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Chapter 19
Sasuke awoke to the sound of someone opening and closing his door. He knew all to well that it was the nurse bringing in his breakfast, so didn’t bother getting up.
“Get up Sasuke. I have something important to tell you.”
Sasuke opened his eyes looking to the side. He knew that voice. It was the voice of Tsunade, the Hokage. Looking into hazel eyes, he sat up silently. He noticed a nurse suddenly emerge from behind her, carrying a tray of food. Putting it on his sliding table she bowed to the two, and left the room without a word.
“Sasuke, the elders have decided to have a trial for you, to see what your proper punishment should be for betraying Konoha three years ago.”
“Aa.”
“Since you are fully healed, your trial will be held today at one in the afternoon. As of right now its Nine thirty, so you have three and a half hours to wait until then. At twelve forty five, a team of ANBU will show up to escort you to the trial.”
He nodded showing he understood. Tsunade sighed, looking at the boy in front of her. He stared back with a stoic expression.
“Listen Sasuke, the things you have done for Konoha will be brought up and weighed against the betrayal. I’m of course talking about you having killed Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi. Those will be used in your favor.”
“Hn.”
“There will not be a lot of people there, so you don’t have to worry about that. From what I know Sakura, Naruto and Kakashi are all going to be there. As for anyone else who is coming, I’m not sure. We tried to keep this trial as quiet as possible, so not very many people know about it. With that I think I have said everything I need to, so I will be going.”
She turned on her heel, heading to the door.
“Wait Hokage-sama.”
Surprised to hear him refer to her in such a way, she turned around to face him, “Yes Sasuke?”
“What do you think the outcome will be?” He asked his voice and face calm.
She stared at the sole survivor of the Uchiha clan for a moment and gave him a small reassuring smile, “Honestly I don’t know, but to compare what you have done to what you did, it shouldn’t be an unbearable or harsh punishment, so don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried, just curious.”
‘Liar!’
Tsunade smiled at him and turned on her heel, leaving the room without another word.
Sasuke adjusted his bed so he could sit comfortably sitting up, then leaned back against the folded bed.
‘You are to worried.’
‘A little, but I’m not gonna tell her that.’
‘…Good point.’
Sasuke looked out the window, looking down into the busy streets below. ‘Maybe I should have left after all…’
‘What good would that have done? Besides you need to resurrect the clan, and you need a female to help with that.’
‘And you would be referring to Sakura I’m assuming?’
‘Who else? She’s strong, smart, has perfect chakra control, a medic nin, probably the only one who can deal with your ice block attitude, not to mention she actually loves you, unlike all those crazy fan girls… and besides…you want her.’
Sasuke almost fell out of the bed, ‘I WHAT!’
‘You heard me! You want her soooo bad.’
‘I DO NOT!’
‘Do to.’
‘DO NOT!’
‘Do to!’
‘Prove it then!’
‘That’s easy, do you remember last night when you kissed her?’
‘…’
‘YEAH! THAT’S WHAT I THOUGHT! You would have taken her right then and there if she hadn’t stopped you.’
‘GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!’
Sasuke was surprised that his inner self did stop after that. Thankful, he grabbed the sliding tray and began to eat his breakfast, ignoring the conversation he just had with his inner self.
“Sakura-chan?”
“Naruto?”
“What are you doing here already? I thought I wasn’t supposed to meet you until twelve forty?”
“I know, I couldn’t sit still.”
He nodded, “Yeah, me neither.”
Sakura looked up at him and let a breath of laughter go, but it wasn’t really happy, it was more nervous. Stepping out of his house, Naruto locked the door and turned to her, “Well we could at least get some Raman while we wait.” He said smirking.
Sakura nodded and turned to walk beside Naruto, heading to the Raman stand. Sakura got a good idea as she walked with him. Wiping the mischievous smile off her face she turned to him, “Hey Naruto.”
“Yeah?”
“What happened after I left you yesterday? I saw you running down the street with Hinata-chan in your arms?”
“Oh that. To tell you the truth I’m not really sure what happened. I was just sitting there eating Raman, and then I get hit on the head, hard. So I turn around ready to beat the person who hit me, and Hinata is falling to the ground. So obviously I can’t just let her fall and I catch her. Then after I asked if she was okay, she fainted so I took her to the hospital.”
“Really?” She said, trying to make it sound as though she had no idea what happened.
“Yeah, and then I waited until they could tell me what was wrong with her, and Tsunade-no-baa-chan said she just fainted. It was weird, but I stayed with her until she woke up, just to make sure she was okay.”
Sakura felt her eyes widen momentarily, ‘OMG, if Hinata-chan woke up and Naruto was beside her…’
“Naruto what happened after she woke up?”
“That’s what’s so weird! After she woke up and saw me, I asked her if she was okay and she just fainted again. Not knowing what to do I asked Tsunade-no-baa-chan to look at her again, but she just told me to take her home.”
“You carried her the whole way home?!” Sakura asked a little too excited.
“Yeah, Hizashi was glad to know where his daughter was. Anyway I told him to tell her, I wanted to see her sometime today so I could check up on her again. After Sasuke’s trial I am going to go over there.”
‘Poor Hinata-chan I think she is going to faint when Hizashi tells her that… not to mention when Naruto shows up at her door.’
They finally arrived at the Raman stand and each ordered a bowl. Sakura was happy that Naruto seemed at least a little interested in Hinata.
“Sakura-chan?”
“Yeah?”
“What am I supposed to do if she keeps fainting? I mean what if something is really wrong with her?!”
Sakura had to suppress the urge to giggle, “Naruto, Hinata is a shy girl, so maybe try sitting further back from her when she regains consciousness, you know give her some air and space.”
“I guess that makes sense. Thanks Sakura-chan!”
They finished eating they’re food and left still with a few minutes to spare. Sakura suggested they walk slowly to the Hokage tower to kill some time. Both Naruto and Sakura walked most of the way in silence. They were both feeling anxious about Sasuke’s trial and were deep in thought about it. Even though they took they’re time getting there, it seemed as though they arrived still a few minutes before it started. The two of them stopped out side of the door not moving or talking. Finally Sakura turned to Naruto, “Naruto, do you think-“
“Everything’s going to be fine Sakura-chan. They are definitely not going to sentence him to be executed because he is the last survivor of the famous and strong Uchiha clan from Konoha, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
She still seemed hesitant and looked at him with pleading eyes. Before she could say anything he continued, “Listen the worst possible thing they could do to him is send him to prison for a little while, and I don’t think that will happen, Okay?”
She nodded feeling a little better, “Okay.”
Before turning to the door, he gave her a small smile and opened it, walking in with Sakura following behind. Sakura could feel her heart in her chest pounding. Once they walked in they realized what a small room it was. It was like a mini court room with a middle isle and some chairs. At the end of the chairs were two desks, but after that it was different. At the end of the room was a small platform where the one being judged would sit. Sakura saw Tsunade and Shizune in the desk on the right side and the elders sitting in the desk on the left, they were talking amongst themselves.
“AH! Kakashi-sensei!”
Sakura had been to interested in the room, that she never noticed the only other person in the room beside them, the elders, Tsunade and Shizune.
“Yo.”
The two disbelieving students walked over to they’re sensei, taking a seat beside him on the right side of the room.
“I can’t believe it!” Exclaimed Naruto as he sat down beside Kakashi.
“Well Naruto, you have known about this trial for a couple days now-“
“Not the trial! I can’t believe you’re here early! You got here even before we did!”
“I can show up on time when I want to.”
Naruto’s eyes widened and he gritted his teeth together, “Are you saying you show up late because you want to?!!” He pushed out trying not to lose his temper.
Kakashi just realized what he had said, and started to laugh uncomfortably, “Ah ha, ha, ha hahahaha, that’s not what I meant, ah ha ahahaha.”
“THEN WHAT DID YOU MEAN SENSEI?!”
Sakura smacked Naruto lightly on the shoulder, “Naruto, Kakashi-sensei.”
“Hn?”
“What?!”
She turned her head to face the now open door, “Sasuke-kun is here. It’s starting.”
Both Kakashi and Naruto forgot about they’re argument as they turned to face the ebony haired boy being escorted by four ANBU into the room. Sakura could feel her heart in her chest pounding so hard, she thought Naruto and Kakashi might be able to hear it. ‘Sasuke-kun…’
Sasuke was thankful the room was empty, and there were only the three people he really cared to be there, there. He turned his head to the left looking each of them in the eyes. They each had a hard expression on they’re faces. Sasuke lingered looking at Sakura for a moment longer then the others, then turned back to the front. He walked through two short swinging doors, walking past Tsunade and Shizune on his left and the elders on his right. Not looking at any of them, he continued walking until he was on the stand, and took a seat in the chair that was provided. The four ANBU stayed around him on the four corners of the platform.
Sasuke could tell he was feeling slightly nervous. This was not a feeling he was accustomed to. He was never nervous, frightened, timid or jealous. Except for the few exceptions when he was jealous around Sakura, but he didn’t count that. After a long pause of silence, the elder woman stood up.
“Uchiha Fugaku Sasuke, do you understand why you have been brought before this council today.”
“Yes.” Sasuke said in a monotone voice, his expression stoic.
“Then you understand that you have been brought here today, to discuss the punishment for your betrayal of this village, Konoha Gakure, three years ago, and any acts of treachery or betrayal there after?”
“Yes.”
Sakura, Naruto and Kakashi were all surprised he was not saying, ‘Aa’ or ‘Hn.’ They each thought because he was being put up on the stand in front of officials that were going to be deciding his fate, he decided to be more direct.
The woman who was speaking sat down a moment later. The elder man who was sitting beside her, stood up with a book in his hands and began to read aloud.
“The punishment a shinobi is to receive if he or she abandon’s they’re village, rendering them as missing nin’s, is execution by Hunter nin’s, or ten solid years in jail, unless the council deems another birth.”
Sakura caught her breath in her throat, feeling a large lump form there suddenly. Naruto seemed to notice she began to shake, and grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly for support. Sakura squeezed his hand back, keeping her attention fixated on what was happening at the front of the room. Sasuke seemed completely calm to Sakura, even after hearing he might be sentenced to death.
The man sat down once he was finished reading. The woman stood up once he sat down, “Uchiha Sasuke, these are the charges that are set against you. We will now hear the rebottle and reasons in favor of your case.”
The woman sat down and Tsunade stood up.
“First of all I would like to start by saying Uchiha Sasuke is the only surviving member of the Uchiha clan. One of Konoha’s oldest, strongest and most prestigious clans, this is the plea I give to spare his life.”
The old woman did not stand, instead she stayed seated and asked, “Reasons?”
The old man beside her seemed to be scribbling away on a piece of paper, writing down what was happening and being said.
“He is, of course, a male of that clan, and can therefore resurrect it, and by doing so giving more strength and shinobi to Konoha.”
Sakura felt her cheeks turn slightly pink. She had never expected them to use him being able to resurrect his clan as a reason he should live. Sakura looked at Sasuke and noticed that, even though his face was stoic, his cheeks had a slight tinge of pink on them. ‘Apparently Sasuke-kun wasn’t expecting that either.’
This statement seemed to go well with the elders; they seemed to be deep in thought. After a long pause, the woman finally spoke again, “Next.”
Tsunade nodded once then continued, “I would like to bring to your attention the things he has done for Konoha in the last few months. He has killed Orochimaru, the biggest threat to Konoha, this is my pleas he not go to prison for ten years.”
The elder woman nodded, “Reasons?”
Tsunade continued, “Orochimaru was the largest threat to Konoha as one of the legendary Sannin. He wanted to invade and destroy Konoha, and was building an army to do so. Orochimaru had planned to alliance most of the countries against Konoha and attack. He was the cause of the war against Konoha three years ago during the Chuunin exams. He is responsible for the damage done to Konoha during that time, and all the shinobi he killed including the Third Hokage, Sarotobi.”
There was another pause, but it was shorter this time. Once again she nodded, “Next.”
Sasuke was feeling uneasy. It seemed the only reason they wanted him to live was to make Uchiha babies. Sakura, Naruto and Kakashi all remained silent watching carefully, everything that happened.
Tsunade nodded once again, “I would like to bring to your attention the task he completed not two weeks ago. He was successful in the murder of Uchiha Itachi, renowned Akatsuki member, threat to Konoha, and the sole murdered for the entire Uchiha clan. This is my plea he be rendered of probation time.”
“Reasons?”
Tsunade bowed, and continued, “Uchiha Itachi killed off one of the strongest and oldest clan’s in all of Konoha, as well as the founders of the Konoha police, and ANBU. He was a threat to Konoha and tried to kill many of our shinobi, as well as take possession of Uzumaki Naruto in order to take out the power of the Kyuubi, and use it against all shinobi in the world. His Doujutsu caused us much distress and problems. He knocked out some guards that were standing watch at the Konoha gates. He put Hatake Kakashi into a coma for a month, as well as Uchiha Sasuke before he betrayed the village. He posed a large threat to Konoha and its shinobi, and because of Uchiha Sasuke, he is no longer.”
The elders were both nodding and not speaking. The man was still writing and the woman looked as though she was thinking. After another moment of silence, she spoke, “Next.”
Tsunade bowed again, “Next and final order of business. Uchiha Sasuke returned on his own, and while he was away for those three years, he not once harmed, or killed any Konoha shinobi. This is my plea to render all charges be dropped.”
“Reasons?”
Tsunade continued, “All missing nin’s that have left in the history of Konoha Gakure have never returned on they’re own, and some not at all. In doing this, Uchiha Sasuke show’s much bravery and loyalty. After learning under Orochimaru, a man who wanted to destroy Konoha and everything in it, he never once hurt, hunted or killed any of Konoha’s shinobi. He stayed away from Konoha, and never tested our strength or patience.”
Tsunade bowed and took her seat again. The elder woman stood up, “Uchiha Sasuke, we have given the Hokage a chance to plea your sentence. Now we must converse to decide the proper punishment for your betrayal.” Turning on her heel she began to walk down the isle. She was quickly followed by the elder man, then Tsunade and Shizune. Sakura caught Tsunade’s eye before she left completely. She saw her wink at her, then continue walking. The three companions looked to the front where Sasuke was standing a moment before. He too was being lead by the ANBU out of the room, but to a different place.
Naruto went to say something to him, but Kakashi put his hand over his mouth, to keep him quiet. Without a word, Sasuke and the four ANBU left the room. Kakashi finally let go of Naruto, who turned to him, “What did you do that for?!” Naruto accused.
“Because you are not permitted to talk to him right now.”
“Kakashi-sensei, how long do you think they will be?” Sakura asked cutting Naruto off.
Both Kakashi and Naruto turned to her. She looked pained and worried. Naruto decided to refrain from arguing with Kakashi anymore. Kakashi sighed, “I don’t know how long they are going to be in discussion for. It could be an hour and it could be seven, I really don’t know.
“Do you know where they took Sasuke-kun?” She asked.
“They took him to a room that is just down the hall. He will be guarded there until he is summoned to come back, so the elders can tell him they’re decision.”
The three shinobi sat in silence for a moment, thinking about what had just happened.
“Ne, Kakashi-sensei, do you think they will free him of all charges?” Naruto asked.
“I don’t know. There are no missing nin’s that have been freed of all charges before. In fact the most lenient sentence a missing nin has received, was one year in jail, one year probation doing only C and D rank missions, and then if the elders thought he was trustworthy, they would take him off probation and allow him to start going on B rank missions. From there they had to earn back trust, to go on higher ranked missions.”
“How long ago was this Kakashi-sensei?” Sakura asked.
“It was about fifteen years ago.”
Once again the three shinobi sat in silence, until Naruto once again broke it.
“Tsunade-no-baa-chan did a good job of defending him I think, though.”
Kakashi nodded and so did Sakura, showing they agreed with him.
“Now all we can do it wait for the verdict.” Kakashi said.
Naruto and Sakura each nodded, agreeing with him. Finally they were all quiet, sitting still and replaying everything that had happened in they’re minds. Each of them was nervous and anxious. It seemed like forever they waited for the elders to return. Sakura forgot about her hungry stomach. The only thing she could think about or concentrate on was Sasuke’s sentence. She glanced over to Naruto and Kakashi. Naruto was leaned forward with his arms resting on the chair in front of him, and his head resting on his arms. He seemed to be staring hard at the front of the room, deep in thought. Looking past him she saw Kakashi. He also seemed to be lost in thought, especially since he wasn’t even reading his book.
Sakura sighed and shifted in her chair. She didn’t know how long it had been since everyone left the room. There was no clock in the room they were in, and being lost in thought for so long, gave her no sense of what time it was. She glanced out the window to see if that would help, but the sun was no where in sight. She couldn’t stop replaying what had happened in her mind. ‘He can resurrect his clan…he killed Orochimaru, one of the greatest threats to Konoha…he killed Uchiha Itachi, renowned Akatsuki member and murderer of the entire Uchiha clan…Uchiha Sasuke returned on his own…’
She had a feeling of unease on her stomach, and it was making her uncomfortable. ‘Will this be enough to convince the elders to free him of all charges? …It doesn’t look like they are going to execute him because they want him to resurrect his clan, but I really don’t know about anything else. I would think killing Itachi and Orochimaru would be enough to free him of all charges, and Tsunade-sama is right, he did come back on his own…’
She turned her head to the side to look out the window. She saw two birds flying around one another, not fighting. It was more like they were flirting. Sakura sighed again, ‘Sasuke-kun… what will happen to you…’
There was a loud noise behind them, and they all turned around, startled. Each of them were broken out of they’re thoughts by the four people now filing in. Sakura could feel her heart start to race as the two elders, Tsunade and Shizune walked back into the room, silently taking they’re seats. Sakura tried to find a shred of what was to come in Tsunade’s face, but both she and Shizune avoided looking at them, and walked with an expression that was not readable. She turned to Naruto and Kakashi, both of them looked how she felt, anxious and nervous. Naruto looked more like it then Kakashi, but Sakura could still see a trace of uncertainty written on her sensei’s usual blank face.
There was another noise behind them and once again they all turned to see who it was. Sakura felt her breathing become erratic as her heart sped up. Sasuke walked past them glancing at each of them for a moment, but silently continued on, until he was at the front of the room again, still being guarded by the ANBU unit. Once all movement stopped and the room was perfectly silent, the elder woman stood up.
Sakura caught her breath in her throat, she could feel her hands shaking, but tried to pay no attention to it. She felt Naruto’s hand grab hers once again. Instinctively she squeezed his hand, probably a little harder then she meant to, but she didn’t hear Naruto complain or make a move to take his hand away. Finally the woman spoke.
“Uchiha Fugaku Sasuke, after conversing we have reached a final verdict.”
Sakura squeezed Naruto’s hand even more, fearing the final outcome, ‘This is it…Sasuke-kun’s fate will be decided…’ Sakura swallowed waiting for the old woman to continue.
“You understand the charges set against you, betraying your country and becoming a missing nin. The punishment, as written, was either execution or ten years in prison.”
There was a pause before the woman continued. Sakura wished she could see the womans face, but since she was facing Sauke and was further up the room, she had no hope of seeing it. Sakura looked at Sasuke. He had his usual stoic expression and looked calm. The short pause that seemed to last eternity, tortured Sakura to the point where she almost couldn’t take it.
“After hearing the Hokage plea your case and a long discussion, we have decided on a verdict and suitable punishment.”
Sakura felt a drop of sweat begin to drip down the side of her face. This pause seemed to be longer then the last one. ‘Please just tell us his punishment! TELL US HIS PUNISHMENT!’
The elder woman cleared her throat, finally beginning to talk again, “The punishment you shall receive is as such. You shall be spared from execution for the sake of resurrecting your clan.”
Sakura felt a large weight lift off her shoulders, but knew it wasn’t over. Swallowing hard she continued to listen.
“You will be spared from ten years in prison for the sake of the murder or Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi, and the fact that you returned on your own to Konoha.”
Sakura felt her eyes widen, ‘then that means…’
“Your punishment is probation for one year, once completed successfully, you may go on B rank missions until we feel you are trustworthy enough to go on A and S rank missions. How long this lasts is up to you.”
Sasuke felt his fast heart rate begin to slow. He didn’t entirely care that he had probation for a year or two. What he wanted happened, he wasn’t going to jail, and he wasn’t going to be executed.
“However, know this Uchiha Sasuke.”
Sasuke stared at the woman standing before him, a piece of his relief taken from him.
“If you ever betray Konoha again, the punishment will be certain death.”
Sasuke understood this. It was the only thing that made sense. He nodded once, “Yes.”
“For further details of your probation, you will see Tsunade in her office to follow this. The ANBU guarding you will no longer need to follow you. This court session is adjourned.”
Sasuke felt the corners of his mouth want to form into a smirk, but for fear of the elders thinking they were too lenient on him, he fought it off. Sasuke watched a smiling Tsunade and Shizune leave the room. The four ANBU guarding him disappeared in a second. Sasuke smirked finally, ‘I’m permitted to come back home…’ Sasuke watched, almost in slow motion, Sakura, Naruto and Kakashi jump out of they’re seats and run at him. ‘I wonder what my probation is going to entail…?’
One of the last chapters up. I'm sorry if that is a shock for you to hear, but it can't go on forever. Not to mention I'm working on another story so am trying to get into the tone of that one and it's harder when you keep going back to a previous one. Of course I really like this story so I don't mind :) Anyway I hope you liked this chanpter. As well what are Sasuke's parents names. I know his father's name is Fugaku and I think his mothers name is Mikoto, but is that how they're spelled? Anyway THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS!!
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