Chapter 15: Celebrations and concerns

Woo hoo! Yakiniku Q" Choji cheered as he stood outside the restaurant. So far, Ino and Sai had arrived, and a few others but Choji was becoming anxious to eat.

"Arrgghh where is everyone?!" He asked, annoyed.

"Calm down Choji! Everyone will be here. You have to remember it's 8 at night, everyone is probably trying to get away from their parents. You know with the aftermath of the war and all they've been clingy." Ino sighed. Her parents practically smothered her the moment they left the battlefield. Of course, she wasn't the only one, She knew Shino, Shikamaru, and Hinata had experienced the same pressure. The three of them were the next in line to lead their clans and any harm that could come to them was a grave concern. Of course, their parents knew they were capable shinobi, but war and its aftermath were different. However, Ino paused at the thought of Hinata. Ino hadn't been with her when the girl passed out but she had heard plenty of rumors around the village. And Ino wouldn't be Ino if she didn't go and investigate the rumors, getting as much information as she could, and what she found out devastated her. Hinata was in a coma, in an unreachable part of the hospital, and wasn't allowed visitors including her father.

To make things worse, the Hyuga clan announced that Hanabi Hyuga was now the official heir of the clan and Neji Hyuga would be her right-hand man. But where did that leave Hinata? Would she be branded with the curse seal? Ino wrung her hands in worry. She didn't know too much about the hyuga clan politics but she knew about the dreaded curse seal. The Yamanaka clan was different when it came to clan matters but Ino couldn't help but feel bad for her friend. In the months before the war Hinata improved so much in medical jutsu and she saved so many lives in the war. It wasn't fair!

A warm hand covered her own, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was Sai, his eyes full of concern.

"Ino? What happened to my beautiful smile?"

"Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts."

"Well don't get too lost, our friends are here."

Ino looked up to see the rest of their group approaching. She smiled as Sakura waved at her.

"Hey, Sakura-chan!"

"Ino!"

Before She knew it, Ino was swarmed by all her friends and comrades.

"Finally! I'm glad you all are here! Let's go eat!" Choji said annoyed.

The group headed to the private room Choji had reserved. Everyone sat laughing and talking, only two people missing.

Hinata and Sasuke.

Not that Sasuke was ever truly a part of the group. Can't believe I saw something in that jerk. Ino thought. I just hope Sakura can get over him soon. I can still see the obsession in her eyes. The desire to be with him. He's going to break her heart.

Ino glanced at her friend who seemed to be in a somber mood. It was understandable, Sauske had been put on trial the moment they left the battlefield. He had been sentenced to a year in Kohona's prison. It was only because of his war efforts and Naruto's pleading that Sasuke escaped an execution. She should also mention that being the sixth Hokage brother played a part as well. Ino frowned at the thought of their new leader. While she knew and understood the truth behind the Uchiha massacre, it didn't mean she trusted him. She would follow his commands because she trusted in Lady Tsunade's judgment, but if push came to shove, she'd kill Itachi Uchiha in a heartbeat.

…

Neji Hyuga was a smart man, a genius some called him but right now he didn't feel like either.

Right now, he felt like a failure. Hinata had saved his life and yet he failed to complete his one goal in life.

To protect her.

That was his job, to protect the main branch, and yet it was Hinata who was lying somewhere in a hospital room with no visitors.

And not only had she saved his life but also her fathers. They had laid side by side he and his uncle dying and breathing thier last breath yet Hinata had saved them. Lord Hiashi walked away with a simple leg, having to walk with a cane from now on.

Now that Lady Tsuande had stepped down as Hokage, she took on the role of chief of medicine at the hospital, her word was law. No matter how hard the Hyuga clan pushed and argued to see Lady Hinata, Tsunade wouldn't budge.

Her answer was no.

And then to top it off, despite her being in a coma, the clan wanted to celebrate. They wanted to celebrate Hanabi being named heir but they also wanted to celebrate him. He had been promoted to Anbu and partnered with Shino Aburame.

They were leaving on their first mission next week. He wasn't upset about the promotion but the fact that his cousin wasn't by his side. Hinata was strong and more than capable as a shinobi. It was she who should be leading the clan or at least standing by Lady Hanabi's side as her right hand. Not him, he was perfectly fine to lead on the sidelines.

Man, what he wouldn't do for some sake right now. But he knew the restaurant wouldn't serve it to him. He was only 19, he had another year before he could drink.

"Neji! My friend! Let us toast to our youth and new responsibilities!" Lee cheered.

Neji smiled bitterly.

"Yeah, sure."

…

Sasuke folded his arms and pushed the bento box away. It had been two weeks since Itachi had been Hokage and the latter was just now visiting him. He sneered at his older brother dressed in the Hokage hat and robe, the Uchiha fan stitched onto the back of it.

"Took you long enough." Sasuke spat.

Itachi smiled at him and cocked his head.

"I've been busy, you know that but I'm here now. Besides, Naruto has been keeping you company, so stop being grumpy. You know that I can't show favoritism just because you are my brother. You will serve your year and you'll be free after that."

"Free to serve Kohona?"

"Free to live your life Sasuke," Itachi said seriously. " Of course, you have to stay in Kohona for a year but after that, you're free to go. You won't have to worry about restoring the clan or restoring our honor because I'm doing that. Becoming Hokage was just the first step."

"Pssh, I don't see you here in chains." Sasuke snapped. " I understand why you killed our clan, I understand that you were manipulated and lied to but why am I here in chains and you get to stand outside the bars!? I fought on that battlefield the same as you! Why don't you get the same treatment?"

Sasuke froze as Itachi's dark laugh filled the room. His eyes glowed bright red as he tipped his head to look at him.

"Oh trust me, little brother. Your year in prison will be nothing compared to the torture I go through every day. For the rest of my life, our clansman's blood will be on my hands. It will be their screams and cries I hear at night. Not you! And to make it clear my time in the Akatsuki was not one of playing and reckless killing! I was spying on them for Kohona! Everything I did and have ever done has been for Kohona and you! What do you think would have happened if the clan had been allowed to live? They would have overthrown the village! Yes, Danzo was treating us unfairly but matters could have been resolved differently. Instead, our people wanted to start a coup against the village. Well, the village struck before they could and I was the messenger. What I did was wrong and I will have to live with it for the rest of my life. However, you get the chance to be free. Think about what that looks like to you."

With that said Itachi stood and turned towards the door r. However, he stopped and turned back to face Sasuke.

And in a moment of vulnerability that Sasuke had never seen before, Itachi knelt before him, his forehead meeting the dirty and piss-ridden prison floor.

"Sasuke, I am so, so, sorry. For every action and word I ever did to hurt you. To make you feel unwanted and unworthy. For taking away your childhood, for taking away your family. I just ask that one day you can forgive me."

And with that said, Itachi disappeared in a puff of smoke. Sasuke however, was left speechless.

…..

Itachi closed his eyes and forced himself to calm down. He hadn't expected himself to become so emotional like that in front of his brother. But he needed Sasuke to know the truth. As long as he served his time, he was free. The details of how were unknown but he would figure it out.

"Lord sixth!" an anbu called appearing next to him.

"Yes?"

"Lady Tsunade has sent me for you! Lady Uchiha has awakened!"