You also have my permission to visit anytime you like."
"Lady Tsunade, Naruto should be permitted to leave." She didn't look happy, so he quickly added, "I can stay with Sasuke while he's gone. Maybe a couple hours every few days? It'll help keep the two of them a little more.. relaxed, don't you think?"
She was clearly reluctant, but knew it was a smart call. "Fine. Twice a week. No longer than three hours each time."
Naruto wanted to contend, but Kakashi gave him a signal to hold back. He would argue on his behalf later. Now was not the time, not when she was already agreeing to their requests.
"Anything else?"
"What will you tell the rest of the village?" Naruto wondered aloud.
Tsunade thought this over a moment before responding. "That you are looking after Sasuke Uchiha during his rehabilitation, and therefore are unable to proceed with anything outside of the Uchiha estate. Does that suffice?"
He nodded.
"We appreciate your willingness to accept our proposal and to consider our suggestions" Kakashi said politely. "We will be sure to abide by your stipulations."
The Hokage waved away the civil, insincere comments. She had been in politics long enough to know when she was being placated with flowery, bullshit sentiments. She was well aware that Kakashi wasn't happy with her, and Naruto for sure wasn't, but it wasn't her job to make every stubborn shinobi feel like sunshine and rainbows. She did what was right for the village- no matter the expense.
"You're dismissed" she said coldly, no longer interested in the fake pleasantries- not that she ever was. She just knew her role in these things, and occasionally exchanged empty words as well. But today she was far too drained to put on a face.
The group could tell she was over it and headed out without another word. The minute the door closed behind them she called over her assistant.
"Shizune, pour me a drink." She rubbed the bridge of her nose, fighting to stave off the sudden migraine pulsing in her skull.
"And make it a strong one."